Chapter IV (6)

THE GOLDEN PRIME OF ’49.—A knowledge of the characteristic features of the mining days of 1849 is essential to a full appreciation of the good sense and political wisdom shown by the miners as a class. Merchants, mechanics, farmers existed but to supply the miners; and the gold of the mines was the chief resource of California. Four fifths of the able-bodied male population were living in the mineral belt, or were on their way thither, when the working season of 1849 opened. Only four years before there had been but five hundred Americans in California; in February, 1848, but two thousand; by December, 1848, this number had grown to six thousand; by July, 1849, to fifteen thousand; and by December, 1849, to fifty-three thousand. Chiefly owing to the gold rush of 1848-53 the center of population of the United States moved eighty-one miles farther west. Within four years after the spring of 1849 the population of the new state was 300,000, and more than $260,000,000 had been dug from the gold fields.—_From Charles Howard Shinn’s “Mining Camps.”_

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THE WISE MAN’S VIEW OF LIFE.

“Look on the Spirit as the rider! take
The Body for the chariot, and the Will
As charioteer! regard the Mind as reins,
The Senses the steeds, and the things of sense
The ways they trample on. So is the Soul
The Lord that owneth spirit, body, will,
Mind, senses, all; itself unowned. Thus think
The wise!

“He who is unwise drives with reins
Slack on the neck o’ the senses; then they romp,
Like restive horses of a charioteer.

“He that is wise, with watchful mind and firm,
Calms those wild Fire, so they go fair and straight,
Like well trained horses of a charioteer.”

—_Edwin Arnold’s “The Secret of Death.”_

* * * * *

AMY ALLSTON’S REPORT OF STRAWBERRY CULTURE.—On the 27th of May Janet and I picked our first berries for market, and from that time on we were truly busybodies. We worked early and late, being careful to have dresses short enough not to injure the vines. It was hard work for our bent, weary backs, as it grew warm, but we knew it must be done. Mother, Janet, Will and Pete did good service, and little Cecy cheered us from her wagon under a neighboring tree.

In about five weeks the harvest was over, and after taking breath, we counted our gains.

DR.

Cost of plants (3,630) $11 80
Cost of picking 10 25
------
Total $22 05

CR.

By 1,178 quarts of berries, at an average
of 15c. per qt. $176 70
-------
Net profit on one quarter acre $154 65

If we had to pay expenses of plowing, weeding, manure, etc., it would have greatly lessened the profits. On the other hand the season was backward, and the yield was not large, they tell me, in consideration of the fine condition of the plants and the cultivation they received, which was better than we could give a larger plot. At all events we set out half an acre more the August after.—_From Helen Campbell’s “What-to-do Club.”_

[M] Discriminate. A Companion to “Don’t.” A Manual for Guidance in the Use of Correct Words and Phrases in Ordinary Speech. By Critic. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1885. Price, 30 cents.

TALK ABOUT BOOKS.

A happy thought was carried into successful execution in the publication of “The Hundred Greatest Men.”[N] The editor conceived the idea that a “natural history of civilization ought to be, not so much a narration of events, as a description of men and things,” and hence for many years busied himself in making a collection of portraits and antiquities as a preparation for his work. The great men of all ages have been grouped into eight classes, and treated under the following divisions of the book: Poetry, art, religion, philosophy, history, science, politics, and industry. Introductions have been written for these different departments by Matthew Arnold, Taine, Max Müller, Rénan, Noah Porter, Dean Stanley, Prof. Helmholtz, J. A. Froude, and John Fiske. The general introduction is by Emerson. Only those characters have been selected who have stood the test of time without diminution of fame. A portrait accompanies each sketch, and many of these have been obtained at great expense of time and trouble. The sketches themselves are word-paintings of the character, the life, and the times of the men, and the wonder is that in such brief space so much information can be given. The volume is a veritable art gallery.

A story of much delicacy of touch, and with some strong delineation of character, is “The Hallam Succession”[O] of Amelia C. Barr. The placing of the story could hardly be more picturesque. Mrs. Barr opens with English life of the first of the present century, carries us to a plantation near New Orleans, through “Sam” Houston’s Texan struggles, and finally to the long, low, verandahed house of a Texas plantation. The varied setting gives the variety to a story of faithful love and devotion. The many pleasing touches given in the descriptions of the characters are the finest features of the book. A fair example is the paragraph quoted on another page of this impression, which in its true and delicate pathos is rarely equaled.

