THE LAUD WS LEFT, AND THE LAND WE LIVE IN.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 208, 5 July 1878, Page 6

THE LAND WE LEFT, AND THE LAND WE LIVE IN.

On Tuesday evening last, week Mr R. B. Heriot delivered the second of a series of lectures in the Schoolroom, Tapanui. Mr Jarrws Hodger occupied the Chair, and in a few well-chosen words introduced the lecturer of the evening. Mr Heriot began by giving a short descriptive account of the Home Country, beginning with England, which, he said, was associated in our minds with tho thought of well-tilled farms, of green fields and pleasant lanes. In her natural productions, in her shipping and in her manufactures, she is second to no country in the world. Her historic associations are rich and varied, from the timo of the Romans with their massive dykes and chain of forts for restraining the turbulent Islanders, down to the present time.- The folly of the Britons in calling to their aid the lawless Scandinavians to assist them in repelling the inroads of the Picts, was humourously compared to that of neighbours quarrelling acid obtaining legal advice. They dispute as to the ownership of the cow, while the lawyer quietly proceeds with the milking. Two cats once upon a time had a disj>ute as to the fair division of a piece of cheese and referred the matter to the monkey. A bite from the larger piece was found to have loft tho shares still uneven, and another, and anofher produced no mora satisfactory result.4. Tiio cats, growing alarmed at the rapidity with which the cheese was disappearing, now expressed themselves as quite satisfied to let tho division remain as ifc was, : v Ladies " quoth the monkey, "if you are satisfied Justice is not." At length the cheese was fairly divided, but in return for his services the monkey claimed and swallowed the remainder. The lecturer then bx-iefiy touched on the leading events of English History and remarked that the nation might well be proud of the present occupant of the throne, and say with all sincerity v God save the Queen." Crossing the Border the leading features in Scottish life and character were rapidly commented upon. Carrying only his bag of oatmeal, and demijohn of whiskey ; and cheered by the exhilerating wheezing of his native bagpipes, Sandy had travelled the wide world over, and it was confidently expected, that should the North Pole be reached, he would be found in possession, and coolly waving his Glengarry from the top. In noticing a few of the most striking events in Scottish History, the Lecturer mentioned the patriotism, of Wallace and Bruce — the treachery of Monteith — the unflinching earnestness of John Knox, who never feared the face of man nor (what was still more) the face of woman. There could be no doubt that since the union, Scotland had made great strides in civilisation. Ireland, next claimed the Lecturer's attention — Hibernia, green Isle .of the sea, land of bogs and of snakes, till Saint Patrick told them to clear out. Paddy was generally conceived of as a rough looking rascil flourishing the national shillelagh over his head ; while in the background appeared the inevitable pigs and praties. In looking over the History of Ireland there was no doubt that for many centuries she was cruelly treated by England. At the invitation of an Irish baron, Henry 11. , came across to help fto settle their feuds, and the footing thus gained by the English was never relinquished, and at length Henry YLU. , assumed the tide King of Ireland. A trait of Irish character was well brought out in the exclamation " Hould me or I'll fight,", and again in that of (< Would ye' strike a man wbxn he's down," the speaker pro-

bably having|assumed that humble position voluntarily.

Turning to the land we live in, Mr Heriot graphically described- the parting from loved ones at Home, the embarkation, the voyage out with its seasickness, and hundred other discomforts, and the landing in New Zealand. "While the Colony was not all that it had been represented to be ; while pancakes did not grow on trees, nor wore nuggets of gold like duckeggs tube found in every stream, still the Now Zealand colonist had much to bo thankful for. The country was rich in agricultural and pastoral resources : splendid deposits of coal had been found, and ita future wealth and commercial progress were assured. In conclusion the Lecturer exhorted his hearers to remember that it is godliness alone that exalieth a nation. Let them train up their children in the good old ways of their forefathers, inculcating reverence for those truths of the Biblo which had made Britain great, arid this Colony would yet "become a leading power in the world. At the conclusion of the lecture, Avhich lasted nearly forty minutes in delivery and was listened to with marked attention throughout, a well merited vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Heriot for his able and instructive address.