The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-01-10
T.ANfHHrnRI

! Some three or Tour years ago. thS oPlhi'ii
prevailed quite generally, that the practice Of
providing course Of lectures for the winter
season, had passed the meridian tide OF pop'
ularitv and that this kind of intellectual enter
tainment would soon 90 into disuse. The sub
scquent history of the lecturing system does moi
Justify the decline expected few years ago.
Indeed, it now seems that the practice of pro
yiding a course of lectures every year, in oul
! principal towns and cities, has become one O
the fixed purposes of the times. Among the
various plans for improving the public taste
and inspiring love for intellectual pursuits
none have proved more popular than lectures
| By these means the masses of the people, are
brought to a more familiar acquaintance with
The prominent talent of the State and country
and hear from the living speaker, thoughts
which which perchance are the product of years
of mental effort.
Public lectures too, are well adapted as 6
means for arresting the tendency to lowe
amusements, especially among the young. The
human mind is so constituted as to demand
entertainment and pastimes of some kind and
if those Of rational and elevating character be
not furnished it. then it viii naturally and easily
be carried along the current of senseless anC
proftless qualification Every successful effort
in turning the channels of thought to higher
and nobler pleasures, is true reform. Pleasure
and amusement are part of mans nature-in
dispensable to his being. So prominent has this
attribute of man been regarded, that in many
countries, suitable provisions have been made
! by law to meet its necessity and supply its
wants. In several ofthe governments of Eu-
rope, public amusements are authorized and
paid at the nations expense. 1t is true that
these amusements have perhaps not always
been conducive to the moral and intellectual
elevation of the people, nevertheless it is an ac-
acknowledgement of a pubic want, demanding
governmental patronage.
The movement for providing and sustaining
lectures in our western towns and cities, has
not yet become as well systematized as in some
Of the older states of the east. The number Of
individuals in the west, whose time is exclusive
ly devoted to literary pursuits, unembarassed
by professional duties, has heretofore not be en-
large, consequently in past years, the reliance
to large extent hass been on the older States
for lecturing talent. This has necessarily rem
dered the expense attendant on d course OF
lectures, quite tax. Within the past two OF
three years, a large amount of home talent has
been called into requistion, and has been found
to meet expectation, land answer fully the object
desired. When a lecture is announced as COM
ing from great dis snce there is curiosity
awakened to hear i'm; but disappointment
nearly as often follows the efforts of lecturer
coming thousand miles as one coming only a
dozen or two.
There is hardly village or a well settled
country town, but has the ability to provide a
course of lectures, by employing respectable
home talent for such purpose. A few earnest
public school teachers in almost any town,
might excite an interest among the people, or.
game an association, und procure such lectu-
ring talent as might be within their reach. BY
this means, the tastes and habits Of the people
especially young men, may be improved, and
their passion for lower amusements restrained
The older members too, are aroused and
their intellectual activities receive new i'm
pulse It is a matter of qualification to every
friend of good order and mental improvement,
that during the present winter season, so goodly
number of towns and villages in the west, are
giving attention to the subject of lectures. 1t
is earnestly hoped the practice will continue to
| grow i'll popular favor until IL shall peryade
all the well settled towns in the State.