Page images
PDF
EPUB

A Chance for Educated Ladies.-The Argentine Minister to the United States has received from the Minister of Public Instruction of his Government, Dr. Leguizamon, a commission to engage four first-class lady normal school teachers, for the new institutions recently established in the Republic. The ladies selected will be required to be well versed in English, French, grammar, general literature, hygiene, geography, history, elements in natural sciences, music, drawing and teaching. They will be asked to make a contract for three years, and will be furnished with free passage to Buenos Ayres, and paid a salary of $1,800 a year in gold, the salary to begin on the day they sail from this country. Several American ladies have already been very successful in teaching in the Argentine Republic. The principal of the Normal School at Buenos Ayres, Mrs. Emma Frigent of New York, who has been there for the last six years, and met with very gratifying success.

A Very Correct Decision.-The Committee on Military Affairs of the United States Senate have reported against the claim of John McFarland of the 64th Ohio Volunteers, for pay while a prisoner of war at Andersonville. McFarland enlisted into the Rebel Army from Andersonville Prison, and says he did it to save himself from starvation. He was afterwards captured by the Union forces. The committee think it would be an injustice to loyal men, who suffered rather than abandon their cause, to grant this claim.

The Lee Memorial.-It is said that contributions to the Lee Memorial Fund in Richmond, Va., amount to $5,547 at present.

General Sherman on Scientific Knowledge in St.

Louis.-General W. T. Sherman delivered a six-column address on education in St. Louis last week. He spoke chiefly upon the subject of scientific branches of education, and closed as follows: "So sure as truth will prevail over falsehood; so sure as knowledge will prevail over ignorance; so sure as the camps of the Indian and the huts of the hunter must give place to the farms, houses, granaries, schools, and churches of modern civilization; so sure as that the coal, iron, lead, zinc, and copper, which now lie round about us in their useless ores, must come forth to be utilized by man, so sure will scientific knowledge be in demand right here in St. Louis, and the demand for it will keep pace with the population and wealth of the city and of the surrounding country."

Historical and Centennial.-The Newark (New Jersey Daily Advertiser, of January 21st, had the following among its editorials:

3

Everything takes the Centennial turn now-a-days and it is was with only a mild surprise that we found this morning that a large portion of our report of the meeting of the Historical Society was written on paper more than a hundred years old, blank sheets of old colonial records with endorsements on the back, as for instance-"N. York, April 21st, 1763. Walter Kutherford-to James Parker, Perth Amboy;" on another, "Trenton, August 31st, 1768; copy letters to Robert Morris, Philadelphia. Inclosed under cover to Thomas Riche." Our correspondent "W." finding himself short of

fcolscap last evening used this more than centennial paper to complete his report of the meeting of the Historical Society. Old as it is, it is splendid paper, tough and firm and handsomely water marked. The hands that wrote these endorsements have mouldered many a year, but the slender fabric on which they placed their endorsements outlasts them and is still utilized as copy to be cut up into printers "takes."

Important Items.—Dr. Linderman, the Director of the Mint, states as his opinion that the production of gold and silver after the first of May will be $7,000,000 per month, of which half will be in gold, and that the fact cannot but have an important bearing on the gold premium. The Controller of the Currency has prepared a statement showing that the amount of additional National Bank currency issued from January 27, 1876, to February 20, 1876, inclusive, is $412,182; issued previously, $13,408,575; and the total issue from the date of the approval of the act to this time is $13,820,760.

THE Secretary of the Navy has transmitted to the House the report of the sale of the Navy Yard at Philadelphia. The property was sold for $1,000,000 to J. C. Bullett, and on the payment of the money a deed was given to him. The expenses were $26,831.

IN consequence of the exhaustion of the appropriation for the transportation of United States securities, National banks will be required to prepay the express charges on all remittances forwarded for their credit in the five per cent. fund on and after March 1, 1876.

