Chapter XIX (2)
The occurrences referred to above took place at a track-athletic meeting, but they might just as well have happened at a football or a baseball game. The two schools are rivals in sport, and the single aim of each is to defeat the other. This spirit is commendable and should be encouraged, and I know of no one who will yell louder and longer for his own side than I will. But when it comes to jeering, we must draw the line. It is unsportsmanlike, and that means that it is ungentlemanly, cowardly, and indecent. We go into sport in order that the best man may win, and if the best man is on the other side, this may be a disappointment, but it is never a disgrace. If we start in to jeer at the best man's efforts we are openly trying to prevent him from winning, which is conduct directly opposite to the motives that led us to encourage the competition. It is as cowardly to jeer at an opponent as it is to adopt unfair means to defeat him: and any act calculated and intended to injure the chances of an antagonist is unsportsmanlike.
As to the particular case mentioned in the editorial, I can make no comment beyond what has already been said, except that fighting after a friendly contest is wholly irreconcilable to sport. I don't know, of course, whether there was an actual fight or not. The editor may have exaggerated; let us hope that he did. But to allow one's feelings to get the upper hand in sport is always a sign of weakness, and persons of such weak character as not to be able to restrain their passions should not indulge in sport. They do not belong among sportsmen.
There is nothing better than athletic contests to develop character and to teach a man to restrain himself. Aside from all ethics in the matter, and looking at the case purely from the point of view of securing advantage, it is better to be able to master one's passions and feelings. The man who loses his temper on the football field, and begins to "slug" his opponent, or to adopt mean methods of play, invariably weakens his own efforts, because he is giving more thought to his spite than he is to his game. Of two teams absolutely evenly matched in every physical respect, the team whose members keep cool and collected, and do not lose their tempers, is bound to win every time. It is so in everything; in business the same as in sport. Therefore, let me repeat that whereas enthusiasm and eagerness cannot be too highly commended, any display of ill-feeling or displeasure in sport cannot be too severely condemned.
At a number of schools it is the custom to allow instructors to play on the football and baseball teams, and these instructors frequently go into match games against other school teams. Such a system, of course, is bad; but it is fortunate that it is not countenanced at those institutions which hold a prominent place in the interscholastic world. It is mostly at small private schools that the teachers play, but the principle is the same. In the first place, a man who is old enough to be a professor is too old to play against boys. He outclasses them in experience and in strength, and it is unfair to pit such a player against a young athlete who has gone into sport for the sake of trying his skill against his equals. It is also discouraging to any team of young men to have to face opponents among whom there may be one or more college graduates. The mere presence of an older man on a boys' team serves to overawe the other side.
A Captain is perfectly justified in refusing to play against any school team that puts an instructor or professional trainer into the field with the school players. In fact, I should strongly urge every Captain of a school team to refuse to arrange games with any institution where the professor habit prevails, and to retire from any contest in which the opponents propose to play an older man. A few years ago there was a school team in Pennsylvania that won most of its baseball games simply because the pitcher was so much superior to any school pitcher the team ever met, and so much better an all-round player than any school-boy could be, that their opponents had no chance. That was not sport. There was no glory in those victories. The school team did not win. It was the professor against the field. He was a graduate of Williams College, I think, and had been the crack pitcher of his year among college baseball teams. But I think that he no longer performs for that school, and I believe that the boys there have a truer appreciation of the ethics of sport now, and fight their own battles on the diamond and on the gridiron.
It is all very proper for instructors who were athletes in college to give the scholars at the school they teach in the benefit of their experience by coaching the players, and even by going out on the field and playing against the first school team. But they should always play against the team, not with it, except for the purpose of demonstrating a play. By coaching the school players they are doing much good for the school team and for sport. But by joining the school players in games against other schools they do injury both to the players and to the cause of sport.
The absurd reports which appeared in some of the New York daily papers concerning the injury received by Captain Mynderse, of the Betts Academy team, in the recent game against the Berkeley School eleven, only serve to corroborate the statements made by this Department two weeks ago. Fortunately Mr. Ely, the coach of the Berkeley team, came out promptly with a statement to the effect that the boy was not at all seriously injured, and that he returned to his school the next day with his companion players, and was not, as reported, laid up in the hospital in a critical condition. In closing, Mr. Ely remarks: "Any team of school-boys who are properly looked after and cared for while playing the game, and who are physically fit to play it, need have no fear of doing so, nor need their parents have any fear that their sons will be permanently injured or incapacitated from pursuing a collegiate or business career from injurious effects sustained upon the football field." Mr. Ely is perfectly right; and let me add that boys who are not properly looked after while playing the game, or who are not physically fit to play it, should not be allowed on the field.
The most promising eleven in the New York League, up to date, is the Berkeley School team. Bayne has been made Captain instead of Irwin-Martin, and he will, no doubt, put more life and snap into his men. The change is a good one, for Martin is a good deal of a back number in scholastic athletics, and has thoroughly outgrown the class of players who properly belong on school teams. The protests against him on the score of age will probably again this year pop up with persistent regularity in the meetings of the I.S.A.A. Martin ought to get a certified copy of his birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and settle this disputed question once for all.
