There is a very patent moral to this "Canterbury tale." It reads about as follows: Twenty-five years after the Canterbury persecution, its repetition would have been an impossibility. Twenty-five years after the Quitman persecution—or any other acts, in any southern state, of like character—what?

Let us, who are only fifty years away from similar deeds at our own doors, go our way, doing the works of charity, humanity, patriotism, and wait and see.

For present wrongs atonement comes in bitter tears, By children shed for deeds of sires in other years; Brute passion rules but for a day, then hides its head, And justice, born of love and mercy, rules instead.

* * * * *

Archdeacon Farrar, in a recent article in the North American Review, pays a tribute to the virtues of the founders of New England which has been rarely excelled in fervor of rhetoric and laudatory statement by the most gifted of after-dinner orators among the sons of Puritans and Pilgrims.

"Those virtues," he says, "gave to James Otis and to Patrick Henry the prophet's tongue of flame. They nerved the arm of Washington in battle, and kindled the embattled farmers to fire 'the shot heard round the world.' They kindled the eloquence of Phillips and the song of Longfellow. They gave to Abraham Lincoln the faith at whose bidding a hundred thousand men sprang to their feet as one—the faith which brightened the six and thirty stars round the forehead of liberty, and flung the broken fetters of the last slave beneath her feet. If the church keep the people in their allegiance to those awful virtues, America shall still be the enlightener of the nations, the beautiful pioneer in the vanguard of the progress of the world. But if she spread a table to Fortune, or enshrine Mammon above her altars, if her commerce become dishonest, and her press debased, and her society frivolous, and her religion a mere twilight of wilful and self-induced delusion—she in her turn shall fall like Lucifer, son of the morning, and the double oceans which sweep her illimitable shores shall only plash to future empires a more sad, a more desolate, and a more unending dirge."

We suspect that this eloquence is expressive not only of impartial admiration, but of the pride that is partial. The parties concerned have common interests in the matter of grandfathers.

The presidential message has met, as might have been anticipated, with a very varied reception from the great political parties, from the many-minded press, and from what may be designated the non-partisan or politically colorless section of the American people. Nor has it been more fortunate in securing unanimity of judgment as to its political merits and significance from the public organs which reflect with more or less precision and exactitude the opinions of the great community of nations on the other side the Atlantic. Party feeling, unless it be of a very enlightened, patriotic, and unselfish kind, is apt to breed the worst types of mental perversity, and give birth to paradoxes of the most startling character. And when a great national document, discussing matters vital to the well-being, prosperity and political advancement of the republic is declared by one influential paper to contain "no pregnant thought of statesmanship, no conspicuously original idea, no new issue to inspire discussion in Congress and among the people," and by another equally competent to frame a judgment to be "a model of good English, and forcible statement," while a third hesitates not to pronounce it "a message that will rank among the best documents of its kind," one naturally wonders what can be the cause of this curious conflict of sentiment; and after looking at the matter for a moment one is driven to the conclusion that the reference of the phenomenon to an invincible and uncompromising party sentiment is probably as scientific, comprehensive, and correct an explanation as any that can be thought of.

We are not disposed, however, to discuss the general merits of the recent message. We will only say that, in our opinion, the patriotic American citizen, whatever political party may enjoy his allegiance and support, will never have reason to complain—nay more—will never be without just occasion to feel proud of his country so long as she can produce a style of statesmanship, and a power of political exposition like those displayed by the present Chief Magistrate of the Republic.

* * * * *

One noteworthy excellence President Cleveland's message possesses, which has not excited as much remark as it deserves: we allude to the strenuous endeavor it exhibits to maintain, in spite of some recent difficulties, a peaceable and friendly attitude towards European nations, particularly Italy and Austria. It is not too much to hope that the conciliatory yet dignified tone and temper of the message in this regard may do something as a conspicuous example, to abate the war frenzy, and cool the morbid passion for "gunpowder and glory," which has been such a disturbing and dangerous element in European statesmanship and diplomacy for many years past, and is perhaps more menacing to the quiet of the world and the peaceful advancement of civilization at the present moment than at any period since the days of the first Napoleon. Occupying her proud and promising position between the two great oceans; commanding, as a consequence, these great highways of "commerce, trade and travel"; enjoying a stretch of territory which not only affords scope for unlimited development of her great resources in a hundred different directions, but also acts as a check to any passion that might arise for territorial annexation or conquest; separated from the older nations by thousands of miles, she can afford to regard with comparative indifference the exciting game of European politics, and contemplate the deep designs of jealous and jarring diplomatists without any fear that her own house may catch fire.

* * * * *

There is, after all, something deeply pathetic in the terrible necessity which exposes persons of wealth, culture and exalted station to the unpitying penalties of greatness. A lesson ever needed, ever present, and yet constantly disregarded and defied, has just received a new and somewhat startling illustration in the sudden death of the amiable daughter and much-beloved wife of Secretary Bayard. Can it be necessary that society should sacrifice its brightest ornaments, and literally do itself to death, in order to maintain its existence? "Come ye yourselves into a desert place, and rest a while," reveals a law of health and happiness as inexorable and exacting in its demands, and as universal in its sway and scope, as any at work in the frame of material nature. Let us learn the truth and value of this ancient hint over the tear-bedewed grave of Kate Bayard.

