The Chautauquan, Vol. 05, December 1884, No. 3

PART II.—ALEXANDER.

Chapter 56,458 wordsPublic domain

P. 19.—“Lannice,” lan-niˈce.

P. 20.—“Leˈon-naˌtus;” “Lysimachus;” ly-simˈa-kus.

P. 30.—“Bu-ceph-a-liˈa.”

P. 31.—“Cheronea,” kerˌo-neˈa.

P. 33.—“Attalus,” atˈta-lus.

P. 37.—“One of his own daughters.” This daughter’s name was Cleopatra. She was full sister to Alexander, and consequently a niece of the king of Epirus, whom she married.

P. 46.—“An-tipˈa-ter;” “Par-meˈni-o.”

P. 57.—“Hæmus,” hēˈmus; “Rodˈo-pe.”

P. 86.—“A-byˈdos.”

P. 90.—“Enone,” e-noˈne.

P. 92.—“Cas-sanˈdra.” Apollo conferred upon her the gift of prophecy, and then she refused to keep the promise she made him in order to get this gift. Thereupon the god, in anger, ordained that no one should believe her prophecies. She predicted to the Trojans the ruin that threatened them, but no one believed her. She was looked upon as a mad woman. Upon the division of the booty after the destruction of Troy, she fell to Agamemnon, who carried her to Mycenæ. Here she was put to death by Clytemnestra, his wife.

P. 98.—“Patˈro-chus.”

P. 104.—“Prodromi,” proˈdro-mi.

P. 129.—“Charidemus,” karˈi-deˈmus.

P. 133.—“Sysigambis,” sysˈi-gamˈbis.

P. 141.—“Hephæstion,” he-phesˈti-on.

P. 182.—“Parætonium,” par-ē-toˈni-um.

P. 196.—“Guagamela,” gwa-ga-mēˈla.

P. 208.—“Ecbatana,” ec-batˈa-na.

P. 229.—“Polystratus,” po-lysˈtra-tus.

P. 234.—“Seraglio,” se-ralˈyo. The palace of the Turkish Sultan, in which he, his court and his wives reside. Also a harem.

P. 239.—“Dymnus,” dymˈnus.

P. 244.—“Po-lydˈa-mus.”

P. 268.—“Aridæus,” ar-i-dēˈus.

P. 276.—“Basso relievos,” basˈso re-lievˈōs.

NOTES ON REQUIRED READINGS IN “THE CHAUTAUQUAN.”

WHAT ENGLISH IS.

1. “Arretez-donc, Alphonse, arretez-donc.” A literal translation would be, Stop then, Alphonso, stop then.

2. “Enfeoffed,” en-feftˈ. 1. To invest with a dignity; to convey as a fee. 2. To surrender; to give up.

3. “Terra North Manorum.” Land of the North-men.

4. “Rubrics.” Those parts of any work which in ancient manuscripts were colored red, to distinguish them from other parts, especially the title pages.

5. “Genevan Bible.” This famous Bible appeared in 1557, so called because the translation was made in Geneva by several English divines who had fled from the persecutions of the bloody Mary. It was long the favorite version of the English Puritans. It was accompanied by notes. Sometimes the name Breeches Bible is given to it, on account of the rendering of Gen. iii:7. “Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves _breeches_.” The authorized version, or _King James’s Bible_, has been in common use for over 250 years. In 1604 the king wrote a letter, intimating the appointment of fifty-four scholars for the preparation of the version, though only forty-seven undertook it. The work of translation and revision occupied three years. The superiority of their work soon proved itself, for in forty years all versions had quietly succumbed to it; it became _the English Bible_.

SUNDAY READINGS.

1. “Trajan’s Pillar.” A celebrated column at Rome, which was reared 114 A. D. by the Romans, in honor of Trajan, the emperor. It is considered one of the noblest structures of its kind ever erected. A very remarkable series of bas-reliefs, forming a spiral round the shaft, exhibits a continuous history of the military achievements of Trajan. The pedestal is covered with bas-reliefs of warlike instruments, shields and helmets. These are all in excellent preservation, and, independent of their beauty as works of art they are invaluable as records of ancient costume. A spiral staircase in the interior of the column leads to its summit. Its height is 132 feet. It still stands erect in all its ancient beauty.

