The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-08-07
A LITERARY SOCIETY.
A SUGGESTION WORTH THINKING
ABOUT.

To the Editor Of the Comet
Why is it that our English and
Northern brothers and sisters monop-
ONE, for the most part, the literature
OF English speaking people? Why
are they better posted, as rule, upon
science and art? What is the secret
OF their gift for calculating more ac-
curaiely the intricacies of the problem
of life, and making better Roadway in
the world, than our own Southern
people? There may be several correct
answers to these questions, but ! will
venture to call attention to one only,
VIZ: There is the rule of association
which obtains more generally with
them than with us,-the friction of
intellectual contact, found in literary
societies and literary clubs. You can
scarcely find Il village in the North or
in Eng and of 1000 Inhabitants that
does not boast of its literary club or
society. 1t is idle to say that these
do not afford immense help in the
development Of slumbering intellect
and in the stimulation of dormant
ambition. An idea may be as lustre-
less as the flint, until struck with the
bright steel, then it emits the sparks
which the eye OF man recognizes as
genuine brilliancy. suggest that we
have here in Jackson II literary club,
composed of men, women, boys and
girls, who sincerely desire improve
ment and intellectual amusement. A
society, the membership in which is
not confined solely to young gentle
men and young ladies who are apt to
subordinate its main object to a
mutual admiration of each other, but
composed of such men of letters as
DIR. Hunter, DR.. Watkins, DR.. SproIes,
DIR. Zealy, Father Pecherie, Captain
Wolfe, Judge Harris, Judge Chalmers,
Capt. Frank Johston, Jo Brown, Esq,
Colonel Nugent, Professor Watkins, |
DR., Barksdale, Colonel Cooper, Gov
ernor Stone, Colonel Fnirman, j. G. |
Colonel Hemingway, b. |
w. Griffith, General Nelson, Dr. |
Craft, DR.. Johnston, Professor Jayne,
Gen. Smith, Judge Brame, and of
such ladies as the Misses Baird, Mrs.
Miss Maud Smith, Mrs.
MOrancy, the Sisters of Mercy, and
other really ambitious young and old
ladiesand gentlemen of the town. Let a
small initiation fee be charged, not
enough to exclude any body, and vet
enough to furnish lights, water, and
fires for weekly or semi-monthIy meet
ngs, and to supply a few of the most
necessary reference books and periOdi-
'als. Let each meeting elect from
he members of the society, an essay
st and orator, and also select ques.
ion for running debate, in which the
whole house can join. For special
occasions invite famous lecturers or
peakers from abroad.
OF course, do not wish to 90 into
letails here. The club, if we are to
laNc one, can regulate that. 1t really
GEMS to me that two hours a week
night be utilized in this way, which
would not only be very instructive
nd advantageous to Old and young,
mt also prove highly amusing and
grecable. If you can get few long
eads and a few of our brilliant boys I
nd girls to go heartily into the enter
rise, we might make our meetings
lmOst "a good as theatre.
Let us have preliminary meeting
t the Senate Chamber next Saturday
yening at O'Clock, and try the eX-
eriment. HESPIC.