New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-19
"THE ENGLAND OF TODAY
EFrem the Boston Post, October l.

Last evening the lecture season received
. brilliant Inauguration at the Music Hall,
Boston of Mr.. Edward jenkins, the English
politician, who is 30 well known to the
world as the author of "Ginx's Baby" The
presence Of large audience testified alike
to the zest with which the public enter upon
the new lecture season, and to the interest
excited by the appearance Of Mr.. jenkins
in this country. 1t only lacked fifteen min
utes to eight o'clock when the lecturer ap-
peared, accompanied by the Hon: Charles
sumner and General N. p. Banks, the organ
pealing forth the strains of the English ma
tional anthem as he made his bow to the
audience. OF his personal characteristics,
it is enough to say that he is a young man,
apparently not more than thirty-five
years of age, if, indeed, he be SO old, of
spare habit, the fairest of blonde complex
ion, and wlthal very graceful carriage.
His voice is clear and pleasant, though
there is no approach TO stentOrian tones;
nor is it ringing. At times the manner of
his delivery was tinged Nith preacher
like sOlemnity; and again in some Of his
more forcible passages the satirical bent Of
his mind found expression in sarcastic
rendering Of the closing words. His. Ian.
guage is very ornate and vigorous, with
tendency to profusiOn of metaphor.
Throughout the lecture the greatest silence
relished his utterances as an intellectual
treat but applause was seldom accorded him.
His auditors were not indeed, demOnstra-
tive, and it is not detracting from Mr..
jenkins merit to say that his style as q
lecturer is less calculated to provoke fire.
quent applause than it is to induce well
sustained and admiring attention. Mr.
jenkins was introduced to the audience by
Senator Sumner, who was received with
three cheers, and said:
Mr.. SUMMERS REMARKS.
Ladies and Gent emen-I regret much
that the Vice President is not here tonight
to introduce our guest from England.
Doubtless in his present condition of health
it is better for him to be at home. In this
land of liberty there is one master who
must bend-l mean the weakness of bodily
ailment. l trust, however, that the Vice
President is now fast passing from bis con-
troll. In his absence now have the honor !
OF introducing to you our eminent lecturer,
whom you will be happy to welcome. not |
only as an Englishman always friend to |
cur country, buS as an author, who, by bis |
pen, has drawn attention to the /
condition of the poor and lowly, awakened |
for them widespread sympathy, and helped |
the reign of justice on earth, SO that already, |
though young in years, be is renowned as |
public benefactOr. Applause.
At the conclusion of the applause Mr.. |
Jenkins stepped to the reading desk, care
fully opened his manuscript and placed it
before him, and then proceeded as follows
with the lecture:
Ladies and Gentlemen-If anything could
contribute to make me more diffident on
this the first occasion of my appearing be-
fore an American audience, it is such an in
PRODUCTION as l have had the honor Of re-
ceiving from the distinguished aud honor
able gentleman who has Just addressed J GU.
feel that should like to draw you down
rom that height on which he has lifted me,
md get you to look at me before / begin, as
\ common mortal. l shall ask you only to
'egard me as an Englishman, and as an
En- lIslIman / come here tonight to address
7ou. The subject of my lecture is the Eng
and of to-day. To the crowds Of AmeIi-
ans who land at Liverpool and roam at
pleasure over the little island which they
,rOmise some day to annex, few, hswever
,bservant and curious, will be able to saw.
o the sense in which l use the term. that
hey have seen the England of to-day. |
ilancing from car or carriage window
yer a landscape whose proportions seem
o eyes accustomed to, the majestic |
utlines of New World scenery to be petty
nd dwarfed, parceled out into what ap-
ear to be but garden fields, the traveller
nav see the romantic aspect of England. !
Iere he may see come old abbey in splen-
id ruins, the worn cut glory of mon asticism,
r there castle towering over delicious
alleys, recalling chivairy and a tyranny
9th and forever gone. Here again he
,oks upon some noble hall with broad.
rand windows and rich facade, surrounded
nth go much sylvan lovliness as to trans
Ort the soul with an envy of those who
njoy SO much beauty this side of heaven,
nd wonder at the wealth of nation so
lSny Of whom can dwell in palaces Or |
ere, once more, is village, the founda- {
Ons of whose humble homes were laid
lOusand years ago, with its old church |
hose gothic tower peeps above the ancient
ees. In these and q thousand other such
,epes NAV the visitor look upon merry I
nelaud, and vet see but little of the Eng
nd of to-day. While in all these you may,
ID in came sense, do, give an idea of
ngland, it does not show you what makes {
, that wonderful cosmos Of life and action, I
, social condition and problems of gov t
nment which unite to constitute my topic
is evening. Not that all is hidden. The I
aveler often observes in the midst of 9
cups of handsome buildings in rural dis |
lets. or walking in London, the great IN
buttons at the door of which ilnger nne
fearful men and women, and, God help |
/. children: and he is told these are the b
laces of the poor, where one portion OF '
g population lives at the expense OF the | =
but little can he apprehend all :
at is mixed up with that mysterious ques- q
n, or how it's roots run out into every
ler social, religious and political ques. .
a. In speaking of the England OF to-
', l speak not of its picturesque or 3
mantle aspects, nor of its commercial |
/ statistical phrases, nor its power, Z
alth or progress. All these are obvious;
would speak OF its inner lie ana ?
AM i,1rnrgfivA II