Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

knot in his pocket-handkerchief. For a lady, though, there could be no finer token than a flower. It is a beautiful idea to choose the lovliest flower of the plain as a token of friendly remembrance, and give it the name of forget-menot. But to make use of the lovely flower to remind us of the duties of our daily life, particularly of the holy duty of charity, is still more beautiful! That was a happy thought; it pleases me very much!"

Minna kept her word; the pure forget-menot furnished her and many poor people with the greatest blessings. Many a poor invalid whom Minna would formerly have forgotten, had the little flowers to thank for a strengthening broth, a flask of good wine, or a piece of money. Many a task which heretofore would have been neglected was now punctually executed-and thus Minna spared herself much trouble, many pangs of conscience, and many an unpleasantness. Minna's mother soon noticed how very much she had improved. "How is this?" said she, 'you do not forget the least trifle any more. How has this happened?"

[ocr errors]

Minna related the history of the forget-me-not flowers, to her mother's great joy. "You are good children," said she: "I will take care to give you a reward." So she gave orders to a jeweller in the city to make two rings of the purest gold; and on each ring a forget-me-not, formed entirely of precious stones-five sky-blue sapphires, and a clear diamond in the centre. When the rings came home, she gave one of them to the much-improved Minna. "Use this ring," said she, as you have done the flowers. If you have made a promise to any one, or have an important task to perform, put on this ring and wear it until you have kept your word or performed your task. Carry this other ring to your dear friend Sophie: the delicate manner in which she reproved you deserves a little return. The sweet forget-me-not she gave you is a more precious gift than this ring of gold and precious

stones."

[ocr errors]

Minna hastened to Sophie at once with the ring. "You certainly have no need to wear such a ring!" said Minna: " you never forget the smallest duty. Wear this ring, however, as a souvenir of a friend to whom through this flower you have done the greatest service."

"Oh, my dear friend," said Sophie, "who does not need to be reminded of his duties! As often as we look on these costly rings, we will try to do some good; if it is in our power we will try to relieve a poor person, or give pleasure to some deserving being." They shook hands upon this.

66 That 18 right, little children!" said the captain; "and whoever is not able to wear such rings can at least form the resolution, as often as he sees a forget-me-not by a brook or in a meadow, to do some good. Above all things, though, at the sight of the pure little flower let every one think of Him who made it, and of whom every flower should remind us. Then every forget-me-not on the plain will have a

greater value for him than if the whole plant were made of gold and every flower leaf a precious stone."

The affair of the forget-me-not had yet another good result. When winter drew near, and the beautiful lawn of the castle was covered over white with the frost, and the wind whistled around the castle, Minna and her mother journeyed back to the Residence. The forget-menot ring found great approval with Minna's friends and their mothers. It became quite fashionable to wear such rings. The story which prompted the giving of the rings soon became known everywhere, even at court. The brave old captain, who was known and esteemed by the Prince, was brought to the latter's mind by the forget-me-not. The paymaster who had forgotten to remit the pension at the proper time, received a reproof, which was a very grave forget-me-not for him. The kind Prince, however, gave orders for a considerable increase of income to the brave captain, whose needy condition was now first known-and the honest old soldier often said, "How many benefits has God granted to me and others through a forget-me-not!"

THE PHILOSOPHY OF RAIN.-To understand the philosophy of this beautiful aud often sublime phenomenon, so often witnessed, and so very essential to the existence of plants and animals, a few facts derived from observation and a long train of experiments, must be remembered :

1. Were the atmosphere here, everywhere, and at all times, of a uniform temperature, we should never have rain, hail, or snow. The water absorbed by it, in evaporation, from the sea and the earth's surface, would descend in an imperceptible vapour, or cease to be absorbed by the air when it was once fully saturated.

2. The absorbing power of the atmosphere, and consequently its capacity to retain humidity, is proportionately greater in warm than in cold air. The air near the surface of the earth is warmer than it is in the region of the clouds. The higher we ascend from the earth the colder do we find the atmosphere. Hence the perpetual snow on very high mountains in the hottest climate.

Now, when from continued evaporation the air is highly saturated with vapour, though it be invisible and the sky cloudless, if its temperature is suddenly reduced by cold currents descending from above, or rushing from a higher to a lower latitude, by the motion of a saturated air to a lower latitude, its capacity to retain moisture is diminished, clouds are formed, and rain is the result. It condenses, it cools, and like a sponge filled with water and compressed, pours out the water which its diminished capacity cannot hold.

