RUAPUKE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 26 July 1881, Page 2

RUAPUKE.

The second entertainment given for the benefit of the Ruapuke Library Fund, which was held in the school-room on the 15th inst., was a still greater success than the one which took place last month. There was a large audience. Mr W. Duncan occupied the chair, and in his opening address congratulated the committee upon the success which was attending their efforts to benefit the Library Fund, and also paid a graceful tribute to those ladies and gentlemen who were there that evening, and whose names on the programme gave testimony that they were willing to lend all the assistance in their power to forward an undertaking of so worthy and laudable a character. The first item on the programme was a lecture by Mr Johnstoneon "The life and works of William Shakespeare. " For the short time that the lecturer had at his disposal, the lecture was a credit to him. It must have been very evident to the majority of his hearers that the lecturer had for years made a study of the works of this great poet, as the lecture presented no superficial knowledge of his writings, but a deep insight of the beauties which characterise his works. The lecture was interspersed by recitations and readings from the works of the poet given by Mr Duncan and Mr Johnstone, junior, which were also attentively listened to. Mrs McGavin sang "I remember it," with much taste and feeling. "My bonnie Yorkshire lass " was capitally rendered by Mr Jackson, who also sang another song in the same finished style. Miss Bishop sang a song, "Gathering shells." very fairly. A reading by Mr McGravin was very provocative of laughter. "The old folks at home " were not forgotten by Mr Liddell, senr, Miss Oldham sang' "My dear mother, "and Miss Johnstone gave a very fair rendering qf "Long, long ago." Mr 0. Ellis gave "'Nancy Lee," in good style. Mrs McGavin again delighted the audience with the manner in which she sang that old favorite " Robin Adair. " Miss Bishop sang "Just before the wedding, mother/ in a pleasing manner. I should have mentioned that the room was most tastefully decorated by Mrs McGavin, who is deserving of much praise for the interest she manifests in the success of these entertainments. There is just one' more remark that I feel compelled to make, and that is that the committee would find jt to their interest to take some steps to preserve better order at the entrance to the schoolroom during the performances at the entertainment. The behaviour of some persons was most unseemly during the evening, add it is to be hoped that at the next concert we will see no repetition of it. — (Own Correspondent).

Vkry few ' admirers of the " gentle craft," we should imagine, have carried their enthusiasm for its disciples bo far as to^fight for them J such an instance, however, is recorded of two Roman senators, one of whom maintained that Tasso was superior to Ariostoj ' and the otKer the contrary. ;Wprdq lfi,tq blows, ;and after J a protracted enoonnter the champion of Ariosto received a- wound,w^ich. laid him up for several' weeks. ' "'What' an idiot I was," he exclaimed, " to expose my life' for a poet of whose works I never read a; line, and! whom 1 <1 should > -certainly i not' h*ve understood!! I had V a t i , Mawlfiis (Tseng, Chinese Minister ■to Ftaiic'e', 'taftffii 'his' Ble«pitog',krran(reV . monts with him whersyer he g66sj ! being;