Prager Morgenpost 22/2/1863 published news of the forthcoming arrangement of a festival evening for the members of Merkur. The report noted: ‘„Merkur.“ This recently established Society for Merchants, Industrialists and Entrepeneurs [Verein für Komptoiristen, Industrielle and angehende Kaufleute] is pleased to attract a very encouraging participation and will soon call a general meeting to elect a committee.’ Outlining the activity of the Society, the report noted that a festival evening was to be held on 26th February at 7.30pm. An unsigned review of this event was published by Prager Morgenpost 2/3/1863: ‘From the Constitution Festival [Verfassungsfeier]. Among the many German Societies of Prague that celebrate a Constitution Festival [Verfassungsfeier], there belongs also the recently rapidly flourishing Society for Merchants and Entrepeneurs „Merkur.“ On the evening of the day of the Festival the Society members assembled along with many invited guests in the festively decorated locale of the Society. The Chief Officer [Vorstand] of the Society, Mr Schiller, opened the Festival with a festival speech, at the close of which he hailed His Majesty, who had granted the constitution, and was enthusiastically applauded by all present, after which a well-appointed male-voice chorus sang the Kaiserlied [national anthem]. Thereupon followed performances alternating solo songs and piano pieces, declamations and choruses.’ The review did not identify the performing ensembles or artists, or list any specific works given. Toasts were drunk during the course of the evening which continued until the early hours. A telegram was noted to have been received from the sister society Merkur of Vienna.