"Speakin' O' Christmas," by Paul Laurence Dunbar, and many others are most appropriate. Others more suitable for younger people are "Jest 'Fore Christmas," by Eugene Field, the children's poet; the old favorite beginning— 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, by Clement C. Moore, and "The Story of Christmas," by Nora A. Smith, found in "The Story Hour,” by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."-Saint Luke's Gospel. CURRENT HISTORY. By F. B. Pearson. The proceedings of the SpanishAmerican congress now in session at Madrid will be watched with deep interest the world over. Every South American republic, excepting Bolivia, will have a representative present. The congress, itself, is the outgrowth of a sentiment that began to manifest itself soon after the termination of the Spanish-American war-looking toward a closer commercial alliance among the former colonies of Spain. The eagerness with which the colonies accepted the proposals of Spain for such a congress has occasioned much surprise, especially in the United States, and our people will watch the proceedings closely. Diplomacy always moves with tardy foot-steps and this seems especially true in the settlement of affairs in China. Lord Salisbury's recent admonitions to England to be on her guard, and his expression of pleasure at the outcome of the recent elections in the United States taken in connection with the fact that the relations of the troops of the various nations at Pekin are not the most amiable, lead to the surmise that possibly the end is not yet. The recent elections in Canada resulted in the retirement of Sir Charles E. Tupper who for forty years has been prominent in Dominion politics. The tariff is the paramount issue and the division of the two parties, Conservatives and Liberals, is pretty sharply drawn, the Liberals favoring gradual free trade and the Conservatives protection. In 1896 the Liberals. were successful under the leadership of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and their victory was repeated and somewhat emphasized in the elections recently held. The unusual prosperity of the country during the past four years was a determining factor in bringing success to the Liberal party. * The character of the recent elections in Porto Rico seemed to give warrant to the government for putting the island on a peace footing and, accordingly, a large contingent of the troops has been with drawn. This action marks an epoch in the history of Porto Rico. and every American must fervently hope that the people will fully measure up to the opportunities thus afforded them. * * * eternally shed its tears, and God The passing away of the eminent statesman, John Sherman, and the no less eminent writer, Charles Dudley Warner, dimmed the brightness of vanishing October. The Spanish Cortes is now in. The one helped to guide the ship session and it is evident that the United States will receive a full measure of opprobrium. By contrast we recall the sentiment which was expressed before that body by the distinguished statesman, the late Emilio Castelar, upon the death of Lincoln and never was nobler tribute paid to the memory of the martyred President-a a sentence that every student of United States history ought to commit to memory: Before him a veteran army, hostile Europe behind him, England favoring the South, France encouraging reaction in Mexico, in his hands the riven country; he arms two millions of men, gathers a half million horses, sends his artillery twelve hundred miles in a week, from the banks of the Potomac to the shores of the Tennessee, fights more than six hundred battles, renews before Richmond the deeds of Alexander and of Cæsar; and, after having emancipated three million slaves, that nothing might be wanting, he dies in the moment of victory; like Christ, like Socrates, like all redeemers, at the foot of his work. His work! Sublime achievement, over which humanity shall of state through perilous waters and wrought mightily for the integrity of our country at times when genuine statesmanship meant true heroism; and the other shed a kindly influence over many hearts and homes and taught the world the lesson of high thinking and noble living. POPULATION OF CITIES IN 1900. Census Bulletin No. 11 shows that there are in the United States 159 cities having a population of 25,000 or more. Of this number, 19 have a population of over 200,ooo each with a total of 11,795,809; 19 have a population of between 100,000 and 200,000 each with a total of 2,412,538; 40 have a population of between 50,000 and 100,000 each with a total of 2,709,338; 81 have a population of between 25,000 and 50,000 with a total of 2,776,940. The grand total of population for the 159 cities is 19,694,625. The per cent of increase from 1890 to 1900 is 32.5; from 1880 to 1890, 49.5. The following table will be of interest to both pupils and teachers. Computing the per cent of increase from 1880 to 1890, and 1890 to 1900 will furnish of size is changed considerably POPULATION OF CITIES HAVING 25,000 INHABITANTS OR MORE IN 1900, The first column under each census year shows the order of the cities named when arranged |