Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-11
WAR TIMES.
Corporal Tanners Lecturer Successiui
Entertainment.


Entertainment.
The lecture by Corporal Tanner, for the
benefit of Fair Oaks Post, G. A. R., drew
splendid audience to the Metropolitan
Theater last evening. A more representa-
tive gathering of the intelligence and worth
of the community could scarcely be had.
f, In the absence of Rev. Z. r. Ollie, who
was to have presided, but was unaYoidaoiy
detained until late in the evening George
| w. Ficks announced the programme ana
introduced the speaker. Miss Gertie Ger
IRISH played piano solo-an arrangement
of Scottish airs-and acquitted herself wen.
Mrs. James Seadler recited " The crippled
Soldier" giving the reading With dramatic
| effectiveness. After the lecture Mrs. Dr.
| Pinkham, Mrs. Carter and Mrs. wilbur
| Smith sang a trio soprano and TWO con-
traltosl, and so thoroughly pleased tie au-
dience that they were complied TO return
and sing a second time. A male quartet
sang 1.-THE Soldiers Farewell" Corporal
Tanner was received with cordial round OF
applause that testified to preconcelyed favor.
His lecture cannot well be sketched, ior any
synopsis of it must be devoid OF his wit,
the kernel of which was mainly IN the
lHlnllldDiG Vi lIC ~ w
with his pathos no printed recital can
adequately convey an idea of it. He is a
natural orator, but without the studied arts
of oratory. His strength is in his earnest
ness, the sympathetic quality OF his voice,
and in the fervency of the delivery Of his
thoughts, clothed in simple Ian
guage, with little of the poetic ele-
ment, but a wealth of feeling, for
which he easily calls forth emphatic
evidences of the responsive sympathy
awakened in the hearts of his auditors.
He sketched his early boyhood and the pa
triotic teachings of his young life, his flight
from home for the army, his period OF IN
struction in camp, and his entry upon the
peninsular campaign while yet boy OF
seventeen. Then followed a rapid review
of the movements of the Army of the Po-
tomac-its chief battles the penetration of
the heart of Virginia, the engagements and
movements that finally brought the di-
vision to which he belonged under the
co nmand of Pope; the engagement
at Manassas, the second battle of Bull Run,
and then the story of the hour, i'll which a
shell crushed his legs; the terrible suffer-
ing that supervened, the loss of his feet
under the surgeons knife, the horrible suf-
ferings of himself and wounded comrades
while prisoners in a rude hospital beneath
a burning sun, the paroling of the group,
the transportation to the Union lines, and
life in an army hospital. 1t was a graphic
recital, enlvened by anecdote and witty in
teriection, and full of the hnmor of the good
story-teller There were many pathetic
passages that caused the moisture to gather
in the eyes, and the heart-beats to quicken.
There were eloquent apostrophes TO the
flag and the Republic, no reproaches for
" the men on the other side" but kindly,
manly forgiveness, without forgetfulness,
and the breathing of chivalric spirit
throughout. He paid high tributes to
Mcclellan, Phil Kearney, Henitzleman
and Hooker, and boldly expressed his
opinion to be averse to the verdict rendered
in favor of Fitz John Porter.
The speaker kept his audience in rapid
alienation between melting moods, hearty
laughter, and that exquisite sense of humor
that proyokes the broad smile without rum
ming over into laughter. 1t was most
enjoyable talk" with flashes of fervid
eloquence, many periods of ornate word
painting, and more of vigorous and intense
feeling. The applause was frequent gen.
erous and sincere. The entire entertain
ment was success, and must have netted
a neat sum for the Post management, and
which conduct of the affair, by the way,
was excellent There was but one
drawback The lecturer was unable
to speak with the foot lights burning, and
with these shut off his face was in such
deep shadow that back of the first dress
circle row it could not, practically, be seen.
The hearer always hears better who can
watch the play of the speakers counte-
nance. If the elegant structure, the acous-
tic properties of which were again proven
last night to be thoroughly good and all
that can be desired, is to be much used as a
lecture hall, some of the chandeliers near
est the procenium should be fitted with
burners of sufficient capacity to bring the
speaker out of shadow when the footlights
are turned off. With that solitary and
slight remedy applied, the New Metropol-
itan will rank as one of the best lecture
rooms in all the country.