AustLit

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'.

An advertisement for the Royal Victoria Theatre production of Pilgrim of Love and of Thomas Reynoldson's A Curious Case on 1 July 1868.

An advertisement for the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts entertainment on 1 July 1868 – the first of two 'grand farewell performances by Mr and Mrs Thatcher'. (Although not specified in the advertisement, a production of Thatcher's Life on the Goldfields was also performed on 1 July.)

The Empire provides an advance summary of Walter Cooper's comedy Colonial Experience, to be performed for the first time at the Royal Victoria Theatre on Saturday, 4 July 1868. The play is said to be 'illustrative of the varied and peculiar phases of Australian life' and the production 'seems likely to present a characteristic reflex of the mode and manner of colonial times'. The principal roles in the inaugural production were taken by William Hoskins (Captain Versatile Fluent) and Mr. Andrews (Joe Grudge); the remaining roles were performed by members of the Victoria Star Company.

The Empire provides a detailed report on a lecture, delivered by the Rev'd John Graham on 30 June 1868 to the Pitt Street Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, on the subject of 'The English Language'. The evening was chaired by John Fairfax and 'a large number of ladies' were included in the number of those present.

A brief column noting that 'Mr. Thatcher's performance did not take place last evening [30 June 1868], in consequence of the Hall being occupied by the Rev. J. Graham who gave a lecture'.

A brief note on the 30 June 1868 Royal Victoria Theatre production of Pilgrim of Love and of Thomas Reynoldson's A Curious Case.

An advertisement for the sale by auction of '1200 volumes [of] handsomely-bound books', together with a range of household items.