Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-02
CHAUTAUQUA
TIE SEASON OF 1880 TO BE ONE
OF RENEWED INTEREST.

DNNCA AbCouhAC VI fhNthoSttohNo-FA kNC"
Department to be Called Chautau-
qua University EXtensiOn-England.
America and Ireland Contribute TO
It's support
EDITOR NoRTHwBsT:-As the Chau-
tauqua season approaches, one may see
In the great number Of assemblies which
are to be held In different parts OF the
country, the strong hold this new and
popular mode of education Ia taking
upon the people and the fact Is to be
noted that the original assembly is the
instigator and builder of them al. How
little Lewis Miller, when on the camp
ground at Canton, Ohio, he conceived
the idea, did he comprehend whereunto
this thing would grow! And are we
sure that even any of the chiefs Of this
enterprise even at present fully compre-
hend the scope of the influence which
Is to go forth from that old picnic
ground on Chautauqua lake, known as
"Fair POint?" As the case now stands,
these summer schools have become one
of the institutions of the country and
they merit as they receive a great deal
OF attention. "t
As one Of the latest of these "children
of the woods" the Georgia Chautauqua
| tn he held this month near Albany Is
the bantling of DIR. w. A. Duncan, the
secretary Of the original assembly and
we take special pleasure In referring to
this additional proof of his skill and
enterprise. Associated with him and
under his direction we find the names
of Rev. A. f. Dunning, ID. D., of Bos-
ton; DR.. r. r. Meredith at present the
most popular minister In America; DIR.
R. s. Macarthur, very learned and
eloquent divine Of the Baptist church;
DIR. Hamilton. of Boston, the founder
of the peoples church," Coy. John b.
Gordon and Henry w. Grady, the two
foremost orators of the south, and
Others of great ability if not of equal
celebrity.
Let these local assemblies multiply to
any extent, the original institution has
nothing to fear. Its hold upon the
country, especially the sections embrac-
ing Ohio, eastern Pennsylvania and
New York is too strong to be shaken
off And then as agrowing institution,
the new features developed from year
to year will intensity and extend its
influence to all circles of society. A new
department to be called "Chautauqua
University Extension" is to be brought
to the front at the next assembly and
commended to the adoption of the
American people. Chautauqua has done
but little borrowing of plans, ideas or
schemes, hut in this instance it is in
debted to Cambridge University. Eng
land. James Stuart, Henry Sedgwick
land r. D. Roberts, in 1872 attempted to
;extend as far as possible the benefits of
a university education, to the working
classes of the people of England. The
work was put under the general direc-
ton ofa committee of thirteen profess
sors with Vice-Chancellor Taylor at
their head. The committee appoints
lecturers from among the younger uni
versity men, who are qualified, not
only by special attainments but by
natural ability and a genuine interest
in popular education to meet local de-
mands for university extension courses
of study. An efficient secratary is en-
ployed to correspond with local secra-
taries and open the way for lecture
courses in all parts of England. Lectur-
ers are required to keep constantly in
mind the higher education for persons
of all classes and of both sexes engaged
in a secular affairs of life. 1t is an at
tempt to do for persons unable to attend
university, as much as possible of
what the universities do for their own
students. Oxford and Cambridge are
engaged heart and soul in this work,
the university of Durham, has associat-
ed itself with Cambridge in the pro-
motion of educational work in the
north of England. This idea of univer-
sity training has already been carried
beyond Britain for the university at
Sydney, in Australia is engaged in the
work. aH ,ss
The aim of the Chautauqua Universi-
ty Extension will be to revive in the
United States the original idea of "a uni
versity as a voluntary association of
students and itinerant lecturers, for
higher education. This aim is to be
affected by SPECIALISTS as lecturers, train
ed in American and European universi-
ties, under the direction. of q central
committee. The most intelligent and
progressive force in American towns
and villages will be organized to promote
people. The whole scheme will be so
thoroughly yAmericanized as to form
legitimate development of the Chautau-
qua idea.
,'Chautauqua, may be compared as a
tree that is 80 full of sap and life and
planted in a soil so rich and deep that
every year it throws out some new
shoots to greet the observer. Expert
ence enables the managers to return
the most valuable Of the past AMI as
simulate to it the ever developing new.
It never possessed dmore of freshness. or
vigor than it will present to the public
this year. Perhaps the past will be ex-
ceeded more in variety than in any
other respects Whilst there will be no
relaxation of the hard work done in the
semitic, literary and philosophical de-
partnents, lighter studies and exercises
will hold more conspicuous place.
Athletic exercises will receive special
attention. The best ability England,
Ireland and America can produce will
contribute to the attractions of the am
phitheatre. The stereopticon will throw
upon the canvas views of the most
picturesque scenery the world can af-
ford. 1.r u. -. ~,
AS place ofrest or labor, of recrea-
tion or study, % of duty or devotion,
Chautauqua presents attractions which
are not surpassed by any other locality.
TIts,pure air and gushing fountains of
water are all that could be desired
Healthfulness as the basis of all other