Chapter I: “God’s prophets of the Beautiful these poets are.” (4)

P. 64, c. 1.—“Frisian,” frishˈe-ans. A Germanic people inhabiting at present the eastern coast of Holland, the fens of Saterland, the western shore of Schleswig, and a few adjacent islands. There exists now but a remnant of the ancient Frisians.

P. 66, c. 1.—“Cimmerian,” cim-mēˈri-an. An adjective derived from the Cimmerii, a mythical people represented by Homer as inhabiting a remote region of mist and darkness. Later writers locate this country near Lake Avernus, a lake of Italy about eight miles from Naples, or in the Crimea, or in Spain. “Their country was fabled to be so gloomy that the expression ‘Cimmerian darkness’ became proverbial; and Homer, according to Plutarch, drew his images of hell and Pluto from the dismal region they inhabited.”

“Comanches,” co-manˈches; “Piutes,” pi-utesˈ. Tribes of American Indians belonging to the Shoshone family. Only remnants of them now remain. The Piutes are one of the numerous divisions of the Utahs or Utes.

P. 67, c. 1.—“Primum Mobile.” The prime mover; first power; the beginning.

“Eddic.” Found in the Edda, the sacred books of the old Scandinavian tribes. These books contain almost all that we know of the mythology of the Northmen.

The original signification of “Edda” is “great-grandmother.” It is properly applied to but one collection, the other being a misnomer. The true Edda, or _Younger Edda_, is a prose collection, giving a history of the world and the gods. The _Elder Edda_ is a collection of poems, dating from the eighth or ninth centuries. Many of them are only fragments. They treat of mythical and religious legends of an early Scandinavian civilization, and are composed in the simplest and most archaic form of Icelandic verse.

HOME STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS.

P. 68, c. 2.—“Antiparos,” an-tipˈa-ros. A small island of the Grecian Archipelago. The grotto is its chief feature of interest. “It consists of an immense marble arch, the roof, sides and center of which are covered with stalactites and dazzling crystallizations, assuming the shapes of columns, screens, flowers, trees, etc. The stalactites hanging from the roof unite in several places with stalagmites rising from the floor, so that the arch is apparently supported by a continuous series of pillars. The grotto is entered by a natural arch of rugged rock, overhung with trailing plants.”

“Caverns.” To the caverns mentioned here must be added the “Fish River Caves” near Sydney, Australia. A writer in a late issue of the _Scientific American_ thus describes them: “These caves are situated about eighty miles west of Sydney, Australia, and are some 3,000 feet above sea level, in an interesting mountainous locality. They were first discovered by a party of settlers in 1866, while in pursuit of bush-rangers. They are singularly attractive. The intricate galleries, halls, and passages in their subterranean scenes are so magnificent that a person having once seen them is desirous of viewing them again and again, new features being presented to his view at each visit and at every turn. The strange forms that have been assumed by the drippings from the limestone are almost infinite, and are in beauty unsurpassable in their own character elsewhere. When lighted up by the incandescent magnesium wire or other strong light, these sublime chambers, so strangely formed by nature’s hands, present a gorgeous spectacle, filled as they are with drooping sprays, coral growths, delicate pendants, gigantic columns, handsome shawls, huge curtains, and shadowy arches of the most fantastic kind.”

“Church,” F. E. (1826-⸺.) An eminent American landscape painter. His earliest pictures of note were scenes from the Catskills. Among his later productions are “Under Niagara,” “The Heart of the Andes,” “Cotopaxi,” and “Sunrise on Mount Desert Island.” “The Icebergs” is ranked among his best works.

P. 69, c. 2.—“Mer-de-Glace,” mer-deh-gläs. Sea of ice. A glacier in the valley of the Chamouni.

SUNDAY READINGS.

P. 71, c. 1.—“Payson,” Edward. (1783-1827.) An American clergyman of the Congregational Church, Portland, Me., and the author of several works.

“Cowper,” William. (1731-1800.) A celebrated English poet. He was subject to attacks of insanity, and fancied himself destined to eternal woe.

“Tennents,” Gilbert and William. Two American clergymen of the Presbyterian Church, who lived during the first part of the eighteenth century. William was at one time seriously ill, and remained for several days in a condition of apparent death. His account of his emotions was, that at the moment of his seeming death he found himself surrounded by an unutterable glory, and saw a great multitude in the height of bliss; and that when he was about to join the happy throng some one came to him and said: “You must go back.” When he found himself in the world again he fainted. For three years the recollection of what he had seen and heard was so intense as to make earthly things seem worthless.

“Edwards,” Jonathan. (1703-1758.) An American divine and metaphysician, the greatest theologian of his century. Dr. Chalmers, of Scotland, said of him: “On the arena of metaphysics he stood the highest of all his contemporaries.” This American divine affords, perhaps, the most wondrous example in modern times of one who stood gifted both in natural and spiritual discernment.

