Year: 1868

Now that the days are growing shorter and the
evenings longer, it becomes question of some
Importance as to what we can find to do to make
the time pass pleasantly way. True, we must
have our singing schools and church rehearsals
we must have our reading and our literary socie-
ties, we must have our lectures and the usual
social gatherings, but these alone will not suf-
fee. We need something having more of the
nature of recreation than any of the above
named gatherings. 1t is true that in these we
may combine pleasure with profit, amusement
with the amassng of useful information, but
study should be the leading object in connection
with any or all of the societies we have named.


Public concerts do not altogether answer our
purpose. They do not occur often enough, and
it they did the expense OF attending would be
greater than many could afford Then, public
concerts are not social enough in their character,
the gatherings, are too promiscuous, and the
customs land costumes) of society at present are
such that in public musicals we lose more than
half of the enjoymrnt otherwise might derive
from the food presented to our musical palates.


Musical people may find in the formation and
conducting of unions of societies for private re-
hearsals and entertainments, vast fund of real
enjoyment. Musical evenings held at the houses
of the different members of the club will prove
to be rich source of pleasure and means OF
making the long winter evenings pass usefully
and quickly away At these gatherings all
members of the society may take part in the ex-
ercises, according to their ability, and without
the fear of criticism. Each one may bring his or
her budget of vocal or instrumental music, and
for the delight afforded by others, they also may
bring their share for others to enjoy. At these
gatherings will be a fine opportunity for the
practice of new music, after practice, for per-
forming it for the benefit of Others


All the varieties of music, either vocal or in
al harn ha hrouCht and n
joyed such solos, Ducts, tros, quartets,
songs and choruscs, anthems, etc.


In such social gatherings, we cannot expect to
have the music executed it would be by fin
ished artist on the stage of the public concert
room, but that these musical evenings will per-
form a use for all who take part in them, be-
sides making the time pass swiftly and pleasantly
away, there can be no doubt. That the MEM
bers of these societies shall be able to sing bet
ter at the close of winter than at the beginning,
is a necessary consequence OF the three months,
practice that better musical appreciation will
be theirs is also true and if they are better men
and women than before, that will not be the
least of those things which follow true social
joyment.


There is no town or village in the land, how
ever small, but what has few persons of some
musical ability, and by uniting themselves'in
this way for the practice of music, such as they
may be able to delight in, they will not only
benefit themselves while at these social meet
ings, but their influence will be felt in the COM
munity at large, and the interest they take in
music will also increase the interest in the sub
ject among the inhabitants of the whole town
ship.


1t must be evident that little or no expense
will attend the carrying out of the plan here
laid down The meetings being held in turn at
the homes of the members of the club there
would be no expense for room, lights, nstru-
ments, ETC., as each member would gladly allow
the use of these for the privilege of having such
a social gathering in his house. At any rate, il
fund was needed for the purchase of new mu-
sic, books, ETC., it could easily be procured by
giving one or two public entertainments for that
purpose. This, however, is one of the least Of
the difficulties attending the formation of such q
society this. Let the club be formed let the
musical evenings begin, ard all other difficult
ties will soon be overcome, and the benefit and
enjoyment derived from these reunions will more
than pay for any expense or trouble in attending
them.