The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-08-29
PROF. BICKMORE
DiscOlTseS on Natural History
Before the Summer School.
INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
Horw Knowledge is Disse minated
in the Great State Of New
York.

Professor A. A. Bickmore, professor
in charge of the department of public
instruction in the American Museum
of Natural History at Central Park in
the City of New York, who has been
travelling in these Islands during the
past two months, accompanied by a
photographer, for the purpose of OBJ
tanning scenic views for his depart
ment, gave one of the most interesting
addresses that has been delivered be-
fore the Summer School. He began
with a description of the growth of
the New York museum from a very
small beginning to it's present enor
nous proportions. The president of
the institution, Professor Morris K.
Jesup, one of it's largest donors, con-
tributed collection of American
woods more comprehensive than that
of any European capital, illustrating
their own forestry, Professor Jesup
has now provided for an expedition to
study the ethnology of the borders of
the North Pacific coast, from British
Columbia to Japan by way of Bering
Strait
The Professor described the growth
of the work in his own department
from a lecture delivered to twenty-five
of the teachers of New York to the
present time, when lectures are deliv-
cred in their own hall to audiences of
1000. These lectures, illustrated by
stereopticon views, are repeated to
59, 900 wOrkingmen and women under
the able management of DR.. Leipseger
of the City Board of Education.
Professor BickmOre gave some of
these lectures four times-twice in the
large hall of the Museum, filled with
teachers, once to members who are
contributors to the Museum, and once
to the general public on holidays. The
lectures are taken down by stenogra-
piers and duplicate copies are fur
nished with illustrations to all the
cities and chartered villages of the
State. Each city superintendent re-
peats the lecture himself to the chill
dren and patrons of the schools, or
causes it to be done by some of the
leading teachers under him. In this
way the instruction reaches 100000
persons daily.
This whole work is carried on at
the expense of the State and under the
auspices of the State Superintendent of
Public Instruction. AS a matter of
interstate comfy Professor Bickmore
has been authorized to furnish other
State superintendent with one series
of lectures. In that way the results OF
= o1, S1n nd
Professor Bickmore exhibited num-
ber of slides, consisting of maps,
views of scenery, such as Yosemite
valley, flowers, ETC., such as are used
in New York. This kind of instruction
is adapted to all grades of schools,
from the kindergarten to universities.
Professor Bickmore has secured over
500 views of Hawaiian scenery and
life, besides numbers of negatives from
Professor Henshaw of Hilo and from
Messrs. Williams, Davey and Silva OF
this city. The most impressive OF
these views is the crater of Haleakala.
Although the State of New York makes
liberal appropriations for the carrying
of this work, Professor Bickmore de-
trays all his own travelling expenses.
The lecture was listened to with
great interest from beginning to end,
and the teachers were very enthuslas-
tic in their appreciation Of the views
exhibited.
Professor Scott followed with some
remarks showing the true educational
value Of this instruction and how the
subjects of the school curriculum are
correlated thereby.
Mr. Townsend spoke of securing a
series of Californian views with lee
lures which he desired to exhibit IN
every school of the Islands for the
pleasure and instruction of the chill |
dren and parents.