Chapter I: “God’s prophets of the Beautiful these poets are.” (2)

_Massachusetts._—We shall expect great things from the New England, and particularly the Massachusetts, division of the C. L. S. C. this year. The wonderful enthusiasm which animated the Framingham Assembly ought to keep the circles at the front the year through. Certainly they have begun well in their reports, at the head of which we want to put the modest announcement of the faithful class of ’82, sent us by their secretary, and let it be a warning to their successors, that they must take care or they will be outdone by the veterans: “At the Framingham Assembly, class ’82 held several meetings. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. Alfred Pike, Holliston, Mass.; Vice Presidents, Dr. E. M. White, Boston, Mass., and Mrs. M. J. Farwell, Brocton, Mass.; Secretary, Mrs. M. A. F. Adams, East Boston, Mass. Mrs. M. J. Farwell will write a poem for our reunion at Framingham next year, and a hymn will be written by Mrs. Rosie Baketel. Rev. O. S. Baketel, of Greenland, N. H., was elected president of the Society of the ‘Hall in the Grove.’”

BOSTON reports two circles unknown to us before. The “People’s Church” and the “Berkeley” circles. The first is under the leadership of the pastor of this famous church, Rev. J. H. Hamilton, and, although organized only a year ago, is a most enterprising circle. As yet it is small in numbers, there being scarcely twenty-five members, but it makes up in enthusiasm what it lacks numerically. This circle issues a paper semi-monthly, called the _People’s Church Chautauquan_, the editorship being undertaken by each member in turn, the other members furnishing articles upon such subjects as the leader may assign. This lively little body is not satisfied with prescribing routine programs, but it plans and carries out a different program for each evening, and in this way the exercises do not grow monotonous. The program for the evening of the Shakspere Memorial was especially interesting.

The “Berkeley” circle was formed in the fall of ’82: again in October of ’83 the circle was reorganized, meeting alternate Wednesday nights, and “although,” as they write in their letter of June last, “many things seemed to conspire against us, and we lost several members from various causes, and although the rain and alternate Wednesdays seemed synonymous, yet our circle ‘still lives’ and grows. Amongst our number we have a Harvard graduate of ’80, to whom our success has been largely due during the year just now at a close.” We hope it will not be long before the faithful “Berkeleys” will report their forty members gathered together for another year of work. A circle undaunted by loss of members and rain storms has the right sort of mettle.

There has been lying on our table all summer the following charming testimonial (received too late for the July issue) from READVILLE, a part of the town of Hyde Park, a short distance from Boston. It paints so happy a picture of home study one loves to linger over it: “Mother and I are the only ones here in Readville who are studying. We have all of the books, encyclopædias and books of reference. We read to each other and comment on what we have studied. Hardly a day goes by but most grateful words of praise for what the C. L. S. C. is doing, fall from our lips. We enjoy THE CHAUTAUQUAN exceedingly. It is a library in itself. A great deal of the work is review to me, but is just what I want. Believe that none of the thousands of Chautauquans are more grateful than mother and myself.”

And to follow this we have a “Pansy Triangle” of farmers’ daughters, two of whom belong to CUMBERLAND, _Rhode Island_, the third to NORTH ATTLEBORO, _Massachusetts_. Busy girls, and living far apart as they do, yet they find the time and make the exertion necessary for frequent meetings. “Our girls,” indeed, are beginning to take a very prominent part in local circle work. From every quarter we hear of their busy coteries. The latest is the TOTTENVILLE (_Staten Island, N. Y._) circle. They organised a year ago, and at the close of last year’s readings reported themselves more enthusiastic (if that could be) than they were in the beginning. Once in every two weeks they met at the house of some member of the class and spent two or three hours in talking over the readings; each member prepared a list of ten questions on one or several of the readings required; these questions were answered by the class from memory if possible. Sometimes in connection with the questions one of the Chautauqua games was played. Thus the meetings passed quickly and were thoroughly enjoyed by each member.

A pretty program containing the exercises arranged for each weekly meeting of the month has been received from NORTH CAMBRIDGE. It is printed by hectograph on an engraved card, thus making both an inexpensive program and a pretty souvenir of the month’s work. Large circles which have their exercises arranged for each evening will do well to consider this manner of arranging their work.

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_Rhode Island._—In the beautiful town of PAWTUCKET, busy with mills and factories as it is, there was organized last January a local circle of fifteen members, which has been doing most excellent work. “Enthusiastic Chautauquans,” they report themselves. We trust we shall hear from them often during the coming year.

* * * * *

_New York._—In a letter received in June from the secretary of the “Literary Section of the Rochester Academy of Sciences” (ROCHESTER), there was a pleasant prophecy expressed that the twenty-three members which the circle then numbered might be able this fall to add a cypher to the right hand of the number and send us an account of two hundred and thirty enrolled members, and they add in hearty appreciation of our words: “In a city so full of cultivated people as ours there ought to be double that number to which the course would be a blessing.”

The “Spare Minute” circle, of NEW YORK CITY, is one of the many which owe their origin to the interest of one or two readers. During the year 1882-83 there were two young ladies reading the course together, and finding it so interesting they tried to interest others. Soon three young ladies joined them, and in February they formed a circle, holding meetings once a month. The circle soon numbered seven, five ladies and two gentlemen. At a “special,” June 3d, they spent a most delightful two hours and a half with Latin Literature and Roman History. Their pastor, Rev. A. W. Halsey, of the Spring Street Presbyterian Church, met with them and took charge of the meeting. This circle wrote us of their plans for a C. L. S. C. picnic to be held in the summer. Was it a success?

