Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-15

on OF the fitting up OF the rooms, 10 the ar
rsngement for The company to enter the
castle.
During the time Mr.. Wyatt was fitting
up the rooms his majesty had the enter
tainment in his mind, and gave directions
accordingly, and Cor months past, Mr.. Gil
bert, the silver-smith of London, has been
preparing new service of plate, valued
we understand, a. between 90 and o,oool.
The whole service Of plate displayed on
Monday night, was supposed to be the
most magnificent in Europe.
Hancock and Shepherd, OF London, with
numter of assistants, have been employ
ed Tor considerable time past, in hang
ing the silver chandeliers from Hanover,
and other ornaments. Messrs. Parker
and Perry, of London, have for these 9
months been preparing chandeliers and
lustres 10 The amount Of several thousand
pounds; in faet, every eminent manufac-
turer and artist in London was called in,
and no expense was spared for this kingly
banquet.
About month or three weeks since
40 petsons were invited, besides the row.
al family, the ministers and officers Of
state.
The fame Of the magnifcence of this
ieie having spread throughoutthc country,
the earl of Wilton came to London, from
his seat in Lincolnshire, On purpose to be
present, and others have arrived within
these few days from equally distant parts.
All has been hustle in London for some
time with the fancy dress makers, milli-
ners, tas Tors, SC. &c. more so than if il
was birth day that was approach,ng.-
Numbers oil the noble families. hired hor
ses in Windsor and Eton, and went from
LondonaDd oiher parts invery grand style,
IN carriages and Sly. with four, FIVE and six
out riders, which wasa style certainly very
proper for the occasion.
About O'Clock the company began to
assemble, and about eight the concert
commenced.
The ball was opened precisely at a quar-
ter past 9, by his royal highness the duke
of Cambridge, and the princess of Wales,
tothe tune of The Weymouth Eefe.' Tween
ty couple stood up the FIRST dance.
The floor was painted with the most
fanciful and appropriate. devices, by an e
mnent artist, instead of being chalkec;.
The room was illuminated with three We
ry large silver chandeliers, eight candles
ia each; the silver OF each weighing about
i2olbs they have been repaired and new
beaulified in the most tasteful manner
Four elegant silver sconces were hume.
round the room.
The attention of the company appear
ed the most arrested to the novel and We
ry grand appearance OF four silver tables.
between each window. Two of them
came from Hauover, and have been re-
paired aud beaulifed for this occasion.
Under their centre are the EIanoverian
arms, borne by white horse, and the feet
oil the tables represent lions paws. The
other two tables, one ofthem was prcsen-
ted by the corporasionof the city of Lon
don TO king William, and The other by
The same body TO queen Anne. The
msgHificence Of the effcct Of that table
was considerably heightened by four most
elegant pier glasses over each table, with
silver frames, from Hngver, which have
likewise been CLEANED and beau,ified. The
effect OF this briliisnt display of silver, by
candle light, is better conceived than can
possibly be described By the pen. This
room might justly be called the silver
room, -Four large and very elegant So
lid silver dogs land irons1 were used in
the fire place iorburning wood, instead Of
Goals; but there was not much occasion
for fire; the hea, produced by the can.
dies, and the number of persons present,
rendered The room sufficiently warm.
Their msjesties and the royal family
supped in The guard room. As upon oil
public occasions, a table was set apart far
the royal family only. il being contrary 10
ne efiquefte.for any su6jcrf 10 so at fhe sap,c
Ta6le vih me sovereign: The table al
which they supped was elevated upon a
temporary platform raised about six or
eight inches from the floor for the purpose
OF enabling the royal family to behold
their company with the greater case. and
to crafty the curiosity of their guests in
6ehoiding them. Two tables were laid on |
each side of the room which held about |
sixty each. The fkate on the royal table !
was entirely gold--lhe whole service nc7v !
Tor the occasion. Nothing 6m sftOer was
used at all ,he other tables; the whole to- I
easf 4. Ill a..