business occupations would otherwise prevent their enjoying an intellectual and social life.

Perhaps the best proof of women's success in club life is the readiness with which they are welcomed into many clubs which have formerly been composed exclusively of men. The activity of women in intellectual life, marvellous in extent and quality, is prophetic of a renascence as surprising and thorough as any recorded in the past history of the world. JESSIE C. LOZIER, ALPHA, ex-'92.

THE WOMEN'S CLUBS OF BOSTON.

Someone has most aptly termed this,-"The Woman's Century," and, perhaps, nothing better shows the fitness of this term than the increasing tendency of women to band themselves together in societies, clubs and other organizations. It is impossible, in the brief space allotted, to speak, at any length, of all the women's clubs of Boston, therefore a word with regard to a few typical ones must suffice.

The New England Women's Club may justly hold the first place in point of numbers, age, and influence, and might be called the parent of many similar clubs, formed in different parts of the country. Although the work of this society began as early as 1868, it was not incorporated until 1877. Its home is at No. 5 Park Street, Boston, where commodious rooms are open daily for the use of the members. The work is, almost entirely, of a literary character. At the regular monthly meeting, a paper is read by some person well known in literary circles, after which the members enter into a discussion of the subject. We notice upon its lecture list for the past few weeks, such names as Mr. Nathan Dole. Miss Devereux, and Mrs Alice Freeman Palmer. Once a month, the club gives a tea, when the evening is rendered enjoyable by addresses. It has, also, been its custom, to entertain distinguished strangers who may have shown especial interest in women's work, among whom we may mention George McDonald, J. A. Froude and Prof. J. Tyndall. One very important feature of the work of this society is the formation of classes for the pursuit of various studies. Classes in Latin, French, German, English Literature, Political Economy and Botany, are open to all members. But the advantages thus secured by this alliance of earnest and active women is not kept exclusively for the inner circle. Through its efforts, many poor children have been permitted to enjoy the sea-breezes and the country air, and literary opportunities have been afforded to teachers,

through free lectures. Especial mention should be made of its assistance in securing the passage of the School Sufferage Bill, enabling Massachusett's women to participate in the choice of school officers. The club now numbers two hundred and fifty-Mrs. Julia Ward Howe being Presi dent with a corps of fifteen vice presidents and twelve standing commit

tees.

Another large organization exclusively for women and holding a high position socially and intellectually is the New England Wheaton Seminary Club, composed of former teachers and members of that institution. This holds monthly meetings at one of the leading Boston hotels, where luncheon is served and an interesting literary programme is rendered.

Political Economy is not neglected by our Boston club women as is shown by the following fact; a direct outgrowth of the Collegiate Alumnæ Association, which now has a branch in the city numbering one hundred and seventy-two members, is the Political Science Club, composed of eighteen members of the above named society. This meets fortnightly, at the house of one of its members, when e ther papers are read on some question of political science, or the club listens to a lecture by some distinguished scholar. As is the custom in all these clubs, dis cussions form an important feature of the regular programme. Of much the same character as the Political Science Club is the Political Science Class composed of women, who meet, at regular intervals. to discuss questions of general interest, and to study the rudiments of parliamentary law and the foundation principles of our government.

The Saturday Morning Club of young women is said to be one of the most intellectual in Boston, and lecturers consider it an honor to speak before it. This club was organized about fifteen years ago by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe The members, the number of which is limited to seventy, devote themselves wholly to literary work, discussions and lectures occurring on alternate Saturdays, while for mutual benefit and enjoyment they have rendered, from time to time, such works as Brownings "In a Balcony," Tennyson's "Princess" and Sophocles Antigone." Of a decidedly unique character is the Ca-tilian Club, of which Mrs. Abba Gould Woolson is President and whose object is the study of Spanish literature and art from earliest times.

The Woman's Charity Club illustrates, perhaps, better than any o her, the character of those formed specially for philanthropic purposes. This is of very recent birth, since the date of its incorporation is 1889. The object of this society is, according to its constitution, "specially to aid the Massachusetts Home for Intemperate Women and to assist in any

other charitable work which the association may deem advisable." The most notable work of the society is the establishment of a free hospital for women, known as the Charity Club Hospital, where those can be helped who would otherwise be unable to secure the necessary surgical aid.

