MUSICAL FETE AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS. - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 8 Mar 1853 (original) (raw)
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Tue 8 Mar 1853 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Page 6 - MUSICAL FETE AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.
MUSICAL FETE AT THE BOTANICAL
The first of these entertainments came off yes-
terday, at the Botanical Gardens, in aid of the
funds of the Melbourne Hospital. From 1000
to 1200 persons visited the grounds during the
afternoon, among whom were His Excellency
the Lieutenant-Governor, and several members
of tho Government and Legislative Council, the
officers of the 40th Regiment, &c. The booth
situated at the summit of the Gardens was
gaily festooned for the occasion ; one side of it
was arranged with seats for ladies and others,
while the other was turned into a refectory,
superintended by Mr. Ellis, late of English
celebrity. In front of the reserved seats
within the booth was placed a small platform
for the ladies and gentlemen performers. This
was tastefully arranged with bouquets and dra-
pery, and presented a handsome appearance.
The military band were accommodated with
forms and music-stands before the temporary
The Gardens opened shortly before two
o'clock, from which hour until four, the band
of the 40th played some of their best selections.
At the latter hour the Concert commenced,
which consisted of the following pieces :-
Opening Glee-Chough and Crow, Mrs
Fiddes, Mrs. Hancock, Mr. Gregg, and
Mr. C. Walsh-In happy moments ...Balfe,
Mr. Gregg - Simon, the cellarer ...Hatton.
Mrs. Fiddes - Poor though my lot may be - Donizetti.
Mr. Winterbottom - Solo on Bassoon -
Mrs. Hancock - Lillian - Mozart
Mr. Gregg - As I view - Bellini
Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Fiddes - Duet, We
Mrs and Mrs Hancock -Duet, Think a
Sailor is Faithful ...Balfe.
Finale - The National Anthem, by whole
Company and Military Band...
The Concert was under the able management
of Mr. Winterbottom, of the Promenade
Concerts. From the high wind which prevailed
the female singers could not be heard to the
best advantage, their voices in a measure being
lost in the noise of the wind rustling among
the trees. Mr Gregg in "Simon the Cellarer"
was well received. Mr. Walsh, likewise, in
the song "In Happy Moments," sang with
very good effect. The crowning performance
of all was a solo on the bassoon, by Mr. Winbottom,
who was deservedly encored. An
instrument from which one would least expect
to hear sweet sounds, brought forth, under Mr.
Winterbottom's hands, the most delightful
strains. The concert concluded at half-past
five with the National Anthem. The Sax
Horn Band was not present, in consequence, we
hear, of its being engaged in Geelong.
The Gardens in different parts were arranged
with flags and banners of many nations. Over
the Orchestra waved the "Union Jack," and
the " Stars and Stripes;" near the latter was
the "Prussian Eagle ;" at the opposite end
was the "Tricolor of France," and last but
not least, was suspended over the principal
walk, the beautiful "League Flag of Australia."
The company comprised a large proportion
of ladies. The superintendence of the
fêtes devolved upon Mr. Wright, whom we
may thank for his exertions for so good a
cause. A body of the City Police, under the
control of Sergeant Cummings, kept order on
the ground. One thing, however, we must
denounce, -we mean the sale of intoxicating
drinks on the ground, the effect of which was
painfully apparent on many before the conclusion
of the fete. Another source of annoyance
was a complete cloud of tobacco-smoke, which
at times was most offensive to the visitors.
At entertainments such as these, where the
attendance of ladies is so desirable, not only to
their own gratification, but to add interest to the
scene, these things should not be tolerated. If
gentlemen cannot restrain themselves for an
hour or so, the authorities on the ground should
enforce decorum. We trust such scenes may
not be enacted to-day, and that means, will not
be placed in the way to tempt others to acts of
intemperance. In the present constitution of
society in Victoria, it should be a settled thing
that, in any amusement in which the gentler
sex is expected to partake, the accursed element
of intoxicating liquors must be eschewed.
This afternoon's fête will commence at two
o'clock, when the Military Band will perform
until four, at which hour the following is the
programme of the concert: -
Opening Glee - Hall smiling Morn - Mrs.
Fiddes, Mrs. Hancock, Mr. Gregg, Mr.
Sayer, and Mr. Hancock - Spofforth.
Mr. C. Walsh - Kathleen Mavourneen - Crouch.
Mr. Gregg - In this old Chair - Balfe.
Mr. W. F. Sayer - The Maids of merry England - Perring.
Mr. Winterbottom - Solo on Bassoon.
Mrs. Fiddes - Happy Land - Barnett.
Mrs. Hancock - Should he upbraid - Bishop.
Mr. Gregg - The Monks of Old - Ransford.
Mrs. Fiddes - Solo - Jeannette and Jeannot.
Finale Glee - The Gipsies' Tent - Mrs.
Fiddes, Mrs. Hancock, Mr. Gregg, Mr.
Sayer, and Mr. Hancock - Cooke.
We would again appeal to the public to aid so
benevolent and humane a cause as that of the
Melbourne Hospital, and now that so agreeable and
inexpensive an occasion offers, to use their
utmost to spare an hour or two, and a few shillings,
that the bounds of the Hospital may be
enlarged, and suffering humanity on all
sides benefited. Although about £140 was
received yesterday, it is a paltry trifle compared
with the abounding wealth around. We hope
to record in our next, that the attendance of
yesterday was but a tithe of that of this