P. 72, c. 1.—“Spurgeon,” Charles H. (spurˈjon). The great English preacher, born 1834. In 1854 he was called to the new Park Street Baptist Chapel in Southwark, London; and his preaching soon drew such crowds that the congregation removed first to Exeter Hall, and then to Surrey Music Hall, the largest public room in London. In 1861 a new chapel of great size was completed for his congregation. For several years he has preached an average of nearly a sermon a day, traveled extensively, and written several books.

P. 72, c. 2.—“Martineau,” marˌtēˌnoˈ. An English Unitarian clergyman, born about 1805. Author of several theological works.

P. 73, c. 2.—“Fuller,” Thomas. (1608-1661.) An English divine, court chaplain to Charles I. and II.

GLIMPSES OF ANCIENT GREEK LIFE.

P. 73, c. 2.—“Leotychides,” leˌo-tīkˈi-dēs.

“Aristocracies.” For account of the freedom of early Athens from anything like aristocracy, see “Brief History of Greece,” pp. 46 and 47.

P. 74, c. 1.—House decorations. The dwelling houses of the Greeks were small and insignificant, so that their skill in architecture would show to better advantage on their public buildings. In the time of Pericles they were forbidden by law to build fine houses or to have a display of any kind about them. See “Brief History of Greece,” p. 84, note. Alcibiades began to indulge his love of beauty by home decoration; and for a description of a Greek house in later times see “Brief History of Greece,” p. 83.

“Thasos.” All traces of its ancient gold mines which yielded such large revenues have entirely disappeared. When Xerxes marched through Thrace, the Thasians, on account of their great wealth, and possessions on the mainland, were compelled to provide for the Persian army as it passed through their territories, and their expenditure was four hundred talents, about $460,000. Some remains of the ancient city still exist.

P. 74, c. 2.—“Demes,” dēˈmēs. Originally the Athenians were divided, according to their places of residence, into a number of boroughs or wards, demes.

“Coutts.” (1731-1822.) The wealth of this great banker was estimated at between two and three millions sterling. It finally reverted to his granddaughter, Miss Frances Burdett, on condition she would assume the name of Coutts. By her this wealth was dispensed freely in various charities.

P. 75, c. 1.—“Talent.” A talent is about $1,180.

“Bucephalus,” bu-sephˈa-lus. See “Cyrus and Alexander.”

“Orchomenus,” or-komˈe-nus.

P. 75, c. 2.—“Châlets,” shä-lāˈ. Mountain huts, in which the herdsmen live. They are low and flat, and are covered with stones to protect them against the elements. The interior has scarcely anything beyond the apparatus of the dairy. In the loft above is a store of straw for beds. All the Swiss valleys are covered with huts of this kind. Each herdsman has to collect about a hundred cows twice a day, and make cheese, which is the principal occupation inside the abodes. The owners of the cattle sometimes reside also in châlets, but they are of a superior kind, and frequently offer a delightful retreat to weary travelers.

“Bees.” Hybla, in Megaris, and Mt. Hymettus, in Attica, were celebrated far and near on account of the honey produced there.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

P. 76, c. 1.—“Cosmogony.” Derived from two Greek words signifying the _world_, and _to create_; hence its meaning, the doctrine or science of the creation of the world.

“Gea.” This name appears in many of our words to-day, such as _geography_, _geology_, _geometry_, etc., and in each retains its primitive meaning.

P. 76, c. 2.—“Comus.” From a Greek word meaning _revel_. From it comes our word _comedy_. In Milton’s poem Comus is represented as a base enchanter who endeavors to beguile and entrap the innocent by means of his “brewed enchantments.”

P. 77, c. 1.—“Centimani,” hundred-handed. Three giants, sons of Uranus and Gea. They had each one hundred hands and fifty heads, and were of extraordinary size and terrible strength.

P. 77, c. 2.—“Phlegra,” phlegˈraˈ. The most westerly of three peninsulas running out from Chalcidice, in Macedonia.

P. 78, c. 1.—“Anthropomorphic,” an-thro-po-morˈphic. Pertaining to the representation of the deity under human form.

“Monotheism.” The doctrine that there is but one God.

“Polytheism.” The doctrine of many gods.

“Archilocus,” ar-chilˈo-chus. (B. C. 714-676.) The first Greek poet who wrote according to fixed rules.

“Terpander.” (B. C. 700-650.) The father of Greek music, and through it, of lyric poetry.

“Epicharmos,” ep-i-charˈmos. Lived about B. C. 540. The chief comic poet among the Dorians, one of the races of the Greeks.

P. 78, c. 2.—“Theogony,” the-ogˈo-ny. That branch of heathen theology which taught the genealogy of their gods.

“Tytyus.” A son of Jupiter.

“Python.” A monster serpent. Apollo founded the _Pythian games_ in honor of this victory.

P. 79, c. 1.—“Orestes.” Son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Agamemnon, on his return from Troy, was murdered by Ægisthus and Clytemnestra. Orestes avenged his father’s death by killing his mother and her guilty partner, for which he was pursued by the Furies.

