The San Francisco Call and Post from San Francisco, California • Page 14

14 LORD HOUGHTON. WRITTEN FOR THE MORNING CALL. The story of Houuhton would be the story of not only London for more than fifty years, but the story of all England; aye, ail Europe. It would iuclude every great name that oas been before the world for more than half a century. His father was a great man, great enough to refuse to be Minister of War in his youth and refuse to bo made peer in bis old age.

preferring to remain a Quiet country gentlemau away cut in the heart of The bricht little. Tlcbt little. Eight itttlelsle. Houghton, like his modest and unselfish father, was a very broad-minded man. People were always wondering in London, as he crew old, why he never made a greater murk in tetters.

The fact la the man bud very tew of tbe twenty-four hours to call bis not enough of them left bin to sleep in let alone write books. Yoa see he v. as everywhere and ho was everything. He it was who found and backed Florence JN'ijzhtiucale in the men. He wus as much at borne with the French, the Turks or or even the wild men of America as he was with the lords of London.

When lust in America lie quietly safe Ad me to go with him next day down to Florida to look after his lands there. As I had agreed to take some part with Henry Ward Beecber and Julia Ward Howe iv founding a Florida Chautauqua at Lake de Ftiriak I wen- along "to kill two birds with one and found that this wondrous old nobleman owned almost au entire county of the United states, and was quite at home with the Seniiuole Indians. He was courtly, courageous and the most industrious of men, and he was certainly the most democratic of noblemen. lie was Dot a "new rich," and that must account for bis simplicity to some extent lie cared not a fig for appearances, when 1 knew him at least, and I often saw him with half Ike buttons off his 'bis white vest, and his black necktie twisted far around under his right or left Lord Hmighton. ear.

I was told that his income was $100,000 year; but as his English estate was mostly in Yorkshire lands which his had earned as weavers and cloth merchants, I do not see hew he could have had any such income as that. He was certainly rich, rich as 'ho was democratic, but of all his. riches his wealth of intercourse and association with the great men of his century were the most precious. Once when be took me io see Proctor (Barry Cornwall) it seemed as though the dear old poet would never let him go. He held on to him, followed him to the door and til! held on to him till Mrs.

looking so much like, the pictures of her dead Adeline took him bant by the hand and led him away upstairs. You see, Barry Cornwall and Houghton had not only been poet? together in their youth, but had sailed many seas and tracked many strange lands together, and the now mute and palsied Proctor wanted to hear all about the dead and the illustrious living whom tr.ev had known together. And although Proctor could not speak, his ttwigue having long been paralyzed, he could laugh right heartily; and Houston kept him in a roar, telling over to him and his gentle wife the old times they had had together when young. 1 wish he could have made Carlyle laugh at any one of the many visits when he picked me up at my lodgtugs and drove to see the Be of Cbelsen. I would like to remember him as pleasantly as 1 do dear, oM rry Cornwall.

But Carlyle was sirk or sour every time. His face was like iron, and his voice and words too. He -leaned over all the time, with something more man a "literary stoop," looking down as if had lost something on the floor. He loved Houghton, I think; he certainly very but unlike Cornwall, who laughed at everything, he growled and growled at all things. I could not understand him very well, partly because be did not speak or pntiouncfl plainly, and partly because he and Houghton continually talked politics and personalities; names and mostly new, or of no import to use.

Houghton always bad a big. henvy, old-lashloned, American, hickory wiih a crook on it, in his hand, and he would continually thump this on the floor, and war at the bitter invectives of Carlyle; but never the ghost of a smile flickered on the sour, savage face of the old Scot. Once, and it may be many times, for I (hall never be able to think of him without thinking of that also, he got hold of the big iron poker, used to poke up the coals wltb, and whacked and banged and slashed, about with it so heavily that it seemed as if be would. brenlc out the all the time thumping with his cane, bis-liead thrown back now and then and roaring. Once as we were driving away after this poker circus, Hougbton peered through the window at a bouse a few doors away, and jerking his thumb bnek in that direction, said: "Carlyle saw that man in there carrying home a rooster one day and be didn't so to tleap ail night for fear the cock would crow and wake him." Here the old lord laid his ctiin on his hands doubled over the bead of his hickory and quietly chuckled tie went en, "And Jane says he didn't 6leep for a week, and finally went there to tue man'- door, and with tears in his eyes, begged him not to keep that chicken any 'And 'Because I'm afraid he'll 'But he won't 'But he will 'But he won't "'And how do you know he won't "'Because 1 ate him that first Anybody would naturally believe that the way to eet into the heart of this great race of seamen would be to sail into it.

And there mar be something in it. Bennett, Gould, Vanderbilt ana other rich men have had their boats and cruised about in state a deal, and for aught I know have entered the harbor of the British heart, but the surer way is to mount a horse and ride in. Strange, too! for of til absurd sights the most absurd is an English gentleman on a horse. But English think they can ride, and they think they can break and train horses, too, and they certainly have tried Lard and long and of course not without success; but one would say that the horse should be left to Russia, Arabia and the Americas, where there is room for him to stretch his legs. The late Colonel Evans of California, who had been of the Governor's staff, and equipped a saddle with more silver than he could well on my taking it off his hands when he was about to sail on the voyage in which he perished.

This saddle delighted Houehton'g eye. lie provided the best of they serenely call them cattle there and I must prance up and down and round about Berkeley square with gentle Hnughton and his family looking down from their balcony. Then be must take me day after day to ride with him In Rotten Row, "with all the world to see." At such times he was the happiest man and the heartiest laugher I ever saw, ti child in his delight at the wonderment and cariosity of the flood of "new rich," which, as In New York, fairly deluges the public drives and bridle paths in tise London "season." one of tuese occasions, being light of heart (and how could I be otherwise with this great eood man to guide me through all I began humming to myself: J. warHered by the brookslde, I wandered by the mill: I could not hoar the brook flow TJie busy wheel was still. "Now.

where did you get that?" he asked. n't know, picked it up from some Door Amencao poet in the West, 1 don't amount to much, anyhow." "It don't? Well, it and it is mine." Then he repeated the whole of the sweet song, too well known to need repetition here. Alter I had revised end brought out a complete English edition of raj' poems, dedicated to Lord ilouctiton. I was quite worn out and wanted togoanay to Iceland with Ross Browne and rest; bat ho insisted on ray coming to him at Fryston Hull, York, (treat times in the saddle we were to have; his sod, the present Lord Hongbton. Lord of Crewe, his brother-in-law, and others ana all tbe to be there.