Still streams Oft water fairest meadows, and the bird That flutters least is longest on the wing.

* * * * *

The inevitable sequel of the English Parliamentary elections has come a little sooner than the twin foes of Lord Salisbury's ministry had ventured to anticipate. The "Constitutional" party, as English Toryism loves to style itself, has suffered signal and humiliating defeat, after a brief and precarious career of a few months; and the collapse is quite as complete as it is sudden. Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Parnell on the one hand, and the Marquis of Salisbury and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach on the other, must have been equally unprepared for what has happened. The Queen, caring not to conceal her political predilections, hesitated not to give her ostentatious approval and powerful endorsement to Tory management by consenting to open Parliament, as she had previously done for Lord Beaconsfield after his return from Berlin. A phenomenally large and brilliant assemblage of dukes, marquises, earls and viscounts, at Lord Salisbury's parliamentary dinner had made a similar attempt, a few days before, to awe and fascinate by a spectacle of pomp and pageantry the too impressionable Briton. Nothing has been omitted that could in any way buttress the insecure and tottering fabric of aristocratic power. But as the ancient sage shrewdly observed, dementation is the prelude of doom; "whom the gods destroy they first infatuate." The representatives of the nation have taken the earliest opportunity that offered itself of rebuking this formidable attempt to over-ride by an ill-advised and illegitimate use of the "favor of the sovereign" the definitely declared will of the British people. The last Parliament was exceptionally rich in the display of character, in humorous and dramatic incident, and in unrehearsed and unpremeditated scenes of every kind; but undoubtedly the most striking and startling of its scenes was that of the younger Tories, unexpectedly triumphant, hailing with frantic joy and exultation the fall of the Gladstone government. The event was a surprise to both sides of the House, a surprise all the greater as up to the very moment of the appearance of the "tellers" on the floor of the House, no one doubted that the ministry had sufficient strength and vigor to withstand the blow that was aimed at its life. "Lord Kensington," to quote the words of an eye-witness, "came in hurriedly with a face set into determined absence of expression, and sat down by Mr. Gladstone. A few moments more and the paper was handed to Mr. Winn (Conservative whip) amid the loudest outbreak of cheering that the House of Commons has heard for more than a generation. Wild with delight, Lord Randolph Churchill actually leapt on to the bench, waving his hat with the enthusiasm of a schoolboy. His friends clustered round him, caught at him, drew him down, but could not restrain him from the vehement expression of his delight. The example was contagious. The whole House to the left of the speaker roared and shouted and thundered and waved its hats and clapped its hands in a frenzy of general delight. Their hour at last had come, and the fate of the ministry was sealed." Alas for human short-sightedness! How sad a thing the much-vaunted triumph has proved after all.

In little more than seven months the power so greedily snatched at has slipped from their grasp like the shadow of a dream. "They laugh best who laugh last." To the aristocracy and land-owning class generally, both of England and Ireland, the fall of the Tory government will be a cause of apprehension. By the majority of the British public it will be welcomed. The Liberals, as a political party, will, for a time at least, feel embarrassed by the event, while the Parnellites will regard it—whether rightly or wrongly, time alone can tell—as another important step toward the ultimate success of their cause and the consummation of their hopes.

* * * * *

No one who heard the interesting address of the president of the Bostonian Society, Mr. Curtis Guild, at its fourth annual meeting, recently held at its rooms in the Old State House, Boston, could have failed to feel a renewed interest in American history, as especially emphasized by the preservation of interesting memorials.

This Society, the successor of the Boston Antiquarian Society, with a membership of between four and five hundred, is making itself felt in various ways in thus making practical the belief that a "visible relic of the past"—as Mr. Guild expressed it—-"tends to emphasize and strengthen an historic fact." He well illustrated this idea when he further said (and who that listened did not thrill with true patriotism?), "The walls that are about you are the self-same that existed at the time of the Boston Massacre; the windows the self-same openings—here, where the Declaration was read in 1776, and the Proclamation of Peace, in 1783; there, where Washington, in 1789, reviewed the procession in his honor. Within these very walls some of the greatest events of American history have occurred and the greatest and most notable men who figured in those events been gathered together."

Without doubt, this Old State House is the most genuine relic of the Revolution, now in existence. And the Society, in daily opening its rooms, with their historical possessions, free of charge, is offering to the public rare educational privileges which it should gratefully use and appreciate.

* * * * *

While the Bostonian Society is doing its special work of preserving historical objects and places from the hand of the ruthless destroyer, the Webster Historical Society, organized in 1878, is doing a parallel work in preserving for future generations the fame, work, and true spirit of America's foremost statesman and constitutional law-giver, Daniel Webster. Of course, such a work necessarily leads to a deep and practical interest in everything pertaining to America's political and national life to which the great man was so devoted. This Society, which has its headquarters in another old landmark of Boston, the Old South Meeting-House, has now a membership of twelve hundred, who are found in all parts of the country. The customary annual address, on the anniversary of Webster's birthday, January 18, is generally one of marked interest; notably so was the one of January, 1884; which, as afterwards published by the Society, was noticed by deep-thinkers, with perhaps more genuine interest than any other modern pamphlet of its size.[F] The address at the annual meeting of this year was given before a large and intelligent audience in the historic meeting-house by Rev. Thomas A. Hyde upon Daniel Webster as an orator. Mr. Hyde's special study of the physical, mental, and expressional qualities which go to make an orator gave weight to the address. The aims and purposes of the Webster Historical Society are such as to command the sympathetic help of all American citizens in whatever direction it may labor.

