MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 45, 22 October 1857, Page 3

MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Lecture on “ Little Things” by the Rev. R. D Carter. It was nice and short said one juvenile to another, while they wended their way out of the Institute on Tuesday night. No critic much improve upon that juvenile criticism. Mr. Carter’s little Lecture on Little Things unquestionably was nice and short; but we think it might hate been (as they say in Scotland) a great piece lengthened without being spoiled. Indeed, we hold that of all things, in earth, air, or water, little ones can best bear large treatment. Mr. Carter furnished many beautiful illustrations of the importance of Little Things, from what is sometimes called the moral in contradistinction to the physical. He showed how Luther was minded to overturn an old faith and establish a new one by a little flash of lightning ; how the brewer’s son, renowned Oliver Cromwell was on shipboard ready to start for America when a little interference on the part of King Charles’ Government made Cromwell change his purpose and bring his royal persecutor to the block ; how by merest trifles human nature benefactors had been led to make their grandest discoveries. Mr. Carter was listened to with respectful attention, but we regret to add that the audience was a Little Thing. THE DIGGINGS Our. General Government have at last opened the way for testing the Coromandel “ diggings,” by purchasing a small block of land at Coromandel from Karaitana ; and Mr. De Thierry took down in the Phantom last week a large party, who intend faiiiy to test the productiveness of the land. We hope very shortly to announce another purchase, when, no doubt our Auckland prospectors will not be so anxious to go to Nelson, where they may meet disappointment. We have seen letters in abundance from Nelson diggers ; but they are so conflicting in particulars that no end would be met by publishing any of them. Many are there who would be glad to return, and many are still leaving this place whom we wish success. As an inducement to “ travel,” the passage money to Nelson is advertised at £6. As to our own diggers all we can say is “ bide a wee.” NEGRO MINSTRELSY. A Lecture on the above subject was delivered by Mr. Herz at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Thursday last, which, owing to the boisterous weather, was not so well attended as it ought to have been. Mr. Herz has, as it appears, gathered sufficient experience on this subject to make it interesting, and his illustrations were as amusing as they were truthful. He was ably ass’sted by Mr. Harry Jackson and two Amateurs, who acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner. We understand that the same subject will, on a future occasion, be brought forward agtin, and we hope that the spirited Lecturer will meet with that success which his unflinching perseverance in amusing the public so fully deserves.