Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28
Jhe frmman.
For the Freeman .
The Societies for Study at Home.


l have not very wide acquaintance
with Vermont newspapers, but in thost
which have come under my notice, l have
never seen much mention of the societies
for study at home As these organizations
must necessarily be great blessings to
country people, l would like to see local
papers bringing them before the eye OF
the public-that part of the pnblic which
is often very retired-farmers' wives ana
daughters. They generally leave school
at an early age, and have not the educa
tional advantages of libraries and lectures
thot cities and villages afford, and courses
of study at home will perhaps in some
measure compensate for their loss. There
are three Of these societies: The Society
for the Encouragement of Study al
Home" "The School for Study at Home, y
and The Chautauqua Literary and Sci
sntiic Circle
The first of these is, l think, the first
one instituted-its headquarters at Boston /;
secretary, Miss A. E. Ticknor. No. 9 Park
street. Students joining must pay two
dollars year, but the society will loan
books at small cost; they can choose their
studies, conline themselves 10 only one
branch if they wish, and must report
monthly. Their examinations are to be
made from memory. The School for
Study at Home is Quaker organization,
similar to the above. and evidently model
ed from it. The rules are very nearly the
same; but instead of making a choice OF
studies, The student will make choice of
courses of study. One of the courses has
Il section devoted to the study of Shakes
pcare. The Boston society also provides
for the study of Shakespeare if any ask
for it. Another feature of the "School "
is course of study of the principles and
doctrines of Friends, ard part of the
books for this department are furnished
free of cost, excepting postage This
might be very interesting to those who
have desire or curiosity to become
acquainted with this Sect secretary, Eli
iah Coffin. Richmond, Indiana. The third
society, the Chautauqua Literary and Sci
cntGc Circle, is entirely different from
either of the others. DR.. j. II. Vincent,
Plainfeld, N. j., is the president. The fee
is only fifty cents year, but as the student
is to provide his own books, and quite a
large number is required, the expenses
will probably exceed those of the other
societies. Reports are made once quarter
by postal cards, of the number of pages
read and number of hours employed
Examinations are made two or three times
year, and we are allowed to consult
what books we please, but must use our
own language in answering questions.
The books for the present year are
twelve in number, some of them small
text books convenient for carrying in the
pocket The time given in which to com
plete this course is short. 1t is impossible
to perfect ones self in any one study
before another comes crowdng in, while
the society have mentioned first not only
allows plenty of time, but obliges II thor
ough mastering of each branch. But rs
understand it, the purpose of the Chautau
qua Literary and Scientific Club is more
bcnelicent than this-its plan is to give
general information, "an outlook upon
the world and life." This will keep us
from riding our hobbies too hard, OF be-
coming persons of one idea. Its examin-
atons are, perhaps, too easy, while those
of the other societies are too severe. They
must have written examinations from
memory. Il is plain that people who have
long been out of he habit of study-and
selves of the privileges of these societies
are of this class-would find it impossible
to make satisfactory examinations from
memory alone; the memory must first be
educated.
| should think it would be good plan
for a student to go through the course of
tilO Su'tul'lbIut anu DClculllIC
Circle, which covers period of four
years, and then take up one or more
stUdie, under the direction of either of the
other societies.
The Boston Society has an advantage
over the Chautauqua Literary and Scien-
tilic Circle-it provides correspondence
and personal help for each student when
once she shows herself in earnest. This
must be an incentive to perseverance and
a great encouragement, and any one who
undertakes any of these courses of study
will often find herself discouraged and
ready to give up in despair.
The business Of the Chautauqua Litera.
ry and Scientific Circle is carried on by the
clock,work of printed circulars. Every
body knows that there is not much mag
netism in II printed circular. but the men,
bership of this society exceeds fifteen
thousand, and it would take an army of
teachers to attend personally upon this
multitude, but if you have difficulties and
write to the president, your letter will be
answered. This Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle has an organ, the ASSen.
bly, Herad, an excellent and interesting
paper, Independent of its connection with
the society. Let all who would like further
particulars write to any or all of the ad-
dresses l have given, but l would recon-
mend, 10 those especially who have but
little leisure, membership first in the
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.
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and then adds 10 per cent of n concen.
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The articles united with this glue are