AustLit

The Freeman's Journal notes the poor attendance at the Prince of Wales Opera House during the preceding week. It attributes the lack of numbers to 'the great heat of the weather and the prevailing dust storm'. The writer mentions the performances of the pantomime Harlequin, Jack the Giant Killer, and, The Little Middies of the Galatea, and the comic drama The Captain of the Watch, and the upcoming production of The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.

The Freeman's Journal reproduces a column from the Melbourne Age on the publication of T. P. Hill's Oratorical Trainer (a copy of which was presented to H. R. H. Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh during the latter's visit to Melbourne in late 1867).

The prince's equerry, Eliot Yorke, responded to the presentation of the book on behalf of the prince and Yorke's words are reproduced in the column. They read in part: 'The book is an excellent one, and worthy of so necessary an object as that of exciting a love of English literature, and teaching youth the proper pronounciation [sic] of their own tongue; the latter I fear is much neglected in this colony.'

The Age's column concludes in satirical style: 'No doubt our colonial youth, their parents and teachers, will appreciate this exquisite compliment from so competent a critic! Really, it is too bad for Mr. Hill to have so long delayed the publication of an epistle which shows how gracefully this accomplished gentleman reciprocated the generous hospitality of the Victorian people. Fancy our Victorian youth receiving lessons in pronunciation from a silly fop, himself scarcely able to "speak his own tongue" through ridiculous affectation.'

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 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 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'.

An advertisement for Greville and Company, agents for Messers Harrild and Sons, London, advertising the sale of various items of printing machinery and equipment.

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