2. “Pompey’s Amphitheater.” The first permanent stone theater was erected in Rome by Pompey, B. C. 55. It contained seats for 40,000, and was adorned with a profusion of gold, marble and precious stones, such as the western world had never before witnessed. That such magnificence might not seem to be lavished upon a mere luxury, a temple was attached to it dedicated to Venus the Conqueror, so placed that the seats of the theater might serve as a flight of steps to the sacred edifice. At the dedication of this famous theater Pompey treated the people to all sorts of games. There was a combat in which five hundred lions were slain; but above all, the battle of the elephants was a spectacle full of horror. Eighteen elephants were made to fight with trained bands of gladiators, and the cries of these half-reasoning beasts were such that they moved even that hardened populace to pity, and thus dampened the excitement of the day.

3. “Tuscan Urns.” The finest ware used for vases is that known as Samian, of the potteries of Tuscany. It is remarkable for its rich, red color. The vases are thin and delicate, and are looked upon as models of perfection in form, structure, and style of ornamentation.

4. “St. Cyprian,” cyˈpri-an. (200-258 A. D.) Bishop of Carthage. He was converted from paganism to the Christian religion; was banished from Carthage in the time of Valerian, during the persecutions, but was soon re-called and condemned to death. Cyprian was both a learned and eloquent divine, but he was even more conspicuous for his dignified, moderate and wise conduct. His knowledge of human nature enabled him to exercise a wide influence; and his correspondence, from which the best idea of his character is obtained, gives an interesting picture of the times in which he lived.

GLIMPSES OF ANCIENT GREEK LIFE.

1. “Chiton,” kīˈton; “Peplos,” pepˈlos. (See “Brief History of Greece,” p. 81.)

2. “Himation,” hī-maˈtion. (See “Brief History of Greece,” p. 85; note.)

3. “Archytas,” ar-kīˈtas. (About 400 B. C.) He was one of the most illustrious men of antiquity. He was seven times elected general of his city (Tarentum), though it was customary for the office to be held only for one year. He was a philosopher, mathematician, and a writer. Only fragments of his works remain; they relate to metaphysics, ethics, logic and physics.

4. “Italian Morra,” morˈrä. A simple game, played with the fingers and requiring expertness. If played by only two, standing by a table, one lays on it—say _three_ fingers—and calls out some different number, say _five_. The other speaks and acts at the same instant, giving also a number; and simultaneously puts down his fingers. If the whole number of fingers on the table match or equal the number given by either, the other “makes his point” and tallies one. Repeating the trial, say ten times, he who makes the most points wins.

5. “School.” See “Brief History of Greece,” p. 67; note.

6. “Palæstra,” pa-lesˈtra. A school or place for athletic exercises.

7. “Phocylides,” pho-cylˈi-des. (About 560 B. C.) An Ionian poet. His poetry has come down to us in fragments, only about eighteen in number, and is chiefly lyric and reflective.

8. “Learn by heart.” During the most flourishing period of Athenian literature manuscripts were indifferently written, without marks of punctuation. They were scarce and costly, and could only be read by those who had literary training. Under these circumstances the Greeks could never become a reading people, and they became acquainted with the productions of their poets, only by hearing them recited in public by bards or rhapsodists, the latter being a body of professional reciters. It is said when Pisistratus wished to make a collection of the poems of Homer, he offered sums of money to as many of this class as would come to him and repeat, before a copyist, all of the parts that they had learned by heart.

9. “Barathrum.” Literally a deep, or abyss, used as a name for the lower world.

10. “Ce-aˈdas.”

GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

1. “Vatˈi-can.” A magnificent assemblage of buildings in Rome, including the Pope’s palace—a library, museum, etc. It covers a space of 1,151 feet by 767 feet, has 200 staircases, and 4,422 rooms. The Belvedere, bĕlˈva-deer, signifying beautiful sight, is a small building on the top of the Vatican opening to the air on one side.

