Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 40, 1 October 1892, Page 968

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS

LADY GLASGOW gave another afternoon ‘At Home,' as usual from 330 to 5 o’clock. In com-

parison to others given by her ladyship, this was (writes my correspondent), quite a small affair, there not being more, I should think, than fifty or sixty guests. There was no amusement provided, but with chatting to one’s friends and drinking tea, etc., the time passed pleasantly. The conservatory was thrown open and looked beautiful, and the long corridor was beautifully decorated with greenery, such as ferns, bamboo, etc. The drawing rooms were, as usual, looking very pretty with heaps of Howers, pot plants, palms, etc. The day was miserably wet and dreary, and I dare say the weather kept many intending guests away. lam afraid all or nearly all the gaiety is over. Only a few private dances are on the tapis. I heard a rumour of a large ball at Government House before the session closes, but I know not how true it may be.

Mrs (Judge) Williams Dunedin entertained twenty young people to a high tea—or in other words to a fashionable euchre party. The numbers were supplemented by seveial more in the evening. Amongst those present were Mr and Miss Sievwright, Mr and Miss Reynolds, Miss Sise, Miss Roberts, Miss Cooper (Wellington), Miss Rattray, Miss Gibson, Miss Haggitt, etc.

A large and extremely pleasant afternoon tea was given by Mrs J. Davidson. A considerable number of Dunedin gentlemen were present, which fact added greatly to the afternoon’s amusement. Music, under the superintendence of Mr W. Taylor, passed off most successfully, while tea and sweets and conversation were going on in another room. Among those present were Mr and Mrs Branigau, Mrs Mason, Mrs (Dr.) Scott, Miss Sise, Mrs G. L. Denniston, Mrs Sale. Mrs Russell, Mrs Spence, Professor Sale, Mr Hanson Turton, etc.

Whether it was the becoming lights or becoming dresses history doth not state, but seldom have Dunedin girls looked better than on the occasion of Mrs Rattray’s dance, given at her residence. The evening was a most enjoyable one, the music was excellent, and the Hoor in perfect condition for dancing. About twenty young people were present. The dresses are described elsew-here.

Mrs Burns’ Club (Christchurch) had another very pleasant afternoon’s practice at her house, but, by a strange coincidence. all the solo pianistes were absent. Some trios sung by Mrs Leonard Harper, Mrs Burns, and Mrs Westmacott were a very great treat, and songs by Mrs Alan Scott, Mrs Denniston, and Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley were also charmingly sung. A good many visitors were present, by invitation, to listen, amongst them Lady and Miss Hall, Mrs Tancred, Mrs Fenwick, and Mrs Moorhouse.

The ‘ Sandwich ’ dance at the Papanui Town Hall, Christchurch, in aid of the parish funds, was a pronounced success. The stage and gallery were beautifully decorated and used as drawing-rooms, the lovely pot plants, lent by one of the ladies of the committee, adding greatly to the charming appearance of the room. The Hoor is known as one of the best for dancing, and with Fleming’s music, feet truly ‘ twinkled.’ About two hundred were present.

Gleams of approaching summer are dispersing the winter clouds, and picnics are even now not only spoken of, but are actual facts. Christchurch is well in the van, and seems to have leaped over the spring season, though probably they will have to go back to it later. The Girls’ Wahine Chib finished their session by a picnic to Sumner, the weather being charming. A most tempting luncheon was prepaied by the members—the Misses Murray-Aynsley, Cowlishaw, Tabart, Greenwood, Moorhouse, Robison, Helniore, Thomson, Campbell, and Worthy. Amongst the

visitors were Misses Nedwil), Archer, Palmer, and others. A very enjoyable day was spent in games and rambling about.

The ‘ladies’ night’ at the Hastings Gymnasium was very enjoyable. A large and fashionable audience assembled to witness the various clever performances. Mr Wrigley, as usual, carried off the palm in the club and dumbbell exercises. He is very neat and graceful in his style. Mr Hodge, too, deserves honourable mention. Several songs were sung during the evening, which were all encored, but the programme being rather long, encores were not allowed. Mr Goldsmith was in excellent voice, and received a pronounced encoie for his rendering of ‘ Captain Dando.’ Mr Nichol, a stranger to Hastings audiences, sang, ‘ Home, Boys, Home ’in a very taking manner. A great feature of this entertainment was the ‘horse,’ nicknamed ‘The Thoroughbred.’

