New-York tribune., 1890-07-14
ly.oM A spEcIAL conaE.roypEyr oF Ins TalBrSE:
DUNCAN, THE SECRETARY.

lvnoa SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT TRIBUNE:
Chautauqua. July 12-Thc seventeenth ChautaTqus
Assembly ha> opened with promise of uneNampto
prosperity. Last year every Official on the grounds
from President Miller 10 the bagga .em3s;er at the pif
was ready with facts and figure, TO prove that thcre
were more people here for longer time uIah ever
before But this year beats the record. The original
Assembly lasted for three weeks. To-day cottaeer'
have already been installed here for that period VINO
mean to stay until the end Of August The onshai
programme comprised few lectures and entertain
mcnts by worthy but unknown men. The programme
for 1890 embraces the names OF several eminent
musicians, Congrcssmen, Federal officials and Gov
ernors of states. eXUnlted states Minister loW
popular noveli~ts college professors and presidents
and late candidate for the Presidency Of the United
States The original Assembly consisted OF rev
tents pitched In grove above the lake the stoc haheS
now enclose OF 200 acres. covered by more
than cottages, several rows OF stores, posi- ONCE
a large hoiel. finely equipped gymnasium ana
lecture halls I'm every style Of architecture Inc
grounds are partly lighted by electricity. There Is
telegraph ONCE aud a police force, street-cleanhg
department and a justice Of the peace bnt there IS
never a strike or a lockout, ana subway explosions
unknown.
Besides tho Assembly itself. there IS that great
Chautauqua Reading Circle which last year had an
enrolled membership Of 10000 and constituency OF
go 600 active students hang from all parts OF the
Western Hemisphere and from nearly every GVH|eu
country Of the Old World, and which has done more
10 bring higher education into the homes Of the peo-
pIe than even its founder dreamed Of some men
are fortunate enough 70 realize in their own Heume
the fruits Of their labOrs, and among them are the
fathers OF Chautauqua. Certainly no Two men eVer
saw greater results spring from smaller beginnings
within a single generation than have been witnessed
by Lewis Miller and Bishop John II. Vincent ana
the fact bears striking testimony TO the potency OF
individual effort and persistent energy and enthusiasm
Professor Bovcsen saws that Chauduqua is the most
American thing in America. II is doubtful whether
such an institution could have taken root III
monarchical soil or fourished in any atmosphere bit
that Of republican fellowship and goodwill. It's
ongnaiors are not merely phIlanthropsts TheN arc
men of strong practical IDEAS and shrewd common
sense full Of intelligent sympathy with those VINO
lack education and qualified by their own experience
wisely to slppiy their needs. Each is what he mas
made himself. Nj. Miller began life as a machlhTt'
bishop Vincent as the pastor OF village church
Neither ever passed through college as a student
and Vet it would be difficult 10 come across two men
of wider and more generous views. Eoth insist on
The value Of college training. "Coleea training
ssys the Bishop gives man mental discipline, ena'
Bile, lin t. take a general survey Of the fields OF
lroFledce. and brings him in contact with living
minds and active intcects7 The " Chautauqua idea
Is primarily to give the imperfeotiy educated the
"c0!ese outlook" The motto Of the reading circle
is Look Up and Lift Up and the spirit Of cordialiiy
and co,nraGc,p which permeat"s the whole Chautan-
qua atmo> phcre imparts splendid stimulus 10 all
who breathe it.