Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-24
THE TOWN HALL IMPROVEMENTS.

The repairs and alterations of the town
hall are now practically complete, and the
,eople will find when they have an opportu-
pty to inspect these improvements, that
,bcv now have public audience room in ev-
orv sense wholesome, beautiful and attrac-
i've The most important mechanical changes
o,e the enlargement and entire reconstruc-
lion of the stage and the coving of the ends
and corners of the ceiling TO correspond with
tbe sides. The ceiling has also been changed
60 as to stop in front of the stage, instead Of
extending over the stage as formerly. This
lessons very much the apparent space over
head in the hall and will undoubtedly be
found to greatly help the acoustic properties.
The decorations of the hall and the new stage
scenery are very fine. The whole work Of
the decorative painting was let to Henry e.
Root and Q. E. Shattuck of Greenfield, Mass,
and these gentlemen contracted with L. d.
Cords Of Holyoke, Mass, for the frescoing.
The ceiling, as it has finally left Mr. Cordis's
hand, is one of the most beautiful we have
ever seen. The style is combination of
Tastlake and modern Gothic, the olives,
browns and crimsons predominating in the
cooring. The broad wall border is beaut-
full specimen of pure Eastlake. The prosce-
mum arch produces fine effect and will act
as sounding board for the stage. The drop
curtain is in modern style, representing Grim
son satin draperies, with emerald green lin
ngs and white satin underneath. The drop
scenes are six in number, representing par
or, chamber, street, forest, kitchen and pris-
on. These scenes were all designed by Mr..
Root especially for our stage. They have
been artistically executed and reflect great
credit on his professional skill All of them
have appropriate borders and wings. The
hall is lighted by reflector hanging from the
centre piece.
We regard it as unfortunate that unfavora-
Die criticism of these improvements has been
INDUCED in previous to the completion of the
work. The only apparently valid criticism
which has been raised is that the stage open
ing might with advantage have been made
considerably higher. We are satisfied, how
ever that the height of the opening will not
appear to an audience as a serious fault when
mn entertainment is in progress. The plans
for the improvements were from Mr.. A. W.
Wentworth of Boston The carpenters work
has been done by Mr.. Fred II. Harris and
the lighting has been very successfully &C.
complished by Mr.. A. G. White.
CASE OF J. d. WHITNEY VS.. THE FIRST MA.
TIoNAL BANK OF BRATTLEBoRo.
The suit in the Supreme Court of the
Onlteu OthJeS, Drought Dy JOhlhn II. w nltne1
against the First National bank of Brattle
boro, to recover for U. s. bonds left with
the bank as a special deposit for safe keep
ing, has been decided in favor of Whitney OF
the case presented. The decision is not il
the form of n judgment against the bank
The question submitted to the court wa
simply as to the right of national bank Il
receive special deposits for safe keeping
The Supreme Court of Vermont held that nj
authority to receive special deposits existet
under the act of Congress creating nationa
banking associations and defining their pow
ers. The Federal Court reverses this judg
ment and remands the cause to the stat
court for new trial as to the liability of tn
bank This trial will probably take place il
Windham county, aud the plaintiff must sho'
that the bank or its officers were guilty G
gross negligence in taking care of his bonds
in order to recover. The bank claims tha
these bonds were stolen at the time of tn
robbery in 1871.
LAST SATURDAYS PRACTICE AT OAK GROW
RANGE.
There has not been much interest in riff
practice for the last few weeks, but last Sa
urday an extra effort was made, and thel
was better attendance. A strong variab
wind interfered, causing some wild shots bl
there were some excellent records. The 70
lowing are the scores in full