LOCKSLEY HALL AND KING'S CHAPEL : A PARALLEL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2295, 26 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

LOCKSLEY HALL AND KING'S CHAPEL : A PARALLEL.

+ — A PASSAGE in Mr Gladstone's review of the last fifty years in the Nineteenth Century finds a curious parallel in some lines written by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes a few weeks previously in a review of a still longer period of time, the two hundred years during which King's Chapel, Boston, has witnessed the varying ssenes of American life and history. It is interesting to note how these two grand old men, by no means mere lauclatores temporis acti, agree in their admiration of certain characteristics of past days. Here is Mr Gladstone : " Let us remember that in our best achievements lie hid the seeds of danger ; and beware lest the dethronement of Custom to make place for Right should displace along with it that principle of Reverence which bestows a discipline absolutely invaluable in the formation of character. . . . Let us respect the ancient manners ; and recollect that, if the true soul of chivalry has died among us, with it all that is good in society has died." To which Dr. Holmes melodiously chimes iu :— Ay ! those were goodly men that Reynolds drew, And stately dames our Copley's canvas holds. To their old Church, their Royal master, true, Proud of the claim their valiant sires had earned, To " gentle blood" not likely to be spurned, Save by the churl ungenerous nature moulds.

All vanished ! it were idle to complain That ere the fruits shall come the flowers must fall ; Yet somewhat we have lost midst all our gain, Some rare ideas time may not restore— The charm of courtly breeding seen no more, And reverence, dearest ornament of all.

The poem from ■which these lines are taken was read by Dr. Holmes ou the occasion of an interesting celebration. On the 15th December King's Chapel, Boston, kept its 200 th anniversary. This Unitarian Chapel was in old times the official headquarters of the Church of England ritual, where the British Govenor has his State pew, and the worthies I of colonial days worshipped in the high box-like compartments. On the occasion of its bi-centenary the chapel had been as far as possible restored to the appearance which it wore in the days of the Revolution. The Governor's pew displayed its old imposing aspect ; the Royal escutcheon hung oil the front of pulpit; on every pillar appeared the coats of arms, sometimes also the portraits of the families who had worshipped in King's Chapel ; and miugled English, colonial, and patriotics flags were draped from the galleries. The scene being thus prepared, a representative gathering of distinguished Boatonians met together, and the ceremonial consisted, after a short religious service, of speeches, hymns, and poems appropriately reviewing the historic associations of the place in a spirit of not undue national pride mingled with warmly affectionate feelings towards the "dear old English home." Among the prominent citizens who took part in the proceedings (which, terrible to re'ate, lasted four hours) were President Eliot, of Harvard College, and the Rev. Phillips Brooks, and Dr. Holmes, in addition to the touching poem from which we have quoted, contributed a hymn suitable to the occasion.

Our enemies aro our outward consciences. —Shakspere. A Wisconsin farmer revenged himself on his neighbours by throwing ten pounds of Epsom salts into his well. As soon as the water began to taste the report want out that it was a mineral well, and a dozen people rushed to buy the farm. Thh Wonderful Prophet.—There is in this town, and may be seen daily by the curious, a most wonderful Prophet, whose generation it is truthfully asserted was before Adam. He was with Noah in the Ark. He was with Columbus when he discovered America. He was with Captain Cook on his voyages round the world. He followed Bonaparte into Russia and at the battle of Waterloo. He was with Nelson at the glorious Battle of the Nile. He knew not his Father. His clothes are neither hair, cotton, silk, nor woollen ; neither wove, knit, nor ,spun ; neither are they made with hands; of a most beautiful colour, yet were never dyed. His beard, of a most splendid colour, is seldom or ever cut. He goes barefooted, like a grave friar. He cares not for pomp or vanity of this world, but had rather live in barns and outhouses than dwell in the Palaces of Kings and Princes. He never takes money if offered him—the most he was ever known to take was a single grain. He never yet laid on a bed, or sat on a chair. His voice is strong and piercing, and he cries out on the wickedness of the world with outstretched arms. The Scriptures make mention of him as no impostor, for he constantly proclaims the Day. He is rather inclined to Popery, for he keeps Lent strictly. He is well skilled in the ancient and modern languages as regards his own. He leaves all metisalone about their religion. He walks boldly in the face of his enemies, without either gun, pistol, sword, or steif ; yet has such a weapon of defence that no man has ever yet used. Ho is strictly temperate, and drinks nothing stronger than water, and those that follow his example live to attain a good old age. He looks upon the English as a barbarous nation, and he will one day be cruelly martyred by them. He wears neither hat, cap, nor wig, and always takes his rest either standing or crouching. He is composed of flesh and blood ; always comes when called for, but never answers when spoken to. He never yet spoke, still preached one sermon that was so convincing to a great good man that he did not rest satisfied until he was thoroughly converted, He is not the Wandering Jew nor John the Baptist, as gome may think. Now, pray, who is he ?