New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
LOOKING BACKWARD.
SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO WE'RE LEAD
ERs IN THE LONG AGO.
STILL HEADING THE PROFESSIONS OF TO-DAY
THE MARCHING ON OF GOOD WORKS, PRO
FEss1oNAL AND PHIr.ANTHRoP1c

The young bellies of to-day in club life may well
put on their looking backward glasses If they
for minute imagine that they at all surpass In
grace elegance the beauties Of twenty or thirty
years ago. The fancy dress balls and private par
ties for this winter already causing the young
people to beg of their mothers and aunts the use
Of some quaint gown slowed away in chest that
has perhaps been unopened for a quarter Of
century.
Only the other day Aunt Louisa" Eldridge took
from a trunk a picture of herself taken fifty
years ago. AS she gazed upon it she gave
her head shake. signing the while and saying
that in spite of the good times nowadays there
had been. and never would be again. any
thing to equal the mad joyousness of those never
to be forgotten times when she young.
1t is said that one might as well be out OF the
world as out of the fashion, but viewed in the
light of present day fashions one feels that one
would almost as soon be found dead to be
obliged 20 appear in public in the costumes that
then considered the very height of elegance.
Only little while ago iOated about in
great hoopskrt monstrosities, the sight OF winch
to-day would throw one into perfect spasms OF
laughter. but peeping out from under the queer
poke bonnets eyes as bright and dimples as
roguish those which to-day employed in
the same old pastime of captivating masculine
hearts. And think of the opportunities of those
poke bonnets. for doubtless more than maiden
of We Olden time Gin fastening her bonnet strings
under her chin tied young mans heart within"
Fancy for the moment that times wheel has
turned back to the 1910 notch. Then focus the glass
on the procession of quantity CARRIED women as 1t
passes in review. Heading the procession Is
beautiful young whose name is Susan B.
Anthony, the same Susan who, pioneer in this
country in the advancement of wOmankind.
finds herself one of the most beloved of her
in the United States.
Ten years later, 1850 the glass is Ievelled on
other procession; this is led by Jennie June"
Mrs. ]. c. Croly, first known to the literary
world as Jennie June" occupies unique position
as the first woman to suggest establishing women's
associations In America. 1t occurred to Mrs. Croy
that 1t would be a good idea to have society Of
women only, managed by women. and representing
as far possible the active interests of women.
thus creating and establishing bond of fellow
ship and mutual helpfulness Soon Sorosis
an established fact. In 1889 she suggested the for
nation of womans press club, and later, through
her efforts. such organization effected.
She holds the office of president OF the New-York
Woman's Press Club at the present time, and Is
also the honorary president of the New-YOrk State
Federation Of Women's Clubs. The accompanying
reproduction portrays Mrs. CroIy the opening Of
her successful career a writer and Journalist.
While the club women had their leader the pro-
fessionals had theirs. Aunt Louisa" EIdridge, as
she IS now afectionately termed, popular
actress as early as 1850, when, Miss Louise
Mortimer. she was playing the part of Crazy Agnes
In Philadelphia. and the reproduction from a
photograph of a daguerreotype represents her in
that part. She was the only Miss in the theatre
LOT at JnaJ tune married women Were billed as
Mrs" and, being young girl, she was a great
pet. Crazy Agnes the first part Of much
prominence that she had played. She had to sing
in this play, and when cast for the part was much
frightened. and wept in anticipation of a dismal
failure. She succeeded. however in making the
nit of the play. The play for three months an
almost unheard Of thing in those days. and the
young actress styled Sweet Crazy Agnes"
aunt Louisa is now the first vice president of
the Professional Woman's League and universally
popular.
Mrs. Edwin Knowles is shown when sweet six
teen She is of the leaders among women
of Brooklyn in philanthropc work, being president
of european one of the largest associations OF It's
kind in the city.
One smiles at the comical costumes, the gro
tesque hats and the funny arrangements of the
hair but forty years from the pictures of to-
day will be the object of as much mirth to another
generation; the sheathlike gowns and pompadour
will seem to others fully queer the hoopskrts
and head adornment of forty years ago seem to the
readers of the present time.
woman Of attractive personality who makes
daughter of President Tyler. AS the Presidents
daughter she first lady" and naturally occu-