MR SMITH’S LECTURES.

Evening Star, Issue 2884, 17 May 1872, Page 2

MR SMITH’S LECTURES.

A very large audience assembled at the Masonic Hall last evening, to hear Mr James Smith’s lecture on “ The life and times of Marie Antoinette.” The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor, who in again introducing Mr Smith assured the audience that this really would be his “ last appearance,” as he was intending leaving for Melbourne on the following day. The lecture of last night was certainly not surpassed, even if?equailed—in finished composition of the highest class, and the masterly delivery of the lecturer—by any one of the many good ones Mr Smith has previously delivered during his stay amongst us. Hence it was not surprising that from the moment he opened his lips till he resumed his seat, the lecturer should succeed in carrying his auditors most completely with him. Indeed, so intense was the ■ interest awakened at times as to become almost painful ; and so deep was the emotion that was stirred within the breasts of the listeners, as to move even to tears, as some of the more pathetic incidents of the “ sad, sad story” the lecturer had undertaken to tell, were brought under review. Notably was this the case in the passages which depicted so graphically the poor Queen’s enforced and cruel separation from her unfortunate son, and the extreme barbarity of his subsequent treatment, till mercifully released by the hand of Death. And also in those in which the poor young Prince was placed, with a refinement of cruelty almost demoniacal, in poverty, degradation, dirt, and disease, full in the view of his distracted mother. And then again, when a gleam of reason was for a time restored to him shortly before his death ; the cutting of the few simple flowers that came in bis way, and the earnest and distracted appeal to be allowed to “ see her face just once again,” with the only response that was then capable of being returned—“impossible!” We need hardly say that, at the conclusion of the lecture Mr Smith was greeted with long and continued applause. A vote of thanks, accompanied by a hearty wish for a safe voyage and a subsequent return, was then passed by acclamation; which, being suitably acknowledged, a vote of thanks was also accorded to the Mayor for presiding, and the audience dispersed. The net proceeds of the lecture, which we understand amount to some Ll7 or LlB, is to be divided between the Industrial School and the Benevolent Asylum, and we believe will be accompanied by the expression of a wish suggested by Mr Smith himself, that the amounts, if possible, should be devoted specially to the children of these institutions respectively, either in the purchase of toys for their amusement during hours of leisure, or in some other way that may “ help to cheer their young existences with some few of the enjoyments possessed by children in the outer world." Mr Smith is a passenger by the Tararua this afternoon.