Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed]

vast territory known as Prince Rupert's Land, stretching from the United States boundary to the Arctic Ocean. Its trading posts dotted the whole country from Labrador to the delta of the Mackenzie River, and were mostly in charge of young Scotchmen of great fidelity, who spent their lives traversing in sledges and batteaux the wilds of this vast region, buying furs, and conveying and selling merchandise. The Central office here is at Winnipeg, but the general offices are in London. Its capital is now six million dollars. Once it exerted a vast political influence, but this has diminished by the surrender of its ancient charter to the dominion of Manitoba, when it received a million and a half dollars in cash and a free title to large sections draining into Hudson Bay.

THERE was once an English actor so terribly in earnest with the study of his profession that he made a mark on his generation never exceeded by any other tragedian! He was a little, dark man, with a voice naturally harsh, but he determined, when comparatively young, to play the character of Sir Giles Overreach in Massinger's drama as no other man ever played it before. In the whole range of English dramatic literature the character of Sir Giles is estimated one of the greatest pieces of effective villainy and untamable passion ever portrayed, and little Edmund Kean set to himself the task of producing on the London stage all the effect which the author intended. With what intensity he studied the language, how he flung himself with a kind of rage into the feeling of the piece, all of his biographers have recorded. His wife said that he would often remain up all night, before the pierglass, endeavoring to realize by gesture, modulation, and action, the conception at which he had arrived. At last, after repeated refusals to the management to appear as Sir Giles, saying he was not ready yet, and must still give more time to the rehearsal, he consented to have the play announced. And what was the effect of all this hard work and unceasing

study of the part? Fortunately we know all about it, although Kean played it on that memorable evening, nearly eighty years ago. It was one of the grandest effects ever witnessed on the English stage. We have accounts from various eye-witnesses of the sensation and enthusiasm the presentation of this character produced, when Kean, fully ripe for the occasion, came upon the stage as Sir Giles; and some of the triumphs of that wonderful evening in 1816, at Drury Lane, are well known. It was observed that when he first walked in from the wings, there was that in his burning eye which betokened greater determination than usual; and Lord Byron, who was in a stage-box, whispered to the poet Moore, that something dreadful was written on the great actor's countenance, something even more suggestive of power than he had ever noticed before. And never till then, in the history of the stage, was there witnessed such an exhibition of forceful endeavor.

Throughout the whole play Kean bore himself like a fury; but it was reserved for the last scene to stamp an impression which existed during the lifetime of all who were present. The great actor himself shook like a strong oak in the whirlwind of his passionate vengeance, as displayed in the closing sentences of the play, and when he was removed from the stage, his face, turned to the spectators, was so awful that Byron was seized with a convulsive fit and fell forward, pale as death itself. The solemn stillness of the house was broken by screams of terror from boxes and gallery; the pit rose, en masse. Mrs. Glover, an actress of long experience and great talent, fainted outright on the stage; Mrs. Horn, who was also playing in the piece, staggered to a chair and wept aloud at the appalling sight of Kean's agony and rage. Munden, a veteran on the boards. who played the part of Marall, stood so transfixed with astonishment and terror that he had to be carried off by main force from the scene, his eyes riveted on Kean's convulsed and awful countenance.-J. T. Field.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]

ONE could not correctly write the history of

our times without taking notice of the popular movement expressed in reading circles and literary clubs. Some one has called attention to an interesting fact in the evolution of the movement. It is a beautiful thought that a name once given to an instrument of brutal attack and defense, has been appropriated to name the peaceful and elevating club movement. There is nothing in American society more sensible than the literary club and its associate, the reading circle. There are ends to be gained, and the reading circle justifies its place by raising intelligence, fostering a higher type of social life, and cultivating a finer ideal that must react upon the community. If the success and enthusiasm of a movement must make it an interesting subject to write about, then should the BAY VIEW READING CIRCLE offer a most pleasant task. Quietly begun late in the autumn of 1893, and without courting other publicity than good work would commend, it has already spread over many States, and enrolls to-day nearly five thousand members. At first the movement was local, but quickly expanded as the merits of the Course became known. The Circle has now reached the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Gulf, and apparently entered upon a career of great usefulness. Everywhere there seems to be an open door for the Circle, and not a month

