Part 18

Among the books belonging to the “Famous Women Series,” the biography of Harriet Martineau[B] takes a leading place. The life of this remarkable woman is written by one whose clear insight into human character, and keen appreciation of that which tends to make it noble and strong, render her eminently qualified for such an undertaking. The style of the book is simple, unadorned, direct. No step has been neglected which could add to the author’s information, or, as she quaintly expresses it, could help her “get touch” with her subject. That Mrs. Miller is something of a hero worshiper is evident from the fact that, with but one or two slight exceptions, she justifies all the facts of the life she relates. The rigor of Harriet Martineau’s early home; the longings of the young girl for freedom from a needless restraint, and the desire to read and study, which led her to steal the time for it in the early morning and late at night, might convey a lesson to many a mother who now insists upon having her daughters follow the conventional methods of living. One can but rejoice in the advanced position women have attained as he reads of Harriet Martineau, the statesman, and sees that she is as thoroughly understood and appreciated in this aspect of her life by her biographer as in the more womanly elements and instincts of her nature, which were never in the least violated by her study of political interests. Excepting the skepticism which marked all the mature years of Harriet Martineau’s life, one finds in her a good type of strong, noble womanhood. Christian readers can but deprecate this fact, and also that it is justified by Mrs. Miller.

A volume of the prose writings of N. P. Willis[C] will be received by the reading public in much the same manner as the work of a new author, so little are they known. His reputation rests almost entirely upon his poems and a few Scriptural sketches, which it seems natural to think of as belonging to the early periods of American literature. It will probably strike most people with a feeling of surprise to recall that his death occurred so recently as 1867, and that he was therefore contemporary with Bryant and Longfellow. Just why this recent oblivion has fallen upon his writings is hard to tell, for the collection in this volume shows that they deserve a better fate. The character sketches are fairly drawn; and the bits of description indicate powers of a high order in this particular. The personality of the author is manifest in all the articles; the reader is conscious of constantly looking through the writer’s eyes. The wild, unchecked bent of his imagination is shown in such pieces as “The Lunatic’s Skate,” and “The Ghost-Ball at Congress Hall,” somewhat resembling the more intense works of Poe. Aptness in illustration, implying a delicate perception of resemblances, and a happy faculty of associating ideas is a marked characteristic. He fails to touch the deeper emotions of one’s nature, and there is a lack of both strength and plot in all he writes. Whether Mr. Beers succeeds in making Willis’s works live or not, he has by his selections and editing, and by his introductory memoir, given to the public a very interesting work.

Perhaps no one ever more perfectly caught the spirit of all things Egyptian than Professor Ebers. The _genius_ of the country which brings under its sway all that comes within its domain, affecting them to such a degree that one can but fancy even the sphynx would be less gloomily impressive in any other land, gained such an influence over him, and so makes itself felt in his books, that it is almost impossible to imagine him otherwise than as a man wrapped round with that somber, mysterious air which constantly hints of the power to reveal things more and more wonderful. From the beginning to the end of Serapis[D] one is conscious of being under some spell that fascinates and charms. The little party introduced at the beginning gives rise to a sense of the vast possibilities hidden away in each life—even that of little Dada, the merry-hearted, seemingly thoughtless, young girl—and the sequel reveals in each one these possibilities realized. The story is laid in the times of the Roman emperor, Theodosius I., and its interest centers in the destruction of the Serapeum, the Alexandrian temple containing the statue of Serapis, the great Egyptian divinity, which was also mutilated and torn down. A description of the races is given in such a way as to render readers virtually eye-witnesses of the scene, and it is with an effort that one keeps himself from rising with the crowd as the decisive moment nears, and shouting in the general frenzy of excitement. The author lacks the power of putting his readers into nearer relation with his characters than that of mere acquaintances, in whose welfare a general sympathetic interest is taken. One prizes the book for its impressive historical facts and beautiful descriptions.

“Troubled Waters”[E] is a novel with a purpose. The question of capital and labor is discussed, and the plan of coöperation is upheld as the key which is to unlock the difficulties thickening fast and threateningly around the business interests of to-day. The dangers lurking in the fact of poorly compensated labor, as it watches the fast increasing gains of capital amassed at its expense, are vividly set forth. In the strike of the Tradelawn mill hands, will be seen a faithful picture of what transpires in many a similar town. The style of the book is vigorous, independent, and clear. The number of persons introduced, and the characterization of some of them, particularly Mr. Thomas Street, reminds one of Dickens. In the web of adverse circumstances enmeshing and ever tightening about the really noble Robert Croft, until he is driven to the very verge of desperation and crime, the greatest power of the author is shown. Of course all ends well, and as one leaves all the hands in the new mills, in which every worker is a stockholder, contented and happy, there remains with him a conviction that coöperation is the right principle.

