The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-27

proved literary taste among hundreds
OF women. AS the majority OF these
clubs are literary taste for the besi
literature only is formed and the intel
ledtual stimulus thereby gained car
hardly be~measured.
Surely the sense, to a healthy mind
OF being strengthened or enervated by
reading, is just as definite and unmis-
taxable as the sense to healthy body
OF being in fresh or foul air; and no
more arrogance is involved in forbid
ding the reading of an unwholesome
book than in physicians ordering the
windows to BE- opened in a sick room
AS Ruslin says: There is a society
continually open 10 US, of people who
will take 10 US as long as we like. what
ever our rank or occupations; talk TO
us in the best woris they can choose,
and with thanks II we listen TO them.
And this society, because ii Is so nu-
merous and so gentle, and can be kept
waiting round us all day long, not 20
grant audience buz 10 gain it kings
and statesmen lingering patiently In
those plainly furnished and narrow an
no account OF that company perhaps
never listen TO a gord they would say,
all day longl"
II is this society, OF which Ruskin 50
beautifully writes. that club women OF
today so assiduously cultivate, and thus
il has come about that the Woman's
Club is educational i'm a large degree as
well as altruistic ,phllanthropic.
The first meeting among Rhode Island
clubs during the past week was that OF
the Mothers Club which was addressed
by Dr.. William II. White. of this city.
Or. Whlte spoke upon the subject of
"Pfevention of Disease in Children" his
address being of peculiar interest 10 the
mothers present.
A discussion followed the lecture, DIR.
white cheerfully replying to many
questions.
The Travellers study Club assembled
again on Monday evening November
20sh TO continue their imaginary travels
in Spain. The report from the secre.
tary. reads as follows: First on the ev-
enings program was a short history
lesson. followed by a very clear account
OF THE Roman Conquest in SPAIN"
1t was not until the annihilation of
Saguntn that the government of Rome
began TO see the Importance of Spain.
The first commanding figure I'm the Ro-
man occupation is that OF Scipio he did
much by his courtesy and moderation
TO cOncilIate the conquered Spaniards,
who offered him the crown, which with
true Republican dignity he refused. A
few years after Scipio's success. Cato
the elder, took command in Spain and
there are traces of his occupancy today.
For the first four centuries OF the
Christian era, Spain ceased 20 have a
place in military history, so complete
was the conquest.
A talk on Roman Ruins" was next
In order. The old Romans builded bet
ter than they knew; some OF their won
derful aqueducts are still i'm use. also
the many arched bridges at Salamanca.
The most important ruins are at Ire
sida, Segona and SanoZona, where
traces of baths and amphitheatres re-
main after these many centuries.
The third topic was the Introduction
of Christianity"
''Viriatus and Sertorius, the two great
est heroes Of early Spanish history"
The secretary of the Coventry wom-
ans club sends a report OF the regular
club Tea which occurred on Wednes-
day, Nov. %, in place OF the regular
literary meeting. The report adds that
feht ntdNy tlpuuS proved no barrier To
the attendance at the Tea for nearly
all the members were present"
The club assembled in their rooms at
the usual hour. Mrs. George IL. Corey.
the president, presiding over a brief ses-
sion. .After singing America, Mrs Her
bert Barker gave a reading entitled
Marguerite" Mrs. Edwin knight con-
tributed selection entitled Thanks
giving"
Tho iadfas, tI,a, y,oso,,,,,ol g. ~ -,
er hall, where an elaborate tea was
served BY an efficient committee OF (
which Mrs. Charles Meader was chair /
man. The tables from which the spreaf |
was dispensed were bright with yellow 4
chrysanthemums and decorative effects
In china and candelabra and delight
ful social hour was spent, as Oliver
wendell Holmes would say "Over the
tea cups"
An open meeting of the club win oc-
cur on December 9Th. when Miss Mar
ina Clarke, daughter OF Prof Clarke of
brown University, will lecture upon
ireland, the same being descriptive OF
her personal travels in Erins Isle. No
coubt many club women Of our citv
VIII attend this open meeting" since
tne work OF Miss Clarke, in the lecture
them.
Though most OF the federal clubs Of
Rhode Island begin their season IN Oc-
tober. the several large AMI influential
clubs or Woonsocket defer the com
mencemsnt OF their club year until No
vember.
The Woonsocket Fortnightly Club
held the first regular literary meeting
on Friday, November 18th at 4 O'Clock i'm
Orion hall. The subject for the after
noon was "Educa;ion" ana was I'm
charge Of Mrs. Paine wife OF DIR. A NJ
Paine. AIRS. L. y. Taylor read an arti-
s cle on How Early should a Child Go
To school,"
Miss Jennie NJ. Ballou smoke of
tchoois without books and OF the bene-
nus 10 be derived from such places 80
learning. Mrs. Charles e. Thomas read
an admirable paper on How the Home
Heirs the school"
Miss Clara Baker followed with M
per on The School Library and the
benents 20 BE Derived Therefrom.
Miss Sarah Marble. OF the faculty ~
the Rhode Island Normal school Fave
many wise and practical suggestions
concerning elucatioral topics. r,eferrln,
incidentally 90 reading clubs. uniyer.
Sly extension clubs Chautauqua cir
cles. etc
Mrs. Susan a. Baiou smoke on tho
excellent standard OF Woonaoolyc.