Part 13

“Our Junto” is a circle within a circle. Five young men of the “Broadway” circle, of CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, form it. Their program for the spring (of which they ought to be very proud) is a little book rather than a single page, containing the work laid out for the “Juntonians.” The plan is admirable. Each member has something to do at every meeting, and he knows what it is to be so long beforehand that he has ample opportunity to gather material. All circles will find it to their advantage to give attention to “Our Junto’s” plan.——Last October a few of the many students in the C. L. S. C. in NEWARK, organized a local circle. By the perseverance of these few others have been persuaded to join until the circle numbers about twenty. They have taken the name “Arcadia.” Memorial days in particular find pleasant observance. The last celebration, Longfellow day, was especially interesting. The chemistry is furnishing an excellent opportunity for experiments, which the “Arcadia” is fortunate enough to have a chance to carry on in an academy laboratory.——For the sake of northern New Jersey, which they are sorry not to see often reported in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, the members of the “Hawthorne,” of HACKETTSTOWN, a circle of five members, formed in April last, has sent us thus promptly its report. The “Hawthorne” plunged _in medias res_ and celebrated the Shakspere memorial almost as soon as its organization was complete. Such a vigorous start promises well for their progress next year.——The “Round Table” circle of JERSEY CITY is a band of twenty enthusiastic workers. A great deal of genuine hard work has been done by them the past year. The memorial days are celebrated, and every incentive used to foster the true Chautauqua spirit. Experiments have recently been given the class at the high school under the direction of the teacher of science.——The “Ionic,” organized in DOVER, in January last, grows in interest with each meeting. There are nine members, whose happy experience thus far has been never to be discouraged. But why should they be? “Each member does his part.”

The “Kensington,” of PHILADELPHIA, is a circle of eleven members who are much in love with their readings. Such a success has their circle become that the members are willing to sacrifice other things to be present, and the president writes that he has received great benefit in going over again the fields of study that he harvested years ago.——A letter from the secretary of the “Pleiades,” of PHILADELPHIA, says: “‘Pleiades’ is now nearly two years old. We began the present school year by increasing our membership from nine to eighteen. We took the advice given in THE CHAUTAUQUAN on simplicity of government, adopting such rules only as would systematize matters, and having as little formality as possible. It is a success. The meetings are so profitable that we think of continuing them all summer. Two of our members have taken college courses in chemistry, and they have been giving us some practical experiments in this delightful study. Greetings to our sister circles, and praises to our _alma mater_.”——The “Emanon” circle, of WEST PHILADELPHIA, has sustained a sad loss in the death of Mr. John S. Rodgers, to whom the circle ascribes its success. He had been the instructor of the class for a long enough time for its members to appreciate his worth and sincerely mourn his death.——A similar sorrow has come to the circle of WEST BELLEVUE, where Mrs. Dr. W. G. Humber, a loyal member of the C. L. S. C., died on the morning of May 3d.——The Chautauquans of PITTSBURGH make more of Special Sunday than any other circles that we know of. Our last reminder of this is a tiny vest-pocket program of the exercises carried out by the “Duquesne” and “Mount Washington” circles on the second Sabbath in May.——The circle at UNIONDALE writes us that it has chosen for its name “Meredith,” in honor of Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States, and for their motto they have selected “Spare minutes are the gold dust of time.”——What better proof of the efficiency of the course than this testimony from the “Tennyson” circle of thirty members, at ROCHESTER, PA.: “We think generally that our most pleasant evenings are spent at our circle. One thing that deserves to be especially noted is that light reading among us is being superseded by solid study and the reading of standard authors.”——A circle of ’88s, at ALLEGHENY CITY, bears the popular name of “Wallace Bruce.” Starting with eighteen members they have grown to twenty-eight, a sign, we hope, that next year they will increase with the same rapidity. Their program of Shaksperean exercises is before us, and it bears some excellent numbers.——The “Carbondale” circle reports a prosperous year. The interest and enthusiasm of the members is increasing. The memorial days are all observed, and by devoting ten to fifteen minutes of each session to singing the circle is becoming familiar with Chautauqua songs. Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Alden gave the circle some very happy talks on their return from their recent trip to the Florida Chautauqua and New Orleans Exposition. The circle closed its first year with a trip to England; this year it closed with a “Greek night.” Going direct to France they propose to visit Paris, Switzerland, Italy and Greece. Arrived in Hellas, the manners, customs, home life and amusements of the Greeks are to be described in short essays. Each member intends to constitute “thonself” a committee of one to secure a new member for next year’s circle.——An appreciative letter reaches us from SPRINGBORO, where a circle now numbering fifteen has been in existence since 1881. The president writes: “While we are nearing the goal of graduation we look back with gratitude at our rich feast with kings and princes, with masters of art, of science, and of literature. Best of all, we find that we have been made to more clearly understand the wonderful power of the Infinite in all things. With our motto ‘Invincible’ still before us we hope not only to finish the course, but keep climbing with the Chautauqua brotherhood while life lasts.”——Let all good Chautauquans congratulate the fraternity at MONTROSE. Thus the secretary writes: “It has long been a wish that we might have a branch of the C. L. S. C. in our ‘City on the Hill.’ Four attempts were made, but to no avail; finally a few who were especially enthusiastic endeavored to push ahead once more. The result has been more successful than we anticipated. We organized in January with nine members, and now have grown to sixteen. We trust that July will find us with the desired amount of work fully and well accomplished. There is a most encouraging prospect of doubling the membership another year.”

