Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, August 6, 1893, Page 11

r 7 AT IZAAK WALTON'S SHRINE Rivers Loa and Dove and Their Relics of the Angler's Early Haunts, LONDON SURROUNDINGS ALL OBLITERATED Tribute of the Poet Wordsworth—The Ex- Alting Friendship Between Him and Cotton~Hallowed Memories and Loving Legends. [Copyrighted, 1893.1 Loxnox, July 24— [Speeial to Tne Ber. ]~ No single work written within the last 250 years has had universally so wholesome in fluence as Izank Walton's “Complete Angler,” und I can call to mind no other writer who has, during the same period, through his sweet and calm personality and work, 50 held, if often unwittingly and un- realized, what may be termed the literary conscience of mankind so tenderly close to the tranquilizing touch of nature's out stretehed tender hand. This is not only a fact of excellent signifi- cance as showing the value and permancney of purity and simpiicity in all art, but it is a tribute to the healthfulness of motive in sought-for source of inspiration by literary people; and its accuracy is easily shown, if nceds he, an impressive manner by cita- tion, contrast and illnstration fron the best known literature between Walton's time and this. In many instances it has been clearly acknowledged by literary men themselves. In others the identification is so clear and true as to admit of no possible doubt. The frankest, though still indirect, and the most clearly traced indebtedness of this prompt- ing influence to nature-loving in those whose genius transmits the same loving quality to others, is made by that master of English prose, Washington Irving. g While under the spell of Walton he be- came for the nonce an angler, “I hooked myself.” he charmingly confesses, ‘‘instead of the fish; tangled my line in every tree; lost wy bait; broke my rod, untill gave up the attempt in despair, and passed the day under the wrees, reading old Tzank, satisfied that it was his charming veiu of honest sim- plicity and rural feeling that had bewitched me, and not the passion of angling.” We are certainly largely indebted to this be- witchment by Walton of Irving for that rambling, nature communing mood whence was filtered through his loving favcy the folk lore of the legend haunted Hudson, and gave us the sweetest and bestof all his work in those tender tales of the Sketeh Book. Wordsworth's Tribute to Walton, No less undeniably, and far more sciously and direct, has Wordsworth, sclf divine interpreter of nature's moods and influences, paid ton’s power for purest inspi us of “meck Walton's heavenly memor one of the most beautiful exvressions of praise and reverence to ‘be found in our lan- guage, and in the same tribute to Walton's Lives oi Hooker, Sanderson, Wooton, Donne and George Herbert, Wordsworth again bursts forth in this incomparable stram of esulogy. “There are no colors In the fairest sky o fairus these. The feather, whenco the pen Waus shaped thut traced the lives of these good Dropped from an angel's wing. Pages could be filled with most briefly noted admissions by the immortals of the gentle angler's subtle power to drs 1o the everliving fountain of purity, s plicity and truth. Justly then, Izaak Walton and his work must be framed in a different perspective than that of their commonly accepted setting. He must not be merely regarded as “honest Izaank Walton, father of the gentle art of aneling.” There were able writers before his time upon this engaging diversion. Most of what he wrote, as purely Instructive, has beer more than half a rentury out of date. One must be more than & deft and successful angler to be a disciple of Walton, and this truly lovable epithet is almost universally misapplied. 1 would say then that the name and fame of Izank Wal- ton increase with the centuries because a truly good and sweetly pious life w glorious genius constantly shine o and brighter through his incompara ages into our later and better understand- gs. His “*Complete Angler,” which it must be remembered is also the “Contemplative Man's Recreation,” is an imperishable shrine in the world of letrers, because, after the bible, it is the mgst perfect guide to the of ure and nature's God ther o which we have access. And “a aisciple of Walton™ must come to mean not merely one who can land « trout or grayling prettily, but that one who, in any vocation or avocation, is heart and soul attuned to the God-sent harmonics of nature through the meusureless peace of pure and pertect life, Only Ono Reminder of the Famous Angler, With this spirit of loving remembrance a quest for the olden haunts of Walton be- comes almost a reverential pilgrimage. In a half month's time it will be #00 years since his birth, August 9, 1593, in Staffordshire; about 270 years since actual knowledgo of his existence us a “sempster” or linen draper jn tho Royal Burso, Cornhill, where the Royal exchange now stands, was made a matter of record by deed, and Just 240 y since the first sale “at'18 peuce price Richard Merriot in Dustan’s Chui Yard, Flect street, of copies of the first ed- Ition of the “Compleat Angler.” The Lo don, ndecd one might say the Englaud, of that time 1s no more. Loiter and delvo'as ono may aboutold Fleet street and Chancery lune. there is not a single existing reminder of Walton and his time. So fur as I am wble to discover in the world's metropolis thercis butone. That is the initials und date, “L W., 1658, on the stone tablet to Isaac Casaubon' in Westminster abbey’s outh transept. It was scratched there by Walton himself and is a desecration now chenshed by all Britain. Who would ever lance at the pages of ‘“Casaubouiana’ oday, or remember that James 1. made Casaubor prebendary of Westminster and Canterbury save for this silent token of Izank Walton's regard? The scene of the “Angler” lies directly north of London along the river Lea, be- tween Tottenham and Hertford, and it was s no small walk from Walton's shop in Chancery lane to his favorite hauuts beside this stream. ‘The river itself has its rise in Bedfordshire, still north of Hertfordshiry “in the marsh called Luigrave or Leazgravo, from whence the Suxons borrowed its de- nomination,” as the old writer Chauncy re- lates. It pursues a sinuous course through richly wooded und meadowed parishes and such chief towns of Hertfordshire as Brox- bourne, Ware