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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 976, 24 March 1871, Page 2

On many farms in Canterbury during the past reason the crops have been threshed from the shocks instead of going through the usual processes of being stacked. The London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald writes :—As a rule we have had very little display of public feeling here in relation to ihe war, bnh xhis comparatively quiet state of affairs does not seem destined to last much longer. Songs are said to be more potent than laws in determining the sentiments of a nation. Of this we are just now having a 'characteristic example. When the Middlesex magistrates banished ballets from the boards of the Alhambra Palace, iu seemed as if nothing could the ruin of that famous resort c>f the votaries of gay life. It was confidently predicted that

its shares would become utterly worthless, and the whole undertaking terminate in bankruptcy. Boj: it is unsafe to attempt prophecy in these latter days. Even Zadkiel has for once found events too strong for him, and widely refrains from thrusting his predictions upon the attention of the sapient multitude. Instead of the Alhambra being ruined, it is more flourishing than ever. The seats have nearly all been taken away, yet there is scarcely standing room to be obtained. Eight after night the building is packed in a manner known only on the nights of the Derby and the University boat race. And such a crowd ! Fiery, impulsive, and alarmingly enthusiastic; utterly unlike ain ordinary English gathering, although palpably English in its component parts. Terpsichore could never boast such a votive throng, not even when ebe stooped to degrade her art by tolerating the ungraceful Can can. How she must envy the goddess of song her nighily triumph, for it is not in hopes of again beholding the graceful agility of Mdlle. Pitteri that these thousands nightly throng the Leicester Sqnar-e Music Temple, but 10 hear the heartstirring strains of the leading French and German war-songs. Great is the excitement when, precisely at half-past 10, the magnificent band, one of the finest in England, commence the wellknown strain of the " Wacht am Khein." The German partisans present give a tremendous cheer, which is followed by a round of hisses from the opposite party, after which Mdlle. Siedle and Herr Waldmann are allowed to sing the opening verse; but when the chorus is taken up with wonderful vocal power by the Germans, whose stentorian lungs prove more than a match for the crashing thunders of the band, then a terrific medley of hisses and groans, accompanied by cries of " A bas le Prussiens," are everywhere to be heard. But the Germans and their English friends are present, in strong force, and not easily put down. Each expression of disapprobation simply renders them more demonstrative in their indications of approval. With untiring energy they cheer lustily, wave hats and handkerchief's,and encore their favorite pong. Again and again the fair vocalist ha? to sing the concluding verse of the now world-famous song, until at last, faint and exhausted, she is dragged rather than led from the platform. There is a pause, during which smoking and drinking are cairied on with vigour at the various bars, after which a sudden movement directs the attention of everyone to the stage. The next minute Mademoiselle Hellar, attired in a white tunic, her arms bare, and holding a tri-colored riag in one hand, makes her appearance amid tumultuous applause, compared with which the German cheers seem weak and ineffective. Imitating Rachel's famous.rendering of the " Marseillaise " m 1848, Mademoiselle Hellar advances, and with energetic action recites rather than sings the stirring words of the revolutionary hymn. The excitement is terrific. The cheering rapidly swells into an exultant roar, a perfect thunder of applause. Hats and handkerchiefs are waved from all parts of'the house, the aristocratic private boxes and the democractic gallery being equally con spicuous in their demonstrations of approval. During a momentary lull the Germans attempt a few hisses Far better for them had they not done so. Their frantic effort is followed by a feaful tempest of cheers, and the chorus, "To at ms, to arms, ye brave," is suna: with a vehemence that threatens to make the roof topple down. Now we understand the true power of the " Marseillaise." No King not possessing the affection of his subjects is safe on his throne while that hymn exists. So long as a Frenchman re mains to sing the revolutionary strain, France, however helpless and broken, will never remain the slave of the conqueror. Again and again, and again and again and again the hymn has to be sung, and the audience working themselves up to the highest pitch of excitement, making it a marvel that no heads are broken. The success of these warsongs at the Alhambra has led to their introduction into other metropolitan music halls, and before long we shall have thp Londoners becoming Marseil-laise-mad.