The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-08 00:00:00

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THE VEEN'S rim, TO BREADALDANB

HOUSE.

The excitement caused in the fashionable world by the
recent Bal Costume at the French Embassy had scarcely.
subsided when the announcement of her Majesty's inten-
tion of honouring the Marquis of Breadalbane with her
presence at the grand ball generally given at Breadal-
bane-house at the commencement of every season, became
the all-absorbing topic of conversation in the haut ton.
For some months past the magnificent new ball-room
erecting at Breadalbane-house has been hurried forward
in order to be completed in time to be used on the pre-
sent auspicious occasion, and by the most unceasing ex-
ertions it was only finished about half an hour before the
vi-itors commenced arriving. The noble marquis, in
order that nothing that could be desired should be want-
ing to give the greatest eclat to the entertainment, hired
the mansion No. 30, Grosvenor-street, at the corner of
which Breadalbane-house stands, the garden of which
adjoins the garden of Breadalbane-house, and by build-
ing the ball-room on the site of both gardens, throws
both mansions into one by means of a conservatory at
each side of the ball-room, thus giving accommodation
equal to three mansions. The exterior of Breadalba.ne-
house was beautifully illuminated with numerous loyal
inscriptions and devices, the light of which attracted a
vast crowd of spectators both in Park-lane and Gros-
venor-street.

Some little description may not be ont of place. On
entering the Grosvenor-street entrance, the visitor passes
straight through the passage into the ball-room. The
style of architecture most judiciously chosen to give the
most striking effect of grandeur to the scene was entirely
taken from the mediaeval Gothic, precisely similar to
Westminster Hall on a reduced scale. The whole of the
roof, and its richly carved oak supporters were covered
all over with heraldic blazonry and gilt. The hangings
on the walls were white and gold on a red ground, At
the end of the room, immediately facing the door, was
the orchestra, which being let into the wall, very much
resembled a stage front ; directly above this was placed
a magnificent ancient stained glass window, which was
purchased by the noble marquis from the Duke of Buck-
ingham for a very large sum. The room branches off to
the right at the further end, forming a kind of ante-
chamber, and in this there were placed two valuable
windows, of the same description as the above, to give
full effect to the magnificence of which they were
brilliantly illuminated from behind with numerous
gas jets. At the left of the room- were placed the
seats for her Majesty, the King of Portugal, and the
Royal Family, on a raised dais, and over the seats were
placed the banners of the Royal occupants, namely, the
Queen's in the centre, the King of Portugal's on the
right hand, Prince Albert's on the left; and outside these
the Duchess of Cambridge's and the Duchess of Kent's.
Over the door was placed a Gaelic trophy, com-
posed of armour and weapons used by the ancient Gaels,
above which was the Gaelic inscription, " Caed Mille a
Failte " (one hundred thousand welcomes). Above the
doors, and at each corner of the room, stood ancient
suites of steel-plate armour, with long Scotch spears,
which was quite in keeping with the mediaeval character
of the whole. Passing through the ante-room on the
right, and ascending a flight of stairs, the visitor enters
Breadalbake House through the Elizabethan-room,
which on this occasion was used as one of the refresh-
ment rooms. Descending another flight of stairs the
drawing-room is regained, which was now turned into a
second ball-room, in which also seats were provided for
her Majesty and the Royal visitors. Above this ball-
room was the great drawing-room, which was used as a
supper-room, as also was the back drawing-room, which
leads from it. A passage leading from the second ball-
room communicates through the reception room with
the Park-lane entrance.

General visitors arriving at the Grosvenor-street en-
trance were conducted straight from the cloak-room into
the principal ball-room, where they assembled at about
half-past nine o'clock to await the arrival of the illus-
trious guests.
The number of guests invited was about 1,000.
The youthful King of Portugal and his Royal brother
seemed to take great interest in the unusual scene before
them, but they took no active part in the entertainmen tt.
Shortly after midnight the illustrious guests proceeded
to the supper-room, and partook of the delicacies there
prepared for them.
At half-past twelve o'clock the Royal carriages were
in attendance. The illustrious party were conducted to
their carriages by the noble host and hostess, and the
principal Foreign Ministers, Ministers of State, and
officers of her Majesty's household.
The Queen expressed herself highly pleased with the
preparations that had been made to do honour to the
illustrious guests.
The music was under the direction of Mr.C.E.Laurent,
and consisted of the subjoined selection :

Wiener Punch
Stephanie
Leonora
Fair Star
Les Fiances
Villikins
Schneegloekchen
St. Cecile
L'Eche du Bal