CONVERSAZIONE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1766, 13 September 1862, Page 2

CONVERSAZIONE.

On Wednesday evening, the Odd Fellows Hall was a centre of attraction, to the sight seeing portion of our Citizens, on the occasion of the Conversazione under the auspices of the Managing Committee of the Athenseum being held there. Shortly after 7 o'clock the building was completely filled with a large audience (a great proportion being ladies), who promenaded the 1 o jms in {. ro ips, laughing, chatting, and feasting their eyes on the m'lltif.irious collection of objects, t>oth beautiful and rare, which iv every direction met their delighted gaze. The Tableaux presented to the spectator on entering was both brilliant and striking. The chandeliers of lights were gaily decoialed with evergreen, the walls covered with paintings, ancient and modern, while the tables stretching the full length of the interior, were crowded with a selection of curiosities, and rarities, wbicl we should scarcely thought could possibly have been gathered together in a place like Welling* ton, situated as it is in a geographical point ol view completely antipodean to the gieat centre of civilization. Truly it was a pleysant task to wander leisurely amongst the animated throng, and watch the lighting up of pretty fuces, as the owners thereof amidst the rustiiug oi crinoline, and the silvery twittering of busy tongues, crowded round some special object" ol rarity, which awakened their curiosity and inteerst. Music too was not wauling to add an extra zest to enjoyment, and so with all those pleasant accessories, to lull us into a titling frame of mind to appreciate the rich intectual least provided, we proceeded with our exarai-

i nation and criticism. The extreme end of the Hnll was bung with a collection of Robes and Tapestry the former having belonged to some departed denizen of the Celestial Empire yclept a Mandarin, while the latter comprised a portion of the drawing ioom furniture of Napoleon takon from Fontainbleau, and a very beauti- . fully worked altar hanging from the spoil of I Sevastopol, contributed by Major Bwyer. The otber articles in this collection were exhibed by Mi. Mantell. Amongst the articles on tb« tables, those which more especially caught our notice, were a collection of rare New Zealand birds, contributed by the New Zealand Society a case of Jewelry of Colonial Manufacture from Mr. Shaw, which included some valuable specimens of Australian and New Zealand Gold, mainly alluvial, and furnished by Buck. An Aqua Vivarium of Mr. J. Kebbell'a, was teeming with life, in the form of MolluceF et hoc genus omne, and was evidently the work of au enthusiast in that particular branch of Natural History. The group of Wedgwood ware from designs by Fiaxman, was an object of interest not only from its intrinsic beauty but from the associations it awakened concerning the struggles and ultimate success of a genuine artist. Some well selected specimens of New Zealand ferns; the contribution of Mr H t" Logan, were much admired by Botanical* Amateurs, while;tyros in Geology might be seen critically examining the various specimens of rocks and minerals which were scattered here and there. The collection of Pictures was extensive, and included some original works of Continental and English Artists, copies from the Old Masters, and a very pretty series of Water Colour Sketches, the work of Mr C D. Barraud, ' * A Magdalene, by a Spanish Master, exhibited by the Bishop of Wellington, was an exquisiteembodiment. The folded arms, the repentant yet appealing expression of the whole face, all showed great power of conception, on the part of the Artist, while the lone and colouring did equal credit to bis skill. Girl and Dead Bird, bj Opre, 1780, was exceedingly natural ; the face of the girl in point of expression was a perfect study. Two Pictures, illustrating the "Life of Joseph attributed to Sir J. Tborohill, w«re rather coarse in deUil. The first, "Joseph lifted out of the pit,' created considerable attention; the second, "Joseph sold by his brethren," though imposing in its general appearance, is marred by the very comical nursery book illustration kind of bead and face which the Artist has given the Juveniie hero of the piece. We are prevented, owing to lack of space, from not.cm- any of the other Works of Art Z n We " lust » ot » however, pass orer Mr. Barrauds Sketches, the most admired of which were Pencarrow Lighthouse, Wellington which in general execution and detail was a highly creditable specimen of the progress of the Colony in one of the Fine Arts. A view from Puiirua Road was a well executed and natural painting, while the Horewenua Lake equally merited attention. Nearly 400 people were present, amongst whom were His Excellency Sir George Grey and suite, a few of the members of both houses and a very considerable number of the upper ten thousand. The leceipts f<>r Wednesday amounted in all to £35, which after, deducting expenses, will leave a fair balance for behoof of the Atbeaeum funds. In consequence of the previous great success the Hall was agnin opened at a reduced charge on Thursday, when a tolerably numerous number of visitors attended.