The league games began last week, and the schedule is divided into two sections, as the baseball schedule was:
FIRST SECTION.
Oct. 22.--Cutler School vs. Hamilton Institute.
Oct. 29.--Trinity School vs. Columbia Grammar School.
Nov. 5.--Hamilton Institute vs. Trinity School.
Nov. 12.--Cutler School vs. Columbia Grammar School.
Nov. 19.--Cutler School vs. Trinity School.
Nov. 22.--Hamilton Institute vs. Columbia Grammar School.
SECOND SECTION.
Oct. 25.--Barnard School vs. De La Salle Institute.
Nov. 1.--Barnard School vs. Berkeley School.
Nov. 8.--Berkeley School vs. De La Salle Institute.
Nov. 29.--Championship game, winner first section vs. winner
second section.
Should there be a tie, the deciding game will be played on November 26th at the Berkeley Oval, where all the championship matches are to be held.
The Brooklyn series began almost a week earlier than the New York games, and will be continued in this order:
Oct. 16.--Adelphi Academy vs. Bryant & Stratton.
Oct. 19.--Adelphi Academy vs. Pratt Institute; St. Paul's School
vs. Bryant & Stratton.
Oct. 22.--"Poly Prep." vs. Bryant & Stratton; Boys' High-School
vs. Bryant & Stratton.
Oct. 26.--Brooklyn Latin School vs. Bryant & Stratton; "Poly
Prep." vs. Pratt Institute.
Nov. 2.--Pratt Institute vs. Boys' High-School; St. Paul's School
vs. Adelphi Academy.
Nov. 5.--Brooklyn Latin School vs. Boys' High-School; St. Paul's
School vs. "Poly Prep."
Nov. 9.--St. Paul's School vs. Pratt Institute.
Nov. 13.--"Poly Prep." vs. Boys' High-School.
Nov. 16.--St. Paul's School vs. Boys' High-School; Pratt Institute
vs. Brooklyn Latin School.
Nov. 20.--"Poly Prep." vs. Boys' High-School; Brooklyn Latin
School vs. Adelphi Academy.
Nov. 23.--Brooklyn Latin School vs. St. Paul's School.
Nov. 26.--"Poly Prep." vs. Adelphi Academy.
The game between Lawrenceville and the Princeton 'Varsity showed considerable improvement on the part of the school team; but it also emphasized the fact that the end players are still weak, and that both quarter and full back can be materially strengthened. On the whole, the playing was sharp, and the work of the team as a unit showed that it was made up of good stuff that will, no doubt, be moulded into shape by the time of the Andover game. The tackling and breaking into Princeton's interference were good, but the men were slow at the start off. Their own interference did not form in time, and as yet the defensive work is far inferior to that of last year's eleven.
THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL FOOTBALL ELEVEN.]
At the Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, the outlook for football is good, notwithstanding the loss of such men as Cheney, Conner, Sheldon, Spencer, Gray, and Wells. Many players who were raw last year are developing well, and some good new men have come in. The line is heavier than last year, and will be better, but the ends and backs are light, averaging perhaps 140 pounds. Hixon, centre, plays a strong and steady game, and may always be depended on. Reiland, left guard, though he puts up a stiff game, is apt to lose his side much ground by off-side plays. Brown, right guard, makes good holes and breaks through well, but runs poorly with the ball. McCormick, left-tackle, is playing well, and runs with the ball with force, but is inclined to be overconfident, does not follow the ball closely, and is consequently out of many plays. Cook, right tackle, is playing hard, but has much to learn. Crane, right end, although very light, tackles well but is apt to be blocked off by the interference. Savage, left end, breaks up the interference well, but is a little weak in tackling.
McKelvey, at quarter-back, makes an excellent Captain, passes accurately, and shows good judgment in the generalship of his team. Warner, half and full, hits the line well, and plays a strong defensive game. Ellsworth, left half, runs around the ends well, but is weak in tackling. Warner must learn to punt better in order to hold his position at full back. At present the team plays a better offensive than defensive game. In offense the line-men block well and make good holes, but in the defense they do not break through quickly enough, and do not follow the ball as well as they should.
As the season advances and the teams of the Connecticut League get into form, the struggle for the championship seems to be narrowing down to a close fight between Hartford High-School and Hillhouse High of New Haven, with the chances slightly in favor of the former. Hartford played a strong game a week ago against the Yale Freshmen.
THE GRADUATE.
This Department is conducted in the Interest of Girls and Young
Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on
the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address
Editor.
Gwendoline writes that she wishes to know the secret of being popular. "I'd like to be a popular girl," she says, "a girl beloved by everybody."
This is a natural wish, and in itself not wrong. There is a temptation to wrong in it if the desire be carried so far that, in order to become popular, the girl sacrifices valuable qualities of character, as, for instance, independence of judgment and sincerity.
