From =Chelsea, Mass.=, is a suggestive account of the origin of their circle: “In 1880 three members of one family heard of the C. L. S. C. and immediately seized the idea and joined the class of 1884. In the fall of 1882 they discovered that an elderly lady of their church had been to Chautauqua that year, and was also an ’84 member, full of enthusiasm. In 1883 three of their group enjoyed Framingham from beginning to end, while the fourth spent the season again at Chautauqua. Result—in October, 1883, was organized the ‘Mt. Bellingham Local Circle,’ with fourteen live members, among whom are the four irrepressibles, of ’85, while the rest are proud of belonging to the ‘Pansy Class.’ We have just become acquainted with a sister circle of some ten members connected with the Central Congregational Church, and have enjoyed an evening together. We meet on the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month, while the ‘Pansy Circle’ meets fortnightly on Monday evening. This gives us a chance to make visits without interfering with the regular work of either circle.”
At =Shirley, Mass.=, a circle was organized in December, 1883, with a membership of seven. Much interest is felt, and the meetings are thoroughly enjoyed.
From historic =Plymouth, Mass.=, the secretary of the “Plymouth Rock Circle” writes: “Having been very quiet and studious the past winter, and not having increased in numbers, we thought it best to invite some of our friends to a Chautauqua supper. Accordingly, on the evening of May 12 quite a goodly number entered the prettily decorated Grand Army Hall, and were soon seated at the well filled tables. The supper seemed to be enjoyed, also the program which followed. Some of our guests were so well pleased that they think of becoming members of the class of ’88.”
The tide of Chautauqua enthusiasm reached =Brighton, Mass.=, last fall, and on October 8, 1883, a local circle was organized. It was called the “Union Circle of Brighton and Allston,” as the members come from both places. At the meetings of the circle they review the readings of the intervening two weeks, and for that purpose questions are prepared on the different subjects by the members. The circle is composed of eleven members, one of whom is vice president of the class of ’87 of the New England Branch of the C. L. S. C.