The Chautauqua work has lost one of its strongest members in Cooperstown, Dakota, this year, in the sad death of Mrs. H. G. Pickett, who accidentally shot herself in her husband’s bank in that town. She was an ardent admirer of the Chautauqua work, and her life a true exposition of the truths that the C. L. S. C. is striving to bring into the practical every-day life of its members.——A spirited Shakspere anniversary was celebrated at Faulkton. The parlors where the circle met were filled to overflowing with delighted guests, and full exercises of tragedy, song and jest were carried out.
The “Kate F. Kimball” circle, of Minneapolis, Kansas, started on its career in October last with a membership of thirteen. Their plan is simple and practical—a sure way of introducing conversation. Each member is required to prepare five questions on the readings, which are given to the circle, and which are then discussed. This method would serve a good purpose in the conversazione.——The Kansas City Journal suggests that Tuesday night in that city ought to be called Chautauqua night, as nearly a dozen circles meet there on that evening.——The “Clytie,” of Arkansas City has had a severe trial of its loyalty this year. Malarial fever has broken their ranks so that they have been able to hold but a few meetings. It does not dampen their ardor though, and they express all honor and gratitude to Superintendent and Counselors for their wise help. The “Clytie” joins another Kansas circle in protesting against the name “Plymouth Rocks.” This is the “Greenwood,” of Eureka, which declares, “We can not become reconciled to it.” The “Greenwood” does not, however, allow its pleasure in the reading to be spoiled by the class name, for it writes: “Chautauqua gives us a broad departure from our daily cares and ruts which is very refreshing, and we trust it will be of benefit to us.”——Here is a five-year-old Kansas town, Everest, of five hundred inhabitants, with a circle of sixteen members. Here is certainly a chance, with such a start, to grow up with the country.——Greetings to the class of ’86, and to all Chautauquans, come from the circle at Leavenworth. This circle has ten members. Its chief circle interest is the question box, which frequently leads to a lively discussion. They are favored in having secured an excellent leader, the Rev. J. A. Monteith. Several of this class are reading the White Seal course.
There are in Nebraska nineteen circles of the C. L. S. C. A strong effort is being made to secure at the Assembly at Crete, in July, a full attendance of representatives from all these organizations. Accept a word of advice from The Chautauquan. Go to Crete if you can get there. It will pay you in more than double measure to take part in the exercises of C. L. S. C. day. Of the nineteen circles of Nebraska, the one at Lincoln takes the lead, we believe, in numbers. It has reached forty-seven, with an average attendance of about forty. In recognition of the literary character of the circle the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Lincoln has kindly opened a room in the new State House to the circle. The Lincoln circle, as befits its location at the capital of the State, is taking active measures to make the C. L. S. C. day at Crete a success. Already they have attracted public attention by a unique Shaksperean festival, at which a number of guests were entertained.——Another of the nineteen is at Falls City, an ’88 offspring. The circle has seventeen members. An executive committee of three appoints instructors for the review of each meeting, following the plan in The Chautauquan. The class observed Longfellow day with appropriate exercises. Our Falls City friends have chosen a name with a meaning—“Misselts”—“I will surmount all difficulties.” Not an easy name to take, by any means, but the “Misselts” is made up of school teachers mainly, and what can they not do?——An addition to the Nebraska circles is made at Holdrege. It came about in this way, writes a friend: “I left my home circle in Indiana in December last and started out to ‘try my fortune in the far West.’ I first stopped at Odell, Nebraska, and tried to introduce the ‘Chautauqua Idea’ there. I found it was already being talked of, and by the efficient efforts of a gentleman interested in the movement, a grand, earnest circle was organized. In February I came to Holdrege, the ‘Magic City,’ as it is called, naturally expecting every one to be interested in the C. L. S. C. I had almost decided to give up the course, because I was so busy, when I met a teacher of the town—a ‘Pansy.’ We have formed a circle, and next year instead of having the smallest number possible, expect to compare favorably with any in the State.”——Blair has a circle of twenty-two members this year. A small circle has been at work in the town for two years, but this year its membership has increased in remarkable proportions. Blair is situated within sight of the Missouri River, and from this noble stream the circle calls itself the “‘Souri.” Occasional parlor meetings for invited friends are enlarging the work rapidly in Blair.
