“We hope every member will be prepared with some facts on No. 6 [“No. 6” was aconversazioneon “Our Territories”]. Let us make it a success. Our whole course is highly remunerative to one who reads. Make your hours count for profit. We have all the time there is. Not everything that comes to us and asks a little of our time should be granted audience or gratification.”
“We hope every member will be prepared with some facts on No. 6 [“No. 6” was aconversazioneon “Our Territories”]. Let us make it a success. Our whole course is highly remunerative to one who reads. Make your hours count for profit. We have all the time there is. Not everything that comes to us and asks a little of our time should be granted audience or gratification.”
A similar plan is followed by the “Mettowee” circle, ofGranville, N. Y.A “Round-Table” on a recent program was, “What we have seen (mentally or otherwise) during the past week.” If the Glens Falls people will make their monthly meetings big enough to arouse the pride of the members of the section, the result will not be doubtful.——Shushan,N. Y., has two circles. The younger of the two is reported as “fast becoming one of the fixed and instructive institutions of the village,” a state that the three-year-old circle ofDeansvilleis already in, we surmise, from the report of the work of its membership. The Deansville circle holds an annual public meeting, at which an entertainment is provided and refreshments served. Preparations are being made for this year’s meeting.——A “Crescent” has appeared inKnoxborosince the year 1885 began. Though so late in beginning that they are obliged to devote almost all their time to the readings, and are too busy to prepare elaborate programs, the interest has not flagged since the start. The “Crescent” has ten members.——Syracusehas always been one of the most interesting of the local centers of the C. L. S. C. Their graduates, of whom one is the genial Secretary of Chautauqua, Mr. W. A. Duncan, have organized a chapter of the “S. H. G.” They propose to hold monthly meetings, and to pursue one of the special courses of study. The membership of this new class is eleven now, and there will be yearly “more to follow.”——The “Philomathean,” ofLancaster, N. Y., opening with 10 members, has grown to fifteen beside honorary and local members. Constant variety in programs, no “set way,” and hard work have been the maxims of their success.
The “Broadway” circle, ofCamden, N. J., puts in after a program of remarkably good timber, and the outline of their thorough organization, this healthy testimony: “‘Broadway’ circle is busily engaged in promoting this home study, and the older we grow the more we are able to discern the many blessings derived from it; the more we read and study the books the more does it stimulate our interest and thirst for knowledge.”——AtPhillipsburg, N. J., the circle has met this year with a sad loss in the death of Mrs. F. B. Holbert. Mrs. Holbert was a member of the class of ’84, the president of the circle in Phillipsburg at the time of her death, and a most zealous friend of the C. L. S. C. To her the circle at Phillipsburg owes its existence.——AtBridgeporta circle of eight was organized in October, 1884. A faithful leader has helped to keep them interested and alive, and already they write that a taste for solid reading has been acquired by the members.——A local circle has been organized atEast Orange, with eighteen members. The favorite name, “Alpha,” has been given the class. One of their late meetings of unusual interest was the celebration of Longfellow’s birthday, at which, among other exercises, we notice what must have been a particularly pleasing number, “The Better Land,” illustrated by tableaux.
The genial, kindly associations of circles are one of their greatest charms. How the kindly attention, the pleasant surprises kindle the hearts and knit the affections!Carlisle, Pa., circle has recently experienced all the delight of doing one of these pleasant deeds. The birthday of their president, Dr. Whitney, was celebrated by a genuine surprise. A game of chess at a neighbor’s was the bait which enticed him from home, where, on his return, the Chautauquans of his circle, thirty-one strong, greeted him with good cheer and good wishes. It pays to slip into our Chautauqua life many of these pleasant little affairs.——Several notices of Longfellow celebrations held byPennsylvaniacircles reached us too late for the May issue ofThe Chautauquan. AtBethlehem, where there is a “thoroughly congenial” circle of ten, the day was appropriately observed. This circle has found a scheme of study which it reports works very well for them. The time from 7:30 to 10:00 p. m. on the evening of meeting is divided into half-hour periods. These periods are all but one devoted to quizzes on the subjects laid down inThe Chautauquanoutline, the extra period being given to a discussion of the works of some well known author.——AtPittsburghthe “Hiawatha” observed the day with an excellent program, carried out before many friends. This circle—fifteen in number—is one of last fall’s harvest. Their motto, “Bound to Win,” tells the stuff they’re made of.——The wide-awake circle atNew Wilmington, Pa., prepared a program covering Founder’s day, and Longfellow’s, and reported a “royal good time” for their trouble. There are twenty-four members in the circle; their unanimous verdict is: “The C. L. S. C. has been a source of intellectual growth to us. And we have been led by it to take a wider view of the possibilities of life.”——A very good program of a Longfellow service comes fromPlymouth. We notice an analytical study among the numbers, and would commend such services to the circles as particularly profitable.——TheLock Havencircle, at its Longfellow evening, paid a high compliment to the circle atRenovo, by reading the program carried out by the latter on a previous evening, and sending their greetings and congratulations to the Renovo Chautauquans, that they have grown so strong and enthusiastic in but one year’s readings.——We are always sorry to miss in geography, but we will “own up;” we did in the April issue. The “Golden Flower” is not a Tennessee, but a Pennsylvania blossom, andHatborois a Keystone town. The “Golden Flower” has sent a series of really model programs recently.——From a friend atGilmore, Pa., we learn of the “Foster Brook” circle. This class was organized in October, 1882, with twenty-one members, but in a few months its course was rudely broken by the death of one of their young but zealous members, Mr. Henry Howe, of the class of ’86. The work was again taken up, but February, ’84, Mr. H. F. Howe, father of the former, and a member of the same class, was laid away by the side of his son. Though so tried by sorrow our friends have bravely followed their work, saddened, yet rejoicing.——It is an experience that many circles have, we imagine, this of theTunkhannockcircle, of finding that their second year’s reading goes much more easily than the first, and that they have time for many things in their circle which once they did not have. One good thing that the “Tunkhannock” occasionally slips in is important items of news from the secular press.——The “Mountaineers,” ofClearfield, is one of the many, many circles brought into the field by Chancellor Vincent’s kindling fervor. It is an ’88 circle, and numbers fifteen members. Reviews, readings, and conversation supplement the programs ofThe Chautauquan. The reviews, particularly, they have found valuable. Each book is taken up after being read, questions made out on it, and answers given by the circle. Outlines of the books are also sometimes prepared. This latter plan we do not remember to have noticed in the reports before, but we know it to be a very effective method for reviewing the facts or arguments in a book.——We rarely open our monthly budget of letters without finding aWashington, D. C., representative. This month we have a program from the “Wesley Chapel” circle, a good one, of course, like all the Chautauqua work done in Washington. An interesting item on it is “The Public Buildings of Athens,” illustrated by photographs.
