AMUSEMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4344, 18 July 1871, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

TIIEATIfE ROYAL. There was again only a moderate attendance at the above theatre last night, when a drama entitled, "A Day of Reckoning, or the Time and the Hour," and the farce of " The Valet tie Sham," were produced. The limited amount of patronage which this theatre has received since its re-opening is a matter of surprise, especially considering the fact that such talented artistes as Mr. and Mrs Steele are performing there ; but we cannot help thinking that the want of success is in a great measure attributable to error in judgment on the part of the management in their selection of pieces. The management, in co 'ii mencing a season with such pieces as were produced on the opening night and last night, do not do justice to the abilities of Mr. Steele and his talented wife, to themselves, or to their patrons ; and it is to be hoped that they will see the propriety of selecting pieces which, will show the ,«ijinijiuo u£ tucii icciiiy nne company to better advantage, and at the same time be more acceptable to the public. " The Time and the "Hour " is a drama of rather a sensational kind, with a plot which must have taken the author months to conceive, and which certainly must take the audience some time to understand even after it has been played. The object of the author seems to have been to introduce as much mystery into the piece as possible, and in doing so he has paid very little attention to those points which produce effect. It was, however, favourably received, a fact which was owing to the good aotiug of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, and the representatives of the principal characters, who all made as much as possible of the parts allotted to them. The farce was very successful and admirably performed. Mr. Walter Hill, in the character of the Valet de Sham, created immense amusement, and received considerable applause. Mr. Joyce, Mrs. Hill, and Mrs. Howard were also successful in producing roars of laughter. — " The Time and the Hour" will be repeated this evening.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE. The performance at the ahove theatre last night was under the patronage of bis Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen. His Excellency was present, and the house was crowded with a fashionable audience. The pieces produced were, "The Jealous Wife" and Sheridan's satire of "The Critic," both of which were well performed and enthusiastically received. In the former Mr. Hoskins sustained the character of Mr. Oakley, and Miss Colville that of the jealous wife. Mr. Hoskins's impersonation of the unfortunate husband, driven to distraction by the inordinate and unfounded jealousy of hia wife, could not fail to be productive of laughter; and Miss Colville by her pourtrayal of all the fears and suspicions of a jealous wife elicited considerable applause. The other principal characters were performed in a very creditable manner by Mrs. Ryan, Miss Raymond, and Mr. Jones and Mr. Hydes, " The Critic " was played before the com, pany left for the Thames, and the cash was the same last night as on that occasion.' It was an immense success last night, and throughout was received with most demonstrative applause.— To-night, "The Contested Election " will be reproduced..

THE CIRCUS. This place of amusement wag largely, attended last night, when the performance, was under the patronage of the Mayor and members of the Borough Council. The performance was successfully gone through, andi the two clowns, Messrs. Murray and Oowle, caused more amusement than usual by the introduction into their jokes of porno good' local hits, some of which had reference to the doings of the distinguished patrons of the entertainment, many of whom were present.

Wheji a combined effort is made by the I agricultural interest to make use of the full resources of science to detect imposture in every shape in the dealings which trade has with agriculture, and the net of the law is made narrow enough in the mesh to catch ' both the big and little fish who now occupy a I false character and position, there will be no occasion for that care and trouble on the ' part of the individual which we now recommend. {3o far, however, jSuch a/ whplesale , and systematic mode of catching and dealing with the rogue is not in existence, and there*' fore it is the part of every individual to; use his own rod and line in catching the sharks who infest the stream of trade, and devour their fellows. When, then, the farmer does get hold of a fish of this character the Press will help him to la.nd him. The moral that we deduce is, that the chemist is the detective who in all cases will throw light upon the subject, if the farmer -will only; call him in, and take the additional precaution^ of having a warranty from the firm, with the proper name, and description of- the article bought by him attached. " A conclusive argument .against suicide is, that it is the. height of ' impoliteneM to go anywhere till you are seat for. .