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ROUND THE WORLD
NOTE BOOK AND CAMERA.
something New for Young People.
It is in line with the great
Chatauqua idea—
“Learn something when you play.”
- Lida Brooks Miller,
AUTHOR OF
[ie Kinderoarten, « Yound Folks Speaker,
—AND—
A Score of Others.
Handsomely Illustrated
enV
Photographs Taken on the Journey.
PUBLISHED BY
THOMPSON & HOOD
CHICAGO
Copyrighted, 1897, by
K. T. BORLAND.
PAR ome a
Introduction,
al) N placing before the public our new book, “Round the World With
& | Note Book and Camera,” we are confident it will meet with a hearty
WW Z| reception. There hasbeen a long-felt want for a book of this nature.
Young people always delight in stories of travel—they can listen by the hour
to stories of strange people, new places, brilliant battles, famous parks, delight-
ful drives and noted men.
The first requisite of good story telling is a pleasing manner; second, a
knowledge of the subject; thirdly, the ability to describe what one has seen.
Such a one is our gifted authoress, Lida Brooks Miller, who, having spent years
as an instructor in the school room and having traversed nearly the entire globe,
taking snap shots of every famous scene along the route and learning its history
from peasant as well as prince, is well fitted to become a guide and teacher to
ur “Round the World Culture Club.”
Throughout the work the stories are told with the idea of impressing
facts upon the memory in such a way that they will not soon be forgotten.
There are novel features and new themes embraced, containing all that is
brightest and best in a trip around the world. To read it isthe next best thing
to taking the trip itself.
That it may give even greater pleasure than was hoped for ee the
author in planning the work, is the sincere wish of
THE PUBLISHERS.
(5)
STREET SCENE, LONDON.
Index to
PAGE
Alaskcay cee ey euros tua tenia sonst crs 280
AS Vasitito: la plang tec cnn 6 289
An East Indian Home.............. 292
Amelisicimo sValllagera tr: crates. 200
Andrew Jackson’s Bravery.......... 265
Around the World Culture Club..... 18
A Half Hour With Dickens......... 19
AciknightingArmor.sy sane. cost cclerece 38
A Year in South America........... 41
A Noble Philosopher................ 77
A Little About Vienna.............. 85
PANTING Tiss see sere eeseeerte iaret acer te eee pess 107
Am @ldeRoad se tace oeecs o pec e 168
A Letter From Rome............... 181
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois ........ 266
A Home in Central Asia...........-- 267
Battle of Marathon................. 170
Business Maxims for Boys.......... 314
Ginastera eet eee cei aes ee, 285
Contents.
PAGE
Composition Exercises.............. 808
Cordovaraeteene et aie ee eae 121
Dining Hall, Christ Church College,
(Opell wet veneer MA SAO EAE 96
DowacthevRhine oes easier 262
Eneland’s'Ruler-2 neve este ss 173
Granada and a Visit to the Alhambra 115
Gibralteriege cs ace saae cen uncre. 205
Greece and its Rulers............... 213
Grim eskeee nse a nacre eee Piso: 111
Independence Hall................. 128
UlOan OF TAT CH Weagi as apart cites etee ote 49
Largest Bridge in the World......... 164
Memorya Gems Ste we eee Oe
MOT OCCOR tier tne. c mr etiam eee 62
Museums and Art Galleries.......... 145
MUsICH ne Battle seaec tes ent sees
264
8 s INDEX TO
PAGE
Old World Watering Places......... AT
Queen City of the World............ 103
Street Scenes of Rome............-. 98
Story of North America............. 125
St. Bernard Dogs on the Alps........ 143
St. Sebaldus Church............... 166
Some of the Cities of Switzerland.... 209
Some Masters of Music.............. 274
Sports of Sandwich Islanders........ 294
Swatzerlandie eres. serrrsanesis(ai sc 301
San Carlo Theater, Naples.........: 299
The Art of Letter Writing .......... 311
Most how DOV reieiey sei ee ore eis 316
Things Worth Remembering........ 317
The Lion of Lucerne.............. 15
The World’s Finest Burial Grounds.. 21
The Great Cathedrals of the World... 25
The Battle of Waterloo.........0.. 29
The Catacombs of Rome............- 34
The Story of Africa.............00.. 51
The Cities of Africa. :............... 59
The: Citysot Cairorterrs ccc as srs: 60
Ether StomysOkeAsia. cers acer ee OS
Tokio, A Japanese City...........65. 72
ithe: ©itvorC ovlomn renin cn tleccirr eae 15
The Story of Hurope................ 79
The Cities of Europe............... 83
Mies Citysols Venicchrnyses ree et 89
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Whe: City, of Genoa eens ee etree 91
hei City, ob Parish secs ee eee 92
The Industries of Switzerland....... 95
The “ Bridge of Sighs”............. 100
ithe Stony of Spanier terete 114
The: Citycot Wiashine tone esse asc: 129
TherWallsotiNiaganraeeriar errr 132
The Indians—How They Live........ 135
he: His itn ee haearcssscace pte Se ener ceceee 139
herSlackehorestteni one rer anee 153
The Land of the Vikings............ 160
The Story of the Glacier............ 189
The Story of the Pilgrims—in England 191
The Story of the Pilgrims—in Holland 192
The Story of the Pilgrims—on ocean. 193
The Story of the Pilgrims—at Plym-
outh) America cesses oc cece 195
(he; Storyob wearin tin owe ees 199
The Magna Charta................. 201
The Finest Park in the World ....... 203
Mhesslandwol Cortussess see eee 206
The Emperor of Germany at Home .. 271
The People of Holland ............. 219
The Life of George Washington ..... 226
ee Jorn Adams seen ve ee 228
Thomas Jefferson ....... 230
i James Madison ......... 233
i James Monroe.......... 234
John Quincy Adams .... 236
INDEX TO CONTENTS. | 9
PAGE PAGE
i
The Life of Andrew Jackson ........ 287 The Life of Andrew Johnson........ 2538
ob Martin VanBuren....... 239 | ss Wivyasesmon Granta sas 254
‘ William Henry Harrison. 240 | sf Rutherford B. Hayes.... 256
ss John Ryle rernrgerrracrenc 242 | if James Abram Garfield... 257
cs James Knox Polk....... 244 | a Chester Alan Arthur .... 258
Zachary Tylor .......... 245 | 3 Grover Cleveland ....... 259
a Millard Fillmore ........ 246 os Benjamin Harrison ..... 260
se Franklin Pierce......... 247 | a William Mclxinley ...... 270
i James Buchanan........ 249 | Virtues that Bring Success.......... 314
i Abraham Lincoln ....... 250 | Zoological Gardens of the World..... 144
HARRY BROWN’S LEGEND _OF THE BLACK FOREST. (See page 154.)
CAMPO SANTO:
(Described on page 24.)
12
ROUND-THE-WORLD
CULTURE CLUB.
T Rose Lawn farm, one evening in
the early autumn of 189-, the at-
mosphere was one of joyous expect-
ancy, for papa and mamma Gray had just
returned from a trip abroad and all the chil-
dren were eagerly awaiting the promised
treat of the incidents of the trip, the cities
visited, the historic spots seen, the charm-
ing scenery about which so much had been
heard and the people interviewed. The
memory of other trips but added to the
zest with which the children awaited the
tales in store for them. As they sat around
the hearth that evening papa Gray said,
“Before we take up the story of this trip,
why not lay outa regular program of work?
Let us study the geography of the coun-
try we talk about, the cities we describe,
and study the people of whom we shall talk.
I want you to get something besides amuse-
ment from my talks and to help you I have
brought back beautiful pictures of many
interesting sights. How shall we proceed
to get the most out of what I shall tell
on
you!
“Let us form ourselves into a club,” said
Tom, who was ever ready to add to his
store of knowledge. “Yes,” said Florence,
whose loving heart always thought of oth-
ers, “we can form a club and invite the
children of the neighborhood and let them
share our good things with us.” “An ex-
cellent plan,” said papa, “but what shall
we call our club?” Tom’s ruddy face grew
sober but Flora’s brown eyes sparkled as
she cried, ‘“ Let us call it the ‘Round the
World Culture Club,’ for we shall go with
papa around the world and shall surely
learn much of other countries and other
20 66
people.” “Just the thing,” said mama, and
as all agreed the name was selected.
While all were discussing the work, a
Tom
and Flora hastened to meet them and who
rap at the door announced visitors.
should they be but the very children they
needed in order to make their club com-
plete. It required but a moment for Tom
to explain their plan. “Splendid,” “excel-
99 66
lent,” “how nice,” “jolly” were the cries
that greeted Tom’s explanation. “ We must
id ROUND THE WORLD CULTURE CLUB.
have officers,” said Mary Lee, who, as
president of the Junior Endeavor that met
every Sabbath at the school house, felt that
a club could not be run without its regu-
“JT think we shall
want but one officer, and that will be the
“Grand Chief Story-Teller,” said Harry
Brown, one of the assembled group. “That
larly elected officials.
is papa,” said Tom, and without prelimi-
naries Mr. Gray was elected.
“A story to-night, papa,” said Florence.
“Yes, yes, a story” chorused the children.
Mr. Gray smiled and said, “We have not
time to enter into any long descriptions and
T can tell but little.
T hardly know where
to begin, but the presence of so many hap-
py young faces recalls a visit to Hyde Park,
We had
spent the morning hours writing letters,
London, one afternoon last July.
for the day opened dark and rainy. At
about noon the sun came out and we went
to the park, a picture of which I secured
for ygu. This is one of the most popular
public resorts of London. Here gather
every bright day countless thousands of
The
park is beautifully laid out and has its
women, children and society people.
drives for carriages, its ground for tennis
and cricket and its playground for the chil-
dren.
ROTTEN ROW—HYDE PARK, LONDON.
THE LION OF LUCERNE. 15
“Our picture shows the main drive where
London society gathers for its daily airing.
Here you will see elegant carriages of all
descriptions, smartly dressed footmen and
drivers, handsome, spirited horses and gil-
ded harnesses. The carriages of the nobility
are emblazoned with their coat of arms, and
with the gay dresses of the occupants, make
Crowds
of people gather here to see the gay turn-
the scene one of great splendor.
outs go dashing by, some drawn by one
horse, others by two horses, either tandem or
abreast, some by four horses, and occasion-
ally some fat old lord rolls by in a stately
Beyond the
drive you can see ‘Rotton Row,’ the finest
coach drawn by eight horses.
of bridle paths and devoted exclusively to
horseback riders. The English people are
good riders and their horses well trained;
but the ‘swells’ cut an amusing figure
as they go by with short coats, leggings and
high top boots.
“At the entrance to the park is the famous
monument to Wellington, erected in his
honor by the English government. It is a
magnificent memorial and every true Eng-
lishman points to it with pride. Some
evening I will gladly relate to you the his-
tory of the Iron Duke, who knew not defeat
and who conquered Napoleon at Waterloo.
At Hyde Park the most interesting feature
How the
little ones enjoyed rolling about in the grass,
to me was the children at play.
chasing one another about and pelting each
other with paper balls. Many there are
who get their only taste of fresh air and
But
Come to-mor-
sunshine from their afternoons here.
this-is enough for to-night.
row night all of you, and we will have our
first real story.”
THE LION OF LUCERNE.
; T Lucerne, Switzerland, there is an
attraction more wonderful than
balmy climate; more beautiful than
_the Rigi Mountains and more charming
than the Lake of Lucerne. This attraction
calls tourists from all parts of the civilized
world andis known as “The Lion of Lu-
cerne,” said Mr. John Day, who had just
returned from the Alps and who had prom-
ised his niece that immediately on his re-
turn to America he would make them a
visit and contribute something interesting
to their “ Round the World Culture Club.”
“Don’t all say at once, ‘Well, what is
the Lion of Lucerne?’” said Uncle John,
“for it takes a little time to explain it.”
“Go with me first to France in the year
1792. There was.as you doubtless know, a
16 THE LION OF LUCERNE.
volting on the part of the people against
the impositions of the King and his Court.
The people said, ‘Down with the King!
We will rule ourselves.’”
“T see by your looks, though,” said Un-
cle John, “that you are wondering why the
people were dissatisfied, so let us go back a
little and notice first the cause of all this
dissatisfaction. In the year 1771 Louis XV,
King of France, who preceded Louis XVI,
was carried away by disease in the midst of
a sinful career, and had left the State Treas-
ury exhausted, the land burdened with debt,
the public credit ruined and the people op-
pressed with taxes.
“Such were the circumstances when the
new King, Louis XVI ascended the throne.
The new Louis had a good heart but a weak
brain. He wanted to improve the condi-
tion of the people but had neither money
nor ability. His wife, Marie Antoinette,
although a highly cultivated woman and
daughter of Marie Theresa, one of the best
rulers Austria had ever seen, was extrava-
gant and proud and soon became unpopular
with the masses. The people throughout
France began to feel a longing for freedom
and for a Republican government. It was,
therefore, unfortunate at this time that the
King and courtiers, who lived in a gorgeous
palace at Versailles, about ten miles from
Paris, should indulge in brilliant fetes and
other extravagancies which showed more
| and plunder their palaces.
plainly than words could tell that bank-
ruptcy was close at hand. All this caused
the people to think more and more of the
folly of permitting the king to govern the
people. A spirit was creeping over them
which was bound to triumph sooner or later
“Things went on in this way until 1789
when the excitable population of Paris be-
gan to hold meetings and deliver infle nma-
tory speeches in the public parks, in the
coffee houses, In wine rooms and every
other public place possible. The newspa-
pers kept up a continual roar and pamph-
lets were published in favor of freedom.
“The Court, alarmed at the increased ex-
citement, felt that their place was not safe,
that greater protection was necessary. The
King said, ‘But whom can we trust? The
French regiments are for the people. We
must send outside for soldiers.” Knowing
the bravery, loyalty and honor of the Swiss,
they concluded to send to Switzerland for
soldiers. Immediately they came, and when
the rumor ran through Paris, a general up-
rising followed. The people refused to pay
their tithes to the church and tolls to the
| nobility, and began to burn their castles
Even this did
not quell the pleasure-loving King, for he
held another banquet the extravagance and
waste of which had never before been known.
Soon busy tongues carried the news to the
excited people of Paris, and those suffering
THE LION OF LUCERNE. 17
from famine quickly rebelled. Then great
_crowds marched to Versailles and compelled
sthe King to change his residence to Paris.
-Next day he with his family entered Paris
under an escort and took up his residence in
the ‘Palace of the Tuileries.’ Soon, how-
ever, he was suspected of disloyalty to the
-people and the situation became dangerous.
He made an effort to escape from the coun-
try, but had not gone far when he was de-
‘tected and brought back to Paris.
“This dissatisfaction increased until one
night in the year 1791, then when the city
bells rung, an enormous crowd, not only of
the rough inhabitants of the suburbs, but
galley slaves from all over France, with one
grand rush made for the royal palace. It
was now defended by only nine hundred
Swiss guards, for the National Guards who
had up to this time helped defend the pal-
ace, became dissatisfied and rapidly dis-
persed. The crowd became more violent,
cannons were turned upon the castle, men
with spikes urged their way into every part
of the palace and the crowd demanded the
King. The King with his family sought
protection in the Hall of Legislature, but
had hardly left the palace when the human
ae ee = =
“LION OF LUCERNE,” AT LUCERNE—SWITZERLAND.
18 THE LION OF LUCERNE.
The
Swiss guard bravely resisted and tried to
billows broke over its defenders.
defend the passages, but without regard for
human life the raging mob stormed the pal-
ace, murdered all within reach, destroyed
the furniture and set fire to the castle.
You ask here what became of the Swiss
guards? I must answer that they were sac-
rificed to the rage of the mob.
“Now let us leave the French Revolution
and return to Lucerne, that beautiful city
among the Alps, which contains the won-
derful monument to these brave Swiss
guards, called the Lion of Lucerne. —
“This monument is carved in the living
rock on the side of a perpendicular cliff of
limestone. It is in shape of a great lion,
a broken spear protruding from a mortal
wound in his side. His head has fallen on
his right paw, which lies on the Bourbon
shield, and forces a spear against the up-
right arms of Switzerland. Every muscle
of the splendid beast is relaxed, yet in his
suffering he shows what he endured and
This
monument of bravery was designed by the
that he remained loyal to the last.
Danish sculptor, Thorwaldson, in commem-
oration of the defense of the French King
by the Swiss guards.
“At the base of the rock is a little artific-
ial lake, and in its center is a fountain
throwing water to the height of 20 feet re-
flecting the sun’s rays in prismatic colors.
Indeed it is beautiful and no one can pass
without pausing to worship at the shrine
far more glorious than many throughout
Europe designed for the unsophisticated
and ignorant.”
“Tell us about them,” said Amy Daish,
who, although a new member of the Club,
was greatly pleased with the idea of story-
telling. “ Not to-night, my friends. I pre-
fer to stop while my reputation is good, but
when JI come again I will be prepared to
meet you on your own ground. I had no
idea you were such good listeners. I ama
little like the old Clairvoyant who said,
‘Don’t watch me so closely, it is a trifle
embarrassing, and besides, it breaks the
spell.’ Your attention made me wonder if
You have im-
The
Club is a good thing and the efforts of its
I was sufficiently prepared.
proved wonderfully since a year ago.
members should produce much good.”
A HALF HOUR WITH DICKENS. 19
A HALF HOUR WITH DICKENS.
i LL went well with the “Culture
Club” until one evening Mr. Gray
“The Chief Story-Teller,” was ab-
sent. Business had detained him. After
waiting a time, Flora said, “ Mama, as papa
is not here to-night can you not take his
place and tell us of some of the sights you
saw?” “Yes,” chimed in the others, “ We
have not heard from you yet, now is just
the time.”
Mrs. Gray hesitated at first, but the anx-
ious faces showed how eager they were for
information, and she
conseted, saying:
“ Papa talked of places and of living people,
soldiers and statesmen, kings and emporors,
so I will tell you of what those who write
We can
talk of but one writer tonight, who shall it
be?” “Charles Dickens,” said Mary Lee,
who had just been reading “Old Curiosity
our literature do for the world.
Shop,” “tell of him and his books.”
“Mr, Dickens,” said Mrs. Gray, “ was the
OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.
20 A HALF HOUR
WITH DICKENS.
second of eight children; he was born in
1812 at Landport, England, but his parents
soon after moved to Chatam, where he lived
A delicate child, he
could not take part in boyish sports, and
In David
Copperfield he says, ‘my father had a few
until his tenth year.
sought consolation in books.
books in a little room up stairs to which I
had access and which nobody else ever
‘Tom Jones,’ ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ ‘ Vicar of
Wakefield,’ ‘Don Quixote’ and ‘Gil Blas’
came out, a glorious host to keep me com-
pany. They kept alive my fancy and my
From Chatam
There the
father was imprisoned for debt, and the fur-
hope of something better.’
the parents went to London.
piece to keep starvation away. Weakly as
he was, young Charles was put to work in
less one to the sensitive lad, and his descrip-
tion of it is painful ; but ere long the con-
dition of the family improved. Then he
was sent to school, but unfortunately it was
where the boys trained mice much better
At fit-
teen he was office boy to an attorney, then
than the master trained the boys.
it was he studied shorthand. Of school he
saw little. Indeed he pictures his own boy-
hood in ‘ Pickwick Papers’ where he makes
Weller, Sr., say to his son Sam, ‘I took a
3 nae | lation and his jolly Mark Tapley.
a blacking house at seven shillings per pao So aobtgaataae ge:
; resided in Italy and France, and at-
week. This experience was a bitter, hope- | Resi CO ae oucr Tan ce sua aE
deal ’o pains with his education, sir,—let
him run the streets when he was very young
and shift for himself.’
“At nineteen he was the best of the nine-
At
twenty-two he ventured to drop a story in
the letter-box of the Old Monthly Magazine,
He said
ty reporters in the House of Commons.
and to his surprise it was printed.
| of it, ‘I turned into Westminster Hall for
troubled. From that blessed little room, |
a time because my eyes were so dimmed
Then followed
These were after-
with joy I could not see.’
sketches signed ‘ Box.’
ward collected in two volumes and sold,
plates and all, for $750. Shortly after he
took up literature as a profession and trav-
eled extensively. He visited the United
: : States and wrote ‘ Martin Chuzzlewit’
niture and library was pawned piece by | Se eo ee eee ee eee
his return. In this he gives us his inimit-
able picture of American real estate specu-
He later
_ ter place gained the material for that life-
like portrayal of the French Revolution de-
picted in his ‘Tale of Two Cities,’ mean-
| time giving public readings from his own
works. In this way he earned $200,000,
but his health declined. His love of money
and of fame led him on until 1870, when
apoplexy carried him away.
“Tt was his mission to set before us with
a wonderfully realistic pen the good and
Oliver Twist, born
in a work-house, brought up amidst scenes
evil of every-day life.
THE WORLDS FINEST BURIAL GROUNDS.
of vice and misery, was preserved from pol-
lution only by the strength of character.
The ruffian Sykes could not escape his evil
deeds.
blooded villainy that repels.
Fagin, the Jew, is a picture of cold-
‘Old Curios-
Dick Swiv-
eller is a rare combination of conceit and
ity Shop’ is full of contrasts.
assurance. He purchases without means to
Quilp,
with the body of a dwarf and the instinct
pay and avoids the street thereafter.
of a wolf, is a strange fancy. But where so
fair so frail, so lovable a child as little Nell?
Patient, hopeful, a ministering angel that
wins all hearts. ‘The roughest among them
was sorry if he missed her in the usual
21
place upon his way to school.’ “At church
young children would cluster at her skirts
and aged men and women forsake their gos-
sip to give her kindly greeting. How sad
that such a child should die, and yet with
what a tender, sacred beauty he clothed her
| final sleep.
“He wrote for the multitude, and the
multitude was pleased. No man of his day
is better known, more widely read, more
; warmly loved than Dickens, for the burden
of all his stories is ‘be good and love; have
compassion on misery and wretchedness;
believe that humanity, pity, forgiveness, are
the finest things in man.’ ”
THE WORLD’S FINEST BURIAL GROUNDS.
: we have a little old-fashioned talk
about some of the famous burial places
of the World.
naturally thinks of the time when they will
Every one, as age comes on,
lay down their work here and enter a life
beyond. As the life beyond is not intended
for the body, but simply the soul, naturally
there must be a place on Earth where this
body is consigned when life is extinct.
“From time immemorial different meth-
ods have been resorted to for burying the
dead. The ceremonies performed depend-
Pp p
lien said papa, “I propose that
ed entirely upon the customs of the country,
but the place selected for the grave depen-
ded upon the position one occupied in the
world, not only as to office but in financial
worth. No matter where the dead is buried
a wealth and even a waste of money can be
used in placing a memorial, which sooner
or later must perish with time.
“Tn America some of our greatest Gen-
erals have been buried in vaults and tombs
erected by the people, but a private citizen
when dying is usually buried in a country
church yard or in a cemetery surrounded
22 THE WORLD'S FINEST BURIAL GROUNDS.
by green trees, running brooks and fragrant
flowers. The old world custom is some-
what different and especially those of an-
cient times.
In Athens, Pompeii and Rome it was the
custom to bury the dead by the side of the
main roads immediately outside the town-
gates. In Greece these Streets of Tombs
have mostly disappeared. The only one re-
maining is now within the present city of
Athens.
monuments of the finest pentelic marble,
Many of these had sumptuous
but only those that could bear exposure
have been left in their original places, the
smaller ones having been removed to the
Athenium museums.
TOMB OF MARIA CHRISTINA—VIENNA,
THE WORLD'S FINEST BURIAL GROUNDS. 23
The first place of interment on the left, | ones, so that the ground here must have
immediately beyond the ancient gate, con- | been very uneven in ancient days. Farther
sists of the foundation wall of a semicircu- | on comes the Monument of Dexileos, a
lar building, within which are upright tomb- | young Athenian who distinguished himself
DANTE’S MONUMENT—FLORENCE.
stones. These are the monuments of Cor- | by his valor in the Corinthian War in B.C.
cyrean ambassadors. "The monuments lie | 394-395 ; the relief represents him on horse-
sixteen feet lower than the surrounding | back in the act of striking down his foe ;
24 THE WORLD'S FINEST BURIAL GROUNDS.
the weapons and bridles were added in
bronze. The two monuments in front be-
long to other members of the same family,
the whole forming a family tomb.
Farther along the road is the Grave of
Korallion, the relief representing a family
group. Korallion grasps the hand of her
husband Agathon with her right hand and
his arm with her left, while in the back-
ground are another bearded man and a
youth. The next monument is in the form
of a small temple, the interior of which was
adorned with paintings, now completely
erased. Ae
at
TROJSAN’S COLUMN—ROME.
THE STORY OF EVROPE. 81
and forced them to acknowledge Rome .as
the “Mistress of the World.” And they in
turn dizzy with success fell an easy prey
to their own excesses and the savage Huns
and Goths who swept down from the
North with relentless fury. Here too was
waged the battle between the Moor and
Christian, the Crescent and the Cross,
which ended only when the battle of Tours
had left the Moslem hordes crushed and
almost annihilated. Here too Charle-
magne was crowned on the eventful Christ-
mas, 898, and gave the first strong impulse
to modern Europe; here William the Con-
queror won the battle of Hastings and
changed the destiny of nations; Here the
barons forced wicked King John to sign
Magna Charta and laid the foundations of
liberty and law in America. Here Luther
defied the honor of Popes, and here
Napoleon sought to found one universal
Empire with headquarters in France.
ACROPOLIS— ATHENS.
82 THE STORY
OF EUROPE.
The land of Chaucer and of Spencer,
of Pope and of Shakespeare, of Milton and
of Burns, of Scott and of Byron, of
Tennyson and of Dickens, its history is
the history of Eastern civilization. No
land will better repay careful study.
In the South we see the Alps towering
high in air and trending east until they
join the Asiatic ranges of which they are
The highest peak is Mt. Blanc,
some 15,700 feet in height. while its com-
a part.
panion Mt. Rosa reaches nearly the same
altitude. Here we find the noted Matter-
horn—the place of resort. ,
To ascend the peaks is the aspiration
South of the
Alps the warm winds from the tropics
of every Alpine traveler.
give us a climate mild and healthful while
the blue skies of Italy. are the finest in the
world. In the far North conditions change
for here King Winter reigns supreme and
the greater part of the year covers the
land with snow and ice. In Russia, too,
the winters are severe, but elsewhere the
climate in the lowland is milder than our
own in Illinois.
Closely connected with European His-
tory is the once noted City of Athens.
More than any other people that ever lived
the Athenians loved music, poetry, elo-
quence and all the arts of expression.
The Acropolis, built in her greatness is an
imposing structure and shows an Athenian
Citadel of glory.
In commerce, Europe leads the world.
The iron, steel, cottons and woolens of
England, the wines and silks of France,
the furs and wheat of Russia and the
fruits of the South, easily place it first in
this respect. Its dense population with
its enexhaustible supplies of coal and iron
fit it for manufacturing, but sad to say,
the working people are poorly paid in
comparison with our own.
From Spain comes the greater part of
Cork
as you may know is the bark of a species
the cork used so freely everywhere.
of evergreen oak found in Spain and north-
ern Africa. The tree grows only thirty
feet high. The first cutting occurs when
the tree is about twenty years old. Two
cuts are made around the tree, one at the
ground, the other just below the main
branches. Between these. three or four
incisions are made and the cork carefully
removed. The first stripping is of no
value except for tanning, the second is
used for floats, but after that the cork can
be used for various purposes, growing bet-
The trees
are stripped once in eight or ten years and
ter with succeeding cuttings.
live and thrive for about 150 years under
this process. After scraping and cleaning
it is heated and flattened and is then ready
But let us to the cities of
Europe, and see what items of interest we
for use.
can find there. First, we will go to Lon-
don.
YHE STORY OF EUROPE. 83
THE CITIES OF EUROPE.
“ ONDON,” said papa, “is a great
city of unusual interest to all loy-
~ers of travel. It is not only
the metropolis of England and the chief
town of thé British Empire, but it is the
metropolis of the world, Situated as it is,
on both banks of the river Thames, and at
the head of the greatest Empire of the
world, it is not only a large commercial,
but a great jmancial centre.
The City occupies a County, in itself,
and is governed by a Lord Mayor, twenty-
six Aldermen and two hundred and six
Councilmen.
London is the home of Queen Victoria,
and here, too, are located the great Houses
of Parliament. There are twelve bridges
besides the railroad bridges that cross the
Thames from one part of the City to the
other.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE,
84 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
The City is said to have the finest Parks
in the world—St. James, which is the
result of accident, rather than intention,
occupies eighty acres and has been trans-
formed from a swamp into a romantic and
beautiful deer park. It has a bowling
green, tennis courts and all kinds of pleas-
It is upon this Park that
“Buckingham Palace,” the town home of
ure grounds.
Queen Victoria fronts.
The most beautiful park in the world is
Hyde Park. It has nine principal gate-
ways, fine expensive grass, bright flower
beds, noble old trees, and a beautiful lake,
called the serpentine. It has broad drives,
filled with equipages, walks lined with
thousands of loungers, and it has what is
called the Rotten Row, a street alive with
equestrians. In the height of season,
Hyde Park presents a scene which has a
brilliancy without a parallel. For drama,
London has thirty theatres; for music, a
greater number of eminent professors than
any other city on the globe; for painting,
sculpture and art—the Royal Academy of
Fine Arts is most influential. In churches
London stands at the head. St. Paul’s
Cathedral, known all over the world, was
forty years in building, and is said to be
large enough to contain the ‘ utmost con-
ceivable multitude of worshippers.’
Westminister Abbey, on account of its
having the coronation court of the Soy-
ereigns, from the time of Harold down to
the present day, and because of its prox-
imity to the English Government, has ac-
quired a fame and importance that will
The Royal Pal-
ace, and the Government Building, are
outlive even St. Paul’s.
among the wonders of London. Bucking-
ham Palace, the town residence of Queen
Victoria, was erected 1825. It contains
many beautiful rooms, among them the
ball room, and a picture gallery said to be
the finest in the world. The Houses of
Parliament cover an area of eight acres.
Here in London Shakespeare lived, at
the close of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and
introduced her streets and people into his
plays.
One could remain in this great city
an unlimited time and still not feel that
But
it is almost bed time and I will simply add
justice had been done to its places.
that in the evening this city presents a
At the close of
each day the Londoners make a grand
most striking appearance.
rush from the business center to the out-
skirts of the city, there to enjoy the re-
freshment, rest and retirement the country
affords, and partake of the beauties of na-
ture. These suburbs of the city are among
the most beautiful in the world. There
has just been completed a new underground
electric railway which is the only one of
its kind in the world and it is a great help
to the working people in getting out to
their homes.”
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 85
A LITTLE ABOUT VIENNA.
F all the strictly modern cities of the
old world, chief among them is
Vienna,” said Papa one day on his
“Why so?” said
Alice, “I thought Vienna was a very large
return from Europe.
German city with lots of poor working
women and very little beauty, architecture,
or grace about it.” “Well you are very
much mistaken,” said Papa, “For in all
my travels, I never saw a city that has such
EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH, OF AUSTRIA.
86 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
beautiful public buildings, such handsome
women, and so much style as this queen of
Austrian cities. Located as it is on an arm
of the Danube, with mountains all around,
and containing as it does the residence of
the Emperor, you can imagine that not
from the time we left Church of St. Step-
hen until we returned to our hotel, every
thing was a bewildering show. First we
passed an Imperial palace which has been
a residence of the Austrian Princes since
the 183th Century. Around the outside are
: ee <
a
ei
a
VOTIVE CHURCH—VIENNA.
only the nobility live in elegant palaces,
but a long line of wealthy ancestry whose
mansions are little less than castles, and
whose gorgeous turnouts make of this an
attractive place.
Our first day there, we took a drive, and
niches in the wall, and in these niches are
life size pieces of statuary, some allegor-
ical figures and others from real life.
Further on comes the Imperial Library
with over 400,000 volumes, 20,000 MSS, ~
and 12,000 volumes of music. What here
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 87
interested me most was a case in which Further on comes the Historical Mus-
was contained a purple parchment with | eum, Rathhaus, or City Hall, The Royal
silver and gold letters of the 6th Century, | Theatre, Houses of Parliament, which were
being fragments of the Gospels. designed in the Greek style by Hansen,
Next we visited the Capuchin Church | and the Maria Theresa Platz, or square, as
which contains the Imperial
vaults. Here are buried the
noted dead. Among the cask-
ets we saw those of Maria The-
resa, probably the best belov-
ed of all Austrian Sovereigns,
who ruled 41 years; Marie
Louise, second wife of Napo-
leon and her son, Emperor fF
Maximilian of Mexico; and f
many others, all of which
were covered with fresh flow- |
ers.
