THE REV. MR. INGLIS' LECTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1419, 1 February 1879, Page 28

THE REV. MR. INGLIS' LECTURE.

The Rev. J. W. Inglis delivered his lecture on "Burns" in the Queen's Theatre on the 24th, under the auspices of the Caledonian Society. The building wag crowded, sitting room being hardly available even in the dress circle, where, as in the stalls also, a large proportion of ladies were present. The Rev. Dr Stuart was in the chair. The lecture was a delightful treat. Not only did Mr Inglis favour his audience with a faithful and impartial criticism of Burns' works and character, but he branched off also in the most natural and charming manner into anecdotes suggested by his subject from time to time, and kept his hearers in roars of laughter as well by his own touches of humour as by those of the stories he repeated. His description of Scottish fun on Hallowe'en was such as to throw the whole audience into perfect roara of laughter. Besides the recitations from the poems of Burns, which were very heartily received, Mr Inglis gave with great spirit and vigour Mr Bracken's prize poem, " Guallin &' ChieL" This was applauded to the echo, and a special round waß awarded to the author. The peroration at the close of the lecture was an effort the beauty and force of which is hardly possiblo to be described ; it was a perfect piece of literary composition, full of poetry and fire.