PREPARATIONS FOR THE QUEEN'S FANCY-BALL.
THE announcement that the Queen intends to give a fancy-ball has excited a considerable flutter, and caused great note of pre- paration to be made, not only where such an effect might legiti- mately have been expected, among the junior portion of the female aristocracy, but in quarters where more gravity was looked for. The leaders of public opinion (including in the designation all who suppose themselves to be such) are preparing to outshine each other in the eyes of their Royal Mistress in dainty devices and splendid decorations. Some are arranging parties with a view to form strik- ing groups ; others are meditating-in solitude on the most advan- tageous characters for producing their own pretty persons in a solo. The Duke of WELLrNGTON, the Earl of RIPON, and Lord WESTERN, go in the characters of Coriolanus, Menenius, and First Citizen- " Cor. What is their seeking?
"Men. For corn at their own rates, whereof they say the city is well stored.
" Cor. Hang them ! they say !"
Friends who have been admitted to witness the private rehearsals of this group speak in raptures of the expressive pantomime of the First Citizen, of the submissive stupefaction with which he bends beneath the "Hang them !" of the fiery Coriolanus. Sir ROBERT PEEL appears as an isolated figure : his character is Richard Duke of Gloster—" Now is the winter of our discon- tent made glorious summer." Lord MELBOURNE is practising the deportment of Cardinal Wolsey—" Farewell ! a long farewell to all my greatness." Mrs. FRY, at the suggestion of the King of Prussia, (for this fancy-ball is a conspiracy against the standing customs of the English Court, that has been for some time in con- trivance) is to appear, for that night only, in the character of Madame Maintenon ; and Mr. Own?: (Sir ROBERT PEEL has ra- tified his presentation) as John Knox. Lord Jowl RUSSELL, his Lady, and the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, make up a party to represent the Dauphin and the Ladies Blanche and Constance, in SHAKSPERE'S King John-
" Constance. Lewis, stand fast ; the Devil* tempts thee here In likeness of a new and trimmed bride."
Sir EDWARD LYTTON BULWER goes in the character of a Rosicru- cian, taking much superfluous pains to convince the company that he is no conjuror. Mr. WAILLEY, under the superintendence of Mr. PLANCIIE, is getting up a rich and tasteful dress to appear as a Troubadour- " Singing from Palestine hither I come ; Lady-love, lady-love, welcome me home."
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS, as might have been anticipated from his allusions to the Ionian Islands in every speech he has made in Parliament, chooses to appear as Sancho, Governor of Barataria. Mr. PETER BOBTRWICK is to appear as Don Quixote, accompanied by Mr. ROBERTSON in the character of the Bachelor Sampson Carrasca, "complimenting him on his chivalrous conduct." And Mr. BROTHERTON goes as a Charley of the old school, calling "Past eleven o'clock, and a stormy night."
* Sc. of Presbyterianism.
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