Preston W. Search

              1906
DISTRIBUTION CIRCULAR
Preston W. Search Educator Author Traveler
Dramatic Lecturer ON Great Ideals IN

Figure
 Life History Literature Music Art

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT



Look Up, not Down; Look forward, not Backward; Stand Together


The Search Lectures
NO MAN has a right to public audience unless he has a burning message to deliver.  The people, after all, are most interested in the greatest things.  A lecture should be attractive and entertaining; but, first of all, it must be instructive.  It must be the medium through which great deeds and visions are seen, great impulses received.

Such is the character of the work of Preston W. Search.  He holds that the glory of the lyceum lecture should not depart with the passing of Wendell Phillips, Beecher, Emerson and Garretson, and, to this end, is devoting himself to earnest community awakening.  As an educator he is known as The Apostle of Individualism, the author of An Ideal School, and founder of industrial schools; and his imprint, more or less, has been upon almost every school system of America.  His lectures have been heard in every part of the country, over three hundred having been delivered in a single year.  He has a message to deliver and the people are listening.

The coming of such a man should be a great motive power in this city.  Interested in the individual, he nevertheless believes our nation is weakest in community organization, and that civic progress lies in bringing all elements into helpful cooperation.  The gospel he preaches is that the ideal is the measure of the man.  The week, therefore, will be devoted to holding aloft the highest ideals in life, in literature, history, music and art.

For such a work cooperation is requested.  It is always painful to see a great civic work undertaken with leading factors absent.  Church pastors should hold and dismiss their prayer-meetings at early hours.  The schools should lessen home preparation of lessons at least one hour daily.  Business men would do well to secure tickets for their employees.  Parents should attend, bringing their oldest children.  The holding of conflicting social gatherings should be avoided.  The entire community should unite in making this a great week in the higher intellectual enjoyment.  The Bureau presents these lectures with great confidence.



Impossible to Estimate Benefits


Quincy Daily Journal, Quincy, Ill.
—It would be impossible to correctly estimate the enduring benefits derived by the large audience which for an hour and a half was face to face with one of the world's greatest exponents of modern thought in matters educational at the Luther Memorial Church last night.  It was a large audience gathered to hear a large man—large not only in stature (for Preston W. Search measures 6 feet, 7 inches), but a large man mentally as well, who held his audience, representative of the best homes of the city, spellbound by masterpieces of word pictures, which combined to make clearer to his absorbed hearers the great need of inculcating wholesome inspiration in matters educational.

Parallels Ingersoll in Rhetoric


Quincy Daily Journal, Quincy, Ill.
—Preston W. Search's lecture on Great Ideals paralleled in rhetoric Ingersoll's great lecture on Shakespeare, and those fortunate enough to be present last night never spent a more delightful evening, nor one more beneficial to themselves or the community.

Fascinated, Bewildered, Inspired His Audience


Morning Independent, Winona, Minn.
—Among the excellent things that have been heard in Winona during the past season, certainly none of them have surpassed, in its way, the remarkable lecture delivered last evening by Preston W. Search.  The lecture was more than entertaining; it was intensely interesting and instructive in the very highest degree.  Though the subject related to music, it was evident the main purpose of the lecturer was not to portray, for the picture's sake, the work of the German masters, but rather to build up around and through the work of these men a grand delineation of the unfolding of a human soul, the bringing forth of a spirit into the light of the infinite from the gloom of sin.  The passion of eternal remorse rang with a terrible cry through the very heart of the lecture, and fascinated, bewildered, inspired the listeners.  It is chiefly for this mighty undercurrent, this irresistible groundswell, that the lecture is memorable.  And when, back of all this,  there is the big personality of the man, towering over all, riding down, raising up, crushing through difficulties, it will be easily understood that the lecture was one of the most impressive that it has ever been the fortune of a Winona audience to listen to. * * *  In conclusion the lecturer related in a powerful and dramatic manner the terrible tragedy of Tannhaeuser.  The words of the speaker burnt and the audience were swept off their feet by the force of his expressions.  This formed a fitting close to the remarkable lecture.

