The first of a series of lectures on "Egypt and Palestine" was delivered at the North Duuedin Presbyterian Church on the 2nd inst., by the Rev. Dr Copland. There was a numerous attendance — about 350 persons being present Mr Reid (isorth-east Valley) presided, and Mr Russell opened the proceedings with prayer. The choir then gave a beautiful selection, Mrs Copland presiding at the pianoforte. The Chairman briefly introduced the lecturer, who was received with loud applause. The Rev. Dr Copland said the pur pose he had in view in these lectures was to deepen and intensify their interest in those lands which had been the cradle of their religion and civilisation. As long as the world endured, the attention of man must be introduced more and more to the scenes where God had performed his most wonderful works. He (Dr Cop land) would confine his attention that evening principally to Egypt. At an early period Plato and others were glad to visit Egypt to add to their stores of wisdom. Egypt was 10,000 square miles in extent, and in ancient times the popu lation numbured eight millions, but was only two or three millions in the present day. He would now ask those pre sent to accompany him in imagina tion to the places he had recently visited, and see through his eyes the scenes that he saw, Happily, by the swift steamers cf the Peninsular and Oriental Company, the distance to Egypt from Melbourne could be accomplished in ono month. After visiting Ceylon and Bombay, he next reached the Port of Aden, in the south of Arabia. Here large numbers of boys would dive for any pieces of coin that might be thrown to them, and afterwards display the silver in their mouths like so many monkeys. Water seemed like their native element, and sharks did not go into the harbour, A codfish, however, bit one boy so bo verely that he died shortly after being taken out of the water. The opening of the Suez. Oanal must make Aden of great importance. He showed those present a photograph of a small village that he visited close by Aden, This port had been in possession of ihc JJrfl,s) oiavo \Wi a«4 Ww w&tfc/w

had made frequent attacks to drive them out. 