bund reel of all ages, sizes and nationalities; but I 
unver before so fully realized the hopelessness of 
trying to resist fate. However, I will begin at the 
very Urst and tell you that, many started early In 
the. morning thinking they would have an oppor¬ 
tunity of looking about Inside the building betoro 
the arrival of tho crowd In the afternoon. 
I reached the grounds about half-past id no, and 
even at. that early hour found a large crowd at 
every gate and door, but all were doomed to dis¬ 
appointment, tor after being detained by the 
promise that tho doors would open at ten, wo 
wore at that time Informed that another hour 
must bo endured out there lu tho cold, some of 
the more venturesome tried strolling about tho 
grounds. Wishing to note tho changes, I started 
out, but was snou driven hack by the cold, piercing 
wind, that made Its way through the warm shawl 
I came near leaving at home lu the morning, be¬ 
cause It, looked as if we were to have a warm day. 
1 did not envy the ladles who discarding wraps 
came In thin silks and light, spring suits; for 
their blue faces Indicated what, tho effect would 
be upon tbolr health, and ir they attempted to see 
or hoar aught, of the ceremonies there couldn’t 
have been very preHentable-looklng dresses left. 
But most of tho ladles, even In tho reserved seals 
and chorus, showed their good sense by appearing 
In dark, strong, warm suits. But l urn keeping 
you out In tho cold with tho mass of people who 
huddled togethor In the warmest corners till at 
last, after a cold, dreary hour of walling, admitt¬ 
ance was granted. 
once Inside we found room enough, but looked 
In vain for the vast, array of useful and ornamental 
exhibits. Why these empty spaces which were 
said to have been all secured months ago ? Some 
one said It “ looked like a big carpenter’s shop ’’; 
and as 1 looked about at, the piles of dust and dirt 
that had lain undisturbed for ft year, watched t he 
progress of mimic bouses, dodged descending 
lumber, stumbled over piles of shavings and 
listened to the music of the saw, piano and 
hammer 1 was conscious of a resemblance. In 
fact everything seemed to be In a state of progress 
while but little was completed. Many of the 
spaces were not yet filled, some that, were had no 
exhibitors and those that, did, looked as ir they 
were not ready to seo visitors, llowuver, I have 
no doubt they will be all In good working order 
by next month, and now to the principal attraction 
of the day. Of course, tho core monies were a 
success, at least the papers all said so lu a mild 
way, and what the papers say must be true. Tho 
programme, which was eortalnly well arranged 
was quite interesting, although nothing but the 
music could be heard at a short distance from the 
speaker's stand. There was ft prayer and bene¬ 
diction, buL very slight Indications that the fact 
was known to the crowd. 
The President’s speech was exceedingly brief 
and right to the point, not an unnecessary word 
in the whole of it. Both vocal and Instrumental 
music were satisfactory—tho organ pealing out 
grandly as if to remind us of the merry Centennial 
days. The galleries ftud all the “ high places " 
were occupied by stock holders, the wealthy and 
Influential men of Philadelphia with a few from 
other cities and their ladles. But, few military 
uniforms were scattered among them. It is a 
good Idea to have the great,, honorable and honest 
men placed lu prominent positions at such times, 
aa It helps us to distinguish thorn Immediately 
and serves to show us what wo may become If wo 
go and do likewise. Vet after all It reminds us of 
a country school where the high, lmck seats are 
places or honor that all seek to obtain. Those 
who have taken possession are envied, respected, 
or abused according to the nature of those beneath 
them and their own behavior, occasionally there 
Is ono unworthy of even the lowest seat who 
sneaks In through wealth, or woolly position mid 
ho stays there too long for the good of the school 
oftentimes. A teacher of a certain class that wo 
all know—one caring more for bis own position 
than the good of the school, will wink at his 
actions and let him remain. But a true, earnest 
worker, who thinks only of dolug what Is right, 
will soon put such characters where they belong. 
