The argus, 21 janvier 1905, samedi 21 janvier 1905

[" pr fm] Price 5 Cents / US EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY HENRY DALBY TELEPHONE: @ treal $2.50 Canâäda and Main 2973.180 St.James Streei, Mon LS City.Vol.| No.16, Montreal, Saturday, January 21, [905, Subserintion { Flacihers ia MR.GEORGE E.DRUMMOND.The Retiring President of the Board of Trade, who will preside at the Reception to Their Excelleucies.U.S.A.82.00 nN The Elrgus.Published Weekly by HENRY DALBY, 130 St.Jumes street Montreal.J Price FIVE CENTS.Annual Subscription, free of postage, in Montreal .§2 50 Elsewhere in Canada and the United States.\u2026.2 (0 Editor .core ssous cacao ocovos000 00000 HENRY DaLBY.Business Manager .\u2026\u2026.\u2026ver-oue.HARRY BRAGG.SATURDAY, JANUALY 21, 1905.In brillianev and in the numbers of the attendance I believe this vear's drawing-room at Ottawa has never been eclipsed.x 2 x , The arrangements, however, were simply \u2018\u2019boteh- ed.\u201d The thirteen or fourteen hundred ladies and gentlemen in the lightest of evening dress might almost as well have been turned out of doors as packed in the Senate corridors, with the doors open for much of the time, and with zero weather prevailing.x * * * I will never again speak disrespectiully of cold storage, I have been there.x kx * A few more barriers in the corridors would prevent a great deal of unnecessary jamming and crowding and save many dresses, veils and bouquets from destruction.x * * * The crowd was so great that after the function the attendants in the dressing-rooms simply had to give up the struggle and cach man helped himself to what suited him best, regardless of checks.Needless to sav that in such distinguished company cach man was best suited with his own clothes.*« = = x Many dresses that passed through the ordeal of the corridors almost uninjurcd emerged from the dressing-rooms decidedly the worse for the battle waged within, %* 5% * * It would be better in future to limit the attendance, or if necessary to have two drawing-rooms.This could be casily arranged bv requiring people who wish to be presented to apply for tickets a dav or two in advance.> x Xk In the event of an unusual demand, tickets could be issued for two evenings.The fatigue involved for Their F.xcellencies in standing for several hours and bowing fourteen hundred times must be something considerable.x * * Alderman .\\mes at the mecting of the Canadian Manufacturers\u2019 Association remarked that \u201cof every dollar paid in at the Citv Hall one third went to England to pav interest on bonds, Montreal, therefore, had a mill-stone round its neck and was paving THE ARGUS.dearly for the good old days of reckless expenditure.\u201d * * * * Montreal is not only paving for the reckless expenditure of the goed old days: it is also paying for the lack of ordinary horse sense in the present City Council.#5 kk [ hone that Alderman Ames, M.P., and Alderman Gallery, MLP., will resist the natural temptation to try to teach the Ottawa aldermen anything about the science of han ing snow.They would run less risk of humiliation in trving to instruet their respective and respected grandmothers in arts almost forgotten.x XX x In nothing is the \u2018unwisdom\u201d\u2014no that will not do\u2014the FF\" no that will not do cither\u2014the \u201cwisdomlessness™ of the Montreal City Council, so apparent as in the condition of our streets in winter.* * x * | think that word \u201cwisdomlessness\u201d is rather good.It is long but it fills a long-felt want.It is strictly parliamentary and it describes a leading characteristic of most deliberative assemblies.T do not see why Messrs, Ames and Gallery could not use it on cach other with considerable cffect.* * * * Imagine the two honorable gentlemen \u201cin one truckle bed\u201d waking up in Ottawa one morning after a heavy snow storm.\u201cOf course the cars are all stopped this morning, my dear Dan,\u201d remarks the honorable member for St.Antoine.\u2018Unquestionably, mv dear Herbert,\u201d replies the honorable member for St Ann's.x om kk \u201cI am afraid \u2018we shall have to walk up to the\u201d House, lead on mv dear Herbert\u201d x *% x: * \u201cAprès vous mon cher Dan, | shall be only too proud to tread for once in vour footsteps.\u201d * % * * Arcades ambo.x + + + And when the two Innocents Abroad get out of doors at cight o'clock in the morning, they are surprised to find the sidewalks for a width of five fect and the roadwavs for a width of thirty feet, as clean and as level as a billiard table.x x x * And not a baby snow-cart or a gang of ward- heelers in sight! ES sk * * \u201cDecidedly, my dear Dan, Ottawa must have a good fairy.\u201d ok kX The good fairy is known to the good people of Ottawa as Mr.Newton J.Ker, the City Engineer, and he is supported bv a council of aldermen who evidently know a good deal without pretending to know too much, Rag me PERRET mette _ -\u2014 , = = \u2014 Al THE ARGUS.3 The much-enduring, much-paying, much fooled Montreal tax-payver will naturally assume that the cost of snow removal in Ottawa is something appalling.* * * * [.ast winter, an exceptionally severe one, Ottawa's snow bill came to $16,200.The previous winter, 1002-03, it was $9.905, Until the present vear the whole met by a special tax of two and a quarter cents per foot frontage.This winter.at the instigation oi Alderman, now Mavor Ellis, the tax has been abolished, 1 presume, as being too trumpery to be collected.The work goes on.kk kkk * cost has been Many a Montrealer pays as much, after a single snow fall, for cleaning his sidewalk as it costs an Ottawa man with a similar house for the whole winter.% x + + And in Ottawa there is uniformity of treatment.One man does not have a foot of snow in front of his house while his neighbor has none and possiblv has four inches of water.There are a hundred and twentv-cight miles of sidewalk in Ottawa cleaned, levelled, and kept sanded.x * x * | have never seen a hogs-back in Ottawa.+ + Xx x I do not know, but T would imagine that the anount of Montreal's bill for broken legs would pav the whole cost of Reeping the sidewalks in decent condition, ' * * * * The work is commenced im Ottawa between three or four o'clock a.m.and except when the snow drifts hedlv, is finished by eight a.m.\u201c «+ * \u201cHow is it done?\u201d Dv the use of modern appliances, good organization and more \u201cpush\u201d than \u201cpull \"\u2014but that is another story.Fnough of the subject for one week.x xk % While the King was visiting the Duke of Devon- shire last week.Mr.Balfour was also of the party.The latest indications are that the Unionists who disapprove of Mr.Chamberlain will continue their support to Mr, Dalfour's cabinet so long as foreign affairs are in a critical stage.The latest bye clec- tions have again reduced the nominal ministerial following but, for all that, it still outnumbers the various sections of Liberal\u2014plus the Irish Naturalists\u2014 by & votes in a House of 670 members.x * * * If we are to take Mr.Leonard Courtney as an authoritv\u2014and he was for many years Deputy Speaker\u2014the English Liberal party leaders are quite as much at sea regarding the attitude of \u201ccolonial\u201d public opinion as they claim Nr.Chamberlain to be.The Rt.Ion.I.eonard Courtney is not the only prospective member of the next cabinet who seems to imagine that Canada is asking the people of the United Kingdom to tax their food for the henefit of the Canadian farmer.x * * % It is to be noted that the growing labor section of the Radical party is inclined to revert to the narrow minded views held by many prominent Parliamentarians half a century ago, when any idea of talking of the \u201ccolonies\u201d as \u201cGreater Britain\u201d with a glorious future was ridiculed.Even among the tariff reformers there is a section which wants the mother country to deal with the Empire as with foreign countries\u2014upon the strictly business foot- ing\u2014making the dutics to he levied all round dependent upon reciprocal favors.In fact, to deal with the self governing portion of the Empire as if there were no sentimental tie to create a mutual interest and be benefitted all round by a mutual support, * x x x When Mr.Chantberlain sacrificed office to engage in his educational campaign he fully grasped the fact that it was not only the free traders of the Cobden school that he had to deal with.but also the growing type of \u201clittle Englanders\u201d whose propaganda, carried to its logical conclusion, means the disinti- gration of the Empire, the passing of Britain as a world power, and added burthens to ourselves and our Australian kindred.= * % x The time seems to be ripe for a change of government in England.The larger questions at stake are such as require discussion during a period when the mere party pendulum is swinging less noisily.The movement towards free trade in the days of Peel and Cobden was an evolutionary, not a revolutionary, proccss and it put the machinery of party into the melting pot for several parliamentary sessions and more than one general election, x x à # x France scems about to enter upon another era of political unrest.M.Waldeck-Roussean was the first Premier since the downfall of Napoleon IN.to hold office for more than three vears.The removal of his personal influence as \u201cthe power behind the tbronc\u201d rendered the downfall of the Combes cabinet à Mere matter of months.legislation Anti-clerical though his too able a leader to allow that crystallization of the antagonistic forces among the opposition which the clericals have now brought about.was he was * * * * The international situation is unlikely to be affected so lone as Mr.Deleassé, the ablest man in the present cabinet, can be secured as the foreign minister in its successor, as he was in its predecessor.The success of any intrigue to displace him would create a iveline of general anxiety, for the wettlement oi the terms of peace between Russia and Tanan will impose a severe strain upon the Franco-Russian alliance if an Anglo-French entent cordiale += to be preserved.No ministre seems possible in Frascee which relics only unon the Clericals, Rovalists ant Rona- partist gy .A - | Lae 2°$ .TE AS SEEN IN ENGTAND.