MR BANDMANN'S READINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6091, 18 August 1881, Page 3

MR BANDMANN'S READINGS.

I At the Garrison Hall yosterday afternoon, Mr Banc'manu gave a series of readings, chiefly from Shakeepaare, to the scholais of the Boys ,tud Girls' High Schools, who were present in full force, and apparently od joyed themselves abundantly. Tbo Rev. Dr Stuart took tht c mlr, aud a number of clergymen aud othor gentlemen —including Wu, Archdeacon Ed«-a ds 11-.: vs. Waddill, Profetßor Salmond, Upt* n Davis, 0. J- Byng, filcssrs George Turnbull, J. Aahcroft, 41. Joel, Prosser, 'lorrance, Pro feasor Micgn-gur, and Dr Burro wa—were on the platform ; while tho galleriea weie well tilled with ladies am! gefcilemeu. Mr Band maun delivered adiuiribly Mercutiu's upesch " Queen Ma')," from the fourth scene, -Act I, *■( " Kuineo and Juliet-"

liis rendering of tbe second act of " Macbeth" was very impressive, the cnauges (run.* ,-ne character to the other Ijeicg reiu»rka:.-ly dis.itict, and the elocution good throughout. " Mark Antony's oration over the dead body of Cieaar" was no less powerful ; and tha most luccetsful and interesting of his reaiiiigs wan ihe Court scene from •' The M-rchaut ol Venice." These wero Mr Baudmnnn's principal readings; hia rendering of Macaulay \ •' Virginia" (" Lays of Ancient Rome") not being si successful, and his prose reading—an ussay by Ealph Wa'.do Emsrson—was by no means equal to his rendering of the selections frooi Shake-ieare.

The Rev. Dr Stuart, upon the readings being concluded, said : Il is not necessary to com njiruJ Bluike-peare to Duuedin, nor, p,rh Ap-*, to I,he people of auy civilised country Iv our [day, at all events, his genius is universally ! recognised, and his w.rks are read not merely 'for enjoyment, bu', I think, fur moral instructions. Shakespeare has been road in the High |School clasflta since they v.-,.re opened, ai.d i.r,i-y 'require much to bi rea:i mid studied. lam quite sure y..u will all j .in the governors, .teachers, and pupils of tha High Schools iv v vrry hearty w.e oi Ihnnkn to Herr Bau*!rii:*ii for the rich treat he bus giv>;n in ia tne very wondarful rendtrib}; bo has given us of tht works and thoughts of Shakespeare.

| The youngest daughter of ilr M. Joel, a child about seven years of age, wf.a sent forward, ahd yr*s.nted to Mr Baudmi.au two very beautiful bot.q-:ets cf flowers. Mr Bandmann made a few farewell remarks, In which he tixurissed his appreciation of th-i kindness he had experienced in Duuedin. and earnestly commended to tbe pupils the study of correct enunciation and pronunciation

Three rlcglrg cheers for Mr Baadmanu were given by the Bcholara, and the assemblage [separated.

In forwarding a vote to Dr Macdonald xpreßsivo of regret at not being able to be pnsaut, tho Rrr, Wm. Ronaldson aaid :—" As one of tho parents of a High School pupil, 1 ahill ha glad if you will kindly convey my bes: '.banks t*j Herr Biadmann for his valuable endeavours to aid the instruction of the High Schools, ai.d assure him of my deep regret that I am unable to avail myself of the pleasure I am euro I shonld have had."