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.”
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York. 1916.
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