Cirrus@Austlit

An advertisement for the Prince of Wales Opera House production of Thomas William Robertson's Caste and Thomas Morton's A Roland for an Oliver on 15 August 1868.

(Performances on 15 August 1868 mark the beginning of a new season at the Prince of Wales Opera House. Mr Hoskins, associated with the Royal Victoria Theatre immediately prior to this, is now the manager of the Prince of Wales.)

An advertisement for the 15 August 1868 issue of Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle.

The publishers of the Times advise that they have become the proprietors of the newspaper 'hitherto known as the Evening Mail'. From 20 June 1868, the newly acquired newspaper will be known as The Mail and published twice weekly.

An advertisement for the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts entertainment on 14 August 1868. The evening's program continues the farewell performances of Grace Egerton and George Case. The advertisement notes that 'due to the unanticipated success' of the first four nights, the planned six-night season is being extended for an additional four nights.

The 'Empire' notes the publication of the first issue of the Adelaide Miscellany and provides a brief description of its contents.

The Empire reports that the School of Arts was 'literally crammed' on 14 August 1868 for the performances of George Case and Grace Egerton. The night's proceedings received 'a most enthusiastic reception'.

The 'Flaneur' muses on Sydney's recent political and social occurrences. His subjects include opposition to the Treason-Felony Act, the meeting of the Church of England Synod and 'police court literature'.

The Empire notes that the 'talented company that has recently finished an average successful season' at the Royal Victoria Theatre has now begun an engagement at the Prince of Wales Opera House, under lessee William Dind and stage manager William Hoskins. A new actor, Mr F. Younge, has joined the company for the season at the Prince of Wales.

Included in the report on 'Political and Social Matters in England', the Empire comments on the return of Charles Dickens from his four-month US tour, noting the general goodwill with which he was received.

The Empire reports that 'M. Ravel and Mlle. Deschamps' continue their performances on the London stage with productions that 'would be scarcely tolerated at the Varieties [Sydney's Lyceum Theatre]'. The London papers 'declaimed against their immorality and open vulgarity', but audiences attended in undiminished numbers.

London's Daily Telegraph commends the people of Australia on their loyalty to the Crown, despite the attempted assassination of H. R. H. Prince Alfred.

An advertisement, probably placed by Samuel Bennett (sole proprietor, printer and publisher of the Empire), for the sale of a single cylinder printing machine. The sale is being offered 'to make room for a new machine daily expected from England'.