For the past year I have given in THE CHAUTAUQUAN a series of articles
on the interior significance and higher aims of the Chautauqua movement,
instead of the answers to questions which filled the C. L. S. C. column
in former years. The closing article of this year must be made up of
answers to questions which are of general interest.
1. A correspondent inquires “whether Alfred Ayres, author of the
‘Orthoepist,’ and editor of the English Grammar of William Corbett, is a
recognized standard authority in pronunciation, and whether he should be
preferred to Webster or Worcester.” To this I can only reply that I do
not so understand Mr. Ayres’s claim or position in the field of letters.
He certainly is not accepted as are Webster and Worcester; and the chief
advantage of his little volumes is in showing what one man who has given
much attention to the subject of pronunciation thinks on the subject.
That is all.
2. “How can a knowledge of Greek, Roman, or any other history be of any
benefit to me? I prefer to study the works of God, and in chemistry and
other departments of science to trace the signs of his wisdom.”
_Answer_: It is important to study God’s great gifts to the race in the
great characters of history and literature. The genius of Homer is as
much a wonder as is any fact in physical science. Acquaintance with the
vivacity, enterprise and energy of the Greek character is as valuable
to people who now live in the world as is a knowledge of the physical
constitution, shape, habits of life, and movements of the colossal
creatures reported by geology as having occupied this planet ages on ages
ago. No education is complete that has not to some extent been influenced
by the spirit of the old Greek culture. The whole history of that people
shows the impotence of mere culture without moral character, and we may
trace through the ages of Greek history the evidences of divine wisdom
and justice. By all means let us study natural science, but let us not
abandon history. Whatever pertains to man in any age of the world should
possess peculiar interest to us.
3. “People in our neighborhood often say to me: ‘Why study those books?
You will not live to finish the course; and if you do, what good will it
do you or your children?’”
_Answer_: Ignorant people often ask the question, “Of what use is
education, beyond a small amount of reading, writing and arithmetic? Why
should people who have to work in kitchens and fields study the stars?
Why should men who neither care to act on the stage, or to write for the
press, give much attention to William Shakspere?” Whatever our business
may be, we need to read general literature because we are members of
society, and owe something as rational beings to society. Parents should
keep in sympathy with their children, whose world of knowledge must
of necessity in this age grow wider and richer all the time. We are,
moreover, members of this universe, and God is our Father. We have a
right as his children to know something about his works and ways and
wisdom. Life is a wearisome thing to people who are ignorant. There is
sustaining power in the large thoughts which a true culture brings. If
one expects to live forever with God, he should cultivate noble and
worthy character on this side the grave, and such nobility is increased
and such holiness promoted by a wide range of reading and study with
worthy motive.
4. I am happy to announce that the “Chautauqua Press” has been fully
organized. Under its direction some of the books of the C. L. S. C. will
be published, and a series of standard books will be issued at once for
the formation of home libraries; books adapted to the special courses and
bearing also upon the Required Readings.
The first series of three or four volumes will be ready by August 1st,
and will supplement the regular work of the coming C. L. S. C. year.
While all the classes are reading Roman History, Latin Literature,
Italian Biography, and Italian Art, our “Chautauqua Library, … Garnet
Series,” will provide for those who wish to read more than the required
books, and for those who, as graduates, wish to win seals, the following
admirable volumes:
“Readings from Macaulay. Italy. With an Introduction by Donald G.
Mitchell (Ik Marvel).”
“Readings from Ruskin. Italy. With an Introduction by H. A. Beers,
Professor of English Literature in Yale College.”
“Art and the Cultivation of Taste, by Lucy Crane, with an Introduction by
Charles S. Whiting, of the Springfield (Mass.) _Republican_.”
[The fourth volume of the first series will soon be announced.]
This series of four volumes will constitute a special course, for the
reading of which the Garnet Seal (a new one) will be given to all
graduates, and may be won by those undergraduates who are able to do more
than the Required Reading for each year.
The Chautauqua Press will soon have on hand a rich library of cheap but
handsomely printed and bound volumes with which every Chautauquan will
desire to decorate and enrich “The Chautauqua Corner.”
Now we are on the eve of another summer of rest, of convocation, of
Assembly reunions. From these retreats comes much of inspiration which
keeps the Chautauqua movement in operation during the remainder of
the year. Let me urge all members who can possibly do so to attend
the nearest Assembly. Go to the Round-Table. Record your name on the
list kept by the local secretary. Show your colors, and thus lend your
influence to the Circle.
In behalf of the administration, the president, the counselors, the
secretaries, I extend to all members of the Circle a hearty salutation;
and to all of you who read these lines who have for any reason grown
remiss or apathetic in C. L. S. C. service, I give an earnest invitation
to come back, resume your readings, join the class of ’89, and make sure
of a successful four years’ course.
You will join me, I am sure, in one universal Chautauqua salute to the
honored editor of THE CHAUTAUQUAN and his competent associates and
contributors as our tribute to the ability with which our monthly has
been conducted.
And now, as we “study the word and the works of God,” may our Heavenly
Father be “in the midst,” and “may we never be discouraged” in pursuing
the high and beautiful ideal of the C. L. S. C.: The attainment of
symmetrical and practical culture which will fit us the better to serve
our fellows upon the earth, and to enjoy the blessings promised by our
Father in the heavens!
PLAINFIELD, N. J., May 21, 1885.