HARPER'S NEW CATALOGUE,
Reading edition
Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.
About Order Chapters.
Here are two letters about Chapters:
I have read of many flourishing Chapters, and often wished I knew what was done to keep up the interest of the meetings. The Good Times Chapter, of Bridgeport, Conn., of which I was president, disbanded from lack of interest. We tried sewing while one read, entertainments by each member in turn, and a Chapter paper; but we tired of the first, gave up the second from lack of new ideas, and the third for the same reason and because the members did not wish to write for it. There is now some talk of reorganizing the Chapter, but unless something new is undertaken it will be useless. If members of Chapters, particularly those like ours, consisting of about half a dozen girls, would send some hints, I should be much obliged to them.
Josephine Belding. 12 William Street, Bridgeport, Conn.
The Columbian Chapter is in trouble. For many months it had largely attended meetings and jolly times. Then three members seemed bent on making trouble. We thought to disband and reorganize without them, but could not do so very well, because two of those proposed to be left out were our officers. There are six or seven new members to come in. What shall we do?
Homer C. Bright. 314 West Fourth Avenue, Denver, Col.
It is to be remembered that societies are aimed to effect improvement in their times, and to afford members a good time. Do not undertake to start a club and then find something to interest it to keep it in existence. Reverse the order. Find something to do, and then organize for the specific purpose of doing it. Pledge each member to a certain task. If there is lack of interest or apparent discussion, disband. When the foregoing conditions can be complied with, reorganize—but not until they can. As for suggestions for tasks, will some who have had success with various lines of work write to these inquirers? Order Chapters have been the sources of much profitable recreation, but always in cases where they set out to do certain things, and stopped when those things were accomplished or when interest flagged. An invaluable adjunct to a Chapter is an intelligent middle-aged lady who can and will make suggestions, settle disputes, etc. Those Chapters have been most successful that have had such help.
Kinks.
No. 28.—A Musical Melange.
One starlit night in the month of roses I attended what was set forth on my invitation card of bay leaf to be a "Musical Melange." Though due at the Mountebank Club at nine, I was loath to miss this assuredly delightful midnight entertainment. A Brownie troop mounted on dormice hurried me out of the great bustling city to a grove of lindens and larches. In a cleared space in the centre I was within an hour introduced to my favorite musical geniuses, whom I little supposed would ever again appear upon this terrestrial sphere. As I look back upon the event, I can still see the glittering eyes of the goblins and ghouls who covered the branches of the near-by trees, and hear the whir and buzz of myriad crickets and katydids sweetly blended with the strains of a hundred musical instruments. Among those seated around a log glowing with fox-fire were these well-known musicians:
A vegetable, threw, and a consonant1; to hew, and a preposition2; a part of the body, and a French article reversed3; the English equivalent of a sign of the Zodiac4; the outer bark of trees, a preposition, and a personal pronoun5; a masculine name meaning "a twin"6: a part of a priest's robe, a preposition, and a vowel7; a hook8; a rope for capturing cattle9; a member of a secret society10; to trifle11; a murmuring noise, and a small room.12
These spectral celebrities were each playing some instrument of soft and mellow tone. I noted with wonder that many of the instruments were bestudded with flashing stones. Among the instruments were:
To trifle13; a small wood14; to channel15; a shining bead of black glass16; to proclaim17; a sack, and large casks18; an iron pot, and part of the ear19; a city of Scotland20; a famous cape21; a bird of New Zealand22; dwells upon, a vowel, and harmony23.
Clement Ronaldson.
No. 29.—A Duodenary.
In each of the sentences is concealed the name of a celebrated poet.
1. The scarab urns of the Egyptians are at least bizarre.
2. As we gazed, horror-struck, Maguire's cot tottered, then fell.
3. "What a dasher, Bert! Throw the thing away."
4. A strong will is both fortunate and unfortunate.
5. Said the Ash, "The Aspens erred; the Abele was moaning."
6. "Too-whit!" exclaimed the owlets.
7. On the stand were scattered sundry dental appliances.
8. "It will be hard to reach 'em," snarled the guide.
9. While they were fumbling their creeses the trap opened.
10. The snug old smithy stood near the mill-stream.
11. Gleason's unruly red cow perambulated around the dairy.
12. The bearded stranger from the South eyed Charcourt suspiciously.
Zoe D. Acke.
