that her sons now in Iowa should seek for the homes of their adoption a land where slaves had never dwelt.

Proud am I to be a native of the Green Mountains. My ancestors were rigid in their discipline, industrious in their habits, and constant in their religious observances. Some one has said truly, ""Tis pleasant to talk with our past hours,

And ask them what report they bring for heaven." Memory calls up a thousand recollections of those early days when I was a student in my native town, struggling with those abstruse sciences known as the three R's," Reading, Riting, Rithmetic, branches of an education deemed so essential by our fathers to fit and prepare us for the future every day active duties of life. Oh, halcyon days

of my Green Mountain boyhood!

I

Stephen A. Douglas, or some other good Democrat, once said that Vermont was a good State to be born in and a better one to emigrate from. admit that the climate there was too pure for persons whose politics, religion or morals were not of the orthodox stamp; hence Mr. Douglas, of Kansas-Nebraska memory; Joseph Smith. of Mormon celebrity; and John H. Noyes, of Oneida fame, all found it convenient to "emigrate."

But, on the other hand, what Vermonter does not point with pride to such names as George P. Marsh, George F. Edmunds. Hiram Powers, John A. Kasson, William A. Wheeler, Chester A. Arthur and Justin S. Morrill?

The fathers and mothers of that State may not be able to acquire great wealth, but they can and do build school houses and raise men! The State of which I speak knows but little of the splendors or the miseries of crowded cities:

"Tis a rough land of earth, and stone, and tree,
Where breathes no castled lord nor cabined slave."

It is inhabited chiefly by husbandmen who till their own fields with their own hands. Industry

and frugality have been the making and the saving of her people. In the earlier days, who but the mothers manufactured the flax and wool into cloth, by hand cards, linen and woolen wheels, and hand looms? In those early days all were clothed with domestic products. They were strong and healthy; their dress was plain and adapted to the season and their business. Their visits were not formal, ceremonious and heartless, but cheerful and cordial. When prosperous, all partook of the common joy; when sickness or calamity befel any, all were affected. The sorrow was mutual. and aid and sympathy were freely given.

To-day these virtuous people are prosperous and happy. Visit any part of the State and you will see the evidences of thrift. The hills and valleys are fertile and productive; the pastures are green. and the moral atmosphere is pure. Education holds a high rank. The schools and colleges are among the best. Useful books, newspapers and magazines are found in every dwelling, and all native-born citizens are noted for their intelligence.

We can only ask that the sons and daughters of these people may emulate the virtues of their ancestors. scattered though they may be throughout the civilized world.

"Then hail to thee, Green Mountain State,

That cherished land of ours;

Her sons are like the granite rocks,
Her daughters like the flowers.

They quail to none, of none they crave,

Nor bend the servile knee;

The life-blood that their fathers gave
Still warms the firm and free.

Free as the eagle spreads his wings;
They own no tyrant's rod;
No master, but the King of Kings,
No monarch but their God!”

CHAPTER XLIII.

W

AMUSEMENTS.

HILE Mr. Hildreth was connected with the

Cedar Valley Educational Union he was urgently requested by the programme committee to prepare and read a paper before the association on the subject of Amusements. He consented, and delivered the following which proved highly acceptable. The Union not only gave him a vote of thanks for it, but requested a copy for publication. It was published in the Charles City Intelligencer, and is copied from that journal, as follows:

The bow always bent loses its elasticity. Thus it is with the human mind, and well is it for man that he has a fondness for amusements. The brook murmurs a little song as it glides over the pebbles on its onward course toward the sea. The woods, apparently so weird and lonesome, are alive with noise. The waves of old ocean tell of many things, as, with organ-like music, they rise from the great waters.

Thus is it everywhere in the order of nature. Thus would it ever be with man had not sin come into the world. How sad that, with intellectual beings, so capable of enjoyment, so much of woe should be intermingled.

The question then arises, for us. are proper and beneficial?

What amusements,
We know that

many so-called amusements are demoralizing and hurtful in a greater or less degree. We know that what is enjoyable or amusing to one is painful and detestable to another. As such we name the ballroom, the theater, the gaming table, the drinking saloon, the horse-race, the prize-fight, the circus, and other affairs of like character. Yet if the evil that attaches to these amusements could be separated and banished therefrom, many of them would be not only diverting and enjoyable, but actually beneficial, both mentally and physically.

Then do not denounce the ball-room, the theater, or the circus, but rather the evil which, like a fungus, has become attached to them.

The dance, properly conducted, is a school of social refinement and pleasure-a promoter of physical strength and bodily health. It is an institution that dates back to the earlier periods of human existence, and its enjoyments find record all through the pages of Holy Writ.

The theater is a source of high literary gratification. The ancient drama was a repository of learning and taste-a vehicle of poetic genius and lofty eloquence, and consequently a source of literary refinement and pleasure.

Eschylus, the Athenian, was as poetic and beautiful in his dramatic compositions, as he was brave and heroic on the plains of Marathon.

Sophocles and Euripides did much to purify the language of their times, and shed an attractive halo around the Grecian stage.

We know that the modern stage is condemned, and justly so, in many cases; and yet Mrs. Siddons maintained her purity of character amid all the corruptions of the English drama. The same may be said of Charlotte Cushman, who, upon the American stage was ever the promoter of virtue, and, whenever she appeared, shed a soft and mellow light around scenes of hallowed love and domestic tenderness.

I am happy to say there has been marked reform

in recent years. In the first-class theaters, now, both east and west, no bar is allowed, no improper characters admitted, and no obscene or impure language is heard from the stage. The most fastidious gentleman-the most refined and sensitive lady-may attend these theaters, and be as secure from immoral influences as in any church.

The circus, in past years, has had a bad name and a bad following; so much so that many of the more respectable portion of the community absolutely refused to patronize them. In many cases the proprietors of these equestrian exhibitions have failed and been financially ruined. In Charles City, the past two years, with one exception, our Mayor charged so high a license that circus companies could not afford to pay it. and passed us by. Many of us exclaimed, Good riddance!" And why? Not because we do not love that noble animal, the horse; not because we do not admire good horsemanship, and enjoy the sports of the ring: not because the gymnasium is an unprofitable or corrupting school; but it was because of the evils that follow or have crept in. Thieves and gamblers almost invariably accompany these shows and detract much from their profitable enjoyment. The proprietors and managers of circuses. knowing how shocked are the moral and religious classes, owing to the presence of vicious characters. at these entertainments, have sought in varicus ways to overcome the difficulty-advertising that theirs is a moral show-that they have a menagerie attachment, including a sacred cow and other holy animals! But all to little or no purpose. The moral sentiment of our people is certainly on the advance; and not until some method can be devised, whereby the circus shall be purified, can the institution become popular and profitable.

The race course, under proper restrictions, may have its commendable features. But the system of pooling and betting, lying and cheating the drugging and stimulating the poor horses-all