In the evening a brilliant exhibition of fireworks was played off, under
the direction of signior Pietro; during which the populace were regaled
with a proper distribution of liquor. The day concluded with a ball, at
which were present near three hundred gentlemen and ladies. The late
duchess of Devonshire, surrounded by the bloom of the Derbyshire hills,
presented a picture scarcely to be portrayed. Nearly two hundred and
fifty ball-tickets were received at the door.
The warm expression of gratitude and affection sparkling in every eye
must have excited in the breasts of those noble personages, whose
ancestors were the source of this felicity, a sensation which monarchs
in all their glory might envy. The utmost harmony and felicity prevailed
throughout the whole meeting. A hogshead of ale was distributed to the
populace at Whittington, and three hogsheads at Chesterfield; where the
duke of Devonshire gave also three guineas to each of the eight clubs.
At this meeting party distinctions were forgotten. Persons of all ranks
and denominations wore orange and blue in memory of the great event; and
the most respectable Roman Catholic families vied in their endeavours
to show how just a sense they had of the value of civil liberty.[396]
The Rev. P. Cunningham, of Eyam, a place which readers of the last sheet
can scarcely have forgotten, addressed some stanzas to the Rev. Samuel
Pegge, the rector of Whittington, on occasion of the festivity, together
with the following