The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1895-01-17
VISIONS AND DREAMS
Estelle Vehse's Estimate of
"Our BOb's" Lectures.
Europe Cordially Invites Him to
Visit Them.

Gov. Taylor is commanding figure
on the rostrum, with an eagle eye and
an inimitable manner unequaled by
any other lecturer OF the day. With
his geniality, his personal magnetism
and his power to rise to the loftiest
graces Of eloquence he holds his au.
dience spellbound and can move them
as he will, to tears or laughter. His
reputstion is 80 widely known and so
we'll established that Europe cordially
invites him to visit them and give
them series of lectures at his earliest
convenience.
1t pleases us to voice our impression
of the lectures without a desire OF
a thought that we, in our poor efforts
could bias any one in regard for his
lectures. We know there has been
much discussion and criticism in re-
gard to the merits OF the three lectures
delivered here at various times by the
distinguished lecturer and always tC
crowded houses. This fact shoulC
speak louder than words for his at
tractiyeness, his popularity and thu
great love the people bear him.
"The Fiddle and the Bow" with it
home pictures, its mimicry, its humor
its raillery, its anecdotes, its laughter
its soul-touching pathos, its tears, it
songs reaching down into the hear
and thrilling it with a sweet tender
ness, had become to us an ideal lee
ture crowned with chaplets.
First impressions cling to us lik
the love of young mother for he
first born. Yet the palm OF victor,
must be given to "Visions an,
Dreams" as the blue ribbon lecture Q
the age.
1.-THE Paradise Of Fools" has it's ad
mirers and its mead of praise. 1t
characterized by that which cling
round the spirit of mortal as precious
everything which wins and lures. Th
delight TO live in perfect trust.
doubt no one and to believe all.
The sweetness of childhood, the 10
of youth, the strength Of maturity, tn
honor of old age, and the bliss {
saints, but it is of
"vIsIoNs AND DREAMS"
, we would write. 1t is living poel
, fairer than the visions of Endymiar
| A living, breathing picture throw
upon the canvas by the master han
OF an artist more beautiful than til
inner tints of blush rose, or the tint
, of the sea she'll, and musical with tn
: songs of thousand sweet throate
, birds.
; On through bewilderiLg scenes
8 glowing flower fields, dashed with tn
> crimson of the poppy; alive with tt
r hutter of bright winged butterfi,
ricting in the sunshine, past sparklin
!, cascades, he leads us back to his youtl
: his school days, his playmates, to tt
barefooted boy with his bait, his fisI
!, ing tackle, as he sits near the old mi
by the river side, whistling; to b
home, with its dear ties, Its comfort
e its mother love, its admonitions, i
: kisses and its prayers.
He pauses. A witchery has falle
upon the audience. With a les
/, across the broad chasm OF years, life
. trials and ambitions forgotten,
stands again in the dear old home
e long ago, now in ruins.
It's voices sileut, its windows broke
! it's doors unhlnged, it's clinging CO
a webs, its gray lichens. SiIeuce-on
h silence. In deep'tone words he oper
!. the treasures of his heart and ilinl
,. around him the gifts Of his prodig
fancy. He feels again his mother
lips upon his brow, the clasp Of