AMiddletown, Md., letter suggests a new way of managing a local circle. “We are the ‘Mayflower’ circle, numbering five,” our friend writes, “As we are active members of a literary society, which meets weekly, we have no circle meetings, but talk over our readings, and Chautauqua in general, when opportunities offer. We are earnest and interested, and expect to enter upon next year’s work with increased knowledge, zeal, and numbers.”
A bed ofKentuckyPansies is filling all the air ofHardinsburgwith sweetest fragrance. “Of all the red letter days in our circle calendar,” writes one of them, “Longfellow’s day is the brightest. We send you a program of our last celebration, and a delightful evening we had carrying it out. A year ago we thought we could not have another Longfellow’s evening as pleasant as was that. We feel assured that the evening just passed was more nearly what such an evening should be. In looking back from this standpoint upon the past year, we are inspired for renewed energies and work for the years to come.”——Another Pansy of Kentucky, fromBewleyville,writes: “The C. L. S. C. has been of immense benefit to me. My irregular habits of study and desultory reading, instead of strengthening, had enervated my mind.… MyChautauquanand books are a great source of pleasure to some of my acquaintances who are not pursuing the course.”
Chillicothe, Ohio, has, in the Walnut Street M. E. Church, an enthusiastic band of twenty-two workers, who report themselves as “progressing finely.” At a recent meeting a lecture on the “Art of Speech,” by the able Episcopalian rector of the city, was greatly enjoyed by the class.
It must be that a millennium has reached the circle ofErie, Michigan. If there is another circle in the country that can say as much, we should like to know where they are and how they do it. The Eries are forty-five in number, and though some of the members live six miles apart, and the meetings are held at the houses, yet through all the past long and dreary winter there was an average attendance of more than three fourths of the membership. “And,” thus writes our correspondent, “each member is expected to do whatever the committee may assign him. We never have a failure. The program is always carried out to the letter.”——AtCasnovia, a circle of nine was organized in October last. Like nearly all our students, they are extremely busy people, but yet thorough in their work. They hold informal meetings for discussions and conversation on the readings of the month.——The first of January a circle was organized atMilford, Michigan, composed of twelve ladies, not all of them ’88s, there being a sprinkling of graduates and seniors to give direction to “Plymouth Rock” enthusiasm.——“One more Michigan circle” is heard of atJonesville. The circle started out with twelve members, and is keeping up a working membership of nine. The meetings are very enjoyable, every one taking part in the most interesting and informal way.——Last October a wave of Chautauqua enthusiasm passedDundee, Michigan, which resulted in organizing a C. L. S. C. of six members. They call the new organization “Longfellow’s” circle, and hope with the next year the numbers will increase. The circle has observed all memorial days, which have proved of great benefit and interest.——Evidently the “wave” has not left Michigan yet, for we have just received a card telling of the organization and election of officers of a new circle atGreenville. Success to their efforts.——A sample of the work which the C. L. S. C. helps the student to do, theGrand Rapids, Michigan, circle furnishes in a recent program. The exercises included, in brief, papers which took “broad, quick views.” Articles upon Thucydides, Socrates, Plato, Herodotus, Sappho, Greek Mythology, British Association for the Advancement of Science, American Soil, Life of Longfellow, and a review of Longfellow’s novel, “Hyperion.” This circle has made a big stride since last year, its membership having increased from twenty-three to thirty-seven.——The new pronoun which troubled some of our students has been employed by a correspondent from the circle atJackson, Mich.Perhaps his zeal to fill up this “long felt want” in language will make more clear to our readers the use of “thon.” These circle notes are very suggestive: “We meet weekly at the home of one of the members, a system we have found to be an improvement on that of meeting in a public hall. Chautauqua’s special sphere of influence is in the home; it is here ‘thon’ expects to do work which will be lasting, and eventually permeate every department of life. It will then be easily understood why ‘thon’ should find home and its associations a more congenial place of meeting than a public hall. Our meetings are conducted much in the usual manner, except, perhaps, our mode of managing a ‘discussion.’ To this feature we make special claim as being the originators. The leader of these talks, whose duty it is to ‘keep the ball rolling,’ is, with the subject, chosen a week beforehand. Each of the members is expected to inform ‘thonself’ on the topic thus allotted, and to be prepared to give an opinion or ask questions. Richard Grant White’s language articles, ‘The Art of Speech,’ and ‘The Temperance Teachings of Science,’ have already been dealt with in this profitable and interesting way.”
We are glad to be able to introduceIndianathis month with a clipping from a private letter to the lady here so honored:
“Wabash, Ind.“I want to tell you how our local circle of the C. L. S. C. honored itself last night in deciding to be called the ‘Frances Willard’ circle, and, furthermore, to observe your birthday as a memorial day.… We have in our circle, as you may suppose, a number of ladies active in the work of the W. C. T. U. Our circle numbers thirty-two. It was organized in ’79, but never christened until last night. The vote on the name was unanimous.”
“Wabash, Ind.
“I want to tell you how our local circle of the C. L. S. C. honored itself last night in deciding to be called the ‘Frances Willard’ circle, and, furthermore, to observe your birthday as a memorial day.… We have in our circle, as you may suppose, a number of ladies active in the work of the W. C. T. U. Our circle numbers thirty-two. It was organized in ’79, but never christened until last night. The vote on the name was unanimous.”
FromAlbion, Indianaa friend writes: “We have organized a circle here consisting of twenty-four members. Prof. E. C. White, superintendent of schools, is our leader; and is greatly interested in our circle and its work. We meet each week, at the residences of the members, taking them alphabetically. The majority of the teachers in our public schools belong to the circle, and all the members are much interested in their work.”——And still another from the same state, fromFowler, says: “We organized in October, 1884, with nine members; the circle now numbers fourteen members, of four different classes. One item of each program is a question drawer, questions to be taken from suggestions of the weekly readings. If any question is not answered by the circle, it is assigned to some member to be answered at the next meeting. I find this stimulates all to read carefully, as no one can know just what part of the week’s reading is to be investigated. This is a most interesting feature, and we can get those to engage in this who will do nothing else. We have two members living at a distance who are only present in person occasionally, but always present in manuscript when on program, so we call them our ‘paper members.’”——A Chautauqua circle was organized atLigonier, Indiana, in October, 1884, with a membership of seventeen, and named the “Ligonier Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.” In it are represented three denominations. The programs are so varied as to avoid monotony in the exercises. One night the committee gave topics for brief essays, on another, questions to be answered at next meeting. The members of the circle pronounce the prescribed course of study excellent and interesting in its details, and feel grateful for a plan so far-reaching and so beneficent in its results. Bryant’s, Milton’s, and Longfellow’s days were observed by devoting to them and their works the entire evening. A knot of cardinal and old gold ribbon constitutes the circle’s badge. The circle is highly pleased with the motto “Let us be seen by our deeds,” and many of the members express themselves satisfied with their name, “Plymouth Rocks.”——We have received the list of names of the members, fifteen in all, which form the circle ofBrookville, Ind. We are hoping to receive some of the Brookville circle’s experiences soon.
