General Gordon’s “Life and Letters,” recently published, prove him to have one accomplishment of rare beauty and usefulness, but too often nowadays neglected. He was a good letter writer, and that under circumstances the most trying. Here is the picture his biographer draws of the surroundings under which many of his letters were written: “The temperature is over 100°; the ink dries on the pen before three words are written; books curl, as to their backs; mosquitoes are busy at the ankles under the table, and the hands and wrists above; prickly heat comes and goes. How one realizes, for instance, the whole scene in the over-wakeful traveller’s night: ‘I am writing in the open air by a candle-lamp, in a savage gorge; not a sound to be heard. The baboons are in bed in the rocks.’” The letters which the most of us write under the most favorable circumstances are limited to the narrowest space possible. What we would do in Gordon’s place it is difficult to say.
The most beautiful celebration of the month of June is Children’s day. With every season Protestant churches give more time and money to their preparations for it, and it bids fair to take rank in importance with Christmas and Easter. Certainly no day comes at a season when it is more easy to decorate, it being the very heyday of the flower season, and no cause is more worthy our efforts than the children’s.
An important discussion has been going on for a few weeks in the New York papers, concerning the advisability of closing the dry goods stores on Saturday afternoons. Clerks have no day for recreation or for improvement except Sabbath. The same is true of nearly all classes of laboring people. The result is that the Sabbath, instead of being a day of religious rest, is turned into one of pleasure, and often of extra work. A half holiday would enable busy workers to prepare for Sabbath. It is a reform in the arrangement of time that is worthy the attention of Christian people particularly.
There is a capital hint in the following story, told by a lady prominent in mission school work in one of our large cities: “We had some of our Chinese pupils at a church sociable a few nights ago, and we had at supper some candies which are rolled up in paper with printed couplets inclosed—some of them extremely silly. The Chinese boys read them and looked surprised, but were too polite to say anything. Soon afterward they gave an entertainment, and the same sort of candies were provided; but when we unrolled the papers we found they had taken out the foolish verses and had substituted texts of Scripture printed on little slips of paper.”
Here are a few of M. Bartholdi’s interesting figures about his great Statue of Liberty: “The forefinger is 96½ inches in length, and 56½ inches in circumference at the second joint. The nail measures 17¾ inches by 10½ inches. The head 13¾ feet in height. The eye is 25½ inches in width. The nose is 44 inches in length. About forty persons were accommodated in the head at the Universal Exposition of 1878. It is possible to ascend into the torch above the hand. It will easily hold twelve persons.” Compared with other colossi it far outstrips them all, being about three times the height of both the statue of Bavaria and of the Virgin of Puy, and about 58 feet higher than the Arminius in Westphalia.
The French Republic would not allow the remains of Victor Hugo to be placed in the Pantheon until that celebrated structure was again secularized. The priests were allowed just forty-eight hours to vacate the sacred precincts which, as a church, they had held uninterruptedly since 1877. This action plainly shows the position of the Republic toward the Church. “French skeptics,” saysThe Nation, “are not content, like English or German skeptics, with ceasing to go to church.… They insist on proclaiming in every possible way their hostility to the clergy.” The fact that the Pantheon is again restored to its primitive design as “a last resting place for distinguished public men” can but be pleasing to all.
Among the books belonging to the “Famous Women Series,” the biography of Harriet Martineau[B]takes a leading place. The life of this remarkable woman is written by one whose clear insight into human character, and keen appreciation of that which tends to make it noble and strong, render her eminently qualified for such an undertaking. The style of the book is simple, unadorned, direct. No step has been neglected which could add to the author’s information, or, as she quaintly expresses it, could help her “get touch” with her subject. That Mrs. Miller is something of a hero worshiper is evident from the fact that, with but one or two slight exceptions, she justifies all the facts of the life she relates. The rigor of Harriet Martineau’s early home; the longings of the young girl for freedom from a needless restraint, and the desire to read and study, which led her to steal the time for it in the early morning and late at night, might convey a lesson to many a mother who now insists upon having her daughters follow the conventional methods of living. One can but rejoice in the advanced position women have attained as he reads of Harriet Martineau, the statesman, and sees that she is as thoroughly understood and appreciated in this aspect of her life by her biographer as in the more womanly elements and instincts of her nature, which were never in the least violated by her study of political interests. Excepting the skepticism which marked all the mature years of Harriet Martineau’s life, one finds in her a good type of strong, noble womanhood. Christian readers can but deprecate this fact, and also that it is justified by Mrs. Miller.
