Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-08
LECTURE AT LYCEUM HALL.

On Thursday evening Major I.
Morris Chester delivered q highly
entertaining lecture, in Lyceum Hall,
to one Of the most appreciative au-
diences assembled for some time.
Preferring to submit other, and
certainly disinterested, comments
on Mr.. Chester's discourse, we trans
fer to our columns those of the New
Orleans Republican and the New
Orleans Times.
The Republican says
There was large attendance of Ia
dies and gentlemen last night at Lyce-
nm Hall, to listen to lecture by Ma
jOr L. Morris Chester, colored man,
who has recently returned from tour
of the principal capitals of Northern
Europe, where he was received by the
crowned heads and royal families with
distinguished courtesy.
Among the auditors we observed
Mayor Flanders and family, Colonel
James Lewis and family, and several
others of the City Administrators, city
Recorders, and members of the press.
The subject of the discourse was
IAN Evening with Royalty"
The speaker commenced by allud-
ing to the fact, that in continental
Europe, among the refined and ele-
CANT Latins, the stalwart Sclavonians,
or even the sturdy Saxons, the dis
tinctions of race or color were not
recognized, and merit only was a
recommendation to lofty station.
Here, i'll our own native land, the as
pirations of the black man were ridi-
culed, and Hamper put upon his best
efforts at improvement.
He spoke of his visit to st. Peters
burg, where he was received at the
palaces of the emperor and of the
Grand Duke Constantine, having been
first introduced by the minister of the
United States, Hon. Cassius NJ. Clay.
In July, 1868, he proceeded to
Stockholm, in Sweden, where he was
delighted by the reception given him
by the king and royal family, and with
the regal grandeur of the palace. H.
next landed at Copenhagen, visited
the capital of the oldest monarchy in
Europe, whose warlike people, the
Danes, had conquered Britain seven
hundred years ago. Next he visited,
in December, 1868, the capital OF
Prussia, where he was entertained at
the palace of King William, whom he
described as man OF commanding
appearance and the wisest monarch in
Europe Here he was entranced with
the magniticence of gala day recep-
ton, and Was not little abashed at
finding himself the centre of a gOr-
geous array of lovely ladies who gath
cred around him, from which awkward
position he was relieved by being con-
Quoted to fhe kings interior chamber.
At Brussels, the capital of Belgium
he was also received in the same man
ner, and finally, in March, 1869, pro-
ceeded to England, where he attended
the royal reception. He was intro
duced by the Earl of Clarendon, and
passed in front of the throne, on that
occasion occupied by the Prince of
Wales, who held court in the absence
of Queen Victoria.
the only thing that married the
pleasure of these court receptions was
too much ceremony.
In his extensive tour he was often
mistaken for black prince, travelling
mcOgaito, ane if he had any fancy for
lionizing, he would rather 60 through
Europe as black man than aa
minister plenipotentiary of the white
race.
His discussion was clothed in Ian
guage highly ornate and wildly des-
criptive of all that he saw, whether the
scenery spoken of were natural or ar
tifcial, showing him to be skilled in
word-painting to a remarkable degree.
The lecture was well received and
applauded.
The Times. says:
An EVENING WITH ROYALTY-Maior
L. Morris Chester IA colored orator.
delivered lecture ut Lyceum Hail
last night Oh the subject of Royalty,
the attendance, which was quite good,
not only goodly number
Of colored people, but many of our
best white citizens, including several
city and State officials. The
lecture was both instructive and enter
and was listened to with