The Evening Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 454, 24 June 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1871.

Theee m fen yfttii ' feX ings of Tiumanity but must feel satis, faction k m^n news: has iuet arrived from Europe."At length the interae t cme- struggle jn'-Paris is over, and the cause of ]aw and order is tri' umphan^«;;;.;W:lf a teV^r'may^'aye been the objects contemplated by the Pari: sian msurgtJiil^'bhe diabolical prinSF I enl^ a(Jv^9ated, by th 9 ; .Com. ot seaal or^p^s^d a cause that

no objects could sanctify, and the crushing of the Red Eepublicans must be hailed with satisfaction even by the most extreme Liberal who is a friend to humanity. What may be the form of Government ultimately built, upon the ruins of the empire, it is difcult as yet to predict, but indications seem?oo po|§t to a republic. It is, perhaps*, conducive to the cause of peace; that, the G^rinan forces practically,, shovred sympathy with the .Versailles Government in hemming in the fugitives' so that the embers, of rebellion will be /stamped out. 'The remission, also, of a very large amount ofjthe war indemnity, has been well timed, and will act as a salve ,to wounded French feeling. We may now at length rest. assured that no longer will the painful scenes in France occupy the prominent position they have hitherto" held in the intelligence from -Europe, and the world be permitted.to look at the ordinary events proceeding in contemporaneous history. Peaceful and friendly relations have been secured with our American cousins,. and a basis has been laid for the settlement of future misunderstandings that will probably prevent the possibility oi any rupture between the two great families of the Anglo-Saxon. Taken altogether the news to hand is the most satisfactory and reassuring of all the intelligence that has reached us from Europe for many months; and though the storm that has, been raging in Europe will continue to be felt in its disastrous effects on the two belligerent people for many years, and will less or more be experienced in its effects on surrounding nations for a time, we. may hope that the basis of peace how laid wiil be stable, and that coming years will be a round of peace and progress, - .1 ..

We are glad to hear of the spirited enterprise of Mr. Lewisson, who has offered £285 for ; the magnificent specimen from t,he Cale* donfan exhibited to-day. The.directors have not, as yet, accepted the offer, but we underderstarid" that Mr. Lewisson has asked them to have it valued, and he will 'give £10 over and above the worth of gold contained. The last specimen bought from this company ha 3 been all cut up by Mr. Lawisson, an l we are greatly pleased to hear that the rapid'consumption'of this class of jewellery has both manifested the chaste and correct taste of the community,- and has ■ afforded thorough encouragement to the spirited jeweller in Ibis branch of " local industry." Prom another column it will be aeen that the first half-yearly fete of the Auckland College will take place on Monday. Athletic games of all kinds will be carried out, and a parade of the "Auckland College Cadet Corps" will be among the events of the day. The scene of operations will be the grounds of the College, aud we have no doubt the affair will be highly successful. We haye.. heard that the Circus will open to-night. The transfer books of the Tookey Quartz Mining Company will be losed from four o'clock on .Monday until four o'clock on Thursday, in order that „the register ot, new shareamay be prepared. mt . i Through the_, kindness of the directors of the Caledonian claim I have been enabled to purchase a large piece of quartz, which I will at once proceed to cut up into slices. ' Anyone wishing to have p. momento of the Thames will do well to give F. H. Leyptssox an early visit.; —Adtt.] , i One Mobe Fiction.—A paragrapk Jmß lately appeared in several jounals, giving the description of a casket which it is supposed that; the late Duke of Wellington left the Prince i Arthur, with directions that it should be opened when his Boyal Hignness came of age. We have been assured that this story has no foundaticin whatever, but is the creation of some imaginative brain."— Times.

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE CITY

- J ' • HALL. The entertainment which took place last night, in,the City Hall, for the purpose of raising funds for building a church in the Waikalo,'was a very successful one, the hall being crowded. The programme ori this occasion was well arranged, and contained several choice compositions. I am pleased to have another opportunity of testifying to the ability of, the Artillery Band, several members of .which deserve great credit for their performances'.;! niight instance the bass solo in the eavatina ■ " Vieni la mia Tendetta" as or\e played v .with, a Considerable amount of'taste. "Ti Prqgo," however, was the gem of the evening. This piece was sung by Mies Harker/ Miss Tyler, and Mr, Brown io. a manner which I thinli, so far as expression is concerned, approximated to the idea of the composer j but the nervousness "of the soprano somewhat detracted from its effective render-' ing. A solo by Mrs. Morrow. was also very Sweetly rendered, and received well-merited applause/ Adverse criticism, when performers give their services gratuitously for charitable objects, is somewhat out of place, and I wiii, therefore, abstain from, noticing the pieces' composing a considerable portion of the programme .put before the audience last night. " Simon the Cellarer" should have been sung with a little more care, as the flatness of the singer's voice jarred unpleasantly on the ears of that portion of the audience which I call " musical."-; 'However,-the .performer has not a bad voice,' and; ,wduld ri|q> well to cultivate a knowledge of howj U^o! f'nianage it. Mr. Brown's accompaniments were all that could fre.; desired.. There was"; Dot that apparent Wish to make his' playing heard to the detrir ment eof ,'the 'vocalist and discomfiture of the audience. .The cornet solo which formed an interlude, .was, played unusually well by Mr. ] Garey; the bandmaster of the Artillery Volunteers, and .accompanied with great1 gusto by'aeteralVmeniVers, of the above band* thus; spoiling the piece. ,Th ere is not a perforinamce but we 'are'compelled ,tb take .cog-

nisanee of this almost universal failing among those who are supposed to be accompanying, but each of whom appear determined to play solos themselves. While on the subject of., niusic, I must decry the practice ofiifonveri;*ing an entertainment, such as !that last Bight, into a convefeatipne. '"■ The din of voices was so arnioyibg some , 'times! as to' mar the effect of: sortie.- ot the' The first part was interspersed with'recitations by gentl&neg to whose abilities I have already had tl|& rplea9ure of testifying.* Suffioe it to say that;'Mr. White excelled himself on the occasion of %hich we are speaking. The second part was very good for an amateur performance, and I cpuld mention the names of several > gentlemen who are worthy of the; highesfpraise for the manner in which they pourtrayed, their various character*. There were several hitches in the performance, and 1 think that a better piece might have been chosen for the occasion. CIiAVIOHOED.