New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27
FRENCH NOT WICKED.
Charles Wagner Says People Hare
Wrong Idea of His Country.

There was standing room only" and precious lit
tie Of that. at the Berkeley Lyceum Theatre yester
day forenoon when Pastor Charles Wagner spoke
on The France Of To-day under the auspices of
the League for Political Education. At 1915 O'Clock
people were leaving the hall In despair, while
others. more courageous, found their way through
the files on to the stage where they sat and stood
in a deep semicircle all through the lecture.
MI Wagner began by vigorously protesting
against the misconception that prevails the
vickedness OF tho French and the complete absence
OF home life among them.
"A few days ago ] met charming American
girl and when spoke of Pa-is-'Ah" she said.
knowingly, Paris that wicked cityr And l said
to her. You don't know young girl how sad l
am TO you smile and say. That wicked city
l am e citizen OF that wicked city Nv wife u.s. too
and Sc are my children. There are many good peo-
pie in, Paris
AS for French homes-nothing is more difficult
even for Frenchman than 10 penetrate into the
French home. French families live. as it were, IN
boxes They are so happy united in their
boxes. they don't want TO come out or let any
body in.
Nothing is more similar to sweet American
home than sweet French home and nothing is
more similar to a good American father than
good French father.
The kitchen Is the cornerstone OF the social life
OF nation. II is Of the creates Importance 10 the
nation what our mothers and sisters do in the
kitchen love music and art. but the root of the
family"-he emphasized his words with his
clinched fist the table beside hinn-'Ts in the
kitchen. If God has given US our meals by the
good, sweet hands OF a mother sister you know,
/ yourself what a difference there is between that
| and the meal that is furnished in any mechanical
| way"
Then Pastor Wagner turned to the education OF
! women in France, which he said. had undergone
a complete revolution within the past twenty OF
| thirty years. due largely to the leadership and
! lofty personal character Of NJ. Felix Pecaut
Formerly all French girls went to the convent
and were educated by Catholic Sisters. The new
| system of feminine education is good and ii il
character much more than the other. Indeed
l may say IL is better than our system Of edu
| eating our boys which has never been rescued
| from the old ruts in which Napoleon put it
| France Is raising up a new generation OF women
! who 1--we not only by the dictates OF their owr
| little wills but combine the spirit of helpful
I ness with a reverence for the past
Lastly spoke Of the work or the Union pou
| Action Morale and Of Nine. Alphen-Salvador, wh'
/ established the first French training school 70
said that only Catholic Sisters can nurse, an(
medical prejudice which prophesied that no on
would have confidence enough in the lay nurse q
employ her ,,.- a.. -,
I enough about each other: and what they do know
they have often dug out of the rubbish box
wish we could change this. 1t would be a linl
/ between this beloved and delightful coUntry-toT
am a new but very convinced Amerlcan-an
France. The more 1 look upon you. the more
And through the applause which greeted this al
fecttonate dismissal the pedlers on fourth
81 could be heard calling: Here y are, The Sim
! pie Life by the author Of 'Parsifsl'