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