So I went to Fry stnn Hall; and there I found the boy in bed with a broken leg and Lord Crewe ditto with three: broken ribs. I went straight on to Iceland. Bat stick a pin here." If you think these. English felr iir aiirt lowa of the better class are afraid of any thing under the saddle, or under the sun you are uiichtily No, they can't ride, but they can try and are ready to die I was away in Rome when Lady Houghton left the devoted old man for the other side of liaiknesf, and there came to me, such a letter as only this gentlest of gentlemen could write. But that is sacred for while you and the best of you all might liko to know bow true and lender be was through bis own words, world is not yet quite as gentle as it should be all through.

I went up from Rome's heart and sat by the grave of Keats, over toward the cathedral of St. Paul. You know Lord Houghton with Keats in his last days and it was Houuhton whu gathered up the poor dead boy's fragmentary bits of imperishable work ami cave them to the world. It was Houghtoa who perpetuated that white slab with the epitaph, the epitaph without a name, which Keats desire.l Herr oce whose name writ In water. I had seen something similar to this in Greece 1 mean the trace of seine similar act of ami 1 wondered as I sal there that gray chill day by grave with "the daisies growing over" if there was any place Qoughton bad passed and bad not left some token.

seen or unseen, of his gentleness, his tenderness toward all desolate human creatures. He wanted to go to Greece in his last days. lie wanted to as wd used to ride together in Rotten Kow, and laugh again. And so wo went there as the sun of life was setting far and fast to the west. But this is too sad and desolate for us to go forward, and as tbere is not muchinstruction in what might be here set down let us turn back to some lines of bis earlier life.

But I recall one little thing hero in Greece. One morning as we walked up toward old Mais he could not ride any more those little weeds and wihlflowers, little bi's of spindles when eucht to be tail as corn I Weil, the ruiod seems to be like that soil as the body wears out; but that does not mean the end. It means only that the soil needs rest. The seed, the sun they are the same as ever." Here are some lines of Houghton's which his friend ana biographer, T. W.

Reid. says he set up as the rule or text of his actual tile. He wrote them last iv a copy of bis poems in 11 -me. This was in June, Demand not by what road or portal Into God's city thuu art Bat wterc thou latest thy plare mortal Bemaiu In peace. and mai-n tMv home.

Then look aruus 1 (tea for fie mho. ok for the strong there command; Let wisdom touch ihee wLat to prize. Let power direct anil bracf thy hand. Then, tloliif; ail that should be aor.e. Labor to mate the state approve thee, And tbou Shalt earn tbe h.it of none.

ALil win re ii cc. And now may 1 insert single paragraph from this excellent biography of Reid's, only recently given to the worid? "Two p-jints in the letters 1 am about to quote, from Lord lloughtou to Mr. Gladstone, rnjuire passing notice. The Brat is the reference to Joaquin Miller, the American poet When Mr. Miller came to England in 1573, one of the first to welcome him was Lord Hougliton.

He hail heard of him through American friends, had been greatly struck by the originality of his writing, ami made baste to receive him a brother poet and man of letters. He had shown the same attention to so many other visitors from abroad in his time that there was nothing especially noticeable about bis reception of Jonquin Miller; but it resulted in a warm fiiendship between the two men. and many of Mr. Miller's letters afford proof of his gratitude toward one who did his best to make him feel at horue in English a gratitude of which further evidence was afforded by the dedication of his completed poems to Lord Houston." VI. 11, p.

27ti- Let us cut short this thread. It is impossible to go forward with satisfaction to myself or any one else 1 turn back to those days Tvhen this princely man took me by the and Bade me as a king. 1 owe him all 1 am or may be, everything and whether in tho itraojci strong art of murky London, or away out here at home on the glorious sunlit edge of to world, 1 frankly acknowledge the debt. And now that he is gone, 1 shall never able to pay oncfarthing. vt cf pure and the blest; Teace by the beautiful river of rest.

Joai in Miller. THE STORY PAID HIM. Self-Gratification Was an Eminent Attorney's Fee. i Times. The eminent consulting lawyer of Paris at one time in the last century was tho Abbe May.

opinion had great weight in forming the decision of the and he was often consulted in important matters outside the law. His fee for an opinion was usually a large one. The story of one of his exceptionnl fees I 3 related by M. de Bois Saint Just in his history of Paris. A cure from the country called on the abbe one day, and after complimenting him with earnestness and sincerity on his and deserved reputation, said that he was involved In lawsuit which be did not understand.

He asked the abbe to advise him whether he was in tbe right or the wrong, and whether he had better carry on the suit bo saying, he delivered to the great jurist an enormous package of papers covered with almost illegible handwriting. Tits abbe cheerfully accepted tbe task and told the cure to come again in two weeks. lie was pleased with the good, simple-hearted man and devoted whole energies to clearing up the case, though be was obliged to put other matters in order to do so. The cure called on the day ai pointed, took the abbe's written opinion and read it through rr.iic.ill/. lie was delighted with the enthusiasm and clearness with which nta righu were set forth.

lie embraced the abbe gratefully and cried: "Ah, monsieur, no one could be better pleated than I am, and I want you to be satisfied also. Here is money, monsieur. PJease take what is due you," and he threw a throe-franc pie-e on the table. Not to humiliate the good man the abbe picked up the coin, took 36 sous from his purse and handel nil client the change. Some one said when he told the story that as usual he had lost by his disinterestedness.

