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The present number closes Volume V. of THE CHAUTAUQUAN and interrupts
for a time the pleasant monthly visits with Local Circles. A review of
the year’s work must be satisfactory to all. It has been a progressive
year for the circles; few have fallen out of line; numbers of new
organizations have been formed; almost all have increased their
membership; the circle work has been done more thoroughly than ever
before; new methods have sparkled on every page of reports; the social
life has been quickened and intensified; the circle evening has become
the most important evening of the week; it has been made the occasion of
practical discussions and of intelligent conversation; a stronger feeling
of union exists; the local circle has become a permanent institution.
There is much encouragement in the review, but there is much for each
circle to learn in a study of the reports of the past year.
The present issue of THE CHAUTAUQUAN will contain all the reports
received up to the date of going to press; those received after that date
will necessarily be held over for the October issue.
Very interesting and encouraging reports have been received from HALIFAX,
NOVA SCOTIA, where the local circles are prospering, and much earnest
work has been done. While their routine work and the required course of
reading and study are pursued by the several circles separately, their
occasional reunions are found profitable, and furnish much real enjoyment
for the members. One such was held on Longfellow day at Dartmouth,
across the harbor, which proved intensely interesting to an expectant
audience. Thorough preparation was made for this meeting, and the whole
arrangement was admirable. On Shakspere day an equally excellent program
celebrated the day. The programs for both were highly original. The
annual _conversazione_ of the “Central” circle, TORONTO, was held on
May 19th. The novel little arrangement for a program—three ribbon-tied
circles—looks most inviting. A half hour of orchestra music preceded the
address and concert, after which were stereopticon views and a promenade.
The guests were entertained at the Normal School building, where the
museum and picture galleries were thrown open to them.
Among the MAINE circles is a goodly one at ROCKPORT, composed at its
beginning in 1882 of twenty-one ladies. They have clung together through
separation in a way quite remarkable. One of their number spent last
year at sea, but took her books along, and had her CHAUTAUQUAN sent
to meet her at various points. Another friend who has been around the
world during the past year missed her books at Antwerp, but writes
from San Francisco that she is ready to make up the year’s work. The
Rockport circle has the peculiar honor of having for its president a
lady over seventy years of age.——“Mountain Echoes” have reached us from
BRIDGETON—nineteen of them. This circle was formed in 1883, and for a
year met monthly; the success was so great that they have doubled their
number of meetings. A sufficient proof of their statement that “good
work is being done.”——Fifteen members of a circle at BANGOR write us
that they have enthusiasm quite sufficient for a class much larger. It
is the steady variety, too, we fancy, for since 1881 they have met, with
few exceptions, every Monday night from October to July. The studying is
done on this evening, and time has been faithfully used, for they have
succeeded in reviewing several books. A talented young physician in their
midst has favored them this winter with lectures on Animal and Vegetable
Biology, with microscopic illustrations.——A spirited circle, the
“Whittier,” of twenty-five members, is working at NORTH BERWICK. Debates
are frequent features of their programs, and they have adopted the
sensible habit of choosing timely questions. Shakspere day was observed
by a reading of the “Merchant of Venice,” the characters being assigned
by a committee. At North Berwick the circle is fortunate in having
members of different denominations who mingle in perfect cordiality. The
result of their work together has been, they write, “an improvement of
mind and broadening of ideas.”
A pleasant gathering of C. L. S. C. folks has been carrying on local
circle work since October last at MEREDITH VILLAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Some fifteen members are in the company. A gentleman interested in the
work kindly furnishes them a room, lighted, warmed, and furnished. The
memorial days are held in honor, and recently they have had “an extra” in
a talk on chemistry from a teacher of the town.
VERMONT is represented this month in a lively letter from MONTPELIER:
“Our circle is not dumb, as might be inferred from our silence, neither
are we deaf to the appeals for reports from local circles. The trouble
is this: Though an organization of about twenty members since October
last, we have until this month been nameless. One name after another was
suggested until ‘The Idea Hunters’ was proposed, and met with general
favor. I think our motto should be, ‘Hunt until you find,’ for we are
constantly hunting in reference books for settlements to the many
questions proposed. We are learning, of course, and getting no little
amusement out of our researches as well.”
