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he makes it his whole occupation. He would then go from town to town, lecturing perhaps four times a week or even five.

When the system is well established, the central committee is ready, with a well-selected library of books, of illustration or reference, on each of the subjects on which lecturers are to speak. Supposing the order named above to have been chosen, the arrival of the first lecturer in any town is preceded by the arrival of the historical books, two or three hundred in number at the very least. These are arranged by the local committee, ready for prompt and easy consultation by the persons who take tickets for the lectures. If there is a town. library the local committee does its best to strengthen that library on the different sides where the lectures will need illustration.

With such preliminaries, when the lecturer arrives on the field, the field is in a measure prepared for him. He finds, for instance, that the local press, a very important accessory, is helping him in his enterprise. After the

lecture, perhaps before the lecture, he gives time for the group of persons who wish to talk with him about their difficulties or their expectations. The next morning, as life arranges itself with us, most of them will be engaged in other cares. But not all of them. He can manage to meet them, a little central club, which will include some of the persons who have arranged the lectures, and again he can answer inquiries and make suggestions. For such purposes as are outlined here, the University Extension Club of Philadelphia has lending libraries which number in all some thousands of books. And for precisely similar purposes, the State Library of New York distributes in every year many thousands of books with very little charge to the readers. Practically, the State imposes no condition but that, in each case where a special library is asked for, there shall be an organized class of readers who will profit by using it.

Edw. @ Hale

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ILLUSTRATIONS

"LYRIC POETRY

VOLUME IV

Frontispiece

Photo-engraving in colors after the original
painting by H. O. Walker

LOUIS JEAN RODOLPHE AGASSIZ

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