THE ATHENAEUM.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 219, 9 May 1873, Page 3

THE ATHENAEUM.

{To the Editor of the Mount Ida Chronicle. Sib, —Allow me to call your attention to I a mis-statement in your issue of last week, i anent the election of Athenaeum Committee., i You state that at that'meeting a few persons acted in a most dogged manner, and established a precedent. As one of those present I deny that the meeting acted in any arbitrary manner, or that a precedent was established. The proposer of the resolution of which you complain, took the same view that Mr. de Lautour took some time since at a meeting Galled for the purpose of electing an Hospital Committee, when that gentleman, in an elaborate speech, explained the folly of electing any one on a Committee of such importance who did not take sufficient interest in the matter to attend. It was then decided that none but those present were eligible for election. So much for your precedent.—-I am, &c., An old Resident. , [Our correspondent is in error with regard to the Hospital meeting he refers to. This was not the appointment of a Committee to, hold public trustj hut merely a provisional Committee formed by a few gentlemen who took an interest in a proposal to establish a Hospital. This Committee took preliminary steps merely which resulted in the first annual election by ballot, a ?few weeks after, While we would point out that we are not responsible for any views or vagaries expressed by Mr. de Lautour or any other gentleman, it is within our memory that the present Treasurer to the Hospital was,appointed at the last annual meeting, not only without his presence in the room, but also without his having been communicated with, at the suggestion of Mr. de Lautour. We have not yet learnt that this appointment has proved anything but most satisfactory. We are still of opinion" that a precedent of an unfortunate kind was established at the late Athenaeum meeting. We do not intend to shrink from our duty in exposing any matter injurious to the public whether, as in this case, it was done in ignorance and by chance, or whether, as it might very' easily occur, of deliberate intent. We have received a letter on the same subject signed " Nomaios," which is crowded out with other matter. Correspondents would do well to remember that " brevity is the soul of wit," and further that truth can generally be packed in a very small compass.—Ed. M.I.C.]