From the “Chautauqua Quintette,” of CHELSEA, MASS., we have this cheery
report: “We are a little company of five ladies, all intensely interested
in the C. L. S. C. work. We derive great benefit from our work, and
some of our programs would be creditable to a larger organization.”——A
slightly discouraged circle, finding it “hard to exist,” is the
“Thaxter,” of ATTLEBORO. The small membership troubles them. It should
not, it seems to us, especially since they have five members who write
“fine essays.” We surmise that if the “Thaxter” has five good essay
writers it is better off than many a large circle, and from the program
of their Longfellow entertainment it is evident that some one of their
number knows how to manage such things. Cheer up, friends.——A really
joyous letter comes from MELROSE, where the secretary of the “Alpha”
has been delaying her report because the new members would not cease
coming in, and she wanted to get them all. She writes: “Every member is
enthusiastic, and I believe that excellent work is being done. This is
my last year—that is to say the last of my _first_ four years’ course.
Please accept the most cordial greetings of our circle; we hope to send
annual greetings for many years to come.”——A dainty hand-painted souvenir
of the Shakspere evening of the “Alpha,” at UXBRIDGE, accompanies their
report of good, strong work. The circle is small, but, says one of
their number, “Chautauqua means a good deal with us.” The “Alphas” are
to be congratulated on the success of the memorial exercises they have
held this year.——Twenty-eight “Pilgrims,” of DORCHESTER, with their
pastor as leader, are pursuing their course up the hill of knowledge
courageously. Their meetings are well attended and interesting. Their
verdict is: “We certainly feel that our circle has been a great benefit
to us all the year, though it has been our first attempt at such work.
We have no reason to regret starting, and look to next year for greater
results.”——At LYNN the “Raymond” circle carried out a very taking list
of exercises in celebration of April 23d. It was the first entertainment
of the kind the circle has ever given, and certainly they ought to
be pleased with their success. Their program has that unusual merit,
originality.——The “Vincent” circle, of NEEDHAM, was organized early in
the fall, and has been flourishing since. Nearly forty members are in the
class, and next year additions are expected. The “Vincent” is going to do
what we wish every circle in existence would do, have a representative
at their nearest Assembly—if you can not go to Chautauqua. The ideas
and stimulus gained would be worth many times the cost and fatigue.——A
suggestion comes from “Clark” circle, of JAMAICA PLAIN, that deserves a
comment. It is that THE CHAUTAUQUAN print more of the programs which it
reports. Did we not furnish at least four programs each month for the use
of circles we should certainly do this. As it is, we prefer to take the
many good suggestions which we get from the programs sent us, and use
them in our monthly programs. We do this because the programs sent us can
not be printed until so long after the performance has taken place that
they are of no practical use to circles; by readapting them we can give
them to circles in a way in which they will be of use. The “Clark” itself
has sent us a program that deserves reprinting, only of what practical
good would be a March program in THE CHAUTAUQUAN for July?——“Although but
a very small part of the great Chautauqua army, we have caught something
of its spirit, and wish it ever increasing success.” So writes the
secretary of the correspondence circle of “Earnest Workers,” of which
Alice C. Jennings, of Auburndale, is president. The circle has a thorough
and systematic plan of work. Frequent letters from the president offer
counsel and hints. At each monthly meeting memoranda from the students
are read. These memoranda contain answers to a list of printed questions,
such as: “What books have you read in connection with the C. L. S. C.?
What three subjects in them have most interested you? Have you met with
any difficulties, and if so, what?” etc. The whole plan of their work
is admirable——The “Acadia” circle of FRANKLIN, MASS., was organized in
1882. It has now sixty members. The president, although pastor of a large
church, has been absent but five times since the circle’s organization.
One of their great helps has been the pronouncing matches on Greek names
and common English words. On Shakspere day the circle had the pleasure of
listening to a lecture from Dr. R. R. Meredith, on “Leisure Hours.”
