I found in Paris a number of young women, students of art and medicine, who appeared to lead very isolated lives and to have little or no acquaintance with one another. The need of a point of social union for these young people appearing to me very great, I invited a few of them to meet me at my lodgings. After some discussion we succeeded in organizing a small club, which, I am told, still exists.... [If we are not mistaken, this small club was a mustard seed which in time grew into the goodly tree of the American Girls' Club.] I was invited several times to speak while in Paris.... I spoke in French without notes.... Before leaving Paris I was invited to take part in a congress of woman's rights. It was deemed proper to elect two presidents for this occasion, and I had the honor of being chosen as one of them.... Somewhat in contrast with these sober doings was a ball given by the artist Healy at his residence. I had told Mrs. Healy in jest that I should insist upon dancing with her husband. Soon after my entrance she said to me, “Mrs. Howe, your quadrille is ready for you. See what company you are to have.” I looked and beheld General Grant and M. Gambetta, who led
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more good from my stay in Paris than this empty Journal would indicate.
Have seen many earnest men and women-have delivered a lecture in Frenchhave started a club of English and American women students, for which Deo gratias Farewell, dear Paris, God keep and save theel”
She mentions this club in the “Reminiscences.”
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