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_New Jersey._—Everybody found the “Pictures from English History” in the course of last year a very delightful book, and at MARION, the circle of six organized late in the year was so pleased that they read it aloud, taking in connection with it the text-book on English history and the questions from THE CHAUTAUQUAN. A very interesting plan it must have proved. Our Marion friends hope this year to be able to report an increase of members and of interest in the work in that place.

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_Pennsylvania._—The reorganizing of the local circles has brought out many plans for the important work of collecting the old members again into the ranks, and of bringing in new members. That wonderfully energetic body, the ALLEGHENY circle of the class of ’87, did a capital thing in sending out a large number of copies of the following letter:

“ALLEGHENY, September 24, ’84.

“_Dear Friend_:—The Allegheny circle, class of ’87, C. L. S. C.,
will hold their first meeting for the term 1884-5, at 7:30 p. m.,
on Monday, September 29, 1884, at 55 Ohio Street, corner East
Diamond. Members and friends cordially invited to be present.

“Have you any friends who may be made happier, wiser, and
better, by using the spare moments of life in useful, pleasant
and profitable reading? If so, bring them with you. Do you know
any persons who have read part of the C. L. S. C. course, who,
becoming discouraged, have given up the work? Speak to such ones
and induce them to begin again and finish the course. We invite
all to meet with us who wish to enter upon a four years’ course
of useful reading, under the direction and wisdom of some of the
best educators of the country.”

They wisely preceded this by issuing for September 9th the following invitation: “Yourself and friends are invited to attend the first annual picnic excursion of the Allegheny circle, C. L. S. C., class of ’87, to be given Tuesday, September 9th, 1884, at Conoquenessing Grove and Rocks.”

Similar to the letter was a notice sent out by the circle at OMAHA, _Nebraska_, in connection with the Popular Education circular, which explains the methods of the C. L. S. C. The following announcement was included in the notice: “the branch organized in this city last fall, and known as the Omaha C. L. S. C., is now arranging for next year’s work. A preliminary meeting will be held in Y. M. C. A. Hall, September 16th, at eight o’clock. All members of the circle, and those intending to read the course for 1884-5, are invited to be present.” These plans are always effective, and they have the added value of being simple.

At ELDRED (_Pa._), the local circle was reorganized in September with an increased membership. In honor of Chautauqua’s distinguished visitor from England, the circle will hereafter be known as the “Fairbairn Circle.”

We conclude from the encouraging report which has reached us from BERWICK, of the past work of the circle there, that they have undoubtedly resumed work again this fall. The second year of the class of ’86 closed very successfully, with an increased membership. The interest manifested at the outset continued to the last. The advancement and thoroughness in study were marked. Through the medium of the Y. M. C. A. the C. L. S. C. enjoyed lectures during the year from eminent Chautauquans. Among them were Dr. Lyman Abbot, Wallace Bruce and Mr. Frank Beard.

The CARBONDALE circle is a flourishing, wide-awake member of the great C. L. S. C. It numbers among its members clergymen, bankers, lawyers, business men, and many of the most accomplished ladies of the city, prominent among the latter, the popular author, Mrs. G. R. Alden, with whose _nom de plume_, “Pansy,” the class of 1887 has been christened. The circle closed its first year June 25th with an “English Night.” The “Customs,” “Life,” “Holidays,” “Parks,” “Roads,” etc., were subjects of short and pithy essays. The London _Graphic’s_ bird’s-eye view of London from a balloon was the occasion of much interest and inquiry. Mrs. Alden transformed the circle into a party of tourists, and made a delightful and instructive excursion to England (on paper). After the circle’s return from England the leader of the Round-Table surprised the circle by an innovation on the “question slip” plan, in shape of ices and other refreshments. The circle finds the evenings are too short, and are discussing the advisability of meeting oftener. Its second year’s work begun on Garfield day, by a public meeting announced by press and pulpit, reviewing the past year’s reading and taking in new members.

Another wide awake Pennsylvania circle is that at ELIZABETH. It was organized just a year ago. Since that time it has given two public entertainments which were well received. At the last meeting, when the circle adjourned for three months, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: “_Resolved_, That we have found pleasure and profit in pursuing the course of reading laid down by the C. L. S. C., and in attending the meetings of the local circle, and we hereby individually pledge ourselves that if circumstances permit we will follow up the readings until we have completed the four years’ course.”

The “Whiting” circle (so called from its president, Dr. H. C. Whiting, of Dickinson College), of CARLISLE, had enrolled last year its first year of work—thirty-two members. Their methods of work were excellent. The circle resolved itself into groups of five or six, to meet each week for the study of the several subjects. The meeting of the whole circle was generally held monthly. Some time prior to the general meeting the president arranged a program and assigned work to the members. The plan was varied from time to time. Occasionally a whole work was divided into topics to be reviewed and summed up in essays. Again, special subjects connected with a work were assigned for essays; then again, questions were given to the several members, upon which preparation was to be made, and answers rendered by the members of the circle, with comments by the president. These exercises have been supplemented by excellent music. Last year they prophesied a material increase in this year’s membership. We trust it has come.