Then we reached the Ring-
Strasse, the main Boulevard
of the city, sixty-two yards
wide, and so named because
it circles the city like a ring.
Apart from the buildings
erected by speculators, it is [E
architecturally one of the fin-
est streets in Europe.
Among the most beautiful .
churches is the Votive church
of pure Gothic style, which Fe
was erected in memory of the
THE HANDSOMEST WOMAN IN VIENNA.
Emperor’s escape from assas-
sination in 1853. It is adorned with 78 | we would say in America, and in the center
stained glass windows. rises the Maria Theresa Monument, forty-
88 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
three feet in height, of bronze and marble,
erected in 1888, representing her as she
Then
there are the Museums, etc., which makes
appeared at the age of thirty-five.
the city interesting indeed. It was our
good fortune to be able to sit near the
MARIA THERESA MONUMENT, VIENNA.
Royal tent, and thus had a good oppor-
tunity of viewing the court, and chief
among them was the Emperor Franz Jos-
eph, at a horse tournament one pleasant
day in June.
The Emperor is straight and active, but
‘| feeble looking, and it
was almost with a feel-
ing of pity that we
looked up at him when
the crowds cheered.
We saw though when
the blooded horses
were brought out, that
our pity was wasted,
for he enjoyed it most
of all.
Princess Stephanie
Here, too, was
and many other ladies
of the Royal Family.
This was a day never
to be forgotten and I
thought of you Tom,”
said Papa, “For you
are fond of horses and
*| would have enjoyed
| the display even more
e| than myself.” I never
| saw finer horses, and
as all of them belong-
ed to the Royal Fami-
ly, you can imagine
| that the equipments
~ are as fine as possible
to make them.
‘THE STORY OF EUROPE. 89
THE CITY OF VENICE.
“London is the largest, but Venice the | to place, are obliged to depend upon the
most beautiful city in the world,” said | boats. This makes the place picturesque
papa. “Here the streets are not of gravel, | and beautiful beyond description. There
as you might imagine, but shining water, | are all styles of boats, all sizes and all
and the people, in going about from place | prices. Processions, parades, and in fact,
THE RIALTO—VENICH.
90 THE STORY OF EHUROPE.
all life is carried on by this means of
transportation. “Gondola” is the name
applied to the favorite passenger boat. It
is long, narrow, and fancy; is paddled over
the water by men dressed in true foreign
sailor fashion. The freight vessels are
brought direct to the warehouse, at which
place the people unload their merchandise
as easily as though they were wagons
drawn by horses. The mirth, noise and
music of the city is re-echoed time and
again, back and forth, on the beautiful
waters. The sunlight, moonlight, life, act-
ivity and shadows are reflected as in a
The hotels are constantly filled
with tourists who come and come again to
mirror.
view this enchanted spot. Some day we
must all visit this wonderful city and then
my children will be glad of the study we
have given this place,” said papa, for it is
one of the charmed spots of the earth and
will live in ones memory forever
VIEW OF THE ITALIAN COAST,
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 91
THE CITY OF GENOA.
~Lell us about Genoa, papa,” said Tom,
who had been to the World’s Fair and had
taken a deep interest in the old convent of
La Rebida, “because it was the home of
Columbus.” “TI shall never forget,” said
papa, “my first sight of Genoa. As we
approached the city, late one bright after-
noon, superb Genoa lifted her hundred
sun-crowned domes and spires high above
As we neared the coast the
As the
the blue sea.
whole seemed one blaze of glory.
sun went down the splendor slowly faded.
Genoa is a city of churches, and massive
buildings; relics of the days when her ships
filled the Mediterranean and _ enriched
with all the treasures of the East.
The streets are narrow, poorly kept, full
of bad smells and thronged with idlers
and beggars.
On the whole, Genoa is disappointing to
the visitor, suggesting only a past great-
ness with no hope for the future.”
eI |
G (ie
S ze
92 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
CITY OF PARIS.
“From Genoa to Paris is something of
a jump,” said papa, “but there are so
many beautiful things to be seen there
that we will take a hurried run through
this, the most beautiful city of the world.
Paris covers an area of thirty square miles
and has a population of two millions, so
you will see that it ranks among the first
cities of the globe. Through it flows the
Seine like a silver thread. Twenty-eight
bridges span this river, making passage
from side to side easy. Its parks, boule-
CITY OF PARIS.
%
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 98
vards and squares are the finest in the | the obelisk of Luxor, a single block of
world and in the turbulent history of | reddish granite, 76 feet high, presented
France have played important parts. The | to Louis Philippe by Mohammed Ali.
Place De La Concorde is regarded as the | Here the guillotine did its bloody work
most beautiful of all. In the center rises | during the French Revolution and here
NOTRE DAME—PARIS.
foreign troops have encamped when Paris | eline to the Bastile. The Madeline is a
was in their power. The great boulevards | famous church planned by Louis XV. in
are a splendid line of streets on the north | 1764. The revolution found it unfinished
side of the Seine, reaching from the Mad- | and Napoleon ordered it to be completed
94 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
as Temple of Glory. Napoleon fell and
Louis XVIII returned to the old plan of
making itachurch. It was finally finished
in 1824 at an expense of $2,500,000. It
stands on a basement, surrounded by mass-
ive Corinthian columns. It is built wholly
of stone, is destitute of windows and lighted
by skylights in the roof.
Among its finest buildings are the Opera
House, covering nearly three acres, costing
$10,000,000, and to which all Europe con-
tributed from its quarries. The Royal
Palace, built by Richelieu in 1634; the
Cathedral of Notre Dame, completed in
the 13th century; the Palace of Justice,
given by Charles the VIII, in 1431, to the
Parliament, and the Louvre Buildings, con-
taining the finest collection of paintings,
sculpture, bronzes and antiquities known.
But do not think that these old buildings
lack in beauty or finish, for such is not the
case.
The Holte Des Invalides was built for
aged veterans in 1670, by Louis XTV, and
Attached to this
is a church surmounted by the famous
gilded dome, Des Invalides, 240 feet high,
which can be seen at a great distance.
covers thirty-one acres.
The July Column, erected in honor of
the heroes who fell in the Revolution of
1830, rises to the height of 154 feet and
is much noted. The Vendome Column,
142 feet high and surmounted by a statue
of Napoleon Ist, was built by him to com-
It is decorated
with figures to represent memorable scenes
The
metal from which it was made was obtain-
ed by melting 12,000 Russian and Aus-
trian. cannons.
memorate his victories.
in his wars with Russia and Austria.
But rising high above
everything else in Paris is the famous Hif-
fel Tower. This has three platforms; the
first with its cafes and restaurants; the
second 376 feet from the ground, and the
third, 863 feet. The total height is 985
feet, making it the highest tower in the
world. We might spend weeks in the
beautiful city and then see but a part of
its wonderful sights. Paris of to-day is
one of the most modern cities in every re-
spect.’ The government of the city is very
different from most of ours, for there
everything is done for the improvement of
the city. All the municipal works are
built and run on the most improved plans,
and we might well copy some of their
methods with a great advantage to our-
selves. The police and fire systems are
examples, and you know that the under-
ground sewer system of Paris is noted the
world over as standing at the head of any-
thing of the kind for its completeness and
magnificence. Paris is also noted for its
famous cafes that line the principal boule-
vards. But let us defer until another time
our study of Paris.
THE STORY OF EUROPE, 95
THE INDUSTRIES OF SWITZERLAND.
OTHE peasants of Switzerland are a
study to the tourist. Simple, honest,
industrious and frugal they seem
The Swiss milk
wagon is an entirely different affair from
content with their lot.
the one we see in our American cities. It
is a two wheeled vehicle usually carrying
is not the rich, wholesome product we find
in the Swiss cities and among the people
at home. I shall never forget the cool,
rich cup of milk given me one morning by
a young man on his daily rounds with
milk. I wanted to pay him, but he shook
his head, and smiled, seeming as pleased
SWISS MILK WAGON.
two cans. Large, well trained dogs are
harnessed to it and are aided in drawing it
by the milk man himself. The mountain
sides and valleys afford rich pasturage, and
dairying is an important part of the com-
merce. We get Swiss cheese here, but it
The
You have all
to bestow the gift as I to receive it.
Swiss excel in handwork.
heard of Swiss Watches. These are hand
made, each part delicately adjusted, and
until recent years, ranked as the best.
Their skill in making embroidery is also
96
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
great. Years of work is often put on a
single handkerchief, each thread being ad-
justed with the utmost care and the deli-
cate design worked out with the greatest
of skill.
sist the temptation of purchasing a bit of
Your mother even could not re-
this lace, if only for a souvenir.
Besides lace, their skill in carving is
proverbial. On every hand one sees little
boxes, and great chests with mountain
scenes, national emblems, birds, beasts,
and delicate flowers carved upon the panels
with wonderful accuracy. Among these,
perhaps, the most ingenious is the little
clock known as the Cuckoo clock; when it
strikes a little dove appears and says
“cuckoo” as many times as the hour hand
would indicate. Carving is a pastime, as
well as a means of profit to the peasants
shut up in their homes during the long
winter hours. In the cabinet shops, beds,
tables, chairs and book cases are often seen
entirely hand carved, some articles repre-
senting months of arduous labor.
That the Swiss peasants are contented
and intensely loyal is proved by the fact
that we find so few of them in America.
While every other European country has
contributed largely to our population, too
largely perhaps for our good, you seldom
find a Swiss here, and when you do, you
find an honest, law-abiding, worthy citizen.
Would that we had more of them, but a
contented man stays at home.
DINING HALL, CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE,
OXFORD.
T will not do to leave Europe, with-
out a glance at its many institutions |
of learning.
the Universities at Cambridge, and Oxford. |
The latter has been brought to the boys |
and girls of our own land by that masterly |
book for boys, “Tom Brown at Oxford” |
and is better known perhaps, than any of
the others.
independent in a measure, but working in
harmony. They are among the oldest as
Chief among these are |
At Oxford are many colleges, |
well as among the best of English schools.
Student life here has much to commend it
and a graduate of Oxford is noted every-
where for his intense loyalty to his Alma
Mater.
Among the athletic sports, rowing, foot-
ball, and cricket are the most popular pas-
times and in these events rival Universities
take great pride. The annual boat race
between Oxford and Cambridge is not only
an international
a national but almost
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 97
affair. The day of the race is a holiday
for London, as thousands gather to witness
the race at Henley. Crowds gather to urge
on the crews of their choice by shouts and
the waving of flags and handkerchiefs. In
the evening the victorious crew banquets
the losers and a merry time is had. These
dinners are far different from the daily
college dinners at Oxford.
I secured a photograph of the old dining
hall at Christ Church College, Oxford.
This, a long hall with furniture of the
simplest kind. Plain tables with long,
backless benches fill the floor. These have
been there since the hall was built in the
17th century, and at these tables and upon
these benches the students gather, rich and
poor alike. The son of a lord must sit by
the side of the penniless student working
At these tables
sat Tom Brown whom so many American
his way through college.
boys love. Here sat Gladstone when a
student at Oxford, and here have sat those
who have won fame in science, on the bat-
tle field, in the church and in Parliament.
Though the tables are plain, the walls
are adorned with handsome and valuable
paintings, among which the deans of the
college, from its beginning, and the pat-
rons of the school occupy a prominent
place.
A visit to this hall brings back much of
the glorious past of English history, and
suggests the thought that so long as this
institution in which equality of rich and
poor, noble and low born exists, England
will hold her own among the nations of
the world.
DINING HALL, OXFORD,
98 THE STORY OF EUROPE.
STREET SCENES OF ROME.
OT HE streets of Rome afford much of
interest to the traveler. The venders
of milk and butter, of cheese, of cakes
and bread and pies, of fruits, and nuts, and
candies, of crisp shiny vegetables, of flow-
ers arranged in charming bouquets and of
FLOWER GIRL, ROME.
every conceivable thing form a motley
crowd. Whatever their virtues, you may
be sure that timidity is not one of them.
They urge their varied wares upon one in |
a manner that awakens admiration for their
persistence, but contempt for their judg-
ment. The tourist who can have no pos-
sible use for fresh vegetables is drummed
as vigorously as the housewife who pur-
chases them for the mid-day meal.
We must, however, give them credit for
arranging their wares to good advantage.
The dainty pots of butter seem just the
thing for the loaves of fresh bread. Each
little round cheese seems made to go with
one of the tempting cakes; the vegetables
so artistically placed make one hungry, and
the flowers—who shall describe their beauty
and their fragrance, when held out to us by
a dark-skinned, black-haired, bright, Italian
girl, with her quaint, becoming dress, eager
look and musical voice. Some of them are
not averse to turning an honest penny by
the sale of their photographs. Here is one
which we bought to bring home for you.
The city though, swarms with beggars,
who detract from the pleasure of a prom-
enade through the streets. There is, too, a
painful lack of morality among these un-
fortunates, and yet their ignorance is such
that they must be pitied rather than judged
harshly.
THE STORY OF EUROPE. 99
The Pantheon is the best preserved tem-
ple of ancient Rome now in existence.
Eighteen centuries ago it was the admira-
tion of the world. Its portico still stands,
and is considered a marvel of beauty and
an exceedingly fine specimen of Roman
Art.
when Christians triumphed over the bloody
It was built as a Pagan Temple, but
persecutions of paganism, and overturned
all the old altars of the Roman world, it
was converted into a Christian Church and
used as such for many years, but is to-day
the burial place of many noted dead. Here
we saw the tomb of the great artist, Raph-
ael. Here, too, lie the remains of Victor
Emanuel, the adored of the majority of
Italians to-day. The tomb is fairly smoth-
ered by floral wreaths not only from the
city of Rome but from many powerful
nations as well.
PANTHEON—ROME.
100
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
THE “ BRIDGE OF SIGHS.”
OT HERE stands in the most conspicuous
| place in Venice the home of the
Doges, who were for many centuries
rulers of not only Venice, but the civilized
world. This elegant palace was founded in
the year 800, but has been destroyed five
different times and as often rebuilt, each
time in grander style. The exterior is lined
with small slabs of colored marble, and with
two pointed arcades of 107 columns, 36 be-
low, 71 above. The upper arcade is very
rich and handsome. From between two of
these columns at the principal entrance,
were proclaimed the death sentence of the
Republic. At the top of the flight of steps
leading to the palace the Doges were crown-
ed. The interior of this palace is perhaps
more beautiful than any other of the old
world. The great masters of the 15th and
16th centuries were chiefly engaged in its
decoration. Most of the marble works have
perished, but a few of the paintings still re-
main on the ceilings. The palace now
forms a museum, and in it are placed relics,
curios and such paintings of the old masters
as have been preserved. The ceiling paint-
ings are entirely by Paul Veronese, and, as
Ruskin, says “the traveler who really loves
paintings ought to come to this room when-
ever he chooses, and should pass summer
sunny mornings there again and again.
While all of these ceiling paintings are
beautiful, there is perhaps one that impress-
ed me more than all others, and that is the
one known as ‘Industry.’ This is not only
perfect in design, but the coloring surpasses
anything I have ever seen.”
It was customary in olden times to have
the residence of the Kings contain not only
the living, reception and sleeping-rooms of
the family, but a chapel and a throne-room
as well. One of the most interesting rooms
in this palace is the ante-chamber of the
three Inquisitors of the Republic. On one
side of this room is an opening which was
formerly adorned with a Lion’s Head in
marble. Ourguide informed us that through
the mouth of this lion secret notices were
thrown into the room of the three Inquisi-
tors.
The assembly hall of the Great Council
of this palace is 55 yards long and 26 yards
On the
frieze of this room are the portraits of 76
broad. It is exceedingly fine.
Doges. On the walls are 21 large scenes
from the history of the republic.
From this magnificent palace a narrow
passage leads to the lofty “Brip@E oF
Sieus,” which connects the palace to per-
haps the most noted prison in the world,
ter
INDUSTRY—DOGES PALACE. VENICE.
102
noted because of the unparalleled horrors
The Bridge
of Sighs is still in perfect condition, while
which haye taken place there.
a portion of the prison also remains and is
That
portion of the prison which had the leaden
now used for ordinary criminals.
root was destroyed in 1797. Connected
with the prison is a series of gloomy dun-
A ws
THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS, VENICE
THE STORY OF BUROPE.
geons, also the torture chamber. Here too
stands the once famous place of execution
for political criminals. The Bridge of
Sighs is really a means of communication
between the palace and the criminal prison.
It was made famous by Thomas Hood’s
poem called “The Bridge of Sighs,” which
is familiar to all.
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
103
QUEEN CITY OF THE WORLD.
ROM the wealth of wonderful beauty
* which Paris unfolds to the gaze of
the admiring tourist, what shall I
tell you to-night,” said papa in the brief
time allotted us? If we turn to its history,
we are appalled at the vast array of events
which confront us. Cesar found it peopled
by a brave, warlike tribe, but it went down
before the onslaught of the Romans. It
commanded but little notice till 987, when
Hugh Capet made it the capital of the
Kingdom. Then began the building of
famous structures which has continued to
this day. A profligate court taxed the peo-
ple until Revolution set in and its streets
were red with blood. Devastation, chaos,
madness reigned supreme. Monarchy gave
way to a Republican form of Government
only to be succeeded by Monarchy and
that again by a Government by the people.
Were we to glance at its schools and univer-
sities, their excellence and their influence
would stagger us. If we view its art and
architecture, time is too short to more than
glance at the infinite display from the
works of the masters of past and present.
Its streets entrance us with their beauty
and their finish. Its buildings bewilder us
by their splendor. Its shops tempt us with
their artistic arrangement of the product of
human skill. Its people surprise us whether
we look upon the wasteful luxury which
marks the lives of the wealthy, the pinch-
ing poverty which ever abides with the
lowest classes, or the happy carelessness
which sits so lightly upon the great body
between.
Among its handsomest avenues is the
Champs Elysees, stretching from Place de
la Concorde to the Arch of Triumph, a dis-
tance of three miles. This is one of the
favorite streets for promenades and drives.
Stately trees border it the entire length,
their bright, fresh foliage furnishing a
pleasant relief to the gray of the streets.
The work of planting trees receives great
attention at the hands of the city. Every
tree planted along a street costs the city
forty dollars and yet the money is wisely
spent. The streets are kept clean by an
army of workmen with their shovels and
brooms, their carts and baskets. One sees
gay carriages, highbred horses with splen-
did trappings, liveried servants and _aris-
tocracy in force upon this street on a pleas-
ant day, and as evening approaches, the
working classes gather in great numbers to
rest beneath the trees or walk slowly up
and down.
The parks of Paris are no less noted than
FOL
AVENUE
CHAMPS ELYSEES, PARIS.
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
105
the streets. In the heart of the city are the
Tuilleres Gardens, comprising seventy-four
acres, handsomely laid and planted with
trees, shrubs and flowers. There are also
the Luxembourg Gardens, somewhat larger,
less regular in form, but presenting a
more varied appearance. The conserva-
tories in connection are noted for their rare
plants. These are the best known of those
in the city proper, but every part of the
connection with this are great city nur-
series where trees are grown for the streets
and gardens which furnish flowers for dec-
orating public buildings on _ holidays.
Beautiful as are these parks, their useful-
ness is even greater. Here is fresh air,
green grass, blooming flowers and shady
trees for all to enjoy and to the poor, pen-
ned up in this great city, their value can-
not be estimated.
AVENUE BOIS de BOULOGNE,
city has its own particular park or play
ground.
‘The real parks are the Bois de Boulogne
and the Bois de Vincennes, situated outside
of the city proper. The former covers an
area of two thousand one hundred and fifty-
eight acres, one-eight of which is roads, the
rest turf, gardens, ponds and running
streams. The Bois de Vincinnes is the
larger of the two, but not so popular. In
Among the churches of Paris, the Cathe-
dral of Notre Dame is the largest and the
finest. The first stone was laid in 1163
and the building completed sixty years
later. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth
century, modified from time to time, and
restored to its original form as far as pos-
sible during the present century. It is 424.
feet long, 164 feet wide.
is 312 feet high.
The central spire
Two great square towers
106
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
crown the principal front which, by the
way, is one of the most beautiful that has
come down to us from the Middle Ages.
The Cathedral is richly decorated and as
one gazes upon the chiseled marble, the
exquisite tracing, the beautiful statuary,
the elaborate frescoing and the massive
walls, the thought comes to him that were
this all of Paris, yet would the city be
worthy of a visit by the tourist.
The Grand Opera of Paris is the largest
and finest theater in the world. It covers
two and one-half acres of ground and cost
Seven Million Dollars.
The number of poor make it necessary
for the city to establish a Director of Pub-
lic Charity. The money for this comes
from the revenue of certain estates, sub-
sidies, sale of lots in cemeteries and a tax
of one-tenth the price of all seats sold in
It is said that
the pauper population of Paris numbers
the theaters and concerts.
one-sixteenth of the whole number, there
being localities where they form one-eighth
THE BOURSE, OR
STOCK EXCHANGE,
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
of the whole. To care for these requires
an enormous sum of money annually as
you can see. There are also endless private
charities, among which are fifty day nur-
series, where mothers, obliged to work away
from home during the day, may leave their
children. Another evidence of the poverty
107
of the people is found in the fact:that over
one-half the deaths are in families too poor
to bear the expense of burial and must be
aided by the city. Let us be thankful that
no such condition exists in any of our
American cities, whether North, South,
East or West.
ATHENS.
ee how about telling us
one of your stories about Athens,”
said Grandma Locke, as the chil-
dren, grandchildren, and neighbors were
gathered around the great fire log, at her
house on Thanksgiving evening.
“Yes,” chimed in all voices, “Tom tells
stories as naturally as though he had done
nothing else all his life.” “ And now begin
right away Tom,” said Esther Clark who
had never heard a story on Athens, and
who was alittle in doubt whether or not,
she would like it, so thought the quicker it
was over the better.
“Well, once upon a time,” said Tom,
« Athens was the greatest city of the world.
By great, I mean she possessed more learn-
ing, had finer masters in art and architec-
ture, and built some of the most wonderful
temples to false gods that the world has
ever seen. Chief among these temples is
the Parthenon, built four hundred years
before the time of Christ, around which
were carved the most beautiful figures and
statues ever known. It is supposed that
Phidias, the greatest sculptor of all times
did this work. The Parthenon was built
on a high plateau and is the most conspic-
uous place in Athens, even to-day, not-
withstanding the fact that it is in ruins.
The different nations which warred upon
Greece, have carried off these masterpieces
and sold or placed them in their museums,
until all there is left in Athens are the
columns, and foundations, and a few broken
pieces of sculpture. How my heart beat
with indignation as I thought of this van-
dalism which has been going on for. years.
To me it seemed like desecration to pick
up even a little piece of marble which lay
at my feet, having fallen off from the great,
elegant ruins as a result of the hot sun,
beating rains, and chilling winds. When
the Parthenon was originally built on the
Acropolis, there was placed in the center,
their chief goddess, “Athena,” who was
STATUE OF ATHENA, (
. 108
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
109
considered the guardian of the city. I
brought home with me a photograph which
is supposed to be acopy of this colossal
figure. The original statue was thirty-nine
feet in height, made of wood and covered
with some plastic material. Plates of ivory
represented the flesh, while the draperies
were of solid gold. The value of the metal
on this goddess alone was $375,000. This
gold was removed and used during times of
war and again restored in times of pros-
perity.
Athens to-day is like New York, so mod-
ern is it in appearance. They have the
electric street railway system, pleasant
parks, modern cafes and any number of ele-
gant public buildings and private resi-
dences. All architecture is Grecian in de-
sign and far surpasses anything we have in
America, for beauty, grace anid utility.
ae
RESIDENCE OF DR. SCHLIEMAN, ATHENS.
110
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ATHENS.
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
111
HERMES.
Ve telling you about temples
which were erected to unknown
gods, I am going to tell you about
the one at Olympia, which as you know, is
quite a distance from Athens, but which is
no less famous than Athena.
There is nothing at Olympia to-day to
tell of the city’s ancient grandeur except
its foundation which has been excavated, and
a museum, containing the fragments of the
once glorious temple built here centuries
before Christ.
Yes, I might add there are two modern,
but cheap and poorly kept hotels, where
tourists find lodging, also a few scattered
cottages, where live the shepherds and til-
lers of the soil around the mountains. |
Whether or no it was the plan of the
Almighty to destroy this city and forever
thrust out of sight these pagan deities, is
hard to tell, yet true it is that as a result of
a mighty earthquake, its temples were ley-
eled, then the river rushing in soon covered
its works of beauty with sand and soil to a
depth of many feet. In this condition, it
remained until 1874 when a party of Ger-
mans, after six winters of hard work, suc-
ceeded in bringing to light Hermes, the
finest statue ever discovered, as well as
hundreds of others of lesser value. This
THE UNIVERSITY—ATHENS,
HERMES, OF PRAXITELES.
112
THE STORY OF EUROPE.
doubtless broke as it fell, for you can see
from the photograph that the arm is gone,
and the gathered mold of a thousand years
has stained the perfect oval of the check
and throat. To me, though, it is even now,
the sweetest face I ever saw.
This, to-day, stands in a room by itself in
the Museum at Olympia, and all who look
upon it, must confess that even though
modeled by a pagan hand, it possesses a
113
beauty hard to define in a soulless man.”
“Well,” said Tom when he had finished
telling his story, “have I tired you out?
There is so much to tell, I hardly knew
where to stop.”
“No,” said all in a chorus, while Esther
Clark said, “It is the best story I have ever
heard. After this when I see the picture of
Hermes I shall always like it instead of
‘disliking it.”
a
Sr
i
h
THE STORY OF SPAIN.
THE CUSTOMS.
OU have asked me to tell you
+ about Spain,” said Papa, one
beautiful evening in August,
“So I
will begin and tell you first about things in
as the family sat upon the porch.
general, then I will tell you about Grenada, -
then the city of Cordova and the wonderful
Mosque there, then about Cadiz.
Spain is not a beautiful country. If a
traveler expects to find the soft charm and
luxuriant loveliness of Italy, life in Spain
will be a constant disappointment; no hope
can possibly be more misplaced. Spain is
not the least like Italy, it has not even the
Be-
yond the Asturias and the valleys near the
beauty of the greater part of France.
Pyrenees, there is not a tree worth speak-
ing of in the peninsula. There is scarcely
any grass, the shrubs may even be counted;
except when the corn is out, which here
lasts such a short time, there is hardly any
vegetation at all. Those who wish to find
beauty, must look for beauty of an especial
kind—without verdure or refinement of
color. But the artist will be satisfied with-
out these, and will exult in the long lines,
in the unbroken expanse of the stony, tree-
less, desolate sierras in the transparent
atmosphere, and the shadows of the clouds
as they fall upon the pale yellow of the
tawny desert. In the central provinces,
hundreds of miles may be traversed, and
no single feature of striking natural beauty
may be met with; nothing more than the
picturesque effects which may always be
obtained by the groups of cattle, gathered
round fountains by the dusty wayside or
standing out as if embossed against the
pale distances, or by the long trains of
mules with their drivers in brigand, bear-
ing the merchandise from one town to
another. On these plains, too, there is a
silence which is almost ghastly, for there
are no singing birds, scarcely even any in-
sects. Such is the character of almost all
the country now traversed by the principal
railways. But even here, just when the
spirits begin to flag, and the wearied longs
to refresh himself, the traveler reaches one
of the grand old cities which seem to have
(114)
THE STORY OF SPAIN.
gone asleep for five hundred years and to
have scarcely waked up again, when
you step at once out of the reign of Isa-
bella II, into that of Philip II, and find
the buildings, the costumes, the proverbs,
the habits, the daily life, those of his time.
You wonder what Spain has been doing
since, and the answer is quite easy—noth-
ing. It has not the slightest wish to any-
115
thing more; it is quite satisfied. The
Catholic sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella
made a great nation of it, and filled it with
glorious works. Since then it has had, well
—reverses, but it has changed as little as
ever it could. But a visit to these old cities
is wonderfully interesting—especially is
this true of Granada which contains the
once beautiful palace of the Moors.
GRANADA AND A VISIT TO THE ALHAMBRA.
Oe the structures built by man, the
: Alhambra, or ancient palace of the
Moors in Granada, Spain, takes rank
among the foremost: in magnificence and
splendor. The name, Alhambra, signifies
“the red,” so called from the color of the
sun-dried brick used in its construction.
The palace was built between 1248 and
1354, something over a century being occu-
pied in its erection. Its splendid decora-
tion and the exquisite painting of the in-
terior are attributed to Yusuf I, who died
in 1354. From this date to 1492 when the
Moors were finally conquered by the Span-
iards, the Alhambra was the residence and
fortress of the Moors.
With the success of the Spaniards came
the manifestation of their hatred of every-
thing associated with Moorish grandeur;
they began to despoil the beauty of the
castle. The open work was filled with
whitewash, the paintiugs effaced and the
Charles V,
and Philip V, rebuilt parts but destroyed
much of the original beauty. For many
years thereafter Spain allowed the Alham-
In 1812 some
of its towers were dismantled and blown up
by the French, and in 1821 an earthquake
nearly destroyed it. In 1862 Isabella gave
orders to restore the work to its original
furniture torn and removed.
bra to be further defaced.
condition. This has been skilfully done
so far as the money appropriated would
allow, but the poverty-stricken condition of
the Spanish Treasury has not permitted
its complete restoration.
The palace is built upon a hill or terrace
north of the city embracing thirty-five acres
and is enclosed by a strong wall with thir-
teen large square towers used as fortresses
by the Moors. The Alhambra is built
within. One approaches the massive pile
116
THE STORY OF SPAIN.
DRIVEWAY TO THE ALHAMBRA.
by a fine drive flanked with rows of mag-
nificent shade trees planted by Welling-
ton in 1812. For this act alone he de-
serves not only the gratitude of Spain, but
of the countless tourists who annually visit
this romantic spot. ;
Entering the gate of the Pomegranates
one is struck with the quiet beauty of the
grounds. Woods and wild flowers, ravines
and waterfalls, sparkling fountains and
shady walks attest the taste and refinement
of the Moorish Monarchs,
ee us of some big bridge to-night,
papa,” said Tom, as they sat upon
the porch one evening. “Well,” said papa,
“the largest bridge in America, if not in
the world, is Brooklyn suspension bridge,
connecting New York with Brooklyn.
This bridge stands to-day, not only as the
reatest triumph of engineering skill in
Pp §
its line, but is an undying monument to |
the memory of John A. Roebling, the
Chief Engineer, who superintended its
early construction, and who lost his life
there, as well as to his son, who proved a
worthy successor to his noble father, and
carried the great work to completion. As
one views it by day from the gates of the
sea, many miles away, it looks like a shin-
ing silver thread sparkling in the sunlight;
viewed, by night, from afar, one almost
fancies it some splendid constellation in
the heavens, as it flashes with brilliant,
many colored lights which stretch from
shore to shore, like some great wall of
flame. As one approaches it, its gigantic
size becomes apparent, and its majesty and
magnitude are overwhelming. In every
detail, the length of the approaches, the
height of the towers, the length of the
span, the diameter of the cables, the
weight of the anchorages, all impress one
with theirimmensity. Figures failto convey
an adequate idea of it. The approach on
the New York side is 2,492 feet, or near-
ly one-half mile; that on the Brooklyn
side is 1,901 feet, and the span between
the towers 1,595 feet, making a total
leng th of 5,989 feet or over one and one-
eighth miles. The towers from which the
bridge is suspended rise 277 feet above
high water mark and sink below to bed
rock, the New York tower being 78 feet
below and the Brooklyn a little less.
The great cables which support the
bridge are nearly sixteen inches in diame-
ter and are formed of steel wires, almost
6,000 twisted together, and capable of
holding a load of nearly 50,000 tons, or
80 trains of 20 cars each, each car weigh-
ing 80 tons, could pays over the bridge
safely at one time.
The center of the bridge is so high
that the largest ships can pass under it
without difficulty. The bridge is 85 feet
wide and five tracks cross it, the two outer
ones for wagons, the two inner ones for
cars, and one above these for foot passen-
gers. From this last, a beautiful view of
the river can be had. At each end the
164
BROOKLYN BRIDGE. : 165
cables are made fast in great masses of It is, indeed, an inspiring sight to watch
Five | the throngs of people on this bridge as
the shops and factories close for the day.