A teacher’s life consists of a vast deal more hard 
work than pleasure—so does the President’s. I 
often wonder how with the eyes of all creation 
upon him and everybody to please, ho accom¬ 
plishes his work so well. No thank you—I don’t, 
want to ho Prosldont, even though our sex get all 
the rights over demanded. It Is safer and more 
the middle of the window containing the potted 
plants. These two co8f. me one dollar and eighty 
cents. Taking then tho Anchor, or Drooping 
Trellis (as In Fig. i), I trained gome common 
Moneywort upon ir, and placed It. In the shadiest 
corner of tho r ootn. Having completed my ar- 
paldout for It would he money well Invested. 
True, the author has selected some beautiful 
names for her characters— Winifred, Liman, So¬ 
phia, Oswai-d, Alexander F ernie, F.sq., Leon¬ 
ard Wynne, Colonel Stanhope, the Rev. How vim 
Eastlakk, sir Roderick Graham— what could be 
finer ? But It is Impossible to understand how the 
lllrnsy material of the story could be drawn out 
to snch inordinate length. Tt is really an infin ted 
dime novel—the vague and untrustworthy Morn- 
lug Post and Standard Indorsements on the title- 
page to the contrary notwithstanding, sun, we 
suppose there are great numbers of readers who 
will welcome the book and devour It with avidity, 
even though they have had the same dish, with a 
slight difference of dress, served up a thousand 
times before. 
MEMORY 
One by one. the days roll on. 
In Time's relentless, endless path; 
One by ono out friends have gone, 
Tho victims of bis dreadful wrath. 
Yet round our hearts, as though a shrine, 
Fond memories love to dwell, 
RecalliuK scenes of ’’ Auld Lana Syne,” 
Familiar faces loved so well. 
llocalliuE days in pleasure spent, 
Days with ne’er a thought of morrow, 
Days, mayhap, when revels lent 
A mask of mirth to screen our sorrow. 
Awaketiinir thoughts of those at rest, 
In their eternal tomb, 
Whom cures of earth cannot molest. 
Or waken from its gloom. 
Yet still though memory's visions roam, 
Among sad scenes of earthly life, 
Hope promises a brighter home. 
Where all is free from care and strife. 
[IV. O. Picayune, 
A Mnntinl of English History. By Kdward M. 
Lancaster. New fork: A. S. Karnes A Co. 
($1.40.) 
This Utile condensation of English history, pre¬ 
pared for the use of schools, can have a very much 
wider scope. As If Is an epitome of all tho princi¬ 
pal events in the history of Great Britain, It could, 
with much convenience, ho used as a work of re¬ 
ference where dates and figures were required, 
without detailed accounts. Aa a school-hook, how¬ 
ever, It is ono or the most perspicuous and simple, 
each page being Us own explanation. The writer 
caus to mind some Ineffaceable Impressions or 
American history received in early school days 
from a work upon the same plan as tho work 
before us, but Inferior to It, 
ORNAMENTATION, 
One of the best proofs of refinement Is a per¬ 
son’s surroundings. In our rural population we 
have thousands of families who yearn constantly 
for the little amenities of life which do not sap 
the solid foundations or financial success, yet af¬ 
ford to their possessors pleasure which much more 
than compensates them for all the. labor and ex¬ 
pense necessary for their production. 1 refer mere 
particularly to the women, because upon them 
devolves t he duty and they can malo' tho time to 
gratify tueir duslrea. She who makes a palace of 
her home, hath already made her husband a 
prince. And the term palace does not necessarily 
mean an Immense structure of marble, but may 
embrace everything that is beautfful, whether by 
man bullded or nature mado. Where can be found 
the farmer (I address myself to that class of the 
Fid. 2. Fid. 3. 
rangements for tho Moral decorations, my next 
thought was as to Iholr sustenance and protec¬ 
tion through the severe Gold of the winter. My 
husband had agreed to rurnlsh the fuel, and I had 
to do my part, which was simply to water, train, 
and care ror tho plants. In tho early part, of tho 
season, I found that, the atmosphere was too dry, 
so 1 had a tin pan kept full of Witter Ofi the stove 
all tho time, which gave me sufficient moisture In 
the alrtekeep my Moral pets from drying Up— my 
bower gave rne considerable trouble during tho 
whole season, but by January and February tho 
room was so beautiful that 1 felt myself amply 
repaid for all uiy labor. In addit ion to this, all 
my neighbors who visited me expressed such un¬ 
bounded admiration of my bower, that It af¬ 
forded mo additional gratification and no tittle 
Increase of pride tn my successful venture. 