The “Peripatetics” ofChicago, Ill., is an organization formed last fall. There are twelve members. The circle, we fear, is not using the local circles’ reports right, if, when they read them, they feel almost discouraged at the little they have accomplished. The whole spirit of Chautauqua is, “what has been done can be done,” and our work is mainly to show by actual example what has been done. The “Peripatetics” have too many opportunities for doing superior work, living as they do, in such a city as Chicago, to grow discouraged.——The death of Richard Grant White has been a great loss to Chautauquans. His admirable “Studies in English” had met the warmest reception, and when they were cut short by his death all our readers felt they had met a personal loss. It was this feeling that led a Chicago circle to add to their resolutions of respect passed upon Mr. White’s death, a clause stating that as a feeble expression of their regard and, as a token of respectto his memory, their local circle be hereafter known as the “Richard Grant White.”——For novel diversions, commend us to the “Alpha,” ofQuincy. This circle has sandwiched a great amount of fun in with its solid work this winter, nor has it been to the injury of the work. On College day they had a sleigh ride, not long after a mock trial; they have introduced a paper, theSymposium, which gives an opportunity for numberless hits, and on Valentine’s day theSymposiumfurnished the entertainment, each member having sent to the editor an anonymous piece of poetry.——A circle was organized inSterlinglast October, and has now nine members. They have no officers, and each meeting is conducted by the lady at whose house it is held. Their informal way of doing things has some advantages. An invalid member is mentioned, who, like many others, finds relief in affliction by having something to do, and doing it religiously.
On one of the last evenings of September, a few Morrisonians met and organized the “Alpha Society,” ofMorrison, Illinois. They number fifteen, and have accomplished much by the winter’s work. The plan has been to take the outline of required reading, as laid down inThe Chautauquan, and prepare the lesson as thoroughly as possible by the use of books and encyclopædias. At the meetings the class recites the lessons learned the week before. Occasionally they have an essay, or select reading.——A circle of twenty members was organized inJacksonville, Ill., last October, with the Rev. H. E. Butler, pastor of Congregational Church, as president. They have given special attention thus far to the Greek course, enlarging the reading, and bringing in other authors as far as possible. Now that the Greek is nearly finished the circle is bringing chemistry into prominence.——The “Oakland” circle, ofChicago, Illinois, was organized in February, 1884, and belongs to the “Pansy” class. It has a goodconstitution, and hopes to survive till the graduation of its members. This circle is composed entirely of ladies, among whom are representatives of six churches in the South Division of the city. The meetings, which are held semi-monthly at the houses of the members, are well attended. Absent members are informed by postal cards of the place of the next meeting, the parts assigned them on the program, and the author from whom quotations are to be given. Those who are absent three times in succession are expected to present a suitable excuse to the society. At the close of the year a reception was given, to which each member invited a gentleman friend. A fine literary and musical program was rendered, and refreshments were served. The guests, among whom were ministers, lawyers, army officers, and members of the Chicago Board of Trade, were called upon to express their opinions of the C. L. S. C. A most enjoyable evening was spent.
A flourishing circle has existed atPortage, Wisconsin, for three years. It is only one of three, however, for last year the pastor of the M. E. Church organized a circle which is still active, and this year the Presbyterian pastor started a third. Themothercircle is undenominational, as best becomes her position. One feature of this circle’s year is its annual reception. Let the secretary tell how it is managed: “We have heretofore held a reception at the close of each year, to which were invited the people of the place presumed to be most interested in education. The exercises have always been highly commended, and our work well appreciated by those in attendance—indeed, we consider our best missionary work has been done by this means—and many members added through the instrumentality of a sugar-coated dose of hard work (or its results, rather). Many people would attend a party, to whom a literary meeting of any kind is a ‘delusion and a snare.’”
“Press on, reaching after those things which are before.”
President—J. B. Underwood, Meriden, Conn.Vice President—C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio.Treasurer—Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind.Secretary—Miss M. M. Canfield, Washington, D. C.Executive Committee—Officers of the class.
President—J. B. Underwood, Meriden, Conn.
Vice President—C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind.
Secretary—Miss M. M. Canfield, Washington, D. C.
Executive Committee—Officers of the class.
After Commencement, what? More of the same sort, undoubtedly—of a better sort, if possible. The members of the class of ’85 are now near enough to the “finish” to arrive at some more or less mature conclusions as to the future. They find that the word “commencement” is to be no misnomer, and is not even to be criticised. For after four years of reading and study the students find that they have not come to the end, but only to the beginning. The matter selected for them has been so good, so substantial, and really so inspiring, as a whole, that an immortal, if not divine, sort of hunger for the best in literature, science, art, philosophy, has been created in their minds, and they could hardly stop if they desired. The aggregate amount of literary and scientific information which has been acquired is really large, and much of it has been retained as a permanent fund of knowledge, but this has proved to be but a small part of the benefit that has been derived. Thousands of people have just begun to find out how little they really know, and how much they ought yet to learn, to satisfy their own ideas and notions as to what is required to make one, not learned, indeed, but reasonably well informed! And what they think they need to know, they feel sure that they have now discovered how to learn, and have acquired habits of reading and thinking which will make the processes easy and enjoyable, instead of laborious and tiresome. They have already looked beyond bounds into the green fields and pastures new of that which is best, most beautiful, and grandest in the domain of thought, and suggestion, and philosophical research and discovery, as brought out by poets, philosophers, statesmen and philanthropists, and they are likely to pass through the Golden Gate and out from the Temple on the hill into a still broader fraternity of thought and action, whose limits will correspond with those of the world itself.
A breezy letter from the plains of Dakota contains the following: “I have been studying entirely alone, and have found the course a blessing that can not be valued. Here, quite removed from society, while winter winds howl round my cabin home, I find help, companionship and pleasure in the studies of the dear ‘Home College.’ The most attractive corner of my little room is the one where my beloved books lie on the home-made shelves. My little ones love them too, and there is scarcely a time when I need help but what I can find it in my books.”
