The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-03

age, Tod WHICH IL prOpheClc OF WhaC tbS
future has in store. IA the scientific ex-
plorer studies the various formations Of
the earth upon which we tread and reads
the strata Of the rock, the footprints Of
birds the marks Of flowing water and a
hundred other evidences ineligible to
him, he learns the records Of The past. 80
may we who i've in the midst Of the op-
portunities, possibilities and promises Of
the present, read with almost HnerrIng
certainty what lies in the year beyond 1t
il in no spfrit Of pride that We thus con
trast the present with the past. They who
vent before ns had their part TO perform
and 20 the fact that they did their duty
wisely and wea we attrbute our present
advanced and advancing position IN all
She sciences and arts, in all the labors, du-
ties and responsibilities Of Eife these days
are more 70 be desired than the days
which have been
farming from the gYander suggestions
which chs subject occasions We would view
it only from the stand point Of our home
fife. The place we call home IL not such
a. compassed the JOYS and sorrows. the
hopes and fears Of the dear old GRANDPA
Tiers and 1Taudmothers who we're here BE-
fore III. Happy homes no Doubt they
were-good homes, true homes But 30
t5is generation il has been given IN a Pc
culiar degree 20 DO something toward
bringing al our homes % something IKE
an equality. This has been done by means
Of a vast and varied number Of devices
and improvements which have made
orr homes more comfortable, which
has added 10 their warmth. their
light, their convenience Of internal ar
r9ngemenG II these days the mansion
Of the millionaire holds 10 greater com
forts and few means Of enjoyment not
common with the simple we'll kept home
81 the mechanic or business man.
This first became true as regards the ne
eessities Of Fife buC latterly it has become
fact az regards many Of the most health
f1l Injuries Thus within a few years fac
smiles IF beautiful paintings. engrav.ngs
Of the finest artistic finish beautiful books
Photographs, &c are 10 be found in almost
every home in she land Thus beauty has
taken the place Of the r1ughness and bar
rsnness which vas the common lot Of all
cave the rich The field thus opened. The
work once fairly commenced Of bringing
about Chs equality among the homes of
our and 50 far a. the real comforts and
Injuries are involved. must Of course 90 on.
and 30 men and women Of genius and eul-
sars and skil are at work wish brain aud
hands devising that which shall make our
homes more beautiful stiIl
Among those who are doing much in
r. a =
Rogers, Of New York city. deserves sre-
eial mention. Every one has seen and ev-
ery one with a love and appreciation Of the
beautiful and artistic has admired his
work in clay known as Rogers GrouDe
Already a large number Of these have
been moUldsd By his hand as his magma
has Suggested the thought he desired 10
deiiueate IN the plastic clay. These arc
all the true work Of a true artist. In ehe
highest sense, They tell some story IF ex-
perience, 81 observation some fact Of his
tory or story and as ornaments ~ beaatify
the home are without any equal They
are unlike statUary and other objects cut
from the marble in that they are IN price
within che reach Of all As Pran1 With
the wonderful art Of copying fine paintings
has made il possible for every home 81
ad0rn its walls with perfect copies Of the
choicest works IF the painter art, 20 Pc
gers is rapidly making il possibIeffor every
home % have among its attractions y work
~ art still higher and formerly more ro-
mote from AT save those ~ whom great
wealth vas given. II il hardly necessary
for rs % gay much in praise IF these they
are everywhere known and admired
Within in The past ten or DOZEN years he
has finished about thirty different subjects
and he has no rival in this fed Of artistic
labor.
Among those which arc most known and
popular by reason If the thought which
speaks from the mouldad clay Taxing the
Oath and Drawing Rations will BE- re-
Ioembered. IL represents \ Southern
Lady with her little bog reluctantly taking
the oath Of allegiance from a Union officer
in order 20 draw the rations necessary 10
keep them from suffering, 4 young ne
gro stands watching the proceedings rhiIe
he waits 70 have The basket filed.
The Returned Volunteer" portrays a
scene We have all witnessed in some form
time and time again. This Group repre-
sents Blacksmith leaning On his Anvil
listening ~ the Soldier description If how
they t0ok the Fort. The latter. ~ make
the story palmer, has erected tuo oppos-
ing batteries with the tools and nails Of the
smith and thus points ont inst how II was
done.
Coming 70 the Pars1u, viii always be
regarded as one If the most desirable
groups yet designed BY Mr. Rogers. 4
minister Is sitting 10 his study reading n
newspaper, when his attention IA attracted
~ couple who have entered hand in hand
Tho y0ung man whOse countenpnce OK
presses very self eDntiOus feeling is r0inf
ing to the lady ADD asking the parson 10
marry them.
Tho Connect a War representing
Lincoln, Grant add Stanton consulting over
map, The Fuqitives Story" which
shows Garrison, Beecber and Whittier. list !.
eniug b the story of fugitive slave wo.
man who has dropped her bundle upon the
foOr but stillihold 10 nor breast her sleep
ing babe, are both subjects II historic IN.
teres;t and most faithfully has The artist
moulded his thought
Besides these We have menti ned "Cbal
eD9ing the Union Voto" The Home
baard Courtship IN Sleepy Holly
The fouudliug," The Country POST
once. The Wounded Scout. 'TncIe
Ned's School, Mail Dav," .sThs Graft,
Patient, ~, mon R9fueees," The Pieket
Guard, "Ono More s66t, are esner I'M,
interesting. "'O I''''"'y
Ihese RrouFs NV seaftereA All ovor the
country IN hundreds ri homes have d6sern
edly gwen Nr. Rogers y repnsat;on seso,d
W no artist 10 the country. fife srt l. 20
mat class which IL 20 real AMI ~, t.ne shs,t