"Lost:" said the abbe. "And- do you count tie pleasure ox telling tbe story nothing?" The Influence of a Melon. Very peculiar is the popular estimation of a watermelon, says a writer in the Youth's Companion. Apples, pearlies, oranges we may carry in the street without causing people to make remarks about or to us. Not with trie watermelon.

day Judge Mack of Kansas said to his grocer: "People in this town seem distant ciable." "You don't understand- human nature," said the. grocer. "Take home this watermelon in the basket on your arm, and if people on rife way don't speak to you, then you needn't pay for the me Ion." The Judge first met a dignified matron, who said with a faint smile "Ah, luxuries to-day. Judge!" At the next cruising a minister exclaimed: "Am I invited to dine with you today?" On Pine street a German said you going to be oolite alrety, Judge, und divide in it me?" On Elm street a French man bowed gracefully: "Ah, ze raeelon At the corner of Main and Jackson streets a loud voice called now, Judge, dean' ye done drap dat dar melon, hi, h.i, ha!" The Judge paid lor the melon next day. Wagon for Electric Wire Repairs.

The necessity of speedy access by linemen to the various wires now used for electric traction or lifrhtiog in most cities has Jed to use of a tower-wagon which can be drawn' from place to place by horses. An ingenious and simple extension lowerwagon has just been desicned. This differs from the ordinary tower-wncon In being provided with an extension and when used for work on a trolley wire it stands on one side of the track. The can thus work without interruption, as there is no necessity for the wagon to be moved from its position to allow a cr.r to pass. The extension is so arranged that it can be folded up against the tower.

If necessary it can be removed altogether by. simply unhooking it from the rings in the top of the tower, or it can be shifted from one side of the tower to the other. The Dog Swallowed the Watch. UrockwafTille Record. A young lady of Wilcox had a beautiful gold watch, of which shn was unduly proud.

The timepiece was exhibited on various occasions, and a lew days ago when some admiring friends were examining it the watch accidentally slipped from their fingers. A cry of dismay went op when the party saw the watch disappear with a gulp in the yawning mouth of a dog which sat at their feet, looking expectantly upward and goodnaturedly wagging its tail. Poor doggie imagined that he had received a choice morsel and looked nleased with his feat of ratchine It on the fly. but it proved to be his death warrant. He summarily dispatched, and at the post mortem the watch was recovered, none the worse from the mishap.

TIIE MORNING CALL, SAN FRANCISCO, SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1893 -SIXTEEN PAGES. THE MANDOLIN. One of the Sweetest of Stringed Instruments. ITS GROWTH IN POPULARITY. A Quality of Tone In the Sounds Evoked From It That Is Found in No Other Instrument.

Written for The Mquvixq Call, Ten years ago the writer tried to purchase a mandolin, and searched diligently in all of the lnrge. music-stores, but to no purpose. At this time the mandolin was a curiosity even musical instrument dealers. In a few months a party of Italian musicians, numbering fifteen maudollnplayers, two harpists, three guitars and a eel-" loist, landed in New York from an Italian steamer and gave most delightful concerts under the name of the Spanish students. Their costumes and their music were unique, and like nothing ever seen or heard in America before.

They, played with unparellelrd grace the most charming overtures and symphonies. In a few years they drifted apart. Head or mandolin of 1700. Thanks to these students, as well as several other troupes who came after them, the mandolin furor has grown to such an oxtent that to-day it is one of the most popular of musical The great popularity of the mandolin is due almost us much to its picturrsqueness as to its charming sweetness. This not surprising when we consider the beautiful sympathetic quality of its tone.

It is an instrument that will certainly hold popular favor, has everything to recommend it and is refined, cultivated and comparatively easily learned. With women especially the mandolin has become a favorite instrument in America. Men, rJt-rhaps, (or some reason best Known themselves, do not take to it so readily. Those Women who undertake to play must bo prepared to encounter various difficulties some of which I will briefly mention later on. 1.

th men mi women the strong artistic coloring which is given the picture wherein they practice, with mandolin in hand, and women especially appreciate the graceful posing it demands. The mandolin is, above all instruments, the very embodiment of poetry and grace." The utmost flexibility la necessary, even to the execution of the simplest piece. There is a quality of tone In the sounds evoked from the mandolin tht can be drawn from no other instrument. Its music appeals to the sympathies and touches the soul, and this is not surprising when we consider how wonderfully sweet is the music that from the silver strings and re collect that even so creat a ccnius as Iteethoven wrote several pieces for the instrument. The tone is so sweet and delicate that to my mind it should never be played without the background of an accompaniment Host of the music for the mandolin has a piano score attached.

Hector Berlioz In his modern instrumentation ami orchestration places the mandolin among tin; legitimate instruments, and he does right in so doing. Since the maud, in been brought to such perfection musicians have developed its mechanism and Increased its resources, and have proven that its beauties can be so varied by patient an 1 reasonable study as to produce the most charming musical effects. It bat a peculiar sweetness of its own, and, like the t.e^t things, must be known to be appreciated. The violin has been termed the king of and the mandolin can claim the title "eldest brother to the king." It is impossible to make a comparison between the ilia and mandolin, although there is a certain analogy between the instruments as regards toning, the compass and the functions of the left haud. With the mandolin, as with the violin, this and has the of the tinger-board, botn as pureness of tone and the rapidity of changing the notes.

As the Mandolin, year I'iTO. violinist so must tbe mar.dolinist attach great importance to the left hand. As regards the right hand, although the bow of the violin plays a role for which there la no equivalent in musical mechanism, nevertheless it can be with justi- affirmed that the plectrum of rlie mandolin required very little leu dexterity if one wishes to produce nil tee effects of execution and musical bentime I have often been asked wlicthrrlit is pog. Bible to learn the instrument without a I am obliged to answer emphatically "no." Mandolin playing without a master Is to my miud a practical impossibility. In the' first place a good teacher must be secured, and secondly, a good "method" or instruction book.

