Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 1 no. 3
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j 1886. Kappa Alpha Theta. PUBLISHED FOR THE FRATERNITY KAPPA CHAPTER. LAWRENCE, KANSAS : JOURNAL BOOK AND JOB PRINTING ROOM8. 1886.
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Kappa Alpha Theta. AGNES EMERY, EDITOR- IN-CHIEF. MAGGIE R. EIDEMILLER, ) u,nriiT]f PniTOI?<! MAY L. WEBSTER, \ AssocIATE EDITORS. HATTIE B. HASKELL, Business Manager. PRICE OF SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25 PER ANNUM. SINGLE COPY, 35 CENTS. Remit by Postal Note or Order to HATTIE B. HASKELL, Lawrence, Kansas.
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Kappa Alpha Theta. Vol. I. JANUARY, 188 G. No. 3. KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Air: Last Rose of Summer. Come my muse, in tuneful numbers, liaise your noblest, sweetest praise: Wake my harp from drowsy slumbers, Strike the chords in Theta’s praise. Let the song in silvery measures From thy golden harp strings roll, Singing of her thousand pleasures, Pleasures suited to the soul. Here we lay our grief and sorrow, Here where Theta’s altar shines; Here we cheering sunlight borrow, From our friendship’s golden mines; Here our vows of love while plighting, We forget all petty strife, Every heart in truth uniting, Strives to know a better life. When in age our thoughts returning To our youthful moments fled; Then will Theta’s altar burning, Light and peace around us shed: And we hope a grander meeting We shall hold in courts above, Where our vows again repeating. We shall meet the ones we love.
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78 The Women of Shakspeare. She Thomrn of ShaMfoeum. The sixteenth century was a period unexampled for the inlluence of women. In England Bloody Mary had Idled her short reign with all the cruelties, unwomanly caprice and infatuated fanaticism could suggest. Elizabeth following, had taken the reins of government into her strong hands, and hurled a manly defiance at other nations, while she fostered arts and encouraged industries in her own. In France, Catharine de Medici, the heiress of the will and passions of a long line of wilfull and passionate kings, instigated the series of crulties which culminated in the massacre of St. Bartholomew, and Margaret, of Xavaare (beautiful and base), was what you would expect the daughter of such a mother to be. Italy, with Alex¬ ander the VI. in the papal chair, was reaping the effects of corruption in high places, while Lucretia Borgia showed the depths of infamy to which divine beauty might descend. Mary, Queen of Scots, divided the pity and reproaches of mankind, to some appearing the beautiful martyr, to others, the hateful instigator of intrigues. These women, occupying but little over a century, have been more than enough to make this age memorable. Before the time of Shakspeare, many poets had portrayed female char¬ acter, treating it in most instances with all the gentleness taught by the age of chivalry. In the dim foreshadowing of this brighter dawn, we find Spencer’s Una, the poet tells us: “As pure and innocent as the lamb she led, She was in life and every virtuous love.” Chaucer has given us “ Patient Criselda,” a type of womanly fortitude, with whom Shakspeare compares one of his heroines; and the “nonne priestess,” as dainty a picture of feminine grace and piety as poet ever drew. These characters are touched lightly and with a half reverence, which seems but a natural consequent of the chivalric times. But they are impossible and like the heroines of the old ballads, are all “too bright and good for human nature’s daily food.” Shakspeare also had access to trans¬ lations of Boccacio’s Decameron, so many of which tales are produced in the plays, but Boccacio’s women seem to have left a slight impression on the mind of one poet. With these examples before us, both in actual life and in literature, we will attempt to fathom the philosophy of Shakspeare’s treatment of women, and of the place which lie readily accords them in his writings. lie gives them much inlluence; he painted but two actually repulsive women,
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The Women of Shakspeare. 79 the majority are innocent and follow most naturally the bent of their inno¬ cent minds; they always appear to us, under the influence of the passion of love, divinely mingled with joy, with sorrow with ambition, for Shakspeare looked upon them with the eye of a dramatic artist as well as that of a poet. Not only out of the range of his subjects, but beyond the scope of his prophetic powers was the outlining of a portrait of a w oman, in whom intel¬ lectuality should predominate. Ilis characters are as various as the w omen he has portrayed. Any basis of classification must necessarily be broad, and applied with some license, and even then prove inadequate. We can, however, broadly separate them into four classes. In the first, we place those whose essential characteristic is perfect and persistent womanliness. In the second, those to whom love is “the woman’s whole existence.” Third, those who w ould do and dare anything in behalf of the ones whom they loved; and fourth, the creatures w ho have no claim upon one’s sympa¬ thies, and yet possess a charm from their very hideousness. In addition to these, Shakspeare gives 11s some exquisite sketches of girl-life, maidens who are indeed “ Rosebud?, set with little willful thorns, But sweet as English air can make them.” To take up each one of these and describe how fittingly she is circum¬ stanced, how everything tends to promote her special characteristics and foster her peculiar growth, would pass the limits of our time, and be but a barren tribute to a genius with w hich you are all familiar. Yet the beauty of some of them w e cannot pass in silence. If then w e attempt to sketch to you in faint colors, some of the portraits the master has painted so vividly, we will select those with w hich we are most familiar, and to which the world has paid most homage. In our first category, rises before us, the sweet, sad beauty of the “gentle lady married to the Moor.” Nothing can be more chivalrous, more romantic than the love of Othello and Desdemona. She is attracted by his barbaric simplicity — he is won by her gracious womanliness. She is but a child, utterly inexperienced, and he comes into her life as a breath of that wide beyond which she has never knowm. Othello, in his defence, tells it so simply: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her, that she did pity them.” Some artist has painted Desdemona, and the picture haunts me. A pure, sw eet, child-face, with wide open, tearful eyes, and a pathetic curve at the corners of the dainty mouth — no description can do it justice, but it is at once our ideal Desdemona, a man’s ideal woman, exquisite, sensitive, and above all, womanly, nothing of the oak and all of the vine. Drawn with the same pencil, but with what different colors, do we find Constance. Her time was the, stirring reign of King John, but Shakspeare found more dramatic material in a mother’s grief for her lost boy than in the Magna Charta and struggles of the nobles. Constance is no longer the
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80 The Women of Shakspeare. vicious virago of history, but a fierce and sorrowing mother. With what dignity, but utter abandonment of grief she says: “ Here I nnd sorrow sit, This is my throne, bid kings come bow to it.” She is great indeed in her maternal love and sorrow, but weak with the weakness of her sex. From this dark picture we turn to one which seems little brighter, but it serves to dissipate the gloom. We see the soft Italian skies, feel the fierce heat of the sun, and turn to greet Juliet, who comes to us in intense brightness, to be swallowed up in the blackest night. She is a young man’s ideal. Love comes to the girl as a thing before unknown, and is the crown¬ ing grief of her life. She rises through its influence, in five short days, from childhood to heroic womanhood. Intense joy, followed by tragic pain, accomplish the work of years, and in the final parting from her husband she exhibits a noble fortitude and self-command. We find Juliet’s twin sister in Ophelia, the one painted in the glowing tints of the tropics, the other, her pale shadow, with the golden hair and meek blue eyes of the north. Yet both so exquisite! Ophelia circumstanced as was Juliet, but without Juliet’s strength of character. She had no thought of questioning her father’s authority; filial duty and filial affection being the native ele¬ ment of her young life, which she never thinks of deserting. Her madness, science assures us, is true to nature and is complete, unconscious, and must end in death. But it is not hideous, on the contrary, “ thought and afflic¬ tion, passion, hell itself, she turns to favore and to prettiness.” Hazlitt says: “ It is a character no one but Shakspeare could have drawn, and to the conception of which there is not the smallest approach, except in some of the old ballads.” Although we love Shakspeare for the gentle womanliness and exquisite passionateness of some of his characters, we admire him more for those which we have classed as heroic women. Foremost among these, we have the Portia of the Merchant of Venice. She is, perhaps, the only intellectual woman Shakspeare has given us. She is our ideal of what woman would be could she have a voice in government. “ A Daniel, yea, a Daniel come to judgment.” We see her in her own case, loyally abiding by the decision of the caskets as laid down by her father and interpreting the law of Venice strictly for the merchant and the Jew. The distinction of Portia lies in the union of high intellectual powers with decision of will and romantic feel¬ ings and a most generous and quick sympathy. After the Portia of the Merchant of Venice we turn to her namesake of Julius Caesar. She was, as she tells us, “A woman well reputed, Cato’s daughter.” She seems to be Shakspeare’s ideal of a Roman matron, sensitive and finely tempered, insist¬ ing on her wifely privileges. Brutus has found a fitting helpmate in Portia, who, by her devotion to moral ideals, is worthy to stand beside such a husband and such a father. In our group of heroic women we find two
