THE CHAUTAUQUA SEASON.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15308, 23 February 1920, Page 2

THE CHAUTAUQUA SEASON.

SATURDAY'S MEETINGS.

The second day's moetings of Chautauqua in Nelson proved to be, in every sense, most successful. On Saturday afternoon the large marquee erected near the Post Office was comfortably tilled by an audienpe which quickly gave abundant evidence or its pleasure and appreciation. Miss ivlcGillivray, the super intendent, opened the proceedings with a few graceful sentences, and concluded by introducing that wonderful combination, the Lyric Quartette. The party—every member yf it, by the way, belonging to New Zealand-r-had a flattering reception, wi>ich they promptly justified, providing an hour's entertainment of very high merit indeed. The selections given were varied, ranging from beautiful and stately numbers to clever and amusing ditties, every one, however, at once spirited and refined; First the quartette rendered "Timbuctoo," followed by "The Boy, the] Teacher, and the Tack"—mirthful pro-j ductions which called forth unstinted laughter and applause. Mr H. .Richards followed with an-Irish song, "Moira, My Girl," his excellent tenor voice combined with his clear, impressive singing, being greatly admired. This was succeeded by "My Heart's Desire." Then a lighter element appeared, when Mr Alan McEhvain described certain tragic happenings which befell an unfortunate passenger train—the 11.69—-on (so he said) the' Blenheim-Picton line. Mr McEhvain, recalled, rendered other delightfully,amusng.-'Bongs and monologues. Mr J. W. Ryan gave "Captain Mack/ and in response to enthusiastic applause, "Father O'Flynn." What was entitled the concluding number was followed by" rounds of cheering and applause, so that the quartette was compelled to reappear and partially appease the desire of the audience for more. The entire performances of the Lyric Quartette can best, and most I briefly, be described as delightful.

Judge Geo. D. Alden was then introduced by Miss McGillivray, and he lost no time in getting into the very happiest of relations with, his hearers. It was wise, he observed, that.Miss McGillivray had not announced—as she usually did—that he was a lecturer; For he was not to attempt to deliver a lecture] oa any one fixed subject—instead, hei had decided that that afternoon hej would simply talk to his hearers, and; remarkably 'bright, merry, and wise"! the Judge's talk proved to be. A com-! plete report of one of Judge Alden's! "talks" would doubtless prove to be a! valuable specimen of present-day literature, and without this completeness it is scarcely possible to convey an adequate impression of his "talks." lie opened with sundry entertaining revelations touching himself . A relation of his father was Longfellow, the poet, and when the Judge was a youngster he decided to be a poet—also a reformer. In the town in which he lived were sevoral residents concerning whose character, actions, and general mode of life he was unable to approve. So he wrote a poem —seventeen verses of it—-in which he dealt kindly but firmly with the frailties :of those residents. Every verse Avas 1 devoted to one individual, and he took care that the subjects of his criticism shoula be described with sufficient fulness and clearness to be easily recognisable. The poem was read at a public meeting, and the first discovery he made was that, while most peoeple seemed to.support and admire his opinions of their neighbours, they had most decided objections to his remarks about themselves. In short, he was soon made aware of the fact that he had suddenly become quite unpopular, a condition of affairs that was further aggravated when, some years afterwards, he v;as induced to run for the Legislature. "Run," explained the Judge, "is what you people here call standing for Parliament." The Judge was "powerfully ! beaten," and was given lots of time to i consider all the causes which had led to his quite pitiless rejection. This interesting incident in Judge Alden's early career provided him with an excellenttheme upon which to talk, namely, the danger of trying to "show up" folk. "What is a friend?" the class was asked, and there was a pause until one! young boy provided the definition, "Ai friend is somebody who knows all about you and still remains your friend/) Thus, the Judge proceeded in his ownj inimitable style, conveying many timely and wholesome hints for all present. Innumerable subjects were touched upon —the Judge sometimes wanders far afield for illustrative facts—the growth of honesty in politics, honesty in business, charity in social life. "Yes, even we Yankees," confided the Judge, "are becoming honest—because it pays best."

"THE POWDER. AND THE MATCH."

In the evening tho marquee was crowded in every part. The-Eyrie Quartette provided an entirely new programme, and again achieved an unqualified success. First was rendered "Oh Peaceful Night," beautiful and haunting, succeeded by a number of a more lively class—"Woman." Mr J. W. Ryan sang "The Gay Drum-Major," and was recalled: Other items'on the list were: "The Long Day Closes," a lullaby sung by the Quartette, and ''Invictus," by Mr Richards, who, in response to the applause sang "I passed by Your Window." Mr McElwain again provided an abundance of amusement, among' other items, by his dissertation upon "Love Songs." with supporting examples, and his exhibition, of "Mr Conen at the Telephone." The Quartette, once more, achieved a great success, and was re»peatedly recalled. Mr M^E. Paget then appeared, and briefly described the origin, the aims. I and the constitution of Chautauqua^ jjfter which came on the platform the j evening's lecturer. Judge Alden. who had a very cordial reception, promptly intimated that, the subject- of his lecture was jThp Powder and the Match," what he had to say bore in no way upon powder or matches. In reality, the powder and me matches w.:th which he was to deal were hostile forces, forces which were so conspicuously at work in the world to-day. There was, for example, Labour and there was Capital: two forces which had been fully antagonistic in the past, and might be truthfully described as strongly antagonistic to-day. But ho thought he saw signs that the old class hatreds were not quite what they once had been. Capital was beginning'to talk now of giving Labour a voice 'in the conduct of industry, and. in some cases', a direct share in the profits. Yet great things remained to be accomplished? The man with the money, bo matter where I or how he had secured it, was still! honoured and respected. JXot sufficient respect \ras paid "to knowledge, and knowledge was the true aristocracy. Knowledge was power, especially historical knowledge. The man who was not educated, who knew nothing of history, was a real danger to the community! After dealing trenchantly with conven-' tionalities in tho political sphere, the I Judge read and replied to an anonymous j letter which he had received. " The I Judge then spoke of the need that existed for children being taught by their parents truths which they had inevitably to learn, and which they ■ might come to know of from tainted and objectionable sources.

At the conclusion of his address, Judge Alden seated himself at the piano and led the singing of the National Anthem, after which the large audience dispersed. .