The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-07 00:00:00

DAY.

THE GREAT FANCY BALL.

Bu the " Man in the Moons"

I take up a Californian pen—one made by E. T. Hall—
ta tell you of the vaonders (I saw) at the fancy ball—and
everything about it, the dresses being included—of those
who were admitted, and such as were excluded. When I
saw the ball advertised, about three weeks ago—l debated
in my own mind, whether I should stop or go; and, after
cogitating seine six and twenty hours, I resolved to bay a
ticket at the music Shop of Powers. Having made that
resolution, I prepared to set out right, and travel by the
railway, all that evening and next night, in order to be
down in time to get my card and dress—what the latter
was you'll never know—except, perhaps, by guess. Just as
I brushed My coat and cane, aad dusted my new hat,
a knocking at the gate was heard-4 double rat.tat-
tat—when Bridget, my old servant maid, kicked
up an unusual racket, because postman, number
fifty-six, had handed her a packet—and then she 1
shouted, with strong lungs—here, master, here, I say, the -
postman's brought this packet; and there's nethiog sir to
pay ! Oh, Biddy, that's not possible-4 is, indeed said she
—then if the packet be post paid, the letter's not for me—
but stop, I'll just look at it, oh it's frin the committee i
On opening the billet, I found to my great delight, a card
Of invitation with a letter quite polite, solicitiag, my
presence—no apology' at all-tawould be taken for my
absence that night at George's Hall, There's a guinea
saved, quoth I, old man, but that is nought to mc, " You've
spent some hundreds I know worse," chimed iu my maid
Biddle. I didn't seem to hear her, though she spoke the
naked truth, for f had spent some theUsands, very fbolish
in my youth. Having made all preparations, the next
thing I confess, that puzzled me a little bit, was where to
get a dress ; but I thought upon Fred. Villiars of the Royal
Amphi'aaheaathe very lad that surely would just suit me
to aT: I called upon him early, I knew he was in bed,
and made my application—" the devil a one, he said, is left
within the wardrobe," but from sixteen London Jews, at
the figure Of five guineas, you can have your pick and
chose. The advice was very good, I know ; five guineas—
what of that ? so I thought I'd go as Quixote with a basin
for a hat ; but then I'd want a windmill, and without
extravaganza, I feared I couldn't do it for the want of
Sancho extravaganza,
This puzzled me severely, and I didn't
know what to do, just like the little woman whose domes
was a shoe • so then I cast around me, for a character
and suit, and thought I'd take a turn on a bagpipes or a
flute—and then my Wind rata Hoe about, a student or a
eloisterman, but finally f dressed myself like Luke, the
Irish oysterman. The mirror was besi le me, but this is entre
noes—l did'nt like the toggery, although the " olc clo" Jew
endeavoured to persuade me that I was the finest figure,
he ever laid his eyes upcn—«but he lied, the human rigger.
Having turned our several stlite, not one alas would
answer—l bethought of Lola Montes, or some other
Spanish dancer; but the thought was like the lightening,
and I own I felt it so, for a lobster's claw of horrid gout
had clutched me by the toe. By this time I was fairly in
the middle at a fix, but having seen the picture
of oil nick upon two Sticks, I was going to adopt
it, with horns, tail, and all—When the Jew said'i
—" There will be plenty of Devils at the ball.", I
searched the world quite through, and at last I hit Upon—
a character, all must allow, at Lloyd's stand number one
—it was nothing less than Adam ;•. but the people wouldn't
believe I was the real original, because there was no Eve
to join me in a gallopade, or cotty long from France—here
another twitch at the big toe cried, " Sir, you musn't
dance." In despair I turned from the Jew, thinking it
was a case: when Moses kindly helped me with a smile
upon his face - I never will forget it—it banished all my
gloom—" go, as a gentleman"—there would not be a second
in the room—" I mean," he said, "in character "—but had
he not explained, by uttering the last word, the fellow
I'd have " brained" (so I would) for libelling our " good
old town"—the world's benefactor, so I took the
hint, and instantly went in my own charac:er. I
have seen some clocks in Venice, Genoa, and elsewhere;
but I must confess your town clock, with those mentioned
can't compare, for it seemed to join in all the fun, hilarity
and glee, and, like all Liverpool that night, it stopped out
on the " spree." But this is nothing, neither way; I state
it en passant; and now I'm going to mingle in the ever-
lasting throng that's crushing round the entrance to that
very noble buildihg, that cost as much as Pike water, tor
flooring, roof, and gliding. I jumped into a " flansom'l—

