The morning call., 1892-09-18
NOTES BY THE Way.
A Rambler's Observations on
Things in General.
MUSIC OF THE HOME CIRCLE.
Fminenos Of Some New Peers - Women as
puelnsts-Fsu of Great Firm-French
Learning Russian.
Written for THE MORNING CALL

How many people who have pianos in
their houses really get any enjoyment out
OF them? How many girls and young Ia
dies who drum away as the cottage or the
demi-grand by the hour really can consider
that they are in possession OF musical ac-
complishments?
Is it not for most of them an utter waste
Of time. which they can never hope TO over
take, and by sacrificing which they lose
ground in fields they might have culti-
vated-the storing Of the mind with good
reading, for instance? Those who do sue
ceed in music may make home cheerful,
both to themselves and those who listen to
them; but those who fail-and they are the
vast mRiority-only render the home dismal
by their meretricious performances OF COM
mOnplace songs and such jingles as pass
muster for dance music. They have been
so imperfecily taught TO read music, or are
so conStitutiOnaliy incapable Of reading Ii,
that they never get the run of score at
first sight and spend days and weeks IN
numbering 1t.
Most of these failures IN music avoid
showing OF their mpllshmeRts when
they get married. As far as they are con-
cerned the piano is simply useless piece
II fuTaltuTe. When visitors come they are
asked possibly If they can play, and should
there be one Of the mum ber who can a con-
cert, rather bOreS0me, with one eXeeutant,
follows. II lien If this there may be q little
soothing music from a Swiss OoX, provided
the teeth have not dropped out
An aggTieved pateTfamilas writes to an
English Journal on this subject with wall
many viii join in here: II fer one, if my
daughters could only be born again, would
sternly refuse them access to a piano, or.
indeed, to any musical instrument of louder
become a veritable plague. | do not know
whether my girls play well or not-I suspect
the latter though-but they keep up an un-
ceasing din every evening. II 1 protest and
plteou>ly beg for moments quiet, it is,
on, pa, how unkInd you are, and we so
fond OF music. What did you buy the piano
fer Il We were not 10 play it? What indeed
l have often asked myself that question
while ny girls are squalling and humping
over my head. a Musical Man is right
Ny wife insisted upon the dear girls learn
ing 70 play because other young ladies cuili-
waited the same agreeable accomplishment
Mere SnObhery all Of t. My home is
simply unendurable 10 NE with that Internal
piano. If l groan the mother and girls fly
at NE. Some dav l shall do something
desperate TO that piano" Bad music, and
especially from the huTdy gurdes and
organs Of the street, Is said to have killed
John Leech, But how much superior is
much Of this music to that which is sup
posed to exercise a refining influence at
home.
In his palny days at Belmont the late Mr..
Ralston was won't to keep open house He
had always throng Of guests on Sunday
and be entertained royalty. Among other
accessories Of entertainment was piano
10 the muSic-T0Om which would reel of an
opera quite automatically when the TeQui-
site Iced OI notes was kept up by turning a
handle. Il did its task about as skilfully
as mechanical piano can do. and in lieu Of
other guide 10 their tripping must have Deen
found solace by the dancers.
The cholera scare thus far scarcely
troubles this coast so far are we from the
scene f its activity. but it has raised tie
question Of what is the VISIBLE supply of
dIsinfectants? From the great Increase in
rec which has taken place it is too prob
able that dIsinfectants such as chloride Of
lIme CoDdy's fluid and carb0lie aed are
scarce The experts from Great Britain to
Lurope al this moment are large, and Da-
turalIy the demand gives the dealers the
opportunity Of reapng exOTbitant profits.
II IS 10 be feared that were the disease any,
tMng Ike general in San Francisco there
would be considerable difficulty in procur-
Ing supplies.
The municipality will use up huge quan-
titles Tor sewers and dirty courts and small
streets, but the householder would do we'll
10 lerlofm as much cleaning as possible on
ms own account and should not neglect
wateT-tankS. This Is the way to be pre-
pared for the epidemic il il does eODle Even
Il cold weather arrives soon in the East
Jhere IS quite strong probability that the
disease VIII break out again in the spring
or summer
1t is pity to see so distinguished a man
as Sir Lyon Playiair allowing himself to be
created peer. It is pity he eyer entered
politics at all, for he had talents in science, at
least as an eXpositor like Tyndall, and the
man who drifts into politics can attend to
very little else. He has always stood well
in favor with the court
While professor at Edinburgh he was
tutor to some Of the royal sons. His range
u studies IS extensive. if any inference is to
ne drawn from the illusions be made during
MS ADDRESS as president Of the British AS
soclatl0D Tor the Promotion of Science He
introduced the names of Emerson, Wash
lng'on. Swift, Frederick William Of Prussia,
shakespeare. Milton, Voltaire, Epictetus,
Goethe, Virgil, Euripides Sweden borg
Horace Mann. Addison, Chi Hwangti, Anti,
bater, Homer, Solomon, Jules Simon. Ali
Mahomet, Pope, Philip the Good, Plato,
Aristotle and the Prince Consort.
for Time he was chairman of commit
tees In the House of Commons, and in his
capacity as Deputy Speaker during an all
nlght sitting be carried out famous expul-
sion scene OF from twenty to thirty irish
members, but made the mistake OF expeI-
ing Two or three members who were In bed
at the time. The new peer is married to an
American lady, who now becomes a peer
IS. and he comes to America every year for
hollday. There Is now quite colony of
American ladies' married to English peers
OF aiilliated families. A large proportion OF
the matches are quite happy.
Mr.. Gladstone has made another peer out
OF Cyril Flower. member Of the Rothschild
firm, and immensely wealthy. His, house is
one Of tie wonders of London in richness of
furnishing and wealth of pictures. He is a
generous man and well-liked, and he has
heiped the Liberal cause by throwing his
house open for political receptions which.
somehow, in the abode Of the 0pulent, are a
great stimulus to even the noblest of causes
Since be took up home rule for ireland
Gladstone has been deserted by all the
Dukes and Duehesses and the smaller fry
who swim in the same school, and therefore
ne y. y. M has given title to one of the
lew very wealthy who have stood faithful
% him.
Probably after he has been In the House
oi Lords while Cyril Flower. like many
others who owe their peerages to Gladstone.
VIII discover that he has conscientious