Twenty-seven enrolled members make up the circle at ERIE, PA. The circle meets in the Y. M. C. A. parlors, and the informal, pleasant meetings have proved a great attraction to the members. The Shakspere memorial was observed very successfully, by a parlor session. The literary part of the program consisted of a discussion on the authorship of Shakspere, followed by readings, then came refreshments and the evening was closed by a half hour of Chautauqua songs. Not many evenings ago an address was delivered by the president on Emerson, followed by an hour of practical observation through the telescope. The Erie circle claims that they have interesting meetings, and as a proof say that a non-member, a blind man, is in almost constant attendance.——About 100 members of the C. L. S. C. Alumni Association of PITTSBURGH met in a social way at the parlors of the Seventh Avenue Hotel on April 20th, to enjoy the pleasures attendant upon the third annual reunion of the society. Arrangements had been partially made for the reception of Dr. Vincent, who had been expected, but the following letter was received instead:

To the Annual Reunion of the Pittsburgh C. L. S. C. Alumni Association, Pittsburgh, Pa.:

MY DEAR FELLOW-STUDENTS—I sincerely regret the engagement which had been made prior to the invitation to meet you this evening. The original engagement it was impossible to break. I am therefore denied the privilege of your feast of reason and flow of soul. The Chautauqua work increases in expansion and power. The later classes are steadily growing. I have the good hope that the classes of ’89, already forming, will be the largest and most flourishing of all. I am more and more convinced that there are multitudes of people who would hail with joy the provisions of the “C. L. S. C.” if they were simply informed concerning them. Are you doing all you can toward the enlightenment of the great public with regard to the C. L. S. C. and other branches of the Chautauqua work? Let me urge you to renewed zeal in this direction. Bidding you “a hearty God speed,” I remain your servant in this goodly work.

J. H. VINCENT.

The banquet passed off most pleasantly.

At a recent meeting of the “Evergreen” circle, of GREENVILLE, S. C., the circle expressed in a series of fitting resolutions the sorrow of the members at the death of Mr. Richard Grant White, and their appreciation of the value of his recent work for THE CHAUTAUQUAN.

A letter from PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA: “We organized our circle last October, but it was almost January before we got fairly started. We follow closely the work laid out in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, occasionally having a public meeting. Our observance of the Longfellow and Shakspere days was as creditable as any literary exercises ever presented in our vicinity. Our desire for books has been so much increased by the C. L. S. C. that we have resolved to establish a library for the reading element of our city, and we have begun by the purchase of a few works as a nucleus.”

