The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-21
Society gnpi1s.

OdI WllA l. htiOWh IA OtiAC AtiSo oo H. u
literary centre There was a time when
we had a literary centre. 1t revolved
about the late Mrs. Erminie Smith. Sew
eral of the young women who, under her
leadership, learned to know and to love
the literary lights, nave since achieved
distinction. One of the most prominent
of this coterie was Miss Cecilia Gaines,
who has recently become known through
out the State as a representative of the
intellectual women of New Jersey. An
other member of this circle was Miss
Florence Clinton and Mrs. Theodore
Sutro. Since Mrs. Smiths circle there
has been nothing to take It's place until
recently. The Odd Volumes, though a
literary club. could hardly be called a
centre, as its scope is limited. Thu
Woman's Club, though opening it's doors
to all, is yet a club and no more.
1t remained for Whittier House to re-
introduce in this city a true literary
centre. This was not lone suddenly; it
was not done by any avowed intention;
it was, in fact, a drift. When Miss Cor
nelia Bradford, head worker of Whittier
House, first came to this city it was with
! the determination of gathering about her
cultured men and women who would con-
slider it their privilege to impart some
of this culture and education to their less
fortunate ~neighbors. This has been done.
And yet another deed has been accom-
plished for which this city may we'll be
grateful. Whittier House has become the
centre of good thought and action. In
tellectual people of this and other cities
meet there. Movements for the general
good originate there. At first thought
one questions "Why?" But after the first
question one sees the answer. 1t is like
a problem: Given a number of cultured,
intellectual men and women, to prove they
will draw to them other cultured, intel
lectual men and women. 1t is almost
automatic. Miss Bradford soon had with
her a number of residents, the majority
college bred women. Before long promi-
ment people of New York and other cities
came at intervals to give addresses and
lectures. Jersey City people went to
hear-perhaps it was curiosity, perhaps
interest that drew them. When there.
when they heard the discussions and the
talks that followed, was it strange that
they stayed and went again? If the walls
of the Whittier House reception room
could speak they could tell of many in
teresting discussions on live topics, car
ried on while classes in this, that and the
other were meeting in the other rooms.
Whittier House is a literary centre In
the best sense of the word. 1t is not
limited-all are welcome: the humblest
meets with the most famous n each
helps the other. These meetings are not
pre-arranged-one drops in and finds the
other there. This winter there has been
a course of lectures given by noted people.
To these many people came-residents,
nonresident workers, members of classes
and outsiders. Recently a class for the
study of sociology has been formed. It
is composed mainly of residents and nom
resident workers. Miss Bradford gener-
ally opens the discussion and everyone
joins in.
Miss Bradford has had fourteen resi-
dents this year. She does not teach any
of the classes, but oversees all and does
much outside work, speaking in other
cities as well as visiting in this.
Miss Louise G.. Farrant was the first
resident of Whittier House and she is
still one of the workers. Miss Farrant
is a graduate of Barnard College. 'ss. She
is professor of Latin and Greek in High
School and she teaches those languages
and English at Whittier House.
DR.. Florence De Hart, though not now
a resident, was until recently and she
has charge of the d~ispensary. DR.. De
Hart is a graduate of the Woman's Medi-
cal College, New York Infirmary, '93.. She
is now corresponding secretary of the
Woman's Club. DR.. De Hart has given
several lectures on physiology to the
clubs. of Whittier House.
Miss Carolyn A. Paddock is a graduate
of Ora ft Sh11ru Aaadop,u yTor., o-+ e,u1
She is well known in this vicinity as a
reader Of no little merit. In Whittier
House lie teaches elocution and physical
training. She also assists in taking care
of the Penny Provident Bank.
Miss Natalie Stohr of this city has
charge of the Lend-a-Hand Club. the
Children's Home, and assists in the
Kindergarten and Young Citizens Club.
Miss Mary Philbrook of this city is
President of the Lincoln Club. Miss
Philbrook is a lawyer and she frequently
takes charge Of cases which come to
Whittier House.
Miss Elizabeth Barbour, a graduate of
the Albany School for Undergraduates,
'96. has charge of the large and flourish
ing Kindergarten. She also assists with
the library substitution.
In the person of Miss Julia Bronis,
Orange Training School for Nurses, 81.
Whittier House has what Miss Bradford
has long desired, a trained nurse. Miss
Bronis has had many cases of illness, and
in between time she assists with the
Penny Bank and Little Miriams.''
Miss Margaret Landon. Brown Univer-
sity, '96. teaches German and help with
the Young Citizens and the Washington
Clubs.
Miss Esther Burdick, Librarian OF the
Public Library, was for a time a resi-
dent. She established in Whittier House
a sub-station of the Library and she
takes charge of it.
Miss Julia Ludlow, of East Orange, was
for a time a resident. She organized a
Glee Club and taught a class in singing.
Miss Frances Knowlton of New York,
Miss Mary Palmer of Boston, and Miss
Elizabeth Of New Brunswick
were also residents for a time.
Miss Angelina Stohr. Of this city, the
latest resident, assists in the kinder
garten.
The Odd Volumes will give their an
| nual breakfast Tomorrow In the Jersey