Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-11-07
Suggestions tor Women's Clubs.

We have many reasons, in the d.
rect testimonials that have come to
US, for believing that an article which
we published in this department a
year or two since, on "Win:er Amuse.
ments," was remarkably suggestive
and stimulating in the establishment
of clubs for culture and rec
reation. We spoke specially of read,
ing clabs, "Shakspere clubs" etc.
The project was entered upon in a
great many towns throughout the
length and breadth OF tie land, and
great good has come of it. 10 open
still wider field of intellectual recrea-
ton and instruction is the object of
this article.
In q certain country town, which
we need not name, there was estab-
lished last year Rome Club A
considerable number of intelligent la
dies, moved thereto by the existence
of literary club among their hus-
bands and brothers, gathered together
and formed a club among themselves
for the study Of historical cities.
Rome was chosen as the first city to
be investigated--its pagan history, its
Christian history, its art in various de-
partmeuts, its relation to the world at
various cpochs, etc, etc. SuEdivls'
ions of the larger topics were made,
and each woman was given q branch
to study, with the duty to write out
her conclusions and results, and tC
read them at the weekly meetings Of
the club 1t is declared TO us by one
who watched the developments Of the
enterprise that, as the result of that
winters most interesting work, this
town contains the largest number OF
women who know everything about
Rome than any town in the United
States can boast. Every available Ii
brary was ransacked for material
books were overhauled that were black
with the undisturbed dust OF centu
ry, knowledge was organized, put into
form, and communicated and whel
the winter closed, the women found
not only that they had been immense
ly interested, bul that their field O
knowledge had been very much en-
larged.
This year, the same club will take
up another city. Whether it will be
London, or Paris, or Jerusalem, Of
Athens, or Venice, we do not know
and it does not matter. But what $
mine of interest and instruction lies
before them in any Of these F.! How
very small do the ordinary amuse
menls Of q town look by the side o.
the employments OF such club as
this f! What cure for gossip and
neighborhood twaddle is contained il
such a club What Oh enlargement,
of the sphere of thought comes at
such amusements and employments
How the whole world, through all itl
ages and among all its scenes and peo
pies, becomes Illuminated with a mar.
Vicious human interest, to women who
study it together, and with a certain
degree OF competition in this way I!
Of course, enterprises Of this kind
are not necessarily confined to the
study of cities. Countries may be
studied with tie same advantage
perhaps even with greater advantage.
A special topic may be taken up. A,
this time much is written upon art. 1t
is practically new topic in this coun.
try We, as a Datlon, are now max
ing our beginnings in art. The great.
est sculptors and painters America
has produced are living men today.
Art has no history here. Art, his
torically, then,-art in its relations to
civilization-.art in its influence upon
personal character-art as an out.
growth of life and power upon life
furnishes subject that may we'll in
terest group of women for winter,
not only, but for many winters. We
know of girls who are as much inter.
ested in works OF political economy as
If they were novels. We can hardly
imagine anything more interesting to
a club OF bright girls who have left
school, than winter in political econ
omy. The subject may be pursued,
| sImnlv aS q mattar nj social rna1in q
and discussion or each may be charg.
ed with gathering the Distinguishing
views of given writers, and presenting
them in BRIEF y. G. Holland; Serb
ner for November
Woman is a trustful, loving, con
| fidino ANGEL. Int IL shakes her conf