There was a fairly good attendance on Wednesday evening at the meeting of the above Society when a paper was read: "Browning" by Mr Lyall. Mr. J. P. Donovan, who presided, in a few Spening remarks referred to the fact that the two greatest English poets of the present century were undoubtedly Alfred 'T- nnyson and Robert Browning. These two men were on terms of intimate friend ship during their lifetime, and since their death they had divided the aifection and admiration of a growing circle of friends. Though Tennyson was a master of melody, his art being supreme, Browning was no doubt a deeper thinker, having a dramatic insight and vigour that we miss in Tennyson. Browning was only just becoming to be known for the mighty poet he is, and some day it would seen and acknowledged even ina greater degree than it was at present. therefore, fortunate in having the life and work of Such a man brought before us. Mr. Lyall was then called on to read his paper, which was listened to with the greatest interest and evidently much appreciated. We hope to publish it at an early date. The lecturer mentioned the difficult task of attempting to treat such a subject with anything like justice in the time at his disposal." While bringing out the most points in the poems referred to, he pointed out how Browning was not afraid to ince the most difficult problems, and that his strong and robust faith in the Deity was owing to his having faced doubts and conquered them. Paracelsus, The Ring and the Book, and many of i poems were cited, from all of wi ided genius of Browning, his large optimism, and his belief inimmortality were shown.
At the conclusion of the address a discussion took place in which the Rev. Dr. Eakins, the Rev. G. H. Bondfeld, the Rev. EH. Box, and Mr. A. H.. Harris took part. The Chairman in' closing the discussion said that one of the speakers reminded him of what had been said of Douglas Jerrold, who when reading Sordello thought he was mad because he could not understand it, but was greatly relieved t- find everyone else us mad as himself. But with regard to the charge of obscurity, men like W. J. Fox, Allan Cunningham, John Stuart Mill, and Mr. Swinburne lad ably defended Browning.
Mr. Donovan then proposed a vote of thinks to Mr. Lyall for his excellent paper, which was carried by acclamation. It was announced that the next meeting of the Society would take place on the 9th of February in the Municipal Hall when Dr. R. Cox would give a lecture on The Five Senses."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.