Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-06-14
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EVENING

EVENING
The Masonic Temple. last evening. was crowded
to excess with fashionable and intelligent audi
ence, who had assembled in response to the hand
some invitations Of the Irving Literary Society, 10
be present ut the anniversary Of the Socssy wAich
was to be held there that evening. allfairly
spAIkled with it's array of youth aud beauty, while
the air was redolent with the perfume OF the boz
quets carried by numbers Of fur ladies, which
were intended rs rewaFds and incentives TO those
who should distinguish themselves upon the TO
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shortly alter eight o'clock, the exercises opened
with "Carraha," an Overthw from Faust by
RItehis's full orchestra. +. Taylor, President Of
the Society, then made the opening address, in
which he briefly alluded to the object Of the lr-
wing, and the aim of the Society TO improve the
mental and moral character Of its membera THIS
was followed by humorous poem, excellSntly
acclaimed by C. T. Bye, and an Grafton, finely qc-
livered by E, B. Mode.
An amusing farce, entitled "a trip to Paris I"
was then put upon the stage with good effect and
was received with great applause. T. S. Davis, al
Samuel Sn0zsle, the young man who was ashamed
OF his name, and who was always getting into
trouble, played with unusual merit. and displayed
the possession Of commodian abilities Of 10 mean
character Spvigg'ns was well taken by d. J.
Casey, while II. Taylor was sufficiently fsrOcions
as Lie,lt Spike @. T. Bye m lde most acceptable
FANNIE SpriggtRs, and prod uced the gushing af-
fectatiOn Of the average damsel with charming
effect. The other characters were well sustained,
and alt 1gother, the farce was we'll pres ented and
was generously received BY the aud fehce, which
recognizing the many points of ability displayed
by the players, applauded loudly, from time 10
time.
JOS. 7. sullivan next delivered an oration,
Then and Now, !" which consisted OF q retrospec-
tive view of our country's history, from the daya
of '76. 1t was delivered in clear, firm voice,
with proper force and emphasis.
The next exercise upon the programme, was
presentation Of the session OF the Continental
Congress on the 4th day Of July, l776, the mem-
orable day on which the Declaration of Indspend-
anee was passed. Glad in antique garments, aud
wearing upon their countenances loads OF grave
earnestness, the performers threw life-ike effect
into their performance, and enabled the mind to
readily conceive the scens which was being en-.
ated at that important period Of our cOuntry'S
birth. z. B. Mode, as John Hancock, presi led
with becoming dignity and courtesy, while G. F.
Quinby, as the Clark, read the prOcsedings Of the
previous days session. in the most natural and
unaffected manner. F. F. SatterthWaite Benz.
FrankliH, read, in q clear voice, that declaration
Of the peoples rights, which has ever since been
famous in the worlds history. VIM. Gordon,
with his fine elocutionAry powers, supported that
declaration in the stirring remarks of John adams,
which were ably supplemental by the ringing
SpOsch OF SaasEeI AdGms, delivered by d. J.
Casey. RichGrd Henry Lee stately and diRnihOd,
with powdered wig and twisted que, was person
atsd by f. Taylor, who with thrilling earA0stness
delivered the old statesman's eloquent remarks on
this occasion. The vote was taken on the Decla-
its unanimous adoption, the audience displayed
their feelings by prolonged and tumultnous ap-
plause. The document was then signed, and the
scene closed with grand tableaux, representing
tAo Goddess Of Liberty, with arms extended,
guarded on either aide BY soldier and sailor Of
the Continental army and navy. In front Of her
we're seated thirteen little girls, dressed in white
with wreathes Of flowers on their heads, repre-
santing the thirteen Original Colonies three
times the curtain was required to be drawn up on
this tahleau.
Owing TO the sudden and severe illness OF b.
c. Turner, an grafton, which he was to have de-
hverod had to be dispensed with, greatly to the
dilappOintment Of many Of the audience.
WIN. Gordon next read an able essay, entitled
''The Other Side" which was an Ingenious de-
fence Of Capt. Jack, pisa for the MOdOcs, and a
protest against the universal cry fer the extermi
nation Of the entire tribe. Il was carefully writ
ten, and commanded the admiration of thoss Who
disagreed with his sentiments, but who could mot
help admiriRg the force and originality OF his ar
guments.
The programme wound up with a scrap Of light
comedy entitled, "a TnTkiah Bath" H. e.
TOTner, was 10 have taken part ln this perform
ance, but his illness prevented him, and hs char
acter was assumed by VIM. Gordon, who, how
ever, was Oblidgsd to read his lines. He succeed
Cd admirably, though, and deserved great credit
fOl the excellent manner in which he adapted
himself to the requirements OF the character. At
the conclusion Of this piece, the audience retired
while KueneF's "Grand Continental march" was
performed by the orchestra.
The aoTal offerings of the evening were numer-
Gus, and at the close Of each performance bo-
quets were ShoWered upon the stage. The whole
affair was very successful, and while rejecting
N uch credit upon all concerned, formed an eve
ming OF rare enjoyment for all who were present
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