The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, TUNE 27, 1863.

N°. 22,152

NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF "NO crtunuil.-
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
CHURCH AND CHAPEL.
By the Author of
" No Church," " Owen : a Waif," &C.
Hurst and Blackett, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough-
street.

SEA. First-class APPRENTICES required
in an East Indiaman.—For premium, name of ship, &e.
o 27, Cuotl=nno.-setxreerectisßerk.
Vopelyonttoro?roevserrso.rlinaitneAearnendeet the

pound spent in registration often saved hundreds in elec-
toral excitement.
Mr. WALPOLE gave " The House of Peers," and in doing
so paid a compliment to Lord Derby, whom he described as
the most remarkable man of his age.

represents popular principles. (Cheers.) Then it is truly
irresistible, then it can uphold the authority of the throne
and the majesty of the empire, the liberty of the nation and
the rights of the multitude. There is nothing mean, petty,
or exclusive about the real character of Toryism, (Cheers.)
It necessarily depends upon enlarged sympathies and noble
aspirations, because it is essentially national. The moment
Toryism deviates from that great fundamental principle it
is in danger. From the moment Liberalism flourishes, for
Liberalism is the consequence of our errors, and often their
corrective. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I agree with my
noble friend, your chairman, thatiwe have reason to con-
gratulate the Tory party on their trresent position. (Loud
cheers.) My noble friend has alluded to some who are dis-
cont, nted, and to murmurs which I think must have
reached very few. (Laughter.) I say that a certain
degree of discontent in a great party is not only inevitable,
but may exercise a salutary influence. (Laughter.) I
would no, this evening like to indulge in any vague com-
pliments upon the position of the party with which we are
connected, because I think it would be worse than idle to
indulge in praises of that kind on such an occasion.
But I congratulate sincerely the Tory party on their posi-
tion, because I think it is one which ought to be to them a
source of real and sincere satisfaction. (Hear, hear.) In
this age of numerous and rapid events one is apt to dwell
very little upon the past ; yet allow me to remind you that
without some reference to the past it is impossible to form a
just judgment respecting the present. I would on this
occasion call to memory what was the state of the Tory
party only some few years ago—(a Voice, " 1846")—only
12 years ago—a period not so distant as that which has been
referred to by my unknown friend. (Laughter.) Why, gen-
tlemen, looking back only 12 years, there is no record in the
history of England of a political esunexion so utterly for-
lorn, so hopeless, and so prostrate as was then the Tory party.
(Hear.) That eminent man, whose great sagacity and great
heart had rallied us around him at a moment of unforeseen
and unprecedented difficulty had just met an untimely end.
I will never mention his name or recall his memory with-
out expressing what I feel, sentiments of admiration and
affection. (Cheers.) At that moment we literally did
not count in the House of Commons by any means one-
fourth of its members ; and as for your political opinions,
that identity of sentiment which is the only foundation of
political action in public life, that "idem sentire de repub-
liea" which is the soul of political existence, why we were
in this position, we were the representatives of opinions—
that was the cruellest cut of all—which had been selected by
distinguished men who had been our leaders as the soundest
and most expedient foundation for political action, which in
consequence we had advocated, and pledged eurselves to our
country to advocate and support, which that country had
ratified by a large majority only recently, and which had
been given up with such precipitation and panic that it
was impossible to rally the country round the more tempe-
rate applicatisn of those very principles which subsequent
events have proved to be practicable, and which, being
adopted by France, have led in that country to a great in-
crease of its wealth. I say we were the representatives of
opinions suddenly described by our very leaders as absurd
and impracticable, and around which, under the circum-
stances in which we then found ourselves, it was impossible
effectually to rally the country. As regards the three
great considerations first, numbers in Parliament;
secondly, distinctive principles of polity; and thirdly,
public men who could in a decorous and efficient manner
represent the convictions of the great party in the country,
we were altogether without them. Why, at that time— I am
not using the language of exaggeration, but that of literal,
historic truth-- there was no man who believed that the
Tory party would over again rally. (Hear, hear.) It was a
question which of the great political sections should obtain
the greatest portion of the plunder. (Laughter,) We were
like a wreck stranded on the beach, and it was a question
who should rifle our stores. (Laughter.) Well but, gentle-
men, if that were your position 12 years ago—and there is
not a man present who has not an average knowledge of
public affairs but knows how accurately I am describing
that situation—contrast it with your position now. (Cheers.)
In either House of Parliament we confront the minister
with at least an equal power. (Loud cheers.) We are the
advocates of a generous and a national creed ; and as for
public men, why, gentlemen, there is not a subject that can
be brought forward in the House of Commons, but from
every part of the benches on which I sit I am confident men
will come forward who, by the amplitude of their know-
ledge, their argumentative power, and their general ability,

