ON pornr.AR sciencr lkotitrkr. r?20 



(6) Arp. IcdnrPR by sirangrrf^ grurmlhj more or Zcss sur.crfixfiil than 

 those by local lecturers ? 



"When tho visitor is a celebrated lociurer, it is n.ilnral that larger 

 audiences should be secured than in the case of local lecturers. Probably 

 strangers are not invited to lecture unless they have more than a local 

 reputation, and this accounts for the general opinion that they are 

 more successful as regarfls size of audience. Typical replies to this 

 question are: ' Lectures by strangers, especially when they are cele- 

 brities, are far more attractive ' ; ' Yes, as they are usually well-adver- 

 tised : otherwise, I doubt if the numbers would be increased ' ; ' Except 

 for lecturers of world-wide fame, we find the attendance about the same 

 for local lecturers as for outside lecturers ' ; ' A known name, local or 

 otherwise, is generally more attractive than that of a completely un- 

 known person ' ; ' Sti'angers distinguished in literature, science, or public 

 life generally attract good audiences. In the case of scientific lectures, 

 local lecturers appeal more to the general public owing to the fact that 

 it is a difficult matter for an outside lecturer to provide adequate experi- 

 ments. The majority of these lectures in the past have been delivered 

 by our own staff ' (University College, Nottingham"). ' It depends on 

 the lecturer; when a local lecturer lectures repeatedly in the same dis- 

 trict he ceases to draw really large audiences ' (Manchester). 



The general conclusion seems to be that for lectures to local socie- 

 ties, with audiences numbering from about 30 to 100, local lecturers 

 ' draw ' as much as visiting lecturers of the same standing, but the 

 visitor has to depend more upon the subject and title to attract an 

 audience. ' The fact that a prophet is not without honour save in his 

 own country somewhat discounts the popularity of local lecturers ; but 

 a flistincifuished local man will attract a larger audience than a much 

 less distinguished stranger ' (Manchestei"). 



(7) If fees are paid to lecturers, what (.s the usual amount for 

 (a) Lectures with or without lantern slides, (h) Jjpcturrs with experi- 

 mental illustrations ? 



Few local societies have sufficient funds to pay lectiu'ers : the result 

 is that most scientific lectures arransred by these societies are given 

 free or for out-of-pocket expenses. Members of the staffs of colleges 

 and other institutions also usually give public lectures locally without 

 fees. The general fee to professional lecturers, with lantern slides 

 or experimental illustrations, or both, varies from three to ten guineas. 

 Dr. Wertheimer, Principal of the Merchant Venturers' College, Bristol, 

 says, in answer to this question : ' Varies with the lecturer. We have 

 found some dear at five guineas and others cheap at fifteen guineas.' 

 The Stockport Science Lectures Committee usually pays ten guineas 

 for a lecture, but in exceptional cases, as for Sir Ernest ShacMeton and 

 Sir TT. B. Tree, forty guineas have been paid. 



(8) With admission free, or at a nominal charge, and excluding the 

 cost of the hire of a room or hall, xvhat is the usual profit or loss upon 

 a popular science lecture? (a) If there is a loss, how is it met? 



(9) Are any local funds available for people's lectures ? 