At such an hour we all pay an unconscious
masonry weighing 60,000 tons.
years were spent in preparing for it, and
over thirteen years were required to build
it. Its cost was about $15,000,000. tribute to the man who constructed it.
Ses
SSS
SSS
of
xs
Z
oo
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op
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RAUNT TR
BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
in the world now, I think. If you walk
over it they will charge you one cent and
in riding it is three cents. It seems
strange that they should do this now, but
There is one more thing about the
bridge that is worth calling attention to.
You all remember about the old-style
bridges that you used to have to pay to
cross. Well, you do on this bridge also. | they claim that this small charge keeps
Brooklyn bridge is the largest toll bridge | it in repair.”
166
ST. SEBALDUS CHURCH.
ST. SEBALDUS CHURCH.
PEAKING of Churches, one of
- the oddest ones I ever saw,”
a said papa, “is the Church of
St. Sebaldus, located in the center part of
the old city of Nuremburg. This city as
well as the Church is the quaintest of all
European cities and my visit there is one I
shall never forget. It is thoroughly Ger-
man and everything connected with it is
as old fashioned as though it had never
seen the 19th century, but with all its
quaintness it is after alla most beautiful
city. The houses are all roofs and in the
roofs are little dormer windows which
make you think that they were constructed
for dolls rather than for human beings.
The city is noted all over the world as
containing the greatest toy factories in ex-
istence. Here toys of every conceivable
shape, style, price and quality can be
found. Toys I had never heard of, games,
musical instruments, and hundreds and
hundreds of curious, pleasing things which
make one think they are in Santa Claus
land.
But I forget, I started to tell you about
St. Sebaldus Church—named so because it
contains the monument of St. Sebald. The
eastern choir of the church has been built
in the genuine Gothic style, decorated with
beautiful columns and completed in 1377.
In the center of this choir, there stands the
This
celebrated monument, the most extensive
bronze sepulchre of. St. Sebaldus.
work German art has produced, was cast
by Peter Vischer and his five sons, begun
1508 and finished 1519. It rests on 12
snails, having 4 dolphins at its corners, the
whole forming a Pagan temple, adorned
with the 12 apostles. It is surmounted by
12 smaller figures, being as many fathers
of the church, and finally by an infant
Christ, holding a globus in his hand; the
latter being the key of the whole monu-
ment, when it is to be laid open. In a
niche towards the high altar, is the portrait
of Peter Vischer. The apostles to the east
are Peter and Andrew, tothe west Thaddeus
and Matthew, to the south John, James,
Philip and Paul, and to the north Simon,
Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew.
All who visit Nuremburg visit also this
| church, which although not elegant is
much admired. Near this church is located
a famous old restaurant which was in the
days of Peter Vischer the favorite dining
hall of artists and sculptors of the times.
Here came Albert Durer who lived in the
To-
day this restaurant is even more popular
15th century, and other noted artists.
ST. SEBALDUS CHURCH, NUREMBURG, GERMANY,
167
168
AN OLD ROAD.
than then, for now all tourists, whether
Germans or otherwise, flock here by the
score to partake of the Bratwurst, a delic-
ious sausage which is served up with sauer-
kraut. My, I can taste it yet, it was so
very excellent.
I fear we dined at this restaurant more
than we did at our hotel, and the last thing
we did as we left the town was to go for a
farewell lunch to this tiny restaurant called
“The Bratwurst Glock,” famous for sauer-
kraut and sausage.
AN OLD ROAD.
OULD the cyclist of to-day be favored
+ with such roads as the old Romans
built,” said papa on his return
from Italy, “his joy would know no bound..
Our boulevards with their macadamized
roadways do not approach even in hardness
and are far less durable than these roads
built many centuries ago.
One of the most noted of these is the
Appian Way, commenced by Appius Clad-
PORTA ST, SEBASTIAN, ENTRANCE TO APPIAN WAY.
AN OLD ROAD.
169
ius Cacus, 312 B.C. At first it extended
only to Capua, but later was built to Brin-
disi, a distance of three hundred and
fifty miles. It was about fourteen feet
wide, exclusive of the footpaths on either
It was not completed until 30 B. C.
These roads were made of many-sided
side.
blocks of lava, carefully dressed and laid in
The joints were fitted
with the greatest care, and the surface
a bed of mortar.
made perfectly smooth. They were built
principally for the rapid movement of
troops, though many emperors built them
as a monument to the beneficence of their
reign. The Appian Way was in a state of
perfect repair as late as 565 A. D., if we
are to believe Roman Historians, but with
the fall of the Roman Empire, these roads
were suffered to fill up with dirt and debris
until only their memory remained. Pius
VI in the early part of the present century
restored a part of it, but its surface is a
sad mockery of its former excellence.
No other drive from Rome affords the
tourist so much satisfaction as this, and so
one balmy morning when Italy’s blue skies
were at their best, we drove out upon it,
The
road is flanked by a great wall, back of
viewing its beauties from all sides.
which are vineyards giving abundant proof
of a large crop of grapes a little later in
the season. As we leave these walls, a
The
Campagna spreads before and invites us to
magnificent view breaks upon us.
explore its many wonders, but time forbids.
This dreary waste to which the name of
Campagna is given, was once covered by
the sea and is due to volcanic action. Lava
OLD ROMAN TOMB, APPIAN WAY,
170
BART EBBOE
MARATHON.
in grotesque forms appears frequently,
while the red, volcanic tufa adds color in
profusion to the scene. Here and there
one sees the craters of extinct volcanoes,
the principal of which are in the Alban
Lake Alban itself is but the
crater of an old voleano into which the
Mountains.
water has found its way.
Not alone for its natural features is this
plain noted. On that narrow strip of land
between the Alban Mountains and the sea,
were enacted great events in the history of
Rome. Here were fought fierce battles be-
tween the Latins and the Etruscans on the
north, the Sabins on the east and the Vol-
cians on the south. Once a densely pop-
ulated land with many prosperous towns,
it is now a desolate waste. Hardly a tenth
of its surface is now under cultivation.
BATTLE OF
; TRANGE that you never tire |
: of battle stories,” said Mr. |
Gray to the club one evening.
“Well, I too, liked them at your age, but
now I think more of peace making and I
hope the time will come when battles are a
thing of the past; but to-night I will tell
you about Marathon.
The classic land of Greece, the land of
poets, sculptors, statesmen, philosophers
and patriots, has throughout the ages been
With the coming of May, malaria sets in
and the herdsmen and cattle flee to the
mountains. The few people who are obliged
to remain, lead a miserable, fever-stricken
life. Here, too, are seen the ruins of aque-
ducts for which the old Romans were so
famous.
The road winds in and out, up and down,
and passes many points of interest, such as
the Catacombs, the Circus of Maxentius,
the tombs of wealthy old nobles and ruins
almost without number.
After a ride of six hours, broken into by
many walks into the byroads and paths
‘that are constantly leaving the Appian
Way, we returned to our hotel, wearied but
amply, repaid, having filled full our note-
book in which we keep the record of our
journey.”
MARATHON.
noted for its valor and bravery. No brighter
example adorns the pages of the world’s
history than the Plain of Marathon, where
was fought a battle that saved to mankind
the growth of free institutions and freed
Europe from the possibility of that semi-
civilization which has hung like a dark
cloud over Asiatic nations through all the
centuries.
The plain lies twenty-two miles from
Athens, along the bay of the same name.
BATTLE OF MARATHON.
171
It is nearly bow-shaped, six miles long and
It is
girded by rugged mountains except for a
about two miles broad in the center.
valley trending- inward from the center.
These mountains come close to the waters’
edge at either end. On this plain there
lay encamped, almost 2400 years ago (490
B. C.) a Persian army, numbering over
100,000 men. Fresh from conquests in the
east, every man trained to war, directed by
skilled commanders who had led them to
repeated victories and never having suf-
fered defeat, this army thought itself in-
vincible. So confident were they that upon
landing, they drew their boats upon the
beach and thus cut off their only means of
escape. Their arms seem strange to us.
There were bowmen with heavy bows,
slingers with their missiles to hurl upon
the enemy, spearmen with their long spears
and a well trained cavalry. The army was
led by Datis, nephew of Darius, King of
Persia, which at that time included all the
ereat Kingdoms of Asia, except China.
As this proud army landed, they saw
upon the mountain above a little band of
10,000 men to oppose their march into
Greece and the west. So small an army
seemed unable to offer any resistance and
the Persians smiled at the easy task before
them. In command of this little band were
’ ten Generals, but after a solemn council in
which it was decided to attack the Persians,
the command was given to Mil-ti-a-des,
whose valor and leadership had been often
proved. Realizing the fearful odds against
him, he gave the word to prepare for bat-
tle. The commanders exhorted their men.
The place itself excited the men, for Mara-
thon was sacred to their God, Hercules.
On this plain, too, their ancestors had
driven back their enemies. According to
custom, the warriors of each tribe were to-
gether, neighbor fighting by neighbor,
friend by friend, exciting the warlike spirit
to the utmost. Their arms were a long
spear, a shield and helmet, breast plate,
armor for the legs and a short sword.
Although the Greeks usually advanced
slowly in battle, Mil-ti-a-des, on this occas-
ion, ordered the line to advance upon a
run. The trumpet sounded and the little
army bore down upon the foe, chanting the
battle hymn, ‘On, sons of the Greek. Strike
‘for the freedom of your country, of your
children and of your wives, for the shrines
of your father’s gods and for the graves of
your sires.’ All, allwas now staked upon
the strife.
When the Persians saw the Athenians
coming to the attack, they thought them
On
came the Greeks with one unwavering line
mad and prepared to receive them.
of leveled spears, against which the light
targets, the short lances and cimeters of
the Persians offered but weak defense. The
center of the Grecian line which was weak-
ened to strengthen the ends, was driven
172
BATTLE OF MARATHON.
back into the valley where they were en-
abled to rally and renew the fight.
Meantime the Greek wings, or ends, had
routed their opponents, and then uniting
attacked the victorious Persian center. The
Persian troops under the command of Datis
himself strove hard to hold their ground,
The even front of the
Greek phalanx met them at every turn,
but to no purpose.
while their light shields and short weapons
served neither for protection or defense.
While the Persian rear poured showers of
arrows over the heads of the Greeks, the
foremost rushed boldly forward only to
throw themselves upon the projecting
spears of the Greeks.
At last the hitherto unconquered lords of
Asia turned and fled. The Greeks followed,
striking them down. The invaders sought
to launch their boats while the Greeks tried
to fire the fleet. Here the Greeks met their
principal loss. Seven galleys escaped and
Datis, desperate at his defeat, sailed for
Athens, hoping to find the city unprotected.
Mil-ti-a-des detected his purpose and leay-
ing a part of his force to hold the field,
hastened by a night march with the bal-
ance to the defense of the city. When
PLAINS OF MARATHON,
ENGLAND S RULER.
178
Datis reached Athens early the following
morning, he found his victors of the day
before ready to receive him and without
attempting to land, returned to Asia.
The Persian dead numbered 6400, the
Greeks 192. The Greeks slain were buried
on the field of battle and above them was
raised a lofty mound to mark the spot. Ten
columns were erected, one for each tribe,
and on the column of each were engraved
the names of those who had fallen. These
columns have long since crumbled away,
but the mound still marks the resting place
of the noblest heroes of antiquity.
It was at the close of this battle that a
Greek ran all the way from Marathon to
Athens, a distance of twenty-two miles to
tell the news of victory. The brave Greek
no sooner reached the city and said, ‘we
have won’ than he fell dead. It is to com-
memorate this race that a running race
from the Plains of Marathon to the station
at Athens took place during the recent
Olympian games. All nations took part,
but toa Greek fell the honor of carrying
off the glory.”
No one regretted to see a Greek win; in
fact all felt it was only right.
ENGLAND’S RULER.
ae what is our subject to-
night?” said Mr. Gray, as the
lamp was lighted and the little
flock gathered around to hear another of
the “Round the World” stories. ‘Tell of
“Yes,” said
Florence, who had been reading of the
Kings and rulers,” said Tom.
coming Queen’s Jubilee, “of good Queen
Victoria and her life.” “ Well children,”
said papa, ‘“‘ Merry England’s ruler deserves
an evening, and perhaps we can learn
something by talking of her noble life.
But first let me say that England is nearer
and dearer to the American people than
any other European nation. England made
the first permanent settlements here. We
speak the same language, get the best of
our laws and customs from and join with
her in leading the civilization of the world.
Of the present queen, Victoria, volumes
might be written, but in our talk to-night
we shall touch more upon her home and
court life. As you all know, Victoria has
reigned longer than any other English Soy-
She ascended the throne on the
night of June 19th, 1837, or rather on the
morning of June 20th, as King William
ereign.
died a little after two o’clock in the morn-
ing. Immediately upon his death the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chamber-
174
ENGLAND'S RULER.
QUEEN VICTORIA.
lain and Sir Henry, the Royal Physician,
hastened from Windsor Castle to the Pal-
ace at Kensington to salute the young
Princess Victoria as Queen of England.
While expecting the death of the King,
she met them with tears of real grief, and
the people regarded it as a happy omen
hat Victoria ‘wept to learn she was a
Queen.’ After receiving their salutations
she requested the Archbishop to ask Divine
guidance in her behalf, and so the first act
in her reign as Queen was a prayer for her
people and herself.
Trained carefully for her position, her
modesty and womanly ways delighted her
subjects and her reign began most hap-
ENGLAND S RULER.
175
pily. One of her first acts was to put an
end to Court extravagence and Court pro-
fligacy. During her first year’s rule she
paid her father’s debts and during the
second year her mother’s, and this without
incurring any debts herself or asking Par-
liament for any addition to her income.
Her business tact, honesty and frugality
won her friends everywhere and gave her
the confidence of all England.
Her coronation occurred June 28th, 1838,
and was an event of great splendor and re-
joicing throughout the kingdom. The cor-
onation took place in Westminster Abbey.
The Queen was escorted up the nave by
two Bishops, eight daughters of English
Dukes bearing her train and fifty ladies of
rank in her household following. As the
Archbishop of Canterbury presented her
as the ‘Queen of the realm,’ the old build-
ing shook with cries of ‘God save Queen
Victoria.” At the close of the ceremony
the Archbishop
Crown upon her head, and at the same in-
reverently placed the
stant the lords and ladies present donned
their coronets, the flashing jewels adding
ENTRANCE TO WINDSOR CASTLE,
176
ENGLAND'S RULER.
The Queen
was placed in the Chair of Homage, the
to the brilliancy of the scene.
peers came forward, knelt, kissed her hand,
pronounced allegiance and the ceremony
was complete.
Her courtship and marriage was to her,
as it should be to every woman, an import-
ant event in her life. As Queen, no man
could formally woo her. Before she was
made Queen her heart had been won by
her cousin Prince Albert, who was three
months her junior. In October following
her coronation the Prince was visiting at
Windsor.
her love for him and said her future hap-
She sent for him, told him of |
piness would be assured by their marriage.
The Prince responded with gratitude and
joy for he had loved her since their first
meeting. The Prince was not called upon
to ask the consent of the Queen’s mother to
the allegiance, but the Queen must herself
| announce to the members of her Privy
| She called
them together, tremblingly read her dec-
| Council or cabinet ministers.
| laration and received their congratulations.
The wedding, which was one of unusual
splendor even for Royalty, took place Feb.
| 10th, 1840, All England rejoiced at the
spectacle of their Queen marrying the man
she truly loved, and marrying him because
WINDSOR CASTLE, FRONTING TOWARD THE GARDEN.
ENGLAND S RULER.
she loved him, for you must know that
weddings among Royalty are not always
love matches. The Prince was voted $150,-
000 per year by Parliament for his expendi-
tures. Hight children were born to them,
Prince Albert Edward, the present Prince
of Wales, being their second child. He
was born Nov. 9th, 1841. As heir to the
Crown his birth was a most important event
to the nation and gave great happiness to
the Queen. The death of her husband
came very unexpectedly in 1861. The blow
was a severe one to Victoria. It severed
her almost wholly from politics. She re-
tired to a semi-private life, attending to the
cares of State, but not appearing in public
Prince Albert was laid
to rest at Frogmore, where a_ splendid
for several years.
Mausoleum attests the love the Queen bore
him.
Since the marriage of the Prince of
Wales the Queen has taken but little part
in social life, leaving those duties to the
Prince and Princess.
HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, ENGLAND.
ENGLAND'S RULER.
179
In her private life the Queen is imperi- |
ous, unbending and yet constantly per-—
The
Royal household humor her every whim.
forming many little acts of kindness.
She has dismissed faithful retainers with-
out just cause, and it is said that Lord
Playfair, who held the post of gentleman-
in-waiting for many years, was d?smissed
because his legs were short and bent and |
did not show to advantage in knee breeches
and silk stockings.
In the make-up of the Royal household
many people are required, as there are many
positions to fill and large sums of money ex-
pended. The gardener of the Queen is an
important personage. He has charge of the
gardens at Frogmore, and as the Queen re-
fuses to eat any fruit except that grown in
the Royal gardens, his position is not an easy
one. Ifthe Queen visits any of her children
or grandchildren among the Royaly, or
other nations, great baskets of fruit and
vegetables must be sent her daily from these
gardens. When absent, wine is sent her
wherever she may be from her own stock
This is
sent more for her guests than herself, as
in the cellars of St. James Palace.
she only drinks wine at banquets and then
but moderately.
She is also very careful in her dict, never
eating underdone beef or mutton and never
eating pork except in the form of sausages
which must be prepared by the Royal cook
himself and in just such a manner and
|
always cooked with a little unsmoked
bacon. Crabs and lobsters are never eaten,
oysters but seldom. Black currant jelly is
always on the table. The tea which is put
on the Royal table all comes from a quaint
little shop in Pall Mall where Victoria and
It
costs five shillings and four pence, nearly
her five predecessors have obtained it.
one dollar and thirty cents per pound.
Every day a sirloin of beef is roasted and
served cold for luncheon. After dinner the
Queen eats one water-biscuit and a piece
of Cheddar cheese. Whenever the Queen
goes abroad, the tea, the cheese and the
Royal bed must go along. That you may
know something of the expense of the
Queen’s kitchen let me say that ata State
dinner 250 pounds of fish are required and
this but a single item in the course dinner.
The chief cook receives $3,500.00 per year
for his services; the clerk who carves re-
ceives a like amount, the confectioners
$1,500.00 and $1,250.00 respectively,
At Buckingham Palace are given the
state balls and stats concerts, $50,000 per
year being set aside by the Queen for this
purpose. A ball must not cost over $10,000
and a concert must not exceed $15,000.00.
These seem like princely sums, yet they
are regarded as quite small. The Queen
seldom resides here for more than a few
days ata time. The Palace is not inviting
on the outside, and were it not for the red
coated sentries in front one would not take
180
it for the home of Royalty. Within the
Palace is richly furnished. Among the
(Jueen’s possessions is her country seat at
Balmoral, Scotland. This is the great hunt-
ing and fishing resort of members of the
A. forest of 10,000 acres
with 7,500 acres adjoining which the Queen
Queen's family.
leases, affords abundant sport, from eight
to one hundred deer being killed annually.
Through this estate runs the river Dee,
affording the best salmon-fishing in Scot-
land.
The Queen’s stables are under the con-
trol of the ‘Master of the Horse,’ one of
the grand officers of the household. On
state occasions the Queen is drawn by
eight cream-colored horses. These are never
ENGLAND'S RULER.
used on other occasions and hold the high-
est place in the stables. For her personal
use at Windsor Castle the Queen uses four
gray horses, ridden by two postillions. A
single sentry, or out rider, canters on ahead
while on each side are two mounted officers
of the army belonging to the department
of the Master of the Horse.
less than seventy carriages belonging to
the stables.
1761, seventeen feet long and weighing
There are no
Among these is one built in
This is the carriage in which
All the
carriages are heavy and cumbersome, but
four tons.
the Queen rode to her coronation.
serviceable and handsomely decorated.
The Queen also has her kennels of fox
and deer hounds, kept for the annual hunt
MONUMENT IN HYDE PARK, IN MEMORY OF PRINCE ALBERT,
A LETTER FROM ROME.
181
at Balmoral, as well as her kennel of pet
dogs. All of this expense is borne by the
English people without a murmur.
The Queen has her body guards of pen-
sioned officers known as Gentlemen-at-arms,
and a body selected from non-commissioned
officers called the Yeomen of the Guard.
Their principal duty is to keep the passage
clear for the Nobility on Levee and Draw-
ing-Room days. One of the most peculiar
officers is called the Champion of England.
He appears but once during a reign, and
that at the coronation. While the corona-
tion banquet is in progress he rides on
horseback into the dining-room, clad in
steel armor from head to foot. Raising his
visor he challenges any. one to deny the
title of the sovereign, throwing his gauntlet
upon the floor like a knight of old. As you
may guess no one accepts his challenge.
A golden goblet of wine is handed him
which he drinks to the health of the mon-
arch and then slowly backs his horse from
the room, carrying with him the golden
goblet as his own. This ceremony, by the
way, comes down 4rom William the Con-
queror. The Queen has also fifteen foot-
men, eight trumpeters, heralds and other
attendants or hangers-on almost without
number, whose duties are trivial and who
seem to be maintained as a relic of the
form and pomp of Middle Ages.
Much could be said of the numerous
families about the Court, of the allowances
voted each member of the Royal family
and of the children of the Queen, but it is
getting late. I want you one and all to
remember that ‘Queen Victoria is honored
no less for her womanly qualities, her love
of home, the admirable training of her
family, than for her position as sovereign
of Great Britain.’”
A LETTER FROM ROME.
April 25th, 1896.
Dear Frienps at Home:—As our good
ship approached the city all on board was
Bundles,
boxes, satchels and trunks were everywhere;
confusion, in fact, almost chaos.
their owners in one another’s way in their
But to me the
scene aboard was unheeded. I thought,
anxiety to be first ashore.
yonder lies the proud city, shorn of much
of her former splendor, but still the Mecca
of countless thousands of eager tourists.
Standing before her the present is forgotten
and the past rises clear and distinct. There
lie the seven hills of the old city as wild as
on the morning of creation. .
Then Romulus and Remus, who, tradi-
tion says, grew strong on the milk of the
she wolf which nursed, appear and the great
182 AE ERLE
FROM ROME.
city is begun. Midst war and strife the
city grows. We see Aeneas escaping from
the devastation of Troy and bringing his
household gods across the sea. He marries
into the family of Lati#ms and there arises
a long line of Latin Kings, Nunne, Tullus,
Ancus, Martius, Tarquinius, Priscus, Tul-
lius, Tarquinius Superbus, who, among
them, drove the people to revolution. The
Roman Republic arises with its govern-
ment of two consuls chosen annually. En-
emies appear, Cincinnatus leaves his
plough, saves the Republic and returns to
his farm on the Tiber. The two consuls
are increased to ten. Virginia chooses
death to dishonor. The fierce Gauls swarm
down from the north, enter the city, murder
the venerable senators in their seats and
Camillus is dictator.
Time rolls on and the Romans are con-
quered by the Samnites. The relentless
Punic wars are raging. Carthage is sub-
dued and the world takes note of the rising
power and splendor of the Imperial City.
Corinth, Macedonia, Syracuse, are hers.
Rome is queen of the world’s cities and
right royally she wears her crown. There
are Roman Triumphs, splendor beyond de-
scription, and the Roman eagles go forth to
The Cex-
sars appear, the nations of the world bow
secure dominion over the earth.
before them. The Republic falls and a
Cesar wears the purple of the Emperor.
Then comes a period of royal pomp and
| upon the Rome of to-day.
time was limited we lost no time.
extravagance, lightened now and then by a
resplendent reign until Augustus, Caligula,
Nero, and a long line of emperors bring us
to Constantine, and Rome once more really
rules the world. Christianity conquers Pag-
anism, and from the old Rome of ruin the
new Rome of Art and the Rome of the
Popes arise. Three thousand years of
tragic history pass before us and we look
The dream of
childhood and of early maturity is about to
be realized.
We landed, selected our hotel, and as
A
cab was engaged, and for an extra fee the
driver became talkative. We drove down
the Corso, the main street of the city, and
‘the driver pointed out the interesting
sights. We passed countless churches,
the Forum, the Colosseum, the great hotels
and drove through narrow, crooked streets
where the little black-haired, dark-eyed,
_swarthy-faced Italians are so numerous we
were in constant fear lest we run them down;
where women prematurely old sat on the
| steps and gazed listlessly at us, dispirited,
discouraged and each with a baby in her
arms. Old-men paced slowly up and down,
stared vacantly at us and (we say it rever-
ently) look as though death would be wel-
come. On into the marts of trade, where
shop-windows were decked with rich jew-
els, fine silks, curios, cheap goods; where
hucksters cried their wares; where laborers
A LETTER FROM ROME.
183
toiled with such a hopeless air; onto the
wharves where men half clad unloaded
great ships, carried boxes, barrels, bundles
so heavy that they stagger under their
loads. The shoulders of some are raw and
bleeding from the rough burdens they
bore. They hurried and are driven like
beasts, yet they are men. We grew sick at
the sight and were driven back to the hotel.
Sleep brought rest and forgetfulness, and
with the morning we were off to the Colos-
seum. This is the largest theater the world
ever saw; it is the most imposing ruin in
existence. Built by the cruel Titus, its as-
Within its walls
were enacted some of the darkest chapters
sociations are bloody.
in Roman history. In its construction sixty
thousand captive Jews were employed ten
SWISS GUARDS, VATICAN,
184
years. Tradition says that five thousand
beasts and ten thousand captives were slain
at its dedication, this festival lasting one
hundred days.
It covered six acres of ground and seated
It created and
developed brutal passion, yet the people
nearly 100,000 spectators.
who gathered there to witness wild beasts
devour Christians felt themselves secure.
Could we restore a Roman holiday what
would we see? The thousands of seats, ris-
ing tier above tier, are filled with the popu-
Yonder sits the Em-
peror surrounded by senators and nobles
lace in gala dress.
A EETTER FROM ROME.
and beautiful ladies. In the open space
below two gladiators appear armed with
battle-ax or spear. Their iron muscles
standing out in great knots quiver with
the expectation of the coming contest.
Their eyes gleam, their faces pale with the
agony of expected death, for death must
Stroke
follows stroke only to be avoided with
come to one. The contest begins.
lightning-like rapidity and skill. They are
covered with blood, worn with fatigue, but
the fight goes on till one is down, the foot
of the victor upon the fallen body, his
spear upraised. Excitement is intense.
ST, ANGELO, ROME,
A LETTER FROM ROME.
Will the victor spare his foe? The pros-
trate gladiator looks up to the Emperor
who alone can spare his life. But the Em-
peror dare not disappoint the people who
have come to see a man murdered, and he
The
ladies cry with joy, the people applaud,
inverts his thumb, the signal death.
the spear descends, a human life goes out
185
and the lifeless body is dragged out leaving
a path of blood behind. Thank God, such
days have passed and men are no longer
“butchered” to make a Roman holiday.
The picture appalled us and we hastened
to the Circus Maximus whose ruins can
still be seen. Vast as was the Colosseum,
it was a pigmy beside this. 250000 people
POPE LEO XIII.
186
A LETTER FROM ROME.
could be seated here and half a million are
said to have witnessed the races there in
the days of Rome’s splendor. The associa-
tions here are less horrible than at the
Colosseum as only trials of speed and skill
were engaged in.
Next we went to St. Peters, the most
wonderful as it is the largest church in the
world. It is built on the spot occupied by
the Temple of Jupiter Vaticanus, from
which the palace of the Pope, the Vatican,
is named. The first church was built here
in the year 90 and was a memorial chapel
to St. Peter who is said to have been buried
beneath. St. Peter’s church of to-day, the
crowning glory of the mighty genius of
Michael Angelo, was begun about 1503.
Tts erection overtaxed the Christian world
and led to the sale of indulgences to obtain
money with which to proceed. This brought
forth a protest from Martin, the first of the
Protestants, and effected the Reformation
by which Germany and northern Europe
were lost to the Church of Rome. The
church looks immense from a distance, but
is disappointing as you approach. The
piazza with its massive columns and play-
ing fountains prepare one for the grandeur
As we enter
Over the altar
is a canopy one hundred feet high and
and splendor of the interior.
its beauty bursts upon us.
weighing nearly one hundred tons, yet it
appears not half so high. In the distance
is astatue of St. Peter. We guess its size
half that of an average man. We approach
and find it twice as tall and twice as large.
In the distance are the noted cherubs look-
ing like dolls. One of our party investi-
gates and as he stands before them he, too,
looks to be an infant. We climb the dome,
and though it seems small, the people in
The little ball
upon the dome which we had noted from
the street are but pigmies.
the street is hollow and in it sixteen people
It is then that the
Its
stained windows let in a flood of light mel-
could meet at once.
vastness of the church overwhelms us.
lowed and softened until it seems like a
halo around the heads of the numerous
statues which adorn the church. Would
that we might describe the glory and the
splendor of St. Peters from an artist’s view,
We recall its
grandeur, its sublimity as a holy memory,
but description fails us.
but its beauty must be seen—it cannot be
pictured in words.
The, Vatican near by, is the winter resi-
In it are 13,000 apart-
ments and more than two hundred stair-
dence of the Pope.
ways. On its walls are some of the grandest
frescoes of Michael Angelo, the Last Judg-
ment being the most noted. (The Vatican
is guarded by troops known as the Swiss
Guards.
highly trained, proud of their honorable
They are hardy mountaineers,
position and selected for this purpose be-
cause they are absolutely honest and in-
corruptible.) So it seems that even in
A LETTER FROM ROME.
187
Rome, at his own home the Pope must go
to other nations to find body guards upon
whom he can rely.
In the Papal Palace, next to the Vatican,
is the most famous picture gallery in the
world. Here are gathered the works of all
the masters, which fill the soul of a lover of
art with ecstacy. We might spend days
here and then not be satisfied. It is need-
less to say that this is one of the favorite
resorts of tourists.
Among the old castles the most interest-
ing, perhaps, is the Castle of St. Angelo.
Originally this was a tomb erected by Had-
QUEEN MARGHERITA,
188
rian, A. D. 136, for himself and his succes-
sors. On a base 342 feet square rises a
The marble
covering has fallen away, but the structure
cylinder 240 feet in diameter.
still remains. Around the top were numer-
On the top of this
cylinder was another, surmounted by a large
ous marble statues.
statue of Hadrian, which has disappeared.
Tn later times this tomb was converted into
a fortress and the statutes on the top hurl-
ed down on the besiegers.
Legend says that in 590, during the reign
of Gregory the Great, while he was conduct-
ing a procession to pray for the cessation
of the plague then raging, he beheld the
Archangel Michael sheathing his sword
above the castle. In commemoration of
this, a chapel was erected upon the summit.
Tn time of war it has been used as a citadel,
but is now regarded as an interesting ruin,
though occupied. Visitors are admitted
A LETTER FROM ROMR.
only at 11 o’clock, A. M. daily, under the
guidance of a soldier, and only six persons
are admitted at atime. As a consequence,
many tourists of a short stay are not able
This, too, must be left
ere we have seen the half we want to see,
to see its interior.
but time is short and we must away. With
love to all the dear ones at home, I am, sin-
cerely, Your loving
FarHer.
P. S.—I enclose a picture of Queen Mar-
gherita, wife of King Humbert I, and
Ttaly’s inuch-loved Queen of to-day. tt
would have done your heart good to see and
hear the little peasant boys and girls circle
around our coach yesterday as we drove out
on the Appian Way, and sing in their usual
sweet way “Queen Margherita! Queen
10
Margherita We could not resist pouring
out to them all our small change as we went
away laughing.
STORY OF THE GLACIER.
EW of us, perhaps, have seen the | the North’and the frigid zones, how many
mighty glacier and as we have read | of us have given a thought to their growth
of them in the Alps, in the mountains of | and structure? As “little drops of water
TYNDALL’S GLACIER IN WHALES SOUND.
make the mighty ocean,” so little flakes of | vated regions form, layer upon layer, until
snow, falling silently one upon another, | they become a frozen mass, sometimes
partly melted by the rays of the sun and | covering miles in area, and the result is a
then frozen by the cold nights of North- | glacier.
ern zones, or the low temperature of ele- In the Alps of Switzerland these great
189
190
FIVE YEARS OF TRAVEL.
bodies have been studied and measured
carefully, and we find that the glacier,
instead of being a solid, immovable mass,
is, in reality, a river of ice, with a motion
and current of itsown. By driving stakes,
one on each side and others in line with
them, it has been found that a short time
suffices to throw these stakes into an
irregular, broken line, the ones in the
center moving faster than those near the
edges. In this way their rate of speed is
determined, sometimes one foot per day,
sometimes more, sometimes less.
