Evening star., 1945-03-18
Fifty Years Ago

QcIcCLcQ III dH luUcTNleW puDlSIleQ III
The Star of March 7, 1895, wherein K.
Matsui, "a new first secretary of the
Japanese Legation" dis
Jopon in cussed in his own keen"
koreo manner the influence of his
country in the so-called
Hermit Kingdom on the mainland of
Asia. 'The Koreans" the young Dip
lomat, speaking English fiuently," con-
ceded, were suspicious and fearful at
the outset lest Japan had come to con-
quer and absorb them, but they have
gradually come to realize that the en-
lightened reforms suggested by Count
Inouye, the japanese envoy there, are
for the advancement and undermining
Of Korea" More important than this
pious platitude, however, was Mr. Mat
sui's frank admission that: "The King
is most just and fair man" and ''the
Queen has marked executive ability. and
her influence is felt by the ministry.
She is by far the first woman in Korea"
What eventually happened to the royal
couple under Japanese management?
The King was dethroned and the Queen
was murdered.
When the Short Story Club assembled
fifty years back three large parlors," !"
reported The Star for March 8, 1895,
were crowded with the attendance" :"
And no wonder, consid-
Literature ering the quality of the
And Music program! G. w. San
derlin amused with
Yarns and Illustrations" DR.. w. A..
Croffut gave short talk" on hypno-
tism, Maj. F. I. Willis yielded to the
request of the club and delivered his
very grand poem, The Three Banners
Miss Mary Helen Howe sang Render
vous," a waltz song, and later Beremy's s
"Serenade"; Mrs. Andrew Boyd recited
Caldwell Of Springfield" with good
effect" Miss JEANNE Haywood rendered
Wont You Be My Sweetheart" and
another song very sweetly," and little
Marie Howe ''told in pleasing rhyme"
her version Of What Little Boy Thinks
About" The final number was "'the
laughable recitation entitled 'The
liners" by Mrs. Mary Nailor. Modern
critics, of course, would consider such
entertainment pretty "corney"-in COM
parison with such classics as FRANKIE
and Johnnie" Pistol Packin' Mama"
and Don't Fence Me In" But what win
people think after another half CEN
tury?
As to what Washington booklovers act
ually were perusing half century be-
fore 1.-THE Robe" and
What People Strange Fruit" q
Were Reading clue may be discov-
cred In list of new
publications published in The Star for
March 9, 1895. prince Henry the Navi-
gator" by c. Raymond Beazley; 'F1ve
Lectures on Shakespeare" by Bernard
Ten Brink; Beyond the Dreams OF
Avarice," by Walter Besant; "a Son OF
Hagar," by Hall Caine; "A Memorial
Tribute to Rev. J. A. Walter, Late Pastor
Of st. Patrick's Church." by Rev. Joseph
M. Walter, and "A Story of Courage:
Annals of the Georgetown Convent OF
the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, from the Manuscript Records,
edited by George Parsons Lathrop and
Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, were reviewed
very much rs similar productions are
today. The daughter of the author OF
"The Scarlet Letter" mentioned in hur-
ried passing, was one Of the most re-
markable women of her time. As Mother
Alphonsa, she founded the Servants o1
Relief for Incurable Cancer in 1896 and
ministering only to individuals mortally
Ill, without friends and utterly withou,
resources" lived . modern saint until
July 8, 1926.
4 4
Grandfather was . very lucky youns
man In the sense that he was privileset
to enjoy the beauty
Musical Comedy and charm Of thu
poYooon greatest Of all Amer.
ican queens of light
opera. miss Lillian Russell. explained
The Star for March II, 1895, s.is al.
ways reliable attraction and she wa.
never moro pleasing than at the present
time. As she appeared In La Perichole
last night, her voice had its accus.
toned richness and sweetness and he,
acting was remarkable for : vivaciou