“Though we are so late in reporting the existence of our little circle, known as the ‘Philomaths,’ of ACKLEY, IOWA, we are confident that none other has been carrying on the season’s work with more enthusiasm than our own. September 19, 1884, we organized with an enrollment of ten; since that time the number has increased to fourteen—all ‘Plymouth Rocks.’ Each member leads a busy life, yet we meet each Friday evening, and are convinced that we can not spend our few spare minutes more profitably than in following the C. L. S. C. readings. Our programs, prepared by an efficient board of three members, are based on the proposed programs of THE CHAUTAUQUAN, and are published each week in the town papers. The quotations selected as responses are brought into the circle on uniform slips of paper and are preserved in a ‘Mark Twain Scrap Book.’ In course of time we shall possess a very choice collection of ‘gems.’ Bryant and Milton days were observed in their turn, as was also a Burns day. We are all delighted with the work, and our only regret is that the wave reached us no sooner.”——“We have organized in our village—BLANCHARD—a local circle of the class of ’87, of eleven members. This year we have nineteen members, one being a lady seventy-four years old, a graduate of the class of ’82. We hold our meetings weekly, members answering by quotations. We pursued THE CHAUTAUQUAN plan of questions and answers last year very successfully, and are proceeding in the same way this, although our programs vary according to the option of the leader. We usually have written questions on the readings in THE CHAUTAUQUAN. The work has proven pleasant and profitable.”——Another IOWA circle from which we are very glad to hear is that of GRUNDY CENTER. They had the misfortune to have their goodly membership of fifteen of last year dwindled down to five when they started last fall, but their enthusiasm was too much for discouragement. They have “caught up” again, and now are a democratic assembly composed of three ministers, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian, and their wives, one doctor, four lawyers, an editor, and two school teachers, a banker’s wife, two merchants’ wives, a county officer and two farmers.