noon
More dancing then occupied us , till we were summoned to supper , which was served in a saloon one hundred and eighty feet long , gaily painted and decorated ; and made brilliant by a great number of lustres hung from the roof , while looking-glasses , chandeliers , and girandoles decked the walls , the whole enlivened by garlands of flowers and festoons of silk and ribbons . Here we were waited upon by twenty-four negroes in blue and white turbans and party-coloured clothes and sashes , whilst the most pathetic music was performed by a concealed band . Toasts to the king and queen , the royal family , the army and navy , with their respective commanders , the knights and their ladies , and the ladies in general , were drunk in succession , each followed by a flourish of music , when once again the dancing was resumed , and lasted till the orb of day intruded his presence upon us . `` Sir William left us at noon to-day , regretted by the whole army , and , as I write this , I can hear a salute of guns in honour of Sir Henry Clinton 's assuming the command . Pray Heaven he does not remove dadda . `` At last I know , Tibbie , what court life must be like . '' Three days after the departure of Howe , the squire came into dinner , a paper in hand , and with a beaming face .