OUR YTO2IA2PS PAFBB, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1896 If Parton's Pharmacy HEADQUARTERS FOR IMPORTED Perfumes, Toilet Articles, Etc. . s 5oda Water Tbat bag made us famous. I Ttl.nhnna Call 179.1. OpposiU Baptist Church. Pan a if ft. Flowers and Gar den Seeds -In Great Variety at Whole sale and Retail. A? A V ama ?V Supply of Hants for Budding Par- poses, Arnsu- cally Arranged by Expert Gardeners. rirs. Katharine E. Wilcox, VOICE CULTURE, , Bohmer Studio, 205 Washington Ave., Opposite Court llouw, SCRANTON, PA. Specialist for alt voice defects. WOMEN VIOLINISTS. "Gently beneath her perfect, rounded chin The Instrument U cluspud. as mothers Across1 their breasts a much-loved child, to fol.l It from a world of misery and sin. She draws the bow across the strlncs te To life the tones, now soft, now strong and bold, . . .. . . , . . Ul -- rii nil truth 11 n- That dormant lies within the violin." Twenty years ago the Hat of woman violinists would have occupied very little spaoe.biit today, the difficulty lies in doing Justice to the vast number of eminent soloists in the columns of a newspaper. In bygone years, it was considered decidedly risque for a girl to play a violin, even in private, and the masculine; element was wont to argue she was physically incapacitated fur so difficult an Instrument. It Is not neces sary to enumerate the reasons why a woman is physically and Intellectually bettor adapted to the violin tuan to the piano. All that is required la to visit the concert-room and listen to the soul ful, poetic playing of a graceful woman to realize how lHJtont Is her sway over bow and strings. - To Camilla Urso, the first great wo man violinist, be all honor! She was the first to take her place, side by side with the famous men of her prof-'SfUon and today she dwells anions us. a iivuib example of w hPt a woman ran achieve over obstacles fortunately, belonging to the pact. To her we owe the oiKmlng of the J'arls i-onservatory to women and the countless throng of ghia who have studied there should call her blessed. When as a tiny child a wonder child she sought admission to Its classes, she was refused on account of her sex, though It was acknowledged that her ability was far beyond that of the boys who applied at the same time and were permitted to enter. Nothing daunted she tried again and again until Anally genius won the victory over prejudice and the little Italian girl threw open the doors of the great conservatory for all time. Camilla Urso In to violin playing what Rosa Ronheur is to painting, and the women who follow her, owe her much for her careful, rigid upholding of the standard of violin playing. Among the younger women violinists, every nationality is represented; Moravia tins two, Sady Hallt (Norman Nenida the friend of Joachim and his coadjutor In his London seasons, mid Marianne Elssler, who Is a popular favorite in England, as well as a pet of Royalty. Gulii'leUe Wlrtrouetz Is Austrian by birth: twice winner of the Mendelssohn-Uurtholdy prize, her career has been most successful. lion mark is proud of her famous daughter, I lie ueauuiui i' nua rtooua, wnose mar velously lovely tone and broad interpre tation ploee her in the front rank. She has the distinction of playing regularly at the Rich tor concerts In Vienna and lias appeared also at the Lamcnnux con certs in Paris. The famous schools of Belgium have many distinguished wo men among their pupils, one of the best known being Juliette Folvlllo, of Sleje, who Is not only an accomplished violin ist but a composer of a successful opera and a symphony of great merit. As I have said, the list Is endless, but we naturally turn with more interest to THE AMERICAN GIRLS. Who are wlnnlnir fame with their violins. Maud Powell's clever, piquante face Is well known throughout the United States and her strong, virile in terpretation of such masters as Brahms, Tschalkofsky and Bruch, is most admirable. She is genuine and solid In Tier work and carefully avoids any thing akin to clap-trap. She does not confine herself to solo work and her string quartette is recognized for Its muslclanly playing. Geraldine Morgan has not been before the public so long as Maud Powell, but she Is growing rapidly into favor. She was the favorite pupil of her master, Joachim and was brought out by him in London at the) Crystal Palace. She has also the great honor of playing with Joachim the Bruch Double Concerto for two violins. Unquestionably, the most talented of the younger generation is Leonora Von Stosch, the Washington violinist, who unfortunately for art, has abandoned her career, since her marriaae. She Is a fine exponent of the Franco- Belgian schools (founded by De Berlot) and both Morswlck and Ysaye declare her a genius. Possessed of a superb physique, her tone is magnificently broad and her playing is marked by great individual ity, with a vim and esprit fascinating in the extreme. Nettle Carpenter is another wHo en Joyed a scries of triumphs, only to retire after a very brief career. Revered by many who recognize a brilliant artist. In New York, no one is better known than Jeanne Franko, while Dora Becker, Winifred Rogers. Martina laboring faithfully and well for art. Per "haps no better proof of the strides nullum Hrv IIIUIWHK can VU LUUJIU. mull the string orchestra recently organised there; composed wholly of women ar tists. Such an organization would not have been possible a few years since, hut with such material, and Camilla Urso at its