"Savages" At Halifax.

"SAVAGES" AT HALIFAX .

LONDON possesses many clubs , of course . There is one in particular , however , which has a distinguishing peculiarity , in that it provides " a local habitation and a name" for a race of Savages . These men are comparatively harmless , if you stroke them down the right way , in a manner of speaking . They have their eccentricities , and make no attempt to hide them , but these are for the most part very amiable weaknesses , and embrace amongst other things an apparently insatiable thirst for music and song , and all that tends to " chase dull care away . " Some of these " Savages " greatly

excel as exponents of St . Cecilia ' s gentle art , as has been found by some of the uncircumcised whose great privilege and pleasure it has been to be the recipients of their unstinted hospitality . As we all know , Mr . Arnold , the senior member for Halifax , is one of the most genial of men and is greatly esteemed and beloved wherever he goes . He , has been amongst these " Savages , " and realised to the full the truth of that golden axiom " Musio hath charms to soothe the Savage breast . " At any rate it has succeeded in

rousing this particular fraternity to a state of gracious amiability which is really very " grateful and comforting " to the eye and ear . At least , that was the effect it had upon Mr . Arnold , and as he sat enjoying the tuneful hilarity of his friends , his thoughts wandered back to his native heath , and with that goodness of heart which always characterises him , he began to wish his local Masonic friends , together with their wives , their sisters , and the sisters of others ( as it were ) , could only have the rare felicity of hearing and

enjoying the rich intellectual treat with which the " Savages" wore at that moment regaling him . He spoke to the Worshipful Master of that ancient institution , the Probity Lodge ( Bro . G . H . Smith , J . P . ) , and the said W . M ., it is hardly surprising to state , fell in with the happy idea with an alacrity which did considerable credit to his judgment . The Secretarial duties fell upon the willing shoulders of Bro . J . Turner Spencer , the details were speedily arranged , and the Brethren of the four Halifax Lodges , with their

lady friends , assembled in the lecture theatre of the Halifax Technical School , on Tuesday of last week , in obedience to the summons . There was a really splendid muster , and we should like to say , if it can be done with safety , that although Mr . Arnold and Mr . Smith looked very proud of the gathering of the Craft , they had very reasonable justification for it , inasmuch as the Masons of Halifax , when you get them all together , are not by any means a body of men to be despised . The ladies , however , it is hardly necessary to say , gave

the necessary piquancy and picturesqueness to the scene , the dresses worn being beautiful to a degree . It was indeed a most fashionable and representative gathering , such as would have done eminent credit to much larger towns than Halifax . The guests we ' re graciously received by the Mayor and Mayoress on entering the concert room , which had been rendered all the more inviting by the introducioh of a nice and well-arranged assortment of shrubs and flowers on either side of the platform .

Prior to the opening of the programme the Mayor , who addressed the company as " Brethren and Sisters , " extended a hearty welcome to all present , and incidentally recalled the fact that Probity Lodge was the oldest in the Province , arid the third or fourth in the country . Bro . Arnold and himself conceived the happy idea of endeavouring to have the pleasure of

looking on all the Halifax Masons . A concert of that kind , they considered , would give the Masonic Brethren of the town the opportunity of meeting together , and in a way that , not only themselves , but the sisters as well , could attend , They wished to impress on their wives that Masonry did not consist solely in the pleasure of the Mason himself , but the wife , also , derived some benefit from the husband ' s connection with that honourable and ancient

body . Bro . Arnold ( who was most cordially cheered on entering the room ) afforded the audience a very entertaining sketch of the origin of the Savage Club , going on to say that its members embraced those who were distinguished in the drama , music , literature , and science . There were none of these several dispositions of intellect which had not representatives in the Savage Club . It was customary for the Society , on Saturday evenings during the

winter months , to give to the members' friends an evening of harmony and amusement , at which it was an intense delight to be present . Having had the pleasure and the privilege , on moro than one occasion , of attending these functions , he on a late occasion thought that , if they could get the Brethren of Halifax to come together , with their wives and sweethearts , they also might have a happy and pleasant evening , He was glad to say that when he

suggested it to Bros . Collette , Ganthony , and Nicholl , they heartily fell in with his desire , and upon mentioning it to their good Brother , His Worship the Mayor , he was only too glad to join with him in promoting such a gathering . From that had arisen this happy occasion , and he was glad they had turned up in such large numbers to enjoy what he confidently predicted would prove a rich intellectual treat .

