Denton Examiner, Audenshaw, Hooley Hill and Dukinfield Advertiser. — 1877-02-03 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

LECTURE ON SHAKEVEARE.  WkISLEYAN SCHOOL HOOLEY HILL  On Monday evening last, a most interesting, and instructive lecture on some of Shakespeare's plays was given its the We4leyan schaol-reoin Hooley Hill, by the Rev Mr. Harrison, minister of the chapel. The weather having turned out so unfavourable, there was a 8 might be expected but a few present. The chair was occupied by Mr S. Turner of Denton. The meeting was commenced by the choir ringing a hymn, followed by prayer, at the close of which the choir gave "hark the lark," and the chairman in the usual way introduced the Rev, gentleman to give the first part of his lecture, which he commen,ed by re tding one of Shakespeare's plays .entitled, "the merchant of Venice" and after lint:thing reading he gave a most beautiful outline of t' is Celebrated play,making special mention of the Jew oust his demand-, and how that he insisted upon having the pound of flesh rut from nearest to the heart, :aid afterwards, how that the law deniauceid that he ( the Jew) should complete his scheme, but the unmerciful Jew seeing that the law was plain, and that he must have one pound of fl,l, aad if in the cutting of the flesh I e shed one drop of christian blood he must die. Ile then read a piece from Hamlet, and was followed by the chair singing, "let the hills resomd with song," the lecturer then rose and a very elaborate description of the various canes in Hamlet, des Tibing how the murderer was haunted up and do.vu, and how that no contrives to place his guilt upon the innocent but to no purpose. The choir then sang the "carnival' lin good style. The lecturer then proceeded to read a piece from -lJulias Ctesar," and gave a few of the most striking events connected with the piece. He said he could not tell why some people were always grumbling and finding fault with the works of Shakespeare, and some went so far that they would not go anywhere to witness one of Shakespeare's plays Ile thought when he looked round and saw that men in high positions continually quoting his works, that there must be something ta be learnt from them, he then made special remark with regard to the plays of by-gone ages, when the dramatic nieces took after the style of "Noah in the ark,' aud "Joseph and his brethren," and went on to show how they differed from those of Shakespeare's. The choir then gave "see our oars," the lecturer read aiportion of "Macbeth," and he had no sooner finished reading when he was requested by the audience to read "King John." Having complied with that request, he made special remark on the torture to which the young prince was about to be put to, by his cruel uncle, that of having his eyes burnt out, but through tho tender pleading of the young prince his punishment was reduced to one of banishment. Shakespeare was born at Stratfordon Avon, in the year 1654, and died at the age of 52 years. A vote of thanks was then moved by Mr Ladd, and secondediby Mr Barnes, that, the best thanks of the meeting be given to the lett ger for his able lecture, and was followed by a vote of thanks to the chairman and singers for their valuable services that evening. The meeting was brought to a close by singing the boxology.