The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-30
FOR FEMININE READERS
ELEMENT IN WOMEN's CLUBS THAT
MAKES THEM WORTH WHILE.
DO Women Lack OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
cialists at Club Meetines-The
Miseries of Hat buying.

With the return of frost comes back the
day Of the club. when women run together
OF a morning to obtain little stimulus for
sober reading, says the editor of the New
York Times literary supplement. Some
times eager and earnest. sometimes desul-
tory and languid, according to the caliber
Of its members, the so-called literary So
ciety (which deals with history and biog-
rapay as often as with literature) is not
only fashionable, but is so closely connect
ed with the spirit Of our times that it is I'M
doubtedly destined to remain with us and
adapt itself to changing needs and views.
Barring out the meetings which very busy
people hold in their spare evenings, the
woman's club may be said to represent So
ciety's effort to put itself in touch with the
world which really works 1t springs from
the widespread movement for scattering
knowledge broadcast, and is forever trying
TO connect itself with the more serious
phases OF intellectual life, to reach out to
and understand minds which not only re-
ceive but create ideas.
AS our age occupies itself much in criti-
cism. questions the why and the how of ev-
erything from sun to amoeba, and is not
contented without at least plausible guess
at world embracing relationships, a vital
hold upon the main current of thought to-
day is not to be attained lightly. and even
a dim sort Of appreciation of the motive
power which is driving great minds forward
is out of the reach of too many Of us. The
clubwoman chooses the bright points of
subject allotted to her, clothes them in
smooth language and passes judgment. but
her opinions often are borrowed, and if they
happen to be her own she knows too little
~ what haG baap coi in frnfIo ~
make them worth remembering. In gen.
eral, she lacks an intellectual point of view,
and merely forms disconnected ideas OF this
or that subject as she is called upon to treat
Of IL. Fact after fact is learned, lives and
literatures are reviewed, the club keeps in
touch with the rage for general and par
ticular information, but is still removed
from the serious business of thought
1t is not possible to lead people by squads
and divisions from one intellectual plane to
another, and whole club may vaguely feel
its lack without knowing what it is or how
70 nil 1t, but there are many individuals
who ought to be clever enough to see that
the culture our clubs are seeking lies not
so much in accumulated knowledge as in in
creased power Of appreciation and thought.
1t is perfectly possible to remember the
aims and criterion of this years war when
we study the crusades, and to keep modern
liberal political views in mind even in going
back to early steps Of religious and per-
sonal liberty.
The club member who has come in real
contact with the spirit of thought in our
time will be able to touch the vital points
Of whatever matter is dealt with, the
points, that is, which are vital for US to-
day, and will bring them forward in grace
full or at least convincing form, so that he
who runs may read and be at once enlight-
ened and enriched. This is no plea for
more attention to the Donderous and the
dry but for better recognition of the
forces which imDel men forward, guide
great tendencies, and result in great
achievements.