But there is no need of this. The girl who chooses to be popular needs first to be unselfish. She must not consider her own ends first nor chiefly. The atmosphere enfolding her must be that of love and kindness. You know how some girls always try to have the best things, the best places, the pleasant things, while they do not try to pass the good times along to others. These are not popular girls. Nobody can be fond of a selfish person.
Again, a really popular person must have courage. Courage enough to be a leader. There are only a few leaders in any city, or school, or other corner of the world. Most people are followers. I heard of a leader this morning. She went to a boarding-school a long way off from home. Among the teachers there was a little shy Miss Somebody whom the girls did not like. They made fun of her prim manner and her queer tow-colored hair, and a sort of mincing walk the poor lady had, and they did not see that she was really a very learned woman who could teach them a great deal if they would attend to her. Maria Matilda observed the state of affairs, and decided that it was unjust, so she championed the little teacher. She sent flowers to her desk. She listened respectfully when Miss Diffidence was in the preceptor's chair. She began to be very fond of her, and discovered that Miss Diffidence was really a dear, only frightened out of her wits, among a crowd of unfeeling girls. Before long Maria Matilda changed the whole situation, and, she being a born leader, the rest followed her willingly. I need not add that Maria Matilda is popular, _very_ popular.
Another requisite for the popular girl is _savoir-faire_; she must know how to do things. Any one of us can have this power. It is a mere affair of paying attention, of will, and of considering it worth while to be able easily, in whatever place you are, to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.
Charm of speech, charm of look, charm of manner belong to the popular girl. Do you know how she acquires charm? By simply being genuinely interested in those about her. When she talks to you she looks you in the face. She has nothing to conceal. When you look at her, you see a good heart shining in her eyes.
Now that I have said all this, I must add that you would far better be unpopular your whole life through, than to make a study of the thing merely for the sake of ambition or vanity. He that saveth his life shall lose it, says the best of Books, which means that one who does anything for purely selfish--which are always purely low--motives, will in the end be sadly disappointed.
MONEY FOR TOADS.
It is said that boys living in and about San Diego, California, are making money catching horned toads for the Hawaiian government, which is said to be importing them to destroy an insect which is ruining many crops in the island. The government want 5000 toads, and is paying the boys $1 a dozen for them.
HOW TOD GOT INTO THE HALLOWEEN GAMES.
Tod Forrest was one of those kind of boys that, when asked to exhibit the contents of his pockets, could produce the oddest lot of trash.
He stood one afternoon lazily hanging on to a split rail fence, gazing idly over the fields at a distant wood. "Well," he muttered, "I reckon I've got to gather some of those 'ere nuts, after all. Let me see. 'Holly eve' comes to-morrow, and the boys won't let me in on the games unless I do, so here goes."
Heaving a sigh, he climbed over the fence and made for the woods. He penetrated deeper among the trees than usual, and after going some distance he found himself on higher ground and in a new spot. A large chestnut-tree thick with burs stood near the centre of a small knoll. It was the work of a few minutes, and he was safely perched in a fork of the branches, breaking open the burs with his knife and filling his pockets with the nuts. He had filled two of those capacious maws, when he was startled by a deep growl. There beneath him, nosing around among the empty burs, was a good-sized bear. It frightened him so that he nearly lost his seat.
Tod could always find the humorous side of things, however, and it seemed that one of the burs he had thrown down had lighted on the bear's nose and stuck there, tickling him.
It made the bear snort and growl in the most ludicrous fashion. This was a short-lived matter, for through an incautious giggle on Tod's part the animal discovered him, and started for the foot of the tree. Now a bear can climb a tree about as good as any one, and Tod knew it, but lazy as Tod was, he had a mind for emergencies, and seizing a handful of chestnuts, he threw them at the bear. This second interruption attracted the animal's attention, and he began devouring the nuts, evidently something he was exceedingly fond of. After that to keep the bear out of the tree Tod was obliged to throw down handful after handful of chestnuts, the meanwhile despairing of his situation. He searched his pockets, and, lucky thought, there among the trash were two small rifle cartridges.
Selecting two of the largest nuts, he bored a hole in them and inserted the cartridges. Waiting until the bear had finished his last handful and stood greedily eying him, he gently threw the loaded nuts to the ground. Anxiously he watched as the bear nosed around in search of them. In a few moments one of them was found, but before the greedy animal munched on it he secured the other. Now it was funny, but the bear seemingly wanted to tantalize Tod, and lifting his head, stood looking at him without attempting to chew the loaded chestnuts. Tod was scared, and tears came into his eyes. The bear made one or two steps towards the tree, and then hesitating, sat back on his haunches, with his eyes on Tod, and commenced chewing.
Suddenly a very comical look of surprise came over that bear's face, and almost instantly an explosion took place. Tod claims that the bear jumped six feet into the air, and when he fell back on the ground again he never waited an instant to learn what happened him, but scampered off in the funniest lumbering fashion. Tod waited till he thought it was safe, and climbing down, made tracks for home. The boys let him in at the games on Halloween to hear him tell his story again, as they had by that time substantiated it by the blood tracks of the bear.