A volume of the prose writings of N. P. Willis[C]will be received by the reading public in much the same manner as the work of a new author, so little are they known. His reputation rests almost entirely upon his poems and a few Scriptural sketches, which it seems natural to think of as belonging to the early periods of American literature. It will probably strike most people with a feeling of surprise to recall that his death occurred so recently as 1867, and that he was therefore contemporary with Bryant and Longfellow. Just why this recent oblivion has fallen upon his writings is hard to tell, for the collection in this volume shows that they deserve a better fate. The character sketches are fairly drawn; and the bits of description indicate powers of a high order in this particular. The personality of the author is manifest in all the articles; the reader is conscious of constantly looking through the writer’s eyes. The wild, unchecked bent of his imagination is shown in such pieces as “The Lunatic’s Skate,” and “The Ghost-Ball at Congress Hall,” somewhat resembling the more intense works of Poe. Aptness in illustration, implying a delicate perception of resemblances, and a happy faculty of associating ideas is a marked characteristic. He fails to touch the deeper emotions of one’s nature, and there is a lack of both strength and plot in all he writes. Whether Mr. Beers succeeds in making Willis’s works live or not, he has by his selections and editing, and by his introductory memoir, given to the public a very interesting work.
Perhaps no one ever more perfectly caught the spirit of all things Egyptian than Professor Ebers. Thegeniusof the country which brings under its sway all that comes within its domain, affecting them to such a degree that one can but fancy even the sphynx would be less gloomily impressive in any other land, gained such an influence over him, and so makes itself felt in his books, that it is almost impossible to imagine him otherwise than as a man wrapped round with that somber, mysterious air which constantly hints of the power to reveal things more and more wonderful. From the beginning to the end of Serapis[D]one is conscious of being under some spell that fascinates and charms. The little party introduced at the beginning gives rise to a sense of the vast possibilities hidden away in each life—even that of little Dada, the merry-hearted, seemingly thoughtless, young girl—and the sequel reveals in each one these possibilities realized. The story is laid in the times of the Roman emperor, Theodosius I., and its interest centers in the destruction of the Serapeum, the Alexandrian temple containing the statue of Serapis, the great Egyptian divinity, which was also mutilated and torn down. A description of the races is given in such a way as to render readers virtually eye-witnesses of the scene, and it is with an effort that one keeps himself from rising with the crowd as the decisive moment nears, and shouting in the general frenzy of excitement. The author lacks the power of putting his readers into nearer relation with his characters than that of mere acquaintances, in whose welfare a general sympathetic interest is taken. One prizes the book for its impressive historical facts and beautiful descriptions.
“Troubled Waters”[E]is a novel with a purpose. The question of capital and labor is discussed, and the plan of coöperation is upheld as the key which is to unlock the difficulties thickening fast and threateningly around the business interests of to-day. The dangers lurking in the fact of poorly compensated labor, as it watches the fast increasing gains of capital amassed at its expense, are vividly set forth. In the strike of the Tradelawn mill hands, will be seen a faithful picture of what transpires in many a similar town. The style of the book is vigorous, independent, and clear. The number of persons introduced, and the characterization of some of them, particularly Mr. Thomas Street, reminds one of Dickens. In the web of adverse circumstances enmeshing and ever tightening about the really noble Robert Croft, until he is driven to the very verge of desperation and crime, the greatest power of the author is shown. Of course all ends well, and as one leaves all the hands in the new mills, in which every worker is a stockholder, contented and happy, there remains with him a conviction that coöperation is the right principle.
One of the most attractive of all the books of its kind is “The Chautauqua Birthday Book”[F]just issued. Daintily bound, and containing illustrations of the places so familiar and endeared to all Chautauquans, it can not fail to receive a warm welcome at their hands. The “Prefatory Note” is written by Chancellor J. H. Vincent. The selections made of the best things said by the best authors. As one turns the pages bearing the dates, the eye lights upon the names of many familiar friends, and the pleasing memories that instantly arise make one glad for the happy thought that originated so genial a souvenir.
No undertaking more deserves the thoughtful consideration and hearty support of every community than that of the introduction of a line of classics for children into the public schools. Mr. Ginn has already edited for the use of scholars of from nine to fourteen years of age, a number of very attractive books, among which are “Tales from Shakspere,” by Charles and Mary Lamb, and Scott’s “Tales of a Grandfather.”[G]The original works have been changed very little. A few verbal alterations were required, and the parts beyond the comprehension of a child were omitted. A young boy or girl after reading these editions will have practically the same knowledge that the older acquire from the unabridged works, and they certainly will be equally as much interested in them.
