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Evening Star, Issue 2857, 16 April 1872, Page 2

Edible Fungus.—The collection of edible fungus originated by a Chinese merchant in Wellington, lias become a branch of industry in Otago ; also, Messrs Kum Goon Lee and Co. having shipped by the barque Seagull, for Hong Kong, 131 bales of lint commodity, valued at LBOO. “John” is evidently of opinion that “mouy a mickle makes a muckle,” though probably he never heard the saying. Princess Theatre.—Lord Lytton’s historical play of “ Blchelieu ” was repeated last evening, and was well received by the audience. Mr Tavares and Miss Surtees depicted the principal characters admirably, and were repeatedly called before the curtain. The other characters were creditably filled by the members of the company—notably Miss Anstead, and Messrs Glover and O’Brien. The performance concluded with the farce of “ A Kiss in the Dark,” in which the excellent acting of Miss Anstead and Mr Hydes fairly carried the house with them. To-night Boucicault’s comedy of “ London Assurance” will be p;oduced, with Mr Tavares as Sir Harcourt Courtley, and Miss Surtees as Lady Gay Spanker; the whole concluding with “Tom Noddy’s Secret.” Such an inviting bill of fare deserves the warm support of the public. Professor Haselmayer —Sleight of hand tricks, though apparently so easily performed, really require more than ordinary attainments in science and art. Moat sciences lend their aid to them—chemistry, hydrostatics, even zoology, and above all, mechanics. We have felt much interested in reading a short biographical sketch of Professor Haselmayer, whose fame has preceded him. It points not only to the peculiar genius of the man, but his persevering industry. Educated at college in Vienna, his natural bent led him to the investigation and study of the means of producing mechanical illusions and constructing what, for want of a better term, we may call magical apparatus. We need not relate how gradually he acquired skill, and was called upon to minister to the amusement of the Emperor. Wc can easily understand that such a man would not be content with reproducing only what was known. His experiments naturally led to investigating the properties of substances, and therefore we are less surprised that he should have contrived to draw music out of that most unlikely combination—wood and inda-rubber, of wuich bis “ Stylocarfe ” is made, than that music should be obtainable from it. Genius alone could have found it in such unlikely stuff, but having found it, genius was required to make it available. A striking instance of his intellectual energy is given in the determination evinced by him to master the English language, so as to enable him to appear before an English audience and give the necessary explanations. The necessity of this was forced upon him in a merica, where he was obliged to concede the leading position to another professor wit whom he travelled, because, being master of the talking business, he monopolised the credit of Professor Haselmayer s talent. From this slight sketch, were oo outline of what may be anticipated given, expectation would be naturally raised, for it is felt such a man cannot be content with mediocrity. The names appended to a long array of testimonials verify this conclusion. Managers of theatres, public school boards, and others unite with the Press in commendation of his performances. He has enlisted birds and. mice in his service, and has contrived to leach them

to do his bidding. The long list of tricks that they perform, we suppose will be duly announced when they are ready for ther work ; and we shall be better justified in spea dug of their merits when we have seen what they can do, than accepting the testimony of others.

The attention of Volunteers is directed to a general order which appear in our advertising columns to-day. A general meeting of the Saturday Half-holiday Association will be held in the Hatl below the Athenaeum this evening at eight o’clock. The rehears al of the Dunedin Choral Society, called for this evening, has, in consequence of the Hall being engaged, been postponed to Friday. We notice that an entertainment in aid of the Fort Obahners Mechanics Institute, will be given at the Royal Assembly '■feoms, this evening, by the amateurs of the H.M.S., Rosario, The quarterly entertainment of the senior pupils of the South Dunedin School, as'istcd by lady and gentlemen amateurs will take place in the Schoolroom, (top of Stafford street,) on Thur .day evening. From the excellent programme provided, a copy of which will be fonud in another column, and the well known talent of many of the amateurs announced, a good evening’s enjoyment may be certainly anticipated.