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The Women of Shakspeare . 81 others, Isabella and Cordelia. Isabella resembles most nearly the Portia of the Merchant of Venice, but she adds to her ardour and intellectual force a white serenity of soul, that makes her almost a “thing enskv’d and sainted.”- That she is to be the good genius of the wicked city, Venice, perhaps to preserve it, shows us that “ Spirits are not finely touched But to fine issues.” Her presence lights the darkest of the plays, that one in which we deal with self-deceit, with temptation and sin, with moral weakness and strength, with spiritual life and death. By her side we place Cordelia, the one true daughter, whose violent death comes as a shock to sensibilities accustomed to poetic justice. But here, Shakspeare gives us things as they actually are in the world, without an attempt at a ready-made explanation. But if Cordelia is filial love, pure and simple, what shall we say of the monsters, Goneril and Regan ? They are Gorgons rather than women, whose aspect seems to turn one to stone. A feeling of intense disgust and shuddering horror is all that they inspire; even the analyst touches them with loath¬ ing. Classed for some qualities with the heroic women, we find one who stands comparatively alone — Lady Macbeth. She is truly heroic in her devotion to her husband, and her determined efforts to reach the goal which she has set before her. Like the far-famed virgin of antiquity, in this race she accepts the inevitible means. She sustains her weaker husband, but her own will proves inadequate. In sleep, when it cannot control her thoughts, her strength gives way, and she is piteously afflicted by her woman’s nature, that part of her which made it impossible for her to stab the sleep¬ ing king because he resembled her father. There is one of Shakspeare’s characters which it is impossible to classify. This is Cleopatra, ‘The serpent of old Nile.” He seems to have spent on her his utmost luxury of imagination, and as some one says, to have “ con¬ structed a great character out of the elements of littleness.” The chief force of her character is its intense fascination, which acts not only on the great Roman, and on her own women, Charmian and Iras, but upon the reader as well. The whole atmosphere of the play is Southern and languid. We seem to seethe Nile which Hows “through old hushed Egypt and its sands, like some grand mighty thought threading a dream;” to breathe the ancient air which overhangs the pyramids; and we are awakened to life, only by the intense passion of the central figure. The artist seems in this case to have usurped the poet’s place and fashioned his character, standing afar off and apparently criticising her. To two of his female characters, both historical, Shakspeare has done profound injustice. These are Margaret of Anjou and Joan of Arc. He was too thoroughly an Englishman to do justice to purity and heroism in a French woman. We can account in part for his treachery to Margaret,
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82 The Women of SJiaJcspeare. when we consider that he was not only blinded by the insular prejudice, but that the character of the sorrowful queen was warped and distorted by her circumstances. As the best critics do not attribute Henry VI. to Shakspeare, we are relieved that we do not have to ascribe the cruel and hateful handling of Joan of Arc, to our greatest poet. These, in brief, are the characters of some of the most famous of Shakspeare’s women. That there is no character to which we may point and say, “ lie thought of Elizabeth in this,” or “ Lucretia Borgia or Cath¬ arine de Medici sat for this portrait,” need not surprise us. Like the subject matter of the plays, the character of his models passed through the crucible of the poet’s mind, and what had been alloyed, became pure gold. But we must trace the influence of the times in the prominence which the artist gives to his female characters, in the nobility with which he clothes most of them, and above all, in the influence which they have upon their times. He does not make them puppets, even in a place where a woman is naturally silent, but has dared to portray maidens who took part in their own wooing, without tainting their maidenly purity. In leaving this study of Shakspeare’s women our only feeling is one of profound veneration, for the versatility of the genius which could portray for us an Ophelia and a Richard, a Henry V., and a King John; whose science is as true as his imagination is vivid, and whose representations are as accurate as his conceptions are powerful. “The true inwardness of poetry,” according to a modern thinker, “is vividness of conception.” Admitting this as true, we can have no finer example of the poetic insight, than in the female characters created by the master hand of him, whom Milton called the “ myriad-minded.” Luern M. IIanna.
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Our Hall. 83 (Dw JiuU. Dear Tiietas— We wonder if a little chat about our hall would have a suggestiveness that would be helpful to some of you. We would not like to convey too large an idea of its dimensions, they are farther reaching than the four walls which have resounded to so many gay revels. We have matting upon the floor, and chairs of various patterns. Three small tables have gold-colored spreads with black velvet bands; one has the badges worked out in white satin, black velvet, and tinsel, and you can scarcely imagine how pretty it is. On another we have the fraternity and chapter letters in black velvet, edged with tinsel, and arabesques of black velvet with tinsel outline. Our window curtains are gold-colored, with bands of black across the top and bottom. On the walls we have pictures, autumn leaves, and various things to make them attractive. We agreed this year that each would give a Thanksgiving present to the Hall. Some of the girls clubbed together, and some gave singly. Our gifts, being sensibly chosen, meet some of our needs. Three of the girls went in search of— not exactly the Holy Grail, but I believe something more useful to us — in other words, a kettle. Rather prosaic, is it not ? College girls, too. The truth must out, we are just as fond of candy as when we were “giggling preps,” and just as fond of making it. Two of the girls presented a dozen delicate glasses; these are to figure on those mystic occasions when the strong box lets loose the goat. One of the girls gave some pretty lamp mats. Four of the girls have given a pitcher as a fit accompaniment to the glasses. We hope our Western Thetas will not get any erroneous ideas as to our temperance principles, because Vermont is strictly a temperance State. I believe it is the remainder of the girls who have contributed a set of ice cream dishes. One of our alumnae members, an artist of no mean ability, has made us the very generous offer of painting a complete china set, whenever we can procure it. The same generous hand has already designed two dainty cups for us. Among some of our other treasures are an album, a very nice constitution book, and a safe. If we could only entertain you all at some of our spreads it w ould be more convincing proof than any written words, of the glorious times Lambda sees. One of our gala days is at the time of our annual banquet, w hen we can usually count on having most of our alumnse with us; although some
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Our Hall . 81f, of them have family cares, they are, evidently, delighted to renew in memory some of the old experiences of their college days ; and some of them can tell us of the time when they were admitted as the first “ co-eds.” Those of the Thetas who have no hall have our sincere sympathy, as we know they can not appreciate the home feeling there is connected with it. It is the one place where we are free among ourselves, and where the true Theta spirit is dominant, and a place around which many plans and bright hopes for the future cluster, and the ties of friendship become closer by association. Lambda.
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Beta Chapter. 85 Sda Bfwp ht. Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, founded May 18, 1870, at the University of Indiana in Bloomington. On that day, by the assistance of Miss Bettie Locke, of Alpha, the. three IPs, Lizzie Hunter (VanNuys), Lizzie Harbinson (Dunn), and Minnie Hanneman (James), became the charter members. We have increased at the rate of seven per year, and now our chain contains one hundred and six links. Of our chapter, forty-seven have married. The active members are thirty,— one post graduate, twenty- three collegiate, and the remaining seven resident members. Ever since our establishment we have had opposition in the shape of K K r, yet seldom have we left a conflict as other than the conqueror. Before the system of University Honors was abolishedThetas, and Thetas only, among the ladies, were found worthy of this eminent distinction. Beta has established chapters of K A 0 at Butler University, Wooster, Ohio, Hanover, Indiana, and Burlington, Yt. She also began the correspondence which resulted in the establishment of several other chapters. She entertained the Biennial Convention of 1879. Sometime during each year she has given a reception or banquet to her gentlemen friends and supporters, and on February 22d, 1884, she entertained at High Tea the K K r fraternity. During the present term some of the ladies and gentlemen of the University who are antago¬ nistic to all Greeks and everything pertaining thereto, have formed a society among themselves, called the Independents, or in the language of the fraternities, the “ Mugwumps.” And although they have donned, as a badge, a barb from a barb wire fence, Beta chapter does not regard them as quite so formidable a foe as their colors might lead one to believe, but will continue unmolested in the ascendency, where merit and good fortune have always placed her. Alumnae.
