The Wilmingtonian., 1884-09-13
Intellectual Recreation.

| In our last issue we felt compelled to
point ont thai the season at the Opera
House had opened inauspiciously, seeing
that the use of the hall had been granted to
"a variety company which had twice prev
| iously given questionable enterta inments on
the boards. The perfect unanimity of the
city press on the merits, or rather the de-
merits, of the third performance fully justi-
fed our structures and relieves us from tie
necessity of any further comment. We ale
always glad to give notices Of rational, in
tellectual or innocent entertainments, and
our readers may recollect that last winter
a considerable portion of our space was
weekly devoted to such performances. We
have every hope that this winter all social
scientific, musical and artistic meetings may
receive even a fuller and larger shade
of attention at our hands.
To begin with, the progpects Cor the com
| ing season are good. Two new clubs have
been formed with strong membership, the
one devoted to Art, the other to Chess.
Our local artists have been busy all through
the summer in gathering material for an
exhibition ia November or December, and
it is understood that a meeting of the mem
bers will be held at an early date to make
all necessary arrangements Although ladies
are not eligible for active membership in
this society, there is no doubt that an OPP
portunity will be afforded for the exhibition
of meritorious original productions by ladies
who do not desire to confine their ambition
TO the exhibitions given by the Ladies Art
Club. No doubt keen and healthy com
petition will arise in this quarter from
which much benefit will ensue.
The Chess club starts out with a
strong membership, and if confined to its
legitimite object will be great acquisition
to the store of intellectual recreation in the
city. Chess is one of the Oldest games
known, seeing that it was played by the
Asatics centuries before the birth Of Christ
In its highest development it taxes the re-
sources of the finest intellects, while it is
free from the Objectionable associations
which attach to cards and billiards.
Among the literary societies all will soon
be hustle and activity. The Unity Club,
which undoubtedly bears off the palm, will
reopen early III November when the We'd
nesday evening lectures, so popular last
winter, viii be resumed. The Young Peu-
pies, association Of St. Pauls NJ. L. Church
have already resumed their Thursday even
ing meetings and the corresponding asso-
citations of Union and Asbury Churches
with the Friends and Baptist circles will
soon follow suit.
The Institute library continues well supper.
ted, and it is to be hoped that tie commit
te will have series of lectures during the
season, Of the class given last Spring. 1t i.
matter for regret that the fine resources o
the Institute are not more fully developed b,
the establishment Of night schools for th
instruction Of artizans and clerks in draw
ing and the rudimcnts of natural science, ol
the plan adopted in every large European
town under the direct supervision OF I'll,
, Government.
: Every member of this community wht
6 has the welfare of our young men anc
women at heart should lend support to til,
l establishment of facilities for intelectua
recreation. 1t is in this way, ana this wa,
, only, that the pernieions influences of gam
bling dens anil miscellaneous acquaintance
/ at s0irees etc., can be c1mbated
G In the musical world the signs are not s.
S promising as they might be, but We have
no doubt that as soon as Il last of the do,
days has done its worst, our many gifte
amateurs viii tune up their Instruments an
hunt up sOme new ehoruses, ballads an
duets for the benefit of the many who wi
flock to hear them.
Il "a AT last that cold wave has come rouuC
Y and life becomes worth the living after al