Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-27
ALABAMA CHAUTAUQUA
 
 /N Now in Progress at Shelby Spr,, gs Bids Fair
TO BE A GRAND SUCCESS
Interesting Programme for the Opening Day-Round Table.
 Prominent Arrivals.

SHELBY SPRINGS, July 25.-lSpecial Cor respondence. 1.-The exercises of the Ala bama Chautauqua assembly were opened in the assembly hall this morning at 9:3O with prayer meeting led by the president, Dr. A. B. Jones of Huntsville. He read Matt. xxi, 12:22, drawing therefrom beauti- fIl and appropriate lessons for the edifica- tion of his hearers.
 Al 3:30 in the afternoon there was a con- cert by the Joseph orchestra from Selma.
 In the absence of Dr. J. M. P. Otis, who was detained at Tate Springs, by the bedside of a sick son, Dr. P. T. Hale of Birmingham very kindly filled the vacancy by his entertaining lecture, IA Summer Night Over the Seas," in which he gave a graphic description of certain phases of the ocean voyage, and his journey through Belgium, Germany, France, England and Scotland.
 After a short recess the c. L. s. c. round table assem mbled and was conducted by Miss Bunnie Love of Atlanta. The ex- service and prayer, led by Dr. A. B. Jones, and then lecture by Dr. B. F. Meek of the State university upon the life and works of his gifted brother, Judge Alex ander Buford Meek. This talented foster- son of Alabama was eminent as poet, ed- itor and statesman. His poetry was pecu- liarly southern and peculiarly the poetry Of Alabama. In his youth he inve nted the poetical fiction which is 80 widely received as truth that Alabama means "Here We Rest.' Among his best known poems are !" Balaklava," suggested, no doubt, by Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Bri- gade,o but composed and written ss the result of a friendly challenge in less than two hours. "The Homes of Alabama,n n ''The Red Eagle," and "rhe Rivers of Alabama.'
 Besides his fame as an author, Judge Meek is entitled to the grateful remem- brance of Alabamia D ss from the fact that he was the founder of inc public school sys- tenn of the state.
 After Dr. Meek's address Miss Brown read in an effective manner Judge Meek's "War Song.'' In the Round Table to- morrow Miss Love will read a paper on Sidney Lanier, and by happy coincidence the poets brother, MT. Clifford A. Lanier of MontgomLry, will be present and de- liver an address.
 This evening, in addition to the band concert, there was a mandolin duet by Pro- lessor Joseph and Miss Hannah Meyer of Selma and a vocal solo by Mrs. Cecil Brown of Talladega.
 Miss Emmie Frazer, the teacher of phys ical culture, made her first appearance in charming recitation, which was enthusi- astically encored.
 The lecture of the evening was Dr. Meek's famous "Conversation as Fine Art," which, although somewhat changed by recent revision, was still in his happiest vein.
 The following classes have been organ ized: .,Art, Miss Birdsall of fuskegee; elo- cution, Miss Brown of Louisville, Ky; kindergarten, Miss Cooper Of Shelby Springs; physical culture, Miss Frazer of Union Springs.
 Among the recent arrivals are Miss Emma L. Shaver of Woodlawu, Miss Bes- sic Wyatt of Akron. Miss Norton of Enon, Mrs. Averett of Marion, Mrs. Wright and A. Cowau and NJ. M Frazer of Talladega, Mrs. T. H. Cooper of Mobile, Messrs. Pearson of Alexander City, H. F. West of Blocton, M. M. Frazer of Talladega, F. P. Mcconnell of Talladega, Mrs. Frazer and Miss Pickett of Union Springs.