| Citation |
BNL.769.005
12 Jan 1769:21,22 (3406 Supplement 344)
London, October 15. . . [Description of Masquerade given by
Danish King]
The doors of the Opera-house, were opened for the
admission spectators in the gallery at seven o'clock; early
in the evening a party of the guards were ordered upon duty
at the theatre, to prevent disturbances. --At nine o'clock
the masquerade was opened. . . [22 lines, King of Denmark
arrived incognito, dressed in one of the dressing-rooms of
the Opera house, description of dresses and arrivals.]
The ball was opened by the King of Denmark and the
Dutchess of Ancaster; the principal characters were the
conjurer, the black, and the Old Woman, all of whom were
supported with great spirit and humour. . . [14 lines: King
withdrew to a private room for dinner (one of the dressing
rooms); King George and sons present incognito in closed
box.] The ladies, in general, made a very beautiful and
brilliant appearance, many of them were dressed in fine
Spanish and Turkish habits; several; as shepherdesses, and
with crooks; and some were like dancers. The noblemen and
gentlemen were for the most part in dominoes: There were,
however, a great number in the habits of the Asiatic Nabobs;
a few were in Turkish dresses, and one in that of an Abbe.
Whenever any little room could be made, they danced
occasionally. . . [17 lines, dinner, unmasking.]
The illumination of the Opera-House was splendid and
elegant; the front of the galleries, which were full of
company, very richly dressed, being decorated with several
rows of small lamps, as were the pillars on the stage, and
other parts of the Theatre. The ladies seemed to vie with
each other in the taste and magnificence of their habits,
which were ornamented with a profusion of jewels, adding
considerably to the splendor of the appearance of the whole
entertainment. . . [10 lines, describing costumes.] The
character of Mungo, in the Padlock, was very excellently
assumed, by Mr. Mendez, who was very fine in jewels, and
exceedingly diverted the company. . .
Among the other characters, besides those we have
mentioned, were Diana, Lady Stanhope; Old Woman, Gen.
Conway; Witch, Mr. James; Indian Raggi, Mr. Vansittart;
Ditto, Mr. Scranton; Chimney Sweeper, Unknown; Sailor, Mr.
Thompson; No Sailor, Mr. Broderick; Sir Epic. Mammon, Mr.
Kelly; Cleopatra, Mrs. Garmier; Goddess of Chastity, Miss
Groves. . . [1 column with descriptions of attendees and
food]
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