and Hattield, and from ‘Totten- ham Jazly and shmily fows down through East Londou under Lea bridge; is split into black lugoons 1 the foul Hackuey marshos, and becomes 8 muddy stream again as it passes between Queen Matilda's bridge and the noted bridge of Stratford-le-Bow, the clent way into Essex. ‘Ihen, a mere open chunnel of London sewage it forms the various basins of the Lea cut, Limehouse cut and Limehouse basin of Regent's canals und trailing to the west of Stratford and Barking marshes, the foulest-swelling fao- tory spot on the earth’s surface, enters the Thames through the noisome delta forming the Isle of Dogs. Old Tottenham Exists Ouly in Imagination. In Walton's time'all this region was coun- try. It is one of the most unpleasant ex- riences you can now know in London to ollow the Lea from East Iudia dock to Tot- tenham. The latter is even now u part of London, and one can only with difficulty seo the way the gontlo anglercame and as dimly imaging the Tottenham of old, its then smart Elizabethan habitations, and its High Cross, where the characters in the “*Angler” first met, and Piscator, on his way Lo fish the Lea as Ware that “fine, fresh May morn- ing," makes the pleasant acquaintance of ator and Aucel ‘The White Swan inn at Tottenham was the place where Walton tarried going to and “""“"(’ from the river Lea. The last time 1 saw it 1t was half bid- den from the High road and High Cross, a tuy. slumbrous notel of the long wgo, white, stuccoed and gabled, with & patch of con- him- holiest tributo to Wi tion, He t THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY/PAUGUSI 6, 1893-SIXTEEN PAGES. garden blosssom at skittle alley behind Just north of Tottenham ata sleepy hamlet calied Cook's Ferry, to which Piscator led his companions of the “Angler.” Walton's own picture of the inn is & pleasanter one than can now be drawn— “an honest alehouse, where might be found a cleanly room, Iavender in the windows and 1ds stuck about the walls, with toss both cles and handsome and 1t was here over the eating of the toothsome _chub that Venator insisted upon terming Walton, as Piscator, ‘“master.” Shortly beyond this the Lea winds ploasantly near Idminton, where John Gilpin, from the indecorcus speed of his horse, missed a com- fort inner: and at Hoddesdon above was the “Thacht House,”” where, at the very outset of the ‘“Angler's” pleasant ex- periences, Venator expressed his purpose of drinking his ‘“‘morning draught.” From sttenham to Ware is a pleasant, vagrant Jhunt; but the lover of Walton must nec earry the good old fisherman along with him in the sweet cradle of his fancy for all but the merest suggestion of companionship and identification in theso first and old angling haunts along the river Lea. A Friendship that Was Exaiting. Undoubtedly Dove Dale, the waterway of the vagarous and impetuous river Dove, forming the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire in the romantic region of the Derby Peak, retains least changed the natural scenes most loved of Izaak Walton 1t is here his summer mouths for years wero passed, in an almost idvllic enjoyment of his favorite pastime, and in a friendship with Cotton of so perfect a nature that it at least exalted an otherwise characterless man of no little talent to_nobler aspirations and accomplishments, Every one 1s familiar with_this strange and unequal attachment: how Walton, almost saintly in character and 44 yenrs the clder of the blase spendthrift and scribbler of unreadable themes, became his friend and companion in Beresford hall; how Cotton built the famous ‘‘Fishing House” beside the Dove, with its inter- twined escutcheon of his own and Walton's initials and the motto, ‘‘Piscatoribus Sacrum,” above the door; how their affec- tion ripened until Cotton adopted Walton as his “father” and Walton the spendthrift gentleman as his “son;” and how it all had a good endiog when, at Walion's request, Cotton accomvlished the best work of his life in part second of the “Angler,” “Being Instructions How to Angle fora Trout or irayling ina Clear Stream," prefaced by “Thie Retirement,” or ‘‘Stanzes Irreguliers to Mr. Izaak Walton,” of much poetic power, beginning with the lines: Furowell, thou busy world, and may We never meet again' Ialways love to imagine this odd friend- ship not to have been an ‘unaccountable” matter, but an_aflinity of opposites, begin- ning away back there as Walton “'stretched his legs ub Tottenham hill" and first met the wayward, ill-directed, though undoubtedly appreciative and__sympathetic, Cotton as none other than Venator who. from the in- stinctivedefercnce toa great soul which made the word “master” unconsciously burst from his lips, came by degrees of betterment, grateful love and reverence to kuow the gentle angler who had saved him from him- self as a “father” in the highest and purest spiritunl sense, The whole romantic valley is rodolent of legend and memory of Cotton and Walton. The ancient Beresford hall is chynged, but the *“Walton Room' is intact. The bowling green beside the Do it was nearly & quarter of a thousand years ago; and tne old stone “Fishing House,” now more than 200 years old, still stands in the murmurous dale, one of the truest mon- uments in England 10 a strange but scathless friendshup. cxception to Class and Mass Distinction. The distinction between classes and masses was_immeasurably closer drawn in England in Walton'’s time than now. Few laymen, and particularly tradesmen, en- joyed even ordinary familiarity with men of sonsequence in cturch and state. gln this t Walton was an extraordinary excep- All authorities hold that no man of his time enjoyed so lofty a personal regard among the noblest and most famous men of that day. Two facts contributed to this, Though but a simple linen draper, the graces of his perfect life and the winsome qualitie: of his intellect and heart gave him not only the unqualified respect, but the unlimited affection of men of high degree. Besides this, his relation by birth and marriage made recognition of Lis personality and its logical result a matter of natural se- quence. Some biographers believe his mother 10 have been u nicee of Archbishop Cranmer. His first wife, Rachel Floud, whom he mar- ried in 1620 and who died 1n 1640, was o great-grandniece of that prelate. His sec- ond wife, Anne