The last item on the programme was a ‘ run round,’ and indeed it was a ‘ run round,’ the men seemed to thoroughly appreciate it. The flying leaps over the ‘ pony > and the ‘ horse ’ were most amusing. A short ‘ run round ’ by the junior members of the Club brought a delightful evening to a close. A tiny mite of a boy named Bamford, who went through his performances capitally, and provoked great applause, merits special praise. There is to be one more ladies' night,’ when three or four medals are to be presented, and then the season will wind up with a dance, to which many people are looking forward.

A most enjoyable dance was given by some of the pettyoffieers and men of H.M S. Ringarooma at the Devonport Hall, North Shore. The room was most tastefully decorated with Hags, the walls being draped with the ensigns of our own and foreign nations. About fifty couples were present, amongst the guests being the following officers :— Captain Burke, Messrs Johnson, Shorey, Batt, Graham and Thomson, and Mr Lainsbury from H.M S. Goldfinch. The music was excellent, as also was the catering. Dancing was kept up till 4 30 a.m., a special ferry steamer conveying the guests to Auckland. Great credit is due to the

Committee, by whom everything was done to ensure sue

From Balclutha comes the news of a Leap Year Ball which was held in the Athemeum Hall, the rooms being most tastefully decorated and presenting a very bright appearance. The Hoor, music, and supper were all that could be desired, and great praise is due to the Clinton and Wairuna young ladies who worked hard to make it a success.

For the last two or three months the little people of New Plymouth have been on the tip toe of expectation, the goal of their longing feet being the Children's Fancy Dress ball. Alas ! it has vanished like a midsummer night’s dream, and only the delightful memory of its pleasures survives, mingled with delicious hopes ot a similar treat next year. The ball was held in the new Drill Shed, which is admirably suited for terpsichorean purposes. With the temporary gallery subtracted, the hall is square in shape, the platform for the orchestra being in the centre.

The walls are furnished with imitation mirrors from Hoor to ceiling which present a very blight appearance. The brilliant lights were reflected in these mirrors, and with a liberal and graceful garniture of ferns and nikau, the hall was like fairyland, the numerous dainty elves and nymphs flitting about, adding to the charming illusion. All the dances at the ball were chosen to suit the children, and were lively ones, such as the Tennis Dance, the Barn Dance, the Finger Polka, the Varsoviana. The young folks in this district for the most part dance beautifully, their performance being, in fact, quite a revelation to their seniors. It was made a matter of conscience with the latter that up till ten o’clock they would only dance with the

juveniles. At that hour the children marched into a most liberal supper, after which they went home tired, but exceedingly happy. Then, to reward themselves for their self denying exertions, the older young people took the Hoor and danced heartily until four a.m., when they too dispersed.

Comic Opera is still the absorbing topic of conversation in Auckland. • Dorothy ’ and ‘ The Yeomen of the Guard ’ have been added to the list of successes scored by Williamson's Opera Company in Auckland. The revival of • Dorothy ’ proved very popular, and was mainly remarkable for the appearance of Miss May Pollard ip the title

role. A most popular member of the company, and a great favourite in this colony. Miss Pollard scored a decided success. Her singing was excellent, and if she would get rid of a somewhat affected manner of speaking and attitudinising, her impersonation would be a perfect one. Miss Young achieved an unqualified success as Lydia, acting with spirit, singing with great taste and judgment, and looking attractive enough to subdue a whole Shertcuod forest if need be. Miss Varley made Phyllis a principal instead of a secondary character, and carried off many of the evening’s honors. She thoroughly deserved her success, for she worked extremely hard for it.

Unlike too many young comic opera actresses, Miss Varley does not confine her acting to the time she is speaking her lines or singing her songs. The whole time she is on the stage she acts, and that in the most charming manner, never exaggerating and never underdoing a part. Many of the most subtle little points in her bye-play were passed. Generally speaking, she took her audience with her completely. Needless to say, she looked and dressed the part to perfection.

Mr H. Bracy is most excellent as Geoffrey Wilder, and sings with wonderful sweetness and expression the somewhat common place tenor solos. He acts with rare ability, and when one remembers that he is responsible for the whole pioduction, that on his shoulders rests the vast responsibility ot the whole arrangement of the opera, one can scarcely bestow sufficient praise. Mr Deane sang ‘ Queen of My Heart ’ excellently, and made Sherwood a most delightful fellow. Mr Lauri is an admirable Lurcher, causing continuous laughter while on the stage, and Miss Cameron is a really capital exponent ot the part of Priscilla. The choruses, etc., go with finish, and, to conclude, ‘Dorothy’ has probably never been better put on the boards.

