Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Friday 4 February 1859, page 6


PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.

The festivals of Christmas and New Year have occurred sinco tho date of our last Summary, and brought with them more than the usual round of amusements. Indeed the bright sunny skies which attend the antipodal celebration of this time-honored season, havo naturally given rise to a class of amusements more numerous, varied, and certainly not Icbs

genial, hearty, and appropriate than those which occupy the attention of holiday-keopers ia boreal latitudes. But without referring to tha hundreds of pic-nio parties held on the picturesque bauks of the Yarra and other Buitable localities, the countless excursions by steamers to the Bweot BpotB whioh abound on the shores of thn harbor, the fetes champetre held in all directions, horse races, and cricket matches innumerable, and other Bouroes of amusement adapted to our climate, Wo at onoo proceed to note the most salient points of those conducted upon the home prinoiplo.

i Mr w. ni. AKnurst, wno nas ior uve years suocessively beon entrusted by tho niinager of tha Tbeatro Royal with tho produc'ionof the pantomime, en this occasion presented us with an 1 entertainment, the opening foundod ou the story of Hobiu Hood, spiced with one or two features of ' Dor FraiachuU,' and burlesques on passages in 'II Trovatore.'' The clcssst attention failed to discern anything approaching a plot ; yot, as the production waa heavily seasoned with local 'bits,' anl well acted by the various members of the corps theatriqui, it was favorably received, and enjoyed a run from Boxing Night to the middle of the ensuing month. The scenery was painted by Messrs William Pitt, Tanuett, Wilson, Habbc, and assistants. The Leopold Family, Mdlle Therese, Moub Sohmidt, and some clever little dancers from America, designated ' Les Swurs Worrell,' puataiued the chief parts in the comio and terpsichorean portions of tbo pantomime. Tho author's heuefit drew au immense houso. On the withdrawal of the pantomime, the extravaganzas ' Lalla Rookh' and ' Ouco upon a Timo there were Two Kings,' were repro

duced with their olden success. Sinoa this, Mr G. V. Brooke has beeu playing his usual round of Sbaksperian aud Irish characters, previous to tha dis ?jlution of tho partnership existing between him and Mr Coppin. Miss Elleu Mortyn, formerly of tho Theatre .Royal, Dublin, has been an admirable exponent of the chief female characters, and played [ well up to Mr Brooke. Mr Hudson, the celebrated I Irish oomedian, has boen engaged for this theatre, r'

