The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-07

famed Waddelrs school at Wellington in the
olden time, and in latter days institutions Of
learning cover the whole County,-Ersklne
College and the high SCI ools Of Lowndesville,
Donnnldsville, Cokesbnry, Greenwood. Nine
ty-Slx, Mount Carmel and Abbevtlle. Her
long list of WORTHLESS equal that OF any other
hamlet, village or townin the country, YPncy,
bowie, McDufle, Calhoun, Burt, Petigru,
Noble and the Wardlnws, and o catalogue Of
others too long to be stated.
gone before them. and having pride in their
county and an ambition to mointaip her old
character, and perhaps little ambitious, for
themselves, having resolved = resist the
temptation to idleness, gossip and dissipation,
determined to form o literary club, and to
spend at least one night In the month In Civ
Ing and receiving information. They have
succeeded admirably. 1t Is creditable that In
80 small town, they have been able to organ.
lie and keep up O literary club. twas organ
lied in March 1878 n Is now nearly two
years old. l venture TO say for them that not
one Of them regrets 1t, but that they would
all say with one voice, that they have not on.
ly received profit but pleasure. The first en-.
thusiasm has not abnted in the least, but on
the contrary the interest In 1t has Increased.
All now look forward to the meetings rs to par
tfes'o OF pleasure. All Of the essays have been
instructive and some excellent. No gentle.
man has been called pom TO read q second
one, and from the advantages which the club
has afforded in reading matter. and general
IuSGIQ CclOu, L q III OOuUk I'LL III improve
upon the second round. We cannot estimate
the advantages of having the opportunity to
rend here in Abbevillc. all the finest maya.
zines Of England and America. That itself
IL conclusive proof that, In Information, We
are not provincial.
But 1t has sometimes been asked how we
could get along as well and keep up the inter.
est without the presence OF that element
which elevates, adOrnS n sweetens every.
thing 1t touches-tle ladies. Considering our
surroundings, this Is q dangerous subject, but
1t must be met boldly In the tone and spirit Of
chivalry. In the history Of English litera-
Raleigh which met at the MERMAID Tavern
down 10 the present time, It has been found
that the presence of ladies Is too much for
literature. That the influence Is too great.
1t was discovered that when ladies were al
mitted, instead OF discussing about Milton
and Shakespeare, Dryden and Ben Jonson,
the whole talk. In q sort Of under tone, was
about Cupid ana Venus, darts and hearts and
cooling and billing about loves and. doves.
The only club that ever ventured to defy the
universal experience on this subject was the
first Beef Steak Club" and that resulted In
tress, president, and leaving her the only fe-
male member. SO you see that the fact that
ladies "are not expected that we adopt the
Salic law, is the very highest compliment to
surrcnderand of ourlnabIlity in theirpresence
and under the shadow Of their wings to do
anything, but to inhsle the orders OF French
extracts and look deep down into their eyes
and say absurd things. We tear ourselves
away from the fair for time. only for the
purpose Of II aking ourselves more worthy OF
them, not daring to venture more than to
meet them on the half way ground. the
penny readings or or occasions like this
seated side by side, to enjoy the full measure
Of the only perfect bliss vouchsafed to man
the kind, sweetpower Of lovely woman.
Mr.. President IL will not be In my power to
be with you as regularly In the future as |
have been in the past: but I hope you will
maintain your motto taken as you have Just
stated from DR.. Jobnson's literary club and
repeated by all at each adjournment, Esto
pc,petud. When I am absent, sometimes
think OF me kindly. lam sure that wherever
I may be, I will never forget the happiness
this little club Of Abbeville has afforded me.
"Let fate do her worst there are relics of Joy,
Blight dreams of tho past, which she cannot
destroy.
Which come in the nighttime Of sorrow and
care,
And bring back the features that Joy used to
wear"