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Lord REDESDALE acknowledged the toast.
The Earl of CARNARVON proposed "The House of Com-
mons;" to which
Mr. G. HARDY responded, observing that everything was
tending to the triumph of the Conservative cause. What
was raking place on the other side of the Atlantic was, he
said, sufficient to disgust the English people with demo-
cratic principles.
" The Provincial Conservative Registration Societies,"
and sonic other toasts were then given, after which the
company separated.

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26th Junc, 1E63.

National Conservative Registration

Association.

,ondon : Hurst and Blackett.

The usual annual banquet to members and friends of
the association took place last evening at Willis's-rooms.
Covers were laid for 350, and every seat was occupied. The
Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot presided.
The cloth having been removed, and grace said by the
Hon. and Rev. W. Talbot,
The CHAIRMAN, amid considerable cheering gave " The
health of the Queen," who he said had advanced the cause
of constitutional monarchy throughout the world, while
she had earned and won the affections of her people.
The toast was drunk with the usual enthusiastic demon-
strations.

(10LBURN'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
kj Edited by W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Esq.
Contents for JULY. No. DTI.
I. Revelations of the Guill,tine.
11. Tee Shadow of Ashlydyat. By the Author of " East
Lynne." Part XXII.
111. Cardinal Fleury. By Sir Nathaniel.
IV. The Queen and the Dying Soldier. By Nicholas
Michell.
V. The Japanese "Flowery Land."
VI. Strathmore ; or, Wrought by his Own Hand. By the
Author of "Granville de Vig,rne." Part I.
The Polish Mother. By Cyrus Redding*.
The Artist's Studio.
The Modern Babylon.
A .* Fast " Pilgrim. - - '
Literary and Political Recollections.
Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly.

The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Prince :and Prin-
cess of Wales, and the other members of the royal family,"
which was also enthusiastically responded to.
" The Army, Navy, Yeomanry, Militia, and Volun-
teers," was next drunk, the Chairman, in proposing it,
remarking that the duty devolved upon him in conse-
quence of Sir John Pakington being absent on account of
the death of a near relative. Ho connected with the army

BLACK-WOOD'S MAGAZINE
for JULY, 1863. No. DLXXIII. Price 2s. 6d.

CONTENTS.

Caxtoniana.—Part XVII.
No. 23.—Posthumous Reputation.
From Cracow to Warsaw : Letter from Poland. No. 11.
Ireland Revisited.
" Why has not Italy done more ?"
The London Art Season.
Under the Lymes.—Pen and Ink Photographs from Berlin.
Chronicles cf Carling-ford: The Perpetual Curate.—Part 11.
The State and Prospects of the Church of England.
William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London.

the name of his noble and gallant friend Lord Cardigan, to
whom he rejoiced to find that a tardy justice had been

awardod for the noble manner in which he had vindicated

the honour of his country, and the decision of the Court of

Queen's Bench the other day fully vindicated his claim to

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the gratitude of his country. With the toast of the navy he
coupled the name of Sir J. Dalrymple Hay, Bart.
Earl CARDIGAN returned thanks, and with much feeling

expressed his gratitude for the sympathy the company had
evinced in his favour in connection with the recent legal
proceedings in which he had unfortunately been involved.
He spoke of the services of the army, observing that they

felt grateful and encouraged always by the public expre;

sion of the appreciation in which those services were held
by the country. He also returned thanks on behalf of the
militia, yeomanry, and volunteers, to each of which branches
of our national defences he paid a tribute of praise.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE,
JUNE 30, 1863.
A Grand MELANGE DRAMATIQUE will take place in
AID of the FUNDS for a NATIONAL METROPOLITAN
MONUMENT to Sll AKESPEARE, under the immediate
Patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prin-
cess of Wales, before wnom 60 eminent artistes will have the
honour of appearing. -Hon. Sec., Mr. Adolphus Francis, 43,
Cumberland-street, Hyde-park.