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86 Editorial. SdifomalQ C/ It is now nearly a year since Charles Egbert Craddock become known simply as the nom de plume of Mary M. Murfree, who but followed the example of distinguished predecessors when she sought under a man’s name aid to success or protection from possible failure. However, when her identity became known, her quaint, original sketches and stories had already enabled their author to take high rank among contemporary American writers at least. The critics can tell all of Miss Murfree’s excellences and defects, of course, but it is not so easy for those uninitiated into the mys¬ teries of book-making or book-reviewing, to explain the charm which her stories undoubtedly possess. Although it is difficult to analyze the interest excited, certain characteristics common to all the writings of this author, cannot fail to impress even a careless reader. If we except the peculiar dialect in which these stories are written, the descriptions of natural scenery probably contribute most to a very original style. It is not necessary to say that Miss Murfree excels in the description of landscapes. All who have read “ In the Tennessee Mountains,” know that somewhere in the heart of these mountains, or in the imagination of the writer, there must exist a region of great beauty. If the author sometimes seems to pause at inop¬ portune moments to describe picturesque scenery by which her characters are surrounded, as a recent writer in the Atlantic declares, a second perusal will find us lingering over these landscape passages. The keen, epigrair matic force of the author’s own observations adds not a little to the general interest of the story. By the means of these observations, mingled pathos and humor or wit and sarcasm, not long enough to be tedious, or prosy enough to arouse a suspicion of moralizing, she tells in few words what others could hardly do in pages. So strong is the realism of these stories, that it is almost possible to ascribe to all the characters mentioned an actual existence. This realism is largely due to touches describing very homely, common-place manners, customs and characteristics of the natives of these mountains. But Miss Murfree must be read to be appreciated. In this connection we may remember what an eloquent lecturer of our own nation and century thought of novels: “And after ‘biography, no reading can be made more profitable, if the substructure of education has been attended to,
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Editorial. 87 than novels. Of course they must be read for something beyond sensation — as products of art and thought.” A recent editorial in the Arrow gives a very entertaining account of the trials that fall to the lot of an educated girl, and to this article we are indebted for some not very original reflections. The troubles of the uneducated girl do not frequently find their way into print, but perhaps they are just as numerous as are those of her more fortunate sister. Some¬ times we think “Where ignorance Is bliss ’Tis l’olly to be wise.” The standard ot literary attainment is so high that a person of considerable ambition, perseverance, and above all, love of study, may sometimes have seasons of discouragement. There is so much to learn, and the more he knows, the more he knows that he does not know. There is certainly a bliss of ignorance, and some persons seem in an eminent degree to enjoy this happiness. Did not that girl enjoy a perfect self complacency who triumphantly asserted that there really was no reason why she should study Latin since she never expected to visit Latin ? But this self-complacence is not satisfaction of the highest kind. The acquisition of knowledge brings a higher enjoyment than any amount of ignorance can possibly do. The monster petition recently circulated at America’s most famous and most favored seat of learning, praying that attendance at prayers may not be compulsory, calls forth many comments from the press and some amusing reminiscences from elderly graduates. We are at least wise enough to know that outsiders are not sufficiently informed to discuss this question which, after all, is of little importance to people, even to students, in general. Harvard has of late adopted a very liberal policy, and the compulsory attendance at prayers is the last relict of old-fashioned college management. Harvard is conservative enough in one respect at least; of this the Annex is proof. Fifty years ago a girl was thought to know quite enough if she could read, write and cipher. Most of the insti¬ tutions for the higher education of women have been established only within the last twenty-five years. Perhaps it may be asked how so many women of New England acquired that firmness, energy and excellence of character for which they have been so justly distinguished, while their educational advantages were so limited. The answer to this question is found in the fact that it is not the amount of knowledge, but its nature and the manner in which it is used, that forms the character. It may be we
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88 Editorial. are all so well contented with our present surroundings that we do not care to recall the deprivations of our grandmothers. No doubt to many of us this is prosy talk, perhaps strongly suggestive of crankism. But when it is remembered that the school-maids of the present have it largely in .heir power to determine the educational advantages for women in the future, the subject becomes one of greater importance. The time has now come in which young women have good opportunities for mental improvement. Institutions of a high rank are supported and some of the most prominent educators in the land— men as well as women— are interested in their behalf. Every opportunity is earnestly improved, not only in our own land but in foreign countries; still there is much to be desired. The fact that one inferior scholar is more quoted than are ten good students, encourages those of average ability to fulfill well all their tasks. The success of almost any undertaking depends upon the efforts of the many rather than upon the exceptional talents of the few. That there is nothing new under the sun is almost a truism. Of this saying the average fraternity magazine is an excellent illustration; in fact the average fraternity magazine seems to have been evolved to a high degree of perfection, not to say sameness, in regard to the minutiae of printing and arrangement. Each has an individuality in its contents, many have the advantage of superior paper and type, but in all the order of arrangement is very nearly the same. AV e do not mean in any way to say that our exchanges are at all alike. This is not true, for many are far superior to others. Neither do we admire a general mingling of chapter letters, personals, alumnae notes and so forth, but we should be glad if any of our readers would send us some original suggestions.
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Exchanges. 89 Sxcftanoei. Tiie Kappa Alpha Tiieta is happy to lay aside her “weeds” and rejoice with them that do rejoice.” We have no criticisms whatever to make on the Arrow , and doubt not that with such skillful hands to send it singing on its errand, the universal verdict will be, “Der Apfel mitten durche geschossen.” The Delta Upsilon Quarterly is one of the most complete and well- arranged magazines which it has been our pleasure to receive. Glancing at the November issue we were much interested in a very original and striking oration, The Problem of Life, delivered before the fifty-first annual convention of the fraternity. 1 he Sigma Chi for June is before us, a magazine exceptionally well edited, and full of general fraternity news. We select from an editorial frequently quoted already: “ In some of our colleges, and perhaps most of these are in the West, a more open and fair- handed rivalry exists, a rivalry which demands that the chapter shall know somewhat more of the man, and that the man shall have the right to look about him so that each may choose intelligently and with open eyes. Put more frequently the open¬ ing weeks of a college year exhibit one mad, wild scramble for men. A decision is reached upon persons of whom little is, or in the nature of the case, can be known toung men settle down to routine work after a few short weeks to find themselves members of an organization, of some of whose aims they do not approve, and brothers of those with whom they can affiliate only with a feeling of regret. In many institu¬ tions the chapters which desire to uphold a reputaion for selection are injured by the indiscriminate solicitations of fraternities, whose aim is numbers, and who, by impor¬ tunity and headlong haste, hope to secure men whom they could never obtain if time were allowed them to judge. “ It is indeed true that certainty is very difficult even with the utmost circumspec- ion. But should not this very fact operate to prevent undue haste rather than as a Palliating circumstance? It should be laid down as the fundamental principle, which makes possible the Greek society system that acquaintance with character is the first essential, the great desideratum. He who deniesihis belittles the entire organization a( niits its friendship, its fraternity, toamattcr of circumstances, a skin-deep affection* with no basis in reality and no claims except self interest. In this day, exalting as it does the true a cl the noble aims of the system, with the Pan-Hellenism, its free inter¬ change of journals and its claims upon the co-operation of college presidents and acuities, we must keep sweet and pure the fountain head, whence flow the waters of fraternity. The very idea implies selection. The Greek fraternity is no universal rotherhood. Culture, scholorsliip, morality are its watchwords. The modern Greek bolds fast to the principles of selection, and selection necessitates a knowledge of its ° JL‘cts- Blind choice is not selection. Ignorant choice is not selection. A superficial acquaintance can never be the sure basis of a lasting friendship, and who would ele- ate and strengthen his brotherhood will clamor for time und opportunity that he may select wisely and well.”