head, who can doubt Us suc ctssT ' v ' ' 7 JVUA CLAPK ALLBX. Ar & v & w7 .v fr ' ' v WOMEN IN MUSIC A FEW THREADS OF HISTORY. There appeared not long since In the "Atlantic" an article, "Is the musical Idea masculine?" In which it endeav ored to prove that because of her sex woman on both physiological and pys chologlcal grounds Is incapable of originating musical Ideas. Following this Is the statement from no less an artist than Madame Lilian Nordlca. that "it is a noteworthy fact that wo men thus far have accomplished prac tically nothing as composers of musical work." She, however, gives as the rea son for this the fact that nowhere has woman been given the opportunity to perfect herself in that branch of mus ical art. In view of all that has been done in the pant by women composers and of the :luce she Is taking in fore most rank of modern music, these statements so sweeping and so unjust ARE EASILY REFUTED. Mrs. Theodore C. Sutro has taken the trouble to draw up a list of musical works of women composers, from IG75 until the present time, and has succeed ed In compiling a catalogue of more than 1,400 dramatic, lyrical and other compositions by French, German, Ital ian, English, Spanish and Russian com posers. I'p to the present time, how ever, few women have attempted to write symphonies or operas. They have been far more ready to lend their talent to rungs of sentiment. We are indebt ed to women for some of our most cher ished ballads. It was Lady Jane Scott who gave the wor!d"Annlo Laurie,"and Lady Scott Catty who wrote "Douglas, Tender and True," while "Maryland, My Maryland," owes Its spirited mar tial ring to a woman. The musical pathos of "Auld Robin Grey" originat ed in the brain of Lady Anne- Lindsay, and Lady Nairno wrote the stirring old "UampbeJlj Are Coming." These and many other songs of later clays will live liiT, If not forever. FANNY MENDELSSOHN. It would, perhaps, be unfair to men tion the lovely songs which bear the name of Mendelssohn with these sim pler melodies, and yet some of the most charming of these beautiful songs were written by Fanny MendelSFohn. Public prejudice was even stronger then than today .and those gems of songwere pub lished under lief brother's name, LCcause her irieiuls wore1 so scandalized by her unwomanly immodesty in wishing to publish music under her own name. Alas! that In this day of progress wo men should still consider the Incognito necessary for a Just criticism. A FEW WHO HAVE WON FAME. A notable Instance is Miss E. M. Smyth who, among other line works, has composed a nobis mass in D, which in substantial dignity and breadth of thought and treatment, is equal to any modern work of its clasp, and yet Miss Smyth refrains from indicating herself on the title page; nothing but the in itials appear. This mass would attract Attention coming from the hand of any living composer and han been rendered by suecinl desire of the Queen under the direction cf Sir Joseph Uurnby. The work of women In music as In all things else. Is broadening rapidly, until we (Ind a woman's ojera given at tne Grand Opera In Paris. Miss Augusta Holmes Is the first woman to achieve that distinction, and It Is said it is as easy for the proverbial "camel to pass thro' the eye of a needle," as for a woman's work to reach the Grand Salle, but Miss Holmes wrote, read and won. Like Wagner she writes her own libretto, sketches her scenery and superintends all rehearsals. The suc cess that has attended the performance of her ciiera "La Montague Noire" is certainly a great triumph. Her "Ode Trltimphale" written for the Paris Ex position established her claim to gen ius of a high order. A theatre was built after her own design capable of seating twenty-five thousand people, that she might represent muslo and poetry at the exposition. She wrote the poem and music for a heroic repre sentation of "Work, War and Play for all countries" and personally trained l.lne hundred people to represent it. It is certainly a great achievement for a woman, single handed, to have done so splendid a thing. Another little wo man who is MUCH MORE AT HOME, and who has done great things in a musical way, Is Mrs. H. II. A. Beach, of Boston, the wife of a prominent phy sician, a graduate of , ellesley College, whose school days are not yet far be hind her. The highest critics of that critical city pronounce her "a most gifted composer possessing; positive genius which will command the world's recognition." She Is as well a brilliant pianist and the writer of many lovely songs and dainty things for plana Among her more serious compositions is a n. las in E Hat which has been given in Music Hall, Boston by the Handel and Haydn society. This fully round ed and noble composition made evident the canacity of woman's brain to plan and execute a work combining great seriousness with unquestionable beauty Possibly M'lle Chaminade, of Paris, Is the first favorite today among the more succsfful women composers, although her music shows no trace of her sex. Her piano compositions are capricious but authoritative and essentially mod ern, but for positive knowledge not one would suspect the composer of "Plerette" and the "Scarf Dance," of being a woman. The songs from her gifted pen are full of strength, poetry, r'eep emotion ard sympathy. They are found on all the best concert pro grammes of the day, which is proof that all artists are quick to recognize their realm. It is impossible, in the space of a short article, to do Justice or even men