West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1883-08-22
First Chautauqua Letter.

DEAR REEhAN .-Oul parry,
bound for Chautauqua, left Parkers-
burg on the nimble little steamer
"Ingomar" on Monday, August
18th, at 10 a. m. By the way you
don't know whom our party is
composed of, do you? Well, sup
pose l enlighten your darkness.
The ladies of the party are Mrs
Rev. w. C. Snodgrass, Mrs. DR., J. E.
Kendall and Miss Lulu V. Gilbert,
all of Parkersburg; the gentlemen
are Rev. J. w. Lambert, of Ravens
wood, Rev. J. F. Chenoweth, of
Parkersburg, Rev. G. W. Grimes,
of Elizabeth, and the undersigned.
We took the cars on the Duck
Greek Valley road at 2 p. m. and
at 10 D. m. are in Creston, the
junction with the N. Y. P. & O. R.
r. where we wait for an hour and
half. We are at Lakewood, on
Lake Chautauqua, at 6:1S a. m.
Tuesday. Here the most of our
party have their first view
Chautauqua Lake, and a most de-
lightsome view it is, too.
After breakfast we step on board
the "Cincinnati,' a neat and jaun-
ty little lake steamer, and ride
swiftly toward the end of our hopes
-Chautauqua. A number of 9TH
ers beside our party are on the
same errand. The air is fresh and
strong. We are muffled in over
coats and shawls. With bated
breath we gaze on the charming
landscapes that swell upward from
the shores of the sparkling lake.
Eyes sparkle and cheeks glow as
we look out upon the natural love-
illness spread before our vision.
Could any spot of earth be more
beautiful? Somebody suggested it
would be lovely enough for Heaven.
There are grain fields, orchards,
vineyards, groves and beautiful
lawns sloping down to the waters
edge. We pass Bemus Point and
soon all of our set are on the bow
of the boat to catch the very first
glimpse Of Chautauqua. The grove
is visible, the spire of the hotel
Atheneum dawns upon our vision
and soon we behold the outlines Of
the city in the forest.
The boat touches at the wharf,
we step ashore, purchase our tick
cts and go through the mystic gate
into the classic shades of the great
Summer University.
A brisk business boy, about three
feet tall, escorted US to the various
cottages that have rooms to rent,
and soon we have made a selection
and are very comfortably domiciled,
all at the same cottage, on Terrace
Avenete. Don't that sound aesthet-
ic and romantic, and all that sort
of thing.)
The attendance is better than
ever before. Chautauqua has not
reached her meridian. She is still
young and vigorous and growing.
People are here as usual from all
over the United States and Canada
The same good nature, the same
air of refinement, the same high
moral tone that | observed here
two years ago is to be observed this
year, everywhere you move. The
finest faces | ever looked into |
meet at Chautauqua.
We have looked around and are
getting ready for about half dozen
lectures per day. The great Amphi-
theatre has had an immense pipe
organ added to its many attrac-
tions since 1 was here two years
ago. The museum is fast becom-
ing one Of the pleasant and instruc-
tive places of resort. The collec-
ton of curiosities is already very
large and we'll selected.
The grounds have been consider
aoly improved since my former
visit. The Hotel Atheneum is
greatly enlarged and beautified.
The program as usual is full to
repletion. Bells ring at 6 80 a. m.
and they say in coaxing melody.
"The day has come. Get out Of
bed. The work is here" At 7 a.
m. we breakfast. At s a. m.
variety. You take your choice.
There are: Normal Glass, conduc-
Tod Nv n, CL;1