THE SKETCHER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 13

THE SKETCHER.

REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWMAN HALL.

Dr Newman Hall commences, in the March number of the Sunday Magazine (Tsbister), a series of what promises to be very interesting papers on famous persons he has met. WELLINGTON. As a lad Mr Hall was intoxicated with - the glory of war, and Wellington was, of course, his hero of heroes : I was eager to see the great champion who had so triumphantly checkmated the great foe. Occasion came when ho was to review troops near Maidstone. I forget how I managed to push through the crowds, and, with youthful impudence, get close to the Duke's horse ; but Ido not forget Low my heart thrilled when he took kindly notice of his boy worshipper, and extended to me his hand My father was for some time greatly interested in cures apparently resulting from the use of 'Perkin's Metallic Tractors.' When King George the Fourth was suffering from some ailment of the eyes, my father wrote to the Duke of Wellington, then Prime Minister, suggesting a trial of this small magnetic instrument, and received the following characteristic reply, in the Duke's own handwriting, which now lies before me:—

'The Diike of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr Hall, and has received his letter. The Duke is responsible for a great deal, but that for which he cannot make himself responsible is the care of His Majesty's health, and most particularly of His Majesty's eyes. The Duke, therefore, begs leave to recommend to Mr Hall to make his suggestion to His Majesty's physicians. «London, September 28, 1829.' CAMPBELL AND WILBERFORCE.

Dr Hall's father was publisher of the Maidstone Journal, his brother was editor, and Mr Hall himself acted as reporter. Great was his delight on one occasion when his brother asked him to meet Campbell, the poet, who was coming to tea with him in his editor's room. But, he adds, ' I was too much engrossed with the overwhelming fact that I was actually in the company of the great poet to retain any memory of what he said.' About this time William Wilberforce was residing near Maidstone, and public meetings were being held all over the country in connection with the Anti-Slavery agitation :

One of these took place in the Town Hall, Maidstone, adjoining my father's house. There I heard the aged orator deliver his very last speech. As editor's assistant I had the privilege of being sent over to Farleigh with the proof of the speech. How clearly I remember that interview! Wilberforce was seated askew in an arm-chair, exactly in the attitude represented in the admirable sculpture in Westminster Abbey. It is true to the very life. When I look at it I am carried back sixty years. All I remember of the interview is the earnest attention with which he revised the proof, and with what emphasis he said, ' Upon ! upon ! why up ? Don't say upon* but on ' —an interesting illustration of the orator's careful attention to trifles in speech. o'connell. In the same capacity of reporter Mr Hall went over Boxley Hill to Rochester, where the great Repealer O'Connell was to speak at an open-air demonstration : I remember his stately form, his massive head, his expressive countenance, and changing features. I see the listening crowds, with eyes intent and gaping mouths, now with tears starting at his pathetic tales of misery, now roaring with laughter at his wit, now making the welkin ring with shouts of applause, especially when he demonstrated his argument by saying of some noble lord, ' He wasn't born in breeches and you without!' PROFESSOR HENRY ROGERS.

At Highbury College, Mr Hall, for a time, had as his tutor in philosophy, logic, and rhetoiic, Henry Rogers, the author of ' The Eclipse of Faith,' about whom he says :

The students had in turn to read an essay, which was subjected to the criticism of the class and to his own. I remember how diligently I worked at one, which I determined should be a masterpiece of poetical eloquence. I

loaded it with metaphor, crowded it with comparisons, and made it tingle with alliterations. Now for the merited commendation ! This is what I was doomed to hear, to the amusement of my fellows, but to the mortification of myself: 'What do you call that, Mr Hall 1 Is it prose run mad V I have keenly thanked my kind critic ever since. Yet if a virgin-soil does not at first bear redundant blossoms and pro- { lific weeds, is it likely to produce much , fruit hereafter ? If there is nothing to prune away, there may be little or nothing worthy to retain. PROFESSOR LEGGE. Next to Mr Hall's study in Highbury College was that of the since eminent Chinese missionary, scholar, and professor, Dr Legge : Near to my study was that of the since eminent Chinese missionary, scholar, and professor, Dr Legge. It was his last year at college. Recently appointed to China by the London Missionary Society, he was resolved to master the language as far as was possible before starting. His study walls were literally crowded with sheets of paper inscribed with Chinese characters. He only atllowed himself four or five hours' sleep at night, and we feared his health woul d break down through his indefatigable devotion. After many years of missionary work in China, preaching, translating the Scriptures and religious' books. into Chinese, and Chinese literature into English, he has well earned the repose and dignity of an Oxford professorial chair.