The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-10-29
Prose and Poetry at Portland.
Miss Sibley BEFORE the Salne Federation Of
MOmen'S Clubs.


MOmen'S Clubs.
The session of the Maiue Federation of
Women's Clubs in Portland last week was a
success in all its features. The papers and
poems read were of a high literary order and
the addresses entertaining, Instructive and
we'll delivered. Among the speaker was
Miss Charlotte Thorndike Slbley of Belfast,
who gave some word pictures of "The
Brow nings under the Blue Italians Skies"
The Portland Press says:
Miss Sibley said that Italy was the land of
poets and beggars, ard she gave an attrac-
tive picture of those dear, delightful little
beggars. Another picture of the dear land of
Dante and Petrach was a fit setting for this
lovely couple. There was a charming pic
ture of the childhood of the two wonderful
people. She told of the wonderful childhood
of them BOTH of their wonderful precocity.
Robert Browning, she said, called Italy his
university, and Usola, his favorite place
there, is older even than Rome.
The first winter they spent in Italy, in
Pisa, in Florence the first summer. She
dwelt forcibly upon the effect of the change
in Elizabeth Barrett Brownings life, from
the quiet invalid room TO the happy, we'd
ded life in Italy, which dominated and de-
veloped her own poetical genius. Miss
Sibley spoke of their dear love for Venice,
and the dramatic poem, I'm a Gondola."
Here in Venice. i'll the Palozza Reziniro,
Robert Browning died. Their methods of
work We're quite dlfferent he studied quiet
and she could write with the baby in her
room. Miss Sibley spoke next of Browning's
obscurity, and laidsit largely to carelessness.
Mrs. Browning herself is sometimes obscure
as we'll as her husband. She spoke OF Brown
lng's love for art and music, and that he low
ed to prowl about the old shops, and in
Florence, at an old bookstore he found
the little book upon which was based his
greatest poem, The Ring and the Book. "
They We're also fond of pets of all kinds, and
stories We're told of how he took snakes
around in his breast pocket for the amuse-
ment of the boys. Miss Sibley told funny
story of how Browning shaved his beard,
much to his wife's disgust, and when 1T did
grow out it was white. They loved Italy,
but they hated her oppressers. After Mrs.
Browning's death, he could not return to
that land, which was so linked with what
was best and dearest in his life. The last of
his life and work is found in "Berum, the
truest sunshine in his heart and the ever
youthful spirit. All is we'll that ends WELL
and Miss Sibiey's address on this most in
teresting couple was indescribable in its
charm something of almost infinite grace in
her manner of description, and power Of
throwing herself into her subject, which car
ries her audience along with her and holds
them in rapt attention. Although the time
was late, few left the hall while she was
giving this most fascinating picture of these
wonderful people.
We have not space for a detailed report
of the meeting, or synopsis of the papers
read, but will follow Miss Sibley's poetical
prose with poem by we'll known Port
land author. Miss Snow quoted the presi-
dent of Smith college saying that the
Clock of Time has struck the woman's hour,
and then introduced Mrs. Caroline Dana
Howe, who gave her poem entitled,
THE woMAN's HOUR
The morn grows bright. The woman's
To fresh hopes consecrated,
Comes in with elements of power,
And tidal promise freighted.
Force gathers force; and thought with
AS mind with mind in action
Draw to themselves the blessings sought,
Through Faiths supreme attraction.
Of ancient Britain it was shown,
That growth year suspended,
With upturned SOIL and seeds unsown,
Brought larvests wide extended
Thus we to old traditions chung,
anu long utldNet our message,
UnSaid, unwritten and unsung,
Though heraded by presage.
But ol The soil so Ruthless held
Through that long iuvolutIon,
BY some transmitting force impeled
Makes gracious restitution.
For all fresh growth and interest
Goes toward the spirits moulding,
As fruit, new-pledged is manifest
In apple blooms unfolding.
If we have learned through waiting years,
The lessons of denial,
Renewed thereby, pathway clears
To make of life new trial.
For they who learn, and they w no teach
Hold common cause together.
AS May lies near to winters reach,
Though cherries be the weather.
AS planets lighted by one sun
And held by power magnetic,
Divisible yet still as one.
We draw our lines prophetic,
And in this hour may dare compute,
What comes OF faith and reason,
AS buds from germs, from blossom fruit,
Perfecting in their season.
Not yet hath day dawned full and clear
Along the path We enter,
But Truth $ warm sun rays gather cheer
Diverging from their centre.
For what we gain, and what have wrought,
Of broader aims for woman,
Shows in the hours advancing thought,
Beneticent and human.
So may the world its grace accord,
And recognize union,
Vital in principle, and broad
In creed, as i'll communion.
For what mere knowledge or degree,
If souls may yield no largess,
Content to sail ON Lies smooth sea,
In Pleasures summer barges?
While mind develo ped, ranks with mind,
No privilege we barter,
Or seek lesser place, assigned
By birthright or by charter
If love and knowledge n our path
Stand forth as heritages,
The Future, in its aftermat h
Holds promise for the ages
So hail we each advancing year,
Though bound by class restrictions,
Since wise men bring us words of cheer,
Belief, and benedctions.
New impulses this gives to life;
From selfish pride estranges,
And wins its way through nober strife,
To glorious interchanges.
2';n a.! 81!
X PERRY DAvls'J