tion the many writers whose songs are delighting many lands, such women as Mrs. Dana, Virginia Gabriel, Madame Salnton-Dolhy and the members of the New York Manuscript club, more than a dozen honored members and such wo men across the water as Hope Temple, f?rtmlo Grlswold, Helen Hopekirk, Edith Dlch, the Countess Tolstoi. As we write the names of worthy women crowd upon us, too numerous to men tion. That so many clever women are FORGING TO THE FRONT RANKS, surely establishes woman's claim to originating musical Ideas. She has reached this coal quietly, in her own way, and by her own merits. I have spoken of her only as composer, not touching at all uixm her high mnstery of any Instrument she may choose to select, nor of her ns loader of fine or chestras, composed wholly of women artists, as mistress of the grand pipe organ, but havo tried to prove that the musical idea is not wholly masculine. There is a story In London about a wo man aaostle who harangued a crowd on th woman question, and a voice re HUSICAL PAOE plied "La! Yes, we know we're women but we don't 'owl about it; we works." That is what our women are doing to day in music. FRANCES B. DIMMICK. MUSICAL LIFE IN VIENNA. The adjective qualifying the substan tive In the title of this article stands for a vast difference. If I were to write of "Life in Vienna," it would be in very dlaercnt terms from what I shall use In a short description of the life of the musical students in this city. Life in Vienna may be fairly summed up In one word amusement Cafe houses, theatres, Volks garden, beginning next noon the same idle. Jolly, for as they say. "lusty" life over again, never find ing it flavorless, never becoming sated with its ephemeral delights. But the musical life that is it "was anderes" that is quite another th ng. So differ ent la it from any other life of its kind that I know anything of, that one is In clined to say before. It, the deluge; after it, nothing! So unique, so thoroughly desirable Is it. There is a large conser vatory here which sends forth yearly its quota of musical people, who make their own circle, do plain work of more or less merit, and that Is oil. On the other hand, out In Warding College sits one little old man with an unpronounce able name, an unspeakable temper, but with a secret of power which over rides all objections, and answers all ques tions, whose house Is a centre and home of that beautiful, that mysterious, that enchanting thing modern, dramatic piano-playing. Of course, there are not wanting people who have a different name for all this; people who call It a fad, who say that Leschetizky is fam ous mostly among Americans, or ad mitting that his fame Is world-wide, say that it is an accident. There are many answers to such expressions, one of which is, SUCH ACCIDENTS DO NOT HAP PEN. A few years ago he gave a specially interesting soiree even for him to give, which Is saying a good deal, and among the dozen or so picked pupils who were oaked to play, were four Russians, three Austrians, one German, one Eng lishman, and the rest Americans, the ones having tho highest position on the programme being the two Russians, Mark Hamburb and Mr. Gabtielovltoh, of whom you will soon here great things in America. But what is the secret of his power, what are his methods of working, you will ask. The first great demand, sup posing one to have musical ability enough to be accepted as his pupil, Is to cet the hand in order. A certain amount of strength not only in the hand but in the lingers themselves, a certain amount and a certain kind of technique are an absolute necessity, without which Leschetlzky will simply have nothing whatever to do with you. If you do not possess this technique and this strength you must get it, and you must have patience till you do get It. Many players have come here sup posing they had a perfectly competent technique, only to find they had next to nothing that would serve them here, nothing that would produce the great, round, telling tone one hears from all his pupils, or that will stand the strain of going out with intelligence and dra matic power musical literature of any kind. To say that getting this sort of technique taxes one's patience and for titude to the utmost, is to put it very mildly. Nothing but mingling freely with other pupils who have passed through the process and came out on the farther side, keeps the courage up; nothing but hearing in his Wednesday afternoon classes, where only the best pupils play, this same clear, masterly, telling tone, the tone that makes every other tone insipid and dull, holds one to the hard task, and makes him feel that he wants nothing so much as to dis cover what is for him on the other side of the barrier. He says to himself, "It may be hard to get, but it Is life from the dead, and I must have It." But having at last got it, what then? You must use it well or the master will have none of you. Many a one has struggled bravely through with the preparatory teacher, and has had the first lesson very successfully with Leschetizky, and haB fondly imagined the worst was over, only to find a host of fresh trou bles awaiting him. Dlllettantism, want of rhythm, and above all, Inability to im itate quickly what he shows you, are likely to provoke a storm which the pupil feels must overwhelm him. But let it not be supposed that such things are the vagaries of a nervous man. Im patient of dilettante playing There is a sturdy vein for honesty in It all that is life-giving. No