A most enjoyable dance was given at ‘ Longwood,’ Wairarapa, a few days ago by Mr Charles Pharazyn, jun., who is occupying the house there during the absence of the family. There were nearly one hundred guests, a great many of whom went up from town especially for it. and there were about thirty guests staying in the house on the night of the ball. The party was chaperoned by Mrs Stratton Izard, Mrs Charles Izard, jun., Mrs Elgar, and Mrs Louis Pharazyn. Mr Pharazyn proved himself a most capable host, and the party spent a very pleasant time.

The ‘ Mikado’ is at present in full rehearsal in New Plymouth, and is to be performed at Christmas. It is under the conductorship of Mr Ezra Brooke. Miss Carrie Knight (late of Auckland) has, it is said, consented to take part.

The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts have closed their most successful season in Wellington. Even up to the last night, the gallery was crowded with visitors. A large number of pictures were sold. His Excellency the Governor buying several by local artists, and the Art Union in connection with the Exhibition proved a great success. Mr Govett was the lucky winner of the first prize. During the week there have been some very pleasant musical evenings at the Gallery. One night Mrs and Miss Parsons and others sang, another night the talented Hill family gave an excellent concert. Mr Alfred Hill played some exquisite little gems on his violin. Miss Hill sang, and also Mrs E. J. Hill, while Mr E. J. Hill also sang in his usual good style. Another night Mrs Fell, the Misses Richmond, Mr E. T. Richmond, Miss Williams, and others took part. Among those seen there duiing the week were Mrs and the Misses Richmond, Mrs and Miss Fitzgerald, Mrs Valentine, Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mrs and Miss Richardson, Mr and Miss Barraud, the Misses Henry, the Misses Hadfield, Miss Izatd, Miss Hawkins, Miss Pynsent, Miss Turnbull, Mrs Hartmann, the Misses Harding, the Misses Moorhouse, Miss Dransfield, Miss Tabart, Mr and Mrs Ogle, and many others.

A very large house greeted Signor Foli on his opening night in the Empire City. The large Opera House was crowded, and the audience included a large party from Government House—Lord and Lady Glasgow, Col. Pat Boyle, Miss H allowes, the Ladies Boyle, Capt. HunterBlair, Mr Clayton and Mr Gillington, all of whom appeared to thoroughly enjoy the concert. The great singer was, of course, encored again and again, and was very good natured in responding to such enthusiasm.

Mrs Jacobs, the Deanery (Christchurch), gave a children's party, which was greatly enjoyed by all the little folk.

Mrs John Beaumont, Abberley, Christchurch, gave a pleasant luncheon party. Her guests were :—Mrs G. G. Stead, Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Weston, Mrs W. B. Common, Mrs John Aiken, Mrs W. D. Meares, Mrs M. Macpherson, Mrs Matson and MrsC. Matson. The table was exquisitely appointed and decorated, the centre having a crumpled billowy bank of crSpy material in a soft shade of blue with three centre pieces in silver, the middle one being rather tall, filled with double and single daffodils. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent. Mrs Beaumont will shortly take a trip Home with her husband.

The Blenheim Hunt Club Races, held on the Riverlands Racecourse, were most successful, and very fairly- attended. The day was bright and sunny,.but cold, so there were no spring costumes worn by the ladies, who were all most sensibly and seasonably clad. Most of the races were very exciting, with close finishes. Mr Rutherford’s capital team was much admired on the course. Among the horses running Prince Cole ‘ took the cake,' as someone slangily remarked, so far as regards looks, but as he did not win anything ‘looks were deceptive.’ Mangama disappointed us very much, as his form in the hunting season was wellknown. He looked trained too fine, however.

The Dunedin School of Art Club had a crowded hall every evening, especially upon concert nights. It is expected that a number of the pictures will sell. Each ticket gave a chance of drawing a picture, and when the lucky numbers were made known the Choral Hall was packed.

Mr E. B. Hayward, in connection with the other officebearers, works hard to make the Club a success. This is only the second exhibition of the Club, which is formed chiefly of members who are engaged in other occupations during the day. The Society is a self-supporting one, and about £5O worth of prizes have been allowed each year. Every work exhibited is distinctly original, anything in the shape of a copy being at once rejected.

The Club meets at the School of Art, Moray Place, every alternate Friday for the purpose of study from the living model, or to hear lectures delivered or papers read upon art or kindred subjects. Daring the summer months excursions are made for the purpose of sketching from Nature. Great confidence is felt that the Club will establish a permanent selling club.

