The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-16

The First Literary Afternoon Devoted
to Art.

to Art.
Admirable Papers by Mesdames Coyle,
Dyer and Robinson-Fine Singing by
Miss Crafts-The Business of the Meet
ing.
The first literary afternoon of the Wom-
ans Literary Union was held in Pine
street church Saturday. The exercises
were in charge of Mrs. Charles A. Dyer
of the Savoir Faire, club. Miss Mabel
Morris, Kalmia club, and Mrs. N. M.
Marshall of the Savoir Faire club.
The platform was most artistically
BANKED with white and yellow chrysan-
themums. the reading desk being draped
with the same colors and large bou-
quet of ohrysanthemu.ns. An afternoon
In art was eagerly anticipated by the
large audience showing their apprecia-
ton OF and confidence in the ladies who
furnished the entertainment.
After the distribution of the Yenr
Book, the meeting was called to order by
greeted the members most cordially, ex-
pressing her delight in seeing SO many
persent and welcoming the new members
to the ranks. Mrs. Clark then spoke of
the meetings which were held In this
city OF the Maine Federation of Women,
thanking the different committees for all
they had done, the newspapers for their
long and good reports. and all who had
Hospitality opened their doors to the out
of-town delegates.
Mrs. Neal d. Smith gave brief report
Of all that was done at the meetings.
She said that SO clubs were represented,
showing the good fellowship that exists
in the federation. The reception at City
hall was largely attended ana was a most
brilliant social event. The St. Holyoke
Aluninae meet together to keep up
their acquaintance and Mrs. Smith
wished that more societies kept togeth-
or. The revising of the constitution was
discussed. but no decision made.
Mrs. Clark spoke Of the change in the
place of meeting which was made neces-
sary by the large increase in tine union
and hoped that the members would
soon feel at home in Pire street church.
The platform was then given to the Ia
dies in charge and the following delight
full programme was most charmingly car
ried out:
Music as an Art, Mrs. J.B, CoyIe
Music is the art of the prophets,
1t Is ore of the most magnificent and
delightful presents God has given u.s.
Martin Luther.
Vocal Solo-Nymphs and Fawns,
Bemberg
Miss Crafts
The Rise and Progress OF Photography,
Mrs. Frederick w. Robinson
Half in shade and half in sun
This world along it's path advances.
Moore.
Art from Students Point of View,
Mrs. Q. A. Dyer
"Come forth into the light of things
Let Nature be your teacher
Vocal Solo-Hs Saves Me, Chadwick
Miss Crafts.
Mrs. Dyer, as chairman of the commit
tee, introduced Mrs. J. B. Coyls In few
appropriate words, speaking of her IS
ono who had held the highest, office
that of president of the union.
Mrs. Coyle was greeted with enthusi-
asm and close attention was paid to
her able paper on Music as an Art. AS
only short ten minutes was allowed
each speaker, Mrs. Coyle said she would
give no history of music or the great
masters at length. The art of music is
as old as creation, and the old masters
are glorious In their works. The early
christian church was largely RESPONSE
BILE for harmony and not the basis of
artistic music. The strong religious
feeling gave new impulses to music as
an art. Art embodies tender feelings.
Architecture represents prayer, music,
painting appeals to the soul, but music
all the other arts. Musicians are not
merely musicians, they are artists. poets,
philosophers, and using them rs step
ping stones music is elevated.
The effect of music upon US is to take
us to the edge of the great Infinite.
Music that paints nothing to the mind
is only noise. Let us see that the best
and grandest music is properly studied.
Become familiar with the grandeEt com
positions of the old masters, the lofty
oratorios, the songs with true delicacy
and beauty. Know the composers through
their works. A young pupil asked advice
of his teacher and was surprised at the
reply. Purify the mind and soul, think
only good and true things. This will
prepare one to interpret and compose.
Let US fight shy of little pieces, for lit
tie players, or we will be educated only
to jingles and jigs.
A Boston paper spoke of the death of
popular songs. The popular song OF to-
day may be divided into three classes,
pathetic, comic and sentimental. The
pathetic popular song usually has to do
with break in the family. wedding
bells, etc. The comic song usually has
pause where the soloist gives a short
dance or hits his partner with q
stuffed club. The sentimental song has
to do with leaves, flowers, buttercups,
daisies, girls and ourls. This is called
popular music, but should be called pop
ular trash, and is disgrace to music.
Music is God-given power and should
be better pursued than providing houses
to hear so-oalled music. 1t is divine
art and the old masters such as
Beethoven and Wagner wrought out
more music on the old-fashioned spin
net than many Of the musicians today
on the modern piano. This ia progress
sive nRe and the wonderful vocal and In
strumental gymnastics are victims of con-
oeit. The true artist with an imperfect
voice or instrument gives more pleasure