Star.
London, England, 1825-03-05 00:00:00

THE BERKELEY HUNT BALL.

At four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, the jocund
peal of the joybells announced the approach of Colonel
Berkeley and the Members of the Hunt. The arrival
of the " procession" was greeted at the turnpike by the
loud cheering of the populace, who seemed to vie with
each other in the cordial welcome of the Hunt, who
drove in their carriages and four in the following or-
der—Mr. Lee Allen, Ca,ptain Jenner, Captain Cregoe,
Mr. Carroll, Mr. Bushe, Mr. Gwy line, Col. O'Malley,
Lord Sussex Lennox, Col. Berkeley, the Hon. Grantley
Berkeley, Mr. Ackers, Major Arnold, Mr. Prescod.
Every window, on each side of the street, commanding
a view of the procession, was lined with spectators. The
arrival at the Plough was hailed with reiterated cheers,
and upwards of an hour, elapsed before the multitude
dispersed. A sumptuous and splendid dinner was pro-
vided at the Plough Hotel. At ten o'clock, the com-
pany began to assemble at the Theatre. The House
was radiantly illuminated ; and in addition to the lus-
tre of the chandelier hanging over the centre of the pit,
a large star, suspended from the escutcheon, shed forth
its flickering rays with peculiar and dazzling effulgence.
The pillars and edges of the !Kites, &c. were trimmed
with laurel and evergreens, interspersed with wreaths
of flowers and variegated lamps; and on the pannels,
surrounded by wreaths of white roses, the letters "8.H."
designating " The Berkeley Hunt," were wrought with
red roses. At the corners of 'the gallery were seen the
flags of Great Britain and of France; and, at well regu-
lated intervals, banners and flags of various nations were
so displayed as to carry the eye through an admirable
perspective to the extremity of the fascinating scene,
which terminated with a view of Berkeley Castle. The
supper,comprisingall the luxurious taste could desire,was
wheeled in from behind the stage, and arranged in a re-
markably short space of time. One row of boxes like-
wise appropriated to the supper, presented the orna-
mental part of the entertainment to the greatest advan-
tage—temples, ruins, windmills in motion, and pastoral
swains with their pipes, &c. meeting the eye in every
direction. After supper, the health of Colonel Berkeley
and the Members of the Hunt, having been most en-
thusiastically drank, the Colonel returned thanks in a
very short but appropriate speech ; and, after a glee
from the professional Gentlemen present, he proposed
the health of the Ladies, with thanks to them for their
kind attendance, &c. After this dancing was resumed
and kept up with great spirit till a late hour.

A measure has just been adopted at Calais, by Which
the speculative negotiants are likely to suffer some inconvenience.
The Mayor (it is presumed, acting upon the authority of the higher
powers), will in future open private expresses passing through Ca-
lais, and, it is said, transmit the purport thereof by telegraph to
Paris. The motive for this interference is ascribed to an opinion
entertained that these communications, which have been numerous,
are of a political nature, and contain matter tending to disturb the
• tranquillity of that country.
This morning, as one of the waggons belonging to
Alderman Venables was passing along Fleet-street, di-
rectly opposite where the hue dreadful fire happened,
the near-side axle-tree of the bind wheel broke, and the
waggon fell with a tremendous crash, being heavily
laden with stationery. A young man was slightly hurt
by the wheel falling on him. Not a minute before the
temporary crossing on which the waggon fell was
crowded with passengers.