Chicago daily tribune. [volume], April 24, 1875, Page 3, Image 3

About Chicago daily tribune. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1872-1963

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LITERATURE.
Tytlcr'fl onlcrliHn
okotches of tko pointers of moditoval and of
£Sh£ times MU ho prepared to flud the pres
ent volume, as It to, very attractive roadin f* 11
contains nn account-of wore or less {uUuceb,
according to tho riclmeso of tho materials ox
lanl-of sixty musical composers. Not a name
«f m note is raiHsed from the number, while
nmny are included that aro almost whollydin
knowu even to tho educated public. The list bo
cins with Dunstable, an English musician, to
whom tho Invention of counterpoint has boon
erroneously ascribed, and who diod in 4408, ft,,d
ends with Richard Wagner, whoso erratic com
positions aro hollovod by his admirers to foro
■jadow “thomusic of tho future. In tracing
the career of this longliuo of musicians arranged
In chronological order, the history of modern
music, whoso beginning Uullal* dates in 1400, is
Verv fairly developed.
On examining the biographical data thus con
veniently mossed under the eye, ouo is struck
wllb tho early ago at which many of tho most
eminent musical compoßois havo been cut off.
Htradolla died at 20 (his woa a violent death,
however, ho being assassinated at tho instiga
tion of a Venetian nobleman, whoso lady-love ho
hid won and married); Schubert died at 3J-
Bellini, at 34 ? Mozart, at 33 ? Mendelssohn, at
U3 • Purcell, at 37; Chopin, at 39; Wobor, at 40 ;
Schumann, at 40; Hummel, at 40; Donizetti, at
B0; and Beethoven, at 57. It is easy to account
for Ud9 lack of longevity. Tho artistic tem
perament is apt to bo allied with a deli
cate constitution, while the strain of
tho f acuities iu tho work of com
position, tho excitements of ambition, tho fre
quent transitions from bopo to despair, the
anxious, distressing struggle with penury and
edvGißO circumstances that many wo compelled
to undergo, and, In some cases, oxcobbivo dissi
pation. furnish sufficient reasons for tho prema
ture deaths among musical geniuses. On tho*
other baud, some of tho most famous masters iu
this department of art havo reached a reasona
ble old ago. Sebastian Bach lived to bo 00;
Anber, CUs reloswtna, 70; Meyerbeer, 70;
Oluck, 73; Handel, 74; Rossini, 70; Moscbeios.
•70; Haydn, 77, and Cherubini, 82. Wo might
nuccest as some explanation of certain of these
instances of longevity, that Bach, Uaudol,
Haydn, and, with rcHorvations, Uluck, woro
simple, earnest, devout men, who in the con
templation of sacred themes kept their lives
pure and their intellects and passions calm.
Vet after oil is said on oithor side, tho biolo
gists will declare the whole Question of longevity
to bo a matter of more heredity.
• • Miss Tytlor does not protend to furnish any
•cow facts in her sketches. They aro simply
borrowed from more voluminous biographies,
tho merit of her work consisting in Its compro
iiontdvonesß, tho selection and disposition of its
details, and in a happy faculty for narration.
Tho recent momuir of Moscholos, tho fascinating
loiters of Mendelssohn, the several biographies
«jf Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, and Haydn, havo
tnado the lives of those worthies generally fa
tmllar. Less la known of Sebastian Bach, in
whom, as tho father of tho fugue, a groat dqal
of musical intercut centres.
This great composer camo not merely of a
family, but of a taco, of musicians. In his day
the Bachs dated tho origin of their musical talent
full a century and a half back to a Hungarian an
cestor who ground wheat for a living and sang
to tha guitar for his delectation. From his sons,
living in 1323. down to tho grandsons of Sebas
tian Bach, living in 17CO, ovary male inheritor
of tha name tallowed music as a profession.
Tho family woro prolific, and scarcely a town iu
Thuringia, Saxony, or Franconia bat had a Bach
for an organist or music-toactior. Besides their
musical proclivities, tho Bachs woro distinguished
for their adherence to tho lleformed Church
end their u»o of tho Christian namo Johann.
This was prefixed to tho namo by which they
wore known; as, Johann Christoph, Johann
. Brnoet, Johann Michael, and Johann Hebiwtian,
tho greatest Bach of them all. {Sebastian was
bom iu Eisenach in 1085. His father was ouo
of twin brothers who so closely resembled each
other that their Intimate acquaintances could
hardly distinguish ouo from the otiior. Their
wives, oven, wore often puzzled to say which was
thole husband, do groat a sympathy iu body
and mind existed between the twin brothers
tbit when one was ill tho other was ill also.
Their deaths followed on each other closely.
When Sebastian was still a child bo proved him
self a legitimate Bach by copying a surreptitious
ly-borrowed volume of music, by moonlight.
Tho task took him sixpioutha, for ho darod not
betray Ids occupation to his guardian brother,
who had forbidden it, by attempting the work in
tho daytime or by caudlo-llgut. Towards tho
closo of his life, Sebastian was punished for this
youthful indiscretion by tho loss of his eyesight.
Par a long time ho was totally blind; but ton
days before his death his sight nos restored to
him. It Is said of Bach that “bis character had
Dot a spot, his life was perfect." His industry
was extreme, and as ft composer he was soveroly
conscientious. Uls works wore not largely"
fcnowu In hia own day, even in Germany, and it
Is chiefly through tho lostmmoutality of Men
delssohn that in tho present century his true
rank iu his art has boon acknowledged. By his
two wives, Bach was tho father of twenty chil
dren.
Au Incident In Bacb’a life, In which (ho occon
tric humor of Pmlorio the Groat ebinosout, m
reported by Miaa Tytlor. A son of Bauh was in
(lie service of (bo Prussian King, ami his duty
Dousistud mainly in accompanying on tbo pluuo
forte tho King's performance ontholluto. One
plgbt tbo Royal concert was at its height, tbo
King had taken up hla flute to play the solo,
Which won to bo listened to wlthaomuoU admit a
tlon and deference, when, according to custom,
a lint of the stranger* arriving that day m tho
town w&b handed to Frederic. In tbo ease of
bis prerogative, his Majesty arrcßlod tbo concert
ttiat ho miqhl glance over tho list, when be sml
deuly stanlod tho whole room by tbo oxcitod ex
clamation, “ Gentlemen, old Bach 1b come 1” No
time was to bo lost in laying bold of a mun who
bod already resisted Court invitations,
find was impervious aliko to Court
■miles and frowns. Sebastian was barely
permitted to alight from his long and
fatiguing journey at hia Bun's house ore ho was
put into a carriage and driven to tho palace.
There “ old Bach/' with the dust of tho toad
etill upon him, his oyea aomowhot dazzled with
tho sudden glare of light, stops into tho midst
of tblß lordly company or powdered wigs and
doublets, and diamond tiaras and sword-hilts.
His Majesty, after a warm oud unceremonious
Keeling, besought the great contrapuntist to
ipcovise to tbo company ; and Bach passed tbo
remainder of the evening going from room to
room, followed by troops of admiring Court la
dies and musicians, and trying pianofortes made
by Bilborman.
bishop patteson.
Ths Story op a FuLnow-SoLman. Dr Fbancrs Aw*
dut. liimo,, n>. WQ. London; HoqndUan & Co.
The life of the Christian hero and martyr,
John Coleridge Fatteson, Missionary Bishop of
the Melanesian Islands, has supplied Miss Aw*
dry with the materials for a moat impressive
story. It is related in a stylo of exceeding sim
plicity, that harmonizes exquisitely with the
modest, unpretending, and yet imposing charac
ter of the subject. It is as if the writer, in
studying the traits and works that wore to he
inwoven into her narrative, had boon Inspired by
their noble humility, sincerity, and unaffected
ueos, to delineate them in words of pare and
quiet grace. Bishop Fatteson was the eldest
sou of Sir John Fatteson, one of tbo most hon
ored amUxemplory of the Judges of England.
while a student at Eton, the boy Coleridge
listened to Iho farewell sermon of the Bov. Mr.
t»*wyo, who had been consecrated Bishop of
New Zealand, and was so deeply stirred by the
discourse that he then and there formed a stead
fast purpose of devoting himself to tho same
missionary work. It was not until bo bsd been
S r *u V ? r .t l jeMl CQr » l » st Alflngtou, and had
* nil? *B® ot 27, that bo was able to occom-
FlisU bis early purpose. Iu 1855 he parted from
bJa family and his native land, with theknowl-
Saw Sli.nri *t?i D f re . r x *° retarn i sod sailed for
uin BA*«n tU ? of Bishop Bol
wyn. seven yoon ho labored m teacher and
£"«*«• “° der 11,0 ‘Uroollou oflii. bunorior,
.ndtbaa wm consecrated, .t Auokl.iid, to flr«t
awhoo o! Usuiwl*. Tho elevation *of hi.
office in tho ministry made little diifurenca in
liis outward life, which was alw&vu tniuamn
and seif-denying. Tbo first objiaof Uii mTi
the South Sea leldnd. «u w Sla
cate tbo native oblldren. Schools .war* «Hin»L
Usned, first at Now Zealand under BUbop Solwvu
lud afterwa.ds st Norfolk and MalS i£ Sl
Fishop Fatteson. To these schools bovs
snd girls were gathered by tho millenaries
[rom various islands and tanghtduringthswarm
ot the year, and xstuxued to (fair homes
for tho winter, the weather was too sc woro
for thorn at tho mission stations. It was a id.<»w,
but probably llm hoot, way of inlrodiwlng
Christianity and civilization among the savages
of Now Zealand and Melanesia.
