“‘MY DEAR FRIEND:—Thy kind letter in behalf of the literary associations of Amesbury and Salisbury has just been received, and I hasten to express my thanks for the generous appreciation of my life work by “mine own people,” who know the man as well as the writer. That I am neither a prophet myself, nor the son of a prophet, may account perhaps for the rather remarkable fact that I am not without honor in my own country. I scarcely need say that among the many kind testimonials of regard which, on the occasion of my birthday, have reached me from both sides of the water, none have been more welcome than that conveyed in thy letter. If the praise awarded me is vastly beyond my due, I am none the less grateful for it. “‘I know too well my own deficiencies and limitations, but my heart is warm with thankfulness to the Divine Providence which so early led me to consecrate the ability given me to the cause of heaven, freedom, and the welfare of my fellowmen. The measure of literary reputation which has come to me is as far beyond my expectation as my desert, and I am glad to share the benefit of it with my home friends and neighbors. With thanks to thyself personally, and to those whom thee represents, I am, very truly, thy friend, “‘JOHN G. WHITTIER.’” The “Crescent” circle, of WAKEFIELD, grew out of a meeting held last September, and addressed by Mr. Fairchild, of Malden, in the interest of the Chautauqua movement. A circle was formed as a result of their meeting. About twenty members are now recorded on the books, although more than that proposed at first to join. The meetings are quite interesting, the programs being varied.——The “Alpha,” of UXBRIDGE, is a new name on the books. This cutting from a recent letter is suggestive of their spirit: “We start with six members only, but all are _very_ enthusiastic. We propose to do thorough work. Our object is improvement and genuine culture. We shall use the best means to bring in others to reap with us the golden harvest, and not be selfishly content with ‘our set.’”——There are in FALL RIVER about sixty members of the C. L. S. C., but the “Amity” circle is the first organization in the city. It at present numbers only thirteen members. A larger number certainly ought to be in the organization. The “Amity” will undoubtedly soon bring them in.——From PITTSFIELD a friend writes: “I am happy to report to you a constantly increasing interest in the C. L. S. C. work in Pittsfield. Our circle reorganized in October for another year’s work. To the leadership of our efficient president, the Rev. Geo. Skene, we owe our present prosperity. We have now sixty-four members, twenty-three of whom belong to Class ’88. We have one graduate, our president, who took his diploma at Chautauqua last summer. We also have one member of Class ’85, making five classes represented in our circle.