CONVERSAZIONE AT THE WELLINGTON ATHENAEUM

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 684, 3 November 1852, Page 3

CONVERSAZIONE AT THE WELLINGTON ATHENAEUM

(From the "Spectatoi," October 2.) On Thursday evening His Excellency Sir George Grey, as President of the Institute, gave a Conversazione at the Wellington Athenaeum, to which the members and their families anil several visitors were invited, and at which about two hundred and fifty persons were present. The Hall of the Institute w;is tastefully decorated with pictures and valuable engravings, at the further end of the room a full length portrait of the Queen, executed by W. Mai shall, Esq., formed a very conspicuous object, while articles of vertu, and volumes of expensive illustrated works in the different departments of science and art covered the tables and engrossed the attention of the visitors. Among tne contributions by Sir George Grey to the evening's entertainment were a magnificent collection of illustrated works on natural history, and native mats, meris carved boxes, and other specimens of native wood carving, forming altogether a unique and invaluable collection of native skill aud ingenuity, many of them having from their antiquity a traditional value, or remarkable for the chiefs to whom they formerly belonged, and by whom they were presented to Sir George Grey. Among the books forwarded by Sir George Grey we noticed also a copy of the Bishop's Bible of the edition of 1585, in excellent preservation.* An emblematical device intended to illustrate the advantages of civilization and peace was contributed by Mr. Woodward Dr. Ralph also afforded a great treat by the exhibition of different carefully prepared specimens of animal and vegetable life under the j high powers of his microscope. But the lion of the evening, if we may use the expression, that which appeared to attract the attention of the assembled visitors and to afford the greatest satisfaction, was a blazing fire in the library of Nelson coal, brought over in the Henrietta irom Nelson, and a sack of the same coal was. placed in the library as a sample. It was universally admitted by every one to be of the very be>t quality, and to be very much superior to Sydney coal, giving out great heit and burning very freely, without any unpleasant smell, as was the case with the Massacre Bay coal, and it was plain to every one that ■whenever steam was introduced into New Zealanl, the depot for coaling with such a first-rate supply at hand, must be in Cook's Strait. Sir G. G<ey, accompanied by 11. J. Wodohouse, Esq., Private Secretary, Lord R. Cecil, Rev. R. B. Paul, &c, arrived about half-past seven o'clock, and by his urbanity and polite attention assisted in promoting the high gratification enjoyed by his assembled guests. A covered way wfb formed connecting the Institute with Banett's Hotel where refreshments of every kind were, under Mr. Roas management, provided on a mo-it hospitable scale. The excellent band of the (55th was also in attendance and played during the evening select occasional pieces of music. The conversazione terminated about ten o'clock, and it was impossible from witnessing the h ppy groups col1 ct,ed, not to bs impressed with the con\iction that all present had been indebted to their hospitable enteitainer lor an evening of high intellectual and social enjoyment, and that with such rich elements p£ happiness at horne — with such abundant evidjnee of material prospoiity, it were

• The Bishop*' Bible wa? a dannUtiun of the Bible undertaken by the comtrmid <f Queen Ehz<ib<!th. under the diu'Ct on Of Archbishop P^ikcr, .ml w.is firii publnhtd m 1.508. It vm« to Cillcil becnise ei^ht ol Ilie pprions ( out oi fllieun eug-ujcrt in fhe work) origlually conceinert lit it were Bishops.

fo r y to waste time in dreaming of golden visions that may exist elsewhorc, muchlcs> to enter upon an idle chase after gold which may cludo (he pur&uit, and only end m sorrow and disappointment.

Rumoured Political Changes.— We do not allude more particularly to certain rumouis which have reached us, concerning projected dunces in the personnel of our government. Siidiec it to siy that we reject the-n ;iU, at present, as a Onterbury tale, got up and di-cmin.i(cd for n purpose, and reJulent of the manufactory in which they appear to have been concocted. Lord Lyttelton, with £5000 a-) ear, and the Adelphi Terrace at his back, aie a part of the btory ; but nc add no more, lest even the most sensible and prudent men should determine to pack up and scL o!F, inoonlinonlly, for the diggings. — Independent, October 2 Govukmest Works in tiii: South. — We understand the Government has decided on resuming the works on the Rein utakn. road on the Ist of October. There is every probability that the works will be in a sufficiently advanced state to allow of the greater portion of this year's* clip being brought from W.urarapa to Wellington by this route, — Spectator^ September 25.