LAWRENCE CHRISTY MINSTRELS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE CHRISTY MINSTRELS.

The Lawrence Christy Minstrels have experienced several changes since they last appeared before the Tuapeka public, but they still retain Mr. Frederick Bastings, who is a host in himself. The appearance of the Christys on Tuesday evening, in giving a benefit in behalf of the Lawrence Grammar School, was hailed with loud and continued cheering. Mr. Francis made a very imposing Johnson, and his singing of "Dilly Burn" was very pleasing. Our old friend Cuff (Mr. John Maule), who came up from Tokomairiro specially to assist his old mates, was as full of animation as ever. His make up was extremely good Mr. Grant took his old character of Brown, and sustained his part admirably. Mr. Holmes, as Pompey, sang "My Old Kentucky Home " with great taste. Messrs. Buck, Farrer, and Groome, considering the very little practice they have had, performed their parts as well as could be expected. The violin accompaniments of Mr. Grant and Mr. Groome were carefully executed. Mr. Downes commenced the second part of the programme by singing " The Rhine Wine," and we must acknowledge that he really deserved the hearty applause which was given him by the audience, for we never heard him sing better. Mr. H. Bastings' rendering of the recitation "William Tell" was deservedly applauded, and in answer to the encore gave the " Lost Child." We do not believe their is another man in Otago cotild equal him in the singing of that song. Mr. J. Sutherland sang one of the latest out comic songs, titled " Put it down to me, Sir," and in reply to an encore sang "The Pullback." The farce of the " Barber's Shop in an Uproar " was indeed sidesplitting, and the three characters were well sustained by Mr. Fred. Bastings, Mr. Grani, and Mr. Farrer. The " Plantation Walk-round" concluded the entertainment. We have said but little in praise of Mr. Fred. Bastings, as from his previous performances he is universally recognised as a thorough dab at negro eccentricities. On the present occasion he was the very life of the company, and his stump speech was a really clever and sensible one, not like the consummate nonsense strung together by some addle-headed fools. The proceeds of the entertainment, we are informed, are something over £21.

Seventeen years ago, when Baron Haussman was Prefet of Bordeaux, he drove out with the Emperor, and being a man of commanding presence and winning manners, quite dwarfed the hero of the coup d'etat. "Prefet," said Napoleon, " the citizens seem to regard their Prefet and forge c their Emperor." " Sire," was the courtly reply, " when a regiment s marching the crowd is always struck with the drum-major, but it; is not to be concluded they forget the general in command." That reply was the making of Baron Haussman. A certain divine in Jamaica having decided on changing his pastoral situation, mentioned his determination from the pulpit. After service was over, an old negro, who was one of his admirers, went up to him and desired to know his motives for leaving his flock. The parson answered, he had a call. "Where from, massa?" said the negro. "The Lord," answered the pai'son. " Massa, what you get for preaching here?" — "Three hundred pounds a year, Csesar." "And what you get t'oder place 1" " Five hundred." " Ah, massa, the Lord might call you all day from #ue hundred to three hundred — you'd no go.''