| Citation |
NEWJ.736.009
18 May 1736:12 (476)
London. Feb. 21. The ball which Count Kinski, the Imperial
Minister, gave at Somerset-House, in honour of the nuptials
between the Duke of Lorrain and the Archdutchess, was not
over till five on Thursday morning: there were about six
hundred persons of both sexes: His Majesty & most of the
Royal Family were present; he was dress'd in a blue Turkish
habit, the vest white with a turbant button'd up with
diamonds of immense value, and went away between one & two,
when the nobility & gentry unmask'd: His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales was mask'd, and dress'd in the habit of a
Venetian merchant; his Royal Highness the Duke was first in
a Polish dress, but chang'd his habit to that of an Imperial
Hussar, with a fine Turkish scymiter by his side, presented
him by the Earl of Crawford; her Royal Highness the Princess
Amelia was in a rich green velvet habit, presenting a
sultana, and a turbant with a large diamond button on it of
an immense value, and adorn'd with crescents, &c. her Royal
Highness the Princess Caroline was in that of a shepherdess,
but exceeding rich. The Dutchess of Marlborough & the
Dutchess of Portland were in the old English dresses worn in
Queen Elizabeth's days, rich adorn'd with jewels; the Lady
Viscountess Weymouth was in a Spanish dress; the Spanish
ambassadress and the Dutchess of Wharton were dress'd alike
in two pilgrim's habits, and talk'd very much with the King.
Most of the company had fine gold and silver favours, the
noblemen on their heads, like cockades, & the ladies at
their breast. There was dancing in two rooms, and
sweetmeats, wine, coffee, tea, and chocolate in three
others. At one o'clock the great gallery was thrown open,
where was a fine cold supper in an ambigu, consisting of 150
dishes.
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