H.R.H. the late Duke of Clarence (February 26th) and the beginning of Lent 
(March 2nd) was made the most of as regards gaiety and entertainments, the 
event of greatest importance being the production on Shrove Tuesday of Robert¬ 
son’s famous four-act comedy, “ School,” by the amateurs of Halifax. This play 
requires no less a caste that 17 persons, namely, 8 gentlemen and 9 ladies, 8 of 
whom are school girls. The R.A. were represented by Captain Duffus, who 
played the part of that aged roue ’ “ Beau Farintosh,” extremely well, and Lieut. 
Elliott, who made a nimble noiseless “ Footman,” and having nothing to say on 
the stage, no doubt made up for it behind the scenes. 
The Nova Scotian Provincial Legislature was formally opened on 3rd March 
for its annual session by the Lieutenant-Governor with the usual ceremony. The 
Halifax Garrison Artillery (Militia) fired a salute of 15 guns, and a guard of 
honour was formed by the 63rd Rifles (Militia). There was a very bad snow¬ 
storm at the time, and it was an interesting sight to see the latter trudging 
through the snow, which was driving in their faces, and the band playing all the 
time. The Lieutenant-Governor (Mr. Daly) wore diplomatic uniform, and was 
accompanied by his own staff; he was also supported by the Commanding Officers 
of the British Regiments in garrison, who, with their Adjutants, attended volun¬ 
tarily as a compliment to him. The ceremony of opening takes place in the 
Council Chamber of the Province Building, a handsome room, the walls of which 
are covered with paintings of Kings and Queens of England, and by-gone 
Governors of Nova Scotia, who, in the pre-confederation days, were generally 
distinguished statesmen or soldiers sent out from home, such as Lord Mulgrave, 
Sir Fenwick Williams, or Sir Hastings Doyle. But to return to the function 
itself, the Council Chamber is the place of meeting of the Legislative Council 
(Upper House), the members of which, numbering about a dozen, sit on two rows 
of seats facing each other, at one end of the passage thus formed is the “Throne,” 
at the other end a barrier, at each side are spectators. The ceremony is a mimic 
representation of the opening of the Imperial Parliament at home. The gentle¬ 
men of the House of Assembly (Lower House) are first summoned, and troop in, 
headed by their Speaker, who wears a full-bottomed wig. He stands at the 
barrier, exactly opposite the “ Throne.” Then comes the speech from the 
“ Throne,” which is read by the Lieutenant-Governor himself. It reviews the 
past, describes the present, anticipates the future, and is accompanied by frequent 
raisings of the gubernatorial cocked hat whenever he addresses himself alternately 
or collectively to “Mr. President and Honourable Gentlemen-of the Legislative 
Council,” or “Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly.” The 
end of the speech concludes the ceremony, the Lieutenant-Governor takes his 
departure, the band plays, the guard of honour presents arms, and it is all over 
till this time next year. - 
The 4th March was the fourth anniversary of a very sad event, the sensational 
death by accidental drowning out of a boat of 2nd Lieut. E. C. Vallentin, R.A., 
off Sambro Island, near Halifax. 
Major McDonnell, R.A., and Lieutenant Enthoven, R.E., have returned from 
a three weeks’ trip, on leave, in Canada and the States, during which they visited 
Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, Buffalo, and New York, and received much 
hospitality on all sides. 
No small stir was caused amongst the officers here by reports received in 
private letters by the last mail that the financial condition of Messrs. Cox & Co. 
is unsound. Further reports have now been received of a reassuring kind, and 
Messrs. Cox & Co. have written a letter to the O.C.R.A. refuting what has been 
said, and forwarding a balance-sheet to be posted in the Mess. 
Lieutenant J, M. Macgowan^R.A., has just returned from Margaret’s Bay with 
the two first salmon of the season, which he killed himself in the Indian River 
(20 miles from Halifax), on March 8th and 10th. They are fine fresh run fish 
and weigh 7 lbs. each. 