One young lady from Massachusetts, who hopes to hear the “Chautauqua Chimes,” writes: “I have a class of girls in Sunday-school, and want so much the help I think I shall be able to find at Chautauqua. The course has been just what I needed, and I know I have grown, mentally and morally, since joining the C. L. S. C.”
This from a gentleman in Kansas: “If health will permit I hope to be one to enter in under the Arches among the ‘Invincibles.’ I must be one of the oldest of the ’85s. I was fifteen days old at the battle of Waterloo, and, if I am spared till my next birthday, I shall have arrived at the bounds allotted to man in the Bible.”
One ’85 writes: “I hope to receive my diploma at Chautauqua, but, I am a busy mother with six children, and can not always plan so long ahead. I have had the greatest pleasure and satisfaction in the course, for, with a family of wide-awake boys and girls about me, I have found it is very necessary to refresh myself and keep well informed on all subjects.”
One enthusiastic lady from Texas writes: “I have gathered through four years of delightful reading an intellectual bouquet, whose fragrance I hope to wear about me when I pass, not only through the Arches at Chautauqua, but when I pass through the ‘Beautiful Gates’ to the Celestial City.”
Another testifies: “I am one of the busy mothers and housekeepers who pursue the C. L. S. C. course under numerous and varied difficulties, but find my enthusiasm increasing as the four years draw to a close.”
From Massachusetts: “I intend to still ‘press on’ after I graduate—in fact, I hope always to be a Chautauquan.”
Wisconsin contributes: “I like our motto and our name, and I love the C. L. S. C. Though reading alone, it has always been an inspiring thought that many thousands are reading the same course.”
Another: “I regret that the course is so nearly finished, but the spirit it has awakened within me has enabled me to ‘Press on, reaching after those things which are before.’”
“We study for light, to bless with light.”
President—The Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, Maine.Vice Presidents—The Rev. J. T. Whitley, Salisbury, Maryland; Mr. L. F. Houghton, Peoria, Illinois; Mr. Walter Y. Morgan, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Delia Browne, Louisville, Kentucky; Miss Florence Finch, Palestine, Texas.Secretary—The Rev. W. L. Austin, New Albany, Ind.
President—The Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, Maine.
Vice Presidents—The Rev. J. T. Whitley, Salisbury, Maryland; Mr. L. F. Houghton, Peoria, Illinois; Mr. Walter Y. Morgan, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Delia Browne, Louisville, Kentucky; Miss Florence Finch, Palestine, Texas.
Secretary—The Rev. W. L. Austin, New Albany, Ind.
The “Progressives” of New England are true to their name, and most encouraging reports are received from circles and those who are studying alone. A young man teaching school in a remote village in Connecticut writes: “I feel far below the standard of our class, but am determined to do the best I can, God helping me. Leisure moments are delightfully spent in reading or meditation. Hope to complete the course in 1886, and then go on with extra readings.”
The class of 1886 is deeply bereaved by the removal to higher duties and joys of a most worthy member, Mrs. Emma Webster Darling, wife of the Rev. J. K. Darling, of Chelsea, Vermont. She died on the morning of Easter Sunday.
One of our busy workers, A. M. T., of Ontario, Canada, has made an attractive little devotional book, “My Work, or Conditional Promises,” for every day in the month.
A young lady from Boston writes: “I have devoted to C. L. S. C. work at least forty minutes every day since I have been a member, and would gladly do more if time would allow.”
From the snow hills of Maine comes this cheerful testimony: “I sometimes envy people their riches, but am thankful for the C. L. S. C. every day of my life, for I am a farmer’s daughter, and so situated that I am debarred from the enjoyments of most young people, and would often be very lonely were it not for the books of the C. L. S. C.”
The Hopkinton tent, at Framingham, has been secured for headquarters, and will be made comfortable. If the ladies of ’86 who contemplate visiting Framingham next summer will remember that they are a “committee of the whole” on decorations, the tent can doubtless be made homelike and attractive at little expense. Bring something to brighten it, if only a penny Japanese fan.
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee.”
President—The Rev. Frank Russell, Mansfield, Ohio.Western Secretary—K. A. Burnell, Esq., 150 Madison Street, Chicago, Ill.Eastern Secretary—J. A. Steven, M.D., 164 High Street, Hartford, Conn.Treasurer—Either Secretary, from either of whom badges may be obtained.Executive Committee—The officers of the class.
President—The Rev. Frank Russell, Mansfield, Ohio.
Western Secretary—K. A. Burnell, Esq., 150 Madison Street, Chicago, Ill.
Eastern Secretary—J. A. Steven, M.D., 164 High Street, Hartford, Conn.
Treasurer—Either Secretary, from either of whom badges may be obtained.
Executive Committee—The officers of the class.
The New England Pansies seem to be more active of late than their fellow blossoms farther west. The following report of their reunion represents something of their enthusiasm: The New England branch of the class of 1887 C. L. S. C. held its spring meeting in the chapel of Union Congregational Church, Providence, April 3d, 1885. About one hundred members were present. After a short time spent in social intercourse, the meeting was called to order by the president, the Rev. F. M. Gardner, for Rhode Island. The C. L. S. C. study song was sung, which was followed by the secretary’s report of the meeting in Boston; the minutes were duly approved. It was voted that the committee on headquarters be increased by the addition of Mr. Jeffers, of Pawtucket, and Mrs. Morrill, of Allston. Mr. Gardner, in his own bright manner, gave some account of the efforts of the committee in preparing for class headquarters at Lakeview, and stated reasons why the plan suggested at the Boston meeting should be postponed, though not abandoned. Inasmuch as several members of our class have been afflicted by the loss of loved ones from their homes, it was voted that a committee be appointed to present resolutions at this meeting expressing the sympathy of the class with them in their bereavement. The musical and literary exercises were opened with a fine piano solo, which was followed by a pleasing quartette. Then an address on “The C. L. S. C.vs.Social Pastimes,” by the Rev. N. T. Dyer, of Middleboro, was delivered. Mr. Dyer being unable to be present because of illness, Mrs. Dyer most creditably took his place. The address was a convincing statement of the advantages of the C. L. S. C., and could it be circulated among those not interested in the course, would undoubtedly influence many to enroll in the Circle. Mrs. Emily C. Fletcher, of Pawtucket, read a poem written for the occasion, from which we extract the following, referring to the influence of the C. L. S. C.:
“It has cleared the brow of discontent,Made happy the lowly one,Cheering the home and its social hall,Enliv’ning the tasks begun.“It takes from age the mournful thoughts,That often the heart will shroud,It lifts the life to a higher sphere,Silvering ev’ry dark cloud.”
