Year: 1877

Ocean" from the Gallery.


A celebrated French writer once remarked
on the head-gear of the ladies at a popular
matinee, that it could be compared to nothing
but the contents OF a rag-bag; and, as he
could not from the balcony see the pretty
faces, but only the bewildering diversity OF
colors, plumes, feathers, and flowers that en-
wreathed them, it was pardo1able remark.
Taking balcony view of the assembly yes
terday afternoon, We were forcibly reminded
of the ungallant foreigner, with this distinc-
ton, that the criticised were men, and the
head-gear, with few exceptions, natural,
not artificial. But, for the very reason that
it is natural, so is it all the more curious to
the observer to note the affinity of styles, the
variety of tints, and in numerous cases the
utter lack of capillaceoEs attraction. A num-
Der of patriarchial men, grown old in the
service of the Lord, are impressive and ven-
cradle with their heavy locks OF hair, white
as the driven snow, and long, full boards that
give them an air of anagisterial dignity. A
still larger, in fact the largest class, revel in
polls that have been compared to cobble-
stones, race-traoks for flies, etc., and have
served for the invention of conundrums in
Vulnerable Some of them are not able for
their simplicitY1 Others are Ornamented with
q fringe, somewhat in the tOnsure style, and
varying in hue from iron gray to pure white
Others rejoice in full suit of dark hair, cut
short, and evidently not arranged for worldly
eyes. Some few genuine curly crops are to
be seen, that, with nature and the heat, will
kink and curl, and behave in an altogether
ill-regulated manner. These generally, he it
observed, adorn the heads OF brethren yet
young in the profession; whether time will
take the curl out or not remains to be seeu
Noticeable is the absence of blonde hair, in
any shade, an abstinence from the fashion
you could not find in an assemblage of
women half as large But seriously, it is very
strange how largely the brunette shades pre-
ponderate. The only tendency to q golden
hue is to be found in the boards of few
dark haired gentlemen, and even in these ex-
ceptiOns, the tint is SO uncommon that it de-
serves name OF its own, say pale Presby-
terian. Why, with the pictures of all the
saints and angels to assure us it is the correct
thing for the righteous to rejoice in fsxen
locks, the General Assembly excludes them,
is an enigma Another item worthy of note
is the general absence of eyeglasses and
spectacles. Only few OF the younger men
affective mean wear them. The elders (nOt
ruling elders) seem to be, as a rule, healthy,
vigorous men, blessed with good eye sight,
though as much cannot be said for their hear
ing, as the repeated calls of louder, we
can't hear" etc., attest. That any one should
fail to hear though, is little strange, for the
assembled brethern invariably give utterance
to their remarks in the true pulpitorial style,
accompanied with familiar gesticulations; in
deed. this is carried to rather an amusing
length, and seems to have a somewhat irri-
tating effect on the-inclined-t0-be aggressive
member, who, when his turn comes, forgets
he is not preaching to well-under-the-thumb
congregation, tutored to state of meek
obedience, but to body of clergymen, each
of whom has as good right to indulge in
clerical a-d-m0nitions. and clerical finger
shaking as himself. 1t is interesting to note
the different manners of men who make up
this convention. Every style, and almost
every class is represented, from the brawny,
broad-shouldered specimen, who looks as
though he might have left the plow for the
battlefield of God, to the pale, intellectual
student of theology, worn and wearied with
over-much study and spiritual perplexities.
Again, you see the country clergyman, in bis
best suit of rusty black, and his carefully
brushed hat of bygone fashion, but with q
face full of the beauty of modesty and a good
life, withal a little bit bewildered by the big
city and many faces. Standing by him is the
pastor OF a fashionable, f1ourishing church,
clad in the most immaculate black broad
cloath and the most emblematic white linen,
and in his hand a gold-headed cane, presen
ted to their beloved pastor by the ladies of
the congregation.


This is a general picture of the assembly.
In subsequent articles the portraits of the
more prominent Commissioners will be given
in detail.