THE ATHENÆUM LECTURES.

Southland Times, Issue 1829, 9 December 1873, Page 3

THE ATHENÆUM LECTURES.

(TO THE EDITOB OF THE TIMES.) Sib, — 1 observe a reply in your issue of the sth iust. on the above subject, and general knowledge, signed "One Person," and judging from his diction and logio, he must belong to a superior class of persons, for he argues like a lawyer, from heavy weights down to fractions, and takes credit to himself in bringing me out into bo extensive a field. He says — " 1 proposed an audience, and when the publio are reminded of their duty, there exists a possibility of a larger performance" — a nice remedy this to make the lectures attractive ! His next and final remedy is that I should give a lecture. I must decline for the present to try my "'prentice hand" in oratory, being both an artißt and a mechanic, and out of town three fourths of mv time. Were I a professional, giving nothing but talk for my income. I Bhould consider it a disgrace not to be weU up in extempore delivery, and could I dispose of my business, I hare sufficient applioation to acquire that degree of perfection. Like others, to pander te the times, and get respected, I should have to give up working, dress fashionably, get ruddy and fat in the face, have hands as wbite as snow, and wear a white curtain round tbe brim of my hat. " A prophet has no honor in bis own country," consequently I should be more respected in a distant town than in my own. I presume " One Person" has an " itching palm," cannot beur a rival, and would be glad of my discomfiture, to make " Folly clap her hands, and wisdom Btare ;" but I shall content myself for the present to " Mark tbo moments as they fly, And gild the passing ray." — Yours, to., James Hanan.