One might succeed by dint of close study in learning the notes, the position, chords, but no one could learn unaided tremolo or trill, which is the peculiar feature of the instrument, and is produced by a rapid motion of Uie right wrist. Without the tremolo the mandolin, as an instrument, would have little value. We may well call the bow, toe soul ot the violin, but the tremolo is both the life And the soul of the mandolin, and may well be called tongue of the instrument, as a perfect tremolo makes the tone so much more rich and sweet. But granted you have a fine mandolin, a competent instructor and supple fingers, do not expect to become an expert performer in lessons, for you will bo woefully disappointed. It takes some time for an industrious pupil to produce the tremolo with a perfectly swept and even tone, devoid of breaks, and even then there is a certain deftness and delicacy of touch that only comes with time and endless practice.

Stiff fingers, from whatever age, work, no matter are deadly enemies to it. Constant practice is necessary in order to retain the flexibility if hand and wrist, and a week of inertia or disappointment is sufficient to undo the work of months. The amateur returns to the instrument with fresh courage and determination, only to discover that tne fingers once so supple have apparently been converted into lead, and that those "tiresome" studies must be resumed with redoubled vigor. I would advise every one who expects to become an expert mandolin to devote at leas: two ho'irs a day to practice. One hour of these ought to.be taken up with exercises and scales, when a certain ease in the matter of execution is attained.

So much time of course need not necessarily be expended, but In any event hour's practice encn 'day is the minimum which can be allowed if the 'intent desires to play really weli. As to the cost of the instrument, for Mandolin 1500. one should get a fairly good one, although the price runs to Airs. Waldorf Astor and Miss Hewitt of New York and Queen Mnrgherita of Italy have instruments valued at $1500. There is just as much between theitones of mandolins as of violins.

A good mandolin is like a good violin, and improves with age and usage. It i 3 now over two since I purchased my mandolin in Naples, and it has improved wonderfully in that time, and I now value it at $300. Manilottus are now manufactured in this country, are not yet equal to those made in Italy. I do not say this because I wish to disparage home products, but simply that the American mandolins as yet tiro inferior to the genuine Italian Instrument. Most American mandolins are weak and twangy.

while the Italian instrument has the sweet, silvery sound. Doubtless as the demand increases the inferiority of the American Instrument will be overcome. I have heard many people complain of the scarcity of good music for the mandolin. Not long age a musical gentleman inquired if there were only three or four pieces composed for the instrument He remarked that nearly every young lady be heard play the mandolin performed the same few pieces and that seemed to be the extent of their repertoire. It it true that comparatively few selections of a superior kind are to be fouu'i as yet here, but with every year that passes the composers who dedicate their works exclusively to the mandolin are becoming better known and more fully represented in this country.

The compositions of such famous masters as Bellenghi, Matlol, Sylvestn, Pletrapertosa, Kovianzzt, Muuler and are among the moat popular In Europe and doubtless will be soon known here. The serenade in Mozart's "Don "Dob written to be accompanied by mandolins, also the serenade in Verdi's "Othello." Beethoven, too. wrote a sonatina and an adagio for the mandolin, and the autograph is preserved in the volume of sketches in the British Museum. Beethoven's friend, Krumpholtz, was a modern virtuoso, and the writing of these pieces was probably due to this fact. Almost every publisher in this country la grinding out poor and inferior arrangements of much of the trashy music of the music thnt is not at all adapted to the mandolin and does not show it off to any advantage.

We must be educated to the mandolin like everything else, and when our perform music especially written for the ins ument by standard composers, viz, serenalas, boleros, capriccios. operatic fantasies, some of tho beautiful Italian melodies, waltzes and mazurkas, then will our musical people learn to fully appreciate the iust rumen t. On the eve of my departure from Florence in May, 1890, I was Il(lolln Yew 1800. tendered a farewell banquet at the famous Capitnui restaurant by the luaiiaollnists of Florence. Each guest brought his Instrument, and after a bounteous repast performed for me on their mandolas, mandolins and Slgnors Bellenghi, Matini, liizzari and Mitnier performed Haydn quartet on the mandolins, imtndolH and lute.

It was a revelation to me of possibilities of the mandolin. I could hardly believe that such classical music could be performed so exquisitely on instruments. Queen Margherita is au enthusiast and exp rt performer on the mandolin and is the patroness of tho Circolo Mnndolimsta Uegina of Florence (ma'idolin rlubs are termed circolo in Italy). Through tl.e kindness of Count L-onida Gioranettl, the president, 1 was invited to a special reheaisal. This mandolin circle iscumposed of seventy mandolins, mandolas, lutes, harps and guitars, under the direction of Sicnor Hicardo Martini, one of the foremost inutietaat of Florenre, and through his kindness I was elected an honorary memb of the circle, being the only member on the roll.

Italy is the home of tne mandolin. Instead of hand organs on the street you hear BMmdolinS and guitars. There are three kiuds of mandolins used in Italy: The Milnnese or mandolin in Mm northern part of the country, the Koman mandolin in Kon.e and the central part of llalv, while the Neapolitan mandolin in general use all over Italy, but principally iv Naples and Florence. It is this mandolin which is in general use in this country. The of the Roman mandolin is about the same shape as the Neapolitan, but the ribs on the back am scalloped, the head thrown back at an angle of forty-five the- back of the neck tapers to a sharp edge, the finger-board is rounded somewhat like the violin and extends on the east string side about one inch over the sound hole; the bridge Is slanting, being considerably higher on the string and slopes down toward the string.

It has eighteen frets on the I) and Strings, nineteen frets on the A string and twenty-three frets on the E. The Unman mandolin is strung and tuned the Neapolitan instrument, and is played with a goose quill. The mandolin Is entirely different ben the others. It is wider and shorter. It has six strings, three of them being Made of gut and three of them covered silk strings.

The Lombard? mandolin is toned K. and G. The are fastened to the bridge below the sound hold similar, to the altar. The neck is wider and shortor than the Neapolitan 01 Roman mandolin, and the back is shallower. The instrument has twenty frets and a of three octaves and tire tones.

The space between the are scalloped; the sound is heart shni 01. It played with a plectrum. Although it is a prettier appearing instrument, I do in think it com- i at in tone with the Neapolitan. the single being of nut and Mlk and so much-shorter, do Dot vibrate so Neapolitan minodlln. clearly and sweetly at the double steel string of Iho Neapolitan.

