New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-21
PHEBE ANN COFFIN
Reed Payment.

The returning seafarers brought constantly home
TO their families beautiful treasures and
curos as the standard Of living raised 10 some
thing approaching luxury. and taste ever improved
Children used 10 think that Cape Horn was a vast
shop for everything that particularly choice
seemed to have como from Cape Horn"-thick
satin dresses which could really stand alone"
crepe shaws, heavy with embroidery and long,
knotted sewing-sllk fringe. bought by weight. a
certain price per pound egg-shel or heavily ornate
china and lacquered ware, choice sweetmeats, Eng
lsh walnuts, or cape Horn nuts" they were
always called. and CASTLE or Brazil nuts, casks CT
picked lines. limejuice anC cocoanrts. How de-
cious the cellar used to smell, No talk then OF
deadly cellar germs. Sometimes now. passing
through a seaport town which carries on foreign
trade. the Nantucketer occasionally catches =
Whit of composite odor, curiousy and deiciously
made up Of perfume and pungency, and cries with
delight: "Oh. the smell Of the Cape Horn casks."
AS we grew up we learned that cape Horn was
only generic term. Ike the phrase lat sea" and
might mean anything from Greenland to the Horn.
around the west coast" 10 China and
Japan. or way up in the Arctic regions.
HOW THE WOMEN WORK AND STUDY.
The women living at Nantucket because OF duties
or preferences do not settle down the approach
OF winter into the lethargic state often and so
infinitely described by casual Observers OF precon-
ceved notions. On the contrary, relieved from the
Interruptions and the exhausting round Of social
duties which the summer brings. these women,
after perhaps a brief outing in the world or the
Wilderness come home refreshed and vigorous, and
with glorious sense OF freedom for seven eight
months TO come. and there is no dawdling in the
of that freedom II Is good deal the feeling
of the hostess who puts her house in order after q
series of delightful hut too absorbing entertain
ments. and once more begins to live normally. We
not considering the business women Of Nan
tucket who numerous. but only the occupations
pursued by those Of comparative leisure There is
leisure class" at Nantucket Prominent among
the clubs Is Soross, an offshoot OF New-York
SOrosis by some Of whose officers the Island
Branch was organized good many years ago Tho
members Of this club are chiefly silver lalred and
long. In the work Of the Organization they do NOT
give themselves with great ardor TO reform for ac-
gagng their attention. the burning questions"
concerning the general welfare or me sex naturaliy
and eager interest Such remoteness from the fray
theirs must necessarily have some effect
Moreover, each Of these women has a vital inter
est in more of the religious. industrial. edu
does besides whatever individual work seems 20 be
put in her way-and perhaps that is not the least
BILE it is not the least in extent. OF all her
varied occupations. So, ii isn't possible 10 keep
always at white heat of zeal, this club, though
abreast of the times so far as knowing what Is
chiefly to literary work.
with weekly meetings for the study OF Egyptology.
especially the subject OF recent executions "a.
the whole OF the rest of the world-send TO this
class books, photographs and other souvenirs OF
travel, and whenever any one is stranded here who
has made a speciality OF this subject, or can tell
ahythhg OF Eeypt from PERSONA onser ION on ne
Is at once invited to come and relate all ne knows
to these eager students The high festival OF the
class is held in June when the tear Of Isis dropped
rising OF the life-giyng river The feast IS made as
Egyptian possible In viands. symbolical decora-
ton ana service. a year or more ago public en-
tertainment consisting or lecture readings ana an
benefit of the Egyptian Excavation Fund
musical class OF eight women and one brave
the study of Bach. with good results The Shake
sPeate Class meeting weekly boasts COR t9leratesl
tine in stdv about s6akespeare and his WORK bur
the member; have finally decided tha, for solid sat
lsaction there is nothing like the reading and spon-
taneous DISCUSSION of the plays themselves
chiefly composed of women though OF the few pro-
fessonal men in The town the majority are sharing
ments Of high order at a low price There are
casonal illustrated lecture and each member IS
pected 70 contribute freely or MS gifts mentaD on
aged by the reason that many tastes 20 be
catered TO. It is considered exped:ent to have as
great variety OF minds as possible among the
more important workers. The admission OF men to
any society is not TO b. considered confession Of
but II Is simply manifestation Of generous good
The Nantucket Historical Association has large
membership list Of residents and non-residents and
among the latter women predominate, though In
the council, which meets frequently and works
continuously during the winter, there are two or
three men who are Invaluable. In speaking Of the
distincvely feminine clubs must not forget the
latest. the Golden Rod Club a development from
the Childrens Industrial Association. This club IS
composed Of young girls who are still in school.
some. indeed. who have been pupils only a short
time. There g class in gymnastics and one IN
sewing while a. their evening meetings. conducted
I'm the most denifed and parliamentary manner,
essays read and debates held and views up
held with strong conviction by opposing sides.
OF course, wherever human beings gathered
the strictly social element has its natural develop
nlent. In the winter occupations the island
diversion. pure and simple. has IT'S part but as a
OF postscript 10 the account of the more serious
sort Of social avOcatons one may mention the fact
that ISL women for School Committee and for
several years there have been two three of their
number working acceptably the Board. Also.
two years two women wisely placed
among the Oyerseers OF the Poor. The librarian OF
the Historical Athenaeum Is a woman, as is also
the able assistant, and there several women
officers OF that prominent institution; So whether
the blue waves dance merrily about this far-away
island or the Sound IS white with ice. the feminine
mind works cheerfully and finds that out on the
edge OF the world life Is still worth the living