I have read Miss Livingston’s little idyl with much pleasure. I
cannot but think that if the older and more sedate members of the
Chautauquan circles will read it, they will find that there are grains
of profit in it; hidden grains, perhaps, but none the worse for being
hidden at the first, if they only discover them. Miss Livingston has
herself evidently understood the spirit of the movement in which the
Chautauquan reading circles are engaged. That is more than can be said
of everybody who expresses an opinion upon them. It is because she
expresses no opinion, but rather tells, very simply, the story of the
working out of the plan, that I am glad you are going to publish her
little poem: for poem it is, excepting that it is not in verse or in
rhyme.
Believe me,
Very truly yours,
EDWARD EVERETT HALE.