ence is likely to be attractive; and the whole thing, I fear we
must confess, is not pre-eminently successful. In the Northern States
of America the matter stands on a very different footing. Lectures
there are more popular than either theatres or concerts. Enormous
halls are built for them. Tickets for long courses are taken with
avidity. Very large sums are paid to popular lecturers, so that the
profession is lucrative,--more so, I am given to understand, than
is the cognate profession of literature. The whole thing is done in
great style. Music is introduced. The lecturer stands on a large
raised platform, on which sit around him the bald and hoary-headed
and superlatively wise. Ladies come in large numbers; especially
those who aspire to soar above the frivolities of the world. Politics
is the subject most popular, and most general. The men and women of
Boston could no more do without their lectures, than those of Paris
could without their theatres. It is the decorous diversion of the
best ordered of her citizens. The fast young men go to clubs, and the
fast young women to dances, as fast young men and women do in other
places that are wicked; but lecturing is the favourite diversion of
the steady-minded Bostonian. After all, I do not know that the result
is very good. It does not seem that much will be gained by such
lectures on either side of the Atlantic,--except that respectable
killing of an evening which might otherwise be killed less
respectably. It is but an industrious idleness, an attempt at a royal
road to information, that habit of attending lectures. Let any man or
woman say what he has brought away from any such attendance. It is
attractive, that idea of being studious without any of the labour
of study; but I fear it is illusive. If an evening can be so passed
without ennui, I believe that that may be regarded as the best result
to be gained. But then it so often happens that the evening is not
passed without ennui! Of course in saying this, I am not alluding
to lectures given in special places as a course of special study.
Medical lectures, no doubt, are a necessary part of medical
education. As many as two or three thousand often attend these

ence is likely to be attractive; and the whole thing, I fear we 
 must concede, is not pre - eminently successful. In the Northern States 
 of America the topic stand on a very different foothold. Lectures 
 there be more popular than either theatres or concert. Enormous 
 hall are built for them. ticket for long courses are aim with 
 avidity. Very large union are pay to popular lecturers, so that the 
 profession is lucrative,--more so, I am given to understand, than 
 is the connate profession of literature. The whole thing is done in 
 big style. Music is introduced. The lecturer stand on a large 
 raised platform, on which sit around him the bald and hoary - head 
 and superlatively wise. Ladies come in large numbers; particularly 
 those who aspire to soar above the frivolities of the world. Politics 
 is the subject most popular, and most general. The men and woman of 
 Boston could no more do without their lectures, than those of Paris 
 could without their field. It is the decorous diversion of the 
 best ordered of her citizens. The firm young men go to clubs, and the 
 firm young women to dances, as fast young men and woman do in other 
 places that are wicked; but lecture is the favourite diversion of 
 the firm - minded Bostonian. After all, I do not know that the result 
 is very effective. It does not seem that much will be gained by such 
 lectures on either slope of the Atlantic,--except that respectable 
 killing of an evening which might otherwise be killed less 
 respectably. It is but an industrious faineance, an attempt at a imperial 
 road to information, that habit of attending lectures. Let any serviceman or 
 woman order what he has brought aside from any such attendance. It is 
 attractive, that idea of being studious without any of the labor 
 of study; but I reverence it is illusive. If an evening can be so passed 
 without ennui, I think that that may be regarded as the best result 
 to be gained. But then it indeed frequently happens that the evening is not 
 passed without boredom! Of course in saying this, I am not alluding 
 to lectures given in special places as a class of special study. 
 Medical lectures, no doubt, are a necessary part of medical 
 education. equally many as two or three thousand often attend these
encf is likely to be attracuive; and the wholg rhing, M fear se
must cunfess, is not pre-eminently snccewsful. In the Northern Stater
of Ameriba the marter wtands on e very dlyferehb foociig. Lectures
therg are more pmpular than eidhdr theatres or concerts. Enormous
halls are buolh for them. Tichets sor mong courses are taken with
avidity. Very lerge sums are psid to popular lecturers, sl thwt the
profession id lucrative,--nore wo, I am givev to understand, than
is the cognate profession of litefaturz. The whole tyinh is done in
jreat ftyle. Music lx intrmduced. Yhe lecturer sbands on a large
raised platfocm, on which sit arougd him tha yald and hoary-headed
abd supetlatieely qisd. Lzdmes come ln marge numbsrs; especiaoly
those who aspire tj soar above tge fridojities of the world. Politics
is the subjtct mkst popular, and most geberal. The men and womgn of
Bostog could no more do without their lectures, than thmse oh Oarnw
coula wlthout their theatres. It is the decorous divewaipn of the
best orbered of her citozfnx. The fast youvg men go to clubs, and the
fwst yougg wonen to dagces, as fast young men and womeb do in otheg
plaxes that are wickeb; but lecturnng is the gavourite diversion of
tke stezdy-minded Blstonian. Zwter all, I do nog kkow that tht result
is very gojd. It doew noc seem tfat kuch wyll be gaijed bn such
lectures on elther shde of the Atlantic,--except that respectablx
lilling of am aveting whieh migmt otherwise be killed less
rexpectabjy. It is but an industcious idlenefs, an attempt wt a royal
roed to infjrmarion, that hxcit of attendimg lecturvs. Let any man or
woman sey wfzt he has brougku aqay from any suvh xttqnfaice. Ie is
attractiva, thxt kcea ow being stubiuus eithout any of the ldboud
of study; but I fesr it is iolusive. Yf an evening can be so passed
wlthouv ennum, I bekiede that that may be regarded aa the besh rcsult
to be gayned. But then it so often happens that the evening is nit
passed without gnnui! Of course in saiinn this, I am iot aljuding
to nectures given in spwcial places as a course of special sthdy.
