DRAWING-ROOM ENTERTAINMENT.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 7, 9 July 1866, Page 2

DRAWING-ROOM ENTERTAINMENT.

It has long been a matter for regret that there was no institution in Invercargill, after the form of the social re-unions which have proved so popular in England, and the conversaziones that are so much appreciated in the chief cities of Europe. The first of a series of entertainments of this description took place at the Theatre on Thursday, sth July, and it proved a complete success. It was given in* aid of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and we learn that Mr Jones, Hon. Secretary, to whom the greatest praise is due for his untiring zeal in the cause of charity, has handed over to the Treasurer of the Society the sum of £15 2s 6d, after deducting all expenses, including refreshments, &c. — a very handsome donation. It must be gratifying to know that it is intended to^ more fully carry out the object of the promoters of these admirablejre-unions ; that the success that has attended the first effort has not only encouraged the promoters to persevere, but induced gentlemen of s«ientific and literary ability to tender their assistance in order to make it a valued and permanent local institution. We think that we are justified in stating that these social gatherings will be continued. The object of the promoters of this movement is two-fold, viz., — to proAide funds for public institutions, and to supply, a healthy, instructive, and entertaining evening's recreation. It is in contemplation to make the next re-union more perfect than the last, and steps are being taken to secure for future occasions a still greater variety in the performance. It is proposed that in future short lectures, illustrative of the great scientific discoveries of the last half century — Electric Telegraph, Electro-biology, Photography, Galvanism, with music, vocal and instrumental; readings from standard authors, and last, but not least, " a trip on the light fantastic toe," will comprise the programme. The promoters of the Drawing-room Entertainment are deserving of the highest praise ; they worked hard, and the result was a success. With the aid of several gentlemen who have offered their services, it may fairly be expected that the next gathering will be even more pleasurable and instructive than the first. In our introductory remarks we have somewhat departed from the subject matter on which we treat. But to return. The House was well filled, and Mr W. H, Pearson commenced the programme by reading the following prologue : — PKOLOGTTE. Within this fane, to Shakspere's genius dight, I now appear — a most unfortunate wight. Condemned by friends, this prologue to recite, For which, your kind compassion, I invite. The theme, Benevolence — The soft-eyed goddess, here, Will meet a -welcome, which her heart must cheer. In each soft; breast around me, which I see, — Would that their tender throbs were meant for me — The goddess' name, a holy joy excites, JBraces each nerve, each energy invites. Anxious to assist the work, each willing hand Unites, in suffering's sisterhood, a hallowed band. Woman ! how lovely, in each act below! Is loveliest, bending o'er the bed of" woe, ' Soothing the pain, 6he hath not power to mend ; The sweet consoler — the sick man's friend. Oh ! lovely visitant, by the Almighty sent — To fever's eye, a " ministering angel" lent, From brighter spheres — to giid man's life, His childhood's playmate, nurse, companion, wife. Fairest of Sister Graces, Charity is found, To lead the van above ; with true Love bound In strictest compact, man's grief to assuage ; She forms a beauteous contrast to the sage, Who yet hath tried, and oh ! how oft iv vain, With aIL his wisdom to alleviate pain, As much as Charity's soit touch, Which — though silent — doth express so much. Behold in lowly eot, the widow sigh,

Unable now to meet her orphan's cry For bread. Her grief how exquisitely keen, For loss of him, who all in all hath been : Her young Love' 6 fancy, only joy forbears ; Lost, lost, for ever ; yet she controls her teavs, To brave her ills, meet duty's stern demand, To give the sustenance, she can not command. Around her, wondering little faces' look With such expression, as 'tis hard to brook ; -'Sach little eye is wet with many a tear Oall'd forth by suffering, hunger — not by fear, Driven to distraction. — Widow can it be, The Land of Promise is denied to thee ? Hath man forsaken ? — Hath thy Q-od forget His promise, to befriend the orphan's lot ? Be comforted — for lo ! sweet Charity appears, To heal thy hearb wounds, to relieve thy tears ; A lovely spirit, scattering sunshine round, Whose every footprint marks it holy ground. 0 'tis a God-iike privilege to save A fellow-being, hurrying to the grave! ! Vain are my efforts to do justice to my theme, 1 leave myself and it, with you, and well I ween, Erotn the expression of your eyes, their kindly sheen, My poor attempt, not all in vain hath heen. The hand, which was excellent, played operatic selections with great precision. Mr E. D. Butts then gave, readings from Thackeray, Pendennis — which was warmly # applauded, and Mr H. Rogers gave, with great effect, readings from Dickens—T he

Poor T raveller — which was received with marked signs of approbation. Mr J. ~W. Callow sang during the evening several of the most popular melodies with precisiou and taste, and contributed much to the evening's entertainment. The duet, eornet-a'-piston — by Messrs Hare and Hume, was well appreciated, and much applauded. In short, all did their best ; a desire to make the affair a success, was generally manifested. The following ladies and gentlemen were present, amongst many others whose names we were unable to obtain : — Mr and Mrs E. Rogers, Mr and Mrs Davies, jun. ; Mr and Mrs Cooper, Mr and Mrs M'Pherson, Mr and Mrs Stock, Mr Weldon, Mrs Pettingall, Mr and Mrs Brodrick, Mr and Mrs Blackloek, Mr and Mrs Moore, Mr and Mrs M'Donald, Mr and Mrs Dauglish, Mr and Mrs J. "Watson, Mr and Mrs M' Arthur, Mr and Mrs Eose, Mr and Mrs G-erbas, Mr and Mrs C. A. Boss, Mr and Mrs Callow, Mr and Mm Reynolds, Mr and MrsH. Rogers, Mr and Mrs J. F. Martin, Mr and Mrs MTherson, Mr and Mrs M'Culloch, Mr and Mrs Todd, Mr and Mrs Granger, Mr and Mrs Adamson, Dr and Mrs Grigor, Mr and Mrs E. D. Butts, Rev. E. Tanner, Mr and Mrs Jones, Mr and Mrs Calder, the Misses Gregg (2), Miss TPrig&toan, Miss Davies, Miss Smith, Miss Stobo, Miss M'Bean, Miss Pearson, Miss Kingswell, Miss Campbell, ~VV. H. Pearson, Jno. Hare, — Tucker, "Whitley, McG-owan, H. T. Ross, Matthews, Erskine. Coutts, Paul, Moeller, A. Cross, H. Law, Buchannan, Russell, Cotton, Fredrick, Baker, Hayes, Jno. Mitchell, Dickenson, Cameron, Goodwillie, Armstrong, G-. P. Thomson, Howard, Captain Ellis, Dr. Moncton, Bridges, Hately, Moffat, "Scott, Joyce, Reed, Sutton, A. Bonar, Longuet, Hume, S. Lawlor, Dr. Eccles, IST. Black, GK E. Richardson, G-eisow, Munro, "Wardrop, and others.