destined to become a reality in 1878. That year marks a
golden milestone in the history of Chautauqua, for then was launched
_The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle_, that goodly vessel
which has sailed around the world, has carried more than a half-million
of passengers, and has brought inspiration and intelligence to
multitudes unnumbered. The conception arose in its author's mind from
the consciousness of his own intellectual needs. He had longed, but
vainly, for the privilege of higher education in the college, but in his
youth there were no Boards of Education with endowments extending a
helping hand to needy students. His school-days ended in the academy,
but not his education, for he was to the end of his life a student,
reading the best books, even when their subjects and style demanded a
trained mind. As one who knew him well and for more than a
generation, I may say without hesitation that John Heyl Vincent
possessed more knowledge and richer culture than nine out of ten men
holding a college diploma.

But his heart went out in sympathy toward others who like himself had
missed the opportunity of dwelling in college-cloisters, toward workers
on the farm, at the forge, in the store, in the office, in the kitchen,
and in the factory, whose longings were like his own. Many of these
would read good books and drink at "the Pierian Spring," if only they
knew where to find the fountain--in other words, if some intelligent,
well-read person would direct them, and place the best books in their
way. Gradually it dawned upon his mind that everyone has some margin of
time, at least half an hour among the twenty-four, which might be made
useful under wise counsel to win knowledge. He had not heard of that
sentence spoken by the great President of Harvard, that "ten minutes a
day, for ten years of a life, with the right books, will give any one an
education." Indeed, that wise utterance came after the Chautauqua Circle
had been established and was already giving guidance to many thousand
people.

The conception came to Dr. Vincent of a course of reading, which might
become to the diligent a course of study, to include the principal
subjects of a college curriculum, all in the English language, omitting
the mathematical and technical departments of science; a course that
would give to its careful reader, not the mental discipline of four
years in college, but something of the college outlook upon life and
letters.