The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-08 00:00:00

ALBANY BARRACKS.
Lient-General Sir J. Hamilton, K.T.S. the Colonel of this
Regiment, having signified his intention of presenting new colours
to the corps. after its long and arduous services in India, this
grand and interesting ceremony took place at Albany Barracks, on
Saturday afternoon, the 2flth ult. being, also, an anniversary of
honour in the Island of Java. The Regiment having paid the
tumid Winne of respect to the old and tattered colours, retched
the new, with an appropriate exhortation front their Colonel,
Sir J. Hamilton, and then performed several evolutions on the
new system, to the gratification of a vast concourse of spectators,
whom the fineness of the weather, and the novelty of Cie cere-
mony, attracted from all parts of the island and its vicinity.
After which, a numerous, but select party, consisting of the
officers, and their ladies and families, connected with the Regi-
ment, sat down to a handsome dinner, provided at the Lower
Barracks, and served up on the costly plate lately Ournished by
Messrs. Fisher and Braithwaite.
Of the splendid fete, however, given on Wednesday, the 30th,
by Lieut.-Col. 3luttlebury and the Officers of the regiment, in
honour of the occasion, and to which upwards of 300 families of
the first distinction, in the neighbourhood, and from distant pate
of the kingdom, attended, we shall now endeavour to give a faint
outline, as far as our limits will allow. To enumerate every taste-
ful decoration or arrangement for comfort which distinguished
this entertainment would be impossible; we shall, therefore. con-
fine ourselves to the reception of the company, to the classic
splendor of the ball and supper rooms, 64 feet by 24 feet each.
The approach to " Fancy's Palace" led through a beautiful
avenue of trees, most brilliantly illuminated with a crown, number
LXI X.. and laurel over the entrance arch. Other appropriate in-
signias directed to tile scene of enchantment, at the entrance of
which appeared the Officer, in their rich uniform, to receive their
guests (a aplend d carpet having been laid down fur the convenience
of the ladies' dresses), guarded on each side by the grenadiers of
the Corea in full costume, the band playing martial airs. The
ball-mom, tastefully arched over with laurel, and decorated by
the ladies of the regiment with wreaths of myrtle, and red and
white roam had a most beautiful effect. At the entrance were
displayed the old and tattered colours, surrounded by well-earned
honours in stars and scrolls, containing the named of Rodney,
Jervis, Cape St. Vincent, Hood. Toulon, Nelson, and San Josef,
and giving historical allusions to services while employed with
those Commanders. At the top of the room appeared the beauti.
fel new set of colours lately presented, surmounted by a coronet
of bayonets, and supported by fasces, or pillars of sergeant" hal-
berds, girt round with letters in gold, showing the principal
actions the Regiment has participated in. Brilliant shies, in cor-
e respondence with the entrance, here displayed Wellington and
Waterloo, Auchmuty, and Java. The centre c,f the room had
• very novel, but highly impressive, decoration, consisting of a
simple star, formed by 28 of the officers' sword,. Between each
blade was inscribed in gold various actions in which the Regiment
had successfully served, being a sort of epitome or record, bril-
liantly lighted up with variegated lamps.
Dancing commenced at half-past nine o'clock, with three sets
of quadrilles. and at one the company repaired to an equally
spacious and tastefully fitted up room, where the choicest deli-
cacies of the season abounded in profusion, elegantly served up
an costly ,plate. The principal part c f the company began to
are about five in the morning, but still the dancing was kept
with great spirit till near seven, when all retired, highly (k-
-ited with the festive scene; and whether we contemplate on
.ie beauty of the fair who graced this assemblage, the exquisite
music so judiciously chosen, or the general comfort pervading
all the arrangements, it is certainly acknowledged to be the
most splendid and delightful entertainment ever witnessed in
this Island.

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