The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-31
ANATIoNAL GALLERY.
Lecture by M. Paul RIouet in the
Popular Course.

Last evening large and interested au-
dience assembled at City Hall to listen to M
Paul Blouet, otherwise known to the world
at large as Max 0'Rell. who was announced
to lecture on "a National Gallery
M. Blouet was introduced by Mr.. George
c. Burgess, who spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:-Thos well known
lines of Robert Burns:
"a wad some power the giftie gle us
To see 0urseI's as ithers see us"
touch a more or less responsive chord in
every heart.
fancy thatAthere is no discipline more
effective than to be held up to the critical
gaze of those who will see us exactly as we
are. rather than as we fondly imagine our
selves to be. At all cents we enjoy seeing
other people getting Their Just deserts" and
II 1t does not touch us we "let the CALLED
jade vince our withers are unwruDg." So
with that calm complacency and wise
philosophy with which Artemas Ward gazed
upon the sacrifice of his wife's relations, we
shall view the arraignment OF those other
Donald and John Bull, and shall doubtless
acquiesce in the verdict while we suspend
our judgement as to the proper presentation
OF the case of Brother JOhnathan.
Conversely from the case of the man who
kept profound silence in seven different
one, who eloquent in all tongues, will IN our
own, show us our proper place In the
National Gallery.
l have the pleasure of introducing NJ. Paul
Bl0uet, much better known to us as Max
ORell
III. Blouet is about 40 years Of age. rather
above medium height, somewhat inclined to
stoutness, with bright, expressive face. .and
wears a double eye glass. He refers occa-
sionally to his notes, but speaks with ease
and fuency, and with considerable accent.
Nevertheless he enunciates distinctly and
can be understood without difficulty. His
lecture dealt with the leading characteristics
of the principal nationalities. 1t was a chat
rather than lecture, full of epigrams, bright,
sparkling, but lecture that would not re-
ceiye justice in an ordinary report.
There was John Bull shrewd, careful, reli-
gious, who was so we'll satisfied with himself
and his possessions, that he only smiled when
anybody questioned his statements,a provok-
ing smile that seemed to indicate that it was
useless to attempt to tell him anything as he
knew it all who had such an exalted opinion
Of his country's vast possessions that he
thought Heaven part of the British
dominion; who laid all nations under tribute
to him, Italians to do this, Greeks and
Egyptians that. and even America s
heiresses to marry effete noble families and
take the coats of-arms out of pawn.
Jacques Bonhomme with his hat on one
side, with his bounce and swagger, "who
thought France the light of the world and"
he pointedly continued, "she is" was a
pretty good hit at his own countryman's
vanity, and yet, as he said, they called a
spade spade. In their political debates,
he remarked that they called man liar,
instead of following the example of the
British members of Parliament who would
rather say "the gentlemsR's statement is not
exactly in accord with Srnth:" and that a
republican and monarchist would look after
each other on the street, ready to pounce
upon each other if provocation was given,
rather than shake hands and inquire after
each others health as in America and Eng
land, even if the proceeding was merely hum
bug. Sandy Mcdonald, the Scotchman, was
thrifty, humorous, worth his weight in
gold. The quaint humor of Sandy was set
forth by many anecdotes, one Of the best
being that in which he told of Scotchman
dining out whose host ate salted almond
before grace could be said. In saying grace
the Scotchman said, "Oh Lord make us
thankful for what we are about to receive
and for what our host has already received"
Brother Jonathan received some sharp
hits, but many of them merited. Like chill
dren, the nation which is in its infancy, was
inquisitive. Back of all Brother Jonathan IS
vulgarisms, in dress and manner, there lies
an intelligence and fund of information
that is surprising. He has habits-that OF
expectoration-thati is vile, even if amusing,
but he is good fellow at bottom. and when
he becomes hundred millions he may
change the customs and manners Of the
nations of Europe.