The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-07-05 00:00:00

THE KING'S GR_LVD BALL AND SUPPER.

Yesterday the first grand eat rtainment was given by his
Majesty, at his palace in S.. James's, since the improve-
ments and alterations which that ancient building has
undergone, and which is the first thing of the kind that
has taken piece in that palace for twenty-three years past,
when the late King and Queen bad their last ball there, at
the celebration of the late King's birth, when minuets
were in fashion, and when public balls were given by
their Majesties at the celebration of both their Birth.
days, after the Drawing-morns, at which all those who
were in the habit of attending Courts were admitted.
These assemblies were discontinued owing to the declining
, years of their late Majesties, and other circumstances. No
public or state use has been made of this venerable pile
for a number of years. The suite of state rooms in it
were always considered the best in Europe, particularly
for holding Levees and Drawing-rooms, but they had been
suffered to go to decay, were very much out of repair, and
in fact were void of all ornament except the ancient
valuable tapestry. About three years since it *as deter-
mined to improve, enlarge, and beautify the Palace, re-
taining the suite of court rooms, with the exception of
throwing two of the rooms into one, the separation of which
was deemed useless. In the various improvements con-
templated, grand entertainments were not loot sight of, and
Told kitchen was connected with the offices of the Palace,
without having to go out in the open air, through the
Ambassadors and Entre-yard, as was formerly the case.
The kitchen has been altered according to modern improve-
went, under the immediate direction of Mr. Vilinet, his
Majesty's principal cook.
The King having determined to give a grand enter-
' taintnent at this Palace, cards of invitation were issued on
the 2tth June, stating that the Equery in waiting had
received his Majesty's commands to invite (inserting the
parties' name or names invited) to a ball and supper.' At
the bottom of the card was inserted, within a Parenthesis,
Gala Dress.
The entertainment of last bight Watt provided in the
Lord Steward's department, and the whole of the exten•
sive arrangements have been made under the immediate
direction of Mr. Brent, the Deputy Comptroller of the
Household; the whole of which was managed with the
greatest regularity and splendour, worthy the beloved So-
vereign of Great Britain. The execution of the arrange-
ments was in the department of Mr. Moorfield, the prin-
cipal Clerk of the K tchen. The provisions had been pre-
paring for some (lays past in the kitchen at the King's
Palace, Pall-mall, and also in the new-arranged kitchen in
the Ainbsosador and Entre-yard, under the direction of
Mr. Vilinet.
During yestirday preparations were making at the
Palace for Ise evening's entertainment, in the different de-
partment:: A number of carts and waggons, loaded with
orange and other choice trees, and also a great variety of
growing flowers from the Royal Gardens at Kew, arrived;
which were tastefully and judiciously placed on the grand
staircase and in various appropriate parts of the rooms,
under the direction of Mr. Aiton, the King's principal
gardener. The rooms were dry rubbed.
The company invited to the entertainment of last night
was more select than nomerems, there being only about
300 present. The company began to arrive at ten o'clock,
the hour at which their cards of invitation mentioned.
They enterel by the colonnade, at which the general corn-
panv enter at the King's drawing-rooms. They were re.
ceived by the Mashalmen in their state uniforms, the
Under Porters in their uniform, the Gentlemen Porters in
their Court dresses. The entrance was lighted by two
large square lamps on pedestals, with two burners each.
the colonnatle through which tho company passed, leading
to the foot of the grand staircase, was lighted with twelve
candelabra, with two glass burners each, on pillars,
painted in imitation of marble. A choice selection of
orange trees in full blossom, with a great variety of most
fragrant flowers, brought from the Royal gardens at Kew,
were placed in the niche at the bottom of the grand stair-
case. The landing at the top of the grand staircase was
lighted with nine candelabra, about seven feet in height,
designed by Balarino, after the manner of the antique,
,each candelabrum having three ground glass burners,
bronzed.
The King's private band, under the direction of Mr.
Kramer, their Master, was stationed in the Presence
Chamber, who commenced playing on the arrival of the
company, and they continued playing during the evening,
at intervals, at the cessation of the dancing, &c.
The dancing commenced in the ball-room, about elevest
danandcels4, coothnseirstei
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o'clock, which was accompanied by a band engaged for the
temporary orchestra, erected in a recess of one of the win-
dows.