“It has cleared the brow of discontent,Made happy the lowly one,Cheering the home and its social hall,Enliv’ning the tasks begun.“It takes from age the mournful thoughts,That often the heart will shroud,It lifts the life to a higher sphere,Silvering ev’ry dark cloud.”
“It has cleared the brow of discontent,Made happy the lowly one,Cheering the home and its social hall,Enliv’ning the tasks begun.
“It has cleared the brow of discontent,
Made happy the lowly one,
Cheering the home and its social hall,
Enliv’ning the tasks begun.
“It takes from age the mournful thoughts,That often the heart will shroud,It lifts the life to a higher sphere,Silvering ev’ry dark cloud.”
“It takes from age the mournful thoughts,
That often the heart will shroud,
It lifts the life to a higher sphere,
Silvering ev’ry dark cloud.”
After music, and an address on Lakeview, resolutions of sympathy to those of the circle who had met with bereavements were adopted. The association then adjourned, after which a delightful reunion was enjoyed by the members.
Two members of the class of ’87 have recently left us for the “better life:” Miss Grace F. Cook, who died March 22, at Vilas, Wisconsin, after a protracted illness, and Mrs. Rev. E. S. Osborne, of Kingston, New York, who died at her home, March 16th.
“Let us be seen by our deeds.”
President—The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Boston, Mass.Vice Presidents—Prof. W. N. Ellis, 108 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.; the Rev. Wm. G. Roberts, Bellevue, Ohio.Secretary—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.Treasurer—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.All items for this column should be sent, in condensed form, to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Florida.Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.
President—The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Boston, Mass.
Vice Presidents—Prof. W. N. Ellis, 108 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.; the Rev. Wm. G. Roberts, Bellevue, Ohio.
Secretary—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
All items for this column should be sent, in condensed form, to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Florida.
Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.
Our circle in Ouray, Colorado, in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, numbers ten. The picturesque spot where live these ’88s is about a day’s journey from the railroad. They name themselves after the Indians, “Uncompahgee,” who once wigwamed there. They have their “round-table,” and keep up their weekly meetings.—Another circle, of three, has been organized among the “Rockies,” at Gunnison, Colorado, and meets weekly. Our ’88s have reached the Indian Territory. At Chouteau we have one hard worker, who, having commenced in February, has nearly caught up with the class.—At the confluence of the Missouri and Vermillion Rivers we have an enthusiastic class of ten. Lawyers, teachers, journalists, milliners, and busy wives, with a “Pansy” for the president, compose the class. They conduct their class weekly, on the “conversational plan,” which they claim affords grand opportunity for interchange of opinions and sentiments.—A circle of five ladies and one lone gentleman compose the “Clio,” of Clark, Dakota. So delighted are they that they never adjourn for any other engagements.—The “Kankakee,” of Illinois, thirty-eight regular and four honorary members, meets fortnightly. Their Shakspere program was so full that a portion was postponed until the next meeting. An honorary member has delighted them with an address upon “Water.”—The twelve members of “Calumet,” Carthage, Ill., were favored with a visit and instructive talk from Chancellor Vincent.—We were greatly surprised to receive a letter from our old friend, the Rev. W. H. Hyatt, president of our circle in Whiteland, Ind.—Ten young persons of Dubuque, Iowa, compose the “Circle of Athens.” An excellent motto have they selected:Sapientiam petimus. That their search for wisdom is eager is evinced by the fact that they have in a most interesting manner pursued the studies in spite of all allurements. The memorial days have been appropriately observed, and Longfellow’s day celebrated by a banquet.—Seven constitute “Alpha,” of Barnesville, Ohio. They began January 1, and have nearly completed their studies. They expect to begin on time next year.—The “Athena,” of Wanskuck, Providence, R. I., is composed of fifteen busy people, who are delighted with the studies.—From the programs of the “Hamilton,” of Lowell, Mass., we are satisfied that the forty members are truly among our liveliest coming Chautauquans. They have largely experimented in chemistry and electricity. This circle mourns the loss of one of its best members in Mrs. Benjamin Robinson, who endeavored to brave a New England storm, in order to attend one of the meetings, and lost her life.—Seventeen regular and three honorary members represent a circle in Joplin, Mo. Nothing but illness has caused an absence at “roll call.” Once a week they follow Chautauqua program. Success has marked their public as well as private meetings.—One from Maine has taken fresh courage since reading Chancellor Vincent’s article in the AprilChautauquan, “How to Work Alone.”—The “Riversides,” of Milford, N. H. (eight members), have finished the year’s studies.—“Zeta Phi,” of Buffalo, N. Y., are seven “zealous learners.” They observe all special days, having essays upon given subjects.—A zealous lady of ’87 class organized seven earnest and hopefuls into the “I. X. L.,” of Newport, Ky.—Clamida (state not named) boasts of two enthusiastic circles. The secretary of one strongly objects to our name, repudiating the idea that we have anything in common with the “Pilgrim Fathers.” She is even tired of a reference to their trials, and believes, with another, that the “Pilgrim Mothers” are more worthy of “toasting,” closing with “Seriously, why were we thus afflicted?”
BY PROF. RICHARD S. HOLMES, A.M.
I desire in this paper to make some very plain answers in a very plain way to a question which has come to me in varying forms, from various sources. It is a practical question, and concerns the possibilities of that department of Chautauqua work which aims to bring the advantages of the higher education within the reach of those large classes of our population which have been hitherto debarred from them. Naturally, the question originates with the very people whom the enterprise seeks to aid, and strangely enough is shared by those whose culture and education should have been a barrier to such a doubt.
Men who would gladly avail themselves of any real advantages for education brought within their reach, and within their means, yet unwilling to make the pecuniary outlay which the effort might involve, until convinced that the correspondence system offers real advantages, hesitate, and say: “We are favorably impressed with the idea as given in your announcements, but are not sure that it can be put into practical operation; before attempting the work it may demand, we are compelled to ask, how is the work to be done? how can teaching by correspondence be made practically successful? Show us the method, that we may understand.” Still others, men of advanced education, of approved excellence of judgment, men engaged in professional life, have said, “We concede that education by the means you propose is possible under certain favorable conditions, but we doubt the practicability of attempting by such a means to cover the wide field of general education.” Straightway they fall to instancing particular subjects as illustrations of the truth of their statement. Now the proof of the pudding is in the eating; and if this paper succeed in furnishing tastes of this particular pudding which shall be palatable and shall create a favorable opinion as to the worth of the whole, the service rendered to the cause will be valuable. I propose, therefore, without invading the province of any of the gifted teachers who act as Directors of the different Departments and Schools in the Chautauqua School of Liberal Arts, as we shall hereafter call what has been known as the University, to show, if possible, how a person of good natural endowment, at the maximum of his mental strength, and with earnest devotion to his work can acquire a knowledge of a language, literature, or science by correspondence alone.
