February 17, 1900.j
curtain falls on his marriage to Elsie and the death of Jack Point.
The opening of the first act introduced Phoebe and Shadbolt "the jailor and assistaut tormen- tor," and the piece from the start received a good impetus, because these were certainly two of the best-sustained characters in the piece. Mrs. Badeley as the Sergeant's daughter dis- played much dramatic ability, and above all she is to be specially commended for having so well observed what many amateurs are apt to neglect, the necessity of reciting her lines clearly and distinctly. From first to last her enunciation in recitative or song was excellent, and she was heard distinctly all over the honse. The same applies to Shadbolt, though blessed with a voice that the demon jailer possesses, the task was not so great. The opening choras was one of the best rendered in the piece, and the solo "As in days of long age. was well sung by Mrs. Badeley and was received with loud applanse. As Dame Carruthers, Mrs. Ross has not much of a part, but she made the most of it, and was undoubtedly the leading roca- list of the evening. Her solo "The screw may twist" with the chorus of the Yoemen, received well deserved applause, and the sime may ba said of the Lieutenant's solo by Mr. C. II. Hay. This is nother part to which not so much work is given, but Mr. Hay's efforts were appreciated. and the Lieutenant is a necessary individual in the piece.
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There are two characters ou which the bumour of the play depends that of Shad- bolt and Jack Point, though the end of the latter's career is the reverse of humourous. They are characters the success of which depend on the ability of the performers who represent them Among amateurs both are too frequent- ly exaggerate, and that defect was not absent from the representation last evening Yet humour in a man of Shudbolt': stump certain. ly appears an exaggeration, as moroseness dues in that of Jack Point. Mr. G. H. Serton's formance was worthy of much praise and he had evidently spared no pains to make his part a Eaccess. His dancing was very good-if novel. and the scene between him and Shadbolt was one of the best in the performance, because its real success depended so much ou the efforts of the two performers. Mr. Sexton was repeatedly applauded; so was Viscount Suirdale, and the approbation of the audience was woll merited. As Elsie Maynard, Mrs.Campbell was very pleas. ing, and her part was well sustained. Her sing ing was not so robust as the character required, though strength of voice is not always desirable unless it be placed well under control, a neces- sity which the male chorus might do well to ́occasionally remember. Her uotes were clear, aud strong in the upper register, and her solos, particularly "T'is done, I am a bride," were much appreciated. Mr. C. H. Grace as Sergeant Meryll was excellent, and Mr. G P. Lammert as Colonel Fairfax had much work to do and did it to everyone's satisfaction. The trios and quartettes between the principals were very well rendered without exception, and the quartette "Pretty maid of seventeen pecially good. In this Mrs. Lowson was beard to much advantage, taking the soprano part.
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The scene between Phoebe and Shadbolt, with her song" Wero I thy bride," was a great suc- cess, and Mrs. Badeley received an oration. The Yoemen's chorus of welcome to young Meryll, and Jack Point's solo "I have a song to sing, oh," Shadbolt's "From morn tell after- noon," were striking vocal features, excellent truly in themselves, and were well giveu by those who sang them. There were many demands for re-calls during the evening which | were deserved, but owing to the length of the pro gramme were not responded to There were no doubt many deficiencies in the play if it were ue. cessary to introduce comparisons, but as some of the obvious defects are probably known to those responsible, the subsequent prform nces will be even more successful than the first. The amateurs deserve the hearty enconrage- ment of all residents.
In conclusion great preise is due to the management. without whose assiduous labour success would have been impossible. The duties of the management "on the stage and off" have to be known to be fully appreciated, like wise those of the musical director. Mr. W. H. Bird and his assistants are also to be con- gratulated for the really pretty scene, and to Mr.
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by the United States and Japan will be gladly welcomed by us,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Sexton is due the arrangement of the charming incidental dances, (and sub-rosa the sketch of the somewhat phlegmatic o'd Yeoman with the wooden sword on the programme cover.
We shall be glad to welcome any of our friends who may be anxious, for active service, dauces were better!) The cost of the produc-nud will communicate with them when expe tion of the piece has been heavy, but the com- mittes hope to cover all expenses if a full
dient. bouse like last night's audience attend each of the remaining performances,
THE CRISIS IN CHINA,
A CHARACTERISTIC LETTER.
[The following letter was received by post yesterday, bearing the Canton postmark. Al- though the intention of the authors need not be taken very seriously yet it is indication of the feeling that widely prevails in South China against the Empress-Dowager and her advisers. For this ressou we have departed from our usual rule of not accepting correspondence without the writer's name.-Ev.]
Canton, China, 9th February, 1900.
TO THE EDITOR F THE HONKONG ** DAILY PRESS," Sir,-A great revolution is brewing in China for the overthrow of the usurping Manchus. The seeds of rebelliou hare ben sown broadcast and are already bearing frais. Favourable res- ponses have been received from the Provinces. and from nearly all the Foreign Countries wherein our brethren dwell.
The year 1900 and the succeeding years will witness a great change in China, a change which with God's help we trust will be welcome to the Foreign Powers, and beneficial to the vast and iacreaging trade of the Orient.
