The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-12-28 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

AT ARCIII.:IMELD lIOLISP.

Mr. Hamilton Nesbitt, the uncle to the Earl of
Elgin, is enjoying the festivities of the season at
Arch►rtield House, near lladdington, in Scotland.
The hospitable owner of these princely domains en-
tertains a large party of distinguished friends during
the holidays. Among the company arc mentioned,
the Dukes of Montrose and Athol ; Duchess of
Gordon, Marquis of Lorne. Gen. Manners, Lord
and Lady Albert Manners, &c. Archertield House
has, for the last two years, engaged all the,time
and attention of Mr. Nesbitt, who has devoted im-
mense sums to its improvement in who, as well as
internal acquitements. The park, v, blob is to
miles in circumterence, has undergone many altera-
tions. The house has been fitted up in the Egyptian
style. The grand saloon, or hall, is supported by
real pillars of porphyry, and adorned with stitches
in the Egyptian style, filled with statues and vases all
brought from theruins of Ilerculaneum. An immense
number of precious relics of ancient sculpture, Gre-
cian aswell as Egyptian,which has arrived within the
last six weeks, from the Custom.house, forming two
shiploads, are at present lying in irregular heaps
around the house. These valuable specimens of an-
cient magnificence, so tare and difficult to be pro-
cured, were forwarded horn Constantinople at differ-
ent periods by Lord Elgin, at the earne,t entreaties
of Mr. Nesbitt, who ha, been the principal promo-
ter of the present fashions in furniture as well as
houses.

BATII, I)zc. 25.

RACIZZINI'S RLNEFIT, AT TIIE UPPER ROOMS,
ON CIIRISZAIAS CVL,

Attraoed one of the most numerous and fashiona-
ble aadiences at the tipper Rooms, perhaps, ever
witnessed at Bath. Several parties had begun to
take possession of seats so early as three and four
o'clock, and the crowd continued increa-,:ng till half
past six, when every coiner was comp:tidy filled,
and those who came later were obliged to content
themselves with converzatione in the Tea-room. No
accident, however, occurred, except the clestiation
of some very beautiful dresses, in which Lady Ann
Talbct and Miss Gobbins seemed to be the principal
sufferers.

At half past seven, Rauzzini condulted Storace
and Brahatn to the Orchestra ; and they were re-
ceived with loud and continued applause.
Much anxiety had been cleated by Braham's per-
formance at the Rehearsal in the morning, he having
declared that he was never in finer voice since his
arrival in England. Handers celebrated Oratorio of
The Meesioh was most aptly chosen for Christmas
Eve; and this beautiful composition, perhaps, was
[sever executed in greater perteftion.
After the song of " He woe deviled," in the se-
cond part, graham introduced "The Pot, Lie, or
The Death qr. Chrlit," composed by Dr. Harrington.
This venerable old man was so affened with Bra-
ham's wonderful execution of this sublime air, that
lie burst into tears, anti, costing throm-11 the crowd,
seized his hand with the most -Lively emotion. Ilis
feelings for some time prevented him expressing his
admiration, in which the auJimce warmly partici-
pated.

Storace, in the opinion of the best judges, far ex-
ceeded all her former exertii as, and these two esti:el-
lent performers alternately • 'irked and astonished
their auditors. But, althntigi. t. e pre-eminence must
certainly be rivets to them, 1.. would be very unjust
to deny a high share of praise to Miss Snarpe and
Miss George. The former lady is a pupil of
Itsturciiii, and does him very great credit. She exe-
cuted the air 4. lir:joice, 0 Dinsgbhr of Stoll !" with
great judgment. Iler voice possesses uncommon
sweetness, with very considerable compass ; and her
skill is also great.
Mr. Miller, Mr. Cooke, and Mr. Doyle, also exe-
cuted their parts with great excellence. Indeed the
whole performance was so admirably got up, that
every one 'seemed delighted; and the heat, which
near the fire places was excessive, was cheartully
borne by all. The mind was too much and too
agreeably occupied to attend to any inconveniences.
In the middle of the .2.c1 part, Mr. Lindley per-
formed a concerto violoncello most admirably, and
was highly applauded.
It is perfedly impossible to give any account of
the Company, otherwise than by saying, that up-
wards of two thousand persons, including all the
beauty, fashion, and rank, within twenty miles of
B4h, were present. Every bed in the town was en.
gaged, and many were thankful to their triends for
even accommodating them with a spare garret.
'fbe Earl of Ormond, attended by his brother
and a large party of attends, condoled the-beautiful
Miss P: ice Clarke, who is destined to become the
Countess of Ormond. Although many paragraphs
have appeared in the Newspapers, some even an-
nouncing the celebration of the Marriage, it cer-
tainly will not take place before the middle of Ja-
nuary.
Rraham and Storace perform again on Thursday ;
Morelli is also announced.

Bath is extremely full of company; but the seve•
rity of the weather prevents the ladies from exhibit-
ing much upon the Promenade.
The Upper Crescent is the favourite resort of those
who set bleai winds at defiance ; but the rambling
beaux, whii haunt the care-dispelling streets of Bath,
prefer the Lower Town, where the air is milder.
Mr. Paul Methuen, accompanied by his dog, Capt.
..Vep:scia, amuses by his whimsical singularity. Ac-
companied by his faithful quadruped, he lately paid
a visit to the Master of the Certnii.nies, and left
two cards, one for himself and another for Capt.
Neptune.
'Clie call was returned, and, after the usual formai-
the Master of the Ceremonies begged to be intro-
duced to Capt. ?taphole., who had &retired him with
a call. N.prune• was accordingly sent for, and, at the
nod of his master, gave his visitor such a fraternal
hug, that au immediate escape alone prevented more
alarm'ng comm. ;acmes.
Mr. Nl- last night appeated at the Concert,
wrapped up in • large clause coat. On the singu-
larity of his dress being remarked, he observed 'chat
it we, $o 4(1 (.41 cut
Mr Pit T. It ii si,:d, has taken a house here for a
month. Lord Mulware and Mr. Long ban ar-
rived here.