\u201cYus, it's our downright pluck an henterprise wot's made hus Britishers wot we 1s(7)- -\u2018The Tatler - _\u2014_ -\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 \u2014 Well, well! I haven't seen you used te run around to \u2018\u201cHallon, Bill, old man! since the old days, when we gether!\u201d \u201cNo, Jack.to be then!\u201d \u201cI tell you, I'm glad to see you, a bit, old man.\u201d Ah, those old days! What a fool I used You haven't changed 6 THE ARGUS.THE EXPERIENCES OF A NEW CONGRESSMAN.[iv Himself.Very few of us become philosophers before we pass middle life: but I think that 1 have reached that stage carlier than most men in my sphere of life.| have come to the conclusion that it is lutter to be a big frog in a little pond than a little frog in a big pond.These reflections have been induced by my experience as à new member of Congress.1 was nominated by a number of my mistaken friends in order to lead a forlorn hope in a district that had been carried by the opposition for a generation, | paid little attention to tire canvass, and that in a periunctory wav: but to my own amazement, and that of everybody concerned.I was elected by a comfortable ma- joritv.I am not a proud man, nor a vain man; but I must confess that when I first began to be addressed as \u201cCongressman,\u201d T had a sensation about the head that very much resembled an enlargement of the cranium.I became at once the leading man in my own town.Everybody instinctively deferred to me.All of the letters that I have received were addressed to the \u201cHon.John Smith\u201d\u2014Smith is not my name, but it will answer all purposes in the narrative that I am about to tell.I went to Washington on the eve of the opening of Congress, and was treated to a rude awakening.At home evervbody regarded me as a man of importance.\\t the national capital no one thought it worth their while to pay any attention to me.The tension beneath the leather of my hat disappeared, and the proud feeling evaporated into thin air.Amn- bassadors, Senators, Representatives, cabinet ministers and other personages who figure in the news columns of our daily papers are so common in Washington that scarcely any one pays any attention to them.Even the President goes to and fro without attracting any unusual notice or observation.This is all reasonable enough; but it took me a long while to become accustomed to the shocking neglect which falls to the lot of the average new Congressman.I confess that I was as green as grass.I had only visited Washington once or twice before in my whole life, and while I had gone through the important buildings, 1 had but a vague motion regarding their location and the particular uses of each one of them.I might as well say frankly at the outset that I got lost in the Capitol on my first visit.Through some blunder or other I found myself in the basement, amid a wilderness of marble columns and packing-boxes.I groped my way out of this, and walking around in a sort of circle up a pair of iron stairways, I finally landed in the Hall of Statuary, where the marble effigies of General Washington, Robert Fulton, General Muhlenberg, Father Marquette, and other worthies frowned down on me with undisguised disgust.1 hurried out of this apartment, only to land at the entrance to the United States Senate.I was on the wrong side of the building.-\\îter that I attempted to take an elevator; but was confronted by a large sign, on which was printed: This elevator is for the exclusive use of members of members of the Supreme Court.Now no one has à higher regard or veneration for the Supreme Court than I: but at that particular juncture I mas so mortified with my own ignorance and with the series of misadventures that I had encountered that I felt anarchistic enough to say some very warm things about the highest judicial tribunal in this country.if not in the world.Finally I reached the door of the House of Representatives and was about to step in when the doorkeeper took me by the arm and said: \u201cPardon me, but vou can't go in there.You'll have to go up in the gallery.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d I inquired.\u201cBecause this is for members only.\u201d \u201cI am a member,\u201d I said, with some indignation in my voice, \u201cWell,\u201d was the reply, \u201cthen vou will have to be identified.\u201d The chief clerk of the House came out and identified me, and the doorkeeper, apologizing for his scepticism, admitted me.After that I had no trouble in getting into the House ; but I must say that I felt rather cheap and ruffled over the incident.It really looked as if I did not have the appearance of a Congressman.I felt rather lonesome for some days\u2014the feeling is difficult to describe, but it was more like good old-fashioned homesickness than anything I can think of at present.One day while I was at my desk reading the letters, which began to come in increasing numbers, a doorkeeper of the House told me that a gentleman desired to sce me in the lobby.I braced up at this, feeling that, after all, I might eventually be a man of importance.On going out I discovered a constituent from my home town, who stated that he was stranded in Washington, and wanted a pass home and the loan of ten dollars from me.TI put on my hat and coat and went with him to the office of the railroad company ; but, much to my chagrin, was not able to obtain the desired transportation.The official who was in said that his chief was out of the city, and that in his absence he did not have the right to issue passes.The thing ended by my buying a railroad ticket for the man and lending him the ten dollars besides.It did not take me long to discover that incidents of this kind are quite frequent in the life of a Congressman who desires to con- tinue to enjoy the title and emoluments of that office.One morning a measure that affected some of the people in my district came up for consideration, and I jumped to my feet and called: \u201cMr.Speaker, Mr.Speaker!\u201d But the Speaker paid no attention to me what- ?ever.Instead, he looked on the other side of the House, and pointed to a man who was not claiming recognition at all, said: \u201cMr.Brown has the floor.\u201d Once again I attempted to get recognition, but was ignored in the same manner.The third time I arose, and then some wag in the seat behind me called out | in stentorian tones: \u201cMr.Speaker, 1 rise to a question of information.\u201d Although this man was immediately back of me.| the Speaker recognized him at once, and turning to me for the first time ; said: \u201cWill the gentleman vield to a question of information ?\u201d \u201cI will,\u201d I said, surprised, but curious.\u201cThen, Mr.Speaker,\u201d said the man behind me, \"1 desire to ask if the gentleman is a member of this body.\u201d The roars of laughter that grected this sally completely demoralized me, and made it impossible to continue my remarks.It was a long while after that before I attempted to address the chair again.Before I had been in Washington a week I found it necessary to go to the Treasury Department to inquire about a position, sought by one of my constituents.Tt was about a quarter after two n the afternoon when I walked up the high steps leading to the great granite building.At the door was a rr, Sign which read : Cp | No admittance after 2 p.m.I retraced my steps, and when I met onc of mv colleagues expressed the indignation I felt at not being able to get into the department after two o'clock.I said: } \u201cI think it outrageous that the department should \u2026 be permitted to close at two o'clock in the afternoon.It seems to me that a lot of people are en- ~ joying a soft snap.\u201d He laughed hilariously at this, and when he had time to collect himself, said: \u201cWhy, that sign applies to visitors and sightseers.It has no reference to Congressmen.You can go there and transact business till half past four o'clock in the afternoon and sometimes later; but it has been found necessary to limit the hours for sightseeing visitors to two o'clock in the afternoon; otherwise the clerks and other employees would \u2026 , Never be able to get through with their work.\u201d shine co THE ARGUS.7 The following day I was able to obtain an audience with the Postmaster-General.There were quite a number of men in my district clamoring for lourth-rate postmasterships, and I had a long list of applications in my possession.I asked the Postmas- ter-General if he had half an hour to spare in order to go over these lists, Ie smiled as he said: \u201cYou are asking a good deal of time.You remind me of an incident that occurred when General Arthur was President.The Postmaster-Gen- eral at that time dropped in on the President and asked him if he could have a half-hour of his time.The President replied : \u201cHalf an hour?Why, my dear fellow, dynasties have been overturned in three minutes.You will have to cut your remarks short.\u2019 \u201cNow, my dear Congressman,\u201d he said, turning to me, \u201cthe force of this little anecdote lies in its application.I don't want to hurrv vou, but you will have to get through in five minutes, for I have a number of very important engagements that I must .keep.\u201d I solved the problem by leaving the names vof the applicants with him and promising to call some other day to learn his decision.\\fter leaving the l\u2019ost-Office Department 1 strolled over to \u2018he Sate Department, and when T reached the entrance met gentleman of medium height, neatly dr ssed, carrying a leather portfolio.him, I said: \u201cPardon me, but could you direct me to the office of the Secretary of State?