By J. H. VINCENT, D.D., SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION, C. L. S. C.
The studies for February comprise Astronomy, English, Russian,
Scandinavian, Biblical, and General Religious Literature.
* * * * *
The best authority for the pronunciation of names of distinguished
persons is “Lippincott’s Biographical Dictionary,” by Thomas.
* * * * *
Prof. J. H. Worman writes us that the _oe_ in Goethe is pronounced like
_ea_ in heard; _th_ is sounded like _t_. In Mülbach the _ü_ is like the
French _u_.
* * * * *
Another explanation: The White Seal lists on page 43 of the October
CHAUTAUQUAN are for graduates of 1882 who have two white seals, but who
did not read the “White Seal Course” for 1880 and 1881, or for 1881
and 1882. On page 55 the White Seal Course indicated is for persons
who have not yet graduated, and who wish to add a white seal for the
current year to their diplomas. The white crystal seal is for graduates
of 1882, whether they have won the white seals of 1880-82 or not. It
is the design of the white crystal seal to keep the graduates in line
and in sympathy with the current course of study. A student who did not
take the two white seals of 1880-82, may take them, and also take the
white crystal seal for 1882, or he may omit them, and take the white
crystal seal for 1882. Does this throw any light?
* * * * *
A member of the C. L. S. C. writes: “I am so happy in reading
‘Packard’s Geology.’ I have not the diagrams, nor access to them,
and so I am selfish enough to wish they had been in miniature and
scattered through the book. Anyway, the one picture on page 41, of the
Oblong Geyser, Yellowstone Park, gave me great pleasure, for here in
my cabinet I have one of these same ball-like deposits from those very
hot springs, Yellowstone Park, besides two other deposits in different
states of compactness, also petrified and agatized wood, and obsidian,
and at our limestone quarries in Chicago I have found the fossil coral
as pictured on page 63.”
* * * * *
In reference to the use of the character “k” instead of “c” in the
word Perikles, and other words, Prof. T. T. Timayenis, author of
the “History of Greece,” says: “It is the custom of all scholars of
the present day to reproduce as nearly as possible the sound of the
Greek names as pronounced by the Greeks. To this end all Greek names
beginning with ‘k’ retain that letter when translated into English,
as the sound of the Greek ‘k’ is more faithfully reproduced by its
equivalent ‘k.’ The idea of distorting the sound of the Greek name
to such an extent as to assume to reproduce the character ‘k’ by
the English ‘c’ is old, antiquated, and has been long abandoned by
scholars. The rule to-day followed by scholars is as follows: Reproduce
(that is to say, translate,) all Greek names into English by retaining
as nearly as possible the sound of the word. This custom has always
existed among the Germans. But I think it is only within the last five
or six years that it has been generally accepted by scholars in England
and America. I believe that the publishers of Webster’s Dictionary
ought to be up with the times.” This statement of the case, may seem
very bold on the part of Prof. Timayenis, but we give him the chance to
express himself on the subject.
* * * * *
To A. B.—Yes; read the best authors in fiction when you read fiction at
all.... George Ebers is recent, but stands well in his chosen field,
that of old Egyptian life.... Read Scott rather than Dickens. The
latter is a master in caricature and in his description of English, and
especially of London, low life.... The second volume of Timayenis’s
Greek _will_ be taken up in ’83.
* * * * *
A correspondent writes from Newton, Iowa, or Missouri, or somewhere
else; the postmark is so indistinct it is impossible to tell where. No
name is signed, no date given; and how can I answer the question?
* * * * *
Some one suggests a topic (an old one) for conversation, and gives the
names of what he regards as the ten greatest characters of history:
Moses, David, (Confucius or Alexander the Great), Julius Cæsar,
Zoroaster, Paul, Mohammed, Luther, Wesley, Napoleon.
