DIORAMA OF THE RUSSOTURKISH WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 840, 21 July 1879, Page 2

DIORAMA OF THE RUSSOTURKISH WAR.

The: opening Exhibition of this Diorama m tne Masonic Hail, qn Saturday night, proved to be, as we had predicted, au unqualified success. Every available seat, was occupied, and the densely crowded appearauce the building assumed was such as we have not witnessed m UisDome for a considerable time past. That thin vast audience Henaibly appreciated the portrayal on canvas of the varied incidents still fresh m their memories— of that unequal struggle between . the Muscovite and Otto man powers, was abundantly Lestiued by the irequent and hearty applause wiiiuli greeted several of the most splendid and graphic scenes of tlie artist. The whole of the views — m all about 70 — are decidedly works of great merit, and are executed with a nriuuieand faithf ulneas to nature, which, on critical observation, call forth expressions of aaimraiion. The accompanying rwalitjac displays, suoh as the discuurgo of art.lieiy a. id the fusilade of niuaKetry, are brilliantly and skilfully managed and furnishes us with the idea that we are — of course at a sate distance — observers of the aotual engagements. As a noiabie instance of the manner m wliioa the imagination is controlled and made uncouaciously to realise m what is transpiring before one presence ut the »cene of the encounter ia that of the naval engagement between the Turkish turret &hip and a Russian gun boat. One here sees the two vessels steaming aoross a broad, expanse or water, with smoke issuing from their fuuneis, and at intervals discharging their guns- Then is observed a Rubaian torpedo boat approaching the enemy'B ironclad, and almost instantaneously thereafter we behold the spectacle of the explosion of the ironclad and the total destruction. This scene was very effectually exhibited and elicited great applause. We may mention that the paintings which attracted the m<>st attention and deserve commendation were those of A View of Constantinople, with the innumerable minarets towering aloft ; the Beautiful blue Danube ; the battles of the Fortified, Camp of Plevna, and Gomey where General Skobeloff so distinguished himself ; the crossing of the Russian troops on the bridge from Semnitza to Sistova ; Constantinople by Night ; and that of the British Fleet m the Dardanelles. The signing of the treaty of peace is alse remarkable for the fidelity of its execution — the distinguished diplomats, Mr Layard (the British ambassador), General Ignatieff, and Safvet Pasha, being drawn lifesize. The musical portion of the entertainment was ail that could be desired, and* we doubt if a cornet player to equal Mr. Matthias, director of the orchestra, could be produced south of the line. This is the way m which an unfortunate landlord was treated a few week* back by his tenant : — He had allowed the rent to run up considerably, but at last he determined t<> make an onslaught on his long-winded frinnd. He accordingly summoned him, but owing to some technicality, got nonsuited. He then issued another summons, and this time succeeded. But as he long-winded friend would p»y no mony into Court, h« introduced an execution warrant with its nuxilliary, a bailiff. But the tenant's wife was too knowing, and debline to let him m. She barred the doors and windows, and received hergrocerias and meat through an apperture m the wall. While for several days she" was so engaged, her husband puietlv did the preliminary business tnwaids filing his Rchedule. The landlord is now lament- j ing. A case of suicide occurred at Nelson, on Saturday week lust. It appears that, a woman named Ada Lee Ewan, aged 29. left home about noon. In the evening a search was nvtde m the bush, but with no result, and on Sunday the settlers formed parties and searched carefully, finding the body about half-a-mile from her home. It was supposed that she had fallen down m a fit and died, but the district constable afterwards found that a small rope seven inches long was deeply embedded m her neck. On searching again m the bush the .corresponding piece was found hanging from a small tree on which she doubtless hung herself. An inquest has since been held, and a verdict recorded that deceased hung herself whilst m unsound mind.