WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 49, 6 December 1890, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, November 24. We all missed Mr Toole and his company very much, for so many amusements were got up for their benefit, and in which, of course, we also took part. On the last night when ‘ Paul Pry ’ was presented, the < >pera House was crowded by a most enthusiastic audience ; indeed, so loud and prolonged was the applause during the clever comedian's farewell speech that a good deal of it was lost, or rather drowned with laughter. Miss Vanbrugh, too, was made much of, and was continually recalled, and on re appearing was literally showered with lx>uquets, and by the end of the evening had received about twenty, one l»eing thrown by the Governor, who was present with his private secretary, Mr Hugh Boscawen. After the performance Lord Onslow went down behind the scenes to bid farewell to his old clubmate (Mr Toole), and there presenter! him with an enormous bouquet, which must have measured fully a couple of feet across, and was tied with long pale blue streamers. Numbers of other friends al.-o went down to the green room to wish the Company good-bye, as they were to leave by the early train the following morning. Miss Eliza Johnston,

an actress who has for many years been associated with Mr Toole, was particularly good that evening, but, for my own (■art, I have always preferred her clever acting to that of any of the other ladies of the Company. In the dress-circle that evening I saw Mrs Travers, Mr- Coleridge, Miss Barclay, the Misses Quick. Miss Melville. Mr and Mrs Werry, Mr and Mrs Jellicoe. Dr. and Mrs Gillon, Miss Buller, the Misses Dranstield, Mr and Mrs Robinson, and Dr and Mrs Collins. The next night Madame Marian Burton <q>ened at the < * per a House, but I am sorry to say that she was greeted by a poor house, the reason, I suppose, leingthat nearly everyone ha« been going so constantly to the theatre' during Toole's season that it has palled on them. 1 feel quite sorry that this accomplished singer has chosen such a bad time, but j-erhaps later on she will have better houses. One favourite of her company is Poussard. who delights everyone with his exquisite violin solos, and he is so goodnatured over his encores, and looks as though he enjoys the playing as much as his audience. Madame Burton has a tine stage presence, and dresses exquisitely, and appears to sing without the slightest effort. The first night she wore a lovely pale pink silk dress, trained and plentifully besprinkled with Jewels, chiefly diamonds, and one huge emerald, ami wore ong tan glovesand diamond bracelet. Another, which was quite the handsomest of her gowns, was of rich white satin, plainly made with a short train, and the whole front was elaborately embroidered in green and gold, with jewels flashing about among the folds, and jewelled brooches stuck all over the low corsage. The first night Miss Baber wore a soft creamy gown plainly made with train, and another night looked very well in rose pink silk, with full folded bodice and long train, and the hem of the front was elalorately trimmed with tiny frills, at the top of which was a V-shaped design in pink pom-pons. Her best effort during the season seems to have been ‘Ave Maria,' bv Gounod, when M. Ponssard played the obligato, Mr Parker the organ, ami Mr Bradley the piano. Madame Burton s ‘ She Wore a Wreath of Roses ' and ‘ The Lady of the Lea ' will long linger in the memory of those foitunate enough to have heard them. Mr Stockwell, of course, sang, but Ido not think he has improved since we last heard him with Santley. when he was in splendid voice. Among those in the audience I have seen Mr and Mrs Levin. Mr and Mrs Longhnan, Mrs Parker, Mr and Mrs Fisher. Miss Fisher. Mrs Leckie, Mrs Jellicoe, Miss Gore, the Misses Hadfield, Miss Cooper. Miss Medley. Lady Campbell. Mrs Harding, Miss trandon, the Misses Hardy, Miss K. Johnston, Miss McClean. Mrs and Miss George, Miss Richmond, and many others. The engagement between Miss Quick and Mr Harold Tronson has j ust been announced. Dr. and Mrs Lindo Ferguson have arrived from Dunedin, and are staying with their mother at ‘ Linda,' the Terrace. There is not much news this week, but you may look forward to a budget next for it is Show week, and besides this, the tierman Squadron have arrived, and we mean to be very gay. Already there are invitations out for no less than four l»alls—the Mayor's ball, the Wellington Club ball, one given by the German residents, and an ‘ At Home ' of Mrs Coleridge’s—besides a picnic to be given on the Rimutaka Ranges by Lord Onslow. These, combined with tiie Show, the Races, and Miss Janet Achurch at the Opera House, will make up an exciting ten days. Ruby.