[B]Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.[C]Prose Writings of Nathaniel Parker Willis. Selected by Henry A. Beers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.[D]Serapis. By George Ebers. New York: William S. Gottsberger, 11 Murray Street. 1885. Price, paper cover, 50 cents.[E]Troubled Waters. A Problem of To-day. By Beverly Ellison Warner. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 1885. Price, $1.25.[F]The Chautauqua Birthday Book. Arranged by Annie M. Cummings. Buffalo, N. Y.: H. H. Otis. Price, $1.00.[G]Tales from Shakspere. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Tales of a Grandfather, Vol. I. Being the History of Scotland. By Walter Scott. Abridged and edited by Edwin Ginn. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.
[B]Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.
[B]Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.
[C]Prose Writings of Nathaniel Parker Willis. Selected by Henry A. Beers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
[C]Prose Writings of Nathaniel Parker Willis. Selected by Henry A. Beers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
[D]Serapis. By George Ebers. New York: William S. Gottsberger, 11 Murray Street. 1885. Price, paper cover, 50 cents.
[D]Serapis. By George Ebers. New York: William S. Gottsberger, 11 Murray Street. 1885. Price, paper cover, 50 cents.
[E]Troubled Waters. A Problem of To-day. By Beverly Ellison Warner. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 1885. Price, $1.25.
[E]Troubled Waters. A Problem of To-day. By Beverly Ellison Warner. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 1885. Price, $1.25.
[F]The Chautauqua Birthday Book. Arranged by Annie M. Cummings. Buffalo, N. Y.: H. H. Otis. Price, $1.00.
[F]The Chautauqua Birthday Book. Arranged by Annie M. Cummings. Buffalo, N. Y.: H. H. Otis. Price, $1.00.
[G]Tales from Shakspere. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Tales of a Grandfather, Vol. I. Being the History of Scotland. By Walter Scott. Abridged and edited by Edwin Ginn. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.
[G]Tales from Shakspere. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Tales of a Grandfather, Vol. I. Being the History of Scotland. By Walter Scott. Abridged and edited by Edwin Ginn. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.
Valeria. By the Rev. W. H. Withrow. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.00.
The Sentence and Word Book. By James Johonnot. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1885.
Vain Forebodings. By E. Oswald. Translated from the German by Mrs. A. L. Wister. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1885. Price, $1.25.
Pestalozzi’s Leonard and Gertrude. Translated and Abridged. By Eva Channing. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.
Dante. A Rare Collection of Texts, Commentaries, etc., of Dante’s Divina Commedia. Cincinnati: Anton Bicker.
The Meisterschaft System for the Italian Language. By Dr. Richard S. Rosenthal. Part I. Boston: Meisterschaft Publishing Company.
General Gordon: The Christian Hero. By the author of “Our Queen,” “New World Heroes,” etc. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
Pulpit and Easel. By Mary B. Sleight. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
Hearing and How to Keep It. By Charles H. Burnett, M.D. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston, Son & Co. 1885.
Dogma No Antidote for Doubt. By a member of the New York Bar. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1885.
Catechism on Alcohol. (In German.) By Julia Colman. New York: National Temperance Society. 1885.
Circulars of Information of the Bureau of Education. No. I.—1885. Washington: Government Printing Office.
Planting Trees in School Grounds and the Celebration of Arbor Day. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1885.
The Russian Revolt. By Edmund Noble. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885. Price, $1.00.
From the Golden Gate to the Golden Horn. By Henry Frederick Reddall. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.25.
BY WM. D. BRIDGE.
Japan moves to the front, forChautauquahas taken firm root in Japan. The Chautauqua Idea is an ecumenical idea, and it is the province of this article to show the workings of this idea in Japan during the past six months.
Late in the summer of 1884 Mrs. A. M. Drennan (C. L. S. C. class of ’82), a resident missionary in Japan, at Osaka, entered into correspondence with Chancellor Vincent as to the possibility of translating valuable English materials in the line of the “C. L. S. C.” into the Japanese vernacular. Among the material tracts, papers, etc., sent, was one which she put into the hands of an educated native, well versed also in English, who said on reading it: “If that book can be put into the hands of the young men, Tom Paine and other infidels must leave Japan.”
Chancellor Vincent, on reviewing the necessities of the field, and marking the wondrous developments of that newborn nation, arranged with Mrs. Drennan for the translation of the “Required Reading” inThe Chautauquaninto Japanese, guaranteeing a prescribed sum per month for expenses of translating for one year.
