Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-23
Lectures.


under the control OF bureau, and that
the price of their iecturings was set SO
lhieh, none but cilies could afford to hire.
The present season has demonstrated
to tho contrary. Ii anything, The lecture
system has been more popular, and more
general in its workings than ever before.
The best talent in this and foreign coun
tries has been employed a0d the royal
compensation has induced men to enter
tho field whose occupations, previously,
had been so remuneratiSe they could not
afford to devote a series OF weeks to lee
turing. Another advantage OF The hish
rates. has been to Introduce TO our puOlic
a number of foreign speakers. Perhaps
their lectures have been no more attrac
tive, piolound nor eloquent than those
from our own countrym II; bat they nave
been a benefit to IL, by giving an IDEA OF
The channels IN which foreign Thought
runs, aul by bringing Us in closer social
sympathy with their indIyidua. countries.
Lecture courses. IL was aycrred, last
year. would be Improbable II such large
sums were paid for single lecture, or
reading. This has not been the case.
Never were lectures 50 well paironled IN
the country and larger towns, and never
! have they been such 1 success. financially.
/ True the facts OF the case seemed 10 war
rant tue conclusion before drawn. Oar
people were tired Of third and fourth
cli,, IDEAS. They were tired OF being
stuffed with dry details concerning foreign
lands. and with the theories oil imPrAc
ticable men and women. They had been
read to death aud sung - dea.h by third
rate performers. and refused 20 DC any
| LONGER lei with such stun Blu. when
speakers who could furnish them with
new views OF old subjects, who could
give them practical ideas, and melitorions
performances took The field, the people
heard them gladly. and willingly paid
T. liberal admission fees.
One thing which has brought lecIuring
into disrepute IN The country, Is the Tact
that a vast number oil cheap men and
bummers have lOistod themselves upon
the pubic as temperance lecturers lhey
visit every town large enough to promise
a satisfactory audience, aud after either
hoIrityiug their listeners with tales oi
bloody work wrought by rum. or pre-
sentng mass OF figures concerning the
dealers profit, The buyers loss. aud
the National deOi, they take up = coiiec.
ton 10 dciray expenses
We would not re understood as dispar-
aging temperance lectures or lecturers.
Much good Is done in this cause from
the platform. But the day has gone by
in this State when au audience viii pay
for "a temperance lecture. Such ~ takers
must bc employed los the various organ
izations, an sent To- de.yc. their lectures
free. And they should Dc very careful
! whom they send on hi. mission.
temperance lecture shpu DC made in
leres,ing. and must 10. Dc = mere dry
Statement. OF iac's.
Oxford County has al@ays been good
iiel lor lecturers. Inc people have that
education aud culture wAIch leads them
10 desire such entott,iamcut Nearly
every town OF aay siz- hls Atd - lecture
courses with more 80. loss feG1,alty
There Is talent enough Ia tAe County TO
furnish a good numoer OF courses with
speakers. Many towns have Ayailed
themselves OF this talent. aud have thus,
a little expense, been able TO sustain
profitable courses
The town OF Norway. being blessed
W tn large business centre, accessible
! from oil directions, has tt@on upon itseli
the burden OF Introducing entertainments
during the past water, OF very hig
character. We are glad 10 learn that
| tnelk course ms OteH i alAuNlaI suSCeSSs
1t could not lail to be. with such speakers
as Murray, Parsons. Ms Liyermore aud
Fred. L. W lass. and to crown all. the
Camilla Urso concert. This course was
an experiment with the originatots.
Their success has not only been = sur rise
u themselves. but his shown that a
spirit exists among The people which will
warrant the repetition OF i similar co rse
the coming season.
Oxford has also sustained Tine course
OF lectures aud concerts. Bsrnabee was
first introduced to our people by his
course. The Oxford PEOPLE took advan
tage OF home talent. thus sustaining
long and profitable course.
Other towns have epjoyed one. two,
and more lectures. 10 proportion to their
means. The County has been we'll pro
vded for in this line. duIing the winter,
and we have yet TO learn The first case
where ii has proved Improbable.
Il Big Liitie Thing.
-