2. “Disˈcus.” A quoit, or circular and usually perforated plate of metal or stone, used for pitching at a mark. Pitching quoits was a favorite amusement among the ancients, and forms the subject for frequent artistic representations. The most famous is Myron’s statue called the “Discobolus,” now in the British Museum.

3. “Hyacinth.” In ancient times, it is said, there could be traced on the leaves of the hyacinth the Greek characters which express the word _alas_. Thus in his “Song of Silenus,” just published, Cole speaks of

“The flowers the name still bearing which Apollo’s favorite bore, With the syllable of sorrow marked upon them evermore.”

The origin of the hyacinth is also thus related: When Ajax (see notes on “Preparatory Greek”) took his own life there sprung up from his blood a purple flower, bearing the Greek letters which were the initials of his name and expressive of a sigh.

4. “Clymˈe-ne;” 5. “E-ridˈa-nus;” 6. “He-liˈä-dēs;” 7. “Amˌphi-triˈte.”

8. “Triˈdent.” From _tris_, three, and _dens_, a tooth or prong. A three-pronged fork—Neptune’s scepter.

9. “Lemˈnos.” A Turkish island in the Grecian Archipelago, sacred to Vulcan.

10. “Eu-rynˈo-me,” not Eury_m_o_n_e. A daughter of Oceanus.

11. “Necˈtar.” The beverage of the gods. Homer describes it as resembling red wine, and says its continued use would cause immortality.

TEMPERANCE TEACHINGS OF SCIENCE.

1. “Re-genˈe-sis.” A reproductive principle.

2. “Black death.” The plague that raged in Europe in the fourteenth century, when it is said to have carried off twenty-five millions of people. It derived its name from the body turning black.

3. “Cau-cāˈsian,” not Cau-căˈsian, as so often pronounced.

4. “An-acˈre-ons.” Poets of Anacreon’s class—Lyric poets—who write odes of a light character, and of which love, social pleasures and wine are the subjects.

5. “Ma-rasˈmus.” A wasting of the body without apparent disease; atrophy; phthisis.

6. “Pan-demˈic.” Incident to the whole population. From the Greek _pas_ (all) and _demos_ (people).

7. “Visˈi-goths.” Western Goths; ancient inhabitants of the country along the Danube.

8. “Fritˈi-gern.” A leader of the Visigoths in their wars against the Romans in the latter part of the fourth century. He was a man of superior military and executive ability, and it is to his leadership that Gibbon attributes the power at that period of these people. He speaks of him as the “predecessor and master of the renowned Alaric.”

9. “Lăzˌza-rōˈnĭ.” The poor in Italy who live by begging, and have no permanent habitations. So called from the hospital of St. Lazarus at Naples, which is their refuge.

10. “Mu-sĭˈsĭ.” Strolling musicians of the organ grinder class.

11. “Proph-y-lacˈtic.” Preventive of disease.

12. “Aqua forˈtis.” Strong liquid; nitric acid.

13. “Scirrhus,” skĭrˈrus. Indolent ulcers, often cancerous.

14. “Apologue,” apˈo-log. A relation of felicitous events, intended to convey useful instruction; a moral fable.

15. “Lesˈghi-an;” 16. “Daghistan,” däˈges-tänˌ; 17. “Cauˈcā-sus;” 18. “Schnapps,” shnăps. Holland gin.

19. “Musˈco-vites.” Inhabitants of the northern borders of ancient Russia.

20. “Ossetes,” osˈse-teez. A race living on both sides of the Caucasus, near the Dariel Pass.

21. “Slĕ-bōˈvĕts.” Inferior brandy, distilled from peaches.

22. “Ca-checˈtic.” Pertaining to cachexy, a diseased condition of the body, resulting from cancer or syphilis.

23. “Theˈine.” A bitter, fusible, and volatile substance obtained in the form of white prisms, from coffee, tea, etc., the same as caffeine.

24. “Bouchardat,” bouˌshärˌdäˈ. A French chemist, born in 1810. He has written much on scientific subjects.

25. “Ob-fus-caˈtion.” The act of darkening or confusing things.

26. “Lēˈthal.” Deadly; mortal; fatal.