'twas No. 97—the driver was an Irishman, his name was
Paddy Slevin ; a better whip, a better nag—to find I'd
travel far, except I met Tim Fegan, with his Dublin
jaunting car. In Luna, at elections, I have seen
some agitation. In England it is called fighting,
but that's a perversition of terms—me are more refined—
but such a grand melee in all my t ravels o'er the earth, I
ne'er before did see—as the ruckshin that in Lime street
met my astonished gaze—l thought that Major Greig had
set the whole town in ablaze—and even the Pike water,
though in plenty could be had, it failed to put the fire out,
the liquid was so bad! - There were carriages with four
greys, and carriages with two—and some were painted red
and green, and some were coloured olue ; there were
private cabs and public cars—with gas and torches burn
ing, and horses with new broken knees, and men with eyes
in mourning. There were policemen, in number about
300 strong, and pickpockets with " cracksmen" all mingled
in the throng; therG were youths with downy bearded
chins, and others who don't shave, and many came
with " tickets" that the vulgar term " leave." The
shouting and hallooing was like a battle's din, the
crashing of vehicles all trying to get in—beyond the
massive gate posts, to sit down in the yard, some non-
Chesterfields. were shouting, "you murdering blackguard,
you've broke my leg in pieces," whilst with malicious
spite, a response came reeking from the crowd—" go on,
you served him right." There's a command that tells us,
to others we must do, the same thing in return you'd wish
others to do to you. But tell ma just your feelings towards
a man who breaks your arm ? even going to a fancy ball,
will you say thre is no harm ? I don't think your wife
would say so, provided you.are married, if she saw you on
a stretcher to the Northern hospital carried. After three
hours' bombardment, all the time I was quite cool—trying,
like the allied armies, to take Sebastopol—l found myself,
I can't tell how, upon the upper step—l rushed into the
glorious hall, with hop, jump, and a leap? Oh, it was a
glorious picture, of fair woman and brave man; I question
if I'll ever look upon its like again. No matter if Ido not ;
it was a brilliant sight ; the pearls and the diamonds and
the eyes that flashed more bright, thaw the mines of old
Golconda—the cheeks of rosy hue—and lips of the same
colour, all breathing roses too It would take a man an age
or two, to make a cate.log of all the faces that were there
—from Macgregor to Magog. But ladies must be noticed
first—aye, bless them, pretty dears ; there were hundreds
in their hey-day, and hundreds were in years. There
were forty-six Elizabeth's, and six and thirty Mary's, a
dozen of young Ariel's, who played some strange vagaries
—with the hearts of buskined heroes, with gilt spurs upon
their heel—the glances shot from bright eyes, more fatal
were than steel. There were grotto nymphs, and flower
nymphs, and wood nymphs, many a score, with seventy.
two Ophelia's, not one less nor more, there were Queens'
of every nation, from Cleopatra down, to the lady (may
God bless her) who wears the British crown. Of dairy
maids a regiment, at least one hundred strong—of ballet
girls and ballad girls—but none could sing a song—like
Katty Hayes the darling—though the love-light of their
eyes, came soft as mellow moon-beams from oriental skies.
There were five Mrs. Macbeth's, from Dunsenane quite
new—but the efforts of a dozen men quite failed to " Tame
one Shrew," till the sisters of Olympus, and the lovely
Queen of Oude, slily whispered in her ear, "pray madame
don't be rude." Mrs. Juno, and hiss Venus, with Queen
Dido in great state—the latter once a cradle rocked at
her own palace gate—but I never believed the story, that
whilst she kept on rocking, with her fingers she was
darning up, a hole in an old stocking. Lady Teazle was
bewitching; poor Ophelia melancholy, but the girl that
attracted most was—Peacherus's daughter Polly—for she
spoke lightening from her-eyes, and fa' al was one glance,
for it pierced the very bosoms of two noblemen from
France. Shepherdesses were as plenty as blackberries or
sloes ; and there were many Juliet's looking out for
Romeo's ; there were several maids of Athens—and as for
Turkish ladies—only Turkish in 'disguise tho'--with
eighty-seven Haidies. Circassian girls, but alas ! I tell
it'with a groan—ah—in all the grand assembly I lacked a
Vesdemona—but there were lots of Indian maidens,and