“Orpheus.” One of the Argonauts. He enchanted with his music act only the wild beasts, but the trees and rocks, so that they followed the sound of his golden harp. He went after his lost wife, Proserpine, into the abodes of Hades, and suspended the torments of the lost, by his music. He won his wife back from the most inexorable of all deities, but had promised not to look back at her till they had arrived in the upper world. The anxiety of love overcame him, and he looked round to see that she was surely following. At that moment she was caught back to the infernal region.

TEMPERANCE TEACHINGS OF SCIENCE.

P. 79, c. 1.—“Bichat,” beˈshä. (1771-1803.) A French anatomist and physiologist.

“Pathological.” Pertaining to disease.

“Plethora,” plethˈo-ra. The state of the vessels of the human body when they are too full, or overloaded with fluids, and hence the state of being overfull in any respect.

“Must.” Wine pressed from the grape, but not fermented.

“Toxic.” Poison. The word _intoxicate_ is derived from it.

“Ibn Hanbal,” ibˈn hanˈbäl.

“Father Mathew.” (1790-1856.) Theobald Mathew, D.D., Ireland’s “Apostle of Temperance.” He devoted his life to this cause, and in its interests visited every large town in Ireland and England, and the principal cities in the United States.

P. 79, c. 2.—“Lorenzo de Medici,” dŭh medˈĕ-che. (1448-1492.) He was styled _the magnificent_. He was distinguished by his liberal patronage of literature and art, and his munificent encouragement of the commercial and social development of Florence. He belonged to a distinguished Florentine family. From the early history of Florence the Medici were conspicuous in the service of the republic.

“Gamin,” ga-mangˈ. A neglected and unruly child in the streets.

P. 80, c. 1.—“Nepenthe,” ne-penˈthe. A drug used by the ancients to relieve from pain, and produce great exhilaration of spirits.

“Thoreau,” thoˈro. (1817-1862.) An American author who lived the life of a hermit for more than two years in a forest near Concord.

“Porson.” (1759-1808.) An Englishman, generally considered one of the greatest classical scholars of modern times; without a rival as a Greek critic. His memory was miraculous. The complaint against him is, that with such great capabilities he did so little. He bestowed considerable pains on the restoration of the Greek text on the Rosetta stone.

“Polydipsia,” polˈi-dipˈsi-a.

“Embrocation.” Any lotion used for washing or rubbing a diseased part of the body.

P. 80, c. 2.—“Lecky,” lĕkˈĭ. (1838.) A British author who devoted himself to political and philosophical literature. His most celebrated work was “History of European Morals from Augustus to Charlemagne.”

“Boswell.” (1740-1795.) An Englishman. His “Life of Johnson” is called the best biography extant.

P. 80, c. 2.—“Sir Hudibras,” huˈde-bräs. The title and hero of a celebrated satirical poem by Samuel Butler. Hudibras is a Presbyterian justice, who at the time of the Commonwealth, travels forth to correct abuses, and to enforce observance of the laws.

“A main forte,” ä mang fort. By main force.

“Sangrado,” Doctor, san-gräˈdo. The name of a physician in Le Sage’s novel, “Gil Blas” (zhēl bläs), who practices blood-letting as a remedy for all sorts of ailments.

“Asclepiades,” asˈcle-piˈa-dēs.

“Magendie,” maˈzhŏn-deeˈ. (1783-1855.) A French physiologist. He insisted that experimentation was the only source of knowledge, and resorted to vivisection constantly, saying it was the only method by which he could learn the nature of animals.

P. 81, c. 2.—“Jules Virey,” veˈraˈ. A French physician.

“Therapeutics,” therˈa-pūˈtics. The discovery and application of remedies for diseases.

STUDIES IN KITCHEN SCIENCE AND ART.

P. 82, c. 1.—“Gramineæ,” grä-minˈe-ē.

“Triticum.” Wheat. “Vulgare,” vul-gaˈrē.

P. 83, c. 1.—“Secale cereale,” se-cāˈle se-re-aˈle. The Latin word and the similar English word, _cereal_, are derived from Ceres, who was fabled to have invented agriculture, and was therefore styled the goddess of corn. Secale means a kind of corn.

THE CHAUTAUQUA UNIVERSITY.

Work has begun in the Chautauqua University. Courses of study in several departments have been prepared. Some students have been enrolled. Large numbers of letters of inquiry are being daily received, and the outlook is brilliant for a work far in advance of anything which the projectors of the enterprise had hoped. A lovely spot at Chautauqua, on the north side of the grounds, toward Mayville, has been selected as the center of the University. It will be inclosed and beautified. Within it will be the University offices, and colonnades, and halls accessible to those of our members who shall be able to visit Chautauqua in July and August. It will be known as “The Academia.”