\u201d \u201cCertainly,\u201d he replied; \u201cif you just continue down this corridor you will find the place you are seeking.\u201d Addressing | did so: but before going into the room of one of the assistant sccretaries, I said to the usher: \u201cWho is that courteous gentleman who directed me down this hallway?\u201d .He looked through his glasses at the disappear- Ing figure and said : \u201cWhy, that is John May, the Secretary of State.\u201d And so it was.It dawned on me all of a sudden that the Prime Minister of the President looked very much like his portraits.T was very much impressed that time, as T have been ever since, at the extreme courtesy of all the State Department officials.That is more than can be said for some of the men who are in public life in Washington.T was in one of the other departments not many days after this, and was trving to impress the head of a certain burcau with the merits of one of my office- seeking constituents.\u201cThis man,\u201d T said, \u201cis especially fitted for the position to which T have recommended him.He is an expert and understands his business thoroughly.He is a graduate of the University of Iowa.\u201d 3 THE ARGUS.The bureau chief looked at me quietly for a moment, and then a smile began to lurk about the corners of his mouth.Ie lcaned over, and said, in a soft tone, freighted with sarcasm: \u201cIs there a university in lowa:\" What was the use of trying to talk business with a man of that kind?My iriend did not get the appointment, and I am afraid he never will.I had bcen in Washington about a week when the Speaker announced the committee appointments.It did not take me long to discover that 1 had been appointed on the most insignificant committees within the gift of the Speaker of the House.They included Woman's Suffrage, Revolutionary Claims, Committee to Compare Bills, and Committee to Audit the Contingent Expenses of the House.Two of thcse committees never met during the entire term for which I was elected.The other two did; but the work on them was of a perfunctory character, and could easily have been ner- iorned by the clerk of the committee.It bean to dawn on me by degrees that I could not possibly obtain recognition in the House without obtaining some outside influence.It got so that when I had an espec.al interest in some important bill [ would go to the scnior Senator from our State\u2014who has been in the harness for over twenty vears\u2014and through him obtain recognition irom the autocrats who run the House of Representatives.One morning I found it necessary to go to the White House.I started off in high spirits, {feeling that, as an American citizen and an official besides, I would soon have the opportunity of grasping the hand of the first man in the land.I reflected that those born under the stars and stripes had privileges which were denied to the unfortunates who were ruled by the autocrats of Europe.I had heard of the democratic manner of the President, and looked forward with a great deal of pleasure to the interview that was about to be accorded to me.The Blue Room and the adjoining apartments were crowded when I entered, and I soon learned that it would first be necessary to see the secretary of the President.It took me half an hour before I was accorded a view of that gentleman.When I told him that I desired to see the President he said: \u201c] am very sorry, but the President cannot see you to-day.\u201d I stiffened up at this and said: \u201cWhy not?I am a member of Congress, and I come here in my official capacity.\u201d His eyes twinkled at this, and he said: \u201cThe President, I am sure, would be glad to meet you; but, unfortunately, this is cabinet day, and on cabinet days he does not receive the members of Congress.\u201d I had to be satistied with this, and I learned afterwards that every Tuesday and every Friday during the session of Congress were set aside as cabinet days, when the head of the nation conferred with his constitutional advisers.Senators and Representatives have the privilege of seeing him on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from ten o'clock in the morning to noon.I timed my next visit so that it would occur on one of the days mentioned, and was able to have a very pleasant and cordial interview with the President.After a month or so had elapsed I managed to get down to the routine business of the House, and became like ninety per cent.of the other Congress- men\u2014an errand boy for the constituents.I was compelled to do a thousand and one menial things for the sake of pleasing the voters in my district.I was called upon to visit the Patent Office to find out whether certain devices had yet been copyrighted.I was besieged by men who wanted to obtain positions under the Federal government.I received scores of letters from constituents who were in search of free seed.But these things are all memories to me now.I rank with the seasoned men who legislate for the benefit of this favored land.I know how to reach the cabinet officers and the heads of the various bureaus.I know how to obtain necessary legislation and favors for my constituents.I serve on very desirable committees at the present time, and hope some day to have my name attached to some notable legislation; and in the meantime really regard myself as a useful man to the voters of my districts and to the country at large.\u2014\u201cHarper's Weekly.\u201d \u2014_\u2014\u2014_\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 A NEW YEAR'S WISH.By EpiTH LIVINGSTON SmrTH.This wish for you: that past rough roads unheeded You march ahead, Undaynted, with the hope of trust begotten To win life's bread : lo wear a smile c\u2019en when tears be your portion, With sighs unsaid ; To find fair blooms from last year's brown leaves _ springing, Upon your way; I'o reap the worth of deeds gone by that left you A bit more gray, A bit more strong to live and love with others From day to day.In fruitful fields may Time think wise to give you A gentle part; With love of home and friends to twine about you May this year start\u2014 Blue skies to cheer, and peace of God .O faithful heart! P to guide you, Y THE ARGUS.Questions of the Day THE BURNS FESTIVAL.In a few davs the newspapers will record the usual festival on the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.This has become a national festival in the highest sense of the term.It is not merely a local custom arising from some incident or tradition or superstition connected with some limited district of the earth.It has grown out of the national mind, and resembles in some measure those great historical festivals that have been instituted to commemorate, if not to worship, a national hero.But when such worship or commemoration is genuine, the festival in which it finds expression is no longer national in the narrow sense of the term; it takes on a humanitarian character, for it is as representing the interests of humanity in his own people that the hero arouses national enthusiasm.This is peculiarly noticeable in the case of Burns.The annual festival that commemorates his birth is no longer confined to Scotland; it meets with an enthusiastic celebration all the world over.And though the celebration may be mainly organized by Scotsmen or by men of Scottish descent, vet it always attracts men of other nationalities, who are often as fervil in their admiration of the poet as the poet's own countrymen.This fact reveals the humanitarian character of the festival; it proves that Burns retains his hold upon his countrymen, not as the mouthpiece of a narrow nationalism which is hostile to everything foreign, but because he represents in Scottish form the deepest interests of all humanity.Burns appeared at a time when his mission was peculiarly needed.It is a commonplace of philosophical history to point to the artificial restrictions by which human life was fettered in the eighteenth century, and to the movements that sought emancipation from those restrictions as the century was nearing its close.The greatest of these movements, the French Revolution, was essentially an outburst of the clemental forces of human nature to break fetters that made a natural life impossible in every sphere.This effort to get back to nature necessarily found expression in literature, and Burns was one of its first and most vigorous representatives.Of course he was not alone.In any literary history of his time many interesting facts will be found to show that poetrv was coming to be viewed no longer as consisting in the careful observance of certain artificial rules.but rather as the expression of natural feeling.To mention no other, Cowper, for example, may be adduced as one who had broken away from the traditional poetic style of his century, and become the herald of a more natural school.It is an interesting fact that, though the two contemporary poets never met or held any correspondence with one another, Cowper had become acquainted with the poems of Durns and showed a fine appreciation of their merits, while Burns on his part speaks of \u201cThe Task\u201d as a \u201cglorious poem,\u201d and of its religion, \u201cbating a few scraps of Calvinistic divinity, as the religion of God and nature.