Star.
London, England, 1826-05-13 00:00:00

GRAND FANCY BALL.

The Theatre at Covent-garden, yesterday evening,
presented a scene of the most brilliant and delightful
character; for under the patronage of a Monarch, who
is never tardy in forwarding any good work, and a large
portion of England's Nobles, and her " high-born
Dames," a Grand Full dress or Fancy Ball was given,
for the porpn,e of affording relief to those humble but
distressed indivi _foals who are ever regraded as brethren
by British patricians, but who are considered more
especially so in the hour of adversity and want.—The
arrangements, which were of the asost judicious kind,
both Internally and without, having been completed at
an early hour, the carriages began to arrive at nine
o'clock, and long before eleven the House was perfectly
crowded. The pit, having been covered over, was
united to the stage, at the upper end of which was
erected a platform, with rows of benches at either side,
declining to the stage. This constituted the Ladies Pa-
tronesses' box, and in the centre of it, at the summit of
the platform, was constructed the royal box, with a rich
canopy over head, covered with crimson velvet, and
surmounted by a crown. The sides of the stage were
embellished with transparencies of " Barons bold," in
complete armour, and other decorations; and the whole
was brilliantly illuminated by a very splendid chande-
-I,er, which overhung the stage, in addition to the gas
chindelier over the pit, and numerous lights placed in
various other parts of the Theatre.
The scene had all the magical effect of what we fancy
of fairy land—the boxes were crowded, from the ceiling
to the pit, by beautiful and splendidly dressed Ladies,
their jewels glittering, and their plumes waving at every
turn ; while below were groups promenading or enjoying
the mazy dance—statesmen unbending, and forgetful of
their toils—soldiers, both old and young, gallants in the
garb of every nation, and all overlooked by the gay and
happy looking individuals who filled a chaste and ele-
gantly decorated box at the estrume end of the stage,
the box set apart for the Royal Family.
In the Royal Box were the Princess Augusta and the Duchess
of Gloucester, the Dukes of Clarence, Sussex, and Gloucester, and
the Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. The Ladies Patronesses
had their seats on either side, and amen them we noticed the
Marchionesses of Salisbury and Londonderry, the Countesses of
Aberdeen, Liverpool, Glengall, Jersey, Darnley, Ts:therein*,
Clarendon, Mansheld, Verulant, and the Countess Bathurst, the
Viscountess Melville, the Ladies Maryborough, Granville, Somer-
set, and Georgina Wellesley, Mrs. Peel, lion. Mrs. Hope, and
Mrs. G. Byng. The Lords of those Ladies were of course
present. There were also many more of the Nobility among the
visitors, and a considerable portion of Members of Parliament.
By far the greater portion of the party wore the or-
dinary evening &es:es ; but the one which seemed to
attract most curiosity was that of Mrs. Arbuthnot, who,
habited in Eastern male attire, walked about the room,
leaning on the arm of the Duke of Wellington. All the
male members of the Royal Family, except the Duke of
Gloucester, wore nriitary uniforms, as did many of the
Peers ;but there were many who made their appearance
as Spanish Dons, or Venetian Gentlemen, or Turkish
Ba-
eraws, or Svis. Peasants, and so:ne two or three very
amiable looking persons endeavoured to appear terrific
as Italian Bandits. The Ladies, generally, bore some
trifling minor ornament or emblem, such as a bunch of
flowers a bundle of matches, or a basket of strawberries,
in order to give th, m titles to fanciful characters ; but of
course, there was no attempt at masquerade.

Some uneasiness was once created by the fall of a temporary
stair-case leading float the boles to the pit, but it caused no accident;
and notwithstanding the immense number assembled, nothing un-
pleasant occurred to disturb the harmony that so universally pre-
vailed. Theta was very little dancing, oviii.g to the want of roam.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, MAv 12.
--NIP.--

J. Lancaster, proprietor of the Atlas Steam Packet
Booking-office, in Ltegent•street, was indicted for lar.
ceny) in having appropriated to his own use a paper
parcel, value 10d. the property of Nlr. J. Addison, the
particulars of which were detailed in our Police Report.
Several favourable circumstances were adduced in
behalf of the prisoner, and among the witnesses to
charaiter was Mr. Justice Gazelee, who is trustee under
the w ill of the prisoner's grandfather, by which, at the
death of his mother, he u ill come into possession of a
considerable estate. The venerable Judge said, he for-
merly knew the prisoner intimately, when his character
was truly e►timable; latterly he had not been so well
acquainted with him, but he had never heard any thing
amiss of him. The prosecutor said, had he been aware
of the favourable circumstances now stated, lie would
not have proceeded. The CHAIRMAN, however, said
enough had been stated to prove the prisoner legally
guilty. In this opinion the Jury coincided, and re-
turned a verdict accordingly, when the Court sentenced
him to 14 days' imprisonment, but ordered him to be
kept separate from the common herd of prisoners.

