Funny Man.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5205, 11 February 1892, Page 1

Funny Man.

Max O'Rell's new book, " A Frenchf man in America," which has just, been published by Mr Arrowsmith, of Bristol, is a record of the author's second lecturing tour in the United States, and is, on the whole, good reading. He tells in one place how, when he was lecturing to the students of a religious college, a professor stepped forward and prayed that the audience might seo the lecturers "points." The prayer was as follows : " Thou knowest that we work hard for Thee, and that recreation is necessary in order that we may work with renewed vigor. We have to-night with us a gentleman from France, whose criticisms are witty and refined, but subtle, and we pray Thee to so prepare our minds that we may be thoroughly appreciative." As an instance of the eflect of democracy in the United States on what, we Europeans call the lower classes, Max O'Rell says The cabmen will ask 'if you are the man as wants the gentleman to drive him to the decpo' and during an inquiry concerning the workhouse at. Cambridge, 'Slassachusets, " a witness spoke of the 'ladies' cells' as being all that could be desired." Two of the best, stories in the book have no connection with America. In a mining town near Glasgow on one occasion lie was introduced to his audience by the chairman in a " most queer, incoherent speech," and when lie rose to speak " the audience laughed at everything I said before I said it." The lecture, in consequence, had to be brought to a premature conclusion, and the president proposed a vote of thanks in another "queer speech " : " When he had retired to the committee room I said to the secretary, ' What's the matter with the president! Is he quite right I added, touching my forehead. Oh,' said the secretary, striking his chest as proudly as possible, 'lie's shrunk —and so am I!' The explanation of the whole strange evening dawned upon me. Of course they were drunk, and so was the audience. That night I believe I was the only sober porson on the premises." In Dundee, on one occasion, a little gallery in the hall where Max O'Rell was lecturing was thrown open to the public at 6d. He warned the manager that he had no attraction for the sixpenny public, but the manager would have his way. "The hall was well filled, but not the little gallery, where I counted about a dozen people. Two of these, however, did not remain long, and after the lecture I was told that they had gone to the box office and asked to have their money returned to them. ' Why,' thev said, • it's a swindle; it's only a man talking!'"