THE LOST ATLANTIS OF PLATO.

Waikato Times, Volume 2507, Issue XXXI, 4 August 1888, Page 3

THE LOST ATLANTIS OF PLATO.

The first of tha second series of lectures was given in S. Andrew's School, Cambridge, on Tuesday evening, the room being well Hlled. Archdeacon Willis occupied the -chair, Archdeacon Dudley, of Auckland,! who is on a visit to the Waikato, being one of the audience. The subject of the lecture was "The Deluge,"as looked at from a scientific point of view; and in doing so the Major advanced opinions that would have astonished our forefathers, who would probably have considered it rank heresy, for it was not at all the stereotyped deluge that they had been taught to believe in. The lecturer attributed the deluge to vast floods, mest probably caused by vol canic eruptions raising some portions of the globe, while other parts were depressed, which would cause many rivers to join and submerge an immense area. Ho briefly referred to the floods that have occurred in late years, and more particularly to the one in China, that has destroyed a large tract of country and slain millions of its inhabitants. As an instance of the mighty changes that have taken place in the world, he read Plato's description of the continent of Atalantis, which was supposed to have been situated between Europe and Africa and America, was 3000 miles long, by 1000 broad, and would be very adjacent to the American continent, if it did not actually join it. That such a continent had existed, he contended, was proved by the soundings taken in the Atlantic by the Challenger and the Discovery, vessols that had been especially chartered by the British and American Governments to ascertain the depths of the various oceans. We have not space at our disposal to give anything like even a synopsis of the lecture, for the Major treated the subject in all its various ramifications in a most thorough and scientific manner, for upwards of an hour and a quarter. Before and after the lecture, musical selections were given, and were as follows : —Piano solo, "Alice, where art Thou," Miss Jessie Wilson ; duet, "The Lover and the Bord," Mrs Wilson and Miss M. A. Young; song, "Once Again," Mr W. U. Garland; piano duet, "La Harpe Eolienne," Misses E. Chambers and M. Young; song, "Waiting," Mrs G. W. Kussell; song, "A Soldiers Life," from the Bohemian Girl, Mr H. Wilson; duet, "I would that my love," Mrs Garland and Miss M. A. Young; instrumental duet, piano and violin, " The Messenger of Love Waltz," Misses A. Webber and J. Wilson ; glee, "Spring Song," by the before mentioned vocalists, assisted by Mrs Macara, Miss L. Wilson and Mr Knight. Mrs Russell was encored, her song being undoubtedly the best. Everything else went well except the glee which was very " rough." Miss Jessie Wilson also deserves especial mention for the excellent manner in which she rendered her solo. Miss E. Wilson played the accompaniments . throughout in an artistic manner. The usual vote of thanks to the lecturer and performers, proposed by Archdeacon Dudley, closed the proceedings. The next lecture will be given by Dr. Hooper on Manners and Customs in India, on Tuesday week.