THE MUSEUM AND THE PUBLIC LECTURE 



By Ilniri/ M. Lripziger 

 Supervisor of the Public Lecture System of tlie Board of Education, Xew York City 



ON the ocnision of the laying of tlie corner stoiu' of tlie Museuni uhont 

 thirty-five years ago, Professor Henry of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion used these words: "How incomparably greater would the 

 iinj)ortance of this ^NTuseum be were there connected with it a professor who 

 would give courses of free lectures on the objects which it contains, who 

 would expound the laws of the phenomena of nature, who would discourse 

 on the changes the world has undergone during geological jicriods." 



The Public Lecture System of the Board of Education cooperating 

 with the American Museum of Natural History carries tnit the suggestion 

 made by the distinguished sc-icntist and continues a work inaugurated by 

 Professor Bickmorc soon after the erection of the first section of the ^Museum 

 l)uil(ling. Many lecturers carry the treasures of the institution to every 

 corner of this great city and the desire to visit the Museum is every- 

 where awakened. More than that those who come are prepared by these 

 lectures to appreciate the importance and the meaning of its priceless col- 

 lections. 



The Museuni and the pul)lic lecture add to the joy of life as well as to 

 the knowledge of life. They teach that knowledge is not alone a means of 

 livelihood but a means of life. Both are doing their share to increase the 

 number of those who take delight in nature and its wonders; who find 

 genuine recreation in it; who find a solace when sorrow comes; who become 

 strengthened to resist temptation. 



Many of the greatest men of science have come from the humblest 

 surroundings. The immortal Faraday, while attending a course of lectures 

 by Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution, caught the inspiration 

 which determined his future career. So may other men arise to benefit 

 the world, who shall have been directed to their career through the combined 

 influences of the nniseuin and the j)ublic lecture. 



A WORD OF CONGRATULATION FROM PRESIDENT JOHN H. 

 FINLEY OF THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 



TIIK (le\flopuient of the Museum of Natural History as a vital force 

 in the comnumity is most gratifying. It is persuading the past 

 to help the present and compelling both through its guidance of 

 public opinion to make living under urban conditions better in the future. 

 I am particularly grateful for what the ^Museum is doing toward bringing 

 within the reach of the schools and higher equivalent institutions the advan- 

 tages of the institution as far as possible. The Museum is no longer accu- 

 rately defined as a "repository"; it is a great living teacher. 



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