The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-18
BROOKLYN LETTER.

A New England Society~Organtzed
Hts Purposes and she Soeial ne.
form IL May Efaecs--Prsbabac New
Departure of the Art Associatton-
Talmage,s Anniversary sermon
and Some of its Curious Features.
Special Correspondence Of the Star
BROOKLYN, N. Y, March 10Th, 1880.
A sociological fact has come to light
in this community within a few days,
that. under the philosophizings of Her
bert Spencer, might be capable Of in
definite expansion and limitless applica-
tion. 1t is that in every thousand in
habitants Of Brooklyn there is at least
one male Of New England descent. Per-
haps this may strike some as not, after
all, being discovery Of very materia!
Importance, but no one who has the
blood Of the Pilgrim Fathers Ono matter
how much, like some railroad stocks, il
has come to be watered with the lapse OF
time asa veinous heritage can doubt,
or will hesitate to affirm that the one in
a thousand is the little leaven that leav-
ems the whole social lump, ard that 80
long as even 30 small percentage Of
New England grit exists the city is
safe, financially, intellectually, morally.
Those that think otherwise are welcome
to their own opinion, of course. The
fact came to light without the assistance
of General Walker and his census enum.
orators, simply through the organization
of New England Society, and, as with
in the first month Of its existence 300
gentlemen have affixed their signatures
to the roll, and more counties are to be
heard from, l think I am safe in affirm
ing that in population of $4,000 there
can easily be found $50 males whose
ancestors fought Indians under Miles
Standish, voted for the burning of
witches at Salem, Or helped Warren dose
the "blarsted Britishers' with home
made bullets on Bunker Hill.
am not aware that Cincinnati has a
New England Society, but New York,
which is just across the river, has, and a
magnificent organization it is--strong
numerically, influential intellectually,
and powerful financially. But of late
years it has grown SO large as to be un-
wieldy, especially on the annual festive
occasion, the 21st Of December, when
great difficulty is experienced in securing
dining accommodations; and therefore,
as the Society draws largely from this
city, the Brooklyn members conceive the
idea of applying remedy by founding
a kindred organization in their own city.
This movement will not mar the useful
ness or jeopardize the success of the New
York Society in the least, and has not
been made in a spirit Of opposition.
Without doubt, however, Brooklyn mem.
bers somwhat consulted their own con-
venience in determining to have socie-
ty of their own, but certainly they also
especially consulted the good Of the city,
since the plan Of the new organization
embraces the erection at the earliest mo-
ment practicable of a splendid building
similar to one which the Long Island
Historical Society is putting up, and the
establishment in connection Herewith OF
museum and library bearing on the
history of New England. The Initiative
fee being $40 and the annual dues $5, the
Society embarks upon its career Of use
fulness with $4.500 in the treasury.
Among the prominent promoters of
the movement are U. S. District Attor-
ney A. W. Tenney, Hon. VIM. III. Lyon,
of the Board of Indian Commissioners
A. A. Low. H. B. Claflin, General Stuart
L. Woodford, Congressman S. B. Crit
tenden, Rev. A. P. Putnam, Judge Geo.
G.. Reynolds, Gordon L. Ford and 9th.
ers. Until the society builds hall Of
its own, dinners will be given in the
Academy Of Music-the parquette being
| foored over for the occasion-and un-
derstand that an innovation is suggested
| by some of the members in proposition
to have ladies admitted to the banquets
If this innovation is really carried out
the society will effecta much needed re.
form in the present methods of conduct
ing banquets, for what more selfish than
for lot Of men, gentlemen, of course, tc
get together for epicurean enjoyment
while their wives and sweethearts arc
sitting alone at home a prey to gloomy
reflections upon the social barriers which
circumscribe their pleasures? With Ia
dies at the table how much the grandest
feast would be elevated and refined, and
with what zest speakers would responc
to toasts! Henry Clay, it was, I think
who said that the presence of beautiful
woman was to him the most powerful in
centive to oratorical display. / do moi
attempt to quote his language. Ger
tainly with ladies present there woulc
be fewer bacchanalian songs, and thu
next day fewer fevered brows. Man i,
an animal; in the presence Of ladies he
may rise to the sublimity Of a god. m
In recent letter I described the scene
at the fall exhibition of the Brooklyn
Art Association. Heretofore the spring
exhibition has taken place either il
March or early in April, but this year tx
the surprise of everybody, the Director