The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-07 00:00:00

_TEIE S UN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 7, 1845.

or indirectly, by any British subject in the slave-trade, as
alleged in Mr. Tyler's message to Congress on the 19th Feb.,
1845, and, if so, whether there was any objection on the part
of her Majesty's Government to produce copies of such docu-
ments before the House. It was also his intention, on the same
occasion, to ask the Right Hon. Baronet whether the Govern-
ment could furnish any information as to the numbers, names,
and descriptions of the vessels which, in Mr. Tyler's message,
were alleged to have received cargoes on board, being the
property of British capitalists, for the purposes of carrying on
the slave-trade (giving the names of the parties, if it should be
thought proper), either in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
The House then adjourned at Seven o'clock.

North Woolwich Railway,—Report to be considered, Tues-
day, June 10.
Newcastle and Berwick Railway—Third reading, Monday,
June 9.
Trent Valley Railway—Third reading, Monday, June 9.
Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings (Keymer Branch) Railway
—Third reading, Monday, June 9.
Belfast and Ballymena Railway—Third reading, Monday,
June 9.
Waterford and Limerick Railway Report, Monday,
June 9.
Bridgewater Navigation and Railway—Report to be con-
sidered, Monday, June 9.
North Wales Railway—Report, Monday, June 9.
Eastern Union and Bury Railway (No. 2)—Report to be
considered, Tuesday, June 10.
Monkland and IsdrkintilloGh Railway—Report to be consi-
dered, Tuesday, June 10.
Select Committee on Group F, adjourned till Tuesday, June
17, at twelve.

HER MAJESTY'S BALL COSTUME.
The Queen gave a Ball Costume last evening at Bucking-
ham Palace, at which all the guests appeared in the costume of
the period between 1740 and 1750. The company numbered
about twelve hundred, and included the Diplomatic Corps and
the principal foreigners of distinction at present in the metro-
polis, all of whom adopted the foreign costumes of that date,
appearing in the uniforms of their respective nations. The
Nobility and Gentry present, in numerous cases, adopted the
costumes of members of their families living at that period, the
dresses being copied from family portraits with the greatest
exactness. This magnificent fete has brought the costume of
the period so much under public notice as to render
a precise description of it unnecessary.
.Every possi-
ble variety of colour, texture, and material, and the
greatest magnificence of embroidery and jewelled decora-
tion consistent with propriety were brought to bear on this
quaint and antiquated costume, and the result was a harmony
and unity of effect perfectly surprising. Most of the gentle-
men appeared in velvet coats, crimson, black, or blue, most
richly embroidered with gold or silver, or trimmed with gold
lace. Powdered wigs were universal, and the style of coiffure
was so complete as to render recognition, except among inti-
mate friends, difficult. Gentlemen holding military commis-
sions in her Majesty's service appeared, as nearlyas possible, in
the corresponding uniforms of their respective services at the
period selected for the fete. Thus the Duke of Wellington
appeared in the uniform of the Duke of Cumberland of that
day, the Earl of Cardigan in the uniform of the 11th Dragoons
at the battle of Culloden, and the Marquis of Londonderry in
the dress of a cavalry officer of the time. Lord Forester ap-
peared in the dress of a Captain of the Hon. Corps of Gentle-
men Pensioners ; the Duke of Rutland was dressed in the full
costume of a Knight of the Garter, a century back. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer in the dress of his predecessor in
office of the period. Mr. Curzon appeared in a very curious
Venetian costume. Ihe Duke of Beaufort, the Earl of Wil-
ton, Earl Fitehardinge, Lord Shelburne, Mr. N. Vaughan,
Lord Morpeth, Lord Stanley, and Viscount Alford, were dis-
tinguished by the richness of their costumes.
The Earl of Liverpool, the Earl Delawarr, and Lord Ernest
Bruce, the great officers of the Household, appeared in the
dress of their respective offices, and were distinguished by the
extraordinary magnificence of their apparel. Many Scottish
gentlemen wore the Highland costume of the time, which,
though retaining all its peculiarity, was sufficiently identi-
fied with the age, in the coat and high heeled shoes, as
to harmonise completely with the rest. Among the most
beautiful Scottish dresses were those of the Marquis
of Breadalbane, the Master of Strathallan, and Captain A.