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90 Exchanges. The following, of course, could not escape our notice : “Attention, gentlemen! Salute— hands and hearts only now — the ladies of Kappa Alpha Theta! Their representative appears in tastiful and modest appeal under the title of The Kappa Alpha Theta, ‘ published for the fraternity by Kappa Chapter, Lawrence, Kansas.’ Hereafter you shall have the pleasure of its presence four times during each collegiate year. * * * * * * * * * “This opening issue of the new journal is, indeed, creditable, its forty pages of brevier containing introductory editorials, poetry, chapter correspondence, personal notes, and general literary contributions.” Being “ commissioned officers ” we are pleased to acknowledge the “ salute” with our daintiest imitation of military form, and while your “colors pass,” return the compliment according to martial order. To have passed “muster” and “enlisted” your good will, though notin “active engagement,” is certainly a victory. The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi is characterized by true western origin¬ ality, energy and progression, very deservedly maintaining its place among the best college fraternity publications. We will reprint one of its edito¬ rials for November, with the hint that “a word to the wise is sufficient. “ Ch vpter Letters —The average chapter-letter writer has a profound and exten¬ sive knowledge of what he should not write. lie has a thoroughly self-possessed and complacent ignorance of what he should write. He labors, or idles rather, under the impression that there is nothing to say. His native modesty tells him that one letter a vear from him is enough. His perennial laziness is ot the same opinion. When he does deign to write he is firmly convinced that a man of his ability can easily write a chapter letter in ten minutes, while he knows that it will be impossible for one of his many cares and responsibilities to devote more time to so insignificant a task. He has a hearty contempt for the little affairs occurring in his college. He never mentions such puerile things as additions to the faculty or the endowment. He is not interested in new buildings or literary society affairs. He is hardly aware of the existence of any other fraternities, and is all too lofty a gentleman to permit himself to tell what they are doing. , _ “ He knows, forsooth, just what a chapter letter should be. Accordingly he pro¬ ceeds to say that the fraternity he happens to belong to is the leading Greek letter society; that his chapter is easily head and shoulders above all rivals, and that it sends greeting to all in the bond. He then proceeds to air his phenomenal stock of misin¬ formation about his fraternity’s principles, and to give some most wonderful opinions as to the best methods of running a fraternity. He makes it a point to avoid anything newsy. The reader must not get the idea that we are not pleased with the average chapter letter correspondent. We would not for the world convey such an impression. He is a jewel, a whole box of jewelry. He is a mighty good fellow, but honestly, he is a mighty poor letter writer. Nor are we now criticising ‘ The Shield’s’ correspondents. We have long been of the opinion that no fraternitv journal has brighter, more enthu¬ siastic, more readable letters than has ‘ The Shield.’ But there are some decided improvements that might be made. “ First, the letter should give the doings of the chapter, of rival chapters, of other students. Second, it should speak of improvements in the college, additions to the faculty and similar affairs. Third, all personals should be sent as personals and never included in the letter proper The chapter correspondent should make it a point to secure as extended a knowledge of old members as he can for ‘ The Shield.* Items with regard to men still in college, would of course, be included in the chapter letter. Fourth a chapter letter should not be made the means of reaching the fraternity with the writer’s opinions on fraternity policy. The Areopagus, as its name implies, is the high court of ‘The Shield,’ where we wish to collect all suggestions and opinions of fraternity polity and history from the fraternity at large. If you wish to free your mind on any subject, the Areopagus is open to you. Indeed, we should be much
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Exchanges. hi pleased to see it filled each month with short letters, but make your chapter letter a news letter. Fifth, be sure to write the letter most carefully. Chapters are very apt to judge each other by the letters published, and you should don your best bib and tucker before you appear in public. “Finally, as we have said, ‘The Shield’s’ correspondents are of the best, and while we think some improvements could be made, if they will only write more fre¬ quently we w ill try’ to be content. The writer sent the first subscription from w est of the Mississippi, and as B. G., wrote the first chapter letter this side of the Father of Waters to ‘ The Shield.* The letter was four lines long, and as no other appeared for several months, the chapter seized upon the only meeting from which the B. G. was absent, and selected a chapter correspondent w ho did w rite some good letters. Wo were preety mad at the time, but the boys acted properly, and it is to be hoped that every chapter w ill serve inefficient writers in the same fashion. Having been kicked out ourselves, we feel that we have a right to demand the heads of all these young St. John the Baptists, on a silver salver. The chapter letters should be the careful work of your best men in all cases, as they have been only in a majority of instances here¬ tofore.*' We are under many obligations to the gallant exchange editor for his most acceptable and heartily appreciated commendation of the Kappa Alpha Tiieta. The Delta Gamma Anchora is a bright, energetic journal. The Novem¬ ber publication contains quite a variety of interesting matter beside the exchanges, chapter letters, personals, &c. A former issue gives an exhaust¬ ive review of Ladies* Fraternities, in which we find the following con¬ cerning non-fraternity ladies: “Another question propounded by outsiders Is, ‘Why are not all college glrlsmem- bers of fraternities?' We would answer this question by dividing the non -fraternity members into four classes. First, intelligent, agreeable young ladies, who, though they have had invitalions, do not care to join a fraternity. Second, intelligent young ladies w ho lack the requisite social qualities of a lraternity member. Third, young ladies who are agreeable, and perhaps talented in some directions, who are still not up to the intellectual standard. Fourth, and a rare class in college, young ladies who, though they might have other qualifications, are wanting in principle. It is a self-evident fact that any one of these would be out of place in a fraternity, and that it would be neither for their ow n benefit or pleasure, nor that of the chapter to join them. Consequently there is no valid reason for any one not a member of a fraternity to feel grieved or slighted on that account.” We quite agree with Delta Gamma on most points, but were we de¬ prived of fraternity privileges either on account of lack of principle or because we were not quite up to the intellectual standard, we should not feel as though we were overstepping our prerogatives in considering our¬ selves agrieved; we might, also, with perfect propriety deem ourselves slighted, just in the least, if the peculiarities of our social dispositions rendered us uncompanionable. The Anchora , however, gives many wise and good suggestions and expresses true womanly sentiment in, “It is well that the standard of all ladies’ fraternities is high, for though thoir influence is measured in some degree by what they say and lo, it is far more definitely and exactly measured by w’hat they are.” The last issue of the Delta Tau Delta attains its usual high standard. “Me and Billy,** is an interesting little story, which contains a rather unique solicitation for subscribers to the magazine. In a former number
Page 18
.92 Exchanges. is Hn address of welcome to the convention, in which the writer carefully reviews the benefits of college fraternities, and we clip the following, which is as applicable to the ladies’ as to the gentlemen’s societies, showing that there is something to be gained besides the mere superficial advan- tages of a local chapter: «« It |S weiit then, to a«k whether this is a power for good or for evil. In my opinion it decidedly is for good. I believe that the remarkable growth of college fraternities, in the last two decades, Is due to their intrinsic worth; to a need for them; to the benefits which they render students; and to the workings of the mystic law of nature which prescribes that nothing shall permanently survive except it be lor good. “ And first, a college fraternity, worthy of being called such, largely educates the student of to-day. It takes the verdant Freshman and shapes his manners, his methods, his speech and bearing. It tear lies him many things which the class-room cannot and does not try to teach. It tells him that there is something besides scholar- ship needed to make a whole-souled, large-minded, true-hearted man. «< yes, the college fraternity does more than this. It follows the student Into the class-room It watches over him in every act and thought. It reproaches him for delinquency in scholarship. It commends him for high standing. It inspires and sustains him with the idea that the reputation of his fraternity and his fraternity brothers is affected by his position in the college world. It brightens the rugged paths of college work, and turns into a pleasant duty that which otherwise would be but an Irksome task." In the Sigma Nu Delta for September the topics considered are ex¬ clusively fraternal in their nature, the propriety of knowing “no north, south, east or west” in their fraternity relations is discussed, the pros and com being almost equally forcible. The exchange department is good, as are all the chapter letters, personals and Greek notes. We desire to thank the Sigma Nu Delta for its kindly praise and good wishes, and would answer in the affirmative its query concerning the true fraternity man, “should not the very badge on his breast be a guarantee that he is socially and intellectually more than the common man of the world?” If we have had the courage to be among the first to follow Mr. Greeley, we trust that our undertaking will not be compelled to suffer the rapid descent made by that illustrious individual in the wilds of the far West.
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Chapter Correspondence. 93 I iShafolet juMv&j} ondemt^Q ALPHA. T e Pcluw U nicer sity, Oreencastle , Indiana . Dear Sisters.— It is an easy and pleasant task for us to write a letter to the journal, for it we have but little news we can send our heartiest greetings and show our enthusiasm in all that pertains to Theta’s welfare. We have had a pleasant and prosperous time, having greatly strength¬ ened our chapter, we expect to do a good year’s work. One of the most important events, so far, this session was the initiation of Julia Druley Emma Howe and Helen Nash. Misses Howe and Druley are professors in the school of music. Theta has now the honor of numbering among her members the four lady professors in the faculty. There has been organized here this winter a musical company known as the De Pauw Concert Com¬ pany, in which we are well represented. The company is composed of four ladies and two gentlemen, three of the four ladies— Emma Ilowe, Helen Nash and Kate Hammond— are Thetas. Miss Howe is said to be one of the best sopranos in America. We expect to celebrate our sixteenth anniver¬ sary on the 27th of January. The arrangements for the occasion are not fully made, but we expect to have a delightful time. We have lost three of our best girls this year ; Anna Cooper, Mamie Ward and Ora Newcomer. Miss Newcomer will attend the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. Miss Ward will spend the winter in Florida, and after that probably attend a School of Design. We have been enjoying a visit from Anna Burnsides, ’82. Such visits are always a delight, and we being so fortunate as to have a large resident alumnse, can make them pleasant. We are much pleased with our journal, and hope that it may grow better and better, accomplishing the purpose for which it was established. We close wishing success to Theta and all her plans. M. II. GAMMA. Butler University , Irvington , Indiana. Dear Girls.— My first letter to the journal was such a meagre little thing, and such a jumble of words and phrases, that I resolved “never to do it again,” and threw away my quill in disgust, but genius will assert itself, you know, so here I am once more.
