The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-02-28

description of popular association known
here as the
ROUND TABLE
The Round Table is an organization de>ign-
ed to provide pleasing evening entertainments.
in which amusements and intellectual improve
ment are happily combined. The Round Ia
Bile is composed Of some OF the most intelligent
people of Majison-both ladies' and gentlemen
it embraces in its circle Clergymen, University
Professors, and other literary persons It holds
its meetings weekly, on Friday evenings The
programme for these intellectual entertainments
S generally about as follows: The company
assemble usually at half past seven, the first
hour is appropriated to general interchange of
civilities- making new acquaintances, and dis
cussing the news and current topics of the day.
After these preliminaries, the President calls to
order, and announces the literary exercises
these consist Of readings, either original Or from
select authors recitations and short addresses,
the exercises being intersperSed with music
Usually some eight or ten persons are lndca-
ted on the programme, to contribute to The eve
ning's entertainment. The last half hour Of the
evening is devoted to anrestrained sociab-
ties and merry voices ring in right earnest; con.
ventionalities are laid aside, and every one tries
his best at wit and repartee
One of the pleasing features of these gather
ings is that the clergymen seem to take the
lead, and contribute some of the most happy an
ecdotes and witticisms, to enliven theconvivial-
ity of the hour This is rational and as it
should be. The impression too generally pre-
walls, that the church is composed of vinegar
faced people, and that their mission in this
life is TO wend their way with saddened coun-
tenances through the world. The love of pleas.
ure and amusement is God-given TO man he
who deyises the most successful meas for turn.
ing mans love of pleasure and amusement into
proper channels, is public benefactor If the
people had more ayanues to rational amuse-
ment, there would be far less indulgence in low
follies and vulgar pastimes. BY rational amuSe-
ments l do not intend to include dancing, card
playing, &c. The most brainess and illiterate
often excel in dancing.
But was about to speak of what l saw at
the Round Table gathering on Friday evening
LAST, and did time and space permit, would
particularize The gentlemen composing the lite
rary circle, but these must be passed over to
say word about the ladies' There was Mrs
Prof H, u good editress a respectable pc
etess she recites not only her own productions
but also from the standard poets with admira-
bic effect. This lady has mind, from which
might be subtracted enough to furnish halt
dozen empty headed women, and have still suit
fcient left, TO pursue hcr literary avocations
respectfully And there was Miss P who
plays the melodeOn and sings with excellent
taste. BY the way, repeat what l have often
said, the melodeon skiilfully and properly play
ed,exceeds in musical effect the piano, as much
as the latter suipasses an accordeon. And there
too, was Miss W who is as familiar with
all the fife pass ages in Shakespeare, as the
good Sunday School scholar is with the c. te-
chism Il do not mean the Westminster. This
lady also, it is said, Iecites from the standard
poets with artistic skill. Also Mrs. W-(not
of the family last mentiOned,) a lady Of fine
mental cultivation, has the reputation Of read
ing poetry with admirable taste and judgment.
Mrs. H, wife of Hon. Secretary H,
quite well known TO many people in Keno
sha) read thrilling canto-rendering the SEN
timent SO as to ehct marked applause. Mrs.
Prof S. is also highly regarded in these
accomplished attainments; also the tive Misses
B. A goodIy number of others, whose
names have escaped my recollection are spo-
ken of as possessing the talent Of giving poeti-
cal readings with pleasing effect.
The Madison Round Table is a most excel
lent institution; 1t will achieve happy results,
by elcvating and refining the taste of all who
are brought within the circle of its influence
Theatres and travelling shows will never fail
of being inordinately patronized, where Ito bet
ter means ofrecreation exist. If ministers who
preach against, and saints who rail against
theatres and other like amusements, would get
about providing rational amusements for the
people, and thus supply public want, they
would secure greater results in the reformation
of public morals, thai by theorlzing AMI anath.
ematizing, have already said clergymen are
tie patrons of Round Table; of the num-
Der present on Friday evening last, recolleet
the following = Rev. DR.. Brisbane and Rev.
Mir. Miller of the Bab.ist church; Rev. Mr..
Ward, and Rev Mr. Bardwell of the Congrega-
tional church; Rev. Mr.. Cook, President Of An
pleton University, and Rev. MIR Walter of the
Methodist church, and Rev. Mr.. Pradt of the
Episcopal church.
From the Republican ststesman.l