Montreal Daily Star, 3 November 1886, page 3
The Caledonian Concert
A most successful entertainment in the Queen’s Hall- A Select programme of music and speeches by Hon. Mr. Thompson and others.
The thirty-first annual concert of the Montreal Caledonian Society in celebration of the time honored season of Hallowe’en was held last night in the Queen’s Hall which was filled to the doors with an audience which applauded every number of the excellent programme which had been prepared. As usual at these concerts an air of friendship seemed to pervade the entire assembly and make all present feel thoroughly at home. Shortly after eight o’clock the Society’s piper, Mr William Greig, marched on to the platform, playing a lively air, and was followed by the President, Col Stevenson (in Highland costume), Mayor Beaugrand, the representatives of the sister societies and a large gathering of invited guests, among whom were noticed Messrs MH Gault, MP; JJ Curran, MP; Villeneuve, MPP; John S Hall, MPP; Mayor Fell of Victoria, BC; US Consul-General Anderson; Redlere of St. George’s Society; -Thomas, of the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society; Donald Macmaster, QC, MP; RD McGibbon; R Dagleish; James Wright; Andrew Robertson; Rev. Canon Ellegood; Rev. Robert Campbell; Rev. Mr Jordan and a number of ladies. Several of the Caledonian Society’s officers occupied seats on the platform. The President Col. Stevenson, opened the entertainment with a short speech in which he welcomed those present and assured them of the desire of the society to cater for their amusement in the best manner possible. He referred to the deaths of several noted Scottish vocalists and in particular of Mr. Kennedy, the sweet singer who so often delighted Montrealers. He also spoke with regret the absence of the Rev. Dr. Stevenson, who was attending a final meeting of the members of his congregation. The Colonel remarked that he had personal reasons to regret the reverend gentleman’s departure from the city, owing to the fact of their being namesakes, but added that Rev Dr Stevenson would be a Stevenson wherever he was and would
Do Credit to his Name.
The first song given was “McGregor’s Gathering,” by Mr JL Johnston, who also sang “Mary of Argyle” and “Scotland Yet.” Mr Johnston has a pure tenor voice, of full compass and much sweetness, which he keeps well under control. His style is finished, and he was warmly-applauded. Miss Florence Forbes followed with “O Whistle and I’ll Come tae ye, my lad,” and responded to a recall with “Bonnie Prince Charlie” with a ~~~ and sweetness of intonation and expression which fairly captivated her hearers. She has a soprano voice of richness and power, which was heard to great advantage. She also gave “Doun the Burn Davie lad” and “Caller Herrin”. Mr JJ Dawson, tenor, of this city, sang “Maid o’ the mill,” “O Nannie, wit thou gang wi’ me” and “Kathleen Mavoureen.” The first, however, was his best effort. Mr Cathcart Wallace, the Scotch violinist, is a new arrival here, having come out from the Land o’ Cakes only a short time since. His style is good and his execution faithful and correct. He performed Mayseder’s German air in F with variations, and “Recollections of Scotland” in a masterly manner. Mr. William MacLennan, the champion Scotch dancer, gave a Highland Fling (and on being recalled, a Chantrews), Bucalossi’s waltz “Mia Cara” and “Parazoti”, for which he attired himself in a peculiarly fancy dress, described in the programme as “French costume,” a sailor’s hornpipe and also selections on the hairpipes. Mrs T Charles Watson, who is ever a favorite with Montreal audiences, gave the recitations, “Cuddie Doon,” “Story told by an Engineer,” and to a recall, a “Description of a steeplechase.” It is needless to add any praise to this charming lady’s many enthusiastic tributes, as to do so would be like an attempt to paint the lily. Miss Seymour, a Montreal contralto, sang “Bonnie Sweet Bessie” and “Land o’ the Lead,” in a very pleasant manner. A feature of the evening was a Scotch Reel and Highland Fling, by the little ones, Jessie and Wm Milne and Frank and W Stewart. Mr. Herbert Patton acted as accompanist.
The event of the evening was, of course, the address by the Hon Mr Thompson, Minister of Justice, who was introduced by the Chairman.