earnestness, no mus ical enthusiasm, nothing will save you from merciless criticism, but it does not end there. Tho great master, or his preparatory teacher, will show you the broad open highway to a sure goal. If your faults are laid bare with re morseless severity the hand that does it guides to a great deliverance. Instead of being sugared with compliments, you are led, nay. thrust, into a new life. It was my privilege years ago to be In one of the Liszt classes, and it is no dis paragement to tho great master who was so adored by the plano-playlng world, to say that every Wednesday one heard far better playing In the Leschetizky classes than was common ly heard In the Liszt classes. And It Is simply because a certain standard of excellence is absolutely demanded and inexorably maintained. GREAT CONCERTS AND OPERA. To say that the musical student has abundance of the best concerts here In Vienna Is only to state a perfectly well known fact. D'Albert Sauer, Adole Aus der Ohe. Grieg and RefnecUe have given delightful concerts in Vienna this winter, not to mention many lesser lights. But I must add one word about tho opera. One day a German said to me, "You Americans care nothing for opera; you only want to hear some great singer whom you fondly call tho best" I had no very good weapons of defence against that thrust, and had to confess sadly enough that for a great music drama, as a work, we do not care enough. Here it is different. There are no superlatively great stars, but a splendid array of thoroughly good sing ers, a superb orchestra directed by that most accomplished conductor, Richter, and from September to Juno, you can go night after night and hear all the groat operas given In orchestra. In chorus, in chief roles, in' stage setting, thoroughly well. You can have, not one or two hearings, but you can know the grjat operas. I have been night after night, and have seldom seen nn empty seat, so Integral a part of life here is tho opera. In closing I can only relteen te what I said ir. the beginnings musical life in Vienna Is (musically speaking) life from the dead. - STELLA At. SEYMOUR. 170LES1LE DE1LER 111 R0OFIN8 SINE. BUM! hi EkmI lcaa. Dsata for NortbBstera Perasjlicli , 1 We have this season received the largest consignment of im plements in our history, among which are the well-known Oliver Chilled Plows, S. L. Allen at Co.'s Planet. Jr.. Hand and Horse t ools, the Black Diamond Harrows and Cultivators, Huckcye Mowers. Keapcrs. Hay Kakes. Horse Cultivators. Seed Drills, etc We are also agents for D. M. Ferry's New American Sulky Harrow, Cultlva tor. Grass, Grain and Fertilizer Sower. Orders for Slate by the carload. WgHhnnci nnd Of fire. 15 Lackawanna Ave. VOICE. "There Is much music, excellent voice in this little organ; cannot you make It speak ?"In accepting your invi tation to express my views on voice 1 beg to say there Is nothing so dlfllcult to write about as the voice in practical use and the actual results we obtain in practice, hence we never hear of a per son who has learned to sing beautifully by reading, talking or thinking; about the voice. The study of the voice in all Its as pects offers the most varied, profitable and delightful field for the earnest stu dent to engage in. An Instrument so superior to every other In its grandeur of expression and marvellous resources it Is practically inexhaustible. Its power what is there that exerts a greater Influence in the tide of human affairs; Its construction what strong er exponent of charao er. Let any er former make the most sympathetic tone possible on his Instrument and its beauty Impels us to exclaim, "It sounds like a human voice." A good voice is a great gift for which the possessor has reason to be devoutly thankful and for the proper develop ment and use of which he is to con sider himself responsible. If we can keep our voices from be ing unduly forced, we shall always be ready to Improve the quality and pro duce resonant tones. It Is a great mis fortune, to put it mildly, to have once Btrained tho expressiveness out of the voice. The voice, of course, responds for a long time to a great strain and springs back Into repose but there comes a time when the freshness and expressiveness of It is gone. The voice Is certain to express some thing to a careful listener, but Is it not too often a high nerve tentlon that we hear Instead of an expressive note, and many times the embarrassment of not knowing how to control the breath? Many speaking voices are unquestion ably tense and hard from unnecessary strain and truly we can say the same of the singing voice. The cause is probably the same, a desire tor power. Teachers are driven to every expedient to lead pupils to look for a higher ldoal and to teach them a higher sense of tone. This comes perhaps ns much from friends who have little or no sense ot expressiveness of the voice or the time required to perfect it. and Who enly applaud the power. They want to end at the beginning of Art. The process of developing the voice is one of slow and natural growth and cannot be hurried, but if wo carefully adjust our forces our possibilities widen gradually and we come to a better understanding ot quality and resonance of the voice, which are akin. Resonance may best be defined as the reinforcing or strengthening of sound. Resonance ot the voice would mean then the rein forcing of the tones produced by the vibrations of the vocal chords. Notice the word re-ln-forclng not forcing, the voloe cannot