and will appear so soon M he arrives from England. On Tuesday last the company nt the Royal gave a performance in nid of the fund for establishing an Austral1 in house i-r houam, iu councctioii with tho Royal Dramatic College la'.ely founded in L'n lon. The attendance wus uut large, but a very con Eidorablo sum has beeu privately subscribed by tho members of the profession, and otheis who take nn interest in the drama. The amount will shortly be despatched to the paront in-tit'.ilion by tlio Hon. Georgt. Coppin, M.L.C., who ia the proprietor of the theatre, and to whom ia duo tho eridit of having aot tho subscription on foot. On the occasion of the icrformancc, Mr It. Younge recited Shaknpere's 'Seven Ape«,' eaoh age being illustrated by appropriate tableaux. l'he Princcss Theatre waa re-opened on Boxing Night, ur'1-' ? ? ?'?tpent of Mr J. R Grevillo, with thn H' lloltJ., Momci. ? . 1 ;% Joura J, F' Ilich'ird'1' Ueanutoun BroHough. r, JI. 5., J. tiodae, Hamburg. Mollcnbeck and adiuirabl , Bona, a., Maunders, London. UianismUi 0 J Ualuscj-or, Dnntzic. Urighl Brothers, were em Nelson j B. b., Wm. Madden, Caloutta. Dcnuintoun, Bro^?7°,Ctt, !-.°s , Wm. Torter, Liverpool. Bright, Brothers, withdra' run, l'Mus, Am. Kobt. B. Hallett, Boston. Newell, bv ho 1,11(1 Co- . „ equally Ii!u-su' D' U Voiulcrbultcr, Gottenberg. E. M catbr will bo eb, s., Tiurnc, London. W. if. White. foutlde(»id, 11. s., J. White, Liverpool, l/irimcr, Mackie Georgo st l) 0 0 ,Umb.i Liverpool. Towns and (j'irltnei Lfulemetrn Crown, A. b., A. Halletl, London. Uo rasa n,«r|. inf9 und Uo* .«»(»« i u* t i u»l Kuglc, Am. s., J.II. \latthcw*» Boston, \Mlklnur JUU:hera cud Co. rccuverjud, B, a., J. Harrison, London. \V. 1 . Wlnto nnd mako a T . ? Olcndowor, B. n.t J. Watson, LoaJon. W SeV® 1 c and Co. „ A . another^ K g-j Vr. Holme*, Uour Kong. Captain. Cieorgoiridijc, A. iIattUe;Yi, Boston. Newell, Hooper, ln mi! l°)a, R.M.S., Leeds, Allen. 11. M. Company. iUe io Alfred, B. a., Jarris, Milford Haven. Kanffman, usual \m. Exhibits li- a-, Tulioch, London. Martin, Forrest, and Co. . rm„„alp, B. s., 1072, ]. Wallace, Liverpool. Bright orinau ftnd COi tcuuod&oj, 1). a., p. Logan, London. Victoria Sugar Comcitizeni jhearsal'- hearsal'- '? c- t-ow's Soderham. Smith, Merry, and year, t!x- jj_ i ( -\yt p. Fotherglll, London. W. P. White was U occasions Star, B. a., K. J. All in, Liverpool. T. S. Martin ®'it Daly, D. »., C. C. Fulbrun, Adelaide. Molchior and hon. s( Ruttefnham, B. .1. Sargent, London. Dalgety and Co. 9oold'llori'ei®' 1,1 John Ro^em, Liverpool. Lorimor, T — s, and Co. .... . '? imar, B. Brown, Liverpool. Lorimer, Mackie, and m-rs iuel IXendricu', B. Bowdcn, Humbolt Bay. ? , «rjh Armitage, It. Bray, Colombo. 1,1 'ltaianij, B. b., J. Nourie, Liverpool. Lorimor, Mncklo, Boulno. undoiiu'J' Ann Cole, B. ?., T. Varain, Singapore. O. W. ^Holor, B. a, J. G. I'rjce, London. D« Paas Bro°f 'hand Co. Musliotoria, U.M. s- »1., 3 funs, W. H. Norman, Keppcl of ^Wu.Ara.a, J. Withera, Glasnow. Lorimor, Mackie. not oxtenaeu lo uiai uure. A successful attempt has been made to establish Saturday night concerts of a high class but popular character, at low rates of admission. The first concert, held on Saturday evening last, held forth good promise for the future. Since tho close of tbe opera at tha Princess's Theatre, a circumstance chiefly attributable to the ungenerous tone of criticism adopted by a section of the Melbourne press, the company have been dis persed over tho various mining communities in search of employment in their professional capa cities. We believe they havo been only moderately Huccessful. The company included tho names of Madame Carandini, Misa O. Hamilton, Miss Julia Harlaud, r.frs Hancock, Mons. Laglaise, Signor Coulon, Mr Sherwin, and Mr Haucock. Mous. Laglaise haa since left, per Royal Charter, for England, and Mr Farquharson for India. At Christmas time, a fair, in imitation of Englisl celebrations of that kind, was established at Uicb rnond, but after a few days trial it wa3 found to be something very nearly approaching a fail uro. Allan M'Kean, an Ainericin pedestrian, who had previously walked a thousand miles iu as many successive hours at Ballaarat, performed the same feat in Melbourne, and completed it successfully ou the evening of the 3rd of January at a littlo aft;r ten o'clock. He walked his last inilo but one in 10 minutes 9 seconds, nud his last iu 15 minutes 29 seconds.

