AS OTHERS SEE US.

Evening Star, Issue 3101, 27 January 1873, Page 2

AS OTHERS SEE US.

“Notes on the Governor’s visit to DunI edin,” is the title of a contribution to the Lyttelton Times , in which the writer, a resident of Dunedin, is very bard on what he regards as “ toadyism” on the part of a portion of the publjc : From the arch the vice regal carriages and guards of honor, and crowds cheering and otherwise, native chiefs, dignitaries of state, and citizens on horseback, not in order which the newspaper advarti eraent as* s gned to them, proceeded to Government House, where there were a few hundred children, who, on the appearance of the “ertege,” as we were told in the pubi c prints, broke out into the National Anthem. I did not witness this ceremony, but a friend who did said it was execrable. That it could not have be. n, for there is a charm about children’s voices, which is always there, no matter what their owners do with them, i e., as long as they confine themselves to singing. The public prints said it was magnificent, they also said that it was the early development of the loyal instincts of an ancient people. After the illustrious guests were quietly sattleddown in their home and beginning to enjoy life, they were seized by a ruthless public and made to work like i slaves for their entertainment The Flower Show, the Agricultural Show, the Friendly Societies’ pic-nic, the Caledonian games, the German something or-other ejn, whoweutout and figured somewhere, claimed their attention. After the official business, if they kept on the thrones prepared for them, they were the centres of attraction ; if they got down and moved amongst the“ festive throng,” as Wj were next day assured they did in the most amiable m mner, they were still the centres of attraction though on a smaller scale. Only a few could get a dew, and they seemed actuated by a desire to touch them and see if they were alive, and having found that they were, it seemed their determination to discover the actual amount of pressure they could submit to without being smothered. At the Agricultural Show I saw a rush of people to some object, and a crush round it; being of an enquiring turn I found my way to the inner circle, when, wnat was my horror to see. not the runaway sheep, or dead horse, or even maimed and dying human being, that I thought would reward my exertions by the spectacle of his mortal agonies or ghastly corpse, but Lady Bowen quietly carrying on a conversation, andlooking distressed and rather nervous, with that curious vacant expression that comes to people who arc trying to avoid a thousand pairs of eyes without losing the dignity of their own appearance. Then there was a Masonic Ball, at which none but masons were admitted, the only exception being the guest of the evening. Our contemporary's declared this to be the ball of all balls, never was anything so successful. And then came the announcements of the names of those fortunate enough to dance in the vice-regal set, and those who had been honored as partners for vico-regal persons, and lastly came of course the usual compliment to host X for the supper, and the band, under the leadership of the wed-known, Ac., Ac., whb of coni-se were made as usual to “discourse” music that vyas Ac., Ac. The last public festivity was the Citizens Bali, at which I was present, and which I enjoyed, meeting a large number of particular friends. But some there were who did not think with me ; they were represented by the Mayor of Dunedin, who achieved distinction in his speech on fbia occasion. He -told ua that Lady Bowen was decidedly lady-like in her manners, and that she knew how to receive visitors, that she was agreeable and kind, and I can’t conceive why he didn’t go on to say that she was tall and handsome. He then said that it was desirable that Lady Bowen should be a resident of Dunedin, and when her ladyship had acknowledged the compliment by a faint smile, and a still fainter inclination of the head, pur worthy Mayor went on to give the reason for his wish for this very desirable event. He said that the presence of Lady Bowen would break down those crude barriers which divided society in the absurd and exclusive manner in which they did. What he meant by “ crude” bar. riers, no one appeared to know, and I don't think he himself did, for he begged permit sion to use the expression. Sir George, in replying to this effusion, eclipsed himself, tie said he would not make a long speech ; at any other time be was good for an indefinite period, but on this occasion the shadow of the terrible word farewell (quaver) that was so soon to be spo-o-ken (tremor?) hung over him in snch a manner as to incapacitate him from any lengthened efforts of oratory. And so, amidst cheers and clattering g’asses he sat down. The supporters of the Mayor declared the ball to be not the thing, and stiff. What they meant or what they wanted is not clear. On this occasion everybody danced everywhere throughout the room ; there was not much making up ot sets, though of course some. Was everybody expected to rush about and'address everybody else, and dance with everybody else quite promiscuous-like ? Were there to be no introductions, and are people not to be allowed to dance with tfceir friends if they prefer it ? What do these people want, X wonder f