Dihliop I’allCHon'H heart nnn no filled rrllh
afTooiloii for the cliililroti tinder his charge that
ho never pined for tho iiomo and country ho
had left, or felt that his sacrifices in tho
Hfo ho had chosen were too groat. Ho wan not
onlv a teacher to his hoiUhou pupils. hnt
a father, a mother, a servant. and a Irtond. 'Mona
of Ida own could not havoboou moro tenderly
and faithfully nurtured. Ho nursed thorn in
sickness ami watched over thorn In hnailh. with
a solicitude and vigilance that wou an honczit re
ward in tho gratitude and good behavior of nil
under hit protection. Tho account of bin de
voted services, performed without parade or
ostentation, in extremely touching.
About tho year IH7O. tho work of them fission
was seriously disturbed by tlio importation of
laborers from tho Melanesian Inlands for tho
sugar ami cotton plantations at Queensland r.nd
tho Fiji Islands. As not enough natives could
be Induced to engage in work to supply U 10 de
mand for labor, unfair measures wore r< sorted
to, amt they woro kidnapped in great m unborn
and carried off by villainous traders. This cruel
ty excited a spirit of revenge among the island
era, which was wreaked upon all whhw> men,
even upon their friends, tho raiHidonaiioH, In
September, 1871, Ihshop I’attoson hlmsoLf fell a
victim to tho blind tftgo of tho savages, and ao
ho'was attempting to land at Nukanu, oii'S of tho
Santa Cmz Islands, ho was trcaclicrmw iy mur
dered. Ko was 44 years old at tho lime, of his
death, hut was already bent and wrinkled, as
with extreme ago, by tho ceaseless tcils per
formed in a bot and wearing cllmal o. Tho
lamented Bishop did much good by bis. heroic
olTortn to bonofit the South Hoa Inlanders ; but
the story of hlHlifo will dn more, by allowing
men the grandeur of a perfect devotion to a
humane and unselfish cause.
RECENT NOVELS.
RAt.ru Wilton's Weird: A Novel. By N'rfl. ALEX
ANDER. Author of “Tlio Wooing Cl," cl *, llimo.,
HP 207. New York: Henry Holt k Co.
PanrrorLovii CAstuTR. Out Fbar. By I UT«*ntNK
Bkduwiok Tt’AsnnujiK, Anllior of “I lie Italian
Glrl,"«le. 13rn0., pp.:ilP. Bouton: Loo .'t Hhcparu.
Elms; A Lowland Sketch. By A. O. M. Toper.
Tp. 378. Now York ; Macmillan k co.
CoKqusnnm and To Conquer. Ily tho Author of
“ The Schonlwrg-Cotta Family.” 12r00,, pj». IHI.
Now York : Dodd k Mead,
Tho novel that heads this list fils very well
Into tho “Leisure-Hour Series, *’ where it Is
placed by its American publishers. It Is easy
&ud tolerably agreeable reading. Us chi of charac
teristic being that it creates no strou;; impres
sion of any sort. But it prosoiitsDosaUout points
to oxcito surprise or admiration, neither
docs it possess any strikinp; faults
that Irritate or offend beyond forglvo
givenoss. It is quite possible that tbo occasion
might ariso when ono would fool grat'iful to tho
book for the diversion It is able to afford, as
donbtlOßS thoro aro uso* to bo found 1!or simply
common-place romances.
Tho next novel m tbo succession, "Perfect
Lovo Castotli Oat Pear, ” is moro posi tlvo iu its
influence. Its author brings out on irrr stage a
troop of the favored sous and daughters of for
tune, who havo nothing to do but malm life ouo
long festival-day. They dwell iu id/ienosa and
luxury, wear tho coatliostatiiro. and i are sump
tuously* Thoir moat vigorous and continuous
performance consists, strangely onou.gb, In air
ing their learning, which is amazing; In extent
and profundity, considering that it.ls tho attain
ment of moro butterflies of fashion. Tho reader
who has hod only average opporti initios for
accumulating a store of rccoudlto knowledge
will bo quite overpowered by the ei iMordiuary
facility with which the old heroes of history and
mythology r.ro dragged Into tho light cat conver
sations hold by theso marvelous p ,'oplo. The
bewilderment which is begun by their speech is
sustained by their actions, which are tlio fruit
of tho wildest and most unaccountab lo vagaries.
However, when we come in contact v illli a mixed
company wherein tho women am lovely ns
houris, the men handsome as Apo! ilos, and nil
aro rich as Crmsus ami wise as Bac< n>, wo must
not ho nnrprisod that their words at id deeds aro
at variance with every common rulo of proceed
ing.
“Elsie" Is evidently tho work ol*a writer of
education and refinement. Tho stylo is lucid and
correct, ami the story in managed will i good Judg
ment. It has todo mainly with tho p( -asautryin a
Scotch village, who are simple-hcat led, unpre
tending, aim upright. Tlio plot hns I *en worked
over many times: a weak, worthless gentleman
betraying tbo faith of a young, artia is girl, who
had tended him during an Illness tbs t confined
him accidentally under her father’s ht imblo roof.
It Is treated in this Instance in a quiois, well-bred
manner.
UtHUUVI.
Any book coming from tbo nulli or of the
"Schonherg-Colta Family ” will bs exa mluodwith
interest. Mrs. Charles has dollghlott a host of
readers with bor early nlorlco, and fa r this she
will bo hold in grateful rotnombrat co. Her
writings havo beou distinguished for their re
ligious fervor and sweet simplicity. In thoso
produced of late years there has bean some loss
of tho old charm through an increasiflft' hardness
and coldness of touo. Tho present wet :k reveals
tho cliamro In tho most decided mauna r. Thoro
iu little trace In It of tho quaint, sweet j ;raco that
made tho Bchouhorg-Cotta books so i ittractivo
and gained for them nn immoneo pt 'pulaiity.
“ Conquering and to Conquer ” is an n; tampt to
reproduce llio lifo of tlio Christian iu 11 ome Just
prior to tlio invasion of thooitybyth i Goths.
But there is no life In tho picture, aud iu fails to
enlist tho attention.
AN ILLINOIS REGIMENT.
Kmurr-RZcoNti Illinois Volustixrh. 13 mo., pp.
!WO, Freeport. III.: Journal Steam mbliiiiifug
Itoiißo and liookhimlcry.
The writer of this history of tbs Ninoty
socond ” should have put his name on tliu title
page, and accepted the honor duo bit a for an
excellent ploco of literary work, lie ban sketch
ed tbo career of bis regiment in a direct, concise,
and graphic manner tbst is worthy of high
praise. Every surviving member of the Ninety
second, nnd every Individual who bad a» friend
or a relative in tbo corps, will feel a grateful
pndo in the book, nnd should havo a copy to
treasure os a precious heir-loom to -descend
from generation to generation. It is a y.ity that
every regiment engaged in tho War co aid not
have its record written out as fully and agree
ably as this has been done, tiuob annals of tbo
Rebellion would have eager renders aniiong all
classes and ages. aa’long as loyalty and itountry
shall exist.