I will make three preliminary remarks. First, the student must bring to this work the same earnestness that he gives to that pursuit of his daily life upon which he has been or may be dependent for his livelihood. Second, in the study of language by correspondence, the path marked out by the experience ofthe ages is the path in which the correspondence student must go. The gateway of that path is the grammar of the language; and no student can pass through it till he possess the key which shall unlock its bars. To own a grammar is therefore a necessity. I am ready to believe that in oral teaching of a language, actual study of grammar, as grammar, may be put over into the final years of the course, giving the early years to the undisputed control of synthetic methods; but for the correspondence student, a grammar is an essential. Third, the student must be willing to follow the most minute directions of his teacher, without question, no matter how simple or how difficult a matter their performances may seem to be. To obey is the first essential to success.
Let us now look at amethodfor learning a language or science. It is not given asthe methodin use in the schools, but only as a means of showing that the thing proposed is possible. There should be for the beginner four papers for every lesson; or four kinds of work to be done.
First—There should be a paperstating principles to be learned, and adding complete references to the text-book upon which they are based, that the student may add to his teacher’s dictum, the confirmation of his own research. Let it be distinctly noted that this paper isto contain statements of principles to be learned, and is not to be a mere budget of directions to paragraphs and sections of a text-book. The advantages to be gained by such a method of study are too obvious to need elaboration here.
Second—There should be a paper giving abundant and apt illustrations of those principles, derived from the best sources, adapted to the pupil’s knowledge, and different from any which have been otherwise brought to his notice. These illustrations of principles should be memorized by the student and should form the basis of the paper containing the test of the student’s work.
Third—There should be a paper giving examples for practice in these same principles; examples for transliteration, phonic representation, or translation in case of a foreign language, examples for experimentation, classification, or analysis in case of a science or literature.
Fourth—There should be a paper of examination or question, for the purpose of testing the student and revealing the character of the work he has done. These questions should be framed with the utmost care and skill of which the teacher is master, and should act as a quickening impulse to the student. This paper should be in a sealed envelope, and should not be opened till all the work of the other three papers has been done, and the student feels that his lesson is learned. In addition to what has been suggested, there should be required in the study of language, as soon as the student can correctly pronounce, a regular exercise in memorizing from some standard author, and daily repetitions aloud of what is thus given to the memory. In the case of English, Latin, and Greek, this seems to me indispensable. This last suggestion, it will be noticed, contains a hint that the pronunciation of a language can be taught by correspondence. It is a hint which I am prepared to assert as a proposition, and to defend as far as the Latin and Greek languages are concerned. The amount of matter given in the lesson should be enough to require one week for its preparation by a student able to devote from one to two hours daily to study.
When the papers of a lesson have been fully mastered, and the student feels that all he can do upon it is done, the whole work should be at once sent back to the teacher. Now, to guard against loss of time, such as would occur were the student compelled to wait without work after he has forwarded his lesson recitation to the teacher until the necessary exchange by post has been made, two lessons should be sent out by the teacher at the first assignment. This plan would wholly avoid what might be costly delay where student and teacher were separated by the width of the continent or the ocean.
As soon as the first recitation paper reaches the teacher’s hand, his immediate duty is to forward the next lesson of the series, and so regularly through the whole course of instruction. He will now at his leisure examine the paper which has come into his possession, while the student is engaged upon the second of his lessons. What shall be the teacher’s work with this returned paper? Certainly not one of correction. Now begins his real work of teaching. First, there must be a careful and painstaking inspection of each line of the student’s work. Second, every error must be plainly marked, so that the eye of the student will not fail to observe it. Third, plain reference should be made to those sections and paragraphs of the grammar or text-book which have been violated. Fourth, a word of encouragement, advice, suggestion, or warning should be added to each paper, drawn from the teacher’s wide and varied experience, and which will be practically helpful to the pupil. It must be carefully noted that in this treatment of the recitation paper, the teacher has made no correction, has told nothing, but has simply indicated errors, and thrown the student back upon his own resources to correct his own work. This is one of the elements of true teaching.
The return of this critically marked paper to the student brings us to consider another important process in this work, and that is the review by the student of his first lesson work, or his second period of study upon it. There has enough time elapsed since it was last in his hands to have it come now with all the force of a new lesson, and to enable him to look at it judicially. The critical investigation which follows has a three-fold value. First, it is a review. Second, it is a means for accurate self-test. Third, it is a monitor, under whose warning all future lesson work is subjected to the careful scrutiny which the former criticism suggests. Two things still remain to be done with the returned lesson paper. One to make a separate classified list of the errors it contained; the other to date it, file it, and lay it carefully away for reference. The classified list of errors will serve as a check against the commission of like errors, or an aid in detecting any that may have been carelessly made. At first the list will be large, but after a little it will grow less and less rapidly, till finally its utter lack of growth will be the surest mark of the pupil’s excellence of attainment. Such is an outline for a possible method of conducting educational work by correspondence. It presents a method which I believe is practical, which is drawn from an experience of years in the class room, and which is in harmony with established principles of educational philosophy.
A touching bit of experience has been sent us by a member of the class of ’88. The writer had persuaded his son to join a circle, but, as he writes, “He attended one meeting of the circle and came home very much discouraged, declaring that he would not attend another meeting, urging as his reasons that he compared unfavorably with others, and that he would never be able to pronounce those horrid Greek names, etc. I tried to encourage him and advanced several arguments trying to show him what a great advantage this course of reading would be to him, but finally gave it up, fearing if I urged him so strongly he would become disgusted. I determined then to take the four years’ course of study myself, thinking that by having the books in our home, and sometimes relating anecdotes, incidents and historical facts gathered from these readings, that my boys might become interested for themselves. It is impossible for me to give my children the advantages of a liberal education, as my heart longs to do, and by getting them interested in the C. L. S. C., I hope to make up to them in some degree their loss of a college education.”
