REV. J. W. INGLIS’ LECTURE ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5582, 18 February 1879, Page 2

REV. J. W. INGLIS’ LECTURE ENTERTAINMENT.

PEN AND INK SKETCHES.

The Rev. J. W. Inglis delivered the first of a series of lectures at the Imperial Opera House last evening, and he was favored with a large and certainly a very appreciative audience. But the rev. gentleman’s effort was deserving of appreciation and admiration. Ho is a lecturer worthy of the name; aud if- there were a few more men of his stamp .iff tho colonies the term lecture would not bo associated, as unfortunately it generally is, with indulgent tolerance of tho halting uninteresting disquisitions of men who have hobbies to ride, and who persist in riding them over the patience aud comfort of those whom there is no doubt every derirc to please. Mr. Inglis’ addresses, judged by the specimen ho gave us last evening, are scholarly compositions, but in no degree pedantic. Varying in his style from “grave to gay,” he presents to one’s mind most vivid pictures of the past as they were delineated by the great liieraieurs whoso lives and writings furnish land-marks in tho world’s history; and the sketches are presented in such a manner, with such excellent intonation and modulation of voice, that innumerable hidden beauties are brought out, and one is made feel what scant justice is done to literature by the careless reading of everyday life. Shakespeare, Macaulay, Burns, Norman McLeod, Tennyson, were all laid under contribution ; and with tho more serious aud instructive portions of. the entertainment are intermingled racy and pungent specimens of humour admirably delivered, so that the attention of the audience is thoroughly enchained from first to last. Wo cannot improve upon the words of a contemporary who says:—“His method of relating anecdotes, of which he appears to have an inexhaustible fund, is simply admirable. Tho dialect, the quaint style of expression indulged in, and his humorous intonation, invariably give a true coloring to his pictures. At times his voice is tremulous, and this intensifies tho pathos of the sentiment. Nothing is lost, for the speaker has a fine distinct enunciation. If the Rev. Charles Clark captivates his audience by his brilliancy of language and splendid word painting—the Rev. Mr. Inglis throws a spell over his listeners by speaking directly to the heart, and playing upon their emotions.” Ills rendering of pieces so varying in character as “ Henry of Navarre,” “ Nansie Waugh’s First and Last Visit to a Theatre,” and “The Death of Joe,” last night, stamp him as an elocutionist of tho greatest versatility, and wo can. recommend his lectures as affording au hour and a half’s genuine amusement aud entertainment. The applause at the conclusion of the lecture was enthusiastic, and Mr. Inglis. in returning thanks said he had entered upon the course of three lectures with some misgivings, for lie feared that up North where his countrymen were not so numerous, he might fail to attract. However, if the success of that evening was au indication of the support he might expectin tho future, it was quite probable he should extend the course beyond the intended limits. To-night the subject is “ Songs and Music of Scotland.”