HUBERT EARL.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Highest of all in Leavening Strength.--Latest U. S. Gov't Report.
=CARDS FOR 1896.= 50 Sample Styles AND LIST OF 400 PREMIUM ARTICLES FREE. HAVERFIELD CO., Cadiz, Ohio.
Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our
maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the
official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen.
Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W. the
Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership
blanks and information so far as possible.
The map this week is of Boston and its vicinity, and the reader in using it on the road must remember that a great many streets in the city have been omitted here, and in many places it is impossible to put the names of streets, owing to the necessity for covering so much ground on a small map. Every macadamized or asphalted street is, however, represented on the map. The object in publishing this map is not so much to tell a rider how to get about in the city, _i.e._, in "old Boston," as to give him an idea of what roads to take in order to reach certain suburbs and to follow certain bicycle routes which we intend giving in the Department in the next few weeks. The city of Boston is eminently suited for bicycle riding owing to the beautiful parks which are either finished or in course of preparation at the present moment. As a usual thing, the starting-point for a trip in the vicinity of Boston will be laid at Copley Square, which is at the intersection of Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue. The best way for reaching any of the suburbs or towns to north and west is to run through any street from Copley Square to Commonwealth Avenue, proceeding thence to Massachusetts Avenue, turning right and crossing the Harvard Bridge, thence proceeding through Cambridge out North Avenue to Arlington, Medford, Malden, etc.
To reach Chestnut Hill, Brookline, or Brighton, Commonwealth Avenue should be followed across Massachusetts Avenue to Beacon Street, thence out Beacon Street. Any of the suburbs further westward, such as Newton, Wellesley, Jamaica Plain, etc., can be reached over one of the best roads that was ever made for bicycle riders, _i.e._, through the new park that has been built along the course of Stony Brook. To reach this you proceed across Massachusetts Avenue on Commonwealth Avenue and turn left into the Fenway, and follow what has been named "The Fens" by keeping on any of the roads inside the park, such as the Riverway, Jamaicaway, through Leverett Park, around Jamaica Pond, thence out through the Arnold Arboretum, and from there taking what direction is desired on the country roads. This run through "The Fens" and Leverett Park, which in time will be extended from the Arboretum over to Franklin Park, and thence to South Boston, will make one of the pleasantest short afternoon bicycle rides in America. It will have the advantage of never being monotonous, because there are many variations to the route, allowing you to wind about in the park, cross different bridges, and leave or enter it at many different points.
To reach Milton, Dorchester, Quincy, etc., there are many routes, the shortest of which, though not perhaps the best, being to leave Copley Square, to Commonwealth Avenue, to Massachusetts Avenue, turning to the left and proceeding thence straight across Boston, out Massachusetts Avenue to Five Corners. From Five Corners the rider should turn to the right, proceeding by Boylston Street to Upham's Corner, thence by Columbia Street to Franklin Park, turning to the left on Blue Hill Avenue, whence he can either run to Hyde Park or Milton, or, turning into Washington Street, and proceeding by Milton, to Quincy. Probably the best road, though somewhat longer ride, is to run out over the Fenway, Riverway, and Jamaicaway, across Franklin Park, and thence to Milton.
NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of
route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford,
Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New
Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814.
Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816.
Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in
No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in
No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No.
822. Philadelphia-Wiasahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to
West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First
Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to
Vineland--First Stage in No. 827. Second Stage in No. 828. New
York to Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830;
Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in
No. 833. Boston to Concord, 834.
This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin
collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question
on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should
address Editor Stamp Department.
Plate-number collecting is booming. The newest development is the issue of priced catalogues of the 1894 varieties, both with and without water-marks. As yet no one has ventured to price any of the earlier issues, but the demand for them is already greater than the supply.
A number of correspondents ask how many stamps are taken from each sheet in plate collecting. Usually three, and care must be taken that the stamps are not torn apart and that the margin is kept attached. The usual form of imprint on the sheets of the present issue is the following:
Some collectors keep the imprints from top, bottom, left, and right sides, but most are content with one only. Plate No. 89 is the rarest of all so far.
The Pittsburg Library has set apart an alcove for philatelic literature. The other American libraries will probably soon be obliged to do the same.
F. SCHOENTHALER.--The U.S. silver dollar of 1800 is worth $2. The
trade dollar is worth bullion value only.
F. M. L.--The 1845 dime is worth 20c.
H. J. LEAKE.--Confederate bills are very common, and I therefore
advise their collection, as it is comparatively easy to get a very
large number by the expenditure of little money, and they are very
interesting to all Americans. The dimes of 1829 and 1823 are sold
by dealers at 25 cents each. Your half-dollar is worth face only.
Mexican coins are worth their weight in silver only.
GEORGE FRANCE, JUN.--The 5-cent U.S. Internal Revenue is the
ordinary kind, of which many millions were used. It is sold by
dealers at 2 cents.
C. E. A.--I cannot undertake to look over a large lot of common
stamps when a little study on your part would enable you to fairly
understand them yourself. It would not be fair to you. One of the
great merits in stamp-collecting is that it trains the eye as well
as the mind.
