The ball given on the Monday night of last week by Sir John Whitaker Ellis, Lord Mayor of London, and the Lady Mayoress, at Guildhall, was a very successful affair. The interior of that interesting old building, with the adjoining Guildhall Library, was skilfully and tastefully decorated for this festive occasion by the City Architect and Mr. A. Murray; the covered entrances, in Guildhall-yard, were adorned with banners and shields bearing armorial devices, and the front was draped in crimson. The corridors were hung with heavy curtains looped up with silk cords and yellow tassels, to shut out the draughts. From the library the ordinary desks and chairs had been removed, and at the north end were arranged chairs of state for the civic dignitaries. The library floor, being of polished wood, proved most suitable for dancing; but the floor of the Great Hall was laid with prepared canvas. Promenades and refreshment-rooms were fitted up in all the corridors and official apartments, in the Court of Exchequer, and in the Crypt beneath. A little before nine o'clock the Lord Mayor arrived, and, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and supported by the Sheriffs, preceded by the City Marshal, Sword and Mace Bearers, entered the library, the band of Messrs. Coote and Tinney playing some popular music the while. Among those presented were the Mayors of Durham, Bradford, Leamington, Walsall, Coventry, Oswestry, Abingdon, Ryde, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Newport, Derby, and Liverpool, the majority wearing chains of office, others without any insignia of municipal dignity, and in plain evening dress. Many guests came in Court costume; but the members of the Court of Lieutenancy in their scarlet uniform trimmed with silver lace. The reception occupied half an hour, when a procession was formed again, and entered the Great Hall, around which they promenaded to a march played by the band of the Grenadier Guards, stationed in the gallery. Dancing in this chamber recommenced, when, in a set of the Lancers, his Lordship had for his partner the Mayoress of Liverpool, their vis-à-vis being the Mayor of Liverpool and the Lady Mayoress, whilst the sides were formed by Alderman Knight and Lady Hanson, and Alderman Sir R. Hanson and Mrs. Baker, wife of the Mayor of Manchester. It was a pleasant evening, agreeable to hosts and guests.
Source: The Illustrated London News, July 1, 1882, p.22