The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-08-18

4 The pastime of statesmen the delight OF
reformers, the opportunity of faddists and
the occupation of eocutionists, bellrngers jubilee
singers and assorted lot of entertainers it is
twice profitable; it profteth him who goes Chau-
tauqua-ing and him who is Chautauqnaed the lat
ter at least theoretically.
The word Chautauqua-ing may not be found in
the dictionaries, but like lot of other good words
not written there it is useful because it furnishes
short cut for the expression of an idea. If you
haven't already guessed its meaning, here it is
MISUNDERSTANDING instruction, entertain
ment amusement to Chautauquas; it may be
applied to those who organize and conduct Chau-
tauquas, but it is more especially used relative
to anybody anything, from a frock-coated
statesman to a trained goat, who or which travels
about the country, doing anything from spellbind-
ing to cutting monkey shines for the edifcation or
diversion of Chautauqua audiences. Once upon a
time it the occupation for intellectual high
brows alone, but the brute beast is
eligible providing only that it be known "edu
Gated" and under the personal direction of a 'pro
fessor." One Of the hits of western Chautauqua
circuit this summer is such brute-an 'educat
ed horse; therefore this horse may be said to
be "ChautauQua-ing'
The word is pronounced as though it were
spelled "Shawtalk- but that gives sue
gestion to its original meaning, which is
shrouded in mystery. Nobody knows -
that-not Bishop John H. Vim NV
cent, founder of Chautauqua. Once
upon time he said that to find the original mean
ing was "foggy problem" and then he concluded
that interpret it you will, Chautauqua is Chau-
tauqua, place of clear light of uplft, of album
dance, of balance, of truth and righteous
ness, of faith, hope and charity very Chautau-
qua-esque statement. All of which, however, may
be surprise to the visitor to some of our modern
Chautauquas
But regardless of its etymology philoogy
Chautauqua-ing is great game.
The statistics of the game.
r T is great game because it has grown that
today it involves many millions of men and wom
en- and adds to the gaiety of the nation in dog
days With the beginning of every summer some
thousands of men and women start out Chautau
qua-ing, and during the season some millions of
men and women sit and swelter for good many
times that many million hours listening to words
of wisdom or nonsense. This year probably six
hundred different Chautauquas conducted;
one state alone, Iowa, had hundred. 1t cost at
least an average of ,OvO to furnish the programs
for these Chautauquas and $1,000 more for other
expenses making the total cost of the 600 pretty
close to $2.000.000 The average program runs
ten days. with average attendance of not less
than 1900 day. little multiplication discloses
that something like 100000 people concerned
in the game players spectators.
With little experience, you can tell a Chau-
tauuuaing gentleman far you him.
He usually wears that all-wise look that grad
ually comes to man who is accustomed to talk
ing or Chautauqua-ing to crowd for an
hour at a stretch
without anybody
talking back bach or .S - -