The Sun.
London, England, 1839-11-08 00:00:00

POLISH GRAND DRESS AND
FANCY BALL AND CONCERT, GUILDHALL.

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On Wednesday the Committee numerously assembled
at the Guildhall for the purpose of discussing the va-
rious arrangements for the ball and concert on the 14th
inst. Lord Dudley Stuart and Mr. M`Donel, the
Honorary Secretary to the Polish Association, attended.
Deputy PEACOCK was in the chair.
Mr. CARR, the Guildhall Secretary, stated that he
had received intimations that the following persons of
rank, in addition to those already announced, had signi-
fied their intention to patronize the charity—The
Marchioness of Bristol, the Marchioness of Normanby,
the Countess of Chesterfield, Lady Methuen, the Hon.
Mrs. Anson, the Marquis of Normanby, the Earl of
Chesterfield, Viscount Drumlanrig, the Honourable
George Anson. He also stated that several applica-
tions had been made by fashionable shopkeepers for
numbers of tickets. He submitted to the Committee
that already a great many tickets had been distributed
at the West-end of the town, and that there was
every reason to believe that, as had been notoriously
the case with respect to the ball which took place
immediately after the Queen's visit to the City, the
admissions were actually, at the present moment,
being sold for considerably more than the fixed price.
It would therefore be for the Committee to come to
some decision on the subject.
Mr. PEACOCK (the Chairman)—Let those shop-
keepers account tor the tickets they have already
had. Care must be taken that the Hall be not
crowded to inconvenience, and as the night ap-
proaches we shall be harrassed with applications
which those who make them will consider it very hard
not to have been granted. It was, upon the occasion
alluded to by the Secretary, a very painful thing for us
to know that twice and three times the amount charged
by the Committee for the tickets were, in a great num-
ber of instances, paid to the shopkeepers alluded to, and
not one shilling of the overplus was handed over to the
charity, which had such paramount claims.—(Hear.)
Lord DUDLEY STUART said that at the ball of 1837
the tickets were higher-priced than they were at present,
and that he was aware of the large profit made by some
of those who applied at the early period of the distribu-
tion. He expressed the warmest thanks to the Corpo-
ration for their exertions. The distress which they
were relieving was beyond all description, instances
of which the Association had the painful task of witness-
ing from morn till night. He had a few tickets re-
maining, and he certainly expected that he should have
high bidders for them.—(Cheers.) He was bound to
declare that under existing circumstances be should
ook with great favour at those who advocated this, in
other circumstances, unpopular proposition of high
prices. He did not see why the Committee should not
raise the charge in proportion to the demand for the
commodity.—( Hear, hear.)
Several members approved of the suggestion of Lord
Dudley Stuart, but the majority thought that whatever
terms individuals of the Committee might demand, the ge-
neral rule could not consistently be deviated from. It was
stated that a subscription might be properly opened in
the Hall, as there would be numbers of country vi-
sitors to the Ball who might be desirous of availing
themselves of the opportunity of adding to the relief
which their attendance would confer upon the great
objects of the charity.
Mr. ANDERTON said that placards might be placed
at the steps of the Hall leading to the drawing-room,
giving notice that those who might be disposed to assist
the charity still more essentially would be received by
the Secretary in an adjoining room.—(Hear, hear.) He
was convinced that a great many pounds would be ob-
tained through such means.
Lord DUDLEY STUART and Mr. APDONEL warmly
approved of the suggestion of Mr. Anderton, which was
at once converted into a resolution, seconded by Mr.
Marriott, and unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN said that the Lord Mayor had sent
a letter to the Secretary of the Guildhall Committee,
stating that he was prevented from attending the meeting
by public business ; but he felt great gratification in men-
tioning that the applications which he had had for tickets
were more numerous than he could accommoditte, and
requesting, that as he had made several promises, the
Committee would enable him to keep them.—( Hear,
hear.) His Lordship added that he had been in-
formed that one house at the west end of the town was
most anxious to buy up all the tickets that could be
be got, and he recommended that those members of
the Committee who might have any unsold, should
bring them in their pockets for sale to the Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs' dinner on Saturday, when he thought they
might dispose of them at a considerable premium.—
(Cheers.) His Lordship concluded by suggesting that
as the price would certainly advance, care should be
taken of the distribution.

Several resolutions were passed relating to the

refreshments, and Mr. Rogers, Mr. Lou,- and Mr.
Patten, who are most active and zealous advocates of
the charity, were added to the Sub-Committee.
Upon the motion of Mr. M'Donel, the Honorary
Secretary of the Polish Association, to whose indefati-
gable exertions in the cause Lord Dudley Stuart bore
the warmest testimony, a certain number of tickets
were voted to the Polish Generals, who were anxious to
be present on the occasion.
A great number of offers were made by professional
singers and instrumental performers. The letters were
all referred to Mr. Taylor, the Gresham Lecturer, who
is to superintend the orchestra. A fancy ball has not
taken place within the walls of the Guildhall in the re-
collection of any living person, and the novelty has much
occasioned the anxiety of the ladies to be present.
A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Princes
of Coburg, now on a visit at Windsor Castle, to in-
vite them to the ball. In fact, the Chairman and Com-
mittee showed the most determined spirit to make the
Guildhall worthy of the occasion.
Lord DUDLEY STUART informed the Committee
that he expected to add to the list of patrons and pa-
tronesses, as many of the first rank in the country had
expressed the most earnest wish to be present.