INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF DEMONSTRATION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1039, 24 October 1877, Page 2

INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF DEMONSTRATION.

(Where we left off.) Just about this time the display of cricket was truly magnificent, and the poor scorers were becoming gradually overcome—through work of course—when a sad accident occurred which gave them a short respite. Dr.Pangloss, A.S.S., while trying an ancient catch, sent by Mephistopheles, lost the run of his nose. Fortunately the Butcher was present, and, having artistically squared matters, the “ perkisites” were handed to the Chef de Cuisine, and play was resumed, the run-getting again “ waxing fast and furious” (that’s original and appropriate). Our first intention was to issue a special supplement, to enable us to give the individual scores, but that idea we have had to abandon for want of space, suffice it to say they are by this time the earnest topic of conversation at Lord’s, and amounted, in the aggregate, exactly to 00000000001. }. Where all so distinguished themselves it would be invidious to particularise any player, but it becomes our duty in justice to say that at least four numbers of that brilliant score were contributed by Mister Fourth Estate with his own two blessed hands and legs, after which wonderful achievement he was missing for a little while, and was eventually and very naturally found by the whip for the Team, at the back of Maples’s tent, binding up his wounds, and lustily calling for yet “ another pint.” Need we say more to show what they must have suffered “for the cause.”

A little group next attracts attention, and here a lady versed in the mysteries of the planets is telling Jem Baggs his fortune. Jem crosses her palm with the last of the family plate in the shape of a shilling with a hole in it; a few moments of deep consideration follow, during which the bystanders look on pins and needles, and then the lady, with intense grief pourtrayed in her lovely countenance, delivers herself thus—“Jem, if you don’t soon sell those clothes of yours, you’ll lose by them.” Jem at once retires, not a better, but certainly a sadder and a wiser man. Struck with the correctness of Jem’s fortune, your own gawkey borrows a shilling, and learns his fate—“ You have much spirit” (I hadn’t taken a drop, I assure you, sir), “You would not die without a struggle.” I felt brave, and good, and might have continued to feel so, had not my lending friend jeeringly suggested a hempen proximity during the struggling epoch. I leave. The general supposition that some furriners cannot be civilised was shown to be a mistake, as, after lunch-time, a child could have played with Don Derango de Deering, and a great deal of amusement both he and his well tamed dog caused to the many who interviewed them.

Another try to have a look at Richardson's, but failing to pass the two gentlemen at the door, who desired us before passing in, in some strange language that sounded like “anti up” first, we find the scene too harrowing, and again visit the Terpsichoreans. What a sight meets our eye—among the light fantastics ■who are going it, is one the envy of all beholders. He is a member of a certain Estate, and trips it as if he were on his native heath. Poetry and grace combine in every wavy movement, and indifferent to the applause each struggle of his induces, he feels his name is more than Norval! Envy takes possession of us, and •we leave.

How we could have sipped the bloom off the cheeks of that fair fiower-girl who so coaxingly bewitched us into giving her a llattened out button for “ only one little llower,” is known best to ourselves. A look at the well-known Wizard of the East, who is amazing so many, and it is time to shake hands, with the Indian beggarwoman, if we wish to be by ourselves on our journey home ; and during our reflections that follow we thank Providence for being included among Canterbury’ children, who, when appealed to to aid their suffering fellow-creatures in a distant clime, did not sit down to weep for them, but in the person of every man, woman, and child, rose up as “one man,” remembering the blessings bestowed in this land of plenty, and while amusing others and themselves in their efforts to draw out the biggest coin from their pockets, felt as they cheerfully handed it over — “ And shall we not give, That so willingly take, A tithe of our gains For sweet charity’s sake.” Yes, Canterbury has acted nobly ! She felt £450 worth of the right kind of sorrow for the poor Indians yesterday. We all feel proud of her, and well we may; and we also feel fervently grateful to the committee who initiated the gala day, and deeply so to those ladies and gentlemen of the Gaiety who worked so hard to assist the committee in the general success ; to the bauds who looked and played so often and so nicely, and to everybody generally. The following are the nett proceeds of the day ; £ s. d. Taken at the gates ... . . 302 10 0 Richardson’s show ... ... 71 10 0 Indian Beggar-woman ... ... 46 0 Wizard of the N.N.E. ... ... 7 0 0 New Zealand Poet Laureate ... 10 5 0 Fortune-teller and Flower-girl ... 10 0 0 Votaries of Terpsichore 11 9 0 Gift auction (Selig and Atkinson) 11 9 0 donation from Mr Maples . 20 0 0 Donation per Mr Briggs 1 0 0 Gaiety Theatre (half proceeds) 40 O !> Theatre Royal (half proceeds) . 37 4 6 £526 13 6