Sir J. DALRYMPLE HAY returned thanks on behalf of

he navy.

Lord JOHN MANNERS gave the next toast, " Church and

State." Were he asked to describe the motive power that
had brought together this vast assembly, and the bonds that

T" OXFORD,
6, OXFORD STREET.
Will be performed Selections from the following Operas
LA CIRCASSIENNE, MARTHA, and
14IASANIELLO.

expressed the symbol of their political faith in the fewest
words, he could not do it better than by uttering the three

words which constituted this toast, "Church and State.'
Other great principles might seem for the moment more im•
mediately present ; other issues might plead for the moment

Supported by Miss Russell, Miss Townley, Miss Ellison,
Messrs. Albert, Green, Bernardi, Huish, Kimberley, and
W. Evans, with full band and chorus.
Conducted by Mr. Jonghmans.
Drew Dean's Flute Solos
Master Sanders, the Juvenile Vocalist.
UNSWORTH, the modern Demosthenes.

more powerfully, but they did not interfere with the all-
importance of maintaining that connexion by which the

Church was united to the State, and the State was conse

crated by the Church.
The Hon. and Rev. W. TALBOT responded to the toast.
The CIiAIRMAN next proposed "The Leaders of the Con-
servative party, and success to the Conservative cause," and
in doing so spoke in terms highly eulogistic both of the Earl

Euzene, IV. Randall, J. Hutchenson, and the marvellous
ARTHUR and BERTRAND.

The HALL has been newly Decorated and Ventilated, and
is now one of the most Beautiful in the Metropolis.

of Derby and Mr. Disraeli.
The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm.
Mr. DISRAELI, in acknowledging the toast, said—Gentle-
men, I thank you for the hospitable reception you have
given to me and the honour you have done me in associat-
ing my name with that of the leaders of your party. I ac-
cepted your invitation to dine with you because I felt it an
honour to express my approbation of the principles which
associate you together and of the main object of your so-
ciety. I feel the importance of stimulating and encourag-
ing the registration of the electors of this country. A
careful and vigilant registration is an extension of the
suffrage, of which all must approve. But, gentlemen, lam
_ _ _

CANTERBURY HALL AND
FINE ARTS GALLERY.
NOTICE.— ENTIRE CHANGE OF ENTERTAINMENT.
This Evening the Marvellous ARTHUR and BERTRAND,
the Two French Clowns.

ARTHUR LLOYD'S burlesque Drama, arranged expressly
for him.
A. B. HOLLINGSWORTH'S new Comicalities, &c,
SAM COLLINS, with new Songs.
UNSWORTII, the celebrated Stump Orator.
EUGENE, and G. HUTCHINSON.

will so demean themselves as to command, as they deserve,
the attention of the assembly in which they sit. (Cheers.)