have quality without re sonance (not tremolo) or resonance without quality. The one with proper cultivation will bring out the other in voices capable of both. The diaphragm on account of its relation with respira tion is of the utmost importance In vocal training. The use ot the vocal organs depends upon the use of breathing; and voice culture based upon anything except breathing Is of little value to the stu dent. BREATHING. We hear much on breathing but the one thing most essential is the con trol of the out going breath, hith erto almost entirely neglected In sing ing. Forcing the voice Is fruitful only of harm; reinforcing In a proper way Is essential; tn fact la the secret of obtain ing ths best results from the voice. Teachers of volos culture are of course glad te have the attention of men and women turned to this subject, because we now there ars but few who cannot derive muoh good from the proper study of singing. Every one should follow a regular course of deep and sys tematic breathing. Nature has but one way and when we find that way It should unhesitatingly he followed. Students must receive a definite and pure conception of the end they are striving to reach. There Is hardly a power of the mind or a muscle of the body tbat Is not more or less called into action In artlstlo singing, hence the greatest attention to even the minutest detail is certainly Indispensable In this as In every other field of research. The mere going through a given vocil exer cise without intelligent thought as to why and how, la mere drudgery, and not likely to be productive of the best results. The study however can be so directed as to be a source of enjoyment as well as profit to the student whether ot small average or unusual Intelli gence. The relation of teacher and pupil Is of such that he who under stands the Influence of mind over mind the power to transfer thought, can ac complish more work In a given number of lessons than can anyone else, and will reach results quicker and the re sults will abundantly reward his pa tience and perseveiancj. Time spent in the study of voice culture Is not wasted. There is both mental and soul devel opment, therefore I urge a more general study of this beautiful art in order that song with its Joy and helpfulness may enter more fully Into lives of our people, people. 1t may be noticed that no attempt Is made to present anything new espec ially, but only in a meager way to ask singers to reflect carefully on the mat ter of repose in singing and forget en tirely that It is not forced power but perfect adjustment that is needed, and it Is not possible to learn this careful adjustment of all forces used In sing ing except under the guidance of nn ex perienced teacher. The more we study the more we feel the need of study. KATHARINE ELIZABETH WILCOX HAWAIIAN MUSIC. Only a little love lilt of Hawaii, sung by a native quintette in Honolulu, and yet It lingers in my memory fresh and clear, and brings back one of the most delightful experiences of my life. Pic turo to yourself an Immense lanai, or piazza, fifty feet long and seventy in length, stretching out to the very edge of the beautiful Pacific, the whole cov ered with a trellis work which support ed the branches of tw6 or three enor mous haw trees. Peoplo dancing to the quaint little Hawaiian melodies sung and played by the quintette of natives; the picturesque palm and cocoanut trees waving In the distance, and the most perfect moonlight lending its glory, to the whole scene; and Imagine what a halo of romance seamed east J. L. HULL. FRANCE5 B. DIMMICK, Editor. about It to the visitors from our prosaic country. The music for most of tho small dances and entertainments Is fur nished by this native quintette, and while the people ot Honolulu sigh for more civilized music, to me there was a great charm in the plaintive little hules with their endless verses and same refrain sung over and over again while tho dnnoiniT was going on. The natives have very soft, plensant voices, and a great love ot music. A minor strain seems to run through most of their meles, or songs, but some are very bright and lively, while In others we caught familiar notes of some of our own songs, introduced probably by the missionaries long ago and woven Into their own airs by the natives. The hula Is a very objectionable dance which Is now suppressed by the au thorities on account of its Immoral tendencies; but the hula-hula, which Is a modified form of it, is very graceful and pretty. Is usually danced by men, and always accompanied by singing; the one seeming to be Inseparable from the other. The DISTINCTIVE HAWAIIAN INSTRU MENTS are the ukule and the taw-patch. The former, a tiny little thing about eighteen inches long, and shaped like a guitar. It has four strings. Is tuned like a banjo, and is played by drawing the fingers across all the strings at once, some times with a sharp, quick motion, and again with a slow, waving movement of the hand. The taw-patch Is several sizes larger, has five strings, and is played more like a guitar. They are both very sweet-toned Instruments, and more music enn be drawn from them than one would Imagine, judging from their size. There Is a fine band In Hono lulu which plays almost every day; sometimes In the grounds of the Gov ernment Building, sometimes In front of tho Royal Hawaiian Hotel, or In one of the public parks, and all Honolulu turns out to listen tn the sweet muslo. Every concert ends with THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, "Hawaii Ponol" ("Hawaii Forever"), the tune of which is almost Identical with our national hymn. In the days of royalty every one stood while this anthem was being played, but this pretty custom has now been abandoned, except by the royalists. Like the fragrance of a flower, a familiar refrain recalls to one's mem ory the delight of days gone by, and as these weird little chants recur to mo, my heart goes out with longing to beau tiful Hawaii, so rightfully named "The Paradise of the Pacific." Aloha! KATHERINE CHAMBERS, MRS. ANNIE L. CARY RAYMOND. (A word from and of the famous singer.) The Editor of the Muslo Page has re ceived a pleasant little note from Mrs. Annie Louise Cary Raymond, in answer to a request for an article for Our Wo man's Paper," in which the world fa mous cantatrice says that she has never written anything for publication. But we feel at liberty to quote her words: "I am entirely out of the musical world, but I am glad to have been there and Of musical people." There Is no music tan or muslo lover whom this paper will reach but will be glad for any word from Mrs. Raymond and for her glad remembrance of all her musical friend ships and of having been herself a part of the world of music. How splendid her career was during the few years she devoted to the concert platform first and then the operatio stage, (both with Christine Nllsson,) will always be re membered in the annals of music. By permission of the author, since we have no article from Mrs. Raymond, we re-publlsh a little chanson from an old number of the Boston Traveler. It was addressed to a musical friend of ths author: WITH PORTRAITS OF CART AMD NILSSON. Missing ths Summer's wealth of song; the glancing Of bird wings through ths leaves, When winter earth bereaves, Take these in place of them. Keund each one cluster Such memories of airs from music's clime, Breathed o'er the shores ef Time, That more of gladness than from sun rays dancing Trough forest dell where Mrda and waters chime Shall fill the winter night Their pictured smile makes bright With all ot noontide June's rssplsndsnt lustre, As, dreaming o'er the keys, Your touch wakes harmonies That made for us the summer nights divine. While the late moon delayed, And clustering hills in shade Shut in the gleaming river's silvery line. Wild winds shall die to silence as you hear Faint echoes the familiar strains pro long, And so shall past and present, far and near, Be linked by thoughts of music, dreams of song. SUSAN E. DICKINSON. THE DIGNITY OF CHURCH SIN0IN0. When tho elaborate ritual of the He brews was planned, all the duties con nected with religious services were as signed to one privileged class, the priesthood. The salient features of their services seem to have been similar to ours, consisting In the reading of Scripture, an exposition based upon it, and music. No distinction was made between those engaged in the literary part of the exercises and those who sang. Around all was the halo caused by their being sot apart for holy offices in connection with tho temple, nnd none thought tho duty of priestly singer less essential than that of reader and ex horter. Music was indeed the hand maiden of religion, nnd as such the Jew ish liturgy' provided for It. The early Christian Church no less appreciated the solemnity and dignity of sacred muslo in the worship of the sanctuary. The hymns of the earliest centuries that have come down to us bear 'testimony to this, as does the glorious music belonging to the chants of tho Church. To some extent sacred muslo changed Its character in the hands of Pope Gregory at one time and tho famous Palstrlna at another. When the days of the Reformation came Luther's grand chorals carried the tra dition of the Church of all ages Into the Trotestant churches of Germany. When the Puritans arose in England, and came to power In Cromwell's days they largely did away with muslo as a means of worship; and this prejudice came with them to the shores of Amer ica, although Rev. John Cotton Mather wrote la favor ot muslo as worship, ana PMOSaiORGMS "WHERE ARE WE AT?" J. LAWRENCE STELLE, 303 SPRUCE STREET, SCRAMTOS. SHAW PIANO. EIRSON PIANO. ARE THE Medium Grade instruments at Lower Prices. J. ALFRED PENNINGTON, Organist of Elm Purk Church, Will BaociT Pupils la no m a mm at hia new studio to b opraed September 1st Corner ot Uadlson Avenue and Linden Street, . (Opposite Elia t'ark I'anonagc). Mr. Pennington Is a pur.ll of Turner and Dunham, Boston; Quilmant and Hbriglia, Paris; I'.hrlich, Haupt, Becker and Keimann, Berlin. Terms, etc, furnished on applica tion to 439 Wyoming Avenue. Orcran pupils will receive lessons at the Elm Park Church. Orgau prac tice will be furnished on a twa manual organ ut the studio. gradually public opinion came over to his side. William Billings, a New Eng land music teacher, laid ths foundations of American music. There are few ersens who today undervalue the importance of church muslo. It was for years the only American music and from it has come the American school of music. The inevitable secularizing of church music resulting from the close union of sacred and worldly music has for some time past been deplored by true musicians and discriminating worshippers alike. The strong desire of the present time to return to the ideal of the Jewish and early-Christian churches is making It self felt in all the leading musical and ecclesiastical circles. Skilled musicians are new engaged, and music committees