Women's Co-operative Movement in Germany.A Good Example for American Women.-A suggestive account has just been published by a German woman in this country of the work done by certain women in Berlin in reducing the price of living in that city. In 1866 Mrs. Lena Morgenstern, with two or three other ladies of wealth and influence, finding that the cost of provisions was enormous, established several Volk's Küchen, or people's kitchensrestaurants where meals could be had at the retail cost of the

materials alone. In 1873 these women determined to bring their charity into their own homes by forming a Housekeepers' Association, whose object should be the reduction of the cost of living, the promotion of plain and economical habits and the improvement of the condition of servants. In 1874 there were 250 members. Coöperative laundries, bakeries, intelligence offices, and stores for groceries, meats, and provisions were opened, all under the supervision of women. At the present time the membership embraces 6,000 families, and issues a weekly paper of a high order, containing its price lists, etc. The central bureau imports its supplies direct from China, France, Java, the United States, etc., and is thus enabled to supply the coöperative trade throughout Europe. Coal is also purchased wholesale by the association, and sold in accurately measured cars, an improvement on our own system which every householder in New York or Philadelphia will appreciate. The whole of this vast business enterprise is managed-and accurately managed—by women. Their last annual statistical report is as suggestive and forcible a commentary as any sermon on women's duties, work, and neglected opportunities.

RECORDS OF THE SOCIETIES.

New Jersey Historical Society.—Annual meeting at Trenton, Thursday, Jannary 20.-We are indebted to our kind and ever attentive friend, Mr. William A. Whitehead, for the following report, which came to hand one day too late for the March MONTHLY:

The Society met in the rooms of the Board of Trade. There was a good attendance from different parts of the State, and in the absence of the President, the first VicePresident, Rev. Samuel M. Hammill, D.D., occupied the chair.

The report of Mr. Whitehead, Corresponding Secretary, showed that the relations of the Society with kindred associations and with gentlemen engaged in historical researches were not only extensive but also promotive of mutual benefit to all. This was confirmed by the report of the Executive Committee. The Committee referring to a legacy of five thousand dollars, left to the Society in the will of the late Thomas Barron, of New York, gave an interesting sketch of that gentleman's life from his birth in Woodbridge, Middlesex county, on January 10th, 1790, until his death in New York, on August 31st last. The report also speaks feelingly of David A. Hayes, deceased November 11th, 1875.

The Committee on the Library reported a constant increase of volumes in the Library, and that additional accommodations for present and prospective accumulations are imperatively demanded. A large number of pamphlets and files of valuable newspapers required binding, and the written catalogue was nearly in a state to be printed, calling for some additional monetary resources upon which to draw. Since the last meeting of the Society 137 bound volumes, 225 pamphlets, 10 manuscripts, and the consecutive issues of thirteen newspapers of the State, together with other manuscript files, have been received.

The Committee on Publications reported the issue of another number of the Society's Proceedings, containing the valuable Memoir of the late William L. Dayton, by Judge Bradley, and bringing down the transactions to the present time.

The Committee on Finance, on presenting their report, embodying that of the Treasurer-showing a balance in the treasury of $1,483.60 and invested assets amounting to $12,435.07.

OFFICERS FOR 1876.-President, Rev. Samuel M. Hammill, D.D., of Lawrenceville; Vice-Presidents, William B. Kinney, of Morristown, Peter S. Duryee, of Newark, John Clement, of Haddonfield; Corresponding Secretary, William A. Whitehead, of Newark; Recording Secretary, Adolphus P. Young, of Newark; Treasurer, Robert S. Swords, of Newark; Librarian, Martin R. Dennis, of Newark; Execu tive Committee, Samuel H. Pennington, M.D., of Newark; N. Norris Halsted, of Kearney; John Hall, D.D., of Princeton; Samuel Allinson, of Yardville; Theodore F. Randolph, of Morristown; Hugh H. Bowne, of Rahway; Joel Parker, of Freehold; Joseph N. Tuttle, of Newark; Marcus L. Ward, of Newark.

The following resolutions were adopted :

Whereas, The Society has heard, with deep interest, that the citizens of Trenton and Princeton are arranging for a worthy Centennial Celebration of the Country's History, in this section of the State, which was a scene of conflict and legislation, and to a large degree the centre of patriote counsel during the period of the revolution; therefore

Resolved, That the Executive Committee devise scae plan for the co-operation of this Society in the arrangement and its proper representation in the proposed celebration, and report at the May meeting.

