H.H. Kingsley: historical travel talks

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H. H. KINGSLEY
HISTORICAL TRAVEL TALKS


HOMER HITCHCOCK KINGSLEY is a native of Michigan and completed his college course in the University of Michigan in 1881.  Immediately upon graduation, he was offered an instructorship in his Alma Mater, but, instead, filled school positions in Michigan and Minnesota for three years.  He was then again invited to return to the University of Michigan where he was instructor in mathematics for two years during the absence of the head of the department.

In 1886 he became Superintendent of Schools in Evanston, Illinois, which position he has now held continuously for thirty years.

He is the author and editor of several school publications and papers; is intimately allied with educational work in Illinois; has been the president of several Teachers' Associations; lecturer at the University of Chicago; and has appeared before state and national educational Associations many times.  He is a member of the University Clubs of Chicago and Evanston.

During these years he has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe, and has several thousand slides illustrating his lectures, which are replete with human, historical, and picturesque interest.

Mr. Kingsley's address is Evanston, Illinois.


Fair Greece! sad relic of departed worth!  Immortal, though no more! though fallen, great!





H. H. KINGSLEY'S HISTORICAL TRAVEL TALKS, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among Wanders the hoary Thames along His silver-winding way.




COMMENTS OF PEOPLE AND PRESS
William A. Colledge, President International Lyceum Association, says in a personal note:—

Your pictures are exquisite.  I never saw such realistic coloring, but what impressed me most was the manner in which you got away from the conventional stereopticon lecture.

There was a certain individuality about your pictures and your descriptions of the countries and the people—the whole lecture was so full of human interest that it held the firm attention of your audience.  I do not know when I have enjoyed such a pleasant evening.

J. Seymour Currey, President Evanston Historical Society:

None of our lecturers has given greater satisfaction than H. H. Kingsley.  His slides are the best I have ever seen and his lectures have always drawn crowded houses and continually increased his popularity with us.

Rufus C. Dawes:

Having attended several of Mr. Kingsley's lectures, I can certify to the beauty of the pictures, the educational value of the lectures, as well as the interesting and entertaining presentation of them.

Wm. T. McElveen, Pastor First Congregational Church, Evanston, Illinois:

Prof. H. H. Kingsley is not a stiff pedagogue who reels off a series of platitudes and calls it a lecture.  He is a very human being who is up-to-the-minute in his knowledge of men and the world, and whose lectures abound in information, interest and humor.  He is a thinker who knows that relish has as much to do with the reception of truth as it has to do with the reception of food.  His pictures are his own.  They illustrate what he says.  He has traveled much and has the seeing eye.  I have enjoyed hearing every one of his lectures and would be glad of an opportunity to hear them again.


Frederic P. Vose, President Law League of America:

His well stored mind—the result of years of study and travel; his nimble wit and pleasing personality; his ready utterance and varied assortment of interesting and entertaining themes; his carefully selected pictures, exquisitely colored; his knowledge of human kind and his wisdom in the employment of that knowledge, combine to make Mr. Homer H. Kingsley an especial favorite on the lecture platform.

John H. Wigmore, Dean of the Law School, Northwestern University:

His varied travels in Europe and America; his extensive erudition; the artistic perfection of his colored slides; his native humor, combined with his long experience on the platform, holds the unflagging interest of his audience.

F. W. Nichols, Superintendent Schools, District 76, Evanston:

Our various clubs and organizations have made a practice of calling on Mr. Kingsley once a year for the last ten years for travel talks and addresses.  His rare scholarship and wide travel experience have given him a fund of information and his unusual wit make him a favorite with all these organizations.

W. M. Turner, President Chicago Association of Credit Men:

Mr. Kingsley's knowledge of his subject in combination with the running fire of appropriate anecdotes gave us all much to remember and enjoy.



PRESS COMMENTS.
Supt. H. H. Kingsley gave his illustrated lecture on Lincoln last evening.  Mr. Kingsley has read every biography of Lincoln that has been printed and every speech Lincoln ever delivered.