March 30, 1885, Mrs. Drennan writes: “I wish I could convey to you something of an idea of the enthusiasm in reference to our Chautauqua Society here. In much less than a week after the first advertisement in the papers, our secretary had received nearly three hundred letters of inquiry, and, on application, had given out every one of the first five hundred copies of the ‘Hand-Book.’ A second edition of five hundred was made, and now, in less than a week, only two hundred copies remain.”
The “Hand-Book” referred to is the first number of a magazine, in book form, containing articles fromThe Chautauquan, viz.: “Mosaics of History,” “Africa,” “Alexander the Great,” “One Hundred Questions,” “World of Science,” and “The Results of the Discovery of America.”
Mr. C. S. Hongma, of Osaka, a native Japanese, President of the “Japanese Literary and Scientific Circle,” writes to Chancellor Vincent, in good English, a letter full of hope, and expressing his delight in aiding to organize the circle, and asking help and prayers for its success.
The laws of Japan require six months’ notice to be given of intention to publish a magazine, and but one month’s notice for publishing a book. The quotations fromThe Chautauquanare therefore given the book form.
Mrs. Drennan says the natives will pay the expense of advertising the movement in Japanese papers, and will, ere long, pay the cost of translation.
April 13, 1885, Mrs. Drennan writes: “It would take a long letter to tell you the good things about our J. L. S. C. We have just received to-day from the press our third edition of the ‘Hand-Book;’ this makes twenty-five hundred printed. Our secretary is preparing to-night a list of the paid-up members. There have been over three hundred applicants for membership, but only one hundred and fifty have as yet paid all dues. You know there is the house rent (for place of meeting of the local circles), and the fixing up, lights, etc., to give us a comfortable place of meeting. These, with most of the advertising and other expenses, have been met by the members; and with your kind aid for a little while we will have an influence that will spread over this entire land, doing great things for this people. Our secretary has answered overseven hundred letters of inquiry. Applications have come from several cities for the privilege of organizing branch societies.
“The first article in our ‘Hand-Book’ is an editorial by the editor of the largest paper in this part of Japan. He is a very fine writer and highly educated. He is perfectly enthusiastic over the work. It is an argument for this plan, giving his views as to the good it will accomplish in Japan. The second article explains the object and aim of the Society.
“My heart has been thrilled with delight on receiving letters and applications for membership from some soldiers in a distant city. It has been a punishable offense for any teacher of Christianity, or Bible reader, to go into the army or among the soldiers. I thought, if this course of reading spread among them, who can compute its influence, who can tell the result of this silent teacher for Christ!”
The new members are not satisfied with Japanese cards of membership, but are anxious for enrollment at the Central Office of the C. L. S. C., Plainfield, N. J., and for cards of membership from America.
Mrs. Drennan, under date of April 14th, says: “One hundred and seventy-five names of members have just been given me, fifty new names being added last evening. [She sends for three hundred membership cards.] I never saw such an interest created by anything in any country. Oh that God may bless it to the good of this people, and make it a permanent organization for all time! Pray for us.”
That our readers may know of what “stuff” this earnest C. L. S. C. worker is made, I will say that she has charge of a Girls’ School at Osaka, teaches young men three hours per day, teaches a Bible class of young men (twenty-five in number) on Sabbath evenings, and for a year and a half has kept up a Chautauqua circle among the English speaking people and others. In order to secure government permission to publish the Chautauqua literature, permanent resident officers must be chosen; therefore the existing local circle suspended, and was reorganized with such officers as the government will recognize.
One of the members is now translating “Outline Study of Man,” another “Cyrus and Alexander,” and two others are at work onThe Chautauquan.
Mrs. Drennan sends an itemized financial statement, showing three eighths of the expenses (total, $66.25) paid by the Japanese to date and five eighths by the Central Office, with the assurance that hereafter the heaviest part will be borne by the enthusiastic natives. God bless a work like this in young Japan, and God bless Mrs. Drennan and her associates!
Excursion to Niagara Falls, at Reduced Rates, for Members of the C. T. R. and C. S. L.
Excursion to Oil City, Pa.
“Mid-Season Celebration.” Excursion to Panama Rocks.
“OPENING DAY.”
“LOOK-UP LEGION DAY.”
“C. L. S. C. INAUGURATION DAY.”
“DENOMINATIONAL DAY.”
“ALUMNI DAY.”
“INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL DAY.”
“C. L. S. C. RECOGNITION DAY.”
“NATIONAL TEMPERANCE SOCIETY DAY.”
“ROMAN DAY.”
“HARVEST AND C. T. C. C. DAY.”
