THE REV. J. W. INGLIS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1551, 7 February 1879, Page 3

THE RE V. J. W. INGLIS.

Last evening this gentlemen gave the first of a series of lecture entertainments at the Oddfellows' Hall, under the title of "Pen and Ink Pictures of the Past." The attendance, doubtless owing to the fire which occurred in close proximity to the hall, was not so large as the excellence of the entertainment deserved, but thoße who were present spent a very pleasant and instructive evening. The lecturer commenced by referring to the elevation of the tastes of the people caused by the introduction of photography, thus enabling all to possess at small cost artistic copies of the works of the great masters in place of the daubs which formerly were found in cottages. From this to wood pictures of the past was an easy transition, and Mr Inglis explained that he intended to act more as a cicerone to the giand gallery of the thoughts of the great poets and authors of the past than a painter himself of the events. Tho first he introduced to the notice of the audience was one which he said claimed pride of place as the poet and delineator of all time ; one of whose works he was a keen student—Gentle Will Shakspeare. After paying an eloquent tribute to tho genius of Shakspeare, his marvellous insight into human nature, and his knowledge of its weaknesses and foibles, Mr Inglis gave with much purity of elocution the scene between Wolsey and Cromwell, where the former hears the news of his dismissal by the King. This was admirably rendered. The next selection was a sketch by Bladen, illustrative of the difference between English and Scotch words. The dry humor in this composition was interpreted with much effeot by the lecturer. In strong contrast to this was his rendering of a poem written by Rev. Dr. Smith, of Glasgow, upon the recent calamity by the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank. In this Mr Inglis displayed much pathetic power. After briefly referring to the celebrated authors of the United States, and pointing out that a bond of union of thought and feeling existed between the two nations, the lecturer gave a selection from W. M. Carleton, "Betsey and I are out." In this the strange compound of humor and pathos which marks the composition was admirably depicted by the lecturer. A well-deserved tribute of praise was paid to the genius of Maeaulay, and to the love of country which was his great trait. As illustrative of his works, Mr Inglis recited a portion of the well-known piece from the "Lays of Ancient Rome," viz., "How Horatius kept the bridge." The martial and spirit-stirring language in which the author has clothed the recital of the legend, was excellently rendered by Mr Inglis, who followed it by giving " Mansie Waugh's first visit to the play." This, given in all the purity of its native Doric, and with a keen appreciation of the pawky humour which pervades every line of it, drew forth loud plaudits. The next author illustrated was Dickens, and after remarking that so wide was the field over which the genius of Dickens had travelled, that selection was difficult. Mr Inglis gave that most pathetic of descriptions " The Death of Joe," from "Bleak House." The wordpainting of the author in this exquisite little bit was done ample justice to, and Mr Infdis managed by his realistic description to place most, vividly before his audience the scene so admirably drawn. The peroration to the lecture was delivered with much elocutionary power, although somewhat loud for the hall, with the acoustic properties of which Mr Inglis has not vet been able to make himself acquainted. Generally it may bo said that Mr Inglis, as a lecturer, is one who possesses (lie rare gift of moving his audienco now to laughter by thequaintne?* with which he tells a humorous anecdote, and anon almost to tears by the genuine pathos he infunes into his rendering of the graver parts of his entertainment. Ho will deliver his next lecture on Monday evening.