GRAND SELECTIONS from OPERAS, GLEES, and

But then, gentlemen, it is said that the Tory party, though
it may have rallied to a certain extent, though it may no
longer be in that disheartened and perilous position in which
it was some 10 or 12 years back, have twice been entrusted
with power, and twice been unable for any long period to
maintain it. Gentlemen, when the historian of our coun-
try records the events to which I refer, if he be a philoso-
phical historian his astonishment will arise, not from our
not having been able to maintain power, but from our
having twice acquired it. (Hear, hear.) I say that in the
history of our country so much was never before effected
by a public party and by public men under such difficult
circumstances. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, when Lord Derby
reluctantly accepted the Queen's Government in 1852 there
was an absolute majority against us in the House of
Commons of 200 ; when Lord Derby took office in 1858
there was an absolute majority against us in the House of
Commons of 140. Do you believe that under such circum-
stances those whom you entrust with your confidence were
ignorant of the immense risks they ran ? (Hear.) Do you
suppose that those to whom you still look up with a confi-
dence which is their greatest pride were not prepared in
either instance for the great probability, perhaps the posi-
tive certainty, of great personal mortification 1' (Cheers.)
All this we had to weigh and consider when we accepted
office under conditions which were never before even offered
to English statesmen. But, gentlemen, we had a sense of
duty to guide us under such circumstances, and we had to
ask ourselves this, " Shall we still struggle to preserve the
great traditions of English political life, or without an effort
shall we say that that system of party government to which
we owe, in our opinion, English liberty, and all those bless-
ings which have marked out this great realm from other
countries for so many years, shall we at once say that from
the fear of personal mortification we will lose such a chance
for the kingdom and for the people ? (Cheers.) No, gen-
tlemen, with great reluctance, as is now well known—with
a due sense of danger, which all might have imagined, we
confronted on both occasions that imminent peril, and in
time, I confess, we yielded to it. But this I may say in
passing, that having accepted office under such circum-
stances, we at least performed its duties in a manner not
disgraceful to ourselves—(cheers)---and not dishonourable
to you, (Renewed cheers.) But, gentlemen, what was the
cause of our fall in both cases ? There happened that
which in this country, rich and long as are its political
annals, never before was equalled, for which there was no
precedent, and which perhaps the future will have no in-
stance to compare with ; we fell before the most peculiar
coalition—(great cheering)—that ever existed, or probably
ever can exist, even in England. (Renewed cheers.) The
Liberal party, defeated in 1852 because they coalesced with
the pupils of Sir Robert Peel; the Liberal party, defeated
in 1859 because they coalesced with the principles of Mr.
Bright. (Loud cheers.) But, gentlemen, do you not see
the moral of all this ? The powers of coalition are ex-
hausted. (Hear.) In the purgatory in which the Liberal
party found themselves flaws, first applied to celestial arch-
angels, and then descended into the lowest abyss of Hades.
(Laughter.) But a lower abyss there is not. Their means
are exhausted. The coalition has no balance to fall back
upon. (Cheers.) This I tell you, I tell the country—for
it is an important matter—that in countries like England
a coalition produces the same effect as in continental lands
is produced by coup d'etat; it suspends political life, and in
such a state of affairs there is an inevitable reaction which
no nation can escape. It will come; it will come in coun-
tries where coups d'etat have succeeded as it will come in
countries which are still ruled by the remnants of exhausted
coalition. (Cheers.) But whenever that inevitable reac-
tion may come, it is the duty of the Tory party to be pre-
pared for it—(cheers)—and if during that long period to
which my noble friend (the chairman) has referred, you
have endured mortification and disappointment—if you
have been betrayed by those whom you had trusted—if for
a moment the principles which bind you together seemed to
be loose and of little effect, I trust that the moral experi-
ence of these years has brought you back to a due sense of
the true value and eternal character of the principles by which
a great national party in England can alone be maintained.
(Hear.) I cannot say I have ever looked upon the past with
those feelings of disappointment which many of my com-
panions I know have shared ; I have felt the circumstances
under which our political connection was first formed were
of most rare and remarkable occurrence. I knew that there
was a hard trial to be experienced before we were proved for
the groat trust to which we aspired. Then there have been
murmurs about delay. I have not shared in them. Even
when there has been discomfiture I have recognised pro-
gress, and I know of no time when the Tory party and the
principles they profess were more clear in the appreciation
of themselves and of the country. Under these circumstances
I trust that the society of which you are members, and which
has honoured me to-day by inviting me as a friend, will
feel that we have a great duty to perform ; and I have
great satisfaction in availing myself of the opportunity of
I proposing the health of one who bears a name and title dear
to Englishmen—who has identified himself with this great
constitutional movement, and who has had practical expe-
rience of the working of our constitution in both houses of
Parliament—in that in which ho is now an influential and
in that in which he was for many years my friend and col-
league. Gentlemen, I propose "The health of the Earl of
Shrewsbury and Talbot, and success to the National Con-
servative Registration Association." (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, spoke of the advan-
tages of the operation of such a society, observing that one

CANTATAS.

