Middletown transcript., 1893-11-25

Tuesday night was rather unpropltlous,
but the pouring rain did not prevent the
Opera House from being well filled with an
eager, attentive audience to hear, for the flrst
time, Col. James P. Sanford, of MARSHALL
ton, Iowa, the noted traveller and humorous
lecturer. His evenings discourse was pre-
faced by brief sketch of his own career,
which was so skillfully told, that in
trice, his hearers were his warm, fast friends,
having the keenest sympathy for and ap-
probation of his every experience.
His subject, "The Old Times and New"
is suggestive, and the audien ce was some
what prepared for the delightful pictures OF
ancient times that he held before their gaze,
Having visited every country on the globe,
and studied the antiquities of all nations.
he was as mu ch at home among the archiye
of Egypt, the catacomb of Rome and the
ruins of Pompeii as on the streets OF his
native town. His lecture contains wealth
of information given in the most choice
and beautiful languages while humor and
pathos mingled to add still greater charm
to his every sentence. All along the way
he would stop to tell amusing or pathetic
incidents, aud his listeners were constantly
recovering from one out-burst of laughter
only to be overtaken by ano ther. His des-
criptions were most vivid, and when he
came to tell Of the greater achievements OF
| modern times he became eloquent indeed.
All through the lecture he revealed the
great heart that was beating warm toward
humanity, and his plea for the children
was as tender as it was beautiful.
Col, Sanford truly said that the great
heart of humanity beats to higher note
to-day than in the old times, and, he him
self is an evidence OF this truth for it is the
great, warm heart of the man, as well as
| the eloquence and grace of the orator that
draws the people to him. Gladly would
we hear him again. May he live long to
bless and brighten the world.
JAMES s. BURDErT.
Wednesday evenings programme was OF
entirely different character. James s.
Burdett, the elocutionist and impersonator
| delighted the large audience with his hum
orous recitations and kept the house in
roar of laughter aim ost the whole evening.
Mr.. Burdette is an artistic of rare ability
his rendering of Brooks "0rthod-0x
Team" and of Whitcomb Riley's "In June,
were inimitable The mine Nationalities
at the Fair" was masterpiece of elocution,
and the imitation of Talmage was almost
as good as Talmage himself. Mr.. Burdette
has wonderful facial expires sion, and has
the rare gift of impersonating g the fool and
the sage with equal success.
THE BOSTON IDEALS
The celebrated Boston Ideal Banjo, Man
dolin and Guitar Club, gave one of their
rare entertainments on Thursday night,
and it was, without doubt, the finest musi-
cal entertainment ever given in Middle
town. Everybody was expecting rare
reat, but the programme was full of
musica surprises.
The great charm of their playing was
that it pleased both the popular taste and
the cultivated ear. Their selections were
varied, but all exquisite and eharmingly
rendered. 1t would be difficult to particu-
larize in such a programme, for every
selection was a gem. The strings of those
sweet-toned instruments touched by such
artists seemed to vibiat with the life and
soul of music The Spanish Romanza,' !,
"Chinese Serenade," Concert Gallop,'
Advance and Retreat of the Salvation
Army" "Cocoanut Dance" Minstrel
Echoes" and many more followed each
other in rapid succession, and Concord
of Sweet Sound" filled the air. The com
pany was most generous with their eneores,
and the audience was SO enthusiastic and
appreciative that many selections were
repeatedly encored.
The vocal selections were fine. The Jub.-
lee Songs were wonderfully taking, also the
comic songs by Mr.. Lansing, the popular
composer.
The audience was one of the largest and
most appreciative ever seen in our Opera
House. There were nearly 500 people
present, they came from far and near, and
everybody was pleased.
The people of the community have shown
their appreciation of Prof. Grifen's efforts
in bringing such high class entertainments
with the Institute. and throughout the
course have given hearty support.
Prices Orchestra furnished music on
each evening, and it was never heard with
more appreciation. on Wednesday night
especially the selections were very choice
and were finely given,
The whole course of entertainments is
conceded to be the finest ever yet given at
the Institute.