Almack.E2.80.99s at its peak Almack's

longitude , latitude of st petersburgh, caricature of countess lieven , shorter , broader dance partner george cruikshank.



amelia stewart, viscountess castlereagh
sarah villiers, countess of jersey, should not confused mother-in-law, frances villiers, countess of jersey, 1 of more notorious mistresses of george iv when prince of wales
emily clavering-cowper, countess cowper, sister of prime minister lord melbourne, , later married prime minister, lord palmerston
maria molyneux, countess of sefton, wife of william molyneux, 2nd earl of sefton
the hon. sarah clementina drummond-burrell, known clementina, later lady willoughby de eresby. clementina surviving child of james drummond, 1st baron perth. on marriage, husband peter burrell, noted dandy, assumed family name drummond. succeeded father 2nd baron gwydyr , subsequently mother 22nd baron willoughby de eresby.
dorothea lieven, countess de lieven, wife of russian ambassador , political force in own right; princess lieven after 1826
countess esterházy, wife of austrian ambassador prince paul anton esterházy; princess esterházy after 1833.

of these lady patronesses , establishment, memoirist captain gronow later write, “the popular amongst these grandes dames unquestionably lady cowper, lady palmerston. lady jersey s bearing, on contrary, of theatrical tragedy queen; , whilst attempting sublime, made herself ridiculous, being inconceivably rude, , in manner ill-bred. lady sefton kind , amiable, madame de lieven haughty , exclusive, princess esterhazy bon enfant, lady castlereagh , mrs. burrell de très grandes dames. many diplomatic arts, finesse, , host of intrigues, set in motion invitation almack s. persons rank , fortunes entitled them entrée anywhere, excluded cliqueism of lady patronesses; female government of almack s pure despotism, , subject caprices of despotic rule: needless add that, every other despotism, not innocent of abuses. fair ladies ruled supreme on little dancing , gossiping world, issued solemn proclamation no gentleman should appear @ assemblies without being dressed in knee-breeches, white cravat, , chapeau bras. on 1 occasion, duke of wellington ascend staircase of ball-room, dressed in black trousers, when vigilant mr. willis, guardian of establishment, stepped forward , said, grace cannot admitted in trousers; whereupon duke, had great respect orders , regulations, quietly walked away.”

these fair arbiters created temple of exclusivity balls held on wednesday nights (the activity of club) allowing of whom approved buy non-transferrable annual vouchers, costing ten guineas. voucher printed on strong cardboard , measured around 2.5 inches 3.5 inches (6.25 cm 8.75 cm), , entitled holder obtain tickets balls or part of season. subscribers allowed bring guest ball, provided passed muster first. or had call @ rooms , either granted “strangers ticket” of admission or blackballed. rooms open supper , gaming, dancing lasting night. once supper had been served @ eleven o’clock, doors closed , no 1 else admitted evening, regardless of rank or reputation. once approved lady patronesses, man or woman’s social standing guaranteed soar. fortunate young ladies making first london season , who’d been allowed ‘come out’ @ almack’s ball had dancing partners chosen 1 of ladies. passage lutrell’s work “advice julia” concerning almack’s reads:

“all on magic list depends; fame, fortune, fashion, lovers, friends; `tis gratifies or vexes ranks, ages, sexes. if once almack’s belong, monarchs, can no wrong; banished thence on wednesday night,

by jove can nothing right.”

holding voucher almack’s became difference between society , society. not have voucher might mean 1 had not applied, or there more applicants space, lose 1 s voucher meant 1 had been tried , found wanting, social disaster dedicated position in ton. when lady caroline lamb satirised lady jersey in novel glenarvon, lady jersey took revenge barring caroline almack s — ultimate social disgrace (although lady cowper, caroline s sister-in-law, got ban lifted). few exceptions strict rules ever made, , lady patronesses met every monday night during london social season (approximately april august) decide whom, if anyone, might need removed recent déclassé behavior, , whom might wish add august membership. rejection of application might made on temporary or permanent basis, depending on reason. if applicant refused ticket, news sent via printed circular, blank left filled name. no reason rejection given beyond ladies-patronesses’ compliments mr. or miss so-and- so, , sorry cannot comply or request. circular left mr willis, , applicant learn result calling on him answer.

the small size of rooms contributed air of exclusivity. far smaller pantheon, average attendance @ almack’s ball 500; “the largest attendance ever known on 1 occasion 650; number great size of room.” accordingly, number of members of almack’s limited between 700 , 800.

money not key being member of almack s, existed exclude nouveau riche. possession of noble title recommendation, though breeding , behavior more important. duke or duchess might find himself or herself barred, if 1 or other of patronesses disliked them. said three-quarters of hereditary nobility begged, in vain, admitted; , “sons of commerce”, readily found @ other social event, “never think of intruding on sacred wednesday evenings”. on other hand, thomas moore, penniless irish poet admired breeding , social graces, member.

the first quadrille @ almack s: french print supposedly representing lady jersey, lady worcester, lord worcester , clanronald macdonald, though gronow says danced lady jersey, lady susan ryder, miss montgomery , lady harriet butler, count st aldegonde, mr montagu, mr montgomery , mr charles standish.

the ballroom partitioned off dancers crimson ropes. in 19th century, orchestra edinburgh, , conducted nathaniel gow, son of celebrated niel gow; later on, in victorian era, weippert , collinet’s band provided music. avoid suggestion of impropriety, dances limited english country dances , scotch reels. changed time after declaration of regency, when first quadrille , waltz, @ time more modern polka, introduced. according raikes, these first danced @ almack s in 1813, gronow in 1815, , dancing in badminton library, 1816. introduction of quadrille associated lady jersey, , waltz linked countess de lieven. late 1823, still lead offence: “i went 2 nights ago costume ball @ almack’s welsh charity. brilliant & there quadrille beautiful…the quadrille, however, gave great offence, danced night & took upper end of room, considered great impertinence.” 1837, matters had far changed gallopade , waltz things danced @ almack’s balls.

the club took pains not resemble expensive private balls avoiding sumptuous repasts. in regency period, refreshments in supper rooms consisted of thinly-sliced bread (which must day old sliced thinly) fresh butter, , dry cake (dry meaning unfrosted, without icing, not stale), similar pound cake. avoid drunkenness, tea , lemonade served in supper rooms. 1830s, refreshments had fallen off in quality: “now there no supper; there nothing in shape of refreshments tea , lemonade, , worst of is, both articles miserably bad requires effort drink either. lemonade sour vinegar; while apply word tea stuff called name @ almack’s, 1 of unwarrantable perversions of language ever perpetrated. give person with¬out calling name, , person find 1 himself. @ once call chalk , water.”