Page 20
gj^ Chapter Correspondence. We send greetings, and hope you have had “ A Merry Christmas ” and a jolly vacation. We are all in our respective places again, and although ■we enjoyed our vacation hugely, are glad to be together once more. Since last writing to. you we have added five excellent girls to our band. We are very proud of them and are delighted with our success in getting them. For several months last term every fraternity in Hutler had exactly ten members, we were all equal as to numbers. The Deltas, however, whose ambition is something wonderful, were not content to be amongst the “ common herd,” but longed to do something desperate to prove their superiority over the rest of us poor mortals. Well they did it. One dark night, near the hour of twelve, “that awful hour when church-yards yawn, and phantoms creep mysteriously over the bosom of the briny deep,” the energetic Deltas hunted up their poor old goat and proceeded in solemn array toward the West End. There they initiated three verdant Preps. Th us were they avenged and their superiority ( ?) tor the time established. I sincerely hope this letter will not get into a hopeless muddle before it reaches you, but if it should, be assured my intentions were good. Yours in Theta, J. II. DELTA. Illinois Wesleyan University , Bloomington, Illinois. Dear Kappa Alpha Theta.— It is with great pleasure that Delta again sends her letter to the journal, which is so dear to every loyal Theta. We have mingled well the bitter and the sweet, the work and the play, during the last year, and especially the last few weeks. Our work accom¬ plished, we have, with free hearts, accepted the pleasures that Theta girls always’ find near them. We have this year five Seniors, and are well repre¬ sented in all the college classes. We have but four pledged members, yet we are very proud of them and feel that they will ever bring only honor to Theta. A short time ago Mrs. Music, an old Theta, sent us a most generous donation for our hall. So you see our girls are loyal even when they are far from college walls. On Ilallow’een evening we had an informal, but very enjoyable gather¬ ing, of Thetas and gentlemen friends at the home of one of our members. We are doing literary work, and our effort is to make higher the standard of all work done by our girls. We labor in perfect harmony, and never before has Theta’s sky been brighter or clearer. To our journal we send the most loving wishes, the heartiest support, and our prayer is that it may ever strengthen that closest, dearest bond which we find in Kappa Alpha Theta. M. L.
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Chapter Correspondence. 95 EPSILON. Wooster University , Wooster , Oftio. Dear Sisters in Theta.— With the opening of the term Old King Winter has taken Wooster by storm, and now the merry ring of sleigh-bells is harmonized by that indescribable silence which accompanies the falling of the snow\ The students have nearly all returned, and also a few additions to the Musical Department, which is under the direction of Prof. Karl Merz. With but one exception, the Epsilon girls are again in their places, and as the professors are wont to say, “ With renewed vigor, refreshed minds, and a fixed determination to devote all their time to study;” but we say. With a determination to devote more time to Theta.” Two of our last year’s Seniors were at our last meeting last term, and gave us their smile of approval. They have now resumed their work at Danville, Ohio. We are often encouraged by the presence of our resident members, with whom Kappa Alpha Theta is always a welcome subject, and who are always ready listeners to all our joys and sorrows. One of our Seniors of 1885, Mary E. Reynolds, was married December 24, to Prof. John C. Sharpe, of the class of ’83. We think by the end of this term our dearest wish and long pursued desire will culminate in a frater¬ nity hall, from which the sound of Theta’s songs will be heard for all time to come. It has often been said that the happiness of men lies not in possessing, but in pursuing, yet in this case we feel confident that the happiness of possession will completely counterbalance that of pursuit. Epsilon has long felt the need of having a place in common where meetings can be held without fear of interruption, and where that free intercourse can be had which is so necessary to the success of a fraternity. We feel confident of the congratulations and best wishes of the other chapters, and can almost see the smiling sympathy with which they greet our enthusiasm. Too much devotion to the cause of fraternity cannot be given, and especially have we reason to say this now. Epsilon hopes that her heart throbs in perfect unison with all the Thetas throughout the land, and that each day in 1886 may exceed the preceding one in prosperity for dear Kappa Alpha Theta. A. E. S. THETA. Simpson College , Indianola , Iowa . Dear Sisters.— Heartily does Theta join in sending her mite for the support of the journal and the encouragement of its managers. Theta chapter is well pleased. Our outlook is good, besides having quite a number of our old girls with us, we have added to the sisterhood girls who have proven themselves an honor to our band. We are particularly inter-
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96- Chapter Correspondence. ested now in securing a room for our Theta home, and on account of this expense we cannot send as large a subscription for the journal as we would desire. We hope, when established in our new hall, to sustain our literary work a little better than we have done in the past. We have two Seniors this year, of whom we expect much. We close with best wishes for Kappa Alpha Theta. G. E. KAPPA. University of Kansas , Lawrence, Kansas . Kappa chapter tenders her best wishes for the New A" ear to each and all in K A e. The Christmas vacation has closed, and all our girls are back ready to go to work with renewed vigor. Indeed, we cannot help but be enthusi¬ astic when we see the rapid strides of progress our University has made during the past year; the grade of the school has been raised one year higher, thus putting our University on an equal footing with the eastern colleges. A $50,000 National History building will be completed in the spring, making, with the main building and the spacious Chemical Labor¬ atory, three handsome edifices. The departments of Pharmacy and Art have been added, thus increasing the number of professors and instructors to twenty-five. Kappa chapter has no complaints to make, for Dame Fortune has dealt with her most fairly. In the fall, after carefully weighing the good quali¬ ties of the new girls, we decided in favor of seven, whom we thought would be an addition to our fraternity. They were thereupon “rushed” and initiated, giving us a total of thirteen in school. Five months have rolled away and we are not disappointed in our choice, for the new girls have shown that they have loyal hearts and ready hands for Theta, and are all steadily working their way up in the University course, while some are advancing in music and painting at the same time. Let me make you acquainted with them: Hattie Cook, Kate Wilder, Telia Chapman, all of Lawrence; Alice and Lizzie Petee, of Osage City, Kansas; Ella and Emma Kartell, of Junction City, Kansas. We have had our share of honors thus far. May L. Webster creditably filled the position of declamer in the annual Oread-Orophilian contest, held in December. Three of our girls are holding positions on the University papers: Ilattie 13. Haskell, local editor on the Review; Fannie Pratt, local editor on the Weekly University Courier , and Hattie Cook, personal editor on the same paper. Socially, the chapter is nourishing. On New A' ear’s Day we kept open house at the elegant home of Sisters Josie and Hattie Cook; the parlors were lighted with gas and handsomely decorated with evergreen and holly, the black and gold peeping out here and there. Many friends
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Chapter Correspondence. 97 and acquaintances were made welcome, among whom were the members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, who called in a body. A number of friends were entertained in the evening, the time passed ojjly too quickly, bringing the first bright day of the new year to a close. Some of us were particularly sorry to hear the last Happy New Year said, for it is our last year in school. We are beginning to realize that we cannot always be here, each week looking forward to the happy afternoon to be spent in dear old Theta hall, where so many life-long friendships have been formed and vows taken never to be broken. And now I will close, lest my epistle grow too long, hoping that all our chapters will have as much prosperity as we have now, and that you will be as loyal and love your motto as much as we do. Yours faithfully, Hattie R. Dunn. LAMBDA. University of Vermont , Burlington , Vt. Lambda Chapter, since she wrote her last letter to the Kappa Alpha Theta, has gathered seven new girls within her mystic circle. The chapter was never in a more flourishing condition than at present. We have a very pleasant hall, to which each of us recently showed her affection by giving as a “ Thanksgiving ” present some article of furniture. We are doing solid literary wrork in our meetings this term, and we mean to make the new girls feel their responsibility by giving them their share, at least, of it to perform. We meet each Saturday evening. Usually, after the adjournment of the formal meeting, we tarry to spend a social liourf and to partake, perhaps, of refreshments not less acceptable than the “ feast of reason ” which has preceded. We wish to all the chapters prosperity and happiness equal to our own. E. S. B. MU. Alleghany College , Meadville , Pennsylvania . Dear Sisters.— Our last letter was sent just before school opened; this one is sent just after the fall term closed. Then was our anticipation; now is our realization, and K A 0 has displayed her powTer by disproving the time-honored saying that “ Anticipation is better than realization.” When we again met as school-mates wTe found about twenty new girls in our midst, and among them found some fine material to strengthen our fraternity. We began our school year with our fraternity to aid us, and she shows her subtle pow?er by weaving herself into all our w'ork, and into all our pleasures until .she has us her loyal devotees. Without her, college life to us, after having been K A 0 sisters, would be without interest.