Also, the following tribute to Mr. Hayes:

Resolved, That the members of this Society record with deep regret the death of David A. Hayes, one of its founders, and for more than a quarter of a century its Recording Secretary. In his death they deplore the loss of a Christian gentleman and a warm friend as well as a faithful servant of the Society, and they desire to testify to their appreciation of his character and his services, and to express a sense of their own sorrow at his removal.

Resolved, That the foregoing resolution be entered on the minutes of the Society.

A Memoir of Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, by Dr. Maclean, was read by Mr. Whitehead, and one of General William Colfax by William Nelson was read by the author. Alter suitable votes of thanks for both papers, the Society atjourned to meet in Newark on the third Thursday of May

next.

Virginia Historical Society.-The Executive Committee, at a recent meeting, January 7th, 1876, received a very able and interesting report from the secretary, R. A. Brock, Esq., on the colonial seals of Virginia. He reported that Andrew W. Kerchival, Esq., of Romney, West Virginia, was preparing for publication very valuable MSS. material relating to the life of Colonel James Wood, Governor of Virginia, being his private correspondence with Washington, Jefferson, and others. The committee uzanimously expressed their gratification at this, and their desire to encourage the growth of biographical literature in Virginia. It was also stated that Hon. B. Johnson Barout would prepare for the Society memoirs of James, Philip R., and John S. Barbour, probably during this winter.

A proposition was read from Mr. Grigsby, the president of the Society, that an effort be made to obtain the gift of a lot upon which to erect a fire-proof building for the Society by subscriptions to the amount of $10,000-from ten subscribers of $500 each and fifty of $100-he offering to head the list for the larger subscription. Mr. Grigsby also calls attention to the manuscripts of Chancellor Wythe, and also of his ancestor, Mr. Keith, which came into the hands of Major William Duval, as executor, the whereabouts of the papers being now unknown to the Society.

Colonel Sherwin McRae read a paper vindicating the Houdon statue as the most faithful portraiture of the entire person of Washington extant, in reply to criticism of Messrs.

B. J. Lossing and H. T. Tuckerman. The correspondence of the three Colonels Byrd, of Westover, from 1676 to 1783, was submitted to the committee, being transcribed from the original letters by a grand-daughter of the third Colonel Byrd, now in Richmond. A committee, onsisting of Messrs. Maury, Henry, Keiley, Palmer and Brock, was appointed to examine this correspondence and report at next monthly meeting.

A stated meeting of the Executive Committee of the Virginia Historical Society was held February 5, 1876, at 8 o'clock, P. M. Hon. A. M. Keiley presided.

Mr. Maury, on behalf of the Committee appointed in January to examine a manuscript compilation of the letters of the three Colonels Byrd, of Westover, Va., 1676–1783, reported that a careful examination of the manuscripts had evidenced its interest and value, and that it was deemed by the Committee to be entirely worthy of durable preservation. Whereupon its immediate publication was ordered, and a vote of thanks tendered to the donor, Miss Elizabeth Byrd Nicholas. The works will be embellished by photographs of the Westover mansion, family portraits, and other objects

of interest.

The Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Brock, reported the donation of a number of bound volumes and pamphlets. Also, a valuable historical record-being the manuscript proceedings of the Southern Rights Association of Richmond, Va., from its organization, December 7, 1850, to April 6, 1860, inclusive, from its final Secretary, J. Bell Biggar. His predecessors were William T. Ritchie, John M. Daniel, R. R. Duval and Roger H. Pryor.

Mr. Brock read before the meeting interesting letters from Hon. H. R. Grigsby, LL.D., and Rev. E. A. Dalrymple, D.D. The first giving an account of the library of William and Mary College, prior to the Revolutionary War.

The following gentlemen were duly elected corresponding members of the Society:

Colonel Joseph L. Chester, London, England; W. M. Cary, Jr. Esq., Baltimore, Maryland; W. A. Whitehead, Esq., Newark, New Jersey; Dr. L. P. Bush, Wilmington, Delaware.

