Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
YANKEE NOTIONS.
'SsN.f pnsrnS Nov

(CorrrspoRdcRcc Of the journal % C0Rmrrrf.j
BosroS, Nov 1899.
One thing is too decidedly characteristic OF tins city
not TO be noticed by the most transient observer
md that il the extraordinary tasteor rage may say
which prevails here for certain forms OF what Is con
saered nopuar education For It's care OF that subject
o.nar,y Boston has been famous from the earliest
fines Few communities exist on earth which have RI
vailed in this respect and has been exceeded by none
OF all this and of its Free Schools especially, the
world has often heard but doubt much if the public
have any adequate conception OF the extent to winch
the less systematic but very extensive and important
operatons lust referred TO carried on Tins seen
particularly in the lectures and OF these mus: give
YOU a little sketch, by way OF specimen as lew
facts will enable 20 appreciate what have hunted
of the character of the people, better than volume OF
general dissertation. cannot promise you complete
list; that would be great curiosity and worth putting
on record, and holding up to universal obscrVatoh is
such and perhaps example too, in many respects,
worthy Of all admiration and praise But there Is no
getting such list. New items are constantly added,
and will be during the season The best can DO IS I"
mention what occurs to me- and them you must make
your allowances.
I will begin then, with the lectures on the Low
al foundation 50 called. This needs explanation, and
sou will see something peculiarly bostonian IN 1t
Several hundred thousand dollars were lett by Mr..
Lowell few years since to tins city Tor certain pre-
scribcd purposes all Of them, | believe, literary and
scientific and ample provision for free lectures OF
the best description principal part OF the scheme
The city about avaing itself Of the bcncaction
A course of lectures chemistry is announced, to be
o;ven bv Professor S.lliman. Books opened the
other dav and notwithstanding the competition of other
courses as shall show, there was rush at once ct
about 600 names suppose the rule will be, 'hrsl
come first served Those who succeeded this year
must be postponed another those who second will
We frs, This course may be expected 10 he trsrac,
and costs nothing. \ building will BE- provided TO ac
commocatc two thousand people presume.
9 The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know
LEDGE gives its eleventh annual course, which is com
V,ntI utrhi IN
ceIlapeous on one hand, and too monot"nou> on the
other and it calls out, by its responsibility and its re-
venue some of our best men. Eighteen lectures are
given for dollars; and of these two will be deliver
cd by the Hon Francis c. Gray OF this city, five by the
Rev DR.. Francis of Waterton, four by Dr. Frazer Of
Salem, four by DR.. Dewey Of New York, and two BY
Mr. Adam, the incumbent of the new Oriental Profess
sorshp III Harvard University. This gentleman has
been twenty years in India, understand, and will fur
nisb interesting information from that quarter The
other lectures ethical, historical, and misceanc-
GUS This Society will fill the largest room they can
get.
3 The Boston Lyccu,n gives also It's eleventh
course believe being of the Oldest institutions o
the class in the country. Their selection is always of
the popular description. There rarely more than
two lectures given the same subject, and these
generally rather taking They never fall neither, of
good men. MIR Webster gave their Introductory
YEAR last wear, Mr. Gushing; this year, the Hon. ).
t. Southland. Here about eighteen lectures are given,
besides about two popular dcbacs, and generally an CT
hibon bv the Elocuton Class attached to the Lyceum
and the price dollars per ticket, which admits
believe, a gentleman and two ladies. The place Of
meeting is commonly the "Odc0a, which. you are
probably aware, is very large and elegant room made
out of the old Federal Street Theatre, mo bad omen
thisD and accommodates about two thousand people,
they saw and is always filled to the brm. Indeed, the
seats are generally all taken half hour before the
lecture begins There few livccr sights of the
kind than this audience offers by the way, to avora-
BILE coup doH Ii consists in a good degree Of young
n.lp int Tho
ladies their tickets enable them to introduce. Nobody
see it for moment without deeply approaching the
utility of these institutions.
A. The Franklin Lectures got up, as heretofore,
with particular reference to the wants and circum-
stances of young mechanics The is about the
usual length, and quite miscellaneous, but good. Mr..
Dewey gives the Introductory this year last year, DR.
Charming, think. The names not at all inferior
TO those secured by other parties and the price about
half as much the average, cssa dollar, perhaps,
at the most with reduction for the younger part of
the audience These lectures always attended by
a crowd.
5. The Franklin Association, see, is gong with
a course, historical to extent but not without
mixture of politics know but little of this Stitu
ton but no doubt it has its full share of public atten
zion.
6,7 The Mechanic Apprentices Library Associa-
iion furnish very good course, understand Terms
and attendance fair average. Subjects rather spc
cally adapted to the class who get up the course
Then there is Mercantile Library Associaticn-an
institution nearly similar to yours OF the same name
and suppose course is expected from them.
50. The Chardon street and Warren street Lectures
both got up the cheap and popular plan, though
none the in quality for that The former course
numbers about - for dollar. believe the others
are free.
10. Another free is got up this for the
third time, which consists exclusively of lectures
teachers, furnished BY individuals supposed be pccu
Iiarly qualified for the task. presume Mr. Manu. the
interchangeable Secretary of the State Board of Educa
ton, is at the bottom of this.
have probably mentioned mos; of what may be
called the standard courses which delivered this sea-
SON. Generally however appropriate given
by the Historical Society, the Mechanics Charitable AS
socation (who got mp the late great ta and other
ceties which might be named. How it will be this
year. do not know The occasional lectures course,
must be mentioned There is for example,
IL. Mr.. Combe just now, on phrenology, IL lectures,
Of two hours each, at So This is hard and dear work.
and hence the audience is what they call small one
,ay 800 400 people only; and the more so as the
course given last season. and is considered TO be
rather limited as subject Connie is very able man.
here is doubt of that And So though rather trans
,endant, is
IL Emerson who, see, proposes to deliver course
If lectures the Character, Resources, and Tendon
lies Of the Present Age The will comprise ten
ectures, TO be delivered at the Masonic Temple once
week, &c. Price probably So. So is
H. DR.. Follen, late Of Harvard University, Ger.
nan, who has resided in Switzerland good deal, and
onprs oho,& thaxo C. =. D..