The first lecture of the fourth series will be delivered this evening at 8
p.m., when His Excellency the Governor has kindly consented to preside.
Subject—“St. Paul’s Cathedral,” by Mr. Hillson Beasley, the chief
architect. The director (Mr. Bernard H. Woodward) states that the entrance
to the lecture-room is in Beaufort-street. The suggestion to change the
day from Friday to some other evening is under the consideration of the
committee, and steps are being taken to ascertain which evening will be
most convenient to the majority of those attending, but it has been
pointed out that the convenience of the lecturers who give their services
freely has to be considered in the first place.
Canterbury and Its Cathedral.—The second of the winter series of popular
lectures arranged by the Museum committee was held at the Museum last
evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr. Justice McMillan (acting
chairman of the committee in the absence of Dr. Hackett) presided. The
lecturer was Mr. Beasley, Government Architect, and the subject was
“Canterbury and Its Cathedral.” The lecturer traced the history of the
building—from the architectural point of view one of the most interesting
in England—and explained how it illustrated the methods and ideals of
early Norman workmanship. It was here that Thomas a’Beckett was murdered
in the reign of Henry II., and the stones that have been worn away by the
feet of pilgrims to the shrine of that Norman Archbishop still meet the
eye of the twentieth century visitor. Mr. Beasley dealt technically, as
well as popularly and historically, with the subject, and at the close of
his interesting address was accorded a cordial vote of thanks.