Popular Science Lectures on Natural History

Abstract

THE lectures to juveniles at the Royal Institution by Prof. J. Arthur Thomson have been undoubtedly a great success, and I cannot help thinking that there are others, especially among our young men fresh from the universities, who could give lectures of this kind to popular audiences. If so, can they be discovered? They may be difficult to find, for success in this field requires a rare combination of gifts. It is absolutely necessary for such a lecturer to possess, besides knowledge and enthusiasm, a good voice and manner; his speech must be fairly loud, good, and clear, and his personality distinctly pleasing, or he will fail to win his audience. Unfortunately, few scientific men are good public speakers. It is also much to be regretted that many writers on biology and natural history adopt a style so learned and pedantic that both young and old are repelled.