\u201d But, unfortunately, the life of Cowper was often clouded with a morbid gloom which became intensified at times into veritable insanity.It was a pathetic tragedv.For the genial, gentle nature of the poet did flash through the gloom of his life many a sunny gleam of healthy mirth.Once even he allowed himself to be carried away by the spirit of whole-souled laughter in his comic ballad on the ride of John Gilpin.But nothing could bring out more clearly the difference between Cowper and Burns, as well as the nature and force of the work which Burns has achieved, than a comparison of the ride of John Gilpin with the ride of Tam O'Shanter.The former provokes merely that lightcr merriment which ripples over the surface of human life, leaving its depths unmoved.Its incidents and issues arc of the most trivial kind : they are so free from anv hint of the mysteries oi life, that we feel the ballad finds a not inappropriate place, where in fact it is often inserted, in collections of poetry for children.Gilpin's exploit is in truth but a prosaic ride along a common road.But it is no common road that Tam O'Shanter travels.\"Tis true that with a guide or a good guide-book you may trace the old road as it wound long ago from the town of Ayr past Alloway Kirk over the Brix o'Doon.But that road is transfigured by the spell of the poet's imagination into a region of mysterious horrors.Tt is not merely the Brig o\u2019Doon that is crossed bv the hero of the poem.In crossing that carthly bridge he is riding over the infinite abysses in which human life is always in peril of bein» engulfed.And thus the comedy of Burns\u2019 masterpiece draws its brilliance from its relief against a dark background of awful tragedy.The poem shows the poet's skill at its very best.Though not guided by rigid rules, the language of the poem thrills with a natural force that surpasses all artistic polish.Note, for example, the power of alliteration in the second of these lines: \u2014 \u201cA thief new-cutted frae a rape, Wi\u2019 his last gasp his gab did gape.\u201d That is one of the hor.1 sights presented to the Io THE ARGUS.view of Tam o'Shanter as he gazes spellhound at the witches\u201d carnival in Alloway Kirk.There is not perhaps in all literature a passage where the agom of horror is piled up with such terrifie force.The reader is prepared for the dreadiul scene by the previous description of the weird spots which the rider had to pass on the road from .\\vr before he comes in sight of the Kirk and after enumerating a few of the hideous objects seen in the haunted ruin the poet sends the reader's imagination wandering into unknown regions of horror bv adding a finishing stroke to the picture.\u201cWi mair o' horrible and awful, Which even to name would be unlawiul.\u201d Thus, Tam o'Shanter, comic though it be with à wild extravagance far beyond anvthing that John Gilpin indicates, shows that Burns was not limited t » a single mood.He could apparently strike every chord in the human soul and draw from it its natural music.It is this naturalness, this imaginative sympathy with universal human nature, that gives Burns his perennial power.It is no wonder that men continue still, as they will continue long, to seek in his works a welcome relief from the stifling hothouse of an artificial literature, with the feeling that he leads them out into the open fields and the breezy hillsides of song.J.CLARK Murray.\u2014_\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 WANDERINGS IN THE WONDER-WORLD OF WORDS.No.1.Whatever may be thought of the following article on an uncouth-looking word, the heading is not a bad one for a series of papers on common words with curious derivations.To avoid wearying readers who take but slight interest in etymological matters, the papers will be few and far between and can be discontinued at any time that the public may desire.The experiment, at any rate, seems worth making, and I will endeavor not to be inordinately dull.The idea of an alphabetical arrangement of the words selected for comment has been discarded, as that would seem to beg the question of the continuance of the series of articles.Accordingly, 1 have chosen for my first paper a word which was lately brought under my notice, and does not seem to be generally understood, as regards its origin, ete.The word in question is \u201cCurmudgeon.\u201d Three friends were talking of a wealthy man who is not remarkable for his generosity.The first said: \u201cHe is an old curmudgeon.\u201d The second remarked, \u201cCœur méchant.\u201d I added, \u201cPerhaps so; but I do not believe that there is any verbal connection between the two expressions.\u201d Subsequently, T looked up the word \u201ccurmudgeon\u201d in several etymological works in my library, and was astonished to find how many writers have too hastily accepted the popular derivation from the French.My quotations are made without any regard to the literary reputations of the different authors, and merely as their books came under my observation.Ifere is a sentence from p- 128 of William Swinton's \u201cRambles Among Words: \"As for Nincompoop, he mournfully confesses that he is \u2018non compos (mentis),\u201d not of sound mind: and vet surely \u2018Curmudgeon\u2019 (\u2018cceur méchant, bad heart) has not so bad a heart as the word would make us believe.\u201d Again Archdeacon Smith, Vicar of Erith, at p.39 of his book on \u201cCommon words,\u201d writes: \"Curmudgeon is a curious Anglicism of the Freneh \u2018cœur méchant.bad heart.\u201d So, also, Lord Lvttelton at p.370 of the Tondon \u201cNotes and Queries\u201d for April 30.1864: \u201cThe derivation [ hav2 alwavs heard for the word \u2018curmudgeon\u2019 is \u2018cœur méchant.\u201d At p.223 of \u201cA Book About Words\u201d by Mr.G.F.Graham, who has written several volumes on the English language, he says: \u201cIt was suggested by Menage that \u2018curmudgeon\u2019 is from the French \u2018cœur.\u2019 heart, and \u2018méchant\u2019 wicked.But the more probable derivation is from \u2018corn-mudgin.\u2019\u201d T will show subsequently what the latter term literal- Iv means.At p.308 of \u201cWords: Their Use and Abuse,\u201d Dr.William Mathews writes: \u201cCurmud- acon\u2019 is probably from \u2018corn-merchant\u2019 one who tries to enrich himself by hoarding grain and withholding it from others; or it may be from the French \u2018cœur\u2019 the heart, and \u2018méchant wicked.\u201d The former of these two derivations is nearer the mark, but is still not quite correct.In \u201cNotes and Queries\u201d of April 16, 1864, J.C.M., a correspondent, writes: \u201cI see bv the notice in the \u201cMorning Chronicle\u201d of Ogilvie\u2019s \u201cComprehensive Dictionary\u201d that the Etymology of \u2018curmudgeon\u2019 is still unsettled.What objection is there to the following?\u2018Ceorl, in Saxon *means a churl; \u2018modig\u2019 means moody.\u201c\u2018Ceorl-modig\u2019 is, therefore, churlish-mind- ed, and the substantive formed from it must be \u2018cenorlmodigan,\u201d a churlish-minded one.The change to \u2018curmudgeon\u2019 is casy and natural.\u201d The late Dr.F.Cobham Brewer adopted this derivation in the one volume edition of his \u201cDictionary of Phrase and Fable,\u201d but very properly abandoned it when his work was expanded to two large volumes.I find the term mentioned in \u201cThe New World of Words,\u201d by Edward Phillips, Gent, who was a nephew of John Milton.My copy of the book is the Sixth Edition, 1706, and \u2018curmudgeon,\u2019 though underived, is thus defined: \u201cA covetous Hunks: a pitiful, niggardly, close-fisted fellow.\u201d Dr.William Graham a \"mand NDT pam\" ur \u2014\u2014 \u2014\u2014\u2014 THE ARGUS.It at p.22 of his \u201cExercises on Etymology,\u201d published by W.and R.Chambers, savs: \u201cCurmudgeon\u2014a miser; from the German \u2018karg,\u2019 parsimonious, and \u2018mod,\u2019 the mind.\u201d Terence was, certainly, right When he said in his \u201cPhormio,\u201d \u201cQuot homines tot sententie\u2019\u2014many men, many minds, But before giving what I am persuaded is the original and correct form of the word of which \u201ccurmudgeon\u201d is a corruption, | may remark that there is an instinctive dislike to the use of terms which convey no intrinsic meaning to the mind of the speaker or the hearer.This will explain the fact that \u201ccœur méchant\u201d in default of a well-ascertain- ed derivation was sufficient to satisfy Dr.Johnson, when he compiled his dictionary and will account for many corruntions from the French and other languages, if they happen to seem in any way appropriate.The late Dean Farrar, in his admirable book on the \u201cOrigin of Language.\u201d p.56, has well said: \u201cThe violent dislike which we instinctively feel to the use of words entirely new to us, and of which we do not understand the source, is a matter of dailv experience; and the tendency to give a meaning to adopted words by so changing them as to renew their seemingly arbitrary character has exercised a permanent and appreciable influence on every language.\u201d \\ few familiar instances of this may be cited.The King's English is for the Kings subjects, and if they treat it like the King's currency - thumb it into illegible smoothness, or crooken it for luck, or mutilate it now and then if suspected as a counterfeit, or nail it fast as an imnoster whose career must be stopped\u2014who shall sav them nav?To quote Dean Farrar once more: \u201cPeople will not use a forcign or strange word until, like a coin, it has been (to use the technical term) \u2018surfrappc\u2019 with an image and superseription that they understand.Ti a foreign word be introduced, thev will either not use it, or not until they have twistad it into some shape which shall explain itself to them.\u201d Thus the Bellerophon that carried into exile the first Napoleon was called by English sailors the Billv Ruffian, while the Hirondelle was known as the Iron Devil, and the Franctireurs became the Frank Terrors.The names of Taverns also often unintelligible to those who frequent them, have undergone changes, and the Dacchanals appears as the Dag of Nails, the Boulogne Mouth becomes the Dull and Mouth.The French \u201cChartreuse\u201d \u2014a Carthusian Monastery\u2014has become the Fnglish Charter House ; \u201cécrevisse\u201d is our cravfish: country dance represents \u201c\u2018contre-danse:\u201d counterpane is the old French \u201c\u201ccontre-pointe.