Hon Mr Thompson
The Hon JSD Thompson, Minister of Justice, made a most eloquent speech which was warmly applauded by those present. In referring to the old Hallowe’en legend of spirits roaming about under the influence of a spell, he said that the President had exercised a spell upon him and brought him from Nova Scotia to address them. He said: “I will ~~~ my remarks to two points, first to deliver a message, and secondly to say a few words of humble advice. I come to you with a message of kindness and Scotch fellowship from 150,000 brethren in Nova Scotia whose hearts are warmly beating for their countrymen here and all through our great Dominion.” The Hon gentlemen then spoke of the enthusiasm that pervaded the Province with regard to Scottish character and traditions, the language, poetry and legends of “Auld Scotia” still being faithfully adhered to and venerated by the people.
He then spoke of the benefits derived from membership in the Caledonian and other kindred societies, the English and Irish societies of Canada. “They have fostered among our people the love of home, the love of kindred, and the love of all that is bright and ~~~~ in the literature of the land of our fathers. (Applause) But they have done more than that. They have developed brotherly love and brotherly charity wherever they have been organised. I am sure it is with you in Montreal as is with us in Nova Scotia that these national societies enable the Englishman to help his brother Englishman, the Irishman to extend the helping hand to his fellow countryman in need, and the Scotchman to greet with warm heart and outstretched hand his brother Scotchman, aye, and that even the stranger who is not our countryman, is the brother of all.”
He quoted Burns’ remark “that the greatest of all the Divine attributes is to take away the tears from all ~~~” and warmly commended the societies for endeavouring to follow in the same steps. This advice and suggestions which the learned gentleman gave to his audience were to the effect that as the societies grew in strength in the large cities they should extend their influence all over the country and establish branch organisations in every suitable locality. He warmly advocated a federation of the kindred societies so that they would be united in the grand work of doing good and uniting the brethren in one bond of loving fellowship all over the Dominion.
Mayor Beaugrand, Mayor Fell and Consul-General Anderson expressed their pleasure at being present and cordially wished success to the Society. “Auld Lang Syne” was then rendered in the way that only Scotchmen are capable of and the National Anthem brought to a conclusion one of the most successful gatherings the society had held.
Poem in honour of a ball, Montreal, 1842
November 22, 2009 by gilliandrIt must have been some kind of ball to inspire a poet to write such lines!!!!!
Montreal Transcript
1 February 1842
We commend to our readers the following clever and authentic account of the late ever-to-be remembered ball, held in this city of Montreal:-
Attend, Attend ye Gentles all,
Cits of the far famed Montreal;
A wondrous history I’ll unfold,
worth being traced in ink of gold,
of balls and suppers and such gear,
which ushered in the blithe new year,
but as a history of them all,
would file a book by no means small,
bout one of them, and that the latest,
the best and certainly the greatest
instance of joyful demonstration,
which ever has convulsed a nation,
or been deemed worthy of relation.
The story, I’m about to give you,
shall be; and therefore to relieve you
from all impatience and anxiety,
in which t’were surely not propriety,
to keep you long, the better way
Is to begin and say my say,
in order to commemorate,
an event of very recent date;
the Duke of Cornwall’s birth, I mean,
England’s first son of a reigning Queen,
the gallant sons of Mars combined,
and all without exception joined
in “getting up” with great display,
a supper at an early day,
also a ball at which might dance
those who in such a crowd should chance
to find a partner or sufficiency
of space to shew his great proficiency
in Terpsychorean efficiency.
All the departments too, save one
invited were to join the fun;
Thursday the 20th was the day,
appointed for the great soiree,
Rasco’s hotel the scene of action.
Of ball rooms Rasco’s is perfection.
The pastry and confectionary,
were, I believe, brought from Deverry,
some days before the affair took place,
the postboys ran a perfect race.
The invitations were all sent out,
and then, the ball committee went out
to hunt up flags and purchase boughs,
to ornament the walls of th’house,
these round the ball room then were nailed,
though in some parts, the plaster failed,
to hold the nails, and then the things
were tied up with some coloured strings.
Muskets and swords were then procured,
and all around the room secured,
and then to render things quite clear,
they formed a handsome chandelier,
of bayonnets, ramrods and such things,
disposed in various stars and rings,
wax candles then, some fifteen score,
to shed their lustre on the floor,
were fixed in such way that their light,
might be reflected doubly bright,
from the flat sides of the bayonnets, which had
been polished well by th’Armourer Richard.
