The author of "What Shall our Boys do for a Living" advises: "Every earnest boy who is ambitious to improve his mind should join the Chautauqua Home Reading Circle." Many write us that they find the course "helpful" in their "work as teachers." A librarian supplements an order for books with the following, "We use your books so much that we should like to have this as speedily as possible."

Finally by way of contrast to the instance previously cited of the enthusiastic Chautauqua reader aged seventyfour, we may note the possibilities of the course for young people of intellectual interests. An Ohio girl graduated with the C. L. S. C. class of 1908 when at the age of fifteen. She was stimulated to the work perhaps by an older sister who was taking the course, but she performed the work faithfully in every detail.

The variety of needs which the Chautauqua Course appears to satisfy is equaled only by the variety of opinions upon the various elements constituting any four years' course. It would be almost impossible to determine which of the four years constituting the Chautauqua cycle was the most popular. Our correspondence reveals every shade of opinion. Says one reader:

"We are so glad that this is the Classical Year as that is certainly the right year to begin with."

Another reader states "I believe I enjoyed the English Year most but have especially enjoyed the Egyptian researches in the present number."

Other opinions follow:

"Have enjoyed all four years."

"I have enjoyed the English Year the most I believe."

"I think the American Year was the most enjoyable."

"I have enjoyed every year to a great extent and to make a special choice would be difficult, yet I think I would have to give the preference to the English year. A wider outlook has been granted me in many directions, avenues of interest have been opened of whose existence heretofore I scarcely knew."

"The Classic Year is the best year of the four and although it is my last year in order to graduate with the 1910's, yet I feel that the system has taken such deep root that I shall always be found in the work."

"The work seems to be giving satisfaction," writes a circle secretary, "although of course this year's work does not meet the popular approval that last year's did owing to the very nature of it

the Classical Year." The secretary adds, however: "The Reading Journey, this year, in Egypt is exceptionally fine. You people were wise, I think, in your selection of the subject and author. It is so very realistic, one can almost imagine himself in old Egypt, going through the same experiences the author is. 'The Greek View of Life' is one of the most 'well worth reading' books, too."

"Perhaps I have enjoyed the English Year best because of the associations."

"I think I have enjoyed the American the most, but hardly know. It has all been such delightful reading. I only regret that I have not had more time for it."

"The European Year 1908-9 I enjoyed the best of the course as I found the reading an excellent preparation for a European trip."

"I have enjoyed each year's work as it came to me. Possibly the present year has given me the most pleasure."

It would seem therefore, instead of dropping the Classical Year's work as some of our readers might suggest, that it would be a safer plan to include yet other years in the course. The very work that seems to one reader dry and unnecessary is to another the beginning of all wisdom and as fascinating as romance. But if you were the editors wouldn't you be at a loss to know what books and what travel series in the magazine would best meet the needs and demands of the greatest number of readers?

Yet the editors know when some particular book or series has met with decided approval. Of the books and articles comprising the study year now closed it is apparent that "The Friendly Stars," "The Greek View of Life," "The Reading Journey through Egypt," and "Woman in the Progress of Civilization" were those best liked. The approval of "The Friendly Stars" seems to have been universal [Halley's comet came along quite apropos], and many are the evidences that the book has shown the way to a new and profitable recreation for many a reader. Writes one:

"The Friendly Stars are very fascinating and I am star gazing two or three nights each week."

"I have always delighted myself in my star friends and never feel lonely when walking alone on a starlight night. I delight to take my class at school and introduce them to my star friends."

Mr. Dickinson's excellent book, "The Greek View of Life," was widely admired, though certain circles felt it to be somewhat hard. One circle secretary in commenting on the year's work writes: "When we closed 'The Greek View

of Life' we one and all regretted to do so. We have especially enjoyed James H. Breasted's article in THE CHAUTAUQUAN and our Carnegie Library bought his History of Egypt."

Other circles report:

"We have found the work quite interesting, particularly the 'Greek View of Life,' 'The Reading Journey through Egypt,' and 'Woman in the Progress of Civilization.''

"There seems to be deep interest in our work as far as we have gone especially in 'The Greek View of Life' and the articles on Egypt in the magazine."

"Each year has seemed to be the best as I have read on. The English Year brushed up my memory on many forgotten points, besides so much new material. The American Year was splendid reading: the European Year I read with enthusiasm, but the present Classical Year seems to have thrown a spell over me. These primitive, youthful traits and history always fascinate me, but no reading in the past on these subjects has come up to the C. L. S. C. Course. 'Woman in the Progress of Civilization' is noteworthy. Of scientific books Prof. Shaler's comes first. The greatest help it seems is from the spirit imbibed which unconsciously manifests itself."

