CHAPTER XVIII
ROUNDING OUT THE OLD CENTURY
(1897-1900)
The Chautauqua session of 1897 was fifty-nine days long, from June 26th to August 23rd. This year the School of Domestic Science, directed by Mrs. Emma P. Ewing, attracted attention. Almost as many ladies whose cookery was accomplished by servants, as those who broiled their own steaks and baked their own puddings, met in Mrs. Ewing's model kitchen, learning to make bread, to prepare appetizing sauces and dressings, and to learn how to serve tables with refinement. I remember hearing one lady remark that until she had received Mrs. Ewing's instruction she had never really known how to make good bread.
Among those who gave lectures in 1897, we find the names of Anna Howard Shaw, Ballington and Maud Booth, Bishop (better known as Chaplain) McCabe; quite a list of college presidents—Goucher of Baltimore, Hyde of Bowdoin, Harper of Chicago, John Finley of New York, and G. Stanley Hall of Clark; also Professor Graham Taylor, Mr. Percy Alden of England, and Mr. Jacob Riis. A new reader of noble presence, rich voice, and rare dramatic power, recited on the platform of the Amphitheater and assisted in the School of Expression—Mrs. Bertha Kunz Baker, who was to entertain us through many years. Professor Clark gave readings; Mr. George W. Cable rendered a number of his own stories; Mrs. Jessie Eldridge Southwick and Miss Katherine Oliver also gave recitals.
After Dr. Vincent's election as Bishop in 1888, he found it increasingly difficult to supervise the ever-increasing work of Chautauqua. Often during the Assembly season he would be compelled to hold conferences in the far west, and one year in South America. In 1896, his episcopal residence was changed from Buffalo to Topeka, Kansas, and in 1900 he was removed to Zurich, Switzerland, to take charge of Methodist missions in Europe. More and more he delegated the care of Chautauqua to his son, who, one of the most popular of lecturers, was supreme in his ability as administrator. In 1898 Professor George E. Vincent was formally appointed Principal of Instruction, and very soon every department of Chautauqua, both in its lecture platform and its educational work, felt the touch of a master hand. Some of us oldsters who had loved Chautauqua from its earliest years, had felt anxious for its future as we saw one of its Founders called aside into other fields, and the other failing in strength, although we knew not how near was his earthly end. But we all had a sense of relief and confidence that the future of Chautauqua was assured when we found "George" taking his father's place as executive in the Department of Instruction. The Bishop retained the title of Chancellor, however, as long as he lived.
In 1898 a new building was erected on College Hill—The Hall of Pedagogy. The report of the season's work showed that attendance had increased in the schools twenty-five per cent. over the last year, the advance being distributed quite evenly among the departments. By this time nearly all the universities and many of the colleges were holding summer schools, yet Chautauqua, first in the field, was still leading in its membership. This year Chautauqua received a visit from Lord Aberdeen, the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, and his wife, the Countess. Americans are apt to look for a freezing dignity on the part of the higher nobility, and some were a little surprised to find the Governor-General and his Lady unreservedly approachable, and unaffectedly democratic in manner.
Some of those who gave lectures in 1898 were Dr. Richard T. Ely of the University of Wisconsin, President Thirkield of Atlanta, afterward Bishop, Dr. Moulton, Miss Jane Addams, Hon. Murat Halstead, General John B. Eaton, Mr. Leon H. Vincent, Bishop Daniel A. Goodsell, Dr. J. H. Barrows, President of Oberlin, President Faunce of Brown, Dr. Robert McIntyre, also to become a Bishop in due time, Dr. Charles E. Jefferson of New York, Dr. Amory H. Bradford of Montclair, N. J., and Mr. John Kendrick Bangs. Mr. Leland Powers was with us on his biennial visit, and recitals were also rendered by Mr. C. F. Underhill, Mr. John Fox, Miss Isabel Garghill, Mr. Will Carleton, and Miss Ida Benfey. Up to that date, the season of 1898 was one of the most successful in Chautauqua history.
At this time, the Chautauquan Magazine, the organ of the C. L. S. C., and the Daily Assembly Herald, were taken over by the trustees, and the Chautauqua Press was established as the publishing agency for the periodicals and books of the C. L. S. C. Mr. Frank Chapin Bray was appointed Editor. By birth and education he was a thorough Chautauquan, having, as it were, grown up on the ground from early childhood and gone through all the courses from the Children's Class to the C. L. S. C. As a small boy he had sold the Assembly Herald; as a young man had written for its columns, and he is not the only journalist who took these steps upward to a literary career.
The season of 1899 opened with a cloud hanging over Chautauqua, bringing sorrow to one family and deepest sympathy from many.