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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 10

A modern essayist has divided literature into song-language, spoken" language, and taught language; o£ these the highest is song-language. Poetic diction is not merely a fashionable wordiness,'-as some writers would lead us to believe. Says Matthew Arnold: “You only nave to put a line of true poetry alongside it and it wilts!” The language of true poetry is of the simplest, in word or thought to speak to us. We learn to recognise it by hearing it, just as we do our native tongue. Sublimity in language is the echo of a great soul. Miss King concluded by reading several poems to show various points of beauty. In Francis Thompson’s ‘‘Daisy” there was beauty of nature, of childish innocence, and of far off sad things. ‘‘To a Snowflake” followed. The passage from Thackeray [s ‘‘Henry Esmond” where he visits his rhother’s grave was next cjuoted to show poetry in prose form. Two passages from Milton’s “Paradise Lost” showed beauty not in simple language, but as a rich tapestry finely interwoven. In life, one ot the elements of beauty is sorrow, and nowhere is this more poignantly shown than in the concluding scenes in ‘‘King Lear” ; for Shakespeare iiad not lived to the greatest height but also to the greatest depth, and having been there himself, he can show us. The final poem read was John Masefield’s “The Blacksmith,” which, apart from its exquisite language, is an excellent example of the startling influence of a new thought which so often occurs in a poem. After a number of questions had been answered by the lecturer, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed, on the motion of Messrs Osborn and T'riggs. The next lecture will he on Thursday, June 7. when Professor Shelley, who is coming specially from Christchurch, will carry on the Appreciation of Beauty idea by showing its place in drama.

The fortnightly meeting of Court Excelsior, A.0.F., was held in St. Mary’s Hall, Mornington, on Tuesday hist, and was presided over by C.lt. I!ro. G. Gilbert. The small sum of 10s met the sick pay claims, which speaks well for Ihe hill. In keeping with the above, the ordinary routine business was light. One nomination for membership was received, and an official visit was paid by Court Littlejohn. In reply to the toast of " The Visitors,” P.C.K. Bro. A. H. Sinclair returned thanks for the invitation end welcome, arid apologised for the absence of their C.R. and other members. The remainder of the evening was spent in cards, terminating with supper being handed round.