The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-12-27

The Seasons Graetings-swect Alice. Ben
FoIt-The New Woman Seen in New
York.
NEW YEARS GREETING
An old English poet-Addison, perhaps
says:
Man j. the merrest species Of The creation"
True. is il noi2 The little lambs that gam
bol on the green soon settle Down to staid and
somber sheep The frolicsome kitten changes
very quickly into a snarling cat. The young
and frsky colt bends to the bit and becomes
that most reverend OF animals. noble aud uu-
complaining horse. The playful puppy turns
To a stern Watchdog with too much serious
business on hand TO even dream OF relaxation.
The birds aud the bees and the butterflies
extress more mirthfulucss IN action; but the
fcathercd creation like the lower order o. AMI
mails are joyous only when no ale crosses thelr
path or iuiericrcs with their own sweet VIII.
To man. and man only, is il given 10 rejoice
even in sorrow, aud 10 carry mirihiul coun-
renance above heart full OF care aud grief
This is because man is a creature OF reason,
who Is born TO live not for himself alone, but
for others and TO find his highest happiness
outside OF his own personal wants and wishes.
And the moro patient and pcrseyeriug aud
trustful and serene he is ia the face of-trias and
difficulties tile more y Il the light Of has spirit
be reflected uron his countcnance. This is why
the saints are always painted with a halo
around their bTows and why orc can almost
discern a brighter atmosphere around the faces
Of the pure in heart.
There is the merriment too, Of the
purely animal spirit. innocent IN ITSELF but
ready to run wild II uncarted and uncon-
trolled. This is the mcrrimcnt Of the old
Christmas SaturNalia, which lasted six weeks,
inciuded the widest revels and ended in the
worst debauch.
Tie true Christian merriment is 10 put
vour brightest smile and reach forth your
warmest hand; to cheer tic Borrowing, feed
the hungry, cOthe the naked, contribute 10
them who have naueht. 1t is to subject your
self 10 the Divine Will making tie best OF
what you have; hopefully, happily. helpfully
going forth TO do the will Of the Blessed Master
So then, Gear c. G. friends and Loyal Home
Workers one aud all. when we come wishing
you merry holiday season and the happiest Of
happy New Years, it is the Christians merri-
mcnt that Is wished for you--ihe merriment
that comes from the iudwcllng spirit. whose
fruits are Love, JOY, peace long-sufering,
gentleness. goodness, faith. tueekuess temper
ance.'
Aud So this year and ali coming wears, may
the holiday season be to you the fruition OF
well-spcnt ycsr-the ushcring in OF better
wear 10 come.
SWEET ALICE, BEN BOLT.
How strange il is that We usually hold in
Highest esteem tho things we do the best. We
arc always striving for The unattaiuable, Ueliev-
ing we would be quite happy could we do some
thing in which others have exeelIed, and
setting ligiitest value upon our own best work.
This is human nature, and perhaps the great
Father Of All had purpose in making this
way. Otherwise, We might become so welded
TO the things Of earth that would be quite
satisfied with all we have and do We would
not know that unborn desire implanted in
every human breast, which looks forward TO
brighter and better world. and is the great
unEpeakaAlc proof Of our immortality.
Very few excel in many things. AS did that
child Of Got Michael Angelo who, perhaps
because lie knew 40 earthly father, seems 10
have dirlsed little deeper in the fount Of I'M
Outstanding Than The average man Of super
HbouudiuE piIts-Michael Angelo scu lptor
painter poet. architect and engineer, ali in
one.
1he painter paints picture and the poet
writes poem. with throbbiug heart and swim
ming brain. and when il is done he turns from
lt with disappointment and sorrow.
Edison enables people 10 talk TO each other,
lu The very tones and accents of their own
voices. hundreds Of miles away. aud then
spends more wezrisnme hours daily than the
hodcarTier WHO tolls for his bread, seeking how
these same people may look into each others
cOuntenancrs while the conversation goes on
II a writer writes story he wishes it was a
history. anG IL bard sends a lyric singing
around The world, he signs 10 be q dramatist,
aud loses The joy Of ii.
All thsa ly way Of comment on the fact that
d. Thomas Dunn English sets no store by that
tne old ballad. upon which the children Of
generals ion sgo were brought up, Sweet Alice
Ben Box" and who is yexcd that Da Maurcr,
tAe story writer. now all the rage in literary
circles, has revived IL in his novel. 'Trlby,"
which everybody il reading nowadays.
Al Teceut dinner OF the Cloister Club in
New York. DR.. English said he had written
Sweet Alice, Ben Bolt" in ISs3, by request OF
n. T. Willis, Tor publication ia his paper. 1t
created a furOre IN London AT the time as it
WIS supposed 10 be British. but be never was
proud OF II, preferring TO live through his
dramas aud novels. lie had believed be had
beard the last Of il until it's recent revival in
"Trilbv"
How blind and perverse is human natureI
And bow little people care for the dramas and
novels Of DR. English when they eau count the
eseet ballad among their possessions 1t has
entered into folk lore Of the English speaking
people, and by this and this only whether he
VIII or no, the author will live amoug the
immortals. This poem begins:
.. don't you remember sweet Alice Ben Bolt
sweet Alice, whose hair was 20 bronnI
viii somebody send on the poem in fullr