The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-10 00:00:00

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par, and
the short exchange on London is 25f. 150. per £1 sterling.
On oxuparing these rates with the English Mint price of
£3 t',a. toid. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that
gold is about 1-.oth per cent, dearer in Paris than in Lon-
don.

BALL AT DONINGTON PARK.—The festivities at
Donington Park commenced last week with the races,
which came off on Lady Edith Abney Hastings's grounds,
and terminated with a large dinner party at the hall, fol-
lowed by a grand ball, at which, however, many of the
neighbouring gentry who had received invitations were
prevented attending in consequence of the weather. The
drawing-room of the hall was elegantly fitted up for the
ball, being brilliantly illuminated and most elegantly de-
corated with choice flowers. The tea-room adjoining
was also most superbly decorated. The spacious library,
said to contain 20,000 volumes, served for the drawing-
room. This room has recently been entirely new fur-
nished and decorated. Leading from it is the new billiard-
room and Lady Hastings' new conservatory. The arrange-
ments here must have been a most pleasing surprise to the
numerous guests. Probably not less than 500 Chinese lan-
terns of every conceivable shape and shade of colour were
Fuspended from the roof and trees. In addition, birds wore
flying about and fountains playing, forming a most enchant-
ng sight. The company at dinner included, in addition to
the Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings, Viscount and
Viscountess Marsham, Lord and Lady Charles Kerr, Ad-
iral Major Yelvarton, Prince de Chimay,
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Herbert, Sir Frederick Johnstone,
Capt. Johnstone, the Earl of Clonmell, Col, Probyn, Mr. R.
Burton, Col. Knox, Mr. A. Hawksley, Mr. H. B. Wilkin-
son, Mr. A. Sumner, Colonel Vyner, Capt. Barlow, Mrs.
-Barlow, Lord Berkeley Paget, and Lord Graham. Nichol-
son's quadrille band, of Lacester, occtipied the temporary
orchestra erected in the ball room, and performed a choice
selection of music. The ball was kept up with much
animation, and at one o'clock supper was served up in the
grand dining-room. The tables extended on both sides of
the whole length of the very large room in the form of a
horse-shoe. The .splendid service of gold and silver plate
was displayed to the best advantage, the numerous cups
won by his lordship being most conspicuous. Among the
most handsome were the cups of Kelso, 1867 ; Goodwood,
18;6 ; Ascot, 1867 ; Brighton, 1866 ; Ayr gold cup, 1867 ;
Stoelthridge, 1867. The magnificent Doncaster cup, won
with Ackworth by his lordship, occupied a most conspi-
cuous place on the sideboard. The plate is in reality a
large circular shield, of splendid design and most elaborate
workmanship. On the taL:e were vases of flowers of the
choicest exotics, ferns, &c., and in the open spice between
the tables was a very large silver vaso filled with the most
delicate plants.
A SHOCK.--Walking one day along the streets
of Auckland, we observed before us a tall, graceful-looking
female figure, the folds of whose black silk dress were
dilly distended; a crape shawl and stylish hat making up
a perfectly unexceptionable toilette. Involuntarily our
pace quickened, and we began to speculate upon the Leauty
of the countenance which another step or two would doubt-
less disclose to our glance. Suddenly a shop window at-
tracted the fair one's attention ; she stopped and turned-
oh,
horror upon horrors ! what a sight met our gaze ! A
dusky face, very masculine features, tattoed lips, with a
short black pipe in her mouth—in short, a Maori belle !
Years have elapsed since then, but the shock our feelings
then experienced has not yet been forgotten.—Blacteeocrs
Magazine 'for January.

ARREARS IN THE DIVORCE COURT.—As many as
198 cases are standing for hearing in the Divorce Court in
the eusuing term commencing on Saturday next, of which
154 are to be tried without.juries, 29 with common juries,
and 15 with special juries,