Where it is impossible to provide anything of this kind, it is still a good plan to have miscellaneous meetings from time to time; but there is always the danger that these will be spoiled by having them consist of odds and ends, a paper on one subject followed by another on something which has no relation to the first, and perhaps a third which is still further afield. It is best to have but one topic for each meeting, with music if possible, and a social hour afterwards.
One of the best ways to begin a miscellaneous program is to take up current events for ten minutes. It is possible to plan systematically for these, so that one member is responsible for a report on foreign affairs, wars or politics, or whatever is of national importance anywhere; another for great scientific discoveries or important inventions; a third, noteworthy music; a fourth, for the great book of the hour; a fifth, for anything of especial importance to women. No one should write these brief outlines, but merely give them informally. The material can be found by following the daily papers, or looking up articles in review magazines.
Clubs which study a historical or literary subject often find it interesting to begin these miscellaneous programs with a roll-call, members answering to their names with quotations from the authors of the period, or from one author alone. There are books of quotation which give the best short lines for such recitations, and one gets a good, if brief idea of writers in this way.
As to the matter of miscellaneous programs, the subjects should not be too heavy and papers should not be too long or too seriously written. Popular themes, the books of some well-known author, the magazines of the day, a philanthropy, a brief study of a political figure, all work out easily. Above all, whatever theme is selected, there should be a discussion of the subject at the close of the meeting. Women do not speak easily and naturally impromptu, and it is an immensely valuable training to be obliged to present one's views clearly, concisely and to the point before even a small audience, and even a short experience of this kind in a club is of enormous assistance. If the subject of the discussion is announced in advance members may prepare themselves to take part.
I—A CENTURY OF DRESS
A very simple but most interesting program for one miscellaneous meeting may be prepared on this theme. Divide it into three parts, having the first paper on The Dress of Our Grandmothers; speak of its durability, its simplicity, its lack of change from one season to another; mention the bonnets, mitts, slippers, muffs and fans; illustrate with old prints or fashion plate or illustrations from books of about 1820 and 1830.
The second paper would then be on The Dress of Our Mothers. This will cover the periods of 1860, with its hoopskirts, its coalscuttle bonnets, its shawls, worked collars, and cameo pins; 1871 too, should be represented, with the tied back skirts, the small hats perched on chignons, the ridiculous sunshades. Read Miss Flora McFlimsey at this point.
The third paper would be on Our Own Dress, showing the extreme styles, short, with scanty skirts and huge hats. Speak briefly of the sudden change of styles and their causes, and the tendency to extravagance.
Discuss topics such as these: How far shall we follow the dictates of fashion? How much of a woman's income should be spent for clothes? What of our daughters' dress?
It will add to the interest of this program if the three papers are read by members in the costumes of the times of which they speak, or if three or four tableaux are shown illustrating the papers. Have little ballads about dress sung if possible, the Old Grey Bonnet, the Owld Plaid Shawl, and Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be? among others.