The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-17 00:00:00

BELGIAN BALL AT THE ALILUIBRA.

Last night the usual performances at this house
were suspended, and a grand dress ball was given in
honour of the Belgian visitors. The whole of the seats in
the " auditorium " were taken away, the floor was en-
tirely covered with a rich carpet, and the baud, one hun-
dred in number, conducted by M. Riviere, were mounted
on a raised platform on the stage, which was tastefully
fringed with fresh flowers. The saloons, supper-rooms,
end balconies were lso re-carpeted, and the whole house
war decorated with flags of all nations and handsome gas
devices. The average attendance of the Belgian volunteers
at this establishment, notwithstanding the many counter-
attract'ons in London, has been about 1,:100 each
night, including the night of their arrival, and test
night nearly every Belgian volunteer in the rnetrogelis
must have been present. As soon as the doors were opened
►t 10 o'clock they crowded in in their uniforms, and the
public crowded into the upper balconies—the only places
set apart for spectators—to look at them. At half-pawl
10 twelve masters of the ceremonies in court materna
marched into the dancing area, and the curt►in imme-
diately drew up, discovering the band, who played the
" Brsbanconne," which was loudly cheered. Dancing
flagged for some time owing to the somewhat scanty at-
,' tandem* of ladies in the early part of the evening, but
this defect was remedied towards midnight. The spectacle
seen from any point of the building was peculiar, military.
and effective, and all the Belgians evidently thoroughly
enjoyed themselves. The ball, we believe, was given by
the Alhambra Company and Mr. Strange without any eye
ha pewit, bat merely to fall a posies made in the news-
papers a few weeks before the arrival of the Belgians.

A telegram was received in Derby yesterday announcing
that fifty of the Belgian Volunteers would visit Derby on
Monday next. A well organized committee has been
formed in anticipation of the visit, and every exertion
will be made to give the hospitable Belgians a hearty
welcome, ample funds having been received to carry
out these arrangements. The details, as far as at pre-
'tent arranged, are as fellows:—The Belgians are ex-
pected to arrive at the Derby railway station from London
at nine o'clock on Monday evening, when they will be
met by the Derby battalion of volunteers under the
command of Colonel Wilmot, and esoorted to the front of
the Royal Rota, where the mayor and corporation will
give them a hearty welcome, and fraternal greetings will
Th be exchanged. e town will be illuminata d, flap will
be displayed, and all Derby will " tarn out." On Tues_
day morning a special train will convey the party to
Chatsworth, tho palace of the Peak, and where it is ex-
pected his Grace the Duke of Devonshire will entertain
them at luncheon. After exploring old Haddon Hall, and
other objects of interest in the famed Peak f Derbyshire,
the party will return to Derby, and at 10 o*, lock the same
evening there will be a grand military ball in the New
Assembly Rooms. The Belgians will return to London 00,
Wednesday morning, but it is probable ti at sonic will re.
main, and will visit Matlock. Dovedale, Sc.