The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-15
MRS. SEWALL BACK HOME
SHE Is ENTHUSIASTIC OVER HER
VISIT TO OBERAMMERGAU.
1t Is Considered by Her the Crowning
Experience of Her Life-In-
ternatiOnal Council

81 consider my visit TO the village Of
Oberammergau and my attendance upon
the Passion Play the browning expert
ences of my life,'' said Mrs. May Wright
Sewall last night. Mrs. Sewall returned
yesterday from extended stay in
Europe, and was seen at her North Penn
sylvania-street residence last night by
Journal representative. She showed no
trace of the fatigue incident to long travel
by steamship and railroad, but expressed
her joy at being once more in her home
city Mrs. Sewall started for Paris and
the exposition early I'm the summer as an
official representative of the international
Council of Women. to attend the various
councils held in the exposition buildings
in the interest of the work which is being
conducted in behalf of women in various
parts of the world.
During my two days sojourn in the
village of Oberammergau." continued Mrs.
Sewall 81 stayed at the home of the peas
ant who plays the role of Simon i'm the
great religious production L was particu-
larry struck by the remarkable simplicity
and good nature of the inhabitants. They
literally devote their lives to religion, and
the very atmosphere of the village seems
impregnated with the spirit of devotion.
Their mode of life has actually affected
their countenances. You would never be-
lieve. unless you saw for yourself, that
it would be possible for an entire COM
munity to have the physognomies which
those people have. The peasants who take
part in the Passion Play have so devoted
their lives TO the study of the characters
MI 70 tbot xvba
on the streets or in their homes, they look
| like subjects of old portraits come to life
i shall not attempt to describe the Pas
| sion Play for the glamour it cast over
me has not yet departed so that L car
| think clearly enough about il to give my
| impressions. 1t is simply wonderful
though. Viewed merely as a production,
| it is superb. 1 had not anticipated such
a perfect histrionic effort.
Il spent most enjoyable nine weeks i'm
Paris" said Mrs. Sewall attending coun-
ellis in the interest of work for women and
| seeing the innumerable places of interest
| in the city and its environs. Most OF my
| time was, however, given TO the study of
| the womens work as represented in the
congresses which were held under the aus
pices of the exposition in the building
| known as the Palais de Congress- The con-
| crosses began the LIST of May and have
been continuing ever since. They Will be
held until the close of the exposition. [
| was greatly Interested in the gatherings
| at which educational matters were dis
| cussed. These congresses also devoted
| much time to the study of sociological
questions. Their object was no so much to
outline plans for new work as TO secure
an intelligent summary or resume of the
| work which has already been accomplished
| or which has been undertaken in various
| parts OF the world.
THE international Council to which
| was delegate, held ten separate meetings
| on consecutive Tuesdays. The United
| States government granted us the use of a
room in the American pavilion, to be used
| as headquarters for the Interna tional Coun-
| ell and also as place in which to hold its
| conferences. While in Paris / was the
! guest OF great many French families and
visited many French schools, observing
| their methods. / also found time to attend
| several social functions at the home of
| President Loubet. and also at the home of
| several of his Cabinet ministers The pre-
| feet of the Seine entertained our council
| and the municipal government of Paris
| gave splendid reception to the women S
| congresses in the celebrated Hotel de Vile
or city hail.
| Mrs. Sewall was asked if she had heard
| the Chinese situation discussed i'm the
| French capital. Il did hear great many
| talks on the subject, of course" she re-
| piled, 'but / paid less attention 10 those
| things than did TO the matters in which I
| was personally interested. There is how
| ever party In France which very strong
| fairs in China is the result OF the treat
| ment of China by the so-called Christian
| and civilized nations. On the other hand
| there is party which considers that China
| is wholly TO blame and ought to be pun
| ished by the Christian and civilized ma
| tions. Among the people with whom 1
/ came in contact L think the former view
was most generally entertained