THE BANNOCKBURN CONCERT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 154, 22 October 1872, Page 5

THE BANNOCKBURN CONCERT.

eS “ Amateur concerts are getting as common ! *1 of the Peace,” said a sarcastic! Ie individual to me, the other day. Yet, nu- j I” merous as they have lately been in this dis-j .«• there appears to be no backwardness or vs "nwill.nguess on the part of its inhabitants i reu er any performance got up for their | e( j jmusement, when for the furtherance of use-; ™ °r meritorious purposes, as successful as it deserves to be. That miners and others associated with a them do not altogether “ scorn delights and ,c ' * lve laborious days,” is evident from the cum■o‘ Wendable readiness displayed by such a ad pediy number of persons on Friday night ■te hst.to respond to the invitation held out to ns ' aem V the Bannockburn School Coinmit’i).- . e ; The entertainment of that evening was i n . itself sufficient requital Joy the long disan r nCe , Wany le au 4iei\g§ must have had to ravel by the moon’s light; nor could ■ lose the most discreet fn handling their 1 , do otherwise than evince their y truncation at having assisted towards the n ’ «* a laudable object, whilst being 'P, , tae same time fully compensated by the hi® | eas ’ lre they could scarcely fail of receiving, ig. ' . ortae bill of fare was of a hind calculated ith- cnjoyiuent aud satisfaction to the trd a- ® appetite. Perfection, in anyt S> is not casSy attainable j sp» therefore,-

1 apprehend that when praiseworthy efforts, are made for the benefit of a coihmtfmty or a' deserving person, by certain individuals,' public will exhibit a generous spirit towards) them) and fook'with clembricy on any little} imperffotfons or shortcomiligs which such’ individuals might unavoidably be guilty of.; Especially when consideratfdn" is taken of the? fact (that iSelfeaggrandiaemteht'ls totally ig-; ’nored by them; .on the.contrary-, their efforts* are to please ahd to'be useful, and these' efforts, too, expense and loss of time. So it is, that what is often; looked upon as.undue praise is in rb.il.ty only welUmerifod approbation. :s ’ The first part of the programme was not. fulfilled in its integrity, 1 as printed. Several of the performers made themselves conspicuous by their absence. But the urbanity of several volunteers who kindly came forward prevented any unpleasantness or confusion. The audience, by their acclamations, proved the truth of the old adage auent the superiority of volunteers over pressed men. Considering the uniform enthusiasm of the applause that followed the efforts of the different vocalists, to particularise would be invidious. Still, a passing tribute to the only lady amateur would be only Just. The possessor of a sweet and well- modulated voice, who -has the tact to select songs in unison therewith, and who is able to sing them with taste and feeling, will, doubtless, be anxious y sought after in future. Miss Clare, in a word, made a successful dibU at the Bannockburn, as an amateur.

A stranger to the district, on b?ing asked whether he had seen the “ Ja.v breakers,” would be apt to indulge in the idea that something appalling was being referred to. The appellation apart from its su roun i igs certainly sma ;ks of the terrific. To me, the name is suggestive of pugilism and heavy hitting, rather than of being the grotesque name for a company of minstrels.' Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that the Jawbreakers made a decided hit on Friday night last. The Jawbreakers were joy-makers on that occ ision, being more than usually entert lining and diverting. The sings were happily chosen, and were sung with good effect, and the different choruses were given with a degree of euphony and concord seldom heard even amongst professionals. Considerable credit is due to fresh blood instilled into the company. The tambonrinist (Mr Pirker) was much admired for the graceful profi ;iency he displayed in handling his instrument. Mr Telly, also, sang uncommonly well, as did Mr iuthrie, whose second violin was an excellent acquisition. Our old friend Bones (Mr Chadwick) fairly kept the audience in a roar. He is both determined tnd able to please. The sentimental songs of Mr Simpson wen given by him in his usually p'eaaant and effective style. Nor is he wanting in the comic element, as witness his “ Walking ‘ n the Zoo” at the conclusion of the first part of the concert.

Let. the Jawbreakers (I) m iin'a’n the coirpany they now have, for with Mr Moore as leader they cannot fail in drawing a good house. ' Orpheus.