Ken, whom he married in 1646 and who died in 1662, was a half-sister of Bishop Thoras Keu, author of the Morn- ing and Evening hymns, and I have seen a memorial tablet to her memory, written by Walton himself, in the Lady chapel of Wor- cester cathedral. His son, Izaak, became a canon in Salisbury cathedral, where his re- mains and those of some of his descendants now lie. During many of the later years of Walton's life apartments were constantly reserved for him and his daught at the residences of Dr. Ward, bishop of and Dr. Morley, bishop of Winchester, and age of this daughter Aane to Dr. Hawkins, prebendury of Winchester cathe- dral, in whose nouse Walton died December 1683, centered still closer to historic Lester, for centurics the royal capital ngiand, the closing memories of Walton's peaceful life, while the grand old cathedral hecame a good man's tomb, Thus me- als in three of England’s noblest - stical structures preserve his glorious name. Because these things about Walton are nowhere collectively made concise and clear, 1 have dwelt upon them here, and delight also to poiut out another remarkable fact in his carcer illustrating how the human in- tellect secures exalted and powerful susten- tation from pure a able physical and moral hfe. Walton was 60 rs of age when s “Compleat Angler” " first appeared. Three of the remarkable series of his “[Lives" were first published after he was 70 years old. At the age of 90, when he wrote the preface to “‘Thealma and Clearchus,” a pastoral poem by John Chalkhill, the mental powers of this noble man wert clear and strong and whole. 1 behove there is not in the whole range of English literature so luminous an example of sweet and pure living, thinking and writing as that fur- mshed by the career and work of Izank Walton. Anllowed Memories and Loving Legends S0 as the peaceful evening of his life was passed at Winchester, the pilgrim to Wal- ton’s haunts and shrine will find in and about the old cathedral town the closest ana tenderest ties of presence and memory. All through these lovely Hampshire valleys are the haunts of his hale and calm old age, The river Test stealing out of the Berkshire moors and the river Itchen gleaming be- tween the chalk ‘nlln of Hamps w murmur through the old cathedral town, both reach the sea at Southampton Water. In all their lovely way from the north are countless deeps and shallows where the gentle angler came. ery mossy old mill, eve flower embowered steading, every slumberous old inn, every quaint old parish church, every rippling ford, sitent ool and ancient bridge, hall and castle and almost every river- side cottage along thesc streams has its lov- ing legend of the good old man who trans- fused the sweetness of his life into the mur- murs of the water, the odors of the blos- soms, the melody of the birds and the very sunlight upon these Hampshire hills and meads and sireams, And when you have come to the notable cathedral wherein he lies, it is not the tombs of kings and prelates that hold your rapt attention. The bones of grim Willhiam IRufus of Kynewils, of Adulphus of Egbert, of Kenulph, of Canute and that spotless queen who trod the fiery plowshares un- scathed, are all lying within their sepulchres near where the light of the marvelous altar white is bathed in the great east window's mellowed rose. But vou turn aside from ighty wortuary chest and glorious Mgy to the littie chapel of Prior Silkstede. It is here you will love to sit and muse and dream. For here the morning sunlight always comes, and filtering through the tiny paues of the ancient cathedral windows, it seems to leave & radiant glow and g upon the slab thut covers the grave of gentle lzaak Walton L. WAKEMAN, its side and a bit of & is Bleak Hall, The No. ® Wheeler & Wilson with its ro- tary movement, is the lightest runuin machine in the market, and is uum.uullufi for speed, durability and quality of work Sold by W. Lancaster & Co., 64 South Six veuth street - Chattel mortgage foreclosure caused Hopkins & Stout, Kearuey druggists, Lo close their store HISTORIC RELICS 1N REVIEW The Mementoes of Washington Exhibited in the Virginia Building. IN TOUCH WITH PRECIOUS TREASURES Commendable Work of Nebraska Artists in the State Bullding—The Reigning fsance In the Mustoal Line— Rents Take & Tam| Ciicaco, Aug. 2.—|Special to Tie Bee.]— On these warm sunny days at the fair one sometimes becomes dreamy and listless and quite indifferent to practical affairs of life and ns 1 pause to rest upon one of the bridges crossing the lagoon I watch the people come and go and wonder why it is that in this great human family, where all men are brothers and all women are sisters, the gen- eral resemblance is so great. Yet no two are just alike. Each is stamped by some peculiar individuality of form or gait or features which marks him different from his follows. But this loitering step must be exchanged for one of quicker pace, I tell myself, and soon I stand in front of the Virginia build- ing, which is an exact counterpart of the Mount Vernon mansion, where General Washington lived and died. In it are to be scen valuable personal mementoes upon which it is a delightful privilege to gaze and to be able to touch with one’s own hands the very pieces of furniture once in daily use in that historical home. Precious treasures aro these to the patriotic American heart. They will be guarded with reverential care and handed down from generation to genera- tion until time has crumoled them to dust. Ina small room to the left of the front entrance will be touna General Washington's secretary, well preserved and looking almost new, with the brass handles of tne lower drawers bright with recent polishing. But the small brass rings of the upper drawers are somewhat worn and bent. On the to of the secretary [ write these very notes, and as I pull out tho little drawers and poep into the tiny pigeonholes only & spot of black ink greets the curious eye. But how many pic- tures in fancy glide before the mental vision as 1 touch with reverent hands the little desk and wonder what important papers pertain- ing to the future welfare of our country may have reposed therein, in those bygone days when the owner of this piece of furniture was the first president of the United States. Nodoubt he often rested in yonder red up- holstered