Readers ofThe Chautauquan, particularly if they do not expect to visit Chautauqua this summer, will find a very useful and interesting paper in theAssembly Daily Herald. TheHeraldis the daily chronicler of the proceedings at Chautauqua during the session of the Assembly. Its most important work is to furnish to its readers stenographic reports of all the leading lectures delivered on the platform. More than seventy lectures appear in its columns during the nineteen daily issues of theHerald. Among the lectures of the present season are to be several on Italy. The Tourists Ideal Foreign Tour will be mainly located in Italy. Now, for those who expect to read the C. L. S. C. course of 1885-86 this will be particularly interesting and profitable, as a portion of the course is to be on Italy and its life. A feature to which we would particularly call the attention of readers of the C. L. S. C. is the reports of special meetings and special classes, together with the daily reports of C. L. S. C. news. Much of the best of the C. L. S. C. work and planning is done at the Assembly, so that no one thoroughly interested in the C. L. S. C. can keep abreast of the news of this institution without theHerald. The first issue of Volume X. of theAssembly Heraldwill be on August 1st, and it will appear daily, Sundays excepted, in nineteen numbers. Its price is $1.00 for the season, or in clubs of five or more, 90 cents. Subscribers toThe Chautauquanwill find it to their advantage to accept our combination offer until August 1st ofThe ChautauquanandAssembly Daily Heraldfor $2.25.
Through the help of the C. L. S. C. Loan Library, a number of students who would otherwise have been obliged to give up their C. L. S. C. studies entirely, have been enabled to continue the course during the past year. These books (about half a dozen sets) will be for sale at reduced rates, at the Plainfield office after July 1st.
Another Chautauqua Idea of great practical importance is out. It has been devised to meet the demand for competent training in phonography. Within the last ten years shorthand writers of ability have become necessary to business offices, courts and editorial rooms. For those young men and women who would fit themselves for the numerous positions open to expert phonographers, the “Chautauqua University” has opened a “College of Phonography.” It is under the direction of W. D. Bridge, A.M., a reporter of nearly thirty years’ experience, who has associated with him F. G. Morris, A.M., one of the most successful and accomplished phonographic teachers in the country. For circulars of the College of Phonography, address the registrar, R. S. Holmes, A.M., Plainfield, New Jersey.
We are in receipt of the finely illustrated catalogues of the church furnishers, Messrs. J. & R. Lamb, of New York City. The designs which they are offering in Metal Work, Stained Glass, Church Upholstery and Church Embroideries are all of them beautiful, many of them unique and original. Churches that are contemplating refurnishing, or are building, can not do better than to send for the Messrs. Lamb’s catalogue. They will get good ideas, if nothing else.
The Chautauquans of Minnesota and the Northwest propose to hold this summer a Chautauqua Assembly of the Northwest. The first step in furtherance of this plan has been taken by the circles of St. Paul and Minneapolis, best situated as they are for united action, and strong in the presence of sixteen circles. On the 15th day of May, an association was formed by representatives from ten of the sixteen circles, to be known as the Central Chautauqua Committee.
The first Assembly will be held at the “Enchanted Island,” a beautiful place in Lake Minnetonka, Hennepin County, Minn., on June 26th. Reduced rates have been obtained on all railroads leading into Minneapolis and St. Paul. Circulars containing programs and full particulars will be sent to all applicants. Let all Chautauquans of the Northwest be present at the “Enchanted Island.” Address E. T. Brandeburg, Secretary, Room 14, Webb Block, Minneapolis, Minn.
Reports from the following local circles have been received at this office too late for the July issue ofThe Chautauquan: Osceola, Iowa; “Thornapple,” Vermontville, Michigan; “Beta,” Milwaukee, Wis.; “Aryan,” Hope Valley, R. I.; “Vincent,” Needham, Mass.; Jewett City, Conn.; “Springhill,” Morris Cross Roads, Pa.; “King Philip,” Medfield, Mass.; West Winsted, Conn.; Prattsburgh, N. Y.; “The Athenian,” Lanark, Ill.; “Longfellow,” Cambridge, Mass.; “Pansy Quartette,” Oshtemo, Mich.; Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Reports from local circles in the following towns have been forwarded toThe Chautauquanfrom Plainfield, but too late for the July issue: Hope, R. I.; Luverne, Minn.; Rushville, Ill.; Wellington, South Africa; Monroe, Iowa; Jonesville, Mich.; Jacksonville, Ill.; Billerica, Mass.; Charlestown, Mass.; Wabash, Ind.; Amherst, N. H.; Brookville, Ind.; Madison, Conn.; Minneapolis, Minn., from “Highland Park,” “Alden” and “Vincent” circles.