not only 21. 2-s. a head, but also much expense of interest among 

 the exclusive Lady Patronesses who dispensed them. The tickets 

 were thus too valuable to be thro^vn away, and the majority 

 of their holders braved the bad weather in the hope of its 

 clearing up. On the part of the Society nothing had been 

 omitted to malce the entertainment worthy of itself and the 

 expected guests. Ample tents and temporary wooden buildings 

 had been erected, and all the resources of Messrs. Gunter 

 brought into play to provide the feast. Gorgeous plate, fine 

 china, and sparkling crystal, combined with the most delicate 

 viands and high-priced wines to charm the eye and tempt the 

 palate. What the morning promised — (a wet day) — the noon 

 fulfilled, and the weather settled into confirmed rain ; and as 

 the hours wore on, it grew worse and worse, and the rain fell 

 heavier and heavier. StiU the possessors of the much-prized 

 tickets made their appearance. Carriage after carriage deposited 

 its fair and gaUy-dressed freight at the gates,'"' whence ushered 

 into the tents they endeavoured to drown the splashing of the 

 rain on the roof by the loud harmony of military bands, and to 

 forget their discomfort in the enjoyments of the table. Many 

 and strange were the scenes that passed : the tents were open 

 in front, and the driving rain came pelting in — the canvas 

 roof soon distilled drops or streams at many places — the ladies 

 as they sat or stood found the water invading their shoes ; the 

 ingenuity of the gentlemen came to the rescue — some of the 

 ladies were placed on the table — the dishes were emptied of 



* The cavalry made a good harvest ou this day. They lent their long heavy 

 military cloaks to the ladies, to protect them on their passage from their carriages 

 to the tents, at 2s. 6d. e.icli. 



8*1)'' 



