44 



some first-class photographs. Mr. Mack's views are remarkable for 

 clearness and accuracy, and those exhibited were proofs of a series taken 

 within the past few weeks. A tastefully-arranged platform was erected 

 at one end of the room for the accommodation of the musicians. At 

 nine o'clock, the first part of the programme, consisting of the following 

 selections, was performed by a number of amateur ladies and gentlemen 

 in almost unexceptionable style : — Pianoforte duet, Overture to " L'lta- 

 li ana in Algieri" (Rossini) j Glee, " O, bird of eve" (Lord Mornington) ; 

 Song, "On wings of music" (Mendelssohn). The second part of the 

 programme was commenced at ten, and was gone through with very 

 great acceptance. It was as follows : — Duet, " As I saw fair Clora" 

 (Haydn); Glee, "Ye spotted snakes" (Stevens - ); Piano Solo, "Chanson 

 d'Amour" (Henselt); " Hunting song" (Schumann) ; Song, " My Queen" 

 (Blumenthal). It would be invidkras to single any of the fair song- 

 stresses for special remark, as all exhibited musical talent of a high 

 order of merit. In addition to the curiosities which have been already 

 mentioned, Mr. Phillips exhibited a snake — a Coluber natrix — which was 

 an object of great interest. The animal is about three feet long, and 

 very slender. It is an English reptile, but not poisonous. It escaped 

 from Mr. Phillips's fernery in Holywood about six months ago, and 

 was only captured on Wednesday last by some boys while at play. 

 There were also a number of axolotls, exhibited by Professor 

 Wyville Thomson : this is a curious specimen of reptile, and has the ) 

 gills outside : in the tadpole of the newt tribe the gills are situated 

 in a similar manner while the animal is young, but as it grows they 

 become absorbed, but in the axolotls they always remain outside. This 

 animal seems a stage between the tadpole and the frog. In the upper 

 room, Mr. Donaldson gave several electrical experiments. There were 

 also revolving stereoscopes and zootropes exhibited by Mr. Magill and 

 Mr. Mayne. These latter attracted the attention of the young ladies, 

 and created much amusement. Mr. Hugh Robinson displayed a fine 

 collection of post pliocene fossils from the basin of the Clyde, and Mr. 

 Malcolmson also sent in some fine specimens of native ferns. 



Not the least interesting department was the refreshment-room, 

 where refreshments were provided throughout the evening by Mr. Wm. 

 John Walker, of Dublin Road. The style in which everything was 

 served, as well as the excellence of the viands, was highly creditable to 

 Mr. Walker's establishment. 



The following gentlemen were the stewards : — Professor Jas. Thom- 

 son, C.E. ; Mr. W. H. Patterson, Mr. Jas. Wright, Mr. Anderson, Mr. 

 Forrester, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Malcomson, Mr. W. H. Phillips, Mr. H. 

 Robinson, Mr. S. Symington, Mr. M'Millan, Mr. W. H. Ferguson, and 

 Mr. W. Gray. 



The company separated about eleven o'clock, after having spent a 

 most agreeable evening. 