are demanding in return for good salar ies, well Interpreted churchly music quite distinct from secular In tone. The 'Influence which a church singer may have over a congregation Is second only to that of the minister; for music. Intensifying and deepening the meaning of the sacred words, has often reached the heart which remained closed to spoken words. The dignity and import ance of church music Increases as its object praise, worship and prayer is understood. Demands are beginning to be made of a singer which are similar to those made of a minister, that he or she exemplify upon six days of the week, the words ffcng upon the seventh. History shows that no revival of music has occurred except as an attend ant of a religious awakening, and that reform in church music has always pre ceded progress in secular music. The present deepenlefr of musical Ideals augurs well for the near future of American tone composition. LUELLA FOLLANSBEE PENNINGTON. MUSIC IN SCRANTON'S INFANCY, For Our Woman' Paper. You ask me to write of the "Music of Scranton forty years ago." You might almost as well ask me to write of the snakes in Ireland, only there are no snakes In Ireland, and there were muslo lovers and, consequently, musicians, tho' modeBt In their attainments here, even then. Ohl for "the pen of a ready writer" to attempt a description of our little town In the woods. There are a few still left of the "oldest in habitants" and they can remember when the only musio we had was fur nished by the choir of the First Pres byterian church, augmented by no in strument. There were some lovely voices there and those who could not sing made "melody In their hearts." It has often occurred to me In these later days that it would be a good idea for more people to confine themselves to making melody in Just that way. Concerts, of course.could not be given, from the fact of there being no suitable hall or room. Great was the Joy when Mr. Schlager finished the third lloor of his building (late Monies & Pushes') for that purpose, and it soon became noised abroad among travelling troupes that our people were hungry for music, and each one did its share in satisfy ing that hunger. However, Scranton was growing so rapidly there were all sorts of tastes to gratify, and each troupe went away feeling satisfied with having had an appreciative audience. The company that was always greeted by a crowded house and wild applause was composed of five gentlemen calling themselves"The Continentals." Dressed in continental costume they were at tractive In appearance, and to our "un tutored ears" their singing was delight- f ul and will always be a pleasant mem ory. The first musican convention ever held here was conducted by Wil liam B. Bradbury, of church musio fame In the First Presbyterian church, a three days' convention, enjoyed by all who attended It, ending with a "grand concert," and pronounced by all a gront success. Of our own singers, how few are left! Our honored friend, Mr. E. P. Kingsbury, was then, as now, an en thusiast In music, and to the able man ner In which he conducted the choir nf the First Tresbyterlan church for many years, were we indebted for the good music all enjoyed. His love for, nnd knowledge of, muslo have always given him a prominent plnce among the mus icians of Scranton. Can any one who ever heard the beautiful singing of Mrs. Mary Nash ever forgot It? Her lovely voice, charming personality, and readiness to glvo her friends pleasure are not to ho easily forgotten. I rffust beware of the garrulousnoss of old asre, but muBt not close without mentioning Mr. Ferdinand Burger, our first band master. He organized and skillfully conducted a band whose "fame went abroad," and whose soul-sttrrlng music was greeted with wildest en thusiasm. He was followed to tho grave by thousands who listened to the snd music of one of his own beautiful dirges, with truly sorrowful hearts. Among our young people were many singers ns well as players upon Instru ments. Our first violin virtuosi were Dr. Allen and his youthful friend, E. IT. Hippie. Together they evoked such sweet sounds that all who heard were charmed; thotr fingers have not yet lost their magic touch. It was an unfailing source of pleasure to some of these young people to serenade their friends. I remember one party who, with vio lins, guitars and some old sweet songs, becoming so elated by the applause their friends bestowed upon them, stole through the dense woods that almost surrounded the Wyoming house, and serenaded the then famous and truly charming cantatrice, Miss Carolina Rtchlngs. Oh. tho presumption of youth. But what fun they hadl The Scranton of today is a large, beautiful city, fast forging to the front in musical matters, but the hearts of the older Inhabitants are ofnn home sick for the dear old Scranton and "the days of Auld Lang Syne." ONE WHO REMEMBERS, J CARPENTER ORGAN, BEST. OUR WOMEN ORGANISTS. It seems qulle fittlnc thtt In a "Woman's paper, written by womeu1 there should Liu a lew ii. cj cjiic m tig woman Whom all who know, "delight to honof.' FoV more thau a quarter of ft century MI'ii Ktell.i M. Seymour went in and out uniting va us a most faith ful, palns-takinfv musician and teacher and how many of our children can rise up and bear witness to the earnest, conscientious manlier In which all her duties were discharged. Htr concep tion of a music lesson was not Sixty minutes spent by a pupil's Flic, at so much per minute, but slio would Invar iably say "I