"THE SPACIOUS TIMES OF GREAT ELIZABETH."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13656, 27 July 1906, Page 3

"THE SPACIOUS TIMES OF GREAT ELIZABETH."

LECTURE BY MR A. 11. BURTON.

Mr A. H. Burton delivered a. striking _lecture-drama, entitled "The Spacious i]" I |'| C 'S 0f tircat K,iial, et.h," at the Garrison Han last evening. The entertainment, winch was of a unique character, was given in aid of the Widows ami Orphans and Aged Freemasons' Fund, and his Kxcelleuev Lord Pltinkst, Grand Master of Freemasons', presided. O n the platform were all the Grand Officers of the (Ji-and Lodge of New Zealand and visitors from other constitutions. There was a very laree audience. .11 is Excellency, attended by the officers oi the Grand Lodge, entered the hall, and subsequent to the singing of the National Anthem briefly addressed those present. He welcomed them on behalf of his own Grand Ledge, on behalf of the widows of poor.-digressed' Masons, and I hanked them for their presence there that evening. During the day or two he had been ill Dunedin lie had had good reason to know of the charity of the Dunedin people. It was fortunate that, consequent on the creation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand and the increased number of Masons, the charitable funds had increased at a great l'ate. They had now for the fund on behalf of which this entertainment, had been organised £6000. That, was very satisfactory considering the short time during which collections hod been made. Rut. they were not satisfied—they wanted more, because there were occasions when they were not able to give as much as they desired to. Therefore he thanked them again for their attendance, and wished to fender his persona.! thanks to Mr Burton for the trouble ho had gone to in preparing Ihis lecture, to help the great cause.—(Applause.)

Mr Burton, in introducing his lecture, detailed his scheme for a series of such lectures, of which this was the first. Diving right into his subject, he detailed the early influences that made the character of Prin. cess El-iza-beth—the lax guardianship of the Earl of Seymour, to whose care and to that of his wife her early youth was entrusted. Ho then proceeded .to show tho bearing which the Queen, from the outset, maintained towards her Ministers and courtiers, the extreme discretion which the vigour of her.intellect, the arrogance of her bearing, and the desire she manifested to hold the reins in her own hand inspired in those who had to serve her. In amazing contradistinction to this he showed the lightness and fickleness of her disposition in social matters—her many and scandalous love affairs. In particular, he related her extraordinary profession of love for the Duo d'Alcncon, who was a repulsive dwarf, and a son of Catherine <lo Medici, known us "The Tigress." On the death of this dissolute nobleman she professed to be so shocked as to be unable to entertain any thought of marriage with that, great monarch Henri of Navarre. The tragic interlude, which ended with the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, formed the next, part, of the lecture. Not so much, tho lecturer said, was Elizabeth to bo blamed for beheading Mary, as for the callous duplicity that characl erised her conduct licforc and after the -execution. Sho attempted Io get the unfortunate Queen killed privately, and after the execution was carried out in pursuance of her own warrant she disclaimed all responsibility in the ma'tter, and clapped the direct instrument of her will into prison. Tho lecturer then got on to lines of more national importance, sketching the history of the Great Armada, and the part played by Drake, Howard, Granville, and other great seamen in this stupendous drama that turned the destiny of England. A short sketch, nicely etched in. served to introduce to the audience the true glory of " tho spacious times"—the lives and work of Shakespeare, Bacon, Philip Sidney, Raleigh, and Edmund Spenser. Mr Burton concluded with a striking peroration, specially written for him by Mr Alex. Wilson. This took the form of an historical parallel —"two dying Queens," Elizabeth and Victoria. The peroration was written in felicitous and often pathetic language, and was a vivid word-picture of the death-beds of two Queens dissimilar in every characteristic except, greatness. The lecturer resumed his seat amid loud applause.

Mr C. J. Ronaldson, Grand Superintendent, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Burton, and to all who had contributed to the programme; also to Colonel Robin and Lieut.-colonel Stoneham for placing at their disposal the ante rooms. Finally Mr Burton proposed a vote of thanks to his Excellency for his kindness in presiding. During the evening Mi F. Hendry and Mrs R. Hudson, jun., contributed songs, which were much enjoyed and highly appreciated. The Dunedin Citizens' Band played the grand march " Scipio." under tho baton of Mr R. Cook.and Mr J. C. Easfon acted as accompanist to the singers. The hall was tastefully decorated for tho occasion.