The Van Buren press., 1872-02-27
Harmony Council-Ths Entertainments
NY OVR SPECIAL.

benefit of Harmony Council, No. 81, Tenn
perance Reform, in this place. were adscided
success.
On Monday evening the weather was COM
paratively clear, and the house was filled to
overflowng.
On Tuesday evening, the weather was very
inclement, and the friends Of the enterprise
were apprehensive that the audience would be
very small. But, contrary to our expccta-
tions, the muddy streets and incessant rain
were unable to deprive the performances ofa
respectable number OF adlhirers-and by s p.
NJ, the beauty and refinement Of Van Buren,,
and her sister city over the river were pretty
well represented
PROGRAMME SECOND NIGHT. "a
The first thing that drew our attention to-
ward the stage, was the music, over which, we
believe, Prof. Bruun presided.
Then came the Tableaux. OF these there
were seven: l, Drunkards Home; 2. Age of
Brass; 3, Age Of Iron 4, Blue Monday 8, De-
votion; 6, Father Come Home; z, Listeners
picture Of the wretchedness which intsm-
perance entails on the families of those who
become its votaries; the second, third and
fourth were miniature portrayals of that gto-
rious" future, which is coming as rapidly as
the newly -fledged eagle Of woman's rights p"
can fly. Among the many "enviable posi-
tions in which it placed man. that of caring
for the little darling" was far the most
"palatable. And, from the martial and man
ly style Of those representatives Of the" softer
SEX" who wore the hat and held the cane, we
are inclined to suspect them Of having, clan
destinely, practicsd something of the kind in
anticipation Of future developments. What
say you ladies Pare we correct? Devotion
was acted charmingly. Father Come Home
was perfect representation Of the intoxica-
ted parent, at table with his companions
in shame, while the delicate form of his little
daughter. with an attitude, plaintive and
touching, implorcd him to lay down the bans-
ful goblet, and fly to the relief Of distressed
family.
The second part Of the entertainment con-
sisted of recitations, songs. and tableau.
The rectations were Of an interesting charac-
ter; the songs were of comic characte. The
genuine Irish and Dutch were the presiding
spirits, in the songs, and they succesded pret-
ty well in bringing down the house"
But, by far. the best portion OF the entire
was the third, and last, part.
This was II play Ths Loan OF a Lover" 1t
was well acted throughout. The characters
had, evidently. been well studied, and nearly
every one that took part in the play, initiated
nature so closely, that few could draw tho line
between the imitation and reality
The quecnly air of" Ernestine, "as she con-
loaned out one of her many ad-
mirors, aud the quiet submission Of the
I" brave Captain to her well-asscrtcd author
ity. reminded US that in their inimtable
charms, the members Of the fair sex sway
sceptre to which men bow far more readily
than any "uew tangled ideas which the
age Of progress has suggested; and the art
ful arrangement, whereby Miss "Erncstine
brought the Captain back to bis former ale
glance. made us suspect that the modern
science of - lobby legislation is not altogeth.
er secret to the guardian angels of society.
The efforts Of - Gertrude " to overcome the
T" obtuseness of" Peter Spyk," reminded us
that it was Leap Year. and we think she
would have been justifable in talking to him
more pointedly when he was looking for a
wife Gertrude ;" is hard to "beat" in hor
quiet, unassuming way.
With regard to "Captsin Amersfort and
Mr.. Peter Spyk," we did not impure how
much service the Captain had secn or what
was Mr.. Spyk's occupation; but we will ven-
ure the assertion, that, If substitutes had been
or even lawful, in the kind of SER
vice those gentlemen had the honor to per-
form, during the last scene, they could have
the services Of such substitutes with
cut much trouble. SO the young gentlemen
all think. OF course, they say nothing, be-
cause the saying is the ladies' prerogative,
intil the first OF next January.
And when we add to all the rest the good
natured candor Of "Mynheer Swyzel, the
amusing manner In which "Spyk" declared
himself victim Of Cupid. tho facility with
which the matches were finally made up, and
he fascinating charms of "Ernestine and
Gertrude as,
/. brid :, r, bcs, .hoy graced tht closing scene,
We have play that does credit to Harmony
Council, No. 81; and which plainly indicates
IN interest in the cause oftempcrance which,
dares, while yet an infant, to
yrapplc with the serpent and which, at no
listant day, will rise in mature strength and
,xpel the fiend, intcmperance, from our pleas
mt and beautiful town.