There is very general regret, at home and abroad, that the new administration has removed Professor James Russell Lowell from the office of American minister at the court of St. James. There is no disposition to complain; but there is some natural wonderment. Mr. Lowell was an ideal American diplomat; he represented worthily the people as well as the government of the United States. It is no disparagement to his successor to say that no other American can quite fill the place Mr. Lowell has made for himself. It should be remembered that we, fortunately, have very little proper diplomatic business anywhere in the world; and whenever any serious negotiation is to be undertaken, it can be done at Washington. Our important treaties are made in the national capital; and our gravest foreign affairs are always directly administered by the Secretary of State. Since Franklin it has seldom happened that a minister has been entrusted with any grave duties or burdened with any serious responsibilities. Even during the civil war Mr. Seward managed at Washington the more serious business of the foreign department.
In this generation, we have had some successful foreign ministers; but their success has in every case been in non-official or extra-official lines. Mr. E. B. Washburne, our minister in Paris during the Franco-German war, won a high reputation, not as a diplomat of his country, but as an American minister entrusted, by an act of international courtesy, with the rights and welfare of Prussians in Paris. As the agent of the Berlin government during the war and siege, Mr. Washburne endeared himself to the large German population of Paris by his kindness, common sense, and energy in caring for a body of subjects of a hostile country. No one but a typical American could have done this work at all well. A man trained to diplomacy would have failed. It needed a man who could put his character and American office into a breach made by war, and devise means of providing for an extemporaneous necessity. Most men would have failed; Washburne succeeded because he was a typical American of the largest pattern—able, frank, tireless, resourceful.
In England, Mr. Lowell has, under different circumstances, developed a new line of diplomatic representation. He has represented the character and culture of the American people. The average politician supposes himself to be the typical American; the fact that we are ashamed of him is the sufficient proof that he is thoroughly mistaken. In what do Americans broadly differ from most other, if not all other, peoples? Is it not in this, that we are the great reading nation of the world? Our culture goes down to the bottom and reaches out to the extremities of our life. We have no class distinctions, no titled magnates, no rights of birth-privilege; and in the school rooms of the land the rich and the poor meet together, and our great newspapers go into the hands of both rich and poor. We are not so distinctly a nation of commercial people as we are a nation of people under an unexampled influence of general culture. A Professor who was much more than a professor; a man of the world who was also a man of books; an alert and quick, practical man who was also a poet; a gentleman who was, first of all, manly; a diplomat who was at home in a school room, could lecture on any literary theme, could instruct the educated Englishman in the history of his own men of letters; an American who knew Shakspere, Milton, Bunyan, the English Bible, and every shred of English art and song and event by heart—such a man has Mr. Lowell been in England. He was at home there on those levels of life and heights of achievement which are common to us and Englishmen; and his leadership there in literature and learning conferred honor on us in the precisely most honorable things in our character as a people. We simply are not philistines—hard dogmatists of dollars and precedents—we are a thoughtful, informed, studious and brainy people who despise wealth which is not held for the service of truth, well-being and progress. No man could represent us so well as a poet, teacher, essayist and scholar like Mr. Lowell. He could represent us at the level of those ideals and achievements of which we are not ashamed. We despise nothing so heartily as illiterate wealth; no other people on earth equal us in contempt for the commerce which has only sordid aims and results. The American merchant builds schools, museums, churches, asylums, hospitals—if he does not we despise him.
The problem in selecting the best foreign representatives is to secure men who will represent our national character. Our diplomacy is unimportant. Such as we have to do can be carried on at Washington. We want ministers abroad who will be typical Americans, whose conspicuous position will display in them the best and truest results of our unique social and political system. If they are honored abroad, as Mr. Lowell has been in unusual ways and measure, the honor is given to us and glorifies us. There is always a fool to say that our minister is more English than American—simply because Englishmen respect him. It is a poor kind of criticism, and fortunately there is less and less of it in the press. We all stand better abroad, command more honest respect, are better understood in our best characteristics, because James Russell Lowell has represented us in London. May his successor succeed to the full measure of this representative office.
The most distinguished honor ever conferred upon an American has come to Mr. Lowell. The English press, representing the best public opinion of that nation, invites him to remain., in England “as the unofficial representative of American literature, learning, manners, and knowledge of the world.” Nothing like that can be found in the long history of diplomacy. “He has been,” says one great journal, “a sort of guest-friend of England,” and it then describes him as “the most eminent American of this generation,” and adds, “Englishmen of all ranks and stations recognize in Mr. Lowell a faithful and jealous guardian of the interests of his country, and a type of all that is best in its intellectual and moral character.” There is not a word in all these encomiums which is not a eulogy of the American people.
The disease called Asiatic Cholera is at home in India. It travels, at long intervals, into Europe. There have been eight: or nine of these visitations during the century. The disease travels with man and his belongings; and since intercourse between Asia and Europe has become more swift and abundant, there is a tendency to more frequent visits of the dreaded scourge. In fact, however, this tendency has been overcome by sanitary science. Until last year, cholera had not been in Europe for sixteen years. It arrived the last previous time in 1866 and tarried into the next year. During all the intervening years, there was cholera on the Ganges, and an increasing flow of humanity between the two continents; yet sixteen years elapsed between the visits. Last year cholera landed from ships at Toulon and Marseilles in southern France, and produced general alarm in Europe. It swept around all the European coasts of the Mediterranean, and in the especially filthy towns caused a large mortality. It has doubtless wintered in Europe, and its second year is usually the worst. It can begin early and use the long summer for its desolatingwork. This is the second summer. It is probable that cholera will be a large feature of the health and mortuary reports of the year. European travel will be restricted by the caution which the prevalence of this disease inspires. American resorts for Americans will be unusually popular.
Will cholera visit us? In previous European visits it has always looked in upon us, sometimes the first, sometimes the second year. In 1866, it did not come, but did come in 1867. But the visit of that year was less baneful than any other we have had. In 1884, we escaped; can we escape in 1885? No doubt exists that wecan. It is only a question of effective quarantine. The faithful discharge of their duties by all health officers at ports would exclude the unwelcome guest. And, at our principal port, where the danger is greatest, there is good reason to believe that the fidelity, wisdom and vigilance are equal to the emergency. Cholera is more likely to penetrate to us by some little-used door; the front gate will be securely guarded. At the smaller doors, there ought to be no danger. But thereisdanger, and it is probably too much to hope that there will be adequate watchfulness. There is, even at New York, a long line of accidents to be reckoned with. It would not be surprising, however, if cholera got a foothold among us from the West Indies, landing in some southern port.
