At other colleges miscellaneous lectures, readings and concerts throughout the year seem to have continual popularity and success. But we seem to be hardly able to muster energy enough to make a single course and some few occasional lectures a success. It is true that in certain subjects voluntary lectures are always popular at Harvard. Thus Dr. Sargent's and Dr. James' courses always secure satisfactory audiences; perhaps for the reason that they treat of thoroughly practical and important subjects, and in this respect afford a certain relief to routine labor in more abstruse branches. The lectures of the Natural History Club also are always popular. But on the other hand, there has lately been a noticeable falling off in attendance at evening readings, a most admirable institution, as all have acknowledged. And in general, it is always a doubtful experiment here to attempt any lecture or entertainment that has achieved sure success elsewhere, but may here be entirely neglected and of no profit to any considerable number. In many cases, of course, the eternal grind of college work prevents advantage being taken of the many opportunities the college has offered of late years for voluntary instruction; and, as the tone of college sentiment at Harvard grows higher, it is to be hoped that many of the severe requirements of the present may be abolished, and more liberty and opportunity be given for such purposes. At Princeton lately a course of readings by Mr. Locke Richardson has created the greatest interest and satisfaction. At Ann Arbor, immediately upon the return of their president from China, enterprising students induced him to lecture before the college on the subject of his travels. And so elsewhere like eagerness to take advantage of all opportunities is exhibited.
At Madison University seats in chapel are sold off to the highest bidders at auction. Here is surely a plan for relieving Harvard's financial needs unthought of hitherto. We heartily favor it. (Of course it would necessitate voluntary chapel, as a consequence.)
The Yale Glee Club will not give another concert in Boston this season, as has been announced, being wholly occupied, as our Yale correspondent stated, in preparing the new opera, "Penekese," for presentation April 24.
Schuyler Colfax will deliver a lecture on "Our Martyr Presidents" at Yale March 23d.
The Princeton Glee Club sings Friday, 24th inst., in Chickering Hall, New York.
The Yale Hare and Hounds will probably run next Saturday.
The first gymnasium meeting at Princeton occurs March 31st.
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