Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-23
FOR CLUB WOMEN.
Fitchburg Club Gives the Hero.
ines of Fiction"
Theatrlcals in Another Club-From "clar-
issa Harlow to Soldiers
Of Fortune"

''Heroines of fiction was the subject
Of the members meeting of the Fitch
burg Woman's Club, Wednesday, and
the largest audience of the season was
present. The program had been planned
by Miss Cora Coolidge of the literature
and history section, who reaG very
interesting paper which was illustrated
by living representations Of the char
aeters referred to.
Miss Coolidge began by asserting that
literary fashions were not accidental,
but reflected the character OF the time;
in other words, that the novel was not
merely romance, but WAS rather
study Of life She showed the develop
ment of the modern heroine through
the changes Of more than century,
from Richardson's ''Clarissa Harlow
who was said to be typical of the hero
ines of 1850 This young woman ap-
reared when the curtain rose, seated
in her room, whittier she had been sent
10 mediate in loneliness upon her filial
disobedience, her head resting on
small table at her side, and apparently
ohiivious CT everything.
Next came Fannie Burney's Eve
lima, with its peep at the vulgar, fash
ionabie world of the latter part of the
last century. The interview between
Evelina and her lover was we'll taken,
The silly, sentimentalism Of Tie fair one,
and the gushing tenderness OF his lord
ship being well brought out.
The historical novel, interesting and
instructive, to which Scott introduced
us, with its heroines of strength and
dignity with their power and beauty
well portrayed, was illustrated by a
scene from the Abbot" in which Lord
Ruthven and Douglass present them
selves before Mary Stuart at LochIeven
70 demand from her the surrender of
Ref cialm to the throne Of Scotland. in
return for liberty and pardon. This was
followed by Charlotte Broute's ssJane
li-Sre, the novel in which the heroine
ls no longer, as heroines had been. beau
utu! but small. plain, insignificant
woman, yet woman who wins the
sympathy and respect of The reader
ana the scene chosen for this illustra-
ton was that when Jane appears he
lofe Rochester, who. disguised as a gym
s9' anpuses hins slf by telling the for
ules OF MS guests, who do not suspect
ms identity. This was an exceedingly
clever piece of acting and won mich
applause. Dickens most widely read
novel, David Copperfeld,r furnished
me next scene, which was en interviaw
,elWeen David and Agnes, Showing the
laltef as the friend and cor fidant ~
me ~, husband of the ''child wife" Little
me woman of heart and soul and
mlnd. which George Eliot was SO fond of
painting, was shown in Dinab Norris
raIla the picture, that in which she visits
5etty Sorel, in Stoniton Jail. when
clasplng her in her arms. she reneafs a
reEYenl prayer. This was most effective
4pI' as the curtain rose, The deep solemn
tones OF the organ in the church we've
heard. and filled the chanel as Mis-
earnestly. anu
The problem, or purpose, novel was
then mentioned, and the Impossible inn.
probable Glory Quagle of Hall Gaines
christian came forth to sing sweet
irish ballad, Rory O'More, . which de-
served and received a most fiattering
purst of applause, and which secured as
~ encore, MaVourneen." The typical
american woman of today was said TO
ne found in Richard HARDING Davis,
Soldier Of Fortune" and Hone and
Clay We're seen standing on the deck of
tne good ship Santiago, hand clasped in
band, looking forward
The last scene was q tabieau in which
al the characters introduced were seen
grouped together. showing the eyolu-
ton of the modern heroine from "Clar-
issa Harlow to Hope
cake sale was held at the house of
Mrs James 1. Chapman Thursday, at
which very attractive musical pro-
gram was rendered. A small admission
lee was charged. and the proceeds Of
the sale are to be devoted to the needs
Of the household school connected with
the science section of the club.
On Sunday Mrs Eliza Trask Hill
comes, under the auspices of the science
section. 10 speak to the prisoners at the
jail.
a new departure has been taken by
son7e well known club women Of Salem,
among them The president and first vice
president Of the Thought and Work
Club. Mrs. Kate Taunatt Woods and
Mrs. Grace Oliver also Mrs. Dewitt C.
Clark Ais. MattheW Robson, Miss
Marion L. DevereauX and others. who
have jusr organized a society, to be
known as the Salem Society for the
Higher Education of Women"
Mrs. Oliver has been made president
and the work is TO consist in helping
others to help themselves. It's object is
10 ASSIST young women who are desir-
Gus of obtaining better education The
hest and most influential women of
Salem endorse this movement and are
becoming members. A beneficiary com
mittee las been appointed and consists
Of Mrs Oliver. Mrs. Samuel S. Merrill
and Mrs. Martha l.. Roberts, the score
t3ry is Miss Emma f. Lord
At the meeting OF the Northboro
WoInan's Club. Dec. q. which was held
at the house of Mrs John Coffin, Rev. ].
@ Kent read paper fun of interest
upon Criminals End the Elmira reform
atory." Jan. Mrs Samuel Wood enter
tanned the club at the town hall. There
was music by the Cerpheus quartet of
Marlboro, composed of Miss Grace Z.
Simonds, Miss Blanche Whitney Miss
Elsie A. Armitage and Miss Blanche
Beaudry, with Miss Grace Greenwood as
reader. A delightful program was rem
dered. There was a large attendance of
members and guests
PitOTA BANQUET.