Star.
London, England, 1809-01-05 00:00:00

WINTER..

Dreary Winter o'er the plain
Spreads once more his mantle dna;
Frosty mists and drizzling rain
Chin the au and mask the sun.

. .
Music leaves the drceping grovel
Pleasure quits the blastedgrem—
Arbours, late the haunts of love, _
All dcserted now are seen !
Chearful round the social hearth,
Where the well-trintan'd embers ;low,
Cheating time with tales of ttilrth,

Sit the Cot's promiseuoni row. .
Deep and dirty is the road
• Difficult to man and steed :
Round the opulent abode
Crowd the shivering Sons of Need.
Deal your alms now to tbgloor.,
Ye_with wealth and plenty 'lest !
'Thus a passport you'll sem,
'To tht realms of joy, *Ad etstq
But if you the Biggar spurn
In a season suth as this,
Can ye hope, beyond life's bourn,
• Mezty's promis'd weed of bliss
bromore.

MASQUERADE.

Among the social festivities which enliven Eglin-
ton Castle, in Christmas times, on Tuesday se'nnight,
a Grand Masquerade was given by the Lord Liente-
t'ant of Ayrshire, which`was attended by a very great
portion of the fashion and gaiety of the county.
About nine o'clock at night, the company, in
masks, began to arrive. When the castle gate was
thrown open, the transition from the natural winter-
night gloom, which pervaded the serpentine paths
through the shrubbery, to the dazzling effulgence
of the brightness and splendour of the radiant
halls, was superlatively striking. Fronting the door,
in the entrance hall, a heautiful. transparent painting
of the Eglinton Arms *as fixed ; in the niche of
the saloon, opposite the grand organ, there was ano•
ther transparency, representing Britannia, and above
the door of the breakfast parlour, one representing an
Italian dance. These we understand were by Mr.
Sutra, of Irvine. The taste and execution display-
ed, provethim to be an artist whose talents may be
an,acquisition to the county. Besides the ordinary
lights which illuminated the entrance hall and sa-
loon, hundreds of variegated lamps, in various. fan-
tastic forms, from the walls, from the fronts of the
galleries of the saloon, and from the lustres, tini'ed
in shedding rays like the meridian splendour of the
sun beams. On the railing of the staircase a variety
of evergreen shrubbery served to display variegated
lamps, and to give equal light. At the entry to the
large drawing-rooms a gyluey den was situated ; a id
in the middle of the room, on the right hand side, an
inviting arbour, chequered with flowers, near to
- which, a luxuriant display of evergreen shrubbery, all
tastefully set 'off with variegated lamps, served, with
the splendid mirrors, the rich furniture, and the no-
ble grandeur of the apartments, to impress the spec-
tator with the idea of an enchanted palace.
Here, about ten o'clock, the characters in the Mas-
querade had nearly all assembled. Mr. Sylvester
Daggerwood, in capital style, was among the first
who attracted notice. •He was busily emplciyed pay-
ing his respects to the company, soliciting their pa-
tronage to his benefit next Tuesday, and furnishing
them with a bill of fare of the performances. Two
farmers and a few sprightly country laSses 'seemed
quite in character. A considerable group of old gen-
tlemen, who seemed to have held commissions, of the
peace in the days of George 11. possessed of great gar-
rulity, and very courteous address, afforded gallants to
some ladies of similar standing, dressed in hoops,
touitea,ricb brocades, and apparently a plurality of pet-
ticoats. One old gentleman in scarlet and gold appeared
to possess a peculiar knack of making himself agreea-
ble to all: be also seemed to enjoy a waggish pleasi:ezin
quizzing a Lawyer, who appeared to have no employ-
ment. A French hair dresser industriously proffered his
- services ; but he was in too loyal a society ; instead of
being encouraged by the gay and the shionable,
who seemed to dislike him for his country airs, and
regarded his rows, scraping, and fawning, as sympto-
matic of a spy, and as dangerous to be entrusted as a
domestic, he could only prevail on a clownisi Watch-
man to submit to his dressing. A German Peasant-and
a Woman in the grotesque costume of the country, ex-
cited peculiar notice : many a sprightly set/tz they
danced together, for they seemed from Hungary,
where the blasting presence of the Corsican's satel-
lites have not destroyed mirth and jollity. A joyous
old Fidler seemed much pleased to be employed by
them, and shook his elbows with as much spirit as
. they cut their whirligig capers. A portly Dutch
Slipper and a few Brituh Sailor: were well supported.
AJew appeared in very natural style, purchasing old
clothes. A Lawyer, a Turh, with two ladies, and one
with none, two Chinese, a Doctor, an Indian Prince and
Princess, decked out with a profusien of geWgaws, a
Ilindoo Brahmin, a .Pi/grim, and a Quaker, were all in-
teresting characters. An industrious Country Maid !
spinning with a distaff, a number of Flower and Fruit I
Girl:, especially one who trundled a telheel.barrow
With apples, attracted considerable notice. A fine
and appropriate figure of Diana, and also of then,
Caddies of peace, drew general attention. Portraits
of two of the noble family 'graced the walls of the
apartment, dressed in the Highland garb ; and the
;ippearance of Master Mentgomerie, a nephew of the
rat'', in that Attire, served to excite lively emotions
and complacent anticipations. 'rhe Earl and Coun-
tess were not masked, and mired in the social throng
viith 'their characteristic affability and conastension.
Our limits prevent us from noticing farther this hu-
ntourons and happy society. About one o'clock they
withdrew • and, after taking off their masks, and en-
jnyingin the saloon a hearty laugh at the frolic they
had been parties they adjourned to the dining room,
where a supper in the most superb style of elegance and
plenty was served up, preieittinf,v, part ofall the de-
licacies of the season ; a dessert of the. moss 'choke
apprare fruit,and aprofusion of the richest wines, &c.
In, the miadli of this rich repatt, the gong sounded,
and the' dhost of the Governor in lion fuea*alked
elitisqh the'saloon into the Vining-roam. For
elm were seated on a form is the saletti.

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