Now let me tell you tho strangest part of It, 
where 1 Conceived the Idea. I happened to be at, 
the house of a rrlend who had many nice plants 
some of which were trained upon those black wal¬ 
nut trellises and made a very delightful snow. 
Upon asking her where they could be obtained, 
she handed me the Illustrated price list of Wrst- 
cott Broth Kits, of Seneca Falls, upon which I saw 
Innumerable ornamental trellises of almost every 
-eo , sicr-l"ftble size and shape anil at ft price quite 
within my moans. This list I took home and 
from It chose such as would bo suitable for my 
room and from one thing went to another until I 
had In my imagination laid out the plan iff leak¬ 
ing my winter bower. My Moral friend had used 
them tn her summer garden; but It was too late 
for me to do that, so I thought out my winter gar¬ 
den. Twenty times at least during the winter 
my husband said that he would not bo without 
our bower for double tho eost. Almost every 
farmer’s wife lu the land could do tills If she only 
thought so, and I am looking forward to the tlmo 
when all or my neighbors who v ere so Interested 
In my experiment Of last year will do likewise as 
many have expressed t heir intention of doing this 
next year. My excuse for boring your readers 
with such a long description, Mr. Iidltor must be 
my enthusiastic admiration of our little bower, 
Tho Latimer Family. By T. S. Arthur. Phil- 
mlelplilu : T. B. Paterson & Brothers. 
It has often been a matter of wonderment to 
the writer, why people engaged heart and soul In 
a good cause, should apply to Its success so little 
brains. Here Is a temperance tale, evidently writ¬ 
ten to forward the cause of total abstinence, and 
yet its contents are so trashy that the veriest 
drunkard, in his hair-sane moments, would he pro¬ 
voked to a smile at reading IR—If no worso effect 
was produced. If tills Is the sort of food upon 
which reformed drunkards are to be fed, It Is a 
very poor change from the flowing bowl; and It 
It Is Intended as a warning to young folks, we 
must advise them to look elsewhere for good 
counsel. 
Out Went. By Or, Tver Optic. Boston: Leo A 
Sliepard. ($1.50.) 
Oliver Optic Is nothing If he Is not Interesting, 
especially In his writings for the larger girls and 
boys, lie always puts himself In their place aud 
seems to write from a standpoint entirely differ¬ 
ent from tho position of most writers of youth's 
literature. In the book before us, he has In no 
wise detracted from Its general interest, by em¬ 
bracing a vast amount of valuable information 
which many or Its readers would get In no other 
way. The Illustrations form an attractive feature. 
In the f'nmnrune. By Emily Bowles. Boston: 
lairing. (Paper; W) cts.) 
There Is material In the peasant life of South¬ 
ern Franco which. In the hands Of a skillful writ¬ 
er, can be woven Into a very pleasant tale. In 
this case the author seems to have seized the sim¬ 
plest facts and made of them the most delightful 
of storlee. Easy and rather elegant in style, one 
hardly wishes to lay down the book before It is 
finished. These publishers have been singularly 
happy In their selections for the “ Lorlng’s Tales 
or the Day,’’ of which the work before us Is one. 
Figure 1. 
community because the Dear Old Rural Is loved 
and read there, and I am surer of a good hearing,) 
who would fall to appreciate the Moral decorations 
of a room in his own house or even cabin, if he 
had nothing better? Among the millions In this 
country, scarce one could ho found. Ono can hut 
admit that among the various practical and, In 
In soma cases, disagreeable duties which devolve 
upon the women of a farmer’s household, It is 
somewhat difficult to bring one’s-selt to the mat¬ 
ter of decoration and what often Is termed “ Mum¬ 
mery still, while the admission Is being made, 
It a house full of home-made decorations can bo 
called to mind, the contrast between It and bare 
walls and untrlmmed windows will be sufficiently 
striking to make an immediate convert to my the¬ 
ory. Now let me tell you what I did. 