From WOODBURY, CONN., comes a plea: “Pray receive into your host of
local circles the ‘Lone Star,’ for we are alone. There were others with
us who are not faded, but gone.” Marriage and going west has robbed the
circle of its members, until but one is left to keep the fire burning on
the shrine. We are glad to find a corner for that one here—certainly in
these columns there is plenty of company and no need to grow lonely.——The
“Newfield” circle of WEST STRATFORD is still “marching on.” On Shakspere
day the circle read “Merchant of Venice” and “Julius Cæsar” with hearty
appreciation, closing their celebration with a C. L. S. C. experience
meeting. Many were the stories told of what Chautauqua had done for
them.——MANSFIELD CENTER, a rural village in a dear old fashioned
Connecticut street, is the home of a circle of eleven members. It was not
begun until January last, but has shown its colors by having quite caught
up. Two of the professors of the neighboring Agricultural College have
given them very interesting lectures, and on Longfellow and Shakspere
days recitations and music furnished pleasing entertainments.
A report of a successful first year comes from AUBURN, RHODE ISLAND,
where the “Clio,” of fourteen members, was formed in October last. The
new circles are all, like the “Clio,” promising to start next fall with
fresh vigor.——Our thanks are due the “Esmeralda Bachelor” circle for the
program of the first memorial services under the auspices of the Rhode
Island Chautauqua Union. Great credit is due to Prof. John H. Appleton,
the president of the Union, for his efforts to make the occasion a
success.——The _Sentinel Advertiser_, of HOPE VALLEY, devoted almost
a column to a Shakspere evening, at which the “Aryans” of that town
entertained the “Pawcatuck” circle of CAROLINA. Some twenty-six of the
guest circle were present and were greeted with elegant hospitality by
the home circle.
They are always doing something new at OCEAN GROVE, NEW YORK. The last
has been a Tree Planting Day. On April 15 the C. L. S. C. planted a
beautiful maple for each class respectively of ’85, ’86, ’87, and ’88.
Representatives of each class were present, the largest number, of
course, being for 1888. There was a short address by Dr. Stokes, prayer
by the Rev. A. E. Ballard, and an appropriate song for each tree set out
in Bishops’ Grove. In the evening a “service extraordinary” was held;
trees and tree planting were the topics of talks, of songs, reading
and reminiscences.——The PALMYRA C. L. S. C. has enjoyed two evenings
in chemistry recently, Prof. J. C. Norris, of Walworth Academy, kindly
explaining dark points to them, and performing many fine experiments.
The circle is very warm in its praise of the lecture and lecturer.——A
Chautauqua circle consisting of fifteen members was organized at
UNION SPRINGS in January of this year. The members make their lessons
interesting and profitable with music, questions, and readings.——The
“Philomathean,” of LANCASTER, has a capital way of working in its
inexperienced members. “Questions, criticisms, and commendations are
interspersed through the whole evening. We aim to draw out the silent
ones, to make all interested and feel themselves responsible; try to
have every one feel that he _must_ take every appointment, and allow no
one to escape his turn at getting up question lists and easy work, and
so seek to train them for the more difficult work.” This circle is not
yet a year old, and numbers fifteen members.——We are happy to introduce
the first C. L. S. C. inventors. The “Unique” circle, of LOCKPORT, claim
that honor. Their invention is a game made up from the questions and
answers in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, and is intended to form a comprehensive
review of the year’s work. “The Unique” is the title of it. Would it
not be generous in the Lockport circle to share their discovery with
the rest of us?——The “Argonaut” circle, of Buffalo, entertained a large
number of invited friends at a special meeting held in April. The affair
was a decided success. The “Argonauts” deserve special credit for the
efforts that they are making to awaken interest in the affairs of the
C. L. S. C. by extra meetings.——At YONKERS there is a circle now in
its third year which has never reported to THE CHAUTAUQUAN before. In
all it numbers twenty. Their work during the past three years of their
existence has been in regular programs of essays, readings, and questions
and answers, with an occasional variation to suit necessity. This year
they held a very successful memorial service in honor of Longfellow’s
day, and more recently have had a valuable lecture, with experiments, on
chemistry.——Fourteen persons are reading the Bryant course in connection
with THE CHAUTAUQUAN, at MUNNSVILLE. The circle did not undertake work
until January, so adopted a short course for the rest of this year rather
than try the regular course. We hope to find them at work on the regular
course next fall, with their hopes of a larger membership gratified.
