BLENHEIM MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 127, 25 July 1868, Page 3

BLENHEIM MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

“ Once more unto tlie breach; Dear friends, once more.”—.Shakespeare

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, —It was not my intention to again intrude on your time and space on the above subject ; but as your correspondent “ W.N.” appears somewhat sore (his quotation notwithstanding), I feel that some explanation is due to him, and also that I could not now retire from the lists without exposing myself to the accusation of cowardice, or my cause to reproach. “W.N.” appears to have forgotten the old adage, “Those I who live in glass houses should never throw stones. ” j I am always sorry when I see a man of talent place himself in a false position, and if I grant for argument sake that a little wormwood mingled with my ink, I still think that “ W.N.’ did but “suit his folly to the metal of my speech, when he publicly interprets my language into a sneer. The undignified position was, in ray humble opinion, first taken up by himself. Tlis-, remarks on the proceedings of the few members present, on the occasion of his visit, were certainly' more sarcastic than complimentary, if his reference to the “lofty 'flights oj genius ’ and “ young gentlemen liking to hear themselves talk 5 ■are intended for compliments, they are , very like a whale.” It would have been more dignified, on the part of “ W.N.” had he made a personal - offer of his services as a voluntary teacher, and;

have sought by joining the Society, to influence the members by bis example aud advice. 1 have handed a pencil and a crayon in my youthful days, and should feel a pleasure in rubbing up early recollections under theguidance of a friendly hand ; my offer to become a member of a drawing class was perfectly sincere, and while I am •willing to give “ W. N.” full credit for equal sincerity, I must say his mode of proceeding was too dogmatical to be pleasant Had “W.N.” paid us another visit on our last meeting night, he would have found that our discussions are not confined to history, but that the real improvement of our moral aud intellectual faculties is the object at which we aim. If he is proficient in the ar's of speaking and debate, he is just the man to improve others in the same useful acquirements, the practical application of •which would be serviceable to some of our Blenheim politicians, and if he fails to find relaxation in the pursuits which others enjoy, he has no right to say, “ I am Sir Oracle, and when I ’ope my month let no dog bark !” Nor to condemn as folly everything which his peculiar idiocyncracy cannot appreciate. As I have not been tilting with our worthy friend from any personal animus, 1 should consider any further discussion of the subject both unpleasant and unnecessary. I therefore beg to sign myself finally aud conclusively, yours Blenheim, July 23rd, 1868. S.L.Q.R.