The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-06-11 00:00:00

MASQUERADE-ARGYLE ROOMS.

A masquerade took place at the Argyle Roomiest even-
ing, which, to the inortilication of the lovers of this species
of fun and frivolity, was announced " as the last of the
setion." We take this opportunity of noticing it, less for
the purpose of adding to tht accumulated criticisms that
have been made on this description of entertainment, thin
of remarking the growing taste that Seems to prevail in
favour of it. There have been more masquerades, we
b 1 eve, during the present season then any of the preced-
ing ones : this is pretty tolerable evidence that the amuse-
ment has become more popular than it hitherto had been.
Without attempting to account for this partiality for mas-
querading now-a-days, on the ground of national taste or
prejudice, it is more befitting to attribute the increased
favour into which it has grown to the proper cause ; namely,
the patronage and countenance of the many bearetird visitors
of which places of this kind have of late become the favourite
arid almost exclusive resort. The adage, that " every eye
formed a beauty," may be truly predicted of the female
Part of the assembly last evening. in favour of the
1 dies it should also be added, that although no master of
the ceremonies was present, not the slightest difficulty or
obstacle presented themselves to the utmost facility of in-
troduction and acquaintance ; and this condescension on
their part is the more commendable, as for a greater part
of the night they clisencutnbered their fates of the en-
vious mask that would fain conceal the loveliness that
lurked behind it. No reserve—no prudery was obiervable;
acquaintances were made—dances formeltzing and
I quadrilles kept up with the utmost d—wa
and by persons
who had never saen each other before ; and all done sans
lerremonie sans caviller, suns every thing, but a desire to
promote inn, and make a merry evening of it. We might
say many things oalthe score of morality, of this sixties of
amusement, but realty there was withal so much good hu-
mour that it would be little creditable to any risen, in ao
spirit of "sole chagrin or causeless spinal to rail at any pec-
cadilloes against strict propriety of which this entertainment
may be either the Cause or the consequence. Besides, in
all the strange construction of words that .has been resorted
to, we believe no person ever contended that morality and
minqueradr were iy11011”110US. Few of the male charac-
ters were well sustained : the best was a strange-looking
I 'Personage with false teeth, false eye-brows, false whiskers,
and false mustachioes. The furrows under his eyes were
filled with paste ; he wore stuffetl calves, and was alto-
I gether the very unpersonation of a superannuated dandy.
There was a Hamlet, whose efficiency was only obsettf-
able at supper; he was tit only to be a deputy grave-
'digger in the play. A gentleman in military costume was
a very pretty looking gentleman, but somewhat too fond
of making bad speeches. We cannot. conclude without
bearing testimony to the wines, which were supplied in
great abundance, and corresponding excellence, by Mr.
Charles Wright, of the Haymarket, the meritoricus pro-
prietor of the entertainment.

ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE CHARITY
• CHILDREN.

