The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-02-10


The most eagerly expected and longed for
event OF the season occurred on Monday night,
in the presence OF very large and deeply in
terest crowd OF attendants, VIZ: the opening
to the public Of the Bel Air Reading Rooms.
Each and every step which was made in the
progress Of the enterprise, from its inception
in the fertile brain OF the enterprising and
thoroughgoIng rector OF Emmanuel church,
until the hour when the public could see and
appreciate the accomplishment of the end in
view, has been watched and faithfully record
ed, and it was source Of pleasure and con-
graduation when what seemed in its initial
stages almost dream, became substantial
and useful f.ct.
The weather on Monday was almost the
opposite to that which was most desired, but
despite that fact, nearly one hundred persons
were in attendance at the informal opening.
A committee Of ladies, comprising Mesdames
E. ID. Finney, n. N. Mock, John ID. Worth
ington, W. b. Munnikhuysen, j. II. Z. Hopkins
and their associates, worked with untiring
zeal to prepare the rooms, and the younger
ladies of Bel Air rendered valuable assistance.
storm were well rewarded. Refreshments
were served by the young ladies from $50 to
$50, after which short, pithy addresses were
made by Mrs. E. d. Finney, Mrs. John Ii.
Reckord, Mrs. n. n. Mock, Rev. Johannes
Oertel, Rev. K. Allen Castleman and Messrs.
Harry S. Carver, Joseph NJ. STREET. and John
d. Worthipgton, closing with prayer and bene
III. u n
of the Bel Air Presbyterian church. One very
striking point was made by Rev. Mr.. Castle
man. He was asked what were the rules which
would govern the rooms; and his answer WAS
to the effect that the principal rule was, that
"Ecery one Irh0 made use Of the rooms lcdS er-
pected to act as Il gentleman"
The rooms occupy the first floor of the resi-
dence Of Mrs. Margery Prigg, on Main street.
adjoining Bateman's Hall. The reception and
public reading room faces Main street and con-
lIects with AN adjoining one, which will be
! used by the Bel Air Circulating Library, whost'
books are free to the visitors, to be read only
upon the premises. In the rear and opening
upon the side yard-beiug connected there
with by wide porch-is the smoking room
fortably furnished and lighted by electricity,
| the firm of Finney & Martin making all con-
| nections and furnishing all material at first
cost. The roem is fairly supplied with light
| reading uatter, but donations of books, mag
| azines, &C., would be gratefully received. The
| Brotherhood of st. Andrew have nominal
charge, one Of the members OF that organizes
| ton being on duty each night.
| Among those who were present on Monday
night were Rev. and Mrs. Z. ID. Finney, Rev
! WorthiDgton, DIR. and Mrs. j. e. Butler, MIR
aud Mrs. John II. Reckord, Mrs. Joseph A
Harris, Mrs. j. 7. e. Hopkins, Mrs. William
| ii. staley, Mr. and Mrs. David Hanway, Mrs
| Mary E. Young, Mrs. n. n. Neck, Mise
Annie Waters, Ida spicer, Josephine Bissell
Emma Sheridan, Minnie Lee Chase, ElleI
Moale Harris, Lillian aud Mary Forwood
Mamie Geatty, Dora aud Sadie Proctor, Su
and Eva Smith, Margaret Ball, Ida and Bessi
Boarman, Jessie Evans, Virginia Lee, Mar
Richardson and Roberta Maynadier, and Rev
Johannes Oertel and Messrs. Joseph NJ
STREET., Gilbert 5. Hawkins, Clifford d. Rosan
John c.. Smith, E. Howard Hall, Lawso
Cooley, Robert l.. Bull, Silas B. Smith, j
| Thomas G. Hopkins, Jr., p. Moores Mayns
dier. Walter Finney, Wilmer l.. Barnes, Harr
\. Carver, DIR. Zebulon Lowe, Alex. NJ. Ful
| ford, Dr., Reuben s. Harlan, Edgar ID. Evan.
n. Herman Reckord, Frank W. Lee. Waite
X. McComas, Albert II. Hopkins, NJ. Atchiso
Reckord, Frank Fulford, James Bauer an
| Wiley HODkins.