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Chapter Correspondence. $8 We made our debut in initiatory work by adding to our number two of the girls who had been at school last year, and whom we knew to be worthy of our pin. Since that time we have won to our standard Miss Gertrude Snyder, a sister of one of our alumnae; and have also done our first pledging, our color-member being Miss Dora O’Xeil, ’90. We are now meeting on Thursday afternoon, in our fraternity room. Our meetings are full of interest to us, and although it is an easy task to give our number and other statistics, it seems almost impossible to give an account of our friendly feeling to K A 0, and of the little things which tend to make a chapter successful; unless all of our sisters can understand our appreciation by their own. H. NU. Hanover College , Hanover , Indiana. The second number of our journal came to us with quite the appear¬ ance of an established fact. Indeed, it is the realization of our dreams, and we are well satisfied with the work of the publishers, and also with the style of the chapter letters. Let each sister chapter send up a cheer for Xu, for wre have furnished a hall of our own. When we think of our numerical weakness, it seems that we deserve a good deal of praise for accomplishing such a work. We have a cheerful, pretty hall, with carpet, lamps, stove, table, and “ black and gold” paper, all of our own providing, and when we meet on Monday evenings we enjoy our surroundings as well as any chapter that can boast twice as many members. We dedicated our hall, and gave sister Chrissie Gilchrist a farewell banquet the same evening. Miss Gilchrist has been appointed one of the teachers in the Presbyterian Mission School at La Costilla, Xew Mexico. She left Hanover Xovember first for her future work. In September, we initiated two new members, Mrs. Ada B. Arbuckle of Madison, and Victoria Arbuckle, of Hanover. In October, we gathered in our hall one gloomy afternoon, to witness an initiation, which I am sure none of us will ever forget,— that of sister Laura Palmer, of Madison. Mrs. Arbuckle is an addition to our circle on account of her training as an elocutionist, and Miss Palmer is a musician of decided ability. I hope our sister Thetas feel almost acquainted with our new members. Wooster wrill write to the journal of the initiation of Miss Kitty Ailing, of Madison. Miss Ailing is one of Xu’s brightest favorites; we only wish she could have been one of us. Let us extend our congratulations to Alpha, in naming Miss Lida Deris a Theta. The first term closed on December 22d, after four months of good work. We hope that ’86 will be as bright a year to all our sister chapters, as it promises to be to us.
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Chapter Correspondence . 99 I give a numerical statement of the other fraternities represented in Hanover College. AlCtliU i LI ^ v. Senior. Junior. Sophomore. Freshman. Total. 4> r a 4 1 6 11 2 X 3 6 4 13 a e 6 1 1 4 12 B 0 11 2 2 3 3 10 a r 1 3 1 5 K A 0 2 1 4 Sincerely, 7 C. U. The following is a letter received by the Business Manager a short time ago, showing that we sometimes have friends whose existence “ we know not of:” Miss Hattie B. Haskell, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Miss:— Xo doubt you will be surprised to get a letter from a boy of whom you have never heard. Please send me a copy of the K A 0 (Kappa Alpha Theta), I have some young lady friends who wish to see something about lady fraternities. I will be very much indebted to you, and if I can do any thing for you I will do it cheerfully. We are all members of the great “ Greek World.” Y ours respectf nlly, -
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100 Alumnce Letters . Franklin, Pennsylvania. Dear Sisters.— Happening to come across the last copy of the Kappa Alpha Theta and again looking over its pages, I feel impelled to write and tell you of the great pride I take in our journal, and the great pleasure I have in reading it; even the advertisements receive my respectful perusal, and as to the personals, every name is to me as that of a near and familiar friend. A short time ago I visited Mu chapter and found them even more pros¬ perous than ever, and although little desirious of inflating their youthful minds with vanity, I acknowledge that my pride in them was very great. And here I would like to dilate on the influence which our fraternity has exercised and will exercise on the girls of our country. Do not understand me to speak in a boasting manner, but as stating an actual fact. However small our power may have been at first, it cannot fail to increase; for a few well educated, independent girls with minds trained to weigh and decide matters for themselves, and showing by absolute experiment that they are capable of taking care of themselves, cannot but arouse their less favored sisters to a sense of what is possible to be attained by an American girl. Thoughts, also, of the charity, the breadth of mind and the other innu¬ merable benefits of a fraternity arise; but as the idea suddenly occurs to me that my original plan was not to write a dissertation on fraternities, branch¬ ing off into woman’s rights and divers other things, with all apologies I will endeavor to return to my subject. Although out of college now, and thereby deprived of our delightful fraternity meetings, my interest in them and all things pertaining to K A 0 and its members, is greater than when in the midst of all; and even if not at present carrying out any ambitious projects, merely staying at home recuperating and seeing how much enjoyment I can get out of life, in common with all our girls, I can say that my pleasantest dream is to do something during my lifetime that will help to cast a greater halo of glory around the beloved, mystic name of Kappa Alpha Theta. Yours, Blanche McGougii, Mu ’&5. Central City, Nebraska. Dear Sisters in Kappa Aliiiia Theta— I have just received a request from Theta chapter to write an alumnae letter for that chapter, with which request 1 cheerfully comply. I was very much pleased to read the letter from Anna M. Burnsides of Alpha, with whom I for sometime
Page 27
Alumnae Letters . 101 had a delightful correspondence when our chapter was assuming the privi¬ lege of sistership in Kappa Alpha Theta. We shall never forget the happy hour when we were first invested with the right of membership in our beloved fraternity, and our pride and joy in donning the “black and gold.” I attended one meeting of Theta chapter in September, and witnessed the initiation of several young ladies of whom we may justly be proud, and though the days of my active membership in the fraternity are over, yet I feel no less enthusiastic for our success in every branch of our work. With heartiest greetings to Theta sisters everywhere, and wishing abundant success to the Kappa Alpha Theta. Beutiia C. Morrison, Theta , '81. Stambaugh, Michigan. Dear Thetas. — The second number of Kappa Alpha Theta has reached me, and every page has been read and re-read. I found it all very interesting, but especially those items containing familiar names, which brought up before me some well-remembered faces of the convention at Ann Arbor. I tried to read the Personals and Alumni Notes in the order printed, but the familiar names — many familiar from correspondence when I was Corresponding Secretary of Lambda — seeemed written in much larger type, seemed to raise themselves from the paper demanding my at¬ tention. Although an alumnie member of Lambda now, I am fully as interested in society as ever. Being away from home, of course I am occa¬ sionally homesick, but the time when I am especially blue , and when June seems years away, is on Thursday evening — Lambda’s society evening. I hoped, when I decided to come West and teach, that I would be in a place where there were some Thetas, but I have not even seen a Theta since I left Burlington in September. This is a very quiet mining town with not much excitement. The most exciting experience for me has been going down in the Iron River Mine. This was something new for me, and I enjoyed it very much. We went down in an ore skip some two hundred and twenty feet, then through all the underground passages of the mine; saw the manner of obtaining the ore, of blasting and drilling, and finished by having a ride in an underground ore car. The next event for me was going to Chicago and Elgin, where I spent Christmas vacation. I saw a home Theta while in Chicago. Would that I could meet others of the same “ persuasion.” Now that we have our journal, I would like to ask catalogues? And as I put this query, involuntarily my right eye casts a questioning glance in the direction of Ann Avborland, while my left looks inquiringly Green- cmtleioard. I hope each chapter has a good corresponding secretary this year, and that each will do her duties as such. Correspondence reminds each chapter
Page 28
m Alumnce Letters . that it is not a society by itself, but only part of one; that it must live and prosper not for itself alone, but for the others; and that it is responsible for its members and proceedings to all the other chapters. It is a benefit in other ways also. We used to get many suggestions and ideas from the letters received, and counted so much on our correspondence. Kappa certainly should be congratulated in getting out the journal in such fine style, and in possessing such members as make up our staff of editors. Truly their energy justiflces their being called a “staff of life.” Hoping you have all had a very merry Christmas, and wishing you a very happy New Year, I am, Yours sincerely, Mollie L. Mills, Lambda , '85.