The mandola is a sort of big brother to the little instrument, occupying the same position that the viola does to the violin. Ills strung with all covered wire strings and tuned an octave lower. Played as a solo instrument or as an accompaniment to tlti" mandolin it is rich and beautiful in tone and is simply invaluable in a mandolin Hub. In seme parts it produces beautiful effects, sounding somewhat like the tinman voice. The lute la almost unknown in this country and has only lately been revived in Italy.

The modern lute Is somewhat different from the ancient. The had eight single strings, while the modern lute has five double strings. The 5 other three strings are superfluous and not use In modern music. The lute has the deep, resonant, rich tone of the 'cello. In fnct, when not seen by the listener it can hardly be distinguished from' ti.e 'cello.

The lute 19 large as a concert-size guitiir and tho frots are about the tame distance apart the frets of the guitar. It is shaped like a mandolin, the finger-board ami bridge somewhat rounded like lie violin. Although the lute seems large, it is a very graceful Instrument when held properly. Titled amateurs give it prominence In their exclusive drawing-room lousi'ales and I attended a concert given in l'aris in April, 1800, under the patronage of Rotbeefaild, and under the direction of and heard the fantasia from by performed on ten maudolins, two mandolas, a lute and a piano. This combination produced a beautiful effect.

of admission to this concert were 10 francs All of the "haute noblesse" of Paris was there, so you can Imagine how popular the mandolin is in Paris. The Princess Maud of Wales plays the instrument, and set the fashion among her ladles. Some Idea of the growing prevalence of the mandolin in this country can be gained from the fact that mandolin clubs, mandolin orchaatrns and distinguished mandolin soloists are heralded Samuki, Adelstein. BEFORE BURYING THE DEAD. Valuable Hints That Should Not Escape M' Any body Attention.

York Sun. In crder to call attention to thegreat care necessary before burying the dead, the following extracts a medical journal are given, namely, live signs of death: First cessatiou of circulation mid respiration; second, cooling of the body from 90 deg. to that of atmospnere, usually in twenty-four hours or less; third, rigidity, which begins in about six hours after death, after some hours is relaxation fourth, resistance of muscles to galvanization; fifth, mortification, which generally commences in about forty hours after death and usually shows first over the stomach. PbysiMans should always see the dead person before giving a certificate, even In cases where they have been in attendance just before death. On the authority of a physician, it Is understood that in embalming slight incision is made first before going on with the process, which seems a necessary safeguard.

But the safest is to wait until there are slight signs of mortification. The attention of mothers and nurses is called to the covering ot infant's heads tco closely, lest they should not have sufficient air to breathe free Known by the Company. Detroit Free Press. The man had lost every cent at the earns and long after midnight he started home. At the first a footpad Mopped him.

"Your money or your life came the sharp command. The man smiled. "You don't want my life, 1 presume?" he said coolly. "Not if you give me your money." "Aud you are bound to have my money "Certain, pard." "And I can't prevail upon you not to take it'. 1 "Hardly, 1 (mess, seem' as how I've got you cornered." "Well, you can have it, but you'll have to go over nit that room there where you see the light and take it away from the head gambler.

If you get it I'll let you keep half of it and not say a word." "Thanks," said the footpad. "1 guess I'd better keep out of bad company. Goodnight." The Life of Birds. Chicago Herald. Ilerr WYisinann, a distinguished German biologist, has pointed out that the average duration of the iife of birds is by no means well known.

singing live from eight to eighteen years. Havens have lived 100 years and parrots still longer tn captivity. Fowls live from ten to twenty years aud Hwaus are said to have attained the age of 300. The 4ong life of birds has been regarded as compensation for their lack of feitillty and the great mortality of their young. They Were Smart.

Chicago Tribune. "These folki think they're pretty smart," said the burglar to bimseli, fishing from ita concealment under the edge of the parlor carpet, back of the piano, a well-stulT-d pocketbook aud slipping it into an opeuing in his coat. "And they are!" he ejaculated in deepdi9-gnst, as lie opened it a few hours later and found It to bo stuffed with tracts on the sin of stealing. WOMEN AND HOME. Latest Fashionable Fads and Fancies.

A NEAT WEDDING COSTUME. Attractive Mouse A Cloak for the Novelties in Fancy Work-Pretty Sachets. Every woman delights In her houso gowns, and a new idea for their designing is always welcome, says the New York World. Soft tints in coloring, light, easily draped material, and the suggestion at least of a negligee effect should be considered in planning an at-home gown. An effective creation in this line is fashioned of old lose bengaline.

the new material which shows the corded effect. The foundation of the gown is of Princess design, the plain, straight effect being broken by the of a long jacket made of heliotrope silk embroidered in gold. Below the arms and crossing the busi is a scarf or soft heliotrope crepe fastened by graceful loops of the crepe in the center. The- sleeves reach to the elbow, are plaited high on the shoulder and fall in narrow, wavy folds. About the bottom of the gown is a kind of heliotrope feather trimming.

Another house gown recently seen wm mare stately in its effect, being made of changeable poult de sol. The gown was tight fitting. The square neck was cut low ond outlined with a band of jeweled trimming. Below this was a loose arrangement of oale green crepe held in rlace at either side by bri'lhnt ornaments of cold. A huge puff reaching from 6houlder to elbow forms the sleeve, which was finished with a band of jeweled trimming and a deep frill of plaited pain green crepe.

AN OPERA CLOAK. The New ork Sunday Press woman saw coining out of the oilier night what is certainly one of the prettiest opera cloaks of the season. It was of wash leather-colored cloth, lined with pale green, and' was made with a short cape around the shoulders with mink and surmounted by a collar tied in front with a broad lack satin bow. The effect of the whole was moat charming. FOR WINTER BRIDES.

Before long there will be married in New York a young lady who has many artistic ideas and who deigned her wedding dress herself, says the New York Press. It was completed early in the week, and she al- lowed a Sunday Press artist to make a sketch of her as she looks in it. Its main material is cream-colored ottoman silk. It is trimmed will) lace and has a belt of pearls. The court traiu is of brocaded silk.

