From Clarksville, Missouri, a lady writes: “This Pansy bed by the ‘Father of Waters’ has much for which to be thankful: Fifteen earnest workers compose our number. We are all teachers and scholars, by turns. We attempt as much thoroughness as practicable in the readings, brought out by recitations and conversation. We carry out some parts of the programs in The Chautauquan. Some of the Pansies hope to be transplanted for a time to Chautauqua in ’87.”
Ottawa, Kansas, circle was organized in time for the October work, with a membership of fourteen. “Our circle has increased, until now we are twenty-eight in number. Our meetings, held twice a month, are both pleasant and profitable, each member faithfully doing his part. We respond to roll call by quotations or class mottoes. We find the programs in The Chautauquan quite beneficial. The essays, recitations and music form a pleasing variety. We adopted the question match, also the question box, and find these not only amusing but profitable. This month we will try some of the chemical experiments in connection with a lecture. We are all looking forward to the Sunday-school Assembly, which meets here in June, and to the meetings of the circle conducted by the Rev. Hurlbut. The spirit of the C. L. S. C. is spreading, and we hope to report a large circle to you next year.”
A friend writes from Seattle, Washington Territory: “I notice in your January number a communication from Mr. K. A. Burnell, in which he states that at Seattle and Tacoma he found but a single reader and one family reading the Chautauqua course, a statement from which one might infer that he was indeed so much under the ‘shadow of Mount Tacoma’ as to obscure his vision. There are at Seattle as many as forty readers, at least, who have been pursuing the Chautauqua course of study since October last. There are three regularly organized circles in this place, holding weekly meetings, and a general semi-monthly meeting in which the members of all the circles join. One of the circles, named ‘Alki,’ has a membership of sixteen. This circle has the honor and advantage of numbering among its members a noted linguist and scientist in the person of Dr. John C. Sundberg. Considerable interest is being awakened throughout the whole of the Puget Sound country in the Chautauqua readings, and it would not be surprising if, in another year, the regular Chautauquans in this section of country are numbered by hundreds.”
The “Washakie” circle, of Evanston, Wyoming, was organized on the 10th of last October. The names of twenty-six members have been enrolled. Starting late, they were behind with their studies until lately, consequently the program for each week as laid down in The Chautauquan was not followed. The meetings, however, have been very interesting. The leaders appointed for the different subjects on each evening came well prepared. Essays on Milton, Burns, and others, have been read. Prof. Halleck, of the public schools, has delivered short lectures on the scientific subjects. Prof. Capen has given experiments in chemistry. Music, and recitations from the classic authors by a fine elocutionist, have rendered the meetings more entertaining. The enthusiasm has grown with the year.
The first circle that was regularly organized in Portland, Oregon, was that established by the Y. M. C. A., last October. This circle is composed of about twenty members. The other two circles which have joined the class of ’88 are those connected with the Taylor Street and Grace Methodist Episcopal Churches. The latter was organized during the month of December, and is composed of about twenty-five members, who seem to be now deeply interested in their work. The former is the largest circle in the State, composed of about forty active and progressive young men and women, who are now deeply interested in their studies, and a notable fact of this circle is that there is no restraint in thought by the members, as is often the case where freedom of opinion is withheld, thus repelling the progress of the meeting. The able secretary of their circle deserves great credit for the time and trouble he has exercised performing that office, and volunteering to assume all responsibility with regard to books, dues, and pamphlets. The Rev. G. W. Chandler, the efficient president, is the originator of this circle. Their efforts and untiring energies have made this circle most interesting, and have brought into it some of the best scholars in the State. By perseverance and thorough study, with the watchword “Forward,” they are determined to ever press onward and upward in this grand work, and receive their reward.