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Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1756, 19 August 1874, Page 2

Wb are requested by Mr. T. H. Eainford of the Royal English Opera Company tg atate that his name is not " Rainsford," as it appeared in this morning's paper, but "Rainford." A Splendid specimen of Manukau stone is to be Been in the window of Mr. Shappere's shop. The stono would probably weigh about two pounds/ and is thick with gold— so thick indeed that of the component parts gold is the greater. Mb. Eliebt, the Victorian Government Astronomer, after repeated observations, says there can be no longer any doubt that the comet is the same as discovered by Coggia, on April 17, at Marseilles. At present it is about 76 million miles from the sun, and 36 millions from the earth; it is sweeping around the sun at the rate of 2,200,000 miles pe* day, and is increasing its distance from that body by 1,050,000 miles, and from the earth by 1,520,000 miles per day. Mb. Luscombe Shabek,, a young composer of promise, who may be said to b@ almost a native of New 7ealand; has arranged as • fantasia, in a very spirited manner, the celebrated duet "The Bold (Jens d'Armes,"from OffenbaehV opera ,of •• Genevieye de Brabant," says the Sydney Morning Herald. This effort of the young musician displays a considerable kndwledgo of efleetjye. composition for the pianoforte. Master Searell, we are informed, is engaged on the construction p£ a a opera which he intends to produce iv Sydney.— Master Searell was about two years ago travelling with a company of minstrels of which, if we mistake not, Mr. W. H. Bent was one. He was then looked upon as a promising musician, having passed the ago to be considered an infant prodigy." At any rate he was a clever accompanist.

The monthly meeting of the Lod<»c Sir • Walter.Scott, S.C., No. 533, was held at the Freemasons' Hall last night. The attendance ;waa nuaierouß, there being about sixty brethren present including a number of visitors. * In addition to fche;ordinary business five candidatos were Buccoßßfully'baUoted for for initiation and one for affiliation. Immediately after the business of the meeting was over a supper was laid in the lodge room, which, was followed by a number of songs and toasts by thoso_ present. The Grand Lodge Charier was received and acknowledged, and arrangements were made for celebrating the anniversary of the lodge, which will happen some day next month. * The wife of a country magnate in Victoria, (J.P., municipal councillor, &c.) displayed, on a lat« occasion, extraordinary hauteur at a local ball. Sh« was resplendent in ruby velvet, and on the strength of that and her jewellery, behaved with marked rudeness tqi; other ladies not in ruby velvet, and with no jewellery to speak of. A friend of hors felt called upon to explain, apologetically, to a stranger who was pressnt, that her superiority of manner was not without some reason —that, as compared with others around her, she was a~ parson of rank. " I should think so," wai the quiet reply. "Very rank."