The Sun.
London, England, 1827-07-13 00:00:00

CARNIVAL BALL AT LISBON.

The ball at the Portuguese Rooms is the
grand attraction, for which all minor entertain-
ments are deserted. Those who are not sub-
scribers, or who cannot procure invitations, con-
tent themselves with throwing squibs and crackers
at the singers, and at each other, at the opera—.
with the happy number who hold tickets all is
bustle and preparation. I was told the fete was
to be a combination of masquerade, fancy ball,
and dress ball. I was anxious that the first
should preponderate, as I was desirous to com-
pare Southern wit and hilarity with our broad
doings at the Opera House and Argyll Rooms,
where Mr. Wright 'and Mr. Ebers assemble the
world, as they say, under the direction of six
Noblemen. From the result, however, I have
to learn that London is a very superior place
for a masquerade to Lisbon, and that the ladies
here are too sensible of the impression which
the reality of their beauty makes, to awaken it
by any ill-suited and extravagant fancy costume.
The rooms were filled at an early hour ; every
one agreed that such a crowd had not been seen
since the days the late King honoured them
with his presence. All the lower benches were
illuminated at eight o'clock by the brilliant eyes
of two or three hundred illustrious damsels, and
the still more piercing and expressive eyes of a
few Spanish maidens. Their mamas were,
seated on an upper tier. As the mourning still
continued, every one was dressed in black, with,
the exception of a few English ladies, whose
tasteful white dresses relieved the general sombre
character of the costume. All the Ambassadors,
with the exception of him of Madrid, were pre-
sent ; and in short nothing wanted to complete
the triumph of the Directors of the Assembly,
who generally find that the Foreign Rooms, as
the English are called, excel them in the number
and the character of the company. There were
no fancy dresses unless that of a Spanish girl—
who realised all that Lord Byron tells of the
might and majesty of loveliness—might be so
termed. One young lady was masqued, but she
made not the least attempt to support a charac-
ter. Unhappily we had none of our Hussars,
Lancers, or Guardsmen present, to sustain the
fame which the former ball had bestowed on
them. Their places were taken by the officers
of his Majesty's navy who were, as they deserved,
to win all the honours of the night. I protest
the Portuguese ladies have quite enough to do to
withstand the tremendous assaults making this
season on their hearts by so many branches of
service. The most beautiful are captured by the
commanders at both sides ; and even those who
escape the great guns of the Majors, Captains,
and Lieutenants, are certain to be picked up by
the Midshipmen and Ensigns—not to speak of
the marines, who have a monstrous swallow for
beauty of all shapes and sizes. Talk of the Bri-
tish fleet in the Tagus preserving a neutrality—
why, Sir, they have not left an enemy in petti-
coats unconquered at either side of the river—
they have invaded every man's and woman's
house where a daughter's black eyes held out
a motive of conquest, ,and secured, I know not
how, good will, free quarters, and a good name
every where.
About six masks appeared in the course of
the night—a duller half dozen never ventured on

RUMFORD MARKET—JuIy 11.
s. d. to s. d. s, d. to I. d•
Beef 3lO 4 8 Veal
Mutton 3B 46 Pork 40 50
Laub 4s. 4d. to ss. 6d.
Suckling Calves from 14s. toads • Quarter old Piga 9s. to l4s. each,
supply tolerably good. and, trade dull.

COUNTRY CORN MARKETS DURING THE WEEK•