MASONIC HALL.

Evening Star, Issue 2820, 2 March 1872, Page 2

MASONIC HALL.

Last evening the pupils of the High School repeated Shakespeare’s tragedy of “ Julius C;o:>ar at the Masonic Hail. Owing to the cold and threatening weather, the Hall was not so crowded as on its first representation, but yet it was well filled. The arrangements, especially so far as the music was concerned, were very superior to the last exhibition. This is attributable to their having been placed in professional hands, and through having ample professional assistance. Mr Martin had specially arranged the several pieces played by the band with the exception of the overture, and the steadiness and precision which marked their placing were equally creditable to the performers and (.heir conductor. The tragedy had been shortened in one or two of the scenes rather unceremoniously and without sufficient care to preserve the continuity of incident. Perhaps owing to this a little confusion of idea was once or twice apparent, but not such as to mar the effect. In an exhibition of thij kind there are great educational advsntages. Youths who may in a few years be called upon to take an active p irt in public affairs acquire confidence and a correct style of elocution that aro of the utmost importance. Who has not listened with pain to the utterances of able business men whose nervous timidity, when they have attempted to address an audience, has totally prevented their expressing valuable thoughts with anything like force or propriety of diction ? Who is there that does not devoutly wish every Sunday that most of our ministers had been taught the right use of their voices, so that they might by aequirementa in oratory give pleasure, as well as instructions, 'to their cung egatious ? Contrast their mannerisms with the splendid elocu ion of Black i., his oration over dead > fesarr or with Park as Marcus Brutus, or Solomon as Cassius, or with Little as Galphurnia, or Paterson as Portia. Granted that the merits of these youths aro unequal, so are their ages ; but each in his part was more effective in delivering the ideas of another than most men are in expressing th ir own. We are somewhat amused at the nervous apprehen-ions and inconsistencies of some very good men in their condemnation of this very necessary element of elocution in education. They ■ an look with complacency upon a wooden shoe dance, or listen to a “reading” or a recitation, or even go so far as to sanction, if nut take part in “ Kiss in the ring” at a Sunday school gathering. These, of course, in their minds aro not educational practices : but if a Jad puts on a toga, and with evi-

deuce of intellect, and with cultivated vcjipp and appropriate action, shfftns fell, or how Mark Anthoixy mqved the population of Rome, they are horror struck. The barbarous is allowable; the refined, shocking. Without further analysing the performance, we were glad to see in these lads the promise of orators like Brutus, who, when their turn comes to take part in the affairs of the country, will commend the applause of “listening senates,” and move “ admiring crowds ” to equity and justice. The concert which followed, was mod; pleasing. It opened with sclecti ms from “ II Puritani ” very admirably arranged by Mr Martin, and well played by the band. The “Gipsy Chorus,” by amateurs, was correctly given. Mrs T. White, who kindly gave her services, was in excellent voice, and captivated the audience by her splendid singing of “La Vivandiere.” On receiving an enthusiastic encore, she gave a sweet balladmosteffectively. Mr Lyons, whose rich tenor voice alwa s insures favorable reception, sang “Beautiful Isle of the Sea, ” very sweetly and expressively. But the most difficult and artistic effort of the evening was Mrs T. White’s song, “Sweet and Low,” with flute obligato by Mr Martin. To render such a composition effectively, professional skill is necessary, and last evening it was combined. Mrs White sang with cquisire taste and feeling : Mr Martin p aye I brilliantly, and Miss Bell accompanied thorn on the piano with care, precision, and effect. The Misses Jago sang a duet, which Jed to a recal, for which, however, they were unprepared. Miss Webb’s “Jessies’s Dream,” was deservedly encored. Miss Bell’s duties as pianist were onerous, as she played in every piece throughout the evening The scenic effects were conducted by Mr Willis, whose professional skill contributed much to the successful representation of the tragedy. The piano, a very good instrument, was supplied by Mr Chades Begg.