The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-12
"weman In the Lyeeum''-Lccturc
BY Miss Kate Field.

Miss Kate Field made her DEBUT as an cs.
sayist In this city last night at the Union
League Theatre, corner of Madison avenue
and Twenty-sixth street. The elegant house
was crowded in every part by an exceedingly
select, If not dcmonstratiye, audience. The
lecture, as the subject, "Womnn In the Ly-
ceum," would denote, consisted Of a series
Of arguments adduced for the purpose of
proving that ladies were justified In appear
ing upon the lecture platform. In commenc-
ing the lectures said that any woman who
undertook TO deliver lecture was considered
unfeminine, and sometimes said to be dis
grace 10 her sex. A gentleman had said this
to the speaker, and In answer to her ques-
ton, "Did you ever hear woman lectureri''
he had answered "No." In answer 10 an
other inquiry as to whether he had ever
known woman lecturer, the gentleman
had answered, "No; thank God"
Tho speaker had boon told that ST. Paul
had said no woman ought 70 speak In pub
lie, but where could the line be drawni The
prima donna might sing, church choirs
might perform recitations. Should Fanny
kemble stop roadingi But then the answer
was that she was an actress, and St. Paul
did not mean 10 speak of actresses; he
meant women were not to lecture. Miss
Field dwelt at some length on the passage
In St. Paul's writings above referred TO, and
claiming that In other portions of his epls-
ties the Apostle had contradlcted his own
words. Referring to the recommendations
Of friends as 10 her future career, the essay
list spoke OF some advising her to write q
book, some to write play, others to be-
come reader, and yet others to try acting.
In reply to those who advised the latter,
Miss Field remarked that many persons
when at their wits end to find the means OF
subsistence fell into the popular delusion
that any one could become an actor. Moth
Ing, however, was so rare as true players Of
heroic characters, and Of such actors and
actresses there were not at present four In
the whole world. To become an actor or
an actress many gifts were needed, such as
dramatic talent, fine physique, good voice,
taste In dress, an ear for music, and as much
more as nature and art would give. Lee
turing was the best field open to women.
lecturer was free from the envy and
malice of opponents, required no wardrobe,
could conclude her labors In an hour, receive
her checks and leave the least exciting of
all public amusements without being sub
jected TO any annoyance from the jerssse
doree. Miss Field then discussed the right
Of women 10 speak In public, adducing many
historical facts In support OF her argument.
The prejudice against ladies in the lyceum
was but temporary, and would soon die out.
Only within the last 200 years had women
taken part in theatrical performances. Not
long since round hats were said to be I'M
feminine, but now they were universally
worn. Lecturing had taken the place of
round hats. In this connection the essayist
made some feeling illusions TO the charac-
tiers and actions OF the fashionable ladies of
to-day. In concluding Miss F. endeavored
to prove that ladies were more fitted for the
lyceum than were men, both by appearance,
manners and endowment.-N Y. HcrdLd,ll.