DR NISBET'S LECTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13894, 4 May 1907, Page 12

DR NISBET'S LECTURE.

"THE LOWLANDS OP SCOTLAND."

At. Hi's Majesty's Theatre last night the Rev. Dr Nisbet, of First Church, gave" a lecture in aid of the Dunedin Art Gallery Building Fund. The doctor's power to entertain and instruct on the platform is as well known as is his ability to claim tho attention of a congregation in his church, and when it was announced that on this occasion lio was to deal witli such a subject as "A Run Through the Lowlands of Scotland" there was an immediate demand for tickets. A large number of scats were booked at tho Dresden office, ami at noon yesterday the lx-st ot tho accommodation had been marked off. The fact that the lecture was in aid of a worthy objcct also induced many to purchase tickets. The building was packed in all parts, and as the expensed have been kept aa low as possible, tho fund is. likely to benefit considerably. Dr Nisbet treated his subject in his usual masterly style. In dealing villi the lowlands of Scotland he had a- subject in hand around which tliero cling.? much that is of engrossing interest. It has been (lie home of some of Scolland's most famous men. It lias been the sccne of their lifedeeds aiid their works, which will livo in history for ages to come, as they luvc lived for ages past. Dr Nisbet certainly had no lack of interesting matter, and ho handled it well. 110 culled a portion of tho best from the great Gtock at Hand, and laid it before his audience in a way that it appreciated. Startinj from Edinburghit was only possible, lio said, to start from one city, Edinburgh, tho modorn Athons,— the-audience was taken to Uolyrood Palace and Hawthorn Den, and then to Rossl.vn Chapel, with its wonderful pillars. Craigmillar Castlo was visited, and a stop was made, though a long one, to Tantallon Caetle, Jedburgh Abbey, and Keko, with ilfl bridge' across the Tweed. Ifolrose Abbey nindo a pretty picture, and following it camo Abboteford, Sir Walter Scott's romantic home; then Peebles and St. Mary's Loch, with tho statue of James Hogg. Among the other views woro Dumfries, tho " Iwa brigs of Ayr," Kirk Alioway, tho Ei.ver Clydo and its beautiful falls, Glasgow, and a few views of tho Glasgow Exhibition. Dr Nisbet concluded by promising to give another lecturo at an parly date.

The lecture was divided into two parts. Midway there curne a musical programme —a couple of items appropriate to Iho lecture. Some of the promised singers sent apologies, owing to cold?. Tho vocalists wcro Mrs Morton, jun., who sang " .Tossio's dream" very sweetly, meriting the hearty recall accorded her. and Mr Clark, whoso contribution was n Alton water." Mr J. Tiinton was tho accompanist. During an interval Mr A. Eathgato, on Mialf of tho trustees of tho Piiblip Art GaU<\v, thanked Dr Nisbet for coming forward to give tho lcchire. Ho also thanked tho purformera of the evening and others who had assisted in making the entertainment a success. In referring to the Art Gallery, lie said it would be a ercdit to the city.—(Applause.) Tho trustees, in order to parry out their plans, wanted £700 or £?00 rnoru than they had now, and lie hoped that Dunedin would seo that they got it.—(Applause.) The lecture was illustrated with coloured elidoe, which wero shown with capital effect bv Mr South.'