The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-03

cesstul when the transition has been ac-
tually accomplished, and when the chill
dren have become American in thought
and competed with Americans in their
own way and spirit. We should have
stronger hope of an suspicious history for
our. Anglo-American Rugby did it but
begin with less emphasis on its English
purpose, spirit, and material.
AS lecturer, Tom Brown, of Rugby
can scarcely be said to be success.
Apart from the curiosity to see the man,
very few, avow, would go far to hear
him. But in this respect he keeps good
company. Very few of the worlds au-
thors are orators. Especially is this
true of the Englishmen who have visited
our shores. We were not, therefore
very sanguine on the score of eloouence
when we betook ourselves to the Acad-
envy, because of the memory of many
previous experiences. In appearance the
distinguished author is said to greatly
resemble the Poet, John g. SAKE. Tall
hearty, wholesome-faced, with a robust
body, we do not marvel that he leans a
little to muscular" Christianity, and
found 1T easy to write sturdy book on
the man. likeness, rather than the God ike
ness Of Christ Conversational in tone
and marked by no special enthusiasm of
voice or manner, nothing but the liveli-
ness of his theme redeemed his lecture
from being tedious and absolutely disap-
pointing.
With some local illusions to start
with, and an infinitely long explanation
of how the lecturer had circumnavi-
gated the globe for a theme, he finally
entered upon his subiect-the crooked
est stick in all the pile-ourselves.
Crooked, he found us very early upon
landing in the purchasing power of
our dollar. With no knowledge of the
alloy, actually existing in the dollar of
our daddles, he imagined it would 90 as
far as four shillings," but found it
equal only to one. We knew the depre-
citation was something considerable or
the American people would not so stub
bornly refuse to take these dollars for
a0hoEe ones, but we never dreamed that
1t could be so great, or that such dis
crepancy In relative purchasing power
existed In the two lands. Indeed we
had lively recollection, that apart from
silks and luxuries and intoxicants, few
dutlable articles, living in Great Britain
was as dear as in the United States.
After two visits and very extensive tray
cling over the British Isles, we have no
memory of any hostelry from John O.
Groat House to Solway Firth, and on to
the lands end of Cornwall, where it was
possible to fit for the same sum the same
variety or comfort possible in the United
States. If our distinguished friend can find
on stronger argument than this for protec-
ton, L fear me his cause is lost. The fact
Is, that with all the necessaries of life in
such abundance in this land that we can
lay them down at English doors cheaper
than they can rear them, with. low rents,
with no large standing army as an incu-
bus on commerce, the purchasing power
OF dollar is greater than in Great Brit
ain, except in special cases of manufac-
tured articles, which cases are growing
fewer every day.
A Crooked Copyright
was the next point of the lecturer, who
could speak of its workings from expe-
rience. His now last published book
was selling in America for three cents,
which could not be bought by him from
his own publisher for less than fifteen
times as much. With great generosity
the lecturer asserted that he would
sooner be read in America than paid, -
but made forcible plea for his strug-
Cling brethren who could not afford to
be so benevolent, and to whom this cheap
ness of their works on this side of the
Atlantic meant poverty for themselves
and privation for their families. 1t is
indeed crying wrong against authors
that no copyright exists between the
two countries Mechanical inventions
are protected. Why not these inventions
of the noblest brains which feed the men,
tai life of the nations, reburnish intellect,
and are the real fountains of utility too
Much as We appreciate the diffusion OF
culture in this land, and desire to amass
all the apparatus of intellectual refine
ment, we cannot afford to do it by poach-
ing on the mental preserves of the old
world, or take the privilege without Civ
ing just equivalent. Another crooked
point was in relation to
The Sabbath Day and it's Preservation
and here the lecturer suggested the only
strong and impregnable argument for its
defence. The Sabbath is to be defended
as a religious day. To defend it as a day
! &c