TO-DAY'S HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 784, 9 November 1865, Page 2

TO-DAY'S HOLIDAY.

Seldom have the pleasure-seekers of Dunedin been favored with a finer day for enjoyment than the present. The sun rose promisingly, and by eight o'elock there was not a suspicious cloud to be seen. A brisk breeze sprang up at about nine o'clock, which, during the day, assumed occasionally the nature of a '" cap-full," but did not mar the enjoyment of the holiday folks beyond now and again raising a cloud of dust. Soon* after breakfast time the streets began to be alive; equestrians, vehicularians, and pedestrians thronged the thoroughfares, evidently bent on excur sions of pleasure. Here you would see a cab crammed like a carpet-bag with paterfamilias, materfamilias, and the youngsters, their suspicious looking " ridicules," as Mrs Partington says, betraying the nature of their errand ; and now would pass an express waggon, from which came peals of laughter from fair maidens, and harsher cheers from their stalwart swains. The very horses seemed to know it was a festival day, and they stepped along under their heavy loads as if they rather liked it than otherwise. Even the dogs barked in a more jovial key than usual—or seemed to do, -which was the same thing. Asmodeus, if he had made a domiciliary visit through Dunedin this morning, would have been puzzled how to account for the general excitement. Here he would have found private M'Fuze of the Artillery engaged in trying on, for the fiftieth time, his " Busby'' and frantically endeavoring to make it sit a la militaire. Here he would have detected Sergeant Phillibeg of the Highland Company trying his utmost to make " beauty unadorned adorned the most," and failing in the attempt. In another direction he might have seen M'Whirter of the Light Horse going through a pantomimic performance with his horse, supposed to represent the process of mounting, a feat the difficulty of which was nothing compared to that of keeping on the saddle afterwards. City Guards, No. 2 Scottish, Naval Brigade, No. 1 Company— at hoc genus omne all their members

were intent on cutting a more than usual dash on parade. to-day, and left the looking-glass with the conviction that they were " rather the correct thing than otherwise" —an impression fully borne out by the appearance they presented on parade. There was an air of conscious superiority on the face of the Artillery men this morning., which conveyed a great deal. Whatever they may have in their heads it is very certain they had considerably more on them than ordinary mortals, and apparently more than some of them could well carry. The Highland Brigade wore the true martial aspect, and exposed their delicate limbs to the full blaze of the midday sun, and the admiring, but sometimes scoffing gaze of the vulgar public. At about ten o'clock numbers of men, wearing mysterious badges of various colors, flocked towards George-street, where the procession of the Ancient Order of Foresters was to be formed. We suppose the pageant was quite in due form, but we looked in vain for reminiscences of bold Robin Hood and Little John. We saw many familiar faces wearing immense solemnity, and we also saw several individuals endeavoring to hold some immense banners—not unlike the mainsails of Ro- | man galleys. The standard bearer's office is no doubt a most honorable one, but we certainly pitied the tottering individuals who were swayed about from side to side of the road by the stiff breeze this morning. There was a good muster of Odd Fellows to join the procession, which when formed presented by no means an unimposing appearance. The new Rifle Brigade band played the procession through the town and down to the jetty.; and we must not forget that the Fire Brigade under Captain Hughes assembled

and added to the effectiveness of the spectacle. Arrived at the Jetty the steamers soon disposed of the crowd and transported the people over to Vauxhall.

The Volunteers were announced to meet at 11 o'clock in front of the CustomHouse. At that hour the Artillery company was present, and was followed soon afterwards by the Light Horse. But there was no general muster except at the Recreation ground. The Cavalry Volunteers, brilliant but few, attempted the execution of some mysterious maneuvres in front of the Custom-House, the only apparent effect of which was to disturb the peace of mind of some of the horses. We may however congratulate the gallant " Light Horse" on the correct style in which some of them did the military trot —the more deserving of praise from the very evident self-sacrifice it occasioned. When the several Volunteer Corps had arrived on the Recreation Ground, they were put through a variety of movements, all of which were executed after the approved Volunteer fashion, and in a manner which fully established the efficiency of the irregular army of Otago. A. feu dejoi, otherwise a rattling discharge of musketry, was duly performed, and the proper number of blank cartridges -was exploded. No one was hurt, and the enemy retired. Major Cargill rode in front of the ranks on his fiery charger, and complimented the men on their unflinching conduct After the action the troops marched back to town.

From about 11 o'clock the Jetty presented a continued scene of excitement. Steamer alter steamer left loaded with po ssengers for Vauxhall, who arrived in such numbers as to beget the query where so many people came from. Still they came—Pa, Ma, four children, servant and provender bag ; Tomkins and his sweetheart ; Brown, Jones, and Robinson and their sweethearts, and lots of both sexes " unattached.'* Muslius fluttered, silks rustled, maidens laughed, children crowed, and things with hats en their heads, and cigars in their mouths hustled and crushed on to the deck of the overladen steamer. How everyone enjoyed the smart invigorating breeze which swept up the bay ! How pleasantly the sprry dashed up from the bows of the steamer like showers of pearls in the sunshine ! Arrived at Vauxhall, how eager people appeared to get up the hill and spread themselves on the smooth fresh grass, or ramble through the sylvan mazes of the bea'utiful grounds. How the children enjoyed themselves, " So wild and gay, with, bosom bare, And rosy cheek, keen eye, and flowing hair, Tripping with, smiles the breezy scene along, And pouring out their joyful souls in song." There on the plateau we come across the gymnasts and lovers of Old English sports, all intent on winning some of the numerous prizes "offered to competition. A little further on we hear the sharp orack of the rifle and find a number of marksmen contesting with keen aim and steady hand for valuable stakes. We wander on and

'' Up from, the dusky arciies comes a sound That tells the story of old Pan's existence. And now in song the summer wincl is drowned ; Now comes a call that conquers all resistance: A dance upon the turf, up, up, instanter, Away with quarried pie, and stain'd decanter. " Small hands are link'd, and dance divinest, tresses, And agile feet fly down the pleasant glade in A merry measure ; through the deep recesses Now gaily trip they, youth and laughing maiden ; The shaken turf is swept by silken dresses, The woodland breeze with many a jest ia laden, And lips are curl'd, and haughty heads are tossed too, As none could picture them but Ariosto." We thread our way through the crowd thronging up the walk and return to Dunedin. A cab transports us to the Water of Leith and we follow up that beautiful valley through which the stream tumbles and flows. We pass the mill; its wheel is silent, and the water trickles innocently and powerless over the framework. Up the valley we hear the

sound of merriment and find jovial pie-nic parties scattered about. " A crowd of sunny faces, And plumed heads, and shoulders round and white, Are mirrored in the waters. There are traces Of merriment in those sweet eyes of light. Lie empty hamper round ; in shady places, The hungry throw themselves with ruthless might On lobsters, salads ; while champage to cheer 'em, Cools in the brook that murmurs sweetly near 'em. 7 ' "We quaff a pleasant glass or two, and return to town, and find great lamentation at th~ inability of the steamers to get off the mud near the jetty. In vain did the engines puff and blow and the paddles revolve—there the vessel stuck, and could not be moved. Of course, the cabs fell in for a large amount of custom, and Cobb & Co. put on a coach which was immediately filled. Probably 1000 persons were delayed or entirely debarred from reaching the gardens, owing to this unfortunate contretemps. The Bay was too rough for small boats. To-night there is plenty of amusement provided in a special performance at the Princess Theatre; Miss Edith Palmerston's entertainment at the Theatre Royal, and a Carnival Ball at the Corinthian.