The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-09

utility in the physical. mental and NOR
al development OF the young human be-
ing. Froebel, owever. was the first TO
make practical application OF the prin-
ciple to the childs education. II haphaz-
ard indirected play In acknowledged
to be- valuable. why not utilize
this activity, give IL some system and
guidance, and so aid the child In these
natural spontaneous efforts at self-ed-
ucation? Mothers. play with your chill
dren such plays as have somethins
earnest. some vital truth at the heart
OF them. When you drop tie play, do
not drop the earnest. Seeing the truth
which IL hidden in the child's play, find
the application OF II which will ft the
life OF the older boys and girls. What
is done for the baby mus; be done
quickly or II can never be done. Some
things which you wish TO do later for
your boy or girl you cannot do, unless
you make the beginnings. Now you must
also realize the Importance of reinforce
ing the influence OF the plays by living
In accordance with the truths which
the Froebel plays present. and order
ing all our dealings with the child by
the guidance OF the same light"
The Roger Williams Chautauqua circle
OF Edgewood met at the Sophia Little
Home, Norwood avenue, with Miss
Helen Hunt, on Tuesday evening. The
evening was devoted to the works OF
Ralph Waldo Emerson, members re-
spending to roll call with selections
from Emerson. Mrs. George Arnold of
Warwick avenue had charge Of the
meeting, which was conducted I'm an
able manner. Mrs Arnold gave a brief
outline OF Emersons life and career,
weaving in the interesting story OF his
intimacy with Thomas Carlyle. Poems
were read by Mrs. Mary Parker. Mrs.
A - Ia.
Sketches from the life of Mary Emer-
son were read by Mrs. Arnold
Mrs. Arnold called attention to the
life Of willing self denial OF Mary En-
erson. AS Miss Emerson herself ex-
pressed IT, There IN a sweet. pleasure
i'm bending to circumstances. though
superior TO them"
AT the next meeting Of the club Prof.
III. l.. Koopman, librarian OF Brown
University will speak upon THE Poets
of the Century"
The Edgewcod circle is in most
fiourishing condition, the members be-
ing united. ambitious and enthusiastic.
Prominent speakers will address the
club and a general high standard will
be maintained In every avenue OF work.
In conjunction with the Mothers club
literary centre II already established,
which will widen with the years and
become source of increasing strength
and usefulness.
One thing which must be apparent
TO all thinking people is the attention
paid in these days to child study and
to problems and questions concerning
the young. especially in the work OF
the mothers clubs carried on along
these linese. Indeed all women's clubs
are more or less concerned in these
problems which after ALL must be of
vital interest to all women.
1t was that wise educator. Horace
Mann, who said that The world Is TO
be rescued through physical. intellect
ual. moral and religious action upon the
young"
At the meeting OF the Pawtucket
Woman's club on Monday afternoon
one phase Of this prolific subject was
outlined by Miss Sara T.. Wiltse of Rox-
bury. Mass. who gave a delightful pa
per on The Value of Literature In the
Education OF Children" Miss Wiltse
has charge OF the reading rooms estab-
Hshed for children at the south end,
Boston. and over 1000 children come
under her observation each month. Her
work in this line is well known. Miss
Wtltse expressed grave doubts as TO so
much application to books and advo-
Gated nature study and the cultivation
OF habits Of observation in the child.
She thought that more geography
could be learned in a walk than In all
the books and that lone stanza OF
Wordsworth's poems on flowers was
betten than all the lessons. Our books
are our best friends or worst foes, ac-
cordsng to the way we use them, and
Ii Is my wish to free the children from
the bondage OF books" Good stories,
however. she considered conducive TO
character building. and she advocated
fl.x,. fl., has IN,
After the paper questions were asked
and answered by Miss Wiltse, which
brought out many points not touched
upon in the paper.
An open meeting OF the Coventry
Woman's club on Wednesday afternoon
brought out many of the club members
and their friends. The literary hour
was filled in a most acceptable and en-
tertaining manner by Miss Susan A.
Dodge Of the Rhode Island Woman's
club, who confined her thoughts to
English and American Authors" CIV
ing a number of readings and recita-
tions illustrative OF her theme. The Sc
lections covered wide range and em-
braced both the pathetic and the hu-
morous. The committee in charge OF
the open meeting were Mrs. George NJ.
tTruuhart. Mrs. John NJ. Burding and
Mrs. s. NJ. Clarke
Yet another open meeting OF the past
week was that of the Rhode Island
Womans Club. held in the auditorium
OF the Mathewson street NJ. T.. church
on Wednesday. A large and cultured
audience. including hundreds of club
women, was present al this meeting TO
listen to Prof. John Fiske OF Cam
bridge, Mass, who gave an eloquent
and scholarly lecture on Benedict Ar
noid's Treason" While Prof. Fiske
added nothing new perhaps 10 this ia
miliar tale OF Revolutionary times. yet
the story was presented in most in
teresting way and was interviewer
with many anecdotes of Arnod's life
which clothed the narrative with an
originality of thought which was re-
freshing. Since full reports of this lee
ture appeared In the daily papers II is
not necessary to enlarge upon the same
In the club column.
The annual meeting and election OF
officers OF the Ardirhebiah Club took
place at the home OF Mrs. Bardeen on
Dartmouth avenue on Tuesday after
noon. The same officers were again
elected as follows: Mrs. Emerson +.