The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1900-10-12

ually there will develop among the vii.
lage people an interest in things es.
thetic, which in time will 1T them for
a more constant association with the
more refined and intelligent persons
living IN the village. The London
Kyrle Society aud the Stockbridge
Village Improvement Society are good
models for other to follow. s
Out Of the village improvement So
ciety will radiate various other inter-
ests for the village people. Under the
leadership, perhaps, Of the village
doctor may be statted slittle club to
look into the question ~ sanitary SCI
ence, and the attention. of members
may be gradually focused on some
sanitary ills Of the village, to which
gradually remedies may be applied.
After the village provement so.
ciety the village library may be the
next subject to consider for the asso.
citation of intelligent and refined peo.
pie. 1t is only begging the question
to say the village under consideration
has no free library. 1t has books, or
at least some one in the place
has books. Surely there are two or
three liberal.minded persons who will
lend. II not give, some Of their books
to form the nucleus of a library, and
there are Others who will subscribe
enough money to increase the collec-
tion. Now install these in some cen
tral bullding-a dwelling-house if the
town building is not available; but
better the latter, so that all citizens
may feel free to drop in" for books
whenever they are 50 inclined.
If the library cannot be open every
day, have it open two afternoons and
evenings, with an intelligent librarian
IN charge. If there is not money for
salary, volunteers can surely be
found to take a librarians duties for d
week at time, il not for longer
Now, the lending of books is not the
only function of the library. In those
| fortunate places where there is small
| hall near the library occasional lee.
lures may be given on some subject OF
current interest. The lecturer need
not be imported, but can easily be
chosen from The better educated of
The village people-onc who has made
some research along il special line.
The lecture should he more in the
nature of informal talk, and if it leads
those who listen to it to take part in a
general discussion, so much the better.
A loan collection of pictures may
from time to time be hung on the
walls of the room where the books are
kept. In these days of universal pho
Biography that would be an exceptional
village without one or two good anna
teur photographers, or one or two per-
sons who in the course of their travels
have brought back collections of pic
lures purchased in other lands. Fail
ing in these there are in the country
some circulating libraries of pictures
to which, under certain conditions,
small communities may have access.
Skilful hands can make good picture
collections by cutting from the better
illustrated magazines and newspapers
the best illustrations, which, to be
effective, should be mounted on stiff
pasteboard and fastened To the wall
by the harmless tackS sold for this
purpose.
AS the literary clubs in general,
ChautauQua or University Extensions
will usually be more helpful to the
people OF small village than club
OF indefinite aim, unless there be in the
village one or two persons willing to
devote time and energy to organize
and direct them.
In our plans the lighter elements Of
social life must be provided for. A
dramatic society, even though the re-
sulting performances are not unsur-
passable, Is well worth while in a
small town or village. 1t seldom hap
pens that there is not some one OF
good elUcutiOnary powers who could
have a general oversight Of the work
OF the club. The singing society, too,
has its part, and In these days Of a
widening knowledge OF good music
such a society may have thoroughly
broadening and refining influence.
But 10 any village there are many per-
sons, especially among the younger
men and women, who long for little
more enlivenment in their social life.
There are few communities now in
which dancing is wholly tabooed. and
therefore the general sentiment wouId
not be opposed to a series OF assemb-
lies held at regular intervals. The
ideal village assembly would draw no
social lines, though there might oe an
age limit, and the size OF the nall
might tend to limit the numbers.
An occasional afternoon tea by one
OF the ladies Of the village accustomed
to the usage of larger places will also
tend to develop the social character
istics OF the quiet mothers OF families
whose interests have been restricted
to their own households. But all
these things are the merest indica-
tions of what may be done to bring
about a kindly association among