ladies fresh from C ana—the latter being " celestial," of
course they took the shine- ati—Kiut of Bloomers from
America, and Broomers from Bavaria, and the plaid
ladies from the Highlands, and the exiles of Siberia.
There were Indian squaws—not many ; some more
affected Prussian—some attractive Paris dower girls,
with a sprinkling of Russian—thank goodness the war is
past—we can look upon Muscovies, with much more placid
countenance than on—beef and " anchovies." There were
apple girls and orange girls whose lips were more mag-
netic, than alt the fruit of Paradise—but I fear I grow
pathetic, upon this theme, oh, human heart, thou'rt a
great moraliser, if you'd only mind your own affairs I
think you'd be much wiser. From the time the Norman
William came, this country's invader, arsd all the changes
time had made from queens who were the leader of
fashions in their several reigns ; from Jane Shore to Jenny
Seymour, were represented at the ball—but one lady—l
must claim her, as " my own dear darling Patty ; " I hope
meet her soon—the beauty who shone out that night
as the " daughter " of the " MOON." There were peasant
girls—oh lovely souls, from Swiss cantons—and the Rhine
—Australians—Patagonians, and from beyond the line,
that runs 'tween this and Afric's coast, came
jewelled ladies rare a with eyes like basilisks.
alas ! and raven shininc, hair. We know that
Turkish, ladies are very '''fond of home—because they
cannot help it (poor things)—but when at all they roam
beyond the pleasure gardens, there's generally a route;
kicked up about their absence, if their ma's know not they're
out. Be this as it may, however, some of there stole a
march out of Constantinople, and they certainly looked
arch enongh—considering their quiet dornestit rule, some
smelt of bread and butter from an English boarding
school. Diana, issuing from the chase, with her quiver
full of darts, attended by forty "Fairy Queens," and but
one " Queen of Hearts." There were Heathen Goddesses
enough, without the least alloy, to set the gods all mad—
or worse, to raise another Troy. " Meg Merrilies" was
absent, because she had a cold, but her place was ably
taken up by a pretty lass from Mold, whose voice was like
happilythe N i g
attendedh t n gale—b'
yt wtohuel de h softenar
mn vjeernynt-ronneess,. she was
All the
countries of this earth, on which the warming sun, looks
down upon in splendour since first his course begun—ex-
cept the " Sitter Island," representatives had at the ball
—insetticoats and stays—the produce of every loom and

clime and the fashion oC all days. Having duly done my
duty to the beauty and the grace, that adds lustre to the
diamond and annihilted space;" I regret I have to part
them, and turn to meaner things—such as Dukes and
Lords and Earls, young Princes and old Kings: But I'm
getting very hungry, and no doubt you'll say it's time; for
I've been writing for six hours, and I've found that prose
or rhyme, or both mixed up together, give very small
relief, to a craving empty stomach—compared with oorn'd
beef. But on my notes are entered, some liiieoglyphia
signs, about meo, and things and manners—about the
supper and the wines—and the scramble that took place
far both—not to mention bitter ale—and every thing about
it I'll tell you witheui !ail; but I'm going to my supper,
and as I'm so polite, allow die in sincerity to wish you all
good night.

(To be continued.)

SIR WILLIAM DON AND HIS C.REDITORS.

