"The Devon Glee Club gave a superb entertainment to the Ladies on Wednesday night, at the Subscription Rooms. About three hundred of the rank and fashion of the county and city sat down to a most sumptuous supper, in the arrangement of which the utmost taste and elegance were displayed. champaigne and costly 'vins de tout espece et de la premiere qualite,' were in great abundance and highly approved.
"After supper 'Non nobis Domine' was sung and a series of the best old and modern glees, madrigals, and catches were introduced, in excellent style, by the members of the Glee Club.
"E. Divett, Esq. presided; and did the honours of his situation in a spirited and appropriate manner, introducing between the Glees a variety of loyal, national and complimentary toasts, which were followed by musical cheers. J. Wentworth Buller, Esq. was Vice-President.
"It was nearly two o'clock when the company separated, so highly delighted were they with their liberal and elegant entertainment, - It was certainly one of the most tasteful and handsome suppers ever served in Exeter,"
No!, - 'to the Ladies' does not imply that this was a whopping-great, Georgian hen-party.
'Wasn't it Non nobis Domine' that Kenneth Branagh was singing after he won the Battle of Agincourt? Not the same tune though!
I admire the swank with which The Post casually offers to its readers a few words of French, (even if the printers can't hack the accents!). It wants its readers to leap like porpoises. Today's papers seem to be digging down ever deeper in their search for the lowest common denominator.
Source: The Exeter Flying Post, 2nd February, 1826.
No comments:
Post a Comment