Williams news., 1915-03-11
MEETING OF LITERARY AND
 ART DEPARTMENT A TREAT

The inclemency of the weather prevented large attendance of the Literary Department, Feb. 25- But those who were fortunat e enough to be present enjoyed a real treat.
 The Department had looked for :, ward to Mrs Robinson's review of "Chantecler" by Edmond Rostand, a French dramatist. Unfortunately Mrs. Robinson was too sick to be present and her place was filled by the chairman, Mrs. Cureton. Mrs. Cureton reviewed ''The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" by Arthur w. Pinero. Pinero is an English dramatist of wide note. He has written many comedies and problem plays. Some of his best known comedies are "The Princess and the Butterfly" "The Magistrate" '" "Trelawney of the Wells" and "The Amazons". "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" is considered his best problem play. The sad. tragic life of Mrs Tauqueary is borne in contract to the pure un- sullied career of Elean Tanqueray, her stepdaughter. The teaching of the play is the teaching of Christ to be kind and considerate with those that have, taken false step. For circumstances, environment and lack of early training may be the cause of downfall.
 Elean ill her last speech acknow- lodges her part in the tragedy "killedr herself? so every body will say. But I know-I helped to kill her. If I had only been merci- ful.
 Miss Elsie Hayes then took up Francesca da Rimini, written by Gabrielle d. Annunzio, the greatest dramatist of Italy. Miss Hayes discussion briefly summarized would be: France sea da Rimini is one of the worlds oldest love stories. Dante tells of the love and death of Paula and Francesca in the Inferus. One of the many touches of realism In d. Annunzio's play is his mention of Dante as a friend of Paola's. Stephen Phillips, an English dramatist, has told the story ex- quisitely and both dramas grip ones heart with their tragedy and depth of feeling. The story as told by Stephen Phillips is less realistic than d. Annunzio's version.
 It Is interesting to note the re- currence of certain themes, which has been compared to the motives" of Wagner's operas. Each of these themes sounds it's own note and all are blended finally. For instance, the red rose comes in over and over with its suggestion of passion. The bat of basil on the window sill, recalling the old tragic story of Isa bella and her love. There are other old tales of love which are brought to mind by their likeness to the story of Paola and Francesca. They are referred to again and again as the strongest of the motives. Together the lovers read the story of "Launcelot and Guinevere" so curiously like their own that they can no longer hide the intensity of their feeling.
 Then over and over the story of Tristan and Isvelt comes in--often called the greatest love story of the world In the castle to which Francesca comes as the bride of Paola's brother, her room decorated with frescoed panels that depict the romance of Tristan and Isvelt. Does fate bind Paola and Francesca? Is there any possible way of justi- flying them? Does d. Annunzio give the right moral emphasis?
 Francesca was young and un- tutored, innocent and lovely with naturally ardent disposition. She lived in an age of violence, blood shed and crime.
 Her family. to gain hundred