New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-20

usually 3 shillngs Whether in schoOi-room UT inn
there are speeches and toasts OF somewhat similar
character to those already commented upon Inc
clubs accounts are also audited ana passed. VIII
votes of thanks to the chairman and secretary
After dinner the club members WIN Others VINO
have dncd with them-iOr the FEAST Is Tree 10 OUT
s;ders ON novment of the 3 shlings-proceed to the
field Of sports. These are of the customary kinu'
tborob rarely on so large scale or so varied, as at
baryes-homc and Forcstcrs fetes But, as with
these there will be dancing afterward, kept up to
late hour of tho night the votares of TerpSichore
paying for admission to the ballroom, whether IL
be in the school-hOuse public hosiery.
/ had almost forgotten to mention one OF the iasii-
ions of these Friendly Societies, which. however, Is
rot all their OWL but often followed by other Hu-
tual-hep associations. Before sitting down TO dlh-
ner the members of the club form into procession
order and with their banner displayed, ana pailu
playing n march, they visit the houses "a VI"
Weather inhabitants in the neghuornoou' anu
treat tbem to a time or two. This, OstenslDly ny
way of compliment has very different motive
contribution of money beng expected III pay n''"'
for the daylight serenade. AoieRs rOe"S II ~ to"-
orally given but fancy Ofener R0tehS IMAM 'o"''
and sometimes with grimace. 1t is Ike paving
the miner by those who take no part H. nor c"lo o
tho dancc Another specially OF rural diversion Is
with pigeons as the mark For this cruel paStlme
!. M longer confined to the fashionable marksmen
Of Uurl;ngham and the Gun Club. but has become
con,,on All over the country. Pigeon-lnatches are
chiefly promoted by the landlords OF pub
lie houses who advertise fat sheep
ar mig to be shot for, with
cheap half-crown dinner to follow. Boniface looks
for his best returns from the liquor to be sold LOT
although the crowd thus attracted AMI collected
may not all dne all are pretty sure to drink. Ihey
who attend pigeon-matches are generally the
rougher dement's Of the population, as might be eN
pected and the sport ID with its adjuncts Is III every
way rcPrehenslble.
A pastimc or entertainment OF a more pralsewor-
thy kind is the school concert or as often called'
pennv-rcadme," the latter name having reference
t. the price of admission, supposed to be penny
The superstition, however, Is not always IN eonso-
nance with the fact three pence or even SIX pence
being oftener the scale of charge-at least to the
majority of the audience. The entertainment is
more special TO winter; and. as may be deduced
from one of it's Names takes place in that hall OF
universal utility the parish schoOlroOm. 1t, TOO Is
under clerical patronage, the object being 10 pro-
mote intellectual enjoyment with an eye To money
proceeds; at least enough Of this to cover all eX-
penses For music there viii be piano lent Tor the
occoslon. at which the clergyman's daughter pre-
sides, or it may be the squres or some other
yonng lady of the parish and sometimes
they take it in turns. The performances on
the platform consists of songs and gieeS, with
rotations the so-called readings lniersperScd
and at times some musical genius Of the nelghpOr-
hood III delight the audience with SOLO on the
violin or cornct obligatO. The performers of both
sexes belong every rank OF lie the necessity Tor
this social comnngiing being the same as that al
1 ,,~l,. 1 l. rfEh
itself cannot supply sufficient talent, musical or
oratorica outside aid is called iii TO make up the
deficiency. Sometimes this has even to be paid for,
certain rustic stars in the entertainment line requ!r
ing remuneration for their services There are con-
ccrts and readings of n purcly professional kind,
given III the market towns and larger villages. But
the reward to the giveTS is not great even IN the
case of those who enjoy Worldwide popularity.
If mistake not the late MIR. Bellew, who stood
at the head Of popular reciters rarely received more
than &c per night, which included his appearing
upon the platform, travelling and all other eX-
| penses paid by himself! Nor is England the place
10 make forum by featuring. The lecture, as you
have il IN the States has here hardly existence.
| True there are public aud professional lecturers
heard olnow and then in the larger provincial towns,
moro rarely visiting the smaller ones. But If their
subjects be OF highly intellectual character,
! they must either go unpaid or address
themselves to their audiences. The prODor-
| ton of men and women in England DESTROYS
| of drinking from the fount of knowledge Is small
compared with those who thirst for ii in the United
States The reason is obvious, to Inc at least, and
| may be stated In phrase of six words-the inspir-
| ing influence of republican institutions.
From the sports and pastimes | have given ac-
| count Of it might be supposed that the English
| people-even the poOrest-enoy life in high and
general degree Yet suppOsition could be more
ilusory or farther away from fact and doubt
| whether in all the world there be a people who
know less o. lfc's delights and more of its dis
| aareeablos than those of merry England"