Georgia Historical Society. This is one of the most flourishing of the Historical Societies of our country. It is rich in members who not only have the means, but are liberal in the use thereof in promoting the noble objects of the Society. Its thirty-seventh annual meeting, held on Monday, February 14th, afternoon and evening, will be ever-memorable in the history of the Society, as a red-letter day, an initial day of a new epoch of prosperity, because they entered formally on that day upon the possession of the new hall commenced by the widow of the late William B. Hodgson, and completed by her Sister, Miss Mary Telfair, as a memorial of that excellent man and accomplished scholar. Not contented with carrying forward to completion her deceased sister's generous project, Miss Telfair, at her own decease, bequeathed the Telfair mansion to the Society, with ample cash provision to make the gift available for its proposed convertion into an "Academy of Art and Science." Thus this intelligent, wise and liberal lady has insured for the Society a future of increased usefulness and consequent in

creased prosperity. We can add nothing to these munificent gifts, except our hearty congratulations and sincere good wishes.

The President's report was an exceedingly interesting paper. The Treasurer's report showed the financial condition of the Society to be excellent-receipts for the year (including balance from previous year of $105.25), $6,358.05; disbursements, $6,343.19. The report of the Librarian, among many interesting items, contains the following:

"In September last the books were all removed from Armory Hall to our present commodious and well-arranged building, without the loss of a single volume, so far as I have been able to discover. For the first time in many years, we now have a superabundance of shelf-room, and it will probably be a long time before we will be again troubled with the question as to where we can find room to stow away all our books. Indeed, we have so much room now that the appearance presented by the vacant shelves in the main hall of the building is unsightly, and it is to be hoped that in a short time these will be filled up by donations from the friends of the institution, and otherwise so as to give to the room a more attractive appearance. [A capital hint!]

"A complete catalogue of all the books in the Library, mentioned in my last report as commenced, has been finished during the year, and it is so arranged that new additions to the Library may be entered in it for some time to come.

"The number of volumes presented to us since the last report is one hundred and fifty-two, and the number of pamphlets fifty-six; besides which we have received one map and a number of engravings and MSS.

[ocr errors]

We have received seventeen volumes and forty-two pamphlets, in exchange. In addition to the above, received as gifts and by exchange, the number of volumes purchased by the society is 206-less than one-half the number purchased the preceding year. This decrease, as is well known, is owing to the fact that the expenses of the society incidental to our removal to and taking possession of Hodgson Hall were so heavy as to make it necessary to stop the usual monthly purchase of books for several months. In consequence of this fact, then the total number of volumes added to the Library is, to that extent, smaller than might have been expected, but the number received from other sources is somewhat larger than ordinary and the increase of the library is, therefore, about the usual average.

"It affords me pleasure to report that, contrary to the expressed apprehension of some persons, the removal of the library to its present location has not proved to be of the least disadvantage; but, on the contrary, the increase of the number of visitors to our new hall has been apparent to all who make use of the library, and the increase in the number of books taken out since our occupation of this building bears witness to the fact that we are now just where we can dispense our benefits to the greatest number. About six thousand volumes have been borrowed during the year."

The Georgia Society is herein wiser than some others that do not permit books to be taken from the library hall. By lending books it effects more good by disseminating knowledge and certainly augments its own revenues by attracting

an increased number of members.

The following officers were elected unanimously :-Presi

dent, Hon. H. R. Jackson; Vice-Presidents, Dr. W. M. Charters, Dr. J. Harriss; Corresponding Secretary, W. Grayson Mann; Recording Secretary, Dr. Easton Yonge; Treasurer, W. S. Bogart; Librarian, William Harden; Curators, A. R. Lawton, Dr. R. D. Arnold, J. S. F. Lancaster, T. M. Norwood, C. H. Olmstead, Robert Falligant, W. D. Harden. The only change in the Board of Officers was the election of Gen. A. R. Lawton in the place of Hon. Solomon Cohen deceased.

The life-size portrait of Mr. William B. Hodgson, in whose memory the splendid hall was erected and donated to the society, is a striking likeness. It shows him in a library, standing by a table in front of a book case, in the act of turning the leaves of a volume, while lying on the table are several books, and a scroll containing Arabic characters.

The portrait was painted by Mr. Carl L. Brandt, Hastings on Hudson, New York, an artist of great celebrity.