\u201d itself a corruption of \u201ccoultcpointe,\u201d the Latin \u201cculcita puncta.\u201d stitched pillow or cover: coverlet is \u201ccouvre-lit:\u201d kickshaws, any fantastic dish, is \u201cquelque.choses: while the Scotch borrowed their gardeloo and jigot from the French \u201cgare de T'eau™ and \u201cvigot.\u201d Dandelion is \u201cdent de Hon™ and wiseacre represents the German \u201cweissager,\u201d a wise saver.Rosemary is the Latin \u201cros marinus\u201d the quarter-sessions rose is \u201cla rose de quatre saisons:™ and gilly flower, with its clove- like smelly is the old French \u201cgiroflée,\u201d abbreviated from the Greek \u201cKarvophvilon,\u201d the | clove-tree.Wonderful to relate, what we call the Jerusalem artichoke is a corruption of the Ttalian \u201cgirasole.\u201d turn sole, a rame sometimes given to the heliotrope, and the artichoke soup is in consequence called l\u2019alestine soup! Uneducated people do not grasp the megaing of \u201casparagus,\u201d and content themselves with calling it sparrow-grass, while the Peruvian \u201ccharki,\u201d dricd and prepared meat becomes jerked beer.The Prous getelette a little rib, becomes \u201ccutlet,\u201d as if it mefnt a little cut of meat, and cutler \"suggestive of cutting Instruments like knives and razors, is mcrely the French \u201ccoutelier\u201d from the T.atin \u201ccultellarius,\u201d the man of knives.| need not extend the catalogue of these etymological absurdities.\u2019Thev, at least, prove that man is an etv- mologiziny animal, and abhors the vacuum of an unmeaning word or phrase.If it seems lifeless, he breathes into it a new soul, and often, like an unskil- ful necromancer, spirits the wrong soul into the wrong bodv.This is what Dr.Johnson did in the case of \u201ccurmudgeon\u201d ignorant of the truth, which in later davs we have learnt from Professor Max Muller, that \"sound etvmologv has nothing to do with sound or as Professor Savee states it more mildly in his \u201cPrinciples of Comparative Philology,\u201d \u201cOne of the first results of the science of language was to affirm the principle that more similarity of sound could establish no base for a sound comparison Here the innocent pun on \u201csound\u201d is re- tamed.I quote the following passage from an article entitled \u201cLiterary Follies™ in Isaac Disraelfs \u201cCuriosities of Literature.\u201d Te savs: \u201cWhile Johnson was composing his Dictionary, he sent a note to the Gentleman's Magazine te inquire the etv- mology of the word \u201ccurmudgeon.\u201d Having obtained the information, he records in his work the Curmund- obligation to an anonymous letter-writer.geon, a victous wav of pronouncing \u2018cœur méchant an Unknown correspondent\u201d Dr.John Ash (incredible as it may seem, thus copied the word into his Dictionary in 1775: \u201cCurmudgeon from the French \u2018coeur.unknown, and \u2018méchant a corres pondent.This singular negligence ought to he placed in the list of our Literary Blunders)\u201d \\s Mr.Gilbert Tucker savs at p.119 of his hook on \u201cOur Common Speech: \u201cThink of the qualification for work at English lexicography of men whose knowledge of the most clementary French was so | =F - LS TETE EEE TT à i | E=x; EH IEEE ERC oo Tr IK] es (x pu XY FETE IIIT 3 | =i H jose 21155 pi o | 3 HERE UHR [EL LET | == M I | \u2014 PAL PAU LEO PE] \\ [370d C = Ni a \\ An 1} tJ j pif y |! [= fi | WL ; | | ) 7?fl Why 7 Q | | | | NY A ue 1) ) NN, ) | i \\ whaulia lu Build, la (FAN - 2 I Le ATX ! i | 9) /, Ca \\ \\| \\ 5 i ) \\ a | ANS n | / =z NN \\\\ \\ In | \\ I a | li ay \\ Ph i\" DNS = q \\ J .iy \\ ) L | ; Qu AT) y | | tt 5 { ) 9 Ÿ Ÿ N \\ { | O [RQ (\" \\* | | ; 0) A i i i AA AOA 1 A | WW \\ pri) ii BN NN i) di \u2014\u2014\u2014 4 ta J H) bh UN Y Z G 7 CG A RH 0) = 0 \\ N) N J CUT ee.n > re N 2e 5 = = Ny \\ > Lo Nu, ; 3 NAT: file LT ns HE yam TEE 7 D on su and / ol as (Li S323.; es on À > MES (17 AIR (CTI 14 57 \u2014_ j A Ë ha] Tl mo ue a a.À 5 à 4 PILL 17 HA RS N 7 tr ne er gy EI pf iit] 1322 77 \u2014 N on 7 {iis 842 Let D fl [RARE CU ee ie aay hy = ~\\ 5 ].AN o YY xy CANS ALN CP mme ECVRTR & Hy .1.X : y of Eee fi LE Hg mn pose NES SOUVENIR SPOONS, Eg ; hy © Qi 0 \u201cet ¥ b aA LN ) [XA .Ay Le o : tie H+ pH rd HE HE) y ~~] = Len 5) ARAL RY ik NO Ÿ \\ | 2, 0 \\ \\ XN 0 NN THE ARGUS HOW LORD LANSDOWNE\u2019S ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE WA Numbe: mb y N \\ .A Ll \u201c \\ N \\ \\ / | a 17° au Where there is less illiteracy, less crime, less abject want?Times were never better than now.No man need be out of employment.No class is discontented.No grievances exist.The mechanic, the labourer\u2014evervone\u2014has work to, do.and a good wage for doing it.\u201d Granting that Mr.Harcourt was specaking of Ontario, the claims which he made would probably be endorsed by the public men of the other provinces\u2014 especially those in the Far West.a THE ARGUS, x$ It is, perhaps, only natural that Mr.Harcourt should be an optimist, for Mr.Harcourt is Minister of Education.And Canada is buildine its hopes for the future quite as much upon its schools as its wheat lands.It claims that in the opinion of competent cducationists, its school system is one of the best in the whole world.In western Canada the rural schools are about every three miles or so apart in the settled districts and the system 1s free.There is no taxation of pupils for attendance, and ten children in a school district are sufficient to permit of the formation of a school district, while an average attendance of six will entitle the school to an annual grant by the Government of a considerable sum to cach school, and all the expenses, teacher's salary included, are paid by this grant, and a general taxation of the land within the district, whether occupied or unoccupied, or owned by parents or those having no children.This assures the poor all the advantages of primary education that are enjoyed bv the rich.In the cities and towns collegiate institutes are maintained where students are fitted for the sevcral colleges at Toronto and other cities in Canada The fees for secondarv education are almost nominal, amounting to less than £3 per annum.One- cighteenth part of the whole of the \u201cFertile Belt.\u201d from Pembina to the Saskatchewan, and bevond it.is set apart for the maintenance of schools.They are non-scctarian, and are national in character.A striking illustration of the greater rcadiness of the Canadians to show their faith in education by their liberality in its support is that one Canadian for the last five vears has given £100,000 a vear to the support of the Canadian University in which he was interested, whereas in England no one has given that amount to Oxford and Cambridge in the last twenty vears.Mr.Rhode\u2019s magnificent bequest was not given to the University, but provided scholarships tenable at Oxford by men from all parts of the English-speaking world.And Mr.Rhodes was a South African.THE FUTURE OF CANADA.Canada is fast becoming the granary and the breadbasket of the world.The total imports of wheat and flour into Great Britain in 1902 were equivalent in all to about 200 million bushels of wheat.Were one-fourth of 171 million of acres of land suitable for cultivation in Manitoba and the three Provisional Territories under crop with wheat annually, and the average production equal to that of Manitoba for the past ten vears, the total crop would be over 812 million bushels.This would be ample to supply the home demand for thirtv millions of inhabitants (supposing the population of Canada should by that time reach that figure), and meet the present requirements of Great Dritain three times over.This estimate deals onlv with a portion of the West, and it leaves the large Fastern Provinces out of consideration altogether.These figures, however, convev but little idea to the mind.We cannot think in millions except vaguelv.Of more practical significance is it to know that, in the opinion of Tord Grev, it is probable Canada in the lifetime of our sons mav outgrow the Mother Country in wealth, population, and influence.What that implies must be left to th: imagination of the reader.The writer's space is exhausted, so he must bring this article to a close by quoting the testimony which the Archbishop of Canterbury gave on his return from his visit to the Dominion :\u2014 \"The thought of its combined bigness and hopefulness as it dawned upon him hour by hour left an impression which could never pass awav.The bigness of its gigantic rivers, dwarfing to insignificance the noblest of our rivers at home, scemed to him but a type and symbol of the grandeur and the flow of life in that mighty land.But it was not because of its bigness alone, but because that bigness was unite | with hope, that he was impressed with Canada.The Sahara was big and so was a hippopotamus.But in Canada there was a deliberate hopefulness every- where\u2014not visionary, but thought out and intelli- gent\u2014a feeling that taught us to look to Canada for some of the greatest things that the world had ever seen.Canada was a land of great beginnings\u2014a land in which one dared to build great castles in the air.À great Frenchman once said when some one spoke of building castles in the air, \u201cWhere else else should a castle stand if its foundations are in the earth\u201d THE GRAND TrUNK Pacrric.The agrecment as to the building of the Grand Trunk Pacific is given as follows in the second article : \u201cThe contract between the Government and the Grand Trunk Pacific is simple and comprehensive.\u201cUnder the agreement with the Dominion Government the latter is bound to provide a line from the Atlantic Ocean to Winnipeg.The Government leases the road to the Grand Trunk Pacific for fifty vears at an annual rental of three per cent.on the capital cost.The Government reserves running rights over this line for the Intercolonial, and reserves the power to any other railway company that may apply.