1 had a front, parlor which faced the West. I 
told my husband last fall that If ho would pro¬ 
vide fuel which would prevent the breezing of the 
plants, 1 would build him an elegant bower 
which he eould enjoy every winter evening and 
Sunday. To this proposition he ussented, with 
many unexpressed misgivings as to the results, 
but a sincere wish for my success. The first 
thing 1 did was to pot my geraniums, monthly 
roses, some or iny coleuses aud begonias, and move 
them into a room, placing them on a shelf at the 
bottom of one of the front, windows. I was care¬ 
ful, however, to put cotton In the cracks of the 
window, to guard against any sudden change In 
the weather. On each end of the mantelpiece I 
placed a small pot of smllax, which was subse¬ 
quently trained on cords to the celling lu a form 
which described the arc of a circle. Then on each 
side of the wLndo w, on the outer side of the casing, 
f placed, by a bracket, a pot containing a cypress 
vine. This I trained up on cords, during the sea¬ 
son, Mil it met over the top of the window, of 
Westcott Brothers, at Seneca Falla, I procured 
an arch (as Illustrated In Fig. I), which I placed 
In a pot of Japan (Golden) Honeysuckle, and 
placed it on the center of the mantelpiece. The 
areii eost me eighty cents. I also obtained two 
trellises (as in Figs. 2 aud 3), one of which I used 
tor Ivy-leaved Geranium In the only sunny corner 
which the room contained, by placing it ou a 
bracket about as high as my head, and the other 
I put into a pot of German Ivy and placed it In 
Meu Blinker. By Daniel Wise. Boston : Lee 
A Shepard. ($1.25.) „ 
This Is another book for boys and girls, and 
serves its purpose admirably. Well written, with 
an Interesting but simple plot-, It points Its moral 
In a pleasant and attractive manner. This style 
of work can hardly be too extensively multiplied 
to fill the void formed by the exclusive publica¬ 
tion of so much trash tor children until lately. It 
Is finely Illustrated, handsomely bound and beau¬ 
tifully gotten up. 
Norton’!* Best. By Mrs. ANN S. STEPHENS. Phil¬ 
adelphia: T. B. Peterson A Brothers. 
A new novel, written by Mrs. Ann 8. Stephens, 
which must meet with great popularity, ror Mrs. 
8. has become a great favorite with mauy Ameri¬ 
can readers of prose fiction, and the announce¬ 
ment of a new work from her graceful pen Is 
cheerful and welcome news to them. 
Tlie Flirt. By Mrs, OUev. Philadelphia: T B. 
Peterson A Brothers. 
To the reader of the bright literature of the day, 
we can commend this book, written by the author 
of “ The Gambler’s Wife,” “ The Gypsey’s Daugh¬ 
ter,” Ac., Ac. It contains no objectionable feat¬ 
ures and will arouse great Interest. 
COMING EVENTS 
Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons have anticipated 
the wants of our ocean travelers this summer by 
the publication of a little book culled Ocean Notes, 
In which the details of travel are minutely set 
forth, with lull directions how to obtain the most 
comfort and enjoyment. Thirty-five cents will 
enable you to put it in your vest pocket. 
Rand, McNally A Go. of Chicago, TIL, are now 
publishing maps of each state and Territory, in¬ 
cluding Canada and West India Islands. These 
are put to the public at the low rate ot 50 cts. to 
$l each, and will undoubtedly have an immense 
sale. 
Van Astwbkp, Bragg A Co. of Cincinnati, have 
reduced the price of their Eclectic Educational 
8eries of publications. This Is a step In the right 
direction, which will be appreciated by the school 
boards aa well as by the trade, 
Figure 4. 
and I should like to read in the Rural the ex¬ 
periences of others who have successfully deco¬ 
rated their little homes for the pleasure of their 
famlllesand their own delight. Flora cypress. 
PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION NOTES, 
Have you been looking for exhibition whiffs, or 
did you think I had perished In the effort, to obtain 
them? Thanks to a strong constitution, I still 
exist, but am not particularly anxious to attend 
another "opening” this year. Would you uosire 
greater proof of the horrid squeezing I encountered 
than to know l have but Just recovered strength 
enough to loll you V Now, I am conscientiously 
opposed to hugging, especially when it Is one’s 
fat© to be squeezed instantaneously by several 
