The bal costume at the French Ambassador's last night, was
as re- markable for its splendour and taste, as for its undisguised political intent. Count Walewski had elaborately prepared his peculiar mansion at Albert Gate for the occasion ; and when the Queen and Prince Albert arrived, Punctually at ten o'clock, they found the house brilliantly illuminated, their own initials and that of the Emperor of the French -conspiouous in the blare; and they alighted under a spacious awning, on a carpeted path. Count Walewski stood to receive them almost at the carriage-door ; and, leaning on the Ambassador's arm, preceded by the Secretaries of the Em- bassy, the Queen entered the mansion. Passing through the vestibule into the hall, the Queen found herself in an atmosphere of roses and violets, a scene of flowers backed by white and gold, the tall staircase tower flooded with light from concealed sources. The whole of the mansion was decorated in this sumptuous style. Amongst the ornaments of the supper-room was a piece of sculpture, hastily but spiritedly executed by Mr. Evan Thomas, representing France and England grasping their hands in token of amity, and illustrating Lord J ohm Russell's adoption of the ancient proclamation of the heralds, "May God defend the right." The ball-room was a magnificent scene; the guests of all ranks com- bining their services to create a brilliant tableau. The court of Louis XV. was the prevailing character; but the field of the cloth of gold, na- tional traits from old England, Poland, Russia, India, and even from the realms of fancy, varied the coup d'ceil. Mary Stuart, Sir Thomas Gresham, Elizabeth of Austria, Admiral Coligni, rr Night, Twilight, and Day," were glancing conspicuous in the brilliant crowd. The Queen wore a dress of great elegance, whose prevailing colour was pink ; Prince Albert was dressed as a Field-MarshaL The French Ambassador wore his official costume ; and, in accordance with the wish of the most dis- tingtrished person present, the Diplomatic personages and the Ministers of state wore their official costumes—the latter as Privy Councillors ; and the Ex-Ministers of State conformed to the same rule. After a pretty series of state quadrilles, the Queen danced with Count Walewski.
At a subsequent interval, the Count presented his more distinguished guests to her Majesty ; the Queen made the tour of the salons, resting on the arm of the Count; and at midnight the Royal party were conducted to the supper-room. At half-past one o'clock, after her Majesty had once more joined in the dance, the Count attended the Queen to her car- riage. It was some hours later before the light of the feast was extin- guished.
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