The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
THE EVENTS IN SOClTEY.
udTTHEW ARNOLD DISCUSSLD ar
THE HOMlN's CLUB.
The Excursion to jamestown by the Asso.
citation forth Preservation Of virginia
Antiquities-other News OF Interest

ing as yesterday Afternoon at the Wo-
mans Club. when Mrs. John c. Robert
son presented him to a charmngly re-
! sponsive audience. and supplemented her
paper with a song recital, Miss Bell, of
| fluyanna: Mrs. George Bethel. and Mr..
| Charles Read, being the singers. Miss
| Claire Guillaume and Signor Campobello.
the accompanies. There We're distinct sug
| gestions OF the Easter season in the
| pariors; vases of buttercups standing on
the mantel, and a tall vase OF Easter
/ lilies on the little table TO the lett of the
rostrum. The audience was a large one.
! including, as guests of the chairman Mrs.
| T. NJ. Logan, Mrs. Caskie cabeli. Mrs.
| James Lyons, Miss Robertson. Miss Tay-
| Tor. Madame Guillaume, and Miss Wal
| thall. Among the visitors 10 Richmond
present were Miss Nina Wilcox, OF
! Charles City county, and Mrs. (CoiWap
! Cary breckenridge. of BotetOurt. Mrs.
Archer Anderson smilingly made the in
PRODUCTION. as follows.
Il must really apologize, ladies, for pre-
Stunning to introduce Mrs. Robertson but
her m0desty IS 80 great that lhave TO do
So"
Mrs. Robertson read charming paper.
| Really" said one lady. at its conclu-
| sion; lit never occurred 10 me as possible
| before that Matthew Arnold could be
made so entertaining. Mrs. Robertson
first outlined the distinguished English
mans life. from his birth at Laleham. in
the valley OF the Thames. on Xmas eve.
ls22. I'm considering the life and works
| of any man" said she, lit Is well to
consider his birth and rearing-in other
words. what 20 TO the making of that
man" Certainly Matthew Arnold was
inestlmably blessed in his parentage, his
mother being a Christian lady of the
noblest and tenderest type, his father
that magnificent man whose name viii
dignity the profession of teaching as long
as there are schools-1'homas Arnold of
Rugby. Certainly. as Mrs Robertson re-
marked. MARY penrose was twice bless
cd-in being such wife and such a
mother" Following the various steps In
his career she came 10 the time OF his
appointment TO the inspectorship of
schools by Lord LansdOwne-when MS lie
work may be said TO have begun. and
ever after which he was busy, hard-
worked man, who was compelled 10 give
10 the bent Of mis- nature only those
hours which he could gain 10y economy
from his more serious work.
Comment was then made upon the fact
that the man who was an acknowledged
teacher Of morals was himself of STAIN
less life. while" said Mrs. Robertson,
"he took for the tenets Of his religion that
a mans moral character IS thrce-fOurths
OF his life. may IL rebound TO his ever
lasting honor that he never allowed con-
sideration Of the fact that others were
less strict than he 10 influence his just
criticism, or withhold his honest admira-
ton" Interesting examples of this fact
were cited.
Attention was then given 70 his gifts as
a critic. His definition OF criticism and
creative activity were given. ITO have
the sense of creative activity IS the great
happiness and the great proof of being
alive, and il is not denied TO ,riucijm
ID haze it, but then criticism must he
sincere. simple flexible, ardent ever
widening its knowledge. Then 1t may
have I'm no contemplate measure, joy
ful sense Of creative activity sense
which a man OF insight anc conscience
will prefer TO what he nigh, derive from
% poor. starved, fragmea- inadequate
creation, and at some epOchs no other
creation is possible
The keynote Of his criticism was that
wonderful one-"a disinterest ID endeavor
TO learn and propagate the best that is
known and thought in the world, and
Mrs. Robertson gave some rel"y beautiful
Illustrations of this from his Essays on
Criticism" Her reading Of a selection
from Theocritus was particularly enjoyed.
being introduced, llsO. III ll'usrraton Ct
a statement made IN tn talk. the latter
part Of which was devoted 10 continued
comment upon his more celebrated works,
the circumstances of his death. Il am
sure that his work speaks better for him
than l can" said Mrs. Robertson, in
conclusion, and then toob her chair III a
delightfully."- appreciative Sur among her
audience.
The song recital was a bright and happy
thought for the Easter Monday pro-
gramme. With the exception Of one num-
BERTHE Carnival of Venice" sung by
Miss Bell Of Fluvanna, 10 Signor Campo
bellO's accompaniment. whose promising
pupil she is. Miss Claire Guillaume was
the accompanist throughout and no incon-
siderable amount OF very genuine pleasure
was due 10 that fact. All her friends re-
greet that Miss Guillaume does not more
frequently allow them 70 ENJOY ner musicai
cultivation and native talent. Signor
Campobello accompanied his pupil beau
tifully, and was evidently proud Of her
and with good reason. Miss Bell. Mrs.
George Bethel. and Mr.. Charles Read all
placed the audience IN a debt which II
will not be easy TO cancel.
The musical programme was as follows.
"Out on the Deep" Lohr. Mr.. Chas. Read.
"Only in Dreams" De Koven. Mrs. Bethen
81 Would That NY Love" N1endelssohn.
Miss Bell and Mrs Bethel.
Longing" Rubenstein Mr.. Read.
Carnival OF Venice" Benedict. Miss Bell
BLOW, Gentle Gales" Bishop. Miss Ben
Mrs. Bethel and Mr.. Read
There was the usual informal aud pleas
ant supplementary social programme Mrs
Emma r. Ball. Mrs. J. Allison Hodges
and Mrs o. A. Crenshaw pouring tea.
The audience fell into the usual genial
groups. about the parlors and hall. grad
ually dispensing with delightful memories
Mrs. r. c. Scott will leave for West
Superior the latter part OF this MONTH
exl getting 10 be absent for six months She
Viii spend the principal part OF the sum
M az Bar Harbor and Narragansett
Miss Nina Wilcox. of Bel Air. Charlec
City county. Is the guest of Mr.. and Mrs.
A. b. GuigOn.
Mr. Charles Smith OF COoperstown. n
Y. IS the guest Of Mr.. and Mrs Charles
EVELYN Smith, 36 west Franklin street.