* * * * *
In reply to a criticism on Prof. A. S. Packard’s book on “Geology,”
the Professor says: “The person who writes you is mistaken. I nowhere
say that the center of the earth is a burning mass. I do say, page 26,
‘The occurrence of volcanoes, and the wide-spread agency of heat or
fire in former times, indicate the existence of large areas of melted
rock or lava in the earth.’ I mean by this that under volcanic regions
are lakes or reservoirs of melted rock. The globe in general is a solid
sphere, solid at the center. This is a moderate and modern view. What
your correspondent attributes to me is an old-fashioned and obsolete
view. Let him refer to Dana’s ‘Geology’ for the latest views, or to
Leconte’s ‘Geology’ for all fuller details than my humble attempt to
excite an interest in the subject.”
* * * * *
I am anxious to purchase a copy of the CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY HERALD for
March, 1879, Vol. 3, No. 25, and for October, 1879, Vol. 4, No. 21,
also for May, 1880, Vol. 4, No. 28. Who can help me?
* * * * *
In response to my suggestion about reading for intellectual discipline,
a correspondent says: “In the December number of THE CHAUTAUQUAN I
noticed your item in ‘C. L. S. C. Work’ in regard to reading and
re-reading certain books in the year’s course for mental discipline.
I think the plan a good one, but would like to make a suggestion. I
think it would be a good plan to recommend Alden’s ‘Self-Education’ to
those who are taking up the studies of the first year. I got a copy of
it before I joined the C. L. S. C., and, although it was one of the
smallest books I ever read, yet I got more good out of it than of any
other. As you advise, I read it, and re-read, and read it again, and
for weeks and nearly months it was my constant companion, to be picked
up in spare moments. The reason I recommend it is because there are so
many members of the C. L. S. C. who have never had many educational
advantages when young. To them this book is invaluable, and may be the
means of helping them in their studies as it did me. To the College
graduate, of course, this would be unnecessary, but to the majority of
the others I think it would be of great use. I think there are too many
who look upon education as knowing—accumulating knowledge—especially in
this day of many books and miscellaneous reading. I think this book, if
read and pondered, as you recommend, would do a vast amount of good to
those who are seeking intellectual improvement.” The book referred to
is Chautauqua Text-book No. 25, price 10 cents. Title, “Self-Education:
What to Do and How to Do It.”
* * * * *
Why shall not our afflicted and faithful fellow student have a hearing
in THE CHAUTAUQUAN? Here is what she wrote last August: “If you have
time, will you say for me to the members of the C. L. S. C. that a
few of the women of Hot Springs, Arkansas, are trying to establish
there a Woman’s Christian National Library Association? We use the
word ‘National’ because it is a place of resort for the people of the
entire country, because the town is in part owned by the government,
and because we seek assistance from good people everywhere. The
work is in no sense a _local_ one. Probably no town exists in the
country having greater need in this direction. Men visit the place by
thousands annually, and find almost nothing to uplift—but saloons and
gambling-dens by the score. Our ladies feel that something _must_ be
done to make things better. Our organization has been in existence
eighteen months. We have about nine hundred dollars in the treasury,
and one hundred volumes of books. Better than all, on July 1st Congress
passed a special act allowing us to purchase a lot on the government
reservation for a merely nominal sum, so that we now have one hundred
feet front on the main avenue, for which we paid one hundred dollars.
Upon this we propose to put up a brick building worth ten thousand
dollars, to be used for a public library, reading-room, and a hall in
which to give entertainments, lectures, etc. We are working hard to
accomplish this result. Any help from Chautauquans, either in donations
of money, however small, or in books, will be most gratefully received.
Books can be sent by mail to my address, or by freight at my expense.
_One book_ from one of our class may save some young man from an hour
of temptation. May I not plead for a little help in trying to bring
‘life and light’ even to Arkansas. I enclose circular.
“Yours very truly,
HATTIE N. YOUNG, President Library Association.”
* * * * *
A member writes: “My horizon is very dark just now, but there is a
quotation that I believe, ‘He is weak who can not weave the tangled
threads of his existence, however strained, or however torn or twisted,
into the great cable of purpose which moors us to our life of action.’”
* * * * *
Members of the C. L. S. C. who desire to send geological, and
mineralogical and other specimens, weighing not more than ten pounds,
should send to the “Museum, Chautauqua, N. Y., care of A. K. Warren,
Esq.”