As Mr . Arnold stated in his speech , Messrs . Collette , Ganthony , and Nicholl were the three barbarians—or rather , we should say , " Savages , " who were specially retained to minister to the pleasure and recreation of the civilised denizens of these northern fastnesses . All things considered , we are inclined to allow that Mr . Arnold is a very decent judge . If there are any more such "Savages , " he would do us all a real favour if he would import them . We were never entertained by " Savages" before , but we are quite

prepared to give the experiment another trial if circumstances really necessitated such a sacrifice . We have attended many concerts , but we never enjoyed one more than we did that of Tuesday . We have attended pantomimes , burlesques , and farces , and have laughed— -occasionally I Largely as a matter of form , though ; not because wc wanted to I Wo laughed on Tuesday evening , immoderately we fear , and laughed because wc really could not help ourselves . Bro . Collette reminds us of thc milkmaid . His face is

his fortune . It seems positively charged with the electricity of uncontrollable mirth—as you look upon it you find the ripples of laughter gradually but surely rising . His songs were remarkably clever and original ; indeed , they were inimitable , his facial contortions and mimicry convulsing the audience . His first song was " The Thirteen Club , " which was , of course , loudly encored , in response to which Mr . Collette substituted " ' Twas in Trafalgar Square , " a really smart parody on " The Death of Nelson . " His humourous patter sketch , " Picking up a living , " delighted the audience ; while on a recall he

related , " with bated breath and whispering humbleness , " the pathetic story of Washington ' s discovery of America , and the equally moving romance of how he once told the truth , with tragic consequences . "In Phil the Fluter ' s Ball , " we were favoured with a typical Irish sketch , which for fidelity was perhaps only eclipsed by the succeeding very effective picture of "The Negro ' s Ball . " Mr . Collette is an entertainment in himself , and should he again visit Halifax , we are disposed to think that it will be a somewhat urgent engagement that prevents our hearing him .

In Bro . William Nicholl we have an artiste whose style is , of course , as far removed from that of Mr . Collette as the poles are asunder . Mr . Nicholl has a most charming tenor voice , which is highly developed , and over which he has the most perfect control . His stylo and expression are simply superb , indeed , the fact that he is the Queen's favourite tenor , and is frequently

"Savages" At Halifax.

commanded to sing before Her Majesty , shows that he is one of the most talented singers of the day , an assumption which few of those who listened , with grateful admiration , to his exquisite vocalisations , will be disposed to question . He revealed many new beauties in Gounod ' s pretty composition , " Berceuse , " by the artistic way in which he rendered it , and unquestionably by the same means added greatly to the wonted charm of that old favourite , " Annie Laurie . " " Angels guard thee " ( Godard ) was little less than an inspiration , while " Kathleen Mavourneen " created a perfect furore

Marguerite " ( Macfarlane ) and " Sally in our Alley " ( Carey ) only served to emphasise the rapturous appreciation of the audience ; while the finished and expressive rendering which Mr . Nicholl gave of that common-place trifle , " Hush , the Bogey Man , " came as a revelation , and illustrated tbe transformation which can be wrought by the touch of artistic skill and genius . Mr . Nicholl has a most charming voice— his falsetto notes , of liquid sweetness , which beautifully melt into lingering echoes , only to bo recalled when they seem to be meandering off into distant space , must be heard to be adequately realised and appreciated .

We stated that Mr . Collette ' s face was his fortune . We have pretty much the same opinion about that belonging to Mr . Ganthony , only his physiognomy does not exactly radiate with beaming mirthfulness ; it is more of the tombstone order , and calls up cheering visions of that monument of melancholy , the Sphinx . You can , of course , laugh at such a countenance , but the secret spring of your hilarity in the case of Mr . Ganthony is hardly comparable with that which in Mr . Collette serves to tickle your risible

faculties . Anyway , we can hardly imagine the former smiling , any more than we can think of the latter without—smiling ! Mr . Ganthony is ah artist , however , of the very first rank . His " Becollections " enabled him to represent a number of musical instruments—nay it was not counterfeit , it was tho real genuine article , so admirably were the representations produced . " The funny-graph , " while being highly diverting , was nevertheless

remarkably clever , the transference of sound being something wonderful . The audience literally screamed with laughter , as they did over the ludicrous police court sketch , which , while abounding in mirth , nevertheless hit off with remarkable fidelity the humourous side of police court procedure . Mr . Ganthony is another " Savage " whose re-appearance in Halifax would be heartily welcomed and appreciated .

