ladies. Soon after, the chairman, Mr. J. B. Smith, accompanied by Mr. Thomas Potter, the Mayor of Manchester, and most of the invited guests, entered the hall, took their seats on the platform, and were loudly cheered by the company, the band playing "God save the Queen." The ball at this period presented a most glowing and animated appearance. The spaciousness of the building, the brilliancy with which it was lighted, the long rows of tables along the vast area, the light and elegant drapery and flags, the illuminated devices and rnottos, formed a scene of magnificence and beauty unsurpassed at any former public assembly.
At half-past five o'clock the chairman rose, and called upon the Rev. Thomas Spencer, of Hinton Charter House, Bath, to ask a blessing on what had been provided. After impressively referring to the provision made, the reverend gentleman prayed that the divine Giver of all good would "give us this day our daily bread," and that it might be bestowed not only on those present, but that all the brotherhood of mankind might participate in the same blessing. He prayed for a blessing on the sovereign of these realms, that she might long reign, and in peace, that she might be an honoured instrument in promoting the honour and glory of God, and the welfare and prosperity of all her people. He prayed also that God would bless the great council of the nation, that they might rise to the dignity of their exalted station, that they might lay aside all party prejudices and personal feelings and animosities, that they might rise above all self-interest, and all desire for worldly power, that they might be men of whom it might be said that they sought to do justly and loved mercy, men who would govern a nation righteously, always remembering the solemn account which they themselves must give when the day of judgment should arrive,—and that the curse of those who withheld bread from the poor might not be realised upon them. He prayed for a bless-