“Our Junto” is a circle within a circle. Five young men of the “Broadway”
circle, of CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, form it. Their program for the spring
(of which they ought to be very proud) is a little book rather than a
single page, containing the work laid out for the “Juntonians.” The
plan is admirable. Each member has something to do at every meeting,
and he knows what it is to be so long beforehand that he has ample
opportunity to gather material. All circles will find it to their
advantage to give attention to “Our Junto’s” plan.——Last October a few
of the many students in the C. L. S. C. in NEWARK, organized a local
circle. By the perseverance of these few others have been persuaded
to join until the circle numbers about twenty. They have taken the
name “Arcadia.” Memorial days in particular find pleasant observance.
The last celebration, Longfellow day, was especially interesting. The
chemistry is furnishing an excellent opportunity for experiments, which
the “Arcadia” is fortunate enough to have a chance to carry on in an
academy laboratory.——For the sake of northern New Jersey, which they are
sorry not to see often reported in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, the members of the
“Hawthorne,” of HACKETTSTOWN, a circle of five members, formed in April
last, has sent us thus promptly its report. The “Hawthorne” plunged _in
medias res_ and celebrated the Shakspere memorial almost as soon as its
organization was complete. Such a vigorous start promises well for their
progress next year.——The “Round Table” circle of JERSEY CITY is a band
of twenty enthusiastic workers. A great deal of genuine hard work has
been done by them the past year. The memorial days are celebrated, and
every incentive used to foster the true Chautauqua spirit. Experiments
have recently been given the class at the high school under the direction
of the teacher of science.——The “Ionic,” organized in DOVER, in January
last, grows in interest with each meeting. There are nine members, whose
happy experience thus far has been never to be discouraged. But why
should they be? “Each member does his part.”
The “Kensington,” of PHILADELPHIA, is a circle of eleven members who are
much in love with their readings. Such a success has their circle become
that the members are willing to sacrifice other things to be present, and
the president writes that he has received great benefit in going over
again the fields of study that he harvested years ago.——A letter from
the secretary of the “Pleiades,” of PHILADELPHIA, says: “‘Pleiades’ is
now nearly two years old. We began the present school year by increasing
our membership from nine to eighteen. We took the advice given in THE
CHAUTAUQUAN on simplicity of government, adopting such rules only as
would systematize matters, and having as little formality as possible.
It is a success. The meetings are so profitable that we think of
continuing them all summer. Two of our members have taken college courses
in chemistry, and they have been giving us some practical experiments
in this delightful study. Greetings to our sister circles, and praises
to our _alma mater_.”——The “Emanon” circle, of WEST PHILADELPHIA, has
sustained a sad loss in the death of Mr. John S. Rodgers, to whom the
circle ascribes its success. He had been the instructor of the class for
a long enough time for its members to appreciate his worth and sincerely
mourn his death.——A similar sorrow has come to the circle of WEST
BELLEVUE, where Mrs. Dr. W. G. Humber, a loyal member of the C. L. S.
