Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-10 00:00:00

THE FANCY BALL.

The preparations for the Grand Fancy Ball which is
to take place on Tuesdainext, in St. George's Hall, for
the benefit of the local charities, are now fast advancing
towards completion. The exertions of the committee to
whom the arrapgenients have been entrusted have been
most unremitting and
,judicious, and it may-safely be
said that nothing has been omitted which. could iu any
way conduce to the comfort and enjoyment of the very
large number of ladies and gentlemen who are sure to

attend. - . The sale of tickets has already been very exten-
-

sive, and the demand for them. increases with each suc-
ceeding day. After mature •deliberation, the com-
mittee have determined to entrust the department
of refreshments to the skill and management of Mr.
Morrish, of the Merchants' Dining-rooms, -whose well-
known liberality and good taste as a purveyor have
secured for him public confidence, and general apprecia-
tion. From the large sale of tickets, and the still in-
creasing demand for them, it has become obvious that
extensive provision will be requisite; and this has been
amply provided for through the suggestive ingenuity of
Mr. Morrish. As an illustration of this, it is only
necessary to say that, at his own risk, ho has proceeded (of
course with the sanction of the proper authorities) to
enclose the whole platform included in the magnificent
colonnade on the east side of the hall. This, our readers
will have already perceived has been securely boarded
in to the top of 'the columns, the enclosure forming a
noble salle a manger, 200 feet in length, 24 feet wide,
and fully 40 feet high.. This splendid saloon is to be
occupied by tables running its whole length,
and it will form the principal supper-room on
the occasion. To render •it worthy of this dis-
tinction, it will be fitted up in a style of great
magnificence. The eastern side, between the columns,
is hung with crimson damask, the intercoluruniations
being adorned by suitable enrichments. The west side
will be occupied by a continuous range of trophies,
composed with admirable taste. The saloon thus formed,
and so lecorated, will be lighted by six large- and
brilliant stars of gas-light, the whole forming a spectacle
rarely equalled in gorgeousness of effect, and unsurpassed
in commodiousness, elegance, and beauty.
While so much attention, however, has been bestowed
on the appearance and decoration- of this magnificent
HALL, an equally recherché consideratipn has been
awarded to the supplies. Every delicacy will be pro-
vided in abundance, and as some indication of the fact
that it will present no mere feast of imagination we may
mention that the supper tables in this saloon will be
graced by two superb barons of beef.
Before leaving this gorgeous ball, it may be only
proper to state that the fittings, draperies, and ornamen-
tation have been executed by Messrs. Jeffery, Morrish,
and Co., of Compton House, by their able decorative
superintendent, Mr. Rainsford. It is only light also to
state that all the draperies, and similar decorations in
the different portions of the building, are executed by
the same gentlemen, under the same auspices and di-,
rection.

As has been notified in advertisements and otherwise,
the ball—which is to be a "fancy dress " one of very.
elaborate and unique character—is to take place in the
Great Hall, the wooden floor of which has been taken
up, examined, and relaid. This hall will be enriched by.
choice exotics and evergreens, and these, taken in coin-,
bination with the intrinsic beauties of the hall, present
a coup d'coil unsurpassed, equalled in Europe. The
fine corridors have been furnished with additional and
splendid cut crystal gas lustres, and in short, nothing
' has been omitted to render the scene at once brilliant
and attractive.

To return, however, to the "creature comfort"
department, without due attention to which no
such event as a fancy ball can be complete or satis-
factory, it is necessary to add that the charming
and beauteous small Concert-hall, up stairs, is also
laid out as a supper-room, in which will be served
refreshments similar in character and quality to those
supplied in the Grand Hall, formed by the enclosure of
the colonnade. Both the law-courts and the grand
jury-room will be converted for the night into lighter
refre,shment-roOms, in which the company will' be sup-
plied with tea, coffee, ices, and such matters of refection.
For those who may prefer a more thoroughly substantial
supper, of, for example, roast beef and hot potatoes, a
spacious apartment has been provided down► stairs.

As_regards wines it, is also right to say that a collec-
tion of wines of choice qualities has been submitted to
and approved by the committee, and these may be
obtained at prices which have likewise received the
approving sanction of the committee. To sum up, in a
word, nothing has been omitted which experience and
,an anxious desire to give satisfaction, on the part of the
committee, could suggest, or the earnest wish on the part
of Mr. Morrish and those in his employment could effect,
in order to render the ball effective, comfortable, success-
ful. In the interest of the charities which are to be
benefitted, we are glad to learn that it promises most
auspiciously.

DEAFNESS.—It will be seen by our adVertising
columns that Mr. Raekham, of Norwich, one of the
most eminent aurists of the day, and whose treatment of
the various forms of deafness has been so successful, is
about to visit Liverpool for a week.
NEW LEGGINGS.—We have seen a new and useful
article in the shape of leggings, or, as the article may be
called, " spatterdathes," introduced by Messrs. Blakey
Brothers, and from their utility we think they must
become universal. They are light and becoming, and
adapted peculiarly for the rifle corps, but still the general
public will receive benefit from their use. Blakey
Brothers' easy elastic-side walking boots, deserve our
observation and public thanks.