The story of tbo Ninety-Second Is n rofocod
with a brief and correct review of (he mi lory of
slavery in tho United States that adds ra ueb to
tbo value of the book. Tlio “ Nlnoty-Bocoud ”
volunteered in answer to (ho call “ for HOO,UOO'
more ” in tho summer of 18(32. It was r.auster
ed into tho United States service. Sept. 4, for
“ three years, or daring tho war.” In August,
1863, it was attached to Qon. Wilder’s SI ountod
Brigade, but retained under tbo comm .uul of
Gun. Rosocrans. Tho following spring 111 o rogl
niont was detached from Wilder’s Brigade and
Joined to the Army of the Cumberland under
Gen. Thomas. On tho Bth of Julv, 18(35, hav
ing shared iu tbo triumphant march of Sln.Tman
from Savannah to Richmond, the reglmoiUi was
mustered out of sorvico at Concord, Va.,
with a clean, bright record of which, not only
the soldiers, but the Stale and the country may
bo justly proud.
A HEALTH-GUIDE.
Tup. Maintzkanck op Health ; A UemoAL 1 Voqk
pod Lay Ukadeus. lly J. Uilnkr ForifEßl I ILL,
M. D., M. It. C. P. IStuo., pp. 3CC. Now York VO.
I’. Putnam's Sous.
Treatises upon Physiology and Hygiene form
no inconsiderable portion uf tbo literature of
tho day. Scarcely a week passes without add
ing some volume of tbo kind to (belong Etot
already published. Tbo great bulk of them a re
able and useful,—tbo conscientious production of
skillful and sagacious physicians who bavo mat le
tbebumsn frame, Its eruditions of health and dl
ease, their life-long study. The seeker after th n
sort of Instruction these troi User dispense wouLf.
hardly go amiss iu choosing any oik of them.
That before ns is replete with judicious and
Icatuod advice upon the manifold topics non
corned in the maintenance of health. It is writ
ten by an Enulisb physician, who In his opin- '
lans combines sound common suose with much
medical loro. The stylo is more solid than popu
lar, bnt tbo hook is meant for studious rather
than light reading. Each chapter Is followed by
an index of Us principal propositions,—* com- .
tnendablo arrangement for fixing them in tho
mind.
LEGISLATIVE MANUAL.
WasnuiaTon’s Manual, By V.’iluau 8, Booisaow,
“ Werrhigtoa," Clerk of tus llouno of Beprcaeoto
lives of MatkAcbuietU from isdi toltfii. lomo., up,
Od. Boston: Loo fc Hhepard.
Members of legislative and deliberative bodies,
and of societies of all kinds, will find this little
manual a convenient and efficient guide iu “Far
liamcutary law.” Tbo author bassoon at groat
pains to condense tho rules presented Into tbo
least possible space, and to make them st (be
l&ma time clear and oomprabsaaive. They pro*
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SATURDAY, APRIL 24. XB7S.—TWELVE PAGES.
vide for every contingency likely to ariso In
tho transaction of biifluioss by deliberative as
semblies, and furnish advice on all points for the
conduct of presiding olficors, committees, and
members. Tho reputation of “ Warrington "ns
a writer and legislative oftlcor gives assurance
of tho ability and accuracy that mark his little
work.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Memoirs or .Lius Quinoy Adams : Gomphisiwo For-
Tioss ok His Diary mow IIOStoIBib. Edited by
CttAti t.fjt Francis Adams. Vo!. V. Hvo„ pp. 542.
Millndnlpbla : J. IJ. Llpfdncolt k C’o.
This is one of tho most Interesting volumes of
Mr. Adams’ Memoirs that have yet appeared. It
Includes the record of loss than two years,—bo
tween 1820 and IB22,—but of an Interval in a
moet stirring period of the political history of
the United mates. Tho question of tho Missouri
CompromlßO was in tho early part of tho lltno
under discussion in tho National Legislature,
and the occupation of the settlement at tho
month of tho Columbia lllvor was tho occasion
for animated debate between Mr. Adams, as
Secretary of State, and Mr. Canning, the En
glish Minister. Mr. Adams’reportß of tlio public
events transpiring at tbe scat of Gov
ernment aro singularly minute and faith
ful, and will bo examined by the politi
cal student with groat satisfaction. Amid tlio
corruption that prevailed among place-hunters—
anil statesmen even, wo aro compelled to add—lt
is pleasant to nolo the invincible Integrity of
Mr. Adams. Ho bad his prejudices, it is true,
and was capable of a tolerable dogrooof animos
ity. Henry Clay was decidedly not a favorllo.
There was evidently a strong fooling of rivalry
between the Senator from Kentucky and the
Secretary of State. Tho Presidentship loomed
up before both of them, a possible ami a coveted
possession. Yet, according to the Journal of
Mr. Adams, bo sternly resisted every temptation
to win constituents by bribes, or by questionable
means of any sort. Willing as bo undoubtedly
was to occupy tho highest office In tho gift of
the American people, ho wished to receive the
honor as an honest tribute to hia worth andabll-
ily, and not as the reward of successful clil
cauery. _____
POPULAR-SCIENCE LIBRARY.
TiiENATcnxi. lIisTOBTorMANS A Conwi: op But
nitiNTAnr LKctonm. Ry A. De quatkki'aoeh,
Member of tbo Academy of Hca-ucce, Trufcnaor lu
Rio Museum of Natural History. Translated fmm
the French by Euza A. Youmaks. Wllb an Ap
pendix. 1-100., pp. 102. New York: D. Appleton k
Co. Trice, sl.
Ttie Scikscr or Munia; ok, Tun Tnr«icin Basis op
Mtmcii, Harmony. By Ledlky Taylor, m. A.,
Lato Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. 12m0.,
pp. 161*. New York s D. Appleton &Co. Tncc.fl.
ThcHO volumes form tho second and third
numbers of a series intended to bring tbo latest
results of scientific inquiry within roach of all
clanscfl of readers. " Tho Natural History of
Man " comprises a course of elementary lectures
delivered by tho author to audiences of working
men in Vincennes. In trying to make his sub
ject plain to uuoducatod heaters. M. Qualcrfagcs
has rather overdone tho thing, and talks ns
(hough addressing children instead of adults.
To those entirely ignorant of the subject dis
cussed, liis langoage may bo none too simple for
a cleat understanding ; but wo iticlino to tho ho-
Uof that tho avorugo American intelligence will,
oven in elementary ticatiscH, bear greater digni
ty of treatment and moro solid information.
Tho essav of Mr. Taylor is mndo up of un
adulterated science, ami will give ri:ie to no com
plaint on tbo score of too great easiness. Tbo
rcador must nimrpen his wits who moans to
mantcrit; but tho effort will bo good for him,
while tho instruction gained of tbo theory of
sound will bo full of intt-roat.
SPAIN,
Spain and ttik Spaniards, By N. L, TniEtiLtN.
10mo,, pp. 4<lf. Doitou: Lea/c Shepard.
This entertaining work, consisting of letters
from Spain by a Now York Herald correspondent,
was published in London a year ago, and re
viewed in our columns at the timo. It presents
a complete amt lively picture of modern tipain,
mid merits a wide circulation among our coun
trymen. _____
BOOKS RECEIVED.
VATioANTsit: Ay Answer to Rciuioops and Replies.
By tb« Rt. Hod. W. E. Gladstone, M. T. Tupur.
Now York: Harper ii Brother*.
Mn, Vadoiun'h Heir: A Novel. By Frank Lee
Benedict, Author of “ Ml«a Van KorlUml," etc.
Taper. New York; Harper k Brothers.
Savely Married: A Novel. By the Author of
“Guile,” etc. Taper. New York: Harper Js
Brothers.
Tuk Gypsy’s Prophecy ; or, Tub Bride op an Even
inq. By Mm. Emma D, B. N. Hodtiiwortu. !2nto.,
pp. 453. Philadelphia ; T. B. Tetsmoo It Brothers.
Dolores, By Mr*. Forrester, Author of “ Fair
Woim-ii," “My Hero," etc, lima., pp, 448, Phila
delphia : J. B. Llppiucott A: Co.
Tub Blossoming op an Alob: A Novel. By Mrs.
Oasiill Holy. Author of “ A Ooldou Borrow," otc.
Taper. Now York : Harper Jt Brothers.
C*m Currency: What It Is. and What It Should
Be. By John O, Drew. Taper, Now York: Hen
ry L. limion k Co.
ItlK iNHI-KDIRNOY OF AH iRREnEEUARLK TAPER
Cuunr.sor: Bkino an AORiDOEMKEr of tub Chap-
TKHS FROM TUB “ PRINCIPLE* «f POLITICAL F.COH
our,"on Money and Credit. By John Htuaiit
Mill. Paper. Now York: Henry L. Hinton k Co.
PERIODICALS RECEIVED.
