The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-04

"The great Dagoba now remains neap OF
mOuldering brickwork, still retaining its form,
but shorn of all its beauty. The stucco covering
has almost all disappeared leaving q patch here
and there upon the most sheltered portions of
the building. Scrubby brushwOod and rank
grass and lichens have for the most part covered
its surface, giving it the appearance rather of
huge mound of earth than of an ancient build
ing. portion of the palace is also standing
and although for the most part blocked up with
ruins, there is still sufficient to denote its former
Importance. The bricks, or rather the tiles of
which all the buildings are composed, are of
such an impershable nature that they still
adhere to each other in large masses in spots
where portions of the building have fallen.
"ln one portion of the ruins there are number
OF beautiful tluted columns, with carved capi-
tails, still remaining in perfect state. Among
these are the ruins of large flight of steps;
them, again, n stOne-lined tank, which was evil
IDENTIFY intended as a bath; and everything de-
notes the former comfort and arrangement of
frst-class establishment There are nnumera-
bic relics, all interesting and worthy of indi-
vidual attention, throughout the ruins over q
surface of many miles, but they arc mostly over
grown with jungle or covered with rank grass
The apparent undulations of the ground i'm all
directions are simply the remains of fallen
streets and buildings overgrown i'm like manner
with tangled vegetation"
From Turner Brothers & Co. we have re.
ceived "Pendennis," the second volume o
the Household Edition of Thackeray s works.
published by Fields, Osgood e. Co. This is
the best moderate priced edition of Thackeray's
writings that has yet been given to the pub
lic and the entire set, which will be com
pleted in six volumes. will make an attrac-
tive addition to the shelves of any library
THE Dance of Modern Society is the
title of TRADE against popular amusements
in general and social dancing in particular, by
w. c. Wilkinson. The author processes to
have considered the matter in an impartial
and unprejudiced spirit, and he doubtless inn
agines he has. There is good deal more of
vituperation than argument, however, about
his performance, and although his objections
to dancing and other amusements have con-
siderable truth in them, he is too obviously
influenced by strong preconceived opinions
for his objections to have much force with the
class of persons that he most particularly de-
sires to convince. For instance, he says:-
SIS it recreation for an editorial writer to
rush from his mental workshop, with the anvil of
his brain red-hOt under the swift and ceaseless
blows of thought to a place of public entertain
ment, and there rob sleep of the precious hours
before midnight by diverting himself with
spectacle? d? No doubt such diversion is better
for his Overtasked brain than it would be to con-
tinue the tension which the change partially
relaxes. But, manifestly, rest is his true medi-
cine"
Mr., Wilkinson is evidently oblivious of one
fact in the editorial experience, which is that
the brain sometimes will not rest unless the
mind is wholly distracted from the exciting
subject. Reading will only aggravate the
evil; and in order to obtain rest it is neces-
sary to become completely absorbed in some
other occupation. We know of two instances
lately where men, engaged in very different
but equally exciting branches of mental
labor, devoted several hours each day to
painting, so that their minds might be wholly
diverted from the subjects that agitated
them; and the experience in each
case was that an hour or two spent at the
easel had the effect of mental anodyne.
Others will spend an hour or two in a
theatre with the same beneficial effect, and
Mr.. Wilkinson, who evidently does all his
brain work early in the morning before break
fast and to whom a theatrical performance if
he ever visited one, was a source Of agitation
to his mental and moral nature is obviously
unable to comprehend the position of those
whose most valuable writing hours are those
which cluster around midnight, and who de-
rive mental rest instead of excitement from a
visit to the theatre.
The whole question of amusements is this,
that if used in moderation they are benef-
cial, while if abused they are injurious just
as gluttony and drunkenness are injurious;
and admitting the rather inane character of
modern parties, we should be sorry to see
dancing abolished from our social economy,
and there is happily but little fear that it will
be unless some more forcible arguments are
directed against it than those of the author of
this little essay
From Claxton, Remsen Il Haffelfnger we
have received Thackeray's novel of The Vir-
ginians, in a cheap paper-cover edition, with
all the original illustrations by the author.
From Turner Brothers q Co. we have re-
ceived the first number of ''The Mason's
Home Book, for the use of the Masonic frater-
nifty, and which it is designed to make the
standard of reference in all things that relate
to the teachings, traditions and government
of the fraternity. Published by Leon Hyne-
man, No. Sl4 Chestnut street.
The same house sends us ApDyetOn's JOUy-
nal for June -, containing an instalment Of
Victor Hugos romance, ''The Man who
Laughs, and other interesting articles; and
No of Tie VocayiSt, which gives the "Cruis-
keen Lawn and other popular ballads and
songs.
-"Zell's Popular Encyclopedia" has adj
vanced one stage on the road to completion.
The proof-sheets of the forthcoming numbers
al, Il, 4lo