National Republican., 1877-12-07
WOMAN'S CORNER.
The Washington Literary Society.
Edited by Fannie II. Ward.

No city In the United States can boast Of .
better organized literary association than tina,
at the National Capital, which numbers among
its members so many Of the distinguished
iterdi Of the land. This society held the In
itial meeting Of the season upon Saturday
evening last, at the residence Of DIR. N. 8
Lincoln. Election Of officers for the ensuing
year resulted In the choice Of Judge Drake,
Chief Justice of the Court Of Claims as pres
dent; Mr.. Hoffman, (the popular actuary Of
the Capitol Law LibraryD asNice-prcsident,
and Mrs. 4. Gary Long as Scretary. Col.
Garrick Mallery, now detailed with the
United States army Geographical and Geologi-
cal survey Of the Rocky Mountain region, de-
livered a poetical Introductory, in which was
gracefully and wittily interviewer the nameso Of
prominent members OF the society. BY rc-
quest Of many readers Of THE RgPUBLIcAN
said address is herewith reproduced;
INTRODUCTORY To THE SESSIONS OF THE LIT
ERARY SOCIETY, SEASON OF 1S77-7S.
Sound, trumpets, Sound The inky barriers raise
The Lits once more tilt f,r the paper baysi
Again the welcomed bshebdomad nights
bring parlor toarneys with aesthetic rites.
Throw ofice, care and groccr's bill behind,
And glad renew the gracious fray Of mindi
Our sncred sessions with true rapture tecm
When Mutual Admiration Is the theme
Aud members hint with cquanmc pride,
What horrid fools are in the world ontsidei
Our dntys plain to tell In turn each friend
With tacit right while paying courtscys debt
To think pou write little better yet.
boaS or he sns ,Ds wno u h sas eow
Cued BY oursslres from vii the nations store,
Or course, we know we are peerless corps;
Beauty and brains cement our conquering band
Hippolyta and Theseus hand In hand;
Or n too mythic analogue that makes
In sober truth we show ducks and Drdtes.
OF fashions stamp, too each is sure the owner.
We must haye tone when blest with such a 7oner.
We have a RaSson, that 1 would worE" Us clear.
The sister graccs each can claim herpart
We keep Ike cooks, ciar kitchen FOR high art;
A ready (ff)of mans ever in reserve.
50 sway supreme in letters we assume,
Wen Yield 10 none. Nor doG our brilliant plumei
SO sound the trumpl The cymbai's not the
We played on symbols quite enough last spring.
And add this year motto 20 our crest ,,,
| Blazoned in gold, our legends letters run:
Flirting and fibs, Philosophy and Funr'
Fun we will have-with dthyramb and sles.
| Quip, epigram and crank and repartec-
Give each rhetoric figure lubileel
save catacincsis-that no law allows,
ts @ssa 1 pioSsm esfs We a asre m 0
Perpetual motion or the circles sq,nref
| IL but we but choose our best 70 eyolutc,
i All other ages would be awed and mute;
speneer's and HuIley's laureled brow would pale
And Darwin's legs long for his grandsire's taiil
We need not seek for biologic stocks.
By sAcIifce Of Esculspian Or,
| We naturally catch 1t By the Ghl-
or science one has gained the citadel,
| And for our benefit UHgdrd II wellk
But srander yet our range With sovereign tact
We scorn the vulgar bounds Of cIsmping fact,
n oGsy ihe yyaS q Seeeess Se
o cream Of fancy Social allegoyi
We trust our sessions nesr will Aiss A. Soryi
And flirting too. That dear, delicious strife
When tried on with another fellows wifci
Knight errantry will have stfll ampler play
IT, happily, ones own wifes safe away.
What Amor Is tell us an, Norris, please
How nice and naughty amer sandwich teas
Meath music.s cover to dissolve in pairs
| And hide In corners or upon the stairs,
When sense and prudence in the background walls
And heart. .throbs tune the tender tete.a.tete,
And hands 20 patty. cake before one knowsi
But bold Ny pen most properly desisis
| To range the fowery chain Of Flirtings lists
| Needs poet songstress and not stolid ink.
Our hostess can unfold 1t Lihcoin link
ny task accomplished, humbly may deemi
We need no aid Of State or muse or fairy
Wen thrive apace with our new secretary-
Our airy ark long float with Long, X. Cary!
Mrs. r. Cary Long, the newly-elected secre-
tary, also read two excellent poems. the sub.
Ijects Of which were "A Favorite Tree" and
The Recent Conjunction Of the Planets"
Mrs. Camp contributed greatly 10 the general
pleasure by vocal and instrumental music,
and Miss Drivers recitation and the reading
by Judge Drake Of some interesting letters,
written by himself during his European
l
the evening.
DR.. c. c. Coz, Dr. Elliott Coues, DR. Towner.
Prof. Gill, Mr.. Morris, Mn. Morrell and Mrs.
Ransom, both artists Of renown Miss Anna
Story, the accomplished young actress; !; Col. J.
E. Clarke, of the Bureau Of Education, an
ninent art critic, and many other wcll-known
WRITER'S artists, musicians and professional
people are members Of the association.
Mrs. Burnett, authoress Of THAT Lass o.
Lowrie's, was among the distinguished guests.
Mrs DIR. Lincoln. the hostess, is = laughter Of
the late Judge Gould, of Troy, and being =
lady Of great literary ability, is u valued &C
, QUESTION to the society. BY tho way, the
names of the two Mrs. Drs. Lincoln are some
times confounded by those who do not know
the parties personally, both being writers and
the wives Of physicians, Bessie Beach Ia the
kromme de plume Of Mrs M. d. Lincoln.
The next meeting Of the association will 90.
. cur upon Saturday evening. the 18th inst.