complements. But an unlucky crab-apple applied to my right eye by a patriot gingerbread-maker from the Burrough, who would not suffer three dances from Switzerland because he hated the French, forced me to a precipitate retreat." It was Garrick who first introduced foot-lights on the English stage, in 1765. He borrowed the practice from Italy, having just returned from a journey in that country. When oil lamps took the place of Garrick's candles, the occupation of the candle-snuffer was gone forever. Probably the trimming of the lamps became his next duty, and, as time went on, he developed into the gas-man, that indispensable attendant of the modern theatre. The street gas-lamp, after numerous abortive experiments, established an uncertain foothold for itself in 1810, and by 1817 had become a permanent institution. Gradually the new mode of lighting stole from the streets into manufactories and public buildings, and finally into private houses. By 1828 it had made its way into the theatres, for in that year an explosion took place in Covent Garden Theatre, by which two men lost their lives. Great excitement ensued. The public was afraid to re-enter the theatre. The management published an address stating that the gas-fittings would be removed from the interior of the house and safer methods of illumination substituted. While the alterations were in progress, the theatre was closed for a fortnight, the Covent Garden Company appearing at the English Opera-House or Lyceum Theatre. Gradually, however, the world grew bolder, and gas again made its appearance on the stage. Still, its employment was strenuously objected to in various quarters. In 1829, a physician, writing from Bolton Row and signing himself "Chiro-Medicus," addressed a remonstrance on the subject to a public journal. In the course of his practice he had met with several fatal cases of apoplexy which had occurred in the theatres or a few hours after leaving them, and he had devoted much time to investigating the cause. The conclusion at which he had arrived was "that the strong vivid light evolved from the numerous gas lamps on the stage so powerfully stimulated the brain, through the medium of the optic nerves, as to occasion a preternatural determination of blood to the head, capable of producing headache or giddiness, and, if the subject should at the time laugh heartily, the additional influx of blood which takes place may rupture a vessel, the consequence of which will be, from the effusion of blood within the substance of the brain or on its surface, fatal apoplexy." It was his opinion and that of many of his professional brethren that the air of the theatre was very considerably deteriorated by the consumption of gas, and that the consumption of oxygen and the new products and the escape of hydrogen occasigned congestion of the vessels of the head. Indeed, by actual inquiry he had found that theatre-goers and actors were by no means so subject to apoplexy or nervous headaches before the adoption of gas-lights as afterwards. In spite of all his reasonings, however, Chiro-Medicus did not succeed in his well-meant efforts to turn off the gas. Since his time numerous improvements have been made in the stage foot-lights, or floats, as they are technically called. It was not till 1863 that, at the instance of Charles Fechter, at the London Lyceum, the floats were sunk below the surface of the stage, so that they should not intercept the view of the spectator. His example was speedily followed by other managers; and a few years later, owing to accidents which had occurred to the dresses of dancers when they approached too near to the footlights, these were fenced and guarded with wire screens and metal bars. William S. Walsh. NEW BOOKS. FRANK STOCKTON tells a story of an author who once wrote a very clever tale which had great vogue, but whose subsequent stories were universally rejected by editors because they fell short in power and interest of the story that had achieved signal success. "The Wrong Box," by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne (Charles Scribner's Sons), is somewhat disappointing,-first, because it is a composite work, and composite books, like composite photographs, are never entirely satisfactory; and again because it falls far short of reaching the high-water mark of some of Mr. Stevenson's former books. But comparisons are odious, and we ought to forget all about Mr. Stevenson's former books, or at least try to put them out of our minds for the time being, and give ourselves over to the enjoyment of the present very enjoyable book, which has no further aim than to supply, as the preface explains, "a little judicious levity;" and certainly it achieves its object. It is always hard to distinguish the individual in a composite, and so in "The Wrong Box" the wizard-like Stevenson is somewhat dimly outlined; but he appears to have a jester's cap on his head, and there is a faint tinkle of bells about him. Even in his lighter and jocose vein Mr. Stevenson's penchant for uncanny subjects reveals itself. The misadventures of a barrel in which has been enclosed a human corpse are the direct cause of a great deal of the merriment in the book, and indeed very laughable complications arise, though one's laughter is somewhat held in check by the ghastliness of the affair. Still, the book is full of mirth-provoking situations that are bound to provoke hearty laughter, and the man who provokes hearty laughter is as blessed as he who first invented sleep. "The Wrong Box" should be taken as an antidote for the average stupid summer novel which is sure to be palmed off upon the tourist by some designing train-agent. "A Sage of Sixteen," by L. B. Walford (Leisure Hour Series, Henry Holt & Co.), is a light story of the kind which, it must be confessed, makes rather heavy reading. The "Sage of Sixteen" is a sort of female little Lord Fauntleroy, lacking his brightness and naturalness, who brings about a change of heart among a family of rich, aristocratic, and intensely stupid relatives. Elma, the 'Sage," is a good little girl, but one is very glad when finally on the last page she cuts