She will wear it with a tulle veil, and when she goes to the altar will have the satisfaction of knowing that she wears one of the handsomest wedding dresses any New York bride ever wore. WHAT TO WEAR AT BREAKFAST. Flannel is the stand-by for the neglige morning now as always, warm, durable and Inexpensive, says a Paris correspondent of ttio New York Press. A good twilled flannel hai fnfioltcr wear In it, aud beautifnl body and Such a fabric of a solid color with facings of ribltons makes mi elegaut garment. I have Men one of white with borders of magenta satin ribbon.

-The form used was very simple, alter the sack with a little fullness plaited in at the neck, back and front. The ribbon, four inches wide, was sewed under the edge and turned over like the hem down the front. The effect is better than when 11 is laid on flatly without being turned over, for in this way it has an appearance of being part of the fabric. Sleeves and turnover collars are sitnilaily bordered, a belt and bow of ribbon confines the fullness at the waist. Such a frown may be lined or there may be worn under it a separate garment to serve a lining.

The last way is preferable. Tkere are Id the market this year fabrics made for just such purposes, of cotton, wool or silk quilted in the loom. A gown of dark red flannel has a shoulder cape some seven Inches deep and Russian sleeve caps, both bordered with braver. Fur edges the neck and the belt. Fawncolored flannel or satin ribbon would give tho same color contrast and cost less.

Sleeves for these gowns are a loose coat or bell shaped; that after the Turkish manner, wider at 1 the bottom and caught Into the arm just below the elbow with a plait. The coat sleeve has a plait or two on the inside of the arm. There is also a puff to the elbow with a ruffle below, BABY GENTLEWOMEN. New York Sun. Not only for my lady was the creat horse show in Madison-square Garden pregnant with interest.

The baby gentlewoman was on hnuii every afternoon at the garden, and those whose business it was to minister to her needs knew she would have to undergo an amount of inspection and rriticiain that would produce embarrassment if not resentment at a later stage of her career. So the chubby innocence of the baby belles was fortified by all the subtle arts and attractions of dress, bu pretty little coats they wore, the tiny maids of 9 or 10, mad" always on the empire Idea to Jiang loose and full from yoke, the yoke itself concealed by the three-caped tippet, each cape edgpcl with a roll of fur and gathered very full Into the collar of fur. buch huge hats, so lnden with feathers, and tied under the chins with broad, soft string. And beneath the coats such dainty little quaint replicas of those worn by their mothers and sisters. One little blonde beauty threw off her coat of hunter's green cloth, with all its little frilled capes with mink fur, and beneath it she wore a little (rock of changeable valour green, shot with brown.

All around the dress was a dainty finish of galon gold in an open pattern. The waist had the, big revers, the shoulder ruffle and the sleeve puff-t, and the only childish thins about it whs the little of line grass of linen beneath, which showed at the neck and wrists. A PICTURE FRAME. For a neat picture frame make a front of water-color paper, with torn edges and a square opening for the picture. Back it witb cardboard, the whole a trifle lamer than 1 1 picture, so that ii can be slipped i.iMde, and make a stul standard, so the iramo will not need an easel.

Take fancy- edged ribbon of some pale color and arrange it as iv the illustration. The result is a very delicate and pietty sotting for auy picture. TWO PRETTY SACHETS. New ICecordar. Nothing is more ornamental for the top of the dressing-case than a pretty sachet for handkerchiefs or gloves.

Thealbum sachet for photographs is also a feature in every dainty woman's possessions. The handkerchief sachet in the illustra- tion is made in imitation of a fan. The material is white satin, veiled with embroidered a lined with scented wadding blue silk and adorned with butterfly bows in blue silK ribbon torsades and central bow in shot ribbon. To make tho album satchet cut a band of Molletou, 10 inches by 17 inches; apply on it a similar sized strip in embroidery or fancy material, outlined with gold lace, allowing a littlrt fullness at the corners, which are adorned with rosettes of baby ribbon in two or three different shades, hurmouizing with the satlu rouleaux heading liu-e. Place across the center piece of stift canvas to represent the firm back ot the album.

Sprettd over the whole a sheet of scented wadding, and line with pink satin. Some of the English pumping engines perform work equaling the raising of 000,000 gallons one foot high by tne consumption 100 weight of coal. DON'T PICK UP PINS Some of the Reasons for Not Doing So. TRICKS THAT WORK AII3CHIEF The Price a Man Paid for Good- Naturedly Giving a Friend a Light. Written for The slor.vi.vq Cai Do people ever think? When one views tbe sort of things so many people do, habitually, one rs tempted to answer the question in the negative.

1 was one of a crowd of people kept waiting the other day on the stairway of one of the ferry-boats while a woman just in front of us stooped to pick up a pin and stick it carefully in her coat. I was both amused and disgusted at the performance as I watched it, but when, a few moments later, 1 saw her take that same piu and deliberately pick her teeth with it my amusement vanished and my disgust was tempered with genuine and justifiable anger. Do we kerp button and pins and needles religiously out of the way of babies that grown up people should pick them up and put them in their mouths? It almost seems as if it might be just as well to let the babies have them in the beginning. Thus we might materially conduce to the survival of tue fittest. I suppose nine women out of ten and ninety-nine men out of a hundred will stoop to pick up a pin lying on the floor or the sidewalk.

The only reason more women don't do it is because it is not so convenient for them to stoop, and the majority of women usually have cloves on, or they have no convenient place to put the pins when they collect them. But a man, when he seas a pin, will almost invariably stoop, often without realizing what he is dome, rescue the (-stray and weave it carefully into the lapel of bis coat. And yet there is no small act of daily life so fraught with danger to Us perpetrator, unless it may that other imbecility common to both men and women, the putting of small coins into the mouth. One can never tell to what use that pin was last put. It may have fastened a bandage to some malignant and poisonous wound.

it may have he'd together the garments of some being suffering from contagious disease. It may even have been thrust into some unpleasant sore or other that some unfortunate was afflicted with. I saw a man in a streetcar once picking away at a dreadful looking ulcer on the back of his hand with a common brass pin, which he afterward threw upon the floor. 1 made sure no one would pick that pin up again by setting it UDright under my heel and bending it double. Even an old maid, who is supposed to have a predilection for crooked pins, could have found no possible use for that one.

