The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-14
AMONG MOMENTS CLUBS

/ ORGANIZATIONS s,ih6albNing the lecture.
\ ms Root supervisor of the children \
reading room suggested many ways in
| which parents and children could as
sist her In her work.
| Stnl another club meeting of the
were which Dealt with the subject OF
children's literature, was that Of the
Pawtucket Woman's club, held also ON
Monday afternoon in the club rooms In
Music hall. The meeting was i'm charge
OF the department of educauon Mrs.
Henry ID. Hervey, chairman. and took
the form OF a conference on children's
books. The conference was to have
been led by Mrs. Antoinette Bryant
Hervev of New York. but illness pre-
vented her being present and her val
liable paper was read by Mrs. Ida H.
Littlefielu. A most helpful paper en-
title1 "Children's Interest in Litera-
ture," by Isabel Lawrence of Minneap-
oils was read by Mrs. Grace Duffield
Goodwin of the club. Mrs. Goodwin
sounded timely note OF warning
against the morbid, mawkish books Of
the Elsie" type and said that real
literature is safe in the hands of any
child. She referred to Ruskin's words,
viz: "Tuml a girl loose in an old IL
brary and let her browse" and thought
that this advice might be followed with
impunity. Mrs. Hervey's paper dealt
comprehensively on the value OF good
literature TO the child. n value which
every wise guardian or parent must
understand. Continuing. she laid spe-
cial stress on the fact that the child
who loved books had always the COM
panionship OF the greatest minds, and
showed how good books might be used
10 correct faults and to inculcate high
ideals She urged the cultivation of a
taste for the best literature and gave
many wise suggestions relative to the
guidance of a child's reading. The
fact was deplored that children, as a
rule. know so little OF the Bible. She
characterized the lack of this knowl-
edge as disgraceful. The Bible" she
said. lis classic. and as such we can
not afford not to read It," In conclu-
sion the question was considered as to
how a reverence for books might be
taught and a longing TO own them fos-
tered.
The Read. Mark and Learn club met
at the residence of Mrs. George A. Jep-
herson, at the junction of Elmwood
and Reservoir avenues, on Monday af-
ternoon, May 7th. with the president,
Mrs. Julia Ashley Rich, i'm the chair.
The program was combination of the
study OF American History as follows:
Talk, Virginia and Maryland"
/. Starving Time.
2. First Colonial Assembly
3. Introduction of Slavery.
4. Occupation OF Colonists and
Growth OF Tobacco.
8. Berkey and Bacon's Rebellion.
8. Lord Baltimore's Grant.
q. Early Religious History of Mary
land
s. Clayborne.
3. Mason and Dixon's Line.
10. Reading OF Captain Phipps' ad-
ventures from Hawthorne.
Following the talk on the above top
les an excellent paper on THE Begin
nings of American Literature" was
read by Mrs. Rich. An extremely en-
joyable musical program followed the
literary hour as follows:
1. "Mazurka." Nevin, Mrs. Rich.
2. "Narcissus. Nevn, Mrs. Jenckes.
g. "Valse Elegante," Schrenield,
Mrs Rich.
The delightful afternoon ended with a
dainty tea, served by the hostess.
The annual and closing meeting of
the Fortnightly club of this city was
held at the residence of Mr.. Clarence
@. Hamilton, Portland street, on Tues
day afternoon, the president. Mrs. Will
lard C. Selleck, presiding. The busi-
ness portion OF the meeting included
a most interesting yearly report, read
by the secretary, Miss Katherine Hub
bard. Mrs. Selieck followed with an
excellent report which was filled with
helpful suggestions to the club. The
course OF study for the coming year
was discussed and II was decided to
take up the study of colonial history.
Election of officers resulted as follows:
President. Mrs. Selleck, wife Of Rev.
Willard G. Selleck OF the Church of the
Mediator: vice president. Mrs. Harry
Is. Gregory: secretary, Miss Clara Law;
treasurer, Mrs. William Chapman. The
choice OF officers was very wise one.
and the club congratulates itself upon
the fact that the leadership will still be
strongly upheld by Mrs. Selleck.
A vote OF thanks was extended to
Miss Hubbard the retiring secretary,
for able and faithful service.
In the social hour which followed the
business and election the following de-
lightful musical program was given by
Mrs. Annie Dean Peckham; Solos,
Queen OF the May" Barbara Freit-
chic" "Old Barn Window" These Sc
lections, especially Barbara Freitchie,
were exquistely sung by Mrs. Peck
ham, who is a member OF the club and
the possessor of contralto voice OF
singular sweetness and power. The
Talma orchestra also gave a number
OF selections which were much enjoyed.
and Mrs. George Eugene Baldwin read
a selection from Ian Maclaren's Be
side the Bonny Brier Bush" A tea and
social hour ended an afternoon OF rare
pleasure. Am
The members OF the Roger Williams
Chautauqua club OF Edgewood were de-
lightfully entertained on Tuesday af-
ternoon In the Museum OF Natural His
tory at Roger Williams Park by the
curator. Mr.. James NJ. Southwick. A
study Of birds has occupied the at
tention OF the club recently and nat
urally visit to the park museum and
a conference there with Mr.. SoushwiclS
was OF especial significance and inter-
est. Mr.. Southwick exhibited the
Smith collection OF birds captured in
| Rhode Island, and explained many in
terestlng characteristics In connection
| with the same. Much valuable in
| formation uDon birds In general was
gained from the afternoon with Mr.
SouthWick