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[We ought to have a series]

About This Item

  • Title: [We ought to have a series]
  • Date: 17 September 1858
  • Creator(s): Walt Whitman
  • Whitman Archive ID: per.00874
  • Source: Brooklyn Daily Times, 17 September 1858: 2. Our transcription is based on a digital image of a microfilm scan of the original issue. Microfilm of original issue held at Pennsylvania State University Libraries. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the journalism, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Editorial note: This piece is unsigned, as was the case for most of Whitman's journalism. However, this editorial is part of a series of texts that deal with a coherent theme that has been identified by the Whitman Archive journalism team as likely authored by Whitman. This decision is based on a combination of historical and (auto)biographical accounts, similarity to contemporary Whitman writings, a history of scholarly attribution, extant clippings retained by Whitman, computational stylometric analysis, and, in some cases, manuscript evidence in Whitman’s hand.
  • Contributors to digital file: Kaylen Michaelis Thara Michaelis Brandi Faulkner Stefan Schöberlein Karie Cobb
  • Cite this page: Whitman, Walt. "[We ought to have a series]." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 17 July 2024. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: per.00874.xml (TEI)
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☞We ought to have a series—or several series—of good substantial lectures here this winter, and if no organization or association of individuals is prepared to enter upon the speculation, we trust Sam Lewis,1 the popular proprietor of the Odeon, will do it himself. We have no doubt that Professor Wright, of Louisville, whose name figures in connection with the late thrilling event in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky (an account which was published in the TIMES of yesterday),2 could be procured to deliver one or more lectures on that world’s wonder, accompanied with illustrations of his own preparation. The Professor is abundantly capable, and thoroughly understands his subject, around which clusters much popular curiosity. There would be a freshness and originality about a lecture on the Mammoth Cave far excelling any ordinary topic.

In addition to the lectures there ought to be one good concert every week, and if Lewis will inaugurate these entertainments we believe the people will rally in his support. Life, life—we want life over here.

Notes:

1. Samuel Lewis (1824–1898) was the proprietor at the Odeon and managed it for three seasons, beginning in 1858. [back]

2.  [back]

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