VICTORIA LEAGUE BALL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 6

VICTORIA LEAGUE BALL.

PRINCE OF WALES PRESENT. <j&OH 09* OW* COft»LSIO*DEi.T.) LONDON, February 26. Those who attend the Annual Ball of the Victoria League, invariably have an opportunity of seeing the interior of some West End mansion associated with historio fanjiiies. It happened that Groevenor House, once the residence of the Dukes of Westminster, was vacant. At a matter of fact, the present Duke had negotiated the sale ot the property to the late Viscount Leverhulme, but owing to the latter a death. the house was not reoccupied. The Viotoria League were indebted to the trustees of the late Lord Leverhulme lor the use of Grosvenor House for their dance, which proved the most successful the League has held for some years, at any rate from the dancers' point of view The fact is, there was plenty of room. The chief reception rooms had been temporarily furnished by a London firm, but just in such a way as not to incommode the guests, consequently not only the ballroom itself was available for dancing, but another large room adjoining was also in use. In the latter, the Rubens Room, the Duke of Westminster had caused the three great mural canvases, from which the room takes its name, to be rehung. Vaasie's Band had their station in the Rubens Room, but their music was conveyed to the ballroom by means of electric amplifiers. The main hall and two or three of the smaller rooms not used for dancing we<re decorated with growing flowers, foliage, and palms. Fine tapestries filled the place of the pictures which had been removed. The dining-room was used for supper, and on the tables were spring flowers. The hostess, who received the gueßts in the hall, was the Lady Irwin of Kirbv Underdale, wife of the Viceroy-designate of India. Lady Beatrice Ormsby-Gore. wife of the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, was chairman of the large Ball Committee, of which Lady Allen and Mrs Amery were members. Shortly before midnight the Prince of Wales arrived. He had had an exceedingly busy day, but he showed his interest in and enthusiasm for everything designed to fo6ter the bond between the peoples of the Dominions, and of the Home County by his presence, if even for a brief period. As a matter of fact, he remained for about an hour. He danced two or three dances, and then took supper with a number of the members of the Committee. Dinner partiee were given for the occasion by abont twenty-five ladies,and their guests came on to the ball which lasted until 3 a.nj. It was a very enjoyable evening, and the number present seemed to be as great as on any previous occasion. As a result, the funds required to enable the League to carry on its work of hospitality to Overseas visitors should be materially augmented.