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_Ohio._—The closing exercises of the “Home” circle, of CLEVELAND, were of more than usual interest. They were held June 23d, nearly every one of the twenty-one members being present. A fine literary and musical entertainment was given, and refreshments were served, after which the president, W. P. Payne, delivered a very forcible address on the Chautauqua Idea. We wish we had space to quote it, but can give only the closing lines: “Sooner or later we shall learn that the great Man works not before men with gold and greed, with affectation and noise; but withdrawing himself, alone with his soul, into the inner temple, in solitude solves the problems of highest and deepest interest to men. I know not who the coming Man shall be, but I believe that to Chautauqua shall be the glory of his coming and the praise.”

Another Ohio circle of great interest is that of TALLMADGE. It was organized in October, 1883, with six members, all of whom belong to the class of ’87. Eight local members were added to that number before the close of the year. The meetings, which are held semi-monthly, were well attended. A charming program was carried out on Longfellow’s day.

About the time that the Tallmadge circle came into existence, a pleasant circle was formed at FINDLAY, of the same state. The membership grew to the goodly proportion of twenty-nine regular members, and reported to us at the closing of the year that their meetings had been unusually profitable and pleasant.

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_Indiana._—We are indebted to the TERRE HAUTE circle for one of the most beautiful programs which has ever reached us. It is satin backed and hand-painted. A lovely little memento of what must have been a charming evening. The annual reception of the club was the occasion of its use, and a correspondent writes us that one of these pretty affairs was laid at every one of the sixty plates spread for the banquet. The painting was all done by members of the circle. Prominent on the program was an admirable poem, “A Symposium of Classic Tales,” by Rev. Alfred T. Kummer, of the Centenary M. E. Church in Terre Haute. We quote the opening stanzas, and had we space we would gladly give it all:

All hail! ye noble seekers after truth;
All hail! ye spirits growing still in youth,
Though years roll on, and Time, with hand of strength,
Plows furrows deep, but brings us home at length.

Chautauquans come with joyful hearts to-day,
Their homage true, and faithful vows to pay
To the Circle wide, a star of holy light,
A Circle blazing with its truth and right.

With brow of care, and smoother brow of youth,
With eye of fire, and strength of conquering truth,
We come with brilliant hopes for days to come,
To glance in haste at days forever gone.

We come to-night from sacred desk divine,
We come from noble learning’s sacred shrine,
We come from halls where justice righteous reigns,
We come from happy homes where peace remains.

In learning’s name, in friendship’s pure delight,
To close a happy year, we meet to-night;
Chautauquans all, our courage to renew,
To plight our vows to all that’s pure and true.

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A new Memorial day has been adopted by the DANVILLE Circle, in honor of the late Bishop Simpson. This circle closed a prosperous year’s work on June 20th. And at MARTINSVILLE of the same state the circle closed the year by a brilliant reception at the opera house. Several hundred invitations were sent out, and the house was filled with an appreciative audience. From the neighboring town of SPENCER a C. L. S. C. delegation of twenty-two ladies was present. The Martinsville circle furnished a rich program, and sent their friends away deeply impressed by the sterling worth of the C. L. S. C. work. We are pleased to notice also a new circle of twelve members at WEST NEWTON, organized in November, 1883. We hope to hear the particulars of their work soon.

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_Illinois._—A letter from PANA contains a suggestion which might, we are sure, be adopted successfully by any circle: “As an addition to our program, each lady is requested to bring to every meeting some selection that seems to her particularly fine. It is to be written out, so that it may be pasted into a book that shall be kept as a sort of memorial of the society.” This circle writes that they had their first public entertainment this winter, which their friends kindly pronounced a success.

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_Michigan._—We are pleased to introduce for the first time a circle of fourteen in GRAND RAPIDS. They write us that they have been enjoying a prosperous existence since October last, and are looking hopefully forward to an increase this year.

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WISCONSIN.—Two more Wisconsin circles from whom we have heard before in these columns have recently sent us notices of interesting sessions. At MARKESAN the circle commemorated Garfield’s death by an afternoon session, at which an able program was carried out.

From RUSK a lady writes: “We are only a small circle of six members living in the country, but try to be very zealous Chautauquans. To say that we are thankful for the institution of the C. L. S. C. would but feebly express our feelings, for we truly feel that it brightens our homes and helps us enjoy life. We are all housekeepers, and have all its attending cares, yet we feel that the pleasure we get from these readings more than compensates us for the little additional labor in the direction of the C. L. S. C. We are doing the work much more thorough this year than our first year, and find the better we do our work the more pleasure, as well as profit, we derive from it.”

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_Minnesota._—The “Flour City” circle of MINNEAPOLIS writes that “as we could not expect to visit Chautauqua this summer we decided to celebrate the closing of our first year at our own lovely Minnetonka. In answer to an invitation from a lady member of our circle we went to the lake to spend the day with her; and a wonderful day we had, going by sail twenty miles to the cottage, where we were met by words and faces full of welcome.” At the gay banquet, which was one of the features of the day, they found a unique device: “As we sat down to the sumptuously loaded and elegantly decorated table, some curiosity was aroused at the sight of a small sack by the side of each plate, filled with something, and tied with bright ribbon and labeled ‘F. C. C., 1887.’ Presently, as one noticed that the sacks were of fine bolting cloth, through which the flour began to sift, the riddle was solved. The badge of the ‘Flour City’ circle is a sack of flour, and we wore them proudly home. Next dinner was discussed, and everything proved to be of the best—appetites and all. Then came the feast of reason, and so pleasant did we find it that we lingered quite as long as over that of strawberries and cream.” Fishing, boating and gathering lilies finished their happy day. The “Flour City” circle certainly could not have had a more delightful time—even at Chautauqua.