Atlantic Monthly for May (11. O. Houghton it
Co., Boston). Contents: “Amalfi," by Henry
TV. Longfellow; “Roderick Hudson,” V., by
Henry Jumna, Jr. ; “Tho I’ino ami the Walnut
(Newcastle, 1802)," by T. B. Aldrich; “Alfiori,"
by W. D. Howells; “Tho Northwestern Mule
nnd Ilia Driver/’ byß. J. Barrows; “Sonnets
To F. A.," by J. R. Lowell; “ What Is an Amer
ican ?" “Old Times on the Mississippi," V., by
Alark Twain; “Lexington: 1775,” by John Q.
Whittier? “Merely a Mirror," by William M.
Baker*. “Together," by Sarah 0. Jewett; “The
Virginia Campaign of John Brown,” V., by P. B.
Sanborn? “ Tho PaHtidiouH Goblin,” by J. TV.
Do* rarest; “A Memorable Murder,” by Celia
Th&xtor.
Scribner's Monthly for May (Scribner & Co.,
New York). Contents : “ Tho Baltimore Bona
partes.” by Eugene L. Duller ; “ A Temple of
Hong,” by Frederick A. Schwab { “ Tbo Hcory of
Hovonoaks, Chaps. XI., XII., by J. G, Holland ;
“ An Eloctro-
Mochanical Romance,” by Charles Barnard;
“ The Mysterious Inland," Part 11. Chaps. Ylil,
IX., X., adapted from Jutes Vorno ; “AFnrmor’s
Vacation. 11. Droogmakerij,” by George E.
Waring, Jr.; “ Tbo Huron," by James Maurice
Thompson; “ The Elder Mytlis,” by William
Hayes Ward; “ Tho Happy Village,” by Kano
O'Donnel; “ Borne Old Letters/’ Fort IV.;
“ Modrako and Osprey,” by Celia Tbaxlor;
“Bonnet,” by H. II.; “Both Bides of the
Shield,” by B. 11. D.; “Joan-ab Poquelin/’ by
George W. Cables Some Recent Women
Poets ; ” “Yung Wing and Uia Work,” by James
L. Bowen.
Galaxy tor May (Bholdou & Co., New York).
Contents: “Leah: A Woman of Fashion,”
Chapters XX., XXL, and XXII., by Mrs. Annie
Edwards; “The Tableau Vivant/’by J. W. Bo-
Forest; “Louis 11., of Bavaria; or, Romanti
cism on tho Throne," Part 11., byE. Reclus;
“The Last of (lie Old Masters.” by F. M. Oiay;
“ Excelsior,” by F. W. Bourdillon; “ Dear Lady
Disdain,” Chapters X., XI., and XIL, by Justin
McCarthy; “Unbidden,” by R. 0.; “Angelica
Kauflman,” by Mary A. E. Wager: “A Norse
man's Pilgrimage, ” Chapters XIV. to oud. by
lljalmar HJortb Bovesen; “Literary and Liu
gnlstio Notes and Queries,” by Richard Qraot
White; “Homo Pressed Flowers,” by John
James Piatt; “Miss Olivo and X/’ byL. 0. TV.;
“ Which J*" by Mary. B. Dodge.
Catholic World for May (Catholic Publication
House, Now York). Contents : “ Pius IX. and
Mr. Gladstone’s Misrepresentations;" “The
Bath of the Golden Robin ;" “ Are You Mv
Wife “ Hlrav Loaves from a Pausing Life ;
“Calderons Autos Sacramentolou;" “I Am tbo
Door;” “ The Tragedy of tboTwuploj” “Sub
stantial Generations“ Tbo Modern Literature
of Russia “ The First Jubilee ;" “ Ureville
and Saint Bimou“ Dour Gueraupor and
Bolesmes :" “ Legend of the Blumisalpe.”
Old ana A’eui for Mav (Loo k Hbopard, Bos
ton). Contents: “A Hundred Years Ago;
“The American Governments," by Edward E.
Hole: “Tbo Idyl of Faribault.” by Richard
Houduer: "Tho Argument for Tax-Exemption?"
“Tbo Way We Llvo Now," by Anthony Trol
lope; “Theßourbons;” “April Showers;” “A
Queer Little Hat,” by Kate Tamatt Woods;
“ Prize Bong of Walther," English and German ;
“ Sauuterlngs; ” “ Pansies,” by Nellie M. Gara
braut.
& Nicholas for May. fScribnor & Co., New
York.) Profusely illustrated, and with articles
by Bobeoca Harding Davis, Bose Terry Oooko,
Louisa M. Aloott, J. T. Trowbridge, and many
other well-known writers for the Juveniles.
fia/urdoy Journal for April. (A. titrohan,
London | WUmer A Bogera News Company,
Now fork.)
National Teacher s' Magazine for May. (A.
S. Barnes & Co., Nsw York and Chicago.)
American Laio lieoisUr for April. (D, B.
> Canfield 4 Co., Philadelphia.)
Chicago Magazine for April. {Chicago Jfoga
i fne Company;.
The Nklsok trophy, tbo property of Mr. N.
Jt .y, of Cbeom, England, was sold for i.'128. It
wt. o composed of M guinsaa ia busox'a purse
at, the Urns of bis death*
SPARKS OF SCIENCE,
ARCTIC VEGETATION,
Not a single flowering plant lias boon found
within tho Antarctic circle, ami only a limited
number of the lower cryptogams. The most
northerly point at which phanerogamic vegeta
tion has been discovered is in 82 degrees north
latitude, where, probably on the tail shore of
Hmllh's Bound, four plants, tho hrnba alpina,
Cn-atlium alptnum, 7 'arasnrmnnUwb emit, vaf.,
and Poa alpina, woro gathered by Ur. Bessel.
The flora of tho North Frigid /ouo includes, ac
cording to Dr, Hooker, 7C2 species of flowering
plants. Fifty of these aro confined exclusively
to tho Arctic regions. A very large proportion
of them are found In Bcaudinaria. south of tho
Arctic circle, and reappear in the Alps. A few
roach tlio Alpine regions of India and Africa,
and a few occur in tho extreme south of tho )
Southern hemisphere. To give precise figures,
(HO of the 7C2 species have been observed in Arc
tic Europe, 233’tn Arctic Asia, 304 m Arctic West
America, 379 In Arctic East America, and 207
in Arctic Greenland. From these figures it will
be seen that nearly all tho areas mentioned have
a majority of species In common, und that each
area has tint a few peculiar to itself. With the
exception of tho American shores of Smith's
Bound, tho Bpitzborgcn Islands are the most
northerly lands yet trodden by Aictic explorers,
and their vegetation, from its comparative ac
cessibility. la as well or bettor known than that
of any other region lying far within tho Frigid
Zone. The flora of Spitzbcrgen comprises at
least 100 different flowering plants. Nearly all
are herbaceous perennials, about one third being
grasses. Hedges, and rushes. The nearest ap
proach to woody vegetation is found in tho crow
borryJfA’Dipc/rurn ntyrum), two species of willow
(Salix rcliculalaind S. pokin'*j. end Awlrouuda
tetragona , an oricacsous under t-lirab. Noilhor
of these rises mote than a few Inches above the
ground.
Giving tho families which aro represented in
their natural sequence, wo have; 1. Itanuncu
laccx: 0 species of Ranunculus ami possibly 7.
2. I'anaveracoiu r Papnocr Xudicanle, a pretty
dwarf yellow-flowered poppy. Crucilcre:
about 18 species. Including Vardntuine protensi*,
lOspcciesof J)raha,auti 1 species of scurvy grass,
Cochkarca feuenlra, perhaps thcpuly esculent
vegetable growing lu Bpitzbcrgcn, 4. Faryo
pbilloin; about 12 species including Sitene
acaulitt, Ai'ctiaria, ciliata, A. and
A. rubella, D. Rosaccio; 4 species of Po-
Icutilla, and Jiryan _ alopcMn. G. Baxa
fragaccic. Chrn/sotplcuitnn aihrnifoliuui, Sr.x
ifraga, oppusili folUi, AVrah'j*. Ctniua, Crca
plfosa, hivculus, aitoulef, with 4 other species.
7. Composilto: 4 species, including tho dande
lion. 8. Campauulocoa? Campanula uniflora.
Ericacems 1 species. 10. Gnnlianacc:u: GVuli
anateneUa. 11. Boroginacca-s Mertcnsca marl
tima. 12. I’olomouoceaij Quo species of Polc
nionium. 13. Bcrophulariocoii l : PuUmUtria hir
aula. 14. Empotraccips Jiinpdrumiu'jruui. 10.