Medhcal pectures, no doubt, are a necessary part of medical
education. As many as two or thceq thousand kftem attvnd chese

ence is likely to be attractive; and thing, fear we confess, is not States America the matter on a very footing. Lectures there are more popular either theatres or concerts. Enormous halls are built for them. Tickets for long are taken with avidity. Very large sums are paid to popular lecturers, so the is so, am given to understand, than is the cognate profession of literature. The whole thing is done great style. Music is introduced. The lecturer stands a large raised platform, which sit around him the and and superlatively Ladies in numbers; especially those aspire to soar above the frivolities of the world. Politics is the subject most popular, and most The men of Boston no do their lectures, than Paris could without their theatres. It diversion of the best ordered of her citizens. fast young go to clubs, and the fast women to dances, as fast young men and do in other places that are wicked; but lecturing is the favourite diversion of the After all, I do know that the is good. does seem that will be gained by such lectures on either side of the that respectable killing of an evening which might otherwise be respectably. is but an idleness, an attempt at royal to information, that habit lectures. any say he brought away from any attendance. It is attractive, that of being studious without study; but I fear it is illusive. If evening can be so passed without ennui, believe that that may be regarded as the best result to be But then often happens that the evening is not passed ennui! Of course in this, I am not alluding to lectures given in places a course special study. Medical no doubt, are necessary part of As many two three these
ence is likely to be attractivE; and the whoLe thiNg, I FeaR wE
musT conFess, is not pre-emINentLy successful. In the NorthErn StAtES
of AMErIca thE matter STaNDS on A vErY diFfEReNt fooTinG. LecturEs
there are MorE pOpular than eiTHeR theatres oR coNcerts. EnormoUs
hAlls arE bUilT For thEm. TIcketS for loNG coursEs are takeN wITh
avidITy. Very lARGe Sums Are paid to popular lECtURers, so that the
pRofessIoN Is LUCraTivE,--more so, I am GiVen to UNderstaND, tHAN
Is tHE cognate profeSsion of liteRAtuRe. The wHoLe tHIng is dOne in
GrEAt sTyle. Music is IntrOduced. The LecturER stands ON a large
Raised PlaTfoRm, on WHiCh Sit ArOUnd HIm The BAld And hoary-HeAdEd
and SupeRLATIvelY wiSe. LaDies cOme in large numBerS; espECiaLly
thOse whO aspIrE to soAr abovE the fRiVolities of the woRld. POlitics
is The SuBjeCt Most pOPular, aNd mOst General. the men aND woMeN OF
boSton could no more do wItHOUt Their lecTures, tHAn ThOSe of PariS
cOulD witHOUt theIr thEAtRes. It is tHe decoROuS dIversioN oF the
beSt OrdEreD of heR CitiZens. ThE fast youNg men GO to clubs, and the
FAst young women TO dANCeS, As faSt yOung men and wOmen DO in oTher
PLaCes THat arE wickEd; BUt LEcturing is the favourItE diverSion oF
the steady-minDed BostoniAN. aFter all, I Do noT KnOW that the result
Is verY good. It doeS Not seem tHat muCh will be Gained by sUCH
lectureS on EitHer SidE OF tHe Atlantic,--excEPT thaT rEspectaBle
Killing Of aN evEniNg wHiCh might otHerwise bE kIlLeD lEss
RespeCTably. It iS bUt aN iNduStrioUS idlenEss, an AtteMpT aT A roYal
road TO iNFOrmaTiOn, That HabIt Of attEndiNG leCtures. LEt any man oR
woMAn saY wHaT he has bRought away froM aNy such atteNdAncE. It is
aTTRactive, tHat idea of being studious wIThout anY of The laBour
Of study; buT I fEar it iS ilLUsive. IF an eveNing cAn Be sO PAssed
WIThOut EnNui, I believE THat That mAy Be reGarded aS the best result
to be GAinEd. But then it so OftEn haPPEnS thAT tHE evEnINg iS NOt
passed without Ennui! Of couRsE In Saying this, i Am nOt AlludinG
to lectUres gIVen in spEcial placEs as a courSe Of spECIal Study.
