Lafayette. Ind., where she took charge of the Collegiate Institute. She taught later in Pennsylvania in a private school. She then began to lecture on history before classes in Houghton Seminary. Her courses of lectures were well received, and after her mother's death, in 1882, she kept her home in Holland Patent and continued her school work. Her reputation as a lecturer grew, and her services were called for in other schools. When her brother was elected President, she accompanied him to Washington, D. C., and presided as mistress of the White House until his marriage, in June, 1886. Her best womanly qualities were displayed in that delicate and difficult position, and she took into the White House an atmosphere of culture, independence and originality that was exceedingly attractive. The brightest men of the time found in her a self-possessed, intellectual, thoroughly educated woman, acquainted with several modern languages and fully informed on all the questions of the day. After her brother's marriage she returned to Holland Patent. She afterwards taught history in a private school in New York City. She has not written much. Her published works are "George Eliot's Poetry and Other Studies" (New York, 1888), and "The Long Run," a novel, (Detroit, 1886). She accepted a position as editor of "Literary Life," a magazine published in Chicago, but, not satisfied with the management, she resigned. She has written some verse, but has published very little. She is now engaged in literary work.
CLYMER, Mrs. Ella Maria Dietz, poet, born in New York City. Even as a child she showed many signs of that varied genius which has made her remarkable among the women of her
ELLA MARIA DIETZ CLYMER.
time. Her father died while she was very young, and her mother at first objected to her selection of a theatrical career, but finally gave consent to her daughter's dramatic studies. Early in her teens she married the late Edward M. Clymer, of Pennsylvania, brother of Heister Clymer, who was a member of Congress for several years. Mrs. Clymer made her professional debut in New York, in 1872, as Pauline in the "Lady of Lyons." In the spring of 1874 she went to Paris, and in company of her brother and her sister, Miss Linda Dietz, so favorably known in America and in London, she spent some months in studying in the French school of dramatic art. She acted afterwards both in London and the provinces, and her performances of the principal Shakespearean parts were very highly commended. Her Juliet was spoken of as "a revelation, poetical and imaginative in the highest degree." In 1881 she brought out a version of "Faust," adapted by herself for the English stage, in which she played Margaret, and was called the very living reality of Goethe's heroine." The fatigue of stage life proved too much for Mrs. Clymer's delicate constitution, and she was obliged to abandon the profession. She continued her public readings, however, a department of the dramatic art in which she probably has no peer, and Moncure D. Conway gave expression to the general opinion when he wrote: "As a dramatic reciter and interpreter of modern ballad poetry she is unequaled." Nor was her dramatic gift her only one. She has talent as an artist and has composed many songs full of dainty grace and melody. Her first poems were published in 1873, and since then she has written frequently for the English and American press. In 1877 she published "The Triumph of Love" (London), and seven years later "The Triumph of Time" (London, 1884), soon followed by "The Triumph of Life" (London, 1885). These are mystical poems, composed of songs, lyrics and sonnets, ranging over the whole gamut of human and divine love, and marked by the same high qualities that distinguished all her work. Notwithstanding all this self-culture, she has not neglected humanity. While in London she was an enthusiastic member of the Church and Stage Guild, and of the religious guild of St. Matthews; she lectured before workingmen's clubs and took part in many other philanthropic undertakings. She has been connected with Sorosis since its beginning, in 1868, and on her return to New York, in 1881, was immediately put upon many of its committees, and served for two years as its president. She has been a leading factor in the Federation of Women's Clubs, which is doing so much to forward the harmonious work of the best women for their own highest good and in the interest of the world.
COATES, Mrs. Florence Earle, poet, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. She is descended from Ralph Earle, of Rhode Island, who came from England to the Colonies in 1634, and was one of the petitioners to Charles II for permission to form Rhode Island into a corporate colony. Her grandfather, Thomas Earle, was a noted philanthropist, and the first nominee of the Liberty Party for vice-president of the United States. Her father, George H. Earle, is a lawyer of distinction. She was thoroughly educated, having studied in Europe for some time, is an accomplished musician, and possesses strong dramatic talent. The writings of Matthew Arnold have been a great inspiration to her, and have influenced her poetry. During his visits to Philadelphia, Mr. Arnold made his home with her and her husband, Edward H. Coates, who is president of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He is a generous patron of art and of artists. Mrs. Coates' poems are finished productions. She is a regular contributor to the "Century," "Atlantic Monthly," "Harper's Magazine" and "Lippincott's Magazine," and to other periodi-