One or two selections taken from “The Harnt that Walks the Chilhowee,” one of the eight stories that make up the volume, “In The Tennessee Mountains,”[P] will show the style and aim of these unique writings, which are just now attracting so much attention. This “harnt,” or ghost, was supposed to be that of a poor, deformed little creature, who some time before had been shot, and, as every one thought, killed. He himself had been falsely accused of taking a man’s life. His death, however, had been a mistake, and it was the real man who walked the mountain in search of food. Simon Burney, an “uncouth and densely ignorant” mountaineer, sought out the helpless, forlorn little specter, for whose capture $200 reward had been offered, and said: “I ain’t a-goin’ ter help no man break the law an’ hender jestice; but ef ye will go an’ stand yer trial I’ll take keer of ye. An’ arter the jury hev done let ye off, ye are welcome ter live along o’ me at my house till ye die.” And after the trial and the clearance, this rough friend was as good as his word, and “ungrudgingly gave of his best … and worked early and late that there might be enough to divide.” “A prince could not have dispensed hospitality with a more royal hand.” The author closes by saying: “The grace of culture is, in its way, a fine thing, but the best that art can do—the polish of a gentleman—is hardly equal to the best that nature can do in her highest moods.” All of the stories are full of interest, and show great love for humanity. The author, in a bright, cheery way, true to the life which she represents, portrays the strong and noble natures found in the lowest walks of life.

“A Book of Sermons,”[Q] by Bishop Simpson, will meet with a warm welcome everywhere. To those who have heard him preach, who have listened to his eager, impassioned words, and have been borne onward by the tide of his eloquence, it may seem that to merely read the words—to have them without the powerful influence, the magnetic personality, behind them—is to possess the letter without the spirit. But such will be happily surprised. The book bears witness that Bishop Simpson was a great sermonizer, as well as a great speaker. By the aid of a little imagination as one reads, he can see again the spare form, and the face lighted up with enthusiasm and love; can hear the voice rapidly and earnestly uttering the words which point out plainly and simply the way of life. While, without this help, those who never heard him will find great pleasure and profit in reading the book.

No one who knows Dr. Buckley but expects good things from his pen, and he has given to young men a particularly useful volume in “Oats or Wild-Oats?”[R] Advice is as difficult a thing to prescribe judiciously as it is to take pleasantly. It is very liable to be insipid, preachy, to lack _verve_ qualities, which young men particularly abominate; it is very little of it readable. But these talks of Dr. Buckley’s abound in readable qualities. They are directly to the point, and full of clear-cut common sense. They advise young men in the practical matter of choosing a profession, and in making a success of it. The talks come from a man who, even if he “never worked a half day on a farm in his life,” has observed and conversed with hundreds of farmers; who knows from what he has heard and learned from their confessions to him just where they make their business, social, intellectual, and religious mistakes; and who is not afraid to express what he believes to be their dangers, and their strong points. As with farming, so with all the trades and professions. He knows his ground, and treats it in a tone a trifle blunt, perhaps, but nevertheless full of force and conviction.

Mr. Marvin, an Englishman who for several years has lived in Russia, and is thoroughly acquainted with the character, the policy, and the wishes of that government, has, in writing “The Russians at the Gates of Herat,”[S] tried to impress more deeply upon the English people the necessity of immediate effort in order to secure themselves in the possession of the entrance to India. The steady advance of Russia for years past toward this empire has been carefully traced, and all the treacherous devices by which she has gained ground are exposed. The popular opinion that colossal mountain ranges lie between the Russian possessions and India has been shown to be an error; the new route over which they are passing is such that one could “drive all the way four-in-hand.” “No surrender,” must be the motto of every Englishman as regards Penjdeh, and “Hands off,” in respect to all places leading directly to Herat, says the author. A careful study of this book will give one a clear idea of this complicated movement.

The “Old Farm”[T] was one that had been for years without a tenant, for its owner feared to lease it lest its old fashioned house and belongings might not suit the new comer, and he would want it changed. At last one was found willing, glad to take it just as it was. One bright October day a business man from the great city, broken down in health, took possession of it with his family. “A year of retirement and rest will restore his vigor and save him for the future,” said the doctor. Very soon the early tastes of the naturalist, for such he had been, awoke, and the days were spent in seeking, gathering and studying specimens of minute animal life, or “the other tenants of the farm,” as he called them. The conversations held regarding them make up the main part of the work. Spiders, moths, bees, wasps, and ants are among those described at length; their history and habits are very accurately given. The blending of the story with the natural history makes an exceedingly interesting book.