Of all the women's clubs none are of greater importance than the Working Girl's Clubs. While most of the others are almost wholly composed of women of leisure and broad culture, these are made up from among the 20,000 women employed in our city in shop and store and office, to many of whom have come very limited opportunities for improvement, either social, moral or intellectual. But it is asked "What is a Working Girl's Club?" "It is an organization formed among busy women and girls, to secure, by co-operation, means for self improvement, opportunities for social intercourse and the development of higher, nobler aims." There are in our city and its suburbs a dozen or more of these clubs, all together forming the Boston Association of Working Girl's Clubs, with a membership of over one thousand. The first was formed in 1885, about eight months after the first club of the kind was formed by Miss Grace Dodge in New York. This club started with a membership of twenty. It now numbers two hundred. These clubs are officered and governed by the members but the aid and sympathy of many largehearted women of refinement and education are gladly and freely given. This assistance tendered "on the ground of common sisterhood," is highly prized and is an inspiration of true and beautiful womanhood and of noble, self-sacrificing life. The members of the clubs are ready to help each other in all possible ways. "They band together for vacation and outing purposes, some even having established a country or seaside house of the co-operative plan." Most of these clubs form classes in cooking, dress making, calisthenics and singing. Some possess a library and some give courses of lectures, while amusements and social teas also have a place. Who can estimate the effect of the helpfulness and brightness which have, in these various ways, come into so many lives?

If space permitted we should like to speak, in detail, of the Wednesday Morning Club, the Home Club, the Pansy Club and many others the aim of all being mutual improvement and social enjoyment.

HARRIET L. CHASE, ETA, '91.

WIMODAUGHSIS.

Our national capital city contains many social clubs for women, perhaps none of which are intended to have so wide a scope of action as the Wimodaughsis. "Wimodaughsis!" I hear you say "What does it mean?" Dissect this word and you have the syllables; wi-wives, momothers, daugh-daughters, sis sisters. A significant word indeed, as it contains the home-making elements of our progressive civilization.

Most wives, mothers, daughters and sisters strive to make life profitable and pleasant to husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. But, alas, the routine and daily cares of these help-mates are often burdensome, though dear, to those hearts and minds which know such duties. Again, circumstances thrust some women into the world and command them to earn their bread. For them, there is, often, no family greeting. nor cozy fireside at which they may enjoy the best thoughts of all the centuries. If "All work and no play makes Jack, a dull boy," how does Jill fare under similar conditions?

This question has agitated the minds of some thinking women in Washington and elsewhere, and has at last found a national expression in the Wimodaughsis club rooms. It offers women and women's clubs, a meeting place where comfortable rooms, well lighted and heated, plenty of good books, the leading magazines, daily papers and more than all, a hearty welcome, can be found between 8. A. M. and 10 P. M each day. The originators of this club, which promises much and has accomplished considerable, (though organized only in November, 1890,) have already organized a stock company whose capital now equals and is not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars. For the present, the club has rented a roomy house, preparatory to building an edifice especially designed for a women's club. The stock is non-assessable and the officers, are under bonds. The shares are placed at the low price of five dollars each.

A small monthly fee entitles each member to all the privileges of the Wimodaughsis, among which, are lessons in French, German, Spanish, Latin, painting, music, hygiene, physiology, gymnastics, shorthand, typewriting, cooking, dress-making, millinery, etc., all of which are taught by competent persons.

Women from the North, South, East and West can come to the club, immediately upon the completion of a journey and obtain, after enjoying a quiet hour, reliable information regarding rooms, boarding places, and topics that may peculiarly interest them. For a small sum, they can

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there procure a chaperon or guide, who will show them the many points of interest, in and about this city, the Mecca of all America.

Many women not pausing to think, may say. "Wimodaughsis means only a meeting place for women suffragists and W. C. T. U. and I am not interested in those movements." The members of this national organization, so fortunately located in Washington, believe that all associations, worthy the name of wife, mother, daughter and sister, can hold. meetings, in the same club house and still not interfere with one another. All women are interested in the same end-the welfare of women, the welfare of humanity. History tells us that more good than harm has resulted from diversity of opinions. Two heads are better than one, and if women can only arrange to come together in a home-like place, and in a quiet home-like way, talk over the problems that confront them, their minds will expand, broader ideas will prevail, and thus every where loftier standards of living will be raised. If the Wimodaughsis continues to be conducted in the principles, upon which it is founded, it cannot fail to engage the interest of every American woman and to speedily achieve a national reputation for success. In the meantime, it is every woman's privilege

"To look up and not down,

To look out and not in,

To look forward and not backward

And to lend a hand."

CORA ALLEN, BETA, '88.

ANNUAL MEETING OF COLLEGIATE ALUMNE.

Every college woman ought to know about the Association of Collegiate Alumnæ, which is an organization composed of women graduates of fifteen colleges and universities, The work of this Association was well represented in its Ninth Annual Meeting held in Chicago October 23-25. The meetings were held in the luxurious rooms of the Women s Club of Chicago, and at the Women's College in Evanston, where they were delightfully entertained by Dean Rena A. Michaels, in their closing session. In the absence of the President of the Association, Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, Mrs. Ellen H Richards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology presided.

The unprejudiced observer of the meetings must have admitted. that this body of women, though so quiet and business like in their methods, were intensely in earnest. The business was dispatched in the