is better the college idea, changing a few members every year, always getting in some for the new class, but never breaking up. Such a circle will not be subject to every wayward breeze, but will gather to itself a long line of delightful memories, and keep on year after year, a potent influence in the community. One sure way to accomplish this is to reorganize before the summer vacation begins. Select the most competent member for a leader for a period, or the year, as your plan

may be, and make the best and most faithful members your officers. This method gives leaders and officers time to mature plans. It ensures calling an early fall meeting to begin on time. It secures timely action, and anticipates other organizations entering the field and getting those who ought to belong to you. It also gives a staff of officers to energetically recruit your membership. Make the work of reorganizing a special subject for one of your last meetings this month.

ALMOST an unheard-of thing in readingcircle experience is occurring among the Bay View circles. Ordinarily the attendance and interest diminish on the approach of summer; but in a very considerable number of our circles new members are being added, the attendance is increasing and the enthusiasm deepening.

THE presence by photograph of twenty-five circles in this number is a report for each one of a condition of good work and prosperity. And what delightful times they have had all the year! Trials and difficulties are now all forgotten as they look into the beautiful world of English life, and they possess charming pictures that can never fade from memory.

OUR PORT HURON circle, among leading women, has the unusual distinction of seven members who have enjoyed foreign travel, and who materially aid the work. Another member was once a pupil of Professor Pancoast at Bryn Mawr. Very informal, but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon meetings have made a long, delightful year. Pleasant side trips have been taken with Shakespeare's dramas, and a Byronic scholar, Mrs. Eliza G. Flowers, has given the circle two interesting essays, on the "Maid of Athens," and the "Morning Star of Annesley." The June meetings are to occur on a St. Clair River steamer. We have all enjoyed the work so much," are the final words of an interesting report.

OUR PROGRESSIVE circle, of Bloomington, Ind., recently enjoyed a rare privilege - a stereopticon astronomical lecture by the distinguished Professor E. E. Barnard, of the Lick Observatory.

IN the country village of GOODRICH a circle has kept its light brightly burning all the year. Much delight reported, likewise praise of the capable leader, Mrs. A. N. Cummings.

NEWBERRY circle began the year with an enthusiasm that has never waned; now requires extra meetings.

SIXTEEN busy people organized last fall the SELF CULTURE circle, of Big Rapids, and its

motto, "Man grows as higher grows his aim," has been verified by every one. Each has been continually surprised at how much literary work even busy people can do if they have systematic plans. The circle sustains a great loss by removal of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Barker.

THE Detroit SOROSIS took up our Course this year and now directs a report mentioning their thorough interest and enthusiastic appreciation of it. Like many others, they regret that they are so near the end of this delightful year. Mention of an efficient leader is not forgotten.

FIVE ladies in OSCODA have for two years proved how helpful and successful even a small circle can be.

Two years ago the HESPERIAN circle began in Walnut, Ia., by a company of ladies who became so interested that they continued meeting all summer, and will do so again.

"EVEN better than last year,' is the message from our HOMER Circle. The death of a dear member, Mrs. E. L. Owen, is deeply mourned.

"THE afternoon is all too short for our weekly meetings," tells the story of success at MORRICE. Roll call is a regular feature, responses being some historical fact or quotation. Several are planning for Bay View.

THE UPTON, Battle Creek, circle, is closing a prosperous year. Correspondent rightly adds, 'Only those zealous in this, or any work can hope for a rich reward."

THE LOTUS circle, Pittsfield, Ill., enlivened the year with special evenings and unique programs. The enthusiasm of a member who visited Bay View in '95 has affected all others.

TWELVE married ladies in DESHLER, O., have all the year proved the splendid adaptability of the Course to people pressed with home duties. They are at a loss for words to tell how socially and intellectually interesting their circle has been to them.

A COMPANY of bright young people and a few older ones whose hearts will never grow

old, make up the SOUTH GRAND RAPIDS circle that has been such an inspiration to every one.

OURS is the first reading circle ever organized in MECOSTA, and the thirteen members are so much interested that they have no idea of adjourning for the summer.

ANOTHER, the YOUNG LADIES' circle, Hamilton, Mo., has not only not missed its regular meeting but once, then a stormy night,- but proposes to go right on through the summer, reviewing, and doing collateral work.

FOR three years our JONESVILLE circle has been a real home college, doing work not surpassed in many a high institution. Only once, then unavoidably so, has the circle missed its regular meeting with a full attendance.

A SMALL Company of faithful ladies make up circle No. 2 in CASS CITY. For a long time unused to reading with mental effort, they now realize great benefits, and are happy again in the returning joys of student days.

OUR LANSING circle members now look back to 1895-96 as one of the most delightful and profitable years of their lives. Wish the good people in a thousand places could organize next November, and be able to give such a report for themselves a year hence. Like most other circles, this one is already planning to interest more members next year.

LEONARD is proving that with the Bay View Course any country neighborhood can have a circle and realize a great uplift. This excellent circle of a dozen members, has been a quiet leaven for all that is good in the village. Once a month it has given its friends pleasure by a reception night.

