Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-08
GREAT CROWDS GATHER
TO WITNESS TABLEAux AND LISTEN TO
HIe0INsoNs LECTURE.

Literature ms n Professiou-The Independ-
ent American Authorize. Hanchetf on
the Unconscious Mana Learned and
Able Address-Chautauqun Jerusalem.
ESPECIAL TELEeRAM TO THE D1sPArcH.I
T AXE CHAUTAUoUA. August I-"Well, you
see, the people like the show little better
than the prayer meeting" sald DR.. Flood, ed
itor OF the ChdutuuQudn as he tried to con-
template the vast sea of humanity gathered in
the Ampnitheater. 1t was not yet o'clock, and
all the people on the grounds, regardless OF the
dozen denominal prayer meetings, had 1ocked
to the great auditorium in order to get seat
1or the ben Hur" tableaux that took place at
g. Before this hour all the available sitting
ana standing room was taken. Some of the old
tlmers even went without supper to get there
in time.
Every imaginable means was taken by the
people to see the great realistic scenes of Cen
erai Wallace's romance. You would have
thought their lives depended on it. They
1oaght, scrambled, pushed and pulled TO get
standing room. One poor fellow, with arms
extended, was endeavoring to hold four young
ladies on single chair, while another party
was quarreling over the space on rickety
stepladder, and the crowd up in the trees was
trying to persuade the unforrunates below
that there was room for no more. One fellow,
aPittsburger, with the activity characteristic
OF his city, sat upon chair suspended In mid
air by means of straps hitched to the Amphi-
theater ceiling. Considering the disadvantages
under which they were given the scenic effects
were splendid success. Tomorrow evening
the series Of three tableaux will be closed.
The Literary Profession.
THE lecture of Thomas Wentworth Higgin-
son upon Literature AS Profession" was
a masterpiece. Mr.. Higginson's thoughts are
clear and concise and his language chaste. He
is a splendid example of the man who studies
literature for literature's sake. He has a pleas
ant, well modulated voice that reaches every
part Of the Amphitheater. II do not think for
a moment that this great audience is here to
greet me. You are undoubtedly here to wait
FOR the tableau of Ben Hur' this evening. l
ature."
He told the story of George William Curtis,
VINO heard through door. among discussion
OF literary men. his own name: Curtis is an
intelligent man." said one. Eyes, Curtis is
very intelligent man. Yes, an intelligent man
Tor literary man."
Literature is held in very high honor in this
nation. There is courteous. but not COM
Pnmentary, consideration of literary persons
we admit there are reasons why literary
mans title to his spurs should be questioned
our early history was too stern for the practice
OF high literature. Everything concentrated
itself on the education of the clergy. When
we say that these men do not love liturature
we say that we do not love their literature. In
colonial days everything was celebrated in song
and prayer. Fisher Ames, in an address in
lsOO, said that literature would never come
until liberty had gone. But only a few years
afterward American literature was born and
freedom still remained intact. Now American
literature may be called profession.
The Dignity of the American Author.
oTHERE are many drawbacks. We see young
men of ability, drawn away from literature
to things that combine more action. II man
devotes his best abilities to building steam
boat and his secondary energies to make verses,
the steamboat will run at high pressure, but his
verses will probably be failure. The condi-
tions are becoming more favorable, and the
American man in literature stands dignihed
and free. Every one knows his superiority in
this land over his contemporaries In England.
Unless the man of literary talent Is raised to
meanest position of royal favor. The foremost
of England's poets, Tennyson, was given peer
age, though peer stands ahead only of a Lon
don brewer.
has great advantage. English society Is not
only divided by stratum, but by many cross
and collateral ramifcations. Every meeting
must consist of those of equal training and
The separation of set from set marks
all of English literature. Why Is it that Hdr
per's or the Century has larger circulation in
London than that of two or three English maga-
zines put toge; her? They are magazines, and
deal freely with all questions. English maga-
zines are conducted by clubs and cliques in the
interest of their own views.
But scant remuneration.
sFTHE disadvantage in literature, is that It is
not well enough paid. You cannot con-
vince man that makes failure at literature,
but that he would have been bowling success
in any other line. THERE'S no doubt that the
lawyer, the doctor, the minister, and the
literary man, are poorly remunerated for their
labors. If you aim at money, put your son in
among the bulls and bears, and If he succeeds
he probably will not-he may come out with
millions. As we pay our members of Congress
and they make their salaries themselves
only s., 600 year, we should not object.
A literary man is always sure Of something.
His profession is a reliable one. He does not
need a library, with tie great public libraries
of to-day. Pen. paper and postage are cheap,
and there Is always something to do. l warn
every young man and woman against trying to
get public favor by some trick or conceit BE
brief. Make your sentences like bullets. There
are few sentences but can be cut down and i'm
proved, Strike out clean and sharp like a
sword and you will succeed. look forward
for great future for American literature.
Schubert Quartet Concert.
A entertainment fit for the gods, a feast Of
music and song that found an answer in
the soul of every Chautauquan with the least
particle of sentiment, was the concert given by
the Schubert Quartet, Miss Ida Hooper, the