THE REV. CHAS. CLARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11371, 14 May 1900, Page 5

THE REV. CHAS. CLARK.

This gifted orator, with the veteran manager, Mr. R. S. Smythe, arrived yesterday by the Mapourika, from Christchurch, where on Tuesday evening he gave his twelfth entertainment. Mr. Clark is always welcome in the principal cities of New Zealand, but Auckland possesses a special interest, for jit was in the Choral Hall on January 15, j 1875, that he gave the opening lecture of j his remarkable platform career. The subj ject was " The Tower of London." During the intervening 25 years, Mr. Clark has been heard in all great English-speaking countries —Australia, the United States, Canada, the Cape Colony, as well as all over the United Kingdom. And during that quarter of a century the much-travelled Mr. R. S. Smythe, who launched here the popular lecturer, has introduced many celebrities to colonial audiences — a famous astronomer, the greatest of explorers, war correspondents, renowned musical artistes, distinguished lecturers of various religious denominations, all of whom were well patronised. But of these men and women of the time, some of whom, as Proctor, Sala, Forbes, have gone over to the majority, the only one who ever thought it worth while to come again is the brilliant orator and exquisite humourist who is to make his reappearance at the Opera House this evening. And this is the fourth visit of the Rev. Charles Clark, who, however, always brings something new. Many Auckland residents have heard, and would willingly hear again, his fine orations on those two historic monuments of England's greatness, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. This evening, in the Opera House, Mr. Clark will give for the first time a companion oration, entitled "St. Paul's, the British Temple of Honour," and at a period in the nation's history when the whole Empire, to its farthest extremities, is enthusiastically showing its loyalty and patriotism, it would be impossible to choose a more appropriate subject. As St. Paul's Cathedral is the resting-place of Britain's greatest naval and military heroes, it goes without saying that an'up-to-date man like the Rev. Charles Clark, who has specially come out from England for this farewell tour in New Zealand, will have something to say about recent events in South Africa, and about those British and colonial forces whoso commanders will doubtless, though may the day be far distant, be commemorated in London's great cathedral. The illustrative recitals of the new lecture-entertainment include Tennyson's sublime" Ode to Wellington and Nelson." Tho oration was enthusiastically received in Wellington, where Mr. Clark gave 17 entertainments. His appearances in Auckland will bo limited to six, the Opera House next week being otherwise engaged,