Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

HE BURNS' CENTENARY.

ST. GEORGE'S HALL.
The celebration which took place in St. George's Hall
last night, may, for various reasons, be fairly classed as
Preceding in importance any other during the evening.
annumbers, the gathering in the hall equalled probably
festival which ever took place. More than 2,500
tickets had been sold, we understand, at an early period
of the day, and probably many others were disposed of
before the opening of the hall in the evening. The
arrangements of the hall were very much similar to those
which prevailed on the occasion of the fancy dress
"all in 1857, and the flooring •in the great hall
was laid down by Messrs. Montgomery and Kilpin in
§e same manner, carriages drew up at the north end;
and the steps at the entrance were carpeted with red cloth.
m
Fr
'uf-past six o'clock carriages, cabs, and convey-
ances of every description began to stream towards the
11411—in one instance an omnibus chartered specially for
athe
occasion, and full freighted with gaily-dressed beauty,
ttracted particular attention. The halls, corridors, and
aljacent rooms soon became crowded. There was but a
sprinkling of Highland kelts and eagle feathers, but the
brethren of Masonic Lodges in the insignia of their
Orders, made a very considerable muster. In the
Perth
hall was stationed the band of the Royal
nsioners. which, during the first hour, performed

various selections of music at intervals
door of the great hall was not thrown open for pro-
lacnaders until the hour for commencing the ball ; but
there
was a path kept open, and marked off with ropes
all round, so that visitors could make the circuit of the
whole under the statues and pillars. Before long there
Was crowding everywhere7-in this promenade, in the
library, in the concert-room, on the stairs, in the corri-

The dancing

into- which. visitors could compress

fle at first seemed not quite to know
themselves, but before long the stream

irectly towards

THE CONCERT-ROOM,

sal of the evening was virtually to open

Ince of a vocal and instrumental concert.
cl"..- -;k. the beautiful little room was densely
crowded. The vocalists engaged for the concert, were
Air. Armstrong, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hughes, the Liverpool
Miss
Union, and an orchestra of about 40 performers ;
4`iiss Clan Fraser, Mrs. Steedman, Mrs. Keef, Mr. Kennedy,
under the direction of Mr. R. B. Stewart, of Edinburgh,
conducter of the orchestra of the London Caledonian.
Mr. Joseph Bagot Robinson presided at the piano-
forte. The first part of the concert consisted' of Burns'
"Jolly Beggars," set to music by Sir henry Bishop.
What may be termed the narrative parts of the famous
Beggar scone, were read by Mr. Kennedy, the solos were
sung by Miss Clan Fraser, Mrs. Steedman, Mr. Kennedy,
and Mr. Armstrong, and the chorus were finely performed
try the Vocal Union. The opening chorus had a
splendid and thrilling effect, the solos were,
on the whole, well sung, the choruses were
AU full and in harmony ; and yet perhaps this part of the
evening's performances was felt, by most present, to be
somewhat of a failure. The portions read, or recited,' by
Mr. Kennedy were decidedly ineffective, that gentleman
wanting. strength of voice to make the humour and the
varied meanings of the poem impressive to such an
audience. Perhaps the best sung ballad in this portion
Aof the concert was, " I am a son of Mars," by Mr.
111 strong. The second part of the concert was mis-
llaneous and seemed to be more successful in its effect.
Sonic of the solos were beautifully sung ; and, as we could
not praise Mr. Kennedy's reading, we are the more
f'llifified to be able to give especial praise to his singing
uf a' the Aids the Wind can blaw." During intervals
ineVie concert Mr. Best played a fantasia on Scottish
effect throughout
in the great hall, and produced a magnificent
throughout the whole building. The following
11,21 e programme of the miscellaneous concert, in the
,i`_l4l part of which, that performed between ten and
"et c o'clock, Mr. Joseph Bagot Robinson acted as
condactor.
,;4
The
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