S. HALL.--I cannot advise you about joining the A.P.A. Personally
I am not a member.
PHILATUS.
* * * * *
A GOOD CHILD
is usually healthy, and both conditions are developed by use of proper food. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is the best infant's food; so easily prepared that improper feeding is inexcusable and unnecessary.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Say, Boys!
We have been telling you about the
"Rugby" Watches
for some time.
=If you have not sent for the "Rugby" Catalogue, you are pretty late. It is your misfortune.=
Turn over a new leaf and send at once. You will have your eyes opened when you see the beautiful designs on the cases. The catalogue tells all about them.
The Waterbury Watch Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Arnold
Constable & Co
* * * * *
Children's Wear.
Corsets,
Ladies' Silk Skirts,
Ladies' Underwear,
Children's School Dresses,
Misses' Coats and Dresses,
Children's Coats and Jackets,
Ladies' Wrappers and Tea Gowns,
Children's Frocks for Dancing-school.
* * * * *
Broadway & 19th st.
NEW YORK.
Postage Stamps, &c.
=1000= Mixed Foreign Postage Stamps, including Fiji Islands, Samoa, Hawaii, Hong Kong, for 34c. in stamps; 10 varieties U. S. Columbian stamps, 25c.; entire unused 5c. and 10c. Columbian Envelopes, 25c. the pair. Only a limited number were issued by U. S. Government. E. F. GAMBS, Box 2631, San Francisco, Cal. Established, 1872.
=STAMPS!= =300= fine mixed Victoria. Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc., with fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80-p. Price-list =free=. _Agents wanted_ at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St. Louis, Mo. Old U. S. and Confederate Stamps bought.
100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti, Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! =C. A. Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
=500= Mixed Australian, etc., 10c.; =105 varieties=, and =nice= album, 10c.; 15 unused, 10c.; 10 Africa, 10c.; 15 Asia, 10c. F. P. Vincent, Chatham, N.Y.
=FINE PACKETS= in large variety. Stamps at 50% com. Col's bought. Northwestern Stamp Co., Freeport, Ill.
=10 RARE STAMPS FREE.= Send 2c. stamp. =F. E. THORP, Norwich, N.Y.=
STAMPS
Approval sheets at 50% com. Send at once.
THE OHIO STAMP CO., Carthage, Ohio.
FREE
As a sample of our 1000 BARGAINS we will send FREE this elegant Fountain Pen, warranted a perfect writer, and immense Illus. Bargain Catalogue, for 10c. to cover postage, etc.
R. H. INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 CORTLANDT ST., N. Y. CITY.
HARPER'S PERIODICALS.
Per Year:
HARPER'S MAGAZINE _Postage Free_, $4.00
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_Booksellers and Postmasters usually receive subscriptions. Subscriptions sent direct to the publishers should be accompanied by Post-office Money Order or Draft._
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Chapter Programmes Again.
One of the chief reasons that juvenile clubs often disband for lack of interest is because nothing is laid out for them to do. In the first place, let it be said that those Chapters succeed best which adhere to one or the other of the following policies:
1, Choose some older person to direct everything, and then obey implicitly the suggestions laid down by that older person; or, 2, Resolve the Chapter into a committee of the whole. Let all have a voice. Agree upon a programme, and then follow it. The thing to be avoided most is the running of the Chapter by a few of its members.
After the routine business have a subject for discussion. Select this subject a long time in advance. Name some particular phase of it, and appoint one member to open and lead the discussion. Then have three-minute talks, and urge each member to speak. Doing so is admirable practice. If others fail to get much from what is said, the speaker will himself get a good deal, because he acquires the habit of thinking on his feet.
A good subject for a whole winter is American history. In order to have a definite plan in its study take up the "Federal Principle." That might do for the opening evening. Tell the member who is to open it to consult Moore's _American Congress_, and learn how James Otis, in the Massachusetts Assembly, made the first suggestion that the colonies get together--furnished us with the Federal principle itself. Find out who Otis was, and what became of his resolution when it got to the Virginia House of Deputies. Getting down to the time of the Revolution, on later evenings, find out why the Articles of Confederation failed--because they had too little Federalism in them.
Another subject which Chapters might take up is American politics. This is a good topic for ladies as well as for men. Use Johnston's book with the above title for a basis, and get your arguments from the newspapers. Learn the structure of our local, State, and national government.
Another topic is the study of men and women of the past and present. Secure the exclusive use of a good biographical dictionary. Require each member present, under penalty of a small fine, to give the name of some famous man or woman, and tell why he or she is known to the world. This exercise will broaden your mental horizon wonderfully. For instance, Herbert Martin, when his turn comes, says he has found many interesting things in the life of Cavour. How many members of the average Chapter can tell who Cavour was? Yet he was a modern man of the first rank.
Plan something to do, and your Chapter is likely to be interested in it. To find out what that something shall be, consult your members, and follow their wishes. Then get outside help from older persons, not to tell you what to do, but to aid you to do that which you yourselves have chosen to do. Such a course will make a strong and profitable Chapter. Thousands of men of affairs will tell you, if you ask them, that one of the greatest sources of help to them in their later years was the knowledge and enthusiasm that they acquired in these juvenile societies.
