Notes of the Week.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 2, 18 December 1856, Page 2

Notes of the Week.

It would be dangerous to take “ sun portraits” of the various remarkable persons who have figured in our Resident Magistrate’s Court since Dr. Pollen bore “ his blushing honors thick upon him.” Were these dogdays, and hydrophobia common in this part of the world, we should conclude that some of the remarkable persons alluded to had been bitten. Happily, as yet, their demonstrations in the cause of injured innocence have led to no results more serious than the “ shelling out” of some hard cash ; .and the rather free use of some hard words, which fortunately “ break no bones-” We should be sorry to make light of serious matters, or even seem to do so, but if remarkable people will pnt themselves in a false position, the press is bound to register the fact. Sheridan immortalized the industrious gentleman who not only knocked his head against a wall, but built up a wall on purpose to knock his head against it. From all we have heard and seen 'during the last half dozen days, one might imagine that sundry and several leading members of our Constitutional Jparty having familiarized themselves with the idea of immortalized gentleman aforesaid, had resolved upon a practical development in their own way. Assuredly though their heads may be as sound as ever, their cause has suffered much from their imprudence. We are not of any political party, but nevertheless as anxious as any Constitutionalist among them all to give Constitutional policy a fair trial. Our anxiety is to be well governed, and so that we are well governed to us it matters little who holds the reins. It is because the great Constitutional party have reason to exclaim “Save us from onr friends,” that we tell those “ friends” they are betraying the cause they wish to serve. When the personation “ dodge” was found out, what they ought to have done was to make virtue a of necessity,and lighten their political ship by flinging the “ dodgers” overboard. But no; they chivalrously rushed to the rescue; — fought like lions; —got well 'cudgelled for their pains; and “with so much wit as that comes to,” returned to thoir homes sadder if not wiser men. What more ludrieous breakdown than the case against that fabulous person Charles John Taylor, Our aversion to punning is great. Not so great as Dr. Johnson’s, who said the man who made a pun would pick a pocket; but puns we do dislike, unless they happen to be very good, such for example as poor Theodore Hook loved to perpetrate. This case of Teazer in a manner forces us to pun whether we will or not, because it obviously is as regards the Constitutional party not only a case of Teazer, but a decidedly Teazer and Teazing case. It should not have been brought into Court at all. Either it was known, or it was not known, ‘that the name Teazer was a misprint—if it was known Charles John Taylor should have been let alone. If h was not known then those who trumped up against him the “personating” charge with inexcusably ignorant. The dilemma as palpable—parties most concerned may choose which horn they please.

We are informed that the Band of the 58 th Regt, will play every Thursday, (weather permitting,) in that portion of the Domain which fronts Government House. Music is one of civilization’s choicest blessings, and though to affirm that he who hath not music in his soul belongs to a dangerous class would be to affirm more than we are able to prove ; one of our long-standing convictions is that a music hater is to be pitied ; while another is that good music may easily be pressed into the service of good morals, ' Some sour tempered egotists, who

Profoundly dull, insipidly serene. Carry all their wisdom iu their mien, Never dream of the amount of benefit to mankind that would result from everywhere familiarizing the humblest as well as the highest with the wbrks of Weber, Rossini, Auber, and other great composers. We verily believe that Monsieur Julien is one of the greatest reformers of the age, though he is not given to talk politics, and by no means sets himself up for a statesman More than any other man of our time he has contributed to develope in the million a taste for music, without at the came time developing in them a taste for mischief. A taste for first-class music is not the growth of a day. Few good things are. Idle weeds proverbially grow apace, aad with exceptions rare, that is least valuable which soonest comes to maturity. It will be long ere the people of Auckland have either leisure or inclination to make music an object of public and special concern. How to live and grow rich is now the question. How to live well and subordinate mere money grubbing to matters infinitely more important will be the puestioir by and bye.

