THE LATE CHARITY ENTERTAINMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1265, 7 August 1880, Page 3

THE LATE CHARITY ENTERTAINMENT.

TO HIE EDITOTI. Sir, — I cannot allow the remarks which appear in the llould of sth iust, with leference to part of the entertainment on Monday night, for a local chanty, to pass without comment. I think such covert sarcasm, Avhere all were trying to do their best, is very bad taste. Othello and lago, no doubt did their best, and for an object of the kind it should not be criticised too closely, which I was pleased to see you refrained from doing. If thoy take such, fulsome praise as their due, thoy are entitled to sympathy or otherwise. lam sorry to say it was, without exception, the most rowdy entertainment, as a whole, I have ever seen in Hamilton. — I am, &c., - Old Judge.

Ax Old Custom. — Wo ■ have been told that it is the nature of a certain objectionable being to grin, when he sees any sign of his darling sin, which is ftio pride that apes humility. I sincerely trust (writes a lady correspondent) that his sardonic humour was 'not tickled by any false show of humility on a recent occasion when the Emperor and Empress of Austria respectively washed the feet of 12 of the oldest and poorest men and women to be found in the city of Vicuna. This yearly spectacle takes place on the day before Good Friday. The poor infirm creatures are clothed in pilgrim-like habits of brown serge, bordered with purple. The make and material of these garments is similar to that worn in the reign of Maria Thcre c a. The custom is for the friends of the mendicant* to uncover their feet, which the Royal pair then proceed to lave aud afterwards carefully dry. A silken purse with a few coins in then presented, and later, in their respective homes, a "Berganian's portion" from the Emperor's own table is served to each of these indigents. The edifying spectacle of wufhii^g qf foot U witnessed by all the archdukes and arehdu.ehes,sea of the Austrian Court, together with the civil and military members of their sevcr.il household", I -wonder whtit our count rymen find women \wmlJ thj'ik and -ay if siich an onUvul nniiift"-!" itimi of humility wim 1 ' ndvortivd as übuvo to taAe jjUoe at uu JSugli&h Court.