On the 15th of August, 1763, the "Boston Post-Boy" gives the following account of the celebration of a royal birthday:—
BOSTON, Auguſt 15.
On Friday being the Birth-Day of the Prince of Wales, and the Anniverſary of the Acceſſion of the Houſe of Hanover, and alſo of the Surrender of the Havanna, which was the immediate Means of bringing about the Peace; at One o'Clock the Guns at the Caſtle and Town Batteries were Fired; and in the Evening his Excellency the Governor gave a Ball at Concert Hall. There were preſent about 240 Gentlemen and Ladies; the Ball was opened by General Shirley and the Governor's Lady about 8 o'Clock; the Country Dances began about nine, and about ten a Supper Room was opened, where was a very handſome Collation. The Ladies made a brilliant Appearance, and the Company expreſſed the higheſt Pleaſure and Satisfaction on the Occaſion, and broke up about two in the Morning. The whole was conducted with the greateſt Order, Elegance and Decorum.
The great military "occasion" of those days was the annual parade of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. In June, 1763, that Company celebrated its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary. In the "Boston Post-Boy" of June 13 we have this account:—
Monday laſt, agreeable to ancient Cuſtom, the Artillery Company of the Province, appeared under Arms, being the Anniverſary of the Election of Officers for the Company: A Sermon was preached by the Rev'd Mr. Balch of Dedham, at the Old Brick Meeting-Houſe, where his Excellency the Governor, the Members of his Majeſty's Council and Houſe of Repreſentatives, with a Number of other Gentlemen, attended; after which they proceeded to Faneuil-Hall, where an elegant Dinner was provided; and in the Afternoon the following Gentlemen were choſen for the enſuing Year, viz.
Thomas Marſhall, Eſq; Captain,
Mr. Joſiah Waters, Lieutenant,
Mr. Jeremiah Belknap, Enſign.
In the Evening a plentiful Repaſt was given by the Officers newly elected, at Faneuil-Hall; where many loyal Healths were drank.