The BookLovers Club Collection

[Page 1] 1902 Eleven members of the Book Club met with Mrs. Black April first. The house-keepers were interested in a report from the president of a model electrical bakery run by Niagara power, with tables arranged to go & return for service, bearing orders from the guests. Every one wished for one of their own. John Richard Green the English historian described in conversation as “vivid as lightning.” Henceforth the Cubans will join with the Mecklenburgians in a in celebrating twentieth of May Declaration of Independence. [Henceforth] The children of Marion Crawford petition to bear their fathers double name as Tom Marion Crawford, Dick Marion Crawford, etc.- as a tribute to his celebrity-xxx. In spite of vigorous efforts our host had been able to obtain little more than an autograph from the authors personally. We were interested to hear that she was a native of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire

Minutes 1 January 1904

[Page 1] Mrs. Harrison’s Minutes The regular meeting of the Book Club was held January first, 1904, at the home of Mrs. Harrison, ten members being present. The room presented the aspect of a first class China-shop, [unavoidably however] owing to its having been the scene so recently of an unavoidable marriage. The day was a sunshiny winter’s day, the kind North Carolina is so justly proud of. A harbinger let us hope, of the New Year that had just been born! The President being absent, owing to the illness of her small boy, the Vice-President, Mrs. Currie opened the meeting: but at the eleventh hour Mrs. Smith appeared, announcing that she was only able to come since her husband had consented to sit by the little invalid and administer the medicine at short intervals. The Club was much pleased, as it likes to see men in their proper place. The literary items were rather short, the members pleading Christmas engagements as excuse for their delinquencies. Mrs. Currie gave us Current news but we regretted that she took it for granted that we had all read the carefully culled note that lay

Minutes 1 March 1907

[Page 1] March 1st After being postponed twice, first on account of Junior Speaking and second because of the weather, the club met with Mrs. Dupuy on the first day of March. The weather cer- tainly had mot improved for it was cold with a heavy mist still falling and the streets were almost impassable, but in spite of this seven members were present. We were so glad to get out again that all who were not sick with grippe were there. After being three absent a long time long absences, we were glad to have Mrs. Dupuy and Mrs. Graham with us again also to have Mrs. Haliburton, Miss Graham and Mrs. Lingle. After roll call Mrs. Smith gave four very interesting current events. Some one remarked that as they decreased in quantity they increased in quality. It was true this time at any rate. Her account description of the breaking away of the Colora-

Minutes 10 November 1904

[Page 1] Nov. 10 Friday evening, No. 11th, was appropriated for a concert which many of the ladies were unwilling to miss. So our hostess, not to be thwarted in the enjoyment of our new privilege-a night meeting, moved our date forward a day, & we gathered on Thurs. evening for our first meeting in Miss Holt’s ample parlor. It was none too large by the time we were seated, sixteen strong, with our new members & the two guests, Mrs. Baskerville and Miss Bacon, whom we were pleased to have with us. From the roll-call we learned that Miss Sherwood, so pleasantly known to the Club thro Henry Worthington & Daphne, is ready with a new novel: that Mrs. Alice Hegan Rice, familiarly know as Mrs. Wiggs, is also at work on a new book: that Mark Twain has a short story ready for the holiday sales, & dignified by the title of “A Dog’s Tale”: and that Dr. Jas.P

Minutes 12 February 1904

[Page 1] At the regular meeting of the book club Friday afternoon Feb. 12, 1904 more than the usual members were present. Either the younger members of the families didn’t require mustard plaster or soothing syrup or everyone knew there was plenty of room in Miss Holt’s parlor; or for some other reason eleven members responded to the roll with very interesting items. All were glad to welcome Mrs. Graham back after a long absence from our meetings and also to entertain one guest-Miss Jennings. Current events were omitted for the simple reason no one was appointed to give them; for although all kept up with the Russo-Japanese war; take a peep at Congress occasionally, and know about Panama’s first present

Minutes 13 April 1905

On the evening of April 13th we were invited, by the ladies of the Thursday Book Club, to meet them & a number of other guests, from the town & two colleges, at the home of Mrs. Withers. Quite an elaborate prog musical program had been prepared & was much enjoyed. Following this Miss Craner delighted her listeners with two humorous recitations. Certainly the best was not saved for the last, but the toothsome refreshments served in the tastefully decorated dinning room were in keeping with the preceding gracious hospitality. We would express to the Thursday Club our appreciation of their courtesy & enjoyment of the occasion.

