3-011-869 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Messrs Cope's Christmas entertainment to their workpeople at St. George's Hall, Liverpool, 1864. 'Mr. J. C. Cowper, the tragedian, recited, with great taste and feeling, Tennyson's ode, "The Death of the Old Year." This was succeeded by slow organ music, amidst which "the Old Year" reached the dais, where he stood and gazed round for a minute. As a deep-toned gong struck twelve, he turned and, lifting the curtains of the tent, retired as he disclosed the "New Year," a bright little creature, in a costume resembling that of Britannia. At this moment the light once more sprung up in the hall, the whole audience sang "Rule Britannia" and the National Anthem, while the fairy New Year entered a triumphal car, and was drawn across the hall, followed by the other figures in the pageant...The refreshments, even for such a large company, were ample, and admirably dispensed, and the dawn found some indefatigable dancers full of brisk appreciation of an entertainment which was successful, not only for the pleasure it afforded the guests, but as an expression of genuine and hearty interest between employers and workpeople'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.