The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-16


topic OF the History OF English Occu-
patton of India" Mrs Gunnison pre-
sented an admirable paper Life in
India" as pictured by Kipling. Mrs.
Browning followed with an interesting
story of the great English statesman.
Warren Hastings. the first governor
general of British India. An exhaust
i've account OF the achievements OF
Hastings in extending British territory
in India was given in this paper. which
closed with the words: England has
yet 10 rear another statesman OF such
ability, who can extend and preserve
an empire under such disadvantages
as did Hastings" A paper on Ceylon,
by Miss Anna &. Barrows. giving a de-
tailed and instructive account of this
island, closed the work OF the after
noon.
The next meeting OF the Fortnlghtly
club will be the last literary meeting OF
the season. when such timely topics as
Enfranchisement of Women in Eng
land and Dependencies. Status OF
Women's Rights Movement i'm the Uni
ted States" "Women's Clubs-Thelr
Work and Influence" will be discussed.
Among the Woonsocket clubs the
Home Literary met on Tuesday eve-
Phetteplace, on Summer street. Miss
Phetteplace had charge OF the meet
ing and read A paper on THE Rise and
Progress of the Public Library"
The Woonsocket Round Table club
met on Tuesday afternoon at the resi-
dence OF DIR. A. VI. Paine. A resume OF
recent current events. outlined by Mrs.
George w. Andrews. filled the literary
hour.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
Sarah II. Doyle Club was held i'm the
parlors OF the Mathewson street church
on Saturday afternoon. But small
representation of the club was present,
owing To the fact that the majority OF
the Providence teachers (of which the
club is SO largely composed) had left
town for the vacation season. The in
terest of the afternoon centred in The
Story OF the Harp, as interestingly
told and dilightfully illustrated upon
the harp by Professor Raia of this city.
Prof. Raia said, in part: we find SO
many conflicting stories as TO the ORR
gin of the harp that we are compelled
to admit our inability TO decide posi-
uively where or when the first harp
made it's appearance. Jubal, a descend
ant OF Cain. is regarded by the Hebrews
as the father of all such as handle the
harp and organ. and there can be no
doubt that the Hebrews were among
the first who used the harp. as We find
many references 10 IL in the Old Testa-
ment. To Egypt, the mother of ma
tions,' belongs the credit OF introduc-
ing IL in religious rites and ceremonlals,
thereby giving 1t an assured standing
in the musical world OF the period. Ac-
cording TO Egyptian historians Oh. &.
1SO0J Hermes. the high priest of Osiris.
hnn no
the Nile, in which the flesh and carti-
lages had been dried By the sun. Hap
pening to strike the shell, ne noticed
that IL emitted pleasing tone, and
the thought occurred 20 him that
musical instrument might be fashioned
in the same plan. He at once put this
happy thought into effect, evolving the
first lyre. and from that TO the harp
was an easy step"
From this point Prof. Raia described
the evolution of the harp. calling es-
pecial attention to its peculiar mechan-
ism and describing the changes that
the centuries had wrought in its con-
struction. At intervals during his re-
cital Prof Raia paused 10 render some
exquisite air. among these were the
following:
/. The Blind Boy and his Harp
.. Cascade.
3. Welsh National Air.
4. Irish Melody.
s. Murmuring Waves.
6. Believe Me OF All Those Endearing
Young Charms.
Z. Fantasie.
8. Dream of Bygone Days
2. Nearer. My God, TO Thee.
In closing Prof. Raia expressed the
opinion that. OF all music he believed
that produced by the harp was the
most beautiful the most divine. and
(as the exquisite harmony of Nearer
NV God. TO Thee" filed the room) his
auditors were quite willing 10 agree
with him.
served and a social hour enjoyed.