TEMUKA LITERARY SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1911, 2 July 1889, Page 3

TEMUKA LITERARY SOCIETY.

The second meeting of the members of the Temuka Literary Association took place last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and was well attended by both sexes. The chair was taken by the President, the Rev. J. Dickson, who in opening the meeting asked intending members to hand in their names to the secretary, so that the Society might bo placed at once on its proper footing. Da then introduced Mr Montgomery, who had kindly consented to give an essay entitled “Notes of 16 months’ residence in France and Germany.” Mr Montgomery handled his subject in a very pleasing and graphic manner, and fully carried bis audience with him through the varied phases of life in Paris in 1861, and a subsequent period spent in Germany. He sketched the daily life of the Paiisian, his lodgings, diet, amusement, and religion, and spoke favorably of the kindness received during his residence among them. The Morgue, the Louvre, with its picture galleries, the Boulevards and Champs Elysees, were vividly depicted, and a brief space was devoted tc tho late Emperor and the system and abuse of Conscription. Leaving Paris Mr Montgomery briefly described the town and lake of Geneva, with tho castle of Chalons, and also a journey through several Ssuss towns to Strasburg, with its handsome cathedral and its noted clock and garrison of 7000 men. A visit to Baden-Baden also received notice, and a sketch was given of Heidel-

berg castle and university, Mayence, the I Rhine, Ooblentz, Ehrenbreitstein, the; ; Dracheofeld mountains, Cologne cathedral, and Brussels, and Waterloo. The habits of the Germans received unfavorable comment, as contrasted with the social life of the French, and the essayist was evidently unfavorably impressed with them. Their amusements were graphically described, and also their general mode of life. The use of aauer- , kraut, and of raw ham, beef, and pork ■ was evidently repugnant to the taste of the essayist, who confessed to leaving Germany with little or no regret, although ho had gone there with feelings favorably disposed., Avery humorous description was given of a shooting festival in which he took part, and also of the style and conduct of the German military officers. A brief description of Hamburg, and a voyage from thence to Hull brought the paper to a close. Criticism was then invited, and Messrs Bryars, Cross, Gray, Gaze, Sim, and the President briefly spoke on it. Mr Montgomery replied, after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his essay.