The herald., 1895-06-11
IN SOCIAL LIFE

The regular monthly social meeting OF
the Ebell was held yesterday afternoon
at the residence of Miss Parsons. No. 1876
South Olive street, and was opened at
2:30 with the president Mrs. H. W. r.
Strong, in the chair. Routine business
in the way of reports and the matter OF
dues was speedily disposed Of, after
which little time was given to the dis
cusson OF some more permanent abiding
place for TIE club.
1t was moved by Mrs. Baker, seconded
by Mrs. Overton and carried by vote that
the question be turned over to the house
commi ttee with instructions that they
investigate the merits OF various sugces
tions which had come up during the dis
cussion, and report at the next meeting
OF the club.
The programme for the afternoon was
then opened with paper by Miss II. X.
Putnam on The Women Of Ancient
Egypt, and she depicted them as having
been and done in reality what the modern
new woman is supposed to be trying to be
and do. The ancient Egyptian woman
had equal rights with men IN the eyes OF
the law, and was pictured as his friend
and companion.
As early as the second dynasty the
| royal authority and supreme direction of
affairs were intrusted to her without re-
serve; the wives and daughters OF kings
succeeded to the throne as the male
branches OF the royal family do now.
Ancient Egyptians recognized mascu-
line and feminine principle entering into
all things the whole advance from bar
barism to civilization was ascribed to the
woman goddess Isis. all orders OF the
priesthood were open TO women: ana
Egypt was indebted to priestesses for
some Its most important literature.
! secluded in harems or confined to their
homes; the home life seems to have been
harmonious and happy. husband and
wife being generally represented as sit
| ting together; she was his associate in
| all occupations, sharing his thoughts and
! ruling his household.
On the monument OF Rameses III is
.he following inscriptions TO unpro-
tected women there is freedom to wan
der through the whole country whereso-
ever She list without app1ehendlng any
| danger" p"
The education OF girls could not have
| been neglected since they afterward
shared the rubic life of men and held
posts OF importance. Children entered
! largely into the home lie, and seemed
to be much with their parents. Various
authorities were quoted. and the lew in
| dividual woman characters thar stand out
onspicuously in Egyptian history were
! briefly recounted to emphasize the
statements made; all of which went to
prove that there IS indeed no new thing
! under the sun. not even that newest Of
new things-the new woman.
The subject OF the next paper by NJ SIS
Ryan. was Amelia b. Edwards, the
EgyptolosIst. Miss Ryan gave an inter-
esting running account of Miss Ed wards
life, her remarkable career. marvellous
versatility. unusual achievements IN the
field of letters, and the simple and M
affected manner and fascinating conver-
sation that won for her the love as well
as the respect of all vino knew her. The
paper was closed with a graphic pen pic
ture of Miss Edwards home, with its
wealth OF rare Egyptian curos and orna-
ments. and her library in particular was
portrayed as being a rarely attractive
spot
The last paper of the afternoon was a
most interesting account of the life and
works OF Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison.
known the world over as Sister Dora, u
who devoted herself to nursing, and tC
the service of the ok poor in Warsaw.
At the conclusion of the papers there
was informal discussion OF the various
subjects that had been presented and o
some that had not. Delicious ices were
served a large mum mber were present anC
the afternoon was as delightful 40 tht
meetings OF the Ebell usually are.