ENTERTAINMENT—On the 11th inst., a concert was given in the National Schoolroom, under the direction of Mr. Warren, the master. A number of songs, glees, and rounds were rendered with great accuracy and musical ability, and interspersed among the vocal performances were several recitations and readings by the scholars. We noticed among the boys, Albert Percival, Fred Perkins, Wilhelm Lewis; and among the girls, Bessie Munns, Beatrice Fisher, Louisa Cox, and Gena Wagstaffe, as reading with specially good emphasis. The last named girl recited Portia's address to Shylock on "Mercy" from the Merchant of Venice, with marked ability. We must not omit to notice also a song by Mr. Warren, the master, which was received with loud and well merited applause, and encored. The room was crowded, and a general feeling was expressed that special pains must have been taken to produce, even with the musical material which the young folk of Rushden are known to furnish, such excellent results. The only performer who was not a scholar was Master Barker, son of the Rector, who gave a recitation in a very creditable manner. A general wish was expressed that the entertainment should be repeated at an early date.

ENTERTAINMENT—On Friday evening, 31st ult., a musical entertainment with scenes from Shakespear's play of Julius Cæsar, was given before a large audience in the National Schoolroom. The following is the programme: Duet (pianoforte), "Zampa," was brilliantly executed by Miss and Miss E. Sartoris; glee, "War song from 'Norma'," the choir; song, "The distant land," well rendered by Miss Jenkins; song, "Man is a bore," was given in good style by Mr. W. Packwood; quartet, "The chafers," Messrs. Nicholls, Baker, Packwood, and Warren, encored; Scotch song, "Within a mile," was given by Miss Palmer, who gained applause; pianoforte solo, Miss Mason; song; "Little gipsy Jane," by Miss Butcher who's rendering of this pleased the audience very much; scenes from Julius Cæsar, "Calphiimia and Partia," E. Munns and E. Knight "Cæsar, Brutus, Antony, and Cassias," W. Lewis, A. Dickens, "Servants, citizens, &c.," H. Norwood, A. Percival, G. Mason, F. Alderman, &c.; duet (pianoforte), "Caleph of Bagdad," Miss and Miss E. Sartoris; song, "The banks and braes of bonnie Doon," Miss Palmer; duet, "Tell me gentle stranger," well rendered by Mr. W. and Miss P. Packwood; song, "Warblers of the grove," Miss Jenkins; glee, "Sir Knight," by the choir; song; "Maniac," was well executed by Mr. Warren. The sinning of the National Anthem terminated a pleasant evening's entertainment. Mr. E. Smith's services at the piano were very efficient. A great deal of amusement resulted from the second part of the programme, both from the costume and manner of the various acters, all of which clearly show the pains the Rev. J. T. Barker has taken in preparing them for the occasion.

ENTERTAINMENT—On Friday, February 28th, an entertainment, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, with readings, was given in the National School, the proceeds to be given to the Star Cricket Club. The audience was not so large as might have been expected, considering the large number of people who congregate together on the occasion of a cricket match; the front seats, however, were well filled. The following was the programme;—Duet (pianoforte) Miss and Miss E. Sartoris; song, "Granny dear and Grenadier," Mr. J. Warren; song "Treasures of the deep," Miss Sanderson; reading from Shakespeare's play of Henry VIII, the Rev. J. Barker; song, "Come into the garden, Maud," Mr. C. Lawerence (encored); duet (piano and violin) "Operatic fantasia," Messrs. E. Smith and J. Jolley; quartette, "Cherry ripe," Messrs. J. Farey and W. Skinner, Miss Wrighton, and Master G. Farey; song, "The Village Fair," Mr. W. Packwood; song, "The Miner," Mr. W, Skinner; overture, "Old English air," Miss and Miss E. Sartoris; song, "Won't you buy my pretty flowers?" Miss Wrighton; trio, "The Red Cross Knight," Messrs. J. Warren, W. Packwood, and J Nichols; reading, "Boots," Mr. Sartoris; song "King of the Forest," Mr. Farey; pianoforte solo, Miss Mason; song, "Pilgrim of Love," Mr. C. Lawrence; encore, "Tom Bowling; " duet, "What are the wild waves saying?", Mr. W. Skinner and Miss Wrighton; song, "Robin, return," Miss Sanderson; song, "Rule Britannia," Mr. Warren, National Anthem.

