Skating and Skaters 159 Book Knowledge and Manners 161 Under the Autumn Skies 161 Eight Centuries with Walter Scott 162 Plant Nutrition 164 C. L. S. C. Work 165 Outline of C. L. S. C. Readings 166 A Reunion at Milwaukee 166 A C. L. S. C. Experience 167 The C. L. S. C. in Toronto 167 Sunbeams from the Circle 167 Local Circles 169 C. L. S. C. Round-Table 171 Questions and Answers 172 Popular Education 175 Chautauqua Normal Course, Season of 1884 176 Editor’s Outlook 178 Editor’s Note-Book 180 Astronomy of the Heavens for December 183 C. L. S. C. Notes on Required Readings for December 183 Books Received 187 Intermediate Normal Class 188 REQUIRED READING FOR THE _Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle for 1883-4_. DECEMBER. GERMAN HISTORY. By REV. W. G. WILLIAMS, A. M. III. THE FRANKS AND MEROVINGIANS. After the fall of the Western Empire the Franks step into the foreground and show themselves of all the German tribes the most capable of founding a stable government. From the first they were distinguished from the others by their superior military discipline, and by their pride and ambition. They had always been looked upon as formidable warriors. Few of them wore helmets and mail; their breasts and backs were covered only by the shield. From the hips downward they wrapped themselves in close-fitting linen or leather, so as to display each man’s tall, upright form. Their principal weapon was the two-edged battle-axe, which served for throwing as well as striking. They also carried frightful javelins with barbed points. Their own laws describe them as brave warriors, profound in their plans, manly and healthy in body, handsome, bold, impetuous, and hardy. But their enemies, perhaps with some justice, denounced them as the most faithless and cruel of men. The distinguishing ornament of the kings was their hair, which was left uncut, flowing freely over the shoulder. The people were still heathen, untamed and uncivilized, yet in constant intercourse with the Romans in Gaul.[A] CLOVIS, THE FIRST FRANKISH KING.