The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-08

Among the important club meetings of
the week was that held under the anu
spices of the home department OF the
ternoon. The speaker of the meeting was
Prof. ]. Q. Deaiey, of Brown University
and the subject. "rhe Development of
the Family and Present Problems"
Pro-. Desley's familiarity with social
science and its many and varied prob
lens rendered his talk a most practical
and logical one.
The speaker. In beginning, traced the
growth Of the family from early primi-
tive times down TO the present day. I'm
such countries as Thibet, the South Sea
Islands and among the American In
dians.' he said. family life as we under
stand the term today scarcely existed"
"A man and woman by mutual con-
sent became husband and wife. The man
bought the woman from her people. es-
timatins her value I'm cattle and paying
over TO her family Ave oxen. This form of
marriage was common even among our
Saxon ancestors.
''The father was, OF course, the head of
tho family; his wife and children con-
~
and were therefore under his control.
subject TO abuse and III treatment and
could be sold at his pleasure.
This power reached its maximum
stage among the Romans, the father or
head having the power Of life or death
over the members OF his household.
Later religious idea gradually de-
veloped In connection with marriage. The
church began TO exercise some control.
When Christianity was acknowledged
as the state religion, Christians were for
hidden to marry without the consent OF
the minister or bishop; hence. in accord
ance with the idea of 6t. Paul, they
made of marriage a sacrament, a solem-
nifty and thus restored the sanctity or
the family idea.
Later civil sanction to marriage was
sought. Among the Puritans and PHI
grlms here and in England, In the time
of Cromwell laws were passed forbidding
religious marriages, all authority being
vested in civil magistrates"
Prof. Dealey paused. at this point. TO
consider the growth OF divorce and con-
tinuing made a plea for deeper degree
of religious and moral training In the
home "The child gets his religious ideas
today at church and the Sunday school,
but not I'm the home" he declared.
His education ~ begun I'm public
kindergarten. not In the home.
His society. also his friendships, are
formed outside the home" To these con-
ditions the speaker attributed the decline
OF family Influence
In closing Prof Dealey drew a picture
of the old family life and the unity of Ii.
and urged the strengthening Of family
influence In the home. as being of a TAR
greater value than any which comes from
the outside.
The Read, Mark and Learn Club met al
the home OF Miss Elizabeth Day, 65 Hum
boldt avenue. on Monday afternoon.
There were no specially prepared papers
read at this meeting which is usually the
custom Of the club. Instead there were
readings and talks upon the following
topics In connection with the study or
United States history:
Roger Williams and His Religious
Views" Annie Hutchinson;" The
Walter q. REYNOLDS; Literature of
the Revolutionary PERIOD Miss Eliza
beth Day; Extracts From Poems by
Freneau" Miss Bertha Smith; recitation.
"Cassandra Southwick' CWhittIer). Mrs.
James Moore.
A pleasant feature Of this meeting was
the presentation OF two volumes OF
'Nuttairs Ornithology," 20 the vice presi
dent OF the club Mrs. Fanny Ashley Me-
AusIan since Mrs McAuslan leaves.
| next Monday for an extended stay I'm
| California the club decided 10 present her
with a suitable token Of love and appre-
| cIation.
Tho regular meeting ~ the Coventry
| woman's Club was held In the club rooms
| at Anthony. on Wednesday afternoon 10
enjoy the third In their series OF enter
| tainments.
At this time Mrs. Dotha Stone Pinneo,
n prominent club woman Of Norwalk.
| Conn, gave n delightful lecture. entitled
| 'The Fiction OF Today" After "A brief
| introduction the speaker began by COM
\ parinK action with history and quoted
/ Lord Bacon. who said Don't read me
| history for that know II false"
4 Continuing Mrs. Pinneo said: "tt was
| early conceded that history was all there
| was readable I'm literature and only those
| who had not the ability for higher
| literary effort wrote prose fiction: poetry
| was and stiii H. the highest form OF nt-
| crature hut novels were long considered
| A mere amusement and were often rea q
| with "A feeling OF guilt.
| MANY people read novels simply 10 be
| amused and often. too. when weary with
| other labor. This IA no tire 20 read and
| diseet the contents OF q rcally sood novel.
| 'eWhaf a boon novels are. FOR instance,
| 10 many lonesome souls whose only world
4 or chance az intercourse ~ With the
| characters between the covers NJ books.
Prose fiction r. said TO begin with