The famous oaks in Government House grounds, Auckland, are now clothed in their most delicate coats of green. The mild spring weather, with its plentiful showers, has produced its usual result of exquisite flowers of every description. One amateur gardener in Eden Terrace is displaying a magnificent bed of cinnerarias, about three hundred and fifty plants, grown in the open air, which present a marvellous mass of gorgeous colour. This gentleman has also some rare bulbs, many of them having been imported from the Continent at a cost of thirty-five shillings a bulb.

A capital dance was given by Mrs James Scott at her residence, ‘ Mahinga,’ Dunedin, on the evening of the wed-ding-day of her daughter, Miss Annabella Scott. It always seems a pity that on these occasions the bride and bridegroom do not stay to, at least, set the ball rolling. This dance is described as ‘one of the jolliest of parties.’ The large dining room was the ball room, the floor was perfect, and the dances animated and gay.

The drawing room was prepared for cards, and here between the dances the guests rested. The breakfast-room was devoted to the supper, and looked simply beautiful with spring flowers, among which lovely camellias bloomed. The hospitable hostess had made every provision for the comfort of her guests, receiving them in the chaiming heliotrope gown she had worn at the wedding.

Mr and Miss Studholme, of Canterbury, arranged a very pleasant driving party a few days ago. Unfortunately the weather was not quite all that could be desired, but notwithstanding this the large drag was full, and a merry time they had driving to and from the Hutt, where they had afternoon tea. Seveial of the Government House party were present besides more than a dozen others.

The paper bunt, which took place in Gisborne at Mr G. L. Sunderland’s, Lavenham, proved very enjoyable. Mr W. Wethered suffered a rather serious accident, but recovered sufficiently in the evening to attend the Italian Opera Company’s concert at the Theatre Royal.

The Northern Club intend to give an ‘ At Home ’ during the visit of His Excellency the Governor.

A notable event in connection with the early settlement of the colony is announced to take place on next Monday week in the Choral Hall, and which promises to be unique of its kind. On the 10th October, 1842, the passengers of the shins Duchess of Argyle and Jane Gifford were landed on our shores, and a more suitable class could not have been found for laying the foundation of a great city. They were nearly all young married couples, and skilled workmen representing every trade. The present generation can hardly realise the weariness, labour, and toil endured by the early settlers ; localities were not clearly defined in those days, when people frequently lost their way half way up, what we now call Symonds-street. It is now arranged to hold a re union of the old colonists and the passengers of the above vessels on the above date, and as the 19th of October, 1892, will complete the jubilee year we wish them all success at its celebration.

Miss Katie Sinclair (Blenheim) gave a small birthdayparty to her friends, when dancing and games were kept up with much spirit, and greatly enjoyed.

Humour and pathos, joking and grieving, laughter and tears, how inextricably they are mingled in this world of ours, so that the master of the one art is almost invaribly the truest artist in the other ; and the man who can most quaintly tickle our fancies is he who reaches most unfailingly, through the ever growing crust of worldliness, and touches what surrounds that strange thing we sometimes call our heart. Narrow is the line between the sublime and the ridiculous, narrower still that which divides screaming farce from gravest tragedy. Nay, the two often run concurrently, the one on the face, and the other in the soul. Somewhat vaguely expressed, perhaps, and scarcely developed, these ideas as imaginings that spring from music often are.

For in good truth ‘ The Yeomen of the Guard ’ is the subject on which these paragraphs should by right deal. There is a sadnesss, a gentle melancholy, melancholy of the pleasant description so admirably described by that clever humorous writer, J. M. Barrie (whose intermediate bits of pathos are veritable gems), in this opera that is conducive to meditation, and meditation is a great breeder of vain imaginings. Of all Gilbert and S illivan’s operas, this is the strangest and incomparably the most beautiful from a musician’s point of view. It is the opera that will live long after ‘ The Gondoliers,’ ‘ Patience,’and ‘Pinafore,’ ay, even the ‘ Mikado,’ have passed away. It was a shocking misnomer, however, to term it comic opera. It is tragic of the tragic '. There is folly, but that is merely lighting, there is laughter, but ’cis the laughter followed by a lump in the throat. It is precisely- because there is so much fun and frivolity on the surface that we feel so keenly the bitterness of the half-hidden grief. The sorrow is not naked, but halfdraped, your nude figure is never suggestive. The death wound seldom shown.

The ‘Yeomen of the Guard’ strikes a note with the vibrations of which we are all familiar. The farce of the merryman and his maid, with a gay face and stricken heart, is played every day by those aiound us, and sooner or later in life the curtain goes up when it is our turn to take a principal character. Some of us would seem, indeed, to play the part so well that our life is but a series of sad encores. Miserie me, lack a day dee—do we not all know the play? How well, how far too well ! The smiling face, so set and serene, the ready laugh produced at such a cost, the shuddering jollity, the dance of death, are they not like the poor, always with us while we are eating our very hearts out.