KITCHEN SCIENCE AND ART.

1. “Hor-deˈum Vul-gaˈre.” Latin noun and adjective, signifying common barley.

2. “Avēˈna Sa-tiˈva.” A species of bearded grass or wild oats; sown oats, literally.

3. “Lake habitations.” These are dwellings constructed within the margins of lakes, at some distance from the shore. Researches on the continent have established the fact that in prehistoric times nearly all the shallow lakes in Switzerland and the adjoining countries were peopled by lake-dwelling communities. Their villages were constructed on platforms which were supported by piles. Many of the huts which were built on these substructures were roughly constructed of branches of trees; the floors were of clay and the roofs were thatched.

4. “Orizza salva,” ō-rīˈza. Sown rice.

5. “Polygonum esculentum,” po-ligˈon-um es-cu-lenˈtum. “Polygonum” means many knees, referring to the numerous joints in the stems of these plants. “Esculentum” means esculent; fit to eat.

6. Transcriber’s Note: This note was omitted in the original, as were the notes for section “The cereals”.

HOME STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY.

1. “Grotto del Cane,” grotˈto del caˈnā. Grotto of the dog. An excavation at the foot of a hill not far from Naples. The “American Cyclopædia” says of it: “It would seem from Pliny’s reference to it as ‘Charon’s ditches,’ that in his time the mephitic gas for which it is still remarkable was exhaled in quantity sufficient to prove fatal to human life. At the present time this forms but a shallow stratum on the floor, in which a candle is extinguished and dogs are stifled by way of experiment. The custom of exhibiting the effect of the carbonic acid gas upon dogs has given the distinctive name to the grotto.”

2. “Kilkenny Cats.” “The story of two cats which fought so ferociously in a saw pit that when the battle was over only the tail of each was left. This is an allegorical representation of the municipalities of Kilkenny and Irish-town, who contended so stoutly about boundaries and rights to the end of the seventeenth century that they mutually impoverished each other—ate each other up, leaving only a tail of each behind.”

3. “Babcock’s Fire Extinguisher.” This instrument consists of an iron cylinder, in which are placed suitable quantities of the materials that, uniting, generate carbonic acid gas. There is an arrangement in the extinguisher by which the materials are brought in contact, and the gas when needed is instantly generated; as provision is made for its egress a stream can be poured on the flame to extinguish it.

4. “Fire Grenade,” gre-nādeˈ. A hollow ball in which the gas is generated and which is thrown into the flames. The gas escaping extinguishes the fire.

5. “As-phyxˈi-a.” Apparent death resulting from suffocation, drowning, or inhalation of certain gases.

PEOPLE’S CHRISTMAS VESPER AND PRAISE SERVICE.

PREPARED FOR “THE CHAUTAUQUAN,” FOR CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 25, 1884.

This Christmas Service may be obtained of us at the following rates, postage paid by us: 100 copies, $1.00; 200 copies, $1.50; 300 copies, $2.00; 400 copies $2.50; 500 copies, $3.00.

Address, THE CHAUTAUQUAN, Meadville, Pa.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

HYMN 8.—_Old Hundred._

From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s praise arise; Let the Redeemer’s name be sung, Through every land, by every tongue.

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends thy word; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more.

Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring; In songs of praise divinely sing; The great salvation loud proclaim, And shout for joy the Savior’s name.

PRAYER.

HYMN 332.—_Tune, Lenox._

Let earth and heaven agree, Angels and men be joined, To celebrate with me The Savior of mankind; To adore the all-atoning Lamb, And bless the sound of Jesus’ name.

Jesus! transporting sound! The joy of earth and heaven; No other help is found, No other name is given, By which we can salvation have; But Jesus came the world to save.

Jesus! harmonious name! It charms the hosts above; They evermore proclaim And wonder at his love; ’Tis all their happiness to gaze— ’Tis heaven to see our Jesus’ face.

PROMISE OF CHRIST’S COMING.

_Pastor._—O Lord, how manifold are thy works; in wisdom hast thou made them all.

_Congregation._—In Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said.

_Pas._—Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.