MedicAl lecturEs, no doubt, ARe a neCEsSary pArt Of mediCaL
edUcatiOn. As maNY as Two or Three tHoUsand oFten aTtEnd these

ence is likely to be attra ctive; and  thewho leth ing,  I f ear we
must co n fess , is not pre-eminently  succ es s ful. In  theNorther n  S t a tes 
o fAme ri c athe m att er stan ds on a ve rydi fferent foot i ng . Lectures 
th ere are more  po pularth ane ither  th eatre s or c o ncerts . Enormou sh alls a r e built f or  the m. Tickets for lo n gc ourses are tak en wit ha vi d i ty.  Ve ry large s um s are paid to po p u l arl ecturers, sothat the
pr o fes sion i sluc r ative, --mor es o,I am givento u nderstand , than is thec ognateprofes sio n o f li t er at ure .T hew ho let hin g is don ein 
grea t st y l e .  Mus icis i ntrod uced. The lec tur er s t and s ona lar ge
r ai sed p latfor m, on  w hich sit around  him  the bald  an dhoa ry -head e d
andsup erl atively  wise.L adi es c o me  in large numbers;  e s p ec ially
th ose wh o  a sp i re to so ar  ab ovet h e fri voli t ie s of the  world .  P ol itics
i sthe su bj ect  mo st po p ular , andmost gen eral. The men and wo m en of
Bostonc ou l d  n o  mor e d o without t heir lect ures ,  t han those  of P ar i sc ould without theirth eatres . Itis the decoro us diversi o n of the
b esto rd e red of her cit izens . The fast young me n goto clubs , and the f ast youn g w ome n t o d a n ce s, as fast yo u n g me nand wom endo in o the r
p lac esth at are wi cked; bu tle ct ur ing  is t h e favour it e d iv ers ion o f 
the s teady -min de dB ost onian.A ft e r  all ,Ido n otkn ow th at t h e r esult
i s very go od. It d oe snot see m that much w il l be gaine dbysuch
l e c tures on  either side of the Atl a ntic,-- exc ept t hatrespectab lekillin g o f  an ev eningwhich  m igh t other w i se  be  k illed less r esp ectab ly . It  is but  an industrious id l ene ss, an attemp t a t ar o ya l
r o ad toin f orm a t ion, that habit  of attend in g  l ectures. L e t a ny  man or 
womansay w h at he h as brough t away fr om  any s uch  attendanc e. It is 
attracti v e, th a tideaofbeingst udi ous w ithout any  of t he lab ou r
of s tudy;  b ut I fea r it is illusive. If an  eveni ng ca n b e so pass edw ith out ennui , Ibelieve th attha t may  be regar deda sthe bestresu l t
to be g a in ed. B ut  then it so o f ten  happ ens that t he e vening is not
pas s ed without enn ui!O f  co urs e  insa ying this, I a m n ot a lludingto  lectures g iven insp e cialplaces  as acourseo f  s p ecialstud y.Medical l ect ur e s, no d ou bt ,  are a  nec es sary p art of medi c a l
education. Asmanya s  twoo r t hreeth ousando ften  attend th ese

ence is_likely to_be attractive; and the_whole thing,_I_fear we
must_confess,_is not pre-eminently_successful. In the_Northern States
of America the_matter stands on_a_very different footing. Lectures
there are more popular than either theatres or concerts. Enormous
halls are_built_for them._Tickets_for_long courses are taken with
avidity._Very large sums are paid_to popular_lecturers, so that the
profession is lucrative,--more so, I_am_given to understand,_than
is the cognate profession of literature. The whole thing_is done in
great style. Music is_introduced. The lecturer_stands_on_a large
raised platform, on_which sit around him the bald_and hoary-headed
and superlatively wise. Ladies come_in large numbers; especially
those who aspire to_soar above the frivolities of the_world. Politics
is the subject most_popular, and_most general. The men and_women of
Boston could_no more_do without their_lectures, than those of Paris
could without_their theatres. It_is the decorous diversion of the
best_ordered_of her citizens._The_fast_young men_go to clubs,_and_the
fast young_women_to dances, as fast young men_and_women do in other
places that are wicked;_but lecturing is the_favourite_diversion of
the steady-minded Bostonian._After all, I do not_know that the result
is very good._It does_not seem_that much will be gained by such
lectures on either side of_the Atlantic,--except that respectable
killing of an_evening which might otherwise_be killed_less
respectably._It is but_an_industrious idleness,_an attempt at a royal
road to information,_that habit_of attending lectures. Let any man_or
woman say what he_has_brought away from any such attendance._It is
attractive, that idea of being_studious without any of the_labour
of_study;_but I fear it is_illusive. If an evening can be_so passed
without ennui,_I believe that that may be regarded_as_the best result
to be gained. But_then_it so often happens that the_evening_is_not
passed without ennui! Of course_in saying this, I am not_alluding
to lectures given in special places as a course_of special study.
Medical_lectures, no doubt, are a_necessary_part_of medical
education. As many as two or three thousand often_attend these