Gordon Cumming. The officers, who wore infantry dresses,
displayed the long white gaiters which remained in vogue even
up to the reign of George the Fourth. The cavalry all wore
high military boots, and some of them the crimson silk sword-
belt, fringed with gold, which gave them very much the ap-
pearance of a modern Grand Cross of the Bath. The cavalry
were also distinguished by the three-cornered hat, while
the infantry displayed the old-fashioned high-peaked grena-
dier cap. The dresses of the ladies did not display
an equal variety with those of the gentlemen—the style of all
was the same, the only difference being in the costliness of the
material, the taste in the choice of colours, and the ,display of
jewels in decoration. A few appeared in little velvet hats, with
one or two feathers; but they were exceptions. The general
head-dress was the hair powdered, a ridge of curls round
the forehead and face, and the hair falling back
-with curls on the shoulders, or else wigs which came
still closer to the fashion of the day. Some of the ladies made
a difference in the fashion of wearing their trains. Instead of
starting from the waist, it fell at once from the shoulders, not
being confined at all at the waist, but descending at once to
the bottom of the skirt. The material of which these
were composed, were generally of old brocaded silks and
satins, many of them embroidered in gold and
silver, or worked in needlework. The trains were looped
up with golden clasps, bunches of flowers, and bouquets of
brilliants and precious stones, displaying dresses of old point
Valenciennes or guipure lace, not too long to conceal the high-
heeled, sharp-pointed, and diamond-ornamented white satin
shoe. The Ladies wore hoops, which very much extended the
dress on each side with adding to the rotundity of the figure.
The effect of powder rendered the complexions of the
young ladies much more brilliant, and added not a
little to the effect of this magnificent fete. Among the
dresses distinguished for their splendour were those of the
Duchess of Sutherland, the Marchioness of Ailesbury, the
Marchioness of Douro, and Miss Burdett Coutts. The Pages
of Honour were dressed in the complete costume of the period
in miniature, and having a large white satin bow or shoulder-
knot on the right shoulder.
The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by their illus-
trious guests, the Duke and Duchess of Nemours, by the mem-
bers of the Royal Family, and attended by the Ladies in
Waiting, and, as usual, the Officers of State, left the drawing-
room at half-past ten o'clock, and passed through the saloon to
the ball-room, where they received the company.
Her Majesty and the Royal Family having taken their usual
stations at their platform, the dancing commenced with a
Polonaise, danced by the Queen and Prince Albert, the Duke
and Duchess de Nemours, followed by their distinguished guests.
The dance extended through all the State apartments, all the
bands striking up at the same time. After this dance the as-
sembled company passed slowly before the Qaeen.
Her Majesty then left the Ball-room and proceeded to the
Throne-room. The first minuet was then formed, consist-
ing of--
The Queen Prince George
Duchess de Nemours Prince Albert
Lady Douro Prince Edward
Lady Mount Edgecumbe Prince Leiningen
Duchess of Roxburgh Duke of Beaufort
Duchess of Buccleuch Lord Leveson
Lady Waterford Lord Exeter
Lady Sydney Lord Douro
After this minuet followed a quadrille.
The company, who had arrived in the interim, then passed
before the Queen.
The second minuet was then danced by
The Queen Prince Albert
Lady Ailesbury Prince George
Lady Dalmeny Prince Edward
Duchess of Buccleuch Lord Exeter
Lady Seymour Lord Clanricarde
Lady Blandford Lord Granby
Lady Canning Lord Douglas s'
Lady Villiers Lord Abercorn.
At the conclusion of this dance, the Royal Party returned
to the Ball-roem.
The Countess of Jersey's minuet was then formed, and
danced.
This was followed by the Marchioness of Breadalbane's
Strathspey.
The Countess of Chesterfield's minuet was the last dance
before supper.
At twelve o'clock, the Queen and the Illustrious Guests
passed to supper, which was served as usual in the Great
Dining Room, in a style of Royal splendour.
The ball was concluded by the Old English country dance,
known as Sir Roger de Coverley, in which both her Majesty
and the Prince took part. This was danced in the Picture-
gallery.
In the Polonaise her Majesty was preceded by the Vice-
Chamberlain, the Treasurer, and Comptroller of the House-
hold, with two Gentlemen Ushers to clear the way ; the Great
Officers of State and others joining in the Polonaise.
Collinet's band, including Messrs. Nadaud, Auguste Tol-
becque, Deleffre, Pillet, Baurotte, Jacquin, Mellon, the cele-
brated cornet-a-piston performer Arban, and other artists of
first-rate talent, was stationed in the Ball-room, and performed
" God save the Queen " on the Royal party passing from the
Saloon to the Ball-room. The Polonaise played for the first
dance was composed, by command of the Queen, by Musard,
for the occasion. This was followed by an Andante. The
Minuet d'Exaudet was danced by the Countess of Jersey's
party, and again for the Countess of Chesterfield's party.
In the Throne-room, Monsieur Musard, with his orchestra,
was stationed, and in this apartment the Queen danced the
Minuet de la Cour. Musard's new quadrille and Polonaise,
both composed by command of her Majesty for the occasion.
The quadrille is entitled, " Quadrille de 1845, de Is Cour
d'Angleterre, en Souvenir de 1740 and 1750." Also a morceau,
arranged expressly by illusard, for the royal fete, from an air of
Gluck's opera, Iphiyenia.
