Sunday, November 21, 2010

23Jul1874, Fancy Dress Ball at Marlborough House

LONDON, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1874.
—We dined with the Granvilles, meeting Cowpers, Cavendish, Ld. Mandeville [FN: Afterwards 8th Duke of Manchester.] (an ugly youth, but rather taking), De Vescis and daughter, Bertie, Duke of Sutherland, and certain Americans, etc., one of whom got drunk. Conversation turned much on the fancy ball at Marlboro' House, which came off t'other night, and for which I saw Cavendish arrayed in Tudor costume. He looked famously well and handsome—very like one's idea of Henry VIII [FN: I think he again appeared as Henry VIII at the famous fancy-dress ball given at Devonshire House after he had succeeded to the Dukedom.] in his youth, before he was fat. Lord Cowper was in Venetian dress, and, quoth Ly. Cowper, "looked beautiful," as I can believe. Among the ladies (who clearly produced less effect) Ly. Hardwick seems to have been preeminent; Ly. Granville very striking in Vandyck dress, with great shady hat. The whole thing was arranged and set in order by Leighton the artist.

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