Imperishable Inspiration


East Oregonian Editorial, Pendleton, Ore.
—Pendleton club women and Pendleton citizens generally, who attended, drew an imperishable inspiration from that massive and finished scholar, Preston W. Search, whose lectures on art and literature were such revelations.  It is seldom that the Pacific coast has opportunity to receive, at first-hand, the results of such earnest devotion to the study of art.  His lecture on the greatest pictures was almost equal to a visit to the art galleries.  His interpretation of art is so concise and clear and his soul so imbued with the meaning and unseen spirit of the world's masterpieces that to hear him speak on the subject is equal to a course of study in the studio of an old master.  Mr. Search is a strong, earnest, inspiring, helpful man, and his lectures are a refreshing oasis in the monotonous course of life.

A Masterhand at Interpretation and Description


Whatcom Daily Reveille
—Whatcom seldom enjoys such a treat as was given in the lecture on Music, by Professor Preston W. Search, last Friday evening.  The lecture was given in popular style and was suited not only to music lovers but to all who enjoy elevated sentiment expressed in fit and beautiful phraseology.  Prof. Search is a masterhand at interpretation and description.  The beautiful theme of the German musical masters, which he had so thoroughly studied at first hand, gave him a subject which he handled wonderfully.


Wonderful Descriptive Power


Johnstown (Pa.) Daily Democrat
—Preston W. Search transported his hearers across the sea and northward into the Scott country, the land of romance, where the speaker's wonderful descriptive powers made appear the winding road leading towards Kenilworth, the ramparts, and finally the very wall of that famous old pile which Scott's pen has made immortal.  The unfortunate Amy Robsart seemed to look from her casement.  One almost heard the clash of arms under the battlements and the voice of Rebecca vividly describing to the wounded Knight Ivanhoe, who could only join the fray in imagination.  From Kenilworth one journeyed with the lecturer to Coventry, along that most beautiful road in England.  With him one viewed Melrose Abbey, when the sun sank beneath the distant mountains and the stars came out, making the ruins, seen through the moonlit lace work, a dream of incomparable beauty.  With him the listener visited quaint Scottish villages, with their solemn-faced inhabitants,  and realized that their canny,  almost stolid,countenances were but the masks of the keenest, wittiest and most imaginative race in the world.  Scenes from The Lady of the Lake,Rob Roy, and The Bride of Lammermoor, flashed into sight.  One heard the huntsman's horn, the barking of the dogs and the hurry of the chase.  The gathering of the clans and the calm beauty of Ellen's Isle, as it lay on the bosom of the limpid lake, waited on the word of the lecturer, who, however, brought up all these scenes as an introduction to the heart of his subject.

Kenilworth, the Mecca


Carlisle (Pa.) Daily Herald
—A beautiful description of Kenilworth was given, in which he said that Kenilworth ruins are the Mecca of all the Anglo-Saxon race, not because of their beauty, but because of the stories from the pen of the world's greatest story-teller.  A fine word picture of Abbotsford, Sir Walter's home, was painted, which was so real that one could almost imagine he could see the old conglomerate castle, with its treasured rooms and princely hospitality.

Familiarity with Swiss Life


Fargo Daily Forum
—Professor Search lectured last night on A Winter in Switzerland.  His description of the people of Switzerland, their government, schools, etc., was graphic and at times eloquent.  The speaker's familiarity with life in Switzerland, and his remarkable power of picturing its life and scenes made the lecture an intellectual feast, entertaining and instructive.  Particularly fine was his story of the ascent of the Matterhorn.  Professor Search will always be assured of a large and appreciative audience in Fargo.

Every Word a Magnificent Treat


Erie (Pa.) Daily Times
—(By the Editor)—The weather was the coldest and stormiest of the year; yet, in spite of all that, the hall contained the largest number of men that has assembled there in a long time, all attracted by the reputation of the speaker.  And none of them were disappointed. * * *  When the speaker of the day was announced there arose a man of fine physique, standing fully six feet four or five inches, well proportioned, and in the prime of life.  He has a beautiful voice and a flow of speech that is eloquent, a delivery that is easy and graceful, and his thoughts were forceful and beautiful. * * *  One of the most touching things in the entire lecture was his quotation from Kipling's Mother o' Mine.  The lecture was, every word of it, a magnificent treat and one such as would have done every man in the entire city great good to have heard.—(Concerning Lest We Forget, Sunday, Dec. 27, 1903.)

