cultured cynicism of Disraeli. There is a story, ancient perhaps, told of an encounter between Gladstone and Disraeli, which I did not see in your books. Gladstone was in opposition. He had just delivered a very strong attack on the government. As usual, he was fearfully in earnest. At the conclusion, Disraeli arose, and remarked that he was grateful that a table intervened between himself and the right honorable gentleman. And so, you discovered always the fine traits in friend and enemy. Surely, this is remarkable in a professional newspaper man, whose chief business seems to be to discover faults and scandals in public men for the consolation of the rest of mankind. Another lesson which your life teaches is the lesson of self-improvement. By private study you became so familiar with Latin and Greek as to enjoy the reading of the great classics. Was it there you got your naturalness and restraint and good taste? You also mastered, during laborious days, German, Italian and French. And after all this you escaped the narrowness and self-sufficiency of what are called self-made men. It is pleasing to know that your known faith was never an obstacle to advancement in your chosen career. Pleasing, also, it is to notice here and there affectionate allusions to the land of your birth and love. I feel sure that you could never have forgotten Cork, even though your name had a more doubtful sound. Who will deny that your laborious, kindly and well-balanced life is an honor and credit to your Yours yery gratefully, race? Q. Dear Mr. Editor: Answering your request for a contribution, I regret to state-to use a military phrase —that I have nothing valuable to send. Call later. However, I take this occasion to draw your attention to an announcement in a summer school prospectus from the University of Chicago. I am very ignorant in modern educational methods, and, therefore, I cannot say whether or not this prospectus represents the high-water mark of progress in all our advanced institutions of learning. I repeat, I am very ignorant in these matters. When, now and then, I read accounts of advanced theories I am amused, not from superior knowledge, because I have none, but at the seriousness and learned air with which everything is reduced to method. Here is the passage from the prospectus: XXIX. PHYSICAL CULTURE. Classes at 9.00 and 10.30 a. m., and 4.30 p. m. During the first six weeks this work will be of a varied character. Suggestive work will be given in the Swedish system in handling dumbbells, Indian clubs and wands, performing on the horizontal bars, parallel bars, side and long horse rings, general tumbling, gymnastic games and wrestling. This is in no sense a normal course, but is intended to present a synoptic view of the variety and scope of different forms of exercise. The student may elect work in tennis, handball and golf. Such work will be done under the direction of Mr. Butterworth. ** in general Now, "Suggestive work * tumbling" may be all very fine. I do not claim that it is not. Also a "Synoptic view " of “general tumbling," "wands," etc., may be very instructive. But to an old man like me the whole thing is quite bewildering. My mind would have to go through a course of "general tumbling" to appreciate and have sympathy with the new passion for experimenting and theorizing and methodizing. It is consoling, however, to notice that the elective system is applied here. There is no obligation on all, irrespective of age or aptitude, to take "general tumbling." Tennis, golf or handball may be "elected." Yours, etc., ALUMNUS. OH, FOR THE SIGH OF A SUMMER BREEZE. (COMPETITIVE). The ways of March are strewn with sleet, On every hill the sad winds beat, And sweep the fields, and blow and blow; In endless dirge-the poor, sad trees! And swollen rivers madly flow Oh, for the sigh of a summer breeze! And fiercer blasts, all wild and fleet, Upon the sea's wail, sad and low, Anon they seek the frozen leas, The while the chilled heart whispers, oh! Oh, for the Spring and songsters sweet, The wide and brimming stream below. Oh, for the gleam and sunny glow Of May's sweet smile, for cheer and ease, ENVOY. Prince, do you hear? the icy foe Must flee beyond the northern seas, S. NEWMAN AND CICERO. Cardinal Newman, in a letter addressed to the Rev. John Hayes, Vicar of Colebrookdale, referring to his own manner of composition speaks of Cicero as his only model in the formation of his style. "As to patterns for imitation," he writes, "the only master of style I ever had [which is strange, considering the difference of language] is Cicero. I think I owe a great deal to him and, as far as I know, to no one else. His great mastery of Latin is shown in his clearness." Newman's essay upon Cicero evinces likewise a thorough knowledge and deep appreciation of the great versatility of talent, the acuteness and quickness of perception, and the fertility of illustration and warmth of fancy displayed in the compositions of Rome's great orator. Therefore an observer of Cicero's classic works and the extensive writings of Newman may expect to find many striking similarities. In the versatility of their writings this similarity is more especially manifest. Newman, although confining himself particularly to educational, philosophical and religious subjects, has also written upon lighter topics, including two novels, a number of essays and many beautiful sermons. Cicero also found time in the seclusion of his villa to give expression to his sentiments and opinions upon many various topics, and was the first to conform the Latin |