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The Oratorio of Queen Esther was the principal attraction of our village last week. On both evenings the Masonic Hall was well filled with an appreciative audience. All the persons interested are to be complimented on the performance. The leading parts were on the whole well sustained. Mrs. D. Holliday, as Queen Esther, was well received and her singing much applauded and admired. Mr. W. A. Holliday, as King Ahasuerus, acted as if born to the situation. He has a good voice, admirably controlled. Mr. W. M. Laurence, as Haman, for the first time appeared before a Brooklin audience. His talents in that direction will not now be allowed to rust.
Mr. R. Moore sustained the part of Mordecai, in fine style. It was acknowledged by competent critics that Mr. George Holliday was simply a perfect High Priest; his voice is magnificent. Miss Allie Ketchen, as Zeresh, won much admiration. She sustained that trying character with great judgement and taste. Her voice is about as sweet and musical as one would wish to hear. Miss Robinson, as Prophetess, sang a solo in a very impressive manner. Miss Allems deserves praise for her work as the sister of Mordecai. Miss Warren, as Maid of Honor, rendered a fine solo in excellent style.
Mr. Albert Dale acted as Herald, and brought dignity enough to the office for five Heralds. The choruses were, to our mind, very choice. The children especially are deserving of notice. Their singing and acting was scarcely possible of improvement. The whole affair reflects great credit on Professor Wyatt and his class.
Some goody-good people seemed to think that Christians had no business to assist in the rendition of the Oratorio, or to encourage it by their presence. The are some people in this world whose minds are so contracted that they can't contain two ideas at a time. Everything that isn't got up by the church, must be, instigated by the cloven foot. I have seen and heard things in the church that I believe he had a hand in, and I have seen and heard things in public halls that would make him gnash his teeth in rage. The millennium will never come till a more liberal spirit is possessed by mankind.
The enjoyment of Monday evening was interrupted by some hoodlum. A piece of pumpkin was fired through a window and it struck a lamp on one of the organs. The lamp flew into splinters among a group of little girls. Had the oil ignited there must have been a great loss of life, as the light dresses would have been instantly in a flame; a mad rush in many directions would have followed and a serious catastrophe could not have been averted. There are some bad boys in Brooklin who need some wholesome discipline. If allowed to run on unchecked they will soon perpetuate greater villanies and bring disgrace upon themselves and their friends. If the rascal who threw the pumpkin is known to any right minded person it is to be hoped that he will be exposed and punished.
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