The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-07-24

~ WEhsouy auo 0AueOtSo III aOWsteOtU eppsc-
citation Of the scenss By which she 10 sur
rounded:
NoarH RxApsHe, July IL, 1858.
A hssty sdicu to New York with its brick
walls and dusty streets. and l 6nd, nyseli
on the deck Of a crowded steamer for FAN
river. The very air bse athes . spirit Of
freedom as We leave the haunts Of pusy
life and look out upon nature in the fresh
ness and beauty Of early summer ihe
sunlight aashss from . thousand dancing
waves, and each ray seems . light winged
messenger Of hope and happiness. No
wonder people in cities grow selfish q
aorldiy, shut out ~ hey are from all that
God has given " to keep alive in the heart
"a love for the pure, and beautiful and
good.
The tall spires slowly recede in the dis
lance. Now we are passing Blsckwslrs
Island, with its strange mingling Of beauty
aud ain, and sorrow. A few moments more,
and that, too, grows dim. until it looks like
a tiny cloud sleeping in the horizon. Be-
fore " is the wide, open sea, with here and
there 4 vessel floating laxily on its bosom.
Hours fy like MON ents % watch the
waves tumbling and foaming BY the side Of
the boat, then circliug away farther and
farther. until they grow still again and are
lost. But the wind begins to whistle around
| the boat. and the waters grow troubled,
while the voice sounds yet more disunct
that seems to be always murmuring, mo
rest, no rest" Clouds hang threateningly
in the SKY, and a. the shadows deepen
turn to the miniature world within.
Gay groups are willing away the hours
| in idle conversation. There 10 . circle Of
noisy politicians earnestly discussing the
coming election. Near them 10 . group Of
iashionsbles, planning tours OF pleasure for
the summer. A little farther on sits : very
pale gentleman silent and alone, an inva-
lid. l think. A clergyman is sitting At the
table with an open Bible before him, but he
is not reading. His eyes are on the book'
bat they seem to look beyond, perhaps,
within. There il a lady in mourning wi b
dark. sad, dreamy eyes in which . history il
written, but its mystic characters cannot
read. Beside her is . merry, laughing child
A gentleman with gold spectacles and :
eold-headsd cane, 10 pacing the cabin to AMI
fro, always looking just over the heads o
those around him. Very h~aughtily hs
walks, and whenever he approaches fee
a sensation Of chillinsss. Probably he il
near-siqhted, for he seems to see emily the
narrow circle in which his own image is re-
dected. Judging from his appearance,
think his heart is much like the metal in hi
pocket, without its preciousness. But there
comes an elderly gentleman, with a smile
iull of the sunlight of beneyolence. ID
has seated himself near me, and already thu
chill Of the atmosphere has gone, SO quickly
do we feel the unconscious spirit that comes
unbidden from those around us. Man!
others are there, each with q separate par
in that moving panorama of life, but l car
follow them no farther, and 80 leave
them.
The night is stormy. and ! listen through
it's long hours to the cesseless rolling of thu
waves and the incessant pattering Of ths
rain as the boat losses like an idle toy from
billow to billow. But Their is music in the
voice of the storm, calling me away from
the restlessness o fhuman passion, to a more
glorious haven somewhere in the great fu'
ture.
The early dawn finds Us at Fall river
Two hours ride through the quiet villages
OF New England, and We are in the streets
OF Boston. A heavy rain is falling, and we
hasten to the depot, but alas, too late. The
train has been gone Eve minutes, 50 there
is no alternative but to wait three long
hours, when every moment seems an age
But the only true philosophy is to take the
world as we find it, 30 | will endeayor to
make : virtue Of necessity, and submit with
| the best grace possible. Time, however,
wears on, and l am again whiriing away to.
wards my destination. Its raining still, Al
after a short journey in the cars step in:'
a carriage and resign myself to the renee
tons OF 4 solitary ride. Here and there il
/. lone farm house, the home Of rural quie
perhaps the happiest one after all-bu
nothing else meets the eye, save the unbro
ken forest scenery, until we reach the re
tired village Of North Reading. Very qui
ct it seems here, still . delightful summeI
retreat for one who loves communion witt
the spirit of nature, sith the trees, and birds
and brooks. l love its Sabbath stiffness
for it carries me back to scenes Of long ago
and I seem to listen to 4 voice that comes
from the past laden with the sweetest Of al
lyric names, childhood and home.
There are at present about fifty pspils at
tending the Musical institute here unde
the direction OF DR.. Lowell Mason and Prot
Geo. F. Root. There is probably no insti
tuition in the country that furnishes ECU a
advantages for the pursuit Of this interest
ing science in its ~vsrious departments
The widely spread reputation of its teach
ers Is sufficient to establish its character
Able teachers Of instrumental music ar
procured from Boston. The name Of d.
Mason must always send a thrill Of Low
and veneration to the heart of every on
who has any knowledge Of the great fathe
Of American church music. The %untirin
benevolence and devotion with which h
has pursued the great work Of elevating tn
standard Of popular taste and musical edu
( cation, have given him an exalted place i
the temple Of fame. and a lasting inAuenc
which shall be felt through all future ger
erations.
Prof. Root 10 well known as a populs
composer Of sacred and secular music, an
an eminent teacher of the voice. He ais
has done much to promote the advancement
of musical education, and has secured in
remarkable degree the warm affection IN
entire confidence of all who have ever Ell
loved the tene6t Of his Invaluable instruc
tons.
The members of the class have this wee
been favored with the opportunity of listeI
ing to the unrivaied piano forte playing
Mr.. William Mason. The fame Of tn