The glaciers always move down the slope
either toward the valley or toward the
ocean. In the Alps the giacier, as it moves
down into the valley, is melted by the
warmer temperature until the rate of melt-
ing equals the rate of speed of the glacier,
and from its base a stream of pure water
flows. In the frigid zones, as in Green-
land, these glaciers move toward the ocean
and, as they reach the shore, the great
weight of the body behind pushes it on
Here it finally floats until
a great mass, broken off by its own weight,
into the ocean.
floats off as an iceberg. These float into
warmer climes until melted and then, again,
after evaporation, they are carried by the
winds into the colder regions and fall
again as snow to form a never-ending
series.
A great many travellers take trips over
these glaciers, accompanied by guides that
are used to doing such work. It is a very
dangerous undertaking anyway, for some-
times where the ice looks solid it is really
very weak. The experienced guide ean
When a
party start out they each have a long,
tell a great deal by the looks.
stout stick with an iron point, and a rope
is tied from the guide around each person
in line. This is done so that if one of the
party should slip, he or she will be held
by the rest. For, if any one should fall
there, and start to slide, it would probably
be fatal. The ice often has large open
‘cracks, many feet deep, and to slide into
one of these would be almost instant
death. The countries where this climbing
is done most, are those in the region of
the Alps.
lers meet and the guides do nothing else
Here large numbers of travel-
but take parties out. These trips may
be of great good to us for it gives a
chance for us to see the wonders and
fozees of our world which are made and
controlled by a higher hand than ours.
Among the most noted of these immense
bodies is Tyndall’s in Whale
Sound, Greenland, a cut of which we show.
Glacier
Far as the eye can reach, it stretches a
field of ice, yet it moves and, day after
day, it pushes farther out into ocean until
broken into pieces, it floats off as we have
stated. What a lesson it teaches as it
moves silently on and what a witness to
the wisdom of Him who rules the World?
STORY OF THE PILGRIMS.
IN ENGLAND.
J is 1590. In the old Manor House at
Scrooby, lives one of Queen Eliza-
beth’s postmasters. He lives a quiet,
peaceful lfie, but isa thinking man and be-
lieves that neither Bishop, Pope, King nor
Queen should control men in religious mat-
He
wants a purer worship, objects to finery in
ters. His name is William Brewster.
the garments of the Bishops, hates mum-
mery, believes that men should not was te
time in drinking, dancing and idleness.
For this reason his followers are nicknamed
The Queen and the Bishops
say that everyone must attend the Hstab.
Puritans.
lished Church on Sunday, or suffer im-
prisonment.
It is these things that make William
Brewster and his followers sad. Brewster
invites his friends to the Old Manor House
on Sunday. They claimed that any body
of Christian believers may form a church
and choose their own minister without aid
from Pope or Bishop.
Soon these churches multiply and Par-
liament passes a law imprisoning for three
months all who do not conform to the
Queen’s church. Many of the new church-
es are broken up by this law; some of the
numbers are banished and some seek safety
in Holland. But the postmaster at Scroo-
by is so far away that he is not molested
In 1608, Queen
Bess dies and King James comes to the
and the meetings go on.
throne. He says, “I will have one doc.
trine, one religion, and all must conform.
I will banish or hang all who do not.”
This is sad news to Brewster and his
friends. They value life, they love their
country; but principle is worth more than
What shall they do? They
think of the New World, but they cannot
go without a license and this the King will
country.
not grant. Then they decide to sell their
lands and go to Holland where men can
think for themselves, but the King will
not even permit this. Then they resolve
to go secretly. They sell their lands, pack
their goods, and make their way to the
coast. They board a ship for Amsterdam,
but the captain tells the constable and
they are marched off to the magistrate, who
puts them in prison. There they remain
for many weeks, but at last are set free.
After six months Brewster tries again. He
bargains with a Dutch captain to take him-
self and friends, One by one they make
their way to the appointed spot to board
the ship. They spend the night without
shelter, but in the morning the boat ap-
pears and the men begin to load their
191
)
Our PRESIDEN
WHITE HOUSE.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
OUR FIRST
a eae was born in Vir-
ginia, February 22, 1732. Little
did the parents think as they bore this
babe to the Baptismal Font, and called
him George Washington, that the name
was to become one of the most memor-
able in the annals of history. Explain
it as we may, there is seldom a great
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
1732-1799. Two Terms, 1789-1797.
and good man who has not a good mother.
In this respect George Washington was
highly blessed. From early childhood
He had
a vigorous constitution, a fine form and
bodily strength. In his childhood he
was noted for frankness, fearlessness and
he developed a noble character.
moral courage. Right here we must not
PRESIDENT.
omit the story, though the world has it by
His
father was indignant over the outrage and
asked George why he did it. “Father, I
cannot tell a lie; I cut the tree.” ‘Come
heart, of his cutting the cherry tree.
to my heart,” said his father, and his eyes
filled with tears. “I had rather lose a
thousand trees than find a falsehood in my
At sixteen he was a man of character
A good student
and especially good in mathematics. When
aud almost one in size.
seventeen the State of Virginia employed
At the age of
nineteen he was one of the prominent men
him as public surveyor.
of Virginia. At this time civilization was —
rapidly supplanting barbarism and the In-
dians were becoming alarmed. They kin-
dled their consul fires; they pondered the
question of encroachment, of industry, ed-
ucation and wealth, and resolved to sweep
every vestige of civilization from the land.
The military force of Virginia was called
into action to meet this foe and Washing-
ton, then nineteen years of age, became
one of their majors.
While the war was raging between the
Indians and whites the Indians shrewdly
sent a message to the Governor.of Vir-
226
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 227
ginia inquiring what portion of the coun-
try belonged to them, since England. as
they expressed it, demanded all the land
on one side of the river and France all upon
the other. Now the trouble of war was let
France and England both took
active part and went into the field. Just
loose.
before the hostilities commenced the Goy-
ernor of Virginia desired to send a com-
missioner to remonstrate with the French
against establishing their military posts
along the waters of the Ohio. To carry
this message to the garrisons it was
necessary that they travel a wilderness of
a distance of nearly 600 miles, where there
was no path but the trail of the Indian, and
no abode but the wigwam of the savage.
There were two objects in view; one was
to present the remonstrance, but the real
one was to ascertain the number, strength
and position of the French garrison. It
was a perilous enterprise. There was
danger flourishing in the wilderness, there
was danger from the tomahawk of the sav-
age and there was danger that the French
might not allow the commissioner to return.
No suitable person could be found to run
these risks until George Washington vol-
We need not tell
you what he endured. Several times he
unteered his services.
was at death’s door. However, he did his
work and returned in safety to the Legis-
lature of Virginia. Modestly and uncon-
sciously, so as not to attract attention, he
nw
The
speaker chanced to see him and proposed
went into the gallery on his return.
that “the thanks of the House be given to
Major Washington who now sits in the
gallery for the gallant manner in which he
executed the trust reposed in him by the
Governor.” Every member of the House
rose to his feet and Washington was
greeted with a burst of applause.
When Washington was twenty-six years
of age the beautiful estate of Mount Ver-
non had descended to him by inheritance.
On the 6th of January, 1759, he married
Mrs. Martha Curtis, a lady of great wealth
aad beauty. After these marvelous scenes
of his youth he retired with his bride and
her two children to the lovely home of
Mount Vernon, where he spent fifteen
While at
Mouzt Vernon his ovcupation was that of
years of unbroken happiness.
a planter, raising wheat and tobacco. Dur-
ing these years of peace and prosperity an
appalling storm was gathering which soon
burst with destruction over all the colo-
nies. The British Ministry insisted upon
imposing taxes on the colonies while with-
All
American scorn was at its height. They
holding the right of representation.
called a Congress and chose George Wash-
The
whole population of the United States did
ington as Commander-in-Chief,
not exceed three million. England was
The little
handful of Americans who stepped forth
undisputed mistress of the sea.
228
to meet this giant had neither fleet, army,
military resources or supplies. Sublimely
Washington stepped forward from his
home of domestic joy and took up the re-
sponsibility. Battle after battle was fought;
defeat crowded rapidly upon defeat; vic-
tory upon victory, and as you no doubt all
“God does
not always help the heavy battalions.”
know, victory was the result.
Thousands had perished; thousands had
been beggared and thousands had been
left widows and orphans. It was a fearful
price that America paid for independence.
It is said that Washington was the Saviour
of this country.
Soon the great problem which engrossed
all minds was the consolidation of the thir-
teen States of America, which should secure
them the right of administration. A con-
vention was called at Philadelphia in 1787.
placed in the President’s chair.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Washington was, by a unanimous vote,
The re-
sult was the present constitution of the
United States.
constitution all eyes were turned to Wash-
Upon the adoption of the
ington as Chief Magistrate, and by a unan-
imous voice he was chosen first President
of the United States. He was inaugurated
April 30, 1789. He remained in the Pres-
ident’s chair two terms of four years each.
After he retired again to Mount Vernon,
where he spent many years in peace, pros-
perity and happiness. In December, 1799,
‘he took a cold, from which he never re-
covered, and died in the sixty-eighth year of
his age. His remains were interred in the
tomb at Mount Vernon, where they now
repose. He is gone, but his fame will for-
ever fill the world, and his life prove an
example to all of America’s sons,
JOHN ADAMS.
SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OHN ADAMS was born October
| 80, 1735, at Quincy, Mass. His
father was a farmer, worthy and
industrious, toiling early and late for the
support of his family. Like many boys,
John Adams was not fond of books. In
the bright, sunny morning of his boy-
hood, with the sunlight sleeping upon the
meadow, the sparkling brook alive with
trout and the ocean rolling befcre him,
out-door life seemed far more attractive
than the monotony of school life.
But at the age of fourteen, however, he
At sixteen, he
At twenty, he
finished college, began teaching school and
took up books in earnest.
entered Harvard College.
studied law. It appears that he almost
made up, or did make up, for what he lost
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. — 229
in early boyhood. He was much opposed
to wasting time, and wrote on one occa-
sion, ‘What pleasure can a young gentle-
man, who is capable of thinking, take in
playing cards? It gratifies none of the
senses; it can entertain the mind only by
hushing its clamors.”
When his father died he returned home
and there opened a law office, living with
his mother and brother upon the farm.
In 1761, he married Miss Abigail Smith,
a lady of rare endowments and great force
of character. John Adams rapidly rose
in the estimation of the people, filled dif-
ferent offices and was sent to Congress to
represent his State. It is said that he and
Thomas Jefferson were the most intimate
of friends and worked together for the
good of their country.
John Adams was an eloquent speaker,
in fact, stands at the head as one of the
greatest orators this country has ever
known. Mr. Jefferson was able with his
pen, but had little skill in debating and
When Adams
and Jefferson drew up the Declaration of
was not a public speaker.
Independence, each urged the other to
make the draft. Mr. Adams closed the
friendly contention by saying, “TI will not
do it; you must. There are three reasons
why you should: First, you are a Vir-
ginian; second, I am unpopular, and third,
you can write ten times better than I can.”
| State.
_ conscientious, patriotic and earnest, but
“Well,” Jefferson replied, “if you insist ,
upon it, I will do it as well as I can.”
Fourth of July, 1776, the Declaration of
Independence was adopted by Congress
and signed by each of its members. Of
the fifty-five who signed that declaration,
there was probably not a more eloquent
defender than John Adams.
earnest, methodical business man.
He was an
Be-
cause of his policy, his eloquence, his
gentlemanly bearing, he was, at different
times, chosen as ambassador and minister
to effect peace with foreign countries,
JOHN ADAMS.
1735-1826. One Term, 1797-1801.
He deserves much glory for his success
Time rolled on. The 4th of
March, 1797, at Philadelphia, he was in-
augurated President of the United States.
These were stormy days, and it required
great wisdom to navigate the Ship of
in this.
Mr. Adams’ administration was
never truly popular. He was a man of
230
decision and would say what he thought,
even though it won him enemies.
After four years of worry and care,
which were, no doubt, the least happy of
his life, he was mortified by losing the re-
election. His chagrin was so great as to
lead him to make the lamentable mistake
of refusing to remain in Philadelphia to
witness the inauguration of his successful
rival, Thomas Jefferson. This caused a
breach of friendship which lasted thirteen
years. But there was never a more pte
and consvientious administration and pos |
terity has given its verdict in approval of
nearly all his measurers.
He lived to see his own son, John
Quiuey Adams, elected President of the
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
United States. At the age of ninety
years, on the 4th of July, 1826, he breath-
ed his last. Just before dying, when told
that it was the 4th of July, he said, “God
bless it; God bless you all; it is a great
and glorious day.”
Although cold of manner, he had a
powerful intellect and integrity. His one
defect in character was that he lacked that
genial sympathy which binds man to man,
He commanded respect but seldom won
love. However, it is hard to find any man
to whom America is more indebted for
those constitutions which comprise the
glory and power of our country, than to
John Adams. He firmly believed that
“truth crushed to earth would rise again.”
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OT HOMAS JEFFERSON was born in
| Virginia, April 2, 1743. His boy-
hood was one of wealth, luxury and cul-
ture. He entered college at the age of
seventeen and there lived expensively ,keep-
ing fine horses, and was much caressed by
gay society. Still he was devoted to his
studies and irreproachable in his morals.
Strange that he was not ruined, but in the
second year of his college course some im-
pulse caused him to discard his horses
and society. He now devotes fifteen hours
a day to his books. He entered a law
office at the age of twenty-one; was a great
reader and a great writer, but was never
distinguished as a publicspeaker. Shortly
after he was admitted to the bar he was
chosen to a seat in the legislature of Vir-
ginia. In 1770 his house was burned and
his valuable library, constituting over 2000
He
A slave came to
volumes, was burned in the place.
was absent from home.
him with the dreadful news. ‘Were none
of my books saved?” asked Mr. Jefferson.
‘“None,”’
of the music-loving negro grew radiant as
was the reply, and then the face
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
231
he added: “But, massa, we saved the fid-
dle.”
his loss was somewhat lessened, Mr. Jef-
In after years, when the grief of
ferson used to relate this anecdote with
1
merriment.
In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skel-
ton, a very beautiful, wealthy and highly
educated young widow. She brought him
forty thousand acres of land and one hun-
He thus be-
came one of the largest slave-holders in
dred and thirty-five slaves.
Virginia, and yet he labored with all his
energies for the abolition of slavery, de-
claring the institution to be a curse to the
master, a curse to the slave, and an offense
in the sight of God.
Successes followed closely upon the life
of Mr. Jefferson, and in 1775 he took his
seat in the Colonial Congress at Philadel-
phia. These were dark days for our coun-
try, and perplexing questions were con-
stantly coming up, which took thought,
work and action. It is said that in every life
there come days that are “cold, dark and
dreary.” Jefferson was sensitive to re-
Labor hard as he might, ene-
They
tried to drive him from office and crush
proach.
mies would now and then appear.
his reputation. He was too proud to en-
ter upon a defense of himself. His wife,
the most lovely of Christian women, was
The double
calamity of a storm of politics without and
sinking in a lingering death
a dying wife within so affected his spirits
that he resolved to retire from public life.
It was, indeed, a gloomy day that now set-
tled down upon him. Much of his prop-
erty had been destroyed. Many of his
slaves had perished and he was suffering
from severe injuries caused by a fall. The
poison of skepticism had been early in-
stilled into his nature, and in these days of
earthly gloom, without hope and without
faith, it was hard to bear. Upon the death
of his wife his distress was so great that
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
1743-1826. Two Terms, 1801-1809.
he was led from the room in a state of in-
sensibility. But time passed on. “Truth
oP
crushed to earth will rise again.” Thomas
Jefferson later became an embassador. He
once wrote to his daughter, who wished to
incur some slight debt: ‘‘ Never buy any-
thing which you have not the money in
your pocket to pay for. Be assured that
it gives much more pain to the mind to be
in debt than to be without any article
whatever you may seem to want.” Martha
232
once said: ‘Never did I witness a par-
ticle of injustice in my father. Never
have I heard him say a word or do an act
which I regret. We venerated him as
something wiser and better than any other
man.” To Maria, he wrote, when she was
about twelve years of age: “Tell me
whether you see the sun rise every day?
How many chapters a day you read in Don
Quixote? Whether you repeat a gram-
mar lesson every day?
Whether you know how
How many hours
a day you sew?
to make a pudding or cut out a beef steak?
To sow spinach, or toset a hen? Be good,
my dear, as I have always found you.
Never be angry with anybody, never speak
hard of them, try to let everybody’s faults
be forgotten, as you wish yours to be;
take more pleasure in giving what is best
to another than in having it yourself, and
then all the world will love you and I more
than all the world. If your sister is with
you, kiss her, and tell her how much I love
her also.”
In 1800, he was elected President of
the United States. At this time Congress
moved from Philadelphia to Washington.
The news of his election was received
with demonstrations of joy. Jefferson was
exceedingly simple in his dress, having a
dislike to anything that catered to Euro-
It is said that Washington
rode to Congress drawn by six cream-col-
pean styles.
ored horses. For some unexplained reason,
raising his hat.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
—s
Jefferson, on the morning of his inaugura-
tion, rode on horse-back to the Capitol in
a dress of plain black cloth, without guard
or without slave. Dismounting, without
assistance, he fastened the bridle of his
horse to the fence. Right here, we want
to relate a little act om the part of Mr.
Jefferson while he was President of the
United States.
Thomas, were out riding. They met a
One day he and his son,
slave, who respectfully took off his hat
and bowed. The President, acccrding to
his custom, returned the salutation by
The younger man paid
no attention to the negro’s act of civility.
Mr. Jefferson, after a few moments pause,
turned a reproachful eye to his son and
said, “Thomas, do you permit a slave to
be more of a gentleman than yourself?”
He held office two terms and was sixty-
two years of age when he retired. He
At
this time his fortune was on the decline
returned to his family and his books.
Friends, from all over the country, appre-
ciated the priceless value of Thomas Jef-
erson’s services to the nation and now
These
testimonies, like sun-shine, dispelled the
sent him tokens of their love.
gloom which had been gathering upon his
This, though, did not
allay old age, his feebleness continued,
declining days.
and on July 4, 1826, the mysterious sepa-
ration of the soul from the body took
place. Strange that Thomas Jefferson and
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
233
John Adams, two such friends, should
pass away on the same day and within a
few hours of each other. Mr. Jefferson was
a man whom everybody loved. He was
guilty of no profanity, detested impiety,
would not permit cards in his house and
At death’s
door he said, “Do not imagine for a
moment that I feel the smallest solicitude
never drank strong wines.
about the future. I am like an old watch
with a pinion worn out here, a wheel there,
until it can go no longer.” Once in life,
he said to John Adams, “Say nothing
about my religion, it is known to my God
He died as he had
lived and, in all time to come, the name of
and myself alone.”
Thomas Jefferson will occupy a conspicu-
ous place.
JAMES MADISON.
FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AMES MADISON was born on the
| 5th of March, 1751, in Orange
His father
His
were good parents, both intelligent and
moral, From early life James Madison was
County, Virginia.
was a planter and had a fine estate.
accustomed to refinement and it lent a
charm to his character. His sobriety and
lignity were such that it has been said
of him, “he never wasaboy.” At college
he applied himself with imprudent zeal.
For months at a time he would allow
himself only three hours sleep out of the
twenty-four. This so injured his health
that he graduated at the age of twenty-one
with a feeble body.
of law; was admitted to the bar and as time
He took up the study
went on became one of Virginia’s most
respected sons. Later he entered Congress
and was one of its most ardent workers.
At the age of forty-three he married
Mrs. Todd, a widow of twenty-seven, whe
It is
said that she was in person almost as
was bright, active and beautiful.
queenly and graceful as woman could be,
with a heart overflowing with kindness.
JAMES MADISON.
1751-1836. Two Terms, 1809-1817.
Was endowed with great powers of con-
versation, persuasion and entertainment,
Her face and winning smiles won all hearts
234
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
and contributed to her great popularity.
As Thomas Jefferson was a widower during
his Presidency of the United States, Mrs.
Madison was called upon to do the honors,
and it is said that she reigned like a queen
at the White House.
ceeding Mr. Jefferson and holding office
Her husband suc-
two terms, this woman was in reality mis-
tress of the mansion sixteen years. She
never forgot a face or name. It is said
that even her husband’s bitter foes were
received with a proffered hand and a smile
of recognition. It was not only policy on
her part, but the overflowing of a loving
nature.
Her house was plainly furnished, her
dress though elegant, was simple, and the
influence of this gentle woman in allaying
the bitterness of party rancor, became a
great power in the nation. As the term
of Mr. Jefferson’s Presidency drew near
its close, party feeling was aroused to such
an extent that it was like a death grapple
between the two great parties, the Feder-
alists and the Republicans. Mrs. Madison,
in accordance with her husband’s wishes,
exercised the right of hospitality without
Chiefs of the
different parties met in her parlors and all
regard to party politics.
alike shared in the smiles and kindly
greetings which made that parlor so attract-
ive.
On the 4th of March, 1817, the second
term of office expired. Happy in the
release from the cares of state, he retired
to the leisure and repose of his own beau-
tiful home at Montpelier. Later he co-
operated with Jefferson in watching over
the University of Charlottsville.
' Although his union had not been blessed
with children, his accomplished wife was
ever a source of happiness.
On the 28th of June, 1836, Mr. Madison
fell asleep in death, in the eighty-fifth
year of hisage. His memory is embalmed
Like all great
men, he had his political enemies, but
in a nation’s gratitude.
these are now passed away and we can
scarcely believe that any ever existed.
Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir-
teen years, and proved a worthy wife for
a noble husband.
JAMES MONROE.
FIFTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AMES MONROE was born April
ss 1858, upon his father’s plan-
Like all the
Presidents who had preceded, his boy-
hood was cne of wealth and refinement.
tation in Virginia.
He enjoyed the advantages of education.
He entered college at the age of sixteen
but left it before completing his course
and enrolled himself as one of the army
on behalf of his country. Later, he stud-
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
235
ied law in the office of Thomas Jefferson.
He developed a noble character; firm,
manly, sincere at all times. It is said
that he abounded with kindliness of feel-
ing and scorned everything ignoble.
Through his manner he won the love of
all who knew him, and when twenty-three
was elected to the assembly of Virginia,
and the next year was chosen delegate to
Although al-
most a boy, he proved himself in Congress
‘The
French Revolution was now in progress,
and as France had heiped the United
the Continental Congress.
a man with an eye to business.
States in her struggle for liberty Wash-
ington, who was president, sent Monroe to
express sympathy to the French Govern-
ment. Shortly after his return as embas-
sador to France, he was elected Governor
In 1809, he became Secre-
tary of State under President Madison.
of Virginia.
His duties now were extremely arduous,
as he was the most efficient man in Presi-
dent Madison’s Cabinet.
unselfishness regarding both his private
He had singular
interests and his political popularity, but
he advocated every measure which his
judgment would aid in securing the triumph
of his country.
In 1817, Mr. Monroe, thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the affairs of the nation,
succeeded James Madison to the Presi-
dency. During the time that Monroe
was at the head of our government all
was peace and prosperity. He was a
brave advocate of the freedom of slaves
and his talk and speeches did much in ag-
itating the question which finally brought
On March 4, 1825,
Mr. Monroe surrendered the Presidential
Chair to his
Adams, having occupied the place two
the desired result.
successor, John Quincy
terms, and retired to his own home in Vir-
ginia. He had, however, given so much
time to the nation that his own affairs had
JAMES MONROE.
1758-1831. Two Terms, 1817-1825.
become neglected and he found himself
heavily in debt. However, with dignity,
he retired to his humble home, a poor man
in real life, but rich in all that makes him
dear to humanity. Mrs. Monroe was of
such poor health that she seldom appeared
But little is known of their
In 1830, he took up his resi-
dence with his son-in-law in New York
and died on the 4th of July, 1831, at the
age of seventy-five years,
in public.
children.
236
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OHN QUINCY ADAMS was
| born July 11, 1767, in Quincy,
Mass.
father, John Adams, our second Pres-
ident of the United States. His
mother was a woman of excellent worth.
Much has been said of his
When eleven, John bade good-bye to
mother and went with his father on a trip,
spending one year and a half in Paris.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
1767-1848. Two Terms, 1825-1829.
A little later he took another trip abroad,
again accompanied by his father. He ap-
plied himself with great diligence to
study, became acquainted with the most
distinguished men. His education was
such that when he returned to America he
entered at the Harvard University at the
age of nineteen. Upon leaving college,
he studied law and, in 1790, opened a law
It is said that the first
year passed without success, the second year
office in Boston.
passed also, and still success did not crown
his efforts. He must have been imbued
with the idea that “all things come to him
who can but wait” and he anxiously en-
tered upon the third year. The reward
came at last, and before the close of the
‘year he had more clients than he could
well attend. He rose rapidly and occu-
pied different positions of trust.
While in Russia, Mr. Adams devoted
his attention to the languages and history ;
to Chinese trade; to the European system
of weights and measures; to climate and
astronomical observations. It is said, in
all the Universities of Europe, a more fin-
He
once wrote to a friend, “I feel nothing
ished scholar could not be found.
like the tediousness of time, the time is
too short for me rather than too long; if
the day had forty-eight hours, rather than
twenty-four, I could employ them all if I
had but eyes and hands to read and write.”
On the 4th of March, 1825, Mr. Adams
took the Presidential chair. Like his
father, he was a cold, severe man, and we
may conclude that virtue does not always,
in this world triumph, for although he
was conscientious to the last degree, he
still had many euemies.
On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams
retired from the Presidency and was suc-
Mr. Adams
retired to his old home at Quincy to enjoy
ceeded by: Andrew Jackson.
domestic life, but he was not permitted to
remain in retirement long. Soon after he
was elected to Congress, and as Dr. Con-
well so beautifully says, “He thus recog-
nized the Roman principles, that it is hon-
orable for the general of yesterday to act
as corporal to-day, if, by so doing he can
render a service to his country.” Deep
as are the obligations of our Republic to
John Quincy Adams for his services as
Ambassador, as Secretary of State and as
President, in his capacity as Legislator in
the House of Representatives, he confer-
red benefits upon our land which eclipse
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 237
all coe rest. For seventeen years he occu-
pied a position as Representative, ever
ready to labor for right.
On the 21st of February, 1848, he
went to the House of Representatives to
make a speech. A stroke of paralysis
over-tock him, and he was caught in the
arms of those around. He was conveyed
to the rotunda and there lived only a short
time. His last words were, ‘‘This is the
end of the earth, I am content,” and there
in the capitol, where he had labored and
Thus
He was
triumphed, he breathed his last.
ended the life of a noble man.
gifted; a man of oratory and power, and
the only man whose father had preceded
him as President of the United States.
With all his faults, the
will ever love and hold him in high es-
American people
teem.
ANDREW JACKSON.
SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AX /2 Xow come to one who, per-
haps, of all the Presidents, pos-
sessed the greatest virtues and the greatest
defects.
President America had chosen who was not
Andrew Jackson was the first
from the ranks of intelligence, of culture
and statesmanship. As we now look back
upon his life, as recorded by different his-
torians, we find that he was intense in his
nature, slow to listen to the voice of rea-
son and many times unjust; yet the masses
of the people acknowledged Andrew Jack-
son to be the most popular President, with
the exception of Washington and Lincoln
who ever occupied the Presidential chair.
Born in poverty, is it strange that the man
should lack the finer elements in the way
He had,
however, a heart, and with all his faults
His
of refinement and education.
“we love him still.” father and
238
mother came in 1765 from Ireland to South
They landed at Charleston and
went 150 miles into the country and built
They had just reared their
cabin, made a little opening in the forest
Carolina.
a log cabin.
and raised one crop, when the father and
husband fell sick and died. This was just
before little Andrew’s birth, and the mother
took the two little boys, placed the corpse
in a wagon beside her, buried the body, and
then from the grave went to her sister’s.
ANDREW JACKSON.
1767-1845. Two Terms, 1829-1837.
The mother inafew days gave birth to
Andrew, the child whose fame was to
fill the civilized world. Pen could never
describe the privation and suffering and
sorrow the mother had in bringing up these
children.
told her that one day Andrew Jackson
would be President of the United States,
what hope, what courage might have been
Could some good angel have
given to her, but in this, as in all other
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
things, “‘God’s ways are past finding out,”
and the mother struggled as but few moth-
ers could. Andrew grew up rough, rude
and wild. His features were coarse and
When Andrew went
to school in a log cabin, he learned to
his form ungainly.
read; spelling was something he never
learned. He also learned to write a little
and became familiar with the fundamental
This is about the sub-
stance of his schooling. When fourteen,
rules of arithmetic.
slender and weak from his rapid growth,
a band of Tories made a midnight attack
‘upon the house when Andrew was guard.
As a final result he and his brother
were taken prisoners, not, however, until
they had been seriously wounded. They
were carried forty miles; on the way were
allowed no food or water; were put in a
prison without beds and without medical
attendance. There several days and nights
of misery passed. Small-pox broke out,
and the dying and dead were altogether.
Mrs. Jackson heard of her boys’ suffering
and finally succeeded in getting their re-
lease. Robert, who was the weaker of the
two, she put upon a horse, but Andrew was
obliged to walk all the way home bare-
headed, bare-footed, clothed in rags, so
weak that he could scarcely drag one limb
Shortly after Robert died.
Andrew, however, recovered, but only to
after another.
learn of his mother’s death, as a result of
a fever. We will hasten over what fol-
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
239
a
lowed. It seemed to be a struggle upon
struggle. He was first a teacher, lawyer,
slave owner, judge, major-general and
President of the United States. It is re-
corded that he fought duels, attended cock
fights, gambled and drank, but underneath
it all, he had a heart, tender as a woman’s
and strong as a patriot’s. He married
Mrs. Roberts, a gay, lively and dashing
woman in the western country. Not being
blessed with children, they adopted two,
Andrew
With all his im-
pulsiveness he was tenderness itself in his
which were to them as their own.
Jackson loved his wife.
home. By some mysterious power General
Jackson acquired manners of the most re-
fined and polished gentleman. He pos-
sessed a dignity and courtliness with ami-
ability which would have rendered him con-
spicuous in any of the Courts of Europe.
_ At the time of his election as President
of the United States, 1828, he met with an
affliction, the loss of his wife whom he
loved with a tenderness perhaps never sur-
passed. He became subdued in spirit, and
every night read a prayer from his wife’s
prayer book. His administration was one
of the most memorable in the annals of
our country. Noman had more bitter en-
emies or warmer friends. He held the
office of President for two terms. Just
he called all of his
family, even his slaves, and bid them fare-
He said:
both black and white, in Heaven.”
before his death
well. “JT want to meet you all,
Soon
after this, without a struggle, he ceased to
breathe. Three thousand assembled on
the lawn, in front of his house, to pay their
last respects. His was a life of struggle,
but not without its victories.
MARTIN VAN BUREN.
EIGHTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ARTIN VAN BUREN was born
SK ne 20 of December, 1782.
His father was a farmer,
residing in the old town of Kinderhook,
New York. His ancestors were of Dutch
origin and were among the early settlers
on the banks of the Hudson.
hood, he developed unusual activity and
Tn his boy-
at the age of fourteen had finished his
school in the academy of his own town
and commenced the study of law. Not
having a collegiate course, it took him
seven years before he was admitted to the
bar.
very handsome and had shining abilities.
Martin, at the age of twenty, was
He married a lady who was noted for her
accomplishments but, after twelve years of
married life, she died with consumption.
For
twenty-five years, Martin Van Buren wag
They were blessed with four sons.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
TT,
an earnest and successful lawyer and then
the political affairs of State demanded his
When thirty years of age,
Later
he became Secretary of State under Jack-
attention.
he was chosen to the State Senate.
MARTIN VAN BUREN.
