DEMONSTRATION AT BALLARAT

Southland Times, Issue 922, 25 March 1868, Page 2

DEMONSTRATION AT BALLARAT

The feeling of loyalty, quickened by the news of the cowardly attempt upon the life of Prince Alfred, was shown at the close of the opera at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, when the audience called for " God save the Queen." The orchestra responded, and played the national anthem, the audience standing uncovered during the performance, and cheering enthusiastically at its close. •

But if all we hear be correct, this orchestral response was not due to any romantic feeling on the part of the Messrs Lyster. We believe it was due rather to the call from the audience, endorsed by the express request of the manager, Mr Simmonds. We have already mentioned the expression of feeling at the opera on Thursday night, and referred to the rumored provocation of some part of that exhibition of loyalty and sympathy. A correspondent, whose letter now lies before us, writes with strong expression of indignation against the Messrs Lyster and another member of the opera troupe, because of some disloyal and insulting remarks which are said to have been made by them in reference ' to the "hideous outrage" at Sydney. As earning their living just now in a loyal British colony, our correspondent says, the American members of the opera troupe, ought to be at least too wise to iusult their patrons, and that if insults are given, or not denied or retracted, " the remedy for the wrong is very simple ; let us hiss the Lyster troupe off Ballarat once and for ever." Our correspondent uses much stronger language than that we have quoted, and our object in giving thus much publicity is to enable the persons accused to be aware of the general feeling here, and to inform them of the rumors that have rightly or wrongly got into circulation. We can hardly imagine that the Messrs Lyster would be bo extremely impolitic, whatever their private proclivities may be, as to insult a people whose patronage they have come here to court, and whose patronage has been bo liberally bestowed. It appears that some remarks made by Mr Fredric Lyster, on Thursday night, at or near the Theatre, caused a great deal of discussion. It was stated that, upon hearing the news from Sydney, Mr Lyster made use of expressions to the following effect : — " That he was glad of it;" "that if the whole family were served the same way it would be a good job ;" " that he did not believe in any son of a of a Royal Highness being over him— it was derogatory to him as a man ;" and that it was no worse than the man being shot in front of the Protestant-hall, Melbourne. The discussion prompted by the rumor of these expressions having been used by Mr Lyster, seems to have come to the knowledge of Mr W. Lyster. Possibly, also, he heard there was likely to be a scene of an extra-operatic kind at the theatre last night, and he took occasion to appear before the curtain before the commencement of the opera, when he addressed the full house as follows:- — " Ladies and gentlemen, — I appear before you this evening in consequence of a rumor having been circulated about town to-day to the effect that I had said something about my being glad of the cowardly attempt at assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh. How such a report could have got about I don't know; but, ladies and gentlemen, I take this opportunity to give it my most unequivocal denial. Why should I be glad the Duke of Edinburgh has been shot? Good God! Why, if the meanest person in Ballarat had been shot I should be unworthy to be amongst you if I had said any such thing, and why should I be glad that the Prince had been shot ? His Royal Highnesss has, since his stay in these colonies, treated me most kindly, and he consented to my announcing that my performances were under His especial patronage. I don't know- bow such a report should have got into circulation, but I will tell you what I did say, and perhaps that may somehow have given rise to the report. When I heard that Mr Thome had been shot in the leg[ I said that I felt just as sorry for him as for the Prince; and so I did. Mr Thorne was my friend, and he was, and is now, for anything I know, mayor of Sydney ; and I felt as sorry for him as for the Prince, or anybody in the same case. Why anybody should want, to shoot the Duke of Edinburgh I don't know. I should say he is of no political significance here whateverHe is here as a guest, and has been most hospitably received. (Cheers.) I don't want to enter into politics, ladies and gentlemen, and why Fenians should want to shoot the Duke of Edinburgh I 'cannot see at all. At all events, ladies and gentlemen, I beg to tell you here that I am not a Fenian, and I have no sympathy with them. They may have their own ideas about freedom for Ireland, and have a right to their ideas, I suppose, but they may fight for Ireland if they like, I won't. (Cheers, and some sounds of discontent.) I'm not going to live in Ireland. I was borne there, I believe, but I have never lived there, and I'm not going to. It's too wet and damp a place for me. (Mingled sounds of applause and discontent.) Ladies an 4 gentlemen, I have taken this opportunity to give my most unqualified denial to the rumor about the town, and I am glad to see by your presence here this evening that: you do not think me unworthy of your patronage, and in proof of my having no sympathy with the dastardly attempt upon the life of the Prince, I ask those gentlemen here (in the orchestra) to strike up " God Bare the Queen." (Cheers.) The band then played the National Anthem, the whole audience rising and standing uncovered. When the band had finished, Mr Lyster called for, and led off. " Three cheers for the Duke of Edinburgh," which was given by the house with right good wiD. Mr Lyster then retired, but there were many men who said they were not satisfied, and that it was Mr Xyster's brother (Mr F. Lyster) who had made use of the ofiensive expressions. Between the acts there was a good deal of discussion with reference to the expressions alleged to have been used by Mr F. Lyster, and it seemed to be the general opinion that it had not been supposed that Mr W. Lyster had made use of the offensive remarks, and consequently his denial did not mend matters. - No one had accused him. It was determined to insist , upon an explanation from Mr F. Lyster, and, as he was leaving the orchestra, he was stopped in

the stalls, and an explanation demanded. Here a scene of confusion arose, and from the boxes nothing could be distinctly heard excepting expressions of denial by Mr F. Lyster. He was taxed with haviog used certain words alluded to elsewhere, and especially with having said he did not believe in being under any • son of a of a Eoyal Highness, &c. This Mr F. Lyster denied. Mr Henry Lee, J.P., and Mr Thomas Bond were both given as authorities, and, so far as we could learn Mr Lee said he could not state the exact remarks, but they were of a character disparaging to His Eoyal Highness. Mr Bond distinctly said that the words quoted, or words to that effect, were used by Mr F. Lyster, whereupon he was called a liar by' that individual. This very unsatisfactory mode of demanding and giving an explanation did not in any way satisfy the audience, and before the commencement of the next act, the audience called on the orchestra to play " Eule Britannia." The grand old tune was played ; and all rose and cheered most* heartily. Three cheers were then given ior His "Royal Highness. About half an hour' after the performance had terminated there was a meeting held on the steps leading to the cafe, and Mr Lee was called upon to state positively whether Mr F. Lyster had used the expressions attributed to him. Mr Lee most distinctly stated that Mr F. Lyster had made certain rsmarks. Mr Lee thereupon stated them, and they in the main bore out the representations made by Mr Bond. A large number of persons then went to Cheery's Victoria Hotel, where Mr F. Lyster resides,^ and after singing " God save the Queen," and giving three cheers for the Queen, and three for Prince Alfred, insisted on seeing Mr F. Lyster, and hearing _ a statement from him. Mr Lyster again denied having used the words attributed to him. He was informed that a public meeting had been called for two o'clock this day, at which Mr Lee and Mr Bond would attend ifo substantiate the charges made. Mr F. Lyster expressed his wilb'ngaess to be present, and repeat his denials.