The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-03

newspapers and magazines OF today We
find much that is said relative to the
women's club movements; many and
diversified are the opinions advanced
by leading literary and philanthropic
women OF the age. IL would be inter-
esting however, 90 know also the opin-
ion OF leading literary men regarding
the question. In this connection we
may quote Charles Dudley Warner,
who says: Taking certain large
proportion OF our society. the women
i'm IL toll not, neither do they spih'
they do little or no domestic work.
they engage in no productive occupa-
tion: they engage I'm no productive oc-
cupation. They are set part Tor hish
and ennobling seryice-the cultivation
of the mind and the rescue of society
from materialism, and nobly do they
climb up to the duties OF their position.
They associate together in esoteric, IN
tellectual societies. Every one Is part
of many clubs, the object OF Whlch Is
knowledge and the broadening or the
horizon. Science, languages, literature
are their daily food They can speak
in tongues. they can talk about the
solar SPECTRUM; they can interpret
Chaucer. criticise Shakespeare, under
stand Browning. There ~ no litera-
ture. ancient or modern, that they do
not dig up by the roots and turn over;
no history that they do not drag before
the club for final judgment. In every
little village there Is thus intellectual
stir and excitement: why, even in New
York. readings interfere with the ger
man and Boston, Boston is no longer
divided into wards, but into Browning
sections.
Continuing. Mr.. Warner says; "All
this is mainly the work or women
The men are sometimes admitted, are
even hired To perform and be encour-
aged and criticised; that is, the men
who are already highly cultivated or
who are i'm sympathy with the noble
feminization Of the age. IL is "a glorl-
Gus movement. Its professed OBJECT Is
10 give an intellectual lift To society.
And no doubt. unless all reports are
exaggerated. IL is making our great
leisure class of women highly intel
lectual beings. But encouraging as
this prospect is, il gives its pause. Who
are these young woman To associate
With With whom are they 10 hold
high conVerses For life Is twofold
affair. And meantime what is being
done for the young men who are eF-
pected to share in the high society OF
the future? VIII not the young women
Il
some place. cultivated away beyond
their natural comrades? This sober
ing thought suggests duty that the
young women are neglecting. Ii ~ all
very we'll for them 10 form clubs Tor
their own advancement. ana they ought
not to incur the charge OF selnshness
i'm so doing: but how much better
would they fulfill their mission If they
would form special societies for the
cultivation for men. Bring them into
the literary circle: make IL attractive
for them.
Musing along these lines, emanating
from so great an authority, club wom-
en- may surely find another problem
70. reflection: but let us turn our
thoughts for the moment 10 club mat
ters nearer home.
The regular meeting OF the Fort
nightly club Of this city was held on
Tuesday, December %. at the home OF
the secretary. Miss Katherine HUB
bard. on Cranston street. In the ABB
sence of the president, Mrs. A. A. Pres
bey presided
The subject of the meeting, primari-
ly, was the eastern question, with spe-
cial topics viz, The Life of Jean
Ingelow," Poetry OF Jean lngeow.
An exhaustive paper by Miss Beckwith
gave a very clear idea of the signifi-
canoe and scope OF the eastern Ques-
tion.
Mrs. A. p. Mourse followed With a
paper treating of The Lille Of Jean
Ingeiow. Her girlhood years and
early education were Interestingly de-
scribed together with many incidents
illustrative OF her character and tenn
perament One aneCdote continues
the paper) that the author has related
of her childhood viii illustrate her ma
20 na1 hnN
must be for the pebbles in the cause
way 10 be obliged 10 lie still AMI only
see what was round about. When /
walked out with "A little basket for put
ting flowers In I used sometimes to
pick up a pebble or two and carry them
on TO have "A change: then az the far
thest point of the walk turn them out.
not doubling that they We're pleased
10 have q new view Dwelling upon
some of the characteristics OF Jean
IngeloW. the paper continues the
child grew 10 Womanhood I'm pleasant
sr~~-~ldings and In an atmosphere OF
refinement and taste She was old
fashioned i'm most things. even TO iirm
ness. i'm her dress, IN her speech. IN her
notions: one of which was that wom-
on should not tell their ages 20 the pub
lie Of strangers.
Her fame was made In n month.
She was set TO music; she was recited
not only I'm England her own country,
but IN New England. Hundreds OF
letters came TO her Ia ten her that in
America oven more quickly than in
England she had made her mark on
contemporary sentiment. James nus
sell Lowell and oliver Weldell Holmes
were her admirers. and oven Tennyson
was generous with his criticisms. Mr.
1,usl,in. whose praise has always been
precious 90 women. was at her feet So
the critic and the casual reader Tor
once agreed I'm their appreciation.
The paper concludes with q brief
mention of the best known creations of
Jean Ingelow.
The third paper " the afternoon was
ny Miss katherine Hubbard. delight
fully describing the poetry Of Jean In
gelow. In introducing her theme Miss
Hubbard said: ITO fully appreciate
the writings Of a poet, ] think Ii is
necessary that we should become ac-
quaintod with his home life and sur
roundlngs. and know what Influenced
his mind 10 make his verses what they
were. And SO lot us consider what the
character of Jean lngelow's home and
SURROUNDINGS were We shall gain the
best idea perhaps from her own words
describing her childhood. As child.
she saws. I was generally wondering
about something: I was not Ike other