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_Missouri._—The third annual meeting of the literary societies of CARTHAGE took place in June. A C. L. S. C. class is one of the prominent members of the association, and on this occasion, as its part of the entertainment, took the audience on an imaginary tour. The _Carthage Press_ thus speaks of the conductors of the tour: “Mrs. Ross was a bright companion in the trip from Carthage to New York; the pictures of the ocean voyage and a visit to Scotland were given by Mrs. Nailon; Miss Belle Ross escorted the party to England in so charming a manner that all hated to give her up, but Mrs. Clarkson proved a worthy successor as she guided them through France; Germany received so original and philosophical a treatment from Mrs. Rombauer that we would fain have lingered longer in the Fatherland; Mrs. Miller took us to Greece and explained entertainingly all the wonders to be seen there; Miss Hayne showed ancient Rome; Miss Devore’s description of the Rome of to-day was so well written and so vivid that we felt as if we had really stood in old Rome in the rooms of new Rome; Mrs. Heywood gave the trip from Italy home to America; and Mrs. Case closed with an entertaining account of a visit to Lake Chautauqua.” A capital idea for some of our friends who are longing for “something new.” At about the same time of this celebration the ST. LOUIS circles, “Vincent” and “Round Table,” held their third annual meeting. These two circles number jointly about seventy members, and they prepared for this entertainment an exceedingly fine program. One attractive feature of the entertainment was the “Tangent,” a monthly paper made up of original articles contributed by the members of the circles, and read by an editor. The idea is to develop and strengthen any latent literary talent possessed by the members, and to furnish an audience for their productions without the embarrassment of making known the authorship.

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_Kansas._—From EMPORIA we had the pleasure of receiving in June a pleasant letter from a faithful C. L. S. C. worker in that town. The circle was organized only a year ago, but soon became so large that it had to be divided. Our correspondent thinks it would be hard to find more enthusiastic workers. She says: “We have resolved to be ever true and faithful in the grand work. It is generally understood that nothing but sickness—not even Kansas mud—will keep us at home Chautauqua evenings. We have imitated Cæsar in his plan of a speedy construction of bridges—ours, not across the Rhine, but across the muddy street, for some of us live off the sidewalk.”

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_California._—Our thanks are due to the “Vincent” local circle of SACRAMENTO, for a copy of their excellent rules of government. From the appearance and character of these regulations we conclude that our “Vincent” friends have come to stay.

In the scattered farming community of SAN LORENZO, across the bay from San Francisco, there has been for five years a lively circle of C. L. S. C. workers. It began with but two members, and has increased until there are eleven workers in the club. “During the nine months’ study of each year scarcely a week has passed,” writes the secretary, “without our meeting together for review and talk over the lesson. We have never allowed ourselves to fall behind in the course as marked out in THE CHAUTAUQUAN.”

In a letter received too late for the July issue of THE CHAUTAUQUAN, the secretary of the YUBA CITY local circle writes: “I believe our local circle has had a report in your columns every year, and we desire to be represented this, our third year, which finds us even more zealous (were it possible) than any preceding one, and realizing more and more each day the great benefit of this systematic course of reading. Our method is to carefully go through the lesson as it is marked out in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, and to have a general exchanging of ideas and views on all its principal topics. This consumes so much of our time that we have had as yet but little outside work, such as essays, and the like. We observe all Memorial days.”

LOS ANGELES has a very interesting and prosperous circle. It was formed in 1881 with twelve members. In 1882-3 they kept up the readings, but becoming discouraged they abandoned the regular meetings until October of 1883, when a circle of thirty-nine members was reorganized. The plan which their president has found most successful has been to bring carefully prepared questions into the class and encourage free conversation on the book study of the week. The topics in THE CHAUTAUQUAN she assigns to some gentleman or lady particularly interested in the special themes, who comes prepared with illustration, demonstration, and experiment, to instruct and please. The work grows, and its influence is being felt in the strangely mixed populace of that growing coast city.

Another Pacific Coast Branch is that of BAKERSFIELD. Its members, twenty-five in all, include ministers, lawyers, judges, doctors, farmers, bankers, and their wives, together with a large number of lads and lassies, most of whom are enthusiastically interested in their studies. There is one German lady now in her sixty-second year, who is endeavoring to compete with other members of the class, and will come out victorious if she continues to be as thorough in the next three years as she has been in the past few months. The evening gatherings are enlivened occasionally by essays, readings, music, etc. This circle predicts for the coming year a membership of forty. We hope that the prediction may be verified.

Mrs. Mary H. Field, the competent and enthusiastic secretary of the Pacific Coast Branch of the C. L. S. C., has sent us the following full report of last year’s work in her district: “The Pacific Coast Branch of the C. L. S. C. has grown and prospered during the past year. Its affairs were all so well ordered and arranged by her predecessor that but little remained for the secretary to do save to carry out their good designs. It has been like sailing on a smooth sea in a well manned ship, with all the machinery in perfect order, and with a fresh breeze filling every sail. The work has consisted chiefly in an immense correspondence, the issuing of three thousand circulars, the writing of series of newspaper articles, and the keeping of records and accounts.

“I have the pleasure of reporting six hundred and twenty-four new members, and the renewal of more than two hundred old members. About forty circles are reported as being in prosperous condition. Probably in no other part of the United States is there so scattering a population as on this coast, and it is in the isolated hamlets, the solitary homes, and in the one man or one woman “circles” that the C. L. S. C. does its most salutary work.

