In October, 1907, the Colonnade Building, which had been standing only two years, was wholly destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $100,000, with an insurance of about $55,000. The indirect loss is not easy to estimate, for it included the contents of the stores and the issues of the Magazine ready for mailing, with much other printed matter of the Institution. This was the fourth fire which had occurred during the thirty-four years of Chautauqua; a remarkable record when one remembers how close together are many of the houses, and all built of wood. Plans for rebuilding the Colonnade were taken up immediately, also the beginning of a quadrangle of buildings for the Arts and Crafts Department and the erection of a Post Office Building.
In 1908 the July program included the names of Professor J. E. McFadyen of Knox College, Toronto, Principal James Robertson of Scotland, and Dr. W. L. Watkinson of England; all these in the Department of Religious Work, which was unusually strong that year. Dr. Watkinson looked the least like an Englishman that could be imagined. Long and lank and lean, he might have been taken for a Yankee of the Yankees, until he began to speak. His oratory is indescribable, original thoughts expressed in original language, with here and there a solemn witticism at which the hearer wanted to laugh but hardly dared to. Bishop Vincent gave a lecture on "An Old School House." Dr. H. W. Wiley, the food specialist and foe of misbranded packages of food, gave an address. Norman Hapgood of Collier's Magazine, Hon. Everett Colby of New Jersey, a leader in political reform, Prof. Graham Taylor, a sociologist and social reformer, were among the speakers.
In August of 1908, a notable English lady spoke on the Amphitheater platform, Mrs. Philip Snowden, wife of a member of Parliament. It was said that her husband owed his election to her power of public speaking, and especially to her skill in answering "heckling" questions—a political method quite common in England, though regarded as not quite proper in America. In our country when one party holds a meeting, it is not considered fair to interrupt the flow of oratory and disconcert the orator by disagreeable questions from the other side; but in Great Britain every political speaker must face such enquirers, and the one who put them to little Mrs. Snowden generally got the worst of the encounter. Though slight and seemingly fragile, speaking apparently without effort, every syllable of her speeches on the question of woman's enfranchisement could be distinctly heard from every seat in the Amphitheater. Other speakers in August, 1908, were Lieut.-Governor Chanler of New York, Edward Howard Griggs, Prof. Charles M. Cobern, an authority on Biblical archæology, Dr. Leon H. Vincent in a course on "French Literary Celebrities," President J. D. Moffatt of Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, Charles Stelzle on social rights and wrongs, and George Riddle in some enjoyable recitations. Percy Alden, M.P., spoke on "Social and Economic Questions" in England and Charles F. Lavell gave a course on historical lectures. Dr. R. S. MacArthur and Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman were among the preachers and leaders of the Devotional Hour.
August 11, 1908, was Pennsylvania Day, with addresses in praise of the Keystone State by Governor E. G. Stuart, Ex-Governor and General J. A. Beaver, and others.
CHAPTER XXI
THE PAGEANT OF THE PAST
(1909-1912)
The thirty-sixth session of Chautauqua was epoch making in the development of material resources. The blackened ruins of the burned Colonnade Building were replaced by a new structure, the official headquarters of the Institution, the business center, and on its upper floor a rooming place for many employees in the offices. On the southern front of the Plaza arose the new Post Office Building, with the village public library, the presses and office of the Chautauqua Press. The first section of the projected Arts and Crafts quadrangle was built, to the great joy of Mr. Bailey, who had labored and almost fought for its construction. The Hall of Pedagogy arose at one end of the grounds and the Athletic Club House at the other. The Hall of the Christ was completed after many years of slow growth, and the Commons, a boarding-place for students, was opened through all the year for employees residing during the winter. As a venture, with some questioning, the New York Symphony Orchestra was engaged for a week of concerts, its leader being Walter Damrosch. Who would have dreamed in 1909 that in 1920 the same orchestra would sound its harmonies through six full weeks!
The keynote of the year, and indeed of Chautauqua through all its history, was expressed in President George E. Vincent's utterance in his annual report—that Chautauqua must "be kept in close and sympathetic connection with the great currents of national life. It must be a center from which the larger and more significant movements may gain strength and intelligent support." The season this year opened on Friday, July 2d, with a lecture by President Vincent on "Vocation and Culture."