340 REPORTS ON THE STATE OP SCIENCE. — 1916. 



In former times the average exceeded this considerably, but the differ- 

 ence is accounted for in part, though possibly not entirely, by the 

 fact that the trustees have in later years made grants of lectures to 

 smaller towns. A very great deal depends upon the energy and 

 enthusiasm displayed by the members of the local committee, and, above 

 all, by the secretary — it is impossible to exaggerate the importance of 

 this point. Much as the masses of the British people appreciate a good 

 lecture when they attend it, it needs hard work and a perfect organisa- 

 tion to secure good attendance at the lecture-hall, however attractive 

 the subject and however eminent the lecturer. 



From my own twenty-five years' experience as a lecturer, and from 

 the similar experiences of many other lecturers with whom I have 

 discussed the question, I am inchned to think that the interest of the 

 working-classes of the country in popular lectures has somewhat 

 decreased during the past quarter of a century. The marked decrease 

 in the demand for Gilchrist Lectures that has taken place might appear 

 to be definite evidence of this, but it is difficult to judge how far this 

 is due to the increased stringency of the conditions that have been 

 imposed by the trustees from time to time. Except in special circum- 

 stances, grants of lectures are now made only to those towns where 

 the trustees are assured that a bona-fide attempt will be made to follow 

 them by a course of more sustained study ; no grant is made where a 

 course of lectures has been given during the eight years preceding unless 

 a contribution is received towards the cost, and gi'ants are not made 

 1o county boroughs and large towns in possession of funds for educa- 

 tional piurposes without a very substantial contribution, usually from 

 301. to 40L, being made towards their cost. 



The following causes may, in my opinion, have contributed to a 

 decreased interest in the lectures : — 



1. The keen intei'est now taken liy working-men in tbeir trades 

 unions and in labour problems in general. In a few cases, the outbreak 

 of lal)our troubles has seriously interfered with the success of courses 

 actually in progress. 



2. The facilities for entertamment supplied by music-halls, kiiiema 

 exhibitions, and football, as well as in other ways. 



3. The increased educational facilities now provided locally in a 

 greiit many towns, either by universities or technical institutes. 

 Towards the foundation of many of the latter the tnistees believe the 

 rhlchrist Lectures to have contributed, partly because of the interest in 

 natural science they have aroused, but also partly in consequence of 

 pressure exerted and conditions imposed by the trustees in by-gone years 

 before promising courses of lectures in a big town. 



Although there appears to be some evidence of a general diminution 

 of interest in popular lectures, there are still many cases where no such 

 decrease is apparent. Some of these, illustrated by the great success 

 that has recently attended courses of Gilchrist Lectures at Blackpool, 

 Norwich, and Yannouth, it seems difficult to classify, but the general 

 experience supplied by the Gilchrist Lectures seems to be that in indus- 

 trial towns that lie off the well-beaten track of civilisation, such as, 

 for instance, those of the colliery districts in South Wales and Cumber- 



