Massachusetts (Franklin).—As the Bryant Bell at Chautauqua rang out its call to study on October 1, the members of our local circle assembled to celebrate the first anniversary of their existence as a local circle. Complimentary tickets were issued to their friends, and at the hour of opening the chapel was filled, the audience numbering not far from five hundred. Promptly on the hour, the new members of Class of ’87 (the Pansy class) marched into the room, and taking position in open ranks allowed the Class of ’86 to pass through; they taking position on the right, opened ranks, and allowed the president of the circle and the speaker of the evening to pass through, receiving as a greeting the Chautauqua salute. The program consisted of instrumental music, singing of selections from Chautauqua Songs, an address of greeting from the president, Rev. G. E. Lovejoy, the commencement address by Rev. A. E. Winship, of Boston, and the recital of the anniversary poem by Miss Laura Pond. The whole affair was a helpful and enjoyable opening of the Chautauqua work for 1883 and 1884. The circle starts upon its work with increased membership and enthusiasm, and one and all are ready to say God bless the originator of the C. L. S. C., and God speed the work in the days to come!
Connecticut (Meriden).—The Meriden branch of the C. L. S. C., held Opening Day exercises; nearly every member was present, together with a few invited guests, mostly those who have especially assisted them in their work during the past three years. The exercises were opened by the circle singing from Chautauqua Songs a song of welcome, after which an address of introduction of the several classes to the guests and a synopsis of the work of the Circle, was delivered by the president, who also took occasion to speak encouragingly to each class, and referred to their several colors and what they symbolized. At the close of the address a prayer of thanksgiving was offered, when the company sat down to a banquet of good things. After supper several toasts were offered and responded to, and several testimonials of interest in the success of the organization offered. The C. L. S. C. feel justly proud of their success, and all who have taken time to examine into its aim and the results accomplished, commend them highly.
Connecticut (Hartford).—Within a few days a general interest has been manifested with regard to a C. L. S. C. circle in Hartford—more than fifty having expressed their desire to become members of the Class of ’87. Last year, however, Hartford had but a few Chautauqua readers. Among them was a little circle of five young ladies not long out of school. They found the Chautauqua course just what they needed to give form and direction to their studies, and they sat down to the table of good things spread before them as to a mental banquet. A severe bereavement met the circle in the loss of one of their members, a young lady who had been an eager student and whose enthusiasm had done much to help the circle. By her suggestion Greek had been introduced into the course, and the Iliad was being read in connection with the Greek literature. At the last meeting before her death when it was proposed to omit some of the less interesting portions, she said, earnestly: “Don’t let us skip any. Let us do our duty.” The shock of her death was such that at first it seemed that they could not go on with their work, but the words of their departed friend came back to them with peculiar meaning: “Let us do our duty,” and with chastened hearts they took up their work again. They did not find the course too laborious, but were able to add to it the White Seal course and some valuable supplementary reading upon the topics in question. Now, with undiminished interest, they are ready to go on with the second year, hoping that a large band will be ready to accompany them.
New York (Johnstown).—A meeting for the reorganization of Johnstown C. L. S. C. was held September 26, 1883. The names of fifteen new members were enrolled; so we launch our little craft of twenty-two members, with a prospect of taking an occasional recruit as we journey on. We have decided to meet every alternate week. At our next meeting, October 10, we read an outline on Greek History, Vol. ii., Part vii., a paper on American literature, and selections from The Chautauquan.