Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1864-01-30 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

AMATEUR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCIL—On Wednesday evening last, a dramatic entertainment was given at OW ! Temperance Hall by gentlemen amateurs of the town, for the Benefit of the funds of the local rifle corps, arid  . , was well patronized by the elite of the town. The Ilan was well tilled by a highly respectable audience, whose frequent applause testitied to the success of the pea. ruler:ices. The first piece acted was a farce entilled " Wilful Murder" which was followed by the , burleaquo " Alo .zo the Brave " and the performance 1,114 concluded with the farce " A regular Fix." The pieces were admirably rendered and each individual sustained his part with artistic care and power indicating its diligent study. Comic songs were given during the interval which elapsed between each piece and well deserved the approbation they met with. The band of the Merthyr Rifle Cotps were present and contributed to the evening's amusement. Prolonged applause followed the fall of the curtain. Everything around Merthyr has actuned a more cheerful aspect. The Dowlais and Cyfarthla works are encouragieg the woikrneu by holding out higher wag's. The sad misery and poverty of the Penydarren workmen, ' and the oft-repeated symptoms of suffering and distress, which formerly made the vocations and business of the relieving officer, ths curate, and the union doctor to be one perfect scene of sorrow, will, we hope, after long and patient endurance of such trying visitations, give place to happier things, and the inhabitants will, we trust now partake of tne sunny side of prosperity. The path, s and treats given in honour of the New year have beeu most numerous, and, we need hardly add, most  'grumble. The soup kitchen works well. Mrs. It. Fordman of Waunfarrell ilouse gave her antimil tenet to upwind: of 400 of the tiunday and day school children on Twaday evening week. Immense good has b,•en done to suffering workmen by this lady, actively assisted by the clergyman of the place and the schoolina,ter. We hope that equal encouragement will be held out by the new company to those who perform similar labours, and who ruinist r gratis' from cottage to cottage, to the sick, the infirm, ud thedying.—Curresporidclit. THE SATURDAY EVENING CoNCERT6.—The tenth of  the series of theaa excellent entertainments was given at the Temperance Hall, and proved as attractive as any of the former, the hall being well filled iii all parts. The committee had Provided a most liberal und excellent programme. The lion of the evening was undoubtedly Mr John Nash, a gentleman who has acquired considerable celebrity by his refined and excellent comic singing at the Bristol and other concerts. Ile sang with considerable humour" The little fat grey man," a volunteer song in which there were some caeital hits with refereece to the Voluneeer movement; " The parlour window," and another laughable song; in all of which he was rapturously enco-ed. Mies Thomas, who had again beet' engaged, sang several pleasing Weleh and other Whets, in two of which she was encored. The Cy tarthfa string band, by the kind permission of Mr Crawshay, were again in attendance and perforated in their usual excellent style. A quarte:t in C minor for piano, violia, viola, and violunceilo was beautifully performed by Messrs. Lawrence, Bowden, Eng'and, and E. Itichaideen. A dilute "The Flewer Gatherers," was very well sung by Miss Frauers ittel Miss Mills, two young members of the choir. They received au encore, and the concert was brought to a close by some excellent singing by the Society Choir.