Mechanics' Institute.-Vocal Class.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 232, 19 August 1848, Page 2

Mechanics' Institute.- Vocal Class.

The invitation to the seconi public reheaisal of the vocal class caused the hall of this Institution to be 'crowded, to overflowing, with " fair women and brave men," on Thursday evening. A Concert is a never-failing cource of attraction, and this had the desiied effect of luring many visitors to town to participate its piomiscd pleasures ; and we are happy to hear but one opinion of the gratification it afforded. Placed, as such exhibitions are assumed to be, beyond the paic of the reviewer's pen ; and sorry as ive should be to say, with lago, that we " are nothing if not critical," we, still, cannot but consider that a fair and geneious review is calculated to give more encouragement to musicians, and to effect moie in cultivation of their art, than any facile expression of unqualified praise— all panegyric and puff! We aLe well aware that in public performances, whether of oratorical, musical, or dramatic, display, not merely the amateur, but even the practised artist is subject to a greater or less amount of that nervous excitability which impairs, if it does not mar, his powers of execution. Such emotions it is for time, practice, and the applause of an indulgent audience mainly to subdue ; although the self-posses-sion of the performer is also materially facilitated by the pen of the critic, who, whether chaiitable or severe, if he be but candid, will do more to set the artist's mind at rest than would the most extravagant hypei boles of the most fulsome eulogist, whose commendation was/cfc to be undcscived. Thus premising— and, according the giealest credit to Mr. Outiiwaite, and the corps musicale, for their anxious desire to please — we venture to hint a few trivial defects easily susceptible of future amendment. There was too much lameness, especially in the chot-uoes and conceited pieces. Need avc point to " Come if you dare," which should have been taken up by the neivous tones of manhood, not by the shull pipe of a boy, however ductile his organ. The peifoimancc lacked energy— vitality— throughout. It was, to the very letter, a rehearsal. A musical recitation—in many instances very beautifully doliveied, but still wanting the {ire of ppssion, and, in consequence, failing to elicit the (lame of enthusiasm. The performers never forgot the aiUst in dcYfUon to Uw vttU Tlwy m-

dulged in no abandonment, inspired eithei by the pathos of the poetiy, 01 by tho tenderness of llv_> melody 1 hoy poured forth. The chill of a public exhibition thicw a damp upon them. They felt that they were playing a pait ; aad imagination's wings were clipped, and the piomplmgs of genius lepicsscd. 'lons, it is nevcitholess, peifeclly clear, that theie were, among?! the vocalists of Thuisday night, mou* than or.,', who with a little more abandon — a little moie rein given to fancy a?id to natmal taste, weic fully equal to convert their sketches into pictures. To individualize were ungracious. Some of ihe songs were eloquently and elegantly discoursed — many warmly and deservedly cicoied. As we have ahcady said, the concert proved to he a mo,'>t successful one, eliciting general approbation ; and, as it is one of the few, among our few, sources of rational public entertainment, which will bear periodical repetition, we trust that our hints, meant in all courtesy and kindness, will neither be misunderstood nor misapplied. We have been given to understand that His Excellency, Lieutenant-Governor Pitt, has kindly expiessed his desire to advance the interests of the institution by every means in. his power.

Tun Pi^.oN'un's Gvznrr". — We have to apologise for an ap^uient disco aiLu&y. Wo luno permitted four weeks to glide by wilhovt extending the frakrnizing hand. What con we say, in extern;. -lion, of the ceding neglect? This • — Without tap of clvim — Without a sentence of nuniosto — oiu- Pensionary Contcmpoiary, like Pallas fiom the biain of Jove, sp ?>n™ ftom the Lists of Panimu'e, plume a la main, coini/cssin^ a surprise, and taking us by stoim. The brilliancy of the ousel, the vigour of the a^ault encha.ned our faculties. If pot, too lale, we would pioffer an amende now, in admiiing profession of fraternal sympathy. At an epoch .so momentous, when dyiuu>Ues aae dissolved by, a:.d the de&linict* of millions a c» dealt with m the poetical abstraction (\\ c hcA almost vn-'lten distraction) of an '' I')k\ ;" \»e cannot bu. proclaim that idea a bright one which led to ptoduclion of the Pensioner's GUzr/iTF. Coilerj, it, is to the full as poetical aad infiritely more fiacUcr.ble, than the "hcly idea of the people oj Paris" m the exantlation oi" which they aie prematurely blanching the black locks and io.-.y cheeks of their Pro\isional fags. We tmst our " brother-in-arms," in the eloquent working out of his abstractions, will eschew the peiils of such unwholesome white washing. His bantling is already a line chubby fellow, full of life and health, of mil th and glee, with good promise of lusty manhood. I leal: h, happiness, a long and an honou'able caieih" ! These are the woibt of our wishes.

We rejoice to learn that His Excellency, Lieulcnan'-Grmemor Pitt, has dhected the mo^t energetic attention to the deplorable state of the sticets. Already barricades — not, how - ever, a la mode de Paris — cross and intersect Princes-fcti eel, whence mount uns of mud a'e removed. Shorlland Crcsce it, towards tl.e Church, \z also being levelled. Other doughs will, no doubt, in due time command attention. His Excellency's consideration for the wants and i\khes of the inhabitants must ensure their lasting sralitude.

From the April number of 3 " The Home ond Foreign Missionary Record for the Free Church of Scotland" we learn that the Rev. Mr. Pantoji, late of I-leviot's Hospital, Edinburgh, has been appointed to the church at Auckland. Of that edifice little except the scaffold poles are yet visible, and should the Minister speedily arrive he will certainly find a congregation eager to receive him, but unless greater diligence be used, a kirk only in distant perspective. We congratulate the Presbyterians of Auckland that their spiritual wants are likely so soon to be relieved. We trust their Pastor will prove a steadfast and a shining light.