"TOM HOOD; POET AND HUMOURIST."

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1737, 23 August 1883, Page 2

"TOM HOOD; POET AND HUMOURIST."

A lecture on the above subject was delivered in the Cambridge Public Hall, by the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury, on Tuesday evening last. Though the weather was anything but pleasant and enticing, still the hall was w ell filled by people from eveiy parts of the distiict, constituting a most appreciative and attentive audience. The chair was occupied by Mr E. 13. Walker, who, in a few remarks, opened the progtamme for the evening. After an instrumental duet by Miss Nixon and Mr Feal, Mr H. W. Moore and Mr W. Simms contributed some vocal music, the respective items being warmly applauded. The lecturer, who was then introduced by the chairman, entered upon his discourse, and we think those present will bear us out saying that a greater treat in the way of a lecture has never previously been received in the Cambridge district. The reverend gentlemans' clear and distinct delivery, his admirable choice of language, and his excellent memory specially qualify him hr the role of a lecturer. Starting with the birth of Hood, he narrated mauy of the brightest incidents of his valuable and well-spent career, not forgetting his hardships and vicissitudes of fortune, and illustrated many of these by some of the choicest of the poet's writings. Some ot these were humourous and excited much mirth ; whereas, the deep sentiment of others, coupled with the pathos imparted by the lecturer, ri vetted the attention of the audience throughout. Of the latter we would particularise the " Bridge of Sighs," " Eugene Aram," and " The Song of the Shirt." The effect which the latter piece had upon the minds of the people of England, and tho subsequent good which it was instrumpntal in bringing about was marvellous. The lecture lasted for an hour and a quarter, and throughout its delivery the interest and attention of the audience was unabated. Indeed, those who missed it have occasion for regret, as a higher intellectual treat could not have been affoided them. Another piogramme of music was contributed by Miss Nixon and Mr Neal, and Messrs Moore and Simms, and the e\ening was brought to a close.

Our Te Awamutu correspondent writes : —The Rev. Mr Dewsbuiy delivered liis lecture on "Tom Hood" in the Wcsleyan Chapel on Monday evening. The lecture, which lasted an hour and a half, was listened to tluoughout with the most piofound attention, and the lecturer was frequently applauded. Mr Dewsbury began by saying that many of the grandest works ot genius were written amidst surroundings ot the deepest poverty, distress, and sickness, instancing many of those authors whose memories are now held in deepest reverence and respect, and who wrote tneir best works under such conditions. He then gave: a brief sketch of Tom Hood's early life, touching eloquently and feelingly on the circumstances which first awakened his poetic genius, and said that the authoi's most beautiful and feeling, as well as the most humouious, woiks weie witten while he was sufleiing the most excruciating agony. Throughout the lecture Mr Dewsbuiy seemed thoi oughly imbued with the sentiments which actuated the author w hen writing his thoughts, w hethei gra\c or gay, lively or severe. His lendeiing of "Eugene Aram," "The Song of the Shirt," and that most pathetic of all pathetic poems, "Thcßiidgc ot Sighs," was a man el of elocution, and f.iiily cairied his audience with him. Thioughotit the whole of the lecture the audience were m accord with him. I smccicly hope Mr Dewsbniy will soon fa\our us with another intellectual tie.it, and I would advise those who ha\e not had the pleasure of healing him to do so on the iiist oppoitnnity. A \ote of thanks to the lecturer was unanimously caniul, and one of thanks to the ch.uiman bi ought one of the pleasant evenings it has been the good fortune of the people of Te Awamutu to enjoy to a close.