Minutes 24 November 1905
Item
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Title
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Minutes 24 November 1905
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Description
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[Page 1] Another star in the Book Club's firmament was the meeting held Nov. 24th with Mrs. Harrison. In answer to the roll call, the most “striking” item was given by Mrs. Black who spoke of a spanking machine used in some Western school. Mrs. Dupuy, with a sight for the good old days when “Mother’s slipper” was a sure cure regretfully spoke of the modern invention as a “soulless” machine. Mrs. Currie, though bodily absent was materially represented by a large collection of current events. Those present were shocked to learn that our statue of Liberty is taking advantage of her position by to inter- cepting wireless messages. We should scarce subject so base a purpose in one so lofty in position. It was with genuine pleasure and confident expectation of the best, [led] by the past experience, that the club turned it’s undivided attention to Mrs. Harrison, who introduced W.D. Howells as the gentleman under discussion for the afternoon. A novelist who ranks with - Henry James, Frank Norris, M.C. Wilkins-Freeman, all of the school of Realism. Miss Lois Neel, in a most interesting maneuver, put before us briefly the a sketch of his early years. First using the striking fact that Mr. Howells was
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[Page 2] born in the year Davidson College was founded - 1837. The most formative period of his life was spent in his father’s printing office, through that which medium he obtained quite the larger part of his education having no college days, and but few school days. In later years his residence in Boston and association with distinguished men of letters added much culture to the foundation already laid. For four years he was counsel to Venice, and on his return to his “air countree” was honored with the position of Editor of the Atlantic Monthly. Mrs. Harrison now spoke first of his books, and his plays of which he has written many. Ranking Silas Lapham as his strongest novel. Next she presented his style as an Author and aims as an Artist. By many, Mr. Howells is disliked and criticized for his Realism, he belongs distinctly to the school of Henry Realists, but not in the style of Zola, nor does he rejoice in the portrayal of such phases of his life as are left unmentioned in polite society, realizing for us such scenes as Phillpots and Hewlitt so skillfully portray. At least we feel sure of his selecting some degree of refreshment in his
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[Page 3] realizm, his prescribed test of a good novel being that it shall not inflame the passions and exalt them over the principles. His air was an artist is to depict things as they are: An artist’s vocation is to be interested in commonplace things and to make them interesting to others. On this score Mr. Howells returns to cast down many ancient idols among the old novelists, in condemning their style of novel writing as on a par with betting and racing - simply providing entertainment at the risk if false ideals. Even Shakespeare does not escape untouched - No sketch of Mr. Howells would be complete without mention of his devotion to Tolstoi, and the evidence of his influence on his Howells life. - He frankly confesses how his friendship as a man and as a writer has openned hither to unseen paths and enlarged and altered his view point - Mr. Howells is best known to us now as editor of Harpers Magazine. His book, which is in our hands at present, entitled “Miss Bellard’s inspiration,” is a brief novel, depicting the career
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[Page 4] of a young feminine, and would be independent young woman. The other characters woven in are quite the necessary coloring to well off set the plot, and the whole is brought to a proper [consumation] by the "Right Man". The "eternal feminine" wins, and "all is happy ever afterward"
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[Page 5] Minutes written by Mrs. W. J. Martin for meeting held Nov. 24, 1905.
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Subject
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Women-North Carolina-Davidson-Societies and clubs.
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Books and reading.
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Women-Societies and clubs.
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North Carolina-Davidson.
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Creator
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BookLovers Club
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Publisher
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Davidson College
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Date
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24 November 1905
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Rights
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For permission to reproduce image, contact archives@davidson.edu
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Language
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eng
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Type
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text
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Identifier
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bl-050
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Coverage
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1905
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4049696
