Ball On Board H.M.S. Royal Alfred

Ball on board H.M.S. Royal Alfred, the flagship of Admiral Sir R. Mundy, at Barbadoes, 1868. Engraving from a sketch by Captain H. J. Wilkinson, Assistant Quartermaster-General. 'At an early hour in the evening boats were conveying the company of ladies and gentlemen to that noble frigate. They ascended her side under a canopy of palm-leaves and flags, when a gay and festive scene presented itself. The spacious deck was covered in with the colours of every nation, forming an elevated ceiling and drooping in graceful festoons on each side. It was brilliantly illuminated by tastefully-decorated chandeliers suspended from the centre, while the happy faces of honest British tars assembled on the bulwarks were joyously gazing on the throng below. On the quarter-deck were the veteran Admiral, the Governor, and some of the chief people of the island. The deck was an admirable ball-room for "tripping the light fantastic toe" with the grace and fashion of the island, while the enlivening strains of a fine band kept up the dance...At a late hour the guests were regaled with a supper, and the small hours of the morning unconsciously crept on before they all departed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)