\u201cIf, at the expiration of fifty years, the Government shall elect to take over the operation of the castern end of the line, they are bound to buy, at the actual cost, all local feeders or branch lines that may in the meantime be built by the Grand Trunk Pacific.The wisdom and justice of this arrangement are obvious to any person of even ordinary intelligence.\u201cThese branch lines would be worthless to the railway company, but would be immensclv valuable to» the Eastern section.\u201cThe Grand Trunk Pacific Company are to take up the work at Winnipeg, and build the line on through the Canadian Northwest, through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.In lieu of a land grant, the (Government guarantees the company\u2019s bonds to the extent nf 12,000 dollars a mile for the nrairie section, and 50,000 dollars a mile of the mountain section of the road.\u201cAs a bonus to the company the Government pavs the interest on the cuaranteed bonds for seven vears.\u201d THE ALLAN LINE.The article on the Allan Line is deservedly culo- gistic of the firm's enterprize in opening the business with Canada at an early vear and in being the first to have ocean liners of the Turbine type built.A brief historv of the inception and commencement »f the service is given and the article\u2019s illustration bv cuts, from the old \u201cCanadian\u201d 1852, down to the twelve thousand ton \u201cVictorian\u201d and \u201cVirginian\u201d with triple screws and turbine engine.V.A.GRANT. 16 THE ARGUS.MARK TWAIN ON JOAN OF ARC.\u201cHarper's\u201d Christmas number opens with a paper on Joan of Are, from the pen of Mark Twain, whose appreciation of the Maid is indiscriminate :- \u201cShe was deeply religious, and believed that she had daily speech with angels: that she saw them face to face, and that thev counselled her.comforted an] heartened her, and brought commands to her direct from God.She had a childlike faith in the heavenly origin of her apparitions and her Voices, and not any threat of anv form of death was able to frighten it out of her loval heart.She was a beautiful and simple and lovable character.In the records of the Trials this comes out in clear and shining detail.She was gentle and winning and affectionate: she loved her home and friends and her village life: she was miserable in the presence of pain and suffering: she was full of compassion: on the field of her most splendid victory she forgot her triumphs to hold in her lap the head of a dying enemv, and comfort his passinz spirit with pitying words; in an age when it was common to slaughter prisoners she stood dauntless between hers and harm, and saved them alive: she was forgiving, generous, unselfish, magnanimous : she was pure from all spot or stain of baseness.And alwavs she was a girl; and dear and worshipful.as is meet for that estate: when she feil wounded, the first time.she was frightened, an! cried when she saw her blood gushing from her breast: but she was Joan of Arc! and when presently she found that her generals were sounding the retreat, she staggered to her feet and led the assault again and took that place bv storm.There is no blemish in that rounded and beautiful character.\u201d \u2014_\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 DOES RELIGION DEPEND UPON HEALTH*® From the \u201cPresbyterian.\u201d Spiritual feelings are more affected by one's physical condition than many persons imagine.A healthy body is a great aid to clearness of religious vision and to spiritual enjoyment.A deranged liver is the cnemy of a joyous and hopeful piety.Dyspepsia has much to do with Christian despondency.Bodily disarrangements interfere with the highest experiences in the divine life.It becomes spiritual guides to take into greater consideration this factor in dealing with soul-maladies.A good tonic will often relieve spiritual depression when other remedies fail.A few vears ago a Roman Catholic prelate in Great Britain surprised the English public with a narration of his experiences with certain troubled souls.Some of his prescriptions indicate the wide score of his discernment as well as the sagacity of his counsel.Tor the \u201cevil thoughts\u201d which har- rassed one of 1s correspondents, he prescribed \u201ca course at Vichy and Carlsbad as the principal rem- cdy.\u201d As a cure for the jealousy which afflicted another he ordered \u201cbeef tea,\u201d remarking that \u201call similar passions become intensified when the body Is weak.\u201d All through his directions to his different applicants for help in their various spiritual difficulties, he recognized how they were mixed up with the state of their health, and sought to remove them, as far as possible, bv putting the body into its right tone and activity.For instance, to one suffering from religious depression, he recommended \u201ca good walk in the park, or an expedition on a poy steamer,\u201d adding: \u201cYou will get into a small rage on reading this, and sav it is of no use to walk in the park, or sail on the Thames.Well, get into the rage, and then cool down, and try the experiment.\u201d To one given to early morning meditations he stated they \u201care apt to be tinged with de- spondeney,\u201d and should be \u201crevised after a suitable diet of coffee and rolls.\u201d There is no doubt that Protestant ministers would otten be the gainers if thev studied more the intimacy subsisting between the body and the mind.and how the one sympathizes with the other.And ii Christians generally took this fact more into the interpretations of their varying religious moods and conditions they would find a relief and comfort sorely denied them at times.Doth Christian bio- egraphy and practical observation show how doubts and difficulties and depression in the divine life rise or fall with the state of health in the given case.\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 A POSER.Fvelyn is a very cowardly little girl.The world is so full of terrors for her, indeed, that her life is scarcely worth the living.Her father, finding that sympathy only increased this unfortunate tendency, decided to have a serious talk with his little daughter on the subject of her foolish fears.\u201cPapa,\u201d she said at the close of his lecture, \u201cwhen vou see a cow ain't you \u2019fraid ?\u201d \u201cNo, certainly not, Evelyn.\u201d \u201cWhen you sce a horse ain\u2019t you \u2019fraid ?\u201d \u201cNo, of course not.\u201d \u201cWhen vou see a dog ain't you \u2018fraid?\u201d \u201cNo! \u2014with emphasis.\u201cWhen you sce a bumblebee ain't you \u2019fraid ?\u201d \u201cNo !\u201d\u2014with scorn.\u201cAin't vou \u2019fraid when it thunders?\u201d \u201cNo!\"\u2014with loud laughter.\u201cOh, you silly, silly child!\u201d \u201cPapa.\u201d said Evelyn, solemnly, \u201cain't you \u2018fraid of nothin\u2019 in the world but just mamma?\u201d THE ARGUS.17 QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S PECULIAR POWERS.Great interest was aroused recently by the circumstance that in a grave national crisis, when the King was for the moment inaccessible, the Ministers of State were summoned to the presence of Queen Alexandra for consultation, with, as was generally understood, most satisfactory re sults.This was quite a new departure for the present reign, Of course, Queen Victoria played this Sovercign part constantly, but her late Majesty was the head of the State and it was the proper course for her to pursue.lLixcept when considered as part of the King and Sovereign, Queen Alexandra is not the head of the State.She enjoys a position of her own which is absolutely unique.Whilst it differs irom that of the King it also differs from that of any other lady, married or single or of anv rank, and in some material ways it is also different from that of previous Queen Consorts.One of the most curious and interesting provisions in the law and customs of the State is that the Queen is, for private business purposes, not regarded as a married lady at all.She is the only lady in Great Britain who does not come within the scope of the Married Women's l\u2019roperty Act.The principle of the law is that the King is entirely different from all other married his time is too fully taken up with the affairs on State for him to have any leit to devote to do mestic matters, and that therefore the management of the Queen's private business matters must devolve upon Her Majesty singly, and that no responsibility whatever in respect to them rests upon the\u2019 King.Therefore, if such a thing could be imagined as the Queen contracting debts in her husband's name, the King would not be responsible for them.as any other husband would be unless he had given due notice to tradesmen and all others concerned that he would for the future such accounts.If the King contracted debts, the law which sas that His Majesty can do no wrong would preven anybody from suing him for recovery of the amount! men, and that whol decline to settle all due; but no such protection is granted to the Queen, who could be proceeded against in th ordinary manner.She has her own Attorney General and Solicitor-General to represent her in all legal matters, though, of course, except for ordinary private purposes, their services are scarce ly ever needed.Whilst the Constitution is glad to recognize the Queen as part of the monarchy, it cannot losc sight of the fact that after all her position is limited to that of Queen Consort, and therefore she is in a very large sense one of His Majesty's subjects, and in certain cases, which there is no human poss.bility of oceurring in these times, she would be treated as a subject But in other respects she i: accorded privileges by the realm which are given to no other person except the King.Particularly there is the question of high treason.It is