1782-1862. One Term, 1837-1841.
son. In 1836, Mr. Van Buren received
the Democratic nomination, to succeed
Gen. Jackson, as President of the United
States, a position which he occupied for
four years, but on account of party feeling
was not re-elected. One of the funda-
mental principles of his life was never
to give offense and never to appear to
He was ever polite
to his friends and enemies. There is but
little in the life of Mr. Van Buren of
He fought no battles
His
was a stormy life, from a political stand-
notice an injury.
romantic interest,
and engaged in no wild schemes.
point, but after all his days passed un-
eventful in those things which give zest to
history. At the time of his retirement
from the presidential chair he had accu-
mulated a competence for his declining
When Mr. Van Buren retired from
the Presidency, he returned to his home
years.
and resided as a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth. He lived to a
vigorous old age, and was considered by
his friends and the people at large as a
great and good man. His life went out
like a candle on July 24, 1862, at the age
of eighty years.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
NINTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Que banks of the James river, in
: Virginia, in the town of Berkley,
February 9, 1773, William Henry Harrison
first saw the light of day. His father,
Benjamin Harrison, was a distinguished
man. In the assembly of Congress, 1775,
Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock
were both candidates for the office of
Mr. Harrison yielded to Mr.
Hancock, and seeing that he modestly hes-
itated to take the chair, Mr. Harrison, who
was a large man, and of great strength,
speaker.
with characteristic good nature and play-
fulness, siezed Mr. Hancock in his arms
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
and carried him as though he were a child,
to the seat of honor. Then turning
around with his smiling face he said to
his laughing associates, “Gentlemen, we
will show Mother Britain how little we
care for her, by making a Massachusetts
From this little an-
ecdote you will learn that the family were
man our President.”
full of fun and never lost an opportunity
His son, William Henry Har-
rison, enjoyed all the advantages which
He
received a thorough education, and after
for a joke.
position and education could give.
completing his course at College, went to
Philadelphia to study medicine. Harrison
was not strong, but being temperate was
enabled to bear the hardships and endure
the privations which became so necessary,
and which he encountered in his life as a
soldier. We have not time here to relate all
the bloody scenes he encountered while
rising from boyhood to President of the
United States.
He became, in time, Governor of Virginia,
The Indians were hostile.
and while at his post here, he, on one oc-
casion desired to learn the facts relative to
the Indian troubles.
invitation for Tecumseh and the tribe to
He sent an urgent
visit him. .Tecumseh, in proud array,
with four hundred plumed warriors, ar-
rived. The Governor was attended with
the Judges of the Supreme Court, a few
armed officers and a number of citizens.
Tecumseh said that he had no intention
241
of making war, but declared that it was
his intention to combine all the tribes for
the purpose of putting a stop to further
That not
another acre of land would be ceded with-
This
statement led to remonstrances on the part
encroachment of the Whites.
out the consent of all the tribes.
of Governor Harrison.. As he was speak-
ing, Tecumseh interrupted him, and, in
angry tones, declared that he had cheat-
ed the Indians. Immediately his warriors
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
1773-1841. One Month, 1841.
sprang to their feet and began brandishing
their war clubs in a threatening manner.
Governor Harrison rose from his chair
and drew his sword. The army officers
gathered round him and the guard came
rushing forward ready to open fire upon
the Indians;
calmly ordered them not to fire, then turn-
but Governor Harrison
ing to Tecumseh he told him that further
communication was not necessary, but
242
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
that he could depart unharmed. In the
morning, Tecumseh called upon the Gov-
ernor, expressed regret for his conduct the
day before.
. 1
Time passed on and Harrison became a
great General. Simplicity followed his
every movement. He won the love of his
soldiers by always sharing with them their
fatigue.
ecuting the foe, he carried in his valise,
and his bedding consisted of a single
blanket thrown over his saddle. To be
eminently great, it is necessary to be emi-
nently good. The qualities of the hero
and of the General must be devoted to
mankind before he will be permitted to
assume the title of benefactor; thus it is
that the fame and veneration which was
entertained for this man, was of a kind
which will not soon die. Later in life, he
His whole baggage, while pros-
settled in Indiana and it was from this
State that he was elected President of the
United States, when he was in the sixty-
A vast concourse
attended his inauguration. He had, at
the head of his Cabinet, Daniel Webster,
This was the
seventh year of his age.
as Secretary of State.
most brilliant Cabinet that was ever form-
ed. The prospects of the Administration
were flourishing, but ‘in the midst of life
there is death.’
President only one month when he was
General Harrison was
taken sick with a fever and died on April
4, 1840.
national calamity.
His death was regretted as a
Not a single spot
could be found to sully the brightness of
his fame. Throughout all time, the name
of William Henry Harrison will be spoken
with love and reverence. He was a great
and a good man.
JOHN TYLER.
TENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OHN TYLER was the favored
| child of affluence and high social
position. His father was wealthy
and owned a large estate in Virginia.
John was born March 29, 1790; was well
educated.
study of law. His success was rapid. It
At nineteen, he began the
is said that only a few months had elapsed
ere there was scarcely a case in the courts
an which he was not retained. When
twenty-one years of age, he was almost
unanimously elected to a seat in the State
He was twice married. His
In 1844
he was married to Miss Julia Gardner,
Legislature.
first wife died in Washington.
a young lady of personal and intellectual
accomplishments. Strange as it may seem,
President Harrison, who had preceded him,
belonged to the Whig party and his Vice-
President, John Tyler, was a Democrat.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Tyler had been Vice-President only one
short month when President Harrison
died, and thus Mr. Tyler found himself,
to his own surprise and that of the whole
nation, occupying the Presidential chair.
General Harrison’s Cabinet was a Whig
Cabinet and it was a question with Tyler
whether he, being a Democrat, should
retain the Whig Cabinet.
round himself with a council whose views
Should he sur-
were antagonistic to his own? Or, on the
other hand, should he turn against the
party who had elected him. This was a
It is
generally believed that Tyler deserved
fearful state for him to consider.
more charity than he received. He issued
an address to the people, carefully worded,
He invited the
Cabinet to retain their seats and he recom-
which gave satisfaction.
mended a day of fasting and asked God
to guide and bless them. Later, however,
troubles came up which caused the Cab-
inet to resign, and throughout the four
years of Mr. Tyler’s administration it was
one of misfortune. No one was satisfied,
the land was flooded with disturbances;
peace was nowhere to be found. Unfor-
tunately, for the country during Tyler’s
administration government generals con-
tinued to the great hindrance of public
business. However two events marked a
new era in our country. They were the
invention of the electric telegraph, and the
use of ether in surgery. One opened up
bo
=
Us
methods of communication, the other re-
lieved human suffering. But time wore
Mr. Polk
successor, President Tyler retired to his
on, and when became his
own home. From the beginning to the
end of his career, he was an earnest advo-
cate of slavery. It is said, with plenty
of means for the exercise of great hospi-
tality, he might have enjoyed a serene
old age were it not for the storms of the
civil war, which his own principles had
JOHN TYLER.
Part of One Term, 1841-1845.
1790-1862.
helped to introduce. The great rebellion
came on, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States and joined
the Confederates. He was chosen head
of their Congress, and while actively
engaged in this work was taken sick and
died. The memory of John Tyler must,
forever, be associated with all misery and
crime of the great rebellion, whose cause
he always defended.
JAMES KNOX
“PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
POLK.
ELEVENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
@IKE many Presidents, Polk was a
= of great ability. He was
born in North Carolina on the
2d of November, 1795.
of Scotch-Irish descent.
His parents were
They came to
this country when an unexplored wilder-
ness and settled down upon the farm. Un-
like many of his predecessors his boyhood
was not one of wealth, but of toil. In the
JAMES K. POLK.
1795-1849. One Term, 1845-1849.
common schools he rapidly became master
of all the branches.
on, and stop just long enough to say that
But we must hurry
he was first, clerk, then lawyer, legislator, |
Congressman, Governor and finally Pres-
ident.
great orator, in fact he was called the
During all these years he was a
Napoleon of America. He was a man of
unblemished morals, genial and with a
sympathetic nature that won the love of all
with whom he came in contact. He was
full of smiles as well as sympathy. This
no doubt gave him the strong influence
which followed him through life
He married Miss Sarah Childress, of
Tennessee. She, too, was a favorite in
society. Many anecdotes are told of her
wit and how her smiles always brought
good feeling and friendship to their
home at the White House.
March 4, 1845, Mr. Polk became Pres-
ident of the United States.
ing his admistration that Texas was added
It was dur-
to the Union. Like many Presidents who
had preceded him, his work was not one
The
bloody war with Mexico proved that be-
of entire sunshine, but of trials.
fore victory there must be a battle. In
1849, Mr. Polk retired from the presi-
He
He
possessed a good fortune, a choice library,
dental chair, having served one term.
was then fifty-four years of age.
a cultivated mind, and having a happy
domestic life, it seemed as though long
years of happiness might be his, but as
fate would have it, while he was ona trip
up the Mississippi, that dreadful disease,
cholera, took possession of his system.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
He was just ready to enter a beautiful new
home in Nashville. In looking after the
improvements of his grounds and giving
instructions to his gardner, he began to
feel more and more the effects of disease
Med-
ical aid was of no avail and he sank from
which was slowly creeping on.
215
day to day, and at last died without a .
President Polk left no children,
but he was mourned by a large concourse
struggle.
of friends, and a devoted wife. Like many
others, he felt the need of Christianity,
and just before his death, received the
rite of baptism.
ZACHARY TAYLOR.
TWELFTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ACHARY TAYLOR was born in
- Orange County, Virginia, on
November 24, 1784. While a
baby his father and mother moved to Ken-
tucky. As the country became settled the
father took an active part in the politics of
that section. Zachary did not enjoy social
advantages. He attended only the com-
mon school, but manifested a strong, fear-
Later he joined the United
States Army, and soon after married Miss
less character.
Margaret Smith, a young lady from one
of the leading families of Maryland. We
could go into detail, and give our readérs
a long history of the battles fought and
victories won throughout the army life of
young Taylor, but space will admit of
only a hurried story. He was first known
in the battle of 1812 with the Indians; he
later was identified with the Mexicans rel-
ative to settling the boundary line of
Texas. He endured hardships, privations,
but was always a soldier of great bravery
At the battle of Buena Vis-
ta General Taylor showed a bravery sel-
and courage.
dom equaled. A Mexican messenger ap-
peared with a flag of truce, it was a sum-
mon for General Taylor’s army to surren-
ZACHARY TAYLOR.
1784-1850. Part of One Term, 1849-1851.
der, saying that 20,000 Mexicans were on
his front and rear. ‘Were there twice
that number,” General Taylor quietly re-
marked, “it would make no difference.”
Then the answer was given by his men,
246
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
et
“General Taylor never surrendered.” It
was the 22d of February, 1847. The
battle soon commenced—a battle of ten
In the midst of the tu-
mult General Taylor rode up to the bat-
hours’ duration.
tery, and, in tones as calm as though he
were at home said, “A little more grape,
Captain Bragg.” At the end of the day
about 2,000 Mexicans had fallen, while
only about 700 Americans had lost their
The
Americans supposed that on the morrow
lives. Both sides were worn out.
the battle would be continued, but on the
morrow the Mexican army had fled. From
this Gen. Taylor rapidly rose to the head
of our country. He was not an eloquent
speaker or a fine writer, but the popularity
of the successful warrior filled the land,
and he was triumphantly elected Vresi-
dent of the United States in 1849, much
to his own surprise and also of the leading
He found politi-
cal conflicts in Washington more trying
politicians of the land.
than the wars with the Indians and Mexi-
cans. In the midst of all these troubles,
General Taylor, after he had occupied the
Presidential chair a little over a year, took
a cold, and, after five days’ illness, died on
July 9, 1850. His farewell words were,
“Tam not afraid to die; I am ready; I
have endeavored to do my duty.” He was
universally respected as an honest, unpre-
tending and unlearned man. He was a
great soldier, and had the foundation of a
It is said of him, “ he
left behind not an enemy in the world.”
great character.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
N EARLY boyhood there was noth-
A ing in the character of Millard Fill-
more to indicate the brilliant career
upon which he was soon to enter. He was
a plain farmer boy. His people were poor.
Millard Fillmore was born January 7th,
in the year 1800, in Cayuga County, New
York.
reverence the Bible, and thus was laid the
He had been taught at home to
foundation of a good character. At the
age of fourteen he was sent away from
He
home to learn the trade of clothier.
spent his evenings in reading, his leisure
time with books, and as time went on, there
gradually sprang up in his heart a desire to
be something more than a toiler with his
hands, and before he knew it he was an ed-
His mother died when he
She lived to
see him aman of prominence, but never
ucated man.
was thirty-one years of age.
realized that he would one day stand at the
head of the nation. He was poor—no
money with which to start in life, and a
friend, seeing his ability, offered to loan
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 247
young Fillmore money to open up a law
office and begin the study of law. During
the winter months he taught school, so as
to return the money at an earlier date, than
he feared he could had he to depend alone
on his ability asa lawyer. In 1826, he mar-
ried a lady of moral worth, Miss Abigail
Powers. Later he moved to Buffalo and
became a member of one of the leading
firms of that city. In 1832, he was elected
He entered
the arena at a threatening hour of our na-
United States Congressman.
tional history. Was twice a member of
Congress and became a man of wide repute
and popularity all over the country. Was
Vice-President under Zachary Taylor, and
on the 9th of July, 1850, when President
Taylor, after one year and four months’ ad-
ministration died, the honors fell into the
hands of Willard Fillmore. He appointed
an able cabinet, of which the illustrious
Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. It
was at this time that the great question of
He did
all in his power to conciliate the South,
slavery was troubling all minds.
but the slavery party felt that the measures
were inadequate.
On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill-
more, having served one term, retired from
office. After his retirement, he tooka trip
through the South, and in making a speech
at Vicksburg, said: ‘Canada is knock-
ing for admission into the Union, Mexico
would be glad to come in; without saying
whether it would be right or wrong we
1800-1874. Part of One Term, 1850-1853.
stand by with open arms to receive them;
for it is the destiny of this Government to
eventually embrace the whole North Amer-
ican Continent.” Toward the last he lived
a retired life and died in Buffalo, New
York, March 8, 1874, at the age of seventy-
five years.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
T IS now our pleasure to record a Pres-
ident from the little State of New
Hampshire. Franklin Pierce was
born November 23, 1804, at Hills-
borough. His father had hewn out a
home in the wilderness; he was a man of
great integrity, uncultivated in mind. but
honest to a penny. Would never support
248
anything which he could not endorse.
When offered a fine position in the army
with England against the French, Mr.
Pierce replied, ‘No gentlemen, poor as I
am, and acceptable as would be the po-
sition under other circumstances, I would
sooner go to yonder mountains, dig a cave
and live on roasted potatoes.” His upright
character gave him a great influence every-
where and with such a father and with a
prudent, affectionate and kind hearted
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
1804-1868. One Term, 1853-1857,
mother, Franklin Pierce could not help but
Franklin
was a handsome boy, warm hearted and
become a great and a good man.
loving in every respect. His playmates at
school loved him, his teachers loved him
and in fact the old and young everywhere
always had a kind word for Franklin
Pierce. When sixteen he entered college
at Brunswick, Maine. After graduating
he began the study of law, rose rapidly
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
and was soon a representative in the State
Legislature. At the age of twenty-nine
At
thirty-three he was elected United States
Senator—the youngest member of that
body.
speaker and withal so good tempered and
he became a member of Congress.
He was a fluent and graceful
gracious that his speeches lingered in the
ears of both parties long after the sound
had died away.
In 1834, he married Miss Jane Appleton,
a lady fitted to adorn any position which
her husband might occupy. In 1838, Mr.
Pierce moved to Concord. It is said that
he was never known to insult or frighten a
witness, he had other means to draw out
the desired effect. Later he entered the
army and received distinction as a General.
On the 4th of March, 1853, he was inaug-
urated President of the United States.
His administration proved one of the most
stormy our country has ever experienced.
The contest between slavery and freedom
was approaching its zenith. Towards the
close of his term the North had become
alienated from him and a feeling had also
come up with the South, and as a result,
James Buchanan succeeded him as Pres-
ident of the United States.
Pierce then returned to his home at Con-
Out of three
children who had been born to him, two
had died and one had been killed in a
railway accident.
——
President
cord, New Hampshire.
His wife was now sink-
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
249
ing with consumption, and the hour of
gloom came on, and he was left alone in
the world without wife and without child-
ren, It is said that he was generous to a
fault and contributed liberally for the re-
He died in October,
1869, fully prepared to meet those who
lief of suffering.
had gone before.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AMES BUCHANAN was born in
7 a wild and romantic spot in.
the mountains, in Franklin Co.,
Pa., April 23, 1791.
cabin made dear by hard work and love.
He
came to this country in early times and
It was an humble
His father was of Irish descent.
married the daughter of a farmer, and
settled in this wilderness. James remained
in this secluded spot eight years, enjoying
few or no advantages. He was taught to
be industrious, to use good judgment, and
to study nature. When eight years of
age, his father moved to Mercersburg,
His
progress was rapid, and at the age of four-
teen he entered college at Carlisle. When
eighteen he graduated with the highest
and James attended public school.
honors of his class. He was a beautiful
young fellow, tall, graceful, lively and
withal fine physique. When twenty-one
years of age he was admitted to the bar.
Very rapidly he arose in his profession
and became one of the first lawyers of the
State. He was elected to Congress and
his speeches showed care in preparation
and were noted for depth of thought and
persuasive eloquence.
Buchanan was at heart a Republican.
The friends of slavery were on one side
and the advocates of restriction and its
Mr.
His popularity
abolition on the other. Buchanan
was opposed to slavery.
grew, and he was inaugurated President
JAMES BUCHANAN.
1791-1868. One Term, 1857-1861.
of the United States, March 4, 1857.
The crowd which attended the inauguration
was immense and the enthusiasm which
took place at that time has never been
surpassed. He was a man without a peer
in culture, ability and purity. His admin-
250
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
istration should have been a great success.
His long experience as legislator fitted him
to fill any station in life, but he was now
almost seventy, and, as the storm increased
in violence, the slave leaders claimed their
Mr.
claimed that Congress had no power to
right to secede, and Buchanan
prevent it. One of the most pitiable ex-
hibitions of governmental mistakes was
made known that the world has ever wit-
nessed. Unlike Andrew Jackson, who
said, “The Union must and shall be pre-
served.” It was a lamentable state of
affairs, but at last the hour of deliverance
came, and the power fell into the hands of
Abraham T.incoln, who presided with a dig-
nity and energy becoming the chief ruler
of one of the greatest nations on the
On March 4, 1861 James Bu-
chanan retired from the presidental chair,
globe.
and Abrabam Lincoln took his place.
President Buchanan’s best friends even
look upon his administration as a fail-
He
died at his beautiful home, June Ist,
He
might, with a few words, have made the
ure. returned to his state and
at the age of seventy-one years.
nation great, but those words never came.
It is just possible that it was the result of
destiny, so, let us hope this was the case,
‘and still give honor to Mr. Buchanan as a
man, and not refer to his faults as a leader.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ie of greatness are often
kindled by a little flame.
poverty, reared amid trials and schooled by
Born in
experience, Abraham Lincoln beat onward
to victory, with a purpose born of Heaven.
His lowly origin, his poverty, his priva-
tions, and the feeling of kindness with
which, throughout his life, he met all
classes of men, gave him a place in the
hearts of the American people never held
by any other American.
Abraham Lincoln’s grandfather was
shot by the Indians in the wilderness of
Kentucky. His widow, with five children,
struggled along as no one knows how.
Thomas, the youngest of these boys, was
four years old when his father died, and,
without education and the poorest of the
poor, he grew up, as all boys eventually do,
to the age of activity. He could neither
read nor write, but when old enough to do
something was compelled to leave home
and start out in the world to secure work.
He married Nancy Hanks, daughter of an-
other poor family. They built a log cabin
and in time came their second son, Abra-
Little did they dream that
this boy was destined one day to become
ham Lincoln.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
251
United States. His
She would
evenings, and Abraham
President of the
mother was a good woman.
read to him
once said, “ All that I am or hope to be I
owe to my angel mother.”
When eight years old they moved to In-
diana, and it was here that his mother
died. Bitterly Abraham wept as his moth-
er was carried to her last resting-place.
He wrote a letter to a minister one hund-
red miles distant and asked him to preach
the funeral sermon. Did that minister re-
fuse?
back, and the neighbors and families for
twenty miles around also came to pay their
respects to that noble woman.
As years rolled on, changes came. They
He did all
sorts of work, whatever was honorable, and
moved to Macon County, IIL
gradually rose, until he became chief mag-
istrate of the land. He was many times
elected State Legislator, and finally Pres-
ident, in 1809.
poverty, Mr. Lincoln studied law, and
During his struggles with
finally rose to be one of the best speakers
of the country. In the great Convention
on June 16, 1860, when it finally be-
came announced that Abraham Lincoln
had received the nomination, we cannot
better describe it than in the words of Mr.
Holland:
nated. After a moment’s pause, like the
“The excitement had culmi-
sudden and breathless stillness that pre-
cedes a hurricane, the storm of wild and
No; he came all the way on horse- |
almost insane enthusiasm descended. The
scene surpassed description. During all
the ballotings a man had been standing on
the roof, communicating the results to the
outsiders, who, in surging masses, far
outunmbered those who had been packed
in the Wigwam, where the Convention
was held. When the results were decided
one of the men shouted, ‘Fire the salute!
Abraham Lincoln is nominated!’ Then,
as the cheering in the inside died away,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
1809-1865. Two Terms, 1861-1865
(Died while President.)
the roar became on the outside like the
voice of many waters. This the insiders
heard; to which they replied. Thus, deep
called to deep with such a frenzy of en-
thusiasm that even the thundering salute
of the cannon was unheard by many on
the platform.” Mr. Lincoln was at this
time at Springfield awaiting the result.
When the news was carried to him he
said, “There is a little woman on Highth
bo
Ot
lo
Street who has some interest in this
matter;’ so, putting the telegram in his
pocket, he hurried home. Election day
came. It said that on March 4, 1861,
Mr. Lincoln was the man to enter the
Presidential chair. .
Four years of war passed slowly and
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
sadly away. Another Presidential election
came. The rebellion was drawing to a
close, Abraham Lincoln was again made
President, and on March 4, 1865, he was
inaugurated. On April 3, 1865, the last
act was accomplished which ended the
war. Slavery was dead and the country,
EARLY HOME OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, GENTRYVILLE, IND.
cemented in Freedom, was stronger than
ever. The work of Freedom went on, but
strange and sad to relate that, in the
midst of the nation’s joy, Abraham Lin-
coln’s life was taken for that of his coun-
try.
On the 14th of April, General Grant
made a flying trip to Washington. The
manager of Ford’s Theatre invited the
President and General Grant to witness
a play that evening. To assist in drawing
a crowd, it was announced on the play-
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
253
bills, that they would both be present.
General Grant did not remain, but Presi-
dent Lincoln, with his usual kindness of
spirit, consented to go and, with his wife
and two friends, took his seat in the pri-
vate box reserved for them. The house
was full, and the President was greeted
He had taken his seat
and was intently listening, when an actor,
by the name of John Wilkes Booth,
reached the door of the box, presented a
with applause.
pistol and fired a bullet through his
brains. Mr. Lincoln lost consciousness.
There was a stampede, but the assassin
escaped, Help was of no avail. Abraham
ANDREW
SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT
‘ NDREW JOHNSON, the sketch
of whose life we now give, was
born the 19th of Lecember, 1808, in Ra-
leigh, North Carolina. Like Andrew Jack-
son, he was born in poverty, amid destitution
Like Andrew Jackson,
also, at heart, he was a Democrat, but unlike
and friendliness.
him, there seemed to be two sides to his na-
ture, and his name has gone down through
history as disloyal to his country. In boy-
hood he was apprenticed to a tailor and
followed this work for several years.
In 1826,he moved with his mother to
Greenville, East Tennessee, and here he
married a young lady of estimable charac-
Lincoln had passed into eternity. Strong
men wept, and is it too much to say that
the whole nation wept?
The news spread abroad, and the “ Lon-
?
don Spectator,” in announcing the fact,
said, “The best if not the ablest man
ruling over any country of the civil-
It is hard to
believe that Divinity was back of all this,
ized world has gone.”
yet through the efforts of Abraham Lin-
coln, England and America became united
by brotherly love, and freedom ruled our
land. A wife, three children, and a whole
nation mourned his loss. It is without
saying that Abraham Lincoln had no equal.
JOHNSON.
OF THE UNITED STATES.
ter, who was much his superior in jwmt of
education and who became his teacher in
While
he worked at his trade she would read, and
reading, writing and arithmetic.
in the evenings teach him the different
branches of learning. His advancement
was rapid, and from this humble position
he became in time Alderman, Mayor, State
In 1843,
he was elected member of Congress; later,
Legislator and State Senator.
Governor, and, in 1857, he became United
States Senator and Vice-President at Lin-
coln’s last election. After Lincoln’s death,
and when the power of administration fell
into his hands, he seemed to have lost favor
rapidly, and instead of carrying out the
good work begun by President Lincoln,
became one of the first advocates in favor
of slavery. It seemed for a time as if the
good work commenced by Lincoln would
almost have its downfall with Johnson. It
ANDREW JOHNSON.
1808-1875. Part of One Term, 1865-1869.
finally resulted in his issuing an order to
remove Secretary Stanton from office, to
which he had been appointed by President
Lincoln, and substitute in his place General
Thomas
Secretary Stanton, in harmony
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
with the advice of Congress, refused to
surrender the post, and President John-
son, by threats, endeavored to force him to
yield. This brought matters to such a
crisis that an impeachment of the Presi-
dent was decided upon. The trial was a
tedious one, lasting nearly three months.
Thirty-five voices pronounced him guilty;
nineteen declared him not guilty. As a
two-thirds vote was necessary to condemn
him, he was pronounced not guilty. It re-
quired but one vote more to have made
| him guilty of impeachment. The remain-
, der of his term was one of unpleasantness.
He was but little regarded by Congress.
Soon his office expired, and Andrew John-
son retired to his own home in Greenville,
Tenn. Later in life he was stricken with
paraiysis and died July 31, 1875, at the
age of sixty-seven years. It is unfortu-
nate that he should have taken the course
he did, for it was a great opportunity for
a man to immortalize his name. Failing
in this he must have had many regrets.
ULYSSES S. GRANT.
EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
| esse GRANT was born on the
29th of April, 1822, at Point
Pleasant, Ohio. When a boy he received
acommon school education. His parents
were poor, and as you will see in the pic-
ture, his home was humble. His parents
were Christian people, and he grew up a
solid, sensible young fellow. He gradu- —
ated at West Point. Served in the Mexican
war and was promoted from time to time
At the
opening of the Civil War he raised a com-
for meritorious conduct in battle.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
bo
it
ot
pany of soldiers in Illinois, of which State
he was then a citizen. The success which
attended the Union army, after they passed
under the command of General Grant,
made him a popular idol and a candidate
for the Presidency in the year 1869.
For General Grant’s bravery a vote was
passed by Congress expressing the thanks
of that body. A gold medal was also or-
dered to be struck off and presented to him,
but with all the honors conferred upon
him, it is said that he never made a speech.
GRANT'S EARLY HOME.
He was emphatically a man of deed, not
of word. The only speech recorded that
he ever made was in St. Louis, when he
said: ‘Gentlemen, speech-making is not
my business; I never did it in my life, and
I never will. I thank you, however, for
your attendance here.” He was modest in
every particular. His fame as a general
was recognized throughout the world, and
although he had no experience in the civil
affairs, he had the tact to call into his cab-
net men of great ability, and while he may
256
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
have been misled by designing men, his
administration was so popular that he was
re-elected asecond term.
ULYSSES 8. GRANT.
1822-1885. Two Terms. 1869-1877.
During his second term the first Pacific
railroad was completed. Representatives
from all the seceded States were admitted
to Congress. It was during his adminis-
tration that the great fire of Chicago ov-
curred and the panic of unprecedented
severity occurred. The Centennial Expo-
sition also took place in Philadelphia.
Soon after the close of the second term,
General Grant took a trip to the Old World,
being everywhere received with greatest
honor. His trip was one of ovation from
the time he landed at Liverpool until he
returned to Galena, Ill. Later he took up
his home in New York, and there resided
until overtaken by the disease which ended
his lifein 1885. General Grant left a wife,
several children and a nation to mourn his
loss. Many political enemies considered
him fond of praise and flattery—possibly
he was—but after all he was a great man.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
NINETEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
[e antecedents of Rutherford B.
Hayes can be traced back three
hundred years. Rutherford was born in
Ohio, on October 14, 1822,
about three months atter the death of his
father. At that time Rutherford was a
weak child, and the neighbors would some-
Delaware,
times say to his mother, “Stick to him;
you have got him along so far, and I should
not wonder if he would grow up to some-
thing yet.” ‘You need not laugh,” said
Mrs. Hayes, ‘wait and see. You cannot
tell but that I shall make him President of
the United States yet.’’ The boy lived on,
and when seven years old he entered
school. He grew up with a gentle dispo-
sition, and a delicate consideration for the
feelings of others, marked traits of charac-
ter which followed him through life. In
time he became a successful lawyer, Brig-
adier-General of the United States army,
and was twice elected- Governor of Ohio.
He was not by any means conspicuous as
a national leader, and when his nomina-
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
257
a
tion was made by the Republican party as
President of the United States, it was a
great surprise. In 1877, he was inaugu-
rated President of the United States, and
it became satisfactory to all people. At
twenty-nine years of age he married Miss
Lucy Webb, a young lady from Chilli-
cothe, who was a noble, pure-hearted wo-
man. The marriage was a fortunate one.
Not one of all the Presidents’ wives was
more universally loved and respected than
Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes. To-day, in the
White House, in the great East room,
there hangs two pictures, and two only, of
the wives of our Presidents; those are
Mrs.
Hayes occupies her place of honor entirely
through her views and efforts in behalf of
Mary Washington and Mrs. Hayes.
temperance. With pleasantness and yet
with decision did she, under all circum-
stances, object to having wine served in
her home.
During Mr. Hayes’ administration, he
gave to the nation peace and prosperity,
JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD
and the Government was carried on so qui-
etly that it scarcely seemed necessary to
With modesty
seen, he
have an executive power.
and quietude seldom laia
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
1822-1893. One Term, 1877-1881.
down the office he had held with such
success, after administra-
four years’
tion, and retired to his country home in
Ohio, from which place he soon after died,
following his wife, who had gone before
him only a few years, and whom he ex-
pected soon to meet.
TWENTIETH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
born November 19, 1831, in the
town of Orange, Ohio.
ei AMES ABRAM GARFIELD was
His sur-
roundings, in early life, were as simple as
- the back woods’ life could make them.
‘He lived in a little log cabin, in a little
clearing made from a large forest. The
yard was covered with stumps and the
little place they called their “farm” did
not include much more than two acres,
Their fare was simple, their chairs rude,
and the floor contained only slabs from
258
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
the forest. Their food was simply wild
game, wheat or corn cracked in a mortar.
Thus the struggle went on, and from pov-
erty James A. Garfield rose to be the first
man of the nation. Sometimes it is the
very necessity of things that brings out
a man’s sterling qualities. From the out-
JAMES A. GARFIELD.
1831-1881. Part of One Term, 1881.
set, the life of James was one of hard
work. He developed a habit of industry
and a physical strength which afterward
‘made him a man among men. His life
throughout was similar to that of Abra-
ham Lincoln’s. He had, however, the
advantage of early contact with cultivated
people. He had opportunities later in ©
the way of education, which he improved
to the utmost, and finally graduated at
William’s College.
he was promoted to the rank of Major-
In entering the army
General. Later, he entered Congress and
still later, was chosen Senator, but before
taking his seat was elected President.
Great hopes were entertained because of
his high ability, and it was thought that
his administration would be one of the
most successful. We are all, however,
doomed to diappointment, sooner or later.
When he had been President only two
months he was shot in the Pennsylvania
depot, Washington City, by a disappointed
office-seeker, and after two months of suf-
fering, died. Public sympathy was ex-
cited all over the United States. He left
a wife, children, and a mother, to mourn
his loss. Like all great men, James A.
Garfield had a good mother. A mother
whose life will go down into history with
as much veneration as that of her noble
son,
CHESTER ALAN ARTHUR.
_ TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
N a rude but happy home in the town
of Fairfield, Vermont, Chester Alan
Arthur was born, October, 5, 1830,
His father was a preacher, and it is said
was at this time receiving a salary of $330
ayear. Hisfather was a great assistance to
him all through his boyhood days. Later,
Chester went away to school, and during
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
259
the years in which he was receiving his
education he taught school, and after fin-
ishing his college course took up the study
of law.
Later in life he moved to New York,
and in time married Miss Ella L. Hern-
don, in 1853. It is said that Mrs. Arthur
was one of the most excellent of all Amer-
ican women. She died, January 12, 1880.
