en danced off to my
friend Crony, who had been excused a display of agility on the score
of age, and from whom I anticipated some interesting anecdotes of the
surrounding stars. (See Plate.)

[Illustration: page042]

The Montagues, five sisters, all fine women, and celebrated as the stars
of Erin, shone forth on this occasion with no diminished ray of their
accustomed brilliancy; Mrs. Drummond, otherwise H--n Dr--y Ba--y,
Me--t--o, or Bulkly, the last being the only legal _cognomen_ of the
fair, led the way, followed by Maria Cross, otherwise Latouche, Matilda
Chatterton, Isabella Cummins, and Amelia Hamilton, all ladies of high
character in the court of Cytherea, whose amours, were I to attempt
them, would exceed in volumes, if not in interest, the chronicles of
their native isle. Among the most interesting of the fairy group was
the beautiful Louisa Rowley, since married to Lord L**c**les, and that
charming little rosebud, the captivating Josephine, who, although a mere
child, was introduced under the special protection of the celebrated Mr.
B***, who has since been completely duped by the little _intriguante_,
as also was hep second lover Lord p********? who succeeded in the lady's
favour afterwards; but from whom she fled to Lord H****t, since whose
death, an event which occurred in Paris, I hear she has reformed, and is
now following the example of an elder sister, by preparing herself for
the stage. "Who is that dashing looking brunette in the turban, that is
just entering the room?" inquired Transit, who appeared to be mightily
taken with the fair incognita. "That lady, with the mahogany skin and
_piquant_ appearance, is the favourite mistress of the poor Duke of
Ma**b****h," responded Crony, "and is no other than ~43~~the celebrated
Poll-----Pshaw! everybody has heard of the Queen of the Amazons, a title
given to the lady, in honour, as I suppose, of his grace's fighting
ancestor. Poll is said to be a great voluptuary; but at any rate she
cannot be very extravagant, that is, if she draws all her resources from
her protector's present purse. Do you observe that _jolie dame_ yonder
sitting under the orchestra? that is the well-known Nelly Mansell,
of Crawford-street, called the _old Pomona_, from the richness of her
_first fruits_. Nelly has managed her affairs with no trifling share
of prudence, and although in the decline of life, she is by no means
in declining circumstances. H**re the banker married her niece