C. L. S. C. MEMORIAL DAYS.
1. Opening Day—October 1.
2. Bryant Day—November 3.
3. Special Sunday—November, second Sunday.
4. Milton Day—December 9.
5. College Day—January, last Thursday.
6. Special Sunday—February, second Sunday.
7. Founder’s Day—February 23.
8. Longfellow Day—February 27.
9. Shakspere Day—April 23.
10. Addison Day—May 1.
11. Special Sunday—May, second Sunday.
12. Special Sunday—July, second Sunday.
13. Inauguration Day—August, first Saturday after first Tuesday; anniversary of C. L. S. C. at Chautauqua.
14. St. Paul’s Day—August, second Saturday after first Tuesday; anniversary of the dedication of St. Paul’s Grove at Chautauqua.
15. Commencement Day—August, third Tuesday.
16. Garfield Day—September 19.
The sensible, social way in which the February memorial days were observed has brought to our mind a comment on Madame Mohl and her methods of entertaining, how, “beyond ordering a good and abundant meal, she gave little thought to the mere material details of her entertainments; but she took great pains with the intellectual menu. She would give time and thought and personal trouble to provide for each guest intellectually what he would most enjoy, and would carefully consider whether this person would like to meet the other, and to sit next So-and-So. Her great preoccupation was the combining of congenial elements for all in general and particular.” We feel very much as if our circles’ friends have learned Madame Mohl’s wisdom. As if the long desired reform in the methods of social entertainment was beginning in our own C. L. S. C. family. To give entertainments where wit and wisdom and social freedom prevail, where thoughts are more desired than feasts, and music and art take the place of supper tables is, it may be, the Quixote and blue-stocking way to-day—but it is the true social method. Any one who will take a glance with us over the receptions, “socials,” “at homes,” and public meetings which our circles held in February will, we believe, conclude that it certainly is the C. L. S. C. idea of “society,” and of a “good time.” Such delightful programs are rare to find.
Founder’s day is a new and very welcome occasion for observance, and very many circles made it the time of a special or public meeting. Some prepared an extra program, invited a few friends and spent a quiet evening in pleasant, friendly talk and merriment; others prepared a public meeting and strove to celebrate the day by increasing the interest in the work. At Franklin, New Hampshire, the “Webster” C. L. S. C. had charge of a joint meeting. The program they carried out was admirable. Two other Chautauqua societies assisted the “Websters” in the entertainment; the “Pemigewassett” C. L. S. C., and the “Crystal” C. Y. F. R. U.——February 27th was so close in the wake of February 23d that the celebration of the two days was united in several places, with excellent results, too, we should judge. At Milford, Mass., such a union meeting was held. The circle numbers twenty-eight, and as each member was allowed to invite one guest it made a goodly company. Vine wreathed portraits of the two heroes of the evening decorated the tables of the parlor where the circle met, and the program, divided into two portions, one devoted to Chancellor Vincent, the other to Longfellow, was happily arranged. We are glad that they have found out Lowell’s tribute to Longfellow; it makes a very appropriate number.——At Foxboro, Mass., the “Star” circle quite distinguished itself by its celebration of Founder’s day. There were present several out-of-town circles, among them those from Franklin, Medfield, and Mansfield. In the notice which a local paper gave of this affair, we find some comments which are particularly encouraging: “Many have expressed their great delight at the manner in which the whole entertainment was carried out, which shows that these seasons are becoming more and more popular. Says a lady somewhere in the fifties, ‘How I wish there had been such an organization when I was young. My advantages for gaining an education were limited. If my memory was not so poor I should be tempted to join, even at this late day.’ Another says: ‘I have enjoyed the whole program very much, and have got a better idea of the work of the Circle from this evening’s entertainment than from any other source.’ Still another: ‘I enjoyed the whole of it very much indeed. The program was nicely carried out,’ and asks ‘Why don’t the circle give such entertainments oftener, so that people can better understand the object of this organization?’ Says a gentleman, a graduate of one of the higher schools, ‘I enjoyed it immensely. The exercises from the commencement to the close were very interesting.’ Another, ‘It carried me back to school-days and spelling schools, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, supper included.’”——At Providence, Rhode Island, the plan of the Milford circle was followed by the “Milton” circle. A paper on “The Chautauqua Movement” was one feature of the evening. It seems to have been an evening of practical work as well as pleasure, for good results are promised us as an outcome of the meeting. The “Miltons” now number twenty-two, an increase of seven over last year. Indeed, we can hardly see how a meeting at all suitable for Founder’s day could do anything else but convert people. It would necessarily be brimming over with such sparkling ideas, such enticing plans, that the fortunate guests at such an entertainment would very naturally want to join the company.