The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-06-11
SEASIDE G. |. S. CIRCLE.
REVIEW OF ITS WORK DURING THE
PAST YEAR.

PAST YEAk.
Seaside Chautauqua Circle held very
interesting meeting at the home OF Mrs. u.
P. Frost on Monday afternoon June isI'
At this session of the Circle the required u
L. S. q. studies for this, the american
Year. were completed and the Circle al
iourned for the summer vacation. The
work of this organization during the year
has been the study of four G. L. S. e. books
asfollows:
"Races and Immigrants" by John Il.
Commons, of the University OF Wisconsin.
This book suggests ways in which the
fundamental facts work up in American
institutions the characteristic OF races ana
nationalities, their part in sel1-governmeh'
and the forces in Americaplzatlon. Ihese
NAV he studied with reference to the prac-
tical problems to be met.
The book "Newer Ideals of Peace" by
Miss Jane Adams of Hull House, Chicago,
is the reflections of woman OF extraoral-
nary ability upon certain aspects OF modern
life, which she has had opportunities to
observe.
"American Literature" by Katharine Lee
Bates of Wellesley College, and provincial
Types in American Fiction" by Horace
Spencer Fiske of the University of Chicago,
have been instructive and contain informa-
ton showing how essentially American
literature has been an outgrowth OF our
American life.
From the Chautauquan Magazine the
Df rti nv
ham Brooks of Cambridge, Mass, entitled,
Gas Others See U.s." and "Progress in the
Light of Foreign Criticism;" also American
Painting with the development of American
Art. which have proved both helpful and
entertaining.
The programs arranged for each meeting
have included discussions, papers, readings,
quotations, music and talks in connection
with the topics studied. These have made
our meetings especially interesting We can
surely say that this year has been one OF
success in C. L. S. G. work. Several new
members of the 1911, the Longfelow Glass,
were enrolled last October and have proved
very enthusiastic members. At our last
meeting some of our c. l.. s. C.s gave us
the results of their observation during walks
and drives at this delightful season OF the
year, when the listening ear and watchful
eve detect so much in natures teachings
One described drive from Belfast through
the towns of Morrill, and Montville, noting
much that would escape notice in one less
observing.
Another of our members gave us the re-
suits of her observations in the following
verses:
WOODLAND GLEANINGs.
Through woodland pathway straylng,
Following the crooked winding
OF a little lazy brOoklet on its way;
Every breath a spicy fragrance
From the deep, sweet, heart of Nature,
On day of choice perfection late in May
Oft the idle little current,
In caprice or tickle fancy,
Changed its mind about the way it wished
togo;
Back and forth it slowly loiters,
In and out it slips and bubbles,
Tween the low banks where the greenest
MOSES grow.
This is Natures very garden,
And we human ImltatOrs
Come to steal away her secrets of luxuriant
shrubs and trees,
Breathe the perfume of white violets,
Watch the tender fr0nds unfolding,
Revel in the perfect blendngs of all tones
the eye can see;
All the deep and dusky brown hues,
All the greens in endless shadings
From the deep green of the pine tree to the
poplar's foamy dress,
Dreamy drab of ichened tree trunk,
sheeny, festoons draping
A hp bn11naSS p trees
Not the soft and fertile richness
OF the leaf mould, black with moisture,
Product of that law in nature whereby
nothing may be lost.
Leaves that once decked gay the branches,
Aye, the very limbs they grew on,
Now have passed to greater service, though
their life sap paid the cost.
They have gained truer value:
Where before they clothed but one tree
Now their dead, decaying substance, still
with nascent virtue rife,
Feeds the MOSES soft and Sprlnglng,
Death, in Natures evolution, can, but
change the form OF life.
Here we see the valley widen
'Twixt the rising banks that mark it,
And we know that once a current broad
and swift here found its way.
Here, perchance, mighty mill stream
Turned the busy wheels of labor;
Here, perchance have other dreamers ided
on day in May.
When these tall trees were but saplings,
Or before their seed was scattered,
Other trees, perhaps more lofty, once threw
far the grateful shade.
Hearts, and hopes and loves and losses,
Human life as well as tree life,
Long by living ones forgotten, down in
earth's broad breast have laid.
Live the life that Nature gives US,
Bright and joyous in our places;
Dare to learn from Natures secrets, how to
live it true and free.
Make the mind house of treasure
And the heart a fount of gladness;
Make the brain ceaseless camera, claim
ing all the eye can see.
ROBERT MARION LEWIS.
Belfast, May rs. 1908.
A Republican State Convention