C. L. S. C. ROUND-TABLE.[I]
Dr. Vincent: All interrogations are in order in the way of criticism, questions relating to blunders in speech overheard, to infelicities on the platform, provincialisms, or to any imperfections of speech, which we desire in the interest of the English language and of a true culture to correct.
I receive a great many very sensible letters from members of the Circle. I received one during the summer or spring, to which I call your attention. I will read it. We have not been able to carry out the idea here, but at some time I trust will do so:
“Dear Sir:—At Chautauqua last summer I remember Miss Washburn referred to some of the practical scientific work they accomplished at their California Assembly; and you expressed a wish to bring more of this work into the Round-Table meeting. I have thought of the matter often, and several plans presented themselves. The chapters we had on geology in The Chautauquan suggested an idea to me that might be carried out with little trouble. In some of the local circles there are many who are able to classify and give interesting particulars of the rocks they may pick up by the wayside, but many are not so fortunate. I doubt not those few chapters in geology led more than one to say, ‘I wish I could classify this and this fragment of rock.’ I do not mean rare and curious specimens, but that rough and bare rock by the roadside. Many of the C. L. S. C. members who will be at Chautauqua, must be familiar with these things, and many will be ignorant. It seems to me it would be very profitable for those who are ignorant, and not wholly unprofitable for the enlightened ones, if we could have some rudimentary work in reading sermons in stones.”
The letter closes:
“If those who are qualified should be too modest to volunteer in sufficient numbers, you would undoubtedly be enabled to select proper ones to supply the deficiency. Enough specimens, probably, might be picked up. I was talking to some of the C. L. S. C. friends who thought they would take a basketful of stones. I have hesitated about writing, but your note of May 15, acknowledging the former letter, encourages me that you will not think this an intrusion.”
It is a very happy, practical letter, and it was in pursuance of the suggestions made in that letter that Colonel Daniels was invited to take the class which he organized in geology. I have no doubt that many of you who attended several sessions of this class in geology found great benefit, and you have seen how the same kind of work may be continued on a smaller scale at home. If you have any thoughts in that direction, I shall be very grateful if you will write them to me. I hope to do something a little more thorough next year. We have in the history of Chautauqua had Prof. Winchell, and Prof. Rice, of Middletown, for very able lectures on geology. We shall do something in this line in the future. I read the letter because it was practical, just such as I like to receive.
A voice: How would it do for all of us to send on forty to fifty pounds of geological specimens to the museum from the various localities?
Dr. Vincent: Express prepaid. It might be well to write in advance to let us know the localities you represent, so that certain portions of Ohio, where the C. L. S. C. furore prevails, may not send several tons from the same neighborhood. [Applause.]
A voice: A lady here proposes to send specimens from Colorado.