Smyrna times., 1858-11-18
PUBLIC LECTURES.

which cannot but be gratifying TO all lovers .
"true progress" We refer TO the intelIectna
pfedilectlons. which are now, more than at a M
foFmer perad, lncllning te the good ami useful
instead OF the baneful and tawdry. For in
stance, few years since the only books ,ba
wsuld yield profit TO the publisher-unIess q
adenomlnatlOnal character--were the Iiobt an,
chafy' blood aud thunder, hobgoblin, "yalIe
kirer variety; but now Uhough it must h,
acknowledged there is still an abundance of The
kind just named), books of the most yaluablc
and permanent character have apid and exten
sive sales. There is also a change in the taste,
for amusements and entertainments. The Lee
ture aud Opera are fast gaining on the Theatre.
and such Is ths change, that, according to a
late New York journal, Burton's Theatre il
entirely closed, and those that remain open ore
patronized only by the less refined who delight
90 the low comedies of "city life at once
repuSive to chastity and refinement. It ia
pleasant to reflect that the tide is turning in
the direction of the intellectual. How can an
hour be spent more proftaby and pleasantly
than in listening to an intelligent speaker now
soaring in the realms of fancy and Imagination,
now throwing out some of the most beautiful
cOrruscations of caustic wit, now bringing down.
with sledge-hammer power, the force of logic
on some prevailing folly-all tending to awaken
an US new thoughts. new feelings and new
emotions, which may have an important pa ri
in the formation of our character, broad. genial
and fraternal.
With the beginning or cold weather com.
mences the lecture se!son. and it gives rs
pleasure TO announce tn I Smyrna, too, is de-
termined to have her intellectual fesst in
conjunction with her sister towns throuohout
this ex panded country-the inaugural discourse
taking place this week, which we hope will be
followed every week during the winter.
The custom, which is compa raiively new but
now so common in our country, of organizing
sbceties, aud engaging the services of emf
cent men for a course of lectures during the
winter season, has many advantages There
are mauy, Indeed, we may say large majority
iu every community of considerable size, whose
time is necessarily much occupied with the
pursuits of business that but little opportunity
Is afforded for reading or study, or if afforded,
there is little dis rosition, arising from wear.
ness want of interest, to give attention to
intellectual suhjecls. Bot when the means of
intellectual improvement are offered in the
shape of public lecture, such men are ready
and anxious to avail themselves of them, for in
thia way there is no effort, no wearsome labor.
but. on the other hand, sincere pleasure, as we'll
as mental improvement. Thus, many are in
duced TO avail themselves of the benefits which
the lecture system holds out, as pleasure no
Tess than direct profit. A public lecturer, to
meet with any degree of acceptance, must de.
vote much study and care to the composition of
his iecture,-he must select a subject calcula-
ted to please and instruct his audience,-he
must treat it in original aud impressive ma n
ner,-and, most important to his success, per.
hsps, of all, must deliver it in a forcible, i'm
passiOned and happy manner. Many there are
40 oar land who meet all these requirements
aud who gladly accept invitations for thsir ser.
vices. To persons of ordinary powers of memo
ry and habit of attention, subject thus handled
aud imPressively set forth caEaPt fail of giving
snuch valuable and practical Information which
oIherwISe might hever have been acquired
Much important instruction upon matters of
history, politics, government, and new lights
upon questions of science and truth are often
given, such as often lead to further inquiry and
stimulate to individual exertion and improve
ment.
We hope and believe that the efforts made
L. 81. SC a. 7 A.
citation, to give additional avenues of happiness
TO our citizens during the "dreary winter"
while at :he same time bene6tting the Town
Library. will be fully appreciated and acknow-
ledged by the public. To our young men (and
we have many we would say, that yeu cannot
do an act that would meet with the more hearty
approval of the old olks,"-aye, and the
young ladies' too,-than TO accompany one. or,
if you desire, two of them (for there will be no
objection on account of numbers), to the Smyrna
Library Lectures. Aud we would further say
that, TO be popular with the ladies', you have
got TO do IL; for they will consider the young
man that has not appreciation, understanding
(or by whatever name it may be caIled), to
comprehend and like lecture, is not just the
thing" and he will be read out sure as fate
Old and young. married and single-all' will
be benefited BY attending the weekly Lectures
at Wards Hall.
or According TO announcement 10 another
column. it will be seen that Thanksgiving day
will be properly aRd religiously observed 10
this town. The order of the day will be church
i. going,-the ministers of our varioss churches