Already we have given our readers hints of the noble way in which Professor Spring has been representing Chautauqua at New Orleans. His last public exploit was the Shaksperean Anniversary. From a local paper we learn of the success of the undertaking: “The thirty-first birthday of the Stratford-on-Avon bard was celebrated last evening at the Exposition. The ceremonies were gotten up almost entirely by Prof. Edward A. Spring, director of the Chautauqua classes in sculpture. It was hoped that Judge Braughn and other local gentlemen learned in Shaksperean lore would have been present, but a heavy storm prevented. The ceremonies, however, were very successful, though briefer than had been intended. They were presided over by ex-Governor Hoyt, from far-away Wyoming, chief of the jury on education, who made a brief but eloquent oration in commencing the proceedings. He dwelt on the incomparable greatness of Shakspere and the immense influence his writings have had on the many millions of people speaking the English tongue, and showed how, as the centuries roll on and as the English speaking peoples grow and multiply, the luster that attaches to his name must grow brighter and brighter. Following Governor Hoyt, Professor Spring made a neat little speech, setting forth the benefits accruing to those connected with the great educational institutions with which he was connected, and how appropriate it was for the Chautauquans to include in the fifteen great events they commemorate, the birth of Shakspere. Mr. Spring then introduced Mrs. Florence Anderson Clark, of Bonham, Texas, a member of the C. L. S. C., who closed the evening by reading an original poem on Shakspere.”
From the far western frontier of Texas, at Albany, comes this letter: “Three of us associated ourselves together the first of October to read the Required Readings of the C. L. S. C. In January we were joined by two more. Our method of study has been to have each member originate twenty questions, to present at each weekly meeting to the members, who on the following week take them up to answer and discuss. The circle has been quietly but seriously working. The benefit of having a certain course of reading has already been felt, and we believe that many others will be influenced to join us the next year.”
Colorado is represented by a circle of seventeen at Delta, a growing young town blessed with many people of culture and refinement. The circle belongs to the ranks of the ’88s, and is proceeding with the vigor characteristic of the class. They luckily can introduce good music as a part of each evening’s program. By the secretary of the Delta circle a word of experience is added: “After pursuing the course of study nearly four years, I can add my testimony as to its great inspiration to all who are systematically keeping it up.”
Carson, Nevada, has the “Sierra Nevada” circle of twenty-five ’88s, a vigorous young life that, in spite of delays in getting books, and the discouragements in starting, is getting along famously. The spread of the C. L. S. C. in the West depends very largely upon the organized circle. The “Sierra Nevadas” have a summer work of bringing in recruits, as well as of making up back lessons.
The flags are flying from the “Green” circle, of Portland, Oregon, and “we are getting along splendidly,” is their watchword. They write that they are growing more and more enthusiastic, and that the circle is becoming “a joy and a feast of good things” to them all. “Green” circle had a brilliant Longfellow celebration last winter. The feature of it was a Longfellow picture gallery, representing the principal heroes and heroines. A good idea to remember when we come around to February 27, 1886.
The remarkable Floral Festival held in Sacramento, California, on May 5th, in honor of Mrs. M. E. Crocker, to whom that city owes so much for her munificent charities and endowments, was participated in by two of the local circles of that city. The “Sacramento” circle sent an elegant tribute to the festival. On a bust about three feet high, decorated with flowers and bearing the letters C. L. S. C., was erected a gateway with gates ajar; within was an open book. The “Vincent” circle sent one equally unique—a pyramid of flowers surmounted with a flower-wreathed pole, from which was suspended a banner of flowers.
The “Alma” circle of San Diego, California, consists of seventeen members of the class of ’87. Longfellow’s day was a very pleasant occasion with them. The president tells us: “The good effects of the reading are already to be seen among our numbers; a desire for good and profitable reading being manifested more and more as we pursue the course.”——The Chautauquans of San José had a very interesting meeting in celebration of the “Bard of Avon.” A most excellent program was rendered. One of the leading features was a very able critical review of “As You Like It,” read by a lady of the circle.