The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-01


pleasing and forceful speaker. and his
talk gave much light on educational mat
ters in Alabama. Without any effort to
gloss over the state of affairs as they
exist, he spoke freely of the ignorance
prevalent among the people of certain
sections, especially. and called attention
to the faulty legislation which is re-
sponsible for such conditions. In response
to invitation, eXtemporaneous speakers
were Mrs. j. A. Rountree. Mrs. Roberta
VIM, Mrs Richard Johnston and Mrs
Charles Sharp.
Mrs. E. ID. Thames who for a number
of years has been associated with school
Improvement work in the state, came up
from her home in Greensboro especially
to speak to the Study Circle and their
friends on the work of the Rural School
Improvement associations. AS president
of the State School Improvement associa-
tion she is directly in touch with such
matters and her story of conditions met
in the schools of the rural districts was
full of interest to her audience. IT was
an optimistic report, partly statistical,
referring to improvements already made
and her hopes and belief in future de-
velopment of the state from a standpoint
educational
The programme included besides the
profitable discourse of these two speak
ers, several musical numbers. Mrs.
Charles e. Dowman's piano solo was the
Introduction to a delightful afternoon.
Following Mrs. Thames address, Mrs.
O. l.. Stephenson, whose lovely voice al
ways gives pleasure, sang one of the
MADAME Butterfly" selections which is
admirably suited to the quality OF her
voice.
The residence of Mrs. jenkins is a
splendid place for a gathering of such
size and consequence as the one yester-
day for it's large living room and draw
ing room give both space and vision for
a speaker TO address himself to throng.
They stood yesterday afternoon between
the doors which connected the rooms,
and in which chairs were placed for their
hearers
Red carnations and roses were effective
ly used to decorate the rooms. their color
symbolic of the club. Mrs. Jenkins. who
was attired for the afternoon in canary
cloth with touches of blue. was assisted
in receiving by the members of the Study
Circle, of which Mrs. Charles Sharp is
president Mrs. Sharp wore a handsome
reception toilette of deep blue messaline
yelled with black net embroidered in cry
stalls Among other attractively gowned
women. as members of the club, assisting
Mrs. Jenkins to receive were: Mrs. Hugh
Allison. Mrs. Julia Bergman, Mrs Felix
E. Blackburn Mrs. Guyton nj. Bowers,
Mrs. James w. Donnelly, Mrs. John E.
Frazier Mrs. Overton Fulton, Mrs.
Samuel e. Greene. Mrs. Leon Cole. Mrs.
William d. Hammett, Mrs. Oscar r..
Hundley Mrs A. S, Leath, Mrs. Harvey
c. LeSourd Mrs. Charles F. Markell, Miss
Hattie Morton Mrs John W. Pugh, Mrs.
Ernest Redd. Mrs. r. f. S. Rives, Mrs.
Charles j. Sharp, Mrs. J. c. Wells. Mrs
Richard C. Woodson, Mrs. Mitchell Will
hanson.
Mrs. Prentiss B. Reed introduced the
speakers. telling in graceful personal
fashion of their efforts in behalf of the
schools of the state. She was tastefully
gowned for the reception in a tailleur
of brown velvet with a modish hat en-
suite.
After the programme was concluded a
social hour was enjoyed in the handsome
dining room where. over cup of tea or
coffee the party had the opportunity OF
meeting the two interesting speakers. Mrs.
j. f. Frazier, most attractive matron
in her brown silk costume. and Mrs. Felix
Blackburn, wearing a handsome taupe
gown, gave an added welcome to the
guests in the dining room where, at op-
posite ends of the bonbon table, they
presided over the tea and coffee urns