The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-06-12

year the people whose main business Is
wood carving perform this play six days out
of each month beginning in May. Mayr
who represents Peter, are wood-carvers.
Previous to his death in 1888 Daisenberger
the parish priest had for thirty years direct
ed its production. The play consists of
three parts and seventeen acts each preceded
by prologue and a tableau, and occupies a
whole day. In the afternoon the crucifixion
is represented. The last tableau is ''Christ
in Glory" with the angels singing their glad
hosannas. The representation is truly re-
ligious and the people enter into 1t with the
true spirit of religious devotion.
Alfred Woodard in discussing "Some
Thoughts on Monopolies," said that the
earth is mans home and that early in mans
heart was born the spirit of avarice, the par
ent of monopoly. The idea of monopoly
had waxed strong in spite Of the rise and
fall of nations. The dividends from mo-
nopoles were the incest things about them,
but the way they were obtained is open to
objection. Several factories unite to keep a
certain article at higher price than is fair
and squeeze undeserved profits out of the
public. The railway monopoly is a great
force for economic evil. The western rail-
roads have monopoly on the fruit traffic
by which much fruit is allowed to perish.
No one in the west can ship fruit east until
the agent telegraphs to the eastern market
to learn what the fruit is bringing and then
charges enough for freight to leave only
starvation profits to the shipper. Patents
are monopoly and grants of land are
deluslon. When America became of age
and quarreled with her mother England,
she fought against monopoly and there is
no reason to believe that she loves monopo-
ly now any more than she did then.
Miss Emma Stowell said some very pertin-
ent things in her essay on "Some Poet Lau-
reates." The name laureate originated in
the crowning of Horace and Virgil with
laurels. 1t was primarily in England de-
gree which anyone could obtain by passing
required examinations in rhetoric, versifica-
tion and similar studies. The particular
laureate DEVOTED to the kings service was
called the courts poet laureate and wrote
concerning events in the life of his sover-
eign, national triumphs and disasters and
royal births, weddings and deaths. After
while the degree ceased to be given gen.
orally and was awarded by the royal favor
Ben Johnson, Dryden, Southey and Tenny-
son were some of the more noted poet lau-
reates. Tennyson was remarkable for his
strength, energy and stature. His life can
be read In his poems. He was lover of
form and color and was one of the few men
who became classic in his own time. He
was purifier ana guardian of the English
language. de was succeeded by Alfred
Austin, who is a poet, critic and pam
phleteer. 1t is not so much to be regretted
that Alfred Austin was appointed poet lau-
reate as that anyone should be appointed tc
this Office which is an outgrown relic OF
ancient times and has no reason for being
perpetuated.
From the Rapidan to Richmond" wa:
the title of Chauncey Reynolds essay, il
which he brought out much of interest il
the life and character of Gen. Grant. The
crossing of the Rapidan has been compared
to Caesars crossing the Rubicon, but it wa
a decided contrast. The union army haC
thrice crossed the Rapidan and retreateC
each time before foes that would not flee
while Caesar crossed the RubicOn victori
Gus general who knew his men and befor,
whom his enemies fled without making an!
resistance. Grant was unknown to his mel
who looked at him with distrust as an in
truder. He was received with GOODNESS bu
he appreciated his men nevertheless and re
allied his position. He accorded to then
the credit for character which they soon ac
corded to him. Grant was north of tn,
river and Lee south of it. Lee was between
Grant and Richmond. Each leader hat
foemen worthy of his steel. The charge o.
the famous 1900" and Pckett's charge ar,
worthy of praise, but Grant deserves greater
praise for his calm, cool and deliberate brair
work. As time rolls on Grants fame ant
Lees, too, will rise to very high position
and future generations removed from pres
ent anmosties will judgeithem better thar
we can judge them.
Miss Sara Ovens essay on the "History
of Mining" was we'll prepared. The earli
est superstitions forbade mining as danger
Gus because the ground was supposed to b.
the abode of demons which should not b.
disturbed. The earth's crust cooled taste
than the interior and this gave rise to earth
, quakes. The hills are not eternal. Americ,
was once in the bottom.Of the sea. Tn
D earliest history of mining is unknown. Th
Anglo -Saxons and Britains were famou
miners thirteen centuries ago. The earlies
coins struck in modern times in Britain
5 from the precious metals were called per
9 nies and were minted by Henry VIII i
q 1247. There have been fifteen new gol
: coinages In England since. In 1S4S gol