During Arthur’s administration as Presi-
dent, his sister, Mrs. McElroy, acted as
At the
time of his election as Vice-President of
mistress of the White House.
the United States, Arthur was not widely
known outside of his own State, but was
made candidate solely to retain the favor of
a large portion of the Republicans of New
York. He was considered a great politi-
cal manager, yet knew very little how the
Government was conducted. At the time
of the assassination of President Garfield
he was placed in an exceedingly delicate
position, and fears were expressed by
many people lest Arthur would not be
equal to the emergency, but he managed
the Government with a dignity and tact
that astonished all who knew him, and be-
fore he retired from the Presidential chair
he had gained the respect of the entire
country. It was during his term of office
that Congress passed the Civil Service
Act, providing for the appointment of sub-
ordinate employes of the Government on
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
1830-1886. Part of One Term, 1881-1885.
the basis of merit, ~ather than political in-
fluence.
Upon his retirement from office he again
took up the practice of law in New York,
but died shortly after the close of his
term
GROVER CLEVELAND.
TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ROVER CLEVELAND was a na-
(Ss of New Jersey, but early in
life moved to New York and
became a citizen of Buffalo. He began the
study of law at the age of eighteen, and
connected himself with a popular law firm
in that city.
He became interested in politics early in
life, and held local offices. In 1882 he
was elected Governor of the State of New
260
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
York. At the time of his election as Pres-
ident of the United States, the Govern-
ment had been under the control of the
Republican party for twenty-five years,
and it was indeed a surprise to the people
at large to know that a Democrat had
GROVER CLEVELAND.
1837-——. Two Terms, 1885-1889-1893-1897,
again been elected to fill the chief office of
the nation. Nevertheless, Grover Cleve-
land took the chairin 1885. One year af-
ter his inauguration he was married to
Miss Frances Folsom, of Buffalo, the wed-
ding taking place at the White House.
Miss Folsom was a young lady of keen
judgment, and although much younger
than President Cleveland, soon won the
hearts of the people all over the land.
The transfer of the Government from
one power to another was a great hazard,
but Grover Cleveland conducted the ad-
ministration im a commendable manner.
During his administration a law was
passed forbidding Chinese laborers to em-
igrate to this country. Strikes among the
laboring classes were also largely extended
| over the country, and in 1886 the An-
archists’ riot in Chicago took place, and the
feeling resulting therefrom has never yet
died in the minds of the people. Mr. Cleve-
land failed in a re-election, owing princip-
ally to the issue of protective tariff. He left
Washington in 1889, took up his residence
in New York City, and again entered his
profession, and pursued his work with zeal,
until he was again called to the Presiden-
tial chair after a lapse of four years
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ees ye aes HARRISON is a na-
| tive of Ohio, but like Mr. Cleve-
S&S land, did not always remain in his
netive State, but moved to Indiana and
there became one of the leading lawyers.
He is the grand-son of our ninth Pres-
ident of the United States, and the great
grand-son of one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and conse-
quently Republican throughout. In 1862,
he entered the Union army and received
one promotion after another until, at the
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
261
close of the war, he reached the rank of
In 1880, he became
United States Senator, and was finally
made President in the year 1889. Dur-
ing his four years of administration, many
Brigadier-General.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
1833———. One Term, 1889-1893.
events took place which gave promise of
great weight for the future of our coun-
try. Under his administration six new
States were added to the Union; tariff
laws were revised; the efficiency of the
Navy was increased, and the difficulty with
England concerning seal fishing in Behr-
ing Sea, was adjusted by a treaty provid-
ing for arbitration. Benjamin Harrison
At this date
there were several questions at issue,
occupied the chair one term.
among them, the McKinley tariff which
seemed like an important question, finally
resulting in the defeat of the Republican
party,
again elected to become Chief Executive
and ex-President Cleveland was
of the nation, by an overwhelming major-
ity. It was just before his retirement
from the Presidential office that Mrs.
Harrison, a woman loved by the people,
breathed her last.
dent Harrison retired to his own home in
Shortly after Presi-
Indianapolis and has since lived a retired
life, except now and then to take a short
trip with his daughter, Mrs. McKee and
her children.
262
WILLIAM McKINLEY.
WILLIAM M’KINLEY.
Vas McKINLEY was born
at Niles, Ohio, January 29th, 1843.
His early life was marked by inci-
dents common to the boys of his day and
his station, excelling others mainly in en-
ergy, faithfulness, perseverance and a spirit
which led him to do with all his heart what-
ever he undertook to do.
In 1861, at the age of seventeen, he enlis-
ted in the 23d Ohio Infantry.
throughout the war, rising from the rank of
He served
private to that of major. As a private he
was noted for endurance, bravery and ener-
gy. As an officer he was calm, judicious,
careful of his command and possessed of
wise administrative capacity. . He returned
to his home at the close of the war with a
military record of which any man might be
proud and which exercised no small influ-
ence in his favor with the old soldiers in
the late exciting presidential campaign.
Returning from the army he studied law,
graduating from the Albany Law School
with high honors. He began the practice
of law in Canton, Ohio, was elected Prose-
cuting Attorney for his county.
He served in Congress nearly fourteen
years, but was excluded from the Fiftieth
He was returned to the Fifty-
first Congress, where he became the leader
Congress.
of the Republicau majority.
In 1890 the McKinley tariff act was pass-
ed, the bill taking its name from Mr. Mc-
Kinley as the leader of the fight rather than
as the author of the bill.
In the fall of 1891 he was elected Gov-
ernorof Ohio. To him this was a new field,
but his success was as marked as in other
directions. During his administration labor
troubles were numerous, but in all cases he
met the necessities of the hour unflinch-
ingly, heroically and creditably to himself
and tohis state. He served two terms, leav-
ing the office January, 1896, with the good
will of his state, and again took up his
home in Canton:
At the National Convention held in St.
Louis in June, 1896, he was placed before
the people for their suffrage. The bitter’
contest which followed is too recent to need
repetition here. He was triumphantly
elected in the following November and in-
augurated March 4th, 1897.
«
DOWN THE RHINE.
263
DOWN THE RHINE.
G HOSE who have never been down the
+ . . .
Rhine,” said Mr. Gray one evening,
“can scarcely conceive of the beauty
and enchantment of the scenery along the
route. Nearly every city or town at which
we stopped is noted for its legend, its cas-
Besides
the famous towns there are the mountains,
tle, its poem or its popular resort.
the islands and the cottages which make
the whole scene picturesque as one can
imagine. Up the side of the mountains
grow the grapes from which is made the
famous wines known as the ‘ Rhine Wines.’
The boats which ply from town to town
are also picturesque and usually filled with
pleasure seekers, not only from Germany,
near at hand, but almost every known coun-
try. Upon these boats are served out-of-
door lunches. Here can also be obtained
a course dinner as elegant as one could
wish. Here everyone sits out on deck, for
while travel is cheaper by boat than by rail-
road, yet one never tires of the scenery, and
even though the trip is a business one, all
naturally want to take advantage of the de-
lightful scenery. One of the most amusing
features is to watch and listen to the merry
conversation. Perhaps the party to your
right is conversing in French, another to
your left in Italian, still others in English
and others in German.
Dress also is aconspicuous feature. Some
MOUSE TOWER, RHINE.
264
MUSIC IN BATTLE.
are tourists out for pleasure, drummers in
quest of business, while frequently are to
be seen peasants on a wedding trip. Much
as I enjoyed my trip down the beautiful,
blue Danube, and much as I have enjoyed
the Hudson and our own rivers of America,
there is none in the world that can compare
with the Rhine.”
MUSIC IN BATTLE.
ET me write the songs of a Nation and
* TI care not who makes its laws,” said a
Greek general centuries ago when
he had led his soldiers to victory, spurred
on by the inspiring notes of battle song and
trumpet blast. So potent was this influ-
ence of music, that he pronounced it the
strongest factor in inducing men to action.
Just when music was recognized as a
force in war is hidden in the unknown past.
In battering down the walls of Jericho,
Joshua’s warriors were inspired by the
blasts from the ram’s horns in the hands of
seven priests. The carved architecture of
ancient Thebes shows that the drum was
relied upon to lead the Egyptians to battle,
Barbaric Goths and vandals, with blood-
curdling yells, which roused those untrain-
ed hordes to greater valor, swept over the
plains of Italy filling the Roman legions
with terror. Every school boy knows how
‘our American Indians were wont to work
themselves into uncontrollable frenzy by
their savage yells in tribal wars and attacks
upon settlers. Every man and every wo-
man, every boy and every girl, have felt
their pulses thrill, their blood course faster
under the martial strains of fife and drum
and band, upon our Nation’s birthday.
Why this is so, is explained in the laws
that govern mentalaction. Men will some-
times act under the influence of feeling or
emotion when they can not be moved by
reason or argument. As music appeals to
one’s feelings, this explains part of it.
Then, too, men can be trained to act in con-
cert, where they cannot as individuals. To
act in concert they must move in time, that
is, at regular intervals, and music or rythm
furnishes this. So it comes that soldiers
are trained, first by commands until the
different movements are learned, and then
ANDREW JACKSON.
265
they perform these movements in concert,
led by musical beats, whether it be trumpet
blast, the beat of drum or human voice.
On the Plains of Marathon, the Grecian
phalanx moved in unison to the rythmic
blast of the trumpet and put to rout the
hitherto unconquered Persians, though out-
At the battle of
Waterloo the bugle sounded the charge and
Napoleon’s cavalry, 35,000 strong, the finest
troop the world had ever seen, and consid-
numbered ten to one.
ered invincible, rushed to defeat and death.
Inspired by martial strains and war-cry, the
van filled the waiting ditch with mingled
horse and rider until a living bridge was
formed, over which the rear could pass.
Never before or since was the power of
music in battle so terribly manifested.
Every nation recognizes this power and
gives it expression in its National Hymn.
“God Save the Queen” will rouse an Eng-
lishman to battle whenever he hears its
strains, while “The Watch on the Rhine”
The
“ Marsailles” will nerve the Frenchman to
deeds of valor, while “ Hail Columbia ” or
the “Star Spangled Banner,” will kindle
has no less influence on the German.
martial fires in the veins of overy true
American.
Every war brings forth its own peculiar
battle songs. In the civil war each side
had its favorite. The Confederate army
liked “Dixie’s Land,” “My Maryland,”
while the Union soldiers liked nothing bet-
ter than “John Brown’s Body lies a Moul-
derin’ in the Ground,” or “ Rally ’round the
Flag, Boys.”
melodies and never will.
Time has not blotted these
ANDREW JACKSON’S BRAVERY.
4 HEN Andrew Jackson went to
Tennessee to begin life as a law-
yer it was an important part of
his business to collect debts. There were
some disputed claims to adjust. It requir-
ed nerve. Many desperate men carried
pistols and knives. The court-house in
that county consisted of a hut of unhewn
logs, without floor, door or window. Long
journeys through the wilderness were nec-
essary to reach the distant places where
courts were held. During the first’ seven
years of his residence in these wilds, he
traversed these almost pathless forests be-
tween Nashville and Jonesboro, a distance
of two hundred miles, twenty-two times.
Hostile Indians were constantly on the
watch, and a man was liable at any moment
to be shot down.
the man for this service,—a wild, rough,
He
camped in the woods for twenty successive
Andrew Jackson was just
daring backwoodsman. sometimes
266
nights, not daring to shoot a deer, or to kin-
dle a fire, lest he should attract the atten-
tion of some roving band of savages.
One night, after dark, he came to a creek,
swollen by the rains to a roaring torrent.
It was pitch-dark and the rain was falling
in floods. He could not ford the stream;
he dared not light a fire; it was not safe to
He
let his horse move about to browse.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
took off the saddle, placed it at the foot of
a tree and sat upon it, wrapped his blanket
over his shoulders, held his bridle in one
hand and his rifle in the other, and thus,
drenched with rain, and listening to the
wail of the storm and the rush of the tor-
rent, waited the dawn. He then mounted
his horse, swam the creek, and proceded on
his journey.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, OF ILLINOIS.
OT HE superintendent of the Five Points’
: Sabbath-school relates the following
incident in reference to Mr. Lincoln
during his visit to that city: “One Sunday
morning I saw a tall, remarkable looking
man enter the room, and take a seat among
us. He listened with fixed attention to our
exercises, and his countenance expressed
such a genuine interest that I approached
him, and suggested that he might be wil-
He
accepted the invitation with evident pleas-
ling to say something to the children.
ure, and, coming forward, began a simple
address, which at once fascinated every lit-
tle hearer, and hushed the room into silence.
His language was exceedingly beautiful,
and his tones musical with intense feeling.
The little faces would drop into sad convic-
tion as he uttered sentences of warning, and
would brighten into sunshine as he spoke
cheerful words of promise. Once or twice
he attempted to close his remarks; but the
imperative shouts of ‘Go on! oh, do go on!’
As I looked
upon the gaunt and sinewy frame of the
would compel him to resume.
stranger, and marked his powerful head and
determined features, now touched into soft-
ness by the impressions of the moment, IL:
felt an irrepressible curiosity to learn some-
thing more about him, and, while he was
quietly leaving the room, I begged to know
his name. ‘It is Abraham Lincoln, from
Illinois”” He departed as quietly as he
had entered.
so YIOG
Eee tein on x
POO CN By
A HOME IN CENTRAL ASIA.
267
A HOME IN CENTRAL ASIA.
OT HE Round the World Club had gath-
| ered in the pleasant parlor of Mr.
Gray to hear some of uncle Ned’s ex-
periences. For years he had traveled where
his fancy led him, and the young people
waited anxiously for him to begin.
“Well, little knowledge-hunters,” said
he, “this pleasant room, with its many com-
forts and luxuries, its blazing grate, cush-
ioned chairs, soft carpets, bric-a-brac from
every land, pictures, statuary, books and
piano, form a wonderful contrast to a peas-
ant’s home in Tartary during a long ride
in that bleak country.
T have seen all sorts of homes in my trav-
els, from the little burrows of the Samoie-
des under the snow, in the far north of Rus-
sia, to the holes in which the Arabs shelter
themselves from the burning sun on the
border of the African desert. But perhaps
the queerest underground house that I ever
saw was one that I fell in with upon the
plains, or steppes, of Tartary, half-way
across Central Asia.
Wondrous strange places are those East-
ern steppes; traveling over them is just
like one of those unpleasant dreams in
which you seem to be always flying along
at full speed, without ever getting a bit
nearer to the place where you are going.
Day after day it is the same great waste of
sand all around you, the same hot sun glar-
ing down upon it, the same oven-like at-
mosphere, the same little tufts of prickly
brush here and there, the same bright,
cloudless, burning sky, the same silence,
and loneliness, and emptiness, as of some
uninhabited world. There is nothing for
you to do but to lie back in the straw that
fills your wagon, and watch your sturdy lit-
tle Tartar horses jogging on and on and on,
over the endless level, and your driver,
blinking his eyes in the blazing sunshine
like an owl in the daylight, while the hot,
prickly sand keeps getting into your hair,
and into your eyes, into your shoes and alli
over your skin, in a very uncomfortable
way; and drink as often as you may, your
thirst is never relieved.
Once ina while, perhaps, you pass a stray
camel, which turns its long neck to stare at
you as if wondering what you can be doing
there; or, may be come upon a Tartar tent,
with three or four square, narrow-eyed,
bullet-headed, sallow men, in greasy sheep-
skins, lounging in front of it, where you
pull up and shout for fresh horses, and take
a long draught of milk out of a wooden
bowl, and are off again in the silence and
loneliness of the desert.
Well, after about a week of this kind of
work my wagon came to a sudden halt one
268
A HOME IN CENTRAL ASIA.
morning about sunrise. Why we halted I | short arkan (lasso) round his bullet-head.
could not make out at first, for there was |
neither post-house or hut to be seen—not
even a tent—and we seemed to be standing
right out in the middle of the desert, with
no sign of any one ever having been there
before, except a great litter of trampled
straw on the ground. But before I could
say anything, a man’s face suddenly popped
up through the earth—a broad, heavy, sun-
burned face, with a thick yellow beard, lit-
tle twinkling gray eyes, and nose as flat as
if somebody had sat down upon it.
Then followed a pair of broad shoulders,
cased in a soiled linen frock. Next ap-
peared a huge barrel of a body, ending in
red goatskin pants and high boots drawn up
to the knee; and before me stood a big,
jolly-looking Russian, nodding to me as
familiarly as if he had known me all his
life.
‘Good morning, brother,’ said I, holding
out my hand to him.
‘Good morning, father. Do you want
horses?’ he replied.
‘Yes, as quick as possible.’
‘All right—T'll send after them at once
—Meesha!’ (Michael.)
T turned round and saw at my elbow, as
if he had risen through the earth too, a tall,
gaunt, black-eyed Kieghiz, who was help-
ing my driver to unharness the horses. In
a moment he was astride of one of them,
and rode off into infinite space, whirling his
I shrugged my shoulders, knowing by
sad experience that this meant a delay of
two or three hours at least. In these sav-
age wastes, no such thing as a stable is to
be found; and the horses which were to
draw me to the end of the next stage were
grazing out on the open plain probably ten
or twelve miles off!
The postmaster seemed to guess my
thoughts, and his big mouth widened into
a knowing grin.
‘What’s to be done, father? we can’t man-
age things out here upon the steppes as
they do in Peter (St. Petersburg), you
know. Better come down and have a glass
of tea with me; you'll feel the better for it.’
So saying, he popped down again into
the earth as suddenly as he popped up; and
I, diving after him, found myself in a dark,
narrow passage, sloping steeply downward,
and so low that I had to bend almost double
in order to enter it. This tunnel ended in
a small, square room delightfully cool and
shady after the blistering glare outside.
Indeed, the change was so sudden that at
first I could hardly make out where I was;
but after a minute or two my eyes got used
to the half-light and this is what I saw:
In a farther corner was a huge stove
faced with glazed tiles, and with the usual
“‘bed-place ” on the top of it. An earthen
floor, littered with various articles, includ-
ing a hatchet, a coil of rope, two or three
A HOME IN CENTRAL ASTA.
269
harness straps, and a heavy quilt, which,
with its countless squares of patch-work,
looked very much like a colored map of the
United States. Underneath a kind of sky-
light in the roof stood a battered stool and
a rough deal table, on which were an ink-
stand, a much blotted register, and a huge
boiler-like samovar (tea-urn) which one
meets in every Russian village from Poland
to Kamschatka. On the wall above was a
rough portrait of some Russian saint, with
a tiny lamp burning before it, and a huge
black roach taking a leisurely stroll around
its gilt frame. On the other wall hung a
sheepskin frock and a printed list of the
regulations of the Russian post-service
through Central Asia; and the picture was
completed by one of those immense iron-
clamped chests that swarm in the great
bazaars of Kief and Moscow, painted with |
stripes of vermillion; for the Russian is
mightily fond of gay colors, and his very
word for ‘beautiful’ (prekrasni) means
literally ‘bright red.’
The tea-urn was soon heated, and with a
few handfuls of cramp-biscuits from my
store chest we made a, very tolerable break-
fast; for the tea had kept its flavor despite
a journey of several thousand miles on
camel back, done up in ‘bricks’ weighing
four to five pounds a piece.
‘Don’t you find it cold here in winter,
my friend?’ I asked, refilling my tumbler
for the third time.
‘Cold, father? not a bit,’ answered the
‘When the
frost comes, I just light my stove—stuff a
peasant with a sturdy laugh.
bundle of straw into the passage, to keep
the wind out—and here I am, as snug as a
bear in a hollow tree.’
I had to laugh at his answer, he looked
so jolly and contented, and evidently meant
every word he said, and yet when I thought
how few his wants, how simple his life, I
felt that he was happier far than many who
inhabit luxurious homes.
His sturdy form, quaint dress, beaming
face, hearty hospitality and brotherly hand
shake, as I left him, seemed to be with me
in my dreary journey from that time on,
and I often think of him and the lesson he
taught me, that happiness and contentment
are not dependent upon fine clothes to wear
or palatial homes to shelter us,”
Ez
TOO BAD, BROTHER DEAR, WHAT CAUSES THE TEARS?
IS THE LESSON SO HARD, OR THE STORY ALL FEARS?
(270)
LHE GERMAN EMPEROR AT HOME.
bo
~]
ree
THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AT HOME.
ee we are studying the geogra-
phy of the Old World in our
Club,” said Mr. Gray one evening
when the boys and girls had gathered for
their customary story, ‘“ let us not forget to
note life among the nobility. We have
already heard of England’s Queen, and to-
night let us gather what we can of the Im-
perial Family of Germany. While the late
Emperor Frederick was a man, kind, con-
siderate and warm-hearted, a man the very
sight of whom caused one to think better
of the human race, the present Emperor,
William, is a man who, were it not for his
position, would not hold the respect of his
fellow men in a high degree. As a young
man he seemed to be filled with the old
idea of the divine right of kings, and woe
to the unlucky subject who failed to show
proper respect to him. It has been said of
him that he is always doing something,
either in posture or speech, to attract atten-
tion to his person. Hxceedingly coarse by
nature, he tries to be witty; but only suc-
ceeds in being vulgar, and would not be
tolerated in refined society were he nota
powerful monarch.
Trained to a military life, he is prone to
pomp and display. His uniforms are pad-
His
boots are made with heels of unusual height
ded in the most outrageous fashion.
to increase his stature, and his sword clanks
most boisterously. Inherited tendencies
have made several of his ruling ancestors
insane and it is more than likely that Wil-
liam will succumb to the same sad disease.
His education has been directed by one
who has filled his mind with a strange mix-
ture of old ideas concerning kingly rights,
and a liberalism which verges on socialism.
To teach him equality, his tutor insisted
that he should attend the public schools
and sit on the benches beside boys of hum-
ble parentage, and yet if he chanced to
clasp the hand of one of his inferiors this
same tutor compelled him to wash his hands
carefully to remove all traces of plebean
This same tutor instilled in
the mind of William the idea that all diffi-
culties can be adjusted by eloquent phrases,
fellowship.
and to-day he manifests a desire to figure
as a universal arbitrator in every dispute
that arises.
Of an excitable nature, he has schooled
himself to control his feelings even to a
degree that makes him seem absolutely
heartless. It is related of him that while
riding through the streets of Berlin at the
head of a regiment, one of his aides was
thrown from a horse and rendered uncon-
scious and was at first believed to have been
killed. The Emporer showed no interest
272
in his aide although he saw the accident,
but rode slowly along absolutely indifferent
to the result.
His hatred of the French has been until
recently most marked and has in many cases
taken the form of childishness. By Imper-
ial mandate he forbade the use of the word
‘cigar’ at the Berlin Court because the
THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AT HOME.
word ‘cigar’ is of French origin, and sub-
stituted the German word ‘ Glimmstengel.’
You can imagine the effort required of an
American to call for a glimmstengel every
time he wished to smoke. He also ordered
that the menus for Court dinners should
be printed in German instead of the cus-
This, though, may not
tomary French.
GERMAN EMPEROR'S FAMILY.
THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AT HOME.
have been so bad, but a German bill of fare
is enough to give one indigestion.
With all his hatred of French things he
is fond of good living and is not averse to
purchasing food and wine from the French
_ for his own table, His wine cellars are
among the most noted in the world and fill-
On
his table are found the choicest viands
from every land. In his personal expenses
ed with the rarest and costliest wines.
as in his living, he is most extravagant, and
despite the liberal allowance made him as
Emperor, he is always without money. We
pay our President $50,000 per year, furnish
his home and pay some of the servants.
The Emperor of Germany has an income
equivalant to $6,250.000, or 1,250 times as
large. Much of this goes for jewels, dress-
es, buildings and improvements upon the
various royal estates. His favorite sport is
hunting the wild boar, which is still found
At these
hunts each member of the party must wear
in the forests of the royal estates.
a hideous hunting costume designed by the
Emperor.
He hates the Jews even more than he
hates the French, and loses no opportunity
to show his feelings. Since becoming Em-
peror he has not granted a single commis-
sion either in the army or navy to one of
Jewish decent, and has refused to promote
the Jews holding office when he ascended
the throne. German legislation of the past
few years unfriendly to the Jews is due
273
largely to him. Neither his father nor his
grandfather could be induced to sign death
warrants, and under their reign capital pun-
ishment was not in force. Not so now.
The present Emperor has given dissatisfac-
tion at the great number of death warrants
he has signed. His popularity is not en- ©
hanced by the fact that Germany is the only
civilized country in the world where mur-
derers are beheaded with a sword or broad-
bladed ax.
The Emperor was married in February,
1881, to Augusta Victoria, daughter of
Queen Victoria, the ceremony being one of
the most magnificent ever witnessed. Their
marriage has been blessed with seven chil-
dren. When the sixth child, a boy, was
born the Emperor was so delighted that at
the christening he had a number of poor
children baptized throughout the kingdom,
he acting as godfather. He not only made
valuable presents to-these children, but in
the name of the baby prince distributed
presents to several thousand poor children
to secure the good will of his subjects to
the young prince.
The young princes and princesses are
carefully trained, and their education is
watched most anxiously by their parents.
One more member of the present Emper-
or’s family I will mention and then close.
This is his brother-in-law, Prince Bern-
hardt, who is cordially disliked in Court
circles. Although harmless, he is always
274
SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.
the hero of some ridiculous incident. While
I was at Berlin all royalty was laughing at
an amusing incident which had but recently
happened. While at Ems he accepted an
invitation to dine with a city dignitary.
On arriving he found himself ten minutes
ahead of time, and as all guests must be
present on his entering the parlors he con-
cluded to give them time by taking a short
stroll in the grounds. He dismissed his
carriage and set out enveloped in a military
cloak which hid his features. Suddenly a
side door opened and a fat cook bounced
out, planted a kiss upon his lips and placed
a package of ham, sausage and cheese in
his hands with the remark, ‘There, my
dear, we have a royal prince to dinner to-
night and I am driven off my feet. I can-
not give youmore. Come again to-morrow
night,’ and disappeared before he could re-
ply. The prince continued his walk carry-
ing the parcel and awaited developments.
Soon he saw a soldier gazing anxiously at
the house and approaching him asked if
his sweetheart lived there. On being ans-
wered ‘ Yes,’ he handed him the parcel and
informed him that she expected him the
next night. The soldier’s face lighted up
as he thanked the prince. ‘She gave me
something else for you,’ said His Highness,
‘but I do not know how to give it to you.’
«Keep it! keep it!’ said the soldier, ‘I have
quite enough for to-day,’ and with that he
retired, which you had better do at once.”
SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.
BEETHOVEN.
RS. GRAY sat at the piano with
JIN 0 tis gathered around one
Sabbath afternoon. The
joyous notes of bird-song floated in through
the open window from the trees outside and
mingled with the sweet strains of childish
voices singing from the well-loved Gospel
Hymns.
When the singing ceased the conversa-
tion turned to music and Tom said, “ Tell
us, mamma, of some of the great musicians
whose music you have heard.” “Yes,
said Mr. Gray, “ Beethoven, Mozart, Schu-
bert and hosts of others have done so much
for the world that we can spend an hour
most profitably in talking of them and their
work. Mamma can do the subject better
justice than any one I know, and we will
listen to her.”
“What Shakspeare is in poetry,” said
In the
presence of his name all other composers,
Mrs. Gray, “ Beethoven is in music.
SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.
275
however great, seem to dwindle. His works
mark an epoch in musical history, for from
them nearly all that is great in modern
music has arisen. Throughout his compo-
sition there sounds a note of sadness which
is but the echo of his personal suffering.
Tis strange, indeed, that one whose life
was filled with anguish could do so much
to give the highest pleasure to his fellows.
Yet perhaps he wrote the better because he
suffered and endured so much.
His family has been traced to a village in
Belgium and manifested a fondness for and
In 1732 Beethoven’s
grandfather removed from Belgium to
great skill in music.
Borm, Germany, where his musical talents
attracted attention. He was made Court
Musician, which position was also filled by
The
father married a cook connected with the
In 1770 Ludwig von
The date and the
place are uncertain, as two houses in Borm
His
His father possess-
his son, the father of our subject.
royal establishment.
Beethoven was born.
claim the honor of his birthplace.
youth was not happy.
ed an ungovernable temper which, coupled
with a fondness for strong drink, did not
add to the pleasure of the family. The
family also suffered from great poverty, the
father’s earnings being spent for liquor.
At an early age young Ludwig showed great
musical talent, and at the age of five his
father placed him under severe training for
the violin, hoping to earn money from his |
son’s ability. But little benefit came from
this, and shortly after the violin was aban-
doned for a regular course of lessons on the
piano. Here he made rapid progress, but
He did not take
kindly to instruction, but preferred to study
was not a tractable pupil.
out his lessons without assistance, a trait
which grew with his years.
At thirteen he published some music of
which he afterwards repented, because it
was crude. In 1785 he was made assistant
court organist. In 1787 he gained the no-
tice of the brother of the Emperor and was
by him sent to Vienna, where he became a
pupil of Mozart. He soon returned home
where for five years he studied hard and
conscientiously, but was obliged to give
In 1792
he again went to Vienna to become a pupil
lessons to aid his father’s family.
of Hayden, then the greatest living musi-
cian. The two did not agree, but Beetho-
ven remained in Vienna where he became
a favorite of the Nobility and his prospects
seemed of the brightest. His reputation as
a composer became established even outside
his own country, his greatest personal hon-
ors coming to him in 1815, when be com-
posed and presented a Symphony celebrat-
ing the victory of the allied troops over the
French. He received the thanks of the
Sovereigns of Europe and was granted the
freedom of Vienna, an honor which he
prized highly.
Shortly after this his popularity began to
276
SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.
wane in the presence of a vast number of
musicians, none of whom are known to-day.
It was at about this time that he became
totally deaf, an affliction from which he had
suffered from his 27th year. So we see in
him a man whose greatest joy was in har-
mony of sound, a man who had given this
enjoyment to thousands unable to hear a |
How
intensely he suffered no man can know.
note of the music he loved so much.
Unable to converse except by writing, un-
married, his home was in the hands of ser-
vants who domineered over him and who
added to his misery. It is said that once
he was found with his face bleeding from
scratches inflicted by one of his servants.
He died in 1827, and in his will, which was
written in 1802 before he was totally deaf,
gave an insight into the mental anguish
he felt from his affliction in these words: |
‘Ye men who believe me rough and misan-
thropic are unjust to me in your ignorance
I have been compelled to isolate my-
self and lead a lonely life. Whenever I have
tried to overcome this isolation, how bitter
the experience of my bad hearing, which
repelled me again.’
That this anguish was intensified in later
years, when his hearing was entirely gone,
there can be no doubt.
His compositions number 188 and com-
prise all the forms of vocal and instrumen-
tal music, from the sonata to the sympho-
ny, from the song to the opera and the
oratorio. His influence on modern music
has been most helpful, his fame increasing
as his works are better known.”
MOZART.
“More mamma, more,” said the children
“ Well, just a little
about Mozart, whose rank among musicians
as Mrs. Gray stopped.
is high. But few men have had more light
and shade, of brilliant prospects and disas-
trous fulfillment of joy and sorrow, of Royal
kindness and a master’s hate than Mozart.
Like Beethoven, destined to add to the
pleasures of mankind, sadness was his por-
. tion. He was born at Salzburg in 1756 from
At three he shared
the lessons of his sisters, five years his sen-
a family of musicians.
ior, on the harpsichord. At four he played
minuets and even composed little pieces
which are still preserved. At five he play-
At six his father took him
and his sisters on a musical tour where they
ed in public.
played before the Sovereigns of Germany
with great success, the little boy’s charm-
ing appearance and kindly. disposition
making him a favorite with everyone. The
Emperor called him his little magician.
Despite the attention paid him he re-
mained docile and obedient. The following
year, 1763, the entire family started out
again, the boy composing and playing on
the harpsichord, organ and violin, not only
in Germany, but in France as well. It was
on this tour, at the age of seven, he pub-
In 1764 the
lished his first compositions.
LLG
CENTRAL CEMETERY, VIENNA.
278
family went to England, where the boy
scored a marked success. Two years later
he composed and presented his first orato-
rio, and the following year, at the request
of the Emperor, composed an opera. In
1769 his father took him to Italy to com-
Here he de-
voted himself to his work, composing from
plete his education in music.
time to time as he received commissions to
do so, and making friends everywhere.
