New-York tribune., 1901-05-29
SHANGHAI WOMAN'S CLUB.
LITERARY SOCIETY COMPOSED OF AMER
ICAN WOMEN-FOUNDED BY
MRS GOODNOW.

When It Is borne IN mind how women's c4uos
have multiplied and prospered in the United states
II will not be difficult realize that others are
sPringing up wherever American women have
formed communities in foreign countries Shang-
hal is called the metropolis Of the Far East The
ofcial circle. which revolves about the consulates
takes precedence socially. after which come the
wealthy bankers merchants and shipowners IN
all these circles Americans largely represented
the American consul being the doyen Of the DpIo-
matte Corps.
English women living in Shanghai do not go IN
for culture intellectual distinction any marked
degree; absorbed in entertaining. dancing, cara
playing and attending the races, they read little
and have a general horror IL is said of being ac-
counted clever The American women. however
true to their traditions; they love books anu'
although cut off from friends and country, they
do propose retrograde. The club which they
founded in Shanghai in 1898, and which has been
well sustained, is evidence of this. AS the Amerl-
can Consulate is common ground, the meetings
have been held in the large drawing-room. when
will easily accommodate several hundred people
The object of the club as stated in its constitution
and bylaws is to promote a higher ana broader
intellectual culture and TO unite more closely the
women of the American community in Shanshai,
1t is called the American Women's Literary so
ciety, and any American woman may become a
member who has been recommended by the Exec
utive Committee and receives two-thirds vote OF
the members present at the meeting in winch her
name is proposed.
committee but is subject to revision at the gIScre
ton or the society. to which II Is SUBMITTED a.
whole. The annual elections held in May, ana
the officers chosen for year. The meet
ings held at o'clock the first and third
Mondays of each month, and these occasions
there may be waiting before the main en-
trance OF the Consulate not a line Of carriages
but of jiurikShas. NOn-reSidentS only can be
invited guests. but year, at least, the
club gives 4 reception dinner to which the hus-
bands and friends of the members invited.
The club instituted originally by Mrs Eliza
beth Goodrow. the wife of the American Consul
General. who aided in the work OF orEaniza-
tion by Mrs. Alice II. Rich Mrs NJ W Ferguson
Mrs. Lillian J. Lyman and Miss Emma Silver. II
was organized with membership OF tWenty-plne
Among the members Mrs. Alice II. Rich. Il
contributor several American publica tons; Mrs
| J. J. Allen. the wife of of the pioneer mis-
| sionaries and official in the Society for the
| Diffusion Of Christian knowledge. and Mrs. Rose
| s Williams. a translator Of scientific works for
| the Imperial Government.
1T prophesed when the club founded
that il would die very speedily OF hamilton said
| a traveller who has just returned from shanghai
| but the contrary, il has grown in numbers
| and efficiency, and bids fair lasting in
hUence in Shanghai and will probably be in
centive to the formation Of other clubs in YOko-
| hama, Hong Kong and Manila. 1t has especial
| mission in the Far East. where women cut
| off from many means Of Amusement and recrea- =
! ton to be enjoyed everywhere in the Occident.
| and firmly rooted the club is destined to
| become permanent feature IN the American col
/ ony wherever such colonJ exists