* * * * *

It is to the credit of American womanhood that the presiding mistress of the White House is one who, while she is making history, is so intelligently in sympathy with everything connected with it. Her sensible ideas of the subject as revealed in the chapter on History in her recently published book, "George Eliot's Poetry, and other Studies," indicate a mind capable of seizing the essential facts and seeing in them the divine spark. "We must take the event as a starting point, and travel from it to the man and men behind it." And again, "Let us realize that history is the shrine of humanity, humanity essential in its essence in past, present, future, wherein is stored the ego—the thou and the I."

She gives another thought worthy to be quoted and read by itself.

"Nowhere more than in the study of history is it needful to 'put yourself in his place'—i. e., to carry to the making of an image of the person whose form you seek to confront, those general and common ingredients which go to make up each man. When you have carried to him that much of yourself which is common to you both, you will, by this, be qualified to detect that in him which is himself strictly and not yourself; and so to a man you will add the individuality of the man and have what you seek.... Nowhere more than in history does it 'take a thief to catch a thief.'"

Miss Cleveland illustrates this in some essays which follow, where she carries herself back to "Old Rome and New France," to Charlemagne, to Joan of Arc, and other suggestive epochs.

* * * * *

In her essay on "Old Rome and New France," Miss Cleveland calls the Middle or Dark Ages, the Twilight Age. "It seems to me," she says, "that this period is not suggestively named when called the Middle Ages, nor accurately named when called the Dark Ages, but that both suggestion and accuracy combine in that view which denominates it as a Twilight Age. An idea which certainly embodies much of truth."

FOOTNOTES:

[F] John Adams, the Statesman of the Revolution, by Hon. Mellen Chamberlain, LL.D.



EDUCATION.

It cannot but be regarded as a wholesome and altogether welcome sign of the times that the science and methods as well as subject-matter of education are becoming increasingly popular questions, receiving a considerable share of attention, and inviting a more close, careful, and comprehensive study. Here, however, it happens, as it does in many other things: the difficulties of the problem multiply exactly in proportion to the clearness and completeness of our apprehension of what ought to be done, and the earnestness of purpose with which we address ourselves to the doing of it. Most of the troubles of human life, especially those of the most serious and pressing sort, are of a purely practical character, to be met and mastered, not with improved theory, but with better directed action. It is, of course, impossible to over-rate the value of right principles and correct methods of procedure. Light may be undervalued, neglected, despised; but it can never lead astray. On this account, every intelligent suggestion in the direction of educational reform should be listened to. But, on the other hand, there is great danger of too much emphasizing the need of change, and of forgetting how much the value and efficiency of any given scheme depends on the ability, wisdom, and earnestness of those who apply and administer it. One specialist insists, with great force of argument and convincing earnestness of spirit, on the need of devoting more attention to the training and development of the business faculty in the up-growing youth of the age. He looks at the matter from the side of an experienced, active, and successful man of business. Another is convinced that the spirit and tendency of the age make the study of the elements of physical science imperative. The paramount claims of history are urged by a third. A fourth considers a course of education essentially deficient which does not provide for a thorough study of the principal modern languages. While a fifth, with a view of securing at once an economy of study and a unity of knowledge, is inclined to think the time has come when children should be taught the rudimentary principles of the Spencerian philosophy, so that they may see how the several branches of their study stand related to each other.[G]

Now, while much of this only tends to confuse rather than to solve an already too-complicated question, it also shows how increased activity of thought and thoroughness of purpose bring us face to face with difficulties of whose existence we had scarcely a suspicion. The more we accomplish, the more there is to challenge our courage, skill, and capabilities. Improved machinery, reformed methods, accumulated experience, with increased ability and aptitude on the part of teachers, cannot fail to advance the problem of popular education nearer to a satisfactory solution; but we must never allow ourselves to forget that many of the most important elements that contribute to the success of teaching are not at the command of the teacher. Education has to do with mind and character; and these are very subtle things, and exceedingly difficult to deal with; and success depends on many things that can never be incorporated in a theory or scheme of education, or in any curriculum of studies.

FOOTNOTES:

[G] This newest educational suggestion appears in a vigorous and thoughtful paper on "Education and a Philosophy of Life," in the January number of Education.



HISTORICAL RECORD.

[By sending to the editor brief contributions suitable for use in this department, readers will greatly add to its completeness and value.]

