The Columbus journal., 1909-05-12

public lectures reach the adults at an
annual cost Of 100000. Six years
ago three centers were opened where
the lectures were given in Yiddish,
and three where they we're given in
Italian. The lectures in the foreign
tongues are chiefly on American insti-
stutions and history; the rights and
duties of American citizens; sanitation
and HYGIENE.
Usually the came people attend .
certain center year in and year out,
but the circulation of notice that
there will be . lecture, for example, on
Switzerland, will find a general gath.
ering of the people of that nation from
all over the city to hear again stories
of the home land. More than once as
pictures of southern Europe are shown
one can hear in Italian or French or
Greek half sobbing exclamation of
recognition. Six years ago six lee
lures in French were given by distin-
guished lecturers from France. Dur
ing the past year q series was given in
German. In this closing year the lec-
lures have ranged anywhere from
Shakespeare gentlemen and the evolu-
ton Of the Dutch nation to city admin
istration and Wagner's operas; from
electricity and magnetism, wireless
telegraphy and making coal tar dyes
tocrises in American history and trav-
els through the entire known world.
And all this, remember, is without
money and without price to any and
all who care to attend. The lectures
are advertised as widely and as care
fully by those in charge as is any
high priced theater attraction by the
most Jealous advertising agent. The
newspapers give liberal space, and
printed announcements of each lecture
are spread far and wide. For each
lecture center abulletin has been prist-
ed. giving the location of the lecture
hall, the dates of the lectures and the
names Of the lecturers. On each is al.
so printed the titles of reference books
that will help in understanding the
lecture, and the location of the near
libraries. The public libraries enter
most heartily into the spirit of the
work, and arrange books for distribn.
ton. Large placard announcements
are put in shops, factories and public
buildings, and every means possible is
used to attrac: the attention of the PEG.
pie toward the lectures.
Not only the foreign element, but
often the native one, is ignorant of the
history and government of the city in
which it lives. So, very wisely on the
10th anniversary of the founding of
New York as municipality a supple
mentary course of lectures on the his
tory of New York was given in nearly
the centers, and in thirty outdoor ex-
hibitions in the city parks, about s3l,-
600 people attending. Legal holidays
have often been chosen As lecture days.
with the story of the day told, and
birthdays of great men have been
commemorated by special lectures.
Scientists have gone before these audi
ences to tell Of the new discoveries; ex-
plorers tell of the arduous journeys
they have made; authors to tell of their
work; scholars to tell of the old world
literature; art lovers and nature lovers
with pictures galore to throw on the
screens; physicians telling of the care
of the body and its health and with
specific instruction regarding the con.
tagion of diseases and the cure of
tuberculosis. After every lecture
questions may be asked, and at the
end of certain courses examinations
are held for those who wish them.
In Chicago free lectures for the
adult population are given by the Chi
cago Daily News. That paper rents
from the Chicago board of education
the assembly halls of public schools in
various parts of the city, and on Fri.
day nights throws these open to the
general public, when lectures are Civ
en- primarily. as a form Of entertain
ment, and secondarily as q means of
education. The aim is to get wholly
adult attendance, but some of the par
ents have to bring their children.
There are eighteen centers open every
Friday night from October or Novem'
Der to June, and the total number of
lectures given . year is now 300.
The Chicago News began this work
in 1902, giving only ninety lectures