chair, habited perchance in the selfsame blue coat with gold trimmings that is kept in a glass case in a room across the ha!l, beside his snuff box of tortoise shell inlaid with cold and his well worn knife with horn handle and steel blade upon which is stamped the date 1760. Here ulso is a swmall picce of the white silk bridal gown of Martha Washington which she wore at his birthnight ball, Here, too, is preserved his original will, and one may seo the chirography of the father of our coun- try—I for one feel quite encouraged theroby. In the same room is an antique piano, samo style as that given to Nellie Custis by Washington. Oace upon a time, no doubt, it gave forth the music for many a merry waltz or stately minuet. But the hand that sweeps its yellow keys today will only be rewarde by a jiagle of discordant notes. Among the mementoes is one that I canuot appre- ciate, and wonder why any one should fancy such a gruesome relic. It is a piece of the wood from which was made Washington’s coftin box. In this case also is a pistol with a history. It isof dark wood, with barrel and trigger of iron, some- what rusty now with age and long disuse. But the last bullet which left its rusty throat was fired by Aaron Burr when he fought that famous duel in which Alexander Humilton lost his life. Half way up this stairway stands Washington's family cleck and I wonaerif its heavy pendulem ticke away the last moments that marked the close of the noble hero's carthly career. The Nebrasks Bulldin z. In spite of the fact that the Nevraska building is not very inviting as far as ex- hibits go it is a nice cool place to rest and any onc from that state feels 1t a duty to see all there is, and takes considerable interest therein. The same kindly interest gives me pleasure in naming some of tho pictures and the artists who have graciously con- tributed their skill to relieve, in a measure, the barren walls, and I am proud to say, in praise of the women of our state, that their contributions outnumber those sent by the men and are far more interesting, with few exceptions. Quite a striking victure is that by Miss Moore of Lincoln, the figure of o young girl with pet doves flying around her. Itis well executed, both in subject and de- tail, the handling of the drapery, which is always difficult, showing careful study. Just over the stairway hangs a game pic- ture of a brace of wild ducks. The green and gray tones are very effective against the sombre back ground and crude board frumo. Another picture by the same artist, Ella Hostetter, hangs between the sidesewindows and representsa glass bowl, in which are two bananas and some sliced oranges. There is an excellent fruit piece from the brush of Anna Shelton—ap- ples, green and red, two of which are re- flected in a new tin pan. Ihave spoken in praise of this same picture before, but could not Jearn the name of the artist. Below this, in & waluut frame, hangs an unpreten- tious bit of canvas; the subject is u very simple one. “Only a Loaf of Bread,” not bakers' bread, but a dainty home-made loat that hus remained in the oven long enough to make the crust deliciously brown. The side that was torn from a twin loaf is white and y and one might imagine it still W 80 that it would melt the butter spread on it with the homely kitchen knife with horn-handled steel blade that is placed ide the inviting loaf. Mrs. Dr, Little- field of Palmyra, N is the artist, ana has handled the subject with true fidelity, not embellishing the "homely study with any tempt at elaborate background, which tones of dull ochre and dark gray. The value of this odd little painting in oil lies in the fact that it is strictly original, and I just suspect that the artist made that loaf of br with her own damty hands, Miss Gertie Boon of Table Rock, Neb., contributes a little gem. It is hung too high and to got a close view, for it will bear inspection, I borrowed a chair to stand on, 1do really covet the picture, for one would not weary of itin a lifetime, It is a study of several red and yeilow ears of corn that have been tossed upon the barn floor and knocked off a lot of the kernels. Still cling- ing o the ripe red ears are some dried corn husks. The picture is one of cousiierable intrinsic value and if original displays true genius. Mrs. Francis Mumaugh shows three ani- mal heads—the head of a horse, the head of & calf and two peu sheep. They are fine, as animal painting next to portrait painting re- quires the most skill. But this artist seems 10 excel in still life und her large canvas of pink roses, spilied outof a basket, are simply superb,and one longs to gather up a hand- ful while the dew still lingers upon the per- fumed petuls, Miss Cora McGeary exhibits a fine bit of china decoration, pink roses on 4 large plate, also a bowl decorated in red roses. The exe- cution is tine and very commendable to the painstaking artist. Tt 1s quite a livtle step from the Nebraska to the Woman's building, but I want to mei tion a picture of fruit that haogs on the east wall of the main hall. It is the best one of its kind I ever saw. In that picture is a sliced watermelon, aund so true to life is it that when [ look at it I am possessed with an almost irresistible desire Lo hunt around for a step ladder sothat ! cut climb up and take a big juicy bite. A Musical Nulsance. We are anxiously hopiog for tn wall of that popular song, “After the Ball is Over.” It has been sung and resung by every inhabitant of Chicago aud every visitor to the World’s fair has had it dinned 1nto his ears at all hours and in sl plices, At the fair buildings it is played upon the exhibit pianos, the ladies hum it, the street gamins yell it, the numerous organ grinders produce it in installments of sobbing wails, the tallyho coachers Loot it on their horns and that new nuisunce of the streets, the piano on wheels, plays nothing else. 