Essays

A thing of beauty is a joy forever, or so John Keats (1795–1821) stated in the opening stanza of his poem Endymion (1818). While...

They had names like Sofonisba and Lavinia and most of all Artemisia. They were brilliant and gifted and (sometimes) ferocious—because they had to be, sure,...

Herein lie gardens to dazzle the senses and boggle the mind. Some are meant for a community, some just for you; in a few,...

Explore the enchanting world of the Providence Athenæum, where the lines between library and temple blur. Follow a librarian's nightly ritual, paying homage to Athena and the rich tapestry of history woven into every corner. Delve into tales of literary legends, haunted echoes, and the gentle whispers of ancient wisdom, all amidst the cozy embrace of dusty tomes and flickering fairy lights. Step into this magical realm, where even the fountain outside holds secrets and promises of return. Discover the Providence Athenæum: more than just a library, a sanctuary for seekers of knowledge and lovers of stories.

Feature Image: Sappho and Erinna in a Garden at Mytilene (1864), by Simeon Solomon According to the Ancient Greek poet Alcaeus of Mytilene, “No man sings...

The waies, through which my weary steps I guyde, In this delightfull land of Faery, Are so exceeding spacious and wyde, And sprinckled with such sweet...

America’s favorite sharpshooter suffered a sugary makeover in Hollywood and Broadway depictions, which depicted her as someone willing to throw matches and stomach bratty...

Last summer when my father in law came from Ireland to visit, we took my daughters hiking in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest in upstate New...

  Every Halloween, no matter what the newest costumes might be, there are always little girls who insist upon dressing as witches. You can see...