The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-24 00:00:00

BALL AT TRE TOWER.

Lieut.-Col. Hepburn and the officers of the Ist Bat-
talion Scots Fusilier Guards, on duty at the Tower
of London, gave a ball last night to a large circle
of friends, comprising the rank and fashion located
in town. His Excellency the French ambassador
and the Duchess de Malakoff and a brilliant circle
were invited, and above 150 members of the aris-
tocracy graced the festive union by their presence.
The ball was of course given at the officers' quar-
ters in the eastern end of the parade, by the White
Tower. At tiru entrance an awning protected the
visitors from the inclemency of the weather, well
lighted and tastefully decorated, the approach
being guarded by the privates of the gallant corps.
The interior was admirably decorated on the oc-
casion by the national flags. The mess-room was
converted into a ball-room, the walls being orna-
mented with trophies and armorial bearings
encircled with laurels. Over the fire-places were
the old and new colours (bearing the names of
many a well-fought field) of the regiment, the re-
gimental pipes, and flowers. In addition the room
was effulgently illuminated. In an adjoining
apartment the full band of the regiment, under the
able direction of the master, performed a variety of
well-selected music. Shortly before midnight sup-
per was announced in the field-officers' room, where
the choicest luxuries of the table were supplied.
Another apartment was appropriated for tea and
other refreshments.

At ten o'clock dancing commenced to an efficient
quadrille band, under the direction of Mr. Bradley.
Among the company were the following :—Lady
Chelmsford and the Hon. Miss Thesiger, Lord
Campbell and the Baroness Stratheden and the
Hon. Misses Campbell (2), Lady Frances Gordon
and Miss Gordon, Lady Arthur Lennox and Miss
Lennox, Lord Bingham, Viscount Hinchinbroke,
Lady Graham and Miss Graham, Lord Garlies,
Hon. Dudley Campbell, Hon. J. Hallyburton
Campbell, Captain and the Hon. Mrs. Charles Hay,
Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Higgins, Hon. Mrs. Heneage
and the Misses Heneage (2), Hon. Mrs. Astley and
Miss Astley, Lady Gibson, General Sir Wiliam
and Lady Codrington and Miss Codrington,
Sir Charles Russell, General Monteith Douglas
and the Misses Douglas (2), Colonel Hamil•
ton, Colonel and Mrs. Wyndham and Miss Wynd-
ham, Colonel and Mrs. Whimper, Colonel Brown-
low Knox, M.P., Major Shuckborough, Major
Wombwell, Captain Maxse, Captain Keppel, Cap-
tain and Mrs. DruMmond, Captain Buller, Captain
Ferguson, Captain Knox, Captain Bramston, Cap-
tain Lane, Captain Hamilton, Captain Tottenham,
Captain Tower, Mrs. Farrar, Mrs. Law and Miss
Law, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Smith and the Misses
Smith (2), Mrs. Durant, Mrs. Yarden and Miss
Yarden, Mrs. Lambton and the Misses Lambton
(2), Hon. Mrs. Wolff, Mrs. Davidson, Mrs. L.
Curwen and Miss Curwen, Miss Courtenay, Miss
Barnett, Mrs. Langford and the Misses Lang-
ford (2), Mr. and Mrs. Granville Berkeley and the
Misses Berkeley (2), the Misses Dallas (2), Mrs.
Toler, Miss Freemantle, Mr. Dallas, Mr. Cecil Ives,
Mr. irombwell and Miss Wombwell, Mr. and Mrs.
Barnard, Miss Brigstock, Miss Hope Vere, Mr.
West, Mr. Cholmondeley, Mr. Perry, Mr. Rostock,
Mr. Stevens, Mr. Grant, Mr. Astley, Mr. J. Bram-
ston, Mr. Heneage Daring, Mr. Bond, Mr. Law,
the Misses Hamilton' (2), Mr. Fitzroy and Miss
Fitzroy, Miss Graham, Mr. Dalzell, Mr. Ewart,
Mr. Lambton, Mr. Hugan, Mr. Elwes, Mr. Harry
Scott, Mr. Thurlow Astley, Mr. Stapleton, Mr.
Francis Gordon, &c. _

The gallant colonel and the officers of the Ist
battalion of the Scots Fusilier Guards paid every
attention and hospitality to their numerous visitors;
and the entire proceedings passed off with eclat.

CHURCH-RATE AT BOWDEN, CHESHIRE.-At a
meeting at Bowden, on Wednesday, a motion for a church-
rate of 3d. in the pound on all ratepayers was negatived,
and an amendment for a voluntary rate carried in its stead.
OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY COMPANY.-
The position of this company, whose first mortgage bonds
are largely held in England, and the coupons on which
have remained under default since 1856, has been carefully
investigated by Mr. Alexander Trotter, of the firm of Capel
and Co., by whom a tour was undertaken for the purpose.
In a circular to the bondholders he discourages any resort
to foreclosure, and expresses a conviction that if they will
agree to some plan of compromise for the current year, so
as to enable the revenue• to be applied to put the road in a
sound condition, there need be no doubt that its future
earnings will render their position perfectly secure. Mr-
Trotter does not enter into any detail of the circumstances
under which Mr. W. Aspinwall and his associates, by whom
the completion of the line was undertaken, have allowed
this necessity for prolonged suspension to arise but for the
sake of American railway management, which is every day
falling into worse odour, although it seemed a year or two
back to have reached its lowest depth, it may be hoped a
clear explanation from those gentlemen will ultimately
be forthcoming.