M. Weippert's band attended in the Picture-gallery, and
performed La Polonaise—Minuet de la Cour—Minuet d'Ex-
audet—Bal Costume Quadrilles, composed expressly from airs
of the period, 1740 and 1750—Desert Quadrilles—At Home
Quadrilles.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent. her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glou-
cester, and his Royal Highness Prince George, entered the
Palace by the Garden entrance, and from thence were con-
ducted to the Yellow Drawing-room, where her Majesty re-
csived her illustrious guests. The Marquis and Marchioness
of Douglas, and those of the Nobility and Gentry who formed
part of the Queen's Minuets, were also admitted at this en-
trance.
The Diplomatic Corps, and the principal Ministers of
State, anct Officers of the Royal Household, entered the
Palace by the Equerry's Entrance, in Pimlico.
In the Strathspey dance the tunes played by Mr. Mackay,
her Majesty's piper, were " Miss Drummond of Perth, " Tul-
loch Gorum," and the Marquis of Huntly's " Highland Fling."
The Yeomen of the Guard lined the grand hall and staircase,
wearing their coronation costume, and commanded by Captain
0. Sadler, the Exon in Waiting. Sir George Philip Lee, the
Lieutenant; Sir George Houlton, the Ensign; and Mr.
Ellerthorp, the Adjutant of the Corps, attended.
A military band was stationed in the grand hall.
The guard chamber was again brilliantly illuminated by the
handsome cut-glass gas lustre, upon Professor Faraday's inge-
nious invention for the perfect ventilation of the lights, pro-
ducing a striking effect upon the splendour of the scene.
LADIES' DRESSES.
The following were among the costumes worn on the oc-
casion :
HER MAJESTY'S DRESS—Composed of gold tissue, bro-
caded in coloured flowers, green leaves and silver, trimmed
round the top, bottom, and sides (the upper dress being open
in front) with point lace over red ribbon ; the dress looped up
with red satin ribbons and two large bows, in each of which
were a diamond bow and tassel. The stomacher composed of two
large diamond bows and a diamond point ; the sleeves (which
were tight) finished with point lace ruffles and trimmed with
red ribbon, on the left arm the garter in diamonds, and on the
right a diamond rosette, The blue ribbon and diamond George
as usual. The under petticoat of white and silver tissue,
trimmed with a deep bounce of rich point lace (which had be-
longed to Queen Charlotte), headed by a quilling of red satin
ribbon and bows; above a narrower flounce of point lace,
trimmed like the other ; in each ribbon bow a diamond rosette.'
Decn.Ess of NEMOURS—Rose-coloured Chinese damask
dress, trimmed with gold blonde and pearls, and silver fringe.
Under dress of point d'Aleneon lace, having a deep border of
silver, with large silver rosettes. In front were silver lapels.
The stomacher was composed of large brilliants and pearls, and
on the left shoulder was a beautiful nosegay, with diamond
wheatears intermixed. Shoes of purple satin, embroidered
with fleur delis in gold and diamonds. Gloves embroidered
in gold with the fleur delis to correspond.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF KENT—White
satin slip, trimmed with handsome black lace and red ribbon.
The front of the dress was decorated with elegant ornaments,
composed of diamonds and pearls, with a stomacher of dia-
monds. The train was very magnificent, being formed of the
richest brocade embroidered with gold, and having alternate
stripes of red, white and gold. The headdress was splendidly
adorned with diamonds and emeralds. The necklace and ear •
rings were composed of brilliants.
THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER—Dress of the richest
black silk, having a pattern of flowers, trimmed with handsome
white point lace, looped up. Down the front ( which was orna-
mented with diamonds) were two borders of white point lace.
Stomacher of diamonds and head-dress of black lace and
diamonds. Petticoat of the same material as the dress.
THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK—Dress of brocade, the skirt
of white silk, richly ornamented with amethysts.
LADY DALMENY—Costume of green and silver brocade,
looped up with bouquets of white, pink, and red roses, and
trimmed with old point lace and cherry-coloured ribbons.
Petticoat of white satin, with a broad lace flounce, trimmed
with festoons and knots of cherry-coloured ribbons. Head-
dress, a black velvet hat, with two cerise feathers and a knot of
ribbons, looped up with roses and an aigrette of diamonds.
Necklace and stomacher also of diamonds. Shoes of white
satin, with red heels and rosettes of red ribbon.
LADY MARY FITZALAN HOWARD—Dress of cherry-
coloured brocade ; the skirt of grey satin, ornamented with
pearls and diamonds.
THE MARCHIONESS OF DOURO—The petticoat of white
brocade with gold, flounce of old and most valuable point lace,
formerly belonging to one of the Popes of Rome. The dress of
splendid brocade with silver, the 'front being open and orna-
mented with silver 1)11104 and rosettes of diamonds. The