The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-26 00:00:00

ALMACK'S.

The grand full dress ball took place last night in honour of
the birth-day of her Majesty.
At least four hundred personages of rank graced the
splendid ball-room by their presence, and the costumes ge-
nerally were of the most elegant description, the majority
of the ladies appearing in the same dresses as at the Queen's
drawing-room, and we noticed a large number who wore
feathers.

The Marquis of Huntley, Lord Charles 'Wellesley, Sir
Frederick Trench, his Excellency the Swedish Minister and
hiS two sons, the Barons Bjornstjerna, M. de Berg, his Ex-
cellency the Belgian Minister, Count Goltz, Baron Witzehern,
Baron de Linden, &c., were among those gentlemen who were
attired in full uniform.

At the usual hour, eleven o'clock, the company began to
arrive, and it was after one o'clock before the carriages dis-
continued to set down visitors.

The Marchioness of Londonderry arrived shortly after
eleven, accompanied by Lady Alexandrine Vane and Lady
LoUisa Churchill; the Countess of Jersey and her daughter,
Lady Clementine Villiers, came shortly afterwards; and just
before dancing commenced, Viscount Palmerston, with the
Noble Viscountess, and his Excellency the Belgian Minister,
and Madame Van der Weyer, entered the ball-room. All
the lady patronesses in town were present on this occasion ;
Lady Willoughby de Eresby and the Countess of Kinnoul
being abroad, and the Countess Grosvenor remains in Dor-
setshire till next month.

Tolbecque and his celebrated band officiated for the
first time in this capital. There was evidently some curio-.
sity evinced to hear the performances of his &wed orchestra.
The expectations entertained of its merits were fully
borne out.

His Serene Highness Prince Edward of SaxeWeimar came
from the Queen Dowager's party. The Marchioness of Lon-
donderry, Countess of Jersey, and Viscountess Palmerston,
as ladies patronesses, occupied the benches at the extreme
end of the ball-room, surrounded by their friends, among
whom were observed Viscountess Palmerston, his Excellency
Count Bjernstjerna, his Excellency the Belgian Minister,
Madame Van der Weyer, Duke of Leeds, Countess Powis,
Countess of Rosebery, Lady Granville Somerset, &c.
In the midst of the gay and brilliant throng, the rich court
dress and valuable jewels of the Marchioness of London-
derry were most conspicuous for their splendour.
Count A. Esterhazy, Baron de Brenner, and Count Rosen
were among the foreigners of rank present, in addition to
those above-named; and the Duke of Leeds, Marquis of
Headfort, and Ladies I.E. and 0. Taylour, Marquis of Douro,
Marquis of Huntley, Marchioness of Wellesley, Earl and
Countess Nelson and Lady Nelson, Countess of Powis,
Countess of Rosebery, and Ladies Louisa and Ann Primrose,
Viscount Clive, Lord Lennox, Lady Caroline Gordon Len-
nox, Lord Charles Wellesley, Viscount Palmerston, Countess
of Camperdown and Lady E. Duncan, Lord john Manners,
Viscount Hereford, and Hon. M. Devereux, &c.

THE THEATRES.

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Norma was performed last evening. The only novelty
in the cast was the appearance of Mademoiselle Favanti
in the part of Adelgisa, which she performed with great
success. Her representation of the character was full
of delicacy and feeling ; and the principal pieces be-
longing to the part were given by her with much
beauty and effect, particularly the exquisite duet
" Deb, con te," which we have never heard more
charmingly performed. Grisi was sublime. Her
Norma, as a piece of musical tragedy, is se-
cond only to the. Medea of Pasta. Would it not be
worth while to revive Mayer's opera, in order that Grisi
might perform that part ? It is a finer part than Norma,
and. Grisi's representation of it would not yield to that
of Pasta in beauty, terror, or grandeur. The ,music, to
be sure, is not of the present fashion ; but it contains
some beautiful things, and in the present dearth of lA-.
velty, would vary the monotony of the modern style.
Mario performed the part of Pollione, which he had not
done for several seasons. His acting and singing were
admirable.