- -
Yesterday, according to annual custom, the charity chil-
dren of both sexes, educated by voluntary subscription
in the metropolis and the environs, attended at St. Paul's
Cathedral to hear divine service.
The day was uncommonly unpropitious, from a constant
rain, in consequence of which the children from the distant
schools hail to come in hackney coaches, into some of which
ten were crammed ; and thc neighbouring schools walked,
every three or four carrying an umbrella. From the number
of hackney coaches employed in carrying the children (we
hear nearly 000) and the private carriages of individuals re-
pairing to the Cathedral, the neighbouring streets were so
crowded as to he rendered nearly impassable. Each school
was accompanied by thc master and mistresses, the parish
beadles in their uniforms, &c. The children entered the
Cathedral at the south-west and north doors, according to
the districts from which they came, and were conducted
by the gentlemen of the Committee to the seats previously
marked out for them, which was immediately under the
great dome, and formed a circle, one range of seats rising
above another to a great height ; the puipit was erected in
the centre. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs,
Aldermen Wood, Brown, and Key, arrived at halt-lust
eleven o'clock in their private carriages (the usual state
procession not being observed, on account of the unfa-
state of the weather). The King aset4lasesuai
lerellaltelwich Islands were invited by the Committee,
through the lion. Mr. Byng, but they declined tbe invita-
tion ; though the Emperor of Russia, and King of Prussia,
when they visited this country, and were present on a
similar day, declared it was the finest sight they ever be-
held. We noticed the Duke of Leeds, Lady Laurie, the
Bishop of Dromore. the Bishop of Bath and Welts, the
Archdeacon of Nova Scotia, M. Carvalho, Secretary of
State for Grace and Justice in Portugal, Madame
Carvalho ; Senhor Don J. J. Ferreira de Mocra, his lady,
and son ; Senhor Ferreira Borges, Privy Councillor of the
King of Portugal. The Cathedral was extremely full ; and
amongst the company were a great number of elegantly
dressed females.
The appearance of the interior of the cathedral was
highly interesting. The performance commenced with the
tooth Psalm, which was sung by the gentlemen of the
choir, the children joining in the chorus, assisted by Mr.
Attwood on the organ. Te Dram, the Coronalion Anthem,
Handers Grand Chorus, Hallelujah. &c. were sung by
the gentlemen of the choir, who also chaunted the Psalms,
the children joining in the chorus. The children also
sang two or three Psalms in good style. A prayer for the
King was read by one of the Minor Canons, and repeated
with a deep and enthusiastic sentiment by the congregation.
lAn excillent sermon was then preached by the Right Rev.
Lord Bishop of Exeter, from the fourth chapter of the First
Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, seventh verse :
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what bast
thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it,
why dolt thou glory ?" &c.
He most earnestly enforced the practice of charity, and
concluded by a pathetic appeal on behalf of the charity
'schools, for the benefit of which that service was particu-
larly intended. After the sermon four verses of the 104th
Psalm were chauntcd by the children. After the service
the children returned, in the same order in which they
came, to their respective school-houses (some conveyed in
covered caravans. &c.), where a feast was provided for
them. The whole was executed in a manner that reflected
the highest credit on the conductors. The collection made
at the doors was very considerable. The friends and sup-
porters of the Institution afterwards repaired to the London
Tavern to dinner. The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor
'n the Chair.

AN fGNORANT COMMUNICANT.—An ignorant soldier
at Quebec, observing some of his comrades stay behind
him at church. asked them, on their coming out, what was
the reason ? They told him, jeeringly, that the parson had
treated them with some wine. "No other liquor ?" says
the fellow. Seeing lie swallowed the bait, they answeral,
that he might have what liquor he chose. Next &today he
stayed to have his share; and when the clergyman offered
him the wine, he put up his hand to his hied, in token of
salutation, and ,sill modestly, " Please your reverence, I
should prefer punch."
Miss Sl'OeKS.—Four nwmhers of Mrs. liarris's Sub-
scription Committee visited Miss Stocks in the course of
Wednesday, at the Plough, Bedington, and found her
considerably improved in the state of her health; she was
well enough to sit up for about half an hour, which, we
believe, is the tirst time she had done so since the accident.
These gentlemen, after paying the expenses attending the
holding of the Coroner's inquest, received permission to
remove the remainder of the property of the deceased, and
they brought to town with them his hat and clothes; but,
in consequence of the absence of Brown, the rarishclerk,
they were net able to procure Mr. Richmond watch, or
the pencil-case which Mr. 11. had with him at the time of
the fatal event; but they were given to understand that
they would be forthcommg. Miss Stocks, it is said, will
be recovered sufficiently to undergo the fatigue of her re-
moval to town, hut it is a great doubt whether she will
completely recover the entire use of her limbs for three or
four months. Mr. Rossiter, one of the t'ommittee, is at
present named as the person who is to make the proposed
ascent for the benefit of the wicks*, from the lkdford
Anus, Camden-town, is the course of she ensuing week,
but as Mr. R. is not versed in balloon tactics, we believe
I that he is to ba accompanied by a gentleman who has
made more than one ascent, and we have beard Mr. Creeu
ralntd as the person.