Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-09-26
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small towns, with but few advantages, TO
feel they cannot form woman's clubs.
One Of the clubs In . largo city, which
has been doing the most for Individual
improvement, Il limited TO twelve MEM
bers; oftener it has only seven and some.
time three or four present. They call
themselves the conversational club, and
have for officers president, vice-presi-
dent, secretary and treasurer. Every
fourth meeting the officers are reelected
that each one may learn TO preside prop
erly and with sell-possession. Each one
10 required to speak without notes Tor
ten minutes; . fine 10 imposed upon
those falling to prepare for the meeting
without sufficient excuse.
After consulting with the ladies, the
subjects are decided upon BY the presi-
dent for her term Of Office. After each
speaker presents her ideas, the president
asks each one II they have any criticisms
to offer on the pronunciation or even
delivery, or the verboslty OF the speaker
might be called In question. Il Ii hne
accomplishment to be able to tell y
thing IN few simple words. There
can be no scnsltiveness among right
minded people when each Il criticized
In turn. In this way bad habits, which
no one has any right to correct, may De
broken up. Who does not know ladies
who use plural verbs, rs, ~ rerc going
to make q cakey' Double negatives
still crop out In good society.
The dictionary lies open at the secre-
tary's right hand, 90 the study OF words
comes up more or less at each meeting.
When the ladies have to speak In public
meeting, and have notes With them,
their timidlty makes their use almost 4
necessity. Often the effect Of q short
talk Ia marred by them, rs 1t seems very
easy to an audience for speaker TO get
up and say what II necessary off-hand.
Many times the brightest things are said
extemporaneously but 1t takes conf
dence born Of experience to dare to get
up and hear ones own voice.
One of the advantages Of regular
afternoon for ladies to read aud study
together Is that 1t Is accomplished.
Many lady owns copy OF Shakespeare
and Intends to read II sometime, but II
Il put of and IL never done. II lady is
assigned a paper on Dickens, George
Elliot or Hawthorne, 1t becomes neces-
ssry to read up these authors, Inquire
into their history, and always the pre-
paring Of a paper Is more beneficial to
the lady than the result to her audience,
as Il IL longest present to her mind.
The result Of the national federation
of clubs has been for some states to
arouse themselves to see what can be
done for the smaller clubs In their own
borders. In Iowa the wOmeiis CLUB OF
the capital city invited delegates from
the clubs of the state, and seventy-eight
attended. Reports were listened to, an
evening reception rendered them and q
state federation formed. There will be
a biennial meeting of all the clubs 10
federation. In the interim, methods OF
work can be suggested and improved
upon. Clubs In cities who have access
to large libraries ought freely to loan
manuscripts and papers to clubs less
favored.
Fine papers from Chicago clubs are
loaned out Of the state to other societies.
Where clubs are small and can meet In
private parlors and do not aspire to own
real estate, their dues and fees for fall
Ing to do the work assigned is very
wisely invested In books for the use OF
the club. One lady said they had en-
desred their club to their husbands by
Inviting them to monthly tea.
A physician asked n lady on her way
TO the state federation, "what It was
breaking out over the state, and II she
was A symptom." She said "yes," and
hoped she might not be "an unfayorable
one," and II there was q disease
| II might be helped. Some one
has said the torrent of the JohnstOwn
food might more easily have been turn.
ed back than this era OF woman's prog
ress be stayed. Out OF the education
aud development Of women Will come
great blessings to their race. The
movement In behalf Of the working
women OF London Is one proof OF this.
The many societies In New York City
for working girls, by young ladies OF
wealth and culture, ought not to be
lightly estimated.
Where there IL u will there Ia way,
and confidently expect that even from
this article some literary society may he
formed In some quiet country place,
where the worthy farmers wives may
once In two weeks lind q little restful
change for an overtaxed body by giving
the mind food for thought. Fiction
like Ben-Hur, Romona, aud many other
similar books can be introduced, chap
ters being read ut each meeting. In
fact, the meeting must have their pro
grams conform to the needs OF their
members, not forgetting the social tea