Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1890-01-26
The Farewell Lecture.

A limited audience last night at
tended the closing exercises OF the
series of meetings held by Mrs. Owen
and Miss Gray. The exercises con-
sisted Of vocal music, recitations by
Miss Gray, n of which, "Whistling
in Heaven" was very fine, and a lee
ture by Mrs. Owen on tho subject,
1.-THE Force of Habit" to which we
bog leave to take some exceptions.
Habit is a fixed, established custom,
or ordinary course OF conduct; hence
habit is the involuntary tendency to
perform certain actions, acquired by
frequent repetition.
"The child, following it's father,
attempts by long strides to place his
little feet in his footsteps. The force
Of habit" says Mrs. Owen. Not ut
all; for the boy does not form a habit
OF taking long strides when walking
simply because Mt some time no at
tempted to initiate the lengthy steps
taken by his father.
"Among all the people you meet no
two walk alike. The force Of habit"
says the speaker. By no means; for
the difference in gait is accounted
for by the difference in physical
structure. Among all the people you
meet no two look alike, not from force
OF habit, but from difference in the
natural conformation Of the physiog-
nomy. The physical construction of
no two persons is alike, hence no two
persons walk alike; for it is impos-
sibie that q tall, slim man should
walk in tho same manner that n short,
heavy man does, no matter how much
he may try to do 80.
"There is not n man under the
sound OF my voice, or m either
for that matter, who has not soma
habit OF which no is ashamed" says
the lecturess. TO this proposition we
most strenuously object; for we be-
lieye there are men and women who
are entirely free from "habits" Of
which they are ashamed. TO err is
human; and while il is true that there
Is nom perfect, and all arc liable to
go astray Mt times, no person who is
actuatcd by the principles OF right
will repeat a known error until it be-
comes u habit. An indiscretion COM
mitted in nu u~nguarded moment by N
person who tries to do right often
catises the blush Of shame to mantle |
tho cheek OF him who commits IL, |
and this fact will prevent him from
repeating tho ofense, hence he will
not permit the error to become a
"babit." That many persons OF both
sexes have habits OF which they arc
ashamed wo are freo to admit; but
we bave too much faith in humanity
10 believe that all are guilty Of know
ingly, willfully and persistontly fol.
owing up q course Of conduct which
they know to be wrong, and OF which
they arc ashamed. Tho Indy closed
her lecture with u strong appeal for
sympathy for tho fallen, especially for
NiO uhiOi tuhhbO "ouiuh hVm IOtIilllcu |
In our County Jail under sentence Of
death for tho commission OF n terrible
crimo. "She Is n woman and u
mother" said tho speaker, "and on.
titled 70 tho earnest sympathy OF the
womon Of this community"
While the general tenor OF Mrs.
Ovens lecture was timely and good,
and we would do we'll TO heed tho adj.
vice given, NO have taken tho liberty,
with the most kindly feelings, TO
,riticise tho.e portions OF tho address
which we do not agree, at the
,amo time wishing her abundant sue.
,os in her efforts to mako the world {
visor, better and consequently hap I
'ior. I