cannot leave my pupils until I feel I have taught them some thing." She never r.pared her time nor strength where the advantage of a pupil was to be considered, he t earnest. conscientious work contrasting sharp ly with those teadicrs who make a bril liant showing upon very ruperfloial knowledge. Never satisfied with her own attain ments, some years ar,o tlic went to the fountain head of piano instruction In Germany, remaining for several years under the best masters, enjoying the distinction of being taken as a pupil to Liszt at Weimar, I y tho groat Count pianist Pruokner of Stuttgart Upon her return her pupils pave evidence o having been taught by a master hand. As the faithful eiilclent organist of the First Prtsbyterlon c hurch for a quartet of a century she will never be forgot ten, her skillful touch brought forth tones that touched the heart and for how many of her former pupils has she played the "Wedding! March" on th "happiest ocction of rhclr lives." I am sure that around the old organ many of her tenderest memorlss win always cling, snd perhaps porr of rr mad dest Two years ago she again went abroad whore :;lie is living an almost Ideal life, each day full of enjoyment and happiness. Loving her profession as ardently as ever, her letter front Vienna found in another column gives a glimpse of her life as pupil of tho teacher of Paderowsl-i. We bare our heads In honor to her, who in middle life studies a new method with all the ardor and -vigor of first youth. But not alone as a musician has she made an Indelible mark in Scraffton. Her noble Christian womanhood, her place In church, charity and society, her life as daughterand sister, are such as make us proud to call her friend. Miss Florence Richmond has suc ceeded Mls9 Seymour as organist of the First Presbyterian church, bringing to her work a long and successful exper ' lence at the Pcnn avenue Baptist church, where she In turn succeeded Miss Elizabeth Howell, who for many years was the beloved and faitlfful organist During that same time Miss Nellie Griffin had charge of the organ In St. Luke's church, winning her ut0 sarvedly hich reputation. Those were the clays when Mr. and Mrs. bermant evoked sweet strains In the choir, and the music at St. Luke's was as great an attraction as today. As we look ove the choirs of the city we find many of the orsan benches arft "manned" bn women, Miss Nellie Griffin having beea for the last five years organist at Dun more Presbyterian church, (which for all intents and purposes may be counted in the city,) Miss Becker at th Green RIdpe I'recbyterlan church; Miss Jackson at the Providence Presbyter ian church, and Miss Mlnshull at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Green Ridge, are all women of skill and abil ity, gaining a deeper place in the hearts of the church people each year. The editors of a Woman's paper however, might be led to the opinion that mod esty is their most conspicuous char acteristic, so impossible has It been t draw them into print : j Place Aux Dames. The Penn Mutual Life Insuranoe Company, of Philadelphia, has been for many years one of the tew institutions that haB issued policieu of insuranoe, life or endowment, upon trie lives of women. Some companies deemed them undesirable risks, limiting them to small amounts, or to plans beyond their reach, because of the sum required as premium, while others denied their right to insure at all. The constant accession of women to the Army of Bread Winners in Industrial pursuits and the k'arned professions; their add ed responsibilities; their greater self reliance, and the Increasing monetary value of woman's work all point un mistakably to the paramount necessity for that protection which Ilfo insurance (and life Insurance alone) can afford their owrnold ageor for offspring depend ent upon their care. Appreciating the vital Importance of this subject to tho women of this country, tho Penn Mu tual Life has boon Impelled to make a radical departure from time-worn pre cedent. First: By striking from its premi um rates the extra charge ($5.00 per thousand) heretofore exacted for In surance upon tlM lives of women by all llr.t-iass companies. Second: By appointing Intelligent and capable women as Special Agents In the principal business centers of th country to confer with applicants of their own sox, ami present them with, all required facilities for tho critical In vestigation of the various plans of in surance adapted to their needs. Third: Inasmuch as many women have, perhaps, been reluctant to seek the benelits of Insurance because of the examination which they must un dergo at the hands of uale physicians, the Ponn Mutual has, In deference to the Innate reserve nnd doJIcacy of wo manhood, thrown down tho final har rier to free application by those who may desire to avail themselves of th advantages of really protective insur ance, by adding to its corps of medical examiners at each of Us general agen cies, two of the most reputable and skillful women physicians known to th profession. The Ponn is a purely mu tual company, and the bost guarantee of Its solidity Is Its record of nearlx half a century. MEN'S CYCL1NO ACCESSORIES. Sweaters, Thigh Hose, Golf Hose, ate. Wo keep only the most reliable goods, thole that carry satisfaction with them, CONNOLLY & WALLACE. All trimmed hats at greatly reduced prlceo at Mrs. Bradley's, opposite Court House, 206 Adams ave. Dr. Geo. C. Knox, dentist, 111 Sprues ttrast. Fin Una mllllnerx at. Bel, Wffigk