If the people of Auckland wait for a complete Plan of Education until the ministers of our various sects are of one mind upon that subject why such Plan may for on the eve of St. Tibbs. Each seewtiffened into uniformity by what Milton aptly names the starch of trodition, nothing can be done in the way of educating our youth. Each sect will have its own Plan—or none. The plan proposed by the Freedom of Religion Society is declared by the Church party a scheme which would “ necessarily be to a large portion of the community religious error.” In a letter published quite recently the Rev. John Frederick Lloyd, thus addresses the Editor of the “Cross”—“You say very properly ‘ we ourselves would be the very last to advocate purely secular instruction. Such would enevitably bring us down to the faithless, lucre-worship-ing condition of the United States.’” Smart slap in the face this for the Freedom of Religion Society. No doubt the blow will be returned with interest. Indeed, nothing but confusion can come out of the struggle between rival clericals now going on. We would willingly have left the Education question in the hands of Superintendent Williamson did we not fear that he is likely to be stuck fast between the rival claims of snarling sects —as it were between the sides of a cleft, stick. Uur own Plan of Education shall appear in the" next issue. We are sick of the schemes of sectarians in canonicals and have prepared a Plan upon the Jeffersonian principle that about which all men agree is probably right while that about which all men differ is probably wrong. V e are glad that Mr. George Vaile has taken the field against the newest “scheme” of Education. It is time to make a strong effort for common sense and common justice. Did the clergy but mind their own peculiar and proper business, educating our youth would be an easy affair. With regard to the Provincial Connell’s proposals Air. V aile has favoured us with a formidable looking article which we will avail ourselves of.

Although times are dull we hope the caterers for public amusement will not forget that Christmas is coming. It appears from an advertisement in another column that on BoxingNight Mr. Southwell will give another Ball in his spacious, convenient, apd elegant-looking Salle de Danse, Victoria-street. His former Ball was carefully managed and gave universal sasisfaction. Two other Soirees I)ansa ntes have taken place there since, but with the management of these Mr. Fouthwell had nothing to do. On Boxing Night all the arrangements will be made under his own eye and by his own direction. Mr. Fleetwood (whose services in connection with so many of our late vocal entertainments have been publically acknowledged) gave the first of a series of Concerts on Monday evening, in the Odd Fellow’s Hall. The talent announced as “ being available,” consisted of Alessrs. Brown, Culpan, Leach, Wilkinson and Williamson. A large audience attended notwithstanding the counter attraction of Mr. Hamer’s lecture at the Mechanics’ Institute. With the exception of a slightiy disagreeable effect upon our nerves olfactoly and optic produced by luminaries, in the shape of counterfeit spermacities supplied to Air. Fleetwood by & friend, but which was speedily remedied by the production of a better article, the arrangements were unexceptionable. Our space will not allow us to particularize each part of the night’s performance. Air. Fleetwood executed upon the piano a variety of pieces in his best manner. The glees were beautifully rendered. Calcott’s “ Peace to the souls of the Heroes,” and Horsley’s “By Celia’s Arbour” deserve most special notice The duet of Alessrs. Brown and Fleetwoi d, from “ Puritan i,” was rewarded by an encore richly deserved. Five solos were sung, the first by Mr. Leech “In happy days of yore,” ina style we were not prepared for. Mr. Leach has wonderfully improved, and will ere long stand second to none in our city as a tenor. Mr. Eleetwood’s song “In happy Aloments” was well received but we prefer him in concerted music, where his fine alto tells with great effect. In the glees he was excellent. “ Philip Falconer,” by Air. Brown was sung in his usual taseful style, and Air. Wilkinson’s “ Rock’d in the cradle of the Deep,” and produced a warm encore. We regret that this gentleman should not appear more frequently. His absence from our musical entertainments creates a. blank not easy to be filled. The newly arrived Baritone Air. Williamson sang “ The last Alan.” This gentleman is a musician of promise, and no doubt, after a little more practice be an acquisition to our musical circles.