Principal Artistes—Miss Russell, Miss Townley ; Mr. Green
Signor Bunali, and Signor Tivoli.
Conductor, Mr. Jonghmans.
Admission—Hall, 6d. ; stalls and balcony, Is.

reminded, by the taunts of our opponents, that although

we are sedulous in recommending the registration of voters,

we are in fact only registering electors who, when the crisis

arrives, will have no opinion to represent. I am told every
day that distinctive opinions and different principles be-
tween political parties have ceased to exist—(no, no)—and
the Liberal party are very free to assure us that there is no
longer any contrariety between political organisations.
But, gentlemen, I will be more generous and more just to-

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE. Miss
regor, Messrs. Albert, Vernon, &c.,
with Full Chorus and Band of GO Performers.

wards our opponents than they are inclined to Le to us.
I give them credit for very distinct principles, and for

very distinct opinions. (Hear, hear.) The only remarkable
feature in their position at present is that they do not prac-
tise the principles they profess. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, the
Liberal party are of opinion that the electoral franchise
should be democratic. We arc not. (Cheers.) The Liberal
party aro of opinion that the mode of exercising the suf-
frage should be so conducted that property should be de-
prived of its legitimate influence. We are not. (More
cheers.) The Liberal party are of opinion that the union
between Church and State should be abolished. We are
not. (Renewed cheers.) Our colonial empire, which is
the national estate, which assures to every subject of her
Majesty, as it were, a freehold in which the energies and
enterprise of Englishmen are inexhaustible—the Liberal
party are of opinion that the relations between the mother

. _
country and the colonies should be abrogated. We are not.
(Hear, hear.) They are opposed to the ancient rights of
incorporation, to the ancient rights of endowment, and think
they ought to be terminated. We are not. (Loud cheers.)
Gentlemen, T. might pursue the catalogue through all the
most considerable features of our social and political system
and point out to you the diametrical differences that are en-
tertained really and in theory between the two great parties
of the State. I admit that these differences at this moment,
from particular circumstances, are not obtruded before the
attention of the Legislature, or are only partially attempted
to be brought forward for public sanction; but we should
deceive ourselves if we supposed that because all these great
questions are suspended they are concluded. (Hear, hear.)
There are particular circumstances why at present they are
or can be only partially brought forward ; but, gentlemen,
they aro like the whirlwind of the poet

"They lie hushed in grim repose."
And the day will come—and it is not very far distant perhaps
—when you will have to encounter their claims and examine
their merits. What I want is, that when that inevitable
hour arrives, the Tory party shall be found prepared.— (loud
cheers)—prepared, gentlemen, in the disciplineof their mem-
bers, and prepared also in something which in my mind is
more important than disciplined members—definite opinions
—(cheers)—and distinct principles. (Hear, hear.) It always
appeared to me that the great political struggle which has
prevailed during the last 30 years is in effect a struggle be-
tween popular principles and liberal opinions. (Cheers.)
The institutions of the country—our ancient and limited
but still real monarchy—our national church—our estates
of the realm—our colonial empire—our hereditary tenure of
land, our ancient corporations and endowments, the vast
and complicated fabric of our local jurisdiction and admini-
stration—all involve, and represent, and secure popular
principles and popular rights. It is by their united aid and
agency that we enjoy security for our persons and our pro-
perties that in the same degree and in the same manner are
enjoyed by no other country and by no other state. It is by
their united aid and agency that the public liberties are
preserved, that an education, secular and spiritual, are pro-
vided for the great body of the people—that the rights of
labour and the claims of industry are recognised in the
scheme of the constitution. It is in short, by their united
aid and agency that the Government of this country is car-
ried on by the benign assistance of traditional influences,and
not by the rude authority of a systematised police. (Cheers )
Gentlemen, it is by their agency that the national character
has been formed. A professor of liberal opinions, on the
other hand, is an individual who is of opinion that he ought
to be liberated from the control of these institutions.
(Cheers and laughter.) If he has a republican bias he is for
reducing the sovereign to the position of chief magistrate.
(Hear.) If he is a Dissenter, quite forgetful of the indirect
advantage of an established and national Church even to
himself, quite forgetful of the direct advantage of a national
Church to millions of his fellow-subjects, he is desirous of
reducing that Church to the position of a rival sect. If the
House of Commons is an obstacle to the success of his po •
litical scheme ho is for reforming the House of Commons ;
if he is successful in the House of Commons, and the
House of Lords is the obstacle, he would abrogate the
House of Lords. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) To him
the colonial empire is only an annual burthen—
(laughter)—to him "corporation" is only an equivalent
term for monopoly, and "endowment" for privilege. The
tenure of land, which in an hour of peril and perplexity,
external or domestic, affords something around which men
may rally and save the state, is to him only the remains of
a feudal system. (Hear.) And as to our great system of
self-government, no one is happier than the professor of
liberal opinions in showing you the imperfections and in-
adequate qualities necessarily inseparable from a great popu-
lar scheme which may occasionally distinguish it, or can
prove with more convincing logic that the whole thing
may be done much better and much cheaper by a system
of centralised administration founded on the principle of
competitive examination. (Cheers and laughter.) Gentle-
men, the Tory party is only in its proper position when it

