NOTABLE ANNIVERSARIES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14001, 25 March 1911, Page 9

NOTABLE ANNIVERSARIES.

MARCH 25. Abolition of tho Slave Trade .. .. 1807 j -Mturcd arrived at Lyttelton from the Antarctic. .. .. .. 1909 I Abolition of thc Slave Trade.—The | measure for the abolition of slavery ; received the Royal, assent on March I 23th, 1807. One name stands out prominently in the introduction of the j Bill, in "the struggles that followed its passage through .Parliament, and in its final triumph, William Wilberforco. Sir Samuel Romilly, in the House of Commons, compared the feelings of Napoleon, then at the height of his glory, with those of the English philanthropist "who would that day lay his head upon his pillow, and remember that the slave trade was no more." The passing of the Act was, however, but a step toward, the goal; Wilborforce never rested in his labours, and hundreds of men with him never ceased in their elTorts, to enforce tho spirit of this great Act. MARCH 26. Captain Cook's Second Visit to New Zealand. .. .. .. 1773 Isudwig van Beethoven, great musical genius, died .. .. .. 1827 Commencement of tho San Francisco Mail Service .. .. • • 18"0 Brunner Mine Disaster; 65 lives lost 1896 Captain Cook's Second Voyage.—The Resolution sailed into Dusky Bay on thc 26th of March, 1773, after a voyage of 117 days, and with but one man ill with scurvy. On the journey they had parted from the Adventure, commanded by Captain Furneaux, but expected to come up with her at any time. Sheep and goats wero liberated, but the animals w-ero so ill with scurvy that the luxuriant grass failed to attract them. Tho natives were shy, and refused to be attracted even by such gaudy trifles as glass beads and looking glasses. However, one family responded to tho bait of a couple of hatchets and several nails. In a cove where some ducks were found they liberated geese and a gander. On the 18th May, great jubilation was mado on the sighting of the Adventure; "the happiness at this welcome meeting was almost indescribable. Intercourse, was held with tho natives at many places along the coast; Captain Cook's generosity and tact leaving them delighted. They found that most of tho animals lef*. on the former voyage hod thrived, and they instructed the natives in the science of gardening. By the 29th of July. 1774, the • vessels had again reached Plymouth. Cantain Cook hftd not discovered the mysterious southern continent —the main object of the journey—but by accomplishing the trip with but one death from sickness he had done immeasurably more. At the conclusion of his story he writes: — "Whatever may be the public judgment about other matters, it is with real satisfaction, and without claiming any merit, but that of attention to my duty, that I can conclude this account with an observation, which facta enable mc to; make, that oul* having discovered the possibility of preserving health among a numerous snip's company, for such a length of time, in such varieties of climate, and amidst such continued hardships and fatigues, will make this voyage remarkable in the opinion of every benevolent person, when the dispute about a southern continent shall have ceased to occupy the attention and to divide tho judgment of. philosophers." Beethoven. —The greatest of musical composers was born on December 16th, 1770, in tho town of Boom, where his father and mother were not held in very hish repute, the former beiiifx a tenor singer in the Eloctor's band at the salary of £25 a year, 'and leading an irregular life, while the latter appears to have heen of no account. Beethoven was not a precocious genius, his first symphony datinc. from his 31st year. He was well taught, and was an earnest and intelligent mipil. From ,1800 to the year 1826 "he • competed with extraordinary. application the works which have brought him immortal fame. "His character," says a biographer, "was simplicity itself; falsehood was absolutely foreign to his nature, nnd he carried truth and sincerity into hrusquerie and often into shocking rudeness, . . And yet -so great was the influence of his personality, that thoso to whom he was rudest wero fondest of him." Goethe was * devoted to him; Varnhagen yon Euse "found the man in him stronger than the artist."