The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-08-01
NEW YORK LETTER. ~
II
Chautauqua, N. Y, /
July %. 1902.

p: Chautauqua, like many other words
in our language, has different mean
ings to different individuals. To
many people in this country, and in
foreign lands also, it means The
Caautauqua Literary and Scientific
Circle. The greatest school for home
study which this, or any other
country affords. To various people
in the United States, it means one
of the small Chautauqua Assemblies
which are held in different parts Of
our country. TO others it means
this, the mother of all Chautauqua
Assemblies, as we'll as the mother Of
nearly all summer schools. An As
sembly which, compared with any
other Chautauqua Assembly is like
the sun compared with the moon.
In fact, "Cautanqua; An institus
ton for Popular Education, lis the
largest institution for higher
education in the world. Its charter.
from the state of New York, requires
that surplus revenue shall be
devoted wholly to the building up Of
the institution.
This institution has two main
divisions: The C. L. S. c., for home
work during nine months in the
year land the Chautauqua Assembly,
which is a great university-and
more than that. 1t is university.
in that, here are one
hundred and twenty-five
instructors conducting schools in
which one may study anything from
cooking to Greek;in which one may
develop mind, soul or body. vi
1t is more than university
because during eight weeks, one
may hear, each day, several fine
lectures and concerts. In fact its
only fault is that there are SO many
good things one cannot hear them
all. i,
Children may enter kindergarten
or vacation school or boys or girls
club, while at the same time, the
parents are attending classes or
lee ures. r
New York State Free Summer
Institute, for teachers Of this state,
is held here during three weeks of
the Assembly. &
For four weeks the Chautauqua
National Council of Superintendent
and Principals hold meetings to
study and discuss topics of impor-
lance, in connection with the work
of it's members.
Nearly all Of the people one meets
in classes are teachers who are here
to better fit themselves for teaching.
Besides those who come for study,
there are large numbers from the
South, and from the cities of the
North, who come because Chautau-
qua is beautiful summer city,
situated on the shore of lake whose
altitude is so high that it is seldom
uncomfortably warm here. These
people find en- tertainment! lin boat
ing, fishing, concerts and in some Of
the lectures. But many people
who come simply for good time
see so much of the class spirit Of the
C. L. S. c., that they think they
would like to become a member of
that; or they become interestedin
hearing more lectures and join
one of his classes. Indeed, it is
difficult to be surrounded by 80
many earnest people without learn
ing, and without becoming broader
indeed; and also, learn by absorb
tion," as some people say they are
trying to do. IL ~
AS Minnesotian, I have been de-
lighted with the way in which our
Professor Burton has been received.
Both as lecturer and asa teacher,
he is as popular here as in Mime.
apolis.
AS a student of the c. L. S. c.,
course, am also much pleased to
learn that the Chautauqua manage
ment have completed arrangements
with him to write a book for the
American year which begins in
October 1908. Probably no man
is better fitted to write on American
Literature than he is. If it were
not so he would not be asked to write
anything for the Z. L. S. c., which
is course of reading planned and
directed by some Of the wisest and
best men of our times. The course