Mr Mason 3 Lecture. — Ibis gentleman, who some few yeara since, waa known in Victoria as nn actor and elocutionist of sorao reputo, d-livered a discourse last evening at tho Mechanics Institute, an the life, writings, and genius of Robert Burns, which he illustrated with readings and recitations from many of the poets most favorite aud beautiful worka,— ranging frein tho serious to the broad humor, in which Burns so pre-eminently excelled. Mr Mason evidently entered into his subject con amore, and the pathos, intensity of feeling, and racy humor of the originals lose none of thoir effect in his reudering. His audienco, which waa ra'her limited, listened most attentively throughout, aud at times testifiod their marked approval. Social Meeting. —On Tuesday evening last n sooial meeting wa3 held in the Welsh Chapel, Latrobo street, on the occasion of the Rev. Joseph Parr leaving that congregation for the United Welsh Protestant Church, Ballaarat. Tho meeting was exceedingly well attended. Councillor John Davies occupied the chair. Several excellent nddresseB wero deliverod in the Welsh and English languages by various membe-s of the mooting, who vied with cach other iti expressing tbe esteem in which the reveroud gentleman waa held among those with whom he has hitherto labored. Mr Farr in feeling terms expressed his sense of th« compliment paid to him. The meeting must have proved exceedingly gratifying to Mr Parr, and also to the congregation among whom his lot is about to bo cast, and Dy whom we hope he will bo valued as ho deserves. Thb harmony of the evening was greatly increased by the choir, singing some beautiful hymna at appropriate intervals. The usnal compliment was paid to tho chairman, and tho meeting concluded by prayer. Presbyterian Conpehbnou on Union. — A oon ferenca of tho Ministers aud Elders of the difFerent aections of tha Colonial Presbyterian Church on Union, was held on the 2nd inst., in ths Scots Church, Colliua street. A large number of Ministers and .Elders were in attendance. Tho Rev A. Love was called to the ohair, and opened tho moetiug with prayer. The Rev I. Hetherington, as convener of the committeo appointed at the last conference, gave a report of their proceadinga, when it was moved by the Rev. J. Haatie, and unanimoualy agreed to, that the report be adopted, and that the Conference express their approval of the diligence of tho committee. The Rev I. Hetherington announced on behalf of the Synod of Victoria, tbat all their congregations wore in favor of Union. A similar statement was made by the Rev. Dr. Cairua in behalf of tho Free Church, with the exception of ono congregation, which was described as divided. It was reportod by the Ror. J. Ballantyne and tho Rev. A. M'Niool thattheseotiousof theUnited Presbyterian Church with whioh they wero respectively connected, were favorable to tbe Union. It was then resolved that tbe Conference express their great tatiafaotion in fiuding that thero was si much uuau'imity among the congregations and Synods represented on the subject of the contemplated Union; that the committeo bo re appointed, with the addition of tho Rev. A. M. Itamsay, and Mr Mncqueon, elder ,° aud that they be instructed to watch over the progress of tho bill now boforo tho Legislature, to communicato with the ministers and ciders of such presbyterian congregations as havo not hitherto been represented iu the conference, with a view to their joining in tho Union, to consider the most suitable arrangements for the final and formal consummation of the Uuiou, and to report to tho next conference. The next confurenoe was appointed to bo held at suoh time and place as tha committao might determiue. The conference was closed with prayer. Drowned in a Water Hole. — On Thursday an inquest was held by Dr Caudler, tho district coroner, at 1'ooroorong, on the body of Dancan .M'luty o, a boy of eight yearaof age, who was accidentally drowned in a water hole, while raising water iu a bucket. It appeired that tha boy's father, who was a firmer of the district, had made an attempt to save him, but ... ti.„ i—.i.. i—: ? ? — „.i i:r» f.,..,,,! i.«

ou luu uouy ueiug recovureu. me waa iouuu iu ue extinct. The jury returned a verdic'. iu accordanco with the above facts. Flies. — Aa flies are in several places a great nuisunca at present, it may bo well to state that the smoke of the dried leaves of a pumpkin burnt on a bright fire will causa them to quit au apartment in stantly, or it will kill them. Birds must be withdrawn boforo ths operation, and persons should ahstaiu from going iuto apartments immediately after, as the smoke causes headache. The employment of laurel oil is alao a preservative against 111,33, as they cannot boar the smell of it. Iu Belgium butchers have long applied it, aud with gr?at success, to tho 1 doors and window* of their shojij,