The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 164, 13 July 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1871.

Ancient Order of Foresters. — We are requested to state that the Foresters propose giving a dinner on the 20th inst., instead of the annual ball that usually takes place at this period of4he year. The Steamer Lady Barkly arrived this morning from Collingwood, but there is :no news of importance from that district. She brings over to the Hospital a man whose name we have been unable to ascertain, who met with an accident in the Perseverance mine, whereby he has sustained several severe bruises. The washiug up at the Perseverance battery will commence on the 27th inst. Star Minstrels. — This local company of Christy Minstrels gave an entertainment at the Oddfellows' Hail last night to a crowded house. The first part commenced with an overture by the whole Company, which was played with all the exaggeration that usually characterises such performances, especially- by Mr. Tamborine, who is the most vivacious of "niggers," and caused much amusement by. his strange antics. The opening: chorus was well sung, but was wanting in spirit, a fault that was to be found with the whole of the first part, and which had a slightly;- . depressing effect tupop ., the audience. ' The first solo, V' Let me Kiss him for his Mojlher," was given < with ; considerable feeling but terribly out of tune; this, perhaps, iwas owing to the-absencejof a.' ieading*C violin. i' Eiss jme ibother 'ere idie," would probably have been very we^. rendered, but that the singer had;no \ voice whatever, and could hot' f be 1 /he^rd • beyto t& 1^ the Hall. $E&i (

comic local song cannot be too strongly reprobated. Songs of this description require to be written with judgment, anil with, some respect for the feelings of those to whom they refer, but when they areutterly destitute of humor and contain nothing but, coarse personal abuse, they become highly objectionable, and should call forth the censure of both the audience and the critic. If the writer and singer' of this particular song had been hissed off the stage he would have had no one to blame but himself. "It is nice to be a Parient," was given with much gusto and humor by "Bones," and was followed by " Where are the friends of my youth," which was suDg with much sweetness by a gentleman who certainly possesses the best voice iv the Company. The parody j on the " Linkum Gunboat," wsb a decided improvement upon the former local proI dur.tion, although it is always, we think, preferable to omit sougs of this description at a public entertainment. If, however, I local talent is to be brought to bear, it would add to the effect if the singer, feefore I coming on the stage, were to learn by ; heart the words he had to 6iog, iustead of having to read them from a not very I clearly written manuscript. The second j part commenced with an overture played j by Mr. Oakey which was well received, as that gentleman's performances on the piano. invariably are. This was followed by some very good ballad singing, and especially we must mention " Maggie Mural," which was really artistically rendered. The entertainment concluded with a most laughable farce entitled the " Virginian Mummy," into which', the actors threw all that spirit which we have referred to as having been so wanting in the early part of the evening, and the result of this was plainly perceptible among the audience, who were sent home iv a capital humor.