CONCERT—On Thursday evening week a concert was given in the National Schools when a good number attended, among whom there was a good sprinkling of the elite of the neighbourhood. The programme, which is appended, was much enjoyed. The names of the performers is a sufficient guarantee of the high class music being well rendered. The opening overture was given with spirit, precision, and taste by the whole of the instrumentalists. Mr. Farey was in good voice, but we think he rather failed in his expression. The playing of Messrs. Brown, Shaw, and Smith elicited much applause, Mr. Brown's style and the quality of tone in the beautiful large movement was especially good. Mrs. Parsons received a well deserved encore for her "When the ship comes home," and substituted "Kitty Malone." Messrs. Packwood, Warren, and Skinner did full justice to their songs. Mrs. Barker gained an encore for the accomplished rendering of "The Better Land," but, owing to an affection of the throat, was unable to respond. The two veteran violinists, Messrs. Sanderson and Packwood, played their duets in a very masterly style. Miss E. Sartoris played with her usual taste and skill, and Mr. J. E. Smith, as accompanist, rendered good service. The arrangements were good, and the whole does great credit to Mr. Smith's catering for an evening entertainment. The orchestra was nicely decorated with choice stove and greenhouse plants, kindly lent by Mrs. Currie, Rushden House. Appended is the programme:—Overture, "Figaro,” Band; glee, "The Village Choristers," Messrs. W. Skinner, G. Farey, W. Packwood, and J. Warren; song, "Vineta," Mr. J. Farey; trio (violin, violincello, and piano), "Gipsy Rondo," Messrs. Frank Brown, A. Shaw, and J. E. Smith; song, "When the Ship comes home," Mrs. Parsons; solo (violin), "Largo," Mr. Frank Brown; song, "Lovely Spring," Mr. W. Packwood; duet (violins), Messrs. G. Packwood and J. Sanderson; song, "The Better Land," Mrs. Barker; four part-song, "Beware," Messrs. J. Warren, G. Farey, W. Packwood, and J. Farey; trio, "Symphony," Messrs. Brown and Shaw, and Miss E. Sarioris; song, "Home they brought her warrior dead," Mr. J. Warren; duet (violin and violincello), Messrs. A. J. Sanderson and G. Packwook; song, "Irish Melody," Mrs. Barker; solo (piano), "Golden Bells," Miss Mason; song, "The Tar's look out," Mr. W. Skinner; trio (violin, violincello, and piano), Messrs. Frank Brown, Alfred Shaw, and J. E. Smith; song, "Wanted a Governess," Mrs. Parsons; finale, ”National Anthem."

ENTERTAINMENT—On Saturday evening the first of a series of Saturday evening entertainments for the young people at one penny each was held in the large hall. The Rev. W. A. Davis presided, and, in opening the meeting, said that these meetings were to be thoroughly unsectarian and of no party character, and he hoped they would prove a success. The following was the programme:—Overture, by the National School Band, conducted by Mr. Bacon; part song, " Life's success," by the Choir; song, by Mr. Crick; recitation, "A tale of lovers" Miss Pung, and the "Singing Child" was given in response; part song, "Before the Brewers," Choir. An interval of 10 minutes was here allowed and the directors were fully employed in attending to the wants of the audience, after which the Band played another overture, after which there was a part song "Bubbling Spring" (encored) Mr. Stringer; song "The Death of Nelson"; recitation, "Little Stowaway," by Mr. Clarke. A part song by the choir, and the usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting.

SATURDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT—On Saturday last the duty of providing a programme devolved on Mr. B. Vorley, who presided. The Temperance Band played two very excellent selections of music, one of which was a fantasia arranged by Mr. De Lacy. The selections were very admirably rendered, and the part-songs given by an improvised choir, of members from Succoth, the Independent Wesleyan, and from the Old Baptist Chapels, were much appreciated, as were also the solos and duets by Miss Vorley and Miss Tye, the piano duet by the Misses E. Greene and E. Claridge, and the recitations of the Misses A. Warner and E. Claridge. Miss Stanton also received hearty rounds of applause for her admirable rendering of a recitation.

MAGIC LANTERN—On Monday evening, Mr. Croxford, of Harrold, gave an entertainment with the lantern in the New Hall, Rushden, under the auspices of the Higham Ferrers and District Band of Hope Union. The hall was crammed, and the moisture rather interfered with the pictures, which otherwise were uncommonly good. The subject was "Round the world in ninety minutes," and some excellent views of London, Dover, Calais, Paris, Naples, and the other places en route were exhibited. After which, some of Cruikshank's views of the "Bottle," and other comic scenes were introduced. The Rushden Bands of Hope were admitted free. The same gentleman repeated the entertainment at the Bede House, Higham, on Tuesday, the room being filled by members of the Higham Church of England Temperance Society, Wesleyan, and Chelveston Bands of Hope, which were admitted free. Mr. Croxford repeated the entertainment to the Wesleyan Band of Hope at Wellingborough on Wednesday. On Thursday the same exhibition was given at Finedon, and this evening will be given at Irthlingborough.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
"JOHN PLOUGHMAN'S PICTURES" — This was the title of a lecture and magic lantern entertainment given at the Public Hall on Wednesday evening, by the Rev. W. Spurgeon, of Stourbridge. The Rev. A. C. Smith the pastor of the Congregational Church, introduced the lecturer, who delivered a most interesting address, which was listened to with great attention by an appreciative but moderate audience. The lecture contained sound advice which might well be borne in mind

Notes of the Week
A BOXING ENTERTAINMENT took place at the Public Hall on Saturday, lovers of the "noble art" turning up in strong numbers.