MR J. D. POPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1938, 7 September 1888, Page 3

MR J. D. POPE.

Mr J. D. Pope Is announced to lecture here on Monday evening In the Oddfellows' Hall on Robert Emmett, the Irish patriot and martyr. We have noticed very favourable and flattering reports of Mr Pope's lectures, and we oan bespeak a good entertainment for those who attend. A northern contemporary ssya: — It Is a hopeful slen, and significant of tie part that New Zealanders are yet destined to play m the affairs of the Great Empire to which we belong to see the colony represented In all branches of human prowess, whether phyeical or Intelleotua l , The latest Instance of native talent we have to call attention to is Mr Popo's lecture on Robert Emmett, whose promising life was co sadly and tragically closed almost before the time when moot men awake to the promptings of their nobler impulses. The tale is at once pathetic and moving, and though told m moat simple language, it yet contains such dramatic foroe and effect that it Ja not easy to resist the contagion of the emotion naturally felt at the recital of heroism and nobleness of nature of the young patriot, As Mr Pope delivers! his lecture entirely - without notes — and it Is a long one, and one on which a great dral depends on verbal accuracy— he it enabled to < throw his soul into the spirit of ' hit deliverance, and strengthen and , enforoe what he has to say with all the | valuable adjuncts of graceful elocution of whioh he is aj master, though In some respects he departs from the old established lines. But ha evidently does bo with reason, as his rendering is always ■ intelligent and effective. We regret that * want of space alone precludes us doing the i justice we should like to do to this talented i .New Zealander. who boldly essays to tread In the steps of such men as Forbes and George Augustus Sale, and who can compare favorably with either of them on the i lecturer's platform, though he has not hobnobbed with the titled notorieties of '■ tha period that Mr Forbes or Mr Sala, by > virtue of his occupation — the open sesame ] of the Preat — bad the opportunity of doing. Mr Pope is really a very clever lecturer and well worth hearing, and only requlresito be a little better known to draw houses just as tbe Rev Charles Clark did. The "Spaeoh from the Dock," at the coucluslon of the lecture was as capable and effective an elocutionary display as anything listened to here for a very long time.