Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/452

Rh The club organized classes in English literature, languages, and other higher studies. In 1876, it had classes in political economy, and in 1891 formed a "current topics" class, and secured able lecturers on Political Development, Railroad Laws, Prohibition Laws, George's "Progress and Poverty," Summer's "Obligations of the Social Class," Bryce's "American Commonwealth," Socialism of To-day, Municipal Reform, Rent, The Lobby System, The Silver Question, Food Waste, Prison Reform, The Responsibility of the Employer and Employed, as well as many topics bearing upon the standing of woman and her influence in all departments of human activity. Socially, the club gave many receptions to distinguished visitors and American celebrities, among them: Monsieur Coquerel, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Emily Faithful, Mary Carpenter, Lord and Lady Amberly, Harriet Hosmer, Anne Whitney, Professor Maria Mitchell, Dr. Parsons, the Dante scholar, Professors Pierce, Gould, and Fiske and Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale. Thus it will be seen that "the diversity of activities and of sympathy illustrates well the broad purpose and intent of the originators of club-life for American women."

In 1875, Mrs. Severance removed to California with no abatement in her devotion to the cause of woman's rights and the extension of woman's clubs. She was soon actively engaged in the work of organizing woman's rights associations and clubs, and has the satisfaction of seeing many flourishing societies and clubs. She traveled extensively in her early life. Wherever she went, she immediately hunted up persons of note who were interested in the dearest object of her life—woman's rights. Among her many friends in England were: Mrs. Lucas, sister of Jacob and John Bright; Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Florence Nightingale, Mrs. Somerville,, Mrs. Jameson, Harriet Martineau, Mrs. Cobbe, Charlotte Robinson and many others.