ORANGE CITY, FLORIDA, has the beginning of, we hope, a large circle, in six readers who are taking the C. L. S. C. with their general reading. They use the questions and answers and make the general news of the week a feature of every program. The “Orange City” circle is looking forward to an assembly some day at Mount Dora.

OHIO comes in with a letter too good to lose: “I discover in your May number that a Kansas member of the C. L. S. C. class of ’85 says he is the oldest of that class and was born (1815) in the year of the great battle of Waterloo. I hope he will persevere and enjoy the exercises until he reaches the age of at least three of the ‘Irrepressibles of ’84,’ two of whom are 75 years of age and one 84. The last is still reading for another seal and hopes to be at Chautauqua in August. Hope the member from Kansas will press on in the work he has begun, for there are great possibilities before him which can only be attained by perseverance. He will retain his mental faculties fresh and vigorous as in youth. Press on, good brother, and you will reap your reward here and hereafter.”——The C. L. S. C. of CINCINNATI and vicinity held their _Sixth Annual Reunion_ on May 5th in the parlors of the First Presbyterian Church. A goodly number were present from “Alpha” circle, “Cumminsville,” “Christie,” “Mt. Auburn,” “Cheviot,” “Grace M. P.,” “Third Presbyterian,” “Emanuel,” “Covington,” “Newport,” “Madisonville” and “Walnut Hills.” The program consisted of an address of welcome by J. G. O’Connell, Esq.; prayer by Rev. S. N. Spahr, followed by music, readings, and recitations. The room was brilliantly decorated with mottoes and class emblems, and a profusion of choice and fragrant flowers. From the chandeliers were suspended the class dates, ’85, ’86, ’87, and ’88, and the letters S. H. G. and under these were grouped merry companies, who took part in the collation, which was not the least enjoyable feature of the program. The quarterly vesper service was held on Special Sunday, May 9th, at Grace M. P. Church. It was ably conducted by Mr. E. F. Layman, President of “Grace” circle. Rev. S. N. Spahr gave a very excellent address to the members upon knowledge rightly directed.——The “Young Men’s” circle of CINCINNATI has been doing good work this year. The circle is composed of companion workers in church and Sabbath school, and the bounds of union have been strengthened by the united study of the “Word and Works of God.” The Chautauqua studies were taken up by them with an earnest desire to better fit themselves for successful work. Their faith and courage has been severely tried by the death of one of their active, earnest members, Mr. George E. Wilcox—a sorrow which they are struggling to make a blessing.——The class of ’88 has a live section at MORROW, the “Irving.” There are over thirty regular attendants in the band and their fortnightly meetings are conducted like college recitations, a pastor being the instructor. May the “Irvings” prosper and multiply.

A friend writes from NORWAY, MICHIGAN: “We wish to be recognized by our fellow-workers as a prosperous circle, although a small one, and we are very glad we have joined them.” The “Norway” has made a splendid record in its year’s existence, having met every week since last October. It need not fear a lack of cordial welcome here.——“Thornapple” circle, of NASHVILLE, boasts a history very similar to that of the “Norway.” It was first organized a year ago, and its membership is ten. The members are all workers, and kindly report themselves highly pleased with the Chautauqua Idea.——A letter full of the Chautauqua characteristics comes from DECATUR: “Our ‘Pansy’ circle of twenty-five members have held regular meetings since October. We are enthusiastic, and have done genuine work. But it has not all been work. We have had a ‘question match’ upon Greek History and Mythology, the winner of the contest receiving as a prize an original poem. On Founder’s day the question box was on ‘What has Chautauqua done for me?’ On Longfellow’s memorial the circle visited a neighboring class, spending a merry evening. But the red-letter day of the year was April 23d, when a dinner party was tendered the members and their husbands by one of the circle. It was generally pronounced the most enjoyable affair the town had had in many a day and served as a good advertisement of what the C. L. S. C. does for its members. Few of our guests knew how much we had done or could do.”——An unusually good joint meeting took place at FLINT in honor of Shakspere. Two circles of the C. L. S. C. and one of the Spare Minute Course united. We like one thing on the program particularly. After taking up in essays Shakspere’s Character, Home Life and Contemporaries, the essays were all studies of one play—“Macbeth;” thus the plot of “Macbeth” was outlined, then followed “Macbeth’s Character,” “Lady Macbeth,” “Who was Duncan?” “Witches and Ghosts,” and “Moral of Macbeth.” This is a much more satisfactory method than several disjointed readings or studies. The evening was closed by conversation and readings, conducted by an able Shaksperean scholar, Hon. E. H. Thompson.

