Take up the consideration of the leading art galleries of America, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, and the Art Institute in Chicago; also the new galleries in Detroit, Buffalo, Dayton, and other cities. Notice the famous mural paintings in State capitols, city halls, and the high schools of New York and those of the Congressional Library in Washington.
CHAPTER IX
Ten American Women Writers
INTRODUCTORY
This popular program is given for those clubs who wish something light and attractive for their year's work. The subject is taken up topically, and the leading writers only are given; to those names may be added as many more as are desired. To enlarge the field, add the names of women poets, essayists, and miscellaneous writers, and take Woman in American Literature for the subject. See R. P. Halleck's recent book on American Literature. Or use the one topic of Our Short-Story Writers, and have that cover as many meetings as programs are needed.
I—HISTORICAL NOVELS
Jane G. Austin used the theme of Colonial days most successfully. She was saturated with the spirit of the time, and no one can read Standish of Standish, or Betty Alden without feeling in sympathy with the Puritans, their romance and hardships. Read from either of these, or from David Alden's Daughter.
Maud Wilder Goodwin writes, in a delightfully breezy style, of life among the Colonial Cavaliers, and her White Aprons and The Head of a Hundred are fascinating; they follow well the books just suggested for the first meeting. Read from either of the two named.
Amelia E. Barr, though born in England, belongs among American writers. She has no less than sixty novels to her credit. Her theme has been largely of the early days in New York, and The Belle of Bowling Green, The Maid of Maiden Lane, and The Bow of Orange Ribbon are all excellent. Among her other books are Jan Vedder's Wife and The Black Shilling. Read from The Bow of Orange Ribbon.