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PRICE.-- -..4d.
STAMPED ....bd.

chairs, completed the furniture of this room, and
made it, both for size and adornments, a drawing-
room of such extent and beauty as few palaces could
show. Seen as it was seen for the first time last
night, brilliantly lighted, with its picturesque group
of gallant entertainers standing in the centre and
receiving the long and magnificent array of visitors
who were filing in, the whole effect wos so wonder-
fully beautiful and striking—a scene which few can

describe, but none are likely to forget, Beyond
this beautiful apartment was the conservatory, and
this and the supper-room were the chefs d'oeuvre of

decoration of the evening. It, is difficult to imagine
anything more artisticc.lly arranged than this con-
servatory. In the centre of the apartment, rising
apparently from a massive bed of flowers, was a

tall and handsome fountain, and all around the
walls were banks and beds of ferns and flowering

exotics, surmounting which the graceful, feathery
outlines of all varieties of palms from Kew rose high
into the air. At the end of the room three deep

alcoves were formed, entirely filled with ferns and
long delicate Indian grasses, and these recesses being
filled with mirrors gave a prolongation to the very
beautiful vista and doubled its effect. Nothing

could exceed the beauty of the whole of this apart-
ment; and, after the glitter of the drawing-room,
the soft and cool green of the plants, intermingled
with appropriate groups of statuary furnished by
M. Brucciani, came with a pleasing effect that
seemed to be refreshing to the eye. Its attractions,
indeed, appeared almost too great, for it was im-

possible to prevent the visitors lingering here to
gaze around and admire, and thus rather blocking
the way to the ball-room, in spite of the polite re-
minders of the hosts that " ladies would be good

enough to move on." The ball-room was what a
ball-room should be on these occasions—light in

colour, simple in tone of decoration, large, lofty,
and well lit. The length of the room from end to
end was 200 ft., with a width of 40ft., thus giving
a floor space one-third larger than Guildhall for
a smaller number of guests. No ball-room, public
or private, in Europe has such magnificent
proportions as that in which the company
mustered last evening. Its decorations, as we have
said, were simple, but very effective. Round the
whole length and breadth, close to the walls, was a
raised platform, on which were ranged the comfort-

able, well-stuffed couches that served to fill these same
picture galleries in the Exhibition time. The back-
ground to these, to the height of about eight feet,
was scarlet cloth ; the walls were of light maize

colour, and the bare-looking skylights above were
hidden by screens of white cloth. Triple rows of

burners lit up the whole place amply, and contri-

:ributed not a little to the warmth—which was,

however, for once no drawback on the perfect com-
fort of the evening. On the south side of the gal-

lery, in the centre, Mr. Crace's beautiful throne of
crimson velvet and gold was erected for the guests
of the evening, who had their chairs of state for
form's sake placed under its gorgeous canopy—for
they were but seldom used throughout the night.
Facing this, so as to correspond with the throne on
the opposite side, were grouped the silken flags of
the brigade—the very colours which led the long
red lines of Guardsmen up the heights of Alma—
the very colours round which the men rallied so
desperately in the two-gun battery on the heights
of Inkermann. These and their throne formed
almost the only conspicuous ornaments in the ball-
room, the chief decoration of which was supplied by
the visitors themselves, and it is needless to say
how well such an assembly performed their duty.