'The very church bells of Chicago seem rung to the pa:uhlr air. Little strolling singers of ) b and 6 years of age appear frequently upon in death the ourb stone opposkte, the front door. While they sing “Afteggho Ball” a dismal 0ld lady adds to the braken-hearted melody the still more unwelcome notes from a breathless old aceof §n‘ Waked from a restless sloep at early’ dwn one hears the sad refrain, or at the solémn midnight hour the drunken revoler bratvis it forth, until ono wishes that the litle girl had never lived to “Climb the Qld Man's Knee,’ or that the old gentlemar had come in contact with a live eiectric wire ere tho mournful tale had fallen from hiX trombling lips. But “life is real, 1ifd'js earnest.” and we must accept the inevitabld, which is to wait with angelic patience until the song has sung itself out of existence, or some new melody (or malady) makes its appearance. I heard it whispered that an appeal has already been presented to the city council to muke the singing of ‘‘After tho Ball," three times in succession, by one person, & punishable offense and the singer liable to immeaiate arrest. A Joyfal Rellef. Yesterday I saw a wandering streot singer pause before the house, rattle a tambouring and open his mouth. 1 gave a weary sigh of resignation. But that sigh was changed to an exclamation of delight, when he began to sing a parody, which was no doubt original. The time was a little off, and not much rhythm in the rhyme. But the words of the chorus will tickle the ears of the inhab- itants of “Furnished rooms—" for thus it ran: *“Wait tiil the fair is over. Watch all the rents come down. Many's the hopes that will vanish, after the fuir.” But rents have already ‘“‘come down,” just as I predicted last June, Chicago had made arrangements to room the world, and one might well imagine they also had de- signs on the inhabitants of some of the other plnets. The world did not all come outatonce, and a large number of lodgivg house keepers have already ‘“gone broke," for lack of patronage, and people who have waited to \-Isn the fair until the present time will find that they have been the gainers financially. Qnace Hixes. —_—— BOURS AND UERIVDICALS, G. W. Dillingham hus just issued in paper cover A. S. Roe's novel, “The Star and the Cloud.” A handsomely illustrated littlo pamphlet as an “Epitome of Dotroit”" has just been issued by M. W. Hannau of the samo city. Among the *yellow back novels” lately issued we flnd “Gold,” by Laura Daintrey, in which the author exposes cortain sociul cancers in # style of some interest. G. W. Dillingham, New York. Willinm M. Hall_has written a_pamphlet on “State Bank Notes,” in which he dis- cusses the various questions involved in the subject, resulting in conclusions decidedly opposed to the issue of such curronc; M. Parker has issued for free distribution a very neat little pamphlet, “How to See the World's Fair with Little’ Money,” which ns quite & fund of information of a M. Parker, box 836, Chicago. "ho Two Countesses,” by Marie Ebner ch, 18 & very pretty translation of Germany. it 1s without ation or sensationalism, but withal very i Cassell Publishing company, “‘One of the Professions™ is the handle to a jug of romauce from which Matthew White, jr., pours forth a stream of love lore into the ears of American readers. Home Book company, New York. The Father of Six” is the rather unusual title of a book by N. E. Potapeeko illustra- tive of the power of & woman's enthusiasm and earnestness as against a man's slower and less_hopeful methods. The Unknown library, Fourth avenue, New York. A paper submitted recbntly to the Ameri- can Academy of Political and Social Science is entitled, **The R+ation of the State to Education in Englond and America,” by Prof. Isaac Sharpless. A perusal of its leuves is very instructive and contuains much of importance in framing an opinion on the subject of future education. If books on statistics were noticed in ac- cordance with the labor involved in their preparation then “Statistics of Railways in the United States,” by «the Interstate Com- merce commission, would ‘be entitled to a lengthy review indeed. The book is one of great value in {ts place. « Free Russia is the name of a monthly periodical published in the interest of Rus- sian freedom. It is ably edited and is a val- uable exponent of the ciuse of liberty. Its tone is calm and dignified and its claims are presented in clear, terse language, and while so conducted it will wield powerful in- fluence toward checking Russian aggres- sion. “A Problem Unsolved” is the name of a complete novel presented in the August num- ber of Godey's Magazine. Besides a number of choi articles a frontispiece, “At the Casino in Newport,” and several water color portraits of dislinfu\shcd adies orna- ment this issue. **A Glimpse of the T Exhibit, Chicago,” by George F Heyat, will interest the society lady. The fishing articles in Outing for August are both seasonablo and good. In one a grave Domfnie tinds & day’s quict pleasure beside a trout stream; another presents a truly delightful moonlight picture of the Land of Evangeline and the fuu of lobster spearing; while in a third the scene 1s laid on Jersey's swirling shoals and keen auglers fud glorious sport in taking hard-fighting bluefish. In general the depa Current Literatu World's Fair,” Queer, Quain ained in beside *The he Sketch Book,” *The nd Curious,” *‘Recent Pro- gress in " “Items of Natural His- tory,” “Fads and Fashions,” ‘“Echoes of Vunity Fair,” “Latter Day Philosophy,” “Wisdom and Wit,” “Travel,” ‘‘Adventure,” Miscellany,” “Literature” and a varica as- sortment of the poetry of the day. Current Literature Publishing company, 52-54 Lafayette Place, Now York. Mrs. May Agnes Fieming, who has be dead for & good many yearsand who w interesting stories of a certain class, still appeirs as tho author of new books. The last one, “‘A Chaneed Heart,” is not in the least like Mrs, Fleming’s own stories, and just where the title comes in among so many hearts is & mystery. G. W. Dilling- ham, New York. “lhe Athlete's Conquest,” by B. A. Me- Fadden, is unique 1n that he makes physical strength the power by which his heroine wins love instead of sighs and tears, the stock in trade of the usual paper cover novel, The hero of the book would not look at a woman twice unless she measured at least twenty-six inches round the waist. Of course he finally met the right on G. W. Dillingham, West Twenty-third street, New York. Arthur F. Bentley, A. B, of Johns Hop- kins university, has written in the Political Science Series a book of peculiar interest to cltizens of Nebraska. ‘The monograph is callea *“I'he Condition of the Western Farmer,” and is o study of Harrison town- ship, Hall county, Nebraska. Itis really a history of the settlement and progress of farmers and agricalturists in this partof the world from the eurniest days, with con- clusions ana dedugiions of gréat value to economists. Ay An anonymous ‘writer, but undoubtedly some person of distinction, writes on **Amer- icuns in Europe, ‘y One of Them.'” The writer has t}vldcnru_y traveled with his mind’s eye open, aslgep or awake, and it is i sty diversified eyé, too, and a shrewd and ld one—one that'dures to tackle the daily papers in his preface yet does it in suoh an adroiv manner andowith such force and truth as to avoid the leass, evidence of evil intent. Above all elsu tho wpiger in s oritic, one who knows how 1o sa¥ well what he thinks, and has produced u most spicy und instructive volume, Tait Sons &Co., New York. ‘'he complete novelan the August numb of Lippincott's is “‘Ipshe Midst of Alarms by Robert Barr (Lpke Sharp). 