Minutes 13 April 1934

[Page 1] List of Books 1933-34 Mrs. Shewmake-----Presenting Lilly Mars Mrs. Watts--------The Young Mrs. Meigs Mrs. Vowles-------Mr. Pete and Co. Mrs. Cumming------Green Mansions Miss Douglas------The Irish Beauties Mrs. Black--------The House of Exile Mrs. Douglas------Edwin Markham Mrs. Withers------The Fault of Angels Miss Thompson-----Miss Bishop Mrs. Grey---------The Soft Spot Mrs. Harding------Little Man, What Now Miss Shaw---------A Goodly Heritage Mrs. Johnston-----The Pageant Mrs. Vinson-------The Bright Land Miss Young--------Broome Stages Mrs. T. W. Lingle-Dame Care Mrs. Hamilton-----The Store Mrs. Richards-----No Second Spring Mrs. W. L. Lingle-Marie Antoinette Mrs. Hood---------Old Gimlet Eye Mrs. Arbuckle-----As the Earth Turns

Minutes 13 February 1903

[Page 1] Feb. 13th By special arrangement the meeting was with Mrs. Currie instead of Mrs. Harrison as our list shows, As the Secretary had prepared a boastful paragraph in the minutes regarding the regular and full attendance on all the meetings of this series - this meeting was opened with five members absent. After hope had left the few assembled, Mrs. Black and Mrs. Graham arrived, and as a pleasant aftermath Mrs. Smith was announced. So after all, the year’s record is unbroken yet, and we had only two members absent Mrs. Grey and Mrs. Sloan. It was Mrs. Currie’s lot to enlighten us on the subject of Mrs. Edith Wharton and her book the Valley of Decision. Mrs. Wharton is a thorough going New Yorker of Revolutionary Stock and

Minutes 13 March 1903

[Page 1] March 13th The meeting was called to order with only 9 members present the smallest meeting of the year. Mrs. Martin as hostess had the responsibility of introducing Myrtle Reed author of the Spinster Book, one of the most popular books of the series. A delightfully personal and witty letter from Miss Reed was her introduction to the Club. She says she was born and raised in Chicago and lives with her parents, writing as the material demands expression and as Putnam Bros (publisher) demand a new book. She confesses to 28 years of age, and an interesting engagement to be married. An absorbing interest in table linen and cook books, and altogether we conceive her to be a very womanly woman, who is not spoiled by the popularity &

Minutes 13 November 1905

[Page 1] It was a real Indian summer day when the club met with Mrs. Dupuy upon the afternoon of Nov. 13th, and the balmy air that came in through the open window was grateful to all, especially to the flushed cheeks of those who were contributing to the program. All save two answered to their names, & responded with quote item War items both interesting and apposite. * It was peculiarly fitting that our the meeting that dealt with Mrs. Pryor and her Reminiscences of the Civil War should be held with Mrs. Dupuy, and we listened with genuine interest to all our hostess could tell us, remembering that she was an eye-witness of much described by our talented authoress, as well as co-sufferer as a daughter of the South. We were glad to learn more definitely of Mrs. Roger Pryor, née Sarah Rice, of Charlottesville Ga. near which well-nigh classic town she was reared most tenderly before being

Minutes 14 April 1905

[Page 1] On Friday afternoon, April 14th, the Book Club met with Mrs. Martin. Eleven members were present and one guest, Miss [Wileax] of Georgia. It was Mrs. Currie’s turn to report current events. Two recent triumphs of science have been the discovery, so claimed, of the Egyptian secret of embalming, & a modern method of treating dementia by so simple a method means as baths of various kinds. It has proven won- derfully successful among this class of patients. The spring rush of im- migrants into New York, & especially from Russia, shows an alarming increase over four years. Mrs. Harrison read the minute of the Short Story meeting held in January but hitherto unrecorded. The art with which she makes her minutes rival in interest the meeting they record, made the ladies resolve that she should not longer shirk the duties of that office, which we have

Minutes 14 December 1906

[Page 1] Dec. 14, 1906 It gave pleasure to all of us to know that Mrs. Thompson would have a musical program for her meeting, Dec. 14th. She pre- ferred having it in the eve. but as the babies rule our club & claim their mothers at night she had to have it in the aft. With the bright sunshine shut out by closed blinds, & the lamps lighted, one would have thought it was night, had he not come from out of doors. The Items of Interest & Current Events were omitted but the Secretary was not so fortunate as to be excused from reading the minutes of the last meeting. Miss Thompson chose Mendelssohn for the topic for the meeting. Over the piano hung a large picture of him with the date of his birth & death in green under- neath. Miss Thompson gave a brief sketch of Felix Mendelssohn from which we learned that he belongs to an influential, wealthy family. “His life from the start was one of ease & luxury & nature had bestowed upon