THE BOYESEN circle, of Ludington, supplemented the literature by critically reading Hamlet and Macbeth, each member impersonating a character.

ALL the members of the Marshall, Ind., SUNSHINE circle agree that their circle is rightly named. It is a new circle and full of life and light. Has permanent and pleasant circle rooms.

CLINTON, Ia., circle has a good thought-to draw out and develop each member's capacity. The course has been thoroughly done, and research encouraged, besides. Each one is urged to bring to the meetings all the outside knowledge to be gained on the topic in hand. Authors mentioned have been looked up, reviews brought in, facts and questions given at roll-call, etc. Recently, one who had just returned from a tour of England and the continent gave the circle an enjoyable conversazione. Others are to be invited.

THE circle at BOON reports no abatement of the lively interest of the winter months.

MARSHALL, long known for its many bright literary people and clubs, is the home of a very fine Bay View circle, too, and Rev. P. W. Mc Reynolds, of the Christian Church, is its energetic leader.

THE WEST BOULEVARD circle, Detroit, sustains a severely felt loss in the death of one of its best members.

ALL the eleven DETROIT circles are to unite in an afternoon class-day outing, June 6, on the beautiful Bell Isle in the Detroit River

TRENTON is the place where the school board thinks so highly of our Course that all teachers are required to take it. Circle enrolls eleven members, who, for two years, have been true students. One is a stenographer, going twelve miles every morning to her work; and Superintendent Martin, of the public schools, is leader. The arranged work in the MAGAZINE has been wisely followed, often varying suggested programs, but including the subjects.

MANY circles report accessions from teachers, drawn by the astronomy.

"IT is a satisfaction," writes a member, "that our KOKOMO, Ind., circle's closing meetings are the best of all, both in attendance and interest." Scarcely a meeting now passes without a discussion over plans for next year. Many are planning for Bay View.

SEVERAL members of the INDIANAPOLIS circle have been negotiating for a Bay View cottage for the summer.

THERE is a very interesting NEW ORLEANS circle, many of whose members are filling their examination reports.

RECENTLY the enterprising SENIOR, Moline, Ill., circle gave a reception to fifty of its friends that must have been extremely enjoyable. There was an original poem with local hits, and vivid Bay View pictures, by Mrs. A. S. Wright. A trip to Black Hawk's Watch Tower furnished much amusement. There was fine music and a delightful social time.

THE ORIENTAL circle, of Jackson, too, had an April reception, so good that it will long be remembered by a large company. These cheerful hours have everywhere relieved the circle's serious literary work and left bright spots in the year's history.

ROMEO circle is right at the front with a thoroughly practised yell

"Romeo! Romeo here are we,
'99, '99, B. V. C.!”

This is not all. It has thirty-seven, mostly young ladies, of the finest people in this pretty town. The cultivated Mrs. J. L. Stark wether is president, and two members have traveled in England.

How about that Examination Report? Don't neglect this, one of the most helpful of all our Circle features. Miss Maud Pyle, class of '99, a LOGANSPORT, Ind., member, has the honor of sending in the first.

ON May 6 the VICTORIA and CRESCENT circles, of Flint, together with the HELEN HUNT CLUB following our Course, gave an elegant joint reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs.

Delos Cook, attended by nearly two hundred. This is an annual occurrence which was this year of unusual social prominence in the city. All the year these circles have been doing the Course in a thorough manner. They are now planning a Sunday-evening vesper service at one of the churches.

THE teacher's circle of HOLLY, mention an extremely pleasant year, partly the result of thorough work. During the year every member has given at least one long paper, the series taking up poetry, the drama, the novel, criticism, and English historical and literary subjects.

FROM FINDLAY, O., come most gratifying reports of our four splendid circles in that college city. All are closing a successful year.

OUR GIBSON CITY, Ill., circle, thirty-nine strong, has been a surprise to the members. The very

deep interest, showing almost no decline, the benefits clearly realized, and the renewed interest in sober studies are joyously alluded to in the secretary's report. All want to go to Bay View.

ΜΑΝΤΟΝ circle, like many others, is specially favored with a member, Mrs. S. G. Bayes, from the country,

tronomy by Professor Allen, and three extremely informing talks on England, by Mrs. W. J. Mc Cune, just returned.

ENTERPRISING MANDAN people had the credit of organizing the first North Dakota circle, and that good work has been done, is shown by the membership, now three times larger than at the beginning, with a corresponding interest all around. This condition, where library and other helps are scarce, is in high praise of the members.

LIKEWISE the circle in WOLSEY, South Dakota, marks the beginning in that State. These pioneer movements in the Dakotas are sure to scatter seeds for a wider growth next fall.

THE varied conditions under which many are taking the Course are interesting. Among the even dozen enthusiastic VICKSBURG circle members is one, a chief postal agent on one of the great Grand Trunk night

and one of the spring meetings at her cheerful farmhouse is especially remembered.

