The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-16
LYCRUM LECTURE.

houb VI tio icOeuIoE, nc MS
do in such cases, composed myself in IN
attitude Of strict attention, abstracting my
self from everything but the speakers voice.
and fully intending to hear, and retain IN
my memory every word he should utter &C
that | could reproduce the lecture verbatim
ct hberatin,. I have never accustomed myself
to take notes, but have depended entirely
upon my memory, and on the morning next
following an evenings lecture, have always
been able to write out tho leading points
almost in the very words Of the lecturer.
could do so now, but unfortunately for
report, or even brief synopsis of the pres
ent one, I cannot bring myself even to make
the attempt. To those who did not hear it.
q very faint and meagre idea can BIO obtained
by saying that his subject was Patriotism
That as two great contrasts of what it is
and what it is not, he began by giving short
but comprehensive word.pictures of Wash.
Iington and Benedict Arnold. That he Their
divided his subject into three parts, viz. -
the elements, the duties and the dangers oil
patriotism and that he wrought out q dis
course of nearly two hours duration. redo.
lent with wit, pa,hos and batho,,- carrying
every point by storm or by sly attacks in
ambush and holding very large audience
in wrapt attention, alternately rousing them
as with blast Of a trumpet clcvating
them with lofty sentiments - melting them
with tender feelings of heart affections, and
conyulsing them with ludicrous and unex
pcctcd images.
But wha, can DO said to those who did
hear the lecture To give them mere
synopsis, would be like sketching for them
beautiful grove of forest trees, which
they had seen in full foliage, but stripping
them of their leaves and twigs or like
painting an evening sky without stars.
do not know how others may have beer
affected, but for one, / felt as If | were wit
Messing some great exhibition Of pyrotech
MICS. Shull I show the resemblance Be
hold a magnificent figure of Washington
composed of u thousand stars in subduet
colors that do not glare upon tho eye
but burn steady on as if destined to shine
forever. Like human life, at last it goes
out. We gaze upon the spot, and in the
distant sky we see star Of the first mag.
nitude, rolling on through the limitless
heavens. Now bursts upon thesight another
figure blazing in scarlet energy, and soon
going out with crashing fall, and leaving
behind sense of darkness greater than
darkness ITSELF Now appear home scenes,
old familiar places, and faces, wedding
festival "a school house, q court Of justice.
No sooner does one scene 60 out than an.
other appears, each in its appropriate colors,
while between each, rockets ascend and
roman candles blaze. Here is picture Of
Rome with its treasures of art, followed by
q mothers grave at home.s>i!crc Jerusalem
and the mount, with tho crucifsd' Saviour,
and again homo scene. Now q black
figure lies recumbcnt, loaded with chains
Another form stands above with foot upon
the neck OF the first. Fiery scrpents seem
to dart about and threaten the oppressor.-
An image appears and holds banner, on
which is inscribed the word LIBERTY. Then
comes a figure representing Religion. Then
the cross with tho dying Saviour,-thc an
image of Man, with an angel of love and
bencvolcnce shielding him with outsprcad
wings, meaning that true patriotism de.
ponds upon, and originates in true love Of
man. This ends the programme Of the first
part, representing the elements of Patriot
ism.
l really do not know whether any of my
readers will symrathize with mo in my
and besides, ! have had so
short time to prepare my fireworks, that I
have but rocket or two, Roman light,
and few serpcnts and squihs left. l shall,
reserve them for occasions.
The second part the duties ofpatriotism
was most admirably treated. There was
q duty of political education,-the duty Of
voting. Men ought to be educated to think
for themselves. When men either cannot
or are prevented from thinking and speaking
freely ON all subjects, little excitement is
4 dangerous thing. But where truth only
Is sought for, and men are freely allowed to
examine it, even with microscope, excite
ment does no harm. Everything seeks its
own proper level, aud all subsidies into quiet
rest.
The lecturer, being n minister himself,
advocated the duty Of ministers voting
Il were useless to attempt TO give an idea
IF the coustic treatment of this part of the
subject, without giving the very language of
the lecturer. He rather dissented from the
common idea of women's rights, and after
most nrtfnl address to the female portion OF
the audience, confessed to the heresy of be-
ieving that women ought 10 DO allowed to
'otc, and ergo to hold Office. The display Of
fireworks was here Of the most brilliant
lind, ard there can be no doaM was most
acceptable to those for whose benefit it was
prepared.
The third part tho dangers Of Patriot
sm.-I can only present Ia skeleton. There