Thanking you for the insertion of this in your valuable ; aper. -Yours truly,
LIBE TY, Freedom, and Reform.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
On the 15th inst., a meeting of the Hong- kong Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber at the Government Offices, there being present:- !
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His EXCELLENCỶ the GríVERNOR (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.).
His EXCE LENCY Major-General GASCOIGNE C.M G. (Commanding the Troops).
+
Hon. F. H., May, CM.G. (Acting Colonial Secretary).
Hon. W. Mian Goodmas (Attorney-Gon- eral).
Hou. R MURRAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master), Hou. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. R. D. Ormssť (Director of Public Works).
Hon. C. P. CHATER, O M.G.
Hou. Dr. Ho KAL
Hon. T. H. WHITERHAD Hon E. R. Belilios, (C.M.G. Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon J. KESWICK. Hon'ble A. W. BREWIS,
Mr. R. F. Jousston (Acting Clerk of Coun-
We are buinou and coufess that the beginning | cils.) will not be without its troubles and disappoint- ments. We are a uat.on of 40,00-450-, raw D certain respects, but in judging us it must be remembered that iron ore can be smelted aud then welded into polished tempered steel.
Our leaders bare been educated and trained abroad, and we have the sympathy and support of numerous influential friends in Eugland. America and Japan.
Since the usurpation of the Mauchus the whole nation, led by its blind gui es has anuk deeper and deeper into the quagmire of corrup tion. To gratify her whims the ignorant and arrogant Empress Dowager has brought our Ancient Empire to the very verge of ruja, ie id the deposition of Krang Sa emphasizes ine personal aud sinister infuvuce of this wicked
woman.
lu justice to the Manchus and their sup porters should the Empira submit being dietat id to by a woman bad iu every respect personally, as well as p litically, or should it once for all determine to get rid of the scam which has gathered over and infected the whole body politie P
We have been organizing and waiting for the lagt two hundred and thirty years.
We
gave the young Emperor Kwang Sua chance, believing that great things were in store for ur people, but heaven has told us thr ugh the actions of the Empress Dowager that the Manchus are doomed to destruction.
Since the Manchus are determined to keep us enslaved instead of raising a from the mire of close on three centuries of corruption and misrule, we have sworn to aproot them root and branch in obedieno to the Sacred Call of Heaven
We are alive to the fact that China as repre- sented by the present corrupt and rotten Gor- ernment is a sore and an obstruction in the path of civilization and progress.
Consequently it will be our duty to remove this sore, and when the struggle has commenced, የፀ trust Great Britain, the United States and Japan will stand by us, and lend a helping hand
We are certain the great and chivalrous Eng. lish speaking peoples, who are always imbued with a high sense of honour and justice, will be pleased to afford us their support in our struggle for liberty, freedom and reform.
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A NEW MEMBER.
The oath was adminis ered to Mr. A. W. Bows on his taking his seat as a in saber of the Council.
FINANCE.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid upon the table the Financial Muutes (No. 1 to 6) and proposed that they b›
referred to the Finance Committee.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded and the motion was carried.
PAPERS.
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The ACTINO COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table "Protest by the Hon. T. H. Whitch ad against The Summoning of Chinese Ordin. unce" (Na 41 af 1×99) and the Colonial Secre- cary's Memorandum thereon Despatobes Relative to he Salaries of OMears in the Govern- ment Service." Report of the Director of the Observato y for 1899."
Secretary of State's Dispate i on the subject of short-period j-et of the Jubilee Road round the Island " Leases of Crown lands Papers on the sub-
Report of the Pò Léong Knk Society for the year ending 31×· Decmber 1899.%
THE PROTEST AGAINgr “THE SỪMMONING OF CHINEAL, ORDINANCE." The Hon. Dr. Ho Kat—I rise to a poiut of order concerning a Protest by the Hon. T. H. Whitehead against the Summoning of Chinese Ordinance' (No; 40 of 1899) and the Colonial Secretary's memorandma thereon." I presume that the memorandum has been laid on the table under section 32, of the Standing Orders in Council, the hon. member not being present at the discussion to raise any objections. The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-It is perhaps best to state that the papers were laid upon the table at my
initiative and motion in the matter.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNog-In this question I think the bon. member is right. The position appears to me to be this, that the hon, member being too late for the discussion of the Bill in Council, as it was passed, he sent in a protest to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. The Colonial Secretary suggested and I think he was right, that that protest should be laid upon the table for the information of the Coun. cil. think it is very clear that it should be so, otherwis a very long protest would forward to the Seor tary of State about this Bill which would never have been seen by the C nucil at I think on the whole, that the paper is The payment of all existing national loans | laid on the table for the information of the will be guaranteed, and the “Üpen Door" po. Council, and I question whether it is desirable. liey inangurated by Great úritain and supported" to raise any discussion on the subject.
We also take this opportunity of soliciting the help and friendly co-operation of the British, Americao, aud Japanese ress, which we trust will not be in vain.
all.
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