We were much struck with the really artistic and altogether admirable pianoforte playing of Mv . J . H . Sykes , who , if we may judge by the scope and character of his solo , " The Light Brigade March , " is also a composer of no mean merit . Mr . George Whitley , too , treated the company to a very appreciative and finished rendering of Mendelssohn's plaintiff " Adagio " and the more cheerful " Volkslied , " and some slight recognition is also due to Mr . Owen Binns , whose accompaniments were all that could be desired .

The audience cordially endorsed the sentiments expressed by Bros . Bobertshaw and Alderson , who respectively proposed and seconded a hearty vote of thanks of Bros . Arnold and Smith , for the rich intellectual treat with which they had that evening favoured the Masons of Halifax and their lady friends . Bro . Arnold brierly responded , and the singing of the National Anthem , led by Bro . Nicholl , brought to a termination one of the most enjoyable concerts ever given in this town . — " Halifax Guardian . "

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Drury Lane . —Grand Opera m English . Lyceum . —8 , Shades of Night . 8-45 , For the Crown . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Globe . —8 , The Journey ' s End . 9 , Charley ' s Aunt . Matinee , Saturday , 3 . Prince of Wales ' s . —7-45 , A Woman ' s Caprice . 8-15 , John Jenkins at Biarritz . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . 30 . Gaiety . —8 , The Shop Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2 .

Terry's . —8 , Outward Bound . 8-45 , Jedbury Jun . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . Avenue . —8 , Two of a trade . 9-30 , The New Barmaid . Matinee ,, Saturday . Haymarket . —8-30 , Trilby . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-30 . Duke of York ' s . —8 , The Gay Parisienne . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Lyric . —8-15 , The Sign of the Cross . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-30 . Savoy . —7-40 , After All . 8-20 , The Grand Duke , or the Statutory Duel .

Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 , Adelphi . —8 , One of the best . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Comedy . —8 , The Guinea Stamp . 9 , A Mother of Three . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . Court . —8 , A Highland Legacy . 9 , Mrs . Ponderbury . Matinee , Saturday , -g St . James ' s . —8 , The Prisoner of Zenda . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 .

Princess ' s . —3 , The Star of India . Opera Com iqtfe . —8-15 , Shamus O'Brien . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Shaftesbury . —8-15 , A Matchmaker . Daly ' s . —8 , The Gheisha ; A story of a Tea-House . Matinee . Saturday , 2 30 ; Gar rick . —8 , The Bogue ' s Comedy . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Vaudeville . —8-15 , Papa ' s wife . 9 , A night out . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 .

Royalty . —8-20 , Kitty Olive . 9-10 , The new baby . Alhambra . —7-50 , Variety Entertainment . Two Grand Ballets . 9-10 , Blue Beard . 10 , The Animatographe . 11 , Lochinvar . Empire . —7-45 , Variety Entertainment . 8 . 5 , New Ballet Divertissement , La Danse . 9-45 , Cinematographe . 10-20 , Second edition of Ballet Faust . The Cinematographe , every afternoon , 3 , 4 , and 5 o ' clock . Palace . —7-45 , Variety Entertainment , Tableaux Vivants , & c . Matinee ,

Saturday , 2 - 15 . Royal . —7-30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2-30 . Oxford . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Olympia . —Grand Sporting and Military Show . ( Last day . ) Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Exhibition of Motor Carriages . Royal Aquarium . —Open at 10 ; close at 11-30 , Constant Amusement .

Tivoh . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2-30 also . The London . —Grand Variety Entertainment . Mohawk Minstrels . —( Agricultural HaU . )—Daily . Egyptian Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . Maskelyne ' s Magical Entertainment . Moore and Burgess Minstrels . —St . James ' s Hall , Monday , Wednesday , and Saturday , 3 . Madame Tussaud ' s ( Baker Street ) . —Open daily .

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