Now that Longfellow’s Day is gone, we have no Memorial Day until April
23rd. So many and so delightful are the ways of celebrating Shakspere’s,
that it is to be hoped that every circle will do something extra. To
read from Shakspere, to have an essay on his life, another on his
characteristic as a writer, and a scene from a play, all followed by an
elaborate supper, is the usual order. Do something new this time. Try
Shaksperean tableaux—an evening of them, with music, is delightful. If
the expense of the “properties” needed for successful tableaux is too
heavy, dispense with the supper, and let the cost of butter, sugar, eggs,
the meats and fruits, be contributed for buying an apparatus which, once
owned, will always be ready for use. Get Mr. George W. Bartlett’s little
book on parlor plays, published by Dick & Fitzgerald, New York, and with
little expense you will be able to prepare an excellent arrangement for
the tableaux which in Shakspere are “as thickly strewn as leaves in
Vallambrosa.” Or, if you wish to be strictly literary, take one character
as Hermione, or Portia, or Cornelius, and read everything that has been
said on it. Study one character thoroughly. Try a Shaksperean carnival.
Do something fresh. Do not fall into the danger of wearing out the
pleasure of Memorial Days by monotony of program. There are an infinite
variety of means for brightening and freshening, not only special
occasions, but the ordinary ones as well. One of the most entertaining
devices we have had comes in a breezy letter from =Titusville, Pa.=, a
place about fifty miles from Chautauqua, where there is an excellent
circle of fourteen members. Our friend writes: “We make it a point to
commit our text-books to memory and recite from them; but aim to bring
in all the outside information possible, and to present and draw out
ideas suggested by our books, rather than simply to recite over what we
have been reading in them. In Greek history we found Adams’s Historical
chart very useful. By close study of various authorities we extemporized
a model of Athens, on a round table with green spread. My writing desk
served as the Acropolis, and paper bunched up under the cloth, as Mars’
Hill, the Pnyx, etc. Out of the children’s blocks we erected the various
buildings, while Noah’s wife, clad in gilt paper, and mounted on a
spool, rose in calm majesty from behind the Propylea. A slate frame,
with pasteboard porch on one side, decorated with paintings, represented
the Agora and Stoa Poecilé, and in the street of the Tripods a cologne
bottle received great admiration as the choragic monument of Lysicrates.
Wavy strips of paper suggested the rippling Ilyssus and Céphisus, while
a wall of brown paper encircled the whole. Outside the city limits,
under the shadow of Lycabettus (brown paper with clay coating on the
summit,) on one side, and about a mile out on the other, flower pots with
drooping vines brought to mind the classic groves of Aristotle and Plato;
while the street leading through the Ceramicus to the Academic shades
of the latter, was lined on either side with chalk pencil monuments
to the illustrious dead! This attempt met with so much favor that I
was prevailed upon to repeat it, substituting for the blocks cardboard
models quite characteristic of the Parthenon, Erechtheum, etc., while the
Theater of Dionysius, the Odeum of Jupiter, Cave of Pan, steps to the
Propylea, and the Bema of the Pnyx, were done in clay. The hard names,
in this way, soon became familiar, and each object served as a sort of
peg upon which to hang a good amount of Grecian history and mythology.
After reading, as a sort of finish, Mark Twain’s account of his midnight
visit to Athens, we were quite possessed with the fancy that we, too, had
been actual sight-seers in that wonderful city.” Everybody that reads
this will undoubtedly feel as we do, that we would like to go back and
read Greek history over again, for the sake of building up Athens; but
why can we not utilize the idea when we read the voyage of Æneas this
month in the “Preparatory Latin Course”? And when we come to English
history why not build a London? Plans like the above for interesting
circles must be supplemented by plans for keeping the members at work, a
matter especially difficult in large circles. In a late issue we called
attention to the program plan used at =Union City, Ind.= The secretary
has kindly sent us an outline of their method, which we are sure will
be useful: “We prepare and have printed a neat program for four months,
giving the places and times of holding meetings, specifying the different
exercises, with those who are to carry them out. These programs cost each
of us about fifteen cents each, and enable us to have about five apiece.
Each person knowing his duty, prepares for it from the beginning and no
excuse for non-performance of duty is left except unavoidable absence,
etc. Our experience for this year renders it certain that the circle can
no longer get on well without our printed programs.”
