The Lamar register., 1908-11-04

lions of French women engaged in
humanitarian schemes.
For three long years the French Ly-
ceum was engaged in slowly but sure
ly mastering its forces. All kinds of
material obstacles appeared in its
way Nine. Blanc-Bentzon recommend
ed patience. I'VE do not like to be
taken by storm" she said. You must
give this new idea time. We refuse
to be rushed like Americans. and we
are not impulsive like the Germans.
We are eminently critical. and before
consenting to take up new thing we
must understand exactly its aims and
objects"
The following year Nine. Blanc-Bent-
zon died, and some of the members of
the new club began to get discouraged.
At the end of three years we were
homeless club of 200 women. without
even as much as an office or a secre-
tary. For the sake of keeping up in
terest in the new scheme. room was
rented at the Hotel Bedford, and lit
erary and musical matinees given, the
program of which was always COM
posed of the work of members.
Finally one of the vice-presidents OF
the London Lyceum, Miss Alice Will
liams, came to Paris on visit. On
seeing the difficulties of the situation.
she volunteered to return to London
and endeavor to raise money enough
to establish the Lyceum In Paris. and
to try It for year. AT the end or
that time we should see whether n
club were really needed by French
women, and II so they could then
take II over themselves. She prom
ised to stay the whole year In Paris
until the household arrangements were
complete.
The Inauguration took place last
December, and Duchess Dire. Dues
accepted the Office of president.
Her name had been at the head of the
list given by Nine. Tame some four
years previously; but, besieged by let
tiers begging her to preside over all
kinds of possible societies. Duchess
Dues had preferred waiting to
see whether this new scheme end
ed with its first prospectus. The In
auguration was n very brilliant cere-
mony. Some 5000 guests came. and
the international side was well rep
resented by ambassadors and their
wives. who had been unofiicially In
vited by various members of the com
mittee. So pleased we're some OF them
with the idea, that among the present
members of the club are some OF the
ambassadresses.
With a president so eminently capa-
BILE and so universally beloved, no
doubts were felt for the future, and
day by day the number OF adherents
has steadily increased. There are
now nearly 700 members. so that with
in a year it is expected that the
French Lyceum will be able to pay its
current expenses.
The president is herself sculptress
and a writer, and she is also the pres
ident OF the Society of Women Paint
ers.
She has written a play which Is to
be given at the Lyceum. No presi-
dent could be more active and more
interested She is not only regular
herself in attending all the meetings
of the committee. but she urges on
every member the necessity of this
regularity in the interests OF the club.
Two of the most interesting sections
of the Lyceum are those of sociology
and humanitarian work. presided over
respectively by Nine. Schmahl and
Mile. Chaptal. At the monthly meet
ings the members. who nearly all rep
resent some special scheme for the
Improvement of the conditions of life.
expose their scheme and show in what
way other members can help them.
Nine. DejerineKlump will. In fime.
form the science and university sec
tions. and Nine. Alphonse Daudet is
most active and energetic in col
lecting books for the library and read
ing-room.
The greatest benefits Of the system
have already been seen in Paris.
Women have come from Australia
and from America, not knowing n
single person in Paris. and. instead of
wandering about desolately and then
returning 10 strange hotel. they have
found home and congenial compan-
ionship in an unknown land.