The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-16
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
Lectures In Observation-Disclosures Insiitute-Sena-
tor Hale Before the Mercantile Library.
CINctNNATr TaDuoyu O 1871

Lectures In ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Insiitute--sena-
tor Hale Before the Mercantile Library.
CINCINNATI, January 9, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
At no time for many years, if ever before, have
our citizens been favored with so many opportu-
mites for intellectual improvement as the present
winter. The Library lectures, for some years,
have been attended each Writer by increased su-
dences, the spacious hall being always filed, and
sometimes so much crowded that many are unable
to obtain seats. The lectures comprise such va
riety of subjects and delivered by gentlemen Of
such diversity Of opinions in science, literature,
morals, and political economy, that all tastes and
views are sure to be grati6ed by some one or more
of the addresses The place. too, being central
and easy of access it has become fashionable
place of resort on Tuesday evenings and though
there are not few empty-headed young men and
misses who frequent the Hall for fashions sake
to see and be seen-snd are unable to appreciate
the profound philosophy or the fine critical po-
etc taste, or the comprehensive views of history
and society put FORTH the audiences, in the main,
are of an intellectual and approaching character
comprising many Of the most intelligent and dis
eliminating minds in the community.
The Mechanics Institute having, after years OF
inefciency, succeeded in erecting an edifce, both
for size and architectural establishment an or
nament to the city, have provided for a course
of lectures, which are now in process Of delivery
on Monday evenings. The lecturers are of our
own city, gentlemen of practical minds, devoted
to the interests of Cincinnati Mechanics and ca
pable Of interesting a popular audience and Of
elevating the character of the institution. Regu'
lar classes for the study of mechanical philosophy
chemistry, architectural drawing, astronomy, and
other branches, have been organized, and under
competent teachers meet in the evenings being
attended by young mechanics whose employment
will not allow them to devote the day to study
An excellent library and reading room is at
tached TO this institution and its whole influence
is exerted-silently but surely-in elevating the
standard of knowledge and taste for improvement
among the artisans Of our city.
Besides these, another course is going on, upon
Thursday evenings, before ore of our principal
fire companies the lecturers being generally young
men of our city. All these lectures are well at.
tended, and this certainly ought to be hailed as
good sign auaid tie Sbou0dipg temptations sScfad
around the path of young men in a large city, al
Turing them to sensuality and vice And here |
eS1y "a ~eR SWAN of our art Union Gvpi~R,
which is daily thronged with visiters, handing In
their subscriptions before the distribution, which
takes place on the 9th Of this month. | am in
formed by the Curator that over two thousand
tickets have been taken, which ia six hundred
more than last year. One Of the inducements to
subscribers is the beautiful statue, by Powers,
of the GREEK SLAVE, which has been purchased
by the directors, and is to be distributed as one
of the prizes. large portion of the subscrip-
tions are from the interior of Ohio and other
western States-a pleasing indication Of the in
terest the institution is awakening through the
country, and of growing taste for the encourage
ment of the fine arts.
The Directors Of the Young Mems Library,
usual, selected for about one half of their lee
turers this season, gentlemen Of eminepce from
abroad. The Introductory, by c. Nj. Clay, was
poorly calculated either to instruct an intelligent
audience or add to the reputation of the lecturer.
The succeeding lectures have been better-some
Of them excellent, and receiving general common
dation. That by Mr. Hale ito which referred
in my last was well received by an over-crowded
assembly, at least by all who were able to get
within hearing distance. Mr.. Hale introduced
his subject, "The last Gladiatorial Exhibition at
Rome,n by remarking that historians too often
neglect the remote causes, the original springs, Of
great events or radical changes in society, because
illustrated by obscure men, or on comparatively a
small sphere. The great outlines are presented,
the achievements of military heroes or the in
trigues of statesmen, while the moving causes Of
revolutions are to be found in the heroic acts, or
steady impulses in behalf of freedom, Of men in
humble life, whose merits are entirely overlooked
in the record Of the more stirring events follow
ing sometimes generations after.
When the Emperor Constantine publicly en-
braced Christianity, pagansm still prevailed
among the people--old ideas and customs were
intermixed with new ones, and constant effort was
necessary to carry out the principles Of the
Christian faith. Among the old customs was that
of the gladtorial combate in the coliseum, which
the Christians of that day thought inhuman and
contrary to the precepts of their religion. Some
Of them thought it proper to interfere, and de-
puted one of their number, Prudentias, to visit
the Emperor Honorius, and persuade him to put
a stop to these combats The envoy failed in his
mission and expressed the opinion to his brethren.
that nothing could be done. At this moment a
Monk, called Telemachus arose, and said more
could yet be done to vindicate the power Of Chris
tianity; and this, with Gods blessing he would
attempt. His brethren were much in doubt as to
his purpose which, whatever it might be- seemed
to take possession of his mind At length, he at
tended the exhibition, which was got up in Rome
in honor of some distinguished man, and, just
when the gladiators were engaged in deadly con-
fict, threw himself into the arena endeavoring to
separate the combatants. He was instantly killed
by order of the Emperor but, by sacrificing him
self thus he turned the current Of feeling, called
attention to these sacrifices Of human life, and
by order Of the Emperor, an end was soon after
made of these shows.
The whole of this narrative was pictured to the
audience, and the games described in chaste and
beautiful language, and the speeches of Prudentias
and others given with fine effect. The moral Of
the drama was then drawn-the duty of self-sGcri-
fee, in preference TO the spirit of se-seekmg, in
our own day, urged-and the question asked,
whether, in our d0y and country, there were no
evils, no institution, contrary to the spirit Of
Christianity, requiring the efforts Of all good men,
the self-sacrifce Of some perhaps, to remove
The bearing of the subject the fair differences, by
way of application, were too obvious to be mis-
taken by any one The lecture was delivered in
pleasing aud impressive style, and listened TO
with the most profound attention, with demon
strations, now and then, Of the approval Of the
audience. Yours, +.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.
No. 2G.-DEcENBsR Term, 1850.