Along with the plans and suggestions come cheery reports of how the
circles everywhere are growing and spreading. Mrs. Fields, the secretary
of the Pacific coast C. L. S. C., writes us: “It has been quite negligent
in the secretary of this branch not to have reported long ere this the
growing interest and increased numbers of Chautauquans on this coast,
and especially in California. Perhaps one reason of this remissness has
been the very fact that every mail has brought to the aforesaid secretary
letters of inquiry concerning C. L. S. C., which must be answered
sometimes quite at length; or applications for membership, which must
be acknowledged, registered and forwarded to headquarters; or letters
from faithful old members with words of cheer and renewal of fees, all
of which certainly should be replied to in the secretary’s most cordial
style. We have five hundred and forty new members this year and two
hundred old members have renewed their allegiance. If, as is generally
the case, the old members continue to renew to the very end of the year,
we may hope for a list of nearly a thousand names before next July, as
the record of this year’s students.”
The circle at =Knoxville, Tenn.=, Monteagle Assembly, in which we all
became so interested by their rousing letter in THE CHAUTAUQUAN of
November last, has written us a characteristic bit of experience, which
we quote: “The dark, rainy nights of January are rather discouraging, but
we keep at work. One rainy night, on our arrival at the parlors we found
no light, and out of a membership of thirty-three but three were present.
We had one visitor, whose words I quote: ‘I had no idea they would hold
a meeting, but they were not at all disconcerted. The whole program,
prayer, minutes, lesson and music, was carried out as though the number
present was fifty instead of three.’ The result? The _visitor_ became a
_member_, saying, ‘that’s the kind of society I wish to join.’ I wish to
state, however, that so small an attendance is quite exceptional.”
Another circle whose history offers us some wise suggestions is that
of =Syracuse, N. Y.=, the home of the new secretary of the Chautauqua
Assembly, Mr. W. A. Duncan. Indeed, Mr. Duncan has the honor of having
founded this circle, which dates back to the inauguration of the C.
L. S. C. The city has fine public schools and its university is well
known for its able professors and superior apparatus; the circle has
been wise enough to use the material within its reach. It secured Prof.
Rollins, of the high school, as its first leader; for three years he
conducted a circle of fifty. His successor, the Rev. Mr. Mundy, brought
to them a large knowledge of art, gained by travel and study. When
they came to science, again they chose a leader particularly fitted by
taste and profession to lead them through geology and astronomy. This
plan of selecting leaders who are skilled in certain studies is very
advantageous. The enthusiasm and knowledge of a specialist in a branch
must always remain superior to that of the one who has only given a
little attention to the subject. In spite of excellent leaders and
earnest members, their numbers did fall off a little last year. A class
graduated and they did not secure new members to supply the deficiency.
The plan they followed for a re-awakening was excellent. Returning from
Chautauqua last summer they held a public meeting and explained the plan
of the C. L. S. C. and its benefits. That night brought them several
new names. Then they secured Dr. Vincent for the next week to give
them a sketch of the aims and methods of the organization. At the next
regular meeting the secretary received the names of forty-two members
of the class of ’87. The circle is certainly to be congratulated for
its proximity to so much local talent and still more for its enterprise
in utilizing it so diligently. The neighboring circle of =Troy, N. Y.=,
continues to maintain its enviable standing under the leadership of Rev.
H. C. Farrar. His indomitable energy and perseverance are felt along all
the lines. The plan of presenting subjects in three minute essays is
being tried with interest and profit at their monthly meetings.
All of the old circles show a steady growth. At =Claremont, N. H.=,
“Minerva Circle,” organized a year ago with a membership of ten, has
grown to twenty; the “Atlantis,” of =Lynn, Mass.=, commenced its second
year in October last with a membership of eighteen, an increase of ten;
the year-old circle of =Pittsfield, Mass.=, has gained thirty members
since its organization in February of 1883.
Since 1881 a little “Pentagon” of ladies has been meeting in =Greenwich,
Ct.= A member writes of their circle: “Although composed of particularly
busy people, we have the conviction that we have been patient over our
hindrances, punctual in attendance and persevering in the work. We have
run the scale of questions and answers, topics, essays and memorial
readings, but prefer, on the whole, the conversational plan as being best
adapted to bring out individual thought.”
=Cambridgeboro, Pa.=, has an interested circle of twelve members, and
=Blairsville=, of the same state, reports twenty, with a prospect of an
increase.
=New London, Ohio=, claims that their circle, organized one year ago last
September, and now numbering twenty, might with propriety be called the
incomparable.
At =Hennepin, Ill.=, there is a circle of fourteen ladies now reading the
second year of the course.
