PENRITH HERALD and EAST CUMBERLAND and WESTMORLAND NEWS. NO. 438-Sixth Week in Quarter Registered for Transmission Abroad. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1874. PRICE 1D. SCENES AT A REPUBLICAN STATE BALL. Under the Republic the French Court seems to have lost but little, if any, of that splendour and brilliancy for which it became so distinguished during the reign of the late Emperor. PRESIDENT MAC MAHON gave a ball at the Elysee which is said never to have been surpassed by any previous fete held in that palace. Describing the scene, a correspondent of the Times telegraphs: The Elysee was lit up a giorno, and a dense but quiet crowd had gathered along the four facades of the palace. In passing in front of the carriages as they drew up to take their place in the queue one could see the gaily-coloured ball dresses and anxious looks of the ladies, who, in some of the carriages, had been waiting for two hours, and who still remained in the midst of the Place de la Concorde. On approaching the palace the coup d'oeil became more striking. Many of the ladies, having lost all patience, had left their carriages in the midst of the Champs Elysees or the neighbouring streets, and were seen bare headed, with flowers and gems in their hair, thin satin slippers, and slight scarfs over their bare shoulders, nervously lifting the skirts of their white dresses, and running along the wet street in order to reach on foot the doors of the Elysee, anxious alike to escape from the bitter cold and the prying glances of the crowd. >From time to time there was a cry heard when one of these ladies saw a carriage draw up and close the entrance against those arriving on foot. In the interior of the court the scene was unique. In spite of the slowness with which the carriages seemed to advance, great numbers entered by the Avenue de Elysee, and followed each other continuously. Above the flight of steps and under the peristyle, a strict examination was made to ascertain the identity of the persons provided with cards. This scrutiny was so strict, and it was so difficult afterwards to reach the dressing room, that not more than ten persons per minute could enter, while in the same space of time, sixty were arriving. As the guests left their carriages, they rushed up the steps, where they waited their turn. The staircase then presented a most extraordinary scene. The enormous, closely-packed crowd had a motley and strange appearance in the glare of the thousands of lamps which lighted up the court. >From below the staircase, one could see crests and helmets, flowers and precious stones, swaying and glittering in the light. From time to time, an officer's spur would get entangled in a lady's dress, and make her scream as it tore out a shred. Late at night it was certain that if the orders were not withdrawn and the strict regulations were continued, it would not be till two or three o'clock in the morning that some of the guests would be able to get admission. But as the appearance of the court, thus unexpectedly converted into a sort of drawing-room, in which ball dresses, decorations,uniforms, and black dresses were mingled, afforded a curious spectacle, those even who did not find admission had some compensation for their efforts and long waiting. A great crowd is one of the conditions of a successful ceremony, and in this respect, in brilliancy, and in animation it may be said that no fete has surpassed that in which the guests of the President of the French Republic involuntarily took part. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~