The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-05-08
R!sy,sor>eHS
szzss. SO ,fFrIiEIlSER;s'=;:s'iTs:
WOMEN AT THEIR CLUBS.

w liul wv "oluCll NIO at CluIS, anyway.
is question frequently put to club women
by masculine members Of the family.
''What do men do?" might aptly be re-
torted, but then that would be begging
the question, aud besides, much depends
upon the kind OF club and the kind of
women.
There is first of all the social club, pure
and simple, formed with no other object in
view than that of having a convenient
rallying point where members Of the same
set may meet on sort Of neutral ground
where one need not assume the role Of
entertainer or entertained; where one may
come and 60 with perfect freedom, eat a
solitary luncheon, if so disposed lounge in
an easy chair and glance over the latest
magazines, or meet crony for long and
confidential chat without fear of household
Interruptions or the disturbance of ever
family.
At such club rooms may be wired for
by out of-town members, and there, in per-
feet quiet and comfort. they may soiourn
for night or two, entertaining their friends
at luncheon or dinner, quite as indepen-
IDENTIFY as if staying at large hotel, with
out the inconvenient publicity.
Whist tables are sine qua non Of the
modern woman's club, and the devotee of
that game will be sure to find trio wait
ing for fourth hand at almost any hour of
the day, and so she may enjoy to her
hearts content all the delights of duplicate
whist beneath tn sheltering roof of her
favorite club.
Then there are in Philadelphia number
of women's press clubs, small organizations,
composed of active newspaper writers and
journalists, who meet once a month to
discuss some subject of current interest, but
who are far too busy to frequent club rooms
for the purpose of social intercourse only,
and to whom the very idea OF morning
game OF whist seems a hopeless waste Of
time!
Last Of all comes the woman's club
whose object is TO help and forward all
interests Of the sex, and which keeps in the
front rank of progress.
What do women do at such club? 1t
would be easier far to say what they do not
do, Many and various are their interests
and occupations; under skilled leadership
there are classes in languages, current
topics and literature; there are meetings
where parliamentary laws and business
economics are taught; there are lectures by
men and women distinguished in the world
OF art, letters and science; there are COM
mittees who, with the aid of legal advice,
look after the interests of working women,
besides the actual work of the business OF
such club.
And then there is the social side of the
organization-the monthly club tea, the
whist tournaments, the musicales, and the
hundred and one diversions which 90 to
make up the social life of the iin-desiecle
woman.
And who shall say that such intercourse
is not beneficial to women? BY contact
with bright minds angles are rubbed off,
the feminine mind is hroadened and life
becomes so full of interest that there is but
little time for gossip, the discussion of
domestic grievances or the formerly all
absorbing question, fashion.
4 woman who belongs to progressive,
earnest helpful club is better woman for
wife and, last of all, better companion
for club life establishes first of all a bond
of sympathy, the secret of the art of real
good-citizenship, without which there is
no lasting Joy in social or in domestic life.
philadelphia Record