* * * * *
Members of the class of 1882, who paid all fees but did not graduate,
can, by simply completing the unfinished work of their four years’
course, and reporting to the office at Plainfield, graduate with the
class of 1883 or any later one. No additional fee will be required.
* * * * *
Encourage your neighbors to take up some of the reading of the C. L. S.
C. Ask them to try the book for the current month; or the Bryant or the
Shakspere Course.
* * * * *
The following are the addresses of manufacturers of badges for the
C. L. S. C.: Mrs. Jay W. Speelman, Wooster, Ohio, and Henry Hart,
Lockport, N. Y.
* * * * *
A student of the C. L. S. C. writes: “I have commenced the study of
Greek history, but not having a good memory I find the dates hard to
retain in my mind. Will you please give a plan by which our study in
this line may be made easier.” It does not make much difference whether
you can remember dates or not. Link men who did great things in their
proper chronological order. Know that one man who did this, followed
by a few years or centuries another man who did that other great thing.
Use the little Chautauqua Text-book of Greek History, No. 5. Repeat its
outlines, then repeat and repeat again. Get a few facts; tell them to
somebody; tell them to somebody else. Talk about them; then talk more
about them. The true way to memorize is to commit to memory.
* * * * *
When a choice volume falls into my hands I feel like calling attention
of the members of the C. L. S. C. to it. Here comes a beautiful little
book, with an introduction by Lyman Abbott, published by Putnam’s
Sons, New York, on “How to Succeed”—in public life, as a minister, as
a physician, as an engineer, as an artist, in mercantile life, as a
farmer, as an inventor, and in literature. The several chapters are so
many essays written by Senators Bayard and Edmunds, Drs. John Hall,
Willard Parker, and Leopold Damrosch, General William Sooy Smith, W.
Hamilton Gibson, Lawson Valentine, Commissioner George B. Loring,
Thomas Edison, E. P. Roe, and Dr. Lyman Abbott. It is an invaluable
book, and our readers will make no mistake in reading it. Price, 50
cents.
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When reading a book mark on the margin every word of the pronunciation
of which you are not sure, and every allusion and statement you do not
fully understand. Take all such words, allusions, and statements to the
local circle and ask for light, or if you have no local circle send
them to “Drawer 75, New Haven, Conn.,” and I will try to get light for
you from stars of one magnitude or another that shine in the heavens of
the C. L. S. C.
* * * * *
Collect engravings and prints of every kind, from book-stalls, old
books, illustrated papers and magazines, relating in any way to the
reading of the C. L. S. C. in art, biography, history, natural science,
etc. A picture scrap-book of this kind, filled with notes in your own
handwriting, would grow in value with the years.
* * * * *
Probe people on the subjects in which you are interested. Get all out
of them you can; and you can always get something out of everybody.
* * * * *
Gilbert M. Tucker, in _The North American Review_ for January, speaks
of “American English” in this way: “It will hardly be denied in any
quarter that the speech of the United States is quite unlike that
of Great Britain, in the important particular that here we have no
dialects. Trifling variations in pronunciation, and in the use of
a few particular words, certainly exist. The Yankee ‘expects’ or
‘calculates,’ while the Virginian ‘reckons;’ the illiterate Northerner
‘claims,’ and the Southerner of similar class, by a very curious
reversal of the blunder, ‘allows,’ what better educated people merely
assert. The pails and pans of the world at large become ‘buckets’
when taken to Kentucky. It is ‘evening’ in Richmond, while afternoon
still lingers a hundred miles due north at Washington. Vessels go into
‘docks’ on their arrival at Philadelphia, but into ‘slips’ at Mobile;
they are tied up at ‘wharves’ at Boston, but to ‘piers’ at Chicago.
Distances are measured by ‘squares’ in Baltimore, by ‘blocks’ in
Providence. The ‘shilling’ of New York is the ‘levy’ of Pennsylvania,
the ‘bit’ of San Francisco, the ‘ninepence’ of Old New England, and the
‘escalan’ of New Orleans. But put all these variations together, with
such others as more careful examination might reveal, and how far short
they fall of representing anything like the real dialectic differences
of speech that obtain, and always have obtained, not only between
the three kingdoms, but even between contiguous sections of England
itself!”