The dedication ceremonies occurred in the evening, the large hall was well filled, and everything passed off to the entire satisfaction of even the most fastidious. Dr. R. D. Arnold was the orator of the occasion, and the report of his address as given in the Savannah Morning News is so excellent that we wish we had space to republish it.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania.-A "called" meeting was held on Monday evening, February 21st., for the purpose of listening to a paper by James Grant Wilson,

Esq., of New York, upon "Commodore Isaac Hull and the Old Ironsides." The attendance was large, comfortably filling the elegant hall of the Society; the President, in opening the meeting made a few timely remarks in his genial style, introducing Mr. Wilson.

The speaker is too well known as a popular writer to require more than the single remark that his paper was in his usually happy vein, imparting information in popular attractive phraseology; it comprised a moderately complete sketch of Commodore Hull and of the exceptionally brilliant career of the old Constitution, with numerous allusions to military and naval heroes more or less cotemporary with the subjects of the paper. We have but one criticism to offer, and that is that, in our judgment, there was no sufficient call for the unfavorable reflections on Commodore Barron, or even on Commodore Elliott-the merits of either of these were suffi cient to justify silence as to their faults.

Hon. Horatio Gates Jones offered a resolution tendering the thanks of the Society for the excellent paper and requesting a copy for preservation in the archives of the Society and for publication under the direction of the Publication Committee.

Hon. Richard S. Smith made a neat little speech-he was in London when the news reached there of the surrender of Detroit by General Hull, and when the news arrived of the victory of Commodore Hull and his capture of the Guerriere, and he described in graphic language his feelings as an American under both the adverse and the favorable news.

LITERARY AND ART MEMORANDA.

The fifth volume of Mr. E. A. Freeman's "History of the Norman Conquest" is nearly off the press in England. This concludes the work. It will contain, among other interesting features: 1. A full examination of Domesday, especially as bearing on the confiscation and regrant of lands during the reign of the Conqueror. 2. The history of the reigns of William Rufus, Henry I., and Stephen, looked at mainly with regard to the fusion of Normans and English. 3. Chapters on the effects of the Norman Conquest on politi cal, social, and ecclesiastical matters, on languages and literature, and on architecture; the main object of these chapters being to show how all these forms of national life were affected by the Conquest. 4. A short sketch of the reign of Henry II., from the point of view of the fusion of of the two races; with shorter sketches of the following reigns down to Edward I., when the fusion may be regarded as completed.

A daughter of W. W. Story, the sculptor, was married recently in Rome to the Commendatore Peruzzi, a brother of the Syndic of Florence, and, she being a Protestant, the Pope granted a dispensation, which is the only event of the kind that has happened for the marriage of a Catholic to a Protestant during his Pontificate. Mr. Story and his wife, were Unitarians when then left Boston for Rome.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Flora of California.-Dr. Asa Gray and Professor Brewer have been for some time engaged on a “ Flora of California," and the work is now going through the press. During the examination Dr. Gray has found many new species an! some new genera, besides some new facts in relation to older species, which he has worked up into a "Contribution of Botany," given in the January issue of the "Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences."

Ralph Waldo Emerson is to be the orator before the literary societies of the University of Virginia, on the 29th of June.

[blocks in formation]

Ohio Annals; Historic Events in the Tuscarawas and Muskingum Valleys, and in other portions of the State of Ohio; Adventures of Post, Heckewelder | and Zeisberger; Legends and Traditions of the Kophs, Mound-Builders, Red and White Men; Adventures of Putnam and Heckewelder, founders of the State; Local History, Growth of Okio in Population, Political Power, Wealth and Intelligence. Edited by C. H. MITCHENER, of the New Philadelphia (Ohio) Bar. Dayton, Ohio,: Thomas W. Odell.

Such is the full title of one of the most interesting historical works we have ever read; the title is really a table of contents; there is however an analytical table of contents, almost equal to an Index, but the absence of an Index is a serious defect in any work of this class. The "Introductory" is a capital "Summary of Events-a Historical Panorama of Ohio," The Editor deserves the warmest thanks of the residents of his State, of the Press of the country, and of future Historians, for the amount of invaluable information he has made available in this volume. The critical reader will forgive a seeming crudeness in the structure of some parts of the work and the independence of grammatic rules shown by the editor in occasional sentences, when he takes into account the amount of research necessary to the compiling of so much and such admirable matter. But, while the information presented constitutes of course the chief merit of this work, the peculiar interesting and attractive manner in which this information is conveyed will go far towards insuring a large circle of interested readers. The publisher will pardon us for suggesting that a lighter "tinted" paper would be preferable.