“Southern California is a growing center of C. L. S. C. influence. The secretary deeply regrets that Monterey is so far from Los Angeles and San Diego, and that those excellent circles are not represented there.

“It has been my sad duty during the past year to write the little star, which means _deceased_, against several names in our record. Against one, that of Mrs. M. H. McKee, of San José, I mingled deep personal regret with my official task. Alas for us that one so bright, so useful, so variously endowed, should have passed from earth in the midst of her years and usefulness.”

THE C. L. S. C. CLASSES.

CLASS OF 1885.

“_Press on, reaching after those things which are before._”

OFFICERS.

_President_—J. B. Underwood, Meriden, Conn.
_Vice President_—C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio.
_Treasurer_—Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind.
_Secretary_—Miss M. M. Canfield.
_Executive Committee_—Officers of the class.

Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.

* * * * *

From Carlisle, Pa., we have received a note announcing the death of a member of the class of ’85. “In August last Miss Annie M. Green ‘finished her course’ on earth. Our fellow student was ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic. She has ‘passed through the gates’ of the eternal city, there to reach those heights of knowledge which will satisfy her loftiest aims, while we who remain ‘press on, reaching after those things which are before.’”

* * * * *

All communications for the ’85 class page should be addressed to C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio, so that they will reach him by the 10th day of the month before the date of the issue.

* * * * *

The purpose in raising a Memorial Fund is to purchase a memento for presentation to the faculty next Commencement, by way, we suppose, of a well-advertised “surprise.”

* * * * *

How many members of the class of ’85 are still in the ranks? Will Miss Kimball inform us?

* * * * *

Ladies writing the officers of the class will please affix “Miss” or “Mrs.” to their names, as may be the truth in their cases, so that no mistakes may be made by such of the members of the class as are bachelors!

President Underwood is in charge of a circle at Meriden, Conn., is also president of an association of thirty-three Sunday-schools, has three meetings to preside over during the next ninety days, two addresses to make, and is to tell two circles, in a lecture, why he is a Chautauquan. Then he has an exacting and absorbing private business to attend to! Evidently Mr. Underwood is not a loafer!

NOTES FROM THE CLASS OF ’85 AT SOUTH FRAMINGHAM.

The Class of ’85, N. E. Branch, had their headquarters at the N. E. Assembly in the Congregational Social Tent. Their thanks are due to Rev. G. B. De Bevoise, Sunday-school Secretary for Massachusetts, for his courtesy and kindness in opening the tent to them.

Prize examinations of the class of ’85 in English Literature and in American Literature were held. The prizes offered were a copy of Whittier’s Birthday Book and Longfellow’s Birthday Book, with the autographs of the class. Miss Jennie M. Daniels, of West Newton, Mass., took the prize in American Literature, and Miss M. L. Stevens, of Readville, Mass., in English Literature.

We regret that our faithful secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. B. Comey, felt compelled to resign. He has shown great interest in the organization, and spent much time and energy and money in its interest.

Miss Antoinette Tucker, of Hopkinton, Mass., the new class secretary, has been one of the chief supporters of the large C. L. S. C. Reading Class in her town, and is greatly interested in the whole movement.

The class had a social reunion on the evening of July 25th. Fifty members were present. They were honored by the presence, as an invited guest, of ex-Governor Claflin, who was one of the chief supporters of the whole assembly at Lakeview. An address of greeting was given by Rev. J. E. Fullerton, president of the class. Remarks were also made by J. C. Haskell, of Auburn, Me., one of the new vice presidents, and the retiring secretary, A. B. Comey, Esq. An original poem was read by Miss Tilden, of Chelsea. Recitations followed by Miss Evans and Miss Daniels. A poem entitled “Framingham Bells,” of March, 1882, was read by the author, Miss Phœbe A. Holder, a member of the class. A song written for the occasion by Miss Evans was sung. Miss Tayler and Miss Stevens added much to the occasion by their solos.

Mr. J. C. Haskell, the new vice president, is leader of a class in Auburn.

Miss Celia E. Valentine, of New Gloucester, Me., vice president, is one of the leading spirits in the large circle in her town.

Mr. B. T. Thompson, of South Framingham, Mass. (they call him Dea), is a man whose time and purse are generously enlisted in moral, educational, and religious interests.

The class voted to send around circular letters during the winter, that the members might become more interested in each other and learn the different plans of conducting circles. All the members of the class of ’85 in New England are requested to send a postal card containing their names and addresses, and all the other pleasant words they choose to the president, Rev. J. E. Fullerton, that none may be forgotten.

TO NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS OF ’87.

NEW ENGLAND SECRETARY’S REPORT.

At the Lakeview Assembly, in South Framingham, Mass., the New England branch of the class of ’87 was well represented, three hundred and fifty members of the class being on the ground at different times. In the procession on “C. L. S. C. Day” nearly three hundred members of ’87 followed the Pansy banner. The class gave proof of enterprise and enthusiasm from the very first; its class meetings were held on every day of the Assembly—except Sunday—and were well attended. Class headquarters were secured and tastefully decorated. To meet the expenses of headquarters, banner, and other expenditures, the members present at Lakeview were invited to contribute twenty-five cents each into the treasury. This contribution was optional with each member. One hundred and eighty-seven responded, supplying enough funds to meet the expenses during the Assembly, and leave $16.82 in the treasury.

