The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-14
CHhUTAUoUA.
A Business Venture Its Condition and
Propprctu

Prospects,
| To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sir. Since
| you are paying some attention to Chautauqua
and Its management, perhaps you will find
space for some notes on this summers work
there. which are based on personal observa-
tton. In the fret place. there are two distinct
Chautnuquas. the College proper and certain
other schools where such men as DR. William
II. Harper OF the University Of Chicago. Prof
Hermann Il. Won Hoist. DR.. Richard T. Ely.
and corps OF able instructors carry students
through systematic course. Entirely dis
tinct from the educational department is the
public platform course made up Of lectures.
concerts. and the like. and inasmuch as this is
devised to allure and entertain visitors who
are not students something Of the showmans
tact Is needed to secure star performers
The college and other classes were this year
FULLY up to the standard excopt that q few Of
the more advanced classes and the pedagogical
course were omitted. Serious work is Gener-
ally done by tho college students, who are
mainly teachers and professors In high schools
and colleges from nearly every State in the
Union. and who come here for advanced in
struction In special studies.
The popular programme. however. was this
year not SO fetching as usual. and the enthusi
asm which characterized former Assemblies
was lacking. Prof Drummond opened the sea-
son with a course oflectures which were mildly
heterodox. and were therefore, highly relished
By the good people. But he was followed by
dreary list OF eminent specialists. who were
very decorous and very dull In these lecture
courses there is necessarily much that is am
ateurish. superficial and OF doubtful profit.
Tho slender attendance this summer was
largely made up OF persons OF limited educa-
tIon with hunger. for culture which might
which had pathetic side as well. Elderly
tire 3D. country women made up large part
making S be onS eto o
feel interested in such IN arid subject, for in
stance. az the Ethics of Pleasure" as OK
ward and this day after day throughout
Chautauaua MANAGEMENT made their plans for
the summer. with allowance for the cou inter-
Tnt rs q ohicagp and there no cues
er. with CORRESPONDING decrease in financial
income The attendance was, perhaps, even
the case with summer resorts in general. But
the article in the HWkesJuye Tones. partly
speiu or the slender n att
tendance and the lack OF enthusiasm. Chau-
tauaua itself was never seen to better advan-
tensive improvements had been made. the
grounds were in excellent condition, and the
groundless.. 1t is certain that neither tin cans
nor advertisements Of any kind were to be
SSou ~ ioiSStiHe lark. mere was no more
there. The people who think Chautauqua
Are mistaken al purely His apostolic prnSps
cial age. and the ''' men at tho i head
Of Chautapqua are business men with keen
makes no money for any OF its trustees or
oncers. all the surplus. in accordance with the
terms of the charter.tGoing into repairs and
improvements from year to yenr The pub
i5hing tds which n Is sor. Of anss
maxim = good thing Of It. having q monopoly
OF all the publications used by tho readers OK
the Chautauoua courses; but this Is ehrewd
ate business. and there IL no cause for
complaint as long as tho books are furnished
at a fair price.
The situation seems to be as you suggest.
that while Chautauqua has closed a season
lacking IN briliancy and general success
there Is no reason to question it's continued
usefulness and prosperity hereafter; No doubt
Chautauqua. as there is in almost every or
ganized human effort. There may be a faint
OF self-seeking even among such uuworldy
people as mugwumps and other political re-
formers. Tho self-satisfied pedagoGue and
slSely visible in Chautauqua., The people
are getting the kernel when they are
only chewing the husk. and they latter
themselves that thoy are enjoying delights
which they have no capacity to feel. But after
como break In humdrum lives which other
wise would have no relief from their weari-
ness. II does not insure to transient visitors
OR even 20 devoted students cultivation or re-
is in tho right direction. and the wisest per-
sons who see its faults most clearly would be
the last ones to speak Of it with sneer.
DIDASKALOs