The professors who have been appointed are for the most part men whose reputation as successful and experienced teachers is firmly established, and who will bring to this new work the same enthusiasm which has characterized them in other fields. Circulars containing full information concerning the aims of the University, the courses already prepared, the departments to be organized, the requirements for specific degrees, and the estimated cost of the course, may be obtained by addressing the Registrar, R. S. Holmes, at the central office in Plainfield, N. J. THE CHAUTAUQUAN for October announced our purposes and general plan. We now present some of the prominent and distinguishing features of our work:

1. The Chautauqua University is the only institution of the kind in the world. It stands alone. True, there are some other circles which, by correspondence, have pursued special and limited courses upon some particular subject; but ours is the only school whose avowed object is to conduct its students over the whole field of liberal learning, and reward them at their journey’s close, with a well earned degree. To all, who as pioneers in the field of education by correspondence, have helped to demonstrate the feasibility of organized effort in this direction, the Chautauqua University pays willing tribute. Their success gives footing to our confidence. If history can be so taught, why not philosophy, or logic, or literature, or any kindred topic? If Hebrew can be so taught, why not any ancient language? If French can be so taught, why not any modern language? True, we lack the presence of the living teacher, but the chief value of the teacher’s presence is to test the accomplished work of the student, and to prompt by word and hint to better work in lines of which the student had not thought. Both of these _can be accomplished_ by our method. The one condition is _work—earnest, persistent work_.

Teaching by correspondence is like conversation by telephone. We may never see each other, yet speak as face to face. We are miles apart, maybe, yet answer voice to voice. We are far without the range of possible personal contact, yet more in immediate obedience to each other’s will. So with teacher and pupil, they are mutually unseen; yet teacher’s letter on pupil’s table, and pupil’s letter on teacher’s table are a visible presentation of each to the other. They are widely separate; yet by correspondence question and answer are interchanged in rapid succession. Their paths of life never converge; yet teacher and pupil move mutually in daily lines which want and its supply make necessary.

As the soldier may fight battles and win victories under the direction of a general whom he has never seen, so the student may win in fields of learning without once seeing his teacher’s guiding hand.

2. _The Chautauqua University makes no limitation in the time allowed to students, to complete her prescribed courses._ Our students are not limited by time. They are not actuated by the spirit which hurries young men through college, seminary, and professional school, that at the earliest possible moment they may reach their chosen field of labor. Many of our students have reached their life work. They are on farms, in shops and stores, in factories and foundries, in press-room and in pulpit, in counting-room and court house, at home and by the way. They thirst for knowledge; to them we open the fountain. Their leisure time they would use in making reparation for lost opportunities of earlier years; or in supplementing the moderate acquirement which those earlier years had given. We offer them wise direction in this work, and say, Use the leisure that you have—make moments even at the cost of sacrifice; learn how to double moments by the quality of the work you crowd into them; choose from our courses of study those which you can pursue, and then pursue them till you reach the reward which we offer for their satisfactory completion. Do it; in four years, or six years if you can; in eight years, or ten years if you must, but do it; let nothing turn you from your purpose—after the struggle comes the victory, and the fruit of that victory will be not only the knowledge which you crave, but what is far better, _power over self, and the habit of self use_.

3. _The Chautauqua University does not require one who is enrolled as a student to take a complete course of study before giving official recognition to work already accomplished._ It is not possible for persons circumstanced as our students will be to devote so much of time each day to study that they can do the whole work of a college course in the ordinary four years. It may be that after a year or two of study, and the completion of some one department course, interruptions may arise which will disarrange a student’s plans and thwart for the time his purpose. To such students we promise to give official recognition. Should the work pursued be that of a single department, of several, or of all, much or little, for each finished branch of study the student will receive an official certificate signed by the professor with whom he has studied, and by the Chancellor and Registrar of the University; and whenever any student shall have obtained certificates, representing all the departments which are essential to the obtaining of any specified degree, the presentation of these certificates to the Board of Trustees will entitle their owner to the degree without further examination. In this there is no purpose of lowering the standard of requirement or of making an easy road to a degree. Certificates will represent rigid, searching and thorough examinations. We are not aware that such a course is pursued by any other institution. The student who is compelled to leave his college course unfinished leaves behind him on the books of the institution his record, but bears with him no official certificate of that record.

4. _The Chautauqua University takes the student where it finds him._ This makes education possible for the classes of society for which this enterprise is begun. Absence from home becomes unnecessary. We bid no man leave other duties undone, in order to study. We shorten no business hours; we shut no office doors; we turn no key upon the wants of a busy world. But when days are rainy and trade is dull, when the harvest is ended and the fences are mended, the winter’s fuel gathered and the farm implements are all repaired, when the shut-down of dull times comes in the factory, when household work is over, when evening comes, then are we ever at hand to whisper, give us your hours, and turn your backs upon the amusements, the frivolities, the wastefulnesses of the world. We ask no father or mother to toil and save that one from the home fireside may have the benefits of college education. We say to all, pursue together the paths we mark out for you. We increase no household expenses by the evening and morning hour’s study which we require. The small comparative outlay of money our courses make necessary will be repaid in ennobled character, and in more comprehensive views of life. We lay our text-books on the anvil, and some day we shall see Elihu Burritt or Robert Collyer emerging from the smoke and grime of the shop. We will place a law book by the cobbler’s side, and ever and anon he casts his eye at the open page; and by and by the cobbler’s sign is down and the shop is deserted—but an eloquent voice is pleading at the bar the claims of justice and humanity.

