Cirrus@Austlit

An update on the issues surrounding the dismissal of W. A. Duncan from his position as Collector of Customs in relation to a duty payment on imported goods.

Buggins replies to J. Sheridan Moore's explanation of his (Moore's) 'awkward' lecture delivery manner. Buggins reasserts his view that Moore was 'out of his depth' in the subject matter and goes on to provide a (not very flattering) overview of Moore's literary career.

Buggins then turns his attention to the theatre. He despairs at the low attendances at the Prince of Wales Opera House and is 'surprised that Messrs Dind and Hoskins have kept the theatre open so long'. Buggins hopes that with the Christmas season approaching, 'the antics of Clown and Pantaloon, in Pantomime may prove more remunerative than legitimate business has hitherto done'.

Buggins praises the 'clever little actress' Kate Corcoran; comments on the production of John Howard Payne's Clari; or, The Maid of Milan and of La Sonnambula; and notes the performances of Madame Anna Bishop at the Masonic Hall.

'Fair Play' writes to concur with Buggins's assessment of J. Sheridan Moore's lecture on the current exhibition at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts. 'Fair Play' notes that 'it is not the first time ... that Mr. S. Moore has received a not over flattering testimonial to the vast calibre, or presumed calibre, of his literary worth' and suggests that Moore's 'frantic exception' to Buggins's comments 'has certainly not elevated [him] in the public estimation, nor will he persuade the public to regard him in any other light than as a crotchetty, egotistical, shadowy "ideal" of a would-be public literary character.'

An advertisement for James Hill, bookseller and stationer, advising of the arrival of 'a large assortment of standard Catholic works, Bibles, Prayer Books, &c., which he is determined to sell at the very lowest prices'.

An advertisement for Clark's Varieties and People's Theatre production of George Almar's The Charcoal Burner; or, The Dropping Well of Knaresborough on 28 and 30 November 1868.

An advertisement advising that the proprietors of the Freeman's Journal have entered into a 'job printing business' and 'are now prepared to execute orders'.

A list of suburban, country and inter-colonial agents for the Freeman's Journal.

An advertisement, for Greville and Company, for the sale of various types of paper, pens, pencils, slates, ledgers and other stationery items.

An advertisement advising that Greville and Company are the 'authorised Sydney agents of all the leading provincial journals of New South Wales' and are able 'to offer terms for the insertion of advertisements which can be done by none but a recognised agent'.

An advertisement for the Leader stating that it is 'without exception, the largest paper in the Australian colonies' and that it has 'a guaranteed circulation of 21,000 copies'.

An advertisement advising that Freeman's Journal 'is filed and may be seen, free of charge, at Holloway's, 533, Oxford-street, W. C., (late of 224, Strand) London, where advertisements and subscriptions may be received'.