The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-25 00:00:00

MASQUERADE.

The Argyll /looms were last night thrown open to all
those who were willing to celebrate tile Anniversary Birth-
day of his Majesty en maser?. There is so much matter
of fact in the character of John Boil as to render him an
uninteresting and rather awl ward personage at such enter-
tainments. Last night's Masquerade and Carnival (a
word which, by the way, has deviated strangdy from its
original meaning), was well attended, and as gay as the ta-
lents of the motley groups which- composed the company
could make it. Those assemblies excite much more le-
terest on the Continent, where the character and ge-
nius of the people better accord with such aniusemen-ta,
and where, in the absence of any other medium of re-
proving the malvi rsation of despotic power, a kind of
political Saturnalia is established, during which the slave
is licensed to remind his Lord of those political sins, the
existence of v hich he dare not elsewhere even hint at.
Among the masks which attracted our notice was a well-
dressed itinerant fiddler and dancers. Ile played as well as
he ought; his performers " on the light fantastic toe"
made their steps in good style. The fiddler was,
however, more modest than most of his trade, for,
with great naivete, he assigned his Leine unable to bear as a
reason for not having his instrument in tune; be had not
an car for music. There were two Paul Pqm, whose com-
parative merits it would be difficult to define, one being
bad and the other worse. There were Turks well dressed,
Dragoons well spurred and booted, Amazon,. Cowes, &e.
but none of them possessed any claim to notice, We fel
foul of a sailor who lid shipped himself as an able sea-
tnan, hut who did not know the topsail halyards from the
maintop howling, and who would- have Leen a more
appropriate inmate of the cook's galley than an aspirant to
a station, in the top. An Irishman, from the coun-
try, gave eccaaional scintillations-of Honour, and seldom
allowed his numerous interrogators •to go off in bia debt.
Judging of beauty by the brilliant eyes and elegant
figures last night displayed, we should say that rarely
have we seen a more fascinating assemblage. The beauty
of English women would redeem the dulnesa of any as-
sembly ; but it is not in the Masquerade their coun-
trymen exhibit those powers of humour or wit which
they display on other occasions. Geoff Crayon would
not, we presume, select such an assembly as we beheld
last night as a favourable, or indeed a fair specimen of
English character, notwithstanding the majority of the
company felt highly pleased; and, as far as mirth and good
humour could give evidence of enjoyment, they testified
their satisfaction by the most unequivocal and joyous de-
monstrations.

Ve understand Mr. llraham has just renewed his en-
gagement at Covent-garden Theatre on advanced terms,
Oberon having proved so attractive.
The proprietors of the new Theatre now building at
Paris, in the Rile Vivienne, have applied to M. Weber to
compose a new opera, which it is understood at present ha
has declined.

Saturday Aladdin, which has been in preparation since
last June, makes its long-promised appearance at Drury-
lane theatre. Miss Stephens has allotted to her some of
the most beautiful airs that ever were composed; and her
niece (Miss Johnson) is to make her Mint on the same
occasion. Of the voice and figure of this young lady re-
port speaks in the highest terms of panegyric.
Signorina Marie Feleiste Garcia, late of our Italian
Opera, was married at New York, the latter end of March,
to M. Malibron, a French mere...ant, who settled 20,000
dollars on his fair bride.

Mr. James Morrison has withdrawn himself as a candi-
date for the Parliamentary representation of Dover.
R. A. Slaney, Esq. has announced his intention of be-
coming a candidate for the representation of the borough of
Shrewsbury, in Parliament, at the next general election.
BOARD OF CE STOMS.—We understand that Sir Ml-
liam BUothby, Bart., Deputy Chairman of the Board of
Customs in London, and for the last year acting as resident
Commissioirer here, has completed the period prescribed
for his servicett in Scotland, and has been succeeded by
Mr. Richmond, lately employed in a similar capacity at
the head of the Board in Dublin.—Ediabargls Evening'
Courant.
The Minerva, which has been some time expected, has
just arrived with the official despatches of the affair with
the Burmese. She left Calcutta the Gth January. The
general result of the affair being already known, the only
interest which can be excited about the details is mainly
because they may enable us to form an opinion whether
the army can be expected speedily to advance.
We are informed that the Gloucester, TS. Captain Joshua
Sydney Horton, at Sheerness, is ordered to be fitted out,
to take his Grace the Duke of Devonshire and retinue
(above .50 persons) to the Baltic. The Gloucester is to be
ready for sea. in ten days. His Majesty's steam-vessel
Lighthim; will ae.lompliny the Gloucester to Cronstailt, to
convey his l;race, and the noblemen and gentlemen of the
mission, thence to St. Petersburgh.
Co Lost 01.5.—CA WI AG I. SI A, Ft:IL 21.—.1 considerable
improvement has taken place in the society of this place
within the last twelve months. A meeting of the abitish
residents has lately been held, the object of which was, (0
raise funds for the establishment of a place of worship, and
the purchase of a piece of ground for a burial place. The
British Government is to contribute one halt• the expense.
• NEW YORK, AERI I, I.—The packet ship James Crep•
per will sail this day for Liverpool, and leave us without a
single London or Liverpool packet in port—p state of things
never before known, and which will probably never occur
again.. The Edward Bonaire, one of the Havre Whets,
will also sail this day, leaving two in port—being the only
vessels of the twenty-nine packets trading bettveen this ell
and England and France.