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Grand Ball and Supper given by Capt Herbert A grand ball and supper was given on Monday last, by Captain Herbert of H.B.M’s ship Calliope, at his house in the Calle de la Paz. The decorations upon the occasion were splendid in the extreme; the court yard or patio had an awning of flags of all nations, and was brilliantly illuminated with lamps of cut glass, of various colours, forming the letters V. R. with a crown in the centre, and the word Calliope. The band of the Calliope stationed in the patio performed the National Anthem and “God save the Queen”; the latter on the entrance of Mr. Mandeville, Her Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary. Three rooms superbly lit were fitted up for dancing, on of them was ornamented with flags, as was also the refreshment room—here pastry of the most choice description was spread out, and all sorts of wine “from humble port to imperial tokay”. The supper was served up on a costly service of silver plate, and consisted of every delicacy including that great rarity in these times of blockade—English Ham. On the supper table were vases filled with flowers newly gathered, emitting a delightful fragrance. “Ye’re beautiful, ye flowers! Dancing commenced about 8 o’clock, and continued until 4 on the following morning. There was in fact no intermission, for whilst one party was engaged at the supper table another continued the dance. The dances consisted of minuets, waltzes, quadrilles, the contra dance and the federal. The assemblage as may be seen by the subjoined list consisted of a considerable portion of the rank and fashion of Buenos Ayres, and amongst it was many lovely beings. “They’ve pretty paces yet, those same Porteñas, There were present: Señoras Señoritas Mrs. Slade, Mackinlay, Macalister and C. Booth Señores Generals Col. Francisco Crespo Don (The engagements of the Minister of foreign affairs, Don Felipe Arana, prevented his attendance.) John Henry Mandeville, Esq., Don Luis Sousa Diaz, Baron Picolet d’Hermillon, Alfred M. Slade, Esq., Messrs. Officers of H.B.M.’s ship Calliope Officers of H. B. M.’s ship Actaeon Officers of United States ship Fairfield The company retired delighted with their entertainment and with the urbanity and kindness of Captain Herbert. Some perhaps to dream and explain like Albert— “Fair beings float before my dazzled eyes, and in my ears rich sounds have rung. Yet these have pass’d away. Like all earthly things.” Transcriber’s Notes |