LUNCHEON TALK

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 15

LUNCHEON TALK

BOOKS. '"Book*'' was the Mibject of the Hev. •Telhe's address at the Luncheon Talk at the Lyceum ( luh c*n Thursday. Alter preliminary remarks he showed how from crude picture writing came ali ■varieties of the alphabet. This was followed by Cic arduous task of hand writing manuscripts. The discovery of paper followed and in alxmt the middle of the 10th century came movable type and the printing of books. It is interest in? to notice how different people discovered the wonderful realm of books. lUiskin found it under the stern discipline of an evangelistic mother, in tiie Bible. He was forced to learn chapters by heart. Abraham Lincoln found it in the Bible, the Catechism Bnd a spelling l.c.nk the only book* he had. as he sprawled in frcn*. of a blaring fire in a 10~ cabin. Speaking of public libraries. the speaker said it was a fortunate thine they were scattered so profusely in our towns. By this means boys and pirU were able to explore la their hearts content and find for themselves this | wonderful realm. It is a land of majric j and mystery to the many. Once it wa* closed to all but the rich, but now it is open to any who care to enter. Speakin? of first issues, the Rev. .Tcllie said it was not on account of the high price paid for them that they are valuable to their owners, but on account of their sentimental value. A first edition also is a standard of accuracy and scholarship. He concluded by saying that while the realm of bor.ks i< a recreation, it i« really a duty—a duty which is an entertaining, pleasurable and delightful one. S\r-. w. IT. Partes fpresident 1. !n proposing a vote of thanks which was carried by acclamation, said the members of the club were much indebted It tb<Rev. .Tellie for his interesting raddress.