MAINE:

Dec. 22.—Meeting of the Maine Historical Society in Portland, President James W. Bradbury in the chair. A communication from Curtis M. Sawyer, of Mechanics Falls, called attention to the fact that traces of Indian settlements in Maine are now disappearing, and suggested that some means should be taken to mark sites of Indian villages and shell-heaps. The Rev. Henry O. Thayer read a paper on Popham colony. E. H. Elwell read a paper on the "British View of the Ashburton Treaty, and the Northeastern Boundary Question;" the Hon. Joseph Williamson on "The Rumored French Invasion of Maine in 1798;" the Rev. Dr. Burrage on "Additional Facts concerning George Waymouth;" Dr. Charles E. Banks on "The Administration of William Gorges from 1636 to 1637." The original diploma of the Society of the Cincinnati, signed by George Washington and General Knox, was exhibited by Thomas L. Talbot. B. F. Stevens, of London, who has for many years collected documents relating to the Revolution, and negotiations of that period, requested that the attention of Congress be called to these manuscripts, and an effort be made to have the government purchase them. It was voted to refer the matter to a standing committee with power. It was also voted that the subject relating to the limits of Indian towns be left to a standing committee.

* * * * *

MASSACHUSETTS:

Dec. 21.—Forefather's Day was appropriately celebrated in many places. At Plymouth, addresses were delivered by Hon. Thomas Russell, President of the Pilgrim Society, James Russell Lowell, Rev. George E. Ellis, D. D., Dr. Henry M. Dexter, Judge Charles Levi Woodbury, and others.

Dec. 22.—Dedication of new public library building in Chelsea, the gift of Eustace C. Fitz. An eloquent dedicatory address was delivered by James Russell Lowell.

Dec. 24.—Streets of Lawrence lighted for the first time by the incandescent electric light.

Jan. 6.—Annual meeting of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Marshall P. Wilder was re-elected President, and Grover Cleveland was made an honorary member. The following were elected to fill vacancies in the old board of officers: Vice-president, Horace Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; honorary vice-presidents, Charles C. Jones, of Savannah, Ga., and W. F. Mallalieu, of New Orleans, La.; director, John F. Andrew, of Boston; committee on heraldry, John K. Clarke, of Needham; committee on library, Walter Adams, of Framingham; committee on papers and essays, Waldo Burnett, of Southboro, Alexander Williams, of Boston. The report of the treasurer showed: Income of the past year, $3,637.92; expenditures, $3,510.61; present balance, $127.31; total of the building fund, $25,028.19; total of all funds, $66,610.23. The librarian's report showed: Addition of books by purchase, 121; by gift, 401; present total, 20,778; pamphlets purchased, 30; gifts, 1848. Present total, 64,604. Nathaniel F. Safford offered a resolution of thanks to Mr. Wilder for his services in general to the society, and in particular for his persevering personal efforts during the past few years by which he has obtained, not merely the subscriptions of his friends, but the payment thereof for the building fund of the society, so that the money, about $25,000, is now on deposit, and at the society's disposal. The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote.

Meeting of Massachusetts Legislature. President Pillsbury of the Senate, Speaker Brackett, of the House, and Clerks Gifford and Mr. Laughlin were re-elected. Captain J. G. B. Adams, of Lynn, was elected Sergeant-at-Arms.

Dec. 12.—Annual meeting of the Bostonian Society. The following were chosen directors for the coming year: Thomas C. Amory, William S. Appleton, Thomas J. Allen, Joshua P. Bodfish, Curtis Guild, John T. Hassam, Hamilton A. Hill, Samuel H. Russell, and William Wilkins Warren. The report on the library showed a total of 520 volumes, and many pamphlets not yet enumerated, being an addition of 184 volumes, and 126 pamphlets during the year. The report of the treasurer showed: Balance of last year, $3,857.85; receipts, to make a total of $4,736.65; expenditures, to leave a present balance of $1,992.23. It was announced that Mr. D. T. V. Huntoon, the secretary and treasurer, declined a re-election, being about to take a journey for the benefit of his health. The vacancy was not filled.

Jan. 14.—Monthly meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Dr. Green, as one of the executors of the will of John Langdon Sibley, read that part of the will in which he has constituted this society the residuary legatee of nearly all his estate. This amount is by far the largest sum of money ever given or bequeathed to the society, and will place the name of Sibley among the greatest benefactors of historical research. It was voted that a committee consisting of Judge Hoar, Mr. Cobb, and Professor E. C. Smyth be appointed to consider and report to the society what action should be taken in view of this munificent bequest.

Mr. R. C. Winthrop, Jr., communicated thirty-two letters, written between 1693 and 1699, from General Lord Cutts to Colonel Joseph Dudley, then lieutenant-governor of the Isle of Wight, and afterward governor of Massachusetts. They contain incidental reference to William of Orange, and many public men of that period, as well as to the campaign of the allied army in Flanders, and the evident sincerity and soldierly bluntness of the writer renders them quite entertaining. Lord Cutts was not merely a famous commander, but a poet, and his verses are quoted by Horace Walpole. Mr. Winthrop expressed a desire to learn where a picture of him might be found, and he discussed the authority and probable date of various portraits of Governor Joseph Dudley, and his wife, Rebecca Tyng.

Mr. Appleton spoke of the flag carried by the minute-men of Bedford to Concord, on the 19th of April, 1775, a photograph of which had been exhibited at the last meeting. It was originally designed in England in 1660-70 for the three county troops of Massachusetts, and became one of the accepted standards of the organized militia of this State, and as such was used by the Bedford company. Mr. Appleton said that in his opinion this flag far exceeds in historic value the famed flag of Eutaw and Pulaski's banner, and, in fact, is the most precious memorial of its kind of which we have any knowledge.

