Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-16
''LANIER DAY"
At the Chautauqua Appropriately Observed
Poems of the Beloved Poet Recited and
Biographies Reviewed

tauqua Literary and Social circle. The
platform had been deliberately decorated
for the occasion by the ladies, and the
result was altogether charming. Over
the center of the stage IN full view was
hung the Chautauqua motto. Let US
keep the Heavenly Father in our
midst" and just beneathl that the name
of our dearly beloved southern poet. On
THE right hung the class motto. THE
humblest lift that lives may be divine"
a quotation from the words of Mr.. Cliff
ford A. Lanier, and on the left, I'VE
study the word and works Of God"
The red, white and blue was especial
ly prominent with here and there dark
clusters of pine boughs and graceful
festoons Of ivy-both exceedingly ap-
propriate, for the poems of Sidney La
nier have an indescribable charm about
them which reminds one OF the fra
GRANGE of the reslnous pine and the
freshness of the ivy green.
At p. m. Grambs orchestra gave its
regular afternoon concert.
At 4:30 p. m. the c. L. s. G. exercises
began. Manager West, In explaining to
the audience the origin of Lanier day,
said that the class of '9S had petitioned
the mother Chautauqua to allow them to
class themselves the LanferY and that
this petition had been granted, and they
had adopted as motto, The hu1nblest
life that lives may be divine" and as a
class flower the violet. Lanier day
meant that these earnest and admiring
workers wished simply to do honor to
the living poet and to do reverence to
the dead.
After a song by the members of the cir
Gle Rev. j. F. Sturdivant led in prayer.
Mrs. S. e. H. Tarrant of Montgomery
then read a very beautiful paper on Sgd
ney Lanier's life and work, speaking, as
she herself happily expressed it, with
an earnestness prompted by love for
teacher" She sketched the events of his
early life, touched on his passionate love
for music and gave an interesting ac-
count of those months spent in north
ern prison, which had such a baleful in
fiuence on his subsequent life. The story
of those last days when Lanier, yield
ing to the inevitable, cried. "St. Cecilia
to the rescue, and l hope God will like
the music!' and gave himself UP to mu-
sic and poetry and light, was pathetic in
the extreme.
Prof. E. L. Hughes of Greenville, S. c.,
then recited one of Sydney Lanier's dia-
lect poems, There's More in the Man
Than There Is in the Land" This was
followed by music by the orchestra,
Sousa's High School Cadet" and anoth-
er dialect poem, aunt Dinah," recited
by Miss Castleberry of Talladega.
who had had the good fortune to sit at
his feet years ago. then paid beautiful
tribute to his memory.
1 Mrs. Ford of Chicago then read in
very acceptable manner two poems Illus
strative of his genius as lyrical and dra-
matte poet, THE Song OF the Cnatta !,
hoochee" and the Revenge of Hamish.'
After music by the orchestra ReV.
Lynn r. Walker pronounced the bene-
diction.
The C. l.. S. c. is doing noble work
in Alabama toward the dissemination OF
a broader and higher educatlon' Inc
conductor of the Alabama round table,
n IS Bessie M. Haley of Jasper, de-
serves much credit for yesterdays sue
cess She is a lady whose culture is ex-
celled only by her refinement and whose
modesty and sweetness OF disposition
make her one of the few whom to know
is to love-"
At 8 another very enjoyable musical
concert was given. The two opening
numbers were played by the orchestra
Mendelssohn's wedding march and Sou
sa's King Cotton" Prof. Fred H..
Grambs then played a trombone solo,
1.-The Palms." with orchestral accompa-
niment, Miss Clardy of Talladega pre-
siding at the plano and Miss Printup
of Rome, Ga, assisting with her VIOLIN.
Professor Grambs thoroughly under
stands this most scientific of all musical
instruments and fairly brought down
the house with his superb music. Miss
Printup also delighted the audience with
a violin solo,
Miss Staley of New York city then
gave a series of Poses Piastique," taken
from the old masterpieces of Grecian art.
They were the Louvre Venus" Flute
PLAYER" Diana With TIMER" disc
Thrower," Sleeping Adriadne" and
winged Victory" Diana" and
"Adriadne'' We're both exceedingly beau
tiful and excited much admiration. Miss
Staley leaves today for New York city,
much to the regret of the many friends
she has made during her stay here.
AT $50 o'clock the speaker for the
evening was introduced. Mr.. Oliver Pow
err of Columbus, o., who delivered his
lecture, Where the Other Half Lives"
The lecture was illustrated throughout
with splendid stereopticon views. In his
introduction. Mr.. Power said that he
should feel rewarded IL from his lecture
some one received an idea which should
crystalline into some good, philanthropic
deed. Certainly there was not one among
his hearers who was not moved as he
eloquently told the sad story of poverty,
want and crime, and there were many
let US hope, who carried away ideas
which shall prove the forerunners of acts
of love and mercy to the great army of
Jean Valjeans about US. He presented
North End in Boston and the Bowery
and Mulberry Bend in New York in all
their hideousness and squalor and unut-
terable wretchedness to his spectators.
He invaded the elegant homes of the rich
and brought all their beauty and SPLEEN
dor and luxury before the admiring eye.
Then he penetrated the Cherries attic
rooms and prison-like, sunless CELLAR
holes of the poor and brought to light all
their unspeakable horrors, Mr.. Power is
an orator of great natural ability, and
evidently speaks from a full heart. Like
Abon Ben Adhem. he is above all things
zone who loves his -fellowmen."
Thursday, July IT,
10 a. m.-Instructions in Sunday school
normal work. .5.l -ss35
D. m.-Orchestral concert.
4:S0 p. m.-"Davld Copperfeld," imper-
sonated by Edwin L. Barker.
S-Music by the orchestra.
S:So-Lecture "Good Medicine" by
Robert ]. Burdette of Philadelphia.
Cheap Rates to Texas.