Cirrus@Austlit

The Freeman's Journal reproduces a column from the Melbourne Age on the publication of T. P. Hill's Oratorical Trainer (a copy of which was presented to H. R. H. Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh during the latter's visit to Melbourne in late 1867).

The prince's equerry, Eliot Yorke, responded to the presentation of the book on behalf of the prince and Yorke's words are reproduced in the column. They read in part: 'The book is an excellent one, and worthy of so necessary an object as that of exciting a love of English literature, and teaching youth the proper pronounciation [sic] of their own tongue; the latter I fear is much neglected in this colony.'

The Age's column concludes in satirical style: 'No doubt our colonial youth, their parents and teachers, will appreciate this exquisite compliment from so competent a critic! Really, it is too bad for Mr. Hill to have so long delayed the publication of an epistle which shows how gracefully this accomplished gentleman reciprocated the generous hospitality of the Victorian people. Fancy our Victorian youth receiving lessons in pronunciation from a silly fop, himself scarcely able to "speak his own tongue" through ridiculous affectation.'