Polvgomo : Polygonum rinparutn, Oxvriu rr-ni
forinia, and Kacnigia iatnwhra, iu. Kaiiciupjrs
The two species of willow above mentioned.
(17) Juncaoeiu, (18) Cypcracca-, and; (19) Ora
iiiinic. hold tho remainder of the species, tlio last
familv containing the majority.
The BpUzbergen group lie between 7fl dog. 33
min. and 80 dog. 30 min. north latitude. Tim
climate Is modified by oceanic streams flowing
from tho hot regions northwards : novertheloss,
it is most rigorous. Tho sun never rises more
than 37 deg. above tlio horizon, and tho winter
lasts ten months. Tlio menu temperature in
July, the warmest month, has been estimated at
about 37 deg. Fahrenheit, tbe highest point ob
served being 51 deg. Tho mean tompomtnro of
tho rear Is about 17 deg. Fahrenheit, and tho tero
pora'luro of tbo three wjutor months is calculat
ed at about zero of Fahrenheit. Under these
chmatal conditions It la surprising that so many
as 100 species of plants manage to grow, to
thrive, and ta blossom. They seldom or never
ripen seed, except it bo in peculiarly favorable
seasons. This fact Is evident from tho almost
total absence of annual plants, and from tho
habit of growth of tho perennials. These last
grow in dense tufts, increasing mainly by latoial
branches, that tako root ami in their turn pro
duce offsets. There is but littlo variety of color
exhibited in the flowers of tlio Arctic species,
nearly all being yellow or white.
SPAWN OF DEEP-SEA FISH.
But little Is known with regard to tho habits
of deep-sea fish during the spawning season.
The salmon, which leaves the salt water and
ascouda rivers for tho purpnr.o of depositing its
eggs, affords opportunity for the careful obser
vation of its method of procedure at this period.
Thu herring, which spawns in shallow waters,
has also satisfied inquiry in some particulars,
but with regard to tho reproduction of the larger
sea-fish, much that is known or supposed to he
known is really tho result of conjecture or rea
soning from analogy. M. Hars has discovered
that tho ova of uomn fish, notably of tho cod
(£7adua mori'hua) and of the plaice (J , lcuroncc~
tea ptateasn), are Latched while floating on tho
waves. Ova of these and other flaheu have been
found floating in different stages of develop
ment. In some of tho larger rivers of China
tho spawn of certain Helios Is collected from tho
surface of the water by mesas of wisps of grass
and of soft matting, and used fur piHcicnlfural
purposes. The eggs thus gathered are removed
to waters barren of fish, which are thus replen
ished.
There in no doubt that different species of fish
spawn In different places, some at tlio bottom of
the sea and some on the surface. Tho herring
( CUtpca harengHt), and probably all its congeners,
spawn on tbo bottom, tbo eggs remaining thoro
adhering in massea to tho rocks ajid stones.' Tho
opgs of tho salmon nro emitted on beds of lino
gravel in shallow parts or rivers, and covered
over with gravel by tho female in order to htdo
thorn from their numerous enemies. Despite of
this precaution multitudes are dovonrod by Huh.
by insect larva) of many kinds, and by ducks
and other water-fowls searching for food on tho
bottom, while a Hood often sweeps them entirely
away or buries thorn so deep by the shifting
gravel that they cannot batch, or tho young can
never emerge from tho drift. It is tho opinion
of somo naturalists that most soa-tlsh omit their
cl-ch at the bottom, and that these rise to tho
surface when approaching maturity. Tho late
Air. ilobert Duist, of the Tay fisheries. states
that ho had seen salmon eggs, as tho time ap
proached for tbo ocloslon of tho llsh, rise to tho
surface in tho breeding boxes at Htonuontflold,
but they always sank again before tbo birth o'
the fish.
The number of flab that escape tho perils of
infancy is very small. With ealmon it la not 10
per cent. Out of every hundred salmon eggs
unowned in the natural state, it may be calculat
ed that at least one-third miss fecundation, and
that another third, owing to various causes, are
never hatched. Of the thlrty-threo thus left,
tho lish that emerge aro doubtless reduced otic
half by their enemies before they descend to the
aca. Jlofore these become reproductive prob
ably all but five aro cut off by untoward circum
stances of one sort or another. If tho ohaucca
are so many against the survival of tho
progeny of the salmon hatched in still
waters, what must be tho forlorn hope
of ova intrusted to tho boisterous waves of
tbo sea ? It is known that a largo codfish
yields more than 1,000,000 eggs, and the herring
dopositsas msuyaa 08,000. it is only by this enor
mous fecundity that lliewaters of theses are kept
Blocked will: tho various tinny tribes that in
habit it. The struggle fur existence among the
deuieons of tho deep la severe and incessant, and
but few uf the multitudes that outer upon life
are able for any tune to survive the strife.
COFFFE.
The early history of coffee is obscured by some
mystery, bat It la asserted hy a naluraliat of con*
elderable authority that it came originally from
Africa. It was cultivated from time immemorial
ou the declivities of Abyssinia, yet urns not
known to tbo Greek* or Homans. Iu the fif
teenth century it penetrated into Arable, and
there produced its finest variety, the celebrated
Mocha. From Arabia the cultivation of the
plant ipread rapidly over tbo Hast. Its intro
duction into Europe was moro slowly effected,
lu ICC7 a small quantity was brought to Paris by
a French traveler named Thevouot. Two years
later, Bolimau Aga, the Turkish Ambassador at
the Court of Louis XJV., treated his guests from
the Itoyal household with a cup of the beverage,
and they did not find it disagreeable. Towards
the end of the seventeenth century, VTiesor, a
Burgomaster of Amsterdam, attempted the cul
tivation of coffee in Batavia, a Dutch colony in
the Indian Archipelago. The attempt was suc
cessful. and coffee was soon made o staple prod
uct iu the islands of the Archipelago.
From Batavia tome young plants were taken
to (be botanical garden at Amsterdam, whore
they throve vigorously. One of these plants was
carried to Franca about 1710, and placed in the
Jerdln doe Plantes. From »hia a cumber of
sprouts wore oljlalnccl. In J720 or 1725. Cant.
iJcsclioux. of tho Proncb Nary, resolved to nt
pertinent with tlio plant in tho Prench rohinio*
of llin Gulf of iMoxleo. “When embarking for
Martinique, ho look from the Jardin dos Plantes
three stalks of coffee am! carried thorn with Jntn.
Tho voyage .vaa long and difficult, by reason of
coulrtrv winds. The supply of water proving
Insufficient, It wan iincceHary to put the crew on
rsllonn. Capl. Boncboux, like the others. had
hut a email ouantity of water to dtiolt each dor.
lie divided It with hie coffee-plants. Notwith
standing all his care, two died on tho passage;
only one arrived safe and bound at Martinique,
Put at cure into tho earth, it prospered ho much
and bo well that from it have descended all tho
coffce-trcca now spread over tho Antilles and
tropical America."
Boon after (ho introduction of coffee into Eu
rope, coffee-houses sprang ut» all over the conti
nent. Thellrst was established at Constantino
ple in 1551. In 1052 (during the Protectorate) a
coffee-house wan opened in Newman's court,
Cornhill. in London. Tho story of tine house
runs ah follows: A merchant named Edwards
brought some coffee homo with him from Hrayr
ua, and his friondH. hearing of tho new and deli
cious beverage, thronged his house to heg a
taste of it. To rid himself of tho annoyance,
the merchant opened a coffee-house and put Ids
Greek servant at tho head of it. Tlio first cof
foO'houHa in Prance was established in Mar
seilles In 1071. A year afterwards there was one
in Paris, which had many rivals within % brief
period.
Coffee (Cojfo*a Arnhind) belongs to tho nat
ural order Cinchonawr, and is allied to tho
whose bark is omplovod as a febri
fuge and tonic; tlio Jjwacuauha, whose.root is
used ns an emetic; and with the Jtoucardia*,
dartbninf, and 1/orar, which are the pride of
our bot-liouHcs. In a wild state the coffee plant
rises to the height of (rota 15 to 25 feet, with
hut few branches. Tho leaven are evergreen,
oblong, and shining, and tho small, snow-white
flowers are clustered in their axils. The fruit
ripens in hot-bouscs in Britain, where the plant
frequently hlo-soms.
Under cultivation the tree yields Us first crap
In the third year from planting, ami tbo largest
yield is not above a pound of the seeds. The
tree continues in flower eight mouths together,
and meantime the seeds arc in all stages of ma
turity. In the West Indies and Brazil tbo crop
is harvested throe times annually.
