The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-02


touching poem, GODS Acre"
Foll0wing, Mrs.t1eld referred feeling
ly TO the closing scenes I'M the beauti-
ful life of the poet. THE words OF the
poet himself" she said, ring sweetly
in our ears as we think that perhaps
he was glad in~eed to est|after a life
in which he gave himself 30 freely TO
Others and communicated SO much OF
sweetness and light to those around
him. He said. Il am weary and viii
rest a little while; lie thou there, my
pen,a pleasant dream calleth me away,
shall see those distant hills again,
and the homestead under the elms: the
old associations and the ole influences
rounu about me and a child shall lead
me and we shall go together thro'
green pastures and by still waters.
And O, my pen, ii viii be springtime
again.
The speaker. In calling attention to
/ Eugene Fields place in American lit
erature, said: 1T is Yet too early to
dec de upon the place which Eugene
Field is 10 hold in the history OF Amer
ican literature, but, by his MIN
liable verses. his tender insight into
child life, his quaint expression of
dainty fancies. his generous genuine
sympathy with human needs and fall
: ings, his gospel of good cheer. these
and kindred qualities of his life and
labors have made his writings dear To
( many hearts, and his verses said and
sung by many voices throughout Chris
( tendon.
"A recent magazine writer has said
that Froebel and Dickens are the best
{ interpreters OF Christs ideals of child
| hood. The philosophy OF Froebel and
| the stories OF Dickens are in perfect
harmony. To my thought this is true,
but i would add an American name to
the list-that Of Eugene Field. poet
laureate OF childhood and the home.
} whose verses for the little ones are as
sweet and true i'm their teachings and
reveal the same insight into childish
hearts as do the words Of the father
OF The kindergarten or the creator OF
Tiny Tim. -
Mrs. Field dwelt at length upon the
poets love for children, and related
many interesting facts illustrative OF
this beautiful side of his character.
TO love chNdren as Eugent Field did,
sne said. lis rare and blessed attri-
bute or human nature which we must
re, erence and applaud. Because of his
UNIQUE ability TO enter into child sh
fee IS he |as able TO put into verse
sucn charming conceits that old and
young cherish this agacy Of printed
words which was bequeathed TO little
children and those who love them the
world over"
throughout this charming narrative
was interspsrsed choice selections from
effectively recited. Miss Carpenter al
so contributed much To the pleasure Of
the cluD by her sweet rendering of sew
eral Of the poets songs.
The Aldrich residence, corner of
broadway and Ringgold street. was the
scene OF large and brilliant gather
ing or club women on Saturday after
noon, when the Embreaso Club of this
CITY gave the most conspicuous and
notable event in the history of the club
Chiefly was the event notable because
OF the presence of the venerable author
reformcr, suffragist and philanthroplsr
Julia Ward Howe. Mrs. Howe. though
more than four score years of age. had
Journeyed hither from her Boston home
alone and unattended and, as she greet
ed the assembled club women. she
SCENE indeed the embodiment of
Wordsworth's ideal
"A perfect woman, nobly plann'd
To warm, to comfort and command"
Certainly, her dignified presence sug-
gested 10 all realizing sense of the
meaning of that oft-quoted aphorlsm,
Growing old gracefully" The distln-
guished guest was introduced by the
president ot the club Mrs Charles Fl
Beach, who fitiingly said that though
the Embreaso Club has been honored by
many brilliant women. ii had reached
the zenith of its ambition i'm being priv
ileged TO see and hear Mrs. Howe.
Mrs. Howe announced as her subject
Some Personal "Reminiscences of Four
, Poets and said. in beginning: Ladies,
am going to read to you abouA Mr..
Whittier. | shall always be glad that /
saw the poet in my youth, when Mr..
Charles Sumner brought him 10 our
home in Boston"
This meeting (Which took place at
Mrs. Howe's residence in her early
married life) was wittily described az
follows: I'VE were both afflicted with
shyness ami upon DIR. Howe's return
said TO him, aside My dear If you had
heen little later Mr.. Whittier would
have gone up the chimney
Afterwards Mr.. Whittier was a fire.
quent guest at the Howe home. and
Mrs. Howe related many interesting
stories relative TO the personal side OF
the poet. Mrs. Howe spoke of Whittier
as an honorary member of the New
England Womans Club. and called es-
pecial attention to his attitude toward
the question of woman suffrage. AL
though a member" said she. "he never
attended our meetings as did Garrison
and others. Later on" continued the
speaker. I'VE find him a man of polit-
ical influence, wise and temperate, al
ways.
wendell Phillips thought him superb
manu- dt lODDylnS. SnOulu nave as soon
thought of him as a superb hand at
millinery" E
In referring to Whittier's work and
influence as an abolitionist. Mrs. Howe
said he would have deserved nations
gratitude IL he had not written his
beautiful poems. Passing TO Whittier's
poems Mrs. Howe mentioned few OF
her favorltes, reading with much ex-
preston that beautiful poem begin
ming,
Il mourn no more my vanished
years;
Beneath tender rain,
An April rain OF smiles and tears
My heart is young again.
THE west winds blow, and, singing
low,
| l hear the glad streams run
| The windows of my soul l throw,
| Wide open TO the sun.
Passing from her "reminiscences OF
| Whittier. Mrs. Howe turned TO Long
fellow. II first remember him." said
| she, "in the blue coat and the gilt but
tons. so fashionable I'm those days.
remember, especially. his sunny smile.