S. ANDREW'S, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2539, 18 October 1888, Page 2

S. ANDREW'S, CAMBRIDGE.

A very pleasant evening was spent by many who attended S. Andrew's school, Cambridge, on Tuesday, when it was intended to have resumed the debate regarding the relative merits of the English but, when Dr. Moon, who, it will be remembered, championed Tennyson, after a few introductory remarks, challenged his opponents to another joust, there was not one to be found who could tako up the gauntlet. He then proceeded to criticise the claims of other poets, as put forward at the previous meeting by their supporters, and also the attacks that they had made upon his favourite. One anonymous opponent—a lady—in a paper sent had compared some of Tennyson's effusions to " puff paste " and "hay tea." As a specimen of the paste and tea that Tennyson dispensed, he read a poem that the laureate wrote at the end of 1851, when the House of Lords had censured the English press for taking a belligerent attitude against the French ; and also his "Ode to Wellington." Tho Doctor contended that as a word painter, Tennyson stands unrivalled ; and supported his argument by readings from "Enoch Arden " and "Arthur Hallam." He also gave many other readings in an effective manner, musical selections and a. recitation being interspersed, of which the following is the programme:—Piano duct, " Golden Clouds," Miss M. and Master B. Nixon; song. "The Bridge, ,, Mrs O. Garland : piano solo, "The Mocking Bird," Mi , MiiC'iermot j recitation, "The Victim," Miss Khoda Walker; song, "London Bridge," Mr Kwight; duet, "Tho Sailor Sighs," Mr and Mrs O. Garland ; song, " I know that my Love will be True to Me," Mts Maxwelll. The accompaniments were very nicely played by Miss Maxwell and Mr Macdermot. After proposing the usual vote of thanks to the performers, Archdeacon Willis announced that three more lectures would be given by Dr. Hooper and Messrs Russell and Stewart respectively, for which half the usual charge would be made on family tickets. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.