A PETRIFIED FOREST.
About midway between two jropular (manner
resorts lu California. Mark West Springs, fiouoma
Couuty, and Caliatoga Sponge, Napa County, ie
to 1)0 found one of tbo uuiquest curiosities of
tliis wonderful laud. It is the celebrated potri
lled forest, aitnatod in tlio heart of & wild and
mountainous region. At a distance it appears
like a mass of fallen trees, and on approaching
closely broken sections of prostrate pines with
their stumps standing in ttlln looit as if a wind
storm bad suddenly swept through tbo forest,
snapped their stems, and thrown them to the
ground. Examining one of the stumps, the circles
indicating the annua! growth may bo plainly count
ed, and tbo exact ago of the tree determined.
Passing on to a fallen trunk, every knot and fis
sure in tho hark is as clearly visible as though
tUo woodman's ax had felled the treo but yoato r
day. while around, thickly showing the ground,
Ito fragments, —Chios and broken pieces of wood,
—evidently tho work of a wood-cutter. But all
are turned to solid atone; stems, stumps, slivers,
and sticks, ail ring when struck, with a metallic
sound, and are simply ailicified rock.
The largest of these trees that has yet been
measured is 11 feet in diameter. Occasionally
a trunk has been split into lengths of from
a to 7 feet, hut the cracks separating tho sections
are so slight that unless closely examined they
would avoid discovery. The general color of the
potrofuctiopH is a grayish white, hut there is a
single exception In a treo that has tho appear
ance and qualities of stone-coal. The proprie
tor of tho forest declares that it burns os well
as the heat variety of coal. The iuciouuro when)
theso curiosities ho Is cleared of umlcrhrash,
hut contains many living specimens ol oak. pine,
manzanita, madrono, and other trees peculiar to
the vicinity.
THE ZENITH ASCENSIONS.
On the 23d of March, at 0:30 p. m., the halloa i
•• Zenith ” ascended at Paris, and tho following
day landed at Montplsiaor, Arcachon, 700 mills
distant. Tim is the longest aerial trip on record,
r.nd was performed by M. Slvel, aeronaut, with
tho brothers M. Gaston TisHondier, editor of
La Nature, and LI. Albert Tissandier, artist,
with two oth< c gentlemen. Tho balloon traveled
southwest during the whole night, crossing
Mention, Chevrcusc, Tours, Sainice, etc., and
reaching the mouth of tho Qiroudo at 10 a. m..
having run COO miles in fifteen and otio-half
hours. Lauding was accomplished without diffi
culty by throwing out o grapnel. A series of in
teresting observations were mode by tbo trav
elers, which will bo reported to the Academy of
Sciences at an early sitting. Tho electricity of
the air was tested, and an analysis of the atmos
phere at different heights wqh effected. Tho
utmost altitude reached was 0,000 foot.
In tins connection, it is interesting to recall
the cable dispatch lately received which reported
a second ascension of the Zenith from Pans, for
the purpose of making scientific observations.
The balloon attained tho extraordinary height of
S,oofl metres (over 2Q.000 feet). Two of tho
Aeronauts were suffocated to death, and when tbo
balloon reached the ground the third and only
remaining member of tho party was almost in
sensible. No names were given.
CAUSF OF OPIUM-OUGHT.
As the result of prolonged investigation,
Dr. Cunningham has determined that tho opium
blight is caused by a species of Fcrouogpora, a
fungus belonging to tbo same gonna as that
which produced the potato disease, lu India Us
ravages seriously affect the opium crop, lu
England Us attacks aro limited to tho red poppy
(Papara Jthacus). In a recently published
work, Dr. Cunningham states that the Pcronos
pom arbor(sc*ttß is invariably urosont on tho
blighted loavesof tho poppy. It begins tho work
of destruction, which is afterwards continued
by a number of other fungi, chiolly sapro
phytes. Tho Ufe-ldsiory of tho Peivnorpora is
not entirely worked out, somo facts regarding
Sts reproduction remaining uudii-eovorod, but
tho growth of tho mycelium and couidia are fully
described.
THE RETURN OF SPRING.
Fair offiprlng of an oMrr year,
CUaMtf maiden Bcnnou, balmy Spring,
At wliuiio sweet birth green uynipba appear
And warbling blue-birds awoolly slug,
Tu ilicu biuuo my joyous lyre,—
Tby eburma alone mu it inspire: ,
lint 1U can It uufold tby beauties rare,—
Tbe songs that glad tby blnb,—ibe trvtlhlng air
With balmy fragrance Zephyr waftaalong:
Ab I 111 I paint aui-h things—l ll«p in song.
All bidden I did view tby birth:
i bidden saw then deck tbe l artu
Will waving green and blushing flowers,
And round thee circled rosy boors,
Ami many nymphs darned o’er tbe lea,
Gladden’d at Winter's death, and praUlng the*.
Knrbanllng slug tbe merry birds
Hweet melodics wilhonleu words:
Hitch songs as tbtlni from Suture's font
From human source not oft are wont
To flow. Now do t hear their notes
Pour'd warbling forth from tiny threats J
Now waving woods are dad in green;
From brooks now rlafug mists ore seen,—
They soon shall fall in gentle sbowsts,
And tan® the beads of drooping flowers.
How brightly ururo is the sky I
What varied hues at morning dye
The spacious Fast 1 What breezea sigh,
Fnll-Udou with their fragrant boon,
To charm young Hprlug 1 Hut, oh I too soon
Must she, u'erpowerM by Bummers beat,
Ulnk to tho shady, cool retreat.
And there, like drooping flower, die,
Kill’d by tbe tyrant’s amorous rJgu:
Ah I let him then in sorrow sigh,—
Let him with tempests -oulltct wsge;
In vsin be seeks lifw-gtvlng balm,—
lu vain,—for Hpringues placid, cold, and calm.
Who is tiers loves bind) Winter's freezing rage,
Or finds ddlgbt in Hummer’s burning bast 7
Autumn is grand, but still fierce storms esu wage;
And Si ring, belov’d of alt, Is fair and sweet,
(latino, IU. WaLTsa Fostks.
Tenacity or Life.
The Ashtabula (0.) Telegraph has this state
ment : “ A number of various kinds of beetles,
collected iu India of the native hunters by the
llev. U. J. Bruce, now visiting his friends iu
this place, wore placed iu bottles filled with
alcohol and hermetically sealed. These were
brought to America with him. Ouo of the
female booties deposited several eggs. These
eggs and female were placed in a separate vial
and dulv labeled with date, and sealed as before.
The scaling, however, was not suttlcient to pre
vent evapoiatioe, and the whole contents of the
vial became dry and the eggs shriveled. The
seal of this vial was not broken until March last,
nearly four and a half youro after the receiving
and bottling. Upon opening it was discovered
there was life iu the eggs, and by further care a
live beetle was the product of ono of the eggs.
This was preserved, and alter four weeks
growth had obtained the length of °f 40
inch, resembling the mother insect. Tula is*
development of tenacity of life almost incredi
ble. were it not eo well authenticated."
FAMILIAR TALK,
THE LONDON SOCIETY OF ARTS.
The Hocioty of Arts in London owes its exist
ence to tbo efforts of Sir. William Shipley, a
landscape painter, who In 1754 procured a meet
ing at Uawlbmall’i coffee-house for tho purpose
of considering tbo establishment of a Society
for tbo Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures,
and Commerce. The primary aim of tbo Bocloty
was tho fostering of art, but the Industrial ele
ment was not neglected. Premiums were offered
for objects ranged in iflfi classes under tbo bead
of “ Polite ArtV and they were also proffered
for such practical enterprises as tbo discovery of
cobalt In England, tbo growth nf madder, and
tbo manufacture of buff leather. At tbo samo
time that tbo Raclcty was stimulating all offorts
to Improve tho quality of pigments, oils, and var
nishes used by artists, and to perfect tbo pro
cesses of wood engraving, aquatint, and mezzo
tint, it was encouraging the introduction of new
varieties of grasses and roots into England, and
bestowing Its rewards upon tbo inventors of now
and improved agricultural implements, of bolter
means for draining laud, harvesting crops in wet
seasons, marking sheep, and preserving timber.
It sedulously advocated the planting of trees,
especially of the oak, and gold medals were
awarded to many noblemen and gentlemen who
entered largely into tbo enterprise. Under Us
auspices millions of oak, ash, .Scotch Hr, larch,
and fruit-tree* were set out, lo tbo immense ad
vantage of lands that bad before been barren.
