The age-herald., 1899-03-19
Mrs. Wilder Talks Interestingly
 Before the Woman's Club.

The open meeting of the Womans club yesterday afternoon was under the di- rection of the department of philosophy, science and literature. The general topic was literature, and the discussion was in the form of a symposium, the subject being divided into three parts, and two ladies as- signed to each.
 First, the study of literature was discuss ed by Mrs. Taiaferro, of the Pollock Stephens. from the point of view of the school and by Miss Annie Walker from the point of view of the club.
 Second, the production of literature was treated by Miss Willie Allen as concerns school work, and by Mrs. Wilder in rea- tion to work for the press.
 Third, the condition of literature was handled by Mrs French as regards schools and literary clubs
 The programme closed by Mrs French reciting How the Old Hoss Won the Bet" which in Mrs. Freneh's hands is ever new and delightful Among the interesting talks was that of Mrs. Fanny Gerry Wilder. of Boston, who spoke on the study of litera- ture from the point of view of the press Mrs Wilder Is a newspaper woman of note andaher remarks were of unusual interest and greatly enjoyed Among other things she said:
 It is most interesting in looking back over the past centuries to note the evolu- tion of what We now call literature. As the various peoples migrated from the east they were at first forced to devote their energies towards gaining just bare ex- lstence When that became an assured Tact and the burden of life easier their spiritual natures awoke and cried for some- thing higher and nobler than mere living Then their thoughts and emotions took shape, expressing themselves in words, evolving that tremendous and wonderful influence called literature, the production of which has been the most powerful fac tor in the worlds progress. A fine speci- men of the literature of the early ages Is the famous poem of Beowulf, a striking example of the effect environment pro- duced on the minds and ina gination of the people living in the northern attitudes who believed the legends of terrible mon- sters and evil spirits. Then Caedmon, a Christian poem, showing the progress of civilizations; Chaucer, Shakespeare, Carlyle, Dickens, Thackeray, Rudyard Kipling, and own Howells, and Mrs. Burnett are noble examples to study and gain nspira- ton from these wonderful soul express sons. In our modern days the style in which we express our thoughts is entirely different from these early original word pictures; but they help us produce higher and nobler form of our own ideas. In writ ing for the press the reporter must prepare hurriedly most of the work which comes ITOHf udy 10 udy ana must De Itduy lOf an appointed time. Although the duty is hard many times, still this very fact gives an alertness to the mind and cutivates the faculty of conciseness. Newspaper work is entirely different from magazine writing or book-making. Still the production of newspaper articles can always be written in the very best and most interesting way. having for an aim the advancement and cultivation of progressive thought Let journalists make it rule to write in the very best manner and prepare their copy or manuscript for inspection pereftcly in every detail, using just the right words to express the idea or present description ot some event. Originality is also great element of success, and if one can stamp their own individuality upon the work, their very best side, of course, their ef- forts will be recognized and appreciated by the reading public. A story is told of an editor who said to the reporters:
 The most successful journalists have keen those who were highly educated and well trained in thought, having their minds stored with the history of nations and the worlds progress Teach, then, the young people to cultivate literary apal- ity in it's brightest sense and come well equipped to enter into the field of jour- nalism, where their pens may wield a powerful influence in making history Of a nation or nations.