The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-01-09 00:00:00

THE GREAT DIORAMA. OF SCOTLAND.

Most of our readers will remember that the
above magnificent representation of Scottish
i
scenery was exhibited to crowded houses n the
Corn Exchange in this town, a few years ago; and
will be glad to learn that they will be afforded
another opportunity of witnessing it next week.
In Me interval it has been exhibited to large and
appreciative audiences in most of the principal
towns in the Kingdom. At the Agricultural Hall,
in London, it had a very "long run," and was
nightly witnessed by enthusiastic thousands. Dur-
ing the late Christmas week it was exhibited in
Coventry, and the following paragraph respecting
it appeared in the Coventry Herald of December
25th, 1874 :
"BIREELL'S DIORAMA OF SCOTLAND" has been ex-
hibiting in the Corn Exchange, and it is only just
to say that it deserves all the praise which it has
elsewhere received. This gigantic work of art,
we are told, covers upwards of fifty thousand feet
of canvass, and no one can witness it without be-
nag impressed with the stupendous labour involved
in its production. But the magnitude of such an
exhibition would be nothing apart from its quality
and in this respect it is entitled to the highest
praise.
.The diorama has evidently been painted
by genuine artists, and to those who have not
visited Scotland nothing could convey its charac,.-
teristic scenes of beauty and grandeur. The list
of views comprise Edinburgh, Stirling and Castle,
Firth of Forth, Aberdeen, Loch Lomond, Loch
Awe, Pass of Glencoe, Balmoral, Abbotsford, Mel-
rose Abbey, Loch Katrine, Ben Nevis, the Island
of Staffa, and many others. The entertainment
is not, however, restricted to travelling in imagi-
nation to those far-famed spots; there is in ad-
dition a Scottish concert by the "Royal Caledo-
nian Minstrels" (as they are called), who appear
nifull Highland costume. Foremost amongst these
is the enterprising proprietor, Mr. Birrell, who
proves himself not only a good vocalist but a cred-
itable violinst. Miss Griselda Wess, who has a
poweful and well-trained voice admirably sustains
the interest of the programme. Her rendering of
"Caller Herrin" and a companion song, "Who'll
buy my oysters," is really fire-rate, and a duet in
when she and Mr. Birrell appear "Huntingtower,"
we believe it is named—is deserving of special
mention. Mr. Stuart McAlpine gives a ventril-
oquial entertainment, in which he introduces an
old Scotchwoman, who gives in a quaint and
amusing fashion various particulars of a biograph-
ical character. The bagpipe playing of Mr. John
Ross shows perfect mastery of that instrument
and the pianist—Mr. George Kieser—and an
infant prodigy—Miss Jessie Maclean—must also
be mentioned. The necessary explanations are
intelligently given by Ur. E. D. Lyons, and the
• remaining performers aquit themselves with credit.
• Taken as a whole no better entertainment could
be desired at such a season, and to young and old
we recommend it with every confidence.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At the Police Court,
on Tuesday, before Mr. R. L. Freer, Noah Brooks
was charged with being drunk and disorderly on
the night of the 4th instant, in Summer-street.
Fined 28 6d and costs.