Through its endeavors tbo cultivation of uplccs
was undertaken in tbo British Possessions. Tho
cinnamon-trco was introduced into Jamaica, tho
nutmeg into St. Vincent, tbo clovo-troo Into
Trinidad, and the mango and bread-fruit tree
into different parts of tho West Indies. It was
on ing to its encouragement that cobalt was dis
covered la Cornwall, tho manufacture of buff
leather improved, both copper and brass wore
tinned, and hemp, lias, and madder cultivated
lor borne uses. To increase the llsh trado the
Society expended thousands of pounds, in tbo
end establishing a regular supply for the Lou
don markets.
In its early day*, tho Society demanded of the
inventor whoso sorvtucs it recognized, that h->
should secure no patent on his discovery, but
give it to the world fur the benefit and free uho
of all men. Thiii principle was eventually re
linquished, and patentees were permitted to
read their papers before the Kociety of Arts.
The institution has always bconlibcralto other
organizations. and has frequently granted the
use of Ur rooms for their vmlous meetings. The
Itoral Academy held its first exhibition of the
works of rival artists In the hall of the Society,
at John street, Adelpbi, and in 1853 the first col
lection of photographs was exhibited there. In
1840, the Society inaugurated the custom of an
nual exhibitions for the purpose of il
lustrating certain branches of English in
dustry. The great success of these exhibitions led
to the fichemo of the International Exposition
of IS3I. The original proposition for this last
great enterprise was made to the Committee of
the Society of Arts in 1844, by Sir William I’oth
cringill Cooke, and at that time declined. Five
years later the plan was projected at the annual
meeting of the Society, over which the Prince
Consort presided, and from this date was rapidly
corned into execution, lint when the grand
scheme cunio under the notice of the Govern
ment and a Itaynlroiiiinissinn was issued, the im
mediate connection of the Society with the Ex
position was severed. It may bo' stated in this
connection that the profits of the Exposition,
amounting to -CI.SC.4IW 13s. ('«!., uero expended
in aid of the purchase and development of the
Gore House estate.
in 1840 the members of the Society of Arts
numbered scarcely 500. Tbov now number over
3,000, In IHSO the debts of the Society amount
ed to £2,402. Biuco then the institution
has not only become solvent, but ha*
acquired a largo capital. It is still active
in its peculiar sphere of labor, offering a long
list of premiums, at the head of which is a series
of gold medals and prizes of £SO far improved
cooking and warming anparalus. A largo num
ber of prizes and medals are also altered to in
ventors. The Albert gold modal. ostaolUhcd in
memory of the I'rince Consort, to reward ** dis
tinguished merit in promoting arte, manufac
tures, or commerce." was litut presented in Ist;J
to Kir Itowlaud Hill: in 1805. to Napoleon HI.,
aud in IBCO to Faraday. For the sum of 2
guineas the members of "tlio Society are allowed
to attend its ordinary meetings, the lectures en
dowed bv Dr. Canton, and the meetiugH of the
African,'lndian, and chemical sections, to intro
duce two visitors at these meetings, aud to receive
acopy of tbo weekly Journal o/tlw Society of Arts,
established It) 1852. At ordinary meetings of the
Society papers are read and very freely discussed.
Jlr. Becker, author of “Scicutillc London,” a
Jiistory of the prominent scientific organizations
of England, from which wo have taken the above
particulars, jocosely says of the meetings of the
Society: “ X enjoy'myself hugely at the Society
of Arts. 1 kuow t|jat x so soon us the lecturer is
announced, somebody will make up bis mind to
come down and contradict all the statements ad
vanced. No sooner Uoe.i tbo victim appear at
the reading-desk thou I glance round the room,
and often succeed in detecting those who come
to argue—if not to scoff. These critics know all
about the subject, whether it bo Frozen Beef or
a Channel Tunnel. They become feverish If the
reader of the paper he slow or at all inarticulate,
and they look keonlv at his diagrams, meaning
to make short work of those productions in due
season. For his allotted space the reader is
sintered to proceed without lot or biudorauce;
but no sooner has ho made an end of his
reading, than well-informed gentlemen—who
bavo either been listening attentively or.
ns is more probable, been thinking over what
they should say when ho had done—spring up
and proceed to demolish him bit by bit. After a
while a reaction sets in. the friends of the lec
turer support him more or leas warmly,—gener
ally loss,—and the battle becomes general all
along the lino. The hero of the evening has
the right to reply, so that the much-valued priv
ilege of the last word rests with him. Under
these regulations there is often much healthy
talk, and occasionally some good • tossing and
going’—a quotation which reminds mo that its
author was one of the early debaters of the
Adelpbl, aud that a subject relating to mechan
ics was once descanted upon at tbo Society of
Arts and Manufactures, with a prosperity, per
spicuity. and energy which excited general admi
ration, by no less a personage than Dr. Samuel
Johnson.’”
CARILLONS.
The term carillons is applied by the French to
the tunes that are played upon sots of church
bells, but tbo English uso the name to designate
the bolls themselves on which melodics are
rmig. Tho finest carillons (using tho word in
the English sense) in Europe are in tho tower of
Les Halles, a large building standing “in tho
market-place at Bruges.” In many places iu
Netherlands the striking, sad chiming, and play
ing of bells In tho church-towers is incessant,
tho chiming accompanying tho striking of tho
hoars, half-hours, and quarters, and tho playing
being introduced between times as a special en
tertainment. Sometimes tho boils are played bv
moans of a cylinderconstructed on the principle
of a barrel-organ, and again they are played
with keys like a pianoforte and fingered by a
musician. At St. Giles' Church, Edinburg, the
carillons ore (played iu ttie latter manner, and
at certain seasons give out their music for so
hour daily, at tho touoh of a musician who has a
small salary paid by the civic corporation.
Tho system of machinery used m playing car
illons bas hitherto been dofi ctivu, owing to tho
circumstance that the cylinder or barrel has bad
to lift tho bell-hammers, ood as these vary con
siderably in size aud weight a longer time was
required to raise ttie heavier than tho lighter
ones. A certain irregularity of rhythm in tho
Corformaoco of tunes has been tbo result, tho
igb notes struck on tho lighter bells being
more rapidly executed than tho low tones rung
from tho larger hells. Tills defect in all carillon
machinery has uow been remedied by the in
genious invention of Messrs. OiUott A Bland,
of tho tiioam Clock Factory, Croydon, England.
By their device the barrel u relieved of tbo duly
of lifting (ha boll-hammers, and this oiiico is
performed by a secondary piece of mechanism.
The barrel simply releases a series of keys or
detents by moans of (ho studs with which it is
set, while the keys act upon a suit
of levers brought into contact with a
cam-roller, and the levers and cams together
Afloat llio UIUuKof (Uo liiimmenf. By tliw cou
trivance the barrel is relieved of all strain, while
the cam arrangement Insures perfect precision
in tho strokes upon tho hells of every size. Ibis
wow carillon apparatus has boon adopted at
Worcester Cathedra!, W. Btophon’s Church,
Hampstead, tho Town Halls of llocbdalo aud
Bradford, and at various other places in En
gland U has lately beeu applied to Cite splendid
Seal of boils—ono of tho finest m Loudon—in
the parish church of tit. Leonard’s, tihorodltch,
and fourteen tunes are played from two barrels.
Tho arrangement is as lollows: No. 1 Barrel
—tiundav, “Faster llymu;” Monday, “Uuao of
Allendale;" Tuesday, “ily Lodging is on the
Cold Ground}” Wednesday, “ThetiiolUan Mari
ners' liyum;’ 1 Thursday, “Lass o’ Uowrie;"
Friday, “bvriw Boy Saturday, “The Mer
maid/' No. 2 Barrel—Sunday, “Itock of Agee}"
Monday, “AnoU Laoriti" Tuesday, “Bing
tho 8011, Watchman Wednesday, Last
Bo«o of Hummer;" Thursday, "Blno
Bolls of Scotland t" Friday. “ There's
Luck About tbo House Saturday, “ Homo
Sweet Homo." TUa tunes are played on twelve
bolls, tbo tenor weighing .14 owt„ and tbo noal
ranging from CO to «. The carillon machlnerr
wuUjo set In motion by tbo eburfih clock every
“•reo hours, when tbo melody sot for tbo day
wl I Ihj played three times over. Tbo barrel!
being changed weekly a fresh tano will bo plated
oacb day for fourteen days. The barrels are not
I,Q,T ° ,|CB cab bo easily added, with
. ft?. 1 ? 4 bricked on each. At tho opening
exhibition of tbo'so carillon* a few weeks ago,
the tunes wore all played wltb excellent effect,
and generally with precision in regard to time,
"ho peal at Worcester Cathedral In to bo sup*
idled by Messrs, (lillett A Bland with two more
bells and twenty-one now tunes, making In all
fifteen bolls and twenty-eight tunes. A carillon
machine is also being placed by the same llrm
in tbo Wool Exchange, Coiomanstrcot, London,
ami this will consist of eleven bells, and will play
fifteen melodics.