——Another circle, that at Northfield, Ohio, adopted this theory, and combined the two memorial days, making their celebration a public meeting, to which about sixty guests were invited. The program was very skillfully arranged, including some excellent subjects for essays. The Northfield circle was organized last year by ten “Pansies,” and has been recruited this year by two of the class of ’88. A good idea of their program is that they begin each evening’s work with the vesper service. The “quiz” is a prominent feature of the evening, and as “discussion” sends them home alert, interested, and sorry that the evening is over. A discussion on a live subject, we would whisper to leaders, is one of the best methods of making your circle sorry that it is time to stop, a result which is the best possible proof of an enjoyable evening.——At Silver Creek, New York, Founder’s day was celebrated with much enthusiasm by the circle; an excellent program of the evening was prepared and published, the week previous, in the local paper. The program was divided into three parts—the first consisting of Chautauqua songs, mottoes, selections from Founder’s writings or sayings, a sketch of his life, and appropriate recitations; then a petit souper, and, on the principle, perhaps, that the best should come last, part third consisted of the reading of a letter from the Founder himself, sent in reply to a request from the circle for only a few words, and of a poem from the poetess of the class of 1886, Mrs. Cleveland.——The three Chautauqua circles of New Albany, Indiana, have now about seventy-five members, and all memorial days are observed by them jointly. Among the several pleasant meetings of the year, none have been so successful as Founder’s day. On the program of exercises we notice that roll call was responded to by giving quotations on the “Companionship of Books.” These were collected and printed in a local paper for preservation in the circle’s scrap books. Prof. R. A. Ogg, of the class of ’84, presented “The Founder and his Chautauqua Idea” in his happiest manner. “The Founder at Chautauqua” was vividly pictured by Rev. W. S. Austin, secretary of the class of ’86. Every Chautauquan present left this memorial meeting with the expression upon his lips, “The best of all our union meetings,” and the public were loud in their praises of it.——The sixth circle of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, young, enthusiastic ’88s, all ladies, and hard at work for their own improvement and for the advancement of their circle, make a right jubilant report of the pleasant time they had with their friends of the “Beta” circle on Founder’s day. They held their meeting in the afternoon, and carried out the program very nearly as The Chautauquan prescribed. “To some of us,” a member writes, “our second alma mater bids fair to become even dearer than the one of earlier remembrance.”——Right in tune with this glad greeting is a message which comes from the circle at Indianola, Iowa, another circle that celebrated Founder’s day. “We have received so many helpful hints and useful suggestions through your local circle column, that we take courage to say: ‘May the Chautauqua work we love so well go on until it spreads from east to west, from north to south.’” Our Indianola friends were organized six years ago. Two of their number were members of the first graduating class. A method of leadership, which we believe to be very effective in a small circle, is pursued by them. It is that each member take turns in the leadership of the circle.
The 27th of February is the memorial day most universally celebrated, and this because, perhaps, our memories of Longfellow are so peculiarly near and tender. This season the memorial services celebrated by the C. L. S. C. were particularly prominent. To begin “at home,” the “Willis” circle of Portland, Me., gave a charming entertainment. From a Portland paper we clip the following description: “The exercises were conducted in a very unique and pleasing manner. One of the double parlors was filled with about fifty invited guests, while the other, being fitted up in representation of the Wayside Inn, was occupied by members of the circle, each one representing in costume some one of Longfellow’s characters. Each of the participants in the exercises was introduced with appropriate selections by ‘John Alden,’ while by his side sat ‘Priscilla, the Puritan maiden.’ Other characters represented were the ‘Landlord and Daughter,’ ‘Evangeline,’ ‘Rabbi Ben Levi,’ ‘Astred, the Abbess,’ ‘Precissa, the Gipsy,’ ‘Spanish Lady,’ ‘Hiawatha,’ ‘Minnehaha,’ ‘Young Musician,’ ‘Paul Revere,’ ‘Theodore,’ and ‘Lady Wentworth.’ On the whole, the entertainment was decidedly a novel affair and will be long remembered by the members of the circle and their many friends.” This “Willis” circle was organized last September, and numbers eighteen members. They are blessed with the best of recommendations. They declare that willingness and good nature are their prominent characteristics. Certainly, with plenty of the sunlight and fresh air of society theirs, it is not strange that they “look forward from one meeting to the next, anticipating much pleasure and profit.” The “Dorionic” circle of Biddeford, Maine, laid aside its studies for one evening and held special exercises in honor of Longfellow. This circle has been doing exceptionally thorough work in chemistry this winter. A full course of lectures on the subject has been delivered in connection with the study of the text-book on chemistry.——One of the most novel programs with which we have been favored is from Richmond, Me. The “Merry Meeting” circle send it. A gay Japanese napkin, on which the title page, the committees and the exercises all find place. As in several of the programs, we find that tableaux take a prominent position. No better interpretation of striking scenes is possible than by tableaux vivants, and a strictly literary program can be readily enlivened by a well selected scene.