Star.
London, England, 1831-07-08 00:00:00

BALL AT DRURY LANE THEATRE.

The ball for the bens—oihe distressed Irish,
which has been for some time past in preparation,
and which has excited so much interest, as well in
consequence of the benevolence of its object as
from the announcement that it would be honoured
as well by the presence as by the patronage of
their Majesties, was celebrated last night at Drury
Lane Theatre. The alterations to which the thea-
tre had been subjected, in order to render it fit for
such an entertainment, were admirably contrived ;
and the novel decorations which gave additional
lustre to the splendour of the edifice on this occa-
casion were marked by extremely good taste. The
appearance of the house was brilliant without being
at all gaudy, and elegant without any thing of af-
fected or fastidious elaboration.

The pit and the orchestra were boarded over to
a level with the stage, and the renters' boxes
were concealed with panels, which were painted
to resemble marble. The stage was hung with
broad red-striped drapery, so as to give that part
of the theatre the appearance of a tent, and was
lighted with 10 gilt chandeliers, of rich and costly
workmanship. The drapery which formed the sides
of the tent was open in the middle, and through the
vacancies thus afforded were seen the most pictur-
esque views in Mr. Stanfield's last diorama. The ef-
fect of the pictures so disposed and brought to view
was very striking and agreeable; and this part of the
arrangement does great credit to those with whom it
originated. At the back of the stage was constructed
an elevated orchestra, composed of gay scenic de-
corations, and lighted on either side with chande-
liers, which, though smaller, and of different work-
manship to those of which we have just spoken,
were little inferior to them in elegance and splen-
dour. Over the centre of the upper part of the
orchestra there was a very tasteful gas illuminated
crown, supported by laurel leaves. The principal
stage box, which was reserved for their Majesties,
was splendidly decorated, and made to project pro-
minently over the floor, so that there was scarcely
any part of the house from which a view could not
he obtained of the Royal party. Immediately over
this box there was suspended a very large and
richly chased chandelier, the massive apearance of
which was beautifully relieved by the glittering and
many-tinted reflections which sparkled from long
slips of polished steel, that were inlaid into the
yellow metal of which the ponderous chandelier
was formed. The boxes adjacent to that of their
Majesties were set apart for the Court and Royal
suite, and the boxes immediately opposite to these
on the other side, were reserved for the Foreign
Ambassadors—but few, if any of them, were
present. The only other box which challenged
notice was that of the lady patronesses of the ball,
and this was situated in the centre of the circum-
ference of that segment of a circle which is known
by the name of the dress circle. It was formed of
the centre box, and a box on each side of it, open
in the front, and from this opening a flight of steps
bad been let down upon the flooring over the pit.
To the right and left of these steps, and at a short
distance, four other boxes had been removed, and
two similar flights of steps thrown down from the
spaces which were thus opened. These steps
formed the communications between the floor and
the other parts of the house,—one of the flights
being for the entre, and the other for the sortie.
From the upper boxes were suspended a number of
flags which had been sent to the theatre by the
Earl of Munster, and all of which were said to
have braved both the battle and the breeze.
The 2s. gallery (on this occasion a ss. gallery)
was fitted up for such as were content to be mere
spectators, from that distance, of the greatness
and gaiety below, and who were admitted to it by
ss. tickets. The seats in this gallery had under-
gone the convenient improvement of baying
backs put to them, and the appearance of them
was rendered decent and neat by their being
covered with red cloth. This gallery was quite
filled with company. A lion and a unicorn with
their accustomed charge, the King's arms, were
the only occupants of the Is. gallery,—a part of
of the house which was allotted exclusively to
them, and to the admission of fresh air. The
floor, which was formed of the stage and
the boarding over the pit, was nut covered,
because intended for dancing and the prome-
nade ; but it was curiously chalked, and in the
early part of the evening, before the chalk was
rubbed off, had very much the appearance of a
carpet. As soon as the house became filled with
company, the coup d'rel, from whatever position,
was extremely splendid. The number of beauti-
ful and elegantly dressed ladies was very great,
and of the gentlemen a large majority of them
wore military uniforms, which, of course, vastly
heightened the richness of the spectacle.
At about 12 o'clock, the King, who had pro-
ceeded in state from the Palace at St. James's,
arrived at the theatre, and entered the Royal box,
attended by his Court and suite. The company
received his Majesty with loud plaudits, which
His Majesty acknowledged by repeated bows.
The king looked remarkably well. Her Majesty,
we regret to say, was prevented from accompany-
' ing the King by indiposition. The appearance of
the Royal party was the signal for the
commencement of dancing ; every other species of
which, however, was abandoned after the first half
hour in favour of " the Waltz." That most la-
borious of all pastimes was prosecuted with a
degree of vigour that would almost make one be-
lieve that giddiness was not a disagreeable sensa-
tion ; and that a violent perspiration was as pleasant
as it is sometimes wholesome. At the expiration
of about two hours, His Majesty and the Royal
party retired, as did many of the more distinguished
of the company; but the rest remained till a much
later period of the morning.
The ball was most numerously and fashionably
attended, there being few families of any mark or
likelihood among the aristocracy resident in
town who bad not some member of it there, and a
list of whom would fill much greater space than
we can afford fur such a purpose. In conclusion,
we have only to observe that, if too much money
has not been spent upon the decorations of the
theatre, (and we have no means of ascertaining
what sum has been devoted to that purpose), the
profits of the evening must form a large and
timely contribution, towards the relief of the
unhappy persons whose sufferings were tho cause,
and the alleviation of whose sufferings the object,
of this gay and gorgeous gathering.
Wednesday the ancient and highly respectable
Lumber Troop mustered to the number of abont two hun-
dred. at the Eyre Arms, St. John's Wood, to a most sump-
, tuous dinner, followed by a ball and supper.