The GLIO Site

ROGATE.

     A CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT.— Our readers will probably remember that about a month ago an account was published in the West Sussex Gazette of the reading entertainment, given in the assembly room at the White Horse Inn. From this result the committee were unanimous in holding another meeting, for the purpose of appointing the second evening’s amusement for the ensuing winter. Preliminaries having been settled, it was decided that another should follow on the evening of Friday in Christmas week; that the programme should be well selected, in order to concord with the season; consequently this one should be termed a Christmas Entertainment. There was no lack of efficacy on the part of the compiler, for as may be seen by the annexed list the selections were well harmonised. Merry Christmas drew on, also the evening for the anticipated bona fide treat. The room was tastefully decorated with wreaths of evergreens and flowers (made by the young men at Dangstein Gardens), interspersed with mottoes appropriate for the occasion. The room was crowded, numbering nearly 200 persons. Among these we noticed J. W. Whitelock, Esq., J. Whitelock, Esq., the Misses Whitelock, Miss Wyndham, Jocelin Wyndham, Esq., Miss Knox, E. Knox, the Misses Callaway, the Misses Harris, C. Harris, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. Carver, &c., &c. C. J. Wyndham, Esq., took the chair, and after a brief but neat speech said that Mr. Elliott had written a prologue for the occasion, after which the programme would commence. The following is a copy of the prologue, which Mr. Elliott himself delivered : 

We’re here tonight with blithesome hearts,
Each in our turns to take our parts,
We’ve met together in friendship’s cause,
In hopes to merit your kind applause,
And while we’re here it is our plan
To please do the best we can;
Then if to do our best we try,
Strict criticism do not apply.
But give your kind attention, pray,
While we perform our little play.
Our syllabus is quite complete,
We hope to give you all a treat;
But, if we should fail—by the bye,
We will not fail without a try
We’ve some to sing some to play,
And each and all will something say.
Macdonald comes—how very kind,
Brings something to instruct the mind—
To talk to you of ancient ways,
About some good old Christmas days,
Of how our fathers need to fare,
How rich and poor alike did share
The bounteous store of that glad tide,
The joy the boast of Saxon’s pride,
We’ve Messrs. Toop and Bridger too,
Marshall, Newlyn—I scarce know who;
Music and songs they have in store,
Whatever can we wish for more.
The brothers’ Marshall, too, will come, —
As they before have kindly done, —
And, like good Marshalls, here they stand —
Two men of talent of our land.
Dymond, too a jewel by nature,
The people’s own devoted teacher;
Long may that honest worker live,
And many a recitation give.
Mr. Mitchell who instruct the young,
Our little group, he’s one among
Mr. Osborn, you know the same,
The comic singer comes again.
There’s one thing more gives us delight —
To see the Chair well filled to-night,
With descendant of family old
From whence spring many warriors bold
Who on the field have fought right well,
Surrendering not until they fell.
As his father did may he the same
Prove worthy of that ancient name;
Then give him, friends, your kind applause,
He's here to-night to aid our cause.
A Moral — to those assembled here —
Especially those we love most dear.
(The ladies)
Life’s drama we all must play;
Let’s try to soothe each others way;
A word an act, tho’ small, if true,
Some little good ’tis sure to do.
Times going on, my subject’s dry,
So for the present, friends, Good Bye.
Hoping you enjoyed Christmas cheer
I wish you all a Happy New Year.

     This was well received, and now we affix the programme. Mr. Marshall presided at the piano and harmonium during the singing of the songs. 

     At the conclusion a vote of thanks was proposed to the chairman, and another vote to Miss Wyndham, the Rev. H. H. Green, and the Hon. J. J. Carnegie, for their liberal donations in support of the entertainment, and also to Mr. Gaterill for the use of the room.