Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-08

nave OCCdsloualiy IchSOu eO ACASA ho NNS advanced ideas of our times, the progress sive theories of our day, and always, of course, in a commendatory way. But sometimes fear that my use of these terms, which are frequently employed in reference to all new things, may be misunderstood and confounded with an approval of many of the novel doctrines of the present time, which are far from progressive in the true sense of that much abused word. Every thinking, reading person who is interested in humanity must rejoice in the opportu- mites afforded women to make the most of themselves and their lives. l find that the most cultivated and the broadcast minded men are the warmest advocates Of this view of the woman question. These men, with the most conservative women, believe in the mental equality of the sexes. Just here one is apt to grow skeptical be- cause of depressing examples of thought less, frivolous women being cited to prove the contrary. But examples can be given with equal force from the other side and their counterparts exist among men.
 The different duties of m ,n and women one pertaining to the active, earnest bread winning for the family, the other having the home cares and burdens to bear naturally affect their channels of thought and their interests. But where women have entered the varying fields of life with men they have not suffered by compari- son. In the colleges and universities, in art, in literature, and frequently in the professions they have shown Q marvellous ability to hold their own. In this hll true men rejoice, for they know that the stronger mentally woman becomes, pro-
 hthe moral side of her nature is in &C., cord with the cultivation of her mind; so much greater becomes our race, so mnch grander the future generations. The doc Urine "lhat the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world'' is eminently true, but worthier of coming power and greatness hand that rocks it is directed by brain and guided by a heart and soul. It has passed into a proverb ''that no strong man ever had a weak mother,o and DO axiom has had more constant proof. The men who have accomplished most in their day and generation have been the sons of intellectual women. The men who have ruled the wtr d have first been dominated by mothers who had the moral and mental power to impress their lives and to direct their characters. So that every step forward in the education of women, in the melting of interest in the momentous questions of our times, IS step upward for the race, is an advance, progression; yet, shal! in no wise do away with the lovely and lovable traits of womanhood. An earnestness of purpose, united to mental and moral power, have made the tenderest, best mothers in the world, and they generally leave something besides tombstone inscriptions to indicate that they have lived. The more women of this kind-evolved from the advanced ideas of education and training-the less need there will be for the misguided genius of the Madame Grands of to- day. Even the brilliant gifts of such writer fail to accomplish anything as long as she gives to the century only the ab- normal children ot her abnormal brain. Neither the woman question or the human race is improved by the remarkable examf E.es of some of her characters. Her dog
 lines need not be disnnted, but her woWen Ire poor examples of the good that - be doncp9 their enforcement. Evadues will never revolutionize the morals of the world, but true, loving, uuselfish, intel lectuai mothers and wives canl
 
 Miss Mary Claire Miner and Mrs. w. H. Kettig are enjuying short sojourn at St. Clair Springs.
 Rev. Dr. J. c. Morris, who has been mer, will soon be at home again. From a cablegram received lately by his family he is expected in about week.
 Mrs. Charles H. Caldwell has returned < from a visit 10 her former home, Memphis, and has brought with her Mrs. F. D. Snow -dfn, her sister.
 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stringfelow of Montgomery are now in Birmingham, and wtl be for several weeks at Mrs. J. T.
 r.rrs. Mrs sM,Tng1s0w wnc hs. vsss n ny old friends here, who welcome her.
 have received copies of the college mag szine, s'The N. C.Y. L. Champion" pub lshed by the young ladies of Dr. Price' 8 school, Tn Nashville, and really have en- faip articles of genuine merit, among which are two poems by our young friend, Miss FlorrIe Roden, who was the poet for her class at Dr. Price's college. These poems evinced much talent, and Miss Fiorrie is to be warmly congratulated upon her good work.
 Mrs. Thomas Parke won the prize at the Tuesday Afternoon Whist club.
 ws~
 Miss Robbie Kyle of Gadsden, Ala, Is visiting her kinswoman, Mrs. Joseph F. Johnston. Miss Kyle has just graduated at Salem, N. O., one of the oldest and best schools in the south. 1t is school where many of our grandmothers were educated in the long ago.
 Thursday evening the pretty home of MT. and Mrs. II. R. Johnston was brilliant with light, fragrant with many blossoms and joyous with merry laughter and speech. In large numbers the young people re- sponded to the invitations of the Misses Johnston, and filled the handsome rooms, halls and porches with their radiant youth and beauty. The toilets of the girls were unusually stylish and pretty.
 The cotillion began about 10 o'clock, and continued for several hours. Ices and other delicious refreshments were served, and so delightful an evening 1t was that it was far beyond the midnight hour before good nights were said. The floral decora- lions were very lovely; bowls and vases of beautiful flowers were everywhere to be seen, while in some of the rooms an ex- quisite frieze was formed by an artistic ar rangement of the grace ul branches of the aapar ra ue Dlant