C., died on the morning of May 3d.——The Chautauquans of PITTSBURGH make
more of Special Sunday than any other circles that we know of. Our last
reminder of this is a tiny vest-pocket program of the exercises carried
out by the “Duquesne” and “Mount Washington” circles on the second
Sabbath in May.——The circle at UNIONDALE writes us that it has chosen
for its name “Meredith,” in honor of Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of
the United States, and for their motto they have selected “Spare minutes
are the gold dust of time.”——What better proof of the efficiency of the
course than this testimony from the “Tennyson” circle of thirty members,
at ROCHESTER, PA.: “We think generally that our most pleasant evenings
are spent at our circle. One thing that deserves to be especially noted
is that light reading among us is being superseded by solid study and the
reading of standard authors.”——A circle of ’88s, at ALLEGHENY CITY, bears
the popular name of “Wallace Bruce.” Starting with eighteen members they
have grown to twenty-eight, a sign, we hope, that next year they will
increase with the same rapidity. Their program of Shaksperean exercises
is before us, and it bears some excellent numbers.——The “Carbondale”
circle reports a prosperous year. The interest and enthusiasm of the
members is increasing. The memorial days are all observed, and by
devoting ten to fifteen minutes of each session to singing the circle is
becoming familiar with Chautauqua songs. Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Alden gave
the circle some very happy talks on their return from their recent trip
to the Florida Chautauqua and New Orleans Exposition. The circle closed
its first year with a trip to England; this year it closed with a “Greek
night.” Going direct to France they propose to visit Paris, Switzerland,
Italy and Greece. Arrived in Hellas, the manners, customs, home life and
amusements of the Greeks are to be described in short essays. Each member
intends to constitute “thonself” a committee of one to secure a new
member for next year’s circle.——An appreciative letter reaches us from
SPRINGBORO, where a circle now numbering fifteen has been in existence
since 1881. The president writes: “While we are nearing the goal of
graduation we look back with gratitude at our rich feast with kings and
princes, with masters of art, of science, and of literature. Best of all,
we find that we have been made to more clearly understand the wonderful
power of the Infinite in all things. With our motto ‘Invincible’ still
before us we hope not only to finish the course, but keep climbing with
the Chautauqua brotherhood while life lasts.”——Let all good Chautauquans
congratulate the fraternity at MONTROSE. Thus the secretary writes: “It
has long been a wish that we might have a branch of the C. L. S. C.
in our ‘City on the Hill.’ Four attempts were made, but to no avail;
finally a few who were especially enthusiastic endeavored to push ahead
once more. The result has been more successful than we anticipated. We
organized in January with nine members, and now have grown to sixteen. We
trust that July will find us with the desired amount of work fully and
well accomplished. There is a most encouraging prospect of doubling the
membership another year.”
Twenty-seven enrolled members make up the circle at ERIE, PA. The circle
meets in the Y. M. C. A. parlors, and the informal, pleasant meetings
have proved a great attraction to the members. The Shakspere memorial
was observed very successfully, by a parlor session. The literary part
of the program consisted of a discussion on the authorship of Shakspere,
followed by readings, then came refreshments and the evening was closed
by a half hour of Chautauqua songs. Not many evenings ago an address was
delivered by the president on Emerson, followed by an hour of practical
observation through the telescope. The Erie circle claims that they have
interesting meetings, and as a proof say that a non-member, a blind man,
is in almost constant attendance.——About 100 members of the C. L. S. C.
Alumni Association of PITTSBURGH met in a social way at the parlors of
the Seventh Avenue Hotel on April 20th, to enjoy the pleasures attendant
upon the third annual reunion of the society. Arrangements had been
partially made for the reception of Dr. Vincent, who had been expected,
but the following letter was received instead:
To the Annual Reunion of the Pittsburgh C. L. S. C. Alumni
Association, Pittsburgh, Pa.:
MY DEAR FELLOW-STUDENTS—I sincerely regret the engagement which
had been made prior to the invitation to meet you this evening.
The original engagement it was impossible to break. I am
therefore denied the privilege of your feast of reason and flow
of soul. The Chautauqua work increases in expansion and power.
The later classes are steadily growing. I have the good hope that
the classes of ’89, already forming, will be the largest and
most flourishing of all. I am more and more convinced that there
are multitudes of people who would hail with joy the provisions
of the “C. L. S. C.” if they were simply informed concerning
them. Are you doing all you can toward the enlightenment of the
great public with regard to the C. L. S. C. and other branches
of the Chautauqua work? Let me urge you to renewed zeal in this
direction. Bidding you “a hearty God speed,” I remain your
servant in this goodly work.