The Caledonian Society's Educational Scheme.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 109, 10 May 1887, Page 4

The Caledonian Society's Educational Scheme.

♦ The innusnrnl lecture in connection with tho Reries of winter c-lawflß which are to bo conducted undrr tlio auspices of tho Weiliii>'ion C'aleJuiiiu/ii Society, was dohvcroa by Mr! Justice Richmond lout evening in the lull attached to tho Colonial Museum. There was a large attendance, and Mr. J. ])uthie (Preßideut of the Society) occupied t te chair. The Chairman introduced the lecturer by explaining the reasons which had lead the Society to establish tho classes for higher education. The proposal had perhaps ta'cen a hii?hpr flight than was originally contemplate'!, but he was convinced that much public good would result from tho scheme. Mr. Justice Richmond began by apohv fusing for tho want of preparation, which was d ac to the demands of tho duties of his office upon his time, and to his own somewhat limited attainments in many parts of the tvide field which was to bo covered by the b juiety 's scheme. Ho proposed to make a few romarkn upon each of tho subjects which w.-re about to be taken up. First, he would say a fow words as to the special necessity which existed in Wellington for some such eifort as it was now proposed to make. The crty had come off badly in the appropriation* ol money for higher educational purposes. 'JL't.ero wero many young men whoso time was occupied by mere routine duties, which woro very far from Bupplyinij tho higher requirements of tho mind. It was desirable that tho attention of such young people in the Civil .Service should bo directed to mental improvement Hosts of such men . would, he hoped, be willing to take np one or more of the Society's courses with advantage to themselves and possibly to the public. He knew the difficulties of a solitary studont, and the great advantage it was to get some guidance in starting on tho career of self-improvement. In physical science there was a new and interesting field of study in the country we inhabited, and in the lead of this branch there was a man to whom the oolony was dooply indebted. The lecturer referred to tho utility of the study of mathematics as a training for the reasoning faculty. He insisted upon tho importance of tho study of classical languages, more especially Latin, which is the groundwork of so many modern languages, and enters so largely into the construction of our own. The study of a dead language had an effeot similar to that of travel in clearing the vidion and extending tho view, but in many respects it was more advantageous. Coming to tho wide subject of English, he intonded, a? spokesman for the Ouledonian Society, and for this night at least as a Scotchman (laughter), to vindicate the right of Scotchmen to bo teachers of English. It was not necessary to have more loarning than Sir Walter Scott could give to know very well that all residents south of tho Grampians were regarded at belonging to the Sassenach, and on that ground Baillio Nicol Jarvie could bo cl iimed as an Englishman. Tho speaker qaotcd several passages from oafrly English literaturo, in tho interpretation of which ho had been assisted by passagos whioh ho bad met with in Robert Burns' poems. Ho regardod the absence of tho study of natural philosophy from the society's programme as a grave omission, for which, however, the society was not responsible. He hoped that it would n6t long be wanting, for he was told that they had amongst them a first-rate lecturer on tho subjoot. Somebody was wanted who would ronse_ tho pcoplo from the awful mental insrtia which bosot thorn. Ho deplored ninongst young people tho uttor want of interest concerning matters of tho mind. Itrge numbers woie without religion, and therefore in imminent danger of being without morals. The causes were not far to seek— the materialistic tendency of thestudy of physics, and the lights thrown by criticism upon the composition and contents of the books of Soriptnre. The reasons for holding fast to some things whilst others are rejected oould not be appreciated without intellectual preparation. Dwelling nt considerable length on the subject o f materialism, Mr. Justicj Richmond contended that the teachings of evolution were to some extent coincident with those of religions philosophy. The address was conclnded amidst loud applause. Sir Robert Stout, on behalf of tho society, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the leoturor for the intellectual treat which he had afforded. No apology fqr want of preparation on Mr. Justice Richmond's part had been needed. Twonty-threo years had passed sinco he (Sir Robert) first heard Mr. Justice Richmond lecture, and to-night he had given proof that his hand had not lost ;ts-ounniog. That gontlernan would have adorned tho Bench in any country in the world, but he (Sir Robert) had often thought that it was a great loss that he was a Judje, and that his proper position should have boon in a University. The complimentary motion was carried by acclamation, and the assemblage then dispersed.