The age-herald., 1901-02-10
Like Women of the French Salon They Yield Great Influence STAGE OF THE PRESENT DAY Modern Drama as Seen Through WOman's Eyes The Gossip of
 the Gay World of Fashion
 and Society
BY ANNIE KENDRIcK WALKER.

In the irredeseent records of Birming- hams social life, with which these columns interest q trusD, all those who admire the world of fashion and beauty, there has not been very much written recently of that brilliant literary life of the very wom- en whose names are seen most frequently in the lists of guests at the social functions of the week And yet if this literary side was discussed in the same breath with the dinner party of last night, the ball of the night proceeding, the card parties of yes terday, if indeed the patriotic and charita- ble features were also to be written of side by side, doubt if the women themselves would believe their own eyes. The men would no doubt close their eyes to the true statement of affairs or deolare that women were neglecting their homes their bus bands, their children, in the pursuit of cul- ture.
 That not withstanding the demands of so- oiety and the various dutiss and responsi- Utilities that confront hundreds of Birming- ham women prominent in fashionable life, that they should find an afternoon of each week that they devote to study along lit- erary lines, has already given prestige to this young city that few older ones enjoy. Lne literary cluDs, the cutture clubs, really made possible the broader club of today that includes in it's scope the investigation of reform measures to be eRected by pub Wc legislation, and which Is recognized as welding an influence in both state and mu- nicpal affairs And the vefS aggressive part played by the large club, the fact of it's being in touch with so many progress sive and nrhlio spirited rnoverron+~ --,o.- have somewhat overshadowed the clubs orRaniEed .V' itcg'A5 .'nt@ ,,. alo..
 There are many literary or study" clubs in Birmingham, each one of them with its share of bright and charming women, that no one can be at all surprised that Birmingham women have the reputa- tion of being the most brilliant oonversa- tionalists of any women in the south. This was said of group of Birmingham women at one of the fashionable summer resorts last season, and 1t is frequently said of them here, as they discuss any suh- ject affecting the government or public and private life with an equal degree of huency.
 These clubs, as their constitutions ax- press it, have for their purpose intellectual study and a broader mental culture. They pursue "culture" so systematically that the methods of Boston women would be eclipsed. There Is the Cadmean Circle, that brilliant and brainy coterie of thirty women who were organized more than a dozen years ago. They meet every Friday after HOOH WltHln the sacred WALKS or a drawing room. Today they discuss the glory of Rome: tomorrow the witchery of Venice, the poesy of F'lorence-episodes from Ital- ian history, mediaeval and Renaissance. the aristocracy of Venice, the theocracy of Rome, the tyranny of Milan, the indi- viduality of Florence-and then (for those who have spent nights in the Venice of '~ today or who have the art treasures of Florence to recalD there are personal "reminiscences to intersperse the discus sions dealing with conditions during the Renaissance or perhaps the middle ages. There "current event. afternoons, when the discussions .touch upon political and military events at home and abroad; economies, commercial and financial af- fairs, progress of science. discovery and '-- invention; social movements, the latest work in literature and art; the stage.
 The Clionian Club women are studying Italy this winter, medieval and modern. They, too, free themselves occasionally from its poesy and discuss household economies Today they worship at the shrine of Boccaccio, of Ghibertti, Donatello, Michael Angelo, masters of Italian prose and sculpture. Today Machiavelli the 9orgia the Cenci, the Medici; and tomor-