How singular, and yet how simple, is the philosophy of rain! What but Omniscience could have devised such an admirable arrangement for watering the earth!

N

MEMS OF THE MONTH.

[ocr errors]

It is probably a long time since such a sensation has been caused amongst the fair sex as has been caused by the fearful disclosures with regard to the artificial chignons. The subject was first ventilated in the Lancet; but ladies, as a general rule, do not read that profound and amiable journal. It may readily be imagined that "Investigator's" letter in the Daily Telegraph on a certain Tuesday in last month, came like an avalanche amidst the fair sex; and we can readily fancy many a hand was placed involuntarily to the back of the head, and many a shudder was experienced, whilst not a few were wise enough to boldly burn their chignons at once, and forswear false hair for ever. The hairdressers are, of course, very indignant about the matter, and have stood up manfully for the purity of the chignon; but it is, nevertheless, true that the main points of "Investigator's" letter are correct, and the affair is no mere newspaper "sensation," however much it has been attempted to be proved so by journals of opposite politics. A friend of the present writer, a surgeon standing very high in his profession, and about the last man in the world to be led away by newspaper 'sensation," "has had several cases of the objectionable nature referred to in the Daily Telegraph; and, furthermore, he has informed Your Bohemian that several diseases of the scalp, hitherto almost unknown in England, have made their appearance since the introduction of artificial chignons. There is no doubt about it that the days of these odious appendages are numbered, and that the silly and disgusting fashion will soon come to an abrupt termination. It is a curious fact that this custom is one which has not its double amongst those of the opposite sex; for, strange to say, the ladies follow the gentlemen, or vice-versa, in matters of dress. Hence, when large crinolines and spoon bonnets were worn by ladies tall hats, peg-top trousers, and largesleeved coats were worn by gentlemen. When Corydon appears in tight trowsers and a short jacket, Amaryllis loops up her dress, and shortens her petticoats. Or should the youth take it into his head to crop his hair short, and sport a low-crowned hat, the fair damsel will at once submit her flowing tresses to the shears, and crown herself with a bonnet of about the size and substance of a strawberry-leaf. It is the same with boots and gloves, with cloaks and mantles; almost every article of attire has its reflex in that of the opposite sex ; but we cannot find the chignon obtaining, even in the most modified form, amongst the lords of creation.

Your readers will be sorry to hear of the sudden and serious illness of Mr. John Phillip. It is very much to be feared that his attack is somewhat of the nature of paralysis, and at the

[ocr errors]

present time he is in a most critical state, so as to cause the greatest anxiety to his friends. It is to be sincerely hoped he may rally from the attack, and in due time be restored to health; for the public would sadly miss the powerful and graphic pictures of one of the greatest colourists the English school has ever produced, and his many friends could ill afford to lose one of the most unassuming, genial, and generous gentlemen of the day. It may be mentioned that Mr. Artemus Ward has just returned from Jersey, where he has been staying for the benefit of his health. He purposes starting at once for New York, and it is to be hoped that the more genial climate of his native land will do much towards his restoration, and that some day we may again have him amongst us to charm us with his quiet satire and quaint humour.

The "Landseer Lions" in Trafalgar Square are now accomplished facts. They are certainly noble and grand animals. It is almost a pity they are so similar. Why not have attempted an entirely unconventional treatment? Say, have one standing, another crouching, a third with his fore-paws down beginning to spring, and the fourth on his back or on his hind legs. Whilst on this subject I may mention that Mr. Charles Watkins of Parliament Street, who photographs all the "lions" of London, has paid a similar compliment to their leonine majesties in Trafalgar Square. The result has been some very charming portraits of the noble animals.

The "Savage Club," who are ever ready and able to lend a hand in the cause of charity, are about to organise a performance for the benefit of a relative of Paul Gray. It cannot be doubted but that this entertainment will be eminently successful. For not only will the intellectual bill of fare on the occasion be first-rate, but we feel sure that the many admirers of the talented and graceful artist will be only too anxious to contribute their mite towards the cause of one whom he loved so well.

