FORESTERS' FETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1338, 12 November 1872, Page 2

FORESTERS' FETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

The Foresters held their annual fete on 20th August, aud it was unexampled in point of numbers 5 .the building, the terraces, and every part of the grounds were thronged with pleasure-seekers, who' were evidently determined to secure- the. full amount of their day's pleasure. . A t twelve the orchestral band of the Crystal Palace Company performed in the transept, and at one the members of the several lodges of Foresters mustered on the cricketground, whence they marched in procession to and along the terrace, many of them being attired in their medley cosr tumo of green velvet, trimmed with ermine, and dis^layiug their f lill regalia, with their banners, &c. After the procession there was a 'display of the entire system of water temples and waterworks; followed by the performances of the evergreen Blondin on the high rope, which was stretched from the centre transept gallery across the second terrace. Of his feats.it is needless to speak, but it is wonderful to note how he continues to maintain his vigour and skill, which are equal to-day to what they have ever been. Atter the performances in the air came feats on the water— canoe races and rowing matches on the northern basin, with swimming races by the pupils of Professor Beckwith, many. of., which were capitally contested. There were ako displays o f

comic rowing by clowns, rowing in tubs, &c, and the greasy pole was not forgotten. It was stretched out over the lake, a cage containing a small pig being suspended from the further extremity. Many' futile attempts were made to reach the end of the pole, but at length the >■ vibrations became so considerable as to give poor piggy some severe duckings, and after a time the bottom of the cage fell out, and the animal fell into the water, „ followed by all the competitors, jumped in to save him. The aquatic sports concluded with a papital duck hunt, and just about this time two balloons, the first bearing the name of Stanley, were sent up. At six_ o'clock the Siamese juvenile gymnasts displayed -. their feats on the great stage in /the cen- f tral transept, and the palace was lighted up for promenade till 10 p.m. Dancing was briskly kept up during the afternoon in various parts of the grounds, and it was the general opinion that the Foresters might set clown this as their most successful fete. The official return of visitors makes the number present 84,955.