5. _The Chautauqua University comes into competition with no other institution._ We do not want as students those who can go to college. We do not wish to influence any one to neglect college opportunities freely offered. We expect that the work of the Chautauqua University will be to arouse so much interest in the subject of general liberal education that by and by in all quarters young men and women will be seeking means to obtain such education in established resident institutions. We expect to see the cause of education receive an impetus which it has had from no other source in the last quarter of a century. Meanwhile, we appeal to the classes already mentioned in our first article. “Worthy young people not able to go to college;” “those who, having begun a college course, have been compelled to abandon it by circumstances beyond their control;” and those “more mature men and women who, at the maximum of their mental power, desire to make amends for the educational omissions of the earlier years.”

In touching upon these several points we have to some extent repeated ideas already advanced in our general announcement. This was necessary in order to give prominence to these aspects of our scheme which seem to be worthy of emphatic public notice, and also to serve the purpose of making general answer to questions being asked in numbers too great to admit of personal answer. With a single word we close. October has come and well nigh gone, but let no one by that consideration be debarred from entering upon our course of study. Our doors are always open. It is better to begin with the year. But it is better to begin now than not at all. Our professors will gladly welcome as pupils any who are actuated by an earnest desire to enter the realms of the liberal arts, and in their names it is our pleasure to urge upon you careful consideration of the purposes and possibilities of the Chautauqua University.

TALK ABOUT BOOKS.

Bishop Foster is a vigorous writer, always clear and forcible. His last work, “Centenary Thoughts for the Pew and the Pulpit,”[E] will be regarded as one of his best productions; a book for the times, but containing much of permanent value. It evidently was not manufactured, but grew. The thought or germ took root in generous soil, and the growth was rapid. The volume is instructive, and must do good to the thousands who will be eager to read it. It was prepared specially for the members of the great Christian brotherhood known as Methodists, but will interest others, and lead to a better understanding of both the privileges and duties of Church membership. Its appeals are forcible, but made in great kindness. If there are sharp rebukes for delinquents and offenders, they are given with manifest tenderness, and in the spirit of love unfeigned.

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The “Dictionary of Miracles,”[F] a unique and unpretentious volume of nearly six hundred pages, is a classified collection of legendary miracles and stories of saints taken from authentic sources. Dr. Brewer is a ripe scholar, in the fiftieth, or golden year of his authorship, and has earned his laurels. These extracts are made with great fairness, the author expressing no opinion as to the historic truth of the reported miracles, but presenting them in a compact form as evidence of the religious opinions of those among whom they are current.

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To all who have been readers of _The Sunday-School Times_ a book written by the editor needs no words of recommendation in order to secure it a welcome. All workers in the Sunday-school will find this book to be a helper and a friend. It is full of good, practical thoughts and plans on the work, and clearly brings before the mind what teaching really is, and the relation that a teacher should bear to his class. We make a short extract: “It takes two persons to make one teacher. _You_ can be one of them; the other must be a _learner_.” “Teaching and Teachers”[G] is a book every teacher should have.

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A very neat little book, which curiosity hunters will enjoy, comes bearing the title “Curious Epitaphs.”[H] Epitaphs on all sorts of persons; epitaphs containing puns and warnings, and miscellaneous epitaphs of all kinds are to be found in its pages.

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Joseph Cook and his Boston lectures are too well known to need comment. All who are interested in following the “advanced thought” of this remarkable man will require his “Occident.”[I] This valuable book contains Mr. Cook’s lectures on “advanced thought” in England, Germany, Italy and Greece; his remarkable expositions of Professor Zöllner’s views of spiritualism, and the views of his opponents; the discussion on probation after death, and many talks on current topics of the time. It contains decidedly the most interesting collection of lectures published this season.

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A work on physiology and hygiene, eminently practical, and showing the most approved methods of the school room, has just been published by A. Lovell & Co.[J] For primary and intermediate grades it is decidedly the best work we have seen. The object lessons, given or suggested, will be valuable aids to teachers, and for all young readers the principal facts are well expressed, and amply illustrated. Though a book for children it is not childish, and any one may gather from it lessons of great value. The chapters on alcohol and narcotics furnish the basis of lessons that should be taught plainly in all our schools.

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“Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene”[K] is a work evidently prepared by one having a thorough knowledge of the subject. Though scientific and scholarly, it is popular in style, and not burdened with useless technicalities. It is well illustrated. The great advance made in physiological and hygienic knowledge in the last decade is noted with no ordinary satisfaction. The millions who now know so much of themselves, their needs and resources, liabilities and safeguards, are congratulated. Such knowledge and obedience to nature’s laws connect closely with the progress of society, and all that is most valuable in human achievement.

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A little volume of poems by Andrew Lang bears the title, “Ballades and Verses Vain.”[L] The poems are classified into five different groups. There are ballads on all sorts of subjects and charming society verses, a handful of sonnets and a collection of bright translations, beside a few songs, “Post Homerica.” Austin Dobson has written these pretty verses of introduction for Mr. Lang’s “Laughter and Song:”

“Laughter and song the poet brings,
And lends them form and gives them wings;
Then sets his chirping squadron free
To post at will by land or sea,
And find their home, if that may be.