——The Longfellow memorial day was especially and appropriately observed at Old Town. The pleasant and commodious vestry of the Congregational Church was filled with the members and invited guests to the number of a hundred or more. The program—an excellent one—contained beside its essays, readings and music, extracts with tableaux from “Evangeline,” “Miles Standish” and “Excelsior.” The “Old Town” circle is one of our new friends, having been organized last October; young yet, but vigorous, for it numbers already thirty-five members.——At Castleton, Vermont, the “Lone Pine” circle is doing very thorough work, and rejoicing in a good organization. Their Longfellow memorial program was very complete; though they have but fourteen members, they seemed to have no difficulty in securing the music, essays and readings for a full program. The closing feature of the evening was an informal conversazione over their ice cream and cake, on Longfellow. With such an entertaining “something to talk about” the circle must have gone home full of ideas and happy thoughts.——A very energetic effort was made recently by the “Berkeley” circle, of Boston, Mass., to bring the Chautauquans of Boston and vicinity into more intimate relations. A union meeting was the means chosen, and Longfellow’s day was the time. Fifteen circles in all participated in the exercises; among them were: “Phillips,” of South Boston; “Hurlbut,” of East Boston; “People’s Church,” of Boston; “Parker Hill,” of Roxbury; “Floral Society,” of Tremont Temple; “Longfellow,” of Cambridge; “Pericles,” of Brighton; “Clark,” of Jamaica Plain; “Sherwin,” of Dorchester; “Henry M. King,” of Roxbury; “The Pilgrims,” of Dorchester; “Bromfield Street Church,” of Boston; “Berkeley,” of Boston. About fifty persons were present. Letters were received from the Rev. B. P. Snow, the president of the class of ’86, and Prof. W. F. Sherwin, who were unable to attend. This brave effort to strengthen the bonds of fellow-feeling will not be fruitless, we are sure. “Berkeley” circle, in undertaking such a reunion, has instituted one of the most practical and useful ways of increasing the breadth and strength of the C. L. S. C. It is to be hoped that it will be made an annual feature of the Chautauqua work of Boston.——The “Mount Hope” circle, of Bristol, R. I. believes in the liberal use of printer’s ink. Accordingly, all of their meetings have been reported in one or both of the papers most widely circulated in the town. Three of the reviews which have been read before the circle this year have been printed, and an essay read at their recent Longfellow memorial also appeared. This “Memorial” was an unusually pleasant affair.——The circle at Gouverneur, N. Y., is the outgrowth of Mr. Hurlbut’s teachings at Thousand Islands Park, one year ago last summer. It has been successful beyond the hope of its organizers. At present its membership is about twenty-five, and these are all hard workers. Some two hundred of the circle’s friends met with them on February 27th to celebrate the day. There was music, recitations in costume, and an essay on a splendid subject—“Acadia”—and finally, a pleasant hour of social life. This circle at Gouverneur has done great good in the community and the members seem to grow more enthusiastic the longer their connection with the circle lasts. Two features of their meetings which they find very interesting are the review contest and conversation on a certain given subject.——A flourishing C. L. S. C. exists at Amsterdam, N. Y. It is composed of forty members—double the number of last year. The circle recently celebrated Longfellow’s memorial day in a pleasant manner. The program consisted of an essay on the poet and his works; music, songs and readings, selected from Longfellow; “The Black Knight” and “Nun of Nidaros” were read and illustrated by tableaux. The program closed with a series of tableaux, taken from “Evangeline,” portions of which were read.——The “Courtship of Miles Standish” was dramatized for Longfellow’s day by the circle at Johnstown, N. Y., and with music and a few additional numbers, made a very interesting program. This is the first memorial day observed by the circle, and it brought together many old Chautauquans, who professed themselves highly pleased with the vigor of the circle. We hope that if any of these “old Chautauquans” are not lending to the vigor of the circle, they will hasten after this happy evening to renew their allegiance.——The program of a literary and musical entertainment given on this chosen day by the circle at East Norwich, N. Y., has reached our table, in company with a genial letter about the C. L. S. C. life of that town. “We have been sarcastically spoken of,” our friend writes, “as that great Chautauqua Circle, and no doubt we have rather bored the people by our enthusiasm. Hawthorne compared religion to a painted window in a cathedral; seen from the outside it is not admirable, and one wonders that they can be so much praised; for it must be viewed from the inside to see its full beauty. The C. L. S. C., it seems to me, could be fittingly compared to the same thing. You see, I know, for it is not very long since I was outside myself. Our entertainment was a great success. We have considerable talent in our circle, both elocutionary and musical.”——Another delightful entertainment was the social given by the “Alyssum” to the “Argonaut” circle, of Buffalo, N. Y. The program was brightened by an excellent variety of tableaux, refreshments were bountifully served, and the delighted guests departed after a hearty vote of appreciation of the pleasant evening with Longfellow.——The program carried out by the “Allegheny” circle of Pittsburgh was characteristic of the circle—that is, very good. This circle always does something good.