An outline sketch of the history of the Woman's Club movement in America was given on Tuesday _afternoon by Mrs. Lobingier, wife of the Hon. 0. 8. Lobingier, Judge of the U.8. Court for China. The meeting, held at the Hotel, was attended by 2 good. number of members of the Shanghai branch and many of their friends, the social side of the Club as usual being very pleasantly emphasized. Mrs. Sammons (President of the Club) presided, and songs were rendered by Mrs. Cowen.
In her address, Mrs, Lobingier briefly touched upon the genesis and history of the movement, now drawing towards its fiftieth anniversary. The original clubs, generally known as "study clubs" were fruitful sources of inspi for American humour, superfici being a characteristic often criti cised. It was true that clubs were in the habit of taking their culture in lumps, not being averse to taking as "subjects" for one session Ancient History, Mediaeval History, and Modern History, with perhaps a few evenings devoted to Art, and Literature. But the movement grew, and in 1900 there was formed a General Federation of Woman's Clubs, with a membership of upwards of 10,000, and now having branches in Canada, South Africa, Great Britain, Sweden, France, Germany, India, China, and Japan. As an indication of the early work of the Federation might be mentioned the financing of travelling art gallery to provide exhibitions in the western states. Important civic duties were now undertaken, chiefly educational, and directed to the prevention and removal of the causes of crime, disease, and un. happiness, special attention being given to Municipal and State measures for social progress. In closing, Mrs. Lobingier congratulated members on the work they had already done in Shanghai, and in strengthening American prestige in this beautiful city, which had so much of the charm of the Orient and so many of the comforts of home.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.