On the evening of “C. L. S. C. Day” the ’87s held a social reunion at their headquarters, where a pleasing musical and literary entertainment was given by members of the class.

Much of the class enthusiasm was doubtless due to the president, Rev. George Benedict, of Hanson, Mass., who was untiring in his efforts to secure the highest degree of class prosperity.

On Friday, July 25, the following class officers were elected for this year:

Presidents—Rev. F. M. Gardner, Lawrence, Mass.; Mr. E. A. Gowen, Biddeford, Me.; Rev. Benj. Merrill, Swanzey, N. H.

Vice Presidents—Mrs. F. B. Gilman, Springfield, Vt.; Rev. George Benedict, Hanson, Mass.; Mr. O. A. Jeffers, Pawtucket, R. I.; Miss Mary Bradford, Mystic Bridge, Conn.

Secretary—Sadie M. Corey, Brighton, Mass.

Assistant Secretary—Miss Nellie F. Crocker, Providence, R. I.

Treasurer—Mrs. David Morrill, Allston, Mass.

A constitution was adopted by the class; in accordance with Article 4 of this constitution, the executive committee has appointed the first mid-year reunion to be held in Boston, on the day after Thanksgiving, at one o’clock p. m., in the vestry of the People’s Church, corner of Columbus Avenue and Berkeley Street. This will be a social reunion, with an entertainment comprising vocal and instrumental music, a class poem, and an address. At this meeting the date and place of the second mid-year reunion will be announced. A few items of business will come before the meeting, the most important being in regard to hiring or building a class headquarters at Lakeview for next year. The executive committee will try to make this reunion an enjoyable occasion, and it is hoped that as many as possible of New England ’87s will be present.

S. M. COREY, Sec. N. E. ’87.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

“THE ART OF SPEECH,” VOL. I., AND “PREPARATORY GREEK COURSE IN ENGLISH.”

BY A. M. MARTIN,

General Secretary C. L. S. C.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON “THE ART OF SPEECH.” VOL. I.

1. Q. What is the number of distinct tongues now employed? A. It is variously estimated from eight to nine hundred.

2. Q. From what tongues are elements taken that our English speech of to-day possesses? A. From every important tongue on the globe.

3. Q. To what three languages is the indebtedness of the English tongue disclosed, in almost every sentence framed? A. The French, the Latin, and the Greek.

4. Q. From what period does modern English speech date? A. From about 1550 A. D.

5. Q. For the two preceding centuries how is English speech characterized? A. As old English.

6. Q. For the next preceding two centuries, 1150 to 1350, how is English speech denominated? A. As Semi-Saxon, the outgrowth of the Norman invasions and conquests.

7. Q. What is the period called for five hundred years preceding the Semi-Saxon period? A. The Anglo-Saxon period.

8. Q. From what did the Anglo-Saxon speech spring? A. From the mingling of Teutonic dialects on British soil.

9. Q. To what great primitive family of languages does the Teutonic belong? A. The Aryan.

10. Q. From whom are those who used this primitive Aryan speech supposed to have descended? A. From Japhet, one of the sons of Noah.

11. Q. By what nations are the languages belonging to the Aryan family spoken? A. By nearly all modern civilized nations.

12. Q. What are some of the causes which contribute to make many of the changes in speech? A. Differences in climate and natural scenery; different methods of increasing vocabularies; different methods of inflection; the development of different muscles of the vocal organs; the manner of accenting, pronouncing and spelling words.

13. Q. To what conclusion may these, and other considerations, lead us as to the origin of all existing and historic tongues? A. That they had their origin from one primitive stock.

14. Q. What is the materialistic evolutionist’s theory of the origin of speech? A. That a race of articulate men, being developed from races of inarticulate creatures, built up from brute sounds existing human speech.

15. Q. What are three strong objections to this theory? A. It lacks the support of well-established facts. It is opposed by the fact that primitive tongues show a descent, but in no case a radical ascent. It is contrary to Scripture history.

16. Q. What is a second theory as to the origin of speech? A. That a race of articulate beings, who were created at one time, but in different localities, developed in those different localities the different historic and existing tongues.

17. Q. What are some of the objections to this theory? A. It is in conflict with a large number of facts pointing to the strict unity of the human race, and is opposed to sacred history.

18. Q. What is a third view as to the origin of speech? A. That a race of fallen beings descended from a representative head that had at the start command of either a perfect speech, or else readily developed it as occasion required; that his descendants adopted this speech, which subsequently, by some strange modification of the vocal organs, was violently disturbed.

19. Q. What are some of the things that can be said in favor of this theory? A. It is not opposed by either physical or linguistic science; and it has the support of sacred history.

20. Q. What inference does the author draw as to the probable origin and development of human speech? A. That it is both God-given and from human invention.

21. Q. By what laws ought speech to be governed? A. By the same laws essentially as are found in force throughout the various domains of matter and mind.

22. Q. What number of laws does the author formulate as a linguistic code? A. Fifteen.

23. Q. What is the first law? A. The law of symbolization.

24. Q. What are three ways in which this law is illustrated? A. By imitative words, by the formation of new words from existing roots, by symbolizing the past.

25. Q. What is the second law? A. The law of development.

26. Q. What does the law of development require as to changes in and additions to language? A. That they should be rather by development from its own resources than by the adoption of foreign words.

