Untitled

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2359, 24 October 1870, Page 2

Political. — Mr Birch has issued an address, which appears in another column, it is worth attention, as giving a programme of his political creed. Supreme Court. —The trial of the case of Anderson v, Burke was continued to-day, hut had not concluded when we went to press. The whole of the day was occupied with the addresses of counsel. The case is expected to terminate to-night. Crowded Out.— Pressure on our space compels us to omit correspondence and several items of local intelligence, also a full account of the Battle of Sedan, written expressly for the Ereniiif/ Star, which we shall give to-morrow.

Subscription in Aid oe the WounnED French.— On Saturday evening, at 8 o’clock, a meeting of French residents, with other Colonists took place at the Otago Hotel, for the purpose of taking steps towards raising subscriptions on behalf of the French wounded, widows, and orphans, through the present war. Mr Lanseigne was elected cbaiim n. The Rev. D. Moreau wrote asking to be excused attending, but expressing approbation of the mow meat, not only on national grounds, but on the ground ol our common humanity. He desired that be might he considered a subscriber to the amount of ten pounds. A committee was appointed to carry out the obj. ct of the meeting. The names are : —The I lev. 1). Moreau, Messrs Lanseigne, Court, Nicourt, Fleury, Angan, Ferrand, Odd, Dubois, Bernard, Griffeu, Reews, Copeland, M‘Earthy, Can 11, Burke, Mahoney, O’Brien, Grogan, B i igevs, Marsh, Sproule, and O’Reilly, with power to add to their number. M. Court was appointed Treasurer, and M. Augan, Secretary. 'The committee will meet at the Otago Hotel to-night, at S o’clock. Princess Theatre.—A most salutary change in the character of the pic es selected for representation, as compared with past seasons, has been made at the Pi incess’s. In this consists one of the chief excellences, as it also forms one of the strongest olaims of the new management to public support. The laudable determination to develop the true mission of the stage—to educate the mind and heart, whilst appealing to the imaginat on by the life-pictures it reflect.; to elevate the taste, and inspire a love of all that is beaut ful in art—is apparent in the efforts of the present management. If we say that this is a new feature in the conduct of the Princess's, we do not wish lo reflect nnluly upon the former management. That it acted according to its light there is no doubt. That the pieces presented were, as a rule, not calculated to elevate the taste, and were not in harmony with the public requirements, are facts notorious to us all. But “ the evil that men do lives after them,” and unfortunately some of the evils caused by the old management have devolved upon the now. The dress circle was no longer filled becau c the tastes of its occupants were no longer consulted, and a thoronuh dislike of the stage on which was paraded little to attract and much to condemn, became an article of public faith. Th t Me-srs Willis and Co. will, by their strenuous efforts to raise the character of the stage, overcome the prejudices of the educated c'asses, and he rewarded with the support they so well deserve, we earnestly hope. On Saturday evening there was a large attendance—the pit being crowded—to witness the comedy of “Grist to the Mill,” and the nautical drama of “ The Floating Beacon.” The comedy is simple in story, but reveals some good characters and situations. In commences with a love passage between 'I hiorry Dammit (Mr Metcalfe), a despised nephew of the Marquis do Hiehville (Mr Musgrave) and Francine Preval, the miller’s daughter (Miss Garry George). The exquisite beauty of the miller’s daughter attracts, ns might be expected, more lovers than one ; and Antoine D’Mcrbichct (Mr CpHicr), a man of ancient family and empty purse, puts in his claim and his appearance. Ashe approaches Francine withdraws. After satisfying himself that Thierry Dumont is only by accident sauntering about the mill, Antoine D’Merluchet, improbably enough, lakes him, a stranger, into his confidence, and reveals a plot which he has formed to pos ess himself of some portion of the wealth of the Marquis de Rivliville. This plot has for its object the entrapping the Marquis into a marriage with his sister. Mademoiselle D’Merlucbet (Miss Bushe). Certain implied improprieties have rendered this marriage necessary to the injured honor of the lady. The incidents shadowed forth by the plot are of a piece with the romantic adventure of Mr Pickwick with the middle-aged lady in yellow curl papers, which perhaps furnished the idea. The Marquis, a mean, penurious old man, is not much struck with the prospect of connubial bliss offered in the person of Mademoiselle, and emphatically declines the honor proposed. Nob to be frustrated, however, Antoine D’Merluchet, backed by the innocent Mademoiselle, restates the case to the Prince de Conti (Mr Lawrence), who is on a visit of enquiry into I the province, and who, in the presence of so ranch squalid misery among the people, and so much meanness in the Marquis, is not disposed to view his conduct in a very favorable light; and the plot promises success. But now a change takes place, and confusion threatens D’Merluchet and the injured one. The miller’s daughter, Francine, to whom no doubt the plot has been unfolded by her lover, Thierry Dumont, feeling that bis prospects as bcir to the Marquis would ho jeopardised by the success of D’Mer’utehet’s plot, repairs to the chateau, and whilst assuming the character of the Marchioness do Riehville, disabuses the Prince’s mind of the bad impressions there produced, and puts D’Merluchet and his s ster to utter rout. The %‘arquis, stunned with the assumption of Francine, whom he does not even know, is delighted with the effect she has produced upon the Princ and though wholly unable to divine her object, is content to allow her to play her part. This she does well, though her open-handed liberality to friends) and retainers, proves a fearful blow to the niggardly old Marquis, who groans in evident anguish and sometimes even threatens to rebel. But the Marquis soon becomes enchanted with his little wife, dons a better garb, becomes liberal, astonishes all who have hitherto known him, and seriously meditates making tliis little wotyau—bie wife iufact.

Explanations ensue ; the Prince is informed of the little arts of deception practised upon him, which ha freely forgives, and the whole piece runs on as harmoniously as marriage bells to a highly satisfactory issue Miss Carry George sustained her part of Francine with great truthfulness, feeling, and effect throughout. Miss Lizzie Hushc was also effective as the dignified but faded Mademoisselle D’Merluchct. As the Marquis Mr Musgrave gave us a brilliant piece of acting; and Mr Lawrence, whom we have not seen to greater advantage in light comedy, as the Prince was equally good Mr Collier and Mr Metcalfe also rendered their parts in a highly creditable manner. The piece was well rendered, and the actors warmly applauded. Miss Marion Willis gave, as an interlude, “ a medley dance” in a very plea-ing ami graceful manner, .and was regarded with rapturous plaudits. “ The Floating Beacon,” with which the entertainment concluded, was well sustained in its several parts, and caused immense amusement. Another new comedy, “ Playing with Fire,” will he presented for the first time in Dunedin this evening, when we hope to see a full house.

Mr Bathgate will address the electors in the Masonic Hall this evening at 7.30

A special meeting of the directors of the Caledonian Society of Otago will be held at Wain’s Hotel tins evening, at eight o’clock. A General meeting of the German inhabitants of Dunedin will be held this evening, at the European Hotel, George street, at 8 o’clock. The annual meeting of the members of the Caledonian Society of Otago, to receive the directors’ report for the past year, and to appoint new Directors, will be held at Wain’s Hotel, to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 8 o’clock.