YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3116, 13 February 1873, Page 3

YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

Sir David and La ly Monro will be passengers by the 1 aranaki on her trip to Dunedin. The Herald says Sir David intends to address the Waikouaiti electors during his visit.

We have incurred the displeasure of Mr John Barnes, City Councillor- a very small matter indeed, so far as his wrath is concerned. In his own peculiar way, he has asserted that a report of a speech made by him on Tuesday evening, and published in the Mmk, is incorrect. If Mr Barnes could be relied on in such a matter, we should certainly feel that his reproof was deserved. Reference to our nport of the proceedings at the meetmgof the City Council last evening wid show what Mr Barnes has to say on the subject, divested of the vulgarity with which he drew a comparison between the Star and the Times, not much to the credit of either. Although we think little, a »d care less about what Mr Baines says or does, we do think it due to the public that they should have reliable reports. < ur reporter’s notes of what took p’ace are too distinct and definite to be open to doubt; and Mr Barnes s version of his own proceedings tallies up to the point which be does not find it convenient fo acknowledge to be true. Mr Barnes requests us to contradict the statement in our report, and wishes it to be believed that the words attributed to him were uttered by somebody else. We have faith in our reporter’s notes, and do not believe any one else than himself would have used the words. There was, however, an accidental error which is of small moment. Mr Barnes said, in general terras, a system of drainage would have been adopted, while in the report he is made to say that system would have been his own, Last evening, a very good house assembled at the Princess Theatre to see “The Lady of Lyons” and “ A Fast Train,” for the farewell benefit of Miss Colville and Mr Hoskins. The cast was the same as on previous occasions, with two or three exceptions. Without minutely criticising each performance, we may briefly say that we have not seen “The Lady of Lyons more evenly and better played. Miss Colville never played the character better, and wg have before expressed our opinion that she is not equalled in the Colonies as PulllicG, A unanimous and enthusiastic call followed the fall of the curtain at the close of the piece, which was acknowledged by Miss Colville, Mr Hoskins, and Mr Douglas. After Miss Colville and Mr Douglas had retired, Mr Hoskins said he felt it wai necessary to say something ; but what, hs really was at a loss to decide. When he was stage manager at Ballarat, it was looked upon as a matter of course that he was expected to make a speech every night. He did so, and exhausted every topic and every common-place he could think of ; so that at last he believed the audience were as tired of listening to him as he was of speaking. He had m.t been called upon in that way in Dqnedip, bpt yet he found it ditffeu t to say what he wished to express, He had been two years yesterday in New Zealand, and had enjoyed no part of it more than Otago, where he had met with the greatest kindness and hospitality. Before he came to Dunedin, he heard that it was so intensely a Scotch population that he began to think it would be necessary, if he would succeed, to call himself M ‘Hoskins. But when he arrived, Englishman as he was, and proud as he was of Ins nationality, he found himself equally welcomed by English, Scotch, and Irish, who all seemed to Hye ip the most perfect harmony with each other, a id he trusted it would ever jbe so. He was about to go away, and felt sorry for it, for Re had formed a gr§at attachment to New Zealand—so great that if he had a dozen sons, he would recommend them to settle there. He would like t > have stopped in a Colony where he had been so hospitably received; but if he did so. he thought the people would have to bury him. He had the greatest faith in the remittees of the country, which it was only common place, though true, to say had a great future before it. He wished to say a few as to the management of cue theatre. The lessees had had to battle with very serious difficulties, and they had grapp ed with them successfully, Tliey had in the first instance much to contend with ; but by energy and perseverance, such as was highly creditable to them, they had drawn together one of the beat theatrical companies in the Colonies. He need only to point to the beautiful scenery painted by tor Willis and the stage appointments, to show that every pains was takpn to render the Theatre attractive. He could say, unhesitatingly, that Formosa” was much better put on tho stage here than when it was produced under his management in Melbourne. They had now mastered their difficulties, and he had full confidence that their efforts would be rewarded by their being well supported during the approaching winter. One word he should like to say more. On Tuesday next one of the oldest and best actors in the Colonies, Mr Musgrave, would take his benefit. He regretted he could not be present to assist him, but he was sure so deserving and respectable a public servant would meet with that liberal support that his talent and services deserved. He found it difficult to say farewell, but it was necessary to do so, On beba’f of Miss Colville and himself in bidding farewell, he trusted that all present would be blessed with health and happiness. It was possible that on his return he might stay a few days in Dunedin, when he should feel the greatest pleasure iu appearing before them for a few nights. Tonight, “ Woman’s Constancy; or, Belphegor ” will be produced. Last evening Mr Peebles again lectured in the lower hall of the Athenaeum, on “The Signs of the times, and Spiritualism as a reforming power.” The audience was small, numbering not fifty persons, ’ Mrlledmayue occupied the chair, and stated that Mr Peebles had received an invitation from Christchurch to lecture there. He had not yet decided whether he should do so or not, but tho probability was that he would accept it. In case he went to Christchurch next week, Dr Dunn would take his place, and continue the lectures. Dr Dunn then read a poem, entitle!, “The Streets of Baltimore, or the Death of Elgar Allan Poe,” or a description of the last days of i he poet, conveyed through a medium from the spirit world. Mr Peebles then commenced his lecture by remarking that once a Greek poet lectured to a large audicnce for a period of two hours ami a half, but bis audience dwindled away until there was only one left. Next morning he was questioned about having tired his audience out. but having previously discovered who that person was, he exclaimed “it was Plato, and he was a host in himself.” He in like manner felt that he would rather address sixty or seventy intelligent, thinking persons than seventy thousand of the larrikin class, who Came through idle curiosity to see and hear some neW thintr. He was therefore charmed to see so many bright intelligent faces around him. The subject he bad to treat of was om of progress, or, in other wprds, is9s*