27. Q. What does the third law, that of definiteness, require as to an expression of ideas? A. That it shall give the person addressed the least possible conscious mental effort in order to understand.

28. Q. What does the law of economy require of the speaker? A. To give with definiteness and elegance the largest number of ideas with the fewest and shortest words possible.

29. Q. In what does the law of selection consist? A. In giving the utmost effect to expression in the fewest words.

30. Q. How does it differ from the law of economy? A. It not only reduces a given quantity, but reduces it with wise discrimination.

31. Q. Upon what does the law of suggestion fix attention? A. Upon the undertone in speech. It is constantly saying, Write something between the lines.

32. Q. How are the tendencies to conform to the law of analogous usage seen? A. In the change of irregular into regular forms or inflections and speech.

33. Q. What suggestion is made in regard to words introduced into English from other languages? A. That they shall, both in structure and pronunciation, doff their foreign and don the English dress.

34. Q. How is the law of variation and contrast in speech shown? A. By an examination of standard literature.

35. Q. In what way do we find this law illustrated by Shakspere? A. In the midst of the highest tragedy he gives us the lowest comedy.

36. Q. What does the law of unity and harmony in speech require? A. Agreement between the terms used, the sentiments expressed, and the time, place and occasion of their expression.

37. Q. What is said to be the law of authority in the domains of speech? A. The usage of a writer of commanding genius; likewise the sanction of the literary world at a given period.

38. Q. What are some of the rules that are indorsed by nearly all writers upon this subject? A. Use is the law of language. The eldest of the present, and the newest of the past language is best. Words must be reputable, national and present.

39. Q. What three suggestions are made as to rendering language euphonically beautiful? A. By dropping its harsh words. By softening its harsh words. By mastering the pronunciation of all difficult words before using them in public.

40. Q. To what statement does the practical application of the law of needful practice to language lead? A. That if one would master the arts of oral speech and of literary construction he must keep speaking and writing.

41. Q. What is the golden rule of speech? A. That, first of all, the speaker must utter the truth.

42. Q. In the science of speech, to what does diction relate? A. To the selection and use of words.

43. Q. What is correct diction? A. The use of such words as are reputable and present.

44. Q. Of what does the subject of diction include a discussion? A. Of barbarisms, archaisms, obsoletisms, and solecisms.

45. Q. What do the laws of speech require as to the different parts in the formation of compound words? A. That they shall be taken from the same tongue.

46. Q. What class of words do several laws of language demand still further that English-speaking people shall use? A. Such words as are characteristic of their mother tongue.

47. Q. Why do the Scotch love Burns, the Americans Whittier, and the English-speaking world Longfellow as they love no others? A. Because they use the language of purpose, of affection, and of passion which finds its best utterances through the means of simple Anglo-Saxon words.

48. Q. Who is quoted as authority for the saying that “He who is acquainted with no foreign tongue knows nothing of his own?” A. Goethe.

49. Q. What fact is stated as contradicting this statement? A. Among the most distinguished representatives of the mother tongues of different nations are men who were not general linguists.

50. Q. What is idiom? A. It is the peculiar mould in which the sentences of a given tongue naturally shape themselves.

51. Q. Where do Cicero and Quintilian assert that purity of idiom is to be found chiefly? A. Among women and children.

52. Q. Of what does syntax treat? A. The choice and arrangement of words into sentences according to established usage.

53. Q. Concerning what is there a general agreement in regard to the length of sentences? A. That long sentences are more majestic, short ones more emphatic; continuous long sentences fatigue, continuous short ones distract the mind.

54. Q. What is the only rule generally agreed upon in regard to the close of a sentence? A. Avoid concluding a sentence with an insignificant word.

55. Q. In what three ways, in written speech, are the construction of a sentence, and some peculiarity of thought or some peculiar use of words, indicated to the eye? A. By the use of capital letters, by the use of italics, and by the use of punctuation marks.

56. Q. Relating to what are further specific rules given, belonging to the grammar and rhetoric of speech? A. Verbs, nouns, pronouns, qualifying and descriptive words, connecting words and sentences.

57. Q. What is the general agreement as to what style is? A. That it is the most delicate form in which thought incarnates itself.

58. Q. What are the prime excellencies in style? A. Naturalness, clearness, simplicity, conciseness, force, pertinency, variety, and beauty or elegance.

59. Q. In what three ways may clearness be developed and cultivated? A. By constantly practicing in heart and life the thoughts and ways of honesty and frankness. By thoroughly mastering a subject before publishing it. By unwearied application of the arts of rhetorical composition.

60. Q. What are preëminent, in the judgments of all critics, as models for the English-speaking tongue? A. The dramas of Shakspere and the text of the English Bible.

61. Q. What do grammar and rhetoric define figures of words to be? A. Designed and artistic deviations from the ordinary form, construction or application of words or sentences.

62. Q. What are figures of etymology? A. They are deviations from the ordinary form of a word.

63. Q. In what do figures of etymology consist? A. Either in a defect, an excess, or a change in some of the elements of a word.

64. Q. What are figures of syntax? A. They are deviations from the ordinary construction of a sentence.

65. Q. Under what headings are figures of syntax classified? A. Ellipsis, pleonasm, enallage, and hyperbaton.

66. Q. What are usually grouped under figures of rhetoric? A. Figures of poetry, figures of poetic prose, and figures of oratory.

67. Q. What are the three fundamental principles underlying the class of rules governing the use of figurative speech? A. First, figurative speech is used in order the more effectually to persuade. Second, it is used for the purpose of elucidation. Third, after persuasion and elucidation are sought, then for purposes of elegance.

