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Observer, Volume 3, Issue 71, 21 January 1882, Page 297

The Misses Casey proceed to San Francisco by tlie next mail steamer. Scene : Bartletfc's studio, with cabinet picture of Miss Evans in her dress of Indian Huntress. Enter thereto two little girls, street arabs, lost in wonderment. " Oh, my word, Liz, look there ! that's the Corn Doctor /" On Sunday morning last a most admirable sermon was preached by the "Rev. Mr Bisphan. The congregation was not large, but sparsely scattered here and there, which excited our astonishment, the North Shore being crammed with visitors. The addition to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Devonport, gives the building quite an imposing effect, and the faint tinge of blue in the roof and ceiling of the apse has a pleasing aspect. It is a pity that the apsidal end was built so low, as it dwarfs the eastern windows ; but in spite of this the church is pretty. The singing is what we most desire to hear — simple tunes, thoroughly well sung, in which the congregation can join, with no straining after effect. The Lawn Tennis Club at the North Shore was better attended than usual on Saturday last, though the weather was showery. The three courts were in full swing. Among those present were Mr and Mrs J. B. Russell and Miss Russell, Mr H. B. Morton and Miss Morton, Mr A. Morton, Mrs Binney, the Misses O'Neill, Miss G-eorge, Miss Armitage, the Misses Duder, Mr T. Brassey, Mr Todd, Mr McKellar, Mr Johnson, &c. A very original and striking ball-dress has recently been prepared by one of the leading dressmakers of Paris for a young American belle. It is composed of pale-grey crape, the front of the skirt being crossed with a scarf drapery of silver network, inside of the meshes of which were placed several small humming birds of brilliant plumage, while others clung to the borders of the net outside. The draperies of the train and sides of the skirt were ornamented with several larger birds, such as doves and paroquets. The corsage was trimmed with silver network and humming birds. The new North Shore Steam Ferry Company are a great improvement on the old company, there is no doubt ; but one nuisance they have left in statu quo — I allude to that sweet-smelling elysium, the waiting.room. Baker, indeed — that most polite and pleasant of all officials — does his best to remedy defects, and brings out a chair and sets it in a shady place of tlie T for fastidious ladies who refuse to enter — nay, we have even seen him supply bunches of cherries to youngsters w r ho will squall ; but the fact still remains that the waiting-room (Faugh ! call it rather the pig-stye !) is a disgrace to our Colonial civilization. Mr Gordon Gooch's concert in the Deronport Hall on Monday evening was not well attended ; the hall was not more than half iilled ; yet the concert was all that could be desired or expected from the company. Madame Murielle, in a dress of crimson satin trimmed with white satin and crimson velvet, sang charmingly. Comme a V ordinaire. Her " Should he upbraid " was delightfully rendered. She was encored, of course. Her trio with Gordon Gooch and Mr Campbell went very well. The basso prof undo was in excellent voice, and pleased us very much in " The heart bowed down." Miss Sykes, a young debutante, and pupil of Mr Gordon Gooch, has a sweet and clear soprano voice, of no very great power or compass. She sings pleasingly and gives some promise. The duet between Miss I Sykes and Miss Tapper (contralto), another ' debutante, " Oh, could I teach yon warbling I birds !" was really well sung. Mrs Revitt's singing is well known and always liked. Mr Campbell's tenor (sometimes nasal) was not so in his rendering of "Here upon my vessel's deck," which was splendidly given. On the whole, the concert reminded one very much of the Carandini concerts of some time back, and we were sorry to see it so thinly attended. A Christmas-tree and limelight entertainment ■was laeld in tlie Lake selioolroom on the evening of Thursday, the 12th instant, in aid of funds for the purpose of building an Anglican church in the neighbourhoad. A great mistake was made in fixing an evening on which there was no moon, as driving home from the Lake to the North Shore at 12 o'clock on a dark night is not a desirable journey. This kept a great many away who would otherwise have been there, and rendered the proceeds of the entertainment less than they should have been. Nearly £16 was taken, bxxt oiit of this expenses have to be paid. The weather was very lovely at the time, consequently all those within easy distance were there, and a great many children, who seemed perfectly delighted. The credit of the whole affair is due to Miss Seaman's untiring efforts. Mrs Whitaker, as usual, helped largely, but, owing to illhealth, was not able to be so- energetic as in byegone days. She kindly sent many pretty contributions and the lion's share of the refreshments. The tree was loaded with the usual fruit on such occasions, and a table was set off by

vases, handsomely embroidered aprons, mats, &c. Amongst the specimens of fancy work we must mention an apron "most tastefully, worked in crewels by Miss O'Neill, a night-dress sachet by Miss Whitaker, and numerous pretty and tasteful children's dresses made by Miss Black. The limelight pictures exhibited by Mr Percy Smallfield failed to give any great satisfaction to the juvenile portion of the party, until he at length very reluctantly produced some really good comic scenes, which elicited roars of laughter from the children, and which even in the eyes of their elders prevented the whole thing from going off very flat indeed. American and Continental scenery may be all very well in its way, bixtgeography and history lessons in holiday-time prove too much for children, even of a larger growth. Mrs Whitaker remained until the last, and her daughters were amongst the saleswomen. It is proposed to give a concert for the same cause in a few weeks' time, during the intervals of which the unsold portions of the goods may be disposed of. We strongly advise a dance to wind up, if the affair is to go off successfully.