The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-12

MISS iSIpNusss MISS
Following the presentation OF these
characters. who each, in turn. curt
sled 20 the audience, Miss Marble ue-
NelOped the story. illuStfatlnS lhc
same by reading certain portions OF
Crawford" in which appear the prin-
cipal personages OF the story. In De-
ginning the paper calls attention To
the fact that among the less purpose
I ful and more restful narratives. tour
volumes have been prime favmites' IN
all degrees OF elaborate ana mex.
rensiVe bindery. "The sketch Book,
"The Vicar of Wakefield, our VII
lage" and crawford
The paper continues; There -
charm, impossible 10 analyze, Mhlch
fingers about Crawford. IL Is dlstihct-
ly an English village. yet the Ire ~ 81
subtly portrayed THAI the domestic IN
cidtnts seem universal and unlocallzed'
American readers easily adapt raw
ford scenes and characters 10 tne
quiet, gentle New England community
OF the earlier decades OF the century.
MISS Matty" and her friends seem
Photographs OF our own refined grand
mothers. whose treasured sanlpl.,s
and tapers testfy TO their domestic
Viftuss.
The paper DIVORCES, just here to
compare Miss Mitford's story or our
Village" with Crawford Continuing
men were superhuous i'm this little town
yet they were not wholly lacking ana
then follows a sketch Of the Few men
who were tolei eilted, Nz.: MI. hasler,
,he rector Jem Hearns, the Dashlui
lover of Martha. Mr.. Hogglns, the VIZ
lage doctor. md Mr.. Holbrook' the
eccentric recluse"
In summing up Crawford society the
paper proceeds as follows:
crawford society. With all OF It's
excluslVeness, centered about TWO
ladies Of aristccracy. held I'm aWesoine
respect. These were the weahhy, iat
phle gmatic Mrs jameson and her titled
slster-in-law. Lady Glenmire, gentle
sweet hammered. poor.
Then followed charming deScrip-
tion of Miss Poole" the village gos-
sip. Miss Forester. with her 'doll
house nf a dwelling and rusty gowns.
Miss Betty Barker, "eX-milliner and
ladies' maid to the Honorable Mrs.
jameson" and others.
After a brief sketch of the life or
Mrs. Gaskou the paper closes as fol-
lows:
Lacking intensity and passion, def
Clent in Inventive faculty, Mrs. Gaskell
as a woman and author. possessed rare
purity IA. a.thfulness and subtle insight.
Such qualities endear no us that sim
pie. exquisite narrative Of her home
land. Crawford. a story, says Miss
Brown truly. that will be loved so long
as there are SMILES and tears in this
April world.
Following the reading of this paper
| the large audience adjourned to the
4 church parlors. where a typical "Craw-
! ford Tea" was served. The tea con-
sisted of bread and butter. waters.
| manberry tarts, seed cookies. frosted
! fru't cake and peppermlnts. The taOie
was prepared by the teachers of the
| Point street grammar school, Miss
/, Ellen A. Salisbury and Miss Lucy &.
| Stanley being in charge, assisted by
! Miss Laura G. Almy, Miss Isabella
| Martin, Miss Annie McCloy, Miss MIL
| dr'ed Morse, Miss Lucy Danielson and
| Miss Cora Capron. The table was dec
| GRATED with candlebra of ancient date,
| brass oandlesticks. with the accom-
| panying snuffer and tray; primitive
! tea pots and ancient china. all of which
] bore the unmistakable imprint of time.
! In the background stood the receiving
| party made up OF the chosen charac-
| ters in Crawford, bowling and smiling.
with the Honorable Mrs. Jameson"
! al the head.
The musical portion Of the tea" was
a most enjoyable feature. This was
| in charge of the "Esltro Trio" Miss
| Virginia Anderson violin; Miss Helen
| Tyler Grant. cello: Miss Mabel Earle
| Williams. pianist. number of selec-
musical taste and expression.