Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-01
PEDRO ESTEVAN.
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Fourth Of July in London.

The universal topic of conversation in the fashion
able circles of London for some days previous to the
departure of the Pacific was the superb entertain
ment given by Mr. George Peabody, the eminent
American banker formerly of this city, and now
resident in the British capital He will be remem-
bered as the partner formerly of Mr.. Samuel Riggs
in Baltimore, and about twelve years since went to
England, where he has accumulated princely for
tune. An intelligent letter in the New York Courier
and Enquirer gives the following account of the
splendid fete:
The entertainment consisted of Concert, Ball
and SUPPER" and the cards of invitation read as
follows
Mr. Peabody requests the honor of Mr. BIS
company, at Willis Rooms, to meet the American
Minister and Mrs Lawrence, Friday, July 4th
1851. Music and dancing. The concert at half.
past nine--dancing at eleven--supper at >one.'
The intention of Mr.. Peabody in fixing upon the
Fourth of July for this entertainment was to demon
strote that all feeling of irritation, in regard to the
event which that day recalls has long since passed
away, and that Englishmen and Americans need nc
longer abstain from naming it. or have any feeling
but that they may meet on that day as we'll as at
any other time season. The hearty concurren &c
of the first people of this country in this sentiment
has been happily and triumphantly shewn by the
nature and extent of the attendance on the occasion
party more numerous or brilliant. or including a
fuller representation of the rank wealth and fashion
of this country, has been assembled outside
the walls of the palace itself; and certainly 'Al
macks,' Gin the rooms devoted to which his ball was
given,) never displayed anything like the splendor
and profusion which characterised this scene.
Company began to arrive at nine o'clock and by
halfpast nine, when the concert commenced, there
were 500 people in the spacious hall
Lablache. Gerdoni, Cruvelli and Catherine Hayes
were the leading vocalists, and all were received
with the warmest applause. Miss Hayes in partic.
ular charmed the numerous body of our countrymen
who had not before heard her exquisite singing
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which
Miss Hayes romance Of 'Ah, mon flsr was receiv-
ed She shortly goes to America.
The moment the last note had ceased to vibrate
the benches were removed as if by magic, and puc.
tual to the carte, dancing began 'at IL o'clock
About halfpast eleven attention withdrawn
| from everything else, and the music went on un
| needed by the dancers, the venerable Duke Of
| Wellington was announced and entered the room,
side by side with Mr.. Peabody, who having remain
ball with his grace and conducted him through
! it to dais and presented him to Mr.. and Mrs. Law
renee. Above the das upon the wall. and tasteful
ly canopied with the blended flags of England and
America, hung portrait of Washington and as the
old duke seated himself in chair (the chair tsel
worked in embroidery by an American lady, and
never before pressed by any human form) directly
beneath the picture of Washington, and facing
portrait of his Queen. the enthusiasm of the as
sembly could be no longer repressed, and the feel
ings of qualification and respect which till then hae
been'suppressed, burst all bounds and found expires
sion in loud long continued and oft repeated cheers
until the hall rang again with the aeclamations.
By this time not less than eight hundred persons
were present. including many of the leading aristoc
racy of this country and all the respectable Ameri
who either to be found in London, or were
within reach of Mr.. Peabody's hospitable summons
Supper ensued at one o'clock, A. NJ. most of the
guests remaining to partake of it and it was pre-
pared on scale of profusion and with care ant
elegance rarely surpassed. Throughout the entire
suit of rooms flowers and drapery adorned the walls
the flags of the two Anglo Saxon nations were every
where seen in combination, while the tables wer,
literally loaded with the finest and rarest fruits an6
every other conceivable deicacy, interspersed will
vases of the most fragrant and costly exotics.
The English papers cordially describe the affair
as one of great splendor and magnitude, and excel
lent resalts-and give great credit to MIR. Peabod,
for his happy conception.
I STREET SCENE" Mister said ragged littl,
girl to gentleman who was picking his teeth il
front Of his boarding house, "do please give me
penny to buy some bread for my sick mother, ant
two little sisters wot's got meazlesn
$50 away, child. never give to beggars.1
"Oh, do please, only penny for the Lords sake
} I'm so .fraid they will starve and die,n and sh
heaved hearth fetched sigh from the depths of he
young heart.
"Go away, tell you I never give to beggars-
| go to the poor house,
Go to h-ll you id old rascal!' and the cir
went on, leaving him in mute establishment.