_Con._—And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

_Pas._—When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.

_Con._—And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

_Pas._—He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

_Con._—And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

_Pas._—And thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.

ANTHEM BY THE CHOIR.

THE ANGELS TELL OF HIS COMING.

_Pas._—And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

_Con._—And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

_Pas._—And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

_Con._—For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

_Pas._—And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

_Con._—Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

_Pas._—And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even into Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

_Con._—And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

_Pas._—And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

TUNE—_St. Martin_.

How great the wisdom, power and grace, Which in redemption shine; The heavenly host with joy confess The work is all divine.

Before his feet they cast their crowns, Those crowns which Jesus gave, And, with ten thousand thousand tongues, Proclaim his power to save.

With them let us our voices raise, And still the song renew; Salvation well deserves the praise Of men and angels too.

THE SAVIOR HAS COME.

_Pas._—And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

_Con._—I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.

_Pas._—Unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

_Con._—A voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

_Pas._—The devils cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God.

_Con._—He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.

_Pas._—The Jews sought the more to kill him, because he said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

_Con._—Jesus said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? It is he that talketh with thee.

_Pas._—Say ye, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God?

_Con._—The Jews said, By our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

_Pas._—I ascend to my Father and your Father; to my God and your God.

_Con._—These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

TUNE—_Antioch_.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; And heaven and nature sing. Let every heart prepare him room.

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.

CHRIST BRINGS PEACE AND BLESSING.

_Pas._—Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

_Con._—He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

_Pas._—A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench; he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

_Con._—He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.

_Pas._—Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

_Con._—Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the rock sing; let them shout from the top of the mountains.

_Pas._—Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.

_Con._—And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight; these things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

HYMN 66.—_Tune, Duke Street._

Come, let us tune our loftiest song, And raise to Christ our joyful strain; Worship and thanks to him belong, Who reigns, and shall forever reign.

His sovereign power our bodies made; Our souls are his immortal breath; And when his creatures sinned, he bled, To save us from eternal death.

Burn every breast with Jesus’ love; Bound every heart with rapturous joy; And saints on earth, with saints above, Your voices in his praise employ.

SERMON BY THE PASTOR.

PRAYER.

GLORIA PATRI.

Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen.

BENEDICTION.

TALK ABOUT BOOKS.

Four neatly printed, well bound, illustrated books, edited for boys by Sidney Lanier, appear as Christmas books, and happy boys indeed will all those be who receive any or all of them as presents. The very mention of good King Arthur, although little more than his name may be known, seems to act as a charm upon boyish hearts and fascinate them with its spell. And now that they can read all about him,[E] and how he organized his famous Knights of the Round-Table, about the search for the holy cup, Sir Tristram, and all the rest, they will find the old charm working with increased power, and will be fairly surprised at the endless fascination of the story.

Froissart five hundred years ago wrote a history of the wars of his times, in which occurred the battle of Crecy, where the blind old king of Bohemia fell, the battle of Poitiers, and the Siege of Calais; an account of an expedition against the Saracens, and much about the old-time knights. And now this old book, which has lived, and grown in esteem for so long, has been condensed and rewritten[F] especially for the boys. If they read aright, the true spirit of knighthood must take possession of them as they read these knightly tales.

“The Boy’s Percy”[G] is a collection of old ballads of war, adventure, and love. We read in rhyme of Robin Hood and his amazing marksmanship. There is the “Ballad of Chevy Cace,” and the “Friars Gray,” “The legend of Sir Guy,” “St. George and the Dragon,” and many others. And as we read these all seem to emerge and stand out “like rich tapestry work, wrought large as life” upon the hangings of our living room.

And then comes a collection of twelve Welsh legends[H] of King Arthur and his knights, giving to the readers of our times the quaint old fancies of the people of Wales in years gone by. At the close of his introduction to this book Mr. Lanier says: “I can wish my young readers few pleasures of finer quality than that surprised sense of a whole new world of possession which came to me in my first reading of these old tales.”

There is a new edition of Hawthorne’s “Wonder Book.”[I] Ever since the author put into effect his idea that classical myths were capable of being rendered into very capital reading for the children, this book has been a marvel to childhood. This new edition has the additional charm of being illustrated by the able hand of Mr. F. S. Church.