“Laughter and song this poet, too,
A Western brother sends to you;
With doubtful flight the darting train
Have crossed the bleak Atlantic main—
Now warm them in your hearts again.”

Visitors so bright and so pleasantly introduced will not want warm hearts to greet them.

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A treat awaits all the little folks who can be made the happy possessors of “Queer Stories for Boys and Girls.”[M] There may be found fairy stories and stories of real folks; stories of good children and those of bad children—and somehow the bad ones always “get the worst of it,” just as they ought to do. Then those stories told by the “Cellar Door Club!” They are enough to make any boy want to go right out and start a club like that in his own neighborhood. Parents would do well to see that their children are provided with these Queer Stories. They will help to cultivate in them such a love for the true and the good as to lead them to shun frivolous literature.

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The striking originality displayed in “The King’s Men”[N] must secure for the book a wide reading. The scene is laid in the twentieth century, and the present times are alluded to as the days of old. The pitiable attempt at keeping up the show of royalty in his narrow quarters in America, on the part of England’s exiled king, George V., the grandson of the present Prince of Wales, is well depicted. The struggle of the young English republic, and the sympathy and aid given it by its elder sister, America, are as real as if true. A capital hit is made in the employment he finds for the poor British aristocracy. These remnants of “better days,” in order to obtain a livelihood, let themselves out to a sort of caterer. This personage uses them as guests at the entertainments of the new families in the rising republic, who wish to hire titles to give them prestige in society.

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What is to be done with the negro factor in our nation is a question over which the minds of our statesmen have been long interested. Judge Tourgée now comes to the front, and very vividly, and in the earnest manner so characteristic of the man, shows the dangers threatening in the not far distant future. To avert these action, prompt and specific, is necessary now. What, in the estimation of the Judge, this action should be he sets forth in his “Appeal to Cæsar.”[O] This appeal is forcible and logical. His Cæsar, the great American People, it is to be hoped, will not turn a deaf ear to it. This appeal to his Cæsar is a serious book. It is not fiction—nor plain truth clothed in fiction—it is the honest conviction of an earnest, far-seeing man, told plainly and with ringing effect. “The color line,” the author claims, “which before marked only the distinction of caste, has now become the line of demarkation between hostile forces. Out of the ‘irrepressible conflict’ between freedom and slavery has grown one of far graver portent to the nation and the world. Must one of these forces overthrow, subjugate, and forever hold in subjection the other? Or is it possible that the two races live peacefully side by side, and equality of right and power be cheerfully accorded to all?” The author believes this may be done, but that it must be done quickly. For us it is to act. And how? By educating our freedman. A national appropriation is pleaded for as the only sure way of avoiding the ills which threaten the Union from the South. It is not croaking to talk plainly on an evil, or the possibility of an evil. The book on the contrary is manly and forcible, and deserves careful attention.

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A good feature of “young American” literature is its biography. Many of the short papers which appear in the periodical press are remarkably strong. Such certainly are the articles by James Parton which for some time have been appearing in leading papers, and which have lately been gathered into book form under the title, “Captains of Industry.”[P] The strongest feature of this collection is the freshness of the material. A few of the models which we hold before our boys have become not a little threadbare. They no longer arouse much enthusiasm. Here is a book full of new heroes who have done not impossible things like becoming the father of one’s country, or inventing a steam engine, or discovering America, but have done deeds which are, or at least seem, practical. Here is the history of Frederick Tudor, the Boston ice exporter, with a capital story of the appreciations which East Indians have for the man who gave them the blessing of ice; of Chauncey Jerome, the Yankee clock maker; of Carême, the famous French cook, and of over forty more, most of them equally new. Material so good deserves thorough treatment. It has not had such in this volume. The newspaper mark lingers on the work. The literary finish of the book is not equal to the spirit with which it was evidently written, nor to the amount of labor which must have been expended in collecting these valuable and entertaining facts and anecdotes. The book is so good that this is to be regretted.

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There has never been a satisfactory explanation advanced by geologists of the origin of what is called “the Drift” period of the earth’s history. One theory attributes it to the action of great waves, but “the Drift” contains no fossils; another to icebergs, but the heaviest rocks are not found on top, and there is no regular stratification of material. All theories have been more or less incomplete. The author of that strange book “Atlantis,” has in “Ragnarok”[Q] found a new explanation. The name itself explains his theory. It is derived from an old Scandinavian legend, and means “the rain of dust.” “The Drift” is nothing, our author holds, and argues with great ingenuity, but the dust scattered by a comet which struck the earth ages ago. Novel and fascinating as is the book, its scientific value is not very great. Lovers of legends will find many strange myths introduced in support of the theory. The author, too, by ingeniously rearranging the verses in the first and second chapters of Genesis, thinks he has found the key that will unlock all the troubles that are claimed to exist between the Bible and science.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

The Young Folks’ Library: Evening Rest. By J. L. Pratt. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. 1884.

