From Auburn, N. Y., we receive the following: “February 27 we celebrated Longfellow’s birthday. It was the first really premeditated entertainment we have had, and we of the committee looked forward to it with fear and trembling, only to be so pleasantly surprised at the willingness to do, and the amount of stored-away talent, that now we complacently think our local circle can do almost anything. Prof. R. Holmes talked to us, and it was such a delightful, encouraging talk, I wished for the magic art of the stenographer, that I might send his pleasant words to you all. Some of us had felt certain he would ‘tell us all about Chautauqua,’ but when he told us it was simply indescribable, we gave a little sigh, and will try and wait until 1886, the year to which most of us belong; then we just hope to go there, and behold and appropriate for _ourselves_. Prof. Holmes explained to us the full significance of the mystic C. L. S. C., and made us understand more fully than ever how much we might make of it if we would.” * * * * * It is a proverbial expression that every man is the maker of his own fortune, and we usually regard it as implying that every man, by his folly or wisdom, prepares good or evil for himself. But we may view it in another light—namely, that we may so accommodate ourselves to the dispensations of Providence as to be happy in our lot, whatever may be its privations.—_Wilhelm von Humboldt._ LOCAL CIRCLES. [We request the president or secretary of every local circle to send us reports of your work, or ask the circle to elect a member to write up your method of conducting the circle, together with reports of lectures, concerts, entertainments, etc.—Editor THE CHAUTAUQUAN, Meadville, Pa.] =Maine (Saco).=—The Wilbur F. Berry Circle was started January 1, 1882. No organization was formed, however, until the next October. As we were three months behind at the beginning, the work seemed somewhat hard, but the interest did not flag, and the course for the second year was entered upon with much zeal. We have a membership of sixteen. Deep interest is manifested by the members. * * * * * =Massachusetts (Magnolia).=—We have received the sad news of the death of Miss E. O. Tuck. Her mother writes: “My daughter died very happy; her Savior’s presence lighted the dark valley. She was much interested in the C. L. S. C., having induced more than twenty to join it. She would have graduated this year, having completed the reading required for the White Crystal Seal Course.” * * * * *