JACKSON MEMORIAL HALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14283, 25 August 1910, Page 5

JACKSON MEMORIAL HALL.

LEGT UKE ON BROWNING. lu hi.s introductory remarks in il)4 Jackson Memorial Hall last evening tlio Kev. A. MaeAulay Caldwell promised a pleasurable treat to Those wlio had attended to hear the Rev. .S. T. Ada ma lecture on "A great poefs cheery outlook, ' and it is hardlv necessary to say that his prediction was borne out. Mr Adams address on the life and character oi Robert Browning was excellently prepared and interestingly delivered. Browning, he said, was a true optimist, as with few exceptions all groat men were: great men must be men oi cheery outlook, full of hope and a strong belief in God. "'lie buildof their great empire were all optimists. men who worked in 1 :i,th and hojx 5 '; and the majority if their great poets were optimists. After g.ving a sketch of the poet's early ..-ears, his family relationships. and his happy married life. Mr Adams j >oke ■ f his hre in London (after the deafh • ! Ills wife.) marked by large-hearted end gtnerous treatment of his < intern lor-rica. Then lie dealt with "the poet s Christian belief, and outlook. :i;s gre.i': faith in providence, and his belief in the fatherhood of God. These tilings were ilie foundation or the truest ojtm.i.sci. His belief in a golden age was frequently expressed in Breun'ng's poetry. and he hoped for it: different altogether from the too optimistic view ol Emerson, who saw nothing but the britiiir blue sky. and from Carlyle who so niton saw black and lowering clouds. I'rowning saw life more real and earnest, his convictions were founded on experience. Often radness tinged wins. but. Brmvirng understood iron. sympathised tlicm in llieir <'efeats. hoped for better things. :nd excited in their successes. Reference to nnd quotations from several of Browninsr's poems aided the lecturer in his addre=>. and at its <-..nehi=ion lie was accorded a round of lieaity applause.