68. Q. What is to be avoided in the use of figurative speech? A. Excess in the use, and mixed, and to a certain extent complex figurative speech.

69. Q. What is Hazlitt’s definition of poetry? A. It is the language of the imagination.

70. Q. Of what is poetry the science and art? A. Of putting the productions of the imagination into figurative and measured or balanced speech.

71. Q. Into what rhetorical forms is poetic speech classified? A. Parallelism, alliteration, and accented meters.

72. Q. Into what classes are accented meters subdivided according to the measure which predominates? A. The iambic, trochaic, anapæstic, dactylic, and mixed.

73. Q. Into what eight classes is poetic speech divided according to subject-matter? A. Epic poems, lyric poems, dramatic poems, didactic poems, pastoral poems, satirical poems, epigrams, and epitaphs.

74. Q. What six classes of figures are given belonging to poetic speech? A. Metaphor, simile, comparison, allegory, parable, and fable.

75. Q. What two rules are given for acquiring skill in poetic representation? A. 1. Cultivate figure-making habitudes. 2. Store the mind with information.

76. Q. In what is prose speech used, and of what does it form the basis? A. It is used in ordinary conversation, and it forms the basis of all didactic and oratoric addresses.

77. Q. Into what rhetorical forms is prose speech classified? A. Narration, description, exposition, and maxims or proverbs.

78. Q. What is admitted as to the relations existing between thought and speech, and also between morals and speech? A. That they are so intimate that any impurity or impropriety in the one quickly taints the other.

79. Q. What are varieties of speech termed that fall partly under poetic and partly under prose representation? A. Prose, poetry, or poetic-prose speech.

80. Q. What are some of the distinctions between poetic-prose and the other forms of speech? A. Poetic-prose is poetic in conception, but the construction of the sentences is not poetic; it often uses terms in other than their ordinary senses; it often utterly disregards resemblances.

81. Q. What are some of the most common figures of poetic-prose speech? A. Metonymy, trope, personification, hyperbole, irony, antithesis, and climax.

II.—QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON “PREPARATORY GREEK COURSE IN ENGLISH,” FROM PAGE 87 TO PAGE 172.

82. Q. During the truce that followed the death of Cyrus what five generals among the Greeks were enticed into the tent of Tissaphernes, made prisoners, and afterward put to death? A. Clearchus, Proxenus, Menon, Agias and Socrates.

83. Q. What was one of the first steps now taken to secure the safety of the Greeks? A. A general meeting was called of all the surviving officers, and new commanders were chosen to take the places of those lost.

84. Q. In whose place was Xenophon chosen? A. That of his friend Proxenus.

85. Q. After this had been done what action was taken as to the rank and file? A. The men were called together and stoutly harangued by three men in succession—Xenophon being the last.

86. Q. What was one of Xenophon’s heroic propositions that was agreed to? A. To burn everything they could possibly spare on the homeward march.

87. Q. What answer did they return to Mithradates, a neighboring Persian satrap, when asked to know what their present plans might be? A. If unmolested, to go home, doing as little injury as possible to the country through which they passed, but to fight their best if opposition was offered.

88. Q. Of what character were the Greeks convinced the mission of Mithradates was? A. That it was a treacherous one.

89. Q. For this reason what resolution did the Grecian generals take? A. That there should be no communication with the enemy by heralds.

90. Q. What was the general direction taken by the Greeks in the first part of their retreat? A. A northerly direction, toward the Black Sea.

91. Q. By whom were they followed, and almost daily attacked, during the first portion of their retreat? A. Tissaphernes and a Persian army.

92. Q. What Persian governor did they encounter in Armenia? A. Tiribazus.

93. Q. With what foes in the elements did they next meet? A. Deep snow and a terrible north wind.

94. Q. What do travelers tell us at the present time as to the manner in which the Armenians of that region build their houses? A. They still build them underground.

95. Q. Into what country did the Greeks next advance? A. The country of the Taochians.

96. Q. At what mountain did the Greeks get the first view of the Black Sea? A. At Mount Theches.

97. Q. At what place did they reach the sea two days afterward? A. At Trebizond.

98. Q. On what mission did Chirisophus go forward to Byzantium? A. To endeavor to procure transports for the conveyance of the army.

99. Q. Chirisophus delaying to return, how did they continue their journey? A. Partly by land and partly by water.

100. Q. When they were finally joined by Chirisophus, what did he bring with him? A. Only a single trireme.

101. Q. At what place did the Greeks pass from Asia into Europe? A. At Byzantium.

102. Q. Afterward, whom did the army engage to serve in a war against Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus? A. The Lacedæmonians.

103. Q. To what number was the army now reduced? A. To six thousand.

104. Q. After the incorporation of the remainder of the ten thousand with the Lacedæmonian army where did Xenophon go? A. To Athens.

105. Q. What is the position of the “Iliad” of Homer in literature? A. It is the leading poem of the world.

106. Q. From what is the “Iliad” entitled? A. From the word Ilium, which is the alternative name of Troy.

107. Q. What episode in the siege of Troy is the real subject of the “Iliad”? A. The wrath of Achilles.

108. Q. What occasioned the siege of Troy? A. The carrying off of Helen, wife of Menelaus, a Grecian king, by Paris.

109. Q. Who was Paris? A. Son of Priam, the king of Troy.