Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-05

fated. a silver solder, slightly alloyed
with softer metal so that the solder
snail melt below the melting point of
silver. is used in fixing this form of
decoration to the vessel. This style of
decoration has the advantage over chas-
ing that 1t leaves no mark on the inside
of the vessel showing the reverse side
or the design. Chasing Is open to this
objection, although 1t is a popular and
beautiful method of decoration. Stamp
ed decoration resembles chasing. but
does not show the character of hand
work.
There has been of late a revuIslon
from the over-ornate chasing on re-
pousse work. and some absolutely I'M
decorated silverware is made now. This
depends for its charm upon the natural
beauty of the metal and the grace of
form given to the vessels
An excitement of large proportions and
of much more than ordinary concern Is
stirring up factions in the Northern
Methodist church. 1t is nothing more
nor less than whether three women who
have been elected to the general con-
ference, which convenes at Cleveland,
o., in May, shall be seated with the 9TH
er lay delegates The question is said to
be: Shall women of the Methodist Epis-
copal church be allowed a voice and IL
vote in making the laws of the church,"
Men of national repute are divided upon
Methodist church. A number of the most
distinguished bishops are in IA
Tor or the" admission of women dele
gates to the general conference while
others strenuously oppose it. This agita-
ton means much to the church and the
decision for or against the women will
precipitate further excitement and
trouble AS is well known, there have
been in the history of the Methodist
church two secessions, or Withdrawals
nf COR tntN Antt Of ttan .l11w,
cause of radical differences on
subjects of moment. This fact adds to
the gravity of the present situation. The
most notable division, of course, was
when the southern Methodists withdrew
from their northern brethren because of
certain opposite views held by either side
on the slavery question. The other
trouble grew out of desire of a portion
of the membership for the right of lay
men to take part in the making of the
laws of the church. Neither of these
breaches have been healed; one resulted
In the southern and northern branches
of the Methodist church and the latter
in the organization of the Protestant
Methodist church, although laymen now
have a voice in the lawmaking of all
branches of the Methodists. What the
result of this present agitation will be
no one can foretell. 1t seems that some
of the conservative men are fearful of
the honors and offices that may come to
WOMEN IL tney are once ADMITTED 10 the
councils of the church militant. WON.
an writing of this matter says:
"A woman in the bishops chair Is the
logical sequence, and this seems to be
too much for some of the male law
makers to stand. The decision of this
question will have an important bearing
on the question of woman suffrage in
civil government, because political re-
forms always have their origin in the
church.
But with women constituting three
fourths of the church membership should
not they have a voice in its laws?"
London Truth, Henry Laboachere's
famous paper, says that the ideal bicycle
rider Is an American woman, Mrs.
ktotch and thus tells of her:
Those who have seen her riding In the
Row professed to discover that 1t was
because she had a. little cushion hidden
under the folds of her dress at the back
that she manages to sit higher on her
machine than anybody else. 1t was no.
ticed that she always fell behind her
companions when she mounted; and It
was surmised that this cushion required
some careful fixing. Her bicycle was
American. The Prince of Wales marked
his appreciation of her skill by present
ing her with a diamond brooch. This
year every one Is riding high and to
Jump into the saddle and be off at ouce
Is a point of honor with all the smart
riders.
There Is general tendency, however,
to sacrifice gracefulness to skill. and
wonderful are the feats which one hears
of or sees. Miss Muriel Wilson rides
through the crowded Hull streets hold
ing up her parasol; Lady Cairns has
ventured to go downhill with three other
bicyclists abreast, all holding hands, but
not touching the handles.
AS for cycling dress, we shall for some
time wear the ordinary plain skirt. which
Is not necessarily very narrow IL II is
well cut. so that the fullness neatly
divides itself at the back and falls grace
fully at either side OF the saddle. Mrs
Davies the wife of an American Judge
and Lady Parker have both worn skirts
which measured five yards round. yet 81
ways fell well at the back, but there is
another American pattern, which have
seen worn by Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs
Arthur Paget, which fits the figure quite
closely. Knlckerbockers seem the only
possible wear when you have to do long
distance in spite Of wind and weather"
Speaking Of Nashville, Il will be of In
terest to learn that after much disous.-
sion for some time the seniors of Wander
bilt university have at last decided to
wear gowns and caps on state occasions.
An exchange, In referring to the matter
says:
This is an innovation which they are
to be congratulated on introducing. The
custom of wearing a specia, academic
costume originated at Oxford, whare
there Is now a university sta tute on the
subject. The custom has been gradually
extended In the universities of America
and England until the Dap and gown
have come to be the recognized badge Of
the college student Far from being a
fad, 1t has long since assumed perma-
nent place in college life It's early adop-
ton by the classic institutions of Glas-
gov and Edinburgh and Cambridge and
oxford, in England, and Harvard ard
Yale and Columbia in America. has Civ
en- 1t a dignity which makes quite trust
worthy the prediction that before many
more year5 the students In all the lead
ing Amf IAN colleges Will be wearing
caps and gowns. Many reasons are urged
In favor of the adoption of the costume
by the colleges In this country.
LAS writer in the University Maya
zine last year said: on its historic and
picture eque side II serves TO remind those
who don 1t OF the continuity and dignity
OF learning, and recalls the honored roll
ot English speaking university men,
Then II Is a source OF considerable
economy"