It was to embrace the histories of the great nations that
shaped the world--Israel, Greece, Rome, Great Britain, and
America,--with shorter sketches of other important lands; a view over
the literature of the ages, not in the original Greek, Latin, or German,
but as translated into our own tongue, presented in a manner to give
general understanding to the many, and also to awaken the aspiring
reader by pointing out the path to thorough knowledge. There are tens of
thousands who have studied the Bible only in the English version, yet
could pass a better examination upon its contents than many graduates of
the theological seminary. One might read such an account of Homer's
_Odyssey_, or Virgil's _AEneid_, or Dante's _Paradiso_, or Goethe's
_Faust_, as would inspire him to seek and study a complete translation
of these masterpieces. Dr. Edward Everett Hale, from the beginning one
of the counselors of the Chautauqua Course, said that it gives to its
students "the language of the time"; not a full detailed knowledge, but
such a general view as enables him to understand allusions and
references, to be at home with the thinkers and writers of the age.

The Chautauqua Circle was not planned for specialists, seeking full
knowledge upon one subject, but for general readers. Before it was
inaugurated there was already established in Boston the Society for the
Encouragement of Home Study. The student who desired aid through this
useful organization was expected to select some one department of
knowledge, and then a list of books or articles would be sent to him,
with suggestions, questions, and an examination. If historical, it would
not be history in general, but the history of one country, or one period
in its annals. It might be the American, or French, or English
Revolution--very thorough, but only for one seeking special knowledge.
But the Chautauqua plan contemplated a general round of
knowledge--history, literature, science, natural and social, art, and
religion: and this broad conception was one great secret of its success.
A story which is typical was told the writer of this volume as an
absolute fact by one who claimed to know the persons referred to. A
young lady called upon her pastor with this request; "I wish that you
would tell me of some good books to read. I'm tired of reading nothing
but novels, and want to find some books that are worth while. Can't you
give me the names of some such books?"

The minister though