[N] The Hundred Greatest Men. With Portraits, reproduced from Fine and Rare Steel Engravings. Edited by Wallace Wood, M.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1885. Price, $6.00.

[O] The Hallam Succession. A Tale of Methodist Life in Two Countries. By Amelia E. Barr. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1885.

[P] In the Tennessee Mountains. By Charles Egbert Craddock. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price, $1.25.

[Q] Sermons by Bishop Matthew Simpson. New York: Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square. 1885.

[R] Oats or Wild-Oats? Common Sense for Young Men. By J. M. Buckley, LL.D. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1885. Price, $1.50.

[S] The Russians at the Gates of Herat. By Charles Marvin. With Maps and Portraits. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1885. Price, 50 cents.

[T] Tenants of an Old Farm. By Henry C. McCook, D.D. Illustrated from Nature. New York: Fords, Howard & Hulbert. 1885. Price, $2.50.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

The Women of the Reformation. By Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $2.00.

Preparation for Reading Xenophon. By James M. Whiton, Ph.D., and Mary B. Whiton, A.B. New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1885.

Assyriology; Its Use and Abuse. By Francis Brown. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1885.

Elias Power, of Ease-in-Zion. By John M. Bamford. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, 85c.

Wondrous Love. A Collection of Songs and Services for Sunday-schools. By Geo. F. Root and C. C. Case. Cincinnati: The John Church Publishing Co., 74 West Fourth Street.

The _Century Magazine_, Vol. XXIX. New Series, Vol. VIII. New York: The Century Co.

Composition and Rhetoric. By G. P. Quackenbos, LL.D. New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1885.

The Spinning Wheel of Tamworth. By the Rev. W. A. Smith. New York: National Temperance Society and Publishing House, 58 Reade Street. 1884.

The Secret of Death and Other Poems. By Edwin Arnold. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.

Delivered from Afar. By Ralph Roberts. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.50.

A Child’s Garden of Verses. By Robert Louis Stevenson. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1885.

Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1885.

Grammar of Old English. By Edward Sievers, Ph.D. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.

Hygiene for Young People. By A. B. Palmer, M.D., LL.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1885.

Krusi’s Drawing Tablets. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1885.

Select Spelling and Pronouncing Lessons. New York; D. Appleton & Co.

Hygiene and Physiology. By J. D. Steele, Ph.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1885.

One of the Duanes. By Alice King Hamilton. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885. Price, $1.25.

Harriet Martineau’s Autobiography. Edited by Maria Weston Chapman. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. 1885.

Russia Under the Tzars. By Stepniak. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1885.

Twenty-eight Breakfasts. By Emily Raymond. Toledo: Blade Printing and Paper Co. 1885. Price, 10 cents.

Graded Review Questions. By W. M. Giffin and David Maclure. New York: A. Lovell & Co., 16 Astor Place. 1885.

Leonard and Gertrude. By Pestalozzi. Translated and abridged by Eva Channing. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.

Herbert Spencer’s Philosophy. Examined by James McCosh, D.D., LL.D. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Redemption in Prophecy. By John G. Wilson. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1885. Price, $1.25.

The Handy Companion. J. R. Holcombe & Co., Publishers. Cleveland, O.

Personal Traits of British Authors. By E. T. Mason. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1885. Price, $1.50.

A Hand-Book of the United Brethren in Christ. By E. L. Shuey, A.M. Dayton, O.: United Brethren Publishing House. 1885.

Anthè. By Mrs. G. W. Chandler. New York: Phillips & Hunt. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885. Price, $1.00.

At the Sign of the Blue Boar. A Story of the Reign of Charles II. By Emma Leslie. New York: Phillips & Hunt. 1885.

Life of Edward Thompson, D.D., LL.D., late a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his son, Edward Thompson, M.A. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. 1885.

SPECIAL NOTES.

C. L. S. C. STATIONERY.—An entirely new design in stationery will be sold at Chautauqua and other Assemblies this season. It is the only authorized C. L. S. C. stationery. A new and uniform Chautauqua badge has also been devised, and will be on sale at the various Assemblies. This badge bears different emblematic designs, suitable for the different orders in the C. L. S. C. It will take the place of all other badges, except the garnet badge of the graduates, worn on Commencement day.—R. S. HOLMES.