The Word Hunts.
Not the slightest injustice will be done to any competitor in the "Word Hunts," because full rules were not published with the first announcement. Judges will cut out of all lists obsolete or other prohibited words, and the chances of success will not be lessened because such words were inserted. Do _not_ roll your lists.
A Special Offer.
Teachers, students, superintendents of Sunday-schools, Ladies, members of the Round Table, and others willing to distribute ten to seventy-five Prospectuses and personally commend HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, will receive, according to number of Prospectuses distributed, bound volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for 1893, gold badges of the Round Table Order, packet of fifty engraved visiting-cards, bearing their name, with copper plate for future use, rubber stamp bearing their name and address, nickel pencil resembling a common nail, or silver badge of the Round Table Order. This offer is restricted to one person in a town or neighborhood. In applying, state how many circulars you can place in the hands of those sure to be interested in them, what are your facilities for distributing them, and what prize you seek. Apply early.
For an In-door Evening.
The season of the year approaches when in-door parties are held. At these parties riddles are often called for. Several members send us some riddles. We group them here, with answers, that you may use them if you have need:
For no crime did I come to my end,
No rope round my neck was e'er tied;
Though no jury decided my fate,
I was hanged from a tree till I died.
Answer: Absalom.
I was a baron bold and bad,
A follower of King John;
I lost my place, I lost my power,
And all my wealth was gone.
My story, told in jingling rhyme,
Familiar is to all:
For I'm only ---- ----
The ---- that had a fall.
Answer: Humpty Dumpty. Egg.
My first a party leader is,
A river is my second,
Whoever bears my third will still
A man of mark be reckoned.
An emperor, in sad disgrace,
Knelt barefoot at the portal
Of him whose name my whole betrays,
In church and state immortal.
Answer: Hill-Dee-Brand.--Hildebrand.
I'm a very busy person
About this time of year;
At morning and at night-time
I'm almost always here,
But at high noon I steal away
To come again at close of day.
Answer: Jack Frost.
The Helping Hand.
At the approaching Christmas-time cannot the Ladies, the Knights and Patrons assisting, hold some fairs in aid of the School Fund? As a rule, these fairs prove the most successful of any plan so far followed. There is some work connected with such undertakings, but there is also much pleasure. Won't _you_ speak to your friends about it at once? See what they say and what they will do. You will find all willing to help. What is needed is a leader. Won't you take the lead--set the ball rolling?
Prizes for Pen-Drawings.
Members are asked to bear in mind that we cannot send proof of the prize story promptly, as several of you ask us to do, since the Story Competition does not close till near the end of December. It is the first prize story of that contest that is to be illustrated. We have about fifty requests for the proof, so the contest is to be a spirited one. With the proof, to be sent to contestants early in January, there will be mailed hints about size, etc. The sum of $10 is offered for the best illustration. Contestants select their own subject. Those who wish to try for the prize should ask for proof. If, after you receive the proof, you think you cannot successfully compete, you merely throw the proof in the waste basket. Better try in the contest. You risk nothing.
By-the-way, do you remember the spirited illustrations of Mrs. Roosevelt's _Heroes of America_ published last summer? They were the professional work of Mr. F. C. Yohn, who, as an aspiring young man, and then living in Indianapolis, tried in one of our pen-drawing contests, winning a first prize.
How Did the Gypsy Know?
Years ago an old gypsy called on my grandmother and wanted to tell
her fortune. My grandmother didn't believe the gypsy's power to
tell of future events. But the gypsy persisted. Finally,
grandmother declared she had no money with which to pay her.
"Yes," said the old gypsy, "you have five dollars hid in that old
clock."
Well, my grandmother consented at this exhibition of the gypsy's
supernatural powers. And then the gypsy told her, among other
things, that she would have great trouble, leave Georgia, and go
away down South, and be left a widow, and then years after go back
to Georgia. Now, the strange part about this is that the gypsy's
prophecy was literally true. My grandmother, sure enough, went
away down on the Gulf coast, and her husband died soon after of
paralysis, and now, seven years after he died, she is on her way
back to Georgia. How did the gypsy know?
HARRY R. WHITCOMB.
UMATILLA, FLA.
Prices of the Order's Badges.
The new badges are an exact reproduction of the rose, in the centre of which is claimed to be the original "round table" of King Arthur. You will find a picture of the top of this table on the back of the 1896 Prospectus, and the centre of it at the bottom of the Patent. The prices of the badges are: Pansy leaves or the rose, in silver, 10 cents--that is, 8 cents for the badge and 2 cents for postage; of the rose, in gold, 85 cents, with nothing added for postage. All are in the form of stick pins. Members are not required to purchase badges. We offer the silver rose as payment for giving to your friends, whom you are sure will appreciate them, fifteen Round Table circulars. The offer is open to all members.
The Order's Handy Book.
