Lecture by Rev. C. E. Beecroft.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 564, 31 January 1891, Page 2

Lecture by Rev. C. E. Beecroft.

“A RIDE ON THE KNIFE-BOARD OF A LONDON ’BUS.” There was a good attendance at the Wesleyan Church last night, when the Rev. Mr Beecroft lectured on the above subject. Mr Greenwood occupied the chair, and in introducing the lecturer took occasion to make a few interesting remarks on some of the phases of London pfe which are now receiving special attention. The lecturer’s command of beautiful language, and his charming imagery, at once fascinate a listener, and from first to last he was listened to with wrapt attention, being frequently interrupted by applause. He began by referring to the interest with which human associations invested scenes and places. He believed that it was to this element of historical interest, almost more than to its bewildering vastness, its abnormal growth, its political influence, its commercial great-

ness, or its startling contrasts of luxury and squalor, that London owed its strange fascination for the English-speaking race the wide earth over. It was not merely that five and a-half millions of our contemporaries were living there to-day, but that its streeis and dwelling places were eloquent of the mighty dead. Not only that it contained bronze and marble statues of departed rulers, but that at every turn some great character confronted us in the subtle presence of an undecaying influence. Geologists told us that in some places, by reason of the action of vast upheavals, a series of strata lay exposed, after the manner of the sloping leaves of an open book. Layers and formations only m be met with singly elsewhere were theie to be found in regular chronological succession within a limited area. It was so with London in its relation to our national history. The historical stratifications of the country found singly in the provinces, were to be seen in epitome in the chief city. It was because he (the lecturer) had felt an interest in racing such records of the past in the hignways and byways of the Metropolis that he ventured to appear before them with a few of his reminiscences. And in order to give something like continuity to his remarks he would confine himself to the references suggested by a journey he had frequently had occasion to take from Poplar to Piccadilly. Some people had a wrong idea as to the knife-board of a bus. They imagined it a sort of “miserere” seat. It was nothing of the sort. Not a knifelike edge of boarding, but a broad, well cushioned seat along the top of the bus. A ter describing the starting place— not a picturesque hostelry like Chaucer’s “Tabard,” but a modern gin palace in the East India Dock Road, — the various objects of interest along the way through Limehouse, Stepney, Whitechapel, Oldgate, the City, ami the Strand, were briefly touched on. Well deserved tributes were paid to the work of the Salvation Army, to the Wesleyan West End Mission, and to the philanthropic mission of Dr Barnardo. A description of an East End masher gave a humorous coloring to the ride along Commercial Road. An imaginary shower coming on in Fleet Street led to the introduction of a ‘ Lamb’s tale.” The essayist was seated in a bus when a great rush was made for shelter. “ All full inside ?” asked a stout would-be passenger at the door. “ I don’t know about the others,” said Lamb, stroking himself down, “ but that last piece of oyster-pie did the business for me.” The way the story was told greatly increased its merit. We have not space to reproduce the historcial allusions of the lecture, but they included references to Chaucer, Cowley, Isaac Walton, S. T. Coleridge (the “archangel a little damaged”), Wren, Goldsmith, Johnson, and others. In closing, Mr Beecroft quoted Wordsworth’s sonnet written on Westminster bridge in early morning, “ Earth has not anything to show more fair,” etc., and held that side by side with its sins and sorrows the city presented evidences of constant advance in all that is beautiful and true and good—a city that in some of its aspects was no unmeet emblem of that sinless, slumless, sorrowless City—the heavenly Zion, the Home of nations, the heritage of the free. The Bishop of Waiapu rose to propose a vote of thanks to the lecturer, highly complimenting him on the skilful way in which he had dealt with a subject on which the abundance of material would be embarrassing to most people. If Mr Beecroft were to deliver a further lecture, entering upon some of those social problems to which the Chairman had referred, he would find a most appreciative audience. He would mention that the first time he had spoken to Mr Beecroft was in Napier, when that gentleman had come to him to raise funds on behalf of the London dockmen at the time of the great strike. Mr Beecroft had a retentive memory and observant mind, with a flow of picturesque language, and he had also that touch of humanity which made one look on all men as brothers—he felt a sympathy with their sorrows, as well as pleasure in their joys. The Bishop’s remarks were warmly applauded. In thanking him, Mr Beecroft remarked that one of the brightest associations in connection with his visit to the colony, was the kindness of the Bishop, who had enthusiastically seconded his efforts on behalf of the poor dockers. Mr Beecroft then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who in return also warmly complimented the lecturer and expressed the hope that they would again have the pleasure of hearing him on some future occasion.

After the Rev. Mr Ward had taken the opportunity of personally thanking Bishop Stuart, the meeting was closed in the usual way,