Shakspere himself would, we wager, have been nothing loath to have taken part in the celebration given in his memory at GOSHEN, INDIANA; for “Kitchen Science” illustrated took up the first part of the evening, and the supper, we are told, was not confined to the articles on which THE CHAUTAUQUAN has tried to instruct its readers this past year. In the evening, after these gastronomic exercises were finished, a literary program was carried out.——Here is a circle “of the first magnitude.” Read its record. “The FRANKLIN C. L. S. C. of INDIANA has increased during the past three years from a membership of twelve to forty-five. We have never failed in having our regular meetings every two weeks since we first organized. During the past winter the circle managed the lecture course of our city, and as one of the results cleared nearly $100. Chancellor Vincent was one of the lecturers, and the members of our circle were delighted to meet him after hearing ‘That Boy.’”——The C. L. S. C. at LIMA, representing classes ’85, ’86, ’87 and ’88, is one of the brightest and most wide-awake circles in the State. The circle was organized three years ago, and now has a pleasantly furnished room with piano, library, etc.; meets every Friday evening, and observes all memorial days.——SHAWNEE MOUND has a Chautauqua class of twenty-three members. We are pleased to notice that the circle passed, at a recent meeting, a resolution of respect in memory of Richard Grant White, expressing their sorrow at the loss which American scholarship, and in particular the C. L. S. C. have sustained.——We are pained to record the death of Mr. Hermon St. John, at SALEM, on May 1st. The Chautauqua work loses in him a faithful friend.

It has been remarked in these columns already that “Alpha” of QUINCY, ILLINOIS, is famous for its novelties. Their latest sensation was the very practical illustration of a subject given before the circle by the secretary. This gentleman is a native of Hibernia, and so was chosen for a paper on dynamite. When called upon to perform he produced a package of the explosive, much to the consternation of the members.——There died at RUSHVILLE, on April 18th, the oldest member, without doubt, of the C. L. S. C. in the world, Mr. Van Rensalaer Wells. Three years ago his daughter began reading to him the books of the course. He took a lively interest in these readings, and finally joined the class of ’86. Had he lived it was his intention to have visited Chautauqua at the graduation of his class.——A good woman from CHICAGO writes: “I went about from house to house among my friends, and finally succeeded in inducing three young persons, all earning their own living, to begin the readings with me.… We sit around a table socially, and discuss freely our literary repast.… I forgot to say that I am a very busy woman, the mother of three boys. My best reading is often done after nine at night, when the little eyes are closed in sleep.”——The announcement of a new C. L. S. C. arrival is made from OREGON, where the “Ganymede” of twenty members appeared in October last. Busy people, but they feel that they can not afford to miss the Saturday evening meeting. The meetings are to be continued through the summer for the purpose of review.——Another Illinois addition made to the C. L. S. C. last fall was at SAVOY, where a club of eighteen was gathered. Notwithstanding the very severe weather and deep snow, and the fact that the circle members are farmers, living far apart, the sessions are full and wide-awake. A very good plan has been tried by the circle in chemistry, the blackboard being used for exercises. Every circle ought to have a blackboard.——The history of the class at BUCKLEY began in 1882, when six members met in informal meetings for discussion. In 1884 it was thought wise to organize formally. Since that time the circle has been making a decided impression upon the community. Two public meetings have been given, which have attracted general attention. At the last, the closing session of the year, thoughtful remembrance was made of the president by the gift of a beautiful chair.——A band of nine join the ranks from WARREN. It is only of late the class has found a name. It is “Meridian,” from the fact that the town is situated on one of the meridians. The circle has been following THE CHAUTAUQUAN in its plan of work, using the published programs, with slight variation.——“It takes three to make a circle,” writes a lady from FARINA, “and we are three; one ‘Invincible,’ one ‘Pansy,’ and one ‘Plymouth Rock.’ We are scattered as to time, but are united in interest, in enthusiasm, and in determination. Our circle was organized in November, 1881, only a dot—myself—but though alone, and unsuccessful in securing readers, and hindered in every way from doing the best of work, there was a satisfaction in doing the readings that nothing had ever brought into my life. What we shall accomplish as a circle, the future will reveal, but there is no ‘giving up’ to any of us.”——A Chautauqua circle of MOLINE, not yet a year old, and a Shaksperean circle, under the same direction as the former, have been coöperating the past season in a series of parlor meetings of great interest. In January it was a dinner party; on Founder’s day a literary performance with brief essays on Chautauqua subjects; and on Shakspere day a decidedly new thing—a Shaksperean quotation contest. No one was allowed to give a quotation that had been given by another, and the successful competitor took the prize on his ninety-fifth quotation.——We are in receipt of the Longfellow program of the “Oakland” circle, of CHICAGO; an excellent and varied list of numbers it is. The “Oakland” is a wide-awake circle.