Minutes 14 January 1907

[Page 1] Jan.14th Mrs. Worth tried mighty hard to get out of having her meeting – actually left town a few days before the regular time but when she returned she we were glad to hear she had decided to have it on the afternoon of Jan. 14th. After the roll call and the reading of the minutes, a letter of resignation from Mrs. Harrison who had, stating that her health would not permit her meeting with us this winter. The Secretary was authorized to write her a note expressing their Club’s regret at the loss of this valuable member. Mrs. Harrison kindly offered her book, “The Life of Benj. Franklin.” & any who wished to read it. The Current Events were given by Mrs. W.R. Grey after which Mrs. Worth took charge of the meeting. Mrs. Smith was called on to tell some thing about the French Question & she gave us a very clear account of the State of affairs now existing in France. The French Government for years has been under Catholic influence but recently France has thrown off this rigid yoke of Catholicism & has

Minutes 14 March 1902

[Page 1] 1902 The Book Club met March fourteenth at the home of Miss Withers, with a more satifactory attendance than for some weeks. We were pleased to have with us for the evening Miss Addie Herron one of the charter members. Mrs. Harrison read Henry Van Dyke’s “Footsteps to Peace” greatly to the enjoyment of the ladies. It is too fine for theory- but is good to memorize and practice. Ellen Glasgow’s latest book “The Battlefield” has just left the publishers. An amusing incident in Tennyson’s life was recited. A blunder due to defective eye sight in his peer among poet laureates made him pat the Czarina caressingly on the shoulder. Confusion still reigned as to who was responsible for current events. We are almost hopelessly behind the times but expect to be landed handsomely abreast at the next meeting by Mrs. Currie.

Minutes 15 January 1904

[Page 1] Only six regular members responded to the roll on Friday the 15th Jan. at the house of Miss Hattie Thompson. Sickness in the various families caused the absence of so many members. Mrs. Dupuy and Mrs. Grey were most pleasantly represented by Miss Lavalette Dupuy and Miss Wharey. We can scarcely say we numbered six for Mrs. Harrison gave us only a few minutes of her enlivening presence and there hastened home to apply mutton suet, administer cold tablets and such remedies to the youngest member of the family. However, she tarried long enough to read us the most entertaining and altogether charming minutes that it has been the good fortune of the Club to hear since she was its Secretary. The items furnished interest from many points of view

Minutes 16 February 1906

[Page 1] 1. Ten members of The Woman’s Book Club gathered in Miss Thompson’s dainty parlor Feb. 16th to discuss “Music in Art.” And we were happy to welcome as guests of the Club Mrs. Haliburton and Miss Morrison. The Roll Call was met by responses, prepared for us by our hostess, consisting of opinions in regard to Music of great Authors, statesmen, and others who were not musicians. Then arrived our Secretary

Minutes 16 March 1906

[Page 1] Ten members and three guests gathered with Mrs. Black upon the afternoon of March 16th, some familiar and much missed faces still being absent. Miss Holt furnished us some well chosen Current Events, thereby bringing to us in a nut-shell much that really interests us deeply, but the deeper search for which our busy lives constantly testify makes impossible: O’ for the quiet and peace of the average English woman’s life so that we too might be better as well informed concerning Bills in Congress as she is concerning Parliament! The gratitude of the Club in general & of its Secretary in particular has been laid at the feet of both Miss Holt and Mrs. Charles Grey for so kindly and so charmingly preparing the Minutes of two meetings during the absence of the Secretary. While these minutes were being read the Club listened with keen interest, seeing visions meantime of future capable Secretaries, and laying dark plans accordingly. At some future day these ladies will find

Minutes 16 November 1906

[Page 1] After a rest of nearly six months from Book Club meetings, all were eager to begin them again the first regu- lar meeting was held Nov. 16th, with Mrs. Price, our new Pres. The crisp Nov. air put new life & enthusiasm into us & we felt as if it were time to commence our winter’s work in earnest. All the members were present except one & we were glad to have as visitors, Miss Lan- caster, Miss Bacon, Mrs. Sloan & Miss Kirkpatrick. Every one feels that a great loss has come to the club in the withdrawal of Mrs. Dupuy, our former Pres. but we hope to have her meet with us occasionally at least. We were sorry that our

Minutes 16 November, 30 November, 14 December 1928, 4 January, 18 January, 1 February, 13 February 1929

[Page 1] Nov. 16th The Club was entertained by Mrs. Grey. Miss Douglas sharing the paper on Edinburgh. Nov. 30th. Miss Julia Johnston entertained the Club with a most charming paper by Miss Shaw on the Lake District of England. Delicious refreshments were served at the close of the meeting. Dec. 14th the meeting was held at Mrs. Cullums. Jan. 4th Mrs. Lingle entertained. Mrs. Shewmake read a paper on Rambles through Burn’s Land and Mrs. Vowles read a paper on Haunts of Walter Scott. After the papers were read we were invited in to the

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Minutes 1 April 1902