The Portland daily press., 1886-11-19
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
PETER THE GREAT.

fEIEh THE GREAT.
Mr.. Stoddard delivered the last lecture in
his course at City Hall last night, taking for
his subject peter the Great" The manner
In which he sketched the life and character
OF the protector and creator of Russian civil
lzation won the highest appreciation of the
audience The lecturer, while admitting the
merciless and despotic character of this great
scion Of the Romanoff dynasty, chose rather
to dwell upon the higher and nobler traits Of
the man who did so much for the civilization
Oh his country, and by whose effort it was
raised from almost state Of barbarism to
one OF the mightiest empires of the world.
The lecture was opened by graphic descrip-
tion OF the dangers and perils which sur-
rounded Peter from his earliest boyhood.
first, from the intrigues of his sister. who
wished to continue her rule, having tasted
the sweets OF sovereignty as regent during
reter's youth; then by the degeneracy of
the otreltzl or soldiery, who were little more
IMAM mob, and sold their services to the
highest bidder, and last. but not least, by the
ialrlgu les OF the clergy, who, violently OPP
he put an end to his sisters intrigues bv i'm
prlsonlng her for life in fortified convent.
ne destroyed the power of the Streltzi by
massacreing some thousands of them, and
deprived the Church of its political Influence
by making himself its head. The lecturer
told OF the Cars travels in different conn
tries, where he worked and studied that he
might improve his people, and the wonder
1ui VIII power he. showed in instituting the
REFORMS ; against the wishes Of the majority of
MS subjects of all classes. The description
OF the building of ST. Petersburg, where
the Gar, by his right over the lives and
property OF his subjects, compelled hundreds
q thousands OF them to work without tools.
digging the excavations for the foundations
OF magnificent buildings with their hands.
was very hne. In the course of the first
year OF the construction of the new capital.
over l00, 900 men persisted from over-exertion
ana starvation; but the result was a new
with recital of the story of the Cars
heroic rescue of the soldiers and sailors
from the boat in the lake, resulting in the
contraction OF chill and his subsequent
death IN intense agony, which he bore with
Among the superb views presented were
those of ST. Basil's church by moonlight
those taken in Amsterdam, and the different
features I OF Moscow, especially the Kremlin.
IL IS with great regret that the holders of
tickets to this course part with Mr.. Stoddard
tnls year. The three lectures have been
among his best, and they can only regret
that they are not to have the two that have
Deen delivered elsewhere on "Charles
Dickens and Egypt and the Nile"
The eighth entertainment In the Stock
Drldge course will take place on Wednesday
evening, Nov. "a, and will be grand festival
concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
assisted by the world renowned prima donna
eontralto from England, Nine. Trebelli
Bettini.
UNCLE TOMS CABIN
The sale of reserved seats for the perform
ances of Uncle Toms Cabin" to be given
at City Hall Saturday afternoon and evening.
VIII begin at St0ckbridge's this morning.
MAY BLOSSOM.
The sale of seats for May Blossom" will
begin at the box Office, Portland Theatre.
this morning. The Montreal Herald saws:
THE company presenting the pretty play of
May Blossom, for the first time in this city.
is one of considerable merit. BENJAMIN
conception of Uncle Bartlett was
particularly good, and his every appearance
was greeted with applause. Mr.. Adleman's
acting, especially in the scene where Ash
croft returns, was very strong, and well re-
ceived.'
NOTES.
There should be large patronage of the
concert which will be given at the Methodist
church, Woodford's, tonight. Ii will be a
vivid reminder of rye olden TYNE"
William Warren, the veteran comedian. |
attained his 74th year Wednesday.
Inere was large advance sale of seats |
yesterday at Stockbridge's for the concert |
and readings to be given at City Hall, |
thanksgiving afternoon and evening. by the |
Hungarian Gypsy Band and Prof. Churchill. |