* * * * *

In the April issue of THE CHAUTAUQUAN we gave the credit of the management of the School of Cookery at Lake de Funiak to Mrs. Emma P. Ewing. We were wrong. Mrs. Ewing was not at the Florida Chautauqua, but Mrs. Sophie W. Knight, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was, and a very delightful series of lessons in the art of cookery she gave.

* * * * *

Chautauqua never fails to provide something new for its devotees. This summer the novelty is a mineral spring. The waters have been in the laboratory of an eminent chemist, and are pronounced rich in healthful qualities.

* * * * *

ERRATA.—The name of L. W. Sabin appeared among the graduates in THE CHAUTAUQUAN for February under Missouri; it should have appeared under Iowa.

* * * * *

TO THE CLASS OF ’88.—So much having been written _pro_ and _con_, respecting our class name, it is proposed to have the entire class vote for or against the name. The circles will send their vote, giving the number in favor and against present name. Those who are not in circles can send their votes as individuals. In order to insure insertion the vote must be sent to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Fla., before the 1st of June.

* * * * *

CHAUTAUQUA DAY AT OCEAN GROVE.—At Ocean Grove, N. J., arrangements have been made to graduate all Chautauquans who have completed the course of study and prefer to receive their diploma there; and the 29th of July next has been set apart as a “Chautauqua day,” for the graduation ceremonies and other exercises appropriate to the occasion. Chancellor Vincent, Superintendent of Instruction, and other officers of the C. L. S. C. will be present, and a large number of the pupils of the young and vigorous “People’s College,” representing all parts of the country, from the ocean to the Rocky Mountains, are expected to witness and take part in the interesting exercises while enjoying the amenities of that charming seaside town. There is, at Ocean Grove, a local circle comprising a membership of nearly sixty. Many of the members are as full of enthusiasm as our honored superintendent, with all his deep devotion to the institution he has conducted to such a high degree of prosperity and usefulness, can desire, and the necessary preparations for the “Chautauqua day” will be made under its direction. The president of the Ocean Grove Association, the Rev. Dr. E. H. Stokes, is also president of the local circle. He is a zealous Chautauquan, and to his influence and example must be attributed much of the zeal, industry and enthusiasm that have made the local circle so interesting and profitable to members and visitors. All members of the class of ’85 who can not go to Chautauqua to receive their diplomas within the sacred shades of our beloved _alma mater_, but may be able to make a visit for the purpose to Ocean Grove, will be cordially welcomed, and it is suggested that they will do well to give as early notice as practicable of their intentions in that regard. Communications on the subject should be addressed to the Secretary of the Ocean Grove Local Circle, Mrs. Lulu Pile Little.

IMPORTANT TO MEMBERS OF THE C. L. S. C.

The _Chautauqua Assembly Daily Herald_ will be printed in the grove at Chautauqua, and issued as a morning paper in August, 1885. It will begin Saturday, August 1, and continue every day for nineteen days. Nobody can keep well informed on the Chautauqua movement without the _Assembly Herald_. It will tell you nearly everything that is done. It will cost $1.00 for the season, and it will contain stenographic reports of all the scientific, philosophical, and other lectures delivered at the Chautauqua meetings, together with elaborate reports of all meetings held there the coming season. The price is very low. The _Assembly Daily Herald_ and THE CHAUTAUQUAN at one time, $2.25. This offer is good only till August 1st. Members of the C. L. S. C. will find a great many valuable hints and suggestions in the reports of meetings published in the _Assembly Daily Herald_, also more than seventy splendid lectures. Some “local circles” use the _Herald_ to assist them in conducting their work during the winter months. Send in your names early, before the press of business is upon us at Chautauqua.

CHAUTAUQUA SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, 1885.

LEWIS MILLER, _Pres’t._ J. H. VINCENT, D.D., _Sup’t of Instruction_.

CHAUTAUQUA SCHOOL OF HEBREW.

INSTRUCTORS AND LECTURERS.

WILLIAM M. HARPER, Ph.D., Principal. Professor in Baptist Union Theological Seminary, Morgan Park, Illinois.

CHARLES R. BROWN, Professor in Newton Theological Institution, Newton Center, Massachusetts.

DAVID A. M’CLENAHAN, M.A., Pastor of United Presbyterian Church, New York City.

J. J. ANDERSON, M.A., Professor in Theological Institute, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

REGULAR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.

1. _The Elementary Class_ will be made up of those who have no knowledge of the language. It will make about sixty recitations, three each day (one on Saturday).

