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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1901)
THE COURIER. ft I CLUBS. (Continued from Page 5.) however, are well chosen and may indeed offer subject for meditation to many a club. Some woman baa said that the meeting o. the New York federation was "stale, Hal and unprofitable." Mrs. Chester baa attempted to explain the reasons for such an assertion and she opens her attack by quoting the follow ing conversation: "Did you attend the federation of clubs?'1 asked one woman of another. 'l attended the federation of clubs," was the reply. She maintains that each session neces sitated in entire change of costume, and that one newspaper in speaking of the convention said that the "note worthy feature of the occasion was the cumber of handsome gowns." Adorn ment of the bead rather than the thoughts inside were the inspiration of the meeting, according to her idea. Mrs. Chester insists upon her belief in femi ninity, but thinks that many valuable ideas might be learned from men. As, for example, no conference of 20,000 men would be spoken of as noteworthy, because of the handsome coats, trousers and jewelry of the delegates, but on ac count of something said or done that would outlive the fleeting life of a daily paper. She also carries her remarks still further, observing that in no con ference of men would the presiding o ni cer need to run "the gamut of styles of gentleman'6 suits from roundabout to Prince Albert coat, with trousers, bats and neckwear to match." Mrs. Chester does not pay kindly or even charitable acknowledgement to the fact that wo men, with a few not-to-be envied excep tions, feel more at their ease in speaking or presiding and are better able to regu late certain gray tissues, if clothed in a well-fitting gown and wearing a becom ing bat. Doubtless one reason for the L increasing amount of thought given to ' chiffons and frou-frous at conferences of women's clubs is the early criticism and ridicule by people and newspapers of club women's attire. There is always that vast distinction moreover to be taken into consideration between atten tion and over-attention in regard to the question of dress. Another subject of criticism is the too frequent insertion in addresses of quotations from Emerson, Wordsworth, Keats and others which render a paper, according to her expres sion, "a batch of 'familiar quotations' " and resembling 'animated scrapbooks." Another topic of Mrs. Chester's in. disposition, and in this case a worthy one, ie the array of subjects under dis cussion. She gives the list, which is certainly an appal Hag one, at the meet ing of the New York federation "Child culture, public schools, libraries, fireside travel, unusual occupations, state edu cation of children, industrial arts, style in journalism; industry and application in writing; market value of women's pen products; advantages of institution al life; progress in club work; civics; province of the musical society; mutic in Europe and America; the place that music should occupy in America, congre gational singing, intelligent care of tho physical welfare of children, literature and art for children, environment, the problem of dependent children, the do ings and undoing of landlords. Mrs. Chester's theory is, had this been a man's convention, a few subjects would have been chosen, studied and spoken of with care and thought to thoughtful audiences, and here she offers in par enthesis ("can women be thoughtful audiences?") Mrs. Chester forgets the youth of women's federations and that it is their desire to work and to work quickly and forcibly that inspires such a multitude of subjects. In time more rational methods will be adopted and such vital subjects as Mrs. Chester sug gests may be chosen: "What Relation Does the Present Extravagant Manner of Living Bear to the Frequent Defal cations and Embezzlements ?"' "What can Women Do to Lessen Intemper ance Among Society and Club Women'" "The Influence of the Home Versus the Boarding House." Here in the true middle-west, in Ne braska and neighboring states where the sturdy, brave spirit of the pioneer is ptill strong in our blood and where the large majority of people have only moderate incomes, there exists a pride for those that labor and accomplish. Ability defines our meaning of aristoc racy. When the rich soil of this sec tion is fully appreciated and land grows exceedingly valuable may the club wo men of this region continue to encour age the present sentiment, which exists among them, that elevates heart and brain and understands wealth as a bless ing only when it is used as a means of generous, joyous, happy living and not as a vaudeville spectacle. The training offered servants by the Pratt Institute, the Boston School of Housekeeping, and a few other institu tions must effect results, though at pres ent comparatively diminutive and un seen, that will make themselves felt by housekeepers in all parts of the country. Many women who have servants not long in their employ, and who do not do their work satisfactorily, send them, if New Yorkers, to the Day-Nursery or the Pratt Institute, and if Bostonians, to the School of Housekeeyiog, gladly pay ing whatever expense is incurred. East ern newspapers 'frequently receive in quiries as to the existence of a school for mistresses. Pratt Institute offers to waitreaees a course of twelve lessons which give instruction in the care of dishes, the preparation of tea, coffee and chocolate, the laundry of table linen and table-laying which includes also instruc tion in a number of the prerequisites of this art. That Nebraska towns may re jjice in the blessing of a school of house keeping that may relieve the constant domestic crises that are now spared to fewer and fewer households is one of the Aladdin hopes of the future. But at the present time the suggestion that in telligence offices should open a three weeks' course in the rudiments of the art, does not saem impracticable and it might be of great service to both mistress and maid. QUEEN VICTORIA'S JOURNALS. Queen Victoria's "Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands," published in 18CS, was followed in 1881 by "More Leaves" from the same source, and it is worthy of note that the queen, who thus saw tit to commemorate the story of her domest'c happiness, has given the world not one authentic line as to the public influence which she ex erted. The first entry in the diary which forms her books is dated Aug. 29, 1842, two years and a half after her wedding. That day wbe the beginning of their first tour of Scotland, and led to the establishment of their summer home at Balmoral and the continuation of their romance amidst scenes made personally dear by the prince consort's skill in home-making. The first characteristic note comes io the diary of the first day in Scotland the first for Victoria, as it is the first for the amiable