The Separation Fancy Dress Ball.
On the night of the 28th November, 1850, the "Separation Rejoicings" terminated. The procession, the illuminations, the rural feats and other excursions, the bonfires and tar barrels, all had had their day, but it remained for the Fancy Dress Ball to close an ovation which, from its general nature, and the heart and soul thrown into it by everyone, has had no parallel in Victoria. St. Patrick's Hall was decorated in a very tasteful manner. The entrance doorway was embowered in laurels and evergreens, and illuminated with a V.R. lamp, which scattered its rays to the opposite side of the street. The staircase leading to the ball-room was similarly decorated, and the spacious room itself was overhung with banners and transparencies in endless variety. The walls were profusely festooned, and at the northern end was a dais, surmounted by a neat portrait of Her Majesty, the property of the Victoria and Tasmania Society. The chaste and beautiful banner of the St. George Society was also unfolded, displaying the gallant Saint of legendary celebrity slaying the formidable dragon. At intervals, hanging from the ceiling, were the St. Patrick Society's banners—the harp, the earliest emblem of Ireland, displaying its proportions on emerald green ; St. Patrick anathematizing the snakes from the " sacred isle;" the same Apostle converting the Irish Kings on the hill of Tara, where the rude monarchs are electrified by his persuasive eloquence. On another, pagan Ireland is delineated by its immemorial "Sunburst." And though the last, not the least, the one representing the Queen assenting to the "Victoria Emancipation Act." This banner was unfurled in front of the dais which His Honor the Superintendent occupied during the night. Union Jacks fluttered in all directions, and in several parts of the Hall were several transparencies. The room was lighted by a range of chandeliers, and when theirfloodof light bathed the rich and picturesque banners, the transparencies, and ornamental foliage, and then swept over the beautifully-dressed, high-hearted groups beneath, the scene was one of the most thrilling effect. Megson's Band was retained for the occasion, and the Stewards were indefatigable in their attention to the assemblage. The supper was provided by Mr. Cantlon, a newly-established caterer, and was said to do him much credit. The following is an alphabetical list of the company present, who left their cards at the entrance door, and the characters in which they appeared as marked thereon:— A'Beckett, Mrs. ; Anderson, Mrs., a fancy dress ; Anderson, Miss, a Nepaulese lady; Anderson, Elizabeth, fancy dress; Anderson, Rosa, fancy dress; A'Beckett, William, Resident Judge, full Court dress; Aitken, Mr., settler; Anderson, Colonel, in full uniform of 50th Regiment. Balbirnie, the Misses, Italian peasants; Bawtree, Miss Ellen, a Persian lady ; Bawtree, Mrs. Samuel, lady of Court of Charles First; Bawtree, Miss, Persian lady; Barker, Mrs. Edward, lady of 19th century; Bennett, Mrs., plain dress; Browne, Mr., Highland costume; Balbirnie, R. A., hussar uniform; Benn, Mr., gentleman ; Barlas, Dr. James ; Bawtree, Samuel, gentleman of Court of Charles First ; Barker, Wm., gentleman of 19th century; Barker, Edwd., a gentleman of 19th century; Benjamin, Solomon, barrister-at-law; Bennett, Mr., Glaucus the Athenian; Brodie, R. S., the Bunyip. Campbell, Mrs. William H., as herself; Chambers, Mrs. Hugh J., a fancy dress; Creswick, Mrs. Henry, plain clothes; Collyer, Mrs., ball dress; Cox, Mrs., ball costume; Cavenagh, Miss, fancy dress; Cavenagh, Mrs., lady of 19th century. Campbell, W. H., in a new suit of clothes; Chambers, H. J., an Irishman; Cadden, H. C. ; Cadden, H. F.; Campbell, Robert, Royal Arch Mason; Connolly, J. M., gentleman of 19th century; Creswick, H , a Spanish Brigand; Collyer, W. D., gentleman of the present day; Cox, Mr., ball costume; Cavenagh, George, a private gentleman. Disher, Mrs. W. J., Venetian Lady; Dismorr, Mrs. N., plain dress. Dismorr, N., plain dress; Don Francisco de Cavello, Spanish gentleman; Dunbar, J. W.; Disher, W. J., Royal Arch Mason; Davies, B., Neapolitan costume; Dana, Captain Commandant Mounted Police; De Graves, William, a Sportsman; Dana, Mr., Officer of Mounted Police. Erskine, Mrs. J. A., ball dress. Ellerman, H. C, a Squatter in mufti; Edwards, J. S, a "Skipper"; Erskine, J. A., a D A C G .
