Original Correspondence.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 828, 15 August 1876, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

THE TOKOMAIEIEO ATHEN^tJM,

(To the Editor J

Sib,— As the thorough probing of an ulcer is the first step to its removal, so may we hope regarding the abuses in the management of the Athenaeum since Mr Sinclair's advent in Committee as " reformer of abuses." I have carefully read his letter in your last issue, and am not sure that I understand it, or can quite gather what he aims at. I imagine he thinks his forte is satire ; but he is simply discourteous towards former committees, and, for that matter, intensely so to members of present Committee. If he will reform abuses be must not revile and try to ridicule every one who differs from him in opinion By the way, what good end will be served by withdrawing from circulation all mutilated books, and stowing them away in a box, as I understand Mr Sinclair desires ? Is it with a view to test the reality, or otherwise, of evolution that he wishes the ' New Zealand Magazine ' added to the list — perhaps to the box of mutilations — so that after a " decade or two " he might see what would evolve ?

Seriously, the "the fly- leaf and pencil stump " is an abuse which ought to be remedied at once. Another clamant abuse is the invasion of the reading and Committee rooms by every Tom, Dick, and Harry not members, under the plea of business with the Town Clerk. Why Bhould — why do — the Committee supply, free of coat, an office, fire, and light to the Municipality of Milton ? Twenty pounds a year or more given away ! Is the Secretary and Librarian's time so fully occupied otherwise that he has none to spare to the Athengeum, though he holds all bis other appointments by the favor of the Committee ?

If Mr Sinclair is not above getting informatioD, even Messrs Hay and M'Latchie can tell him something about the success or otherwise of lectures in Milton. Enlist the services of Mr Bastings and his sable band to " speak " the prologue and epilogue, and the lecturer may " draw " — not otheiwise.

I am, &c, Flaneur,

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — Imagine my surprise on awaking on the morning of your last issue at finding myself famous. To be noticed at all by a real descendant of Knox and Cromwell, even though only by a kick, is a thing to be received with thanks and rewarded with gratitude. Allow me, Sir, to convey through your columns to Mr Sinclair, my first instalment of both. First, I would show my gratitude by slightly supplementing his report of the first meeting of tbe new Athen&um Committee, by giving a few details which Mr Sinclair (doubtless from feelings of modesty) has withheld. Seven members of Committee met on that occasion. Mr Sinclair, although the only new member present, courageously attacked the old Committee with a very choice selection of complimentary adjectives, winding up by virtually calling upon the six old members to pass a vote of censure on themselves. The old members not being able to see this, Mr Sinclair then came out in the role of Cromwell, and with great dignity dismissed the new Committee, — " Get you gone, knaves, and make way for better men." Still the Committee did not budge ; but pursued the even tenor of their way, as though Cromwell had not spoken. This was no doubt owing to what Mr Sinclair termed their " obtuaeneas." Some friends of Mr Sinclair's characterised his manners on this occasion as being slightly rude, and his behavior, as a new member, somewhat uncommon. But gratitude would lead me to explain that reformers are usually men of genius, men of genius are pometimes eccentric, and that great indulgence is meted out to them by society iv consideration of their genius ; and I am sure that were a sufficiently crucial test applied to Mr Sinclair, such microscopic traces of genius might be detected as would in a great measure atone for what in ordinary mortals would be treated as rudeness.

If I might presume to advise, I would suggest to Mr Sinclair, that instead of exhausting himself writing such elaborate proofs of" what he doubtless calls his logi' cal mind," he should get from Mr Brookes a subscription list and start a vigorous canvass. A long list of new subscribers would be a much more convincing proof of negligence on the part of the old Committee, than all the abuse that even Mr Sinclair might heap upon them, whilst, at the same time, he would be benefiting the Athenaeum. Should he do so, I would recommend him to adopt a little of that " bland and winning manner " which he has been pleased to admire in his humble servant, for if he attempt to carry by storm the pockets of the public, as he attempted to carry his quasi reform bill, I fear he will get more kicks than ha'pence. In conclusion, should the " heathen rage " in this benighted dis^ trict, to such an extent as to lead them to cremate our reformer, I would bid him console himself with the reflection that one more name will be added to the noble list of martyrs, and that after the lapse of a millennium or two an appreciative posterity will adorn the pediment of the Athenaeum with his classic bust, and

Minerva herself descending in the form of some future Tom Brookes, bind the temples of her martyred hero with a fillet of calfskin.

I am, &c, Thos. M'Latchie Milton, 14th August, 1876.

(To the Editor.)

Sic, — I am very pleased to observe that Mr Sinclair has, so Boon after being elected a member of the Athenseum Committee, shown the stuff of which he is made, and I wish him every success in the crusade he has commenced against the fossilised inanity which characterises the doings of this body, in common with most of the public institutions of Milton.

I would suggest that Mr Sinclair's services should also be secured for the Committees of the Farmers' Club, Bruce Coal Company, and the Presbyterian Church, in all of which there is excellent material for reformation on the part of anyone who has the boldness to call a spade a spade (as Mr Sinclair does, with reference to our Athenaeum), where probably he will find sufficient work in arrear to occupy all his spare time for some months to come. When he has succeeded in " shaking £the dry bones" and reinvigorating that establishment, otherß await his best efforts.

He can command my services at any time.

I am, &c,

Beformee,