Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

THE BALL

i$ DPened at ten o'clock in the great hall
the Programme of the dances :
lr: Quadrille, composed for the occasion, R. B. Stewart
h• Martha, (Laurent).
3. Polka—Soldiers (D'Albert).
4. Reels.
Lancers.
7. Galop—Leviathan (D'Albert).

The following

S. Waltz—Haunts of the Fairies
. Athole (R. B. Stewart).
100. Polka—French.
12, Lancers (Laurent)
13, GaloP Gabesdoon (It. B. Stewart
14. Martha (D'Albert).
Nito-Etailotp_z—„AVlarolante (D'Albert.)
16. Reel.
(D'Albert).
1). Queen's.
,18. Balmoral (Lowe)—arranged by R. B. Stewart.
we
Alaacingthe seemed to bebkept up with a spirit and vivacity

(D'Albert

which 'Would have delighted the poet in whose honour
the festival took place, could" he hive mingled in the
revels or even looked upon the moving and whirling
groups.
All that interfered with the perfect enjoyment of the
ball was the crowd, who would insist on dancing. Seen
from the galleries, or the steps opposite the organ end,
the sight was something amazing. Such an immense and
confused mass of people moving to "something like"
harmony and music.

THE REFRESHMIENTS

were provided by Mr. Anderson, of the Merchants' Dining
Rooms, Castle-street, who supplied an excellent supper,
at prices of a singularly modqate character. No part
of the whole arrangements was better conducted than
this most important department.

44 AULD . LANG SYNE!

It was arranged that the musical performances should
close with " Auld Lang Syne," to be sung in the great
hall, and chorussed by the company. At twelve o'clock
Mr. Kennedy led off with the solo part, which he
sung well and expressively. We must say, however,
that we never saw a meeting more thoroughly
unemotional, genteel, and disappointing. The chorus
was the feeblest and faintest, few in the room
appearing to observe that anything of the kind was going
on. An encore was demanded by a few voices, and
the last verse was repeated, but even then the chorus
was scarcely more vigorous, and an imperturbable
composure characterised the bulk of the assembly.
Probably, it would not be easy to find many companies
who, on such an occasion and at such an hour, would
not warm into irresistible emotion at " Auld Lang
Syne !"

THE ' ARRANGEMENTS

We must spare ,some lines to comment on one part
.of the arrangements—that of the hat and coat room.
Anything so utterly and disgracefully mis-managed,
no Liverpool assembly has ever seen. Soon after 12 o'clock,
a few persons came to this room to look after their
hats and coats. The attendants were not quick in giving
them out, and some impatience was manifested. The crowd
began to increase, and it was feared that some of the
tickets received by gentlemen did not correspond, with
those on their property. There was some confusion, and
every one tried to get at his own. It was proposed
that the doors should be shut until the attendants had
arranged all the hats and coats. This was agreed
to, and all the gentlemen went outside. At half-
past twelve,waiting the writer was one of those out-
side ,the door. An hour passed over, and no
progress seemed to be made. The crowd had greatly
increased, and became naturally impatient and clamorous.
Those inside seemed utterly unable to do anything, and it
was at last announced that many of the numbers had been
lost. 'Further time was asked for arrangement. Up to nearly
three o'clock the crowd kept increasing round the door to
such a degree as to render danger of accidents, by
crushing, very probable. A member of the committee
endeavoured to get a hearing, but was listened to with
very little attention or patience, inasmuch as all he could
say was, that the ball was for the benefit of pUblic chari-
ties, and visitors, therefore, ought to make some allow-
ance. At three o'clock, as there seemed no chance of
any order being restored, or of any arrangement being
made to re-arrange the coats and hats, or to allow
people to look for their own, the writer was obliged_ to
leave, as did numbers of others, in a cab, without coat
or hat. What followed afterwards he is unable to say.
More shameful imbecility of management was never seen.
Arrangements had to be made for about as many gentlemen
as usually attend .a concert at the Philharmonic, or an opera
in Covent Carden ; and no means could be found of
allowing them to get at their coats or hats within three
hours. To the vast majority of the, male visitors, the
enjoyment of the evening was, we need not say, tterly
marred by such an exhauiting, insufferable, and, as it
proved, fruitless delay.