The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1867. ARTISAN'S ASSOCIATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 50, 1 March 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1867. ARTISAN'S ASSOCIATION.

The members of this association held their quarterly social meeting yesterday e veuing, at the Odd-fellows' Hall. There was a large attendance, as many as 350 persons, of whom a majority were ladies, being present. The proceedings commenced with the address of the President of the society, Mr. Haddow, who traced its progress from the comencement to its annual meeting, enumerated the difficulties that had been overcome, and expatiated on its satisfactory position and pleasing prospects. An opening chorus, "All together again," was sung with considerable effect. The Treasurer, Mr. W. Falconer, read a financial statement which caused some amusement from the way in which a quarterly income of £5 was dwelt upon aud made to appear as important as the financial statement of a, Provincial or Colonial Treasurer. The Secretary gave a long and interesting account of the society's "transactions during the past quarter, describing the business done, the number of members admitted, the essays read, and the improvement recorded. An analysis was given of several essays prepared by the members, and a hint throwu out that the society numbered among Its ranks incipient lecturers, embryo orators, philosophers, and poets, who are destined at no distant time to command the applause of listening senates- or wake to ecstacy the living lyre. The secretary did not use these exact words, but it was evident from the report that the expectations of the members are great, and that they are qualifying for action on a more conspicuous arena than that which now circumscribes their operations. Messrs. Sigley, Falconer, and Conway sang the pretty piece " Drink to me only with thine eyes." in very good style, which was followed by the recitation by Mr. James Graham, of Macau ley's " War of the League," which excited unbounded admiration for " Henry of Navarre." Mr. Gibson sang "Do they miss me at home," in so pathetic a style that it would have been encored had not the audience been assured that if they demanded encores, the programme would not be got through, till the "wee small hours," an announcement that repressed the glowing enthusiasm of the young Nelson party present. " Bowton's Yard," the production of a Lancashire rhymester, was read by Mr. Dickens, with effect, but he missed the racy and inimitable dialect of the "fellies" whom " Tim Bobbin" has immortalized. We dou't want the Lancashire dialect introduced for all that, there is quite enough bad English in Nelson without it. That pretty glee "Hail, smilling Morn/' was well rendered by Messrs. Falconer, Leech, Comvay, Garrard, Gibson, a' d Leech, ouly we could not help thinking that a pianoforte accompaniment would have been better than that of the harmonium, for this as well as for several of the pieces, how unexceptionably soever it might be played. Au amusing reading by Mr. Beihwaite followed, the title of which does not now occur to us. Mr. Smith sang " Hard times come again no more." and was well supported by the choristers present. " The Covenanter's Bride," road by Mr. John Graham, appealed to the feelings of ihose present, illustrating as it did a thrilling incident in ancient Scottish history, when the most sacred duties and relations of life were liable to interruption from the satellites of sacerdotal or kingly tyranny. " Dame Durden," a comical trio by Messrs. Falconer, Garrard, and Gibson, could not escape au encore, young Nelson, powerfully supported, it is to be feared, by the fair sex present, not being abie to resist the influence of certain interesting allusions in it. Mr. J. J. Sigley read the "Affrighted Traveller" with good effect, the audience being agreeably surprised at the ridiculous denouement of au incident that commenced so tragically. Mr. Falconer sang, con amore, " 0, whistle and I'll come to ye my lad " which found immense favor with the younger portion of the audience, whilst those of older growth gave a very mild dissent, if they disseateft at all. " Orange and Green," a recitation illustrative of the absurdity of the strife between the orange and green factious in Ireland, was well given by Mr. J. A.

Langford. A trio and chorus followed, " To all you ladiesnowou land." Mr. Jobu Campbell recited those inimitable lines of Byron, iu " Childe Harold" descriptive of the festivities, bustle, hot haste, and affectionate parting which preceded the battle of Waterloo, and which was so soon followed by such fearful carnage,, both friend and foe being '• iu one red burial blent." The piece was exceedingly well recited, and if it had a fault it was in the ultra theatrical tone and accent, of the speaker. A song, "Laughing Jeunie," sung with effect, by Mr. Sigley had to be repeated, notwithstanding the previous attempt of the chairman to alarm the audience. Mr. Hogg was introduced to the assembly as au author of some celebrity. Some years ago he wrote a monody on a young lady who died in the country, which he was now willing to read. Mr. Hogg having intimated that he was not so much accustomed to speak in public as to write in private, read the monody in question. Il abounded in fine touches of feeling, and deserved the applause it received as being real poetry. A quartette, "The Parting," was well received, and was followed by a recitation by Mr. Pringle, jun. "The Graves of a Household," which was equally well received. Other pieces were recited, " Helvelyn," by Mr. James Graham, and " The Soliloquy of a Schoolmistress," by Mr. Dickens. Mr. John Campbell also sang a song, whose name we have for-

gotten. The National Anthem concluded a long and most, interesting programme. Mr. Sigley presided at the harmonium. :iud played the accompaniment to all the pieces. The social meeting was a great success, and deserved the highest commendation because it furnished an evening's instruction and amusement of the most unexceptional kind to a class of persons whose existence must be somewhat monotonous in the absence of such sources of excitement as meetings of the kind unquestionably furnish. jS"ow that the society has increased in members, become conscious ot its influence, aud has means of instruction at its disposal, we should be glad to learn that the members contemplated taking a step in advance, by undertaking to give weekly readings and lectures — an undertaking that would not be difficult of accomplishment where there are so many qualifying for public life and ambitious to distinguish themselves, and in a place where the absence of rational amusements would cause such efforts to be received with immense favor.