generally understood that the King is the only person whom it is high treason to plot against; but it would be high treason also to plot against Queen Alexandra.All Consorts of British monarchs have not enjoyed this privilege.When Philip of Spain married Queen Mary it was denied to him, though some time after the marriage a special Act of Par- llament was passed in which he was granted the CONCESSION.The signature \u201cl£dward Rex\u201d is attached to all State documents of such importance as to demand it.But in no circumstances whatever would the corresponding one \u201cAlexandra Regina\u201d be allowed to be attached, either in conjunction with that of His Majesty or without it.If it should happen that the Queen should survive the King, many of the privileges which she at present possesses would be withdrawn from her, only nominally in some cases but actually in others, whilst constitutional law provides that some curious restrictions shall be placed upon her.It would no longer be high treason to plot against her, and it is held by at least one high authority that sfie could not marry again if she wished to do so without the special license and permission of the King's successor.All this, as has been made clear, is the very strict and essentially legal view which the Constitution, having regard to difficulties which have occurred mm the past, finds it necessary to take in theory ot the position of the Queen: but in the hearts of the people, as we all know, she exercises complete and supreme authority as the first lady, and one upon whom there can be no limitations whilst England is governed as it is.\u2014Tit-Bits.\u201d \u2014\u2014\u2014 A CASE OF ADAPTATION.1w0 dusky small boys were quarrelling; one was pour- mg forth a volume of vituperous epithets, while the other lcancd against a fence and calmly contemplated When the flow of language was exhausted he said: \u201cAre you troo?\u201d \u201cYes\u201d \u201cYou ain't got nuffin\u2019 more to say?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cWeil, all dem tings \u2018Ladies\u2019 Home Journal.\u201d him.what you calied me you is.\u2019\u2014 18 THE ARGUS.MUSIC It has been sail by a great German sony singer that a phenomenal voice is more a drawback than a blessing to à Art should be amount an [voice a secon lary consideration\u2014cultiva- SONI-SINYCT.par- tion of the highest order is, of course, essential, Mr.Francis Rogers, although of a splendid His voice 1s not ereat enough th cover a multitude of sins in the way of artistic shorteomings\u2014 which is I yssessod voice, fulfills these requirements to a nicetv.thecase with manv vocalists- but his interpretations are so excellent in themselves, that only half as good as it is, he would still command a were his voice high place in the musical world.The programme that Mr.Rogers rendered at his recital in the Art Gallery on Monday evening last included a wide and varied English, German and French: and it might be said that in them all the singer found and brought forth the inmost thought of poct and composer.Only a thorough musician and student could siny like Mr.Rogers, and thev are rare enough to be vastlv appreciated when the opportunity of hearing them offers itself.Mr.Rogers\u201d interpretation of Schubert's \u201cDer Wanderer\u201d was one of the best we have heard, and in Tschaikowskv's \u201cInvocation to sleep\u201d he selection of songs, in infused all the beauty of this exceptionally bedtti- ful song.\u201c Allerseelen™ is a worthy example of the genius of Richard Strauss, and the singer did it full justice.Woli's \u201cGesang Wevlas™ is a peculiar lit- it is doubtful if it would bear over- carciul analysis.Two numbers by Svdney Homer, an American song writer who is rapidly coming to the front, call for particular mention: Stevenson's short poem \u201cRequiem\u201d and Browning's \u201cProspice.\u201d In the very first lines of the latter: tle song, and \u201cFear death?to feel the jov in my throat, The mist in mv face ~-\" he strikes the chord of emotion and defiance that is dominant throughout the whole of this excellent Mr.Rogers\u2019 interpretation of this could hardly be improved upon.The Ladies\" Morning Musical Club deserve the thanks of all music lovers for bringing such an excellent artist to Montreal.Mr.Rogers\u2019 accompaniments were plaved by Mrs, Shaw, secretary of the club.Mr.George Henschel will be their next offer- in, in a lecture on Brahms, on February 13th, poem.x x x Xx At last we know why the technical equipment of a Scveik pupil is frequently more perfect than his OGUL CORK TIPS Egyptian Cigarettes.ARE MADE FROM THE CHOICEST SELECTIONS OF TURKISH TOBACCO.15c.Per Package. THE ARGUS.artistic qualities.In \u201cThe Musician\u201d there is an interview with this in which he savs: \u201cDuring the vacation last summer in Prachatitz, one student, Plaxin, practiced thirteen hours a dav\u2014a record as vet unsurpassed.He could only stand it two weeks, and after that contented himself with eleven hours.Miss Marie Hall practiced ten hours dailv all the time she took lessons from me.\u201d With all due deference to Ottokar Sevcik, no pupil can practice\u2014in the broadest meaning of the word\u2014for thirteen hours Tt is possible, nerhaps, to play an instrument for that length of time, but not to give mental application: and the practice that includes concentrated mental effort is the kind that is worth There are some teachers and pupils who think that the only wav to make a great artist is to give up the whole day to practicing, but the great artists themselves have refuted this idea.No one can hope to excell in music (or anything else for that matter), ii they know nothing outside their own particular branch of their own particular profession.The mind must be broadened, and that can only plished by having, at least a nodding acquaintance with other branches of art, literature, poctrvy, ete.and an unlimited experience in the actual world of men, women and events.I\u2019racticing ten or thirteen hours daily and allowing at least eight or nine hours rest, which would be necessary under the circumstances, and time for meals, it certainly leave leisure for much else.for Januarv great violin teacher a dav.onlv anvthine.be accom- does not x x * Xk To a pupil of Mr.S.Stratford credit of the first students\u2019 recital of the McGill Conservatorium of Music.On Tuesday cvening last, Miss Deatrice Blundell, assisted by Miss T.iilie Schultze, soprano, a pupil of Miss Clara Iichten- stein, presented an excellent programme of piano and vocal music.Miss Dlundell has good technique, and a thorough knowledge of all the intricacies thereof, enhanced by a natural musical temperament.Some of the \u201cHolberg Suite\u201d bv Grieg.and her three last numbers, Mendelssohn's \u201cSpinning Song.\u201d \u201cChopin\u2019s Waltz in C sharp minor,\u201d and Godard's \u201cEn Courant,\u201d were the best, especially the waltz which was smooth and brilliant throughout.Miss Schultze sang songs in German and English by Franz, Grieg, Dvorak and \u201cA.1.\u201d She has a pleasing voice, and uses it well.Pawson goes the S.C.D.\u2014 Though \u2018money talks,\u201d As we've heard well To most of us It says \u201cfarewell.\u201d .19 The Note of Distinction ! ! QU know what that means in Dress, or language, or Bearing: The indefinable something that sets a man apart from t.c¢c crowd It is also seen in your choice of l oots and Pictures, but most unmistakably in the sort of Clothes you affect.YOU ARE PROBABLY INTERESTED in the kind that expresses Superiority, and possesses \u2018* The Note of Distinction.\" WE ARE AND WE HAVE THEM.SUITS AND OVERCOATS STORES AT 2238 ST.CATHERINE S 1 O To S 2 5 Cor.St.Peter and Craig MALE ATTIRE Co.MONTREAL PARK & ISLAND RAILWAY CO.>> ILACITINIE.service, to 8 pan.\u2018rom Post Office, 20 min.5.40 a.m.from 8 p.m.30 min.service.Last car midnight.Irom Lachine\u201420 min.service, 5.50 a.m.to 8 p.m.30 min.service from 8 p.m.SAULT AU RECOLLET\u2014 Station to Henderson Station to 830 p.m, Extra car daily Henderson Station to at 7.45 from Chenneville street to Henderson MOUNTAIN\u2014From Mt.11.40 p.m.I.ast car From St.12.50 a.m.Denis every hali-hour, 6 am.every hour 8.30 p.m.to 12.30 a.m.Chenneville street, a.m., and Station at Royal 6.10 p.m.ave.20 min.service, From Victoria am.to 5.40 am.to Westmount, 20 min.service, 5.50 CARTIERVIT.LE\u2014From a.m.to ave., 12.10 a.m.Snowdon's Junction, 40 min.service, 6 midnight.From Cartierville, 40 min.service, 5.40 am.to 11.40 pan.Extra cars will be run on all lines as required.For Sault au Recollet, take st.Denis cars to connect at St.Denis Station. A Lost Tk A livuly-lockmy porter stood on the rear platform or siceping-car in the Pennsylvania stations when a fussy and choleric old man clambered up tac steps.He stoppel a the duvr, putfed for 4 moment, and thon warned to the voung man 1n UMtorn: \u201cPorter,\u201d he saud, \u201cl'in guing tu St Louis, to the Pair.| want to be well taken care vi.1 pay fr it Do you understand!\u201d \u201cYes, sir, but \u201cNever nund any bats\u201d dou bsten to what l say.Dust me ott when- extra blanket, and ui Keep the train boys away from me.ever | want sou to.Give there 1s any once in the berth over me shde him into nie an another.1 want you to\u2014 \u201cBut, say, boss, 1\u2014\" \u201cYoung man.when l'm giving msiructions | preicr 1 dou the talking myseli.You du as 1 say.Hore is a twos collar bil, I want to get the good vrai.Not « word, sir.\u201d Lhe tram was starung.The porter pocketed the bil with a grin, and swung himself to the ground.\u201cAll night, boss!\u201d he shouted.\u2018You can du tic talking 11 you want tu.I'm powerful sorry you wouldn't let nie te! you-\u2014but 1 ain't going out on that tram.