Why The Students' Lecture Association Is Not Well Patronized

Tú the Editor of The Register: Sir : - One of your corresponderás eomplains because the people of Ann A:bor do not patronize the Students' Lecture As=ociation as well as they might, and he intimates that this neglect reflects unfavorably on the good taste of our people. Probably the principal reason why more auditors are not drawn s beoause we have here such a surfeit of things intelleotually good that there are not people enough to consume all; or, more probably, there are so many free leciures, like that given recently by Rev. Gladden, or the Hobarl G-uild courses, lectures which are as gooc as any offered by the lecture assoeiation, or even better. that our people see no use of paying for what they are urged to take gratis. This feeling is doub less strengthened by the frequent disappointments which those have experie;ced who have attended the lectures of the a=sociation, when they have been compelled to sit for an hour or two on those excruciating benches and look at some celebrity, whose name has brought thera thither, but of whose words they can hear ecarcely a single whole sentence, by reason of either the bad acoustic properties of the hall or the bad voice of the speaker ; or, iL they do hear what he says, ït may be tnerely a etring of platitudes, sueh as Parker put forth ately. It is likely that the musical entertainments would be better patronized if the programs offered more music such as people like to henr. People like to go to such things to be entertained, to have the cares of business swept away on the strains of melody, and they feel a disappointment when they hear only such music ss none but those few admire who have assiduously cultivated themselves to admire it O' course it will net do for any one to avow a distaste for the so-caUed classical music, and therefore we shall continue to pay our money and make believe that we admire it; but we shall also continue to betray ourselves and to show our real liking, just ag we have alwajs doce, by our tumultuoua applause when the prima donna condescends from her flights in Italian to give to our delighted ears the 8imple melody of Comin' thro' the Rye, or the sweet strains of The Suwanee River. Songs or instrumental pieces of this character, when they are well sung or well p'ayed, delight everybody. It is asserted that a taste for classical music may be cultivated, but so raay a taste for alcohol, and perhaps both are equally intoxicating to those who are addicted to them; yet for all that a simpkr draught may be more wholesome for the mind as well as tor the stomach.