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The Courier-Review.
In a daintily arranged corner of the dancing room Miss Bessie Stone gracefully presided at a punch bowl. A mandolin orchestra was stationed in the hallway and added greatly to the evening's enjoyment. The Betas forming the reception committee met the guests in the parlor on the right side of the hall and extended most cordial greetings. They must be congratulated on possessing that rare faculty of making each one feel that he is the guest of honor. Mesdames Perkins, Haworth, Stone, Hamilton and Alder assisted in making the reception a more pronounced success.
Language Conference.
At the meeting of the Lanuage Conference, October 12th, an interesting paper was read by Prof. Canfield on "A New French Book.
In France, last winter, a book appeared which was a conspicuous success. It was not a novel. It did not deal with the sciencer. It appeared at a time when the French people were directing their attention chiefly to Napoleon and his time. The book was a biography, not of a Frenchman but of an Italian, a man whose heart was overflowing with love for all God's creatures. Paul Sabatier's Life of Saint Frances of Assisi is not a popular biography. It is not fanciful but gives documentary evidence, each page being based on foot notes. Thus it is a work of erudition and science. To separate the novel from history of this sort is difficult. There is a tendency to make history a series of chronological events. Not all the original documents can be given, thus it is this process of sifting that tests the historian. History never embraces more than a small part of life. Some of the stories about St. Frances may not be true. Perhaps he did not meet the three virgins but the incident shows his love. Love is the real key to history, love is the key to St. Frances life. Sabanier mastered his subject and presented it in such a manner that the figure of Napolean was eclipsed for the moment by this mediaeral saint. This shows discontent with realism.
The remainder of the program was an informal discussion on Doctor Oliver Wendell
Holmes. A biographical sketch was read by Prof. Jones. A poem by Lowell to Holmes on his Seventy-fifth birthday read by Prof. Wilcox. Passages from the Autocraft of the Breakfast Table were read by Prof. Sterling.
Gentleman Jack.
James J. Corbett appears for the first time before a Lawrence audience. James J. Corbett the world's champion supported by a strong company, played the comedy drama, "Gentleman Jack" on Wednesday night, before a large and enthusiastic audience of citizens and students. By reason of his unbroken record and his coming match with Fitzsimmons, his coming to Lawrence has caused a great deal of discussion and has excited not a little interest in the man himself.
The play entitled "Gentleman Jack" is a five act comedy drama, which was written to be played by Corbett and his company only. It is a play which seems to adopt itself to all tastes, one which may be enjoyed by any one. His first appearance in the first act was the signal for loud and continued applause, which he received in a most pleasing manner. Mr. Corbett carried his part well, throughout the play, and time and time again he was called back to acknowledge applause. In the third act he appeared to great advantage in stating that he would defend the championship against the world. The fourth act shows his training quarters and in this act he demonstrates his ability in "punching the bag, as in boxing he excells any man in the world in the art of punching the bag." As advertised in the last act he spans three rounds with his trainer Steve O'Donnell; here he gives a scientific exhibition of the manly art of self defence, and the audience witnesses an imitation of a prize fight and knock out. Corbett's agility on his feet and his ability to dodge and get away from his man are features of his boxing. Besides the fact that Corbett was in the play, the play was well presented and was highly entertaining to the theater goers.
Soon after the play the representative of the COURIER-REVIEW secured a short interview with