1t is s tale of the Fenian invasion of Canada 1w 1871, Among other entertaining articles W. H. Babeock discusses “Supermundane Fie- tion,” and M. Crofton, in ‘*Men of the Day,” presents brief sketches of Sir J. E. Millul sic Arthur Sullivan, General Diaz, an Philip D. Armour, The puelr{ of the num- ber is by Clara Jessup Moore, Howard Hall, and M. H. G. A Conan Doyle's new book, “The Re- fugees printed on best quality paper, finely illus- trated and well bound, The story is a tale of the French court in the seventeenth cen- tury and of America during the same period. The fact that it is historical ia its character will make the book one of interest to those readers who are weary unto death of the floods of trash with which the country is deluged. Mr. Doyle has done good work in this story. Harper's Brothers, New York. Harper's Bazar for July 20 cootains: “Little 1 P, afarce, by Miss Grace L. Furaoiss, author of A Box of Moukeys,” and has the merit at least of being - other popular plays for amateurs; A short story by Howard Seely, entitled “A Knight Errant of the Plains;" and the first of a short series of papers of great interest to t amateurs and decorators, entitled ‘The Elements of Floral Dosign," by Louis Mead. This series is abundantly illustrated. Harper's Weekly for the coming week will contain an extensively illustrated article on the great National Yellowstone park. There will be four full pages of illustrations Other timely topics are the silver question in Colorado, with a portrait of Governor Waite, ania page of illusirations from photographs: a page of portraits of leading German politicians in the German Reichstag who have been closoly connected with the discussion of the famous army bill; and pic- tures relating to the recent trouble between France aud Siam. Meehan's Monthly continues the famous work, the “Flowers and Ferns of the United States,” by issuing overy month a colored plato of some native plant, with tne plant's complete history—giving this month a repre- sentation of the common Maiden Hair Fern. Though issued in monthly parts, it is o work of reference for all time—catering to the artistic taste of the community, as well as contributing to tho popular love for wild flowers. Among the several illustrations is one of the new Jupan snowball, ‘the rocks of the Wissahickon, and the wild roses of the const range. Thomas Meehan & So Germantowu, Phila, A witty writer has said that life would be endurable if it were not for the month of August. Romance provides the best possi- ble means for making one forget the discom forts of the dogday season, its August issue being a model midsummer number. A fea- ture is made of the remarkable tales of Polish and Hungarian writers, foremost of whom is Maurice Jokai, Amoug these tales is “The Fate of a Nihilist,” an original pro- duction of great power; “The Attaman,” a8 wonderufl story from the Polish; and a Hungarian election comedy. Romance Pub. lishing company, Clinton hall, Astor Place, New York. The August issue of the Century Magazine is the anoual midsummer holiday number, with a special cover, and a table of contents which includes many attractive features. Readers wiil be apt to turn first to “Phillips Brooks's Letters to Children,” a coliection of letters from abroad by the late Bishop Brooks to the children of his brothers. ‘They present a little-known and delightful side of the life and character of the great preacher, and they will have a charm alike for young und old. Stephen Bonsal, the newly appointed secretary of legation to China, contributes a uniqué and_fully illus- wrated description of ‘oz, the Mecca of the Moors.” The illustrations are many. The frontispiece portrait of Phillips Brooks is ono of the best. A fuli page eng Winslow Homer's “Fox and Crow: productions of etchings by a new artist, Anders Zorn, and the engravings of the article on “*Contemporary Japancse Art,” will_attract attention. The Century Co., New York. The August Californian, with the exception of the brilliant Columbian issue for July, is oneof the finest numbers ever publishea Awong its varied attractions are three com- plete stories, the first of which, “A Smoth- ered Fire,” by Harriet Prescott Spofford, is & brilliant narrative of a woman's heroism and self-renunciation, *The Caverns of Ulo,” by Verner 7. _Reed, is the talo of a lost' tribe in the land of the Montezumas and is embellished with many striking illustra- tions, while the “Romance of Youo San,” by John W. Wood, isa Japanese story, which has the distinction of being illustrated by a native Japanese artist. There is always a romantic charm about Siam —the land of the white elephunt—and one's dreawm of oriental- ism is much euhanced by the superbly illus- trated article by S. E. Carrington. 