A lady writes from =Marion, Ind.=: “We have great reason to congratulate
ourselves upon the deep and constantly growing interest felt in our
circle, and which is plainly manifested not only by our own members,
but by those who do not belong, away off here in the very center of
Hoosierdom.” This “deep and growing interest” is the unfailing result of
earnest work in the C. L. S. C., and how can it be otherwise when the
idea continually develops new phases? The experience of the circle at
=Little Prairie Ronde, Mich.=, that “each year the C. L. S. C. unfolds
new beauties, awakens new incentives for more earnest action, calls
to the foremost the very best of kindliness and cheer, and incites to
diligence, research and thought,” is universal.
The “Centenary Circle,” of =Minneapolis, Minn.=, has long been a leading
one. It is by no means lagging—a late letter reports them as fifty
strong—their graduates reading the seal courses, the Memorial Days all
celebrated, and a big delegation contemplating a visit this summer to
Chautauqua. That, has a genuine ring, particularly the reading for seals
by graduates. Hold on to your reading habits.
The first and only circle to report an observance of College Day was
the “Alden,” of =Marshalltown, Ia.=, where it was recognized by a
large gathering of Chautauquans and their friends. Marshalltown has
been faithful in reporting all their meetings. They have the western
enterprise, but we believe =Sioux Falls, Dak.=, ranks first in that
quality. The following explains why: “We have an interesting circle
here. We hold meetings weekly, and they are interesting and profitable.
We purpose to double or treble our circle next year. We have sent you
reports of our circle for THE CHAUTAUQUAN, but you have failed to notice
us. We have decided to _Flood_ you with letters till you notice the C.
L. S. C. in the largest and most beautiful city in southeastern Dakota.”
We shall only be too glad to receive such stirring letters.
A few circles have reported lectures. From =Seward, Neb.=, where there is
a circle of sixteen, the secretary writes that they have had a lecture
on Emerson, a reading by Prof. Cumnock, Chautauqua’s favorite of last
year, and that they are expecting others. =Salt Lake City, Utah=, had the
pleasure of hearing Bishop Warren last fall in his lecture on “The Forces
of the Sunbeam.” The circle in this city numbers thirty-seven, and is
composed of ministers, teachers, business men and housekeepers; that they
have caught the spirit of our work is very evident, for they write us
that many of their number have in joyful anticipation the time when the
long distance that separates them from home and friends shall be paved
over, and they shall be permitted to join the number of those who pass
beneath the Arches of Chautauqua.
We have received this month (February) reports of thirty new local
circles. =Salem Depot, N. H.=, has organized a circle of fifteen members;
=West Medway, Mass.=, one with a membership of a dozen; =Somerville,
Mass.=, has a class of thirty-five reading the course, fifteen of
them have joined the C. L. S. C. as members of the class of ’87; two
villages of Massachusetts, =Amesbury= and =Salisbury=, have united their
members in one organization. Their membership at present is twenty-one,
consisting mostly of beginners of 1887, a few of 1885 and 1886, and of
local members. At =Madison, Conn.=, there is a circle which traces its
organization to the interest of a lady who had taken up the reading
alone. She writes: “January last I began the work of the C L. S. C. and
finished the year alone, but decided that another year should find a
circle in our village, if my powers of persuasion were worth anything. I
had no difficulty in forming a small circle, some members of which have
since basely upbraided me for not telling them of it before.” They have
named their circle after the pleasant and capable office secretary of the
C. L. S. C., the “K. F. K. Circle,” and true to their allegiance, suggest
that the local circles ought to see to it that she and her aids have a
building which could have C. L. S. C. suitably inscribed on _any_ part of
its front, instead of meekly abiding in a hired house. Some day we may
expect this.
=New Haven, Conn.=, the home of Dr. Vincent, organized, in October
last, “The Woolsey Circle,” so called in honor of their eminent fellow
townsman, ex-President Woolsey, of Yale College.
A new circle called “Washington Heights” is reported from =New York City=.
At =Bethel, N. Y.=, they started off last October with thirty members,
while from =Buffalo=, same state, a friend writes: “We have a wide awake
circle here, the membership of which has increased from six to twenty
since October 1st, when the circle was organized.” This circle has found
“review evenings” of great service to them. After finishing a subject
they devote one evening to a review, securing a leader competent to
answer all their questions and settle their disputes; thus for the review
of Biology they secured Dr. Kellicott, of the Buffalo Normal School,
who kindly answered all questions, and with the aid of his microscopes,
explained much that before had been obscure.