In short the room looked very grand,
so many people had a hand
in fixing up the decoration,
for this most loyal demonstration.
Two cannons then, field pieces called,
up to the entrance door were hauled.
One on each side was placed, and then
in full dress came the artillery men.
The hour arrived, t’was nine at night,
and lucky t’was, the moon shone bright,
or accidents there would have been,
for such a crowd was never seen,
In Montreal for years before,
as gathered then round Rasco’s door.
So many all at once arriving,
the few on foot, the many driving.
Some came in cabs, in Carioles some
unto the scene of action come;
five hundred guests or more were there,
among them many of the fair
of this fair city, and we may,
speaking of fair ones, safely say
that such a host of beauty never
before was seen, nor can we ever
expect to see the like again,
while Queen Victoria shall reign.
By ten the company had assembled,
and tis no wonder the house trembled.
For surely such a crowd before
never stood up on Rasco’s floor.
A trumpet sounded, and the fun
had at eleven well begun.
The dancing, to say nothing of its merit,
was kept up with the greatest spirit.
Though a slight accident occured,
but which were scarcely worth a word,
a gallant knight who loves to waltz,
made an unlucky step, ‘twas false,
and down he came upon the floor,
shaking the windows and the door,
which caused such a panic in the room,
had not the noise reached Rasco’s ear,
who stept up to an engineer,
(one who by chance was standing nigh)
requesting, as the walls were high,
that he’d examine the floor and roof,
and see that they were both bombproof;
which being done without delay,
the band began again to play,
the dancing then went on till two,
when to the supper some withdrew.
The festive board with viands crown’d,
abundance smiled on all around’
some fine fat turkeys (as I’M told,
the very finest that were sold
this winter in the market) were
smoking upon the table there,
with hams and tongues and rounds of beef;
whose size and number pass belief.
I cannot now, upon my soul,
remember half, much less the whole,
of what was there upon the table,
so to describe it I.m not able.
The wine, let it suffice to say,
(procured expressly for that day)
was of the very fines sort,
Champagne, Madeira, Claret, port.
The toasts, of course, were as they should be
at such a feast none other could be;
the Queen was the first and then the Prince,
and surely there was never, since
the deluge such a joyful shout
as when these toasts were given out.
The supper over, back they went,
and all on dancing seemed full bent;
indeed, some reeled so, that ‘twas said
the supper had got into their head;
but this I really disbelieve,
Were’t true I certainly should grieve.
The dancing then went on till morning,
and daylight had to give them warning,
that ‘twas high time to leave off dancing,
and on the road home to go prancing.
Coats, caps and cloaks, gauntlets and muffs,
Mantillas, boas, socks and ruffs
became the order of the day
for those who would no longer stay,
but in a heap they’d all been toss’d
and much ‘twas feared that some were lost;
and now in sad confusionall
the doughty heroes great and small,
Hussars, Dragoons, and Rifles too,
t’equip themselves directly flew.
Some few were left behind, it took
so long their swords and belts to hook.
But pretty soon they followed after,
though not too soon to hear the laughter
of some few mischief loving dames
(I will not mention any names)
but some, ‘tis said, there were who thought
that clerks, who went there, should have brought
some pens and ink, wherewith to scrawl
a brief description of the ball,
instead of swords with scabbords bright,
to which (‘twas said) they had no right.
Brass spurs, too, jingling on the floor,
one would almost have thought that more
than two troops of Dragoons were there.
But really I so little know
of how these military matters go,
or rules or regulations, or
the code called “articles of war;”
that I such matters will not try
to settle or decide upon, not I.
“Tis high time now that I should mend
my pen, and then this history end;
the rest may readily be told,
for by five am, both young and old
had from the house got fairly started,
and for their several homes departed,
with th’entertainment they’d received,
highly delighted, though they grieved,
that they should be obliged to part,
so soon; ‘twould really break one’s heart
to hear the doleful lamentations
with which their parting salutations
were interlarded, but at length!
With almost superhuman strength,
they tore assunder, and then wended
their several ways; my story’s ended
TH
Tags: bad victorian poetry, Ball, Montreal
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