One of the most attractive of all the books of its kind is “The Chautauqua Birthday Book”[F] just issued. Daintily bound, and containing illustrations of the places so familiar and endeared to all Chautauquans, it can not fail to receive a warm welcome at their hands. The “Prefatory Note” is written by Chancellor J. H. Vincent. The selections made of the best things said by the best authors. As one turns the pages bearing the dates, the eye lights upon the names of many familiar friends, and the pleasing memories that instantly arise make one glad for the happy thought that originated so genial a souvenir.

No undertaking more deserves the thoughtful consideration and hearty support of every community than that of the introduction of a line of classics for children into the public schools. Mr. Ginn has already edited for the use of scholars of from nine to fourteen years of age, a number of very attractive books, among which are “Tales from Shakspere,” by Charles and Mary Lamb, and Scott’s “Tales of a Grandfather.”[G] The original works have been changed very little. A few verbal alterations were required, and the parts beyond the comprehension of a child were omitted. A young boy or girl after reading these editions will have practically the same knowledge that the older acquire from the unabridged works, and they certainly will be equally as much interested in them.

[B] Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.

[C] Prose Writings of Nathaniel Parker Willis. Selected by Henry A. Beers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

[D] Serapis. By George Ebers. New York: William S. Gottsberger, 11 Murray Street. 1885. Price, paper cover, 50 cents.

[E] Troubled Waters. A Problem of To-day. By Beverly Ellison Warner. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 1885. Price, $1.25.

[F] The Chautauqua Birthday Book. Arranged by Annie M. Cummings. Buffalo, N. Y.: H. H. Otis. Price, $1.00.

[G] Tales from Shakspere. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Tales of a Grandfather, Vol. I. Being the History of Scotland. By Walter Scott. Abridged and edited by Edwin Ginn. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

Valeria. By the Rev. W. H. Withrow. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.00.

The Sentence and Word Book. By James Johonnot. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1885.

Vain Forebodings. By E. Oswald. Translated from the German by Mrs. A. L. Wister. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1885. Price, $1.25.

Pestalozzi’s Leonard and Gertrude. Translated and Abridged. By Eva Channing. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.

Dante. A Rare Collection of Texts, Commentaries, etc., of Dante’s Divina Commedia. Cincinnati: Anton Bicker.

The Meisterschaft System for the Italian Language. By Dr. Richard S. Rosenthal. Part I. Boston: Meisterschaft Publishing Company.

General Gordon: The Christian Hero. By the author of “Our Queen,” “New World Heroes,” etc. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.

Pulpit and Easel. By Mary B. Sleight. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.

Hearing and How to Keep It. By Charles H. Burnett, M.D. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston, Son & Co. 1885.

Dogma No Antidote for Doubt. By a member of the New York Bar. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1885.

Catechism on Alcohol. (In German.) By Julia Colman. New York: National Temperance Society. 1885.

Circulars of Information of the Bureau of Education. No. I.—1885. Washington: Government Printing Office.

Planting Trees in School Grounds and the Celebration of Arbor Day. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1885.

The Russian Revolt. By Edmund Noble. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885. Price, $1.00.

From the Golden Gate to the Golden Horn. By Henry Frederick Reddall. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.25.

CHAUTAUQUA IN JAPAN.

BY WM. D. BRIDGE.

Japan moves to the front, for _Chautauqua_ has taken firm root in Japan. The Chautauqua Idea is an ecumenical idea, and it is the province of this article to show the workings of this idea in Japan during the past six months.

Late in the summer of 1884 Mrs. A. M. Drennan (C. L. S. C. class of ’82), a resident missionary in Japan, at Osaka, entered into correspondence with Chancellor Vincent as to the possibility of translating valuable English materials in the line of the “C. L. S. C.” into the Japanese vernacular. Among the material tracts, papers, etc., sent, was one which she put into the hands of an educated native, well versed also in English, who said on reading it: “If that book can be put into the hands of the young men, Tom Paine and other infidels must leave Japan.”