The Hon. R. C. Winthrop presented from the Hon. John Bigelow, of New York, late minister to France, and author of an elaborate life of Franklin, five old maps, on one of which the name of this city is spelled Baston, and on another Briston.

Mr. Windsor made a communication in reference to a ditch and embankment found in Weston, at the confluence of Stony Brook and Charles River, which indicate, it has been lately said, that a trading post and fort were erected there by the French in the early part of the sixteenth century. He gave reasons for the opinion that these relics may mark the site of an early attempt to found the town of Boston there, since soon after the arrival of Winthrop at Salem he set out for Charlestown, whence, with a party, he explored the neighboring rivers for a convenient spot to found their town, and discovered such a place "three leagues up Charles River." Dr. Palfrey, who seems not to have known of the existence of these remains, says that the spot must have been somewhere in Waltham or Weston, and most likely near the mouth of Stony Brook.

Mr. Winsor also read a paper in which he referred to a statement which had appeared in several popular histories, that, during the eight years of the Revolutionary War, the thirteen colonies sent two hundred and thirty-two thousand men to the Continental army. He traced the origin of this extravagant statement. In 1790, General Knox, then Secretary of War, presented to President Washington a report on the number of troops furnished during the war. He showed the number credited to the several States, making no distinction between those who served for a shorter or a longer period, and he did not tabulate his separate statements for each year into one including the whole war. This was done, however, in the first volume of the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections, and the error was copied by many subsequent publications. It was afterwards said in explanation, that these figures denoted enlistments or years of service, and not men. The truth of the matter is that these figures are worthless as representing the number of men which made up the Continental line, or the years of actual service, and their only value is as enabling us approximately to judge how much more or less relatively one State contributed than another to the military force that gained our independence.

* * * * *

RHODE ISLAND:

Dec. 17.—The committee appointed by the Providence City Council to consider what action should be taken by the city government for the proper observance of its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, submitted its report. The committee is of the opinion that the celebration should consist of a festival lasting two days. It is recommended that the first day be devoted to literary and historical exercises in the First Baptist Meeting-House, with an historical address giving a complete history of the city, together with appropriate odes, poems, and music. The committee recommends that on the second day there be a grand trades procession representative of the past and present industries of Providence; also an elaborate military and civic parade; that, in the afternoon, balloon ascensions, band concerts, and other amusements be provided for the people, and that the celebration be brought to a termination by a grand display of fireworks in the evening. As the best historical authorities name the date of the founding of Providence as between the 20th and 25th of June, the committee is of the opinion that the 23d and 24th should be selected. This suggestion is made also in view of the fact that the 24th of June will be observed as a festival day by the French residents, and the Masonic Fraternity. It is proposed that the city appropriate $10,000 for the observance, and that the State legislature be requested to make a further appropriation of $5,000.

* * * * *

CONNECTICUT:

Jan. 6.—The Legislature organized by electing Stiles T. Stanton, President pro tem. of the Senate, and John T. Tibbets, of New London, as Speaker of the House.

The article on the Wayte family, in the January number of the NEW ENGLAND MAGAZINE, has provoked much pleasant comment in Lyme, the birthplace and summer home of Chief Justice Waite, and New London, the residence of Hon. John T. Wait.

The History of Hartford County in two splendid volumes, press of Ticknor & Co., of Boston, is now being printed, and will be ready for delivery in a few weeks.

* * * * *

VERMONT:

Six young men, playing Spanish mandolins, guitars, and harps, says the Chicago Herald, Jan. 18, sat in the balcony of one of the banquet halls at Kinsley's last evening. Below the musicians, and seated at an E-shaped table were two hundred and fifty elderly gentlemen, members of the Illinois Association of the Sons of Vermont, who were destroying their ninth annual banquet. Pots filled with pork and beans, huge pumpkin pies, and large blocks of brown bread were spread before the banqueters. Glass fruit-dishes piled high with ruddy winter apples and little dishes overflowing with cracked hickory nuts came later, and then all these good things were washed down with cider and claret. The toasts were: "Vermont," H. N. Hibbard; "Clergymen of Vermont," Rev. G. N. Boardman; "Stumps of Vermont," E. B. Sherman; "The Star that never sets," W. W. Chandler. After the speech-making, Jules Lombard, robed in black and wearing a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles upon the breast of his Prince Albert coat, sang "America" and a pretty Scottish serenade. Among those present were E. G. Keith, II, P. Kellogg, O. S. A. Sprague, R. S. Smith, Gen. H. H. Thomas, H. N. Hibbard, George Chandler, Harvey Edgerton, Dr. C. N. Fitch, E. A. Jewett, Col. Arba N. Waterman, E. B. Sherman, John M. Thatcher, A. W. Butler, Frank Deinson, H. N. Nash, John M. Southworth, George W. Newcombe, and S. W. Burnham.



NECROLOGY.

