New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-04
THE KNOWLEDGE OF ART
sOROsIs WONDERS IF EVERYTHING THAT
IS BEAUTIFUL is GOOD.
HESTER H. POOLE. OF METUcaEN ASKS THE
QUESTION HOW CAN ART sUBsERvE THE
HIGHER LIFE OF NATION7'

HESTER II. POOLE. OF METUCHEN. ASKS THE
QUESTION HOW CAN ART sUBsERvE THE
HIGHER LIFE OF A NATIoNr'
The programme for the regular monthly social
meeting OF Soross held yesterday afternoon at the
Waldorf, was arranged by the Committee on Art.
and the question for discussion was ''In what man
ner can increased knowledge and love of art sub
serve the higher life OF the Nation?"
The question was presented by Mrs. Hester VI.
Poole. and then taken UP by Emily +. Willis mson.
Elizabeth Akers Allen. Ella Dietz Clymer Susan
hetcAum Bourne. Clara +. Stutsman and Grace y.
Allen.
Mrs. Poole gave a short review OF the art OF the
day. good. bad and Indifferent and suggested that
its influence for good or evil might depend chiefly
on its character.
Mrs. Williamson dealt with the subdivision OF
painting and the plastic arts" and said that every
thing beautiful was good and that therefore all art
that was truly beautiful must be influence for
good.
Mrs. Allen, whose special subject was "Poesy"
began with some uncomplimentaTy remarks about
the artistic taste OF tho American public
I'VE have only TO look a our streets and parks"
she said TO see what the foremost American city is
doing for the cultivation of art"
MIS- Allen thinks that Americans do not appreciate
poetry, and gave two for this melancholy
state OF affairs. They are drugged with doggerc!
in childhood. and they seldom any contemporary
-.
Faid, that our editors are not judiclous critics
when so many write, better poetry mus; be produced
tnan that which goes abroad every month as the
best that love or money procure. To make
poetry subserve the higher life OF the Nation We
must get editors that know poetry from rhyme. and
must 'each the Nation 10 appreciate the latter by
teaching the children to do So"
M'S' ClynerS subject The Drama" and she
argued tnat this branch Of art could only he made to
s ndLIe me higher life Of the Nation by being
cH ni IL must dictate and not be dictated TO-
,!S. b1uIhe speaking Of Prose Literature" said
smh d" depended on the art of the writer and the
eeheracy as surely as impure water would cause
Miss Clara stutsman was selected to present the
U oG oL Mlsic in promoting the higher life and
maze the highest claims FOR H.
LET universal! musical knowledge prevail" she
uccIared. ana The heavenly maid will disprl the
CLOUDS OF Ignorance ana vice"
MSs Allen; whose subjcc; Decoration
was not conducive to human wellbcing 7 he effect
OF decorative art. she maintained should he rest
IGi, WINE IN America it generally has contrary
AMONG those who took part in the extemporane.
Gus discussion were Mrs. Perez OF Chicago. and
Mrs Elizabeth Sheldon TilinghIst.
Before coming 10 the serious part of the pro-
Sramme the ladies listened to some songs by Miss
Alyrta French and Miss Antoinettc Taylor and to
the recitation of an original poem by Mrs Alice +
Han Of Cambridge. The usual breakfast preceded
Among guests present were Mrs Perez. Of the
chicago Womcns club: Mrs. Montgomery. Of the
MMl aTor,6r.r Womans club Mrs Knowlton Of
Boston; Mrs Hoole Of BROOKLYN: Mrs Charles 4
Whitney Editor of me 'Jenness Miller Month";;
DuIuth; Mrs: Marshall. Of Duluth Mr. and Mrs
ward TAT, nrst and second vce-presidents Of the
Murphy of Rochester: Mrs George Flourst Grand
daughter OF President Tyler: Miss Evelyn f. Har-
roll. OF baltimore: Mrs. Charles Tinkam. great
son. OF Maryland.