Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-12-23
EhoTf TSq1ureS.

Some Of the more enterprisirg and public
spirited citizens OF Ravenns, resolving to
have a course OF Lectures delivered for the
entertainment andedincatiOn of the citizens
of that place, the present winter, engaged
\ number OF the more popular and able class
/ OF public Iecturers-WHLETs, b. +. TAYLOR,
Mss LOGAN, SAKE, TwAnS, TrIroS, &c.
The experience OF the gentlemen having the
arrangement OF the Ravenna course, is not
unlike that met with in some other places
in this region. on wiletts they fell short
| $3.50; on Taylor $3.50: on Talmage sil,sO;
an aggregate loss on the three lectures OF
$3.50. We agree with the Democrat, which
says this exhibit don't look h~ealthyr-as
far they have got. The Warren Polemic Club
| experimental with Lecture Courses for four
winters preceding the present season. Due
efforts were made TO secure the most talent
ed and famed lecturers in the country, and
with good success. The first two winters the
receipts did not equal expenses, the deficit
being made good by assessments on the
Stockholders" The STOCK paid dividends
ala IN. Z. Express" tn last two courses
paid expenses. There was not any effort
made the past season 10 ensure n course
here this winter, inaSmuch as it would in
volve no nttlelabor and responsibility, while
the chances TO make the course pay were
not regarded as flattering by the Club. Du-
ring the four winters the principal lecturers
in the United States had visited Us, and r.
sides Mr.. Cough and Miss Dickinson, there
were but two or three Others who attracted
full and paying houses. h success that
attended the lectures OF the persons just
named, fortunately so far exceeded their
cost as TO leave balances about equal to the
loss on the Others. Having seen the lions
Of the 1eeture-held once or twice, that class
Of persons, whom there are more or lessin
every community, who goto see the lecturer,
rather than hear his discourse, cannot be ex-
pected TO p~atronized the course unless the
roEtrum IL occupied by q different set Of lee
turers, whom the sight seeing patrons have
heard sufficiently Of to induce them TO come
out and stare at until they have Erstihed
their curiosity to the amount Of the sdmis-
sion fee. There is also a considerable class
who viii ~patronize only the sensational or
the humorous lecture. There are also quite
a number OF p%retentious persons who are
always blowing mp the lecture committees
because, in each instance, what they call
FIRST class lecturers are not secured, and
ind it more ~eongenial with their DISPOSE
tons to belittle the lecturer and berate the
committee than to give a single word Of en-
couragement. This too numerous class in
every village ara great obstacle 20 main
taininga ourse Of even first class" lectures,
sueh as we have had, with but few excep-
tions, in Warren each winter.
To provide a course OF good lectures in
places like Warren, Ravenna and Youngs-
town, requires considerable labor, time, care
and responsibility on the part Of managing
parties, who ave no personal or p~ecuniary
interest, and derive no advantage not COM
mon to citizens in general. II the lectures
are satisfactory and successful, every body
smiles graciously and congratulate them
selves upon the fact, and remark, as they
meet yOu-"Wea are having very fine lectures
this season-quite creditable to the literary
taste and enterprises Of our city, On the
other hand, even II there is a single failure,
and some body has been bsred, the first time
they meet one of the COMMITTEES they pitch
into him, with tia soothing and encourag-
ing observation: at is an imposition for you
to bring such persons here to lecture. Why
don't You get FIRST class and not cheat our
people out Of their money with such hum
bugs"
That is about the way the matter runs
each year. If any citizens are solicitous TO
have a ourse Of lectures, We VIII be glad to
have them try the experiment, and If desir-
oil 1n1,n fHava a ha1nfnu hand