SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 977, 7 June 1872, Page 2

SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT.

Wednesday evening last saw another good assemblage at the Social Enterv tainment, although the clouds were dark and lowering, and rain drops pattered on iron roofs with sound most uninviting to those half inclined to enjoy fire-side comforts, rather than go abroad to seek for pleasure. Still by 8 p.m. the Court House was comfortably filled, and, with, commendable punctuality, Mr Humphrey, the chairman for the evening, commenced pro* ceedings by calling on Mr Crawford to give the opening overture. It seemß almost superfluous to record that Mr Crawford played operatic selection* from Guy Mannering well. As a skilled musician he could not well do otherwise. The only pity is that he was not afforded an opportunity somewhat later in the evening to display his abilities to a more attentive audi, ence. " Playing in the house" is thankless business for any real lover of music; the sound of shuffling feet and rustling dresses, and even the cheery chink of silver at the table of the money changer are but so many distracting accompaniments to good music, and it would, be well perhaps, if the committee can again secure Mr Crawford's valuable assistance, to introduce, in addition to the opening overture, a little music about midway in the programme, when the audience are comfortably seated and ready to appreciate it. Mr T. Davidson then sang in charaafcer a couple of • drawing room comic songs, in a quiet unexaggerated style, winning deserved applause. Mr Poole gave the familiarrecitation " Boderick Dhu," and succeeded in doing what few amateurs, trusting entirely to their memories, are able to achieve, he delivered the lines of Scotia's poet without a baulk. Mr E. Jones, who made his first appearance for the season, then sang in excellent style "The Banner of War," and was rapturously applauded, winning a deserved encore. Jlis singing was the gem of the evening, and the audience will be anxious to hear more of him on future occasions. Mr Strachan next appeared and gave a Shakesperian Beading from Richard 11, a tragedy more familiar to the student of the immortal bard than to the ordinary playgoer. It abounds in beautiful and telling passages, and Mr Strachan made a judicious choice in selecting the scene where the luckless king resigns his crown and regalia, at the instigation, of Bolingbroke and Northumberland. It is" only fair to say that he gave an intelligent reading of the text, but marred by a certain mannerism that destroyed the effect of some of the finest passages. King Richard of England giving

" his souls consent To undeck the pompous body of a king Make glory base and sovreignty a slave PrOud majesty a subject, state a peasant," may be well personified as stricken with exceeding sorrow, but it hardly typifies one's ideas of kingly digni'ty to hear his thoughts expressed in lachrymose bewailings. The words, as Mr Strachan read them, were Shakesperiau-; the style was not. It aroused a ludicrous association of ideas. We could think of nothing but a certain wayside preacher, once met with in city wanderings; a disciple of Staggins, who preached with full power conventicle twang in by-ways and at street corners, making casual collections from his listeners, which he was prone to expend in tripe suppers and gins hot at the nearest taverns. Our thoughts ran on Stiggins more than on Shakespere during the reading from Eichard 11. It was wrong of course, bat * fact nevertheless, and mention of the fact may, if accepted in the friendly spirit in which it is rendered, be perhaps more appreciated, than a whole column of conventional laudation. The charming sentimental song " Con stance" was very well sung by Mr Dignam. Mr Alexander then read the amusing Scotch yarn " Watching the Kirk yard," humorously depicting the terrors of the two worthies Iji the old session house guarding the dead from ill timed resurrection. The " Minute Gun at Sea" sung as a solo by Mr Hamilton, seemed to' suit his voice exactly. Mr B. Whyte'a reading was selected from Wilson's domestic tales of Scotiah life and character, prefaced by a humorous introduction. Mr Fisher, whose particular musical speciality tends to the quaintly humorous ditties, in vogue long before

wc trash of the Music Halls Countenance in decent eoeiety, mg tie rollicking nautical song ["Merman," the whole au lienco iin the oft repeated chorus, Rule pi9,with muchexuberant loyalty, jee Club did not sing the trio of pillage Choristers," but Mr | substituted "Simon the Celi ft nd Mr Sontgen followed with (Watch on the Rhine,",, which have been more effectively renLd the usual preliminary refc placed him and the accomfjo more perfect accord. Mr I then road the " Bashful Man," La modest back seat point of L it was not quite evident L Mr Munro was reading to |iniaelf or the audience, or confin " asides" with the chairman, k it brought the entertainment conclusion.