New-York tribune., 1896-01-07

OPINIONS on THE MODERN HONE.
soRosls DISCUSSES THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE
AND OTHER PHILOSOPHICAL THINGS.

soRosIs DISCUSSES THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE
AND OTHER PHILOSOPHICAL THINGS.
An unusually interesting subject occupied the
members and friends of Soross yesterday afternoon
the Waldorf the occasion OF the regular
monthly literary meeting of the society. AFTER
short programme of music and recitations, the pres
ident Mrs William Tod Helmuth, announced the
question for discussion: Eiave the complexities OF
life and the demand for decoration in our houses
proven detrimental to the modern nome INC
subject was briefly outlined by Mrs. Sarah H.
Roys chairman OF the Committee on House ana
Home and she was followed by Mrs hester y"
Poole with an argument for the affirmative side
Mrs. Poole began by admitting the necessity III :"
multiplicity of possessions under the cohui,ions VI
modern life and even declared that she had no
sympathy with those philosophers who tried 10 ee'
along with as nearly nothing as possible Ieop'o
who lived in a narrow way. she said' cou'u io' ~
broad In their mode Of thinking. she maih'a"e'
however. that line must be drawn pe'"ee, 'o"
fort and a foolish amount of luxury, ana conueh'u
the practice of extravagant spending as ndi ~
the true purpose OF the home
Mrs. Estelle II. NJ. Merrill. president OF 'he Oa"
tabrsia Club, Of Cambridge. Mass VINO was '
Speaker for the negative, rather amused "e' ""1
tors 10y announcing that through some "iSu''-e
Standing she had supposed that she was 10 spedn
for the affirmative side However" she continued
Il should be ashamed to say that came -
Boston, If | were not able TO look on two' Or II u
necessary haf-a-dozen sides OF q" q,
U.aughter) The life OF the present. thc SPe""f
declared. was infinitely more complex ana tun, co a.
vital interest women than the ne Vi ,hor sde
She objected to the claim made by tile o.u Jill no
that modern women more buroepeu dSs Che
than were their grandmothers. AS p'Tyo," p,yons and
mentioned the greater variety OF reiaHa'd mil
smusements now available and the improves nyk
snccs for performing every kind OF next TOOK
DR.. Katharine Townsend. who spoke me- n.A woman
the stand that 1t depended entirely upon rere detri-
herself as 10 whether the complexities, VIZ IN law
mental or not. and that II was a'"'c"' -
Town general rule H., ,.,,h the af1irma-
Mrs Emily r. Williamson sided si,cH Wi.n of ID decoration
i've, and considered that the pracuce Mechanically
vas frequently carried 70 an e ecu,tvated with
she said rs an art which can De cu,''"
approprlat teness by American women. mi, .udsd for
Mrs Ada NJ Brown was Warmly pppsui apps view Of
her energetic remarks. She took cnee.iu W danger
the subject maintained that there was az m AZ
rom the present state Of things ana ;hsr chdren
the life OF women and the training o. is w, ~
we're both broader and better tnan Oh Y'u1; Mrs
The other speakers were Mrs -. n; 80 M,zisT
Margaret Yardley Miss Marguerite Won si Shs q,
Nrs Genie Rosenfeldt and the Key anna Smaim
Among the guests were Mrs Pauihe " pooTs ~
lFs Mary Harrison Mckee, Mrs r: a. prooAs St,es 90
Cuba Mrs j. L. Trezerant, OF DaIasS. 49," ade
Worsteli assistant editor OF st Nlcnoias .sden, H
AIDE Sterling Mrs Lewel.yn Jonnson' pIrsnisn
y the Orange Woman's Club; Dr. Mary i. ~ Dutap' Wr
As George c. Avery OF Louisville ny, anu cnh n,
y II Price, vice-president Of the "omens o'''
" i