Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-01-30

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certainly has her share of secret organi-
cations, "a there are several OF the
masonic order, and those signalized BY
the mystic letters |. o. o. F., A. o. u. W.,
A. o. o. F., &c. &c.
In recent issues of THE AMERICAN
sketches have been given OF jolly, CHEEKY
Nicolin, with its club house in the "forest
primeval," on a most picturesque spot
beside the sparkling water where the
followers OF Isaac Walton may indulge
their love for the piscatoria art nearly
all the year round, and OF the more digni-
fled Abenaquis, with its stately club
house, magnificent reading room, finely
equipped billiard-room and banquet hall.
and now it is suggested that something
OF the women's clubs would prove of
interest.
THE LITERARY CLUBS.
OF literary clubs one naturally speaks
first OF the Woman's club, open to all
women OF every class and age 1t was
organized Jan 6, 1891, for the purpose Of
mutual help and Improvement. Its work
is practical, educational and progressive;
parliamentary usages are strictly OBJ
served.
1t owes its organization and continued
existence largely to The personal efforts of
DIR. Abby NJ. Fulton, who served as its
president for the first four years. Many
able papers on topics tending to the
physical, mental and moral elevation of
women have been written and generally
discussed.
EnlI Nnrta 90 ha in,a
ternational suffrage and temper
ance conventions are always given
serious attention. One OF the interesting
features is the giving OF current events
at each meeting. Recently the import
ant work OF visiting the public schools,
and trying to cooperate with the
teachers has been taken up.
The Nineteenth century club, organ
lied under the rules and constitution of
State federation, is composed OF ladies,
the number OF mem bers being limited to
twenty-five. The first two seasons they
devoted their attention to the history OF
France.
In this connection they have read aloud
in the class: France i'll the Nineteenth
Century" by Mrs. Latimer. two vols,
"Od Court Life in France" by Mrs. Eliot,
"a Biography of Empress Eugene, many
articles on Napoleon, and various essays
upon the government, statesmen, aut hors
and schools OF France.
Current events are given at each session.
This work is divided into three depart
ments-foreign, domestic, literary and
dramatic news. This winter the club is
studying England in the Nineteenth
Century,"a book full Of interest and in
struction, by Mrs Latimer also taking
the principal authors OF the period.
A biographical sketch is given and Sc
lections from their works read.
WRESTLING WITH SHAKESPEARE.
The Shakespeare class, organized June,
1882. by ladies of the Unitarian society,
has met every Monday afternoon of the
'study season" OF each successive year.
1t is utterly informal, as it cannot boast
OF single officer. One Of its chief
charms is the freedom to interrupt the
reader and ask questions, or discuss any
specially strong or abstruse passage. All
the plays have been studied, many Of
them over and over again.
MS WlHteE ID ucNOted W Tue ulslOIlCdl
plays. In this connection the history OF
England from King John to Henry VIII.
has been taken up. The members in
turn prepare the questions on the play
and history OF the period. AS each play
is completed, character analysis and
quotations are given.
Occasionally the class has changed from
Shakespeare and read Schller's plays
Goethe's Faust" Dante's "Divina Com
media" paradise Lost" Byron, Brown,
ing and Emerson. But after short sea
son given to one of these it always returns
with increased love and enthusiasm to
the immortal bard Of Avon.
SACRED HISTORY.
There is a class of twenty five young
ladies connected with the Congrega-
tional church, under the guidance OF
their Sabbath school teacher, that has
met regularly for several years past and
studied history, art and literature oil
different periods. Their leader has taker
great pains to secure reference books ano
pictures, and much good work has beer
accomplished. The present season is de
voted to the study OF early Christian
Art" and the "Bible in Literature"
The Title club is composed OF few
young ladies, who have hit upon mos
unique manner OF getting an immense
amount of fun out OF an instructive en-
tertainment. They meet one evening
week, and exercise their ingenuity il
preparing for representation, and thei
keen wits in guessing, the titles Of stand
ard books and noted characters in his
tory and fiction. A feast for the stomach
as well as brain is always provided.
Some OF the Spontaneous" poetry o
this club rivals anything We have ye
of no FL nj Eng