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THE BALL-ROOM.
frequent these houses, and the refreshments are always levied by contributions upon the public. Some of the Christmas balls (or as it is the fashion now to term them, “ quadrille parties") are, however, conducted upon a very grand scale. The ball-room is decorated with branches of the cocoa-nut, interspersed with the many beautiful flowers which, in these sunny climes, grow in such wild profusion, while boughs of the Pimento (or “ Christmas bush," as it is generally called in this country) and the orange tree, loaded with its tempting fruit, impart a pleasing fragrance throughout the apartment. Around the walls, brackets of deal are nailed to support the innumerable tapers which serve to light up this “temple of mirth," and throw a radiance upon the countenances of the ebon beaux and belles. The orchestra generally occupies one end of the apartment ; and the company is arranged, in two lines, the ladies upon one side, and the gentlemen upon the other. The glittering throng at “ Almacks" cannot outvie in dress with the glittering throng at an Antiguan negro ball. Fashion exerts her power, and seldom finds more devoted votaries than among these dark damsels and their loving swains. The dress of the gentlemen consists of a blue, brown, or purple coat, (not quite equal in make to one of Stultz,) with velvet collar, and shining brass buttons ; pantaloons, which would rival in whiteness the snows of great St. Bernard ; a many coloured vest, a very smart cravat, silk stockings, and well-polished pumps or fancy boots, with tassels, &c., in the most approved fashion, In the folds of the cravat are deposited one or two brooches, (not quite equalling in splendour and dimensions the celebrated “ brooch of Lorn," but no doubt thought by the wearers to be very tasteful ;) a glittering brass chain, which after performing countless figures and evolutions around the neck, is deposited with its accompanying quizzing-glass (set in the same precious metal) in the waistcoat pocket ; sundry brass rings upon the fingers ; a box to contain that fashionable dust, called by mortals—