, 1894-06-13
LECTURE BY DIR. THORNE.
From the Barbados Toapoyer.)

livered in that town by DR.. Albert Thorne.
The gentleman named is a native Of this CO.
lony and halls, we believe, from Carrington's
Village, St. Joseph. DIR. Thorne, We learn
from another copy of the same journal, carries
on business as a specialist in Glasgow.Says the
AdUertiser:-
DR.. Albert Thorne delivered a lecture on
Light in Darkest Africa, in the Town Hall,
Ayr, on Thursday evening last. The audi
ence was not so large as might have been ex-
pected, but this is in great measure to be ac-
counted for by its being the fag end Of the
season, when people have been satiated 10y
lectures and entertainments. DR.. Nalsmith
presided and was supported 'on and around
the platform by Rev. G. Grub, Incumbent of
Holy Trinity Church; DR.. NJ. KerrOw, Mr..
Maybin, Rector of Ayr Academy; Mr.. +. G.
Gillian, DR.. Laurie, DR.. GemmelI Thomp-
son. DIR. Rowland &c. Apologies were r%eoeiv-
ed from Rev. G. Copeland and Rev. Mr..
Browne, curate of the Holy Trinity Church.
DR.. Naismith, in introducing the lecturer,
said that a large and incrt asing interest was
being taken in Africa. Any information,
however, they had hitherto received had most
ly been brought by foreigners, and that SEEM
ed TO him to be unsatisfactory. They were
now, however. in the unique position of OBJ
tanning information of Africa and the African
from a gentleman of purely African descent.
He had great pleasure also in introducing a
professional colleague and fellow graduate Of
their Alma Mater, the University of Edin-
burgh. (Applause.)
DR.. Thorne then proceeded with his lecture,
which was PARTLY read, but chiefly delivered
extempore, with u Huency and command of
language and natural eloqueoce not a little
remarkable. The only drawback was that
he sometimes spoke with q rapidity which in
terfered with his dlstinCtness OF utterance.
lie sketched a the outset the history Of
recent African exploration, bestowinga spe-
cial need of praise OH Or. Livingstone, and
then went on to describe some Of the natural
features of the continent. 1t was a problem
which had perplexed many why Africa shoald
have remained outside the influences of civil
~lization. Some had found the explanation in
the curse of Ham but a sufficient answer to
this was to be found in the fact that Egypt
and other African nations had at one time
taken the lead in civil -ation. The only
explanation he could give Of the problem was
that Africa's hour was not yet come; but come
it would, he had no doubt. III the the Pro.
violence of God. He did not believe, that its
destiny was to be continually in ignorance
and darkness. He pointed to tie progress
that had been made by the African race IN
very adverse circumstances in The West In
dies and in America. as a proof that it was as
we'll fitted as others to advance in ciVilisation.
Hitherto the chief outside influences brought
to bear upon it had been w~arS;and the various
European nations had been trying TO extend
their respective spheres of influence for trad
ing and other purposes. 1t was, not by this
means, in his opinion, that the evils of Africa
were to be I've cured and its people civilised,
He had a scheme in his mind which he
thought would much better achieve that end.
His idea was that if the British Government
would set apart a portion of territory. say in
East Africa. and encourage the transported
ton thither of Negroes from the West Indies
and America under proper supervision, for
settlement as a colony, an example might be-
set to the surrounding African tribes which
would greatly hasten the work of civilizing
the country. He promised to explain his
scheme more in detail in a second lecture.
The lecture was listened 20. with great atten-
ton throughout, and was frequently applaud
ed.
At the close DR.. Naismith, in moving Il vote
of thanks to the lecturer, said he thought the
audience could not fail to have been struck
by the eloquence and facility of diction which
Dr.. Thorne had displayed. He had pleaded his
cause we'll, and he was sure all present would
Join him in expressing their best wishes for
his successful completion of the work he had
yndertakon /AOnlauseO