I have seen plenty of people use these useful articles in unending to annoying little sebaceous that so often appear on the face, but nothing could be more imprudent, for the material, from which the pin is made is poisonous, and the result of using one is almost inevitably the production of a disfiguring and painful eruption. Equally harmful, too. Is the practice of pinching the face to leniove these same annoyances. This sort of treatment, by bruiting the surrounding tissues, is very liable to injure other pores and -cause a further exudation and hardening of sebaceous matter, the. unfortuoaie cause of these unpleasant spots.

When they appear the only thing to do is to take a fine needle nnd inserting the point close to the little 6ppck, gently cut all round it with a slight burrowing motion. When this is carefully done the little black offense can bo lifted out on the point of the needle, which should afterward be either destroyed or carefully cleansed by dipping in a little carbolized water. Attention to just such trifles as this would do much toward rendering physicians less than they now are. The use of pins as I have indicated is not always productive of harm, and this fact makes people careless who know better. I was once driving with a lady who, just before we started out, noticing a tiny pimple on her chin, licked up pin and proceeded to open it I remonstrated, whereupon she laughingly replied, "Oh, that's nothing; I've it lots of times." The next day her chin was very sore, and for four weeks thereafter she lav In bed dangerously ill, her life despaired of.

and she undergoing tortures unspeakable from the terrible bloodpoisoning that resulted from her apparently innocent little operation. I referred awhile back to the putting of coins in the 'mouth. One would suppose en ugh has been written and said upon this subject to render it Impossible for any intelligent person ever to make that dangerous mistake; yet only a day or two ago I saw an elegantly dressed gentleman with kid gloves upon his bunds transfer the coin with which he con tern ted paying his carfare from his fingers to his mouth while be opened his newspaper and folded it to get at the particular column of news he was interested in. Considering the number of hands through which such a small coin passes in the course of a day, the chances of its being free from possible contagious and injurious matter are very slim indeed. It is not ignorance, however, but thoughtlessness that causes most people to offend against prudence in these regards.

I was once sitting in a physician's office where two young men were awaiting the advent of a companion who was closeted with the doctor. These two young men amused themselves by walking restlessly about the apartment, examining nnd handling everything that attracted their attention. Presently one of them happened upon some pointed bits of quills, like unsplit pens, that were in a covered glass 'cup on a cabinet. These they examined, and finally each took one. I saw them afterward by the window pii kinir their teeth with them, but not until their companion had joined them and they had nil taken their departure did I discover that what they had used as toothpicks were vaccine points.

The doctor told me, a few weeks after, that one of the "poor fellows -had had a dreadful time, the other having been so fortunate as to escape scratching In- gums with the point. How often. do you see one good fellow carelessly reach forward and take a cigar or cigarette from between another good fellow's lips, and, holding it in his fingers, light his own )oke" thereat. A simple enough thing, dene every day. yet many a fatal result physicians tell us has been traced to just this source.

I recall a case of lupus in hospital that cost a young man his upper lip through his eood nature in allowing a friend to take his dear in his ulcerated and bandnged hand in order to light a pipe, He was greatly mystified when the attending physician seeking to trace the source of the evil inquired particularly whether ho had ever given a light to any acquaintance who had sores on his hands, and, when upon reflection he recalled the occasion when he had done so, he could even then scarcely be convinced that his sufferings were traceable to that little act of courtesy. The lips are peculiarly susceptible to poison of every sort, as there are frequently line cracks and scratches in the skin thereof through which deleterious matter is readily absorbed. The smoker who wishes to feel secure from contagion should smoke a Dive or use a holder. Carelessness in small matters like this area frequent cause of trouble. A physician told me recently of a number of cases that had resulted fatally or nearly so from such an apparent trifle as using a medicine dropper for measuring a dose of medicine bsfora the dropper had been thoroughly cleansed from all traces of a former using in a different remedy.

It is hard for the lay mind to understand that two substances, each practically harmless in itself, may combine to form another capable of doing deadly mischief. These come under the head of what in medical, parlance are called and there Is a not Inconsiderable list of them. 1 Perhaps it is in the handling of medicines and chemicals that people are more thoughtless and careless than in any other one thing. They will pour medicines from one bottle Into another, not remembering to change the labels. They will pour a dose from a bottle and administer it to a child or take it themselves without ever looking at.

the label; One can scarcely pick up a paper nowadays without reading of a child being killed or nearly killed by a fond mother or nurse administering a dose of carbolic acid instead of the cough syrup intended to be given. Somehow it always seems to be carbolic acid that the poor Infants get, though one would suppose that the smell of that substance would be ample warning to even the most careless of handlers. The people who are over-careful with; poisons are almost as bad as those who are careless. They bring home a bottle of corrosive sublimate, labeled and wrapped, and put it on the top shelf of the linen closet or in the bottom bureau drawer or some other of the places where children are sure to rummage whenever they get a chance, and there they leave ii until the inquisitive little ones discover and investigate its contents. Whenever poison is to kept In a house where i there is a child large enough to be likely to find and partake of it -It should be In a distinctive and easily Identified bottle, and the child i should nave it shown to him and nature clearly and carefully explained to him.

Then It should be put la safe place; It Is just as well, perhaps, that he should kuow where it Is, nud then there is less danger of accidents happen ins. Most peoDle, when giving medicine, lny the cork down somewhere, or as in the lamentable case that recently cost an Eastern clergyman his life bold it betwoen the teeth. Neither of these tilings should ever be dune, the latter for obvious Masons, the former because tho cork if laid down is liable, especially if it be wer, to become in some wav contaminated. Floating particles of injurious dust may light upon it; or it may chance to be laid in something that, adhering to it. will produce chemical changes In the medicine, or it may be lost, involving a loss of time and injury to the contents of the bottie from the long exposure to air.

