The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-04-28
SEEMING Star and Catholic Messenger.
1TV oRIT1Ss, SUNDAY. APRIL 2s, 1873.

.oma kind. minstrel or other performances,
oopeerts. etc. One of the most exciting
taaturaa of the Festival is the contest for o
splendid speaking trumpet which is to Dc
awarded to that fireman whose greater popular
ity will be proved by the practical test OF an
election. Already number OF leading men,
bers of the Department have entered the lists,
the contest waging feroest between Nos. .. u
and g. 1t is confidently expected that num-
ber of others will take part in the contest as
the fremen generally, are anxious to help
their friend Father Foltier.
The entertainment which is held in the
sohool.house adjoining the Church, will con-
t;pue this week. For the names of the ladies
holding tables and other details, we refer to
the advertisement in our Amusement Column
Last Wednesday evening there assembled
at St. Michaels Hall enc of the largest gather
ings we have ever seen in that building. The
occasion was q concert under the direction Of
Professor Blake, and the proceeds of the en-
tertainment were to be devoted to parochisl
necessities. The programme consisted ofvery
agreeable and airy pieces, both VOCAL and in
strumental Among those who deserve es-
pecial credit for their performances, we cannot
omit the name of Professor N. OReardon. His
Tumbleronicon is capable Of wonderful effects,
st least in the hands of its accomplished inyen-
tor, and his performances added greatly to the
attraction Of very agreeable entertainment.
A number of songs were prettily rendered by
several young ladies among whose names it
would be invidious to distinguish, though We
do not pretend that they were all equal in
merit. The m echanical piano executed its
pieces with wond erful fidelity, besides being
novelty. Several comic scenes by the Masters
Blake were immensely amusing particularly to
the children, and, taken altogether, we think
Professor Blake deserving of warm compli-
ment for the taste and judgment with whiob
he prepared an evenings entertainment for the
parish oners.
Some months ago the Administrator of In
provements WAS authorized to have shade
trees planted in the neutral ground on Clai-
borne, Canal, Rampant, Esplanade and other
streets. Bids were called for, and the contract
was awarded to Mr. Hill, at 81. AS q tree, for
water oaks. The contractor planted 1900 trees,
and under q resolution of the Council two gar
deners, Messrs Waldo and Fettet, were ap-
pointed as q commission to see if he had
complied with the specifications. After a
thorough and careful exsmin alton, occupying
four days, they reported favorably upon 1900
trees, the remaining 300 showing no signs Of
vitality or being too small or crooked. As
most Of the trees have not yet put forth
sprouts, and as it is charged that they were
allowed to remain for several weeks in the rail-
road depot before being planted, the Council
has refused to. authorize the payment Of Mr.
Hills bill for the 1900 trees reported on fav-
orably by the Commission, and has referred
the whole subject to a Committee for invest-
CATION. Meanwhile there is 8 great deal OF out
side talk on the subject. and note brokers who
can't tell counterfeit signature from the gen.
uine, lawyers who are like necessity, dealers
in corn who dig half dozen times into sack
and examine it all around ten times before
expressing an opinion, expatate dogmatically
on the growth of trees, although acknowledg-
ing, when cornered, that they have never
planted a tree in their lives and can't tell an
oak from o weeping willow. They are sure
the trees are not good, the opinion of three ex-
perienced gardeners to the contrary notwith-
standing.
In our last ssue we were not wrong in stat
ing that the people of the Fourth District
would generously respond to the appeal OF
charity made for the Orphans of ST. Alphonsus
Asylum. The truth of our statement was un
mistakably evidenced by the immense throngs
that surged up and down st. Alphonsus
Hall last Wednesday and Thursday evenings
Judging from their oountenances all were
satisfied with the arrangements as carried ou'
by thScommittees in charge of the entertain
ment. In faot we cannot see how they could
be otherwise for there was everything tc
satisfy the senses. On the right of the hal
was st. Patrick's Table, presided over by Mrs
jas. kirkpatrick and assistants. Besides the
beautiful floral decorations, the e1cellen
restaurant at which choicest viands were SOLD
at prices lower than we have ever knowI
them to be at similar places, the eye wa
pleased with the sight of q beautiful silver
plated fruit dish of cut glass, presented b!
Mr.. Geo. E. Strong, of Canal street. Som
fortunate individual who invested 25 cents ii
chance will become the possessor OF thi
valuahla arkiola n verv amall investment for