Part 2 — PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL CIRCLE WORK.
Reading edition
FIRST WEEK IN MARCH.
1. Blackboard illustration and full explanation of the Greek theater, special attention being given to the arrangement of the stage. If preferred, charts or pictures can be substituted for the blackboard. As aids to this work Donaldson’s “Greek Theater,” containing charts and illustrations, and Mahaffy’s “Classical Greek Literature” will be found very helpful.
2. Essay—George W. Cable and his Works.
Music.
3. Selection—“The Gorgon’s Head,” found in Hawthorne’s “Wonder Book.” This story can be read “turn about” by the members. Reference is made to the headless Gorgon, on page 210 of “College Greek Course.”
4. Essay—Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, as observed in New Orleans.
5. A Paper on Great Salt Mines and Springs.
6. Critic’s Report.
SECOND WEEK IN MARCH.
1. Essay—Sir Humphrey Davy.
2. Selection—“An Account of Sappho.” By Addison.
3. A Paper on Canadian Winter Sports.
Music.
4. A Half-hour’s Quiz on the Readings of the Month.
5. Essay—The Life of Euripides.
6. Question Box.
THIRD WEEK IN MARCH.
1. Fifteen Minutes’ Talk on Balloons and their Uses.
2. Selection—“On Great Natural Geniuses.” By Addison.
3. Character Sketch—Ignatius Loyola.
4. A Paper on the Athenian Orators.
Music.
5. General Conversation on the News of the Day.
6. The Questions and Answers for the Month in The Chautauquan.
MONTHLY PARLOR MEETING.
Music.
1. Roll call—Quotations from Greek Authors.
2. A Map Exercise. Trace Philip’s conquering march, as indicated by Demosthenes in his third Olynthiac oration.
3. Essay—Demosthenes.
Music.
4. An Analysis of Tennyson’s “Princess.”
5. A Paper on the Famous Women of Greece.
Music.
6. Debate—Resolved, that the effects of the modern theater compare unfavorably with those of the ancient.
Music.
It may not be amiss to follow our programs—which are intended to be merely suggestive—with a very short exposition of our program-philosophy. It is not a heavy philosophy; indeed, it is so simple that we half suspect we may be laughed at for calling it a philosophy at all, but its principles, we believe, are true and useful; as such we offer them. According to our ideas there are four subjects which should be represented on each C. L. S. C. program; first in the list and in importance is the week’s or month’s reading, its prominent features, its suggestions, its facts, its practical lessons; second, the world’s work of to-day, not merely its events of public interest, its schemes and disasters, but its science, invention, art, literature, morals, social life, civilization, its men and its manners; to follow both exercises and clinch what has been suggested, “good talk” ought to be an invariable part of each evening’s work. Take care that talk, free, genial, interested talk, follows every performance, or every program, and be sure that always
“Music dwells Lingering and wandering on as loth to die.”
These are the four elements necessary to a good program. As to how they shall be treated we have also a theory. Its first principle is let everything be well done; while thorough, do not go astray in dates and statistics, but go to the point which you desire to make. Then be bright and interesting, the third essential in each performance. Withal, suit your theme and your treatment of it to your audience. Let the subject be of common interest, the matter neither so commonplace as to seem puerile nor so technical as to be “over the heads” of your auditors. Such is our program-philosophy. A better you will undoubtedly formulate by practicing this.