If it comes, what then? It should not be very successful in its work of death. It could be stamped out in any city with a well organized health force. In New York, a few cases would not be cause for any alarm—not half so much as if the cases were in some small and careless community. Still it is most probable that if it effects a landing it will travel over the country. We have had warning enough. It is a filth disease which can be cornered and killed by cleanliness, if the cleanliness foreruns it. If we wait to clean up filthy quarters in our towns until the disease arrives, it will then be too late to clean. We shall have a good measure of the sanitary condition of our cities, if the cholera visits them. It will do its terrible work in the unclean quarters of unclean towns. It will not stop there. Once established in a filthy quarter, cholera easily thrusts its arms into adjacent clean places. If the long and loud warning has been heeded, there will be little to fear from cholera. The cleanliness of our towns will discourage and expel the intruder.
What can individuals do? Keep cool and in good health. All epidemic diseases fix upon the infirm, the debilitated, and the fearful. The mortality from cholera is only about one death for four cases. In some epidemics of it, the rate is one in three cases; but among people who are well fed and in fair conditions of comfort, and have proper care, there are five chances of recovery to one of death. The high rate of mortality in some towns results from want of care and medicine. Popular rumor exaggerates the danger of death from cholera. It is a case ofogne ignotum pro magnifico—we know so little about it that we magnify the danger beyond all warrant of the actual facts. Some of our danger—perhaps most of it—will come from the enthusiasm of the reporters. Last January these enthusiasts discovered genuine Asiatic cholera in St. Louis. They were sure of it. The evidence was perfect, they said. Of course there never was, and never will be, a case of Asiatic cholera in St. Louis in January. But after summer begins, the “Lo here” will begin to alarm the timid. There are sure to be many false reports; the true one may be in the bundle. Let us hope it will not be—and keep cool.
We hope that inland quarantines will not be resorted to if the disease appears among us. They are useless as well as inhuman. They shut the intruder out of the gate, and he crawls under the fence. If cholera gets upon this continent, safety will be secured only by cleanliness of streets and houses. Clean people may die in clean streets, but it will be because there are unclean people in neighboring streets to receive and breed the disease. Nor should the well fly from the sick. The nurses and priests are safest in Italian cities. Those who fly, do so when it is too late, and carry the disease with them. And, after all, cholera may not visit us in 1885.
A very marked indication of the success of the Chautauqua Idea is the increase of imitations of our work; and this runs parallel with an increase of efforts to promote systematic culture among grown people. Dr. Samuel Johnson used to say that he did all his hard study when he was a boy, and he very properly lamented it. It is one of the strangest things in modern civilization that, except among a small body of professors and specialists, the world does its studying entirely in early life. If the chance to study, or the compulsion to study, be wanting in the first twenty years, the door is supposed to be shut forever. The Chautauqua movement tried to expose the folly of this method, and to show that persons whose education was neglected in youth may secure culture in middle life, or even in old age. History gave us examples enough; but Chautauqua has made thousands of new examples to illustrate the perfect practicalness of adult study. The success of Chautauqua has drawn general attention to the subject. A variety of plans for promoting the education of adults are coming before the public. We do not regard any of them as rivals; they will enlarge our public as well as make smaller centers of such culture.
The members of the C. L. S. C. who have gone with us over the subjects of this year will do well to look back over the road and see precisely what they have gone over. They will probably notice that their study and reading has not interfered with their regular pursuits and duties. They have been able to add these studies to their customary tasks and interests. It is a kind of gratuity, therefore, which they have received. It is so much in addition to other results of annual effort. They will further see that the amount of this study and reading is considerable. Good method has made odd minutes yield a bulk which would require weeks of consecutive and unbroken effort. The effect on the mind is better and more permanent because the study has been continued through a year. A college man of our acquaintance says that Professor Time does better work than any of his colleagues. Our C. L. S. C. members have had the instruction of Professor Time. Those who are finishing the course will do well to remember that they have learned how to learn without a living teacher. This is the best thing the C. L. S. C. has done for you—this helping you to study alone. A power of this sort ought to be cultivated and kept. The contents of any course of education should be small in comparison with the attainments which it renders possible. This large, broad, life-long self-education lies in the power to study alone without the fear of a master or the ordeal of an examination before one. This power colleges fail to give, and it is one of their weaknesses that they can not give it. When the taskmaster stopped, Samuel Johnson said that he stopped learning. We may doubt it, but in a sense Johnson was right. If any reader has acquired the power togo on aloneby pursuing the course, he has a rare piece of wealth, a capital which may produce the widest and best culture.
The New YorkWorldhas done wondrously well to raise $30,000 by a popular subscription for the setting up of the Bartholdi statue in New York harbor. Our readers know that this colossal statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” is a present from the French people, but that there has been no provision made for the cost of setting up the great work of French art. Various attempts to raise the necessary $100,000 have yielded but small results, and when theWorldtook hold of the matter the failure had become a very disagreeable joke for the press. Other newspapers have engaged in public enterprises. The New YorkHeraldsent a ship into the Arctic Ocean in search of the Pole. The New YorkTribunemaintainsby the subscriptions of its readers a “Fresh-Air Fund” which gives thousands of children an outing in the country during the hot months. The enterprise of theWorldis, if possible, more praiseworthy, and its success in rescuing a lost cause is as honorable as it is unexpected. The subscriptions have been made by people of all conditions and fortunes, by boys and girls, by merchants, artists and laborers. A popular interest in the subject has been created, a great deal of information imparted, many mistakes corrected, and a popular support secured for a work of art. The work is in the line of large and healthy philanthropy, and theWorlddeserves unstinted credit. Let us all hope that it will carry the cause through to entire success.
We are, as a nation, still poor in public statuary. We have some good pieces and not a few failures. Perhaps many persons have feared that the Bartholdi statue is another monstrosity. Let them take courage; theWorldhas presented excellent evidence that the work is equal to its mission. The French people are to have a small edition of it set up in Paris, and eminent French critics are unsparing in their praise of it. Of course we can not be too confident of the effect of a statue higher than Trinity steeple or the pillars of the East River bridge, set up so as to face the sea and meet the eyes of the world entering the harbor of New York. On that point there is excellent artistic judgment in favor of the success of the audacious conception of the artist. We may now regard the plan as certain to be carried out at no distant day, and if it succeeds it will be one of the wonders of the world. A statue rising to the height of three hundred and seventeen feet above the waves—the familiar figure of Liberty confronting the world in our chief American city—will be a unique and impressive piece of art, if it be not an utter failure. Theifis not a large doubt; only the small doubt which attends the most perfect human work which is as yet untried. TheWorld’spopular subscription had passed $35,000 when these lines were sent to press, on the 28th of April.