The Lincoln presented was a very human picture of the every day man and a better glimpse of the real person than is often given.

Supt. H. H. Kingsley's descriptions of Greece were informing, happy, entertaining and instructive, and were delivered in that natural conversational style of which he is a master.

A packed house greeted H. H. Kingsley at the Evanston Historical Society when he lectured on England.  Although the lecture was not scheduled until 8 o'clock, the audience began to gather soon after seven and at eight every inch of available space was taken.  Many went away disappointed because there was no room.  The lecture repaid those who succeeded in getting in, for it was full of the brightest and happiest observations that one could imagine.

Nowhere did Mr. Kingsley use his camera to greater effect than in Greece.  Greece is a lovely country and the fidelity with which its beauty was revealed by the slides was a treat.  Of his views one almost hesitates to speak in the terms to which they are entitled for fear of being accused of exaggeration.



CHILDE HAROLD IN ITALY.
This entertainment consists of a reading of certain selections from the poem by Professor Dennis of the Northwestern School of Oratory and the illustration of the various passages by appropriate pictures of the scenes described, embracing beautiful views in Venice, Florence, and Rome, including in all some sixty pictures.

Dean Wigmore says of this production: The illustrated recital of Childe Harold, Canto IV, 'Childe Harold in Italy,' is an original performance, unlike and superior to any illustrated lecture now given, by either professional or amateur.  Its unique combination of voice and picture, the world-wide interest of its historic scenes, and the literary inspiration of its famous stanzas, make it a most thrilling and compelling hour.  As a platform invention, it is unique and unrivalled in America today.





Come and see The cypress, hear the owl, and plod your way O'er steps of broken thrones and temples.

MR. KINGSLEY OFFERS THE FOLLOWING TITLES

ANCESTRAL ENGLAND IN CITY, CASTLE, AND CATHEDRAL.
THE SPLENDOR OF GERMAN CITIES.
PANORAMA OF PARIS.
SCENES IN SUNNY ITALY.
THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE.
RAMBLES IN ROME.
ACROSS THE ALPS TO VENICE.
HISTORIC BOSTON.
LINCOLN.  (Slides uncolored)
A SUMMER IN COLORADO.
BYRON'S CHILDE HAROLD IN ITALY.





Embosom'd in the deep where Holland lies, Methinks her patient sons before me stand, Where the broad ocean leans upon the land.

COMMENTS OF PEOPLE AND PRESS.
John W. Cook, President DeKalb Normal School:

Mr. H. H. Kingsley is a traveler with a gift of insight.  He has the gift of tongues and possesses the most charming of personalities.  It has often been said that humor is the most saving of all graces.  It this be true he is certainly very highly endowed with the 'Grace that saves.'

Dr. Allen Greenwood, Boston:

Both the photographer and the colorist were sincerely in love with their work so that the pictures show a personality which is rare.

A. F. Nightingale, County Superintendent Schools, Cook County:

These lectures are superbly illustrated and most delightfully presented.  I commend, most heartily, both the lectures and lecturer to all the people.

Lewis J. Johnson, Professor of Civil Engineering, Harvard University:

Mr. Kingsley's knowledge of the history and institutions of the places he has visited and his abundant sense of humor make his lectures both instructive and entertaining.

His slides are from photographs which he has taken himself and the coloring is done with noteworthy delicacy and fidelity to the actual.

To hear Mr. Kingsley and to see his slides is a great privilege.

Chancellor L. Jenks, President Illinois Society, Sons of the Revolution:

Mr. Kingsley has a rare faculty of selecting scenes which appeal at once to his audience; his descriptions are as vivid and incisive as his pictures; his knowledge of his subjects is scholarly and complete.  I have always considered it a rare privilege to attend his lectures.

William Hudson Harper, a Chicago editor says:—

What Mr. Kingsley sees he reports vividly, shrewdly and with humor.  Having been personally conducted by him over the trial of happy discoveries we confidently commend him to all who would review old scenes or enter new.  Who goes with him will have a pleasant hour and he will know more than when he sets out.