Illinois (Sycamore).—Our circle is composed of busy house-keepers and girl graduates to the number of a full dozen. We meet every Tuesday afternoon, and spend from one and a half to two hours together. We take up the lessons and readings by course, just as they are arranged in The Chautauquan. We use the questions in The Chautauquan, and wish there were more of them. The president supplements them, however, and asks questions on history of Russia, Scandinavia, or whatever is assigned for the week. Then we read together the “Sunday Reading,” and the poems in the “Preparatory Greek Course,” or a selection from The Chautauquan, not required. Questions, discussions, or expressions of opinion are always in order, as we are not one bit formal. The “Geology” we much enjoyed, and parted from it with reluctance. The “History of Greece” we could hardly part with at all, and the “Preparatory Greek Course” we wish the author had made twice as long. Indeed we part from each book regretfully, but welcome each new one joyfully. The Chautauquan is so full of good, enjoyable articles that we can not particularize. We find our weekly meeting delightful and if we had the time, would like to make it a daily meeting.
Illinois (Winchester).—Our circle has entered upon the second year of its history, and it is prospering. We started last year with seven members, out of whom four did thorough work. We had an addition of seven new members this year, and number at present eleven earnest, energetic Chautauquans. Five of our circle are married ladies, three are mothers, five are school teachers, and one a pupil in the high school. To say we are delighted with the books and other reading, does not express our appreciation of the good work of Dr. Vincent and his fellow laborers. The “Ancient Literature,” “Mackenzie’s Nineteenth Century,” and the two Grecian works of this year are gems to be coveted by every book collector. It seems that every new book prescribed for us is better than the last. Some of the most attractive features of this year’s work, exclusive of the required study, have been a paper on the Bayeux Tapestry; a paraphrase on a scene in the life of Agamemnon, and a select reading descriptive of the Yosemite Valley. Two of our members attended the Chautauqua Assembly last summer, and others propose attending next August. Letters of inquiry come to us from a distance asking for directions for organizing circles, thus verifying the Biblical text: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
Illinois (Chicago).—This, the “Garfield Park Local Circle,” was organized November 25, 1881, and now consists of six members. We hold our meetings every Thursday evening, at the home of one of the six. A record is kept of the work done by each member, and after this is accomplished, our president asks the questions given for study in The Chautauquan. These being answered, the subjects previously given out for further study are treated, and we have many interesting and instructive answers. Talks and discussions follow, after which the work for the coming week is assigned, the minutes taken, and we adjourn for music and a social time. We were much helped in geology by the diagrams, and, indeed, it seems as though almost every written article is in some way connected with our studies.
Illinois (Jacksonville).—A local circle was organized October, 1880, in the house of Mr. Frank Read. It has now entered its third year, and numbers seven members, almost all of whom are deaf-mute ladies, and teachers in the institution for deaf-mutes. Miss Naomi S. Hiatt is the secretary of this circle, and Miss Lavinia Eden the vice-president. The exercises consist of answers to the questions for the week in The Chautauquan, of answers to five surprise questions prepared by each member, of comparing notes, and of the leader’s review on the required readings for the week. The members by turn conduct meetings each Tuesday evening, at Mr. Frank Read’s house. Their daily reading and study seem difficult and tedious, but the interest in such work awakens and increases with each meeting. The exercises are conducted by means of spelling on the fingers; but the subjects, especially the tales from Shakspere, become very interesting through the medium of such uniquely luminous and intensely vital language as signs. This local circle is not only a great help to their professional work, but also an excellent means of contributing to their social, mental, and spiritual welfare. They all expect to be perennial Chautauquans.
Michigan (Kalamazoo).—We have recently organized a local circle here with an enrollment of twelve enthusiastic members, and we are all enjoying the work very much.