Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-03-10
Shakespearean Club.

In looking over the events OF the past
five months, and particularly of the work
of the Shakespearean Reading Club, it
is with an eminent degree of pleasure
and satisfaction that | note the progress
of the several members of our little
Society. That we have made a substan-
tial and hattering inroad into the thoughts
of our greatest English poet-the immor-
tai William Shakespeare-is without a
shadow of a doubt; and that we have
passed the time pleasantly, proftably and
with satisfaction to ourselves is evident by
the energy and regularity with which our
meetings have been attended. Socially
and mentally the club has been q success,
and when tonight we extend to each
other the right hand of fellowship and in
our parting words and thoughts, bid
adieu to the object which has brought us
so frequently together, in the words of
Thomas Moore, we shall,
''As travellers, oft look back at eve,
When eastward darkly going:
To gaze upon that light they leave
Still faint behind them glowing
So, when the close of pleasures day
To gloom hath near consigned us
We turn to catch one fading ray
Of JOY that's left behind u.s."
The harmony and good feeling which
has ever prevailed in our midst, has
stamped pleasant impression upon the
inner walls of the soul that will linger in
our memories until time ploughs its fur
rows deep into our features, and the sill
vered locks of second childhood Chamber
DER our weary brow Such recollections
as these, are the precious jewels which
are set in our lives, and when we look
back upon past which has been stud
ded with these diamonds Of existence
there is an infinite delight in claiming
their ownership. The possession of them
are the little fertile spots, the GASES of our
hearts, and we will cling to them and
fondle them in after years, with joy and
fervency that will approach to devotion.
Our lives are made up of little things,
and when we can gather them in at the
harvest time, and find that the little joys
and comforts will far outweigh the petty
annoyances, then can we say and feel
that our lives have not been failures.
During the latter half of 1879, our
faithful president, Mr.. J. NJ. Turner, be
gan to agitate the subject of young
folks reading club; literary society, or
something of kindred nature to assist
in proftably passing away the long even
ings of the approaching winter. His eff
forts finally brought together small
company of young ladies and gentlemen
at the home of Miss Inez Brown, on
Wednesday, Oct 1st, 1879. The subject
was talked over, and a second meeting
appointed at the same place, on the fol-
lowing Wednesday, Oct. Sth, at which
time the S. r. G. was organized and
placed upon an encouraging footing.
From that time forward the society pros
pered, and rode into space with sails set
and colors flying.
The Merchant of Venice" was taken
up and acts read at Miss Mary Chad
wick's, Oct 18th, 1879, and finished at
Mr.. Coles on Oct 22d. 1t was read
second time at the home of Miss Davies,
on Oct. 29th The readings were inter
spersed with interesting criticisms, recita-
tons, selections and music.
"Julius Caeser" came second, on Nov.
9th, at the home of Mr.. Ford, and was
finished on Nov. 18th, at the home of
Miss Annie Norris
Hamlet came next on the boards at
Miss Maggie Norton's on Nov. 10Th, and
was finished on Nov. Goth, at the home
of Miss Rose Rogan. "Much ado about
Nothing" was begun at the home of Miss
Voss, on Dec. Sd, and finished at the
home of Miss Wood, on Dec 10th. With
Miss Voss as Beatrice, this play produced
much merriment, and was an undoubted
success.
Two acts Of King Richard II. were
read at Mr.. Schwabs, on Dec. 18th, 1879,
at which time the meetings were adjourn
ed for two weeks, during the holidays.
On Friday, Dec. 10Th, at the home of
Miss Rogan, the members of our society,
together with few invited friends, had
the pleasure of listening to fine selec-
ton of recitations, most beautifully rem
dered, by Miss Minnie Holdredge, of
GAINESVILLE, Wis. This evenings enter
tainment has always seemed central
figure in the group of our weekly ses-
sions. Like the principal jewel in a
glittering diadem, it has sent forth it's
light and influence into the hearts of those
who were present, causing each nerve to
thrill with animated delight, and awak-
ening new desire to reach higher
standard of excellence in our literary at
tainments.
We met again with Miss Mary Foote,
on Jan. 7th, 1880, and finished reading
King Richard IL. We began, GAS you
like it." ON Jan. 18th, at Miss Browns
and finished it Jan 21st, at Miss Davies.
We began King Henry V. Jan. 18th, at
Miss Norton's, reading two acts. We
read the Sd and 4th acts on Feb. 4th. at
Miss Mary Foote'S, and on Feb. 18th, we
read the last act at Miss Norris. On the
same evening we began reading the
Merchant of Venice for the third time,
and finished it on Feb. 21st, at Mr.. Coles.
At Miss Mary Chadwick's on Feb. 2Sth,
we commenced the play Of King Henry
VIII, and we finished it tonight.
We have read eight of Shakespeare
plays, and repeated one of them twice;
we have had twenty meetings, and no
lady without an escort. Our chivalry
has been peculiar and our choice of part