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Ball in honour of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Victualling Yard, Stonehouse, [Plymouth], 1865. Party in one of the Melville storehouses. 'The vast store-room...was converted into a ball-room for the purpose. The walls were appropriately draped with the flags of all nations, and there were a great many beautifully-executed devices, formed of glittering bayonets...At the head of the room, which was brilliantly lighted by chandeliers, adorned with wreaths of flowers and evergreens, was a slightly-raised dais, upon which was erected a throne...On each side of the Royal seats were brilliant stars - one formed of military bayonets and the others of swords used in the naval service. Various other devices were displayed on the walls, which were draped with flags, in remarkably good taste, interspersed with flowers and evergreens...The bands of the Royal Marines and of the 28th Regiment supplied the music. Above 1000 of the nobility and gentry of the three towns and neighbourhood were present. The Prince and Princess arrived in the ball-room at half-past eleven o'clock, his Royal Highness being attired in the full-dress uniform of a Colonel of the Guards. They joined in the dancing and stayed till two o'clock'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865. Ball in honour of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Victualling Yard..., 1865. Creator: Unknown. (KEYSTONE/HERITAGE IMAGES/THE PRINT COLLECTOR)