The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-19

lev of the Mississippi and along many
Of it's tributary streams.
Miss Butts followed Miss Brlggs an
talk upon the American Indians, III
truth. the first Americans.
Miss Cummings gave an interesting
description Of the Mortimer or Vikings
who were not mercy a far away peO-
pie with whom we have nothing in
common, but they really belonged 40
the self same race OF men with most
OF ourselves. Miss Cummings describ-
ed the ways. manners and customs Of
the Vikings, together with some ac-
count of their origin.
The above historical program. varied
with the music and the poetical Sc
lectlons which an bore upon the gen
eral subject. completed a most enjoy
able program.
The Providence Fortnightly club Of
this city held an open meeting on Tues
day afternoon In the parlors OF tho
Church Of the Med ator, where. despite
the fact that the rains descended and
the floods came" good-sized audience
gathered 20 greet Miss Venilla $. Bur-
rington OF Clinton. Mass. Miss Bur
rington was introduced by Mrs Willard
c. Selleck, president Of the club. who
spoke OF the excellence OF her work IN
the lecture field
The subject which Miss Burlington
selected for this occasion was sidney
Lanier,' the musical poet OF the South.
In introduction sketch OF the poet
life was given. mentioning his educa-
ton, service in the army, devotion -
literature and music and his lifelong
struggle against consumption. Contin-
mng the lecturer spoke OF Lanier as an
artist and writer. In this connection
Miss BuTngton entered into an analy-
ha ~
phony' and said that the poem Illus
! trated his method and thought for
three reasons:
First-Because IL is n musical. poetic
production as he was a musician poet.
Second-lt revealed the poets fond
ness for nature
Third-It contained his creed OF
Love I'm all and through ALL"
l.anier measured poetry (said the
| speaker) by time values as in music.
instead OF by the usual method of ac-
| cent.
'The defect in his theory is that IT is
! too personal in It's application and ig-
nores the difference between the uht
| OF tone quality In nusic and the COM
! pick vibration OF speech"
Referring TO Lanier's life with ma
| ture Miss burlington said that "He
! loved nature as an intimate soul COM
| panion. Love, however was the con-
I =
! life including with him all searching
/ aspiration for beauty and truth wher-
ever they are found.
THE welded life OF Lanier (said the
! lecturer) was "a happy and a mutually
sympathetic -ope-as- see from the
| buoyant purity OF his love songs to-
| gether~ with many beautiful letters
| written TO his wife.
'He lived a life OF purity and hero
ism. His faith is serene. his spirit joy
Gus. His poams are an incentive TO
larger loving and higher living.
He Is indeed the crystal poet"
In connection with the above lecture
, Mrs. Annie Deane Peckham Ga mem
ber of the FQrtnightly club rendered
Lanier's beautiful Sunset" Mr.. Clar-
ence Hamilton playing her accompan-
iment.
Mrs. Peckham also sang, as an en-
| core. the stirring song Of Barbara
| Freitchie." Her rendering of these
songs. i'm her pure contralto. was al
together admirable. 1t will be remem-
bered that Mrs. Peckham was former
! ly the c0ntralto of the Westminster
! Congregational church and IL will be
| easily understood, therefore, that her
connection with the Fortnightly club
is appreciated and valued TO the fullest
| extent.
Miss Burringrons lecture was thor
oug'hly enjoyed and the secretary
writes that "her voice was sweet and
| musical her manner attractive and
gracious" and that "A successful flu
ture In the lecture field is assuredly
! hers"
The Travellers study club (now
travelling i'm SPAIN met at the home OF
the president. Miss Annie Sumner
Trinity square, on Monday evening
February IL.
Continued on page Four)