THE LATE MR PROCTOR.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7159, 21 September 1888, Page 6

THE LATE MR PROCTOR.

Mr R. S. Smythe, who. it will be remembered, was agent for Mr R. A. Proctor when he visited New Zealand on his lecturing tour, has contributed some reminiscences of the deceased astronome* to the New Zealand Times :—

" When I was in London last autumn," he says, "I received a letter from Mr Proctor, who was living in St. Joseph, Missouri, explaining that the reason why he had not recently written was that there had been great grief and trouble in his family. Hie two boys, fine youths, had been carried off by typhoid fever, and the other children had barely escaped. My friend was a great worker, always writing, travelling, or lecturing; and this dreadful double bereavement made him long for a change, in the hope that afterwards he could settle down to work again. He asked mc whether I would advise him to re-visit Australia. I replied that I was sure he would be warmly welcomed; but so far as Victoria was concerned, the Melbourne Exhibition might affect his business unfavorably. As regards the other colonies, I thought that during 1888 the eloquent Eastern lady, who has since come to Australia, would hold the platform against all comers. This advice was good ; events have since proved the accuracy of my anticipations; but it is painful to reflect that if I had counselled Mr Proctor to leave for Melbourne in the spring he might still be amongst us." Referring to Mr Proctor's personal and social qualities, Mr Smith says:—" Mr Proctor was not only known in New Zealand as a public lecturer, many people had the pleasure of his personal acquainance. Yet he was not what Dr. Johnson called ' a clubable man.' He was put up at the Melbourne and other leading Clubs, but he never went. Although a University man, and keenly sensitive to anything approaching rudeness, he disliked conventionality. With the common prejudice against members of the theatrical profession he had no sympathy. Hβ was a genial man, and considered that everybody engaged in entertaining the public was doing useful work. Once in this very city he spent £20 in giving a champagne supper to a circus company. Another time in the Theatre Royal, Sydney, he went on in the club scene in Lord Lytton's comedy of ' Money.' He did it merely to please the members of the company. Actors and actresses, especially the latter, were very fond of him. Celebrated men have made lecturing tours in Australia, and drawn large audiences; but they were not always favourites in private life. Mr Proctor, on the other hand, was universally beloved. In hotels, from the landlord to the boots, everybody was anxious to do all he could to make him comfortable; and I have known more than one instance wheu the waiters and chambermaids kept out of the way when he was leaving: they did nut like to take tip from such a very pleasant gentleman."