So great was the fame of the youthful
composer at this time that his services were
in great demand, and his life, with that of
Although the
greatest success attended their efforts from
his father, was a busy one.
an artistic standpoint, the family fortune
Mozart devoted himself
to his work and produced new music with
did not increase.
incredible rapidity. Operas, cantatas, mass-
es, symphonies, concertos and sonatas, both
vocal and instrumental, followed each other
in rapid succession. This work, instead of
wearying him, seemed only to rouse him to
further effort.
He had previously accepted a position
with little honor and less pay at the hands
of the Archbishop of Salzburg, and as his
music, though excellent and abundant, did
not bring him sufficient funds for his needs,
he applied to the Archbishop for permission
to make a concert tour, but was refused.
His life was most miserable. Admitted
to the first society and treated as an equal
by Nobility, yet he must dine with the ser-
vants and submit to mistreatment and in-
SOME MASTERS OF MUSIC.
sult at the hands of menials because his
His
salary was at this time less than five dol-
master, the Archbishop, willed it so.
lars per week. Finally Mozart resigned his
position, took lodgings with a friend hoping
for pupils. Shortly after he contracted an .
unfortunate marriage, his wife being his
inferior, and worse still, a woman without
prudence or economy, and at the end of a
year the couple were hopelessly in debt.
Mozart played at Court and at concert,
composed incessantly and was in great favor
with the Nobility, yet he never had money
in his purse.
| He died in 1791 apparently from fever,
though he believed himself poisoned. His
funeral was a disgrace to the Court and to
the public as well. The day following his
death his body was hurried to a pauper’s
grave, and because it rained some who pro-
fessed to be his friends turned back and
left him to be carried to his last resting
place without one to mourn for him. An
inglorious ending to one who did so much
In
Central Cemetery, Vienna, one of the most
to make others better and happier.
beautiful burial places I have ever seen, is
a triangular grass-plot with the design of a
gigantic harp in flowering plants set aside
as sacred to music. About it are monu-
ments to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and
Gluck. I could not repress the thought as
I gazed upon them that it is tardy justice
i the world meets out to its great men at
times,”
616
PUBLIC SQUARE, VIENNA,
280
ALASKA. ~
ALASKA.
\ ee induced you to go to
Alaska, uncle Ned? ” asked Sarah
at the close of the story about the
Japps.
Uncle Ned laughed and said, “ My first
longing to see Alaska dates back many
years. I can remember as though it were
yesterday, one sultry summer’s day sitting
upon a high bench with no back in an old
log school-house. My feet did not reach
the floor and my position was most uncom-
fortable.
uncurtained windows upon our defenseless
The hot sun poured through the
heads and made it well nigh impossible to
study. Not a breath of air was stirring.
The heat was oppressive, stifling, and as I
read of the ice and snow of Alaska, then
called Russian America, and which chanc-
ed to be our geography lesson for that day,
an earnest desire to look upon its ice-bound
rivers, rugged hills and snow-capped moun-
tains took possession of me with a force I
could not shake off. Time after time the
longing returned, but I was unable to grat-
ify it, and could only gather such informa-
tion as was at hand and hope that some day
my desire might be realized.
In the summer of 189- I found myself in
Portland, Ore., wondering where I should
go next. Picking up a newspaper one
morning I learned that the regular mail
steamer would leave port that afternoon for
Sitka, and the old longings of boyhood days
came over me so strongly that I resolved to
take passage for Uncle Sam’s ice-box, as
Alaska has been dubbed by those who op-
posed its purchase. A dull, monotonous
voyage, during which we were scarcely out
of sight of land, soon brought us to Sitka,
the capitol of the Territory. This quaint,
old-fashioned little town lies on a narrow,
undulating beach over which tower mounts
Edgecombe, Nerstovia and other snow-coy-
ered peaks, rising high into the sky and
standing like stern, silent sentinels to pro-
tect the city from invasion beyond.
The harbor, with its various islands here
and there, is deep, and affords excellent
The old
Russian Government House stands high on
shelter for storm-tossed ships.
a rocky pinnacle like some old castle of
The Russo-Greek church,
with its tall, green spire, testifies to the
labors of early missionaries, and tells us
Medieval days.
that the people are not without religion. I
was also surprised to find a bright, spicy,
well-edited weekly paper, though the news
it gives from the outside world would be
decidedly out of date in the States. The
schools are fairly good, but would achieve
better results were attendance compulsory
rather than voluntary. Educational affairs
ALASKA.
ESKIMO LIFE.
282
ALASKA.
are under the supervision of an inspector
appointed by the United States Commis-
sioner of Education. There are now about
twenty-four schools in the several settle-
ments of the territory, two of which are in
Sitka.
or industrial education, the various trades,
One of these is devoted to manual
as blacksmithing, shoe-making, carpenter-
ing, etc., being taught. This school em-
ploys quite a corps of teachers and instruc-
tors and had, when I was there, something
over two hundred pupils in attendance.
The schools have had a most beneficial and
far-reaching effect, and are considered the
most civilizing agency yet introduced into
the country and are also a refuge for native
youth, misused at home.
Here is a land vast enough for an empire.
For twelve hundred miles its shores are
washed by the placid waters of the Pacific,
a distance as great as from Maine to Florida.
Westward it stretches its way to the island
of Attu, nearly three thousand miles west
of San Francisco, which is therefore really
east of the center of the Union. We can-
not credit it, yet it is true. The island is
only four hundred miles from Kamchatka,
and an equal distance from the nearest
Alaskan village. Here dwell a small but
vigorous band of Aleuts, one hundred and
forty in number, whom no reward can in-
duce to leave their lonely island home.
They have their chapel and their priest and
seem content to spend their lives in hunt-
ing and fishing. Blue foxes roam the hills;
wild geese nest here; sea-lions sport along
the rocky shore; and cod and halibut in
countless numbers swarm its waters. What
wonder these hardy people love their native
land?
Near the end:of a rainy, dismal day our
party stood on the narrow beach, watching
a weary fisherman pulling his heavy laden
canoe toshore. Ashe landed the sun burst
forth in a blaze of glory ere going to rest.
We felt his parting rays and knew that in
the far-off east the morning sun was stream-
_ ing out upon the toiling woodsmen of the
What a thought! A
country of such imperial dimensions that
Penobscot forests.
the sun never sets upon its broad domains
during the summer months.
Islands are numerous, as a glance ata
map will show. Some are inhabited by
bold Eskimo walrus hunters whose homes
are built on stages constructed on the steep,
rocky slopes, one above another, like ter-
races. One-third of Alaska lies within the
Arctic circle, a land of short, hot summers;
of long, cold winters. Along its coast and
upon its river banks amid its always frozen
fields, where neither fruit nor cereals grow,
dwell some 18,000 Eskimo.
moor, snow-covered mountains, and mos-
Its frozen
quito haunted marshes offer small induce-
ments to the traveler, but these hardy peo-
ple seem to lead a merry life. They are
taller and stronger than their Greenland
REINDEER OF ALASKA,
283
ALASKA.
SEALS FOUND OFF THE COAST OF ALASKA.
brothers, with faces inclined to mirth. They
eat the flesh of moose, reindeer, walrus, seal,
bear, fowl and fish, and if pipe and tobacco
can be had the sorrows of life are forgotten.
In summer, their shelter is cotton tents or
bark shanties; in winter, log huts entered
by underground passages. These huts are
ill-smelling, unventilated abodes, but no
cold can penetrate them. Their dress is
the skins of animals and here a seal-skin
coat is no luxury, though the city belle
might not like the primitive style. Summer
journeys are made in canoes of bark or skin;
winter ones by sledges, drawn by ill-looking
dogs, six of which can transport several
hundred pounds some thirty miles per day.
When summer comes countless thous-
ands of geese, ducks, herons, cranes, swal-
lows, robins and grouse swarm the shores
of Norton Sound to lay their eggs and rear
their young in the grasses of the lowlands.
You may be sure the Eskimos wage war
CHINA. 285
upon the birds at this season, gathering the
eggs, knocking down the young birds with
great sticks and feasting to their full con-
tent.
point of the United States, during a few
At Point Barrow, the most northern
days in July we found buttercups, dande-
lions and poppies sending forth their ten-
der blossoms, and even golden butterflies
floating in the chill air. As we ascended
the Yukon river, its yellow, muddy waters
often clogged the boilers of the steamer,
and we were obliged to stop until they could
be cleaned. The banks are covered with
wild roses, blue grass and other plants, but
the enormous, poisonous mosquitoes com-
pelled us to stay on board at alltimes. For
1,300 miles we ascended the river to the
gold fields of the upper Yukon, where our
journey ended. Of life in the gold regions
it need only be said that the small amount
of gold secured afforded but small compen-
sation for the hardship endured and we were
glad enough to avail ourselves of the first
opportunity to get back to Sitka.
_The mountains which lie back of the city
afford an ever-changing scene to the citi-
zens of the town. They are northerly ex-
tensions of the Cascades of our western
coast, culminating in ice-clad towering
peaks with an altitude of from 1,200 to 20,-
000 feet, and sending off spurs which are as
Mt. St. Elias, with its
summit 14,000 feet above the sea, lies some
yet unexplored.
two hundred and fifty miles to the north-
west, but time would not permit us to visit
it, as the steamer was just ready to sail for
Portland, which was reached in the latter
part of October, satisfied at last that I had
visited the land which seemed so delightful
on the hot summer days so long ago.”
CHINA.
+
OTHE boy who is not interested in the
| “Heathen Chinee” is rather rare in
these days, and we wonder if a trip
through Chinatown would not afford us
some instruction and possibly some amuse-
ment as well. We can nearly all of us re-
member the pictures in the old geography
labeled: ‘‘ Chinese selling rats and puppies
for pies.” The mind pictures a Chinaman
with the ever-present bamboo over his
shoulder and the wares of his trade dangling
therefrom. This picture has given every
boy his first impression of the everyday life
of the Chinese. The Chinaman in America
does not differ so much from the Chinaman
on his native soil. The Chinese have gath-
ered in one part of San Francisco, and that
is called Chinatown. Its great alleys, opi-
um dens, its variety of stores, shops, gro-
ceries, its places of amusement and of wor-
286
CHINESE BOY,
ship are the nearest approach to the China-
man in his native land that can be found
without crossing the ocean. In the city,
however, you see but one side of his life;
to know him through and through you must
follow him to the railroad, to the mines, to
the laundry, to every place where there is
work to be done and where the “ dollies ”
may be gathered in. The Chinaman is pe-
culiar in many respects, but in none more
so than in his home habits. No other peo-
ple can crowd so many lodgers into so small
a place, and in the mild climate of San
Francisco they need but little covering for
the night, and with a plank of wood for a
pillow they stow themselves away in tiers,
like dry goods on the shelves. How they
breathe and live is a mystery to all, but
when they come out in the morning, in
droves and scores, they come out clean in
person and clothing, something that is not
done by other nationalities that live in such
close quarters. It is a common remark
among the people of San Francisco that the
Chinese keep themselves clean and neat in
person; that no other people use so much
water as do these. This seems especially
strange in view of the fact that Chinatown
How
the Chinaman can keep neat and tidy in
itself is filthy beyond description.
the middle of so much dirt is a problem we
cannot solve. In many places Chinamen
CHINA.
287
are employed in large numbers. Especial-
ly was this the case in building the North-
ern Pacific Railroad, where they lived by
themselves. They did their own cooking
and one who has observed them closely in
such a life says, that “ during along experi-’
ence he never saw a fight among them, and
that, when the day’s work was done, not-
withstanding the fact that they were beyond
home influence, they played together as
lively as children.” Although not quarrel-
some among themselves, they will fight
when driven to it, and are really dangerous
Indeed, it is said that a Chi-
naman never attacks a foe except for the
as enemies.
purpose of taking his life. The Chinaman
is industrious and sober. He is not credit-
ed with a vast amount of intelligence, and
yet he knows enough to let whiskey, “the
foe of all mankind,” severely alone. Some
of the large ranches of California employ
only Chinese labor, simply because the
Chinaman can be depended upon. He never
gets drunk, and is always ready for work.
We have stated the Chinaman is sober; this,
perhaps, ought to be modified, for, although
the Chinaman does not drink whiskey, he
has a worse habit in the form of opium. It
was the writer’s privilege at one time to
visit an opium den. Our guide took us
through an alley in Chinatown, under an
underground room not more than eight feet
square and seven feet high; the only open-
ing was a narrow doorway. As soon as we
entered the door was hastily closed, as these
We
found several Chinamen; one was melting
people did not believe in ventilation.
opium at a little table my means of a taper,
another was just sinking under its influ-
ence, a third was lost to consciousness. The
habit is a terrible one and is followed both
by men and women. The fumes of tho
opium fill one with a pleasant sensation
which grows upon him until his surround-
ings are lost and he sinks into unconscious-
ness. The habit is a terrible one; the effects
of opium are even worse than those of whis-
key. Possibly this is the reason San Fran-
cisco has laws to restrict the smoking of
opium, and yet lets men get drunk, insult
and abuse passers-by on the street, and mal-
treat and starve their families. Passing
still farther under ground, far away from
any possible connection with the outer
world, we passed into a second room small-
er than the first, and with no possible chance
of ventilation. Here was a Chinese woman
past middle age who said again and again:
“T have lived here twelve years. I have
lost my eyes!” Although the Chinese are
mocked at as pagans, they are really a very
devout people. They almost make gods of
their ancestors; they believe new ways, new
methods, new customs will displease their
fathers, who are hovering about them to
help and protect them, and so adhere with
This would
seem that their religion is more of fear than
wonderful tenacity to the old.
288
CHINA.
love and reverence; they believe if they de-
part from old customs they will anger their
ancestors and these will become their ene-
mies and hinder them in all their undertak-
ings. There are a number of Chinese tem-
ples in San Francisco, but it is not an easy
matter to gain admission. They have no
stated season for worship or any particular
meeting for this purpose; each one worships
where he pleases and when he pleases.
Their temples are called Joss Houses. The
name Joss is a title given to all their gods.
Sometimes a temple contains not only one
but many of these. Theroomin which the
god is placed is gaudily decorated with
carved work and painting. In fact, some
of the carving must have taxed the patience
of these wonderfully patient people; much
of it is wonderfully fine and is all in emble-
matic figures and characters,
It was the fortune of the writer to wit-
ness the worship of the Chinese at one time.
Soon after we entered the room several
taps were given on a bell, which was out of
sight back of the altar. This bell was
sounded, not to call the worshiper to his duty
but to notify the god that he was wanted. A
single worshiper was there. He took some
incense-sticks and Joss-paper from the
priest; he had two pieces of wood seven
inches long. These he threw upon the floor
and marked how they fell, he then bowed
his head to the floor and prayed for a long
time. Then he took a vase about six inches
long and between two and three inches in
diameter—-this he filled with split reed about
a quarter of an inch wide, quite thin, and
On each
of these reeds Chinese characters were writ-
possibly about a foot in length.
ten. He commenced shaking the vase and
to our astonishment one of the reeds began
to rise and separate itself from the rest, fell
out and upon the floor. He examined the
character upon it and set it aside. This per-
formance of breaking of sticks, praying, and
shaking of reeds he went through three
times, then he took the reed, copied the |
characters from this on a piece of paper and
put them in his pocket. This was his
charm. Then burning some more incense
and Joss-peper his worship was ended.
It is, perhaps, not just to judge the Chi-
naman by those who come to America. It
is said that only the lower classes come here,
yet many of them have succeeded excel-
lently in business, and have even amassed
fortunes. Wherever we find them they are
quiet and industrious, doing their work rap-
idly, neatly, and silently. Their peculiar
dress upon the street, however, attracts at-
tention. One peculiar custom exists among
them which we ought to notice. Annually
they settle all difficulties, forgive all debts
and injuries one to another, a custom which
might be copied to the profit of any people.
Why there should be enmity toward them
on the part of so many of our people is a
question we cannot answer.
A VISIT TO LAPLAND.
289
A VISIT TO LAPLAND.
members of the “Round the World
Club ” had gathered around the fire to
listen to Uncle Ned, who had promised to
J T was a cold winter’s night and the
continue his pleasant stories. ‘“ Were you
ever in a place as cold as this, Uncle Ned,
during your travels?” said Tom, as he shiv-
Uncle
Ned laughed heartily at Tom’s question as
ered and drew closer to the fire.
he replied, ‘“ Why, Tom, this is only pleas-
ant, invigorating weather. If you had been
with me a couple of years ago, you would
think: that this is only a pleasant day.”
“cc Up
among the Laps and reindeer of Northwes-
‘““Where were you,” said Tom.
tern Russia,” replied Uncle Ned, “and as
you have suggested a subject, let us talk
about that to-night; it will make our coun-
try seem more pleasant and this fire more
cheerful. In that cold, cheerless, uninvit-
ing country so near the North Pole, the sun
does not set in summer nor rise in winter.
The months of July and August are ex-
tremely hot. These are the summer months.
The last two weeks in June constitute the
spring in that country, while the first two
weeks in September make up the Lapland-
er’s autumn. The other nine months are
intensely cold, the thermometer falling to a
point you would scarcely credit. Sixty de-
grees below zero is not an uncommon mark
for the mercury to reach. During the
greater part of this long, dreary winter the
sun is not seen, but the Aurora Borealis,
the Northern Lights as we call them, afford
You -
have all seen Northern Lights, but you can
something in the way of illumination.
not imagine the splendor which marks this
phenomenon in northern climates. There
it fills the heavens with long, waving stream-
ers of flame of all the gorgeous colors of the
rainbow. The country itself is not pleas-
ant to look upon, flat and with very little
vegetation. The people, however, are most
interesting. They are curious looking,
short and sturdy, with heavy, stupid faces
that show but little signs of intelligence.
They are very strong and athletic and seem
never to grow tired, no matter what fatigue
they undergo. Some of their bows which
they use in hunting, are so large that a
strong man can scarcely bend them, yet the
Laps use them easily and shoot with won-
derful force and accuracy. I tried one day
to use one of these weapons, but was only
After sev-
eral attempts in which I failed to bend the
laughed at by the sturdy Laps.
bow, a mere boy of nineteen took it from
my hands and shot with wondrous ease.
You would smile at the dress of these
people. They clothe themselves in the skins
of animals or in coarse wool. The women
ANIMALS OF LAPLAND.
290
A VISIT TO LAPLAND.
291
dress like the men—something like the new
‘woman of to-day. The women, however,
tie their hair up in a funny little knot which
distinguishes them. The mothers carry
their babies slung over their backs, much
like our Indians. The houses in which
they live are huts, or more frequently tents,
made of wood with a hole in the top to let
out the smoke. Each tent has two doors,
one for the women and one for the men, for
it is an unlucky sign to meet a Lap woman
coming out of her tent when going ona
Their food is of the coarsest kind,
While not so greedy as
hunt.
but runs to fats.
the Eskimo, the amount of good, fat meat
which a sturdy Lap can dispose of at one
meal would be a surprise to you.
There are some curious customs among
these people. When a young man and
maiden are betrothed, the lucky man must
take a flask of brandy to the girl’s father
whenever he visits her. While the Laps
are very fond of this fiery liquor, it is not
easily secured. As aresult you can be sure
that the father extends the courtship as long
as possible, and the more infatuated the
youth becomes and the oftener he visits his
sweetheart, the better the father likes it.
After the marriage the son-in-law must re-
main and work for the girl’s father a whole
year before he can take her to his home.
During this time the young people are un-
der the control and direction of the girl’s
father,
You all have seen the reindeer, but you
cannot realize his value to these people.
These animals cost their masters nothing
for food, as during the winter they dig down
beneath the snow with their sharp hoofs
for a kind of moss which is very abundant
there and which forms their entire suste-
nance. The Reindeer, as you know, has
long, branching horns. To these the reins
are fastened for driving. They carry bur-
dens and drag sleighs, and will easily travel
100 miles ina day. When the Laplander
wishes to go on a journey, he whispers into
the ear of his reindeer the place to which
he is going as well as the several resting-
places, and firmly believes that the reindeer
understands all he says and will save him
trouble.
den, the reindeer provides the Laplander
The
skins are made into boots, coats, caps and
Besides acting as a beast of bur-
with milk and cheese, as well as meat.
other wearing apparel. The bones are made
into tips for their arrows. The sinews are
made into thread and cord, the horns are
made into spoons, knives and other articles.
Seemingly no part of the animal is wasted.
You can then easily see how highly a herd
of reindeer is valued by the owner. It was
my good fortune to be invited to ride after
one of these fleet animals. It was a cold
day and we wrapped ourselves up well in
the heavy robes before starting. I cannot
| forget how easily and how rapidly the deer
ran, how merrily the bells tinkled, ag we
292
AN EAST INDIAN HOME.
glided along. We rode for a couple of
hours and I could scarcely believe that we
had ridden twenty miles, so easy and pleas-
ant was it.
The Laps find great sport in hunting.
When they depart on their expedition they
strap on their long, canoe-shaped snow-
shoes, with which they move rapidly over
the ground in spite of their heavy garments
and unwieldy implements. Their principal
weapon on these trips is the bow and
arrow, in the use of which they acquire
great skill. They boldly attack bears in the
open ground and the battles are often fierce
Their first effort is to
wound the bear so he cannot escape and
and dangerous.
then fall upon him and finish him with clubs |
and axes. The man so fortunate as to kill
a bear isa hero in the eyes of his compan-
ions. He is feasted for three days by his
friends, has songs sung in his praise, his
prowess is applauded and as a special mark
of distinction he wears a decoration on his
cap ever afterward, as an emblem of his
bravery.
As there are no schools, the children grow
They have
their legends and traditions handed down
up in the densest ignorauce.
from generation to generation which con-
stitute their education. Though not espec-
ially social among themselves, they are quite
hospitable. Outside of the chase they have
but few amusements. Their food is coarse
and simple, they being very fond of fat in
any form, and the amount of fat an able-
bodied Lap can dispose of at a single meal
would cause a panic among ordinary house-
wives.
In spite of their cold, desolate country,
and their cheerless, monotonous life, they
seem happy and contented and add one
more proof to the many others, that man
can get along with very little if compelled
to do so.
AN EAST INDIAN HOME.
OU have told us of the people
+ who live in cold countries,
now tell us of people who live
in hot climates, Uncle Ned,” said Sarah, as
the Culture Club sat waiting for him to get
breath. Uncle Ned thought for a moment
and said: “Get your map and perhaps you
can find the island of New Guinea. Ah, here
it is, lying near the equator and extending
several hundred miles south of that. This
island is worth our study.
It is about four times as large as the six
New England states. Of course, no frost is
known in that region—the trees are always
green, the flowers always blooming, vege-
tation always growing. Here we find the
AN EAST INDIAN HOME.
banana, the palm, and the cocoanut in
abundance, the trees making a beautiful
picture. In surrounding the home of the
East India man, they are chosen not for
ornament and shade but for their fruit.
These fruits are not the most abundant and
cheapest in the island, yet almost any other
could be gotten along without much bet-
ter than they.
The banana is to the East India people
what bread is to the Americans, and is the
staple food of these people and when allow-
ed to ripen on the stalks is much more de-
licious than the fruit we buy here.
The cocoanut not only furnishes them
food, but its oil is used for light and a cool-
ing, pleasant drink is also obtained from it.
The houses in that part of the world are
very much alike. The poorer class—and
those include nearly all the people—build
293
entirely of bamboo and roof with palm
leaves. No sound of hammer is heard in
building these houses, neither are nails
used. A saw and hatchet is all that is
needed. The saw cuts the poles into a re-
quired length. The hatchet splits and
dresses those that are to be used for siding
and floor. The posts are set firmly in the
ground a few feet apart and some eight feet
above the surface. The first and only floor
is laid a few feet above the ground; the raf-
ters are set ata moderate pitch. The poles
and slats are tied together when necessary.
The palm leaf shingles that are then put
upon them are fastened in the same way.
The leaves which are used for this purpose
are from the mangrove; they are long and
narrow and while green are bent over a
stick about three feet. long, so as to lie in
courses. One of these leaf roofs, when laid
well, will last from eight to ten years with-
out leaking. The houses have no windows.
Upon one side is a door that can be opened
and shut at pleasure. This door is made
of basket work and serves to let in the light.
The lower story of the house is never en-
closed. This is, they say, due to a fear of
the overflow of rivers, the fear of wild beasts
and serpents and also the thought that sick-
ness results from living and sleeping on the
ground, It would seem that this mode of
building is rather a habit than anything
else, as in every locality, even where there
is no danger of overflow from water or
294
SPORTS OF SANDWICH ISLANDERS.
where are no serpents or wild beasts, the
houses are built in the same way. Ifa
native is asked why the houses are built so
high, the usual answer is, ‘“ Our houses are
frail and we build high to keep away from
robbers.”
narrow ladder, which by night is drawn up,
The door is reached by a light,
and with the door tied the natives feel quite
secure. No fire is ever built in one of these
dwellings; the cooking is done outside. The
furniture is very meagre indeed; it seldom
exceeds two or three grass mats, a couple of
rush pillows, a rice pot and a frying pan of
earthenware, a betel box and a spittoon.
The cost of these houses is not very great.
They seldom exceed $12 or $15, and one
native reported to his employer, after an
absence of four days, “that he had married
a wife and built and furnished a house, all
at an expense of $6.” Not all the people
of New Guinea are fortunate enough to
have houses. Thousands live, year in and
year out, without a roof of their own to give
them shelter, with only the ground for their
bed and the sky for covering. Nature has
provided so abundantly for these people
that they are but little disposed to provide
for themselves. It is probably due to this
fact that the people are so poverty-stricken.
Nature provides food and warmth and as
no necessity exists to provide for the future
they obey literally the old adage, ‘let to-
morrow take care of to-morrow,’ and are
happy and contented.”
SPORTS OF SANDWICH ISLANDERS.
‘ S we have a little more time to-night,
I want to tell you, ere we close, of
the Sports of Sandwich Islanders,”
said Uncle Ned.
the Sandwich Islands do not have as many
“The simple natives of
_ means of amusement as do the more favor-
ed people of lands of greater civilization,
yet one who has been among them wonders
at the contentment which they get out of
life.
they seem as much at home in the water as
Their favorite sport is swimming, and
on the land. Not only the men but the
women as well spend hours at a time in the
surf of the ocean, sporting like natives of
the deep, with which they too, vie in skill
in swimming. From their infancy children
play in the water and early learn to have no
fear of it. It is amusing to witness these
little ones in the surf. Over and over they
go, rolling, tumbling, splashing, diving, in
a most merry mood. Boys of ten and
twelve become expert swimmers, and it ap-
pears to make but little difference to the
Sandwich Islander whether he is in the
SPORTS OF SANDWICH ISLANDERS. 295
water or on the land so far as locomotion is
concerned. By constant practice they are
enabled to remain under water a long time.
In this way they obtain many valuable
things from the ocean which by those less
expert could be secured only by means of
diving bells. They dive in the water from
heights that to others would seem very dan-
So skillful do they become at div-
ing that if a piece of silver be cast into the
gerous.
water they will dive for it and sieze it be-
fore it reaches the bottom.
They undertake journeys to some of the
neighboring islands or to some of the dis-
tant parts of the same island, swimming the
entire distance and performing their task
with as much ease as we could walk the same
distance by land.
In all other parts of the world the man-
Not
Armed.
eating shark fills bathers with terror.
so with the Sandwich Islanders.
with a knife and stick sharpened at each
end they boldly start out to meet this terror
of the sea. When the shark springs up to
grasp his intended victim the native skil-
fully thrusts this sharpened stick in its
mouth and so prevents the shark from clos-
ing its jaw. Then the islander plunges his
knife into the shark and kills him at his
leisure. This sport would seem a danger-
ous one, but it does not lack excitement,
and the islander gets as much enjoyment
out of it as does the lover of hunting or fish-
ing get from his favorite sport.
The first appearance of ships among these
simple people filled them with amusement.
They gave them the name ‘ Moku,’ meaning
‘islands,’ and seeing them moving about
they looked upon them as living beings and
remained near them much of the time in
the water.
The islanders seem to have no means of
amusement upon the land. Games, such
as are often found among savages, are
entirely wanting with them. If pleasure
is desired a plunge in the surf seems to meet
their desires and they seek nothing further.
To witness them in the water, watch their
antics and skill in diving, floating, treading
water and their speed, brought back the
days of my boyhood, when to go swimming
was my chief delight.”
296 AN ESKIMO VILLAGE.
AN ESKIMO VILLAGE.
Of O.NIGHT we will talk further of my
| travels in the north, with your con-
sent,” said Uncle Ned. “Go on,”
said the children, and Uncle Ned began.
“ Most of us pity those poor people of the
north, whose hard fate has placed them in
one of the dreariest parts of the earth, where
only a few mosses are in the vegetable world;
where it would be almost impossible for
human beings to live were it not for the
food and clothing which the ocean waters
yield so freely. But this land is their own,
the land of their fathers, and they would
not exchange it for our more fertile and
warmer one. In fact, all of these people
who have been brought here by explorers
have been uneasy until they could return
to their own country and their own people.
The Eskimo who live in this cold region
are short of stature, but strong, broad-shoul-
dered men. They have narrow foreheads,
broad, flat noses, with little or no beards.
The hair on the head is long, straight,
coarse and black. Both men and women
possess hands and feet wonderfully small
and well formed. The dress of both sexes
is very much alike, the object being in that
severe climate to keep warm and to have
the clothing as light as possible. They
wear two pairs of trousers, the inner one of
reindeer skin, with the soft fur next the
flesh, and the outer pair of sealskin. They
also wear two jackets made of the same ma-
terial. The outer one has a large hood
which, when drawn up, completely covers
the head, and some times the entire face,
except the eyes. Their hoods are made of
sealskin, lined with reindeer fur,-or the soft,
downy coats of birds. The outer jacket of
the women is usually a little larger than
that of the men, and is provided with an
extra hood in which to carry the babies
when on a journey. In the summer, one of
the first suits is laid aside. Some of the
Eskimo women braid their black, glossy
They tat-
too their foreheads, cheeks and chins, which
hair with much care and taste.
does not add to their beauty.
The Eskimo’s igloo, or house, is built of
The word
means either house or room, but as their
snow and ice, moss and stones.
houses never contain but one apartment,
the word applies equally to both. They are
a wandering people, but during the winter
months occupy their igloo, built of stones,
with moss piled up around and over them,
so that when covered with snow they make
avery comfortable dwelling-place. At other
times the houses are made of blocks of snow,
cut out in regular form with a snow-knife,
which is made of reindeer or musk-ox bones.
The builder first clears the snow away from
AN ESKIMO VILLAGE.
a space large enough for the house, leaving
the solid ice on the bottom for a floor. The
house is built in the form of a dome, usually
All the
cracks and openings are carefully chinked
in with snow. Then water is thrown over
The builders
stand on the inside while working, so that
about ten or twelve feet across.
them and allowed to freeze.
when the dome is finished they are com-
pletely shut in. With the snow-knife they
then cut a door about two feet high on one
side. From this they build out a long, low
passage-way, by which the hut is entered,
and which keeps out the wind and snow,
and lets in air. This opening is seldom
closed, except at night, and then only to
keep out the dogs and wolves. In some
instances small windows are cut in the sides,
and thin pieces of ice used for glass. Often-
times covered passages are built from one
hut toanother. Whenallisdone the house
is banked up with snow for several feet, and
snow thrown lightly over the top. The
snow which is cut out in making the door-
way is used to make a wide bank or shelf
about three feet high along one side of the
This is the family bed, which they
eall breck. Itis the work of the women to
arrange the beds, and prepare the lamps for
light, warmth and cooking. The bed is
first covered with moss to the depth of sev-
hut.
eral inches, and then covered with reindeer
or seal skins. Other skins are sewed to-
gether for covers at night. Couches along
297
the side are made in the same way. The
lamps are of soapstone, much like a clam-
shellinshape. They look more like a dish
than a lamp, and are filled with oil from the
blubber of the whale and seal. Along the
straight edge of the lamp is a wick made of
The
women keep the lamp from smoking, and
keep it supplied with blubber, large pieces
About three
inches from the flame is placed a pot in
moss, which burns quite brightly.
of which are put in the lamp.
which the water for cooking and drinking
is melted and meat stewed. Still above this
hangs a rack upon which stockings, mit-
tens and other garments are allowed todry.
There is no fire except whatis furnished by
the lamps, nor is any other needed. Indeed,
it sometimes gets so warm in the igloo that
the water begins to drip from the ceiling.
At such times one of the women makes a
ball of snow and presses it against the spot,
and possibly puts out one of the lamps.
During their short summer the Eskimo
At this time
they busy themselves in laying up food for
lives in tents made of skins.
winter, having to depend chiefly on fishing
and hunting. Spring gives them a good
chance to spear and catch fish. They also
hunt the reindeer at this time, and capture
large numbers of swan, ducks and geese.
