"PICKED UP IN THE MUD!”

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 122, 20 June 1868, Page 4

"PICKED UP IN THE MUD!”

The other weak we promised a continuance of the above, but for sufficient reasons we saw fit to postpone it; we now give the further portion of this singular correspondence. “ I told you in my last that I would give you an account of the Pyrotechnic display, and of the Ball; this would have been sent you earlier, but for circumstances beyond my control. The display of fireworks was great; the Decorators Bros, being the contractors, everybody knew it would bo a success. It was very good ; the only thing that ever equalled it was the display in the Great Exhibition of 1851, Everything was well done, and the Decorator Bros, have had any amount of orders for painting, decorating, &c., since. The Decorator Bros, have been in this city a long time, and the people here tell mo their father is a regular chip of the old block ; he is great in his own art, knows all about blue gums and asparagus, and shoots well at bowjacks (a red bird with blue bill) 1 am told, and is respected by all—in fact, a fine old chap. Well to the display. It was announced for eight o’clock, and I waded the streets knee-deep to reach a spot, from whence I could view all and everything. Punctually at five to eight the performance began—l was enchanted ; rocket after rocket outvied the lustre of the stars of Heaven ; wheel after wheel whirled round till one was quite giddy, and everybody fell down into the pea-soup-like water. Talk of Roman caudles and Catherine wheels, it was surpassing in grandeur anything I ever witnessed. But the greatest' the night—what is the use of spending words in English after being in France—the chef d'oeuvre. was the shower of light. This is very curious indeed. Of course in England everything goes up, but we live tother side of the world, and in this case it first went into the earth and left everybody in darkness ; then by some strange influence returned to earth, and burst in magnificent grandeur over the Council Chamber Hotel. This was the last of the Pyrotechnic display, and. of course it was meant to direct our steps toward the above Hotel, the nearest to the ball-room.. Everyone went there ; we all met in a fine room, and around a good fire, night very cold, roads very bad, and everybody teady for the hop. Aa a stranger, I thought it my duty to propose the Decorators Bros,’ health, which I did. (Immense applause.) I continued to say I had believed the Decorator Bros, were honest, hardworking men (could now hardly hear my own voice), they were evidently great favourites, and had lived at the Beaver before Blenheim was built. Having made an impression, and being greatly cheered after a speech in which I had noft at all alluded to their Pyrotechnic display, 1 sat down, as I thought if I went on the audience would get tired of dancing, for I knew their feet were now getting warm. I give you this advice as a private hint; if the house or audience ever cheers heartily, you may sit down; it worka first-rate."

Want of apace compels us to omit the account of the Ball.