2. _The Intermediate Class_ will be made up of those who have once studied Hebrew, but desire to renew this study from the beginning. The class will begin with the first principles, and the work will differ from that of the Elementary Class rather in amount than in character.

3. _The Progressive Class_ is intended for those who have had training in the elementary principles of Hebrew, but who wish to become familiar with the details of the language.

4. _The Advanced Class_ will do work of an advanced character. It is intended for those who are thoroughly familiar with the grammar of the language, who have at command a large vocabulary, and who have read large portions of the Hebrew Bible.

The members of the Intermediate, Progressive and Advanced Classes will be divided into four Extempore sections, each of which will read, during the four weeks, forty hours under the care of an instructor.

_I. Special Courses._

In the Chautauqua School of Hebrew, instruction will be given, if desired, in the following special courses:

1. _Aramaic._—One hour a day with Professor William R. Harper, Ph.D., Morgan Park, Ill.

2. _Advanced Hebrew Grammar._—One hour a day with Professor William R. Harper, Ph.D.

3. _Hebrew New Testament._—One hour a day with Professor J. J. Anderson, of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

_II. Lectures._

In the various courses of lectures given at Chautauqua, during the session of the Summer School, there will be a number bearing upon topics relating to Old Testament study.

The principal of the school will, in addition, give a series of ten studies on “Modern Criticism of the Hexateuch.”

_III. General Information._

Attention is invited to the following items:

_Time._—The Chautauqua School of Hebrew will open August 4th, at 2 p. m., and continue until August 31st, at 12 m.

_Tuition Fee._—The tuition fee will be $10.00, payable to the Secretary of the Chautauqua Assembly. This sum includes admission to the grounds. Boarding can be obtained at from $4 to $6 per week.

_Books._—The books needed for the several classes will be furnished at the opening of the school, or may be obtained in advance from the American Publication Society of Hebrew, Morgan Park, Ill. Books for the Special Courses must be ordered in advance.

_Correspondence._—Those who desire further information, are requested to correspond with the _Principal_,

WILLIAM R. HARPER, Morgan Park, Ill.

COLLEGE OF ENGLISH.

W. D. M’CLINTOCK, A.M., Director.

_Summer Term, 1885._

I. ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

1. Anglo-Saxon.

(_a_) Beginners.—Sweet’s “Anglo-Saxon Primer.”

(_b_) Advanced.—Sweet’s “Anglo-Saxon Reader,” and Lounsbury’s
“English Language.”

2. Essentials of English. Introduction of the Scientific Study of
English Grammar.

Ten lectures during Teachers’ Retreat.

II. ENGLISH LITERATURE.

1. Shakspere, Hamlet. Four weeks.

2. English Lyric Poetry. Studies in the Analysis and Criticism of
Poetry. Two weeks.

THE CHAUTAUQUA COLLEGE OF MODERN LANGUAGES.

PROF. J. H. WORMAN, PH.D., Director.
PROF. A. LALANDE, Associate, School of French.

The College of Modern Languages, under the direction of the distinguished teacher and author, Dr. J. H. Worman, will open July 11th, and continue in session for six weeks.

For full information concerning the COLLEGE OF MODERN LANGUAGES for the coming season, address as follows: German, Italian, and Spanish, Dr. J. H. Worman, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., for French, Prof. A. Lalande, Bridgeport, Conn.

ACADEMIA OF LATIN AND GREEK.

EDGAR L. SHUMWAY—Principal.

For information concerning the “Academia of Latin and Greek,” see the announcements in THE CHAUTAUQUAN for April and May, or address

EDGAR L. SHUMWAY,
Rutgers College, N. J.

* * * * *

Transcriber’s Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.

Page 513 (illustration caption), “paletta” changed to “patella” (S, femur; T, patella; U, tibia;)

Page 519, “nterspaces” changed to “interspaces” (cavernous interspaces where trickling springs)

Page 521, “be” added (from which it will be seen)

Page 524, “Picadilly” changed to “Piccadilly” (Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London)

Page 528, “Calvanism” changed to “Calvinism” (Calvinism was revolutionary)

Page 534, “durion” changed to “durian” (we can only refer to the durian)

Page 541, repeated word “of” removed (a method of taking things)

Page 545, “gradest” changed to “grandest” (best, most beautiful, and grandest)

Page 548, “unfaverably” changed to “unfavorably” (he compared unfavorably with others)

Page 558, “Chautauquo” changed to “Chautauqua” (printed in the grove at Chautauqua)