The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-06
Among WOmen's Clubs.
o psrris

ern club women because OF the contem
plated action OF a big western railwa,
company and other lesser corporations
toward the fair SEX i'm their employ
IL was proposed 10 dispose OF the wo
men employees and fill their places Will
men. Mrs. Sarah s. Platt. of Denver
vice-president OF the National Fedora,
tion, at once Indignantly sounded Q
note OF protest, which was taken vi
and echoed far and wide throughou;
her constituency, with the result that
the proposed" change has not been
carried into effect.
This loyal action on the part OF club
women only instances another practical
result OF the good comraderie" exist
ing among club women and working
women, and proves I'm large measure
what this spirit of "freemasonry" among
club women may accomplish.
At recent meeting of the executive
board OF the Rhode Island Federation
OF Women's clubs, one of the questions
suggested was In regard TO the relation
the Federation should bear TO those
outside Its own environment. IL was
argued that our own federation was
s'N' h'NPiiS pace Win Otnef teuefdtlOns.
that our federation clubs have been too
closely confined, perhaps, to literary
pursuits. crowding out the altruistic
spirit, which, after all. should be the
keynote or our progress. However this
may be, the Rhode Island Federation
WI Zee her duty as IL is and VIII not
be bund wanting.
We are glad TO record a meeting of
the Providence Fortnightly club, after
its period OF rest. A postponed meeting
or the club occurred on Tuesday last
AT the home of Mrs. s. w. Sessions, on
Bfenton avenue. In the absence OF the
president Mrs. William Chapman pre-
sided. The subject was a continua
tion of the History of England i'm the
Nineteenth Century" and embraced at
TINS time the special topics The Lorcha
Arrow, "Cuvier" and Sir Richard Owen.
The hrst paper OF the afternoon was
by Mrs. Louis l.. Angel and described
the Lorcha Arrow Case" which was
the subject OF much discussion and con-
1867.
Beginning with an explanation OF the
meaning OF the Chinese word "lorcha"
cor vesseD the paper gives a very in
teresting description OF the boat that
was In question i'm this case, the Arrow.
winch on February y 1856. was on the
canton river and was boarded by some
chinese officials who arrested and re-
moved, on the charge Of being pirates,
twelve of the crew, leaving two men i'm
care of the boat
The paper continues: THE British
consul demanded the surrender of the
men. basing his charge upon the treaty
OF ls43, which gave the Chinese govern
men the right 10 demand the surrender
ot the accused on English vessels but
did not give them the right to remove
them without permission.
The Chinese governor replied that the
Arrow was a Chinese vessel that car
ried an English flag. which she ven-
tured 10 hoist whenever IL seemed best
and that the English had no right to in
interfere with her.
Mr. Consul Parker sent to the pleni-
potentiary. Sir John Bowring. asking
Tor assistance, and advice, which was
given. Sir John demanded the surren-
der OF the men, an apology for what
had occurred and a pledge that I'm the |
1utufe the Chinese would not interfere
with British vessels. He threatened, IL |
these demands were not acceded To. to |
lombard the city of Canton within AS |
hours
The Chinse governor sent back the !
men, intimating that he desired peace. |
ana said that he would endeayor to
have no future trouble with British yes |
Sels, but would not apologize for he |
still thought he was in the right"
This conduct was not satisfactory to |
Sir John.
From this point the paper describes
The bombardment OF canton from oct |
23i to Nov. 18th ana all the subsequent
trouble which arose from il.
The Second Paper of the afternoon
was by Miss a. NJ. Beckford and treat
ei OF the theories Of the eminent sci
enlist Curvier--as particularly related
to the geological formation OF the
earth.
The general subject was subdivided
rs follows
First Proofs of Revolution on the
Larth's Surface.
Proofs that Revolutions have been
numerous.
3--Proofs that the Revolutions have
been sudden.
Proofs Of the recent population Of
me world and that its present surface
is not OF very ancient formation.
o-Proofs. from traditions. of a great
catastrophe (the flood) and the subse-
luent renewal Of human society.
, 6-Former systems Of Geology.
1--Of the Formation OF cuffs.
s--Of the Formation OF Downs.
Each Of these subdivisions OF the !
general subject was outlined in detail.
ma the various theories of noted sci |
'ntists were quoted. yet despite all the
theories of the scientists so little IS
proven! SO much is a mystery, and |
'ur wearied thoughts turn instinctivelv
. the words OF the grand old psalm
The heavens declare the glory OF God |
md the armament showeth his handi- |
work.. day unto day uttereth speech and
lieht unto night sheweth knowledge"
There is no speech nor language
where their voice is not heard.
The third paper. "Vivisection. was
written by Miss Worch. but because of
he recent death OF her brother. was
cad by Mrs. \. A. Presby
''Vivlsection" or the term applied to
xperiments and operations made upon p
wing animals for the purpose of phy-
lological and pathological nvestiga- ,
Ion was described in the paper. with ,,
" its pros and cons.
The great benefits 10 the practice Of
Medicine and surgery, as derived from .
his science. were mentioned: notably |.
mr. knowledge of the circulation OF the :