December 15.—Samuel Dyer, a pioneer in the anti-slavery movement, died at South Abington, Mass., aged seventy-eight years. He was intimately associated with Wendell Phillips and Garrison as an abolitionist, and at one time held the office of president of the anti-slavery society of Plymouth county. He was among the first to aid and assist Frederick Douglass. When George Thompson, of England, became identified with the anti-slavery movement, his intercourse with Mr. Dyer began, and they worked together in the cause for many years. He had been a prominent business man of the town and had held several public offices.

On the same day died at his home in Cambridge, Mass., James C. Fisk, ex-president of the Cambridge Railroad Company. He was born in Cambridge in 1825, and always lived in that city. He was President of the Fiskdale Mills, at Sturbridge, Mass. Mr. Fisk was president of the common council two years, 1858-9.

December 20.—Frederic Kidder died in Melrose, Mass., aged eighty-one years. He was born in New Ipswich, N. H., and was formerly engaged in the cotton trade in Boston. He was a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and published several historical works.

December 22.—Rev. Daniel James Noyes, D. D., Professor Emeritus of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy at Dartmouth College, being in term of service next to the senior instructor in that institution, died at Chester, N. H. He was born in Springfield, Sept. 17, 1812; was fitted for college at Pembroke, and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1832; after graduation was a tutor at Columbian College at Washington; was graduated from the Andover Theological Seminary in 1836, and then for one year was a tutor at Dartmouth. In 1837 he was ordained to the ministry and installed pastor of the South Congregational Church in Concord. In 1849 he was dismissed in order to accept the Phillips Foundation Chair of Theology at Dartmouth, which he filled until 1869, when he was transferred to the chair which he held at the time of his death, having been Professor Emeritus since 1883. The University of Vermont conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1854.

December 29.—Edwin D. Sanborn, LL.D., Winkley Professor Emeritus at Dartmouth College of Anglo-Saxon and English Language and Literature, died in New York. He was born at Gilmanton, N. H., May 14, 1808, and was the son of David Edwin and Harriet (Hook) Sanborn. He was fitted at Gilmanton Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1832. He gained reputation as a teacher in the academies at Derry and Topsfield, Mass., and at Gilmanton, being preceptor of the latter. In 1834 he declined a tutorship at Dartmouth, and at Meredith Bridge began the study of law, which he abandoned and entered the Andover Theological Seminary. In 1835 he was a tutor at Hanover; then Professor of Latin and Greek for two years, and later filled the chair of Latin alone from 1837 to 1859. Then he accepted the place of Professor of Latin and Classical Literature at Washington University, St. Louis, where he remained four years. In March, 1863, he returned to Hanover and became Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. In 1880 he took the Winkley chair. Since 1882 he had been Professor Emeritus, his failing health preventing him from performing the duties of that professorship. The deceased was licensed as a Congregational minister, Nov. 1, 1836. The University of Vermont in 1859 conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. For many years he held most of the justice's courts in Hanover. In 1848 and '49 he represented the town in the Legislature and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1850. In 1869 he was elected to the State Senate, but declined to serve. The deceased was widely known as an orator and literateur. In 1875 he published a history of New Hampshire. The death of Professor Sanborn is not only a great loss to Dartmouth College, but to the State and country at large.

Jan. 3.—A. S. Roe, author of many popular stories, died in East Windsor, Conn., aged eighty-seven years.

On the same day Prof. Charles E. Hamlin, of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, died at Cambridge, Mass., aged sixty years.

Jan. 4.—-Zuar Eldridge Jameson, died in Irasburg, Orleans County, Vt., aged fifty-one years. He was a well-known writer and lecturer on agricultural topics, whose initials, with transpositions, as well as other pseudonyms, are familiar to readers of the agricultural papers, particularly the New York Weekly Tribune, Albany, N. Y., Country Gentleman and Boston Cultivator. He was a member of the lower branch of the Vermont Legislature in 1878, and of the State Board of Agriculture in 1870-74, for many years Secretary of the Orleans County Agricultural Society, and for one or two years lecturer of the Vermont State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Aside from the large amount of purely agricultural matter written he was a frequent producer of short sketches of fiction, usually treating of rural life. He was associated with Dr. T. H. Hoskins in the editing of the old Vermont Farmer (not the present Vermont Farmer) at Newport, which was from a literary standpoint the most successful of Vermont agricultural journals.

Jan. 5.—Death of Noble H. Hill, senior proprietor of the Boston Theatre. He was born in Shoreham, Vt., in 1821; received a good education; came to Boston in 1840; was in active trade till 1867, being at that time a partner in the firm of Hill, Burrage & Co; in 1876 became a partner with Orlando Tompkins for conducting the Boston Theatre.

On the same day died Dr. James H. Whittemore, Superintendent of the Massachusetts General Hospital, aged 47 years.

Jan. 8.—Death of the Hon. Nahum Capen, at Dorchester, Mass., aged eighty-two years. He was born in Canton in 1804. He came to Boston at the age of twenty-one, embarked in the publishing business in the firm of Marsh, Capen & Lyon, and afterward was connected with several of the leading publishing houses of this city. His tastes were always literary, and for the past forty years he has devoted himself to literature and study, except when he held the office of postmaster, 1857 to 1861. He was appointed postmaster by President Buchanan, and it was during his term of office that the postoffice was removed from the Merchant's Exchange building to Summer street at the corner of Chauncy street, where it remained for about a year and a half. He mapped out the free delivery system, and was the first postmaster in the country to establish the outside letter collection boxes. Mr. Capen has written (most of them anonymously) and has published many books, scientific and political, and was a very liberal contributor to the newspapers and magazines. He was a sound thinker and was considered an able writer. His last work, on which he has been engaged for twenty-five years, is a history of Democracy. The first volume has been published, and the remaining three have been written and are ready to be printed, except a portion of the last.



