Year: 1879

Tho Chief Seats Where the Art Is Taught.
From the Home Journal


Filtration in America has become an.eN
act science, and although not generally
known or openly acknowledg ed, there ex-
lists throughout our broad land a number
OF institutions established for the express
purpose of training the unsophistlcatcd in
its mysteries and to furnish occasions to
the adept for keeping themselves in prac-
tlce and tor engaging in feats of arms
which may afford at once an innocent
amusement and test Of strength. The
professors OF this science are drawn prin.
clpally from Now York and Philadel phia,
those from the former place being char
acterlzed by the most skill, but those
from the latter evincing, probably, more
1'alue enthusiasm in their occupation and
being more prone to deliver their in
structions with illustrations. These pro-
tessors are usually Of the fair sex, partly
because the masculine mind has never
been able to master the science with that
comprehcnsiveness which is shown by
women. and partly because the manifold
occupations Of men limit the time which
they may devote to the subject. OF the
institutions we have named some are con-
servative, as those of Newport and Mount
Desert, while others are liberal, as Rye
Beach and Narragansctt Pier. The in
struction at Mount Desert and Newport,
though thorough, is said to be somewhat
protracted and to lack vivacity; so we re-
commended the neophyte to seek an
initiation into either of the other two
places where the professors are largely
from Philadelphia, and where, with prop
er assiduity, degree Of artful bachelor
may be obtained: IN a short time. We
must warn the novice, however, that it is
victory or death a man who looses his
dtgree is liable to severe punishment,
and is forever after known by the techni-
cal and disgraceful term of "blighted."


We do not propose to go into an ac-
count OF the instruction given at these in
stitutions, because the study is far more
interesting in practice than in theory, but
VIC recommend the freshman to be skill
ed in palmistay, as that science is akin to
filtration, and its practise on the Indian
Rock at Narragansett is mentioned as q
good beginning for the young student.
Text books are not required at these in
stitutions, tho student being thus spared
. large item of expense, as the instruction
is purely oral and sometimes demonstra-
tive. Still volume Of Tom Moore in tho
unabridged edition may not be- without
value in advanced cases. One apparatus,
however, is indispensable, and is usually
furnished by the professor, who thorough
ly understands its uses. This is good
sized umbrella necessary, not so much to
shield the class from rain, which might
dampen his ardor, as to folm a barrier to
the outside yet often impertinently inter-
ested world. The necessity for this~ap-
paratus will be readily understood when
we picture to ourselves professor and
class seated in Il secluded nook on the
rocks and hid from view on all sides but
the sea. While the proceedings are at
most interesting point, around the near
est headland will probably appear cat
boat filled with Objectionable young men,
who, having attained the degree Of art
full batchelor, are anxious to mock at
others undergoing the same process, and
who treacherously skirt the coast for that
purpose. On the first appearance of
these intruders the professors warning
voice is heard, "It is the cat" whereup.
on the umbrella is instantly reversed and
the malicious designs of the boatmen
frustrated.