The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-21
GLEN ECHO CHAUTAUQUA.
THE OPENING COMES OFF ACCORD
ING TO PROGRAMME.
There Were Many Difficulties to Over
come and Some Things Went Contrary
But on the Whole the Enterprise
Promises Well.

Glen Echo Chautauqua was formally opened
on Friday under the smiles of the sun shining
down upon 1t little too ardently to please
ordinary mortals. But, notwithstanding that,
itwas happy omen to inaugurate the Peoples,
University under bright skies. The electric
railroad couldn't carry half the people who
wanted to get out of the environs of the hot
city into the cooler atmosphere of the hills.
With the wise foresight that characterizes
inanimste things, the power-house at the
Glen Echo groaned in anticipation Of big
loads to carry and died day or two before the
opening just to prove what men are capable
of in an emergency. They soon had special
agent bring over the requisite help from New
York and reharnessed the electricity and once
more set the cars a-going. Somehow, by dnt
of hanging on, some twenty-five hundred
odd ticket-hoders managed to reach Glen
Echo, painting with the heat and a little put
out, in time for the opening ceremonies.
BY the time each man, woman, and child
had got within the charmed circle of the gray
stone walls of the finely proportional amp hi
theatre and had begun to cool off they were
each one put in good humor again with them
selves and all the world. The great building
was as cool as cucumber, with the breezes
creeping through it on all sides from the Glen
over which it stands, and when the big organ
pealed forth It's wondrous tones of sweetness,
all were prepared to enjoy the occasion. The
organ in the amphitheatre is great deal larger
than it looks. 1t is in such a large auditorium
that it is difficult to realize its splendid
proportions There are but two in the
United States larger. The Music Hall organ
in Boston is one, and the Celebrity, Of New
York. the other But nowhere is there
prettier or sweeter toned instrument than the
ore at Glen Echo. 1t is thirty-fve feet wide
and fourteen feet deep and is run by the
laughing waters of Minnehaha, the singing
brook which sounds like falling rain at all
hours OF the day and night and runs under the
amphithestre
There is fun in tent life at Glen Echo The
majority OF people good enough to want
to go TO Chautauqua for few weeks recre-
alton have sense enough OF the common sort
to put up with temporary Inconvenience, and
to enjoy them In way. Even If it is hot, or
showers occasionally and if one finds 1t neces-
sary to hold up an umbrella while the awful
thunders roll and the deluge pours, what's
that but fun in disguise?
The amphitheatre was the only thing that
was complete on the opening day, and that was
radiant with flags and colors of all nations or
fag-staffs, columns, or wherever the athletic
decorators could creep or hold on long
enough to tack color up. There is an i'm
provement in every line every day. Com
fort and beauty are emerging from chaos.
Little squads of people can be seen in the pic
turesque tents in the Minnehaha glades or in
the Hall OF Philosophy intent on organizing in
the various classes for work during busy
weeks to come, and four times day there is
something going on that is worth seeing or
hearing IN the amphitheatre free to all to en-
Joy. Indeed, If anybody has an idea that
Glen Echo is filled up with cranks they are
dismally wide of the mark. There is much to
be learned and to be enjoyed there, and life in
tent is charming when 1t doesn't rain too
hard.
Mrs. L. def jennings new striped parlor
tent at Glen Echo has been named missouri"
in honor of the State from which 1t came.
There have been several ladies' meetings held
In the tent. 1t is fitted up in Japanese style
with bamboo furniture and pretty mats and
fans, and is a convenient place. Mrs Jennings
received the first Glen Echo souvenir spoon on
Monday as gift. 1t was gotten UP by Harris
& Shafer and is of the finest workmanship
with oxidizcd chasing on the handle. and a
very fine etching of the amphitheatre in the
BOWL and another of the Hall of Philosophy
on the fiat OF the handle. 1t is very hand
some spoon, and was presented by the makers
to Mrs. Jennings as fitting tribute of regard
and esteem for woman who made the sug-
gestion of the Glen Echo Chautauqua to its
founders.
Miss Fannie Compton, of New York, who is
fine performer on the guitar, reached Glen
Echo on Monday evening. She will form
school for the season.
DR.. and Mrs. l., r. Stowell are living in a
tent on Faculty avenue. Mrs. Stowell will
organize a school of botany. Mrs. StowelPs
prettiest ornament is her bright little girl
Mrs. Stowell was professor of botany at Ann
Arbor University for twelve years.
Peter Won Fonkelstein Mamreoy is a native
of Palestine, but of Slavonic origin. He is
fine, portly gentleman with pleasing ad-
dress. He is accompanied by as much bag
gage as lady making The tour of the water
ing places. 1t only takes eight trunks to
carry Mr.. Mamreov's effects, but they are not
for himself alone, but to dress up thirty or
more otherpeople whowill pose for illustrations
of Oriental life during his course of lectures.
There are three bells at Glen Echo which
ring out the hours for the opening of o new
programme.
Mrs. j. Ellen Foster will reside at Glen
Echo in her eomfortably-appointed tent for
two weeks. She has named her thorough
fare Faculty avenue She INDUCES ia such
appointments as brass bedstead and India
mats, with rugs and brie-a-brac.
Miss Alice Raymond, who played the cor
net with the Marine Band on Tuesday at their
concert in the amphitheatre, is handsome
young woman, and she blows a silver horn