'The arti- cle is particularly timely in view of tne in- ternational complications in which the king- dom hus been involved. Californin Illus- trated Magazine, Market street, San Fran- cisco. Inthe City Series, now running i St. Nicholas, President D. C. Gilman describes Baltimore for tho August number. As might be expected, he is inclined to consider the city from the point of view of an educator, and consequently gives especial attention to the great libraries and universities that_bid fair 1o wrest from Boston the name of Mod- ern Athens. The article 18 well worth read- ing, and 1s excellently illustrated by Harry Fenn. “From Montresa to San Mateo,” by E. Vinton Blake, is an exciting frontier episode, telling of the rescue of a white hoy from a Mexican family who held him in_ser- vitude. The snap with which the story is told is well retained in Taber's spirited il- lustrations. With poems the number is richly set. “Watering the Flowers,” by Thomas Tapper; “A Fair Exchange,” by Gertrude Halliday; **When My Ship Comes In,” by Mary Farrah; “The Runaway,” by Noll K. McElhono; **A Dark Career,” a de- liciously funny notion of Oliver Herford's, and the same author's ‘‘Forgetful Forget- me-Not”—all ure the excellent bits of v of which St. Nicholas alone seems to po: the secret. The August Forum embraces valuable ar- ticles on u wide range of important current topies. Rafael H. Wolff, controlier of one of the lurgest wire milis in the United States, voices the general sentiment of manufac- turers in an article on the “Danger in Hasty Tariff Revision,” urging the appointment by the president of a truly representative com- mission to formulate a tariff to suit all classes, An authentic “inside view of daily Journalism,” of great value to the intending newspaper man, is furnished by three prac- tical journatists—J. W. Keller, president of the Now York Press club, who makes some ank disclosures 1n a trenchant article on ournalism as a Career;” John Gilmer peed, formerly managing editor of the New York World, who compares the character of the reading matter in newspapers of 1881 and 1893, and Charles R. Miller, editor of the New York Times, who addresses *A Word 1 the Critics of Newspapers;” to show thut the average newspaper is as good as its readers will permit. Frederic Harrison, the well known controversialist, whose critical papers in the Forum on art’ and literature have excited wide comment, writes under the heading: “Art and Shoddy: a Reply to Criticisms.” —————— THE COUNTKY LASSIE. Frances C. Baylor in Boston Globe, 8ho blossomed in the country Where suany summer flings Her rosy arms about the earth And brightest blessings hrings; Health wis her sole Inheritanc And grace her only dower. Inever dreamced the wild wood Contained so sweot a flower, Far distant from the city, And Inlund from the sea, My lussie bloomed in goo As pure s pure could be 8ho caught her dewy freshnoss From hill und mointuln bower, Inever droamed the wild wood Contained 5o 5w flower, The rainbow wust havo lent her Some of its alry grace i wild rose parted with o blush That nestled on her face. The sunbeam got ngled In The long wives of hor halr, Or she had never grown o bo 80 wodest snd 5o falr. taught her And for hor now, 1f need b I'd part with wealth and power, I never dreamod the wild wood Contained 50 sweet o flower. . An An Punle, In the year 331 B, C. there was a frightfui ‘mortality among the husbands of young and good-looking women at Roime. A general panic prevailed among husbands and & secret investigation began. It wus discovered that a ladies’ 80 wives of undesirable husbands, They met in small parties at the house of an old woman, made pretense of cclebrat- ing religious rites, but really to procure poison and arrange among themselves whose husband should be next put to death, 80 that suspicion might not be ex- cited by too many deaths at the same time. A female slave was induced by the promise of protection and large re- wards to denounce the women who had put their husbands out of the way; 170 were informed against, convicted and put to death. These were the first known cases of poisoning at Rome. —— There are taree UWngs WOrth saving — Time, Trouble and money—-and De Witt's Little Early Risers will save them for you. These little pills will save you time, as they act promptly. They will save you trouble us they cause no pain. They will save yoa money as they economize doctor’s bills. iety existed for the purpose of ridding | DOUGLAS COUNTY ROADWAYS Good Highway. CONDITIONS WHICH GOVERN LOCATION Complate Surveys Necessary to a Correct Determination ot Routes—Character of Traflo to Be Considered ~Impor= tant Suggestions. . By Curt's C. Turner, . Assuming that itis admitted to be desirable to construct correctly located roads, the question at once arises where theso new roads should bo located and how? This is & question that cannot be answored definitely except after the most careful deliberation and with the aid of complete surveys. Therefore it must bo clearly understood that all remarks that are made here are only mado in the most general way. In the first place, whore should theso roads be located? To answor this question we must ask another—what is the character of the traflic to be handled? Clearly the roads are to be built for the benelfit of the farming community. Now in former centuries and be- fore the goneral introduction of roag- ways, roads were built as grand routes of communication, leading from the capital of acountry to its remote die- tricts or to the capitals of other countries, The conditions today are altered. The railways furnish the grand routes and to a large extent the local routes. The wagon roads are merely to be regarded as feeders to the railways. The nearest railway station is the farm- or's market. The railway stations should theretore be made the centers from which all roads should radiate. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this would be to begin by eonnecting all of the small railway stations in the county with roads located on the most feasible routes obtainable, Through the main valleys, such as the three Papillion valleys, should each have romds traversing their entire length. Two or three main roads should be built from Omaha and South Omaha across the entire county in an cast and west direction. A system built in thi; manner would, with its various rami cations, reach every part of the county and would place every farmer in the closest possible communication with his warket. In locating such roads the utmost care should be spent to secure the most practical routes. The divides should be crossed at the lowest points practical. All grades should be carefully studied and the maximum adopted should be as low as possible. Care should be taken toavoid wet and swampy ground, and also to avoid spots where the snow is liable to drift in winter. Sunny slopes should be chosen when possible in order that the road may dry as quickly as po sible. When it can be done the heaviest grades ehould occur at the