The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-16 00:00:00

THE MEDITERRANEAN.

MALTA, JUNE 9.—The Peninsular and Oriental
steam-packet Euxine, from Southampton and Gibraltar,
and Indus, with the homeward India mail from Alex-
andria, arrived yesterday, the former at noon, the latter
after sunset.
The mails for Marseilles close at 9 A.M. The Euxine
will close her mails at 4 P.M. to-day.
Indefatigable, 50, Captain Smart, K.H., arrived yes-
terday from Lisbon and Gibraltar, to be under the orders
of Admiral Sir W. Parker. _ _

THE ADMIRALTY MAIL PACIEETS.—It is a subject of
regret that vessels of such celerity as the Banshee and
Csradoc should have such poor accommodation for pas-
sengers for a voyage of even so short a duration as fifty-
two hours. Strong hopes are entertained that the
packets will be ultimately replaced by ships of a con-
tract company, bound down to supply vessels capable of
working up to a fixed rate of speed—say eleven at the
minimum. The Merlin, Medusa, and Medina, which
now run as packets, cost the Government no small
amount, using as they do 30 tons of coal each; the Ban-
shee and Caradoc use 35 tons per day, besides employing
five engineers. The three first vessels have been nearly
three years in commission, and it is reported that they
are to be replaced by the Triton, Antelope, and Oberon.
We hope not, for at present the accommodation for pas-
sengers is so inferior that that branch is forced into (and
will probably so continue) foreign bottoms.—Herald.

THE GREAT BAL MASQUE.
(From the Court Circular.)
At the State Ball at Buckingham Palace on Friday
night, after the reception of the four National Quadrilles
and the Quadrille headed by the Countess of, Wilton,
her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prirll:4o *Thert
descended from the throne to take pact 11
On ;he Queen and Prince Albert taking their place
to dance the Polonaise, the full effect of the royal cos-
tumes was for the first time observable. They were as
follows:

Her Majesty's head-dress was composed of a small
diamond crown placed on the top of the head, and a
large emerald set in diamonds, with pearl loops, on the
side of the head. The hair behind was plaited with
pearls.
The skirt of the dress was composed of rich grey
watt red silk, trimmed with gold and silver lace and or-
namented with bows of rose-coloured riband fastened by
bouque's of diamonds. The front of the dress was open,
and the under skirt was made of cloth of gold embroi•
dered in a shawl pattern in silver, scullopped and
trimmed with silver fringe. The gloves and shoes were
embroidered alternately with roses and fleurs delis in
gold. Her Majesty worn on the front of the body of
the dress four large pear-shaped emeralds of an immense
value.
His Royal Highness the Prince Albert was dressed in
a coat of rich orange satin brocaded with gold and with
a green sprig; the sleeves turned up with crimson velvet,
embroidered in gold and silver, with a pink satin
epaulette upon the shoulder; a baldrick of gold lace,
embroidered with silver, and edged with a fringe of pink
silk and silver bullion, carried the sword.
The breeches were of crimson velvet, with pink satin
bows and gold lace. Stockings of lavender silk. Sash
of white silk and gold fringe.
The whole of this dress was composed of materials of
British manufacture, and the brocaded silk for the coat,
the beauty of which could not be surpassed in any
country, was completed in twelve days from the time of
the order being given. The hat was trimmed with gold,
with white ostrich feathers round it.
Her Majesty danced the Polonaise with Prince Albert,
the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Edward of Saxe-
Weimar. His Royal Highness Prince Albert also danced
with her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk.
At a quarter past 12 o'clock the Queen and Prince
Albert were conducted by the Marquis of Westminster
(Lord Steward) to the State Supper, and on returning
to the Ball-room her Majesty danced with the Prince of
Leiningen.
Among the many beautiful costumes at the ball, not
previously described, were those of the
Baroness de Cetto (Lady of the Bavarian Minister),
who wore the costume of a Lady of the Bavarian Court
of the period. The demi•train and corsage were of blue
satin; the front of the latter being nearly covered with
antique point lace. A row of old point went round the
top of thn corsage, and the same beautiful fabric went
down each side of the demi-train, from the orening at
the waist to the bottom; Five ornaments of diamonds
and emeralds were displayed on the corsage, one on each
shoulder, and three in front. The petticoat was of white
satin, with four flounces of Brussels lace. Rows of
pearls were worn round the neck. A beautiful bouquet
of diamonds adorned the left side of the head, and the
hair was confined at the back by rosettes of blue satin.
Baron de Cetto appeared in the Court costume of a
nobleman of the Bavarian Court of the period. The
coat was of claret-coloured velvet, and breeches of the
same material, tied at the knees by bows of red satin.
The coat was ornamented with gold lace. The sash was
of red silk, having gold fringe at each end. The stock-
ings were red silk, and the shoes buff leather, with red
satin rosettes.
Senor Isturitz, the Spanish Minister, appeared in the
costume of a nobleman of the Court of Philip IV. of
Spain, composed of black velvet, with diamond orna-
ments.
His Excellency Mussurus Bey, the Turkish Minister,
was attired in the costume of an Ottoman Ambassador
of the 17th century. It consisted of a light blue silk
pelisse, richly lined and trimmed with ermine ; the
under garment or Kaftan was of rich rose-coloured gold
brocade, the waist was girt with a splendid cashmere
shawl, in which was thrust a dagger or Hangiar richly
ornamented with diamonds. The turban was composed
of the Shoubara, encircled by another cashmere shawl f
great value. Scarlet trousers with yellow bottinesand
slippers completed the costume.
Prince Vogorides, Councillor of Legation, wore the
dress of a Turkish civil functionary of that ()Poch.
M. Paul Mussurus, Secretary of Legation, that of a
naval officer of superior rank.
Mr. Zohrab, First Attache of Legation, was attired in
the full costume of the then Dragoman of the Porte, par-
ticularly remarkably for its richness, and the Celine or
sable fur cap which he wore on his head.
Nubar Bey, Secretary to the Pasha •of Egypt, as
dressed as a Chief of the African Land Troops of the
same time.
Madame Tricoupi, the lady of the Greek Minister,
wore the costume of a lady of the Argentiere Islands of
the time of the Restoration. The turban was of gold
flowered net. The dress was of white silk barege, with
a double skirt, each edged with yellow satin. This was
worn over a petticoat of white s The waist was
bound with a deep red sash, havingil k.
a narrow edge of
yellow. Ribands, the same colour as the sash, orna-
mented the ends of the sleeves.
M. N. Lidorikis (Secretary of the Greek Legation)
appeared in a Greek dress of the period. The material
was purple velvet embroidered with .gold, the I •
with gold, and leggings
of scarlet velvet embroidered
scarlet. The sleeves were open at the lower
dis-
playing lace of Greek manufacture. A Greek cap (red),
having a tassel of blue silk and gold, completed the cos.

tame.
Baron Koller, Austrian Charge d'Affaires, appeared
in the costume of a Nobleman of Bohemia in 1663.
The music for the Scotch quadrille was selected and
arranged expressly for this occasion.
For the First Figure.—The first part was taken from
the celebrated tune, " The- King enjoys his own again."
The second portiqu cotained the song, 'o 011 you