The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1900-05-12
The Ladies' Club Entertained.

T3IkCTSOn Oil AAuISooy, '""y A0S
and never was a more enjoyable
meeting participated in than was
this s'Evening with Tennyson."
The program consisted entirely
of selections from this celebrated
English poet, whose memory is so
tenderly cherished by all, and whose
sweet poems have become indispen-
sable to every household whose in
mates are lovers of the beautiful.
A brilliant instrumental selection
by Mrs. T. Nj. Biossat very fittlngly
opened the entertainment, after
which a biographical sketch of
Tennyson was read by Mrs. r. B.
Raney, recalling to the minds of
every one the sweet, pure life which
he led amid rural scenes where he
received his first inspiration, and
where some of his grandest odes to
nature were written. A vocal solo
by Miss Lizzie Mudd was the next
number on the program, which was
followed by "The May Queen"
read by Mrs. T. N. Blake in a most
rhythmic manner, displaying the
childish simplicity of this ever-fa-
miliar poem. Mrs. c. D. Caffery
then favored the audience with
spirited march, at the conclusion of
/ which the guests repaired to the
spacious dining room, where, amid
the sweet odor of the bright-hued
flowers and the mild glow of waxen
tapers, cooling refreshments were
| generously partaken of. All agog
| with eager anticipation the guests
| reassembled in the parlor to witness
the grand finale of the evening"
tableau representing Tennyson's
| <sDream of Fair Women"
! Soon the sweet strains of a violin
duet accompanied by the minor
chords of the piano, were heard and
the heavy damask curtains rolled
aside revealing Helen of Troy, ga
daughter of the gods, divinely tall
and most divinely fair" whose
classic features assumed more and
more the hue of marble, as the
scornful tones of the stately lPbige-
MIA fell upon her ear in whitening
reproach.
Suddenly another voice, deeply
musical, cried, ''Come here that l
may look on thee!" and as a small
curtain was drawn aside, the Orr
entail beauty of the dusky Cleopatra
was seen as she reclined on her
couch in luxurlant Incidence.
Scarce had her naughty tones
died away ere the clear ring of a
tambourine was heard, and sweet
vision of Jepiha's daughter. who
died to save her fathers vow, was
disclosed to admiring eyes, and as
: the brave little Hebrew maiden
vent to her sacrifice joyously sing
S ing, "Glory to Cod" all hearts
were touched. The graceful form
of Rosamond sswhom men calico
a fair" now advanced shrinking from
: the 'sdragon eyes of angerec
: Eleanor" who offered the choice o
| the pOlSOISO Cup ~ eA~ NASSSA
t In the background stood Joan of Az
d with sword and shield uplifteo, ant
v near her stood the devoted daughte
d of the Inflated Sir Thomas Moor
q in sombre robes, while kneeling sant
e supporting the noble head of he
e husband, drawing forth the poiso'
E from his wound with her balm,
n breath, was Queen Elinor.
Il So dazzling was the beauty of tn
e scene, that for a few seconds afte
e the curtain rolled back not a soun'
h was heard, but when the audienc
recovered their bewildered sense
r round after round of applause at
n tested their keen appreciation O
II the beautiful, and everyone felt tn a
!. though Alfred Tennyson has lon
re since passed into the Great Beyond
Re he still lives in the ssDream of Fai
u Women"
= Mrs. T. B. Hopkins, Jr., was a
l. ideal Helen and Mrs. Delaney a
g Iphigenia was equally we
adapted to her role. Mrs. Gro
+. Girard was typical Cleopatra, an
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