The ball room was brilliantly illuminated, having in the
centre a superb or-inolu chandelier, containing two rows of
wax lights, each row containing 60 lights.
This room, which is only second in size to the banquet-
'
ting-rootn, being above 60 feet in length, and near forty in
breath, also contained two superb candelabra, above
twelve feet in bight, the ornaments of which were parti-
cularly rich ; each of these chandelabras contained twelve
wax Candles, and were placed on the side of the room op-
posite the orchestra.
The ceiling of the ball room is ornamented with gold
mouldings, and is finished at each corner with a remarkably
bold gilt scroll.
On each side of the grand centre door, which is sur-
mounted by a rich cornice leading to the entire room, stood
a gilt candelabrum on a very massy branch, richly carved and
gilt, containing twelve wax lights, each arranged in the
form of a semicircle, which had a very brilliant effect; two
candelabra of exactly a similar description were on each
side of the fire-place, at the bottom of the room. These,
as well as the whole of the superb chandeliers, candelabra,
&c. displayed on this occasion, were furnished by Messrs.
Perry, of Bond-street, and also by Messrs. Hancock,
Shepherd, and Co., from their extensive Show-rooms, in
Pall-mall, East.
The front of the temporary orchestra was hung with
crimson cloth, draped in festoons to correspond with the
curtains, and was edged with broad yellow fringe.
The entre-room, which joins the ball-room, had in the
middle an elegant chandelier, equal in splendour and size
to that of the. ball-room, containing two rows of thirty wax
lights each. The three pier glasses in this room extend to
the floor ; in front of each of them two gilt candelabra of
a very light and tasteful description were placed, havirg
four wax lights each. This room is equal in breadth to
the ball-room, but it is not so long.
The drawing-room was lighted by a large chandelier,
containing two rows of eighteen wax lights each. Can-
delabra of the same description as those of the entry-roost
were placed in front of the piers in this room.
In the gallery leading from the ball-room to the ban-
queting-room, five tables were set out with refreshments
for the company, contained in an assortment of gold plate.
Two of the tables were set apart for furnishing the com-
pany with tea and coffi.e. On two of the tables iees were
served ; and on the other, a variety of refreshments were
supplied.
In the centre of each of the tables stood a very largo
fluted massive candelabrum,ornamented at the bottom wi:::
the royal arms. They were all surmounted by a lion,
standing on a silver crown, having also a small one on is
head,each candelabrum containing twelve wax lights. Then.
was a great display of superb gold plate on the Initl;Pe
table in this room. Four Grecian candelabra, mounted on
petleatala, richly gilt, were placed between each window.
with two burners each. Similar candelabra were placed
on each side of the door, at both ends of the gallery. T!!e
side of the gallery, opposite the windows, contain the fu'l
length portraits of King Henry VIII. Queen Mary, Queea
Elizabeth, King James I. King Charles 1. King Charles 11.
King James 11. King William and Queen Mary, re-
presented in their full robes, all being of the same size, and
the frames of the pictures corresponding. with the ex-
ception of King Charles I. which is in the centre.
over the fire place, and is larger than the others. .1
number of seats were placed along the whole length of
this room, which were covered with crimson cloth, edged
with yellow to immitate gold, for the accommodation of
the company who partook of the refreshments provided
there. The room is considered to be about SO feet long.
About one o'clock the banqueting room was thrown open.
and is justly entitled to that name, as it stands unequalled
in size, elegance, and splendour, in its fittings up, &e., and
the massive, costly, and magnificent service of his Majt at s
plate, which afforded an ample scope for the taste of Mr.
Belmar, the King's confectioner, in its distributions and