LITERATURE AND ART.

History of the Civil War in America.[H] The deep and widespread interest which is being felt in this country in all that relates to the late war is likely to receive increased stimulus from the appearance of recent instalments of the translation of the "History" of the Comte de Paris. The fact that the narrative is written by a foreigner, not so much for the information of American as of European readers, will in no way interfere with the profound interest Americans themselves must feel in what, when finished, will probably be, if not the most impartial yet the most accurate, comprehensive, complete, and reliable record of that long, lamentable and costly struggle. The interest in American affairs which has culminated in the production of this history had been a long-cherished feeling with the author before he conceived the purpose which he has so far executed so admirably. For years materials of all kinds that promised to shed light upon his subject and assist him in his undertaking had been industriously collected. He enjoyed, besides, the great advantage of having personally served on the staff of General McClellan, in this way attaching to himself many friends, who, after his return to Europe, continued to keep him posted up in all that related to the movements of the belligerents, and the incidents and aspects of the conflict. These advantages, together with the count's very thorough knowledge of military science, justified his attempting a task which, as it approaches completion, promises to be a splendid success, and which, so far as it has been carried out, has already received high commendation from distinguished soldiers and statesmen both in Europe and America. The work, though voluminous, is sure to find, as it deserves, many readers. No American professing to be proud of his country's struggles and achievements can well afford to be ignorant of its contents. It may be as well to note that the Count fully confides in the translator's ability to perform his task with care and accuracy.

FOOTNOTES:

[H] Philadelphia: Porter & Coates.



INDEX TO PERIODICAL LITERATURE.

(First numeral refers to foot note and name of periodical. Second numeral to page. Date of periodical is that of month preceding this issue of the New England Magazine, unless otherwise stated.)

AGRICULTURE. Questions in. 6, 18.

ANTHROPOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY. Lo, the Poor Indian. Geo. F. Marshall. 3, 206.—Varieties of the Human Species. Horatio Hale. Illus. 5, 296.—Natural Heirship, or the World Akin. Rev. Henry Kendall. 5, 377.—Race Characteristics of the Jews. 5, 429.—Prehistoric Human Remains in Mexico. 5, 420.

ART. "Famous Pictures and the Sermons they teach." Crit. art. on Reynolds' painting of the infant Samuel. Rev. Robt. Maguire, D. D. 1, 1.—A French Painter (M. Duran) and his Pupils. 7, 373.—A Broad View of Art. 7, 474.—The Lesson of Greek Art. Charles Waldstein. 7, 397.—Sir Joshua Reynolds. Frances C. Sparhawk.

BIOGRAPHY. Tribute to Thomas A. Hendricks. Hon. J. W. Gerard. 2, 18.—Bishop Meade of Va. John Washington. James Bridger. 2, 93.—David Meade of Ky. 2, 94.—John Breckenridge of Va. 2, 97.—B. F. Wade, the Judge. Hon. A. G. Riddle. 3, 235.—Thomas Hoyne, Chicago. 3, 288.—Judge Stephenson Burke, Cleveland, O. 3, 296.—Dr. Wm. Bushnell, Mansfield, O. 3, 306.—George Whittier Jackson. David Hostetter, Pittsburg. 3, 258. Frank Buckland (Scientist). 5, 401.—Guiseppi Verdi, Port. 7, 323-414.—Daniel Webster. Rogers. 8, 13.—Richard and Gamaliel Wayte. A. T. Lovell. 8, 48.

BIOLOGY. Questions in. 6, 17.

EDUCATION. Early Education in Ohio. Jessie Cohen. 3, 217.—Can College Graduates succeed in Business? 4, 111.—The Flower or the Leaf. Primary Education. Mary Putnam Jacobi. 5, 325.—Southern Women as Teachers of Colored Children. 7, 478. Education and a Philosophy of Life. J. C. Dana. 10, 215.—Education of the Colored Race. Andrews. 10, 231.—Organization of Higher Education. Beale. 10, 233.—Education of Girls. Fenelon. 10, 242.—A Want, and How to Meet It. Klemm. 10, 248.—Reports on Education. 10, 272.—New Education. Livermore. 10, 290.—Overpressure in High Schools of Denmark. A. T. Smith. 10, 299.—Educational Institutions. Brown University. R. A. Guild, LL.D. 8, 1.

GEOLOGY. "Gray Wethers." The Saccharoid Sandstone of Salisbury Plain. Grant Allen. 4, 94.

