EXCERPT FROM THE CHAUTAUQUAN
EXCERPT FROM THE CHAUTAUQUAN
VOLUME 5, 1885
A Monthly Magazine devoted to the Promotion of True Culture
Organ of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA.
“The fifth annual Pacific Coast Assembly convened at Monterey, California, on Monday evening, June 30, 1884. The president, Dr. Stratton, was not able to be present at the opening of the Assembly, and Dr. C. L. Anderson, of Santa Cruz, vice president, took the chair and made the opening address. It was an admirable review of the studies of the year, a cordial greeting to all present, and an enthusiastic explanation of the Chautauqua Idea. His audience was a large and intelligent one.
The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens, flags, bunting, and the C. L. S. C. mottoes. The evening was one of rare beauty, and altogether the Assembly lacked nothing but the genial presence of a few of its usual leaders. The summer was unusually cool, and consequently there were fewer people at the coast than last year, but the Chautauquans turned out well, and there was a perceptible increase in the daily attendance over that of last year. The musical department was under the excellent management of Mrs. R. L. Higgins, of San Jose, and was a matter of great pleasure and congratulation during the whole session.
Various clergymen were in attendance, and a brief devotional exercise opened each meeting. There is not space here for extended notice of the ten days' literary feast, but we will briefly recapitulate the points of interest. Miss Lucy Washburn, of the State Normal School, gave two admirable talks upon the " Circulation of the Blood." and two others upon " Methods of Bible Study," all of which were precisely what the audience liked to hear, and were as profitable as they were pleasant. Professor Moses, of the Berkeley State University, gave three historical lectures of great value, upon that period of Roman history during which Christianity became the religion of the empire. Rev. Dr. McLean, of Oakland, gave a brilliant description of a recent trip to the Hawaian Islands. Mr. F. B. Perkins, of San Francisco, talked wisely and wittily of " Methods of Historical Investigation." Mr. Adley Cummins lectured eloquently upon " What the Orient has done for us." Mr. Clee, of Berkeley, talked interestingly of the " Date Palm." Mr. Matthew Cook, of Sacramento, lectured upon " Entomology." Rev. Dr. Vance, of Carlisle, Penn., read a charming paper upon " Africa ." Mrs. M. H. Field, of San Jose, had two papers, one upon " Holy George Herbert," and the other upon the "Women of Ancient Greece." Miss Jessica Thompson, of San Jose, also had two beautiful literary papers, one upon Shakspeare's " As You Like It," and the other upon Tennyson's " Princess." Mr. Joel Bean told of the " Council of Nice," and Dr. C. L. Anderson unfolded the marvels which lie in "A Drop of Water." Dr. Stratton gave the closing lecture—a most noble one—on " Potential Ideas." The Sabbath included in the session was devoted to Temperance, under the excellent management of the W. C. T. U. of California. There was a glorious sermon in the morning by Rev. Dr. Briggs, of San Francisco, upon " Woman's Work," a grand children's meeting in the afternoon, and a women's mass meeting in the evening, when Mrs. McCall, of San Jose, read an excellent paper upon "Temperance Education." Mrs. Browne, of San Francisco, the State President of the W. C. T. U., made a grand address, and others made brief remarks. Beautiful weather prevailed during the entire Assembly, and the utmost good fellowship. The regular business meeting was held on the afternoon of the 10th. The reports of the secretaries and treasurer were read, and an election of officers held. The old officers were reinstated, and various committees appointed. Rev. Dr. Stratton is again president; Dr. C. L. Anderson, Dr. Wythe, and Professor H. B. Norton, vice presidents; Mrs. M. H. Field, general secretary; Miss M. S. Bowman, Assembly secretary; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, treasurer. C. L. S. C. day was the closing day of the Assembly. It was as bright and sunny as could be desired, and all things were propitious. The Chautauquans gathered in the parlors, each distinguished by an oak leaf badge, and then marched two and two in long procession over to the Assembly Hall.
There were but eight graduates present. Four graduating essays were read, all of marked merit. The general secretary read some clippings from her note book. Dr. Stratton made a brief address. Mrs. McCall read a beautiful memorial paper on Mrs. M. H. McKee, of San Jose, one of last year's graduates, and a most efficient and brilliant member of the C. L. S. C. The diplomas were presented, and then the Assembly adjourned to meet in the afternoon on Chautauqua Beach for a Round-Table talk and a mussel-roast. The names of the graduates present were: Dr. C. L. Anderson, Santa Cruz, Cal.; Mrs. Helen Dryden,Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. J. A. Whitney, Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. Lillian Shuey, Brentwood, Cal.; Miss Gussie H. Wilcox, Sacramento, Cal.; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, Mrs. C. P. Baily and Mrs. Eliza Mantz, San Jos6, Cal. There are thirty others who have completed the course but who were prevented from coming to Monterey. The Round-Table on the beach was a lively affair. Some fifteen or twenty circles were represented, and all reported their respective circles as wide-awake and pursuing their readings with unabated zeal. After this exchange of experiences the Assembly laid aside its dignity and gave animated attention to the steaming mussels which were generously passed around by " the muscular committee." The tempting bivalves had been gathered by the bushel in the early morning, and at precisely the right hour laid upon great beds of coals in full sight of the Round-Table gathering. A bevy of young ladies assisted in serving the multitude, and a merry feast it proved. The California mussel-roast and the down-east clam-bake are convivial cousins. The Monterey Assembly closed its fifth meeting in peace and good will, and with the hope of many and many another summer school by the sunset sea.”
REFERENCE
Monterey Assembly. (1885) The Chautauquan, Volume 5, [From October 1884 To July 1885]. Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, Chautauqua Press. Theodore L Flood D.D. Editor 1885. Pages 41-42.