NEST-HIDE,TS.
The little spot of land rising in tbo South Sea*
called Vsabol Isle is divided among several sav
age tribes that arc continually at war with caet
other. A terrible massacre occurring in a por
tion of tno island named Mabaga, tbo sufferer*
adopted, as a means of dofenao against future
surprises of a similarly unpleasant nature, the
custom of sleeping in bouses built in high trees,
though.living by day in tho ordinary open bam-
Bbo huts. When tho Bov. ColeridgePattoson,
Bishop of tbo Melanesian Islands, visited Maba
ga. bo was very curious lo Inspect these humat
nests in the summits of the loftiest palms
They wore situated in a swamp, that for groatoi
safety was surrounded by a strong wall. Tin
lower boughs of the treos selected for habita
tion bad been lopped off. leaving enlr tho high
est as a platform for the bouses. A plumb-line
let down from tbo veranda nf ono of those
bouses to the ground showed tho distance to be
«4 feet.
Tbo ladders leading up to tho bouses were
planted upon tbo top of the wall. They con
sisted of a bamboo polo in tbo centre, u> which
crO'S-picvcs about 2 feet loug woro lashed by
vinos. To.etcacly these, and also to bold on by,
there woro double sets of pliant vino stem*
stretched along tbo whole length. One loddoi
was found to measure CO foot. Another of 50 foo<
bad forty-two rounds or ctoas-picccs, at unequal
distances apart. Up and down those dizzy lad
ders tho native men. women, and children ran
like monkeys, never using their bands, but
trusting entirely to tho sure planting of tbeit
feet. At ilrst the Bishop dared not attempt ac
ascent, and while bo stood wondering at the
fearlessness of tbo climbers, bo saw a woman go
up with a heavy burden on her back at
if It was the easiest thing In the world,
and not onco staying herself with bei
bands. A sailor in the company of tbo Bishop,
who woe perlectly at homo In tho shrouds of I
ship, ascended one of tbo ladders, ami when hi
came down confessed: “ I was so afraid my Icgt
shook. Going aloft is nothing to it.” At an
other time the Bi-bop himself managed to react
one of the arboreal huts. He found it in an in
expressibly liltby condition. Tbo lleor was math
of matted bamboo, and moasumd 23 feet by 11
foot, and the roof and sides woro of palm-leal
thatch. The roof was low. and there woro uc
apertures for nir and light. Everything wni
grimy with soot and dirt, while tbo noise of squall
ing babies, tbo Binging and scolding of women
and tbo chatter of all tho natives together, ma&
tho place a very pandemonium. A brief ut*v tc
the wonderful nest convinced tbo Bisnop that 11
was much more comfortable to sleep la a but on
the ground, whore during the night tho singing
and squalling of tho women and babies abort
him sounded os if they were in tbo clonus.
THE WORLD'S POPULATION.
A paper was read before the Manchester Statis
tical .Society, a short lime ago, calling attoutioc
to the researches of tbo Gotman statisticians,
BoUm and Wagner, with respect to the popula
tion of the woild. Of the many estimates of
the number of inhabitants of our globo, none
are accounted trustworthy. In ICBS, Yoreiut
estimated that there were 500,000,000. Bolnr
and Wagner sot down the number at the prcaoa*
, time at 1,301,030,000. Tho Hubjecta of Victor!*
are rated at 300,000,000. llussla hau a popali*
tion of 82,000,000. India, supposed to be the
most populous country on tho globo, has prob
ably 300.000.000 inhabitants. China is said tc
have 400.000,000 inhabitants ; but the estimate
is undoubtedly grossly exaggerated. Tho popu
lation of South America lias boon chocked bj
internal discoid. In Paraguay there is said tc
have boon an actual loss of 337,000. An esti
mate based upon tbo past growth of Great
Britain and the United States, gives to the
former country in the year 2000 a population of
31,000,000, and to tho latter of 540,000,000.
CHARLES KINGSLEY, THE SMOKER.
Tbo Into C'hnrloß Kingsley was nu InvoloraU
smoker, the influence of the weed having a aotia
live effect upon his nerves that was grateful, and
oven needful. Hu always used a long, clean, claj
pipe, and these were bought by the handful. A
friend, writing of Kingsloy’shfoot the Unmpsbiri
Boctory, sayu that, “ They lurked In all sorts ol
unexpected places. A pipe would suddenly bi
extracted from a bush in tho garden, tilled auc
lighted as if bv magic; or one has oven boor
drawn suddenly from a whin bush on tho heath
soma half-mile from tho house.’’ But every
pipe was put by when its ikst freshness war
past, and as the accumulation of rejected plpci
increased to a barreifnl, they were sent back tc
the kiln to be rebuked, It was this habit that
Mmreoated the simile iu “Alton Locke,” when
James Crosalhwaito remarks, “Katie here po>
lieves in purgatory, whore souls aro burnt clean
again like Lacca-pipc.s.”
M. TAINE.
Zlyppotyte Adolpho Taine, the acute philoso
pher and brilliant writer, was bom at Vanzirrs,
iu the Ardennes, In 1828. Ills father was a solic
itor. From on uncle who had lived In America
ho early learned to road and speak English. At
the age of 10 he wont to Paris and became a stu
dent at the Bourbon College, where he obtained
tho first prize la rhetoric and tho two second
prizes in philosophy. At tho ago of 22 bo
entered tho Normal School, having Edmund
About for a classmate. It is said of him at this
timo that ho was accustomed to do tho workot
five or sis weeks iu one,devoting tho leisttro lima
gained to reading. It was m this way ho went
over tho course of philosophy from Thales down
to Schilling, and of theology from P&traatoSt.
Augustine. _
IN THE SPELLING-CLASS.
" I’m sorry that I s|«lt tbo word;
1 bate to go above you,
because’’— the brown eyes lower fell—
*' lisctttuo, you see, I low you I”
SHU memory to a gray-halrcd man
That sweet clilM-face Is showing;
Sear girl, tbo grasses on her grave
Have forty years bocu growing.
He lives to learn in life's bard school
Uow few who pass above film
Lament the triumph and bis loss
Uke her—because (bey love him.
-WhiUitr.
All Atrocious Crime.
rail Mall IlnJgtt,
It Is only by a careful study of the provincial
popors that any idea can bo formed of the utro
cions offenses committed bytho ignorant classes
m this country, and which would hardly bo erod
ed io tiio centres of civilization. For instance,
a case hoard at tho Borough Folly Sessions,
Penzance, ouo day last woes, and reported by
the CornUh 7’elc<jrai>h x discloses a “moral
obliquity" on tbo part of tbo youth of Cornwall
that augurs ill for tbo future of humanity.
A lad of atiout 17 years of age was summoned by
tbo llov. O. A. Warner, a visitor to tbo neigh
borbood. for annoying him by whistling in the
Moat Market. It appeared by the reverend
gentleman's evidence that, while making pur
chases in the Meat Market a few days ago,
llodda whistled, and when asked to leave off in
creased the volume of his tuuo. llodda, It
seems, was playing with some scales and weights,
and In accordance with a horrible custom which
It is slated prevails among the youths that fie
nueut the market, was whistling to himself.
There was uo doubt as to the young miscreant 0
gulU.for »butcher, who at the nmo of the la
mentable occurrence was stouduig at his stall,
deposed that bo “beard llodda when playing
with the scales whistling. but not very loud." Ho
also saw the Hot. Mr. Warner, who was making
a purchase of a sheep’s bead, go up “rstbor
roughly ” and demand his name, the boy answer
ing “most respectfully” that it was ;;ttodda."
it Is due to the wretched youth to soy that after
commission of the offense he showed signs of
contrition, for the Mayor Unformed the
complainant that "the lad was very-sorry,,
and would apologize.” Mr. Warner, bow
over. declined to accent an apology,
and Rodda had to pay fc». 6d. costs—a penalty
ouite sutlicioou at all events, to throw a strain
of melancholy Into any tones he mf whUUs lor
some tune to come*
3