“MELBOURNE BY DAY AND MELBOURNE BY NIGHT.”

Kumara Times, Issue 1574, 13 October 1881, Page 2

“MELBOURNE BY DAY AND MELBOURNE BY NIGHT.”

Madame Wilmot delivered her second lecture in this town at the Theatre Royal last night. The attendance was a little better than on the previous day, but the weather, which had been fine daring the day, came on unfavorable as the hour for the lecture approached. “Melbourne by Day and Melbourne by Night,” was the subject of discourse. The lecture proved a very interesting one indeed, more especially so to that portion of the audience who have resided in or spent any time at the great southern city—a city which but a few years ago, the lecturess remarked, was a mere nonentity, but in a very short space of time was crowded with buildings and streets of the very best description, with people of every nation, and one in which could now be obtained every article that one could think of. Eor the special purpose of her lecture Madame Wilmot sought acquaintance with the modes of living of the very highest families, and, in company with a detective, with the lowest dens of infamy, vice and destitution which are rampant in every form. The dissolute waifs seen in the early morn, the various mechanics and artizans who came forth, each bent on their particular errand or business; the clerks and apprentices ; the “ sharks ” who lived by preying on the new chums by leading them on to drink and dissipation ; the fashionable young ladiesall came in for remark or criticism. The Public Library was made the subject of special praise, though the attendance during her stay in Melbourne was small, averaging only fifty a day. She deprecated the closing of such an institution on Sunday and Saturday afternoons. Melbourne as it appeared by night, with a most animated description of the various gambling hells, the “saddling paddock” of the vestibules, the sparring saloon, were described as giving a depressed condition to Melbourne, and which was now telling on the public health and the public purse. Madame Wilmot concluded a very able and interesting discourse by expressing her thanks for the attendance of her hearer's. The lecture was listened to with profound attention, and at its close and several times during its delivery the talented lady was heartily applauded.