THE ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL COMBINATION TROUPE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2296, 10 April 1875, Page 2

THE ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL COMBINATION TROUPE.

A very pleasing and amusing entertainment was given by this troupe, on Wednesday evening last, in the Odd Fellows' Hall. It consisted of conjuring, performances ou the trapeze, music, and ventriloquism. Mr. Valentine Jacob 3is a son of the celebrated wizard of that name who visited the town some years since. The son is equal, if not superior, to the father in his sleight-of-hand performances; and the various feats were so skilfully and cleverly done as to leave the audience in a, state of delighted wonder. The magic cards, the egg trick, the half-crown delusion, the inexhaustible hat, and others were all dexterously accomplished, and at their conclusion loudly applauded. Mr. Jacobs is very voluble, and in a pleasing manner kept his audience amused while doing the I tricks by relating droll anecdotes, &c. In the second part Airec went through a number or amazing feats of skill and strength on the single trapeze with consummate grace and apparent ease; and, judging from the continued enthusiastic applause of the audience, all present must havo been more than satisfied. Mr. Jacobs then showed his skill as a musician by playing a due* on the coucertina and piano, and the performance was brought to a conclusion by a display of his ventriloquial powers. This part of the entertainment was the most amusing. By the means of dummy heads, representing an old man and old j woman, who opened their mouths and appeared to talk, some of the most ridiculous utterances were made to come forth, causing the audience at times to be almost convulsed with laughter, whilst children that were present fairly clapped their hands with delight. Tho entertainmeut is one of the best that has been here, and all who were present went away thoroughly satisfied. Another performance was given last cveuiDg, when several fresh novelties were introduced. This afternoon a performance will be given at two o'clock, specially to enable school children to attend, and tbe prices being reduced to sixpence, a crush may bo anticipated by the juveniles of the place, This evening there will be an entire change of programme, when Professor Jacobs will perform some of his best acts of sleight of hand, also exhibit his newefit tricks; whilst Frederico Airec will astonish the spectators by ascending a ladder on the trapeze whilst it is swinging. He will also, by means of rings fixed in the ceiling of the hall, pass from one end of it to the other with his head towards the ground. This act is called iv the advertisement walking on the ceiling, but it is not done by means of air shoes, but by passing the feet from one ring to the other. The&e two acts of daring would, we should imagine, be enough to attract a large audience this evening. We also notice that the prices have been reduced to 35., 25., and Is., which will enable all to witness the performance of this versatile and clever troupe, who will appear for the last time on Monday night.

Typhoid Fever in Wellington. — The Post announoes the death from typhoid fever, after a short illness, of Mr. Walter Charles Davenport. He had only returned to Wei- \ lington a short time previously from Christchurch, after an absence of several months. His family and friends all live in Tasmania, his father, the Rev. Canon Davenport, being one of the canons of Hobart Town Cathedral. The Duke of Edinburgh's Niggardliness appears to be generally known now, and he comes in for some hard raps in consequence. For instance, the other duy I saw it stated' in a leading paper that he had "been induced to part with £10" for a charitable purpose. With all his faults the Prince of Wales isgenerous and opeu-hahded, aud this accounts for his being so much more popular than his brother. Illness of Public Men in England. — Several A'ell-known public men have been, and are, ill. Canon Kingsley, taken dangerously ill of pleurisy, contracted during his tour in Colorado, is dead. Mrs.Kingsley is also seriously ill of heart disease, and for her recovery prayers have been offered up in Westminster Abbey. Mr. Spurgeou has been confined to bed with a severe attack of gout. Mr. Arch has been suffering from over work and prostration. Dr. Kenealy in Parliament. — When Dr. Keneally entered Parliament unattended aud unintroduced, the Speaker requested him to withdraw, because for two hundred years it has been the custom for new members to have two introducers. John Bright and Mr. Whalley then ottered to accompany the member in that capacity, but, on the motion of Mr. Disraeli, tho custom was dispensed with in this case. Pleasant Place to Live in. — They do strange things iv America. A man in the dress circle in the Academy of Music, Chicago, fired a pistol amongst the audience, aud when asked why, said he had been on the spreo for a few days. That was all. The shot missed. BONAI'ARTIST Intrigues. — The Bonapartist intrigues are increasing. The rumours of an extensive conspiracy are again in circulation, aud the tone of the Bonapartist organ is daily becoming bolder and more defiant. La Pays opeuly alludes to the Prince Imperial as a future leader, and the hope of the party. Putting the Gas out with a wet Towel. — A domestic help from the country lately conferred the advantages of her services upon a fortunate family iv oueof the suburbs, says " JEgles,' 1 in the Australasian. She was a trained person, aud, of course, was engaged at a price much beyond that of the visiting governess, who had to maintain herself. On the first evening of her sojourn iv her new place, the lady of the house pointed out the gas meter, and requested the new maid to .turn the gas off before retiring, Awaking in tho night, a strong smell of gas caused the lady to despatch her husband on a voyage of discovery, during which he discovered his house to be like the interior of a balloon, and the meter-tap turned on at the full instead of being turned off. Prosecutieg his researches, ho found the gas odour strongest at the new maid's door. Arousing her from her sleep, and calling upon her to robo herself so that ho might bo admitted, ho found the gas bracket discharging a strong stream of gas. 44 How is this, Mary? You haven't turned off the gas in your room." " Sure, then," she said, " I tried to blow the thing out, and when I couldn't I just slashed it out with a wet towel." How TO dry Boots. — What an amount 'of discomfort wet boots entail, and how well we till recall the painful efforts we have now and thcu made to draw on a pair of hard baked ones, which were put by the fire over night to dry. Once on they arc a sort of modern stocks, destructive to all comfort, and entirely demoralising to the temper. The following plan will do away with this discomfort : When the boots arc taken off fill them quite full with dry oats. This grain has a great fondness for damp, [ami will rapidly absorb the least vestige of it from the wet leather. As it takes up the moisture it swells, and fills the boot with a tightly-fitting last, keeping its form good, and drying leather without hardening it. In the morning, shake out the oats, nnd hang them in a bag near the lire to dry, ready for the next wet night, draw on the boots, aud go happily about the day's work.