New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06

MARY DANE HALL. MAKES AN ADDRESS IN
WHICH SHE CALLS PARTICULAR ATTEN-
TON TO THE PROGRESS or WOMEN.
sorosis held its frA meeting Of the season yester
day afternoon, and Mrs Mary Dame Hall. the new
president presided with as much grace and ease
as II she had done anything else. while Mrs.
Helmuth took her place in the audience with equal
naturalness Before introducing the leaders of the
discussion Mrs. Hall made a short address. IN
which she called attention 10 the progress of
women. and by way OF contrast she quoted sec
ton from an unrepealed law Of New-Jersey. en-
acted while 1t still British colony, to the
effect that any woman. whatever might be her
estate who should betray. seduce or entice into
matrimony any of His Majesty's subjects by means
of cosmetics. false hair. artificial teeth or other
aid whatever should incur the penalty of the law
against witchcraft and similar denominations.
The question for the days discussion was HAS
American Literature in fits Development Formed
Distinct School, Is 1t but the Reflection of For
eign Inhuences?' 1t was presented by the chair
man OF the Committee on Literature. Mrs. Lee
c. Hardy, who inclined decidedly TO the Affirmative
She admitted that America had absorbed the traits
Of many lands. but asserted that these had been
naturalzed. like her citizens and that the whole
had a distinct individuality. Mrs HARDY is serv-
ing her second term as chairman Of the Committee
on Literature.
The other speakers In the discussion were Sara
c. Ostrom. Alma Calda Johnston. Sarah French
and Miriam NJ. Greeley. Sept!ma NJ Coils lsa-
bella S LOveland and Annie Beaston. negative
Mrs Ostron said:
1T is the people. not the actual writer's Of books
who make literature, and when young people enter
the lists II must bring a new thought with H."
Mrs Greeley thought that America had not had
time enough yet to develop literature. and that it
would never do so by the dollhouse methods now in
vogue.
Mrs. Johnston maintained that American litera-
ture could reflect foreign influence but
when ii came be different from anything yet seen
Is the Mississippi IS from the Rhine
Mrs. Loyeland abOTed 10 prove that not much IN
the way of literature could be expected from the
descendants Of Puritans These amiable people. she
said, who broke images ana destroyed pictures in
the Old World and dishgured the Psalms of David
IN the New since there was no other work Of art in
the wilds Of New England on which they could vent
their feelings could not be expected TO transmit
much literary ability 10 posterity.
Mrs Douglas argued for the negative BY giving
facts not fancies," and asserted that some books
were American that only an American could I'M
ders,and them.
Mrs Coils boldly declared that there is such
thing as American literature, and therefore it can
hot reflect foreign influences" She thought how
ever that American Journalism was unique, and
that it had taken no Inspiration from abroad
Miss Bcaston said
Locality does not make literature. for Dante
ana Milton YOU remember, wrote Of hell Lit
erature is based on three great factors-reiigous
traditions political conditions and The relations Of
the sexes. our religious traditions are those OF
England: the relations Of the sexes among us
were developed by Anglo-SaXon civilization; ana
orr political conditions based on the three
great English charters We the children or
England and our literature cannot be different
from that Of our mother country"
After the reading Of the papers there was an eX-
temporanoous discussion. led by DR.. Jennie de la
NJ Lozer. Mrs. Lozier took exception TO MISS
Beastons statements. and called attention 10 the
fact that America was settled by an enormous
number OF cranky people" who dissented most
strongly from the religious traditions Of England
At the conclusion OF the discussion Mrs. HoWells
president Of the North Carolina SOrosis. told the
ladies something Of the work Of her club.
The discussion preceded by the Following
programme: Trio. OPP 81 (ChamnadO. New-fork
Ladies Trio Dora Vaosca Becker, vioniste; Flavie
Van den Hende. violoncellisle; MaDel fIpps'
piariste Rotations My Boy and 'Compensa-
lion" Lee G. HarbyJ Miss Helena cha lnefs
Violn4solo Gypsy Airs" (Sarasate), Miss Becker
Ing and al he breakfast which preceded II: Mrs
J. T. Hosklns daughter Of Dr. EDDY, VINO is AZ
The head az The school at Beirut Syria. ana the
wife OF a missionary; Mrs. ". H. Chambers, also
the wife OF "A missionary; Mrs Buxton IRON MOT
rstOWn: Mrs Arthur Walker. from BurnhR'oh
VI. Ms Uowells Of the North Carolina Sorosisi
Mrs Florence Rice Knox. Mrs Charles cay OF
the Westchester WOmanS club MISS jesse V"-
Ter Mrs " o j. Mcdonald. Miss Pascal. OF me
Rhneander School; Mrs. Herbert J.. AioVch' NJ
dent Of the Wranglers' club. OF orange ana MIS-
r =