New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18

listing have obtained this privilege, and within
the last year three houses have been built and
occupied, while the fourth is rapidly approach
ing completion. AS in other colleges, these So
ceties include not only a large proportion of the
students, but many members of the faculty also.
The society organizations at Wellesley are not
secret in a literal sense for the constitution of
each must be approved by the Academic Council
of the faculty; but each society has some form
of initiatOn-over which hangs due mystery
and student who is a member of one society
is not eligible for membership in any other,
The third of these chapter houses, that of the
Phi Sigma Society," was formally opened last
month with a reception and spread. a large
number Of guests being hidden. Close to Tupelo
Point, the banks of Lake Waban. within easy
reach of College Hail. the house is charmingly
situated. 1t is built after the plan of Italian
villa one story high, with large windows at
tractive woodwork finish and roomy verandas.
On the right of the vestibule. dark green in
coIoring is den, a retreat for whatever idle
moments fall to Phi Sigma members; opposite
is the library, finished in dark red, and back or
this the large assembly hall. also in red, while
adjoining is room for storing and domestic
purposes
In the second year of the college QS76) the
Phi Sigma fraternity organized local
society at the suggestion of Henry +. Durant,
founder Of the college. Like It's sister society,
Zeta Alpha, it suffered brief period of
extinction but was reorganized in 1887. Aside
from its contribution of greater graciousnesS TO
the college life, the work of Phi Sigma is
sentially literary its avowed aim being to offer
a stimulus to scholarly work and to unite the
interests of the undergraduates Miss Mary
Rockwell, of Junction City, Kan is president,
and Miss Martha g. Shaw, Of Pittsburg, vice
president Welesley's professor of literature,
Miss Katharine Lee Bates is member of this
fraternity In 1893 Phi Sigma established
chapter at Wesleyan University.
Close TO the Phi Sigma headquarters is
the home Of Zeta Alpha, its contemporary in
age 1t is of similar purpose. Second in order
of erection this handsome Colonial house has
been in use for several weeks. Zeta Alpha's
aim, on the serious side, is wide reaching; it en-
braces a study Of world movements in modern
life and its ideals are all for mutual. helpful
development. Much good intellectual work is
accomplished in this in the other societies,
and where Phi Sigma swears by its solemn owl
Zeta Alpha gives ALLEGIANCE to its sacred lamp
First of all the chapter houses to be erected
that Of the Shakespeare Society. In stu
alton it is unequalled, standing it does at
the junction of the main driveways and over
looking the campus, half way between College
Hall and the FarnSWOrth Art building. 1t was
opened last year IN February. In general effect
the house is admirable reproduction of the
Stratford- on Avon house. The interior is made
attractive with graceful draperes, comfortable
chairs and couches, corners for reading and
writing we'll stage for dramatic pur-
poses. This society likewise organized i'm
1876 and is Il branch of the London Shakespeare
Society, whose publications it regularly receives.
Some Of the most eminent shakespearian schol-
ars of this country and of Europe have lectured
here by the socety's invitation. To Mr. Durant
also is due the origin of this society," which of
late years has added new beauty Wellesley
Junes by outdoor presentations of Shakespeares
outdoor plays.
Still another building viii be added to the
list Of completed chapter houses, for the Agora
members have been actively pushing their plans
since autumn, until now their society home
standing on the meadow below Wood Cottage