foot of an ascent, in order that they may be over- come when the horses are fresh and not exhausted from a long climv. There are numerous other matters to be ob- served in road location, but those given are the principal ones selected from the experience of many practical road builders. Careful attention to them is as much a necessity to successful road construc- tion as the stoppage of a leak is in any line of business. Jt is difficult to estimate the value of 80 great a reform in our methods of road construction. In a previous article its effect on the cost of haulage has been considered, but this is only a fraction of the advantage to be gained. Pages might be written on the great gain that would be felt by the farmers in thus re- moving the barriors from his free com- munication with his neighbor and the outside world. But these are questions for the social philosopher, whereas we are only discussing the material bene- fits that would be secure Were all traces of civilization to dis- appear from Douglas county today, and none of man’s work be left excepting our roads for the future antiquary to judge us by, he would probubly reason’ like is: ““Here was a strange race of stupid arians, who spent their energies in culean efforts to efface the monu- ments of nature. These efforts were presumably for the purpose of lessening the difficulties of transport, though in the absence of further knowledge con- cerning their modes of life it is difficult to understand their strange and illogical methods,” Such a judgment would be a just one, and though the antiguary may never render it, yet, unless we alter our meth- ods, it will not be many years before the future residents of this county will ren- er more scathing tributes to our lack of ymmon sense and ordinary business foresight. P — A picnic is not completo without some og's Extra Dry Champagne. A lunch with it is fiv for the gods, — South Dakota exhivits great blocks of the soil from different parts of the state, These blocks, four feet deep, are the surface soil and are as black as coal. Maps of the state show Just what sections are covered by this well nigh inexhaustible richness, RHYSICIANS §un&gzous Specialists CHRONIC, NERVOUS AND PRIVATE DISEASES We cure Catarrh, All Dise of ths | Nose, Throat, Chest, Stomach, Howaels iver, Rheumatism, Dyspepsia, n and Kid isonse ', Female Weaknesses, Lost Manhood CURED, anlall forms of WEAK MEN HYDROCELE AND VARICOCELE perm aud successfully cured. Method new and TREATMENT BY MALL 8 speciatiy. PILES, FISTULA, FISSURE, permanently cured, without ihe use of knife, ligature or cauntle. All maladies of 4 priviw or delicate nature, of efther sex, powitively cured Call on ‘OF addruss, with stamp, for Cireulars, Free Book, Recipes and Sympton Hlauks, 118 50uth 156¢h St OMAHA, NEB, lDr. Searles & Ssariss, I WASB BIG. IWAS FAT. Correot ‘Location the First Requisite for & | T PELT ME AN, I TOOK PILLS. I TOOK SALTS. IGOT LEAN. Handsome Women Can Loss Welgh Fast. Homely Men Look Better Thin, Try Dr. Edison’s System. No Dioting. Band worth Twioce the Monsy, Office of 1. M. Burton, Hardware, Vary Sta. ton. Til, Jan. 14 183 Dr. Edison: iwion the money 1t reduced my woight now, and Ldid welgh 245 They Are Loring & Co: Inolo; send me the other two bottie s of DF. Kdison's O Iy The band cost, for comfort. I o pounds, Yolurs truly. onr Sir: T am woll ploased with your treatment of obesity. worth hive 1 welgh 213 H. M. BurTon Doing Me Cood. Earlville, Tl , May 23, 1892 wod find $1.5) for which pl 10 o8- ity Piils. I have used ono andthink hoy are dotag thie work. 5.M. HALEY, P, 0. Box B Talk So Much About Your Pills, Peort , 1L, June 18, 1802 After hearing ono of my friends talk your Obesity Pllls an 1 tha benoAt hs deriving from thom think Uwilitey them wy: Plenso sond me 3 bottios €. 0. 1., and obligs, J. MORIIS. 405 Parey Stroot. Feel Botter andWelgh I3 Pounds Less Goshon, Tnd.. Sept. 18, 1802 Gentlome Tnclosed [ send you §i it for whioh you will please send mo throo hotties of tho oboslty pll Am better and welgh 13 po taking thew. king tho fourth Lwill contin MU, J. 15 loas than whon Our LraAt Moot . MCUONN, oltlo and foul vory: muo bogan Houth Sixth Strask An Individual whoso hotghtls 5 feet 1inch 5 feet & lnohos 5 feet 10 inches Dr. Edison sa: should welgn 1 125 pounas 160 0% “Itmay be well to polnt out that'ln my exporlence, which 1s nocessarlly vory considerable, ecoszonia, azono. pao; arlly caused by obo of the lly disap Mesity or tumbler of water inakes & deliclons Ifke champatgno, L ¥altle used In eonn rinsis, utlearia, ote 1any Lroublesome skin disonses such, ro prim: o fat and flash s Fruit Salt an1 o nffo both. One_ toaspoonful o lons have Almost ton wita n da. Tastos JuDhie bans cOst 825 eae for aaylonzih up to 33 . butor one larger than ch wddlition extra for o tnohos ad Price of Fralt Pllls§1.50 Per Bottlo, o sent by 1or $4.0). Mull ot lixpress 110 Cutthis outand keep It, andsoud for our full 3 column) nrticle on obosity. MENTION ADDRESS OW. XACTLY AS GIVEN Loring & Company 2 Hamliton T St., Dept 23, Chicago, Now York City. Dept. i, Bostol 01,40 W. 22na st Mass, 115 Stats Dopt 23, For sale in Omaha by Snow, Lund & Co. D o L L A R S 150 will cover the expense of a trip from St. Paul to the NORTHERN VIA THE about $150) and PACIFIC RAILROAD This includes A LL nccossary traveling expenses, railrond, stageand sleeping car fares, moals and hotels for tho completa TOUR OF THE PARK, Your trip to the World’s Fair will not be complete unless youalso go from there to the Yellowstone Park (total exponse view the wonderful things tho Almighty has placed there for No such spot is found mankind to see. efsewhere on earth. cific is the di The Northern sct line there. Pa- Send for **6,000 Miles Through Won= derland,” CHAS. S. FEE, General Passenger Azent, ST. PAUL, MIN and ournew map of the Park. DR, WILLLAVSON SPECIALIST Prosident ¢ ME] RGICA (Conwul passed in ) Kroe. of all Curonio, Nerv'us Write Lo or o B Uculars, which will 2.0, Boxs)h. treet, Omaha REATN Addrow with stamp for o Oltige, 118 8, DICAL AND DISPENSARY, ) he treatmont P{)lvltn and par- wont in 15th s ALLOW US TO ASSI ST YOU. We can be of much service in aiding yo u to select Artistic Hardware. GET OUR PRICES, Jas. Morton & Son Co. 1611 Dodge Street. BIRNEY’S Catarrh All druggisis. 00 ceats. — re cures CAUMITE -~