The hot-tempered old German professor who taught mo all the chemistry 1 know and lots that I have forgotten used often publicly reprimand students for the unpardouable ffe'ise of laying a cork down. He always insisted that when not in the bottle the cork should bo huld between the third and fourth fingers of the left hand and replaced in the bottle as soon as possible. That is a very good way to hold the cork when not In and is a habit very easy to acquire. Once gained it will often save a deal of trouble. Adelixe E.

THE TRYST. As I went by the harbor when folk were I saw my dead lover In boat pattlus la. My love lie came swiftly and kissed my whitening head. And my cheeks so hollow and thin. And fare tv face we nestled by tbe wasli of tbe foam, And after ton? sorrow the Joy it was sweet.

1 combed bis locks of honey with my little sliver comb, And with my bands I warmed bit feet. The Sfa-fog crept round us as white as the wool. And he lay on trie sea-sand with bis bead on my knee, No night wind broie the silence, nor any shrieking cull. In that death-white fog from the sea. And then I crooned him over our sweet songs cf old; Ochone I could not warm him, and never a word he I loosed my hoary hair then, the gray locks with the gold.

And wrapped him In a living cloak. I never thought to ask him the wherefore be had come, Or It bis heaven were lonely, and this earth so dear; I prayed with eager longing that the cocks would be dumb, And the night- time last a year. Ocbone! the cocks came crowing, and be arose and went. His darling black head banging-, out through the sea-lon's snow. Oh! wherefore, darling, darling, did you break my dull content.

And why did yon come but to go? Kathkhink THE TROPIC OF CANCER. A Pyramid in Mexico to Show Where It Crosses the Railroad. New Yi-rk San. A Brooklyn physiciau who has recently visited the capital of Mexico took a snap shot ou hi 3 way south at tbe Tropic of Cancer. This imaginary line is marked where the railroad crosses it by a pyramid that was built in 1801.

Tbe idea was suggested by Governor Gutierrez of the State of San Luis Potosi, and under bis energetic initiative the pyramid was soon built. It is about fifteen feet in height and tbe lougt- Martin? Tropic of Cancer. tudinal center of its base is supposed to coincide with the Tropic of Cancer. On one side of the pyramid are the words "Tropico de Cancer; Zona Torrida." On the other tide is an inscription to the effect that' the pyramid was erected in IS9I under the' direction of Don Toman Milan, the superintendent of the Mexican National Railroad. In South America there is, near tho coast, a series of stone pillars extending for some distance showing the position of the equator.

Ail passenger trains on the Mexican Central pause a minute at this pyramid to enable passengers to look at the spot whero the? leave one geographical zone and pass into another. As a matter of fact, however, the country where the Trotfic of Cancer crosses the railroad Is far more temperate in climate than it is In Northern Mexico and Southern Texas. The railroad lias been carried up grade until it has reached tho elevated plateau of Central Mexico, where wheat and other products peculiar to cool, temperate climates are grown, as well as many sub-tropical products. All who see the Tronic of Cancer pyramid, therefore, may derive from it the interesting form tion that a temperate or tropical climate does not depend entirely upon distance from the equator, but is largely influenced by elevation above the sea; and the great Mexican plateau, on account of its lofty altitude, is a more temperate region than a large territory north if it, just an the great plateau of Southern Africa, extending far north, carries a comparatively temperate climate far toward the equator. Facts About the Presidents.

Herald. Three of the first four Presidents of the United married widows. The of John Quinry Adams, who received her education in England, created a great sensation in the The wife of Martin Van BureD, Hannah Hoes, lived but a short time after her marriage, dying about seventeen years before her husband's election to the Presidency. President Tyler's second wife was an ardent Catholic and Mrs. Polk a calm-mannered Presbyterian.

Mrs. Millard Fiilmore "bad been a schoolteacher and the courtship was carried nu under difficulties, as the lover could rarely afford the expense of a journey to visit his fiancee. Mrs. Franklin Pierce was the devowt daughter ef a clergyman and made the White House a center for charitable and religious enterprises. In Autumn.

The stars are bright in heaven, P- The moon shine's cold and clear, The withered leaves are drifting To shroud the dying year. And throueh the bare, gaunt branches The entiling breezes blow; Boon will the. fields lie burled Beneath (he fleecy snow. Nature be slowly dying, Your teeth will ne'er decay If SOZODONT. the preserver, You carefully use each day.

1 Every Day of the Seven Teeth should be brushed with SOZODONT In or- der to kt-p them 1 whits or to render them so. Specks and blemishes upon their surface disap- pear after itpj.ly me a few times. The gums acquire i a coral 'Hat and grow bard from the use of bOZODONT. Analysis d'selosea Dotting- impure In this preparation. The ladles buy and use SOZODONT because they know that It Is a most effective aid to beauty.

The sooner our readers commeuce us use toe better for them. Sarsaparilla 1 Cures Others, Will Cure you. re2lly So tiff A Skin of Beauty Is a Joy. Forever. TXtt.

T. FELIX OKIRNTAT. CUBAN, OK MAGICAL Br.Al "Co BOYes Tan. Pimples, (reck. it! Moth l'atciies.

Bash, and Bltln at and a cT ry blemish ou Jtt ana defies rr (Hr On its JV sJy It stood c-2J iv "i '1 no other has. and is. so harmless wo tRL to be sum iroptriy made. Jj-rYs Accept no counter- of Urall.r Tiia Jgolshod Dr. Ua, 1 said to a 'Jr kl ladr ot.the'Aaue- on (a patient): 3 Oovrn or Skin One bottle will last six day.

Also -oudr. auperftuou. without injary to FEKDT. BOPX INS, Prop'r, 37 Great For sale by ail DrugjUtsand Fancy Uoods Dealers throiuhout the C. Canadas and Europe.

Base Imitations. tluOO Kewrtd tor arrm aaa proof of any one selling me same. 7 BuMply PILLS, i An' excellent and mild Cathartic! Purely Vegetable. Taken accordlus to restore health renew vitality. Box.

Sold by all Ml ly.