THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 149, 19 December 1868, Page 5

THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Ok Tuesday evening last, notwithstanding the heavy rain, the entertainment which had been projected for some weeks, came off under the auspices of the Mutual Improvement Society, in the Provincial Hall. About 60 persons were present, exclusive of those who took part in the performance. The programme commenced with a prologue written for the occasion by Mr. Dickens of Spring Creek, which was recited in a very fair manner by Master R. MTver, as follows:

“Attend my muse ! prepare for instant rhyme, I’ll sing of something suited to the time. Then let it be of Blenheim’s ample plain ; _ It’s glorious hills, and fields of waving grain ; It’s wealth, it’s commerce, and it’s institutions ; It’s lovely maidens, and their fascinations ; For where, I ask, are there such sweet young

ladies ? Such comely matrons, and such ducks of babies ; Oh where ? —why, bless me, here’a s precious fix, Ungrateful muse to play me such sad tricks ; To leave me thus, when, full of inspiration, 1 fondly hoped to make a great sensation. But stay !—can I but satisfy thy whim I will at once the prologue thus begin. Prologues precede the piece, to clear the way For comic scenes, or deeds in tragic play ; To wake the feelings, and prepare the mind For active scenes, which follow close behind. To-night ! no magic scenes of yore we show ; But real life, sirs,—life from top to toe. To-night, we give you welcome one and all; Let mirth abound, and echo through this hall. If drowsy care o’er any hath its sway, We’ll soon find means to chase it all away. Thus are we met intent but to amuse With logic, wit, and parliamentary news. Though youngin drama, and with hands unskilled, From real life each little scene is filled. Behold this nigjit a man of sterling worth, In manners simple, though of gentle birth ; Possessed of many an acquisition, With plenty of tin, and good position. A comely man, who’d never felt love’s flame. Nor even wished to change a woman’aname. Imagine, then, his situation ; His troubled mind—his agitation ; Thus by a widow charged—-an artful jade— For Breach of Promise, which he’d never made. Oft had she tried in vain his love to win, Soi now by law she tries to gain his tin. Oh bachelors ! take my advice, and find Some fair young creature, gentle, true, and kind, To smooth your way across life’s troubled billows; But oh ! beware of base, designing widows! But soft —one word—grant us but sweet success, Then we shall figure in this week’s Express, — , A worthy paper, with viast circulation; ’Twill spread our fame, and stamp our reputation,

For all must own it’s nice to be in print, For fame is fame, though there be nothing in’t. If you approve, we our desires obtain, And by your pleasures shall compute our gain ; But see ! the Court now waits, brief let me be, Adieu, my friends !—farewell, remember me !” As everyone has read the immortal Pickwick, it will nob be necessary for us to give any account of the Trial scene, beyond the fact that the hero is sued for extensive damages for breach of promise of marriage by a designing widow. The public showed a keen appreciation of the fun by repeated bursts of applause, although we are bound to acknowledge the decision of the jury did not appear to accord with the general view. The persons who took the respective parts were so thoroughly disguised in their legal habiliments that they were scarcely recognisable, and judging from what everyone says out of doors, coupled with the applause : within, we may consider they gave great satisfaction. After a brief interval, Mr. Johnson took the chair, and respectively introduced three of the best readers in our community. Mr. Kiernan, who recited “Monsieur Tonson,” Mr. Horgrove, an extract from “ William Tell,” and Mr. C. J. Rae, Lover’s “ Irish Piper.” A mock Parliamentary Debate succeeded, in which about 24 persons took part, and which met with an equally good reception from the auditory. Perhaps the best proof of the success of the entertainment being the fact that although it lasted nearly three hours scarcely anyone left till the close. After an epilogue by Mr. Dickens, and delivered very effectively by its author, the chairman announced that the company, in consequence of representations made to them, as to the absence on account of the weather of many who had taken tickets, had determined to repeat the performance on Tuesday evening next, and the joint proceeds would be divided between two worthy objects. He further added that some friends had moved for a new trial on the ground that the Judge, in summing-up, had misdirected the jury, contrary to evidence. It is therefore likely that the result on Tuesday next, may eventuate in a variety in this as in some other portions of the performance. A new prologue will on this occasion precede the trial. Tickets purchased for the previous performance and still retained, will be available.