One of the most delightful of evenings was spent by about two hundred of the C. L. S. C.’s of Cincinnati and vicinity, on Tuesday evening, May 8. The occasion bringing so many of the members together in gala attire was their fourth annual reunion. On the chancel railing were large and beautiful bouquets of fragrant flowers, and the motto, “Never be Discouraged,” hung in graceful curves across the front of the room.
But the event of the evening was the unexpected visit from Dr. Vincent, who came to see the members of the circle, while passing through the city from the South en route to New York.
When Dr. Vincent appeared on the platform a vigorous Chautauqua salute and expressions of admiration and surprise showed the high esteem and regard in which the Cincinnati circles hold Chautauqua’s chief.
He congratulated the circle upon its good work in the past, and encouraged those present to redouble their efforts for the future. He said he had been traveling for some time, had just left Louisville in the afternoon, and had arrived in Cincinnati only a short time before, and added: “I am really too weary to talk, for I have delivered ten addresses in six days, and am worn out, but the sight of this prosperous association revives me sufficiently to at least leave a suggestion for your reflection after I am gone. One thing I wish to impress upon your minds is the importance of giving expression to your thoughts, either by talking or writing.”
“Americans are great talkers—always making speeches. But is it to any purpose or improvement? Is it not full of verbiage, and too often frivolous? Usually when reunions of ladies take place, does not their conversation drift to commonplace subjects, and do they say anything beneficial or worth remembering or generally proceed much further than the weather and the fashions. But the C. L. S. C.’s propose remedying this, and are succeeding admirably, and when they can not suggest an ennobling topic they keep silent.”
He then told them of some of the treasures Chautauqua had in store for its visitors of ’83, and closed his address wishing the Cincinnati circles every prosperity, and invoking a blessing full of earnestness and affection.
The following is the program of the evening:
| 1. Prayer | Rev. J. H. Vincent, D.D. |
| 2. Recitation—“Jane Conquest” | Miss Anna Kumler |
| 3. Piano Solo | Miss Ella Kattenhorn |
| 4. Address | Dr. J. H. Vincent |
| 5. Soprano Solo—“The Charmer” | Miss Clara Looker |
| 6. “Three Themes for Reflection” | Mrs. M. J. Pyle |
| 7. Recitation—“Barbara Fritchie” | Col. John A. Johnson |
| 8. Vocal Solo—“The Day is Done” | Miss Mamie Standish |
| 9. Essay—“Concerning Popular Sayings” | Mrs. A. E. McAvoy |
| 10. Reading—“John Jenkins’s Sermon” | Mr. Stanley Olive |
| 11. Duet—“On Mossy Bank” | Misses Nellie Allan and Jennie White |
It was uniformly well rendered, each of the participants being a representative of some one of the local circles. While refreshments were being served the ’82’s held one of their stated meetings, and decided to give a reception to the members of ’83 of Cincinnati and vicinity in September, during the time of the Cincinnati exposition, when the members from a distance will have a favorable time to come and meet other members of the Alumni Association. The ’82’s were distinguished by their badges, and though their meeting was not large in numbers, it was very enthusiastic, ten of those present having passed through the bronze gateway and under the arches on Commencement Day, last August; and many pleasant memories were revived of their class work and Chautauqua.
At the close of their meeting they disbanded and mingled with their friends in the other classes, and all partook of the refreshments which were dispensed most bountifully.