“The Story of Vitean,”[J] from Frank Stockton’s lively pen, proved a great favorite in _St. Nicholas_, some time ago, and now that it has been gathered into a book will be a real addition to anybody’s library. It is a story of the thirteenth century, of knights of the _cotereaux_, of the Inquisition, and of marvelous adventures. The boy heroes and their opposites make a story of wonderful interest.

“The Wagoner of the Alleghanies”[K] is another favorite poem which appears in a new Christmas dress. The cover is not pretty, but the printing and paper are, and the illustrations are engravings of great merit.

A little time spent with Messrs. Geo. H. Boughton and Edwin A. Abbey’s delightful “Rambles”[L] quite dispels any prejudice which we may have against Holland as an uninteresting country. These gentlemen have proven in their book that she possesses picturesque people. These “sketchable” fisher-folk, these stout lasses and round Dutchmen have furnished subjects for a collection of charming pictures which, with the interesting text furnished by Mr. Boughton, make an unusually fine volume.

“Uncle Lawrence” has again furnished his young friends with a capital story[M] which has the rare merit of teaching them a great many things without boring them at all. The queer ideas and experiments of Miss Mollie, the little heroine, are very entertaining. The book is largely an adaptation from the French.

The most complete edition of Lord Tennyson’s works[N] yet issued is the collection by the Harpers. It has the merit of being complete and exact; beside, the book is enriched by good illustrations, and has as an introduction a very excellent sketch of Tennyson, reprinted from _Harper’s Magazine_ for December 1883.

The beautiful “Artists’ Edition” of “Gray’s Elegy,” which Messrs. Lippincott & Co. gave us last holiday time is out this year in a smaller but equally choice form.[O] The engravings in these books are exceedingly fine.

A really funny book is a rarity, but it is a rarity found in “Stuff and Nonsense.”[P] Mr. Frost has surpassed himself in the grotesque pictures he has put to his nonsensical rhymes. Particularly laughable are his picture stories, “A Fatal Mistake,” and “The Balloonists.”

Among the picture-and-song books for young folks, “Stories in Rhyme for Holiday Time”[Q] is particularly desirable. The rhymes are quite good, and the pictures better than in the average book of this kind. Among the rhymes, “Bob’s Bicycle Ride” will be found most entertaining, and “Eglantine, or The Magical Gloves” is a beautiful fairy story.

Shakspere’s Seven Ages of Man furnishes the text for an elegant holiday volume[R] of full page photogravures. These illustrations are from well known paintings, notable among them being Church’s “Infant” and Harper’s “School Boy.” It is a very choice book.

Mr. Shepard in simplifying Josephus has met a want of the times. These old masterpieces of literature which it used to be thought only mature minds could comprehend, rewritten into simpler language for young readers can not fail of bringing about grand results. The “Young Folks’ Josephus”[S] is written in language that any scholar in the fourth reader class can readily understand and enjoy.

The story of two fun-loving, manly boys who lived in Compton,[T] is full of rich humor, and many a hearty laugh is enjoyed over its pages. The scrapes they got into, and some of their original methods of trying to get out again are set forth in such a vivid manner that one feels almost as if he had been through them himself. And the fact that one of these boys was white and the other black only heightens the interest of the book.

“Country Cousins,”[U] although it does not belong to the older people, seems to be especially interesting to them. The New York _Tribune_ says, in answer to one of its correspondents; “Mrs. ⸺ will find ‘Country Cousins’ pleasant reading in natural history.” It might have said, too: If any boy or girl wants to know about birds, or toads, or elks, or tree-chopping, or all kinds of shells, and ever so many other things, they can all be found illustrated and fully described in “Country Cousins.”

The last of the entertaining Bodley books[V] opens by presenting to the reader a group of six persons sitting on the deck of a steamer which was just casting off from Hull for a voyage to Scandinavia. They go as far north as any one can go, and see the sun at midnight; they visit the fiords, and the principal mountains, and all leading places of interest; they seek out the home of Hans Christian Andersen and Thorwaldsen; and after spending several months in this way return to their home in the United States.

