The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-11
The City of Great and Proyer-
bal "Cultyah." 80
MINISTER'S AND THE STAGE.
Professor BIackie's Method OF Deal
ing with the Pfous Frauds 81,
An Interesting Letter.
EDIsBuseH. March %. 1885.

The inhabitants OF this city OF putrid
pride are in perpetual commotion over
a number of subjects. ON one thing,
however, they are of singular unani-
nifty, i.e: that Edinburgh is the Mod
ern Athens" that it IS one OF the most
beautiful cities in the world, and that
its principal street, Princess is unriva.-
led for beauty in this mundane sphere,
none of which claims are actively de-
MED by those who have visited it under
anything like favorable circumstances
or who have inbibsd any of the infec-
tious sentiment that attaches to q place
which combines rare natural and singu-
lar artificial beauty with lasting histori-
cal interest. At present 1.-The disestat-
lishment question seems to have the
uppermost place in the minds of the
public, though in a city of great and
proTerbial ''cultyah" whose population
is made up OF classes with aims and en-
| joyments in life as varied as are the
charms OF women and as divergent a.
their desires. it is highly improbable
that any one theme shall long occupy
the position OF chief topic of interest.
For some time past the question OF the
effect of the drama on public morals
has persisted in coming to the front and
if disgruntled by a foe OF temporary
strength. il has continued to regain its
lost ground in the public opinion. Ma
turally enough, this recurring promi-
nence has been due largely, il not en-
tirely, to the efforts of the clerical gen
try in their misguided Efforts 70 count
eract its "baneful Influences" as they
frequently term it. They have carried
their opposition so far as to denounce
the expression of opinion on the part of
persons OF prominence where that
opinion might DE construed as giving q
seeming countenance to the drama.
This has brought the subject more
prominently before the public than II
would do otherwise, and numerous ser
mons have been delivered on the sub
ject and some lectures by the party Of
the white chokers. 1t is also pleasant
to note the fair a1d candid manner in
which the views OF these hard-crusted
and thick skulled sign-posts to heaven
II
lists. But among other persons who
have come in for a fair share of the
revilings of these licensed scourgers.
was John Stuart Blackie. professor of
Greek .in the Edinburgh University, a
man of worldwide reputation. Pro
fessor Blackie IS quite a character in his
way, and one dearly beloved by his
pupils and the mass of the people, but
disliked thoroughly by what is. by way
/ - 81
class of society, because of his open and
persistent demonstration of their ignor-
ance coupled with their intolerable as
sumption. His broad views and his ut
! ter disregard for what are termed the
prophecies OF church decorum and the
respect by the common consent of the
mass assumed to be due the clergy are
| forever bringing him into conflict with
the sanctified class of parasites. He
attends many of their gatherings, and
il is said OF him that at a meeting where
the question OF amusements was being
considered he arose and sang Coming
Through the Rye" to his astonished
and dumbfounded auditors, and then
quietly asked them to show him where
he had been guilty of any sin. He is
of rather petite figure, and coming olt
of q hall recently he caused the reyer-
end throng to laugh against their will
In the walls Of the hall througl which
they had TO pass were a number of
inches made with a view to holding
pieces of statuary. Into a vacant one
OF these Blackie placed himself. as
sumed a proper pose, his profile being
visible to those passing along the aisle
and his black clothing showing in
marked contrast TO the white OF the
wall on three sides of him. Along
came the reverend torturers in fun can
onicals. faces long drawn, and a sancti-
fed halo seeming to hover about their
solemn and awe-inspiring persons.
Blackie stood n very picture in the
niche. They could not help themselves
and every pious fraud against his will
burst into an uncomfortable fit of
laughter. Professor Blackie then de-
sired TO know how they dared be guilty |
of such a sin? Men who knew and !
taught others better, and he ridiculed |
their straight-laced notions u3merci- |
fully. He has a most supreme conf |
dence in an oTerruling Providence, and |
II Is said Of him, while he condemns |
and ridiculeS in unmeasured terms the |
religious notions and forms of the age, |
/ that he often betakes himself TO q very |
high eminence here known as Authors |
Seat, and will pray for hours az a time. |
he Is also an lnyeterate frequenter of
places Of public entertainment. At one
Of these buildings where performance
was being given by q man ard his
family, the audience called repeatedly
for Blackie. he having been recognized.
He arose and refused to 60 to the stage
unless. escorted by one of the young
lady performers. and the young lady
was ultimately obliged 10 go into the
auditorium, take the Professor by the /
arm and escort him 70 the stage where
be made some timely remarks upon the
advantages of pure innocent amuse-
ments, prefaeing his utterances, how
ever. with these words: There's no
use denying the fact that was always
fond o. the lassies." The growing diff
Guilty was brought to an issue, however.
by some Entrances Of Professor Blackie
regarding the performance OF 10"
piece dramatized from Dickson's Bleak
House" the central figure being that Of
the crossing sweep 10" Professor
Blackie in the course Of his remarks on
the objects of the drama end its effects
and the position taken BY ministers Of
the gospel on the subject, declared that