62 An Artificial Age : Forty the Patron^ and the Pillory, 



Treasury benches to turn pale. This modern orator said, " Mr. 

 Speaker, the right honourable gentleman who has just sat down 

 made a speech that reminds me of the story of the man who 

 was asked what he thought of a temperance lecture that he had 

 been attending. ' It was a great success,' said he, ' until the 

 lecturer poured himself out a glass of water, and then with a 

 far-away look in his blue eyes mechanically blew the froth off 

 the top of it.' Now, sir, the right honourable gentleman gave 

 himself away at the close of his speech, like this lecturer. He 

 tried to blow the froth of his glass of water." That, ladies and 

 gentlemen, was the anecdote that nearly turned out a strong 

 Government a few years ago. It indicates pretty clearly, I 

 think, that in oratory as well as in other matters our ideas have 

 greatly changed from those of our forefathers in that period of 

 the last century which, I trust you will agree with me in think- 

 ing, included much that was tasteful, much that was cultured, 

 much that was good, although among its characteristics were 

 port, the patron and the pillory. 



Professor MacMullan — A very pleasant duty devolves on 

 me, namely, to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Moore 

 for his interesting lecture. The lecturer has contrived to 

 compress into a very short space a large amount of information 

 in regard to the eighteenth century ; and his criticisms are 

 sound as well as brilliant. I beg to conclude by formally 

 proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Moore. 



Dr. Sheldon — I think we shall all agree with the lecturer 

 in regarding Defoe and Goldsmith as among the most promi- 

 nent of our literary men. Goldsmith is a man who has never 

 been esteemed as fully as he ought. I do not think anyone 

 who professes to be a novel reader can justify his claim unless 

 he has read the Vicar of Wakefield. As to Defoe, none of us 

 who care for religious and public liberty can ever think of that 

 man without feeling a grateful reverence for his memory, on 

 account of his sturdy opposition to all political and religious 

 tyranny. One other name was mentioned which illustrates the 

 fact that though polish is desirable, it is by no means essential 