A Century After: Picturesque Glimpses of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, including Fairmount, the Wissahickon, and other Romantic Localities, with the Cities and Landscapes of the State: A Pictorial Representation of Scenery, Architecture, Life, Manners and Character. Edited by EDWARD STRAHAN. Illustrated with Engravings by Lauderback, from Designs by Thomas Moran, F. O. C. Darley, J. D. Woodward, James Hamilton, F. B. Schell, E. B. Bensell, W. L. Sheppard, and other eminent artists. Philadelphia: Allen, Lane & Scott, and J. W. Lauderbach, 233 South Fifth Street.

"Part Ten" is as handsome as the nine previous parts, and is even more readable-at least, though interested hitherto, we have read this part with more enjoyment than any before. We can but reiterate our earnest and unqualified commendation of the work. The illustrations of "Part Ten" are in themselves valuable as showing what can be done in the way of wood-engraving; they are equal to steel plates in fineness and superior to them in pleasing softness. "Fairmount Park" is still the subject of the letter-press and engravings, which illustrate: 1. The game of " Croquet;" with life-like grace; 2. The picturesque Spring Rock;" 3. The "Platform in Tree;" 4. The grand scenery surrounding the "Lover's Leap;" 5. "Kelpius's Spring;" 6. This is a combination page engraving, portraying seven picturesque views "On the Wissahickon;" 7. "Chew's Mansion;" 8. A scene in the Germantown "Depot." Then we have a change of topic, and Mr. Stoddard discusses in his graceful

[ocr errors]

poetic style, the history of "Arts and Sciences" in our country during its first "Century," and the artist's second his efforts with capital views of, 1. The new "Academy of Fine Arts;" and 2. The new " Academy of Natural Sciences." Accompanying this part is the following announcement by the publishers:

"The subsequent issues of the work will be given to illustrations of important localities in the State, with the exception of the final number, which, as a fitting close to "A Century After," will contain views of the Exhibition Buildings from original sketches. Mr. Stoddard's graceful descriptive letter-press of these beautiful and wonderful triumphs of architectural genius and the entire correctness of the drawings will be the fortunate possessor of this tasteful volume an enduring souvenir of the great Centennial Exposition of 1876."

Evolution and Progress: an Exposition and Defence; the Foundation of Evolution Philosophically Expounded, and its Arguments (divested of insignificant and distracting physical details) Succinctly Stated; together with a Review of Leading Opponents, as Dawson and Winchell, and Quasi Opponents, as Le Conte and Carpenter. By WM. I. GILL, A. M., New York: The Authors' Publishing Company.

[ocr errors]

We have delayed the notice of this work in order to give it a closer study than most books demand. The author opens his "Preface" thus: "The limitation of the human faculties" is strikingly manifest in our inability to understand those with whom we differ;" possibly our inability to understand Mr. Gills' position may arise from "the limitation of the human faculties," but we fear that Mr. Gill is in the same predicament, for we do not believe he fully understands his own position. For example, in the same "Preface," he characterizes his "small book" as a "defence of absolute evolution from the centre of the most fervent and active form of evangelical orthodoxy." Again he says, "If evolution is not true, let its foes make sure they understand it before they attempt its refutation;" this is fair; we presume Mr. Gill understands it, and quote his definition : Evolution is only the scientific (as well the popular and practical) law of natural causation carried out to higher results than ever before. Evolution does not denote merely a completed result of natural causation, but also a process of natural causation, and natural causation is always a process of evolution, whether coextensive with the universe or with only a part of it. . . . In all degrees of extension or limitation of meaning, evolution is a term which expresses the operation of natural force and law . . . Evolution is simply naturalism, whether partial or universal . . . Evolution is thus synonymous with natural causation which, like evolution, may be limited or unlimited. Evolution is therefore the contrary correlative of supernaturalism, each of which excludes the other, and the absence of either implies the presence of the other, so that the sublation of the supernatural posits the natural or evolution." But Mr. Gill tells us, and herein we are happy to find one point in which we agree with him: "Evolution is now made the foundation of religious rationalism in England and America, and the best foundation it has ever had, one which can easily be exhibited to the

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »