THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

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and Wilson, warmly commended him and his work. Wilson, of “ Blackwood’s maga­zine,” said of him: “ He is the greatest artist in his own walk that ever lived.”

Matthew Fontaine Maury is a name as familiar to the civilized world as that of Aububon. “Wind,” “ Current Charts,” and “ Physical Geography of the Sea,” would • be sufficient to render the author famous. Yet these are but a small part of the works which have proven of incalculable benefit to science and navigation. His fame rests upon his services in behalf of science.

The first half of the century presents a sharp contrast to the last in the scope and character of woman’s sphere. Southern skies and perpetual sunshine had imparted a luster to the eye, a glow to the cheek, and an enthusiasm and vivacity which distin­guished peculiarly the daughters of the South.

The famous beauties of “ Lady Washington’s Court,” as the official circle of the first administration was termed, live in history. Their pictures so faithfully painted, that we are familiar with their traits and features as though they were of our world today.

In this early period the most rarely gifted women, pre-eminent in grace of speech and manner, matchless in physical endowments, were content to shine as queens in home and society. We can only afford time to present the representative from each sphere.

Dolly Madison, wife of the fourth President, is ever described as the brilliant leader of the official circle, not by the strong hand of power, as “ First Lady of the Land,” but by the magic qualities of beauty and worth combined, she captured all hearts, and today it is deemed a distinguished compliment to her successor to liken her popularity to that of Mrs. Madison.

A perfect example of home-life is witnessed in the mother of George Washing­ton. If the grand life of the son truly interpreted the lessons graven upon his heart by his mother, then we may pronounce Mary Washington “ best writer of the South,” and one whose work representing motherhood in other myriad homes atones the absence of literary celebrities among her Southern countrywomen. It is interesting to note that the women of the entire country in this eventful year of woman’s progress, have signified their appreciation of Mary Washington’s greatness by joining in the successful effort to erect a monument to her memory.

Time will suffice only to present one other name so world-renowned that the fame is American as well as Southern. A sculptured bust, dark with the shadow of the sable raven, is a familiar picture in all lands. In every home where classic Pallas fills an ideal niche, is the name of Edgar Allan Poe as familiar as household words. Un­known to society or fame, upon the publication of the “ Raven,” the author suddenly became a lion, and his writings were eagerly sought after by publishers.

The American poet, from beneath the black shadow of the “ Raven,” echoes the despairing cry, “ My soul from out that shadow shall be lifted never more.” We fain would believe that in the distant “Aiden ” there is a “ balm ” for soaring souls allied to hearts of sin and sorrow. Yet the knell of hope, “ My soul is dark,” is wafted from the new to the old, and in that shadow the memory of America’s greatest poet ever rests.