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Alnvmce Notes. 103 Jllumme Jfwk&Q *76 — Effie Moore, Lambda, is in Philadelphia, Pa. »85_jessie Hunt is spending the winter in Chicago. »85_Clara Wilson, Lambda, is teaching in Panboo, Wis. *85 — Addie Edwards will visit Boston during the winter. ’78— Annie Parker, Lambda, is teaching in Des Moines, Iowa. ’82— Julia P. Platt, Lambda, is spending the winter in Chicago. *84 — Clara 8. Gilham, Kappa, will probably visit Lawrence next summer. ’82— Emma Lane, Lambda, is president of the Purlington Y. W. C. T. U. ’80— Ella Morrison, Peta, is principal of the High School at Muskegon, Michigan. ’84 — Anna L. Martin, Alpha, is taking lessons in wood carving at DePau w University. »85 — Sallie Welch and Planch McGough, Mu, visited Pittsburg during the holidays. *89 — Martha llidpath, Alpha, is principal of the city High School, Green- castle, Indiana. ’85— Blanch McGough, Mu, spent a few days at Hilling’s Hall, previous to Thanksgiving. *83— Kate Snyder, Peta, of ltockport Indiana, is a student of medicine at Ann Arbor, Mich. ’87— Ella I. Pond, Peta, of Richmond, Ind., has gone to Santa, Maria, Cal., in search of health. *85— Della Parker, Peta, of Grand View, Ind., is a successful teacher in the schools of that place. ’85— Calla Rudisil, Alpha, is in Chicago taking instruction in voice culture and stenography. ’81— Grace Hoyt and Lillie Southard, ’83, Alpha, are teaching in the city schools of Greencastle, Ind. ’83— Elinore Igleheart, Alpha, of Evansville, Ind., is spending the winter in San Francisco, California. ’85— Grace Woodburn, Peta, of Ploomington, is principal of the High School at New Harmony, Ind.
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Alumnce Notes . m ’76— Mrs. F. Owen, Lambda, has a large class in painting, of which she is a very successful teacher. ’85 — Dora Merrifield, Beta, is teacher of German and French in the C. B. F. Institute at Murfreesboro, N. C. '85— Grace Ward, one of Alpha’s delegates to the last convention, is, Dame Rumor says, to be married soon. ’87— Marie Robellay, Beta, of New Albany, is teaching in the State Institution for the blind, at Indianapolis. ’81— Belle Maxwell, Beta, of Bloomington, spent five months of the sum¬ mer and fall making a tour of England and the continent.
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Personals. 105 & Lambda. Clam Colburn, ’88, entered the Latin scientific course, desiring to take the classical, she made up all the Preparatory and Freshmen work in Greek during the past year and is now a full classic. She kept up all her other work at the same time and was out of college three months, teaching school. Lambda thinks she is plucky , to say the least. Mu. Virginia Miller was called home a short time ago by the death of her sister, but will return and complete the year. Gamma. Mrs. Clara Vawter Pence died at her home in Denver, Colorado, Decem¬ ber 22, 1885. Jenny White will be in college again this term. Corinne Thrasher and Juliette Holland, ’86, will go to Europe in June. Myrtella Sewell, ’86. who has been home on the sick list, js with us again. Alpha. Florence Deck, ’89, will be compelled to give up her studies this term on account of ill health. She hopes to enter college again in the fall. Mary Durham, ’88, has become quite accomplished in painting during the past term. Nellie Dridges will teach music in Munice, Indiana, after Christmas. We wish her success. Florence Durham, ’88, is spending the winter in Kentucky. Ella Vicary, of Evansville, Indiana, last year of ’87, has entered college again. She was warmly welcomed by Theta. Helen Nash is the paid singer in the Presbyterian church, Greencastle, Indiana. Kate 13, Staley, of Frankfort, Indiana, and Flora Yocum, of Ilayesville, Ohio, visited their Theta friends during the holidays. Kappa. Alice and Lizzie Pettee spent their vacation during the holidays at home, in Osage City, but returned in time to make New Year’s day a bright one, with others of Kappa chapter.
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106 Personals . Mrs. Cora (Pierson) Hopkins made us a most delightful call about a week ago. Ida Bay, of Fort Scott, came up last Friday, and made her Kappa sisters a very pleasant visit. Alice Noble has been spending a part of the winter with friends in Iowa. She returned home last week. Mrs. Carrie (Hastings) Fletcher is very happy in her home in St. Joe, Mo. Alice Bartell is always warmly welcomed by her Kappa sisters, and we were surprised and pleased to have her with us at meeting last Saturday. Franc Johnson’s address is still at Oskaloosa, her home. Likewise Mrs. Virginia (McKean) Munsell, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Maine Hudson will visit her sisters, in Lawrence, soon. We are sorry to inform the girls that we have lost one of our best> and -most loyal Thetas. Fannie Pratt left the University last week and will not return. She is a Junior now and has been with us so long that her bright face and kindly manners will be greatly. missed. Many chapters beside Kappa have become acquainted with her, through the medium of corres¬ pondence, and will be sorry to learn that her active membership with our mystic circle has ceased. She has always been very popular in University and society circles. We consider her a devoted friend, an honor to Theta, "And will ever regret the sad fate which compels Us to bid our dear Sister good-bye."
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Clipped . 107 The prolific soil of DePauw has given birth to another ladies’ frater¬ nity, by name of A X ft. The fraternity will be confined to musical conservatories. The Alpha Chi Omega, according to the DePauw Monthly , begins its career on a new and complete system, and launches out with brilliant prospects. The colors are scarlet and bronze.— Crescent. We have some chapters in which literary work does not receive proper attention. And by literary work we do not mean “essays” or “orations,” which in the majority of cases are weak doses of Emerson, Carlyle or Taine, but practice in forcible, interesting and original writing. The opportunity for such work is best afforded by the “Society paper,” which is a recognized institution in most of our chapters. The paper is edited by one or more members chosen at each election of officers, and is designed to present to the society, at each meeting, the liveliness, wit, humor, and current comment of the little society world. It is too often the case, however, that the editor is left altogether to himself to originate the material for his paper, while it is not infrequently shirked as an unimportant part of the exercises. Any such idea is alto¬ gether mistaken. In many ways the society paper is an extremely important element in society work, and one which is worth every member’s careful attention. ******** To those chapters who leave the whole work to the editor, we recommend that every member go to work to contribute his share; to those who have no society paper, we express our sympathy and hopes of a speedy establish¬ ment of one. — Delta Upsilon, Secrecy— The conception of a secret society involves two essentials — secrecy and fraternity. Upon this double corner-stone the whole structure is erected. A secret fraternity, lacking in either of these attributes, loses the right to call itself such. Greek-letter societies unite in defining frater¬ nity as a state in which brotherly love and fellow-feeling prevail. About the necessary degree of secrecy, however, there is much doubt, sometimes even a radical difference of opinion. Says our brother of the extremely secret school: Secrecy consists in keeping inviolate all matters in any way bearing upon or connected with the fraternity and its members. It is not our intention to quarrel with our good friends who believe that mystery conserves secrecy. If it suits him to refuse to say whether such and such
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108 Clipped . a man is a member of his fraternity, or to mention the order in any way, it is a matter which concerns him alone. Yet on the whole, it must be con¬ fessed that his view is nearer to the truth than that of the opposite school. Secrecy certainly has a higher aim than the mere exclusion of non-members from the meeting-room. In some fraternities, however, this is practically the only evidence of secrecy. It certainly is not conducive to the secrecy of an order to allow its members to talk indiscriminately of his Lares and Penates . While those fraternities that take little pains to keep their con¬ stitutions among themselves are barely deserving of consideration among secret societies. There is yet another school which approaches nearer to fraternity secrecy than either of the others. It puts aside the trumpery of the one, and the free and easy methods of the other. Claiming to take a middle course it conserves secrecy by a manly concealment of all matters that belong wholly to itself. On the other hand it acknowledges the right of its members to talk on fraternity topics, and does not deem it an insult if questions, not involving its secrets , are asked. With these radical dif¬ ferences of opinion before us, an analytical definition of the fraternity secrecy is manifestly impossible. A few hints may, however, be given which will at least point the way to the goal.— Purple and Gold. By the way, friends and foes alike, is it quite the thing, in these days of panhellenics, to misrepresent one another’s standing? In matters of opin¬ ion boasting and even misrepresentation must be expected up to the evening of the day before the millenium; but in mere statistics truth can be demanded even in these days of sin. To do all parties justice, we be¬ lieve that the statistics given are invariably true— as far as they go. In comparison, however, there is seldom more than a mere pretense of fair¬ ness. One’s own best foot looks so much better than that horrid person’s worst foot, and one’s own worst foot is, besides, a matter of so little conse¬ quence, you know, that it is natural to make mistakes. Yet it would be creditable, we think, either to make no comparison at all or to make them fairly. Above all, it is cowardly to thrust upon an innocent compositor the task of misrepresenting an opponent. Yet this is done now and then. W e have in mind, and under our eye at this moment, an article that, though professing to give comparisons justly (in answer to some alleged misrepre¬ sentation), prints the statistics of the various fraternities with all of the dishonest skill of which types are capable, attempting— and with some success— to give to its own fraternity and to some others an apparent supe¬ riority over a strong opponent. The facts are there, doubtless; but the intent to deceive is there, too. That is not good Greek. How that man would like to tell a lie,— Beta Theta Pi .