Chancellor Vincent, on reviewing the necessities of the field, and marking the wondrous developments of that newborn nation, arranged with Mrs. Drennan for the translation of the “Required Reading” in THE CHAUTAUQUAN into Japanese, guaranteeing a prescribed sum per month for expenses of translating for one year.

March 30, 1885, Mrs. Drennan writes: “I wish I could convey to you something of an idea of the enthusiasm in reference to our Chautauqua Society here. In much less than a week after the first advertisement in the papers, our secretary had received nearly three hundred letters of inquiry, and, on application, had given out every one of the first five hundred copies of the ‘Hand-Book.’ A second edition of five hundred was made, and now, in less than a week, only two hundred copies remain.”

The “Hand-Book” referred to is the first number of a magazine, in book form, containing articles from THE CHAUTAUQUAN, viz.: “Mosaics of History,” “Africa,” “Alexander the Great,” “One Hundred Questions,” “World of Science,” and “The Results of the Discovery of America.”

Mr. C. S. Hongma, of Osaka, a native Japanese, President of the “Japanese Literary and Scientific Circle,” writes to Chancellor Vincent, in good English, a letter full of hope, and expressing his delight in aiding to organize the circle, and asking help and prayers for its success.

The laws of Japan require six months’ notice to be given of intention to publish a magazine, and but one month’s notice for publishing a book. The quotations from THE CHAUTAUQUAN are therefore given the book form.

Mrs. Drennan says the natives will pay the expense of advertising the movement in Japanese papers, and will, ere long, pay the cost of translation.

April 13, 1885, Mrs. Drennan writes: “It would take a long letter to tell you the good things about our J. L. S. C. We have just received to-day from the press our third edition of the ‘Hand-Book;’ this makes twenty-five hundred printed. Our secretary is preparing to-night a list of the paid-up members. There have been over three hundred applicants for membership, but only one hundred and fifty have as yet paid all dues. You know there is the house rent (for place of meeting of the local circles), and the fixing up, lights, etc., to give us a comfortable place of meeting. These, with most of the advertising and other expenses, have been met by the members; and with your kind aid for a little while we will have an influence that will spread over this entire land, doing great things for this people. Our secretary has answered over _seven hundred letters of inquiry_. Applications have come from several cities for the privilege of organizing branch societies.

“The first article in our ‘Hand-Book’ is an editorial by the editor of the largest paper in this part of Japan. He is a very fine writer and highly educated. He is perfectly enthusiastic over the work. It is an argument for this plan, giving his views as to the good it will accomplish in Japan. The second article explains the object and aim of the Society.

“My heart has been thrilled with delight on receiving letters and applications for membership from some soldiers in a distant city. It has been a punishable offense for any teacher of Christianity, or Bible reader, to go into the army or among the soldiers. I thought, if this course of reading spread among them, who can compute its influence, who can tell the result of this silent teacher for Christ!”

The new members are not satisfied with Japanese cards of membership, but are anxious for enrollment at the Central Office of the C. L. S. C., Plainfield, N. J., and for cards of membership from America.

Mrs. Drennan, under date of April 14th, says: “One hundred and seventy-five names of members have just been given me, fifty new names being added last evening. [She sends for three hundred membership cards.] I never saw such an interest created by anything in any country. Oh that God may bless it to the good of this people, and make it a permanent organization for all time! Pray for us.”

That our readers may know of what “stuff” this earnest C. L. S. C. worker is made, I will say that she has charge of a Girls’ School at Osaka, teaches young men three hours per day, teaches a Bible class of young men (twenty-five in number) on Sabbath evenings, and for a year and a half has kept up a Chautauqua circle among the English speaking people and others. In order to secure government permission to publish the Chautauqua literature, permanent resident officers must be chosen; therefore the existing local circle suspended, and was reorganized with such officers as the government will recognize.

One of the members is now translating “Outline Study of Man,” another “Cyrus and Alexander,” and two others are at work on THE CHAUTAUQUAN.

Mrs. Drennan sends an itemized financial statement, showing three eighths of the expenses (total, $66.25) paid by the Japanese to date and five eighths by the Central Office, with the assurance that hereafter the heaviest part will be borne by the enthusiastic natives. God bless a work like this in young Japan, and God bless Mrs. Drennan and her associates!

PROGRAM OF POPULAR EXERCISES.

TWELFTH SUMMER ASSEMBLY AT CHAUTAUQUA.

_Saturday, July 11._

10:00 a.m.—Organ Prelude, Mr. I. V. Flagler, of Auburn, N.Y.