HISTORY. "Paul Revere." 1735-1818. E. H. Goss. Portrait and illus.—From Burnside to Hooker. Transfer of the Army of the Potomac, 1863. Maj. Wm. Howard Mills. 2, 44.—Operations before Ft. Donelson. Gen. W. F. (Baldy) Smith. Illus. 2, 20.—Slavery in America. Its Origin and Consequences. John A. Logan. Portrait of writer. 2, 57.—Washington's First Campaign. T. J. Chapman, A.M. 2, 66.—The New Year's Holiday. Its Origin and Observance. Martha J. Lamb. 2, 79.—Gen. W. F. Smith's Unpublished Reports of the Capture of Ft. Donelson. 2, 82.—Letters: Jas. Meyrick to Benedict Arnold, and John Hancock to Gen. Washington. 1781. 2, 89.—Churches in Newark, N. J., in 1707. 2, 93.—Boston Riot of 1788. 2, 95.—Detroit during Revolutionary Days. Silas Farmer. 3, 250.—Expedition of Gen. Geo. Rogers Clark, and Capture of Kaskaskia. 1778. John Moses. 3, 267.—The City of the Straits (Detroit). H. A. Griffin. 3, 270.—The "Lost State" of Franklin. 3, 321.—First Exploration of Northwest by John Nicolet. 3, 322.—Ohio's Coming Centennial. 3, 323.—A New Field of Am. Hist. (Pacific States). 5, 371.—The Second Battle of Bull Run. Gen. John Pope. 7, 442.—Recollections of a Private. Warren L. Goss. 7, 467.—Attleboro, Mass. Barrows. 8, 27.—Social Life in Early New England. Anson Titus. 8, 63.—Dutch Village Communities on the Hudson River, 11, 4th series.—Shiloh Campaign. Gen. Beauregard. 13, 1.—Sherman on Grant. 13.

INDUSTRY. A History of the Oil Interest. A. R. Baker, M.D. 3, 223.

LITERATURE, LIBRARIES, ETC. Early Libraries in Cincinnati. Prof. W. H. Venable. 3, 245.—George Eliot's Criticisms on her Contemporaries. 4, 19.—The Future Literary Capital of the U. S. 4, 104.—Progress toward Literary Knowledge. 6, 9.—Questions in English, German and Greek Literature. 6, 17-21.

MEDICINE, HYGIENE, PHYSIOLOGY, ETC. Pioneer Medicine of the Western Reserve. D. P. Allen, M.D. 3, 278.—Inoculation against Hydrophobia. M. Louis Pasteur. 5, 289.—The Physiology of the Feet. T. S. Ellis, M.R.C.S. 5, 395.—Color Blindness. 5, 431.—Physiological Experiments. 5, 425.—How Milk is Tainted. 5, 421.

MISCELLANY. The Bladensburg Races. A humorous historic ballad. Comments by Horatio C. King. 2, 85.

MONEY AND FINANCE. Banks and Bankers of Cleveland. 3, 313.—Origin of Primitive Money. 5, 296.

MUSIC. A National Conservatory of. 7, 477.

NATURAL HISTORY. Fish out of Water. Grant Allen. 5, 334.—Fruits of the Pacific. 5, 421.—Recent Experiments in Hybridization. 7, 476.—Feathered Forms of Other Days. Illus. R. M. Shufeldt. 7, 352.

POLITICS, ECONOMICS, LAW, ETC. A Time of Universal Prosperity (in Mich.), and What Came of It. Hon. Bela Hubbard. 3, 199.—Civil Service Reform. Gail Hamilton. 4, 67.—How our Railroads have become Luxurious. 4, 110.—Communal Societies. Charles Morris. 5, 325.—Medieval English Law. 5, 423.—The New Political Economy. 7, 475.—Life Insurance. G. A. Litchfield. 8, 68.—Canadian Prospects and Politics. Lord Lorne. Alex. Pirie. Sir J. A. McDonald. 13.—Democracy in England. Andrew Carnegie. 13.—Disfranchisement of Delaware. 13.—Letters to Prominent Persons. A. Lichmond. 13.—Landlordism in America. T. P. Gill, M.P. 13.

RECREATION. Thoughts on Archery. Agnes Fraser Sandham. 12, 371.—Around the World on a Bicycle. W. A. Rogers. 12, 379.—Ladies' Tour to Kettle Cove. M. C. Smith. 12, 43.—Ice Skating in Canada. Otley. 12, 413.—Pedestrian Tour in the Scottish Highlands. E. S. Farwell. 12, 436.

RELIGION. Work of the Church in America. Archdeacon Farrar. 13.

SCIENCE. Science in its Useful Applications. W. Odling, F.R.S. 5, 388.—Agatized Wood of Arizona. 5, 362.—Nonconformity (in Types). Herbert Spencer. 5, 367.—How Woods Preserve Moisture. Elm Leaf Berth. 5, 429.—The Age of Trees. 5, 424.

TRAVEL AND DESCRIPTION. City of Teheran. S. Q. W. Benjamin. 7, 323.

1 The Quiver, Dec. '85.

2 Magazine of Am. History, Jan, '86.

3 Magazine of Western History (Cleveland, O.), Jan., '86.

4 Lippincott's Magazine, Jan., '86.

5 Popular Science Monthly, Jan., '86.

6 Queries (Buffalo, N. Y.), Jan., '86.

7 The Century, Jan., '86.

8 New England Magazine.

9 St. Nicolas.

10 Education.

11 Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science.

12 Outing.

13 North American Review.

THE END