“The Voyage of the Vivian”[W] is an account of an expedition to the North Pole. It presents an array of facts upon a groundwork of fiction. The facts have been taken from accounts made by explorers from the earliest time down to the present. As these explorers pass into those far-away frozen regions they recall and relate the experiences of the real characters who had been there before them. The author indulges in a little that is purely imaginary. He allows his crew to reach the open Polar Sea, “and explore islands and waters which are as yet concealed from mortal vision.” The book is designed for young readers, but those of mature minds will find it very entertaining. It is finely illustrated, many whole page pictures being given.

“My Aunt Jeanette”[X] is a very readable book; albeit some passages do bring a certain moisture to the eyes and a mist over the page that, for a time, interrupts the reading. It is the plainest kind of a narrative, without special literary merit, and the farthest remove from anything sensational. The reader is without ceremony introduced to a rural New England community, with the characteristics of New England of eighty years ago. He meets the settled pastor, and members of his flock, and finds them mostly worthy people, and decidedly religious. The principal character is so well drawn that, having laid the book aside, the image has the distinctness of a real presence.

“Wall Street in History”[Y] is a book well written and beautifully illustrated. It gives a concise, but clear, reliable history of that famous locality, and some events that have given it a world-wide celebrity. The maps, sketches, and numerous portraits add interest to the history, and give the varying aspects of the place from its primitive to its present condition. The site, at first a picturesque tangle of underbrush and wild vines, was partially reclaimed from its wilderness state by constructing there a wooden wall, which, for half a century, fenced in the city, and subsequently gave its name to a street where business is now transacted on a larger scale, and with more tremendous results than at any other place on the continent.

A collection of some thirty of Dr. O. W. Holmes’s poems[Z] has just been made by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., which for illustrations, typography and binding is a marvel of beauty. The frontispiece, a portrait of Dr. Holmes, is a real treasure. It is an etching by S. A. Schoff, and far surpasses anything of the kind we have ever seen of the genial doctor.

The Adventures of Robin Hood could not be better told than they have been by Howard Pyle.[AA] From the time he starts Merry Robin to the shooting match at Nottingham Town up to the sad hour of his death there is not a dull page in the book. The publishers have chosen a delightful make-up, with Old English style of illustrations, with numerous head and tail-pieces, and a sprinkling of red ink and queer devices.

[E] The Boy’s King Arthur. By Sidney Lanier. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $2.00.

[F] The Boy’s Froissart. By Sydney Lanier. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $2.00.

[G] The Boy’s Percy. By Sidney Lanier. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $2.00.

[H] Knightly Legends of Wales. By Sidney Lanier. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $2.00.

[I] A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. With illustrations by F. S. Church. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885. Price, $2.50.

[J] The Story of Vitean. By Frank R. Stockton. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $1.50.

[K] The Wagoner of the Alleghanies. A Poem of the Days of Seventy-Six. By T. Buchanan Read. Illustrated from drawings by Hovenden, Fenn, Gaul and Low. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885. Price, $1.50.

[L] Sketching Rambles in Holland. By Geo. H. Boughton, A.R.A. With illustrations by the author and Edwin A. Abbey. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1885.

[M] Young Folks’ Ideas. A story by Uncle Lawrence. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885.

[N] The Complete Poetical works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers. 1884.

[O] An Elegy written in a Country Churchyard. By Thomas Gray. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885.

[P] Stuff and Nonsense. By A. B. Frost. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $1.50.

[Q] Stories in Rhyme for Holiday Time. By Edward Jewitt Wheeler. Illustrated by Walter Saterlee. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. 1884.

[R] The Seven Ages of Man, from Shakspere’s “As you like it.” The Artist’s Edition. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885. Price, $3.00. Smaller Edition, $1.50.

[S] Our Young Folks’ Josephus. Simplified by William Shepard. Illustrated. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1884. Price, $2.50.

[T] Two Compton Boys. By Augustus Hoppin. With ninety-three illustrations. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885. Price, $1.50.