——The “Pansy” circle, of Chester, Pa., observed the “Longfellow Memorial” in a very appropriate and spirited manner, by a program which included the singing of Chautauqua songs, sketches and recitations. A pretty feature was the reading of “The Nun of Nidaros,” with organ accompaniment and tableaux. The greater portion of “The Courtship of Miles Standish,” with numerous tableaux, was given. The evening’s program ended with choruses from the songs. This “Pansy” circle was organized last October and its membership is divided between “Pansies” and “Plymouth Rocks.”——Another Pennsylvania circle formed last fall is the “Longfellow,” of Philadelphia. The circle is made up of eight members. Their regular order of exercises is capitally arranged to cover all points of the readings. They invited the “Sappho” circle to join with them in commemorating Longfellow’s day, the members of both circles to take equal part in the entertainment. They spent such a very pleasant and profitable evening, that it has been decided to keep all the memorial days in the same manner.——In a recent letter from a Washington, D. C., friend, we find the following interesting points about one of the circles of that city: “The weekly meetings of ‘Parker C. L. S. C.’ during the past winter have been, for the most part, very interesting. The annual celebration of Longfellow’s day was no exception. An appropriate program was carried out, one of the best features of which was the account of the poet’s life. The whole time was divided into periods and assigned to different members. After the exercises, Mr. Lowe, Engineer U. S. N., at whose home the circle met, kindly gave a most interesting and instructive account of the Greely Relief Expedition, by previous request, he having been one of those brave rescuers. He was listened to with attention, and the scenes he pictured were rendered more vivid by the exhibition of various articles of fur clothing worn in that region, by photographs of the relief ships, natives, etc., and also by some of the identical food upon which Greely’s party were subsisting when found.”——The “Crescent” circle, organized at Fremont, Ind., three years ago, would like to extend greeting to their many fellow students, and claim a place in the great family of workers who are reading the same books and thinking the same thoughts. The circle is not large, but has abundant hope and ambition to make the work enjoyable. Every meeting is a treat to them, they say. They, too, observed Longfellow’s day and carried out an excellent program, in which some of the “little folks” carried off high honors for their share in tableaux and charades.——At Hampshire, Ill., the most interesting memorial service of the year was that celebrated on Longfellow’s day. A large audience collected to listen to the exercises and went away seemingly well satisfied with the ability of Chautauquans to furnish an evening which should be both literary and social. This circle is doing good work in Hampshire. The members are more active than ever, and there is a prospect of an increase in numbers.——Another delightful parlor entertainment was that at Elk Horn, Wisconsin. The circle, bubbling over with C. L. S. C. devotion, mingled an occasional purely Chautauqua subject with the Longfellowana, not at all to the detriment of the program, so we think. At the close of the literary exercises, the guests, numbering about forty, were invited to a lunch, in quality and quantity “fit for a king.” Then came the “good-nights,” and each guest left with the wish that C. L. S. C. might long continue to flourish, and that such evenings might be in the ascendant among the diversions of the town.——A dainty invitation has come to us to be present at the Longfellow memorial exercises and social reunion held March 2, at the Grand Avenue Congregational Church in Milwaukee, Wis. The program which accompanied it has an essay subject which we hope our friends will tuck away in their memories for next year’s use. It is “The Women of Longfellow’s Writings.”——A houseful of Chautauquans and their friends gathered on the evening of Longfellow’s day at one of the delightful homes of Marshalltown, Iowa. The “Vincent” and “Alden” circles held a joint meeting which was a source of great pleasure to both the Chautauquans and guests present. The social notes of the local paper of Marshalltown contain a very complimentary reference to this pleasant affair.——Along with the notice of a Longfellow dinner given by the secretary of the circle at Maple Hill, Kansas, comes a sparkling letter of the birth and growth of that same circle. Perhaps it will be more suggestive than even the pleasant exercises of the dinner would be. Our correspondent writes: “It would be too long a story to tell of the first infection of the secretary of this circle by visiting a live Chautauquan in Topeka during the fall of 1883. Enough to say, she ‘caught’ the fever, as the diagnosis plainly showed. The first pronounced symptom, enthusiasm, was increased by the purchase of Pansy’s ‘Hall in the Grove,’ and finally culminated in the Chautauqua brain fever. She went home and showed a ‘method in her madness’ by inoculating her friends through the loan of that same ‘Hall in the Grove,’ and she was delighted to see the usual symptoms develop in due course of time. This same secretary was dubbed the ‘She-Talker’ by her friends, but all to no purpose, so far as discouragements go, for she had the satisfaction of forming a class in November of 1883, consisting of four members. Now be it known, Maple Hill is a sparsely settled farming town, made up mostly of large farms and ranches, and this makes it the more difficult to carry on such an enterprise. We, however, read on during the winter, but were disappointed when the fall of 1884 came round, to find that one of our most enthusiastic members had ‘taken a school’ some twelve miles away, and would have to read on alone, ‘probably,’ but before our first month had passed we had taken five new names, and had adopted two honorary members, who, although they were fully in sympathy with the movement, could not this year take up the regular line of work. So we number eight regular members, making a class of ten. It would make my letter too long to tell of all our work. Our readings have been not only profitable, but exceeding pleasant this ‘long and dreary winter,’ and this united class of ’87-88 extend the right hand of fellowship to their comrades all over our goodly land.”