New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-07
the Car should know the facts TO assure MS
prompt undong of the great wrong that mas
been done In his name.
THE FREE LECTURE SYSTEM.

good many public dinners In New-fork at
tract more attention than that which annually
celebrates the success of the free lecture sys
fem maintained by the city under the generai
direction OF the Board of Education ana the
special supervision OF DIR. Leipzger But we
are not sure that any record OF useful activity
Is more properly the subject of mutual con-
gratuations on the part OF those who make u
than this of the lecturers connected with the
educational establishment The undertaking
was started ten years ago on an appropriation
of $4,000. and during that season 1856 lectures
were given I'm six schoolhouses 10 total at
tendance of % 40 During the season recently
ended about 800 lectures were delivered IN
forty-hve centres by more than 200 lecturers
n a total attendance Of $4,000 This Is truly
an extraordinary growth, affordlng denghtful
refntotlon of the prophecies Of those who while
not unwilling ten years ago that the experiment
sbould he made. were not hopeful that II would
succeed. and surprising the most sangulne ex-
pectatons of its convinced promoters. Nor Is
there reason to fear that the interest and the
value Of the enterprise will decline, so long us
II is sincerely and ntegenty conducted. The
presumption Is rather that 1t VIII continue u
dcvelop indefinitely in magnitude and useful
ness
The philosophy of the movement was well
set forth by DR.. Leipzlger at the dinner oh
Thursday evening: "To crafty the various
"yearnngs Of the less fortunate muiutude' u
"acduaint newcomers with the spirit Oh our
constitutions; TO give the denizens OF our CITY
"knowledge that will lead TO better phys'cai
life and thus TO higher moral HE; 10 Drihg
"beauty and culture into the meanest homes'
.to give more men and women high AIMS 10
"teach the truth that life Is school, that all
men are learners, and that man Is III 'he
"wOrd not merely to eat and drink ana Vo'e
"and get honor. but that man needs knowledge
mot as means of livelihood but as means
"of life" This is the purpose of the free iec'-
IRE system which the speaker mas supervisor
with extraordinary devotion and success rig
ures are often deceptive, but in this case they
tell less than half the story. The fact that
more than 500 lectures were attended ny more
than 100000 persons during the last season
does not necessarily prove that much mas pee"
accomplished for the permanent benent or even
the temporary pleasure of great NUMBERS Oh
citizens It would mean little II the majority
had been drawn by idle curiosity TO the lect-
ure-rooms. or. attracted by the assurance OF
light and warmth had dozed away their Idle
evenings 1t means a great DEAL more, per
haps. than any one Is competent to estimate
that these audiences are uniformly attentive
indeed. absorbed, in what they see and near
that they show every evidence Of continuing
interest and increasing comprehenson-in
word that they are such audiences as every
lecturer who Is a master of his subject takes
the keenest pleasure in addressing.
Dr. Lelpzlger Is enthusiastic In describing the
results of the free lecture system, but his en-
thusiasm Is based on a careful observation OF
facts, as many outside the circles OF lecturers
and regular listeners are able TO testify we
believe that no one who has taken occasion 10
look into its operation doubts that he is justi-
fed in declaring that it is "a veritable god
send" or will venture to deny that through
this medium NewYork may become the most
"patriotic and best-lnformed city in the world