16. Garfield Day—September 19.
The great value in doing solid reading is that it enhances the value of all other experience. A member of the class of ’87, writing from Rome, Italy, says: “I think the course for this year particularly interesting, especially for our party, which is to spend the spring months among the ruins of that noble capital, Athens.” The reading our friend has been doing has recommended itself to her foreign friends, who have made many inquiries about the course of reading, even wishing to be enrolled as members of our great Circle. The teacher over seas, like the tourist, finds benefit in the work. A member of the class of ’83, writing from Bulgaria, says: “The time from six to seven in the morning is all that I can spare from my other work, but it makes the day brighter to begin it in this way, and so I read and study and think, and get charming glimpses of home circles. Next year I mean to have a circle here, and hope to know enough of the language to put some of the best things into Bulgarian.”
On the home side of the Atlantic, circle life seems to be vigorous and growing. The organizations of past years hold to the work, and many new fields are opened monthly. At Brockville, Ontario, the “Island City” branch of thirteen members was organized last October. A simple but very effective method of work has been followed, that of appointing examiners on each subject, different members being appointed from time to time, so that all may be kept interested. They have had for president a college graduate to help them over tough places in their classics, and a practical chemist is proving the marvels of chemistry to them.
Liverpool, Nova Scotia, sends an encouraging word of the progress of their circle, formed in 1883, and now boasting twelve active members. The plan for the evening’s work in this circle is very good. Introductory exercises of prayer, minutes of last meeting, roll call, responded to by quotations, and a select reading, precede the evening drill, which is an informal conversation on one or more of the C. L. S. C. studies, conducted by a leader.——We quite agree with our friend at Niagara, who thinks that Chautauquans ought to know that there are other places in Ontario beside Toronto where circles are doing good work, and that their town is one of them. If all the Ontario towns have as bright and brave circles as Niagara, we most certainly hope we shall hear from them. “In December, 1882,” so their history runs, “we formed a triangle, with angles of various degrees of acuteness or obtuseness, but did not commence work till January, and being three months behind time we found the work rather heavy, but in proof of our zeal can report that not one of us that year ever missed any of our fortnightly meetings. In October, 1883, we were joined by another member, not less acute, and ‘stood four-square to all the winds that blow.’ We expected to form a real circle, with all our angularities smoothed off, but find ourselves this year with the original three, but from sickness and other reasons have had our meetings sadly broken in upon, so that we need to use our motto, ‘Never be discouraged.’ So far we have all enjoyed the work. We all lead busy lives, without our Chautauqua studies, but we hope that they will give to our lives sweetness and strength, and breadth and power. Many of us have done more reading each year than the course, but then such reading is apt to be desultory, and the fact of studying with others gives greater interest. We have generally kept the memorial days, and we all hope to visit Chautauqua some time.”
A step has been taken in western Maine to form a Chautauqua association. Auburn, Lewistown and adjoining towns have many members of the C. L. S. C. In March a meeting was held in Auburn, and after a banquet a motion was passed providing for an associated circle of all the C. L. S. C.s of Western Maine. True to the Chautauqua instinct, they are going to have a summer meeting. Maranocook is the chosen place, and June is the time. Western Maine Chautauquans have the hearty good wishes of us all for a delightful summer session. At their March meeting, these friends passed a just and appreciative resolution of gratitude to Chancellor Vincent for the happy thought that conceived the Chautauqua Idea, and the untiring and well directed zeal that has made it so efficient.——At Woodfords, Maine, the “Arlington” circle of fourteen members held twenty-five meetings during the winter. Such zealous work justifies their claim that they possess the “enchanted number” for a circle. The Arlington proposes a parlor entertainment for a near day.
Greenland N. H. has two very strong Chautauqua organizations, the “Baketel” circle and the “Spare Minute Class.” Founder’s Day was celebrated with great éclat by these warm admirers of Chancellor Vincent. A public meeting was held in the town hall, with exercises of song, recitation, reading and tableaux. The last tableau was so characteristic it deserves a description. It was “The Chautauquans at Home,” and represented the entire local circle and spare minute class at work. One was rocking the cradle and reading, another was at the ironing table with an open book, and several were sewing and studying at the same time. A happy close to the evening was a presentation to the honored president of the circle, the Rev. O. S. Baketel, of an elegant easy chair.
Among the senior circles it is pleasant to be able to count in that of North Groton, N. H. The secretary says: “The ‘Angle’ has kept silent since 1882, thinking that only two was a small number to report as a local circle, yet all this time we have met at every opportunity, for reading and questioning. We had long wished for guidance in home study, and the ‘course’ was eagerly taken as soon as heard of. This year two earnest ’88s have joined us. With us ‘Chautauqua has come to stay.’ ‘For,’ as Dr. Vincent said at Framingham, ‘goals yet grander wait our winning on the mountains by and by.’”
And now we have a nautical circle. The first mate, so we imagine, has sent us notes from the log-book, running over their whole course. Perhaps their sailing may guide another crew: “We have read in The Chautauquan, from month to month, many interesting reports from local circles, which have been like fresh breezes to our own sails. One would judge from reading that success was stamped upon all methods of circle work. We have thought sometimes that a part of the unwritten history of such work might be helpful. We suspect that—way back in the annals—some things were undertaken that did not turn out just right, and a few chapters from out that experience might save many a small boat from going to pieces in dangerous waters. In general, the ‘Vincent’ circle, of West Brattleboro, Vermont, has had fair sailing from port to port, set down on the C. L. S. C. line of travel. Four years ago a few of us began floating, not knowing enough ourselves of whither we were bound, to give a general invitation for ‘all aboard.’ At last, reinforced, we tried to go in two separate boats, which kept just near enough together, and just far enough apart, to render such a division of the crew unnecessary, to say the least. One year we failed to set sail soon enough, and came in late at every port. This year we make one crew, under one efficient captain, a few only compelled by circumstances, or preferring to go in their own little skiffs. October 1, 1884, we set sail, and made directly for the shores of Greece. Landing under the direction of two well chosen generals, we scattered to spy out the land, bringing in such reports as we were able, at the time appointed. On the evening of November 3d we gathered to do reverence to the memory of one who had wished us ‘Godspeed.’ About that time experiments in chemistry furnished us with illumination. Since the observance of that memorial day, we have known that we were still landed upon the shores of Greece, but reports concerning the country and its people, past and present, have been few, for finding ourselves in danger of forgetting, rather never having known, our ‘mother tongue,’ we have spent some time in practice of the ‘art of speech,’ and, loyal to our native land, we have observed some of its festivals, and repeated to each other words from those we all delight to honor.”
For faithful work few circles can exceed that in Franklin, Mass. The circle numbers sixty-six members, nineteen of them being of the class of ’88. Meetings are held fortnightly. Not one regular meeting has been omitted since October 1, 1883. The president, although pastor of a large church, has been absent but five times since the circle was formed—November, 1882. The work done at these meetings is solid review of past readings. “Founder’s Day” was observed by accepting an invitation from the “Star” circle, Foxboro, Mass., to visit them and engage in a “Question Match” on Greek History, after which a bountiful collation was served, and a social time enjoyed by all. Each heart felt grateful to Chancellor Vincent for the C. L. S. C.——At Rockport, Mass., the circle has fallen from fifteen to five, but the five faithful seem to enjoy their work too well to need any commiserating. They are so interested in their studies they actually don’t realize they have grown smaller—a method of taking things which removes the stings from all falls in fortune. The “Granite” circle turns each alternate meeting into a Round-Table, and finds that the plan works capitally. The circle is anticipating the pleasure of going in a body to Framingham Assembly this summer.