Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-08

afternoon session to order at promptly z
O'Clock. Under the head of natural science
Mrs. George 7. Guernsey. Of Independence.
read bright paper on Pockets" The
origin and history of pockets were dis
cussed at length and many ideas that were
original and instructive were brought out
| The length of time that it took man to
catch the idea of pocket was enlarged
upon. sit is strange that in spite Of the
example set by nature in this re-
| gard that man was so slow to
adopt this useful attachment to dress.
| The ladies are even slower and at the
present time how often does the dress come
| home from the dressmaker without a
pocket. In answer to the question the
| dressmaker says there is no place in the
dress to put a pocket, and when the lady
nerves herself to put in what has become q
necessity herself, il is so hidden in the
folds that 1t cannot be found when want
ed. The various ways that ladies have of
secreting their valuables, such as hand
kerchief. scent bottle, purse, watch. etc,
were humorously treated. The writer
| further deplored the twenty-five pockets
to be found in mans suit when perhaps
| the lady might have one and that suffic-
| could spare in the way of money. In clos
ing the pockets of the mind vera referred
TO and an exhortation was made TO the
ladies to fill them with the richest fruits
of learning and culture and stores that
will serve them beyond the grave"
Under the head of art a paper on the
| artistic presentation Of the drama written
by Mrs. Mary T. Gray, Of Kansas City,
was read by Mrs. Stockton, of the same
place. Previous to this, however, Mrs.
Stockton read concise yet comprehensive
treatise OF the standard drama as pre-
sented by the le-ding artists of the day.
A brief and pathetic reference TO the &C
tors and actresses that have gone before
was made and turned to account by the
clever writer. A tribute to Faust and
Irving was aptly and touchingiy intro
duced, being an important pait of the essay.
Mrs. trays paper was then read, being
careful and studious account of the
history OF the drama, and many pleasing
facts cunningly expressed that were incl
dent to the subject. The crudeness of the
Chinese drama was discoursed upon at
length, accounting in measure for the
absence of improvement in the presenta-
The advantage of an artistic presenta-
ton has been recognized by all of the great
actors, and Irving, Terry, Bernhardt and
others have spared no pains TO accomplish
this in all of their productions Critics
have found fault with this claiming that
the acting drama was being converted into
the spectacular play. This improvement
has been going on constantly and surely
since the time OF Elizabeth when scenery
and stage settings We're almost unknown
and were considered only of secondary
Importance. A severe criticism was passed
upon Oscar Wilde's plea for lying in art,
showing that it was not only unnecessary
but INJURIOUS to the advancement Of true
art.
At the close OF the reading Of this paper
a discussion ensued with view to draw
ing out the audience on the subject of
theatre going. Mrs. Stockton spoke briefly
on the Importance in her mind of the sur
roundings of the actors while on the
stage. The main point being
that the furnishings and stage
settings should be in keeping with the
scene represented. Although the general
opinion expressed was averse to promiscu
Gus theatre going. most of the ladies high
ly approved of the theatre where the char
acter of the presentation was fully up to
the standard of art. Mrs. Kepler suggest
ed that encouraging the theatre might be
encouraging the actress to follow her voca-
ton, which was of a necessity an extreme
life. She did not think that any lady pres
ent would like to have her daughter 60 on
the stage; that, although there were many
who led pure lives unfortunately the rep
utation of the majority of actresses was |
not what it should be. This was bomb |
shell and there were hundreds all wanted |
to reply at once. One lady, soto voice, |
said that if Mrs. Terry was her daughter |!
she would send her to a reformatory. Mrs. |
Sterry, with infinite tact, however, soon |
sion back to the artistic presentation OF the |
drama. which, strictly speaking, was the |
only subject under consideration.
Archaeology being in turn, Mrs Cravens,
of Kansas City. read paper on ''Some |
Ruined Cities of America" Mrs Cravens |
made a few predatory remarks previous to /
opening the paper in which she explained !
the interest in her subject and hui
morously referred to the ninety-eight lit
erary societies of Wichita in the most com
plimentary way.
The paper was carefully prepared his
tory of the oldest cities of America as
learned from excavations and deep re-
search. The concise and fluent account of
ancient times must have been the result of !
hard study and CAREFUL preparation An
account of the caves found in
Central America and a possible connec-
ton between the present and past was
clearly brought out. The writer paid
handsome compliment TO the hospitality
and courtesy OF the Mexicans, feeling that
it was due them on account
of her own experience with them
while pursuing her travels and investiga-
tions.
The paper contained detailed account
of ruined religious temple or palace in
ancient Mexico. a modern plan OF the
palace, restored, was exhibited from which
the reader gave an object lesson. The pos
Utilities OF what might have been based
upon the discoveries of modern times was
briefly treated a short and interesting
discussion then ensued before the subject
was passed.
Under the head Of history and civil gov
eminent Mrs l. Hoak, Of Hutchinson,
read paper on The Political Evolution
Of Women" The reader first explained
that her subject was her own choice and
she did not want the club to assume any
res possibility for what she might say.
This paper was brief sketch Of the con
Jf-fcu nf wOrrau in stha iifFerenr nations