New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-02
READING THE BEST BOOKS.
JOHN GRAHAM BROOKS GIVES THE FIRST
LECTURE IN A COURSE OF TWELVE.
CUsSED BY THE /. p T. AND STUDENTS
Or THE ,rrrEDc. foyrr,cE

SOCIOLOGY IN ITS PRACTICAL ASPECTS DIS
cUssED BY THE L. p. E. AND STUDENTS
OF THE TEACHERS COLLEGE.
John Graham Brooks began course OF twelve
lectures on Sociology in Its Practical Aspects" yes
terday morning before the League for Political Edu
cation In the Berkeley Lyceum. The lectures will be
continued every Monday and Friday until March Il.
inclusive. the Monday sessions beginning IL
o'clock and the Friday ones at 4:3O
Yesterdays lecture Introductory talk on
THE Art and Method OF Reading the Best Books on
the Social Question and was divided under three
heads: The poetry of the subject poetry trying to
realize itself and poetry that has actually been &C
complished
The literature OF the social question began with
Utopas. Mr. Brooks said and that the best place
for the reader to begin must get hold OF the
poetry OF the question 10 protect ones self aga ms;
the harshness OF facts. He recommended Mores
Utopia a starting point. to be read with Gbbon 8
Industrial History OF England" commentary,
and from this. he said. might read backward to
Pato's Republic" or forward to Belamys Looking
Backward. and Howelss Traveller from Altruria {;
but from all these Utopias must find ones own.
Personally he preferred Morr,s's News from No.
where" because II We were going TO have dream
he did why should not have the best
dream there Is; and the kind Of anarchy that prevails
in the land OF Nowhere" where they have no law
because they 90 not need H. seems 10 him the IDEAL
condition OF society.
The next step-that of the dream trying TO realize
hself-was explained as the enort OF the poetic IN
stinct to do recommend something whereby some
thing or beauty might be got into our ugly lie. Of
such literature the lecturer said that Ruskn the
best example. and that It included almos: the whole
OF modern sociological writings. In such reading ne
recommended an antthetcal process of placing
against each other writers Of Numerically opposite
tendencies Thus. Herbert Spencer mas an individual
do exactly ne peases, while the great German
sociOlogis Professor SChe,iier. holds precisely the
migration Spencer was inclined 10 LEI people go where
they would while Schefie9 organized the social intel
needed and then send It there
Therefore" said the lecturer spencer and schef-
fer should be read together and from between these
two points Of view the reader must cho9se his own
sa to H spS hi e anS q
and Henry George 10 the Fabiansts.'
From this reading Mr. Brooks promised as s, much
novels. He warned his audience, however. not to
make its acquaintance with Henry George through
with Social Problems"
found in the collections OF statistics regarding the
social problem which all Governments are now
live years ago. and Mr.. Brooks considers that II
marks an epoch in the history Of the problem, for
by the few and therefore the masses believe them
He thinks they will inevitably do away with aSi-
when the means of disproving them are within the
reach OF all aboring men. The statistics for this
Department Of Labor al Washington.
In conclusion Mr.. Brooks said that to under
III
read but to come into ,ctual touch with II. since
the end of II reading is 10 find our own proper
relations to the great and coming art OF making
common life first toerable and humane, and then
hopeful and beautiful.
Among those present at the lecture the
Rev Dr. William s. Rainsford, Mrs LoriIard
Spencer DR. Sanders Mr.. and Mrs. Everett Macy
Mrs Josiah Macy Mrs. Ben Ali Haggin. Mrs
Robert Able. Mrs Marvin. Mrs. w. +. ID. Scott
Miss Bertha Runkle and Mrs. Gilbert.
This lecture repeated by Professor Brooks
in the afternoon before the Teachers College be-
ing the first in his course of eight 10 be given In
Science Hall. A large audience was present, many
people no, connected with the college being among
The number Professor Heryey principal OF the
college said in introducing the lecturer that any
questions suggested by Professor BrOokss lecture
might be reduced TO writing and sent in for an
swer in future meetings.
This course will be given in Saturday afternoon
sessions. meeting at ~ o'clock. and Monday after
Moons al o'clock, throughout this month.