The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-01-21 00:00:00

STOWS FANCY BALL.

A grand masqued ball was given at Stowe, on Friday, the
fib inst. in coneequeisce of t►e elevation of the Mervin' of
Buckingham to the dignity of Duke, the following particu-
lars of w►ich, we think, will not be usecceptable to our
readers :—The festivities at Stowe have not bees euulf ued to
the canal benevolince which the poor are in the constant
habit of receiving at this season of the year. The great din-
ing.room has cheered the hearts, and convened the spirits,
daily, of about forty of their more wealthy friends. The
entertainmeats have been almost routine, wit► the exceptiou
at Thursday, the 10th, when the near neighbours were
invited le • fancy ball, masks being admitted. It is this
sort of notification, which usually contributes to the feta
of • masquerade, fur many of the visitors appear anew.
pertedly in character. The frolic commenced wit► a must
excellent qeadrille, the female parts supported by Lords
Diligent, At undell, and Temple, with Mr. Drummond ; their
Patagonian size, contrasted with the railcars they bad
selected fur thei► male parters, formed an admirable diver-
lionises., and excited peals of laughter. The second qua-
drille was performed by a party in Grecian costume, con•
wigging of the Marquis of Westmeath, Mr. Pigott, Mr.
'ingest, and another gentleman, with their punier'. Their
dresses were highly classical. _ _

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Among the detached characters we heard of the Marquis
of Westmeath as a true Frenchnsaa,Alra. Morga■ • girl from
the same country. The Marchioness of Chondos, as an an.
tique specimen of the dress and manners of 1720—very good.
Mrs. Drake. of Amersham, most elegantly attired in a Oda
dress, with a profusion of 'diamonds. Mr. Peyton, in • Nra.
politan dress, particularly heautiful. A Tony Lampkfa, in
his hunting-dream first, and afterwards iis full dress, attracted
mach notice from the manner in which he performed his cha-
racter ; his mother was also well supported. Mr. Mansell
supported the character of • country Miss, and made a good
country dance with a heavy Zekiel Homespun. Lord Win.
Fitzroy supported • female dovish with • beaver hat on, in
higher style than we usually meet with. Lord Nugent ap-
peared iss • magnificent snit of armour, and prosed that if
times required it, the hassle of Cressy could be fought over
again. Captain Brown was a good Majo► Airily/mt. One
of the best groups was a dancing bear, with a leader and
rarsicis•.

The banquet, which was provided on silver for two buts-
dred, was sumptuous ; and to keep up the character of
the major's entertainmeni, uu sooner were knives and forks
discarded than the approc.ch of something sew was auocrusiced
by trumpets. A Herald pincloiined the appearance of •
Champion to challenge any one who dare pinny the beauty,
bower, or reputation of any of the females who were there
asosaabled. The effect of this was mnical ; and on the
Champion being called in, Isis Herald, well pourtrayed by
Colonel Pigott, announced the Marquis of Chandos, sup-
ported by Mr. Pigott and Major Baticuck as his Esquires.
We found after supper many urw characters well supported.
The Duchess, who tea the former part of the evening, with
unsay bindles, appeared in most superb fancy dresses fur the
occasion, look the character of • country girl. A Mr. Mug
as Peach, and Captain Brown as Punchinello. set a good
example of conjugal felicity to high life. It was six whew
the company retired.

That excellent establishment, the Seamen's Hos-
pital, has received a subscription of one hundred
pound. from the Levant Company. This ntuniti-
cent donation does equal honour to those who give,
and those who receive it.

A tax of two and a half per cent. on funded pro.
perty, in aid of the poor rates, i• said to be a mea-
sure in the immediate contemplorou of Govern-
ment.

The second battalion of the 3il regiment of foot
guards will leave Chatham barracks 011 Monday
next, for the Tower. They have heel' lately formed
into a light infantry battalion, the drums and fifes
are dispensed with, and bugle horns substituted in
their place. The se-mid battalion of the Cold-
streams are likewise to he formed into light infantry.
Nothing can exceed the audacity of the Cossey
Gong in Norfolk. in the course of last week; on
Weduesday night the 2d instant, they broke into
the public house, on Stone Hills (I.lst.t.s), and
stole thereout ten gallons of spirits of different
kinds, besides motley and other Rungs to the
amount of 24/. and upwards, some of the penny
pieces and farthings were found on the roud leading
to Cossey. A man of the name of Powell, of
Cossey, was a party concerned iu the robbery; he
bus turned King's evidence. And ou Saturday
night le►t, or early on Sunday morning, some
thieves (believed to be a part of the Coney Gang)
broke into the public house, the Black Swan, at
Cowry, and stole therefrom a hue hog of about
13 stone, which the landlord (Coopee) had killed
and dressed the previous day as his annual bacon.
The Coney Gang are now tired of committing de.
predations on his Majesty's liege subjects wsfoot.
About 10 o'clock at night, or as soots as they find
those who keep horses are gone to bed, they resort
to the stables and take oat what horses they want,
ride them to the spot of depredation (whether for
game. poultry, sheep, &c. &c.) and when done
return the horses, almost jaded and hemmed to
death.

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