Danbury Times

FAIR AND FESTIVAL.

The Ladies' Fair and Festival, for the benefit of the Universalist Society, which came off agreeably to previous announcement, in Crosby's Hall, last week, was one of the most pleasant and delightful entertainments of the kind within our recollection. In many respects it was a model Fair.

One circumstance we were particularly pleased with, and that was the determination of the managers, which was well carried out, to dispense with all those measures of questionable propriety, which have sometimes been adopted on similar occasions, for increasing the receipts.

The taste and skill displayed in decorating the Hall and arranging the articles for sale, reflected much credit upon those engaged in the work and produced a fine effect. The tables,-- which by the way did not appear to be of the groaning sort,--were loaded with a rich and tempting display of refreshments, books, and a large variety of fancy, useful and ornamental articles, which were disposed of by the fair attendants, on most equitable terms, to the mutual advantage of all buyers and sellers.

The fine pieces that were sung, apparently impromptu, by Mr. Bailey and Lady, assisted by the fine tuned voices of Katy and Ada, added greatly to the pleasures of the entertainment, and were the theme of universal admiration.

The services on Wednesday evening were rendered peculiarly interesting, by the presence of Messrs. Balch and Chapin of N. Y. Mr. B. has recently returned from an oriental tour, and gave a very interesting and instructive narrative of some of the most interesting localities visited by him in the Holy Land. His graphic descriptions almost enabled the audience to breathe the air of Palestine, and behold the places consecrated in Biblical history.

Mr. Chapin is too well known and appreciated in this community to need any particular description of his performance. Suffice it to say that he was in his happiest vein, and gave renewed evidence of his matchless power to enchain the attention and thrill the hearts of his auditors.

After the addresses the guests to the number of 150, partook of a bountiful repast, and the festivities were not a little enhanced by the wit and repartee displayed by Barnum, of world wide celebrity, and whose kindness and generosity will be long and gratefully remembered by the recipients of a handsome donation.

At a seasonable hour the company dispersed apparently in excellent humor with themselves and all the world besides.

We are pleased to learn that a very handsome sum was realized, for the benefit of the Society under whose auspices the entertainment was provided.