the proper English caper and engages herself to a first-class earl who keeps his carriage. "Three Years," a translation from the German of Josephine, Countess Schwerin (Rand, McNally & Co.), is a tame and uninteresting story, without a redeeming virtue or a redeeming vice. A very useful little book at this time of the year, and one that has especial interest for local anglers, is "Near by' Fresh- and Salt-Water Fishing, or Angling within a Radius of One Hundred Miles of Philadelphia. Where to Go; When to Go; How to Go." By A. M. Spangler. Mr. Spangler is the president of the Anglers' Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, and his ripe and wide knowledge of both the art of angling and of the best places within easy reach for the exercise of that art makes his work of great value to all local lovers of the sport. The book is profusely illustrated, and cannot fail to become the vade-mecum of Philadelphia fishermen. A pamphlet accompanies it which indicates the choice spots for gunning and fishing along the Chesapeake and Delaware peninsula. H. C. Walsh. EVERY DAY'S RECORD. AUGUST. IN the ancient Roman calendar August had twenty-nine days. When Julius Cæsar revised the calendar he gave it thirty days, which were increased to thirty-one by Augustus, who took a day from February for this purpose. The month was originally called Sextilis, or the sixth month; but Augustus, jealous that a month had been named after his predecessor, changed its name to August, and increased its length. He was born in September, but in Sextilis he was created consul, had thrice triumphed in Rome, had added Egypt to the empire, and had brought the civil wars to an end. He looked upon it, therefore, as his month of fortune. To August is by no means a season of delight to our winter-tempered tastes. The dog-days drift over its verge from July, and sweltering weeks succeed, in which life becomes a burden, and even hope of better things is almost drowned in perspiring floods. Yet the sun is southing, the days are shortening, and cooler nights serve to render the torrid days more endurable. It is only to man, however, and to his near neighbors in the animal kingdom, that August brings torment. the lower animal world, and the whole kingdom of plants, it is a season of joy and fruitfulness. Under its warm suns life thrives amazingly, the command to "be fruitful and multiply" is abundantly obeyed, flying and creeping (also biting and stinging) things congregate in myriads, the soil sends up new multitudes of flowering plants, and the trees of the orchard and the grove, which for months past have amused themselves in the charming play of the blossoming, now fairly enter into the serious work of the year, and distil delicious juices to fill their globing fruits. In spring they were all poetry, or are they yet all prose; much of beaup remains, but it is a beauty that appeals the practical sense of taste more than to the aesthetic sense of sight. The poet has ceased to sing. Spring, 282 with its green meads and wild fieldflowers, is gone; the beauty of the autumn is yet to come. It is the restingtime of the year for man; though nature was never more actively at work, and the fruits of her labors are visible on every hand. The charm of the orchard is not one to be despised, even by the poetic soul. The swollen globes of white and red which profusely hang against the green background of the apple foliage, though they lack the airy grace of the flown blossoms, have a beauty of their own which the dullest soul can appreciate. It is a solid beauty, which appeals at once to two senses; there is in it none of the daydream of the flower, none of the flitting fancifulness of youth, but much of the sober delight of age, that has gathered its wealth and now needs to think only of ornament and enjoyment. The apples are not alone in this August carnival of fruitfulness. The early fruits of the year are gone; the berry-bearing bushes have fulfilled their mission and retired to leafy rest; the nut-yielding trees are waiting for the touch of autumn frosts; but the juicy fruits of the orchard are now everywhere swelling and ripening, turning their rosy cheeks to the sun, and, filling with sugary juices of multitudinous flavors. The peach and the pear rival the apple in fruitful activity; the purple-hued plum distils its agreeable acid; on running vines the melons and pumpkins display their mighty golden globes; the green maize, which in July served but as a foil to the yellowing grain, now waves its ripening tassels high in the air; and on his flower-embowered porch the husbandman rests for a while from his labors, gazing with joyful eyes over his broad fields and orchards, and thankful at heart to perceive that, as Douglas Jerrold said of Australia," Earth is so kindly that tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest." EVENTS. August 1. 1464. Cosmo Medici, a celebrated statesman of the Florentine republic, died. He was the son of a rich merchant, was a liberal patron of learning and the arts, and made a large collection of ancient manuscripts. His benefits to Florence gained him the title of the "Father of his Country," and paved the way to that great power of his family which enabled Alessandro Medici in 1532 to subvert the liberties of Florence. 1498. Columbus first saw the continent of South America, during his third voyage. On the preceding day he had discovered an island, which he named Trinidad. 1798. The battle of the Nile, or of Aboukir, was fought between the French fleet under Brueys and the English under Nelson. The English were victorious, nine of the French ships being taken and two burnt, while two escaped. The French flag-ship, with one thousand men on board, was blown up, less than one hundred escaping. 1831. The new London Bridge was opened. This replaced the celebrated old bridge, built more than eight centuries before. It had eighteen solid stone piers, with bulky stone arches, and was covered from end to end with buildings. On the "Traitors' Gate," on the end towards the city, the heads of traitors were shown. It was removed on account of its obstruction to navigation. 