Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-29
UNITY CLUB.
Last Meeting Of the Season Held
Monday Evening.
e,..,.t Banquet Followed by Literary Feast
Judge Nall Presiding.

Judge Mall PRESSING.
Tho last of a long series of brilliant meet
;,., which the Unity Club has been so sue
.s,,ful in having the past season, was held
last evening.
The banquet and the literary delights
49,. followed were served in the Congrega-
,o,.l chapel. Here tables were spread and
..,,,;fnlly adorned with flowers and by
-aop NJ. there was brillian. assemblage
.hon, them discussing an elaborate menu.
Twelve young ladies and gentlemen assisted
:, railing on the company. Unity is famed
q, it, successes, but both ~ social and
literary entertainment that of last evening
-, voted its most brilliant.
Judge O. G. Hall, president of the club.
,,e.ided at the banquet and the literary
.,e,cises which followed. His introduce
linn of the literary feast was very felicitous
and he made graceful reference to the IA
rs.r. during which Unity Club has done
.rcb excellent work that all recognize and
oommend its efforts. Other clubs had come
and zone in that time, he said, but Unity
c,nb had remained steadfast. He was to
a., as toastmaster, 'to be the autocrat of
the table, if you like" In this capacity he
n,oposed the sentiments to which 10 minute
responses were made. 49, 3 .
Mrs. Trues interesting paper on "Augusta
asa Literary Centre, its Authors and Read
Or. Past and Present" was first on the
programme.
Augusta being political center can hard
" be expected to become literary center.
Nevertheless, it numbers among its resi-
dents, two novelists, two short story writer's,
two poets, one humorous and one historical
writer who have attained wide distinction,
besides numberless others who write simply
for their own amazement! 1t il no easy
task to gain literary recognition, other than
local. nowadays when there are 80 many
creditable writer's in the field. A
celebrated author has recently said, that
fifty years ago it was comparatively easy
thing to establish national literary reputa-
ton, but now, no one gains national rep
utation unless, he be either an actor poll
tician ora criminal"
One-half a century ago, Augusta had but
one noted author, but he was a lion. CT
is hardly necessary for me to pronounce
the name of Sylvester Judd for the benefit
of our Younger members, for the Harper
Bros, in the new edition of their school
readers have included extracts from his
works.
In the last quarter Of century there
has been constantly increasing interest in
literature, which may be attributed
to various influences. The Lithgow libra
ry blessings on its generous founder)
and its able management, the press,
the clergy the Historical Society, the Unity
Current Events and Avon Clubs. Easily
among the foremost of our editors have
been the illustrious Blaine, the honored
Stevens, the elder Pike, acknowledged the
wittiest man in the State of Maine, the
younger on whom his fathers mantle
has so worthily fallen, the late DR.. w.
B. Lapham who ranked as one of the lead
ing genealogical and historical writer's in
New England, and Capt. Chas. +. Nash an
accomplished writer of Indian lore and
president of the Kennebec Historical Society.
Perhaps no one member of the clergy has
attempted so much in the field of literature
as Rev. A. w. Jackson who in the winter
Of 'sS, created an interest in the poet
Browning and promoted the study Of his
works besides giving course of lectures in
English literature, memorable for their
learning and critical analysis.
The faithful librarian of the Lithgow Ii
brary reports marked improvement in the
kind of literature being read, over that of
sdozen years ago and an increased use of
books of reference. This advancement she
attributes mainly to the existence of the
Unity Club and the improved character of
our high school, but these two interests
can hardly be spoken of as separate in
iuences for the teachers of our high school
have been part of the framework of the
club one of its founders having, for many a
year led her pupils in the path of virtue,
while teaching them to decline "virtus, and
TO make literature ladder to learning.
That 1.-The Unity Club, whose aim has been
'he study of literature, pure and simple,
should have been founded, fostered and
established for fourteen years in Augusta,
10 evident proof that there is . firm and
ABIDING interest in literature.
The success Of the club has been largely
due to the superior character of its presi-
dents, distinguished alike for their eminent
scholarship and private worth. Two of its
executive committee are professional writ
ere. Mrs. Michaelis, who has so often
charmed US with her pleasing originality
and inspired us by her wise counsels, and
mrs. Mason, who early and late has given
US the benefit of her varied talents and un
wearied labors and whose ventures always
leave our port with love-light on their sails.
But there has been humber as we'll as
higher work to be done and each faithful
member may consistently wear the badge OF
royalty for they also "serve."
The next sentiment was responded to by
hev. Mr.. Newbert. The "Autocrat's" re.
marks as he gave it sparkled with wit and
the response was in like kind, care
women Becoming Paramount in Our Popu.
lar Literary If so, Can 1t Be Prevented
Mr.. Newbert said the president had put
upon him very delightful task. He fell
mat the Judge was really in earnest. He
would glance back upon the earlier women
poets. The first woman poet was
Sappho. She should have been . man
had any one ever heard of Mrs. Sappho'l
ausoand' He thought not. But there is q