Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-03
PAPERS FOR CLUBS.
Anna L. Dawes Points Out the Dam
gers in Women's Organizations.
THE FASCINATION OF HISTORY
Leads to Dullness While Brilliant Asidss
Obscure the Subject.
WORK 10 REQUIRE OF EACH MEMBER
THE FASCINATION OF HISTORY
WORK 70 REQUIRE OF EACH MEMBER
WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPArcB.I

WRITTEN FOR THE DrsPArcBI
In women's clubs and societies there
must, of course, be papers on all sorts Of
subjects. 1 wish to put in a word of caution
here that, in writing upon any one of the
divisions of any topic, it is not necessary to
begin with Adam and the Garden of Edeni
Five times out of six so much time is taken
up with laying foundations that none is left
for present conditions. A very brilliant
woman recently began series of lessons ON
English literature, with Dobson and Lang,
'Tennyson and Browning, and gradually
worked her way back to Spencer and
Chaucer, declaring that this was the only
way ever to reach the present times
Soon after the bombardment of Ale1an-
dria certain club took Egypt for subject,
but so much time was occupied with its
early sculptures, and the Hyksos Kings,
that there was literally no opportunity for
considering the political relations of the
nineteenth century. Such discussions should
not be Greek temples, all porch. But figures
aside-in this case, the end is more i'm
portant than the beginning There is no OBJ
jection-it is probably best-to leave out
the early history entirely, or if necessary to
touch upon it, it can be condensed into a
paragraph. Even on these occasions where
series of meetings gives opportunity for
more attention to this part of subject, ID
should still be considered not by itself, but
with reference to future history, not in any
isolated way, but as the beginnings of theif
present.
Read Up All You Cak.
Having plunged at once into the middle
of things, and filled your mind very full Of
the subject, three or four times as full as
you can possibly need, do not take every
point seriatim, nor give details of each.
Classify your knowledge and group it to-
gether, if it is composite subject, like the
"Natlyes of Alaska" the Religions Of
India" or the ''Poets of Italy" do not
write an account of each tribe or group or
individual, but give a phrase to general
characteristics, paragraph to peculiarities,
a description of but one or two, and the de-
tails of about only the most significant or
important. II it is theories to be dealt
with, characterize each in one or two SEN
tences, give briefly their points of differ
ence, or their line of development, and then
explain the one now in vogue, or specially
under consideration. Here also the uues-
tion of time settles all others Proportion
must be observed when the limit is definite
ly set before you.
A few other points may be touched
upon in passing Special care should be
taken to avoid trespassing on the ground
Of another, even if the temptation Of
some sparkling gem lie directly in the
path.
No Special Pleading Allowed.
On questions of theory or practice, one
should refuse stoutiy to allow herself the
luxury of special PLEADING. unless an actual
debate is intended. 1t is, of course, to be
expected and desired that every individual
will make her paper exhibit her own line Of
thought and Interpretation, but beyond this
danger lies. A paper of Tolstoi's style
would necessarily take one side or the other
of the quest ion of realism, but the higher
education of woman has no vital connection
with the Andover controversy, as within
the memory of woman it has been conceived
to have. Nor, to take less extreme case,
is it necessary to bring the negro question
into a survey of Southern literature But
1t goes without saving that if either future
probation or the Southern problem is to be
debated, that is another matter, and argu-
ment is not only permissible, but obliga-
tory.
In general it may be said that quotations
are a snare; they are indeed, attractive both
as illustration of an author, and because
they say so we'll what we must say so i'll
But the printed page is always longer than
it looks, and there is a certain hurried dead
ness about the reading of it. which is apt to
produce heavy effect. Perhaps reading
from the books themselves might be pro-
hibited, and the extracts limited to such as
could be copied, since the space occupied by
written passages is a striking hint Of their
length when read. Statistics, too should be
very few and far betw cen, and for the anna
teur, always in round numbers. since the
mind has veXing trick of remembering the
last number it hears.
Condensation L, q Good Thing.
To sum up the whole matter ask yourself,
first: What do / want to tell or what have
got to say? Then after writing down the
answer to that question, read it over and
zee what can be left out. Omit everything
that is not necessary to describe your sub
ect, explain your position or justify your
argument. And ruthlessly destroy all those
fascinating little side issues which occurred
20 you as you wrote and which are so tell
ng. even If not exactly pertinent, bus
which also, let me remind you, so distract
he attention of your audience. Keep to the
and let proportion be your chief
lin. 49,
In closing-there is one question to oon-
ider and one duty to mention: The first has
20 do with the management of these organ
cations, the second with their members u
8 an open question worthy Of careful
hought whether it is the true course for
uch a society to get the best work it can, or
he most workers. In those smaller organ
zations where the rules require the service
II every member, the question disappears
But in missionary and philanthropic, and
he larger literary associations, it is an ever
point.
The best work will always be done Dy the
lie. But the interest will be greatly In
reased if fresh talent is brought to bear,
nd less experienced, even less compe.
ent persons are invited to do their snare.
The temptation is great to secure q brillians
esu1t and it is by no means easy to deter