Litchfield enquirer., 1874-02-12
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7th, 1874.

Mr. -E1itor:-I wish 10 supplement tine pleasant notices of our Washington course of Lectures. which, in addition to your own, have appeared from Judean pens and other, by what deem may not be amiss on the general subject of lectures, as 1t stands connected with our American life, l and our New England people. not only heartily endorse Capt. Scott's remark that '' he must be dull scholar indeed who could listen to such lectures as these without being entertained, but venture the further opinion that that community in New England or out of it, which. when it can by reasonable expense and exertion procure a similar course of lectures. does not do so, is an immense loser by such neglect, and may justly be counted as der elict to plain public duty. There are towns all about us, Litchfield included, in which there is money enough, and ln- telligence and enterprise enough, properly directed, to secure for our young people, and for all classes, the benefit, in this form of it, of some of the best thought of tie age. Why, then, do not these towns avail themselves of existing facilities for obtaining first class lecturers, like those to whom we have had the pleasure of list ening, of late, in this place? Supposing it does cost something, how can money better be spent than by furnishing the means, in one important particular, of stimulating thought, developing intellect, and helping the Pulpit, the Press and the Sunday School to counteract the moral and social evils that threaten us on every hand? I am amazed that Young Amer ca," hereabouts, IS not more awake to the grand opportunities now opened up in the Lecture system, for self-cultivation, and for keeping abreast of the times.
 And if 1t IS asked how is it to Dc done, I may say, without too much laudation of ourselves in "Old Judea," and only pick ing a leaf or two from our experience
 1. Let few men of energy stir up the people, by private conference. to just appreciation of the lecture system, as modern thought has developed it. The people do not know what they miss in such lectures, by leading thinkers of the time, as are now to be had. The oratory of such men as Phillips, Cough, Boudi- not the polished and powerful thought of Holland, Hale and Whipple the fin ished and effective readings of Profs. Bali ley, Hubbard and others-are all such op- portunities of instruction and entertain ment as the people cannot afford to lose. It should be remembered that many lec- lures, as now prepared, are the ripe re- suit of months often, and sometimes of years of profound and patient investiga- tion. The cream of fifty books is skinned off and condensed into one hours familiar talk, and such an hours converse with the best authors every community should frequently have. The elaborate, we'll pre- pared lecture is the best way to get it.
 2. Let there be committee appointed who are not afraid to acorE. Such com mittee we have had here. As am not a member it, can properly say this word and much more, in hearty praise of its doings. Every good things costs. Lee lures are no exception. And such com mittee business requires division of labor. The amount of work is not small. Core spondence, advertisements, distribution 1 and sale of tickets, care of guests, and 1 .v pays. As thtre any village Ill L1tchtield County that cannot furnish such a com l mittee, or is willing to own that it can- not?
 3. Then, let the people ''havc mind to work" This is important in religious matters. It is no less so for all social and public movements for general good. If there is "high" and s'low" class. a rich and poor, a village folk and a coun- try, let them be all as brothers in a good cause and join together. Away with cliques, and sets, and parties, MT. Editor, when so good a thing as a prime course ot Lectures is talked about in any con- munity. reiterate and emphasize what sad In your columns year ago, that there ought to be fifty such courses of lectures going on every winter in Connec- ticut. might safely enough double or quadruple those figures. A tenth of the money spent for rum and tobacco in hun dreds of our towns and villages would provide ample means for such lectures as refer4o. l regard the American insti tuition of the lecture, when we'll managed. as most important factor of intellectual and moral improvement. Any one who heard Prof. Whitney's lecture on the GOT igin of the Art of Writing" or Dr. Hol- lands on Elements of Power in Personal Character, will, I am sure, agree with me Ill this opinion. The lecture of Col. Bou- dinot hope will be called for in many places, as we'll for the eloquence of the speaker. as for the instruction he furnish es, touching his race, the Indians, and for his just plea in their behalf. If any rich man, troubled with surplus capital, wants good investment, paying a hand some dividend, and liable to no deprecia- tion of stock by ''panic" or otherwise, let him establish a fund for e yearly course of .frst-class lectures, and the blessings of the people will be upon his head.
 W. s. COTTON. Washington, Feb. ', 1874.
 
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