AUCKLAND ATHENAEUM.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1887, Page 5

AUCKLAND ATHENAEUM.

The second meeting of the second session of the above literary society was held last night at the V.M.C.A., when His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Devore) took the chair. There were about 200 persons present to hear a lecture by Dr. Murray Moore, called "An Evening With Longfellow.' The lecturer, whose " Evening with Tennyson " was such a success last session, was warmly welcomed, and throughout the time occupied by the discourse (two hours) kepthisaudiencewellinterestedandamused. The happy idea of illustrating the lecture by a series of beautiful vocal and instrumental renderings of various of Longfellow's poems, arranged in chronological progression, was well carried out. Mr Leslie Martin accompanied the singers in his usual good style, and the following programme was gone through to perfection, the gem being Miss Corbett's song, " The Arrow and the Song " :—Quartette, " Stars of the Summer Night," Miss Kempthorrie, Mrs Tebbs, Messrs Charter and Edwards; solo; "The Wreck of the Hesperus," Mr T. Charter; duet, " Excelsior" (Balfe), Messrs Edwards and Charter ;. song, " The Stars and Bars " (Barnett), Miss Corbett; quartette, "Good Night, Beloved" (Pinsuti), Misses Kempthome ■ and Corbett, Messrs Edwards and Charter,-solo, " Daybreak " (Romer), Mrs Tebbs; solo, " The Arrow and the Song " (Balfe),'Miss Corbett. In his opening remarks, the, lecturer, who is a first-class authority upon the subject, spoke of the rapid growth of the demand in Europe, especially England, for American poetry, which had risen during the presenb half century, there being the 'greatest call for Longfellow's poems.> Longfellow was born in 1807, and was descended from the oldest' Maine families, who trace their line : to the Pilgrim Fathers. His father's name was Stephen Longfellow; like 0. W. Holmes and other American poets, he was descended from the most aristocratic families. It was interesting to note that his mother was a most beautiful woman, and veryfond of music and poetry. Longfellow, who was rather a delicate childandwhoseonlyathleticexercise consisted in long walks, was one of eight, and was brought up in the Unitarian faith. His firsb readings book him into the realms of fancy, Don Quixote beinjr his favourite book in his young days. His first public exhibition of his .poetical talent was when' the " Portland Gazette " published a small poem, which at once (the author being only 16 years of age) established his reputation amongst his friends as a poet, n The scholastic career of Longfellow was now run through at the Bowdoin College, where he had the chair of modern languages given to him, with orders to travel: in -Europe. Longfellow met Washington Irving, his favourite, author, inljSpain, and a great friendship sprang up between them. Returning to America, he was appointed to the chair of Modern Languages at Harvard University, and again went to Europe, where he met Dickens, Carlyle and others. The year of 1835 was a sad one for Longfellow, as he lost his wife at Rotterdam. In 1831 the Tyrol was explored by the poet, and at Interlachen he met his future wife. Returning to; America, Longfellow: found his University celebrating itstwo-hundredbn anniversary. He now settled down te his duties, his work-room * being the wellknown General , Washington , Chamber, in which most of his poetry written between the, years: 1837 and 1845 first appeared on. paper. In .1843 Longfellow married Frances Eliaabeth Appleton. A careful criticism and explanation of some of Longfellow's more celebrated poems was then given by the lecturer, mention being made of the, great sale of " Hiawatha," of which 100,000 copies were sold in one year.. A vote of thanks enthusiastically given to the lecturer and'his able musical assistants wound up the evening, after which a.meeting of the Society was held, when a number of gentlemen proposed at the last meeting were elected members. • ,- -