The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-21
COL. HIGGINSON ADDRESSES
THE UNITARIAN CLUB.

The attractive chapel OF the First Con-
gregational church Unitarian) was the
scene OF an extremely refined and delight
full social occasion last evening when
about 200 ladies and gentlemen, members
OF the Unitarian club, assembled for So
cial evening and 10 listen TO an address
by Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higgin-
son OF Boston.
The gathering was called to order
shortly before $3.50 o'clock by Robert, p.
Brown, the president OF the club and a
brief business meeting was first in order
The report OF the secretary. William II.
Eddy was presented and the president
appointed the following as a nominating
committee to choose officers for the ensu-
ing year: Howard Jenkes. Theodore Til
linghast and Frank Bowen.
At the conclusion OF the business por-
tion of the meeting the president intro
duced the distinguished guest and speaker
OF the evening in most happy manner.
He alluded to the difficulty the club had
experienced in securing Colonel Higginson
as speaker. because OF his numerous
other engagements. but. he added. He is
here! And II is my pleasure to introduce
10 you a man who Is a living link with
our great American authors. poets and
actors; himself distinct representative
OF our American literature as well as an
American gentleman who has cultivated
his mind and body with equal care. lie
is thus an example TO all Americans"
Colonel Higginson wittily responded TO
his Introduction, adding that as a former
citizen of Rhode Island. he had always
cherished a sort OF semi brotherhood for
her sons. In dwelling upon his theme.
English and American Cousins, Colonel
Higgnson described the striking charac-
teristics OF the English people as he had
observed and studied the people I'm his
iourneyings In the British empire, ana
while he found much 10 praise, yet he
showed that England is slowly, yet sure
ly. rccedirg from her former position OF
supremacy and power The speaker then
touched upon the Boer war and it's of-
feet upon the English nation. and con-
tinuing. told I'm an amusing way OF the
igAbranee manifested among the people OF
England for their American cousins and
their customs.
Such questions as these, ne said were
common i'm English society. do Ameri-
cans read much?" Have they ever heard
OF Ruslin and how?' and Are both Har-
ward and Yale In BostonG"
Colonel Higginson told also OF his adj
miration for the English voice. its well
moduated tones that never falcd TO at
tract an audience.
lie told also OF the beauty OF English
postal appliances. so unlike ours I'm
America, and OF those white, square.
absolutely well-bred postal cards OF Eng
land
characteristics like these I always ad-
mlre." added the speaker "and yet
feel more and more. as time goes on. that
England ~ 20 n certain extent accepting
n later Judgment. and perhaps n final
judgment, I'm the worlds tribunal and
can never have quite the same prestige
that ahc has occupied IN the past Eng
land must accept "a changed position. n
very much changed position. since the
splcndors Of the Queens jubilee
Now. what II the vital reason for
this?' queried the speaker. The founda-
tion for u all r~Sts upon England's sys-
tenn of social caste, which has caused