Minutes 18 December 1903

Minutes 18 December 1903

Women-North Carolina-Davidson-Societies and clubs.

Books and reading.

Women-Societies and clubs.

North Carolina-Davidson.

[Page 1] hostess Dec. 18th. Christmas preparations cut our number down to nine members. It was indeed, a pleasure to have Mrs. Lingle as our guest. The items in response to the roll-call were interesting and varied. The appointment of Dr. Edward Everett Hale as Chaplain of the Senate came near precipitating a theological discussion. New books by F. Hopkinson Smith and Myrtle Reed were noted. Mrs. Strohecker gave us an example of how fleeting worldly power and position is; as shown, by an incident, in the life of the Empress Eugenie. The death of Herbert Spencer, at the age of eighty-three, was mentioned. It was Mrs. Black’s duty to gather “current events,” and to

[Page 2] broadly did she cast her net;that we were told of “happenings” from Russia to Panama; from the banks of the Tiber, to our own Nation’s Capital. “The Spenders” by Harry Leon Wilson was the book of the evening. Mrs. Currie told us the author was born in Oregon, Ill., a little town near Chicago. He is thirty- seven years old: and is not a college trained man. His literary work has been: assisting his father with a country newspaper; in the employ of the Bancroft History Co.; a contributor to “Puck,” and since 1896 it’s Editor. He has written two novels: “The Spenders,” and later “The Lions of the Lord.” It was remarked that the title “The Spenders” was particularly appropriate for the Christmas meeting of a woman’s club since they are ‘Spenders’

[Page 3] at all seasons but especially at Christmastime. The Courier-Journal says: “If there is such a thing as the American novel of a new method, This is one.” The Club, however, thinks it’s ‘method crude; coarse and unattractive. Brander Matthew’s “Twelve Good Rules for Reviewers” were pronounced excellent -- to break. After thanking Mrs. Currie for the very pleasant meeting, the Club adjourned, to meet again on the first day of the New Year. Julia Holt

BookLovers Club

Davidson College

18 December 1903

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1903

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