Standard Library: Himself Again. By J. C. Goldsmith. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. 1884.

Gymnastics of the Voice; A System of Correct Breathing in Singing and Speaking. By Oscar Guttman. Albany, N. Y.: Edgar S. Werner. The Voice Press. 1884.

The Boston Correspondence School of New Testament Greek. Kindergarten Cards, Chautauqua Series. Copyrighted by Alfred A. Wright. 1884.

[E] Centenary Thoughts for the Pew and Pulpit of Methodism. By R. S. Foster, one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati, Cranston & Stowe.

[F] A Dictionary of Miracles. By the Rev. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1884.

[G] Teaching and Teachers, or the Sunday-School Teacher’s Teaching Work, and the Other Work of the Sunday-School Teacher. By H. Clay Trumbell, D.D. Philadelphia: John D. Wattles.

[H] Curious Epitaphs collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland. With Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes. By William Andrews, F. R. H. S. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

[I] Boston Monday Lectures. Occident, with Preludes on Current Events. By Joseph Cook. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.

[J] Practical Work in the School Room. Part I. A Transcript of the Object Lessons on the Human Body Given in Primary Department, Grammar School No. 49, New York City. New York: A. Lovell & Co. 1884.

[K] Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene: A Manual for the use of Colleges, Schools, and General Readers. By Jerome Walker, M.D. New York: A. Lovell & Co. 1884.

[L] Ballades and Verses Vain. By Andrew Lang. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884.

[M] Queer Stories for Boys and Girls. By Edward Eggleston. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884. Price, $1.00.

[N] The King’s Men; A Tale of To-morrow. By Robert Grant, John Boyle O’Reilly, J. S. of Dale, and John T. Wheelwright. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1884.

[O] An Appeal to Cæsar. By Albion W. Tourgée. New York: Fords, Howard & Hulbert. 1884.

[P] Captains of Industry; or, Men of Business who did something beside Making Money. By James Parton. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1884. Cloth, $1.25.

[Q] Ragnarok: The Age of Fire and Gravel. By Ignatius Donnelly. Illustrated. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1884.

SPECIAL NOTES.

The “Chemistry” designed for the required reading is the one bearing the imprint of the Providence Lithograph Company. This was prepared by Professor Appleton expressly for the Circle, and the publishers furnished the colored lithograph plates and most of the other illustrations specially for this book. Neither the “Young Chemist,” by the same author, nor any other book can be accepted as a substitute for the book specially prepared for the Circle.

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All local circles should report directly to THE CHAUTAUQUAN. A prompt notice of the organization of each new circle should be sent to us, and as well of the reorganization of all old clubs. It is especially desirable that any new feature in conducting a circle, or new plan for Memorial Days should be written up for the local circle column. Let all have the benefit of your successes.

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The garnet badges necessarily worn by all graduates of the C. L. S. C. are manufactured and for sale by Mrs. Rosie M. Baketel, of Greenland, N. H. Also the badges of the Class of 1888, and of the C. Y. F. R. U. These can be obtained by mail at the following rates: For the garnet badges, 40 cents; Class of ’88, 15 cents; C. Y. F. R. U., 10 cents.

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THE CHAUTAUQUAN for December will contain a Christmas Vesper Service prepared especially for our subscribers. This service will also be printed on single sheets and supplied in quantities to those desiring such an exercise for their Christmas festivities. See advertisement.

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All business correspondence relating to Chautauqua or the Hotel Athenæum should be addressed to W. A. Duncan, Syracuse, N. Y.

CHAUTAUQUA INTERMEDIATE CLASS, 1884.

FIRST PRIZE.

Harriet J. Price, Erie, Pa.

SECOND PRIZE.

Lillie M. Whitney, Murray, Calloway Co., Ky.

THIRD PRIZE.

Rev. G. M. Elliott, Selma, Dallas Co., Ala.

DESERVING SPECIAL MENTION.

Jessie S. Hunt, Olean, N. Y.
Susan E. Monroe, 1424 Poplar Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

GENERAL LIST.

Mary E. Van Fleet, Pinckney, Mich.
Frank E. Meigs, Warrensburg, Mo.
Lena Scott, 1011 Upper 6th Street, Evansville, Ind.
Eva M. Moll, Hiawatha, Brown Co., Kan.
Mrs. J. L. Tourtellot, 95 Messer Street, Providence, R. I.
Daisy R. Doren, 307 6th Street, Dayton, O.
Mrs. S. M. Tucker, Springboro, Crawford Co., Pa.
Fannie E. Peacock, 84 Joy Street, Detroit, Mich.
G. W. Newman, Kendall, McKean Co., Pa.
Mrs. E. L. Taylor, Fulton, Bourbon Co., Kan.
Marion I. Springer, South Oil City, Pa.
A. May Peck, Jamestown, N. Y.
Vladimir E. Dolgoruki, Siloam Springs, Benton Co., Ark.
Caleb G. Ensign, Madison, O.
Kate Brown, Pinckney, Mich.
Amy Pemberton, West Milton, O.
Belle Flesh, Piqua, O.
Mrs. J. Paton, Jr., Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich.
Mrs. J. M. Foster, Leech’s Corners, Mercer Co., Pa.
Mrs. J. Y. McLean, Leech’s Corners, Mercer Co., Pa.
Inez A. Harris, Box 1159, Bradford, Pa.
Anna Harris, Box 1159, Bradford, Pa.
Florence Kerr, Mercer, Mercer Co., Pa.
Helen M. Martin, W. Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y.
Homer N. Kimball, Madison, Lake Co., O.
Mrs. Sarah L. Parker, Sherman, N. Y.

