Mr Christie Murray’s Lectures.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 453, 13 May 1890, Page 3

Mr Christie Murray’s Lectures.

Though the rain came down heavily on Saturday night and generally made things miserable for venturing out of doors, there was a large audience at the City Rink, when Mr Christie Murray gave the first of bis lectures in Gisborne. So much has already been said of Mr Murray since his visit to the colonies, and reports of his lectures have been so widely diffused, that a long notice at our hands is quite unnecessary. The good reports that preceded him led to very great expectations being formed concerning his visit, and judged from that high level no one was disappointed. The title of the lecture, “Howl became a novelist,” gave a very inadequate conception of what the audience was really treated to, and the word lecture, taken in the ordinary sense, was simply misleading: indeed a verbatim report of what was said would not convey an idea of the brilliant powers which Mr Murray pcsiestee as a platform speaker, of his graphic desci iplions, and his dramatic ability. At the same time there is a complete absence of anything approaching egotism, though the discerning mind cannot fail to detect Mr Murray’s individuality all through his theme. Briefly Ihe story of his becoming a novelist is : He pot a junior position in the ranks of lhe Press, and the nature of his work gave him an insight into the various aspects of humanity and led him to make lesearches for his personal information. After encountering many difficulties and having his contribulions “ relumed wiih ilianks ” without iheir even having been read through, his prospects began to brighten and gradually he forced his way up to that eminence of which he may well fee! proud. In the moat p'easant and ift’eciive style imaginable Mr Murray related incidenis directly or indirectly connected wnh bis career, and his mimicry of members of the House of Commons proves him to be a prince of entertainers. The two hours seemed to have slipped away far too quickly, and when ten o'clock came there were few who did not feel loth to depart, but they bad the cunso'atiou that there was another opportunity of hearing Mr Murray. Mr Murray was again unfortunate in the wretched weather which prevailed last night. There was nevertheless a very large audience, and it was a highly intelligent one. The subject of the lecture was “ Scraps

from a Novelist’s Note book.” The points made by the speaker wer<- warmly applauded, andhia keen sense of the humorous as well as the more serious aspects of life we>e such as might be expected from one who is the author of books like those written by Mr Murray. To produce a writer of fiction, he said, required not merely style andknow'edge of the world, wbi.h might be acquired by anyone, but there Was needed a sympathetic understanding of one’s fellowmen, His description of his early surroundings in the heart of the black country in the Midlands of England was very interesting, There is not much of the lovely in nature to be seen there, but the evidences of man's industry formed a fine study for an observing youth, the powerful, quaint, and humorous nature of lhe men, and lhe wonderful machinery employed, being great subject for the philosophy of a youthful mind, borne of the stories which Mr Murray related created merry peris at laughter, which the fine power of mimicry of which that gentleman is such a master, made a really genuine treat. His stories of his experiences with Btageslruck youths who had exalted ideas of their ability, were very entertaining. But the drolleiy w’as surpassed when Mr Murray used bis mimicry in giving examples of the accents of different localities. He made a comparison between Dickene and Thaokery. The former, he thought, would have made a better actor than novelist, although he was the master of the century. But still he considered Thackeray’s art was more true. The speaker concluded with a fine recitation of some poetry of his own composition. As on the previous evening the audience felt inclined to linger on, and continue to listen to the pleasant story-teller and accomplished mimic. Of course it would be unfair to think of imposing such a penalty on the lecturer, and a hearty round of applause was given as a parting token of gratitude.