Irving Literary Association Entertainment

     “The Irving Literary Association. – An entertainment was given on Friday evening by the Irving Literary Association in Ward School No. 34, situated in Broome, near Willett-street, to a very large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, composed almost entirely of the residents of the Thirteenth Ward.  The programme consisted of recitations, essays, duetts [sic], solos, quartetts [sic] and a debate, in which some of the young lady scholars of the school in which the entertainment was given took part.  Mr. Curtis, teacher of music, presided at the piano.  The singing was admirable, and among those who distinguished themselves were the Misses Case, Van Horn, Smith and Oldenberg, and Messrs. Scott and Buckingham.  The debate was well conducted.  The subject discussed was ‘whether this war has been productive of more evil than good results.’  The speakers on the affirmative were Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Roche, and on the negative, Mr. Chinnock and the President of the Society, Mr. Townley.  The last named gentleman conducted the debate in a very eloquent manner, and the audience, to whom was assigned the privilege of deciding from the arguments adduced, which was the successful side, appeared to be of the opinion that the negative had been satisfactorily proved.”