Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-23
ADJUSTMENTS.

The Stoddard Lectures.-China was not
much to the liking of Mr.. John L. Stoddard.
the famous traveller and lecturer, and his
description of life there was rather unat-
tractive as compared with Japan For this
reason, it was with seeming pleasure that
ne took his audience with him last evening
on a voyage From Ceylon to the Hima-
layas" For those who have neither time
nor money to make the trip around the
world, this series of lectures has been of
immense interest and value. 1t is giving
them an admirable idea of oriental life and
manners. The ocean voyage to Colombo he
described as one of the most delightful he
had ever taken. under a cloudless sky and
over stormless HIS picture of life in
Colombo was fascinating one. or would
have been had it not been that he was
compelled to talk so much of the intense
heat and the red dust that penetrates every
nook and Granny. Pictures Of the unique
modes of conveyance that prevail here
amused the audience greatly. They We're
twO-wheeled carts drawn by slow moving
bullocks and driven by natives whose cos
tune consisted of handkerchief about the
waist. a tablecloth about the head and a
liberal coating of palm oil. The manifold
uses of the palm tree were described at
length, and the lecturer showed how this
might we'll be regarded as their staff of
life. furnishing, as IL does, food, clothing,
materials for house building, fuel and prac-
tlcally, all the neceSSarieS.
Leaving Colombo. the principal sea port,
behind, Mr.. Stoddard took the audience on
trip into the interior to Handy, the capt.
tai of the island. From there they jour
neyed to Bombay, which he described as the
beSt-built city in India, a fact which is
largely due to the generosity and culture Of
the Parsees. Pictures were shown of the
famous towers of silence, where the Par
sees leave their dead on iron gratinge to be
devoured by the vutures who are hover
Ing near waiting for their food. On they
went from here to Jeypore. a little toy
kngdom, but gem of the orient. Mr..
Stoddard spoke of the methods followed by
the British In their treatment of the native
rulers of India; those who object to Eng
fish domination are simply pushed aside and
pensioned of; those who gracefully yield
are allowed to play at being kings, but
there is always with them an English resi-
dent to act as adviser 1t Is only the all
powerful devotion to the principle of caste
prevailing in India that enables the British
to maintain their supremacy The question
is often asked whether. If the Russians APP
peared at the northern gates of India, they
would be welcomed by the natives. Hun
dreds answered no. but thousands whis-
pered, earnestly, yes"
Benares. the sacred city Of India, re-
ceived more attention than any other
branch of the lecturers subject. This is
the famous city by the Ganges. which is be-
loved and sacred to countless millions more
than Is Jerusalem or Mecca. For the Hin
900 to die in Benares is proof positive that
ne VIII go direct to the land Of the blessed;
consequently, this is the objective point for
more pilgrims than any other place in the
world. Here they gather in vast hordes
Mr.. Stoddard himself having seen more
than thirty thousand ensconced by the
banks OF the Gauges, lost in meditation and
prayer, or having themselves in the waters
of the sacred river, which is filthy and pol
luted beyond all powers of description. They
bathe and then they drink of the water.
SO that it is no wonder there is always
cholera in Benares. The temple Of the
monkeys. the sacred well where pilgrims
battle and drink and the heifers, which
are objects of reverence were pictured and
described at length. Leaving Benares, the
Journey was made to the foothills of the
Himalayas, those magnificent and indie
scribable hills of snow" Numerous pic
lures or these wonderfully inspiring noun
tains were given and the series showing the
change in effects by dawn, broad daylight,
sunset and moonlight. was one of the most
remarkable set of StereoDticon views eyer
seen in this city.
This same lecture will be repeated to-
night and tomorrow night and tomorrow af-
ternoon, at 80, there will be a matinee de-
voted 20 the picturesque side of China and
Japan.
Miss Welch's Lectures-The 'Pilgrims
and Purtans" is the subject Of the last
lecture of the second course on American
History by Miss Jane Meade WEIGH Mt the
Builders Exchange Hall, at 11:3 to-
morrow morning. Mrs. Cleveland will at
tend as Will also large number of promi-
nent LADIES who have been greatly interest
ed in Miss WEIGHS very entertaining lee
lures.
Mr.. Benson on Economics. 1t has been
recently stated that John b. Cough, at his
best moments, in the prime of his achieve
ments never euualed Luther Benson and
the people of Washington will have an op-
portunity to test the truth of the assertion
this evening at MetZerott Music Hail. where
Mr.. Benson is to deliver his greatest lee
ture, entitled Economics" Mr. Benson
spoke on Wednesday evening last at Dunn
barton Church. Georgetown, his subject
being Fifteen Years in He'll" On that oc-
cason he earned golden opinions and show
ed himself to be a powerful speaker, with
great personal magnetism. holding closely
the attention of the audience until he con-
cluded. Economics Is sure to prove in
teresting,as handled by Luther Benson, and,
undoubtedly, the capacity of Metzerott Hall
will be tested tonight
Miss Field on Charles Dickens. Charles
Dickens will be the subject of Miss Kate
Fields lecture in the banquet hall Of the
Shoreham. commencing at $50 o'clock to-
morrow evening. 1t would be useless to
attempt to praise Miss Field for she is too
universally known. The lectures of the
present course have attracted large au-
dfences, and as but three more are to be
given. advantage should be taken of the on
portunity to secure tickets at once.