passes without disclosing new possibilities. While in a majority of cases the circles have been entirely new organizations, yet the past year a large number of woman's clubs and other literary societies have adopted the Course, notably the Detroit Sorosis, woman's clubs in Montpelier, Defiance, and Hamler, O.; Bloomington, Bluffton, and Lebanon, Ind.; Gibson City, Ill.: Kansas City, and other places. It is interesting that after a year's test, without an exception these are now among the most enthusiastic circles. Besides, in many places the teachers organized, with a like experience. While literary work is the prominent feature of the local circle, this is not all. In many, music and art are cultivated, receptions given, and lectures arranged; while some of the ambitious ones are seeking ways to aid in forwarding some local improvement. The educational benefits to the members are extremely important, and scores of letters come telling of the larger, fuller, richer life that has opened to them through the helpful and inspiring work in the Bay View Circle. The remarkable adaptability of the Bay View Course is a feature worth a passing glance. The books have the admirable qualities both of terseness and a plan. People of small leisure will find enough in them for a comprehensive acquaintance, while those of ample time can take up collateral studies with in

telligence and profit. Farmer boys and eminent lawyers, college professors, young people, and woman's clubs with years of literary discipline, all alike are taking the Course with

enthusiasm. praise received from all classes were to be printed, there would scarcely be room in this number for anything else.

Indeed, if half the words of

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1896–97.
The American Year.

My Country 't is of thee
Sweet land of Liberty.

THE times demand, not more reading, but better reading. To offer and direct a course made up after an educational plan, and to encourage habits of

thoughtful reading is the aim of the BAY VIEW READING CIRCLE. Its Course is for those who would like to turn their spare moments to good account; it is neither sectarian nor sectional, and no one is too old to join the Circle.

THE BAY VIEW CIRCLE has many distinguishing characteristics. First, it offers a course of systematic for haphazard reading. Then, its course is short, requiring not above thirty-five pages a week. People whose reading has counted for little, will appreciate the first, and all busy people the last feature. Then the Course is lowpriced. The general Circle buys the books

in pleasant affiliation through the general Circle, receiving helpful suggestions from the special MAGAZINE departments. One of these

assigns the reading, week by week, furnishes suggested programs for the local circles, and also review questions. An annual examination, meant to encourage attentive reading, is offered all members, and the end is crowned by a diploma from Bay View.

To be a member of this great, popular educational system with its steady, uplifting influences and delightful memories, is an experience unknown to isolated literary efforts and organizations.

THE AMERICAN YEAR.

[graphic]

The coming year, beginning November 1 and ending June 15, will be the AMERICAN YEAR, with the following Course: History of United States, (Evolution of an Empire Series), Mrs. Mary Parmele....$1 00 Social Institutions of the United States, James Bryce...

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

in large orders, furnishing to the members at a saving of nearly fifty per cent. The total expense each year for the three books of the Course, membership fee, and the BAY VIEW MAGAZINE, which contains part of the required reading, is only $3. Next, the Course is modern and strong in present interests. It also each year specializes a few great subjects, believing it better to know a few subjects well, than to have a smattering of many. The four years of the Course take their names from their principal subject. The order is:

1. THE AMERICAN YEAR; 3. THE FRENCH YEAR; 2. THE GERMAN YEAR; 4. THE ENGLISH YEAR;

While any one may take the Course alone, it adds much interest to have a local circle. With the Bay View Course every community may have one. All the readers and circles are

[ocr errors]

1 25

History of American Literature, Professor Fred Lewis Pattee. BAY VIEW MAGAZINE...

1 50

50

Circle Membership and Examination.

50

[blocks in formation]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »