Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-07

press the beauty of the tables and environ
ments. The Edison home is in Lewellyn
Park, great estate that has been laid out
in the home places and restricted to remain
lovely. The roadways are in notably fine
order, electric lights abound, and the ideal
of living has apparently been reached.
How all this is managed we have not yet
discovered, but there must be q fixed plan
and close corporation.
The Edison house is rich in pictures and
all that cultured wealth implies. Mrs.
Edison is young and handsome, and re-
minds the onlooker of nobody so much as
Mrs. Cleveland. She maintains she is q
plain everyday woman without a history,
but from her. interest in Woman,s Club
matters, and the little speech she made in
response to a toast, it is evident that she
has intellectual attainments much beyond
the average woman. Mr.. Edison responded
to toast by medium of the phonograph,
which also reproduced musical compost
tion, with fitting accompaniment.
The Cream Of womankind.
But beautiful as was all else beside, the
chief interest was centered in the remark
able women within its walls. These were
of the 400 of brains and culture. These
Presidents of Woman's Clubs there assem-
bIed represented multitude of women,
whose knowledge and capacity Of mind are
far beyond the common. Upon the stage as
presiding officer was Mrs. Charlotte Emer-
son Brown-a near relative of Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Of literary. renown, Near her
were Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, of national
fame and President of the New England
Woman 'Club; DIR. Jennie Lozier, Presi-
dent of Soross of New York; "Jennie June"
Croly, Mrs. Mary Brown, of Chicago, and
Miss Temple, of Tennessee. Among the
audience were some of the finest contribu-
tors to the magazines and newspapers
nearly all ready speakers, as well as ready
and able writer's.
1t was perfectly wonderful to hear how
well some of them could talk, and how
quick they are with their wits. There was
no symptom of the dull pressing to be heard
at mems meetings; no talking to nothing in
the heavens above or the earth beneath.
When there was anything to say upon a sub
ject they said it, and when there was moth
ing to the point, it event by" without a
word. Rotation in Office was the subject
upon which most spice, wit and logic were
expended. "Dead wood" in Office was de-
rided, a free ballot was upheld and mug
wump sentiment-not as to politics-ap.
peared to prevail At the conclusion of the
session, the Presidents of clubs were in
vited to take "salt'' with Mrs Emerson
Brown on the succeeding day, when SYM
postum and informal council would be held.
The Feat of Taking Salt.
Taking "salt' with Mrs. Charlotte Emer-
son Brown at her home, in East Orange, the
next day, was not only pleasant affair, but
was also very instructive and delightful
"experience" meeting. Club matters were
discussed by the delegates from the several
States without the limits and restrictions of
formal business meeting. The extempo-
raneous speeches were exceedingly enter
tanning, and showed that the readiness of
the tongue of women, which SO excited the
wonder of Addison in his day, was q nota-
BILE attribute of the women of the present,
and, with the polish of intelligence and
wit, even more efficient and formidable. If
might make a criticism, it would be that
the solemn purpose and dead earnestness of
some of the speakers are a little too pro-
nounced and overpowering at times. A
little nonsense now and then is relished by
the wisest men and also by the wisest
women.
The spice of wit and flash of fun, how
ever, were not lacking at this council Of the
Presidents of Confederated Clubs. Alto
gether it was such a meeting as has never
propably been held in the world before. It
was arevelation to every woman present.
Of those present and other matters shall
have more to say hereafter.
BESSIE BRAMpLl