THE REV. J. W. INGLIS' LECTURE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 871, 30 January 1879, Page 2

THE REV. J. W. INGLIS' LECTURE.

The attendance at the Volunteer Hall last night, on the occasion of a second lecture by the Rev. Mr. Inglis, was small,, owing to the unfavorable weather prevailing. This is to be regretted, for a most entertaining and instructive lecture—descriptive and illustrative of the writings and characters of tho great men of tho past —was delivered with graphic power, and those who failed to be there missed an intellectual tr :- ! of no common kind. It was evident to us from the lecturer's eulogy on the immortal works of Shakeapearo that he must have very keenly and deeply studied the writings of the " Bard of Avon." His appreciation of the poetry of Burns was just and discriminative, and his rendering of " The Cottar's Saturday Night" was received with well-merited applause. He gave the reading of " Betsy and I" in such a style as to lead one to believe that Mr. Inglis had dwelt ['or a long time in Yankee land, bo true and forcible was his rendering of this homely but interesting and instructive story of an episode in tho life of a married couple. An eloquent, but true and faithful tribute, was paid to the: character of Moir—the Delta of Blackwood ; and, as illustrative of the peculiar style of his prose writings, Mr. Inglis recited " Mansie Waugh's first and last visit to a play" in a most masterly manner, and showing most convincingly his keen appreciation of Scotch humor and character. The lecturer was not so happy in delineating the Irish character and style ; but in his reading of the death of Poor Joe he was really excellent, giving with pathetic force the last words of the waif of London life. Mr. Inglis concluded his lecture with a peroration simply grand and powerful, describing the possible future of mankind, uid urging upon one and all their responsibility in endeavoring to realise the oright and happy prospect. We do feel surprised that much larger numbers did not avail themselves of such a rare opporsunity of testing the effects of the writings if the great men of the past. It is probable that Mr. Inglis may again visit Oamaru, and we can sincerely urge upon ill to go and hear such an eloquent and faithful interpretation of writings which are destined to live as long as the world lasts.