10:30 a.m.—Opening Address before the “Chautauqua Teachers’ Retreat” and “Chautauqua Schools of Language,” by Chancellor C. N. Sims, of Syracuse University.

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilee Singers.

8:30 p.m.—Parlor Reception, C. T. R. and C. S. L.

10:00 p.m.—Night Songs—Flotilla on the Lake.

_Sunday, July 12._

9:30 a.m.—Sunday-school and Assembly.

11:00 a.m.—Opening Sermon, by Chancellor C. N. Sims.

2:00 p.m.—Platform Meeting—Addresses by Dr. C. N. Sims and Dr. J. H. Vincent.

4:00 p.m.—Society of Christian Ethics.

5:00 p.m.—Vesper Service of the C. L. S. C.

7:30 p.m.—Evening Song, conducted by W. A. Duncan, Esq., assisted by the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

_Monday, July 13._

8:00 a.m.—Adjustment of Classes, and Beginning of C. T. R. and C. S. L. Work.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. C. H. W. Stocking. Subject: “Venice, the Faded Queen of the Adriatic.”

_Tuesday, July 14._

11:00 a.m.—First Organ Recital, Mr. I. V. Flagler.

1:30 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilee Singers.

5:00 p.m.—First Tourists’ Conference.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. C. H. W. Stocking. Subject: “Florence, the Athens of Italy.”

_Wednesday, July 15._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture: John Alabaster, D.D., “Michel Angelo.”

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilees.

7:00 p.m.—Vesper Service.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. John Alabaster: “Leonardo Da Vinci.”

_Thursday, July 16._

11:00 a.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilee Singers.

2:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. John Alabaster: “Naples, Pompeii and Vesuvius.”

5:00 p.m.—Second Tourists’ Conference.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. C. H. W. Stocking. Subject: “Rome;” first lecture.

_Friday, July 17._

11:00 a.m.—Second Organ Recital, I. V. Flagler.

2:00 p.m.—Lecture: “From Chautauqua to Casamicciola,” by Prof. J. C. Freeman.

7:00 p.m.—A Popular Lesson in Music, Prof. A. T. Schauffler.

8:30 p.m.—Lecture, C. H. W. Stocking. Subject: “Rome;” second lecture.

_Saturday, July 18._

Excursion to Niagara Falls, at Reduced Rates, for Members of the C. T. R. and C. S. L.

11:00 a.m.—Lecture: “Around Vesuvius,” Prof. J. C. Freeman.

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilee Singers.

5:00 p.m.—C. L. S. C. Round-Table.

7:00 p.m.—Sunday-school Teachers’ Meeting.

8:00 p.m.—Readings, Prof. A. Lalande.

_Sunday, July 19._

9:30 a.m.—Sunday-school and Assembly.

11:00 a.m.—Sermon by ——

2:00 p.m.—Sermon by Dr. B. G. Northrop: “The Bible as an Educator.”

4:00 p.m.—Society of Christian Ethics.

5:00 p.m.—C. L. S. C. Vesper Service.

7:30 p.m.—Song Service, Fisk Jubilees.

_Monday, July 20._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Dr. B. G. Northrop: “Memory, and How to Train It.”

7:00 p.m.—Latin Symposium.

8:00 p.m.—Spelling Match.

_Tuesday, July 21._

11:00 a.m.—Third Organ Recital, I. V. Flagler.

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Meigs Sisters Vocal Quartette, and Chas. F. Underhill, Elocutionist, all of New York.

5:00 p.m.—Third Tourists’ Conference.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Leon H. Vincent: “A Trip through Italy.”

_Wednesday, July 22._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Dr. G. C. Lorimer, of Chicago: “Philanthropy of Humor.”

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Meigs Sisters Vocal Quartette, and Chas. F. Underhill.

7:00 p.m.—Vesper Service.

8:00 p.m.—Parlor Soirée.

_Thursday, July 23._

11:00 a.m.—

2:00 p m.—Fourth Organ Concert, I. V. Flagler.

5:00 p.m.—Fourth Tourists’ Conference.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. D. H. Wheeler: “Memories of Life in Italy.”

_Friday, July 24._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Miss Kate Field: “The Mormon Creed.”

2:00 p.m.—The Rev. Dr. H. C. McCook, Lecture: “The Homes and Habits of Ants.”

7:00 p.m.—Lecture on “The Oil Regions.”

8:00 p.m.—Pronouncing Match.

_Saturday, July 25._

Excursion to Oil City, Pa.

