TODDLEKIN'S IN REPLY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 432, 15 September 1877, Page 3

TODDLEKIN'S IN REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sib,—ln the Aorth Otago Tines of the 12th hist, ia a letter from a " Member of the Y. M. A.." adverting on mine wl.ich appeared in your issue of the Stii re Dr. Ellis' lecture. The "Member" has, at any rate, plainly shown that "A. B. T." is no less a person than the Rev. A. B. Todd, a fact which cannot but be pleasing to me, though possibly not so to that gentleman. He has also proved beyond a doubt that though a member of a professed'y educated association, Lis own education has teen shamefully neglected. I foolishly said they were called "young men" on the lucus a non lucendo principle. "A Member," taking my harmless latin quotation as a deliberate insult to his understanding, has ignored it, and has gravely informed the public that the Association is not composed of young men. Probably the first schoolboy be meets will give him the meaning of the four words which have so troubled him, and thus give him a chance if using them at the next feast of reason and flow of soul he attends. It will elevate him in the minds of the other members, and possibly strike envy into the heart of the Rev. Mr. Todd.

The writer evidently wishes people to be impreFsed with the extreme respectability of his friends, for not only does he claim sonic of the greatest talent of the town as being amongst then', but even certain high and mighty potentates in the shape of ex-mayors. In the report of a certain Temperance Association in "Pickwick," in reading over the list ri converts, the following passage occurs :—" Thcmas Burton is purveyor of cats' meat to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and several members of the Cinnion Council. (The announcement of this gentleman's name was received with breathless interest)." The "Member " appears to me to have plagiarised on poor Claries Dickens in a shameful manner, and in so doing to lave actually put his tx-M:iyors on a level with this w«'oden-leggi d puiveyor of feline food a thing which a-.nnot but be repugnant to the feelings of either or both these parties. I may mention, in conclusion, that I La'e no interest in the Mechanics' lustitvj«! beyond wl at any ordinary individual would Lave in an obji ct of that description ; neither do I know anything of the Asseciation to which the indignant "Member" belongs. I can therefore claim to be thoroughly impartial. Hoping you will excuse the want of respect implied ly the omission of "sirs" in this Ittti r (I counted half a in that from a "M» niber," and then got weary), and that you will not think »ne presumptuous in thus troubling you again, I am, &c, ToDDLEKINS. [The publication of this letter ha 3 been delayi d in consequence of pressure on our space.—Ed. E. M.~\