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Mataura Ensign, Issue 1416, 26 November 1904, Page 2

A highly successful meeting under ill.- auspices of the (Jore Young Men ft Sncii't" Mas held last evening, the procct dings tliking- the form of a debate, "Is the standard of literature / declining ?" There wan a capital attendance of members and visitors ■i the (iirls' Literary Club, andho lii'V. Ilcrvcv presided. The affirmative side was taken bv Mr K. Bowmur. an'l the negative by Mr K. C. Smilii Mr I'owniar in a,spirited address contended that writers of former veals were much more brilliant than those of to-clay, and he Quoted c'<tiucts from various works in aupp >rt of hi* argument. Mr Smith wad" a. sturdy defence on ix'half of pre*Mt(luv w liters. stating that owing to the spiead of education there were m if) aspirants for honors 'in the field of literature, consequently more books and greater difficulties of clamifi'ation. lii the discussion which followed, it was generally agreed that the standard of English literature had declined by the fact of translation from the works of foreign writer* (such us Tolstoi and others) having 1,, be .made, T|ie Chairninii .summed up luminously. lu the ol•: duvs, he said, books were placed on the shelve*, Ik-ing read and re read constantly. At the present duv new books were read oiiee and prolwbly never heeded 1 afterw'ards. Thirtii n weeks was the average life of a new tyook on the shelves of the great public libraries, and then it was with drawn to make room for something else. It was impossible to compare the genius of writers even fifty years ago with the ability of preseiit-da.v writers. Tile writing of books had become a matter of pounds, shillings and jience, and they were turned out as rapidly as possible. Th<» meeting generally agreed with Mr Bowman's contention, although no vote was taken During the evening a present of a handsome album was wade to Mr (V. Ross, on the occasion of his departurt from (Joie. The Chairman and several mcui<>ers spoke in high , |)iais 1( f tin' recipient, who responded in si.itable terms. The Kcv. A. N'ciM. Harden of SVI- - College, is to preach at Holy Trinity Church, (Jore, to morrow even- f V iiljl.. and "» Monday night tin' I'rimate (Or \cvill) will conduct a k[iooial niliilt confirmation service.