Farewell Forty Eight!

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 270, 30 December 1848, Page 2

Farewell Forty Eight!

Yet a few brief hours, and poor old Forty Eight will have fulfilled its destiny — swept down the all-engulphing tide of time to mingle with the bright or baleful years, its elder born. It is a solemn moment — that pause, yet no pause, between the death of the mature and the birth of the unknown year ! Is it a fit season for idle revelry ? Methinks it is a strange, a misplaced arrangement of human pleasure to dedicate to 'mirth and merriment the parting moments of the expiring year — of a period which, trumpettongued, calls for reflective thought and pensive ( retrospection. The close of a year, like the end of the act of a play, should prove a stage at which the actor may review the errors, or the excellencies of the past ; whence he may ponder how

best to redeem by-gone failings, to avoid future defects, and earnestly strive to approach perfection at the last. Would that God would inspire our hearts and souls with a scintillation of his own heavenly wisdom, that when the last and closing scene of Life's brief and bitter Tragi-Comedy shall come upon us, •• Like the Roman in the capitol, We may adjust our mantle ere we full." and conclude the several parts alloted us, with the constancy, the hope, and the faith of the true Christian !

The Half Yearly Inspection of the gallant 58th will take place to day in the Albert Barrack Square ; — the regiment parading, in light order, at half past 10 o'clock ; and, in heavy order, supported by the Royal Artillery, at half past 4. Speaking of the 58th, we cannot help feeling surprised at the little advan - tage taken of the Weekly performance of their accomplished Band. The privilege of hearing choice music artistically performed, is one of those graceful boons, of which we should have imagined the educated and the intellectual, penned within this far nook of the wilt! Pacific, would have gladly availed themselves, If not for absolute love of melody, to revel, at least in imagination, amidst the dear remembered scenes of home and happiness which "the strains of other days" rarely fail to conjure up. The attendance, is generally but limited. It would, however, we imagine, become much more extensive were a modification of the pieces performed to take place. Musical proficients are rare among us, and the Valses of Strauss or Labitzki — the Quadrilles of Musard — or the Gallopes of Jullien, however admirable in their own peculiar sphere, are but caviare to the multitude. They convey no sentiment and they touch no feeling. But let an Irishman drink in the tones of " Molly Bawn," or " Erin's Daughter" — indulge a Scotchman with " Lochaber no more" — or an Englishman with " The Brave Old Oak," and mark if you move not the waters ! Let us not be misunderstood — we delight in the beauties of many of the modern Maestros. Weber we worship, and Auber we adore. To the Puritani we listen entranced — and with Sonambula, Lucia di Lamermoor, Fidelio, Semiramide, Guillaume Tell, and the long list of other transcendant creations we breathe in delighted rapture. We can even bear with the Valses and Gallopes, but it must be in moderation, for, not to speak it profanely, they appear to be all thrown from the same stereotype. Figure such things succeeding the exquisite Overture to Masaniello ! — which, by the way, was twice played, and that very beautifully, on Thursday last. Do indulge us with an occasional ballad of English growth, for, unless we much mistake, such music so far from home will have the same effect as Jeanie Deans imagined her tartan would produce upon the Duke of Argyle — the pathetic airs of our dear native land will cause the heart to warm, and the pulses to beat with a delight which all the " Bal Rackettens " that ever were penned would fail to accomplish.

Yesterday's Government Gazette contains a proclamation of the Lieutenant-Goveraoiv extending the amended Cattle Trespass Ordinance to the villages of Howick, Panmure* Otahuhu, and Onehunga, the boundaries of which are elaborately defined. —The Colonial Secretary gives notice that applications for depasturing licences will be received until the 13th of January next, but not afterwards. — Tenders are invited for provisions for the Colonial Hospital. Also contracts for saddlery, ironmongery, kauri timber, and sundry miscellaneous articles for colonial service. —Notice is given of the issue of two debentures for £37 9s. 6d. each, in favor of James Harris and John'Probert; also of the following assessment charges, payable on the 15th proximo: —

The creditors of James Ryan, deceased, are required by the Supreme Court to prove their claims on or before the Ist of March next.

. Maxwell MRing ames Callaghan 2 0 7 8