Have you the Table's "Handy Book"? It has thirty-six pages, mostly filled with useful facts. Full information is given about the Order and the School Fund; and there are values of rare stamps and coins; lists of words often misspelled; athletic records of 1895; books that all ought to read; information about gaining admission to West Point and Annapolis; populations of cities; rules of etiquette, etc. You may have copies for yourself and friends, if you apply for them. Some members get copies and give them to fellow-students in Sunday-school and day-school classes.
A Question for You.
In the ninetieth line of the First Book of Virgil, the first two
words are _Intonuere poli_. The translation, as I have it, is "the
poles resound," meaning that the earth echoes with the heavy
thunders. Now will somebody please explain to me how the ancients
knew there were poles without having some idea of the roundness of
the earth? Almost the same expression is used in the 398th line,
as follows, _Et coetu cinxere polum_, etc.
ALFRED C. BAKER.
SCHAGHTICOKE, NEW YORK.
A Venetian Night at Newport.
On an evening recently Newport Harbor presented a fine appearance.
Of all displays ever given in Newport this was the most beautiful.
The procession started at half past eight. There were boats of
every description. They were decorated with Chinese lanterns and
colored electric lights. Among the most noticeable decoration was
the United States flag with a search-light behind it. It looked as
though it was painted on the sky. Across Thames Street were
electric lights constructed in such a way as to read:
1895.
Welcome Yachtsmen.
The Y.M.C.A. had a triangle made of Japanese lanterns. There were
also pictures of the _Defender_ made of cloth and outlined with
electric lights. It is estimated that there were between 25,000
and 30,000 lanterns used. A great many lights were constructed in
such a way as to make the whole outline of the boat show. There
was red fire and green fire burning all the time, also many
fireworks and two search-lights to brighten up the harbor. The sky
had a reddish tint. The naval reserves had a sea-serpent about
seventy-five feet long. Old Father Neptune took things easy on the
back of the monster. The serpent looked very docile, and its eyes
stuck out, taking in the grand display.
CHESTER GLADDING.
NEWPORT, R. I.
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly
answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to
hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.
ABOUT OUR PRIZE COMPETITION.
Our annual Photographic Prize Competition has, as usual, attracted a great deal of attention, not only from members of our Camera Club, but from many who wish to become members in order to enter the competition, for as this is the first time that the ROUND TABLE has opened a photographic competition to all amateurs without regard to age, the interest is much more widespread.
In order, however, that the younger members may not feel handicapped by being obliged to compete with older ones, there is a competition opened for them the same as in former years, and any who have not passed their eighteenth birthday may enter this competition. There are three classes--marines, landscapes, and figure studies. A correspondent asks if pictures of paintings or engravings would come under the head of figure studies. Pictures of pictures will not be admitted to the prize competition. All pictures must be original, not copied from any other picture. This would not prevent any one using a picture as a suggestion of grouping or arrangement of the subject. Take, for instance, the well-known picture by Murillo, "The Fruit Venders." A photograph of this picture would not be admitted in the prize competition, but one might take two children, pose them as nearly as possible like the children in the picture, and then photograph. Such a picture would be an original picture, but not an original idea.
Another question that was asked was if the pictures must be marked, or if one must send a separate slip of paper with name on, etc. Rule VII. says that "pictures must be marked with the name and address of the sender, the class to which it belongs, and the statement whether the artist has passed his or her eighteenth birthday." This means that the picture must be marked, and by the picture is understood the card on which it is mounted. The best place to mark a picture is on the back of the card mount.
In regard to the size of a picture, a picture taken with a 4 x 5 camera is meant, though a trimmed print is a little less than this dimension. The picture must not be trimmed enough to bring it down to 3 x 4, as, of course, that would bar it from the competition.
Competitors may send pictures to each class, and they are not restricted as to number.
The students of the Illinois College of Photography are going to enter the competition. As this is the only college of photography in the United States we shall expect to see some very fine work.
Will Sir Knight Robert H. Sanders, Jersey City, New Jersey, please
send street and number. A letter addressed to him at Jersey City
has been returned to the editor marked, "Not Found." If Sir Robert
will send address the letter will be forwarded to him at once.
A luxury is "Anything which pleases the senses and is also costly or difficult to obtain."
Ivory Soap pleases the senses, but is neither costly nor difficult to obtain. Your grocer keeps it.
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.
Every whale has barnacles--every success has imitators.
The De Long Patent Hook and Eye.
See that hump?
Richardson & De Long Bros., Philadelphia.
"Waterloo"
The popular and exciting new battle-game for 2, 3, or 4 players. For young or old.
Price $1.25.
The Parker Games
All PLAY WELL!
Ask for "_Innocence Abroad_," "_Napoleon_," "_Chivalry_," "_Yankee Doodle_."
Sold Everywhere.
THE
BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS
has earned more money for boys than all other presses in the market. Boys, don't idle away your time when you can buy a self-inking printing-press, type, and complete outfit for $5.00. Write for particulars, there is money in it for you.
THE J. F. W. DORMAN CO., Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.