I have, by this time," been the round" of the pantomimes-and a weary round it becomes after a time-and I venture to give my vote in favour of Covent Garden-as a spectacle. Mind, as a spectacle; for it falls far below many of the others in literary ability. But then the Paynes are so excruciatingly funny; the Donkey is so donkey-like; and Mr. Matthew Morgan's Transformation Scene is so brilliant and fairylike. Moreover, the ballet is charming. What a capital scene the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is! By the way, the real "event" is fixed to come off on April 13th. It is sincerely to be hoped it will be rowed at some reasonable hour, and that Your Bohemian will not be hunted out

of his warm bed at such a frightfully early hour as last year.

The private view of the "Japanese Troupe" was well attended; and out of the many of their various feats, I am certainly inclined to choose the top-spinning as the most marvellous. It certainly does seem a curious occupation for a grown man, especially one of such gravity as the performer. But then the old men of China fly kites; so do the old men of Eng. land, for the matter of that: thus why should not the old men of Japan spin tops? I understand the stay of these remarkable conjurors in London is of somewhat short duration, so those who are desirous of seeing their performance shonld go at once, and by no means miss the opportunity of witnessing some of the most wonderful tricks of jugglery ever presented to an English audience.

The little Aztecs have already commenced their public receptions. A week or two ago, having received an intimation that Mr. and Mrs. Nunez were "At home," I made a morning call in order to pay my devoirs to the young couple. They were very amiable: the lady appeared to be perfectly at her ease, and the gentleman looked bored, and passed most of his time in staring out of window. In fact he looked just as uncomfortable as a newly-made bridegroom appears when you call upon him for the first time after his marriage. Mr Nunez did not seem to relish the idea of being on view at all, but he was good enough to dance a polka round the 100m, for my amusement, with his amiable little wife, which is more than any English bridegroom would do under the circumstances, I will venture to affirm.

There does not appear to be a great deal stirring in the literary world just at present. Mr. Edmund Yates's last novel, "The Forlorn Hope," is certainly the best he has given us since broken to harness. Indeed, in parts, it is even

better than that charmingly fresh story of English life: the third volume is wonderfully powerful, and touchingly tender in its deep pathos. Cassell's Paper is about to be formed into Cassell's Magazine, and published weekly at one penny, monthly sixpence. A new semi-religious periodical, the size and style of the Family Herald, entitled Happy Hours, will shortly be launched, and Messrs. Routledge contemplate publishing a new sixpenny monthly, and a new comic periodical entitled Will-o'the Wisp is talked of. Two new Liberal Conservative journals are said to be already under weigh-a daily entitled Latest News and a weekly called The Chronicle. Why not have some fresh names? Fancy a magazine called The Cave, or newspaper christened The Adullumite. Messrs. Hogg's Belgravia, known generally as the "other" Belgravia, after having been advertized for sale, for some time, in the Athenæum, is, it is said, about to be transformed into a weekly: the Weekly Belgravia would not be a bad title, certainly, though it might tempt high minds to make scoffing remarks with regard to the strength of the venture. Miss Braddon's Belgravia seems to be going ahead, and to have taken a first-class position. It certainly is one of the best shilling magazines going. In the current number we have a new feature in the shape of a second serial by Mr. Babington White, entitled "Circe;" and there seems to be a greater variety than we have had before; indeed, it very nearly approaches our beau ideal of a magazine. It should be like a wellcompounded salad: plenty of oil represented by poetry; a due quantity of vinegar typified by criticism; good deal of the salt of common sense; not omitting the main body of the compound, namely, the lobster and the lettuce, for which the serial tale and sterling articles on social topics should be responsible. YOUR BOHEMIAN.

OUR LIBRARY TABLE.

ENGLISH WOMAN'S REVIEW.-(London: to extend the suffrage to women duly qualified 23, Great Marlborough-street, Regent-street, W; that is, standing in exactly the same circumW. Kent & Co., Paternoster-row.)-The second stances as householders and tax-payers, that enThere is number of this quarterly has reached us, and title men to the privilege of electors. " amongst several interesting papers, specially something more than ordinarily irrational," obrelating to women and women's work, we note serves the writer, "in the fact, that when a wothat of Mrs. L. S. Bodichon, entitled "Authori- man can give all the guarantees required from a ties and Precedents for giving the Suffrage to male elector, independent circumstances, the Qualified Women," as one of prominent interest. position of a householder and head of a family, It is a well-considered, admirably-written essay, payment of taxes, or whatever may be the contemperate in its tone, and strong in argument. ditions imposed, the very principle and system It has been suggested, as our readers are aware, of a representation based on property, is set

aside, and an exceptionally personal disqualifica-, tion is created, for the purpose of excluding her." "The argument of incapacity loses much of its force at present, when a woman sits at the helm of Government in England." And farther on we find the following passage, quoted from the Westminster Review of July 1851, in justification of women's intellectual capacity for politics.

