The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-06
TALKS FROM THE R0STRUM
The Patriotism of School Children
Aroused by DR.. Cleveland's Lecture.
he Tells Them of Philadelphia's Great Part
in the History Of the C~ountry-Miss
Chafee on the Study Of Beauty.

of the public schools was delivered yester-
dry afternoon by Rev. DR.. Cleveland. This
closes the fourth series, as the first was
given three years ago, and each succeeding
year the lectures nave been received with
greater interest. 1t is doubtful if anything
in the way of historical education could be
placed before children that would be re-
ceived with more pleasure. or be of more
benefit to those for whom these lectures
were devised. Though delivered to chill
dren, the persons for whom they were in
tended were talked to as men and women.
and without any insult to their under
standing by addressing them as kinder
garten scholars. DR.. Cleveland's subject,
Historic Philadelphia" was handsomely
and profusely illustrated by means of pho
~tographs enlarged by the camera, and
thrown upon a screen by a calcium light.
The Doctor explained that for many of
these choice views he was indebted to a
Philadelphia friend, Isaac S. Smyth, some
of which he had specially made for use on
this occasion for the benefit of the school
children of Indianapolis.
The Doctor was enthusiastic in his sub
ject, and, being an old Phi1adelphian. the
pictures of historic houses and heroes
reused him TO a pitch of patriotism with
which the youngsters were soon in perfect
accord and sympathy. philadelphia"
said he, has always been a city of noble
people. 1t was scarcely behind Boston In
resistance to the British yoke, to the stamp
act n the ~tea-tax, and was never behind
her In the ardor of her patriotism. nor in
n generosity and heroism of her devotion
to the cause of independence and of the
federal Union. Beyond all other cities she
is fortunate in the character of her wealthy
people; Within a single year more than
given TO establish free benevolent institu-
tions where boys can be trained in handi-
crafts, where young women can be taught
practical housekeeping and learn those
1t is a great thing for a city to start right.
William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, Benja-
min Rush and John Bartram set a noble
fashion in Philadelphia, and they have had
named the City of Brotherly Love-"
The Doctor briefly reviewed the early
colony of Swedes, who came, in 1887, as far
north as New Castle, Delaware; the arrival
of William Penn. in October. 1852, and of
the Indians. This part of his lecture was
illustrated with pictures of the old houses
for which Philadelphia Is famous, she hav-
ing preserved them down to the present
day. contrary to the iconoclastic custom of
Americans generally, who obliterate the
things that are old, no matter what history
or tradition may attach to them, to make
way for things that are new. He told of
benjamin franklin; of the RittenhOuses,
William and David, and of the famous
Scotch naturalist, Alexander Wilson, the
first to describe and picture the birds of
America, The Doctors description of the
famous old churches of PHILADELPHIA. of In
dependence and Carpenters halls, was ex-
9eedingly instructive, as. was his story of
John Bartram, the first American botanist.
When the old liberty. bell was thrown
upon fur the o canvas there Vas quite
close of the Doctors graphic description Of
that wonderful bell there was another vol
ley of applause. Evidently the on-coming
American in the public schools of Indian
markable degree. Beside this, George
Washington's picture was applauded when
ever it appeared, whether in his statue, or
crossing, the Delaware. or in prayer at
think that the demonstration given in rec
Ognition of the last-named picture was
hardly in accord with the subject.
Among the modern views was a picture
OF the suburban house and grounds of
Postmaster : general Wanamaker, which
met with great applause. the youngsters
evidently having all heard of John Wanna
maker. and being favorably disposed
toward him.
The Study of Beauty.
Miss Chaffee, who is engaged fora series
of three lectures on art subjects, delivered
the first last night, at Plymouth Church,
under the title of THE Study of Beauty
She is a most delightful lecturer, with a
voice musical and clear and her English is
exact and free from affectation. 1t was
more in the nature of a drawing-room talk
than a cold and formal lecture. and was
thoroughly but not pedantically instruct
i've. Miss Chaffee not only has a charming
manner huf IA NOmanlU and annaoI0na of
the grace and. effectiveness of dress. She
spoke with feryor of the dawn of an art
millennium In which every man, woman and
child would nave a due share and when
America would be glorious in the revela-
ton of national art. She said that
1t was only recently that the Eng
llsl-speaking race has recognized in
art education. any practical value, and it
was not until 1876 that the United States
awoke to the fact, brought home to her by
the exhibition, with its works of
foreign artists. that she was behind all the
world In art. Yet. she said that the progress
OF less than q quarter of a century has been
marvellous, and especially since the GEN.
tennial has an interest in art matters been
excited in all the cities in the Union. and
the exhibitions of paintings which lave
been made under the auspices of art asso-
citations have done great good from an
educational standpoint. She held these
local exhibitions to be an indication of the
fact that art education is increasing, and
she hoped they would hasten the era when
this Nation shall become q nation of artists.
81 hold" said Miss Chaffee, that the
spirit of art is democratic. not aristocratic.
We do not need art for the few or educa-
tion for the few, but, like the fresh air of
heaven, it is the need of all daily. and the
child should receive training in art from its
earliest years. Let us study art, which is
only another name for beauty. and beauty,
according to Plato, is the splendor of truth.n
She very cleverly suggested a study of art
which would lead to an enjoyment of it,
and would be a great benefit TO those whose
leisure is given to the insipidities OF fash
Ion. Doors and peasants. she held, have no
appreciation of scenery, no matter how
beautiful it may be. no matter what
grandeur it may enfold: it is only the per-
son of cultivated taste that can attain the
exalted enjoyment given to lovers of art,
and the artistic sense may be accounted a
sixth sense which exists in every one, and
Is TO be developed by cultivation.
Miss Chaffee's next lecture, THE Fine
Art of conversation will be given at
Plymouth Church on Tuesday evening.
Wrong Street Named in the Bill.