The room actually twinkled with jewels, and the
beautiful toilettes of the ladies formed a blaze of

colour as bright and varying as the hues in a
kaleidoscope.
Beyond the ball-room was the entrance to the
refreshment-room, draped with festoons of lace,
while round the refreshment-room itself were noble
groups of flags interspersed with figures of men in
armour ; while beneath all were tables laden with
gold and silver vases filled with the most superb
fruits and flowers. Beyond this again was the
supper room, but its lofty entrance was shrouded
with curtains of crimson silk, which were not to be
drawn aside to reveal its glories till after mid-
night. Before 10 o'clock every part of the room
was crowded, and it became evident, as at Guild-
hall, that there could be no great amount of danc-
ing. Precisely at half-past 10 the guests of the
evening arrived, their approach being literally
heralded from afar by the prolonged shouts of the
crowd outside.
On alighting their Royal Highnesses were re-
ceived by the committee, with the Duke of Cam-
bridge at their head. The Duke conducted the
Princess of Wales, the Prince giving his arm to the
Duchess of Cambridge, while the Princess Mary
was escorted by Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar.
Amid a silence that was marked and deep, but
amid the most profound salutations of respect, the
Royal party psssed along to the Princess's boudoir,
where the Princess remained for a minute to admire
its Leautiful iuterior, and then the Royal party pro-
ceeded at once to the dais beneath the throne. For
a minute there was a pause as the Princess with
deep courtesies acknowledged the homage of greet-
ing with which she Was received, and then the
ball, or rather the occasional dancing with which
the magnificent assembly was occasionally enli-
vened, at once commenced. It was opened by a
quadrille of 16 couples, the Duke of Cambridge, as
first among the gallant entertainers, leading forth
the Princess of Wales, while the Prince danced with
the Princess Mary.
During this figure, for which there was only just
sufficient room, all the brilliant assemblage bad
full opportunity to see the Princess, who, dressed in
mauve, with white lace over it, with roses and dia-
monds in her hair, looked, indeed, well worthy of
being the beloved and honoured guest of that
lordly company. Both the Prince and Princess
seemed delighted with their reception, and the
Princess especially was radiant with smiles and
kindly recognitions of the fair faces around. The
Princess Mary also excited universal admiration.
Dance after dance followed, until at a little before
1 o'clock the band played the National Anthem, the
heavy curtains at the head of the room were drawn
aside, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, the
Duke and Duchess and Princess Mary of Cambridge,
followed by the most illustrious and distinguished
guests, passed down the ballroom to the apartment
where the supper was laid out with more than regal
splendour. As a spectacle it was one of almost un-
equalled magnificence. The room had been decorated
by Mr. Stone entirely with military trophies. Four
great stars, formed entirely of weapons, occupied
each side of the room, each star requiring the mar-
tial equipment of almost an entire regiment to com-
plete it. Some were of immense weight, all were of
great size and beauty, and those towards the centre
of the room were encircled with wreaths formed of
sabre blades, which had a most beautiful effect.
Between these trophies, which glittered from a
thousand different points, were noble groups of flags
with men in armour at the bases, while at the head
of the room, in the alcove where Foley's great
statue of Caractacus stood last year, was one of the
finest ornamental military trophies we have ever
seen. It consisted of a group of figures in full
suits of tilting armour, with vizor down
and lance in hand. The centre knights sup-
ported shields bearing the Prince's plume and
mottc, and the cross of the Dannebrog.
Behind them were grouped a superb collec-
tion of ancient weapons—a perfect thicket of
bristling points and blades, battleaxes, brown bills,
two-handed swords, halberds, partisans, with hel-
mets, gauntlets, shields, greaves, and breastplates,
mixed up with spears and wall pieces that had done
duty from the Wars of the Roses to the time of the
Ironsides of Cromwell. Behind all was a star, com-
posed of nearly a thousand ramrods, its centre
formed of a small glass device representing the
Crosses of St. George and Andrew, with the badge
of the Brigade with its motto, " Tria juncta in uno.