The GLIO Site

YOUNG MEN’S IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

     This society held its seventh annual conversazione on Friday evening last, in the national schoolrooms, the Rev. J. M. Sumner, M.A., president, in the chair. Both the boys and girls rooms were thrown into one for the occasion, and every arrangement  for the accommodation of the large and respectable audience (about 400) that attended was made by the officers of the society. The rooms were also tastefully decorated with flowers, evergreens, various mottoes and devices, Chinese lamps, &c., which reflected much credit on Mr. Jonning, to whom this department was entrusted. Several ladies contributed much to the effect of the decorations, by kindly supplying a large number of artificial flowers, roses, &c. The chairman, in opening the proceedings, remarked on the useful character of such an institution, and congratulated the young men of Petersfield on the energy and perseverance they displayed in helping themselves, as was sufficiently shown by the flourishing state of their society. But they did not only help themselves, they also contributed to the instruction and amusement of their neighbours and friends, and their conversazione was now looked to as one of the established institutions of the place, and the large and respectable audience then present was sufficient proof that it was appreciated by the public. The rev. Gentleman then very feelingly alluded to the calamity that had befallen our Queen and country in the lamented death of the Prince Consort, and read a few extracts from some of his speeches to show how much his Royal Highness identified himself with such institutions. The first part in the programme, Paxton’s glee, ‟Breathe soft ye winds,” commenced the entertainment. The ‟Windows of my House,” which turned out to be a humorous disquisition on these, was next given by Mr. Macfarland, after which we had ‟The Captain” by Mr. Gutsell, when we were again charmed by a chorus ‟The Volunteers.” Then came Mr. Forder’s ‟Downfall of Poland,” which was followed by Mr. Grave’s ‟One-legged goose.” Danby’s glee, ‟Awake, Æolian Lyre,” was next well rendered, when we had the ‟Fall of Calais,” by Mr. Robertson. ‟The undecided Bachelor” by Mr. Meeres, ‟An Imprecation on Venice” by Mr. Privett, and the round ‟Slaves to the World,” closed the first part. After an interval of ten minutes the second part was commenced by a comic dialogue in five parts, composed by one of the members, and taken part in by Messrs. Meeres, Robertson, Carter, Macfarland, and Forder. Next came Weber’s chorus, ‟Iratzow’s wild Chase,” which was followed by Mr. Privett’s ‟Thoughts on the Profound,” and Mr. Macfarland’s ‟Curiosity.” Then came King’s glee, ‟When shall we three meet again?” after which followed ‟A Trip to Paris,” by Mr. Meeres. The evening entertainment was then concluded by the whole audience singing ‟God save the Queen,” in a most solemn and evidently feeling manner, which was probably heightened by the society having the national anthem printed on neat cards with a deep black border, which were circulated through the room.Two verses composed by Miss Taylor, mistress of our national schools, were substituted for the second and fourth, and as they are so appropriate we subjoin them:—

The chairman brought the conversazione to a conclusion by proposing a vote of thanks to the members of the society for their very successful entertainment. A vote of thanks was also proposed to the rev. gentleman for his presiding; both were warmly responded to. we have refrained from criticising, as all evidently did their best to please; and that their efforts were successful is sufficiently proved by the fact of their having been able to entertain a crowded room for nearly three hours and a half. The musical department was under the direction of Mr. Griffin, assisted by Messrs. Carter, Blackmore, Curtis, Martin, Gutsell, and Robertson.