{{Short description|1778 festival}} thumb|The Meschianza procession, 1876, ''Century illustrated'', volume 12 The '''Mischianza''' ({{IPA|it|miˈskjantsa|pron}}; Italian for "medley" or "mixture"), or '''Meschianza''', was an elaborate fête given in honor of British General Sir William Howe in Philadelphia on May 18, 1778.{{sfn|Ellet|1849|p=182}}
Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America during the early years of the Revolution, had resigned his post and was about to return to England.{{sfn|Ellet|1849|p=182}} The ball was thrown by his corps of officers, who put up a sum of 3,312 guineas to pay for it.{{sfn|Stern|2010|p=128}} The events, which were planned by Captains John André and John Montresor and others,{{sfn|Stern|2010|p=128}} included a regatta along the Delaware River, accompanied by three musical bands and a 17-gun salute by British warships, a procession, a tournament of jousting knights, and a ball and banquet with fireworks display.
[[File:Mischianza_ticket.gif|thumb|Mischianza ticket designed by Captain John André]] The site was Walnut Grove, the mansion of Joseph Wharton.{{sfn|Stern|2010|p=128}} The crowd of over 400 guests{{sfn|Stern|2010|p=128}} included Admiral of the Fleet Richard Lord Howe, the general's brother; General Henry Clinton, commandant at New York and Howe's replacement;{{sfn|Ellet|1849|pp=182–183}} Peggy Shippen, future wife of Benedict Arnold; Peggy Chew, daughter of Benjamin Chew;{{sfn|Stern|2010|p=240}} Rebecca Franks, daughter of loyalist David Franks;{{sfn|Ellet|1849|p=180}} Lord Cathcart;{{sfn|Ellet|1849|p=184}} Banastre Tarleton; and Wilhelm von Knyphausen, a General of the Hessians, a mercenary unit of the German Military.
André, who was "social director" to the army in winter, was known as a poet, actor, etc. He was also well known as a competent violinist. As stage director, he painted background scenes for plays staged by British troops.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Bibliography== * {{Cite book |last=Ellet |first=E. F. (Elizabeth Fries) |url=http://archive.org/details/womenofamericanr00elle |title=Women of the American Revolution |date=1849 |publisher=New York, Baker & Scribner}} * {{cite book | last1=Stern | first1=Mark Abbott |url=https://archive.org/details/davidfrankscolon0000ster/page/n7/mode/2up?q=Mischianza+ |title=David Franks : colonial merchant | year=2010 | publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press |isbn=978-0-271-03669-4}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111154/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1974/5/1974_5_69.shtml Article in ''American Heritage'' magazine] by Morris Bishop
Category:Music festivals in Philadelphia Category:Philadelphia in the American Revolution Category:History of Philadelphia Category:Italian words and phrases Category:1778 in Pennsylvania
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