=DEAFNESS & HEAD NOISES CURED= by my =INVISIBLE= Tubular Cushions. Have helped more to good =HEAR=ing than all other devices combined. Whispers =HEAR=d. Help ears as glasses do eyes. =F. Hiscox=, 853 B'dway, N.Y. Book of proofs =FREE=
GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.
EPPS'S COCOA.
BREAKFAST--SUPPER.
"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided for our breakfast and supper a delicately flavored beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame."--_Civil Service Gazette._
Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in half-pound tins, by Grocers, labelled thus:
JAMES EPPS & CO., Ltd., Homoeopathic Chemists, London, England.
CARD PRINTER =FREE=
Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. YOU can make money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type Holder, Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Sample mailed FREE for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and large catalogue of 1000 Bargains.
R. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St. N.Y. City
"When Christmas was Christmas."
"Seven Crown Jewels."
A precious collection it is, indeed, both of old and new, this "=Christmas in Song and Story=," with its nearly three hundred Songs and Hymns and Carols, each in its musical setting. "Where can another such garner be found, so rare, so choice, and so full?" Twenty-two full-page illustrations, of Christmas subjects, from Nast to Raphael. The literary selections are long, but each is complete. "To have these seven crown jewels brought together into one diadem," says _Christian Culture_, "is alone worth more than is asked for the entire work, to say nothing of its rich setting both musical and pictorial." Large quarto, crimson cloth, $2.50. Address
Harper & Brothers, New York.
I. THEY TIED THEIR QUEUES TOGETHER, SO THAT IF EITHER BROKE THROUGH HE WOULD BE RESCUED BY THE OTHER. II. IT SEEMED DELIGHTFUL UNTIL-- III. ONE OF THEM SLIPPED AND BOTH FELL; IV. BUT AFTER A LITTLE PRACTICE THEY GOT ON QUITE NICELY, WHEN-- V. THEY BOTH BROKE THROUGH, AND-- VI. THEIR CAUTION AND FORETHOUGHT PROVED THE MEANS OF SAVING THEIR LIVES.]
A TIMELESS TOWN.
The old proverb says that time was made for slaves. It is certainly true that it was not made for Alsacians, if the following story told by a traveller lately returned from Alsace be true. Says he: "On my return from Belchen, I looked upon the beautiful villages of the Lewen Valley, and being a tourist who likes to poke his nose into everything, I turned, by chance, into the church at Kirchberg. On coming out I took out my watch to regulate it by the clock in the church tower. But there was no clock to be seen. Hence I went into the village inn, and there asked the time. But my host could not oblige me. 'I can't tell you exactly, for, you see,' he said, 'we have no use for clocks. In the morning we go by the smoke rising from the chimney at the parsonage up on the hill. The parsonage people are very regular. We dine when dinner is ready. At 4 P.M. the whistle of the train coming from Massmunster tells us that the time has come for another meal, and at night we know that it is time to go to bed when it is dark. On Sunday we go to church when the bell rings. Our parson is a very easy-going man, and he doesn't mind beginning half an hour sooner or later."
FORCE OF HABIT.
Force of habit impels us to do a great many ridiculous things. That clever little compendium of wit and information, _Tit Bits_, well illustrates this fact with a story of a railway porter, living in Lancashire, who was in the habit of frequently getting up in his sleep, and from whose actions it was evident that his daily occupation was ever present in his mind. One night he jumped up hurriedly, ran down to the kitchen, vigorously opened the oven door, and cried out, "Change here for Bolton, Bury, and Manchester."
A PROPER RETORT.
A good story is told of a self-respecting carpenter who was sent to make some repairs in a private house. As he entered the room in which the work was to be done, accompanied by his apprentice, the lady of the house called out, "Mary, see that my jewel-case is locked."
The carpenter understood, and, as he was an honest man, he was indignant. He had his opportunity, however, and he used it. He removed his watch and chain from his waistcoat with a significant air, and gave them to his apprentice.
"John," he said, "take these back to the shop. It seems that this house isn't safe."
SOMETHING WRONG.
It was a very cold morning, and Bobbie came rushing into the house very much excited.
"Mommer," he cried, "there's something the matter with me. Please send for the doctor. _I'm breathing fog!_"
A DOG STORY.
A London dog story is apt to be a hard sort of a tale to believe, but it is never lacking in interest. The latest is of a dog who takes a daily walk with its mistress. The animal has observed that at a certain crossing the policeman stops the traffic to allow his mistress to pass over. The other day the dog went out alone, and when he came to the crossing he barked to attract the policeman's attention. The policeman observed what the dog wanted. He stopped the traffic, and the dog walked solemnly across.
A MISTAKE.
"Now, Jimmie," said his teacher, "let us take up the alphabet. There are in all twenty-six letters."
"Hoh!" giggled Jimmie.
"What are you laughing at?" asked the teacher.
"You're trying to fool me," said Jimmie, "'bout them letters. Our postman has more'n a hundred every morning."
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, October 29, 1895, by Various
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Harper's Round Table, October 29, 1895Chapter XIX (2)
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