And it is a fresh field for the Chautauqua Idea. During the progress of the Assembly the people of the surrounding country were in a constant wonderment over the peculiar performances, but when they understood what was meant, their coöperation was the heartiest, and their interest was untiring. The earnest workers who have undertaken to introduce the Chautauqua plans, if they are still in the first stage, are yet sure of abundant results.
In arranging the Florida Assembly the effort has been to have everything truly Chautauquan. Naturally we think of the Auditorium first, and at Lake de Funiak the situation is superb. The lake, which is about a mile in circumference, some sixty-four feet in depth, and its water of extraordinary clearness and purity, has a setting of grassy banks which slope upward from the lake some fifty feet to the edge of the forest. Into this bank, looking out over the lake, is built a square auditorium, large enough to seat 4,000 people, enclosed and furnished with an iron roof. All of the various Chautauqua developments have found their way there. The platform, presided over by the Rev. A. H. Gillet, the C. L. S. C., the normal work, a school of Greek, a kindergarten, school of cookery, and an art school. Prof. Sherwin was there, presiding over the chorus. Messrs. Fairbanks & Palmer opened a bookstore. There were Chautauqua singers, songs, speeches, and ideas, and they all took root. The beautiful situation, the desirable company that is building the new town, the vigor of the management, and its sound financial backing, evidence the future of Lake de Funiak. What more beautiful southern home could those of us who migrate southward from this land of snow and ice wish, than under the pines of Ponce de Leon’s fountain, surrounded by a band of the most earnest workers in the world, and in daily reach of the best thought which money and skill can bring together? Or if we can find time and money for but a month’s study of Florida and her people, what more delightful headquarters?
SPECIAL NOTES.
A School of Pedagogy has been arranged in the Chautauqua University. Its purpose is to assist the directors of popular education, and especially teachers, in the study—1st, of the subjects taught in the schools; 2nd, of the principles and art of teaching; and, 3d, of the history of education. Two courses of study and of reading will be arranged. One course may be completed in a year, the other in two years. Books to be studied and read will be suggested. Examinations for promotion and certificates will be made at the close of each year. The design of the course of studies and reading is to prepare school directors and teachers for the work of organizing and teaching the schools in accordance with the best methods. Any person may become a member of the School of Pedagogy by paying the Matriculation Fee of $5, unless it has already been paid in connection with some other department, and the Tuition Fee of $10. The Tuition Fee is a yearly fee. All fees are payable in advance, to R. S. Holmes, Registrar of the Chautauqua University, Plainfield, N. J., from whom all particulars in reference to the school may be obtained.
Miss Susan Hayes Ward, in her article in the March impression of The Chautauquan, spoke disparagingly of electro-silicon as a cleaner for silver. Some good housekeepers represent it to be both a very useful and safe cleaning material. In all such cases, however, the person using the article must be the judge. But in this case we favor the opinion of the good housekeepers.
The Easter cards of the season just past were very bright and beautiful, and many of them exceedingly rich. Prang’s cards, as usual, took the lead in artistic design and fine finish. They issued a very large number of new designs, and some very taking novelties in satin and plush.