The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-02
A VERY VAST SUBJECT.
RUSSIA DISCUSSED BEFORE THE
WOMAx,s CLUB
nv Mrs. i. Finders Robinson and Mrs. j
R.v. Daniel--Much In Little
Personal Mention.

In spite of conditions which were cal
cuIated to nut interest 10 a severe test
tho first literary meeting at me woman
club for the season OF lS3f-ss was mark
ed by quite a large audience including as
guests of the ladies in charge OF tne
evening. Miss Virginia Sully. MISS sue
Garnett. Miss Josephine hnoN' III tie-
william. Nessrs. Morgan and Erders Rob-
,n~on Major Robert stiles. Mrs. James
LYONS REV. William Meade Clarke, Miss
Cringan. and Mr.. ]. r. V. Daniel There
was no suggestion OF the outer bleakness
in the parlors. which were bright with
the HIGHT from the chandeliers and warm
with the warmth Of CRATE fires. A few
palms were placed 10 right and'le OF me
rostruYn. upon which, as usual, stood a
nrettv stand lamp The subject Tor the
evening was Russia" Mrs Finders
Robinson Icing the chairman. she was
assisted in presenting her suoJect py
Mrs p Y Daniel. The ability OF both
ladies IN interest cultivated audiences
has been pleasantly proved by the eluD
in preceding seasons and the fuii poriors
were a conclusive tribute thereto.
Russia" the subject was certainly
vast one. as Mrs Robinson stated III 'ne
outset and with the sound Judsinen.
which distinguished her. she stated lllat
she would confne herself strictly 10 'h'
historical line
MUCH IN LITTLE.
The predicament OF the ladles ih 49,
weekly discussions is, as a CLUB nleuloei
wittily remarked. much that Oh 'noee
three college students TO whom 'ne p'o
fessor gave the following instruction
Gentlemen. we will consider hrsV nv
nature of God second, the destiny %
man: third, the movements OF the UNI.
verse Each paper will be limited II ~"
please to five minutes" However, con-
summate talent wrote the best compo-
sition on the Miracles at cana OF Gan
lee" which has ever been written IN
this one line: THE conscious water si"
its Maker. and blushed.' and what ha9
been done may be again. If there -
hope any where surely it is In the inter
lectral circle Of the Womans Clup'
Mrs. RObinson's course was WISE III
rect and most entertaining one. ana va
made more so by repeated reference ~
the excellent map which hung withih lul'
view Of her audience She first COM
mented upon the geography OF Russia as
a necessity I'm order 20 apprehend many
of the historic conditions Of both us pas'
and present. by the Dnieper, salo she,
Russia became Byzantine or Greek. ahu
adopted Christianity BY the Nolsa
anectonately called by the Russians
Mother Volga 4" she reached the East
and was reached In turn by the Mongo-
lians. BY the Neva she became European
The important parts brought out py
Mrs. Robinson, with q spirited ana enter
tanning marshalng Of facts, were these:
l. Foreign influence has been most
important factor in developing Russian
history.
2 Reform and progress have always
come from the Tsars and not from the
people.
g. Russia never had a religious war
like the Reformation.
T. She was never cOnvulsed with poll
teal war like the French Revolution.
8. She never blemished her history with
an ineXcusable war for emancipation IKE
the civil war Of the United States.
4 distinct division Of her paper was de-
voted to comment upon Nihilism. and an
other 10 the citation Of some highly in
teresting facts not generally realized re-
garding Siberia, its vast area etc.
Concluding amid hearty applause. with
reference to the fact that Mrs. J. r. Y.
Daniel would succeed her on the rOstrum.
MRS. DANIELS PAPER.
Mrs. Daniel devoted her attention exclu-
sively to the Literature Of Russia.
Ten centuries of literature In half an
hour. would. as he truly remarkly, tax any
lecturers powers Of condensation. but
nevertheless she accomplished her feat
10 the hearty pleasure Of her audience.
In conclusion she quoted Prince WOlkon-
sky: May the day come for every one
Of you to read these Russian writers.
sincerely hope that the time will come
f- ~ mil D.
made accessible 10 every body-that pOr-
lions Of humanity will no longer be de-
prived of that which belongs TO humanity
for the mere reason OF not understanding
another nations language. May the time
come when we shall all meet In those
superior regions where human genius has
founded "a fatherland for every man"
Mrs Daniel was also applauded upon her
conclusion. the audience then gathering
Informally I'm groups about the parors
and hall and enjoying "a cup OF that eX-
cellent tea for which Miss Rosa has the
recipe.
Miss Virginia Peasants was the cordial
hostess pro TEN. Mr.. Morgan Robinson
received many congratulations upon his
improvement in health.
Miss Eta Wythe Munford is visiting
n
Bedford county.
Mrs. George 4. Lyon has returned from
Montrael. Canada. whittier she went as
p delegate TO the Congress Of Woman's
Christian Associations in that city.
The Board of Managers Of the Woman
Christian Association wish IL TO be UNI
derstood that its Lunch Committee will
be extremely grateful for whatever publ,
patronage may be bestowed upon its
lunch and dining room. They offer n
most convenient stopping place for ladie.
fatgued and hungry after shopping expe-
ditions. and the committee are prepared tC
offer an excellent service.
Mrs. W. II. VI. Reed. Of Norfolk. Va
is visiting Mr.. and Mrs Philip A. Bruce
Of 80 west Franklin street.