"Women have shown fitness for the highest social functions, exactly in proportion as they have been admitted to them. By a curious anomaly, though ineligible to even the lowest offices of state, they are in some countries admitted to the highest of all, the regal; and if there is any one function for which they have shown a decided vocation, it is that of reigning. Not to go back to ancient history, we look in vain for abler or firmer rulers than Elizabeth, than Isabella of Castile, than Maria Theresa, than Catherine of Russia, than Blanche, mother of Louis IX. of France, than Jeanne d'Albret, mother of Henri Quatre. There are few kings on record who contended with more difficult circumstances or overcame them more triumphantly than these."

Mrs. Bodichon, who very cleverly strengthens her arguments with those of male writers on the subject, quotes from Herbert Spencer's work, "Social Statics," pretty largely, and thus meets certain stereotyped objections :

The extension of the law of equal freedom to both sexes will doubtless be objected to on the ground that the political privileges exercised by men must thereby be ceded to women also. Of course they must, and why not? Is it that women are ignorant of State affairs? Why then, their opinions will be those of their husbands and brothers; and the practical effect would be merely giving each male elector two votes instead of one. Is it that they might by-and-by become better informed, and might then begin to act independently? Why in such a case they would be pretty much as competent to use their power with intelligence as the members of your present constituencies. We are told, however, that woman's mission is a domestic one; that her character and position do not admit of her taking a part in the decision of public questions; that politics are beyond her sphere. But here raises the question, Who shall say what her sphere

is? &c.

66

[ocr errors]

And the author refers to the conditions of women in various parts of the world, and of the local prejudices in favour of the continuance of that condition. That women, subject to the same laws, contributing in the same degree to the support of the revenue, privileged to their portion of parochial representations in the vestry," and competent to give an opinion for the fitness of a physician who may save or sacrifice life on a large scale in the county hospital," and who only a few years back were empowered to assist in the election of the sovereigns of India, who held their sittings in Leadenhall Street, should be excluded from the privilege of having any voice in the legislature, is a mystery and anomaly, which, for the sake of much that is evil in the condition of their own sex, we hope may ere long be reme

died.

"Extracts from the Census" afford some curious particulars touching the number of women employed in some of the principal occupations, with the proportion of women belonging to each occupation who are paupers in the workhouse, patients in the hospital, and inmates of the prison. From the tables-in making which the utmost care appears to have been taken to insure accuracy-we find that there are 24,770 women employed as governesses, 11 of whom, when the census was taken, were in the workhouse; 6 in hospital; and 7 in prison, figures that speak highly in favour of education as a preventative of crime: more especially as the editor observes in reference to the latter statement, that

Persons of a very low class become nursery governesses, and possibly persons of no particular profession call themselves governesses when convenient.

Schoolmistresses-of whom there are 37,669: 79 of whom were in the workhouse, and 12 in hospital-exhibit a higher rate of morality, 2 Of 14,209 only being returned in prison. women under the head of silk mercer, draper's assistant, haberdasher and hosier, only 7 were inmates of the workhouse, 8 in hospitals and 4 in prison. Stationers and bookselle, number 1,752, of whom only 2 were in the workhouse, not one in hospital or in prison. Bookbinders number 5,364; 22 of whom were in the workhouse, 11 in hospital, and 16 in prison. Domestic servants outnumber every other class of women workers, and exhibit a very large proportion in the work house, the hospital, and the prison. Milliners and dressmakers rate next in number, and it appears that 1,684 to the hospital; and 1 in 1,491 to prison, 1 in 544 finds her way to the workhouse; 1 in a rate that speaks higher for them as a class Washerwomen than might have been expected. rate higher in numbers, and cotton manufacturers still higher; but the former very largely outnumber the latter in the statistics of the workhouse, the hospital, and prison. This may be ascribed to constant occupation on the one hand, and the uncertainty of it on the other; for under the head of washerwomen would come the thriftless, broken-down, rapacious class known to every housekeeper as charwomen, a card from one of whom has just been brought to me, pitiable in its inclusiveness, and which runs as follows: "Dressmaking, plain needlework, and charing done by Mrs. Smith, 8, Porteous Road, Paddington Green. CHAIRS CANED." I give the card verbatim, for some one may require something done which Mrs. Smith can do. But Porteous Road should have been Proteous Road, to be a fit habitat for this general practitioner, who from dressmaking and needlework is ready to undertake meanest household chars," after having (we

the

*The Census was taken before the Lancashire distress began,

cannot help fearing) utterly failed in each. A very hopeful paper on "Workhouse Orphans," and an interesting summary of " Public Opinion on Questions concerning Women," reviews of books, &c., conclude a very useful, though rather heavy number of this quarterly.

