THE PERIPATETIC LECTURESHIPS.

Evening Star, Issue 6759, 26 November 1884, Page 2

THE PERIPATETIC LECTURESHIPS.

TO THB EDITOR, Sir,— Having seen -in yesterday’s issue of the Evening Star a letter signed “Mining,” in which the writer says some explanation is needed why I do not accompany Dr Black on his leotnring trip, may I ask the favor of your publishing the accompanying letter, which I have written to Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.R., president of the Lawrenqe Mining Institute, in answer to his request to at once follow in Dr Black's footsteps. This letter gives the information needed—l am, eto„ >''■ : ‘ ; George H. F. Ulrich. ; Dunedin, November 25. ,

University, Dunedin, November 26. Mr J. C. Brown, president Lawrence Mining Institute. Dear Sir,—ln answer to your telegram of 24th inst., I beg to state the followingl never myself offered, nor authorised anyone else to offer my services towards the scheme of giving popular lectures on the goldfields, and ibis lor the simple reason that -the subjects I profess to teach are, according to my experience in Victoria, quite unsuitable for popular treatment. They cau (1) only be taught in daytime; (2) the lectures are not entertaining, nut, on the contrary, very dry, and (S) ate instructive to those only who possess a fair knowledge of mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as anyone can convince himself of on examining, tbs, text-books. On account of .this aq entrance examination requires to be parted, or proofs Of having such knowledge to be submitted by intending students at all European schools of mines. As my coarse in mineralogy amounts to not less than 100 lectures, generally over; those in mining to 225 lectures; the one in petronhy lo fifty lectures, with laboratory practice ;SIWd " On the Use of the Blowpipe in Determinative Mineralogy (for which students have to provide their own working apparatus) to generally ever fifty lectures, it is manifestly absurd to suppose that a few lectures in any of these subjects cab be of benefit to students, and lecompense them for their tees, and the country for the expenses connected therewith. As regards the imparting of mete empirical or superficial knowledge in any of my Subjects, Istrongly object to it on principle; and there are proofs that it does harm instead of good. For these reasons I much regret to have respectfully to decline the invitation of the Lawrence Mining Institute to engage in any lecture courses; but it my services are considered of any value In arranging and naming the minerals and rooks exhibited in your Athenaeum, I shall be happy to give them gratuitously on my return from Victoria and Tasmania, wblob colonies I have made arrangements to visit very shortly for the purpose of inspecting and studying some new gold-saving and oredressing machinery, and also a new successful process of gold-extraction from pyritous ores, recently introduced at Bethanga, information about which may prove of great value to the New Zealand mining interest, according to advice by professional friends. In conclusion I beg to state that, as I can prove by extensive correspondence and a largo collection of specimens, my services have, ever since my arrival in this country, been cheerfully and gratuitously given in aid of the mining interest by affording advice on mining matters and information on the value and nature of mineral specimens sent to me. For this work, which has at times given me considerable trouble, I have hitherto claimed no public credit, and I only mention the fact hero now in proof that I grqdge no work in helping the miner whenever I can conscientiously do so.—l am, etc, Gtmea H, i. luacii.