——At Chanute, Kansas, the memorial service was equally pleasant. The circle there is composed of seventeen members, and they all contributed their best to make the program bright and taking. The success which attended their efforts is peculiarly gratifying, when we remember that for all save one of the members this is the first year of C. L. S. C. work.——Longfellow’s day was appropriately observed at Clinton, Missouri, by the “Excelsior” circle, with a program modeled on that published in The Chautauquan. This circle, organized with four members, now numbers nineteen, all ladies. There is a growing interest in the work at Clinton which insures future prosperity and increase of strength.——“Out among the Rockies,” at Boulder, Colorado, Longfellow’s day was appropriately observed by the circle. The meeting was made doubly pleasant by the fact that February 27th is the birthday of the hostess of the occasion.——“Central” circle of San Francisco, California, has never yet been reported to The Chautauquan. It was organized in 1883, and reorganized in 1884, with a membership of twenty-three, fourteen of whom belong to the “Plymouth Rocks,” ’88. Their plan of work is to have a special leader for each study, and a paper or select reading has a place in nearly every program. Longfellow’s day was observed in a pleasing manner. In addition to a biography of the poet, each chapter of which was written by a different member, “The Bridge,” and “The Day is Done” were sung, and “The Builders” given as a recitation. At roll call responses were given from Longfellow’s most beautiful thoughts. A good degree of interest is manifested, and young and old find places in their ranks. Two of the members expect to graduate this year, but, writes one of them, “I shall be none the less a ‘Chautauquan,’ for that I intend to be through life.”
A large number of new circles are reported this month, with a few which, though organized for some time, have never be fore reported to us. At Augusta, Maine, a circle of fourteen members was formed in October last. The circle has been so interesting that the numbers usually swell beyond the actual fourteen—a good sign of the manner in which the circle conducts its meetings. They have observed the memorial days, and send us an excellent program of the Longfellow exercises. One of the numbers on this occasion was an original poem—from the pen of a “Pansy,” we suspect—one stanza of which we quote:
“Take whatever God sends,
As the blossoming pansies do;
He clothes them with royal grace;
Shall he not take thought for you?
Trust—for the trustful heart
Knoweth the tenderest leading,
Knoweth how certainly God
Our need and our craving is heeding.”
The “Garfield” circle, at Lewiston, Maine, a new circle of seven members, gives us a delightful glimpse of their C. L. S. C. hour: “Our president is a dressmaker, and ‘we girls,’ or at least four of us, work for her. We have reading in the shop nearly every day, forty minutes or more, and then talk of what we read. Almost a Socratic school in a dressmaker’s shop! Friday evening of each week the shop takes on another look. The work is put away, the table drawn out, the bright cloth laid, the lamps trimmed and burning; the members take their seats and place at the ‘table square,’ and for two or three hours we spend a refreshing and enjoyable evening. We find the programs in The Chautauquan very useful, but always have to add to and rearrange the parts, for we all want to do something for the next meeting. Arrangements were made by the presidents of the ‘Garfield’ and ‘Scott’ circles to have a union meeting on Longfellow day. We spent a delightful evening. The work was divided between the two circles, and we all felt much benefited by the meeting. We heartily recommend the occasional union meeting.”
There are over twenty-one regular members in the “Alpha” circle of Melrose, Mass., though it was started only last October, and any amount of enterprise. The secretary writes many appreciating words of the C. L. S. C.: “This is my fourth year,” she says, “but I can echo the sentiment expressed by some one in the last Chautauquan—‘Once a Chautauquan, always a Chautauquan’—and rejoice to think that it is by no means my last year. I hope to send you annual greetings from our circle, for we anticipate a future for it.”——A share of the honor which is bestowed upon the circles of ’88 certainly belongs to the “Hestia” circle, of Leominster, Mass. Their motto, Festina lente, they are faithfully carrying out. In addition to the Chautauqua course, they are taking a systematic course in botany, which they expect to enjoy very much this coming summer. One of their number is a zealous student in botany and chemistry, and is a great help to them in these branches, performing all the experiments, and explaining the difficult points.
The “Gardner” circle was organized in Pascoag, R. I., last November, with a membership of seven, which rapidly grew to its present number of twenty-two, all, with the exception of two, “Pansies,” of the class of ’88. The circle was named in honor of Mr. E. P. Gardner, of Norwich, Conn., to whose inspiring words it owes its formation. The interest of the members is steadily increasing, and although few of the number are persons of leisure, yet the earnest work accomplished by this circle, we are confident, would cheer the hearts of those who love the C. L. S. C.
