Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-03-24
LEcrunEs IN nRArrLEnono.


LECTURES IN BRATTLEBORO.
Whoever invented "Lyccum Lectures. or orig
mated the idea Of mingng rational entertainment
with sound instruction upon artistic, scientific or
moral subjects, in the form Of popular lectures,
deserves well Of his country. Although Course
of Lectures is matter Of modern origin, Il has
now become an "Insti,ution" fixed aud permanent
A description Of n winter spent in a country vii
lage would be incomplete without full particulars
Of the lectures and lecturers. From being confined
to chartered associations in the barge cities they ore
now dispersed throughout every village containing
sufficient inhabitants to form decent sized audi
encc.
The history Of lectures and lecturing in Brattle-
boro does not date far back into the past, nor was
its advent marked by any hcraldie annunciation.
In the autumn Of 1862 two entorprising young
men Of literary tastes, devoted their leisure hours
to making arrangements for course Of lectures
upon literary and scientific subjects, which were
to be delivered during the ensuing winter. They
solicited subscriptions from our citizens, furnish
ing one ticket for every dollar subscribed In this
way they disposed Of about three hundred tickets,
and with the funds thus raised engaged twelve
lecturers, taking upon themselves the respousiti-
admitted to the lectures by paying suiaif sums
ts,cu rev or each lecture attended Thirteen lee
lures In all, were delivered. and on striking bal
ance the receipts and expenditures came out nearly
even.
The season was far advanced when our friends
commenced their operations, and nearly all Of the
best and most popular lecturers were previously
engaged for the season. BY great exertions on the
part Of this Committee very respectable course
of lectures was delivered, and i, met with general
acceptance. The attendance was as large as the
room occupied could convene. One fact was notice
able. The best lecturers, although their fees were
more than double sorne Of the others, we're the
most profitable as an investment They drew the
best houses and increased the popularity Of the
undertaking.
Last autumn some Of the ladies in this village
undertook to furnish US with course of lectures,
the number of which were to be governed by the
length Of their treasurcr's purse. They proceeded
substantially upon the same plan as did their pre-
decessors in the business, two years previous. We
have already had six lectures, and arrangements
the secret we cannot say how the operation will
succeed financially. This committee met with the
same difficulty partially. that operated in the first
course. Owing to the lateness of the season some
Of the most popular speakers could not be obtained
Another difficulty has operated in both cases
preiudcially. but before The next season commences
It will undoubtedly be obviated. There has been
no hall or room in this village Of suitable size and
appointments to accommodate all who have desired
to attend. Another winter we shall have Hall
capable Of seating comfortably 1900 persons-ac ca
pacity three times as great as that of any room
that can now be obtained.
We learn that number Of our public spirited Ia
dies are already engaged in the incipent stages Of
preparation for course Of lectures for next win
ter From the conyeniences for accommodation
that we shall then have, and the early period al
which they commence operations we are sanguint
that they will meet with unprecedented success.
1t is expected by those having the matter in
charge that they will be able to furnish one lee
ture every week during the season. According t.
present Arrangement it is contemplated that por.
ton Of these lectures will be delivered by citizen.
of the village, and vicinity, and free of expense Il
those who attend. The others will be given by mer
of the rst reputation in this particular field of use
} fIlness.
To place this enterprise on a good basis in thu
outset il is proposed that the ladies Of this vIlag,
unite in getting up "Tea Party" and with tn,
! aSails therefrom establish fund with which /,
= commence operations. We heartily second th,
movement, and hope that all will feel favorabl,
( inclined to render assistance in some form tina
E shall be most convenient to themselves and at thu
. same time further the common cause.
. The object is worthy the consideration and re
gard Of every inhabitant of this village. The lee
lures thus obtained are valuable in increasing ou
I stock of ideas, and in furnishing us with ratona
topics of conversation. We become interested il
the subjects of which they treat. and in many cas-
es, are led to pursue the inquiries to which the,
give rise to an extent pleasant and profitable
They also serve to divert the mind in withdrawing
II for time from the cugrossing cares of bushes
or pleasure, and direct it into the channels Of pleas
A., ant thought or profitable investigation BY fur
nishing occasions for the meeting Of persons of CIV
; cry sect, denomination and party, they givea NOR
social turn to our society, and interest us NOR
fully in the veal or woe Of our common humanity
Q DrvoRcEs.-At the recent session of the Suprem
Court Mt Woodstock, fourteen divorces were grant
4 el-iour on proceedings instituted by husbands
: and ten ON those commenced by wives. Fror
# present prospects the facilities for union and disup
ion will soon bc about equal