Come good or ill, and come love and life, despair or death, sorrow, shame, disgrace, through them all many of us have to turn to the grinning, gaping audience of the world a

smiling face. Gaily we play our part and the fools applaud ; loudly we laugh, louder and louder, for we would fain drown the passionate beating of our breaking hearts, and then when the last joke is made and the audience has gone cackling home, and the gay lights and giddy throng have given place to the darkness and silence we craved for, then, while the rain beats sadly on the roof, and the wind howls in sorrowful cadences round the desolate house, then we can tear the mumming mask of artificiality off, and turn to the sky and to our God the white, drawn face of grief unconsolable.

Next day we resume the mask

Sullivan’s greatest opera is admirably interpreted by the Williamson < >pera Company, and all over the colony there is a treat—a very real treat—in store. It would be hard to bestow too much praise on the admirable mounting. Vocally, the opera is just a little beyond the company, but the orchestra covereth a multitude of sins. Mr Bracy is to be as warmly congratulated as manager as he is in his admirable rendering of the fine tenor part of Fairfax. Miss Graupner makes a most bewitching Elsie, and gives evidences of vocal and histrionic powers which were hidden till the opportunity of a delightful character called them forth. Miss Varley is altogether charming as I’lm-be, and has the complete sympathy of the audience. And poor Jack Point ! Well, it was Jack Point that caused all that moralisation. If Mr Lauri cannot find the truest compliment in that tribute to his powers in the half a column of sentimental meandering preceding this, for which he aided and abetted, an! Gilbert and Sullivan were entirely responsible, well, he ought never to get a notice again.

OUR Wellington correspondent telegraphs — ‘Signor Foli concluded a series of most successful concerts in the Opera House on Saturday night. His Excellency the Gcvernor and Lady Glasgow, accompanied by one of their daughters and Captain Hunter-Blair, A.D.C., were present. The concert was excellent throughout, Signor Foli being in splendid voice. By special request of Lord Glasgow, the Signor sang ‘Ruddier than the Cherry,’ giving in response to an enthusiastic encore, Gounod's ‘ She Alone Charmeth My Sadness,' in magnificent style. Signor Foli's other songs were, ‘ In Sheltered Vale,' with ‘ Mavoureen, Dearest ’ as the encore, and ‘ I’m off to Philadelphia,’ which being as usual, encoied, was followed by ‘ The Wedding of Shon McLean.' The Company gave one more performance on Monday night, when an oratorio occupied the first part of the programme, whilst the second included Signor Foli's greatest success ‘ Father O'Flynn, and ‘Bedouin LoveSong,’ etc.

The incumbent of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Hastings, has met with a magnificent response to his appeal to the congregation to pay off the church debt. Last Sunday, on the occasion of the special offertory, the collection amounted to £1,230. This included a cheque for £5OO, ami two for £lOO. The Rev. J. Hobbs feels that the Church of England has some generous friends in Hawke's Bay.

Miss Emily Johnston gave a small and very delightful dance in Fitzherbert Teriace, Wellington. The drawingroom was used for dancing, and a delicious supper was prepared upstairs. The music was splendid. The decorations were particularly beautiful, consisting of draped pot-plants, palms, greenery and flowers, the whole softly illuminated with shaded lamps. It goes without saying that the Scotch Reel was danced.

Another small party eventuated on Saturday night, September 24th, at the house of Mrs T. C. Williams, Wellington, from 9to 12 o’clock. Music was given in the drawing room, and dancing enjoyed in the large hall.

In the afternoon, Mr and Mrs James Mills (Dunedin) gave a small water party. About a dozen guests went in the steam launch Kate across Wellington Harbour to the fortifications, where afternoon tea was much appreciated. The outing was most enjoyable, the weather being glorious.

Another ‘At Home’ is announced at Government House on Thursday from 9 o'clock till 12. There will be dancing. MR JUDE. Mr Jude opens his season in Auckland next we< k at the City Hall. Readers of this paper treed no further inti od ictiorr to the great vocalist so far as these columns are concerned. Herein he has figured frequently, ami always in connection with something pleasant. Mr Jude's progress through the colony has been one of unqualified success, and to judge from the numerous and lengthy disquisitions on his merits which have reached ns from the South during the last few months, Mr Jude will score another triumph and do more good work in Auckland.