A second circle in Plainfield, N. J., has met with a cordial recommendation from Dr. Hurlbut. There is no lack of enthusiasm in the new circle. The members are thoroughly pleased by the readings, and give a hearty support to the work, writing many interesting papers. At a recent meeting it was decided that the circle be hereafter known as the “Hurlbut” circle, in recognition of the assistance which has been received by them from the able C. L. S. C. worker, the Rev. J. L. Hurlbut.——At Philadelphia, Pa., so a note informs us, the “Arcadia” circle was organized in February, with a membership of five, and a promise of gathering in more.——On February 16th, through the efforts of Mrs. Dr. Seeley, a circle of the C. L. S. C. was organized at Jefferson, Ohio, which at present numbers thirteen members. It is the first circle organized in the place, although two of the members are graduates of ’82.——The C. L. S. C. of Ellsworth, Ohio, has never before been noticed in The Chautauquan. A circle of seven members was organized there more than a year ago. Each made an effort to enlarge the circle this year, but succeeded in obtaining but one new member. It is a country place, and the members are scattered, but meet occasionally; although they can not meet often they are busy workers.
This little note from Iowa explains itself: “We are glad to announce an organized local circle in Iowa City, of eleven members. At our first meeting we received an invitation from the Nineteenth Century Club, to attend a lecture given by the president of the State University. Subject: ‘Our National Constitution.’ We are all enthusiastic over the C. L. S. C., are working now for a large membership to begin fall work in time.”——At Hopkinton a circle was formed last October of fourteen members. A bright, interested circle it is, too, quite up to the times in the variety and quality of its fortnightly exercises. The special days afford much pleasure to the circle. College day was spent in a half day’s visit to their flourishing local college, Lenox.
At the confluence of the Vermillion and Missouri rivers in the town of Vermillion, Dakota Territory, a new circle came to life in November last. The circle has an active membership of twelve, consisting of lawyers, teachers, printers, university students, milliners, business men and their wives. Among the special features of the circle may be mentioned that of thorough interest in the readings; special effort to acquire accuracy in pronunciation; the utmost freedom in conversing about, and discussing questions that incidentally arise during the evening’s reading; essays on the important facts of the subjects considered; and the roll call, the responses thereto being made by reciting mottoes, wise sayings, proverbs, quotations from the poets, brief descriptions of foreign countries (the assignments for this exercise having been made at a previous meeting). At its next meeting the responses will consist of three minute biographical sketches of eminent American statesmen.——Still another new circle sends greetings from the heart of the Rockies. A class of three has been formed at Gunnison, Colorado, and neither the small number nor their far-away home dampens their ardor. They are “greatly interested, and feel a thousand times repaid.”
Several of our senior friends from New York have come in with how-do-you-dos and cheerful news this month. The C. L. S. C. readers in the “Flower City” (Rochester) have not been idle during the past months, and although, like most Chautauquans, they are busy men and women—teachers, professional and business men, housekeepers and students—still they find time to keep abreast with the prescribed reading, and do not fail to attend the meetings of the circle. The circle is known as a section of the Rochester Academy of Science. By affiliating with this body they secure an excellent hall for a place of meeting, as well as increased dignity and importance, and frequently members of other sections are attracted to their meetings as interested spectators. Their circle was reorganized early in the fall, starting off with nearly twice as many members as last year. They hold meetings twice a month, and the interest and attendance are constantly increasing. The leaders in the Academy of Science, at first somewhat adverse to connection with them, are only too glad now to welcome the circle in their monthly meetings, and the vice president of the circle is now the corresponding secretary of the Academy. There are about fifty active members, and many others are quietly pursuing the course of reading. In character they are quite cosmopolitan, representing extremes in age and character, as well as every C. L. S. C. class, from that of ’82 to that of ’88. The president is an old Chautauquan, and although an active business man, never misses a meeting; other leading members are quite as punctual in their attendance.——At Andover the circle of nine is steadily working away, and with good results, too, for their work has brought this experience: “We all agree that the C. L. S. C. has brought a blessing and inspiration into our lives, and we give to all its projects our undivided and unswerving loyalty.”——At South Lansing the C. L. S. C. has lost one of its most devoted workers. Miss Emma Morrison, a member of the class of ’84, died at her home October 21, 1884.——Another bereaved circle is that of Olean. Nelson F. Butler, a warm admirer of the Chautauqua work, and a leader in the “Philomathic” circle, was taken from them February 20, 1885.——“Les Huguenots,” of New Paltz, N. Y., was organized in 1883, since which time the circle has increased from fifteen to twenty-seven. The programs, prepared two weeks in advance, are very bright and interesting. The circle is faithful, and work promises well for the future.——Some excellent suggestions, and aptly called too, come from Webster’s Corners, N. Y., where the “Iota” class of Orchard Park entered upon its second year’s work last October. It is at present composed of fourteen earnest members, the classes of ’84, ’86, ’87 and ’88 being represented. The aim of the class has been to make its meetings as informal as possible, and this year it has succeeded. Among their exercises are roll call, responded to by quotations or facts, talks on some given topic, select readings, pronouncing contests, and the question box. To vary the program a “basket of facts” is sometimes substituted for the usual question box. Sometimes they have conundrums on Greek History. One feature of a recent program which gave an excellent drill, besides affording much amusement, was a Greek memory test, consisting of twelve facts from Greek History. At first the leader gives but one fact, the class repeating it. As each additional fact is given, the ones previously given are repeated in reverse order. For instance, after the twelfth is given, all are repeated in this order—12th, 11th, 10th, 9th, … 2d, 1st. They have also had “An Historical Lingo,” commencing about 900 B. C., and giving prominent facts in Greek History down to the year 145 B. C., when the Romans controlled Greece.
