The age-herald., 1898-05-11
The Woman's National
 Whist Leaque's First Congress

The first congress of the Woman's Ma tional Whist League convened a few days ago at Philadelphia in the Horticultural hall which is the favorjte assembling place for the swell social clubs of that city. There were five hundred delegates and rep resentatiyes from various whist clubs pres ent from very many sections of the eoun- fry. and the Philadelphia women enter tained the visitors with lavish hospitality.
 The National Woman's Whist league was organized about year ago as the result of a resolution offered by Mrs. William Henry Newbold. of Philadelphia, at the womans tournament. in November, 1896. This resolution approved of the formation of a womans whist league and called upon the women whist players of America to organize clubs and to send representatives from these clubs to a meeting to be held for the purpose of league organization.
 Mrs. T. H. Andrews, of Philadelphia, be- came chairman of the committee, hasi ing charge of the movement, and which issued a call to the whist-loving women of the country to>assemble April 26, 1897, at Phila- delphia. In response to this invitation rep resentaive women from many states met
 
 duced the women managing affairs to con- slider the advisability of forming a na- tional league. Mrs Andrews became the president and there are also two vice-presl- dents, secretary and treasurer ana Il board of governors consisting of twelve prominent women from such large cites or the country as New Orleans, New fork, San Francisco, Detroit, Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburg etc. The first congress lasted three days with business meeting at 5 o'clock each afternoon and games of whist being played every morning and evening. The prizes were remarkably elegant the handsomest being tn Washington trophy, a silver shield upon moss green veiVcs, diamond-shaped placque-the Brooklyn and handsomest thing the Washington trophy
 Many clubs and individuals contributed prizes to be competed for in pair and team work A silver dressing table set was given for the highest individual score In the evenings there were mixed doubles Of men and women playing, which added 10 the zest of the competition, and the brll- liancy of the scene. Every one appeared in evening dress; the ballroom in which the meetings occurred was profusely deco rated so that the gatherings seemed more like beautiful private social functions than convention of whist players.
 Mrs. Andrews, president of the Woman s National Whist league, gave dinner to
 
 ciate members during the recent conven- ton of the league .at Philadelphia. The floral decorations were unusually elaborate and artistic branches of apple, cherry and dogwood blossoms were thrust into China < jars, banked on mantels, massed in jardin- ieres and trailed from chandeliers. The dining room was in white and gold tints, and all of the decorations upon the tables were in flat dishes in order not to obstruct the view across the board. Yellow pansies which shaded into royal purple were the flowers used in this room, and gold and crystal tableware completed the rich color scheme.
 The tablecloths used were heirlooms more than seventy-five years old, and among other historic contributions to the table service were sets of French ware, and of Canton China, the first of each kind ever brought to Philadelphia It would be an excellent idea if the members of the whist clubs of Birmingham would place them selves in touch with the National Woman's s Whist league. This has been done by the majority of the women's whist clubs of the country, and there is no reason that Bir- mingham should not be thoroughly up-to- date in regard to whist clubs as well as every other kind of helpful organiza- ton.