Minutes 19 January 1906
Item
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Title
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Minutes 19 January 1906
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Description
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[Page 1] Upon the afternoon of January 19th eleven members and two welcomed guest assembled with Mrs. Holt, whose to consider the new Japanese novel “The Breath of the Gods.” As we neared the house and glanced up at doors and window, we became suddenly aware that the home was shaded, as for some afternoon reception, and so with high antic- ipation we touched the door bell, to be greeted instantly by two tiny Japanese ladies in glowing kimono’s & tucked up hair, & ushered into a hall tastefully lighted by little hanging Japanese lanterns: tall vases filled with huge chrysanthemums stood here and there, and the air was full of suggestions of the far away island - country of cherry blossoms, [saldal]-wood and almond eyed beauties. After the roll call, we listened to some well -culled general items from Mrs. Charles Grey broken here & there by the remonstrating voice of Mrs. Graham who protested that Mrs. Grey was stealing her literary thunder.
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[Page 2] Mrs. Worth introduced us to Sydney McCall author of the charming novel “Truth Dexter,” and later of “The Breath of the Gods.” Mrs. Martin read us a letter written to her concerning our author, and our senses reeled as we listened to the numerous matrimonial venture of this much married lady, who hales from Mobile, Alabama we are told, and who is so decidedly mobile in her affections. After giving this letter our closest attention, the nearest we could arrive at a computation of the escapades was, according to one member, that Sydney McCall was twice and a half married. Avaunt, let us fly for refuge to where some “Breath of the Gods” may fan our blushing cheek and touch no more on the biography of this our talented authoress! “The Breath of the Gods” is undoubtedly vividly clever, a really imaginative and picturesque novel, but far too sensational and shall we say sensual to be in any sense permanent? Applying the test of a good book
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[Page 3] as laid down by the cool headed disciple of Realism, we are fairly tempted to go further and call this book bad: it does certainly exalt the passions above the principles. Upon second thought however we will not let our ire stir nor our fine ala analysis loose upon this book, as we know its doom of has already been pronounced. But we do see that sifting through the early life of its author the influence & impress of her misguided career - as upon the book-the trail of the serpent is over it all! Later on Mrs. Graham gave us a well defined sketch of Japan’s two great generals statesmen [Loki] and [Saionii] laying stress upon their refinement, & magnificent self- control. We are not surprised at Japan’s great War Record, led and guided as she is by such genius. Mrs. Harrison gave us some hints as to Japan’s great movement upward in the scale of civil- ization, as shown by her modes of transportation, general manufacturies and industries, and also Education. We learned with theoretical interest of the
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[Page 4] immense quantities of water consumed by the Japanese, and of their simple and hygienic dirt, rice, but O, when it comes to refreshments commend us every time to our own native land, and to Mrs. Worth’s bounteous hospitality. All this time the little Japanese ladies in the hall are sitting under their gaudy Chrysanthemums and listening with characteristic patience to our haranguis discussion and from afar comes the sound of the College bell: we must tear ourselves away reluctantly, for this is not blossom scented Japan, but old Davidson, and that is the familiar supper bell!
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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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19 January 1906
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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-053
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Coverage
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1906
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4049696