Several Pennsylvania items are at hand, too. The “Emanon” circle, of West Philadelphia, now in its second year, is meeting with good success. The members of this circle have been delighted with the studies ever since the organization—no one regrets, they say, having joined the circle. While actively engaged in the literary, historical, and other studies, they pay more attention to the scientific studies, probably because they have more advantages in that direction. The circle has access to a very fine microscope, and is one of the circles to whom Mr. Hall, of Jamestown, N. Y., sends slides with instructions regarding them, and the preparation of the same. Again, they have a good outfit of chemicals and chemical appliances for experimenting in chemistry; also the use of stereopticon views, to illustrate some studies. And while thus well equipped in various instruments and appliances to help in their studies, it should be added that they are largely—indeed, altogether—indebted to their instructor, Mr. John S. Rodgers, for the explanation of these branches of study.——At Lock Haven the circle has been enjoying a good winter, and prominent in their work has been chemistry, many experiments having been performed for them by an interested friend.——At the Y. M. C. A. parlors of Harrisburg a meeting was held on March 20th, the program of which we have received. It has some very pleasant features.
An excellent method of work has been adopted at Bayonne City, New Jersey. Each member makes a specialty of some subject in the course, and is prepared to furnish an article on the subject at any meeting when called upon, and also to answer any questions on that subject from the question box. The “Pamrapo” circle has ten members and one officer, a president—they do, however, have an extra official, a journalist, who is appointed at each meeting.
As enjoyable a C. L. S. C. banquet as we have heard of this year was that held in Akron, Ohio. The circle entertained its friends royally on this occasion, some one hundred of whom were seated at the supper table. A happy surprise of the affair was an unexpected visit from Chancellor Vincent, who responded to the toast, “Chautauqua.” A fine speech was made by President Lewis Miller. “This is an age of quick things,” he said, giving an apt illustration of his remark by referring to his telephone talk with Dr. Vincent, at Cleveland, forty miles away, but for which conversation, voice to voice, Dr. Vincent would not have been the guest of the Akron C. L. S. C. Because one could talk with Pittsburgh by telegraph—by the quick medium which was the product of this latter day—did not obviate the necessity for the longer or slower trip by rail, requiring hours. In fact, the telegram might be only a preliminary to the trip by car. As this is an age of quick things, so it is an age of condensed things. The student sweeps over 1,000 years of history—of great events—in the story of an hour. This is the work of the C. L. S. C. It takes these broad, quick views of the great events in the world’s life. And because the C. L. S. C. student makes this general survey, we are not to infer that he is content with that. It is the hour’s study in the history of the Roman empire that precedes the trip to Rome.
“Though we are so late in reporting the existence of our little circle, known as the ‘Philomaths,’ of Ackley, Iowa, we are confident that none other has been carrying on the season’s work with more enthusiasm than our own. September 19, 1884, we organized with an enrollment of ten; since that time the number has increased to fourteen—all ‘Plymouth Rocks.’ Each member leads a busy life, yet we meet each Friday evening, and are convinced that we can not spend our few spare minutes more profitably than in following the C. L. S. C. readings. Our programs, prepared by an efficient board of three members, are based on the proposed programs of The Chautauquan, and are published each week in the town papers. The quotations selected as responses are brought into the circle on uniform slips of paper and are preserved in a ‘Mark Twain Scrap Book.’ In course of time we shall possess a very choice collection of ‘gems.’ Bryant and Milton days were observed in their turn, as was also a Burns day. We are all delighted with the work, and our only regret is that the wave reached us no sooner.”——“We have organized in our village—Blanchard—a local circle of the class of ’87, of eleven members. This year we have nineteen members, one being a lady seventy-four years old, a graduate of the class of ’82. We hold our meetings weekly, members answering by quotations. We pursued The Chautauquan plan of questions and answers last year very successfully, and are proceeding in the same way this, although our programs vary according to the option of the leader. We usually have written questions on the readings in The Chautauquan. The work has proven pleasant and profitable.”——Another Iowa circle from which we are very glad to hear is that of Grundy Center. They had the misfortune to have their goodly membership of fifteen of last year dwindled down to five when they started last fall, but their enthusiasm was too much for discouragement. They have “caught up” again, and now are a democratic assembly composed of three ministers, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian, and their wives, one doctor, four lawyers, an editor, and two school teachers, a banker’s wife, two merchants’ wives, a county officer and two farmers.
