Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-31
Social and Otherwise,

TAll items of social interest will be gladly
 noted in this column if sent to- Mrs. George
 C. Ball. 21S1 Highland avenue.
 Miss Robbins of Selma on last Friday af- ternoon was the guest of the Cadmean circle, and upon the invitation of the members spoke to them concerning the federation of women's clubs in Alabama. Miss Robbins for years has felt much in- terest in this matter, recognizing the power of organized effort in every walk of life. What Miss Robbins said was so womanly, at the same time so eloquent, that she gave great pleasure to the circle in her brief address. Her voice is musical, her manner modest and her entire person. ality unusually attractive and magnetic. She is one of the most intellectual and cul- tivated women of Alabama and is deeply interested in the advancement of southern women along helpful lines. Miss Robbins said:
 ''Ladies of the Cadmean Circle, trust in beginning you will pardon personal allusion. I am not sure whether your circle takes it's name from Cadmus, who first introduced letters into Greece, or
  but, according to venerable Bede, there is legend concerning the latter which forcibly reminds me of my own feeling upon learning that was expected to ad- dress a company of intellectual women in the Magic City. It is said that Cardmon was so ignorant of music that in the even- ings, when the monks were assembled in the hall devoted to that art, poor Cardmon was obliged to retire in order to hide his shame when the harp was moved towards him. Overcome by the same consciousness perhaps I should have been constrained to follow his example but for the suggestions contained in the further incidents of the legend. One night as Cardmon slept a stranger appeared and commanded him to sing, and although he declared his igno- rance the visitor would accept DO refusal and imposed upon the poor monk the task of hymDing the gories of creation. Sud denly an inspiration seized him and he awoke, to find that he had received the gift of song. Ladies, you and otber women of Alabama possess intellectual powers that are dormant. l have long thought this to be the case, but that other question:, How to arouse these powers?' has presented a problem not easily solved. Several years ago, with the assistance of Miss Young of Greensboro, one of the most gifted writers of our state, l wrote several articles for newspapers, insisting upon the formation of an authors club, but alas! we had been so slothful there were not many who could respond, and those few did not. Two years ago the Literary circle in the city which have the honor to call my home, desirous of being in touch with kindred workers, united with the general federa- ton of clubs. But like other workmon who plan wisely, we expected to derive from this union force that would work such @ revolution in our club as to lift us at once to the high plane of ideal life. In- stead of this we met with the law of evo- lution, and forgetting that in the intellec- tnal, as we'll as moral and material world, the highest results are attained through the tedious processes of it's workings, we set aside the plan and permitted our member ship to lapse. However, one difficulty with us was, l think, that we were not suf- ficiently in sympathy with this far away federation to obtain with 1t that full con- nection which would have brought to us the strengthening and helpful influences which every local club needs. I believe that state federation, as suggested by your accomplished leader, will supply this missing lnk.' And indeed it seems as if we, too, like Cardmon, have stood in need of stranger to appear and declare despite our protests, that we must sing.' In at tempting to follow the suggestions of your leader l cannot tell whether l shall turn out song or a sermon, but most likely the latter, especially as the plan given me was mapped out in four places. First, the object of the federaiion; second, bene- fits to be derived by individuals and clubs; third, plans for a state federation, and fourth, general federation. It seems 10 me the first point to be considered is easily disposed of by analogy. What is the ob- ject of society but experiments with the law of attraction, a law with which nature accomplished such beneficent results in the process which the scientists cali ''natural selection?' The object, then, of uniting n he in atnfa Inu ia Oit,av, to bring together individuals of like minds. The results of this coming together lead us to the second point, which involves the old question that ever presents itself-when we are asked to render unto others we at once desire to know what will be given in return. Perhaps there is something in the old aphorism that our reaping is what our sowing was; at least it is fact that traits of exclusion and seclusion in an individual beget narrowness and hamilton, and what is true of one Is true of many controlled by similar purpose. There is an old fallacy, which some still cling to, which held that intellectual people con- stituted an elect company that might disregard all the principles by which ordi- nary persons are governed. I read not long ago an article in the Forum concern. ing Carlisle's place in literature that very plainly taught the paralyzing influence even upon the highest mental powers of this great writer of a tendency to exclusion
 
 his wonderful achievements he never so cast aside the thralldom of selfishness as to be able 10 gain that place in literature to which the immortals are admitted. How- ever the strengthening influence and the inspiration of association with congenial spirits and the mutual helpfuness of such contact is something that cannot well be told, and can but be learned by experience. The benefit to clubs of union is briefly that we may learn of each other-we of them and they of us, and may derive what is the highest office of teaching suggestiyeness.
 This evening Miss Clayton Dagg and MT. Howard Virgil Richards will be quietly married. Miss Dagg is native oi Hop kinsville, Ky., but has lived in Birming- ham of late years, and because of her womanly qualities and accomplishments she has made many friends in our city. She is sister of Mrs. H. Clanton Miller. For two years she has been organist at the Southside Baptist church and has dono much for the advancement of church music in our community. MT. Richards is tire less worker ia an important mission in Birmingham, and intends entering the ministry of the Presbyterian church. Man friends yDiah fnr ho vnnpo nnupIa o