Surpassed the Highest Expectations of His Audience


Lewiston (Idaho) Daily Tribune
—Music in the Fatherland, was presented last night in a manner surpassing the highest expectations of his audience.  An analysis of the lecture cannot be given here.  His audience sat throughout entranced.  His interpretation of Wagner's Meistersinger and Tannhaeuser was a revelation.




A Week of Community Lectures
ON GREAT IDEALS
Inspirational—Instructive
MONDAY—Orientation Evening FACE TO FACE WITH GREAT IDEALS

A lecture of awakening and orientation.  Of special interest to the home and the school.  Every parent should be present; also every older child.  An earnest listener recently said: If I had heard such a lecture when I was young, my whole life would have had greater meaning.  No one can afford to miss this opening lecture.

TUESDAY—Music Evening MUSIC IN THE FATHERLAND

The story of a life, with description of a remarkable musical tournament.  The early part of the lecture gives an interesting portrayal of great music and great musical occasions.  Very dramatic and popular.  Musically illustrated.  (This is the lecturer's favorite.)

WEDNESDAY—Literary Evening A RAMBLE WITH WALTER SCOTT

The story of the World's Greatest Story-teller by a story-teller himself.  A plea for great books and for great ideals is literature.  The lecture is by one taught early to love the Minstrelsy of the Border and who has traveled book in hand, through the Scott country.  Full of interesting reminiscences.  Teachers would do well to utilize this lecture as an impetus toward better literature and to ask for reports.

Suggested readings: The Lady of the Lake,Ivanhoe,Kenilworth,The Bride of Lammermoor.

THURSDAY—Art Evening THE GREATEST PICTURES IN THE WORLD

An evening with the masters of the brush—Visits to the galleries with interpretations of the greatest pictures—Incidents of meetings with great artists—Magnificently illustrated by stereopticon reproductions.  This lecture has drawn audiences numbering, on a single occasion, 3000 people.

(Sometimes it is necessary to bring this lecture forward to Tuesday evening.  Watch announcement in local papers.)

FRIDAY—Travel Evening A WINTER IN SWITZERLAND

The climax of the series—Graphic story-telling—Full of fun, adventures, and sublimity—A study of an ideal republic.



SUPPLEMENTARY LECTURES
TUESDAY—School Morning WHEN I WAS A BOY

Address to High School Students.  (On request.)

WEDNESDAY—Parents' Afternoon THE GROWTH OF A CHILD

A supplementary lecture for parents and teachers.  Serial ticket holders may bring guests.  This lecture presents great value to all who have to do with the education of the young.

FRIDAY—Pedagogic Afternoon DIFFERENCE IN CHILDREN

Second supplementary lecture to teachers and parents.  A plea for the misunderstood child.


The Giant Lecturer


Erie (Pa.) Daily Times
Professor Search is known as the Giant Lecturer, and speaks with power his message to the sons and daughters of men.  His home has been among the tall mountains and tall trees of the far West, but he makes the world his field and is known everywhere.

In the Sunny South


Knoxville (Tenn.) Journal and Tribune
—Preston W. Search is a man of splendid appearance and an eloquent speaker.  What he said was full of food for thought.

Resembles Wendell Phillips


Pasadena (Cal.) Daily News
—In personal appearance greatly resembles Wendell Phillips.

Commanding Appearance


Lewiston (Ill.) News
—The famous lecturer has a very prepossessing as well as commanding appearance.  Tall and finely formed, with a face glowing with animation, and with eyes bright with the fire of inspiration that burned within.  His presence magnetized the audience; and his voice, rich and powerful, held them enthralled until the last echo of it died away.

Eminently a Word Painter


Lock Haven, Pa.
—Preston W. Search is eminently a painter in words.  His magnificent descriptions of natural scenery, his portrayal of human character, and his power of interpretation, linked with a commanding presence, an easy flow of language and a well balanced voice, combine to make him about all that can be desired in the platform orator.