LITTLE WILLIE, AND OTHER POEMS ON CHILDREN. By Matthias Barr. (London: Longmans, Green, & Co.)-We have before now had the pleasure of drawing our reader's attention to the poems of this writer, some of which in former years have appeared in our pages. The author is emphatically a domestic poet-a poet of the affections; his subjects are simple, homely ones, found at his own fireside, or that lie around him in rustic walks, or visit his memory from the past. The present little work, as its title sets forth, is specially filled with poems on children-poems in which the tenderness and sufferings, the hopes and fears of paternity are exquisitely mingled. Take for instance the following:

IT'S ONLY A LITTLE GLOVE.
It's only a little glove,

So ragged and old and worn:
You scarce would stop in your daily path
To look at the thing forlorn;

You never would think by those fingers small
A heart could be rent and torn.

It's only a little thing

This treasure I hoard and keep;
But many a vision of joy it brings,

And sometimes it makes me weep:
And I dream a dream of a fair-haired boy
Under the flowers asleep.

It's only a little glove,

Yet dearer it is to me

For the restless feet that patter and beat
Their music upon my knee;
Dearer for sorrow and care and pain,
Than the riches of land or sea,

It's only a tiny thing;

But I love it with deepest love,

A golden link in the chain that binds
Myself to the world above;

And I know I am nearer Heaven each time
I bow o'er the tiny glove.

Many a bereaved and loving mother will embalm these little poems with tears; for they embody thoughts for which grief-dumb lips had no expression, but which, nevertheless, are Nature's utterances, softened by time, and sweetened by resignation.

THE ODDFELLOWS' QUARTERLY.—(Manchester.)-The current number of this magazine contains - besides special papers relating to the order several well-written articles by H. Owgan, LL.D.; a story by the gentleman who writes under the name of B. Brierly-it sounds very like a nom de plume; a tale without a title, by the author of "Scattered Seeds"; the Y. S. N. of this magazine proceeds very nicely; and Mrs. C. A. White leads us out "Upon the Downs with Flora," a proceeding very agreeable a few months hence; a sketch of Rosa Bonheur from Mrs. Ellet's "Women Artists in all Ages and Countries," presents us to a healthy, self-reliant, energetic, and original woman original in genius and unconventionality. Long may she climb the mountains, and live her free life amongst them, sketching the muleteers in their embroidered shirts, pointed hats, velvet jackets, leathern breeches and sandals, as, in return for a largess of wine, they perform their national dance for her, and afterwards throw themselves down for the night upon sheepskins before the fire of the Posado, furnishing subjects for many a" picturesque croquis."

[ocr errors]

GREENWICH THEATRE.

Early last month Miss Sallie Booth made her appearance as Juliet in Shakspeare's tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet ;" and before these lines appear in print she will have shown her powers as Lady Macbeth, too late however to be noticed in our current number. From a local paper-The Borough of Greenwich Standardwe extract the following review of Miss Booth's acting, in confirmation of the opinion we were among the first to express:

"The theatrical annals of Greenwich have been signalised this week by the production of Shakespeare's grand tragedy of Romeo and We beg pardon-not exactly Shakespeare's, but Garrick's acting version, which, in

Juliet.'

the eyes of all worshippers of Shakespeare, is a
sacreligious tampering with the orthodox text.
Nevertheless, this acting version has its advan-
tages, especially in the estimation and arrange-
ments of stage and acting managers. It is
supposed to be more effective with the masses,
and it enables the management to dispense
with sundry actors, and otherwise to promote
economy in the production of the
play.
A select house assembled
evening last, to witness the performance-the
on Wednesday
centre of attraction being Miss Sallie Booth's
personation of Juliet. Perhaps in the whole
range of dramatic art there is no character that
is a greater strain upon the powers of an artiste

« AnteriorContinuar »