It is a matter of congratulation that the Chattanooga, Tennessee, branch has joined the “local circles.” The cheery letter giving their past history is a guarantee that we will get the lines from them giving accounts of their future progress which they promise to send from time to time: “We have a very active little circle in Chattanooga, and think we have accomplished a fair amount of work in a short time, and under somewhat adverse circumstances. In the latter part of March, 1883, seven of us met and organized a class. We hoped and expected to increase our numbers in a short time, but resolved to pursue the course of reading and cling together, whether successful or unsuccessful in our efforts to induce others to do likewise. A month passed before we got fairly to work, the Chautauqua term being then two thirds gone. We preferred, however, doing double work and studying during the summer months to waiting until the following October to commence. We completed the first year’s reading in December, and were ready to begin the third year the first of last October. Our meetings are intensely interesting, for we are all in love with the course, and intend to finish it. Our silence respecting our circle and its work is attributable to the fact of our work and the jealous economy of every moment of time. We hope, however, to forward an account of our progress from time to time.”
“We can not do without the Chautauqua movement here,” so writes the secretary of the circle at Kahoka, Missouri. The class of workers there is large, including twenty-two regular members, beside many local ones. They are studious and regular, and as a result interested. Last year this circle held an open session in June, which was very successful, and they are looking forward hopefully to the next one.
The personnel of the circle at Columbus, Nebraska, is very striking, and, we think, decidedly an advantage. Here is what the secretary says: “One farmer, one teacher (our pioneer, all honor to her), one book-keeper, and two housewives. We are also decidedly cosmopolitan; one hailing from Switzerland, another from Alsace, one from Nova Scotia, and two from Ohio. One Nihilist, four woman suffragists (the ladies included), four prohibitionists, but all enthusiastic Chautauquans. What we lack in quantity we make up in quality, versatility and power. Our Longfellow anniversary was a right pleasant affair, and instructive withal. ‘Ah, that’s the way you literary people entertain yourselves!’ exclaimed one aged visitor. Our town is not a ‘literary’ one, by any means. Saloons, skating rinks and ball rooms seem to crush all upward tendencies. It is evident that a mingling of people from the four quarters of the globe has a depressing effect on public morals here.”
At Salt Lake City, Utah, much more interest is taken in the Chautauqua readings this year than ever before. The circle has regularly observed memorial days. It meets every Tuesday evening. The roll call, responded to by quotations from different authors, is always profitable and entertaining. The Rev. T. C. Iliff, pastor of the Methodist Church, is the president. He is an enthusiastic leader, and frequently entertains them with accounts of his travels in many of the places mentioned in the Greek studies. In its platform the circle is broadly Chautauquan, four churches being represented. A class in the “Spare-Minute Course” has lately been organized in Salt Lake City, composed mostly of pupils from the various schools in the city. Excellent work is being done.
We are heartily glad that our loyal Chautauqua worker, Mr. Burnell, brought out the Seattle friends who were consenting to hide their light under a bushel. Here is a second come forward to vindicate Seattle’s C. L. S. C. honor. However, it must be said, in order to in turn vindicate Mr. Burnell, that his work on his western tour was evangelistic, that his efforts to aid the C. L. S. C. was an extra labor of love, done because his heart was so warm toward Chautauqua, so zealous for her welfare that he was glad to use any effort to extend her usefulness. He was in Seattle only a few hours and was driven with work all the time. It is not strange that he did not find the workers which now come so valiantly to the front. As we said before, we are glad Mr. Burnell has “brought them out.” And here is the second vindication. It contains much excellent news about the work in that section: “The article from K. A. Burnell is entirely behind the times. Three active circles are in Seattle, with an average attendance of forty in all. The University of Washington has just arranged a series of twelve lectures, six on ‘Chemistry,’ and six on the ‘Greek College Course.’ Professor G. O. Curme, Professor of Greek, Latin and German, is an earnest worker and enthusiastic lecturer on Greek history and literature, and four of the professors are actively engaged in the course. An executive committee of five from each circle, and two from the university faculty, have organized to hold a Chautauqua Assembly on Puget Sound the coming summer, and the teachers of the public schools are in full sympathy with the movement. The first public movement in the Chautauqua course known to me was the formation of a literary society for the study of American authors, in the Seattle Baptist Church, September, 1883, at which The Chautauquan was regularly read for one year. This society resolved itself into a Chautauqua circle the first of September, 1884, and engaged Prof. G. O. Curme, Prof. C. B. Johnson and J. C. Sundberg, M. D., to lecture before its members. Other circles were formed, and a general society centered in the university, resulting in the present combination, as above stated. I think there will be twenty circles in Puget Sound next year.”