Gibbon compares the diffusion of letters to the
breaking up of a golden image, which, ceasing to exist
as a work of art, circulates in the more useful shape of
coin, extending wealth and industry among all classes.
A new operatic play entitled " Sr. Arabiti" has been
r -cently produced at the Dublin Theatre, and well received. It
1, from the pee of Mr. W. 11. lIA =STOIC.
In the Canada Papers last received, which are to the
Seth ult. the influenza is stated to be prevalent in New Brunswick.
The House of Assembly of Halifax bad been cccupied with the alter-
titians la the Revenue Rills. A new scale of duties and customs on
Foreign wares and merchandise bad been established, and addi-
tional duties topretect the manufacturers of the Province bad been
imposed on American manufactured tobacco, snuff, chocolate, and
oil of tutpentlne. The revenue raised at the different ports of New
Brunswick for the year 1525 was 41,6321. 13s. Old. The Legis-
lature bad voted 4,0001. for the encouragement of the Fisheries, and
had reduced the dollar to the old standard of five shillings to go
into operation the let of the present month. The Session closed on
the 7th of March.

The planet Mars may now be seen every evening in
tks Seeds -east. Hs is of a deep red odour and in magnitude equal
to Jupiter•

CITY OF LONDON REPRESENTATION.
Mr. WARD.-

A Meeting of the Friends of Mr. WARn was held yesterday at
the City of London Tavern, Ifishopsgste.street, Sir CHAfts.es Pace
in the Chair.
The Worthy BARONIT said. he felt particularly
honoured at being called to preside, over such a re-
speetable meeting, when the objects which it had in
view were such as he took the deepest interest in. They
were assembled to send a tit and proper person to Par-
liament, and at this extraindinary crisis it required a
Gentleman of no ordinary talent. It requited ore of
the fist-rate qualifications; a Gentleman who was
c Table of speaking to the question, considering the
question, and suggesting such remedies as the case re-
quired, and he knew none mote eminently qualifie I than
his respectable arid worthy friend Mr. Ward—(Cheers).
He should not now dwell.on the many peculiar merits
which he (Mr. Ward) was gifted with. But this
much he should say, that no Gentleman could boast
of more independent principles r r commercial informa-
tion. Such requisites wire indispensable for a Repre-
sentative of the City of London.—(Applause;. The
independence of Mr. Ward's principles were such
that he would not pledge himself to support any set of
Om or thrir rn-asuie-. He should go into Parliament
unshackled, and free from prejudice, or else he should
sot go in at all—(Cheers.) There was one question which
at all times considerably agitated the country —he meant
the Catholic question—(Hear, hens.) His friend was
asked to pledge himself against granting any further
concessions to the Catholics—this he declined doing—
and though he (Sir Charles Price) was firmly opposed
to granting them any further, yet he considered Mr.
Ward decidedly right to exercise his sound judgment
on this most important question (hear), and lie would
not support any Candidate who would submit to dicta-
tion. He concluded by recommending it strongly to the
meeting to use every exertion in upholding the inde-
pendence of the City of London in Parliament, by send-
ing such a man as Mr. Ward, and sat down amidst
great cheering.
Mr. CiA. ILLIS BARCLAY then rose and said, the honour of pro-
posing the first Resolution had devolved on him, and a mere grati-
fying one be had never to perform. He then addressed the Meet-
ing at considerable length in favour of Mr. Ward's claims, and
concluded by proposing a Resolution expressive of the necessity
there was of the City of London being represented by a Gentleman
who possessed great commercial information ; which was seconded
by Mr. Wn.soN.
The second Resolution, declaratory of the eligibility of Mr.Watd
to represent the City of London, was moved by Alderman SMITH,
and seconded by Mr. TIIODIA, Hamm.
lttesaansox 1101111ADAILZ, Esq. proposed the third Resolution,
which was seconded by IL IL Ai A ILTEN, Esq. and was expressive of
the" confidence to which Mr. Ward was entitled; and further
pledging themselves to use every exertion to ensure his return to
Parliament.—After the Resolutions had passed,
Mr. WARD (amidst great cheering and clapping of
hands) rose to address the Meeting ; he said it was
quite impossible for him to express what his feelings
were, alter the passing of such Resolutions. He then
went into along explanati in relative to his letter to Mr.
Slade, and concluded his observa.ions, that with regard
to the Catholic Question, he said, it was one of great
importance, and was surrounded with many difficulties,
so much so, that even both Houses of Parliame,it were
divided upon it; yet, whatever were his opinions on.
that subject, he should decline entering into any pledge
with regard to it ; but admitted whatever bias he had,
it was against granting any further concessions to the
Catholics—(Cheers). Yet, at the same time, he did nut
know how his mind might be infldenced hereafter;
'therefore, if they sent him unshackled into Parliament,
he would do that which every independent Member
ought to do, which was his duty to Ws Constituents,
and he trusted he should be found worthy of being the
Representative of the City of London.
He then sat down amidst great cbrering.
Thanks wore theu voted to the Chairman, and the Meeting
separated.