"We have all enjoyed 'Greek View of Life' and 'Woman in the Progress of Civilization' very much. Odyssey and Iliad' hasn't taken quite as it should. Perhaps we do not enjoy it as much because we all read that by ourselves alone without taking it up in class."

The evidence concerning the appreciation of the Homeric poems suggested by the above comments is difficult of satisfactory interpretation. Some it seems found Homer fascinating, to others he seems frankly to have been a bore. The quotation above may be balanced by the following: "We are all very much interested [in the work] and while the Homeric poems and the 'Reading Journey through Egypt' are preferred by most, the 'Greek View of Life' has its friends too."

Despite the somewhat difficult study necessary to master "Woman in the Progress of Civilization" the series was widely popular, particularly with women's clubs interested in the woman's movement and the problems which it involves. Many of our correspondents single out this series for especial commendation. Writes one: "We have been especially interested in 'Friendly Stars' and 'Woman in the Progress of Civilization.'" Another: "Am enjoying all

of the articles in THE CHAUTAUQUAN this year but especially 'Woman in the Progress of Civilization.'"

We should like to go on quoting indefinitely the comments of our readers upon various aspects of this year's work. The various points of view suggested would doubtless have much of value for those holding opposite opinions. We must, however, leave some place for a few criticisms and suggestions upon our editing and conducting THE CHAUTAUQUAN. One suggestion concerns the appearance of the magazine. Our correspondent suggests a uniform cover. She asks, "Would it be possible to have each month a different building of the Chautauqua Assembly on the cover, and thus vary the magazine and make it more interesting? Having never been at Chautauqua, it would give me great pleasure and I know those who are familiar with the grounds would be glad to see the pictures of buildings from time to time."

Some of our readers it seems desire rather than to bind the entire magazine to take it apart and at the end of the year to bind all the reading journeys together and the other series in like fashion, thus making three books of the required reading in the magazine. To do this, however, has not been practicable mechanically.

The old question of the trimmed and untrimmed magazine recurs. We content ourselves merely with quoting the two following comments:

"You are always doing some little thing that calls out one's feeling of gratitude. This number of THE CHAUTAUQUAN all nicely cut and neat is a joy.

"The size was a great advance. This is an improvement which I most heartily congratulate you on."

"Would it not be possible to get THE CHAUTAUQUAN untrimmed? I would wish to have the magazine bound after the course is completed and as they are trimmed so close to the reading matter at the top this would make the page margin at the top of the book look out of proportion to the rest of the book."

It may be added that anyone who prefers untrimmed copies can have them by so requesting when subscription is sent. The demand for trimming appears to be almost unani

mous.

A further suggestion of practical value which we adopt is the following: "May I suggest a larger space for answering questions on the blank another year. It is hard to make a paper look well when you have to crowd the answers in."

Other interesting criticisms suggest that the Iliad would have been improved by the addition of notes; that the binding, paper, and print of the books are all very poor; that more pronunciation tables are wanted, and another caustic critic wounds us with the comment that she objects to the magazine because of its untidy appearance and seemingly careless workmanship.

These are depressing reflections. We prefer to end this exhibit with citations which are not only more complimentary to our efforts but which we believe are more characteristic of the experience of the average Chautauquan:

"I am enjoying this year really the most, especially Egypt, with maps, etc. My daughters have helped me some, as they are quite interested also. This course has been an inspiration to me, cut off as I am, with not being able to hear well, and has let me into a larger life, where I hope I am exerting a beneficial influence."

"Perhaps my most pleasant experience in connection with my reading has been the pleasure derived from weekly association with others who have given of their best to make the meetings of the circle helpful and interesting. Living as I do in a large city, we have tried to be helpful along many lines, and have taken especial interest in a boys' club and in connection with others have maintained a place for boys (whose home life has been cheerless) to meet for nightly reading, games, and manual training; also have furnished books for their library. Social pleasures and gatherings that have grown out of my connection with Victoria Circle have been very pleasant, and I shall always be glad that I have found time to take the Chautauqua course. Have enjoyed each year; perhaps this year may be called the best."

"I have enjoyed all the reading of the four years just closing, Dut have enjoyed most the European Year. The reading has afforded me a great deal of pleasure in connection with my work as a teacher in the public school here. I have been delighted in giving my pupils much of the information I have derived from the course. The pupils of the high school were greatly pleased with a number of lectures that I gave them on German life and customs, and these lectures were made up principally from what I remembered of the book 'Seen in Germany.?"

"We have a small public library that is the result of the work of the ladies of the Greater Medford Club."

"I have been glad many times over that I took up the work.