Albert. The queen describing, their ride out of Edin hurg, says: "As we came along we saw Cragmiller castle, a ruin, where Mary Queen of Scottsus;d to Jive." It is impossible to read these memoirs of the queen without becoming aware that Victoria saw nothing but that which bore directly -and personally on herself and Albert. For instance, in stead of observing and interpreting the courtesies which she rece'ved at the bands of the duchess of Bucclugh and others, she devoted the notations of a whole da to such line as, "At break fast I tasted the oatmeal porridge, which 1 think very goo j, and also some of the Finnan haddy,"etc. She Bays: "We drove through Dalkeith, which was full of people, all running and cheering." What their running and cheering meant she does not Bay. "We passed by Uolyrood chapel, which is very old and full of interest, and Hoi rood palace, a royal-looking old place!" It is notable that whenever these re markable memoranda depart from bare statement of facts it is only to describe the physical appearance of a landscape, or the sound of things, as though the writer did not have, or would not yield to, the mental pictures, suggestions or impressions which under similar circum stances must have swarmed into her mind. Every page contained once or oftener the name of Albert. The young royal matron of those days seems to have lived, moved and had her being in the actions and opinions of her romantic lord. Here is a passage that will give an accurate impression of the whole book: Monday. Sept. 1 .At length a little before 3 to my great joy, Albert re turned, dreadfully sunburnt and a good deal tired; he had shot a stag. He said the exertion and difficulty were very great. He had chaoged his dress at a small farmhouse. Glenartney is ten miles from Drummond castle; he drove there. Campbell of Monzie 'pronounced 'Monic'), a young gentleman who ha9 a place near here, went with him, and was, Albert Bays, very active. To give somp description of this curious sport I will copy an extract from a letter Albert has written to Charles (my half-brother, Prince Liningen, who died in J856), giv ing a short account of it: " 'Withojt doubt deer stalking is one of the most interesting of pursuits. There is not a tree or bush behind which you can hide yourself. Oce has there fore to be constantly on the alert in order to circumvent them and to keep under the hill out of their winJ, crawl ing on bands and knees, and dressed entirely in gray.' After dinner more people came sev eral in kilt3 and many reels were danced. Campbell of Monzie is an ex ceedingly good dancer. We danced one country dance, I with Lord Willoughby and Albert with Lady Carrington." In all this chronicle one looks in vain for an extraordinary paragraph a sen tence that might stand forth as the sur passing thought of a royal mind. It is full" of trifling details, and reads for pages like a combination menu card and timetable. "We had coffee at seven; at nine we boarded the steamer," etc. Or, "We passed Yarmouth at six very flat, and looking, Albert Baid, like a Flemish town." Amidst such an array of commonplace it is an event to read: "We went below at seven-thirty, and I read the fourth and fifth cantos of 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel' to Albert, and then we played on the piano." Of the visit to Scotland, which began September 9, 1811, the details are more interesting, and vet lack all touch of originality or literary skill. Thus wrote the queen: 'We got up at five-forty-tive o'clock. We breakfasted," This is the lowly style of both her volume of memoirs. But she continues: "Mamma came to take leave of us; Alice and the baby (Prince Alfred, then only five weeks old) were brought in, poor little things, to wish us good-by. Then good Bertie (Lame by which the Prince of Wales has always been called in bis family) came down to eee us, and Vicky i Victoria, princess royal) appearod as 'voyageuse' and was all impatient to go. At seven we set off for the railroad. Viscount Canning and Lad) Caroline Cox in our carriage. A very wet morn ing." A few attempts at description of eceu ery are Bcattered through tho books. Thus, driving from Castle Blair of Blair Atbolo. she is impressed as follows: "At a little before four o'clock Albert drove me out in the pony phaeton till nearly six such a drive! Really, to bo able to eh in one's pony phaeton and to see such wild, beautiful scenery as we diJ, tho farthest point being only six miles from the house, is a delight. We drove along Glen Tilt, through a wood overhanging the river Tilt, which joins the Garry, and as e left the wood we came upon suh a lovely view Ben-y-Gblo straight before usand under these high bills and mountains skirted with b autiful trees, the wholo lit up with the Bun, and the air so pure and fine; but no description can do it justice or give an idea what this drive was." This description, devoted to one of the most beautiful drives in the world, is one of the most pretentious passages in the "Leaves," and it is a fair sample of Queen Victoria's descriptive power as a writer. She says: "Ob, what can equal the beauties of naturo! What enjoyment there is in them! Albert enj ys them so much; be is in testacies here. He has inherited this love for nature from his dear father." Lines like these indicate that Bhe at tempted to appreciate the beauties of highland scenery through the eyes of her beloved prince. That he was some what of a poet was well known. He wrote feebly, but in bis etchings and paintings, in bis mueical compositions and interpolations of highland life and scenes, there is the genuine reflex of po etic truth. The second volume by Victoria, en titled "More Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands," is dedi cated as follows: "To my loyal highlanders, and espec ially to the memory of my devoted per sonal attendant and fnithful friend, John Brown, these records of my wid owed life in Scotland are gratefully ded icated. Victoria, RI." Chicago Record. "I have always thought I would like to live in Washington City." "What for?" "What for? So I could be in daily touch with the country's great nmn." "Say, it you want to cherish the idea that the country sends its great men to Washington, old fellow, don't go there. Chicago Tribune. Cobwigger These divorce papers were served on me today. Say, woman, what does this mean? Mrs. Cobwigger Forgive me, my dear, I happened to read in a lawyer's advertisement that he would obtain divorces at reduced rates for one day only, and I really couldn't resist it. Town Topics. "What was the name of that station we just passed?" asked the fldgetty, in. qusitive passenger for the third time within ten minutes. "I don't know, sir," replied the pas senger who was trying to read. "I be lieve in letting bygones be bygones. Chicago Tribune. J aggies How did he get dyspepsia? Waggles He insisted on eating noth ing but health foods. Town Topics. iii 1 s m v