[U] Country Cousins. By Ernest Ingersoll. New York: Harper & Brothers. Franklin Square. 1884.

[V] The Viking Bodleys. By Horace E. Scudder. With illustrations. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885. Price, $1.50.

[W] The Voyage of the Vivian. By Thomas W. Knox. New York: Harper & Brothers. Franklin Square. 1885.

[X] My Aunt Jeanette. By Mrs. S. M. Kimball. New York: Phillips & Hunt; Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1884. Price, $1.00.

[Y] Wall Street in History. By Martha J. Lamb. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. 1883.

[Z] Illustrated Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885.

[AA] The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire. Written and illustrated by Howard Pyle. New York: Printed by Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884.

SPECIAL NOTES.

We hope that the plan adopted in this issue, of marking the words in the Required Readings in THE CHAUTAUQUAN which are annotated, with a figure, will meet with the approval of our readers. Many requests have been received asking for some plan of marking the words on which notes had been made.

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The course of study as it appears in the Popular Educational circular in this issue of THE CHAUTAUQUAN is complete and correct. It was found necessary to revise the course somewhat after its first appearance in the circular, hence the difference between the course as it first appeared and as it now is given.

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The Vesper Service which appears in this issue of THE CHAUTAUQUAN has been prepared especially for our readers. It can be procured at our office in quantities, if desired. See advertisement.

SUBSTITUTIONS.

It is earnestly desired that all members of the C. L. S. C. will read the appointed and required books.

Substitutes can be accepted only where pupils are too poor to purchase new works.

It is not allowable for local circles, committees or chairmen to choose other than the appointed readings.

Any other policy would be disastrous to the aims of the C. L. S. C.

J. H. VINCENT.

New Haven, Nov. 6, 1884.

ENGLISH HISTORY AND LITERATURE—BLUE SEAL—SHIELD.

W. D. MacClintock, A. M., Secretary of Department.

I. HISTORY:

A. _Required_:

Green’s “Short History of the English People” $1.20 Creighton’s “Age of Elizabeth” (Epoch Series) $1.00

B. _Recommended_:[AB]

Freeman’s “Growth of the English Constitution” $1.75 McCarthy’s “Epoch of Reform” (Epoch Series) $1.00

II. LITERATURE:

A. _Required_:

Brooke’s “English Literature” (Literature Primers) $ .45 Ward’s “English Poets,”[AC] four volumes $4.00 “English Classics” Series (Clarke & Maynard), of Addison’s “Sir Roger De Coverley;” Bacon’s “Essays;” Macaulay’s “Bunyan;” Carlyle’s “Hero as a Prophet;” each $ .10 Shakspere’s “King Lear,” and “Merchant of Venice” (Rolfe edition), in paper 40 cts., cloth 60 cts.

B. _Recommended_:

Whipple’s “Literature of the Age of Elizabeth” $1.50 Minto’s “Manual of English Prose Literature” $2.50

[AB] The Seal will be given for the “Required Reading,” but a desire to render the required course as cheap as possible has made it incomplete. It is therefore hoped that all who can buy the books will read the “Recommended” books.

[AC] Although this book seems expensive, yet, seeing that there are four volumes, that it is a standard work, and that it covers the whole period of our literature, it will be found to be cheap.

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.

Page 127, “sources” changed to “source” (These are the source elements of)

Page 133, two paragraphs about Neptune (Some of the principal exploits ascribed to Neptune … were subservient to his will.) appeared originally at the end of the section about Hephaistos, and have been moved to a more relevant place.

Page 145, “reigns” changed to “reins” (held the reins of government)

Page 156, “Observtory” changed to “Observatory” (the Observatory of Melbourne, Australia)

Page 160, “ihtng” changed to “thing” (the sensuous and senseless thing)

Page 162, “sterotyped” changed to “stereotyped” (do not seek to use any stereotyped plan)

Page 164, “Wr.” changed to “Mr.” (Mr. Whitmore expressed)

Page 169, “Massagæte” changed to “Massagetæ” (The Massagetæ, one of the Scythian nations)

Page 179, “caffine” changed to “caffeine” (etc., the same as caffeine)