The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-21
MunicinalGaurt.


JUDGE KINGsBURY PRESIDING.
WEDNEsDAY-One case Of assault and battery.
Respondent pleaded guilty and paid fine of $40
and costs.
MISS PETERS BENEFIT-A communication
from that rare wag, "Mercutio," whom Shaks-
peare killed in the first part of Romeo and Ju-
liet to save his own literary life, which appear
ed in yesterdays Press, spoke of the impera-
tive necessity of an Opera House in Portland.
Very good, let us have an Opera House, by all
means. Meanwhile we are doing as well as
can be expected without it. Our amateurs at
City Hall last night fulfilled the abundant
promise of their former appearances, and did
much toward increasing the already fattering
reputation of Portland's homemade" histri-
onic talent. Both "Pauls Return" and the
spirit of to- have been played on previous
occasions by the same company and we do not
propose to speak of them second time in de-
tail. A crowded house welcomed them, ap-
plauded them, admired them. Familiarity
with first class theatrical entertainments, of
which many of the audience could boast, does
not detract in the least from the interest of
amateur acting. There is in the latter an alb
sence of the mannerism of the professional ac-
tor and partial ignoring of the traditions of
the stage in respect to gesture, attitude and
grimaces, that have, it must be confessed, no
inconsderable charm. The expected advent
OF Booth, even, though that is enough, fgnra-
lively speaking to make the mouth of play
goer water, only gives an additional zest to
the enjoyment of less ambitious efforts.
1t was the universal opinion last evening
that Miss Peters benefit was exactly what it
ought to be,-a success. In "Paul's Return"
Mr.. j. P. Neal did not appear as announced,
but the part assigned to him was as we'll sus-
tanned by Mr.. Bryant as could possibly be ex-
pected ON so short notice. DR.. FerDald made
his first appearance as "Beeswing" in place of
Mr.. Bryant. At the close of the first piece
Miss Peters recited an epilogue, written ex-
pressly for the occasion, in which theasenefici-
airy expressed her thanks to her associates in
. the most graceful and spirited manner. The
success of the occasion was much aided by the
excellence of the orchestra, the Portland Band
having kindly volunteered to furnish the mu-
sic. An orchestra of ten pieces is something
unusual in Portland, and it is certainly pleas
ing novelty.
Among the placards in the depot scenSsof
the spirit of '76," we noticed one which evil
IDENTIFY owes its inspiration to the Portland and
Rochester Railroad. 1t is in the words and
figures following:
"Chicago to Liverpool via the Portland &
Ogdensburg Railroad and M. o. S. S. Compa-
ny's steamers, Allans' line.
Five trains leave daily. Morning express
train leaves Chicago in season to dine at the
Falmouth Hotel, Portland, at o'clock P NJ
watering at "Spunky Lamoille,' stopping at
st. Johnsbury long enough to be weighed in
Fairbanks scales, wooding at the Notch. Bag
gage checked through under the general direc-
ton of Sairey. Camp.
Ladies with families will find this favoritc
route as gentlemen of large experience as nur-
ses accompany all trains and ships.
/ Mails for Omaha, Puget's Sound, San Fran
cisco, Siberia and Alaska are forwarded by
this line.
No delay or detention or delay on account of
ferries as safe and elegant bridges span all
streams on this route"