On Blonday afternoon Sir William Don underwent hitt
second exarninaf ion in bankruptcy, before Sheriff Jameson,
in the County Buildines, Edinburgh. Mr. Charles Scott,
advocate, appeared for the trustee ; Messrs. Haggart,
Stein, and Campbell, W. S., agents ; and Mr. Patrick
DFrarisryerm,
piaed3vlvoc.aste.:
agfoernt.themrp.ecti
lcia3rnl g
Scott,r e dointotrt,:e
pMa rr
of the trustee, stated that the trustee had applied to have
Sir William Don bronOt up at this Diet, in order that
his creditors rei;ht have an opportunity of putting such
questions to Mtn in reference to his estate as they might
consider advisable. In reply to questions by Mr. Fraser,
Sir William Don made a Watement, of which the following
is a summary father died in 1827, when I was two
years old, and I succeeded to the unentailed estate of
Newton-Don. Sir William Scott, of Anerum, and Mr.
Scott, were my guardiaqs till I reached the age of four.
teen, when I nominated Sir James Maxwell Wallace, my
stepfather, as guardian and he continued to be so until
I attained my majority. There was some accounting
with hith then at Paris in presence of Messrs. Rickardsi
and Walker, solicitors, London, but I received no money:
I signed some deeds, the nature of which I did not know;
they will be found in the hands of Sir Maxwell Wallace, cv
of Mr. Maitland, or of Rickards and Walker. I believe the
rental of my estate could not have been less than £3,800
a year, and I was told that the accumulations during my •
minority of nineteen years had been applied to the redac-
tion of previous encumbrances ' • but I never saw any act..'
count of these encumbrances. The estate was sold in 1846
or 1847, for a sum of £83,000, There were no debts bur.
Bening the estate at that time, except my mothers jointure
of £6OO a year, unless the following debts were constituted
burdens, which were claimed against me, and are men.:
tioned in a deed of settlement executed between me, my
wife, and others, in Oct., 1847, viz., Mrs. A. Wynne, of
Stood, near Rochester, 48000; M'essrs. Smith & Wormald,
43000; Mr. Edward Walker, of Lincoln's Inn, £2800;
and Messrs. Rickards & Walker, of Lincoln's Inn-Fields,
who are described in the deed as tt solicitors of the said
Sir William Don, fur the sum of £1092 2a 23, being the
amount of balance of certain adjusted and settled
accounts and bills of costs due and owing from the
said Sir W. H. Don to the said Messrs. Rickards and
Walker." Of the urice of the estate, £lB,OOO was left
as a burden on the pfnerty to meet the jointure of
Lady Wallace. The debts ri,entiotied were, I suppose,
also paid out of the price Of the estate. These two sums
amount to £32,892, but I cannot tell what became of
the balance; it went into the hands of Sir Maxwell Wallace
and Mr. John Maitland, London. I don't know how ti;Zir
disposed of it, except that some very few debts of mint
were paid, or promised to be paid, if I went to America to
earn my own livelihood, which I did. Tiizse debts
amounted to something like £3,500. I returned front
America three years after I went out, and found that not.
one shilling of these debts had been paid, but, receiving
the same promise from Sir Maxwell Wallace and Mr,
Maitland, I returned to America where I remained
for other three years, earning my living as an actor.
I do not know what beeame of the balance of upwards
£50,000. It was in the hands of Sir Maxwell Wallace,:
Mr. John Maitland, and Mr. Frederick Milbank, my
brother-in-law, the trustees ; but I know that
Mr. alillbank had nothing to do with it. As to the debts
mentioned in the deed of October, 1847, I do not know
anything of the sum said to he due to Mrs. Wynne. I
fancy she was a client of Rickards and Walker, and that
the money was raised for me. I believe Smith and
Wormald to be also clients of that firm. Mr. Edward
Walker was one of the partners of the firm, and I think
the £2,800 claimed by him was money advanced to me
during my minority. He was then acting as my solicitor.
I did not examine the accounts referred to in the deed as
having been adjusted. Another deed was signed by` me in
Germany in 1818, bearing that I had received a arise of
£13,910. I never received that sum. I understood that
it was to pay off debts. I never received so much
as 43,000 of it. My trustees said it had been
applied towards the payment of debts. In Jane, 1848,
another deed was signed by me in Germany, in which
I acknowledged to have received from my trustees onion'
the sum of 47,600, and in October, 1852, I signed a third
deed in New York, acknowledging that I had received a
sum of £8,589. These sums were never paid to me.. I did
not receive more than about 42,000 of money on the
whole of these deeds. In June last I signed releases tot
my trustees in reference to the whole of the money. I
was only shown a partial statement of the accounts. As
to the deed signed in New York, I may state that,
having had a quarrel with a man there, which ended
unfortunately for me, I was arrested and put into gaol -
the money required for my liberation was ..elOO. I wrote
to my trustees for it, and my agents also wrote. After
having been in gaol for nine weeks, a solicitor in New York
came to me; and said he .was instructed to pay me £lOO
for my release, and .e 159 more if I would sign the deed
for £8.589; and rather than stay in prison, I signed
it. The deed of release signed in June last was
prepared after it had been proposed to sequestrate my
estate. Mr. Rickards, of Rickards and Walker, brought
it to me for signature. When it was signed, he handed
over £1,500, of which Mr. John Hall 'Wilton received
£4OO, Mr. Rickards £3OO or £4GO, Mr. Stein the amount
of his account, and I received =elm The money was
paid by a cheque from Mr. Maitland; the balance is, I
think, in Mr. Rickards' hands. His account was £7OO Or
£800; and in addition to the £3OO or £4OO paid him on
my signing the deed of release, I gave him an order on
the trustees for £371, so that he was nearly paid in full.
I am aware that the trustees lent Mr. Augustus Stafford,
M.P., £10,000; Mr. Milbank, £6,000; and Mr. Maitland
a sum which lam not sure of. At the conclusion of the
examination, Mr. Fraser stated that, so far as he saw.
Sir William Don was perfectly solvent, and indeed WArth
430,000. --Scotsnutu.