ment. He then alluded to the times of Queen Elizabeth, when there were no newspapers or public schools existing, when life was cheap, and men were hung for thieving ; when society was in a loose state, and mental and moral culture was almost at a stand-still. He contrasted that period with the pnsent, arguing that the progress of science, art, and literature was attributable to the ministry of angels, or a closer connection between the temporal and the spirit worlds. He then endeavored to show that all human progress was dependent on the practice of the law of love, and that the practice was curbed and stultified by the teach of the Church. The Cod of Heaven was a God of love ; but it was alleged that He had created an angel, who, through pride and ambition, had rebelled, and was transformed into a devil and banished from heaven. Milton described that it took nine days for this devil to fall from heaven into hell, therefore, it was only necessary to find out at what rate he travelled, to arrive at die distance between both parts The devil was chained up for a thousand years ; but why or wherefore he w s let loose to harass and tempt men was a question he could not answer. However, be was convinced that the world was so wise that there were few who believed the story. Such teaching was contrary to the character of duty and the instincts of men. The Church endeavored to teach morals by the lash of fear of God, and dread of a devil, whereas God was a God of love, and the devil did not exist. Those who did not obey the moral teaching of the clergy went to hell, and those who did were transplanted to heaven. He was glad, however, to note that the Church had relaxed of late,, and it wa* taught that infants, idiots, aad heathens who knew not the Word would escape eternal damnation. Men ought to be taught to behave rightly because of right’s sake, to be truthful because of truth's sake, and nob because of a heaven or a hell. Those who did this and pursued the law of kindness were su ported by the minis try of angels, succeeded in doing much good, and preparing themselves for a high position in the spirit world. But m the practice of this, as in all good things, the-e should be enthusiasm. He concluded by remarking that lie bad received several letters during the week, one asking him to establish here a church of Christian Spiritualists, and another to exp'ain bis ideas regarding Jesus Christ. It would require a lecture to do that. If any one present would like to put any questions to him he would he glad if they would write them out, and be would answer them next Sunday evening Because of the letters received, the subject of next Sunday evening’s lecture would be changed.