During the month of July they capture a
number of whales, the blubber of which is
carefully taken out and laid aside for winter
use. The walrus and seal are also very im.
298
AN ESKIMO VILLAGE.
portant tothe Eskimo. In the warm spring
days the seals come up through their blow-
The
Eskimo hunter creeps along on his hands
holes to enjoy a quiet nap in the sun.
and knees, and draws himself along the ice
until within easy range, when the shot is
fired which, if in the head or neck, ends
that seal’s life. The Eskimo obtain guns
from exploring and whaling vessels in ex-
Tf the
hunter has no gun he must get close enough
change for asupply of meat or furs.
to kill the seal with a spear. This is very
difficult unless he happens to catch one
asleep, as the seal is very swift in its move-
ments, and has wonderfully sharp eyes. As
summer advances, however, the eyes of the
seal are so blinded by the fierce rays of the
sun that they become slightly blinded, and
are then easily taken. In the winter time
the seals do not come out on the ice, and so
must be hunted through the blow-holes.
At such times, the hunter selects a blow-
hole, and builds around it a sort of an em-
bankment of snow. There he waits for the
seal, which may come in an hour or may not
come within twodays. During all this time
the hunter sits perfectly still. He cannot
walk or move about lest the seal be fright-
ened. Walruses are captured in much the
same way. They areso large, however, that
An
average sized walrus weighs one thousand
two hunters generally go together.
or twelve hundred pounds, and we may
know how valuable they are to the Eskimo
when we remember that every particle is
used, even to the bones. The catching of
a walrus is the occasion of a feast for the
whole village. During stormy weather
these people busy themselves in storing
away the spoils of the hunt. For this pur-
pose they dig a pit, inside of which the meat
is placed and covered with large stones. It
is said that an Eskimo eats on an average
eight or ten pounds of meat a day. When
meat is plenty they often eat four or five
times during the course of a night.
Among these people one family is no bet-
ter off than another. All share the spoils
in common. If one village is well provided
for, and a neighboring village happens to
be without food, by the laws of hospitality
the unfortunate ones must be taken in and
fed as long as they choose to stay, be it
weeks or days. Then, too, the dogs must
be well taken care of, and it often happens
that they get without food and must go
hunting even in severe winter weather.
The women among these people have a
hard life. The men say it is right to whip
the women, as it makes them good, and
when one of these strong Eskimo strikes
his wife it is no love tap, but a blow to stag-
ger a man. Usually the men have two
wives. There are no wedding ceremonies,
the marriage between parties being arrang-
ed while the parties are children. The father
of a boy selects a little girl to be his daugh-
ter-in-law, and buys her from her father for
SAN CARLO THEATER, NAPLES.
299
something—a snow-knife, a sled, or a dog.
When the little girl is grown up she goes
to live with her husband. When going on
a journey the women and children must
walk if the load is too heavy. If the dogs
become tired, the women must be put in
harness and help them, while the men ride
on the sled. Among the Eskimo a good
wife is one whosleeps but little after a hard
day’s march, and who attends constantly to
the wants of her husband. She must look
: carefully over the clothing, and see that it
is dry and properly mended. If at home,
her whole time must be given to making
clothing, cooking, and other household
tasks. idle. When other
tasks are done she busies herself chewing
She is never
skins for clothing to make them pliable.
These people do not have any laws or
officers, yet good order prevails among them
and quarrels are very rare. When a diffi-
culty arises they settle the dispute, usually
by gathering some of the old men together,
who talk the matter over until an agree-
ment is reached. The women are not allow-
Yet in
spite of these hard conditions they are
ed to be present at such times.
cheerful, good-natured, and seem to enjoy
life in that dreary region. They will not
steal among themselves, but it is no shame
to rob a white man. They have, however,
a wholesome fear of punishment, and can
be restrained in that way, an excellent thing
for all concerned.”
SAN CARLO THEATER, NAPLES.
Oe evening as the Gray family sat on
"7 the porch, Mr. Gray said: “ I won-
der, children, if you know about the
theaters of the world, as they are to-day?”
“No!” replied all voices, “tell us about
them, and especially tell us about the larg-
“T think I re-
said Mr. Gray, “of telling you
est theaters of the world.”
member,”
something about the great Opera House in
Paris. It is one of the most beautiful places
of amusement in the world, so to-night I
will tell you something about one of the
largest theaters, which is known as San
Carlo, and is situated at Naples, Italy.
Here many of the Italian operas are per-
formed for the first time, and on this ac-
count, as well as for the seating capacity, it
is known all over the world. The San Carlo
was founded by Charles ITT, in 1337. It is
built differently from almost any other the-
ater in the world, although it is modeled a
little after the order of other theaters of
Europe. In the San Carlo there are six
tiers of boxes, thirty-two boxes in each tier,
running around three sides of the building.
|
| There are no galleries; the stage is a large
008
SAN CARLO THEATER, NAPLES.
SWITZERLAND.
301
one, and usually they have an orchestra
here which comprises from fifty to one
hundred pieces, and is always good. Here
also can be seen a fine ballet, as many as
two or three hundred persons appearing on
the stage at one time. The auditorium of
this building reminds one of our churches,
everything on a plane and not slanting, as
our theaters of America.
There is also a very fine theater at Milan
called the LaScalla, which, although in
seating capacity is smaller, it is noted for
haying a very large stage. These two the-
aters are probably the best adapted for good
singing of any of the theaters of the Old
World. After the performance one evening
we went on the stage of the LaScalla, and
it seemed like an immense house of itself.
All, however, who have ever been in
Chicago and seen the Auditorium need not
feel ashamed of American ability to handle
large audiences. The Auditorium is said
to have the largest seating capacity of any
theater in America, holding something like
7,000 persons. It is very beautiful indeed,
and has a stage sufficiently large to hold
200 persons, giving each one ample room
for easy movements.”
SWITZERLAND.
F OW children, get your maps,” said
Mr. Gray one evening, “and let us
look at the ‘ play-ground of Europe,’
as the little country of Switzerland has been
called. Its charming lakes, its glorious
mountains, its picturesque valleys, its
mighty glaciers and its quaint people have
given it this name. No other land is visit-
ed by a larger number of people, perhaps,
than this, and the gaily-dressed crowds that
throng its places of interest during the year
Not
only is its present pleasing, but its past
make the name seem a fitting one.
speaks to us in deeds which shall never be
The names of Tell and Wink-
elreid, synonyms of liberty and freedom,
forgotten.
have come down to us with a halo which
time cannot dim. What school-boy’s blood
has not coursed more freely through his
veins as he has read, “Make Way for Lib-
erty ” and the story of William Tell? What
mother or teacher but speaks in reverent
tones the names of Pestalotzi or Froebel,
the founders of the ‘kindergarten?’ Child
garden—how apt the term!
In this land we can certainly find some-
thing to amuse and interest, so let us notice
first its position in the heart of Europe,
where, like a fortress, it towers above its
powerful neighbors without yielding up its
This little state,
about the size of Vermont and New Hamp-
independence to them.
'
302
SWITZERLAND.
shire combined, has been the home of a
simple, hardy, liberty-loving race from the
dawn of history. Here Caesar found the
brave Helveti, whose courage, bravery and
determination compelled the Roman legion
to “pass under the yoke,” though they
afterward succumbed to the superior tactics
Here the
seed sown by the Reformation found a fer-
and discipline of Ceesar’s army.
tile soil, and for centuries Protestants and
Catholics waged intestine war, and not until
the beginning of the present century was
peace declared between the two.
Here, too, are found the homes of that
strange, ancient people, “ Lake Dwellers,”
of whom so little is known, so much is left
behind, who left so many traces of their
homes and implements, so little of them-
selves. Thoughts of the past come to us as
we gaze upon this map, but it is of the
present we will speak,
The mountains of Switzerland are noted
for their beauty and grandeur. Other coun-
‘tries can boast of high peaks, or more ex-
tensive ranges, but in no other land has
Nature been more lavish in her display of
the wonderful, the sublime, the picturesque
or the magnificent. The finest peaks are
the Matterhorn, Jungfrau, Mont Cenis, St.
Gothard, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa, the
two latter being the highest peaks in
Europe. Amidst these mountains are those
wonderful rivers of ice called glaciers. The
snow falls on the mountains and gradually
moves down into the valleys as a massive
giant of ice and snow. Some of these
streams are twenty miles in length and three
miles wide. They move from twelve to
twenty inches per day, less than an inch per
hour, and as they plow their way over the
ground they cut out great furrows and carry
with them great masses of rock, stone and
gravel, called moraines. As they get fur-
ther down into the valleys the warm sun
melts the ice as fast as they advance, and
so forms streams varying in size from tiny
It is
indeed a strange sight to see a stream of
mountain rills to small-sized rivers.
water flowing from a glacier, as it has every
appearance of moving from beneath. These
glaciers make great changes in the valleys
through which they pass, as you can well
imagine. The stone and gravel which they
gather can go no further than the point at
which the ice melts, except as they are
crowded on by the moving force behind
them, and as a result we find great masses
of debris here. Along the side of the gla-
ciers also are found rock, stone, dirt and
gravel, some of which is crowded out as the
glaciers move on, and some of which falls
from the top and sides, having been gath-
ered far upin the mountains. The glaciers
are split by great cracks or rents in the ice
and frozen snow, some of which are very
long and hundreds of feet deep. They make
| travel over the glaciers quite dangerous.
To avoid falling and being lost in there
SWITZERLAND.
303
travelers tie themselves together by means
of long ropes and travel some distance apart.
In this way if one falls in the rest can easily
draw him out.
During the summer the people in the
valleys drive their cattle, sheep and goats
up into the mountains to pasture, and it is
a pretty sight to see the herds on the way
browsing along the road-side, accompanied
by the shepherds in their quaint dress. The
tinkling bells make sweet music amidst the
echoing mountains, as you can well imagine,
and when evening comes and the tones of
the herdsmen’s horns mingle with the ryth-
mic bells and sweet sounds fill the air with
melody. ‘Liicse shepherds live in little huts
of wood, called chalets, during the grazing
months, and seldom go into the village be-
low. What a lonely life they must lead,
and yet they are happy and contented. In
the winter the snow makes traveling very
dangerous. At this season the mountains
are deserted save by the good monks, who
dwell there solely to give aid to the travel-
ers who pass. These monks keep large
dogs called, after one of the mountains, St.
Bernards, which are trained to go out in
the snowand find lost travelers. They have
a bottle of brandy tied to their necks, so
that the wanderer may refresh himself, and
oftentimes a small lunch is fastened to the
dog’s neck in the same way. Many a tray-
eler owes his life to the sagacity and intel-
ligence of these noble dogs, as well as to the
kind-hearted hospitality of the monks.
Until a few years ago all travel from valley
to valley was over the mountains, but now
there are several tunnels through them and
travel is much easier as well as less danger-
ous. The people are sober and industrious,
although many visitors have nearly spoiled
some of them. In many cases a traveler is
looked upon as legitimate prey and all sorts
of plans are laid to deprive him of his
money. They are a home-loving people, as
is proved by the small number of Swiss in
any country except Switzerland. Many of
them are skillful workmen, especially in
wood-carving, jewelry-making and weaving.
The watches of Switzerland were for many
years the finest and best made, but as they
were made by hand the cost was beyond
the reach of most people and much of their
trade has passed into the hands of Ameri-
cans.
The cities are interesting beyond descrip-
tion. Here is Basle, a quaint, old town,
with picturesque overhanging roofs, fan-
tastic chimneys and antique turrets and
gables. Around the hotels are parties of
English tourists; many of them, with their
hob-nail boots, knapsacks and knicker-
bockers, are evidently bent on some walk-
ing excursion. Here, too, are the guides,
with their Tyrolese hats and mountain
dress, waiting to be engaged; farming
women, who have come to sell their pro-
duce from the country districts, are quite
304
SWITZERLAND.
unlike anything we have ever yet seen.
Yonder is the cathedral, built of red sand-
stone. It contains many curiosities worth
looking at. Notice the large wooden head;
notice how it rolls its eyes and puts out its
tongue.
Let us to the station and take the cars for
Lucerne. We enter a long, second-class
carriage. Instead of being cooped up like
birds in a cage or pigs in a stye, we can
roam about and sit wherever we like. If
we get tired of being on the inside we can
mount up by steps to the roof and enjoy a
view of the country. The train moves rather
slowly, but we do not mind that. As we
stop at the different stations merry Swiss
girls come with trays full of glasses of frothy
beer, Alpine strawberries and Swiss grapes.
Are they not nice? Here we are at Lucerne.
Notice the
covered wooden bridge over which we are
What a pleasant town this is.
passing, and as we enter see the curious
pictures on the roof. Do youscee that large
lion cut out of the cliff? It is wounded by
a spear and at the point of death, but in its
last moments it is defending a shield which
represents France. This monument is in
memory of the officers and soldiers of the
Swiss Guard who fell in the defense of the
Tuileries at the French Revolution of 1792.
But here is the lake; is it not beautiful?
Yonder is the inn where we are to sleep to-
But first let us take the steamer and
Ts it not like
night.
make our way down the lake.
being in fairyland? The green mountains
come right down to the edge of the water,
and here and there are dotted the pretty
villas and penszons where visitors stay.
There are the market boats, laden with pro-
duce, and little yachts sailing gaily before
the wind. In the far. distance we see the.,,
great mountains, all white with snow, But,,_
as we have time, let us take the train up the,.
Righi; but what a curious train it is—only,,
one carriage. The engine is not attached .
to the carriage in the ordinary way. How..
slowly we go, only three miles an hour, but
the grade is so steep we do not care to go
more rapidly. We pass through the tun-
nels, over the ravine, and on, on up the ;
mountain; every now and then we see par-
ties who are ascending on mules or with
alpenstocks. We wonder if they do not
look with envy at our comfortable carriage
—hbut here we are at the top. Now, as the
sun is shining, let us look at the magnifi-
cent place surrounding us. We cansee the
Lakes of Constance, Zurich and Zug, and
there on the banks of the latter lake is Tell’s
Chapel. Yonder is the Rossberg, famous
for the terrible landslide, which occurred
in 1806, burying four villages, with over five
hundred inhabitants. You can see the
rocks lying in the valley and the side of the
The
beautiful Lake Lucerne is at our feet and
mountain from which the earth fell.
we could almost throw a stone into it; but
What a
let us to the inn and have tea.
SWITZERLAND.
moving sea. All nations of the earth seem
We
have heard of sunrise in the Alps and con-
to have met on top of this mountain.
clude to remain; but we must to bed early,
for the sun rises here at the early hour of
three and we shall not have too much time
'y rest. Wesee a notice on the wall telling
‘sitors not to dress in a blanket when they
9 out to see the sun rise, under a penalty
* two francs. But morning comes too
soon. We are awakened by the noise of a
large horn; it seems villainous to rouse us
so early, but if we want to see the sun we
must be up. We turn out and see people
in all kinds of fancy costumes—some of
them with their hair all covered with feath-
ers, some of them daring the two franc fine
and going out with blankets wrapped around
It is dark
when we go out, but soon we notice, looking
them, like our own Indians.
to the east, a streak of light, and now we
notice a band of gold in the far distance
and soon the highest peaks in succession
become tinged with the rosy hue. Soon
we begin to see the forests, lakes, villages
emerging from the mists, and now the sun
rises in its majesty and floods the whole
scene with his golden light. We have seen
the sun rise and, shivering and shaking, we
go back to the hotel and once more return
to our beds to finish our morning’s sleep.
After breakfast we get our alpenstocks and
What fun
go down the mountain on foot.
it is!
305
Next day finds us at Berne, a picturesque
town on the Aar. Look at the curious
The boat is attach-
ed by a rope and ring to a strong cable
ferry across the river.
thrown across the stream; as the ring slides
along the boat is easily rowed across with-
out fear of its being carried down stream.
Wherever you look you see figures of bears,
Here
is the clock tower; as the clock strikes you
from which the town takes its name.
see the whole troupes of bears come out and
march in procession. This is the bear-pit,
where a number of bears are kept as pets at
public expense. They look pleasant now
as they climb up the poles and take the
buns we offer them, but if we were to go too
near them I am afraid some of us would go
the same way as the buns.
This
is a cheerful town, with nice shops and gar-
We must end our trip at Geneva.
dens. We notice the Rhone, its blue waters
rushing out of the lake on its way to the
sea. The mountains are on the other end
of the lakes; the shores here are low. Do
you see those boats sailing and lying at
anchor at the end of the bay? Those be-
long to the pupils of the Bellrive school.
The boys, in season, have riding-school,
play-ground and gymnasium, and we are
sure they enjoy it all. Yonder, too, is the
lovely village of Clarens, where so many
As far
as one can judge it consists in walking
people come to try the grape cure.
about all day with large bunches of grapes
B06
SWITZERLAND.
in their hands. This is certainly much
pleasanter than taking pills and medicine
and probably of as much benefit to the
Yonder is the castle of Chillon,
You will remember Byron’s poem upon it.
patient.
We can see the dungeon and the pillars to
which the prisoners were chained. Wecan
see the stone floor completely hollowed out
by the unfortunate prisoners’ footsteps, who
paced round and round as far as the length
of their chains would allow them. We
think of these poor men shut up within
these walls. They could look out upon the
lake, see the vessels sail from shore to
shore; they could hear the songs of the
birds, tinkling of the bells as the herds of
cattle were driven home from pasture; they
could smell the fragrance of the flowers and
the scent of the new-mown hay. But these
things were not for them to enjoy; they
were shut up in a living tomb.
We note the homes of the Swiss, the large
projecting roof reaching almost to the
ground on either side. The roofs are of
stout timber cut into tiles and held in place
by large pieces of rock. Stair-cases and
galleries run up the side and enter the liv-
ing room, as very often the ground floor is
used as a large shed toshelter cattle during .
the winter months. Some of these homes
are richly carved, and in almost every one
there is a text of Scripture. The window
sills are filled with flowers, and on the bal-
ustrades flax, hemp and Indian corn are
hung to dry. But let us take to the hotel.
Evening is approaching and we must pre-
pare for a long day’s jaunt to-morrow, of
more than usual interest,” —
ST. BERNARD DOGS OF THE ALPS,
Ares 1
(composition Outlines,
better Writing,
Memory Gems,
Manners,
Things Worth
Remembering.
COMPOSITION EXERCISES.
AR too little time, as a general rule, is given to composition exercises, and, besides,
* the siojects usually given thepupil are of a character to draw out his ideas of
flourish without reg ard to the solid side of the question. We have known
many young men who could invest Spring with all the imagery of the poet, but who
would fail in their attempts to write an every-day business letter. It should be the
duty of every teacher to train his pupils in this style of composition, so thatwhen the
occasion arises they will not feel themselves out of place on these subjects. A little
extra time devoted to business cor- respondence, even though that time be taken
from the space allotted to Algebra or Greek, would, be profitably applied. A perfect
knowledge of the mother-tongue, and a ready application of it in matters of business,
is necessary, and will enter into the sphere of their future occupations. Below is
given subjects and form of a few compositions.
ANIMALS. Variety. Size. Color. Habits. Food,
Class—Herbiverous. Carniverous’ | Intelligence. Story and moral.
Domestic. Wild. Size. Color. Form.
Where found. Characteristics. Disposi- CANDY MAKING.
tion. Habits. Utensils used. Ingredients, how pre-
THE ESQUIMAUX. pared. How worked. Cut. Molded.
Nativity—Generalappearance. Height. Packed. Uses. Exports and Imports.
Build. Features. Complexion. Eyes. BIRTHDAY PARTY.
Manner. Voice. Dress. Occupation. :
Food. Disposition. Habits. Reputation. Ago size appearence oe hose oe
Time. Number present. Games.
DOGS. Luncheon. Manners. Good byes.
Where found. Wild or domestic. | Triphome. Benefits derived.
308
COMPOSITION EXERCISES.
TREES.
Kind. Variety. Where found. Ap-
pearance. Size. Shape. Form of leaf.
Color. How propagated. Uses.
HAIL, SNOW, RAIN.
Causes. Formation. Appearance.
Size. Form. Seen at what season.
Benefit. Danger.
A GLACIER.
Formation. Re-
Disembodied.
Origin of glacier.
newal, how supplied.
Freedom.
TRIP TO EUROPE.
Conveyance. Ship. Ocean. Descrip-
Return Trip.
tion of country. People.
509
A TRIP TO MT. WASHINGTON.
How to dress. Manner of conveyance.
Half-way House. Food on the journey,
Clouds. Temperature—its results on veg-
etation and inhabitants. Characteristics.
Wind. Atmosphere. Signal Service
Station. Return.
GOLD.
Mineral. Appearance. Geographi-
cally situated. Properties. Value. Uses.
How mined.
GREENLAND.
Mode of dress. Man-
Characteristics—Size.
Government.
ner of living.
Build. Features. Complexion. Culture.
The return.
OLD LETTERS.
3lu
THE ART OF LETTER WRITING.
VERY man, woman and child, has thoughts, that he, sometimes, desires to com-
+ municate through the medium of a letter. Hemay have a question to ask, or
favor to grant. In any case, he wishes to write that letter in a pleasant
and agreeable manner. First learn the form, and then write naturally. This means
8UCCESS.
FORM OF A BUSINESS LETTER. FORM OF A SOCIAL LETTER.
To whom addressed. ae
Where addressed.
311
MEMORY GEMS.
jee is truth in action.—Joubert.”
MBITION is not a vice of little people.
— Montaigne.
HINGS past may be repented, but
not recalled.— Livy.
ace
for bread.—Spanish.
IN©
E dog wags his tail not for you, but
sword bites so fiercely as an evil
tongue.—Sir P. Sidnes.
ITHOUT a rich heart, wealth is an
ugly beggar.—Himerson.
SN has many tools, but a lie is a handle
that fits them all. Holmes.
IGOTRY murders religion to frighten
fools with her ghost.— Cotton.
F THE mountain will not go to Ma-
homet, let Mahomet go to the moun-
tain.
T IS better to sit with a wise man in
prison than with a fool in paradise.
— Russian.
RINKING water neither makes a
man sick, nor in debt, nor his wife
a widow.—John Neal.
3
—
UR own heart, and not that of other
men’s opinions, forms our true honor.
—Coleridge.
E must be a wise man himself who is
capable of distinguishing one.—
Diogenes.
ILENCE is a figure of speech un-
answerable, short, cold, but terribly
severe.— Parker.
eee
empire in the heart of God.— Bossuet.
UTH is a queen who has her eternal
throne in Heaven, and her seat of
F THE best man’s faults were written
on his forehead, it would make him
pull his hat over his eyes.— Gaelic.
EN show their character in nothing
more clearly than by what os
think laughable.— Goethe.
They never taste who always drink;
They always talk who never think.
—Prior.
Y taking revenge, a man is but even
with his enemy; but in passing over
it he is superior.—Bucon.
HAVE always observed, that tc succeed
in this world, we must be foolish in
appearance, but in reality wise.—Montes.
quieu.
2
MEMORY GEMS.
313
EN ae gr ee ae ees
N | EVER leave a stranger without a seat.
NTEVER interrupt a person who is
speaking.
EVER correct older people than your-
selves, especially your parents.
LEAN faces, clean clothes, clean boots
and clean finger nails are signs of
good. training.
Ne leave your clothes about the
room. Have “a place for every-
thing, and everything in its place.”
N | EVER overlook any one when read-
ing or writing, nor read or talk
aloud while others are reading.
A HUMBLE, worthy man, who had be-
friended the Prince Consort in early
life, called to see him, and was invited to
come to the family table. He began to eat
with his knife, as he had been accustomed,
and the young people smiled. Prince Al-
pert looked around upon them, as if to say:
R ae WL NZS NZS ZS ¢; =e
\
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NZSARERENIS
6
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VORA AYN
7s
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Reon gee
VGW AW
“ Stop that!” and at once he himself be-
gan to eat with his knife, and did so to the
end of his meal.
After dinner one of the children asked
him why he did so. Prince Albert replied:
“Tt is well enough for us to observe the
etiquette of the day; but it is far more im-
portant to avoid insulting people. I want-
ed my old friend to enjoy his dinner
which he could not if he had seen you
laughing at him. He is accustomed wo
use his knife, and it would be quite diffi-
cult for him to use the fork instead,”
The world
would be happier and better if there were
This was genuine politeness.
more of it.
ANNERS, like conversation, should
be extemporaneous, and not
studied.
meets you with the same perpetual smile
Always suspect the man who
on his face, the same bending of the body,
and the same premeditated shake of the
hand.
alt
MEMORY GEMS.
sp rey
BUSINESS MAXIMS FOR BOYS.
Attend carefully to details.
Best things are difficult to get.
Cultivate promptness and regularity.
Do not seek a quarrel.
Endure trials patiently.
Fight life’s battles bravely.
Tnjure no one’s reputation or business.
Join hands only with the virtuous.
Keep your mind from evil thoughts.
Learn to think and act for yourself.
Never try to appear what you are not.
Observe good manners. 3
Pay your debts promptly.
Respect your word as your bond.
Question no man’s veracity without
cause.
He who follows two hares is sure to
catch neither.
Zealously labor for the right.
Yield not to discouragements.
What is just and honorable, do.
He who fears God need not fear man.
Say “No” firmly and respectfully when
necessary.
Touch not, taste not, handle not the
cup which intoxicates.
Use your own brains rather than those
of others.
Virtue, not pedigree, is a sign of nobil-
ity.
Extend. to every one a kindly saluta-
tion.
Do good and throw it into the sea; if
the fish know it not the Lord will.
Falsehood may be a thick crust, but in
course of time truth will find a place to
break through.
VIRTUES THAT BRING SUCCESS.
WORKS.
LESSED is the man who has found
let him ask no other
his work;
blessedness. Know your work and do it,
and work at it like Hercules. One mon-
ster there is in the world—the idle man.
PERSEVERANCE.
ERSEVERANCE
equal genius in its results.
sometimes
“ There
are only two creatures,” says the Eastern
can
proverb, “that can surmount the pyra-
mids—the eagle and the snail.”
MEMORY GEMS.
PUSH.
WISE man will never rust out.
life he will be doing something for him-
Washing-
ton, Franklin, Howard, Young, Newton,
self, his country or posterity.
all were at work almost to the last hours
of their existence.
FAITHFULNESS.
_J ONEST, earnest faithful work in any
direction is one of the chief educa-
Without it, and the
discipline it gives, no one can hope to at-
tors of character.
tain to any worthy development.
PATIENCE.
‘HERE is a sublimity in patience.
To do a thing, and, when needed, to
keep doing it, to wait for the desired
end, not sluggishly, but diligently, if nec-
essary, nor despondingly, but ever with
a brave hope—this is grand character.
SOBRIETY.
HE three virtues of temperance, thrift
and religion, which are within the
reach of every man, will secure, in this
age, almost every desirable object for any
family, and scores of objects which no leg-
islation whatever can secure without indi-
vidual temperance, thrift and religion. A
temperate man is a standby on all oc-
casions, a thrifty man is a man of am-
bition, and a religious man is a God-send
to our country.
As.
long as he breathes the breath of
315
EXPERIENCE.
HE experience of failure is one tha}
comes in greater or less degree to
every one at times; trying the metal and
probing the character as no prosperity
ever can do.
CALAMITY.
IMES of general calamity and confu-
sion have ever been productive of the
greatest minds. The purest ore is pro-
duced from the hottest furnace, and the
brightest thunderbolt from the darkest
storm.
INDUSTRIOUS.
EISURE is a very pleasant gar-
ment to look at, but it is avery bad
one to wear.
be traced to it.
FRAGMENTS.
IND together your spare hours by
The ruin of millions may
the cord of some definite purpose,
and you know not how much you may
accomplish. Gather up the fragments
of your time that nothing can be lost.
CHARACTER.
HARACTER cannot grow in the
dark; it needs the brightening and
vitalizing influence of intelligence to de-
Char-
acter, too, needs trials and afflictions in
velop it into fullness and richness.
order to bring out the depth and purpose
of a man, before his reat worth can be
measured,
316
MEMORY GEMS.
TO THE BOYS.
ie you count the sunny and cloudy days
of the whole year, you will find that
the sunshine predominates.
ROSS, insinuating. or reproachful
words hurt worse than the cut of a
knife, and will be longer in healing.
eee the truth—the open, bold, honest
truth —always the wisest, always
the safest, for every one in any and all
circumstances.
ULTIVATE forbearance till your |
heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray
for a short memory as to all unkind-
nesses.— Spurgeon.
Ce) manners are a part of every
little: boy’s and girl’s education.
Without them you will not be loved or
welcomed among others.
EMEMBRER, boys, that ten thousand
of the greatest faults in our neigh-
bors are of less consequence to us than
one of the smallest in ourselves.
WWeee is there whom contact with a
great soul will not exault? A
drop of water upon the petal of a lotus
glistens with the splendors of the pearl.
aeaeee are four good mothers who:
have four bad daughters: Truth
hath hatred; prosperity hath pride; security
hath peril, and familiarity hath contempt.
PAs say ‘Yes, sir,” “No, sir,”
“Yes, father,” ‘No, mother,”
“Thank you,” ‘Good night,” “Good
morning,” “Excuse me.” Use no slang
words.
‘HERE is this difference between hap-
piness and wisdom—he that thinks
himself the happiest man is really 0,
but he that thinks himself the wisest is
generally the greatest fool.
ABE art of forgetting is hard to learn
where it is most in request. Itis the
happy past that makes a happy present,
and together they give pledge of a happy
future—a threefold cord which is not easily
broken.
BES the Breton mariner goes out
to sea, his prayer is, “Keep me,
my God; my boat is so small, and Thy
ocean is so wide.” Does not this beauti-
ful prayer truly express the condition of
each of us?
INES be not ashamed of an humble
home or an humble occupation;
be not ashamed of poverty, or even of a
small amount of natural endowments; but
you may well be ashamed of misspent time
and misdirected talents.
a) O38 come to us like blossoms, and we
think we have them; and then when,
MEMORY GEMS.
317
1ike blossoms, they fall, we think we have
lost them, although the seed or shadow is
left;but they are not gone because they
have passed through a particular period of
their development.
Bee is not yesterday; we ourselves
change. How can our works and
thoughts, if they are always to be the
fittest, continue always the same? Change,
indeed, is painful, yet ever needful, and if
memory have its force and worth, so, also,
has hope.
E crave good gifts—wealth, per-
But do
Responsi-
haps, or fame, or love.
we think what they mean?
bility; and responsibility means work and
self-denial. Happiness is the unknown
quantity which iscontinually working itself
out hy holding to these. If we would
THINGS WORTH
CHEERFULNESS AN
TO CHARACTER.
ULTIVATE Cheerfulness, if only for
You will do and
bear évery duty and burden better by be-
INDEX
personal profit.
ing cheerful. It will be your consoler
in solitude, your passport and recommen-
dation in society. You will be more sought
after, more trusted and esteemed for your
steady cheerfulness. The bad and vicious
have wealth, fame or love, we must expect
to work.
HE culture of a man is more seen in
the nature of his heart than anywhere
else. The heart is cultivated, not when
our affections are allowed to evaporate in
dumb show, but when our emotions are
transmitted into life. Here is the great
difference between sentimentalism and
genuine Christian feeling.
EOPLE who live at a distance are
naturally less faulty than those
immediately under our own eyes; and it
seems superfluous, when we consider the
remote geographical position of the Ethio-
pians, and how very little the Greeks had
to do with them, to inquire further why
Homer calls them “blameless.”
REMEMBERING.
may be boisterously gay and vulgarly
humorous, but seldom or never truly
cheerful. Genuine cheerfulness is an al-
most certain index of a happy mind and a
pure heart.
TRIFLES.
apse massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
_And thus some seeming pettiest chance
Oft gives our life its after-tinge.
| Chings Never Done.
Greater deeds than have ever been seen,
Brighter songs than the poet has sung,
Are the things that are dreamed and tried, I ween,
But which have never been done.
The fairest picture the artist can paint
Ts hung on the wall of his brain:
On his canvas rests but the shadow faint
Of what he wished to attain.
Above success hovers ever the thought,
_ Marring sadly its bliss;
Better than this was the thing I sought—
Better, far better than this!
For, strive as we may, we cannot grasp
The visions that lure us on—
They are ever held in our mental clasp,
And our best is never done.
But this fancy does oft my senses woo:
That perhaps in the world to come
We shall find the things we have tried to do,
But which have never been done.
318
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