CHAUTAUQUA CHILDREN’S CLASS, 1884.

PRIZE PAPERS.

1st. Cora E. Faber, 62 Lansing Street, Utica, N. Y.
2d. Ernest C. Wheeler, Manchester, Iowa.
3d. Mary Adelaide Jay, Richmond, Ind.

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION.

Willis E. McGerald, Tonawanda, N. Y.
Mary D. Potter, 192 Washington Street, Allegheny, Pa.
Louisa Sauer, 244 Williams Street, Buffalo, N. Y.

SPECIAL MENTION.

* Percy A. Barlow, 88 Mayberry Avenue, Detroit, Mich.
* L. Mary Dithridge, Tionesta, Pa.
* Herbert Russell, Mansfield, O.
* Martha S. Colburn, Jamestown, N. Y.
* Jessie Galey, Pollock, Clarion Co., Pa.
* John H. Pierce, Holly, N. Y.
* Grace J. Kirkland, Dewittville, N. Y.

GENERAL LIST.—FIRST GRADE.

Theresa Waggoner, Chautauqua, N. Y.
Nellie B. Lowe, Springville, Erie Co., N. Y.
* May Herrick, Chautauqua, N. Y.
* Rachel Dithridge, Tionesta, Pa.
Annie W. Crane, 30 E. 14th Street, New York, N. Y.
* Mabel M. Rice, Petrolia, Butler Co., Pa.
* Florence A. Jones, Greenfield, Erie Co., Pa.
* Carrie M. Dithridge, Tionesta, Pa.
Lillie Babcock, Box 194, Bradford, Pa.

SECOND GRADE.

* Jessie Leslie, Chautauqua, N. Y.
* Mary A. Sixbey, Mayville, N. Y.
A. May Peck, Jamestown, N. Y.
* Willie Walworth, 117 Public Square, Cleveland, O.
Eddie Mead, Union City, Ind.
Louisa W. Knox, Connellsville, Pa.
Charles A. Harris, 964 Seneca Street, Buffalo, N. Y.
George L. Hoxie, Leonardsville, Madison Co., N. Y.
* Anna Taylor, Chautauqua, N. Y.
* Carrie Perkins, Box 8, Dunkirk, N. Y.
Lillian Kennedy, 1426 Master Street, Phila., Pa.
* Grace E. Bosley, Haselton, Barber Co., Kansas.
Ada Miller, South Oil City, Pa.

THIRD GRADE.

Wilkie D. Neville, Box 187, South Toledo, O.
Mary R. Stevens, Wellsville, N. Y.
* Bessie Barrett, Box 54, Titusville, Pa.
* Miner Crarey, Sheffield, Warren Co., Pa.
Genevieve E. Merritt, Chautauqua, N. Y.
Dana Jewell, Olean, N. Y.
Kate Foulke, Albion, Erie Co., Pa.
Allien Davis, Youngsville, Warren Co., Pa.
Frances E. Sersall, Warren, Pa.
Torrence Parker, Randolph, N. Y.
May Wallace, Erie, Pa.

FOURTH GRADE.

Leon Tallman (no address given).
* Gracie Jones, Greenfield, Pa.
Anna Gale, 745 N. Logan Street, Cleveland, O.
Willie Anderson, Wellsville, N. Y.
Daisy Morris, New Wilmington, Lawrence Co., Pa.
E. D. Williamson, 275 Christian Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.
* Nellie Vance, Sheakleyville, Mercer Co., Pa.
Orry Bashline, Cottage, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.
Florence Milliman, Buffalo, N. Y.

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The following members of the Children’s Class, who have already taken the Diploma, are entitled to seals by having passed parts of the Intermediate examination:

One seal, Carrie M. Dixon, Box 213, Titusville, Pa.
One seal, Grace J. Kirkland, Dewittville, N. Y.
Two seals, Grace E. Barrett, Box 54, Titusville, Pa.

The * at the end of names in the list of children is to show who have passed examinations previous to this year.

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.

Page 72, “jar” changed to “war” (“peace” denotes the absence of war)

Page 79, “analagous” changed to “analogous” (deny that analogous influences)

Page 106, “has” added (It has been my sad duty)

Page 109, “em hatic” changed to “emphatic” (short ones more emphatic)

Page 115, repeated word “of” deleted (Æëtes, king of the country)

Page 115, “Isis” changed to “Iris” (“Iris.” The messenger of the gods.)

Page 118, “Clytemnesta” changed to “Clytemnestra” (murdered by Ægisthus and Clytemnestra)