The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-09
LADY SOME ERSET.
Distinguished Visitors at Infantry
Hall Last Evening.

Lady Henry Somerset came, saw and
conquered last night and Infantry Half
was fairly we'll filed, in spite of the in
clement weather, by an intelligent and
appreciative audience. The only drawback
to the complete enjoyment of the occasion
was slight illness which attacked
Lady Henry and prevented her
finishing her remarks. She said that It
was the first time such an experience had
overtaken her and she attributed the in
disposition to cold aud fatigue.
Lady Henry is, to the casual observe,
disappointment. She is of English stat
ure, inclined to embonpoint and looks
older than she really rs, although last
evening this was enhanced by her ILL
ness. But it is when she speaks
that she becomes really beautiful. Her
voice is cultivated, it is grace itself; and
her lustrous black eyes sparkle with en-
thusiasm and kindly light diffuses itself
over her countenance. What she says is
lasting, too; it grows upon you and some
thought gem constantly springs in your
mind, presenting each time different
face and new material for your considera-
fion.
Lady Henry talked about the "Social
Problem" last night, being happily intro
duced by President K. B. Andrews OF
Brown University, who gracefully alluded
to the work Of woman, greater power
or reform than all others.
Lady Henry began by saying that the
name OF Providence is so familiar to her
that it seemed as il she knew every one
present. She alluded to Mrs. j. X. Barney,
whose work she has watched, as the
Elizabeth Frye of America. Continuing,
she said the social problem is wide
problem, put it is a hopeful aspect OF the
age that we recognize that evil
can triumph no longer. We know
where there is wrong there must be re-
dress. 1t is true that reforms are not
popular and are looked at askance by the
great powers that rule the day. We cam
not discourage those pledged to reform,
however, and every great movement for
the uplifting of mankind has passed
through the same stages.
Whatever makes for uplifting In
America makes for uplifting in England,
and whatever tends toward liberty in
England tends toward truer liberty In
this land of freedom.
Lady Henry could not say that she
thought intemperance Is causing all the
poverty under which we suffer. She has
been to factories where women toll
in poorly ventilated rooms and
spoken on the temperance cause and
these women have said that the long hours
drive their strength out and at night
they have not the force to get the bread
they need and so turn to the saloon.
Miss Frances Il. Willard made one OF
her characteristic pungent addresses al
though she had been advised by her
physician not to talk. She believed that
all evil will be put down, although she
does not expect to live to see 1t.
Miss Nellie B. Pearce, president OF the
Y. w. c. T. u. presided, and on the plat
form were the following: DIR. An
drews, Miss Sarah Il. Doyle,
Miss Stella Allen, president of
{ he Sarah Il. Doyle Club; Mrs. g. +. Mar
tin, president OF the Providence w. G. T..
u; Mrs. M. A. Babcock, president OF the
State w. G. 4. u; Rev. John Malvern,
Rev. Matthias Kaufman, Rev. I. Anderson
and Principal Augustine Jones OF the
Friends School.
The English and the United States flags
adorned the stage, tied with large white
satin bows.