New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-10
FREE LECTURE SYSTEM.
Results Secured Some Humorous
Experiences.

The courses of free lectures OF the Board OF
Education for adults. which closed the last week
in April. considered the most successful
from every point of view which have been given
since the system was introduced The lectures
We're attended BY ], 1874 900 persons. in round
numbers. The lectures given numbered 1855.
They delivered by 400 lecturers in 1i3
centres. these centres being distributed through
out all the bOroushs OF the city. The plan OF
cO-ordinating into courses the lectures a
single general topic, such music. art. Iitera-
ture. hygiene. etc. in order TO give them
greater educational value, was accomplished
more thoroughly than ever before Courses OF
this character. averaging six lectures each. to
the number OF 1GO were given.
The educational value OF the lectures en-
phasized by the demand for books on the sub
jects OF the lectures. The Board of Education
lent hundreds OF such books. bought for distri-
button in this way. and the Libraries in the diff
ferent parts of the city reported that there had
ben numerous calls for books on subjects being
presented at neighboring lecture centres by per-
sons who had been interested in them.
Within the last year Dr. Henry NJ. Leipzieer.
the supervisor of the free lectures has broad
ened their scope by arranging courses in Italian
and Yiddish on subjects of especial value 70 the
speakers of these tongues who have not been in
toms and political principles in the English Ian
guage. The attendance at these lectures. which
We're held on Sundays at six different centres
in the Jewish and Italian sections averaged 30
at each lecture.
The lecturers in their peregrinatiOns to differ
ent parts of the city have many odd experiences.
At the annual reunions these receive an airing
while the viands are being served A physi-
clan who lectured on nursing and first aid to
the injured told the following between the
courses at the fourteenth reunion held recently
at the Aldine Associations:
zone night" said he uunching on an almond
II assigned to centre in Brownsville a
Yiddish colony in Brooklyn. TO talk on Nursing
and the Care OF Children 1 was astonished
when 1 entered the hall to find the audience
made up almost entirely OF young people. hardly
more than boys and girls. There were only two
or three married women in the hail. 1t did not
look like promising field for the presentation
OF my subject. The superintendent OF the GEN.
tire told me afterward that the children all
would repeat the lecture to their mothers who
could not understand English and therefore had
not come
ION another occasion" he continued. taking
olive. II met with uncertain reception.
The lecture was to be one in 4 course on First
Aid to the Injured Before 1 was introduced
the superintendent invited suggestions from the
audience to subjects which it would Ike
to hear lectures.
Art piped UP some one.
"'Yes.' said the superintendent: how many
would like course on art?'
Several hands went up.
Now another subject he said. CHANGING
around the room
Music sang out another the left side
"'IIOw many would like lectures on music?'
THE audience sent up shoots thickly all over
the room.
"'Now isn't there some other topicc' The sup
erintendent evidently was trying to secure the
mention of some particular subject
English literature came from the back Of
the room. Indicating that the audience was NOT
sensitive to telepathic messages.
English literature has been suggested. saId