9:00 a.m.—Conference on “Visible Speech” and “Phonetics,” Dr. J. W. Dickinson.

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Miss Kate Field: “Political and Social Crimes of Utah.”

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Mr. A. T. Schauffler, of New York, conductor.

7:00 p.m.—Sunday-school Teachers’ Meeting.

8:00 p.m.—

_Sunday, July 26._

9:30 a.m.—Sunday-school and Assembly.

11:00 a.m.—Sermon by the Rev. Dr. George Dana Boardman, of Philadelphia.

2:00 p.m.—Sermon by the Rev. Dr. H. C. McCook, of Philadelphia.

4:00 p.m.—Society of Christian Ethics.

5:00 p.m.—C. L. S. C. Vesper Service.

7:30 p.m.—Sermon by the Rev. George W. Miller, D.D., of Philadelphia.

_Monday, July 27._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Geo. W. Miller, D.D.: “Martin Luther.”

2:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. G. D. Boardman: “The Graphic Art.”

3:30 p.m.—Public Exposition Chautauqua School of Modern Languages and Methods.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Dr. J. T. Edwards: “The Telephone and Edison’s Inventions.”

_Tuesday, July 28._

11:00 a.m.—Fifth Organ Recital, I. V. Flagler.

2:00 p.m.—Public Readings, Prof. R. L. Cumnock.

5:00 p.m.—Public Chautauqua Teachers’ Retreat Question Drawer.

8:00 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilees.

_Wednesday, July 29._

11:00 a.m.—Lecture, Dr. George Sexton, of England.

2:00 p.m.—Lecture, the Rev. Robert Nourse: “Blighted Women.”

5:00 p.m.—C. L. S. C. Round-Table.

7:00 p.m.—Vesper Service.

8:00 p.m.—First Lecture on “Khartoum and the Soudan,” by the Rev. Dr. Henry M. Ladd, with Stereopticon.

_Thursday, July 30._

10:00 a.m.—Sixth Organ Recital, I. V. Flagler.

11:00 a.m.—Sermon by Dr. J. M. King: “The Dignity of Small Duties.”

2:00 p.m.—Concert—Fisk Jubilees.

8:00 p.m.—Second Lecture on “Khartoum and the Soudan,” by Dr. H. M. Ladd, with Stereopticon.

_Friday, July 31._

11:00 a.m.—Concert, A. T. Schauffler, conductor.

2:00 p.m.—Sermon by Dr. J. M. King: “Paris, and a Chapter on Cæsarism.”

4:00 p.m.—Closing Exercises C. T. R.

4:00 p.m.—C. Y. F. R. U. Round-Table.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Philip Phillips: “Around the World,” with Stereopticon.

_Saturday, August 1._

“Mid-Season Celebration.” Excursion to Panama Rocks.

9:00 a.m.—First Woman’s Missionary Conference: 1. “Best means of creating an interest in missions.” 2. “How can we increase the zeal and efficiency of present methods of work?”

11:00 a.m.—Lecture: “Wm. Carey,” by the Rev. J. W. A. Stewart, of Hamilton, Ont.

2:00 p.m.—Concert, Fisk Jubilees.

4:00 p.m.—First General Missionary Conference: “How can the work for Missions, being done in every church by a minority of its members, be presented for the consideration of the church _en masse_?”

7:00 p.m.—Sunday-school Teachers’ Meeting.

8:00 p.m.—Lecture, Philip Phillips: “Around the World.”

_Sunday, August 2._

9:30 a.m.—Sunday-school and Assembly.

11:00 a.m.—Sermon by the Rev. J. W. A. Stewart.

2:00 p.m.—Second General Missionary Conference: Addresses by Dr. George Sexton, the Rev. C. C. Creegan, and Dr. William Butler. Topic: “The Ability and Responsibility of the Church to Evangelize the World.”

4:00 p.m.—Second Woman’s Missionary Conference: Mrs. D. R. James, of Washington, D. C.: “The Future of Our Country.” Society of Christian Ethics.

5:00 p.m.—C. L. S. C. Vesper Service.

8:00 p.m.—Service of Song, Philip Phillips.

_Monday, August 3._

9:30 a.m.—Third Woman’s Missionary Conference: “The Immediate and Pressing Necessity for Home Mission Work.”

11:00 a.m.—General Missionary Meeting: Address by the Rev. Dr. Wm. F. Johnson, of Allahabad, India.

2:00 p.m.—Songs of the South, Fisk Jubilees.