The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-12-20
Public Lecture
By. DR.. c. Alphonso Smith Under
Auspices Of the Contemporary
Club Friday Night Followed by
Banquet at Masaenburg's Hotel

Contributed
The annual public meeting and ban
quet OF the Contemporary Club on last
Friday evening was most delightful Oc-
casion. AZ previously announced, the
speaker OF the evening was Prof. c. Al
phonso Smith, Phi. d., LII. d., of the
Chair of English Literature in the Univer
sity OF North Carolina. DR.. Smith fully
sustained the reputation he has made as
o lecturer and more than met the expec-
tations of his hearers. A large and rep
resentative audience Of Henderson people
filed the hall. and listened with absorbed
attention for short fOrty-five minutes
to what without dissenting voice was
styled one OF the finest lectures ever de
livered in Henderson.
DR.. Smith spoke on Literature and In
dustrialism," and the proposition which
he endeavOred to establish concerned the
true relation existing between the two;
that it was not one OF antagOnism but,
on the contrary, OF entire accord and
harmony; that precisely at the period of
most active and progressive Industrial
ism literature has put forth it's most Wig
orous and fertile efforts; that, instead OF
a strong current of industrialism sub
merging a people in a sOrdid flood of
materialism, it rather refreshed and en-
riched the fields of literature, and by cul-
tivating spirit of confidence and nation
al pride gave new inspiration to genius
and talent. BY happy citations from his
tory, the speaker fully established his
proposition and laid the foundation of Il
prophecy of great things to come in the
future literary life OF the South.
1t is really but sober truth to call this
address masterpiece. In thought, ex-
preston and delivery it was as near
without flaw as human elocution may
often hope to get, and it was indeed a
rare treat for the town. The Club made
no mistake in selecting DR.. Smith to fol-
low the distinguished lecturers that have
preceded him.
The public address was followed by the
Banquet at the Hotel Massenburg
Covers were laid for about fifty guests.
and Mine Host Massenburg surpassed
himself in menu and service. 1t was one
OF those infrequent occasions when man
deplores the fact that he is not a camel
or even twins.
The president of the Club, DR.. G. A.
Coggeshall, presided with his accustomed
tact and genial dignity. Toasts were
proposed and responded to as follows
-Nhlel Nth IiuHloi, ......bl. y. n. ClIltH
Opportunity ............Mr. J. C. kittrell
Just Anything" Mr. F. c. Toepleman
The Contemporary Club
..........................Re Rev j. III. Henderite
1906, '.................M Mr.. Samuel Watkins
The Ladies, "...H Hon A. j. Harris
They were all good. DR.. Smith won
new applause by his superb delineation
OF American Humor and his e-splitting
illustrations. AS a speaker, before din
ner or after, he is right on the spot.
There was sincere regret at the enforced
absence of Gov Glenn and the Hon.
Tasker' Polk, who were expected to be
present
The Club holds its next regular meet
ing Jan. 10. 1906, with Mr.. Samuel T.
Peace, at which time paper will be read
by Mr.. J. II. Bridgers on the Dispensary.