The tribunes, being but one hundred in number, sit in a small hall appropriate to their use. There is a gallery, which from the specimen of eloquence displayed this day, I was not surprised to find nearly empty. The tribunes wear a uniform of blue cloth, embroidered with silver, hussar boots also edged with silver, white waistcoats, blue pantaloons, and a tricoloured sash. They also begin and end their meetings with military honours. I am, &c. LETTER X. _Bal des étrangers_, (a public subscription ball).—Thinness of the ladies’ dresses. Paris, december 27th, 1801 (6th nivôse). MY DEAR SIR, I was last night at a public ball, given by a club or society, called, “le salon des étrangers.” This is an establishment, formed on the plan of our subscription houses in England, and lately opened in a handsome hotel in _la rue Grange Batelière_, the windows of which look on the Boulevard. It consists of frenchmen, who are admitted by ballot, and of foreigners of all nations. The latter are received, (being introduced by a member) on paying the annual subscription of five louis. The house is handsomely furnished, and consists of several large rooms, which are open every morning and evening, for the use of the subscribers. Besides the ordinary games played in such sort of houses, there is a very excellent billiard table, and a room fitted up for reading, in which are found periodical publications, and all the newspapers, french, german, and english. It was this latter circumstance which induced me to subscribe; and it is here where I usually end my walk, and amuse myself for half an hour, in running over the publications of the day. The club or society, by way I suppose of gaining to its aid the protection and interest of the fair, without which nothing is to be done in France, or, to speak the truth, any where else, gives a ball, about once in ten days, and it was at one of these assemblies, that I was present last night.