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Fraternity Notes. 109 Will Carleton, of Farm-Ballad fame, is a Delta Tau Delta. The fraternities at the University of Georgia have wisely bound them¬ selves together not to unite into any combination for political purposes during the coming year. Delta Kappa Epsilon club-house in New York, is situated in the pleasantest part of the city. W. H. Murfree, brother of “ Charles Egbert Craddock, ”Js a $ K *. lie belonged to the old Nashville, Tennessee, chapter. It seems “ passing strange ” that not one of the seven ladies’ fraternities have chapters in Yassar, Smith or Wellesley Colleges.— Delta Upsilon. Two more fraternities have “joined the innumerable caravan” at the University of Michigan; Delta Gamma with five charter members, and Phi Gamma Delta with twelve. The ladies of Kappa Alpha Theta of this place gave an entertainment on Hallowe’en. They complimented our chapter by giving an invitation to each member. We attended and had a most enjoyable time— University of Indiana Correspondent of Beta Theta Pi. The October number of Kappa Sigma contains an engraving and short sketch of their brother, Hon. Jefferson Davis. Phi Kappa Psi convention will be held at Indianapolis April, 7, 1886. There are two other ladies’ societies in Kansas State University besides Kappa Kappa Gamma, I. C. and Kappa Alpha Theta, both of which we regard as friends rather than our rivals.— Kansas University Correspondent Golden Key. Alpha Delta Phi, at Kemjou College, O., seem quite “ celestially ” in¬ clined, having taken in two men bearing the rather picturesque names of Points I. C. Yue, and John C. C. Woo. The Phi Kappa Psi Shield , the Beta Theta Pi, the Kappa Alpha Jour - nal, the Delta Tau Delta Crescent , and the Phi Delta Theta Scroll are the only fraternity journals published monthly, Phi Gamma Delta now comes out quarterly. At the Psi Upsilon annual banquet held at Detroit, Michigan, a letter was received from President C. K. Adams, of Cornell, denying certain news-
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110 Fraternity Notes. paper assertions that he had in his initial address to the Cornell students, expressed himself as opposed to college fraternities. It is reported that both K A 0 and K K r have sustained the loss of important chapters during the past year, the former at the University of Michigan, and the latter at the University of California. In neither case have we seen any cause assigned.— Phi Kappa Psi Shield. The former report is without foundation. Sigma Chi no longer has a chapter at Howard College, Alabama, owing to the anti -fraternity laws. The ladies of n B, better known as I. C. Sorosis, held their thirteenth annual convention in Lawrence, Kansas, November 25, 20 and 27, with Kappa chapter. Seventeen delegates were present, representing seventeen out of twenty-two chapters. On the evening of the 25th, the ladies were entertained by Miss Sue Miles, at her beautiful home in South Lawrence. During the evening the gentlemen of Kansas A, K % and A. N. Betas, serenaded them, and were very hospitably received. On the 26th, Miss Maud Mansfield entertained them at her home, and on the evening of the 27th, the chapters of the Betas and K ¥ received the ladies in their halls. The publication of the A rrow was again intrusted to the ladies of Kappa chapter, University of Kansas. The Sorosis was reported to be in a pros¬ perous condition.— Phi Kappa Psi Shield. The three fraternities desire Kappa Alpha Theta to establish a chapter here. There is quite a list of ladies from which a fraternity could select charter members for a chapter which would be a credit to its fraternity and welcomed by the chapters already here. — University of Nebraska Corespond¬ ent of AO Scroll.
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Marriages. Ill JilumaM. McCune— Folani).— May Foland, of Terre Ilaute, Indiana, a graduate of Bloomington, class of ’75, was married on November 4th, 1885, to Mr. C. B. McCune, of Benson, Minnesota. Swain— Morgan.— Fannie Morgan, of Knightstown, Ind., was married September 22d, 1885, to Mr. Joseph Swain, Professor elect of Mathematics in Indiana University. Mrs. Swain was graduated from Bloomington in ’82, and is a member of Beta chapter. Mr. and Mrs. Swain will spend a year in Edinborough, Scotland. Banta— Graham.— Mattie Graham, of Richland, Ind., a Bloomington alumna}, class of ’83, was married to Mr. Charles Banta, a Phi Delta Theta of Franklin, October 14, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Banta will make Franklin their future home Sharp— Reynolds.— Mary E. Reynolds, a graduate of Wooster Univer¬ sity, ’88, was married December 24, 1885, to Prof. John C. Sharp, of Wooster, Ohio. Spangler— Small.— Ida A. Small, of Mancie, Indiana, was married to Mr. W. W. Spangler, a Phi Kappa Psi, on June 12th, 1885. The bride is a graduate of Bloomington, class of ’83, and a member of Beta chapter Kappa Alpha Theta. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler went abroad on their wedding tour, followed by the congratulations and best wishes of their many friends. Furgeson— Carver— Sallie Carver, Alpha, of Morton, was married to Mr. Furgeson, of Rockville, Indiana, November 18th, 1885. Both belong to the class of ’85, De Pauw University. Our congratulations and best wishes. Veazey— Cochrane.— Ida Cochrane, of Charleston, Indiana, a charter member of Nu chapter, was married on Christmas eve, to Dr. Reid Veazey, a young physician of Pittsburg, Penn., who was graduated from the College of Medicine, Louisville, Ky., hist June. Our best wishes go with them. Burton— IIolman. — Miss Alma Holman, Alpha, of Indianapolis, and Mr. George W. Burton, of Orleans, Neb., were married at the residence of the bride’s uncle, Mr. D.W. Butler, Indianapolis, Ind., November 26th, 1885. Mrs. Burton was, until recently, professor of Modern Languages in De Pauw University, and is one of our most honored alumnie. Mr. Burton is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Burton will
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11® Marriages • spend some time traveling in Europe, remaining in France during the winter. Theta extends her heartiest congratulations. Hopkins— Pierson.— Cora E. Pierson, a graduate of the University of Kansas, 1884, was married November 20th, 1885, to Mr. Scott Ilopkins, of Holton, Kansas. Mrs. Hopkins' energy and enthusiasm as a charter mem¬ ber availed much in the successful establishment of Kappa chapter, her loyal and continued efforts have added greatly to its subsequent prosperity. Mr. Hopkins belongs to Alpha Nu chapter of Beta Theta Pi, and is a young gentleman in every way worthy of his charming bride. “May their ways be ways of pleasantness and all their paths be peace.”
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Contents. 113 — =CO N TEN TS.=- TAGE. Kappa Alpha Theta . 77 The Women of Shakspeare . % 78 Our Hall . , . 83 Beta Chapter . 85 Editorial . 86 Exchanges . 89 Chapter Correspondence: 93 Alpha, DePauw University; Gamma, Butler University; Delta, Illinois Wesleyan University; Epsilon, Wooster University; Theta, Simpson Centenary College; Kappa, University of Kan¬ sas; Lambda, University of Vermont; Mu, Alleghany College; Nu, Hanover College; A Letter. Alumnae Letters . Alumnae Notes . Personals . Clipped . Fraternity Notes . Marriages . ' t '
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