From =Lisle, N. Y.=, we have word of a circle of nine.
=North East, Pa.=, has a newly organized circle, among whom are several
yearly visitors at Chautauqua; =Newville=, of the same state, reports a
flourishing circle of nine members; from the class of ’87 in =Allegheny,
Pa.=, we have received the program of the services held by them on
February 10, special Sunday. It is particularly good. This circle is
following one plan which deserves more attention from all circles. They
are giving a good deal of attention to singing the Chautauqua songs,
devoting a portion of each evening to practice.
=Plainfield, N. J.=, the place which enjoys the honor of being “the
headquarters of the C. L. S. C.,” was without a local circle for several
years, though many individual readers have pursued the course. Last fall
the Rev. Dr. J. L. Hurlbut invited those who wished to form a local
circle to meet at his residence. The result was a houseful of people,
and a circle which has met fortnightly since, and now numbers forty-five
members. A friend writes us from there: “We allow no ‘associate members’
(persons not connected with the general C. L. S. C.) and none who will
not attend regularly and take active part. For every meeting Dr. Hurlbut
prepares a program of fifteen topics selected from the fortnight’s
reading, and assigned to the various members. The program is printed by
the ‘hectographic process,’ and distributed to all the members at the
meeting in advance of its date. We take a recess in the middle of the
evening’s exercises for social enjoyment and conversation, and afterward
generally listen to a vocal or instrumental solo, and a reading from one
of the members. At the close of the evening the critic dispenses his
delicate attentions, his motto being ‘with malice toward all, and charity
toward none.’ On Sunday evening, February 10, we held the Chautauqua
Vesper Service in one of the largest churches, filled with an audience
which participated in the responses. We regard our relation to the C. L.
S. C. as among the most pleasant, and our circle as one of the best in
the land.”
=Camden, N. J.=, has also recently formed the “Bradway Circle” of
thirty-two members. This circle has a novel way of managing its session,
which may furnish a suggestion to some one wanting a new idea. After
their general exercises and transaction of business they separate into
two classes for the study of some subject selected at the previous
meeting by the members of the class. After devoting about half an hour
to the separate classes, they again unite into one general class for the
discussion of some topic.
We are very glad to welcome into our midst two new circles from the
South, one at =Salem, N. C.=, of thirty-eight members, and another at
=Atlanta, Ga.= At the January meeting of the Salem circle the exercises
were on “Germany,” and as most of the members understand the language
of that country, part of the exercises were in German. A very pleasant
feature of their program was an account of the customs, traits and people
of the country as they appeared to one of the members who had lately
traveled through that land.
Our space forbids our giving long accounts of the new circles in the
West. In =Illinois= there is a new class of thirteen at =Janesville=,
and another at =Jacksonville=, a place famous among its neighbors as
“the Athens of the West.” It contains no less than five excellent
institutions of learning, and yet they find a place for the C. L. S.
C. At =Litchfield, Mich.=, is another new circle, and from the college
town of =Appleton, Wis.=, the president writes: “It was considered
impracticable at first, in view of college and other literary societies
in the town, to start a C. L. S. C. These objections soon vanished. We
have a most enthusiastic circle of thirty-eight members, including two
college professors and wives, a physician, a clergyman and wife, and
several graduates of this and other colleges.” =Iowa= reports three
new circles. From =Fairchild= the secretary writes: “We have a most
enthusiastic circle of twenty-five members. At our opening in October we
thought one meeting a month sufficient, but as we warmed up we multiplied
them by two, and last week we doubled them again, so that now we meet
each week. You see this interest compounds more rapidly than that on most
other investments.” If one still imagines that the C. L. S. C. is in any
sense denominational in its tendency, let him read the experience of one
of the members of the new class at =Grundy Center, Ia.=: “I had a little
prejudice once against the course, as I thought that it would naturally
run into Methodist channels; but I have outgrown that. As a matter of
fact, of our fifteen enrolled members eight are Presbyterians and four
Congregationalists; but as members of the C. L. S. C. we are entirely
unconscious that we belong to any denomination.” At =Belle Plaine,
Ia.=, there is a circle of fifteen ladies; at =Clarksville, Mo.=, one
numbering fourteen. Kansas reports two new circles, one at =Wyandotte=,
where in a month they increased from four members to twenty-one; and
another of twenty members at =Sabetha=, including the professor of the
high school, and the teachers in the community. =York, Neb.=, has lately
organized a circle of fifteen members.