\u201d THE GAME THE WAITER PREFERRED.At a diner day some Men were discussing the merits of different species of game.Once preferred can- vs-Lact auch, another woodceock, and still another thouglit a quail the most delicious article vi fvoud.The discussion awl the dinner cnceu at about the same time.\u201cMell, brani said one the men, turning to the wiüiiter at Lis cJLow, who was as guud a listener as ie Wäs a waiter, \u201cwhat kind of game do you hike best?\u201d \u201cWell, mrs Lo teil you the truie, almost any kind vi samc losin but what © like best 15 an American cagle L StNCT Coliar\u201d\u201d voile ut SLTVEG \u20181 THE WAY OF SOME WOMEN.\u201cGrace and Minnie have quarelled, and are both miserable.\u201d \u201cNo, they have made friends, and are perfectly again.\u201d \u2018How do you know?\u201d \u201cI saw them crying together.happy FEMININE ELECTIONEERING.\u201c| thought you said you never again would elect her president of your club,\u201d he suggested, after she had told him all about the result of the club election, \u201cWell, we didn't intend to,\u201d she replied, \u201chut when she broke down and cried, we just couldn't help it.\u201d A RELAPSE.Butcher: \u201cI tell you, ma'am, that bacon\u2019s right as you are.\u201d Customer: \u201cI tell you it's bad.\u201d Butcher: \u201cHow can that be?Why, it was only last week.\u201d Customer: \u201cThen it must have had a relapse, that's all.\u201d cured THE ARGUS.SPORTS\u201d PLAYING CARDS FOR WHIST.BRIDGE, AND ALL CARD GAMES.Ask Your Dealer For Them.MANUFACTURED BY The Union Card & Paper Co.MONTREAL.NEW YORK CENTRAL And HUDSON RIVER R.R.Trains leave Windsor station as follows : dailv ex- For all \\dirondack 8.20 A.Pal cept sunidaÿ Mountain points, aie Malone, Utica, sv, 7 00 P M daily raci~¢ Rochester Buifalo, AT ranv, New York, and all points sonth, 20 a.m.except sunday local train for 10.29 a.m.cx.mit, & Sanday Chateauguav, 9.+3 a.m.Sun lay only | Beauharnois, 1.345 p.m, Sitndav only st.Timothee 3.10 p.m, except sumlay | and Vatley- 7.00 p.m, duily fic 1d.For tickets, time tables, iullinan car accommodation, and full information, call at the city oftice, 130 St.James Street.\u201c I,J.HEBERT, F.FE.BARBOUR, City Ticket Agent.General Agent ere MST PUBLIC NOTICE: PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given by CHARLES ELZEAR THIBAULT, contractor, OLIVIER DUBOIS, merchant, ROBT.BOW, master carter, FRANCOIS RASCONI, gentleman, OCTAVE, PELANGER.merchant, WILLIAM CLARK, merchant, and H.R.GUTHEITL, manufacturer, and others, all of Montreal, that they will petition to the Legisiature of the Province of Quebec at its next session, for the passing of a remedial law relating to the Amherst street expropriation, in the City of Montreal, for the purpose of having the laws in regard to same amended so as to relieve the interested proprietors from the effect of the said laws or to change the mode of expropriation as well as that of payment of inden nities which have to he paid in consequence of sald expropriation and for all other purposes relating thereto.5 Montreal, Januar , 1905.Signed.) y C.E.THIBAULT.O.DUROIS.ROBERT BOW.OCT.BELANGER.JOS.VEZINA.II.R.GUTHEIL. ae ee \u2014_ THE ARGUS\u2014ADVERTISEMENTS.21 TEES DESKS Are the Best.TEES & C0.,300 st.James Street TRUST FUNDS AND INVESTMENTS held by the Corporation are kept separate and apart from the property belonging to the Corporation itself.The books of account relating to Estates and Trusts are always open for inspection by those who are directly interested.THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY 185 ST.JAMES STREET, MONTREAL.Detached Residence & Grounds for Sale in the West End, above sherbrooke street.The lot contains over 53,000 feet and the residence is substantially built, in splendid order, and is up to date throughout.The whole property can be purchased just now for about \u201cse.per square foot of land.Immediate possession, The CRADOCK SIMPSON COMPANY Merchants | Bank Building, 2 208 St.James Street.The CRADOCK SIMPSON CO.Real Estate.Fire Insurance.Mortgage Loans.205 ST.JAMES STREET, MONTREAL Bolton.Fane & Go., MPTOORES 98 lscad:=nhall St.! LONDON, E.C., Eng GOLD MI DAL PATENT Chocolate & Milk TINPLATES Cocoa and Milk IN ALL QUALITIES AND SIZES.Coffee and Milk \u201cTofolen* Brand .AND Besirm yr Coxe \u201cLofo.len* Br: Seimens Coke - Mocha Brand C E ti ¢ - Mo cha Bran 1 8a ES urcoal circ Crown Hin ocoa xtract.ir Sar iron BG .Crown ran: _ Guivanized sheets \u2018 \u201cPelican\u201d & \u201cOstrich HED STANDARD FOR THE PANT Brands.=a pr s.BOILER PL\"TES.«0 NEARS RAILS, FISHPLATES, &c., &c.R.SULLIVAN DAVID, Selling Agent for Canada, 120 St.James St, MONTREAL 120 St.James St, MONTREAL R.SULLIVAN DAVID, SELLING AGFNT FOR CANADA, SONY Sleighs.For Speeding a Specialty: For the Family ; Fcr the Road; Correct in style; Half the regular price Harness, Horse Blankets, Sleigh Bells, Sleizh Robè:s, etc.ete.E.N HENEY CO, LIMITED, 433-335 ST.PAUL STREET MONTREAL.Leave Bonaventure Station INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Daily at oa.m., ar Toronto 4.30 p m., Hamilton 5.30 p.m., Niagara Falls, Ont.7 05 p m., Buffalo 9.220 M., London 7.40 p.m., Detroit 9.30 p.uu.Chic ago 208 M, Elegant Cafe Service on above train.MONTREAL AND NEW YORK Shortest Line, Quickest Service.2 Day Trains, daily, except Sunday, each way, 1 Night Train daily, each way.LVE.MONTREAL sam, fir.10a,.m.ARR NEW YORK I7ob-m-.troop.#Daily.trraily except Sunday.FAST OTTAWA SERVICE.Lv.Ÿ 40 a.m., week days ; 4.10 p.m.daily, Ar.Ottawa 11 j0a.m,, week days: ; 7.10p.m.daily 10: CITY TICKET OFFICES 137 St _Sames Street, Telephones Main 460 and 461, or Bonaventure Station, GRAY'S Rheumatic Liniment Does not Stain the Skin, 25sec.HENRY R.GRAY, PHARMACLUTICAL CHEMIST, : 122 St.Lawrence Main Street.(Established 1889.) 22 THE ARGUS\u2014ADVERTISEMENTS.(Ue print « « The Securify ~ EVERYTHING\u2014from the largest Book to the M .| » E | smallest Business Card.We Bind Account dl ing ive ope Books for Merchants, Banks and Railway Com- Photos, Cards, Calendars etc., are sure to 2 i .reach theirdestination in first-class condition i! panies and Law Books and Part Books, in the if mailed in these envelopes.\u2019 mat ESE \u20ac .- Their cost is trifling.| most Expensive anl the Cheapest Styles.No Made in several sizes, from 4x7 inches to i 14x14}, inches.nN order is too large or too small .Kxidl » MORTON, PHILLIPS & CO., | Stationers, Blank Book Makers, and Printers, JOHN LOVELL & SON: Limiteo 1755 and 1757 Notre Dame St., MONTREAL.23 TO 31 ST.NICHOLAS ST MONTREAL \u2014 | 7 sorry for you, little deg.lam, wax \\I/hen your feel get cold and wet, But 17 Granby Ruders were made Fr degs , You should have two pairs, you Bet.Bor # mt I Sg 2 With your Æet warm and comfrtable in GRANBY- -OVERSHOES, colà weather has n° terrors.LES \u2014 \u2014 THE ARGUS\u2014ADVERTISEMENTS.23 THE ALLAN LINE RADNOR Roval Mail Steamers FAST NEW PALATIAL TURBINE TRIPLE SCREW STEAMERS | RADNOR \u201cVictorian\u201d\u201d and\u201c Virginian EACH 12,000 TONS TIME\u2014QUEBEC TO MOVILLE 7 DAYS CUISINE UNSURPASSED POLITE ATTENTION.NO VIBRATION.MINIMUM OF MOTION.MODERATE RATES.SUMMER SAILINGS.Ionian, 5th May.Bavarian, 12th May.Victorian, new, 19th May.Tunisian, 26th May.Virginian, new, 2nd June .Bavarian, 9th June .Victorian, 16th June .Tunisian, 23rd June For rates and further information, apply to H.& A.ALLAN.Montreal.AN à AT AT \u2018ALL ALL DRUG ° DRUG \\ A J 9 GISTS ilson S GISTS : y gd Invalids ll is a pleasant - tasting Bottle wine, which gives health, Bottle $1.00 strength and beauty, $1.00 whilst increasing muscular developments.It isso harmless that a child can take it.L.A.WILSON Co, Litd., Agents 87 8T.JAMES ST.> Tel.Main 2424.\"RADNOR \\V/ \"RADNOR O AD NOR DNOR RADN.R RADNOR ; RADNOR RADNOR RADNOR RADNOR THE BEST STOMACHIC, HOT or COLD, MIXES WITH ANYTHING.\u2018The Canadian Oliver Typewriter The Standard Visible Writer Its Record has Never been Equalled Manufactured for Cana la and South America by Canadian Ofiver Typewriter Co., MONTREAL GENERAL OFFICE :\u2014143a St.James Street FACTORY 275 St.Martin Street, 24 THE ARGUS.Regular {Monthly Dividends.Now paving at the rate of 12 pe per annum.A new well being started every three weeks.The last one brought in is producing over 200 barrels a day.Another big one expected in within the next few davs.I\" this well turns out anvthing like what is anticipated the dividends for February will be far in excess of the present rate.located in the greatest illuminating oil producing district in America.Standard Oil Company buys all the oil that can be produced, right at the wells, and is sponding $25.OCO,C00 in refireries, pipe lines, ete., to handle the oil from this district: sufficient proof of the great value and permanency of the field.The properties are right in the cream of the oil pol: are absolutely proven, and hold out every as: surance of showing enormous profits to all who hold an interest in the company.The price of the stock is now 12% cents per Sr.o0 share, subject to advance or withdrawal without notice.No subscriptions accepted for less than 200 shares.costing $25.00.y lv getting your subscription in at once vou shall participate in the January dividend.pavable on February 1st, 1905.In any case vou should not fail to send for full irformation regarding this, the OSAGY, PETROLEUM COMPANY, and take advantage of the opportunity of securing it before it is either advanced in price or withdrawn from sale.This company is controlled hv the firm of DOUGLAS, LACEY & CO.who handle thdir stocks on the General Average principle, the success of which is evidenced by the fact that with over $5,000,000 invested by 20,000 customers there has never been, under their plan, a known loss to a customer.THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW AYOUT.Full information will be cheerfully supplied by H.WOLFERSTAN HIGGINS, Temple Building, MONTREAL.Douglas, Lacev & \u20aco., Bankers and Brokers, New York, 5 ncr 197% BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALÉ DU QUÉBEC "]