The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-04-21
The Peabody Library, grand and majestic

There arc six galleries of books of the best
selection. The reading-room is spacious,
we'll lighted and comfortable. One might
resolve himself into yeritable sage within
it's walls, SO orderly and quiet is it. Always
we'll attended, but not whisper nor q step
is audible to disturb the deep thinker. What
better or more enduring memorial could a
man desire than such an one as this {!
never enter it without feeling the impulse
to bless the generous donor who did so much
during his so journ in this world to make it
better.
The parks are several in number. The
largest is Druid Hill, but | can not at this
time recall the number Of acres. It's chief
charm is the perfect naturalness-the hills
and the forest the city found there and
shaped and cultivated into its present beau
tiful proportions. The investment in those
lands proved a fine speculation and many
are rolling in wealth now because they held
them until the city took a notion to convert
them INTO park. Central Park has been
made at an immense outlay of money and
labor, but it is not as beautiful or grand as
Druid Hill.
Baltimore is justly proud of her artists.
They have had honor paid them in the art
exhibition now taking place in the National
Academy Of Design, New York. No less
than eight passed the ordeal of the examn-
ing committee. Some of the paintings COM
pare we'll with productions of older artists
of New York-those who have grown gray
i'll the service.
here, too, and great preparations are being
made by the Oratorio Society for the April
festival. 1t certainly portends a rare treat
Gounod's Redemption, selections from the
Messiah and Elijah will be sung by the best
soloists. With Thomas perfect orchestra
of sixty musicians and chorus of seven
hundred voices, the effect will be intoxica-
tingly grand, and all true lovers of music
who are fortunate enough to secure seats
will feel as if in the seventh heaven. The
Thomas orchestra will give selections from
Wagner's Tanhanser and Lohengrin, Liszt's
Hungarian Rhapsody, and some popular
airs.
Since my last letter, the grand ceremony
of installing the Primate of England has
been inscribed upon the scroll Of the past.
What day to have been in Canterbury !!
What privilege to have witnessed an event
SO fraught with interest and Importance,
both as to the office and scenic display.
Nothing equal to it save the crowning of
kings and queens. The American Church
was represented by the Bishop of Long
Island. The old chair in which st. Angus
tine sat; in which the kings of Kent were
crowned, and which all the Archbishops,
including Beckett, have in turn occupied,
was again brought into use. The Right
Rev. Z. w. Benson is the ninety-thiru occu-
pant of the Holy See. His full title is " The
Right Honorable and Most Reverend Arch
bishop of Canterbury, Primate of all Eng
land, Metropolitan of the Province of
Canterbury, President of the Southern
Convocation, with veto power, and member
y
Council Now, is that not title enough to
weigh man down7 Holding this office, he
has the right to crown the king or queen,
gra MT special marriage lcescs-good all over
Eng and, appoint notaries public, and grant
degr ces in theology and law. He could not
WELD greater influence in politics or dis
pense greater patronage were he at the head
of a Department of State, while 300 600 in
culnbcnts are subject to his will. In rank,
he is the first subject of the realm, next to
the King or Queen, with a salary and per-
quisites of office equal to that of Il prince,
and on all public occasions, takes precedence
of every grade of nobility. Quite worth
the while to be Archbishop of Canterbury,
possessed as he is of sucl, power, such rank
and such wealth The essential qualifica-
ton desired in Primatc is great statesman
ship; learning and picty are secondary.
Dir. Benson is supposed to be just the man
to fill the position. The Queen was not, at
first, desirous of his appointment, because,
suppose, he came of a business family, not
a titled one. But Gladstone approved him !;
Prince Albert had held him in high esteem,
and the appointment was given him. The
Queen is still so very loyal to the memory
of her beloved consort that she delights in
honoring whomsocver he honorad.
One bleak, cold day, not long ago, when
the snow was falling thick and fast, was
riding through OHIO, and met several of the
prominent men Of that State. There were
two Judges. q Senator, and a very genial,
intelligent, Roman Catholic Priest-Rev.
Henry Anderson of Owensyille. The con-
versation was of the most agreeable kind
but at last it tagged One of the judicial
savants had copy of '' Peck's Bad Boy"
and the reverend gentleman proposed that
a chapter should be read aloud. Several
chapters were read, and, us not even Sena-
tors or others of sedate characteristics can
read 'sPeck's Bad Boy" without losing
dignity and roaring with laughter, you may
imagine the scene. The volume is full of
genuine fun, however much it may be
exaggerated, and is having as great a run
as Helen's Babies l advise every body
to read it who wants TO laugh. Fifty cents,
and your coffin won't hold together.
GOOSEQUILL.
The house of Mr Robt. H. Whiting ton,
on Bayou Rapides, was struck by lightning
during the storm of the 5th inst. The i'll
u,otac vara abnckad hut not iniuraI
A colored preacher who effected q forcible
entrance into the houses of several unpro-
tected eolored women in Livingston parish,
was taken into the woods by a dozen men
of his own race and given 120 strokes on the