Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-29
INTELLECTUAL EVENINGS PROMISED

george w. cable, the distinguished
author and publicist, delighted large and
intelligent audience by his readings in this
city week ago. 1t was an intellectual
treat, and no one went from it who did not
feel refreshed and strengthened. Mr.. Ca
bic is a writer who, perhaps more than any
other recent scholar, has developed an
American school of fiction, with purely
American types of character for its basis
He has introduced Americans to classes in
their own country concerning which they
were but vaguely informed He has done
more; he has given us style new in
American literature, and altogether good
and strong. But this writer has not con-
tented himself with communing with his
readers through the medium of the printed
page-he has gone upon the rostrum, and,
meeting them face to face, given them an
Interpretation that it is impossible for the
text to convey. He has proved to be not
only an original, vigorous and courageous
knight in literary fields, but finely eff
fective dramatic reader, and has demon
strated, Us SO many before him have done,
the inestimable value of the literary plat
form. 1t will crafty all who heard him
last week to learn that there is probability
of his return.
Now, one value of Mr.. Cables recent
intellectual entertainment is the emphasis
1t gives to the proposition to re-establish
the literary rostrum in this city as a means
of entertainment and instruction. Books
are not all Of literature, nor have they
wholly retired nor viii they ever utterly
displace the lecture platform. That agency
in public education and entertainment
has a mission, and always will
have. 1t has been much neglected
in Sacramento in recent years, but it is
gratifying to know that the visit of Mr..
Cable has contributed to revival of IN
terest in it. Thus, it is now definitely
known that two local bureaus, operati..
unselfshly and wholly for the public good.
will furnish TO us this winter two series OF
intellectual entertainments One is COM
posed Of a few public-spirited men who are
arranging for course of lectures and
readings by such men as Cable; strangers
in our midst, Of literary fame, and who
WI! make UP 4 series VARYING in character.
froin readings from their own works to
those OF others; from dramatic interpreta-
tions TO lectures upon popular literary
topics from historical retrospects to the
discussion Of social and scientific questions.
The other bureau is the California Museum
Association, 1t proposes a course Of ten
lectures by gentlemen of culture and abil-
ity in our community, upon subjects di-
rectly of interest to domestic economy,
health, financial systems engineering sci
ence, the economies of daily life, etc.
These two courses, to extend over four
months, and running parallel and not con-
ficting as to dates, must be maintained by
public contributions to cover bare cost.
They are distinct as to topics, methods and
specific aims, and therefore they are in
perfect harmony in the one purpose to en-
tertain and inform the public. Mr.. Ca
ble's delightful evening may be said to
have been the keynote to one of these
courses the other, it is understood, viii be
struck in November. While congratulate
ing the people of the city upon this out
look and the revival of the lecture system
here, which is so helpful in any community.
1t Is in order to bespeak for the two courses
liberal support. Without public ap-
proval neither can succeed. Let them have
1t, and with such emphasis as will testify
to full appreciation of these public-spir-
tied enterprises and the cultivated literary
tastes of our people.