the centre, the Empress could command a view of all the other tables, with their decorations, and the superbly dressed persons seated there, in long and beautiful perspective. Thu most magnificent part of these decorations, assuredly, was the gold and silver plate belonging to his Grace, which, for massiveness and beauty, is here altogether unrivalled. The Russians were particularly struck with this patrician treasure, as the accumulated wealth of many generations. It is needless to say, that the supper was all that could please the eye and tempt the appetite, with all kinds of wine in unlimited abundance. The Emperor himself never sits down to supper, and he stood near the table of the Empress, conversing in the most affable and familiar manner with those about him. The Duke of Devonshire with his attachés also stood all the time.
"After this splendid entertainment, the dancing recommenced with fresh spirit, and the Emperor and Empress did not depart till three in the morning. The Grand Duke Michael and the Grand Duchess remained half an hour later. At five o’clock a second supper, or rather breakfast was served, even after which, I understand, the unwearied votaries renewed the dance, Prince Charles, with his vivacity and amiability, being the chief promoter; and the gay revels did not close till near seven this morning.
“Besides the attachés of the Duke’s embassy. Lord Morpeth, Lord W. Russell, Mr. Fane, Mr. Grosvenor, Mr. Townshend, Capt. Clifford, R.N., Mr. Cavendish, and Sir Alexander Mallet, there were present of our countrymen, Mr. Disbrowe, with Mr. Jerningham, and Mr. Kennedy, and the Lord Viscount Stormont, Lord Wm. Montague, Hon. Mr. Talbot, two Generals, Sir P. Belson and Swaine, with four or five more Englishmen, of whom I chanced to be one. There was one of the Duke’s suite, the Hon. Robert Dundas, who, although recovering fast from a severe illness, was not yet strong enough, it appeared, to join the festivity.
“The politician should approve of this fete, for it was admirably well calculated to please and gratify the Russians, and they are loud and unanimous in its praise. It was much superior to any thing of the kind given at Paris, after the French coronation, for we had here such a variety of costume and splendid uniforms among the men, and such a prodigious display of diamonds, precious stones, and elegant dresses among the ladies, that the Parisians were assuredly outdone.”
The pomp and magnificence of the above scene must have almost realized the fairy illusions of oriental romance. The noble Duke, indeed, did ample justice to the wealth and dignity of the country he was sent to represent. It is said, that the splendour which he thus threw around his mission, cost him a sum little less, if any, than 60,000l.
On the 11th Aug. 1827, Captain Clifford was appointed to the Undaunted 40, for the express purpose of conveying Lord William Bentinck, the new Governor-General, to India;
