FANCY DRESS BALLS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1182, 18 July 1911, Page 9

FANCY DRESS BALLS.

THE SEASON'S CRAZE., Fancy dress is the topic of the moment, and costume balls seem a craze of the season (says a writer in the "Queen"). It may be" of interest to noto that Queen Victoria introduced the fashion of lancy dress balls at Court in the earlier and brighter days of her memorable epoch. A splendid fancy, dance was given at Buckingham Palace, in the spring of 18-12. • Her late Majesty appeared as Queen Philippa, and Prince Albert—as he was then called —as Edward III; and the other .Royalties and all the guests wore dresses of the same period. And the Duchess of Cumberland, as Anne of Brittany, headed a procession of 120 persons who were intended to represent France, Spain, and Italy. The only survivor of those present is, as far as we know, the aged Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Then in 1845 another brilliant ball took place at Buckingham Palace, when the dresses were limited to one period—that of George II; and there was yet another in 1851, and on this occasion the costumes were in seventeenth century style, as worn at' the Courts of Charles II oi' England und Louis XIV of France.

Then the latter half of the last century saw several splendid balls of the same description. Tlio late King Edward and Queen Alexandra—when Prince andPrincess of Wales—gave a notable fancy ball at Marlborough Mouse iu July, 1874. The dresses were limited to no special period, and the pretty fashion of fancy quadrilles was first introduced. The then Princess of Wales's dress was inspired by a Titian, and she led off the Venetian Quadrille with Lord Ilartington, afterwards Duko of Devonshire. Her Boyal husband personated Charles I, and ho headed the Vandyke Quadrille, dancing' with the then Duchess of Sutherland. There were many fancy-quadrilles; among others a "Card," a "Fairy Tale," a "Cavalier," and a "Puritan" quadrille. The Fairy Quadrille mado a great sensation. It was led by the Duke of Connaughr, then a. haudsomo young soldier, and the beautiful Miss Violet Graham of Netherby, now Duchess of Montrose. And Lady Londonderry—then Lady "Nellie" Talbo't —attracted much admiring notice as the "Fair One with the Locks of Gold."