Two villages on the shores of the beautiful Casco Bay, Me., have united for work, and send us cheering words of their prosperity. They have followed the invaluable plan of supplementing certain branches in the course by additional readings; adopting United States History as their “special,” they have devoted three months to “Barnes’ History of the United States,” a text book used in their public schools. In connection with this study they have had readings each evening from “Bryant’s Popular History of the United States,” on the most interesting topics. We have seen this idea carried out most successfully in a little circle of fifteen in Meadville, Pa., the home of The Chautauquan. The class decided to spend their time on Art, following as an outline the art readings in the course, Lübke, the Britannica, and the new series of English “Handbooks of Art” have become their right-hand men, while books of travels, stray waifs of description in novels, old newspaper pictures, Soule’s photographs, anything and everything obtainable are used to strengthen their impression and help them to get clear ideas of temples, statues and pictures. Of course all the readings have been done, but nothing has been taken up in the circle except art. This “Casco Bay Circle” has a method of “keeping up the interest,” which has never failed to be attractive since the time of our great-grandfathers’ spelling schools. They divided their circle into two sides. The same sides are kept each evening, and at the end of the year the defeated side, the one that has failed to answer the most questions, is to furnish a treat to the victorious one. The secretary adds: “We find that this plan adds very much to the interest of the circle, and that the lessons are more carefully prepared. By request of the president, no text book is taken to any regular meeting of the circle. The teacher being the only one that has a text book, the attention of the class is secured, and more benefit is derived from the meetings in every way.”
From Vermont two circles report, one from Burlington, with a membership of fifteen, and another from Cambridge.
From Windsor, Ct., they write us: “We have a circle here numbering about fifteen, and composed of the best talent our town can boast of.” And from Deep River, of the same state, the “Ivy Branch” of the C. L. S. C. is reported, “loyal and hopeful, with growing enthusiasm, attachments and interest.”
One of the most thorough and practical methods of extending the influence of the C. L. S. C. is to bring it before the young people of high schools, who are just forming reading habits, and are particularly in need of being directed to the best books. The Pallas Circle, of Wareham, Mass., have hit upon a splendid idea. Upon Longfellow’s Day they sent the following invitation to their exercises: “Compliments of the Pallas Circle, C. L. S. C., for Wednesday evening, February 27, to meet the graduating class of the Wareham High School.” Such an invitation would commend itself at once to the young people, and undoubtedly increase the circle.
Two new circles, each of eighteen members, have reported from Massachusetts this month; one from Jamaica Plains, and another from Haverhill. Also from Providence, R. I., the Whittier Circle has come to join the ranks. The wonderful growth of the class of ’87 in New England, is no doubt largely due to the energetic work of the organization which was made at Framingham last summer. The president of this New England branch of class ’87 informs us that he has ready for mailing a circular of suggestions, according to a vote taken at Framingham last summer. Any New England member of class ’87 who has not received a copy of the same, may apply to Rev. George Benedict, Hanson, Plymouth Co., Mass.
From New York City we hear of a circle with a membership of fourteen young ladies, which has been in existence since October, 1882. It is known as the “Alden” local circle, and has as an emblem “the Pansy.”
The C. L. S. C. Alumni, of Pittsburgh, Pa., by its constitution, provides for three entertainments each year, viz.: A banquet for its members, a lecture, and a public meeting, the speakers being members of the Alumni. The first year’s course was a success in every particular, notably the lecture by Bishop Henry W. Warren, D. D., which was delivered to a very large and highly appreciative audience. Of this year the secretary writes: “So far we have been grandly successful, in spite of wind and storm. Such was the miserable weather of January that we were filled with fears for the success of Dr. Vincent’s lecture on the 4th of February. As the day drew near, the weather became worse and worse. Pittsburgh, you know, has the reputation of getting up the most miserable weather on the continent, but this winter she has quite outdone her former self. The fourth could not have been more unpromising for an audience, the rivers being at flood height, and still raining and pouring. What was our surprise when we drove to the church to find an audience of five hundred or more, waiting for the distinguished lecturer. Such a surprise was magical in its effect upon the Doctor, for he lectured as he never lectured before—at least so thought his delighted audience. His theme was ‘Among the Heights.’ The lecture was not only a success, but a triumph, placing the lecturer in the front ranks of the giant minds now upon the platform the lecture field. Neither rain or howling storm can keep a Pittsburgh audience at home, when Rev. J. H. Vincent, D. D., is the lecturer.”
On Sabbath, February 10, Dr. Vincent was in Washington, where the Chautauqua Vesper Services were held at his suggestion. They write us that as usual “he made many converts.”
One of the members of the Wheeling, W. Va., circle enthusiastically writes: “Our circle here has never been so large as it is this winter. We were so pleased with the work of last winter that we kept up our meetings all summer, studying American Literature. In this way we gained many new members.”
Perhaps there is nowhere a circle more to be congratulated on its leader than the one at Akron, O. That the members heartily appreciate this, too, we can plainly tell from the report which we have lately received. The writer asks: “Have you heard with what success our circle in Akron is being conducted? Were we to tell you the name of our president, that would suffice any Chautauquan mind why we succeed. The president of Chautauqua, Lewis Miller, is our president. What do we do at our meetings? There is no routine, but everything for variety and interest. One evening Dr. Vincent was with us and gave his grand lecture, ‘Parlor Talk.’ Mrs. Clement Smith, on ‘Literature and Reformation,’ occupied one evening. Two evenings were spent with stereopticon views (furnished by our president), the descriptions being given, and points of interest pointed out, and historical accounts given by a citizen who has traveled in Europe extensively. One evening was devoted entirely to Italy’s capital, St. Peter’s Church being described. Then one of our resident architects talked to us on ‘Architecture,’ with illustrations. Several evenings were given to literature. Our president is soon to give us a paper on ‘Political Economy.’”