694 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XLIV. No. 1142 



it is natural that larger audiences should 

 be secured than in the case of local lec- 

 turers. 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 suc- 

 cessful as regards size of audience. Typi- 

 cal replies to this question are: "Lectures 

 by strangers, especially when they are cele- 

 brities, are far more attractive;" "Yes, as 

 they are usually well-advertised; other- 

 wise, I doubt if the numbers would be in- 

 creased;" "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 unknown person;" 

 "Strangers distinguished in literature, sci- 

 ence or public life generally attract good 

 audiences. In the case of scientific lec- 

 tures, 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 experiments. The 

 majority of these lectures in the past have 

 been delivered by our own staff" (Univer- 

 sity College, Nottingham). "It depends 

 on the lecturer ; when a local lecturer lec- 

 tures repeatedly in the same district he 

 ceases to draw really large audiences" 

 (Manchester) . 



The general conclusion seems to be that 

 for lectures to local societies, with audi- 

 ences 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 sub- 

 ject and title to attract an audience. "The 

 fact that a prophet is not without honor 

 save in his own country somewhat dis- 

 counts the popularity of local lecturers; 

 but a distinguished local man will attract 

 a larger audience than a much less dis- 

 tinguished stranger" (Manchester). 



7. If fees are paid to lecturers, what is 



the usual amount for (a) Lectures with 

 or without lantern slides, (o) Lectures 

 with experimental illustrations? 



Few local societies have sufficient funds 

 to pay lecturers: the result is that most 

 scientific lectures arranged by these socie- 

 ties are given free or for out-of-pocket ex- 

 penses. Members of the staffs of colleges 

 and other institutions also usually give pub- 

 lic lectures locally without fees. The gen- 

 eral fee to professional lecturers, with lan- 

 tern slides or experimental illustrations, or 

 both, varies from three to ten guineas. Dr. 

 Wertheimer, principal of the Merchant 

 Venturers' College, Bristol, says, in an- 

 swer to the question: "Varies with the lec- 

 turer. 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 Shackleton and Sir H. 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, what 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 peo- 

 ple's lectures? 



As lectures to members of local scientific 

 societies and their friends are usually given 

 free, expenses are low and are met by the 

 general funds of the societies. The secre- 

 tary of the Buteshire Natural History So- 

 ciety says : 



Some years we have had lectures for the public 

 for which a charge was made — about 6 d. There 

 was usually a profit, after paying everything, of a 

 few shillings. 



There is, however, rarely a profit upon a 

 public lecture. The Buchan Club, Aber- 

 deen, estimates the loss at £1 to £2 per lec- 

 ture, and it is paid from the funds of the 

 society. Even with the well-arranged Gil- 

 christ Lectures delivered in various parts 



