The National tribune., 1908-06-25


pose it to the world. Whatever the
passion is, Sargent brings
it out in his picture with what seems
to be an almost wizard-like power. His
portraits are usually wonderful like
nesses, tho they may cause something
like shock to the beholder, and to
the originals q sting. 1t consequently
requires some courage to be painted by
Sargent, but on account of his great
name and reputation as an artist he
has more orders than he can possibly
fill.
That the working men and women OF
the country are truly DESTROYS of an
education is shown by the unqualified
success of the evening lecture courses
which were established in New York
city in 1889. To the energy and genius
of DR.. Henry NJ. Leipziger must be
given the credit for this success as
who for many years before these
courses were started by him had fell
the need of providing some means OF
education for those unfortunate mer
and women thrust out into the world
too young to obtain much, if any
schooling. The lectures were at firs
given in six schoolhouses without il.
lustration of any kind, frequently il
some cherries, stuffy room in the third
or fourth story of the building. But
the tired-out men and women, girls
and boys, who climbed those dusty
flights of stairs and filled that room tC
listen to a lecture on The chemistry
of what we eat and drink" American
Poets,' How to study Science a
home" illuminating Cas-" ETC., proved
in the most convincing and pathetic
manner the earnest desire which they
felt for fuller education. During the
first season 1876 lectures were given
which were attended by nearly 100000
people. while last year the course EN-.
braced over $500 lectures, with an at.
tendance of more than 100000 mer
and women of the working class. The
lectures have now become a complete
university, handling such a variety ol
subjects that it has been necessary t
divide them into three large groups
the first of which includes literary ant
social subjects, the second, general sci
ence and its practical application t.
everyday life and industry, and the
third. geographical subjects which are
largely illustrated. Besides these three
groups there is a special group de-
signed for the benefit of the large for,
eign population of New York, which in.
clude lectures given in Italian, Yiddish
German, and other foreign tongues
Connected with the lecture course is {
staff of 240 men and women, 60 o.
whom are professors representing col.
leges or other educational institutions
and among whom are those of botl
sexes who have acquired a nationa
reputation for technical knowledge il
special branches. The most popular
topics have been found to be those re-
lating to social subjects, to civics, anC
political economy, and so plainly ha.
this preference of the people beer
demonstrated that it has been decided
to la lit
feature of next years work, searching
the length and breadth of the land fol
those lectures whose knowledge is uni
versally conceded to be the most valu.
able on this all-important subject
With the rapid growth of socialism il
this country. as well as all over the
world, it is especially important thar
that class among us who have beer
denied the benefits of education an6
who are. to great extent, denied the
leisure for reading, should be properly
instructed in all matters relating t.
civics. The distorted and generally in.
correct views on this subject which
the uneducated man or woman derives
from that DANCE, Gus class who are blu
imperfectly informed themselves, OF
who malieiously state as facts wha1
they know to be untruths, have led t.
the swelling of the ranks of the an.
archists, and the importance, therefore
Oh this particular course of lecture.
cannot be overestimated These pub.
lie lectures have also clearly brought
out the fact that much more useN car
be made of our schoolhouses, upor
which such vast sums have been spent
than has been previously Why sucf
an expensive plant as modern school
mouse should be used only five or ST,
hours day for five days and ther
closed, is not very clear. and does no
strike the practical mind as very sen.
sible policy. These lectures have mad,
this most patent, and the schoolhous.
is now largely used for parents meet
lnss, Tor recreation centers, for vaca.
ton schools, and all purposes tendint
to the improvement of the social anf
physical condition of the people Their,
has also been vast improvement il
the character of the auditoriums o.
these buildings, which are now beint
made large, airy, easy of access from
the street. and provided with plenty O.
comfortable seats. The public librarie.
are very much interested in this edu
cational movement, and have done al
In their power to help it along. Tin,
most conspicuous results of this sys
TEN of free education for the masse,
are first, the fact that it has becon.
hrfniy established as a part of our edu
cational scheme: secondly, that il ha,
encouraged a habit of reading ant
study among class of men anc
women VINO needed just such an infu
ence to give them a start, and who's,
lives thru its medium have been en-
r1ched thousand-fold; thirdly, it ha
Taught these people how to make us,
or the public library, and has put then
in touch with the museum; fourthly, /
has brought the best teachers in tn.
country IN contact with the people
and lastly. it has been the means o
making the school the social center o
the community. Undoubtedly. tn
whole country will eventually follow
the example of New York, and witt
such an influence in our midst. max
ing Tor refinement, seriousness of pur
pose, correct knowledge and Increase,
Intelligence among this class of on
people. why should we not hope 70
decrease in the outbursts of anarchy
in strikes, and such disturbing factor
which are continually threatening tn
peace and prosperity of our country?
Tho New York's 400 present a smiI
ing, calm ccuntenance to the Worl
these days, their hearts are filed Wit
a terror which consumes them day an,
night, making life weary, fit, stale, an
Improbable indeed, for it is well know
that a new list of the social elect n
the metropolis is being prepared. "Wil
they be included?" is the questio
which fortunes them, and their wits ar
constantly at work to find some way O
having that question answered. 1t ha
been whispered abroad that Ward Nc
Alister's famous 400" is to he on
down to scanty 300-hence- their anx
iety. 1t is said that no person vii
De on the new list who does not max
his or her home in New York for a
least five months of the year, and who's
family tree cannot be clearly trace
back to the year 100. A fine book