Answers to Kinks.
No. 23.
Third column, Isaac Newton. 1. Cringe. 2. Tassel. 3. Prance, 4. Stamen. 5. Tocsin. 6. Ponder. 7. Clench. 8. Powwow. 9. Totter. 10. Crower. 11. Tinsel.
No. 24.—1. Genet. 2. Edile. 3. Nidor. 4. Eloin. 5. Terns.
No. 25.—Blunderbuss.
No. 26. Piano-forte.
No. 27.
A Gay Young Scot set out one day for a Hunt. He was thoughtful enough, Prior to starting, to Stow(e) away a lunch of Lamb and Bacon, and some Porter bought from a Brewer. Being a Lover of fishing, he carried also a Steel(e) Hook tied to a Reed. He wore a Brown Spencer and a Gray Hood.
As he was a Longfellow, he made Swift progress, till he stumbled over some Shell(e)y Knolls, and so got an aching side (Akenside). "How it (Howitt) Burns!" he exclaimed in a Stern, Savage voice. "It is enough to anger a Pope or a Bishop. But what are Wordsworth in curing a Pain?" he asked, with a Grim(m) smile.
He made a fire to Cook his fish, and while they were Browning he went to a coal-ridge (Coleridge) to dig for ore, with the intention of showing it to a Goldsmith to see if Sterling coin (Coyne) could be made of it. He dug until the sound of a Horn and a Campbell recalled him home.
Questions and Answers.
Charles Wood writes: "Will you kindly let me know what steps to take to become a cabin-boy on one of the ocean steamships? Also please tell me what is the pay of a cabin-boy, and whether there is a chance of advancement." Apply to the agents of the line; also to pursers of ships in port. Such positions are sometimes found on steamers plying to South American ports. A young man went recently on a steamship bound for San Francisco, viá Cape Horn, expecting to be about a year. He was required to furnish his own outfit of mattress, sheets, etc, sea chest, and heavy clothing. His pay was to be $8 a month, and he was promised instruction in the rudiments of seamanship. There are apprentices in the engineer's as well as the sailing-officer's branch of the service, and advancement is promised in both. The work is very difficult, and the places are not easy to secure.
A. D. T. asks the meaning of the astronomical symbols which adorn the numerous calendars about Christmas-time. Each dot and quirk represents some emblem.
the Sun, is a bossed circular shield;
Mercury, represents the winged god's serpentlike caduceus, or wand;
aptly imitates the looking-glass of Venus, while Mars's symbol,
brings to mind the war god's helmet and plume;
Jupiter's sign, is an eagle, while
that of Saturn, forms a scythe;
is at once seen to be Neptune's trident. The signs of the ascending and descending nodes,
and
immediately suggest a croquet arch, or an eye of the hook-and-eye combination, but are, in point of fact, the head and tail of a dragon.
"Can you give me any information regarding the 'Daughters of the Revolution?' I would like to know who the founder is, where the headquarters are, and what the requirements are. Is there a society of this character that a child may join?—Eleanor C. Gardner." There are two adult societies of almost identical names. One is "Daughters of American Revolution," and the other, "Daughters of the Revolution." The first-named was organized in Washington in October, 1890. It aims to perpetuate the memory and the spirit of all who helped to achieve American independence, to acquire and protect historical sites, to erect, where possible, monuments thereon, and to preserve records, relics, and the like of early patriots and their acts. The conditions of membership are very liberal, being simply proof of descent from an ancestor (male) who fought loyally for independence. The age requirement is eighteen years. The president of the organization is Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, and the secretary Mrs. Donald McLean, 180 Lenox Avenue, New York city.
The other society is an offshoot of the former, organized in 1893, and membership in it is much more restricted. The president is Mrs. Edward P. Steers, 2076 Fifth Avenue, New York. The society for children is "The Society of Children of the American Revolution." This has its headquarters in Boston, but there are State organizations. The local societies are called chapters, and the chapter in New York city has about one hundred members. One of its objects is to form libraries, prominence being given to books on national subjects. Professor John Fiske has prepared a list of books for young students of American history. Applicants for membership must, as in the adult societies, prove their descent from active participators in the war for independence. The president is Mrs. Margaret Lothrop, Concord, Mass., who will, without doubt, have further information mailed if applied to.
