YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4637, 23 September 1876, Page 5

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

"VENICE." TffK ordinary Friday evening lecture was delivered last evening by the Kev. Mr. Tomlinson npon the above Bubject, Colonel Haultain in the chair. The proceedings were opened with the usual devotional exercises. Several pianoforte selections were played by M. Buschekow during the evening, and Mr. Crooke exhibited a series of lime light pictures illustrative of the lecture. The lecturer introduced the subject with an account of a sacred acted play in one of the Bavarian towns which ho visited in 1872. He proceeded south to Italy by Loinbardy and Venice, with which he, as most other travellers, was greatly struck. He described the singular impression produced on the senses by the change froui the dusty, noisy journey by land aud rail, to the gliding through the canals in the black gondola. By daylight Venice had a somewhat dissipated and worn look. The principal buildings faced the canals, the stones were chipped, and the approaches to the houses by the back were soaiewhat gloomy and cheerless. Venice, to ba thoroughly appreciated, must be seen by moonlight. The noiseless progress of the gondolas with the ripple which accompanies it, and the low but not unmusical cry of the gondolier; the calmness, repose, and shadowy outline of the more important buildings, all enhanced the effect, which was unique as well as solemn. The rev. lecturer gave an outline of the buildings along the canals, which have been so often described, but never so graphically as by the late Mr. Rogers :—

There is a gloriou- city in the sea— The sea is io the broait, the narrow streets, Ebbirx and n wing; and the salt.sea-weed Clings to the marble of her palaces. No irack of men- no footsteps to and froLead to her K »les. The path lies o'er the sea Invincible; and from thn land ire went As to a floating city—ste ring in And g Ming up her streets as In a dream, Sosmoothiy si ent—by many a dorao Mosque-like, and many a stately portico, The statues rang«i along an azure sky ; By many a pilo in nvr* than Kastern pride Of old, the reatdeuct) of merchant kiugs; The fronts of stone, though Time has shattered Still glowing with the richest hues of art, As though the wealth within them had run oe r.

The Rev. Mr. Tomlinson next gave a historical sketch of the foundation, rise, and progress, of the Venetian Republic. The best passages were those in which he described how the tendencies of exclusive corporations developed an aristocratic usurpation, which, ultimately, absorbed all public spirit. He described St. Mark's Cathedral, with its lion-pillar, its four gold horses — they are now bronze, and were once gilt—its mosaics aud carved wonders of its pillars, with their floral capitals. Be delivered a very well-told story of the two Foscari, father and sou, which was listened to with great interest. He described the palace of the Doge of Venice, traced the title, passed to the Bridge of Sighs—

A prison and a palace on each hand, over the Rialto, throHgh the rii callo aud campi of the city, and oonducted his hearers again to the Piazza Vecchia. The whole narrative was very clear, and appeared to be thoroughly appreciated. Mr. Crooke then exhibited his limelight views of the approach to Veuioe by the uea ; the Cathedral of tit. Mark, and the principal canals and public buildings. Mr. Crooke also exhibited a series of views iu Italy, and other places in Europe to supplement the lecture. These included The Baptisty of Pisa, The Church of St. Charles at Vienna, Milan Cathedral, scenes in Spain, in Rome, St. Petersburgh, Moscow, and other places. The entertainment was honoured by the presence of the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie and Mrs. Cowie, Mr. and Mrs. Hassard, Archdeacon Maunsell, aud several other clergy of various denominations. —On the motion of Mr. A. Boardraan, a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the lecturer, to Mr. Crooke, and to Mr. Buscbekow.—The Rev. Mr. Tomlinson pronounced the benediction and the meeting separated.