ENCOURAGED by the always enthusiastic reports from our IRVINGTON, LOUISVILLE, and MIDDLETOWN circles; the fertile soil of Kentucky is sure to raise up many more next fall.

THE Women of Cass City, years ago formed the DAYLIGHT READING CLUB, and this year adopted our Course. Mrs. Auten, cultured by foreign travel, has rendered valuable help as leader. Circle has splendid record and is prominent in the town.

OUR PETOSKEY MONDAY CLUB is one of those permanent and settled circles, adding to the record, year by year, many pleasant memories and friendships. Also illustrates how every circle does or may learn how to find and utilize help at home to mutual advantage. Recently enjoyed a delightful lecture on as

mails be

tween Port Huron and Chicago. Good work and steady enthusiasm characterize this useful circle. Rev. Dr. Reiter is president, and Mrs. J. E. Kimball, leader.

A FEATURE in our LEBANON, Ind., circle has been a reception once a month, when their husbands and a few friends were guests. As elsewhere, Course and MAGAZINE are praised. Conditions of "perfect harmony and growing freedom in discussions," are also mentioned. OUR members seem to be very proud of the new Circle pin, and it is in great demand.

A PHILOMATHIAN, Bloomington, Ill., circle correspondent puts in words what many are thinking: "The end of the reading year brings a sense of loneliness, as we lay aside the work that has been so interesting and profitable."

FORREST, Ill., sustains a large circle, in its second year, that is a great credit to the town. A recent event was a pleasant Reception Night.

LIKEWISE the three LAPEER circles feel elated over their triumphant success.

CLOSING meeting of the LECTURIO, of Jackson, will be a picnic at Clark's lake, a pretty resort fifteen miles away, the circle thoughtfully taking the King's Daughters to share the pleasure.

OUR MINERVA, Houghton, circle has been doing the English cathedrals, and will hold summer meetings to read some of the works commended in the literature. A joint meeting with the LAKESIDE circle is planned.

THE MIDLAND circle reports a profitable meeting in the high-school laboratory with illustrated instruction by Superintendent Wood in light, and other subjects in the astronomy study. Although members found the last study a little hard, all felt it was just what they needed. Will close the year with a banquet, when forty plates will be laid. The reception takes place in the St. Johns' rectory, the banquet in the Guild Hall.

NEW CIRCLES.

A NEW idea in reading-circle history is the summer circle, among those who will pass the season at home and want something for cheerful afternoon or evening work and pleasant gatherings. This is an admirable plan, and if adhered to, will supply many delightful hours. The first summer circle is in KENDALLVILLE, Ind. The members intend to work during the summer on our English Course, taking up our American studies in November. It is suspected that the good work of an already organized Bay View Circle there has commended the Course to this new circle.

OHIO again this year, as last year, has the honor of organizing the first circle for the new year. A large number of prominent LIMA women have already organized-the first members in Class 1900!

TABLE TALK becomes another of the inter

esting MAGAZINE departments. The plan is to gather here much scattered intelligence around the studies of the Bay View Course. Just now the Circle members are in the midst of astronomical studies, associate in the English Course, and hence directly related items will fill the department,-changing with the change of studies.

CAROLINE HERSCHEL, the famous English astronomer, discovered no less than eight comets, and by her scholarship and investigations won the coveted gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.

A PERSON Weighing one hundred and fifty pounds here, would weigh two tons on the sun. There's where some people get their estimate of their importance.

It is believed nowadays that the moon is a perfect ellipse, one third longer than it is broad. The elliptical theory is founded on the wellknown fact that a certain side (end, rather) of the moon is always presented to our view. This is caused by the moon revolving once on her axis in exactly the same period of time that she revolves around the earth. Her elongated shape was probably caused by the attraction of the earth when both planets were young and soft.

THE Lick telescope on Mount Hamilton, Cal., is one of the greatest in the world. It was a seven-hundred-thousand dollar gift of James Lick to the University of California.

Rogers.

Mount Hamilton is eighteen miles east of San José, and on the summit, over four thousand feet above the sea, in a clear and equable atmosphere, is this great temple of science. The construction of the road to the summit cost more than seventy-three thousand dollars, and the great lens fifty-one thousand dollars. The telescope is fifty-six and one-half feet long, weighs fourteen tons, and was completed in fourteen years, or in 1888. Stars thirty-two thousand times fainter than the smallest ones visible to the naked eye are seen, and objects on the moon three hundred feet square can be seen. It is estimated that fifty million stars are made visible by this telescope, while only six thousand can be seen with the eye. The founder died in 1876, and was buried on Mount Hamilton.

LATEST investigations show that the planet Mars has conditions similar to those of the earth, for supporting life. The atmosphere is much more rare than ours, and the accumulation of snow in winter and its disappearance in spring seem to be proved beyond doubt.

IT is a mistake to suppose important discoveries are made only with the greatest telescopes. The satellites of Mars were discovered by Professor Asaph Hall, with the Washington telescope: he named them Phobos and Deimos-terror and fear- the attendants of the god of war. Many important results have been achieved with the telescope at Michigan University.