DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 22, 16 September 1843, Page 3

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Lecture ox the Poetry op Cowper. — A. very eloquent and interesting Lecture on the above subject was delivered to the members of the Mechanics' Institute on Monday iveniug last by the Rev. F. R. Churton. — fa wonld bo impossible within the small limits >f our paper to give any adequate idea either )f the manner in which the Reverend Genleman so ably performed the task which he dndly imposed upon himself, or of the subitance of the lecture itself. His remarks on >oetry in general were so true and critically :orrecfc, and the application of the principles >f poetry to the writings of Cowper was so lappily performed, that we are persuaded that Hr. Churton has not only visitod "the pure Pierian spring," but that he has also tasted leeply of its waters. We are sorry that our ihect should bo so small as not to admit of >üblishing this lecture, which was so highly calculated to generate a love and a taste for his refined art. Poetry properly so called, uicl especially the chaste and moral strains of "owper, are calculated not only to delight he imagination and the intellect, but also to efiiie the feelings and to improve the heart. )f all the -English poets Milton and Cowper tre, if not both the greatest, at least both he best and perhaps both the greatest im•rovers of the art. besides composng the sublimest and most astonishing poem hat has ever been published in any age or 'ountry, has also anticipated by more than a ; entury the improvement of the English anguago, and Cowper, if not entitled to be 'ailed the founder of a new school of poetry, nust at least be looked upon as the restorer 'f the poetry of nature, the only true and >roper kind. — Cowper is not only the high •riest of religion and morality , but he is also he high priest of nature and of the human Sections and feelings. Cowper, not Wordsr °rth, is the father of the "Lakers," or ic hool of nature poets. But while Words?orth and Wilson have never written any •oing equal to Cowper n s beautiful and sublime [escription of millenial happiness and perfec'i o &i Oowper has never Avritten any thing so % as some of the tortured natural sketches >* the former^ We regret that the attendance

should not have been more numerous on this occasion. We had formerly supposed that the government officers withheld their benign countenance from lectures of this kind because they were delivered by Mechanics, but the almost total absence on that occasion convinces us that the evil is deeper, it comes from a thorough distaste for literature and a want of education. Association. — The half-yearly meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday last, at Hart's Hotel, when (he President laid before the meeting, the report which the Committee had ordered to be printed. The subject of the market established under the auspices of the Society, was also taken into consideration, and a d>y was fixed for the txhibition of Agricultural and Horticultural produce. The most important and beneficial part of the operations of the Society, has been the establishment of a daily market for the sale of all manner of produce, and the publication of a report, which, as coming from a body of intelligent, respectable, and practical men, will be received with much weight and authority. The Report, we believe, has been arranged and compiled by the President, Dr. Johnson, with the assistance of the Committee; it embraces almost every subject upon which an emigrant would seek to be^informed, and the only cause of regret, is that on account of the limited funds of the Society, the remarks on each head are necessarily shorter than could be wished. As far as the I attempt of endeavouring to give our country a better character than some might be disposed to think it deserves, is concerned, we certainly, and safe'y defend the Committee; indetd. we think they have, from over-anxi-ety to avoid imch an imputation, erred, if at all, on the other side. The exoence of bringing land into cultira* , tion, is rated too high, much high r than we know the actual cost to be. The tables at the end of the Report arc extremely valuable, and may be fully relied upon. They are the resolt of Dr. Johnson's own observation, and from registers of the weather faithfully kept and , recorded. by him during the last three years. These tables are something to appeal to in favour of our delightful climate. We shall, by and bye, make ex» tracts from the Report; in the meantime we advise all our friends to apply to Dr. Johnson for copies of the Report, which we trust they will spread as wide as possible. The price is only a shilling. Mechanics' Institute. — A general meeting of the members of this Institute, was held on Thursday last, when the report of the Committee was read, and approved of. The subscription and entrance money, were reduced from five shillings to two and sixpence, The meeting was adjourned to Thursday first, when the election of office bearers for the ensuing year will take place. Members are expected to pay their subscription by that time, so as to qualify them for the election. Copper Mines. — There have been two or three arrivals from the Barrier since our last publication, and we are extremely happy to state, that the reports are more favorable than ever. The quality of the ore is daily-improving, and the quantity is much increased. There are at the present moment upwards of 150 tons of copper ore ready for shipping by the Tryp/iena. Tnere are also a l )out 22 tons of sulphur, which have been collected on the east coast. George Hanbury Farady St. George, Esq., has been appointed Colonial Surgeon for the dbtrict of New Plymouth, New Zealand. — (Cheltenham Examiner, February 8, 184 3.) Port Nicholson. — Wa understand that two native chiefs have arrived by the Government brig, with the view of obtaining payment for the lands claimed by the New Zealand Company. The amount of compensation they demand, is about £booo. The Company's agent has refused to arrange with them ; lhe Port Nicholson settlers are in consequence being turned off their, lands for this small sum, which, they cannot afford to pay; and, as we are afraid that Mr. Shortland will not be able to raise the necessary amount, we think it would be humane on the part of the Auckland settlers to endeavour by contributions to make up the sum. The poor Company — the poor Government, and the poor Settlers of Port Nicholson cannot raise the needful sum themselves, and it i 3 a pity they should lose their lands for so small a sum. We trust our settlers will come forward generously and relieve their fellow-colonists te the southward, by contributing this small sum.