Audience Spellbound


McKeesport (Pa.) City Journal and Herald
—Professor Search at times kept the large audience spellbound when he related stories of actual life, and many times during his lecture he was interrupted by applause.  He makes a commanding appearance, and is an eloquent and fluent speaker.

In the Mormon Tabernacle


Salt Lake Herald
—Embellished his lecture with verbal pictures of scenic events which proved that he is a master in the art of description.

More than Repaid


Burlington Hawkeye
—The audience was more than repaid.

Inspired Everyone


Whitman College Pioneer
—Preston W. Search, the traveler and distinguished lecturer, has visited Walla Walla and has inspired everyone who was fortunate enough to hear him, with a greater appreciation of the beautiful and the good.

Ready for Return


Minneapolis Tribune
—The large Y. M. C. A. auditorium was completely filled; and if Preston W. Search, the noted traveler and lecturer, were to appear there again, the hall would probably not contain the number who would be on hand to hear him.

Only Six Feet Seven


The Scranton (Pa.) Tribune
—Preston W. Search, of Worcester, Mass., was introduced to the teachers at the County Institute yesterday, and spoke on The Greatest Thing in Education.  Without attempting to be unduly facetious, it might be casually remarked that Professor Search himself is one of the greatest things in education, and this is meant to be taken literally.  When he stepped out on the stage it seemed as if a giant had come with some terrible message of force and power.  He looked to be considerably over seven feet tall, but he modestly acknowledges to only six feet seven inches.  He is straight as a fir tree and, with his snow-white hair and mustache, is a most spectacular figure.  He has a voice, however, that is soft and mellow, and he made a pronounced impression on his audience.

Lecture on Student Life


Mankato (Minn.) Free Press
—His descriptions of the enthusiastic, excitable, volatile Frenchman; of the wild and uncontrollable characteristics of a French mob, and particularly of such a gathering when he participated with a hundred thousand Frenchmen in a gala reception to Paul Kruger, were intensely interesting.  The lecturer made a delightful bicycle ride from Paris to Zwitzerland, about five hundred miles, through rural France, while studying peasant life, and is full of enjoyable reminiscences of strange scenes and adventures by the way.  The lecture closed with a laughable description of how four hundred German students captured a theatre, and with a powerful contrast of the condition of the American woman with that of her European sister, with the heavy burden on the latter's back and her limited opportunity to arise over the environment of the centuries.  The lecture was very entertaining and instructive.  It was almost like a trip to Europe itself.



EUROPE, HO!
Preston W. Search spends his entire time, while not abroad, in the lecture field.  However, as an educator he is interested also in several unique enterprises.  Prominent among these may be said to be

The Search Schools of Travel for American Young People
PRESTON W. SEARCH, President
Central Address: Wyoming (Cincinnati), Ohio



ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 1906–7

SPECIAL PARTY FOR MUSIC STUDENTS
Frederick Preston Search (then 17) will return to Germany, accompanied by his mother, for continued study as cello soloist.  In view of this, Mrs. Preston W. Search will take with her a party of young ladies for music, art and language study.  This will be a home school, spending principal time in Germany, living with the Germans, but with excursions to other countries of interest.  The party will spend one year abroad, timing schedule for attendance on the biennial Wagner Festival at Beireuth, and other great musical occasions.



TRAVEL SCHOOL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Organized as a family school, and under the conductorship of an eminent American educator and his wife, both experienced teachers and lovers of children, a party of young people (limited to 20) will begin with the Mediterranean and trace the development of civilization (with related studies) from Egypt, up through Constantinople, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, England and Scotland.  This order is usually reversed, thereby losing all sequence and greatest interest in the development of the nations.  This school will be unique in its plan, associations and cultural opportunities; and happy will be the young people who gain admittance to its membership.

The two schools, for mutual advantages, will be federated at common points.  During months not given to lecturing, the president will at times be with one or both schools.

No members received excepting for serious study.  Application must be in person, for which the president's lecture appointments in all parts of the country offer facilities.

The plan will also probably include a shorter tour for adult persons, preferably those who have been following systematic club study, this party to be under leadership of the president and to join the others enroute.

Details on consultation or application.




BROWN & WHITAKER
PRINTERS
HAMILTON OHIO