The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-07
The star Course of Lectures.

Mr. Pugh has now completed all his arrangements
for his "Star course of lectures and the enterprise
will undoubtedly be brilliant success. II was a
happy thought to make n combination Of the most
celebrated lecturers in the country and Mr.. Pughs
reputation skilful manager of iirst-cass enter
tainments no less than the list Of names embraced
in his list of lectures is guarantee that this course
will in all respects meet the expectations of the most
sangune. There is very large class of persons who
for various reasons patronize the theatres
the ordinary round of winter amusementS, and to
these good lectures are always welcome.
But the opportunities to hear first
class orators have been widespread and uncertain,
and in the rare instances where courses have been
organized the names presented have not been Of
equal, or of anything approaching equal, merit The
lists have scarcely ever included more than six
speakers, and Of these but one or two have ever
beer really great lecturers; the superiority of this
fractional part being relied upon to carry through
a superlncumbent load of duness and
commonplace. This shOrt-sighted policy
will defeat any enterprise; for experience mas
shown that although the public loves to attend lee
tures it will have the best none at all. Amiable
mediocrity is the thing it abhoTs; and the we'll
meaning but nerveless race of small declamcrs is
thrust impatently aside. on the other hand, the
vigorous man, with an impressive manner a reso-
nant voice, and with something to say,-that man
will be heard, and will meet with a response.
In organizing the Star Course of Lectures in Phi-
ladephia, for the OF 1S69-70 the object has
before presented, Of hearing in single course of
lectures the aggregate talent of the entire lecture
field.
The supply Of lecturers is limited. Dr. Holmes
said recenty-and his utteTances on this subject are
considered almost oracular-that "there are hardly
more than twenty-five lecturers in the country whom
the public considers it privilege worth paying for
to hear" The general public understands this
thing about well as the professional man. People
of intelligence those tait in literary and society
affairs, can readily name the members OF TINS small
but choice army. Such parts of it as are available
have been secured for this course, which, it is con-
ddently asserted, represents, more fairly than any
similar enterprise has ever done, the brain power
and progress of the American people,
The course projected by Mr.. Pugh will present a
sufficient variety satisfy all tastes, as will be seen
from the following list Of speakers engaged:-
Hon. Charles Sumner; Rev. e. H. Chaplin, d. d.
George William Curtis; Hon. S. $, COX; Ralph Waldo
Emerson: Professor Robert E. Rogers; Professor
Henry Morton; r. j. De Cordoya; Anna E. Dickin-
son; Wendell Phillips; John G. SAKE; Rev. Robert
Collyer, d. d. Bayard Taylor; d. r. Locke CNasby)
Olive Logan; Mark Twain; and p. b. Du Challu.
To relieve the tediun OF waiting for the lecturers
to appear, ~ Pugh has engaged Carl Sentz new
"Parlor Orchestra" which will play choice musical
selections every evening from halfpast seven until
eight O'Clock.
No enterprise of corresponding magnitude and i'm
porance has ever been undertaken in this city; but
as the entertainment offered first class, there is u
doubt that the result win be equally gratifying to the
manager and the public.
The lectures will be given at the Academy Of
Music commencing on Tuesday, 10, when Miss
Anna Dickinson will discourse on the subject OF
'rWhited Sepuchres."
We cali attention to the following card, bywhich il
will be seen that Mr.. Pughs enterprise is endorsed
by some OF our most prominent citizens:-
s'AIr Pugh IS permitted to publish the following
letter Addressed to him and signed by his Honor Tho
Mayor of the city, Chief Justice Thompson and AssO
cate Justice Read, Of the Supreme Bench; Hon
Judges Joseph Allison f. Carroll Brewster james
R. Ludlow, William S. Peirce and other prominen
and wel-known citizens OF Philadelphia He begs Il
return these gentlemen his sincere thanks, and tC
olive them the assurance that the programme, as an
pounced win be followed faithfully and TO the utter
most.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 23, lSd9.-T. j. Pugh-Dea
Slr:ZWe learn with pleasure your purpose TO organ