Concert.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3684, 15 October 1880, Page 2

Concert.

One of the most successful concerts ever held on the Thames was that which eventuated list evening for the benefit of the Accident and Library Funds of the Grahamstown Fire Brigade. The Academy of Music was well filled despite the cheerless weather, and the colored urn* forms of the firemen scattered amongst the audience gave a semi military ap-1 pearaocfe. The Shortland contingent' marched from Shortland with torches ablaze, and prior to the commencement of the concert the Scottish band performed several excellent selections outside the hail. The first item on the programme was a selection by the Scottish Band, " Zampa, Pre* auz Cleres" which the band have recently learnt. It was rendered very creditably. Mr Joseph Ibbetson sang "Fair as a Hose" very nicely, and was rewarded with an encore, to which he responded by singing " Beautiful girl of Kildare." He was succeeded by Mrs Penk (nee Mason) who was deservedly applauded for her masterly rendition of a song "Cora." After a song by Mr Anderson, Mis* Stephenson gave "The Blind Girl to her Harp" and in response to a vociferous encore, and a shower of bouquets, sang " Scots wha hae." Both efforts were given with sweetness and expression, and the young lady's style of singing bore I evidence of the highest culture. Fireman J. Wright was very successful in a new comic song " Hot Asphalt," which caused unbounded amusement. In response to an encore Mr Wright sang another comic song detailing the ; ; courting adventures of a young mad named Brown. A song by Miss Probert followed, after which Meson Br>«n, Mitchell, and Gordon acted a nigger farce in a creditable manner, Mr Brown as the eccentric colored traveller causing unbounded amusement. After an interval of ten minutes, the Scottish Band played another selection. This was followed by Mr Charles MeLiver, who gave "The Sexton." This gentleman was in excellent voice and was encored, giving the last verse again. Miss Stephenson's song," Never more," which followed was perhaps the gem of the evening. It was encored and the young lady graciously responded by singing that song so dear to the ions of Erin, "The meeting of the waters." Mr Wiseman sang his new local song. " Our "VJoluateer Firemen," of which the following is a copy:— .

I am now. 'bout to sing of our Volunteer Firemen, Their fame thro* the Colonies long will resound, For search where you may, in the whole Southern hemisphere Few can them equal, none better be found.

Assembling cheerfully, willingly, readily, The flames to subdue, all working so steadily; No matter the distance, what hour, or where, When wanted oav Fireman's bound to be there.

In the dead of the night, when all are soft slumbering, The fire bell clangs oat its warning so dire, Half asleep, half awake, you find them all mustering, , Then quickly they're off to the scene of the fire. Hark! there's the hose reel, jingling its plaintive peal, Engines'loud rumbling-—Oh! what relief . we feel; The Brigades are coming, no longerdespair, Depend, now they're wanted, they're Bure to be there.

The fire bums fiercely, " the house, there's no saving it," «'Twill soon take the next," «'twill burn the whole block." With fright some moire furniture, recklessly, hurriedly, Whilst others are frantically saving their stock;

Some who may homeless be, plunged into misery, God's aid are imploring to rescue from poverty; The enemy rises now higher and higher, How horrid the prospect of ruin by fire!

Tho blaze is alarming, the flames, see, they spreading are, They leap far and wide with devouring : blast, But the men are dismounting, prepared to be battftng, '' The hose, swift as lightning's run out and made fait.

EngiDas are working well; the water's begun to tell; The fierce raging element they will now quickly quell— The fire is conquered, duU now is the qUire; Hurrah! my brave fellows, 'tis proof you are there. ■

BNCOBB VBWBS. Now those who've escaped devastation bo threatening Loudly praise the Brigades for exertions so grand. Bat, perchance! a poor fireman's met with an accident. Dreadfully injured by some felling brand; Look, how cash comrade rushes now to his aid, Sympathy blending with every word that is said, Thankful some mishap fell not to his share. To render assistanpe they quickly are there. i 'Tis the duty of everyone in this community— • And what they can spate should moat cheerfully give— To succour our hero in his sad calamity; Soothe his pain, cheer hifl spirits, and not let him grieve. Perhaps he a wife has, perhaps there are children some. Disabled in serving us, cannot provide for home, I repeat 'tis our duty, 'tis nothing but feir, To render assistance we all should' be * there. I've another appeal to your known goner*osity, ■ t ' ■' i < Of which the Brigades stand in very great, need ; ; - ' Bookß or papers are wanted to add to their libraries, / j That they at their leisure may atudt and read. " J Tom Bawdou, so bashful he, just now b*N said to me, ■ J ■■ With thanks he'll receive them, or mgbit for the treasury. ; By everyone helping, success is aobtawl , The emaUoefc donation thanWllly reo^ffdjl. > Of course an encore w«s' demanded, u\ which Mr lyiiemis^ good n>t<wdlil» jesjionded. iA duet, ♦♦Over the by Misses Belcher and Proberf, wasi; sweetly rendered, after whioh Fireman i Wright gave " Aold Sor>tch Bongt>" In response to aa oaeom he gave " JUittar , l

Mc.Alister," and danced the Highland Fling to the intense delight of the Hudience. Mr Robin-on wa< successful in "Ye Gallants of Kngland." and Mr Aaron Griffons, "made up" splendidly as Dr Payne, sang "The Hungry Man." The extraordinary similarity of this gen* tletnan to the worthy medico is strikingly apparent, and when be appeared on the. stage in the doctor's well attired condi* tion, the illusion was perfect, and a vociferous encore was demanded. The performance concluded by the company and Brigade sinking the National Anthem. We must not forget to mention that Mr &. A. £. Owen supplied the accompaniments in his usual efficient style. At the conclusion of the concert the ball was cleared for dancing which was kept up for several hours. We are requested by Superintendent Price and the officers and members of the Brigade to thank those who assisted at the concert, and likewise t>>e ladies and gentlemen who, despite the inclemency of the weather, extended their patronage to the entertainment