New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-03
SOROSIS, TOO, Is PATRIOTIC.
ART AND LOVE OF COUNTRY MAKE A
LOVELY MEDLEY
MRS TILLINGHAsT SAYS THE ONLY DECORATIONS
SHE HAS ANY INTEREST IN NOW con-
SYST OF AMERICAN FLAGS


Sorosis held its monthly social meeting yester-
day at the Wadorf-As:oria. and tried TO answer
the question. what is the true power Of art
Tho programme was arranged by Mrs. Emily
Palmer Cape. but she detained by Illness. and
her paper presenting the subject read by Mrs.
Kate NJ. Server.
Other papers were by Mrs Elizabeth Sheldon TIL
linchast Mrs T.. NJ Scott. Mrs. Isabella Bird
Chalmers and Mrs Susan Kecham Bovine. Mrs
J. Wells Champney down for paper. but
she read original poem instead It described the
portraits in the Versailles Gallery. and was In
tended to give idea OF the power Of art TO bring
back vanished faces.
Mrs Tilllnghast's subject was Art In Decora-
ton" and she began by saying that It was an ex-
coedinry d!Nicuit one 10 treat. not only because
she had discussed it often before In Sorosis but
because the only decorations she had had any In
terest in OF late consisted OF American flags
Mrs Tillinghast answered the question OF the
day by saying that the true power Of art was IN
making ideals concrete ard in conveying those
ideals from one mind to another. The plastic and
PRETORIA! arts possess this power more fully than
the decorative she thinks but in this unitarian
age the latter has the more influence. II people
be affected by art at all, II must be through
things OF daily
"An good decoration" Mrs Tillinghast contin-
ued must be honest. Shams positively and
actively immoral They rcnec; insincef'y in the
maker and the buyer Furniture and fittings that
our sense of the moral necessity OF being rather
than seeming.
Tho cxtemporaneous discussion was participate ted
I'm by Mrs sara =. Ostram. Mrs. Margaret l.
Yardley Mrs Hester NJ. Poole. Mrs julia T. Cole
and Mrs Tili!nghast
Mrs Yardey lamentcd that the progress Of arts
IT,, culture was likely be retarded by this war
which We have brought 10 our doors. for cause
which seems so far away
Mrs Tillinghast protested against this view
1T Is only when nation thinks and feels deep
" she said that II has an impetus 10 real OK
preston II Is only when life is vital that express
sion is vital Therefore the war should aid rather
than rctard art. - ,
opportunitcs for the expression OF artistic feeling.
since nothing was more beautiful than the Amcri,
can flag She suggested that at patriotic social
functions the hostess should wear dress OF Amer
lean flags.
lust before the singing OF THE Star Spangled
Ranun-" with which the meetings always close.
Mrs Sara Conant Ostram said she hoped the mem
hers would sing Il as song OF peace, and not a
song u , ,
'Old Glory is more glorious" she said when
n-irg over peaceful homes ,han amid the clash
Of arms and those who arc now carrying II into
battle should not think Of the glory OF victory. but
go with a sense Of dire necessity TO put down cru
el,y and tyranny. and not for National honor
A. Tho conclusion % tho discussion Of tho day
Mr. Iodvard Stevens presented plan for an
American wonan's exhibit at he Paris Exposition
n has been arranged by a committee o. which
Mr. Stevens is chairman. and has already been
outlined IN Tho Tribune.
Tho committee now has a bill before Congress "a
mako the woman's department n branch ot the
general American Commission.