The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1878-05-18
The Fair.

In view OF Jne TACT CDaC eXCen>
sive repairs were required in st.
Joseph's Catholic Church, the
Very Reverend Pastor concluded
some time ago. to hold a fair in
the magnificent grove immedi-
ately in the rear of the church
edifice. The days fixed upon we're
the 18th, 10Th and 18th of May.
The people of Thibodaux and
vicinity, always noted for zeal aud
generosity in giving material aid
to every praise worthy undertak-
ing, seemed to have taxed their
resources to the utmost in order
to make this fair a success. An
idea may be formed of the open
hearted character of our people
when We mention that up to
Thursday last, over three thou
sand articles had been cOntribu-
ted. CT course, a great many of
these were of little intrinsic value,
but many would have command
ell a fair price if purchased from
regular dealers in such goods. It
is not the value of the gifts which
must be considered, but the in
tention of the donors, and taking
this intention as our measure, we
must certainly award a very high
tribute of admiration to the liber
atty manifested by our fellow
citizens on this occasion.
The ladies, of course, were con-
spicuous in executing the details
of the gigantic entertainment.
and in carrying out the ideas of
the protector. They could he seen
to advantage presiding over the
numerous tables, with that quiet,
native dignity and grace in which
our Creole women are so pre- emi
nent. In their charm of manner
and suavity Of address, the most
confirmed cynicism must have
been disarmed.
Much of the success of the fair
must no doubt, be attributed to
the attractive powers Of the fas-
cinating lady patronesses.
The enter tainment Of the first
night consisted of the French
farce, "Sans Gene, and the En-,
glish farce of "Taming of the III.
GER" to which the amateurs who
had been cast for the different
parts, did full justice. AS an inter
lude, Mr.. Lafaye sang with fine
expression, abeautiful ballad of a
sentimental character.
On the second day of the Fair
an excursion party from New Or,
leans came down by a special
train, and these were reinforced
by about two hundred persons
from the Steamer st. Mary, all Of
whom joined in the merry making
and contributed very materially
to the financial success of the fair
Sunday afternoon was devoted
to promenade concerts, the music
being supplied by the Thibodaux
S. G. Band, and the st. Joseph's
s. G. Band.
The music was of a very enter,
tanning character, and was moi
the least pleasant feature of the
occasion. 1t is to be regretted
that the beautiful grove in which
the fair was held is not in the i'm
mediate neighborhood of Thibo.
daux, where these open air col
certs could be given every holi
day afternoon. We can conceive
of no better way in which the
public taste for music could be ed
ucated, and cultivated.
In the evening of Sunday, The
French comedy Of "Le Bourgeois
Gentilhommer was creditably rer
dered. The Gully noticeable defec,
in the performance, which, howey
er, is in no wise to be attributed
to the actors, was the fact tina
the words of the play could no,
be heard much beyond the few
front rows of seats. The crowd O
spectators was so vast and exten(
ed over so much surface, that til,
voices of the actors became alb
sorbed, so 20 speak, by the from
rows and thus were prevented
from penetrating any distance
We say that this difficulty of be
ing inaudible must not be attrib,
ted to the actors who interprete,
intelligently the masterpiece o
Moliere's comedies. We know
that we express a universal wisl
when we suggest that this piec
be repeated in st. Josephts Hall
where it can be heard under NOR
favorable conditions, and wher
the able representations whicl
abound in the present cast OF tn
play, may be appreciated.
The concluding exercises of tn
fair were to have occurredon Mo-
day evening but the cODiOus raj