Vat e our t.
STATE ceremonial has been accessory to Irish politics this week. The QUO011 held a Court at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, to receive on the Throne an address from the Corporation of Dublin. On her left stood Prince Albert, on her right the Mistress of the Robes and Lady in Waiting; and around were the hli- msters and Officers of State. The Lord Mayor of Dublin was introduced by the Lord Chamberlain: he wore his robes of State and collar of SS., and was accom- panied by a deputation from the Aldermen and Town-Council, with some Corpo- ration-officers. In the address, which his Lordship presented kneeling, the Chr poration declared that the mere rumour that her Majesty intended to visit Ireland had filled every heart with gladness; and they pledged themselves, that, warmly as she had been greeted elsewhere, her Irish subjects should not be exceeded in the true and hearty welcome which, with united voice, should hail her landing on their shores. The Queen replied thus- " I receive with cordial satisfaction this loyal address from the Corporation of Dublin. " I have ever been most anxious to consult the feelings and to promote the happiness of my Irish subjects. " The wish which you express in gratifying terms, that I should visit Ireland, Is an acceptable proof of the warm attachment of the citizens of Dublin to my person and government. " Whenever I may be enabled to receive in Ireland the promised welcome, I shall rely with conddence on the loyalty and affection of my faithful subjects."
The Lord Mayor received the copy of the reply from the Royal hand; which he and two members of the Corporation had the honour of kissing; and the depu- tation retired. Her Majesty gave an audience, on Saturday, to the Earl of Aberdeen; after the Court, on Wednesday, to Sir Robert Peel.
The Queen gave a grand state-ball, at Buckingham Palace, on Monday night. The assemblage was the most numerous that has yet been present at any of her Majesty's fetes; numbering nearly 2,000, and including persons of all parties and almost of all ranks—noble and commoner—diplomatic, official, legal, literary—British and foreign; for almost all the distinguished foreigners in town were there. The costume showed the usual splendour and variety in the ladies' dress • Lord Glenlyon and some other Scotch noblemen and gentlemen appeared in Highland garb; and Mellen Lal figured in a rich Eastern costume. Ile Queen received her Royal guests—the Dutchess of Kent, the Dutches.s of Gloucester, the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Edward of Saxe- Weimar—in the Yellow Drawingroom. All the rest of the state-rooms were thrown open to the general company; who began to arrive about nine o'clock, and continued to do so till eleven; at which hour Prince George of Cambridge arrived, having travelled from Dover. The state-apartments were fitted up with the customary splendour, and tastefully adorned with shrubs in the recesses. At ten o'clock, the Queen and Prince Albert left the Yellow Drawingroom, with their Royal friends and a numerous retinue, and entered the ball-room; which they traversed for its whole length; and then, retundng to the centre' the Queen anti the Prince took their seat in a recess prepared for the august circle. A quadrille was then formed, and the ball was opened by the Queen; who danced with Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar' Prince Albert and the Countess Dietrichstein were the opposite couple. The Throne-room was also fitted up as a ball-room, and was filled with dancers. At twelve o'clock, the Queen and Prince Albert, with their prineipal guests, were conducted to a banquet in the Diningroom. Dancing trap
sifterwards renewed, and continued till two o'clock in the morning; when her Majesty and Prince Albert retired; and the company broke up. Her Majesty went to the Italian Opera, with the Prince of Leiningen, on Satur- day; with his Highness and Prince .Albert, on Tuesday. The Queen received visits, on Sunday, from the Dutchess of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; on 'Thursday, from the Grand Dutchess Stephanie of Baden. Her Majesty and Prince Albert visited the Queen Dowager, on Thursday. 'The Queen and Prince Albert, with the Prince of Leiningen, and all the Royal children except the youngest, left town on Thursday, for Claremont. Aftera round of visits to take leave, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz set out, on Monday, by the South-eastern Railway and Dover, for the Continent. The Grand Dutchess Stephanie of Baden returned to town, from Alton Towers, On Monday.
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