1834. The act for the abolition of slavery in the British possessions, passed August 28, 1833, went into effect. Over seven hundred and seventy thousand slaves were freed. On August 1, 1838, slavery was abolished in the East Indies. Twenty million pounds sterling were appropriated by Parliament to compensate slave-holders. 1842. A riot broke out in Philadelphia, in consequence of the colored people attempting to celebrate by a procession the emancipation of the West India slaves. They were assailed by a mob, who committed many deeds of violence. A public hall and a church were burned, and several private houses destroyed. Disturbances of a similar character occurred in other places. 216 B.C. The great battle of Cannæ, between Hannibal and the Romans, was fought. The Romans suffered a disastrous defeat, forty thousand of them being slain. Hannibal sent to Carthage three bushels of rings taken from the Roman knights. 1100. William Rufus, King of England, was found dead in the New Forest. The popular account of his death is that he was killed by an arrow, discharged by Walter Tyrrel, which glanced from a tree and struck the king. His violent and tyrannical character may have had something to do with his death. 1788. Thomas Gainsborough, a notable English landscape-painter, died. His works are admired for their simplicity and fidelity to nature, their richness of color, and their masterly distribution of light and shade. 1832. The Black Hawk War was ended by a battle in which the Indians were defeated with great loss. Black Hawk, with his sons and other warriors, was captured and imprisoned in Fortress Monroe. The cause of the war was the attempt to remove the Sacs and Foxes from Illinois to the country west of the Mississippi. 1873. A fire broke out in Portland, Oregon, which destroyed twenty-three blocks of buildings, the property destroyed being valued at one and a half million dollars. August 3. 1492. Columbus set sail from the port of Palos, Spain, on his voyage of discovery to America. He had three small ships, manned by one hundred and twenty men. 1667. Jeremy Taylor, an English bishop and author of great eminence, died. He wrote many works on theological subjects, in which he displayed a rich imagination and poetical genius. His sermons are notable for their imaginative fluency, but not for argumentative force. 1777. Fort Schuyler, at the head of the Mohawk River, was invested by an army of British and Indians. General Herkimer marched to the relief of the American garrison, but his force was ambushed, and defeated with great slaughter. General Arnold then marched to its relief. His force was small, but he sent on a spy with an exaggerated account of the size of his army. On hearing this the Indians fled, and the British were forced to decamp hastily. 1792. Richard Arkwright, the reputed inventor of the cotton-spinning machine, died. His right to the patent was contested, and a verdict given against him in 1781. He became rich, however, and his son, who continued his business of cotton manufacturing, accumulated a fortune immense for that period. 1830. The first vessel to traverse the Welland Canal, now just completed, reached Oswego from Lake Erie. 1857. Eugene Sue, a popular French novelist, died. He is best known by his "Mysteries of Paris" and "The Wandering Jew," which works attained great popularity and have been very widely read. 1265. Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, was slain in the battle of Evesham. He played a very active part in English politics. In a rupture that occurred between Henry III. and his barons in 1258, Montfort headed the insurgents, in 1264 defeated the royalists and took the king prisoner, and in the following year summoned a Parliament, which was the foundation of the English House of Commons. 1830. Chicago was surveyed and laid out as a town, and the map recorded. It was incorporated August 10, 1833. At that time its population was five hundred and fifty. 1864. Farragut's fleet entered the harbor of Mobile. He ran the gauntlet of the forts with wooden vessels, defeated the Confederate fleet, and forced the forts to surrender. It was on this occasion that Farragut daringly ran past the forts, lashed to the masthead of his flag-ship, that he might more easily superintend the action. August 5. 1600. John Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, attempted to assassinate James VI. of Scotland, who was visiting his castle. Gowrie and his brother were killed by the king's attendants. The preceding Earl of Gowrie had taken James prisoner in 1582 and held him captive in Ruthven Castle for ten months. He was executed for this in 1584. 1716. The sanguinary battle of Peterwardein was fought, in which Prince Eugene defeated the Turks, who lost twenty thousand men. In August, 1717, Eugene again defeated the Turks, and captured Belgrade. 1858. The first signals were transmitted across the Atlantic by electric cable. The first messages were sent on August 16. This event was celebrated with great rejoicings throughout the country; but the cable soon ceased working, from imperfections in its manufac ture. 1874. The steamboat Pat Rogers was burned on the Ohio River, fifty lives being lost. 1887. Eleven Chicago officials were convicted of bribery and embezzlement. Seven of them were sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and four to a fine of one thousand dollars each. 1888. General Sheridan died of heartfailure. This distinguished military officer gained high honor as a cavalry commander in the civil war, particularly in his Shenandoah Valley campaign against General Early. His ride from Winchester, with its turning of defeat into victory, during this campaign, has become famous. He played a very prominent part in the final events of the war, was made lieutenant-general in 1869, and succeeded Sherman as commander-in chief of the army in 1883. August 6, 1637. Ben Jonson, a celebrated English dramatist, died. He was a contemporary and friend of Shakespeare, and was an active and able writer, though his characters were types rather than individuals. He was most successful in satirical comedies. As a lyric poet he |