THE REV. MR. INGLIS' LECTURE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 903, 8 March 1879, Page 2

THE REV. MR. INGLIS' LECTURE.

■ The- Volunteer Hall was crowded last night, to. listen to the Rev. Mn liiglis lecture on'' Robert Burns, the Poet and the Man." The subject was treated in a < mariner that displayed the possession by that gentleman of a peculiar genius for securing the attention of his audience. We have often heard American wit and humour highly^eulogised, but it is totally inadequate to maintain its character when placed side by side with the. morersplid Scotch pleasantries. The lecture might have been entitled poetic storm and sun- , shine, for it with numerous rapid changes froni grave to gay. At one moment the rev. gentleman convulsed; his audience with laughter by the recital of some quaint Scotch anecdote illustrative of his lecture. At another time he threw a-veil over their mirth, and solemn silence reigned, whilst he gave with touching pathos, some extract from amongst the more serious writings of the poet; but the veil would soon be lifted whilst listening to the bovish jocularity of some other ot the poet's humorous efforts. We nave always thought a great deal of Burns since we were able to comprehend how to extract the gems - from the rich ore in which they are embedaed; but a second genius comes forth, and,

by intonation and gesture, gives force to the most noble sentiments so wondrously expressed as they are by Burns by breathing life into the words, and presenting to our faze living characters, then we are lost in admiration of the Scottish bard. Whilst- admiring the transcendency ot Bums' ability, and paying a high tribute of praise to-him for his numerous kindly qualities, the lecturer did not attempt to Jloss over his failings. Like numerousother .renial-hearted geniuses, lie loveel too well that which has been the curse ot millions of our fellow-creatures, and the lecturer told us this in no self-righteous spirit, but with a consideration forthe memory of the departed poet and others

who are addicted to what was ins uusuuui» s «m We wish' that we could have given .some extracts from the lecture in the lecturer's own words ; unfortunately, with the limited space at our disposal, we have already nearly reached the extreme length of our tether. But we must not omit to mention some of the more strik- ■ ing characteristics of the rev. lecturer. He- is as ready in speech as the Rev. Charles Clarke, who electrified New Zealand audiences with his eloquence some years ago,' But there is more in his lectures. They are not cut and dried and delivered in the style of school lessons. ' Does he hear a slight rustlmg amongst his audience, he will run off the track at once, and, prefacing his remarks with 1 will tell you a little story he, in the most delightful manner possible, illustiatiates the portion of the subject upon which he has just -been treating, and ' leaving the audience gratified, it not mirthful, returns once more to his

cultere. When he let loose all his powers of oration-in tlie animated, so eloquent, so apt, so perfect a summingup of the matter of his lectureevery eye was riveted upon him, and thci wasiiiot a sign.of anxiety for him to luring- it: to a close. He is a remarkable manf and we regret with Jum that his stay here' was? necessarily shortened by -enWnients ahead. He paid. a high compliment to the Colony, which hfe- said was destined, on account- of ius climate, its soil, and mineral resources to become one of the" most important countries in the world., and thanked Mr. Neil Fleming and others "for; their kindness to him in in"fpVp.stina themselves in his-behalf.