Leo Rehbinder writes to say that he enjoyed reading about West Point and Annapolis, and adds: "I do not think they would suit me. Can you name some universities or colleges for a poor boy, the cost, and chances in life after graduating?" All universities and colleges are for poor boys, in the sense that all lend every aid they can to brains and ambition that chance to belong to those in limited financial circumstances. Tuition is $40 to $150, with an average of $75, but in every college there are free scholarships. Apply to the dean for conditions governing them. In not a few colleges there is no tuition at all, as in Michigan and most State universities, to pupils whose parents are citizens of the State. At Lehigh, located at South Bethlehem, Pa., there is no tuition charged any one. Board is $5 per week, but there are students who live on less. In many colleges tutoring is to be had—sometimes enough to pay one's entire college expenses. As for "chances in life after graduating," no special answer can be given to that question. A general answer is that others succeed, and what others do you can try to do.
One Great Man's Method.
It is interesting to get a peep at the source of power, whether that source be an electric motor, a steam-engine, or a man while gathering material for great popular addresses. Mr. Francis Wayland Glen, who years ago was a partner in a nursery establishment in Rochester, New York, tells of a visit made by Henry Ward Beecher to his nurseries in that city. Having been shown everything, Mr. Glen asked if the great preacher cared to meet an educated Scotch gardener who had had thirty years' experience in the care of greenhouses. Mr. Beecher replied that he did.
Mr. Craig, the Scotchman referred to, was in the potting-house engaged in mixing potting-earth. He was a most retiring man, and as the party came upon him he was much confused at the announcement of the name of the renowned preacher. The latter stepped forward and grasped the gardener's hand, disregarding the fact that it was covered with potting-earth, and shook it so warmly and so unconventionally that Mr. Craig was at his ease in a moment. Then began a remarkable series of questions. Mr. Beecher asking them, and for fully an hour, the Scotchman answering them with the confidence of an expert. Mr. Glen continues:
"I stood by and watched the operation with wonder and admiration. Mr. Beecher was gathering food and storing it away to digest and assimilate and give out to his parishioners. He was so cordial with Mr. Craig that he relieved him from all embarrassment, and he gave forth his answers with freedom and pleasure and great clearness. Plant after plant was taken up in the greenhouses, and its habits discussed, as well as those of the fruits in pots in the orchard-house. The parting was as cordial as the reception, or more so. Mr. Craig realized that he was appreciated by the great preacher, and Mr. Beecher recognized the fact that he had been receiving knowledge from a well-trained horticulturist and florist. It was a lesson to me, then a young man, having just passed my majority, that I have never forgotten, and the picture of one of the greatest teachers of men sitting at the feet of a plain, unpretending, unassuming gardener as a pupil is one I shall never forget."
Autography.
The omnipresent autograph-hunter has passed through many fortunate and unfortunate experiences. His hobby is somewhat of a lottery, bringing him a cold rebuff, or mayhap a prompt enclosure of the coveted autograph. An English nobleman once requested Talleyrand's autograph. The author promised to send one in a few days, and, true to his word, this note arrived:
"Dear Sir,—Will you oblige me with your company to dinner on Wednesday next, at eight o'clock? I have invited a number of exceedingly clever persons, and do not like to be the only fool among them."
Daniel O'Connell, on being urged to pen an autograph, sent the following message to the stranger:
"Sir,—Yours requesting my autograph is received. I have been so bothered with similar impertinences that I'll be blest if I send it.
"Your ob'd't servant, "Daniel O'Connell."
The Rev. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, a Presbyterian pastor, was the possessor of a superb collection of autographs. He once requested the autograph of Benjamin Franklin from an eminent professor. "Oh, you have one already," said the professor. "No matter," replied Dr. Sprague, "I want it for exchange. One Benny Franklin in Europe is worth two kings!" Miss Alcott was always most patient with the ardent collector. She was once visited by a large club of young men, each one of whom wanted her autograph, and she did not refuse. Longfellow always kept a packet of autographs in his pocket, in case of need. And what malevolent person announced that a certain celebrity kept a rubber stamp of his fac-simile handwriting in his writing desk?
Lionel R. Landon. Montana.
"Health is the vital principle of bliss, and exercise, of health."
No health—there is no hope of bliss, No exercise—and health soon flies, No bath with Ivory Soap—you miss The best results of exercise.
Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.