From MARKESAN, WISCONSIN, the secretary of “Climax” circle writes: “We are still in a flourishing condition. Although some who were with us last year have gone to new homes, we have new members to make up those we have lost. There are no very young students in the class, but one has to wear two pairs of spectacles to see. We have observed most of the memorial days, and found the programs in THE CHAUTAUQUAN very useful.”——What one zealous reader did is told in a note from DARLINGTON: “Last year myself and daughter read the course alone. Before the beginning of the present year I put a short article explaining the C. L. S. C. scheme into our local paper, and called a meeting of all those who would like to take the course. The result is that we now have a circle of thirteen. There will probably be an increase next year.”

A beautiful souvenir of the Longfellow celebration of the “Vincent” circle at MILWAUKEE, MINN., has reached our table. The memorial was a perfect success, and with justice the members felt very proud of it. The “Vincent” is another circle sprung from the faithfulness of a single reader, a lady who in 1883 began the course, and in 1884 had gathered a circle of twenty-two about her, each one of whom responds promptly and faithfully to all calls for class work.——The “Quintette” of “Plymouth Rocks” at DULUTH have been doing the regular work since October, in informal meetings led by the different members in turn. They expect soon to change their name to suit an enlarged membership.——The “Gleaners,” of ZUMBROTA, with a goodly number of their friends were treated to an interesting program of exercises on Shakspere day. The “Gleaners” are a power in their community, and have, they say, “enough enthusiasm to fill up an evening without refreshments.”——At HASTINGS a circle began life in October with sixteen regular members, besides several local members. The class has had a sad break in its ranks by the death of Miss Kate Stebbins, a bright young woman who had undertaken the C. L. S. C. studies.——ST. PAUL bids fair to become exactly what its Chautauquans are aiming to make it, a great C. L. S. C. center. To this end a “Central” circle has been formed in the city, composed of six circles, the “Wakouta,” “Itasca,” “Dayton’s Bluff,” “Plymouth,” “Canadian American,” and “Pioneer,” and numbering in all over an hundred members. The “Central” circle celebrated Longfellow’s day by a very enjoyable program, and is trying to make arrangements for other joint entertainments. The St. Paul friends are proud of having two of their number prominent at Lake de Funiak, Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller, one of the founders of the “Pioneer” circle, and Dr. L. G. Smith, pastor of the First M. E. Church.——The home of the Minnesota Summer Assembly, WASECA, is the center of a stirring circle of twenty members. The increase in the circle is largely due to the efforts of the Rev. A. H. Gillet and his colaborers at the Assembly, which met at this lake for the first time last year. The “North Star,” of Waseca, offers a very attractive plan of work.