1911 Utonian

Page 160

The French CircleTHE French Circle was organized as a branch of the Modern Language Circle in the autumn of 1907, for the purpose of bringing into closer relation the students of French in the University and affording them an opportunity for informal conversation in that language.During the year 1909-10 the Circle has had a separate management. A special feature of the year has been the numerous invitations of the Circle into private homes. In fact, only one meeting out of six had, at this writing, been held within the walls of the University. Furthermore, the sociability of the Circle was greatly increased by gathering on evenings in place of afternoons.The success of these reunions is largely due to the officers of the Circle, under the presidency of Miss Hortense Lockhart, but also to the spirit of hospitality that pervaded so many of its members.Foremost among the many interesting and profitable numbers on its programs was Victorien Sardou's charming half-musical comedy, L'Ecureuil (The Squirrel), presented on the 31st of March in the University Assembly room before a large audience by the Misses Prout, Riter and Tolhurst. Professor Squire Coop had lent his sympathetic and substantial support by composing the music to the songs.Another play, entitled Le Lys Blanc (The White Lily), by Alphonse Daudet, is in preparation, the prospective performers being the Misses Davis, Hartwell and Lockhart, and Mr. Espey T. Cannon, but it will not be acted before next fall, eventually about November 1st, as the nature of this exquisite little play is such that it requires long and careful practice and rather elaborate stage-setting.OfficersHortense Lockhart.................. PresidentMildred Jenson.................Vice PresidentEleanor Prout . ...............Secretary-Treasurer Spanish CircleTHE Spanish Circle is the latest outgrowth of the voluntary Modern Language movement in the University. This Circle is as yet but an infant, for it was just born and is limited in number to the six young ladies who make up the class in second year Spanish this year. But it gives great promise for the future. It has already launched with success a Spanish farce, Las Solteronas (The Old Maids), which on March 31st was gracefully received by an audience of two hundred modern language friends. The performers were the six members of the class: Misses Davis, Hartwell, Parsons, Scofield, Van Pelt and Wallace.(160)