islatures become intolerable, juries suspicious, officials corrupt, votes bought for cash, public offices sold in the market; a system of education of which the main result was to teach the people to talk-not to think-and to dissatisfy them with the state of life to which it had pleased Heaven to call them, without fitting them for a better; a universal and unscrupulous pursuit of money as the chief end and hope of humanity, and of office as its principal distinction; a nearer and nearer approach in the minds of men toward that supreme conception of the fool's heart: "There is no God. Science created the world, and science will be its redeemer." Let us hope and let us believe, as far as we can, that this untaught and casual visitor would be altogether mistaken in his forebodings. Let us continue to assure and reassure each other, that if there exist any slight indications to the contrary, they are only trifles light as air, sure to disappear before the grand advance of our intelligence and the progress of our institutions. We are very fond of glorifying our time, as the high est summit in all respects that human history has yet seen. A thousand bludgeons of the press would leap from their brief repose to annihilate the pessimist traitor who should be so disloyal to the age he lives in, as to see in it, and much more to speak of, any blemish or sorrow that universal democracy cannot cure. In regard to all material advancement, prosperity, and discovery, we are no doubt well justified in the superiority we pride ourselves upon. But, after all, may it not be possible that the story of Babel, like so many passages in history that portray the decay of nations, may sometime repeat itself; and that the great multitude who, with unquestioning confidence, are building the tower that is to scale Heaven, may be discomfited and scattered by the confusion of tongues? Whether that could ever be or not, one truth must meanwhile command general assent-that the language of a nation, and the use that is made of it, are at once the best evidence of the character of its civilization, and the most powerful influence in creating it. SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE DECEMBER 1889 CONTENTS BRETON PEASANTS AT A WAYSIDE CROSS HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES-STUDIES Illustrations from drawings (after the author's instan- IN THE VALLEY-Chapters XII.-XIV. Illustrations by Howard Pyle; engraving by H. M. MRS. TOM'S SPREE EVENING With an illustration by A. Lemaire; engraved by MONTAUK POINT-JULY-DECEMBER Illustrations from drawings by J. H. Twachtman; en- LLOYD MCKIM GARRISON WILLIAM PERRY NORTHRUP EDITH WHARTON CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CARICATURE J. A. MITCHELL NOTES OF A SUB-TROPIC STUDY EDGAR MAYHEW BACON 746 DUNCAN CAMPBELL SCOTT 759 . 760 Copyright, 1889, by Charles Scribner's Sons. All rights reserved. Entered at New York Post-Office as Second-class Mail Matter. L By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. New Holiday Edition. Beautifully illustrated with fifty photogravures of sculp ture, paintings, etc., and of localities in which the scenes of the book are laid-chiefly views in Rome. With a steel portrait of Hawthorne. In two volumes, 8vo, gilt top, very carefully printed and tastefully bound. With slip covers in the Italian style, in cloth box, $6.00. Beautifully bound in a special style of full polished calf, $12.00, net, In full white vellum, gilt top, $12.00, net. Betty Leicester. A Story for Girls of Fifteen and Thereabouts. By A delightful story of a charming girl, and other very interesting features. A Summer in a Cañon. A California Story for Girls and Boys. By KATL DOUGLAS WIGGIN, author of "The Birds' Christ mas Carol," and "The Story of Patsy." Illustrated. 8vo, $1.50. N. B.-These two books are about the most engaging the season will bring, and are admirably suited for gifts. THE AUTOCRAT OF THE BREAKFAST TABLE. By OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. Birthday Edition, from new plates, with engraved title pages. In two volumes, 16mo, carefully printed and tastefully bound, gilt top, $2.50. This edition of Dr. Holmes's most famous book has been prepared with the utmost care to meet the demand for so delightful a work a an attractive style suited to its classic merits. The Last Assembly Ball; and The Fate of a Voice. 66 Two excellent stories by MARY HALLOCK FOOTE, author of "The Led-Horse Claim," John Bodewin's Testimony," etc. 16mo, $1.25. Dearly Bought. No Gentlemen. A Sane Lunatic. A new edition of three novels, by CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM, author of "Young Maids and Old," and "Next Door." Each, 16mo, $1.25. THE WHITE AND GOLD SERIES. Interludes, Lyrics, and Idyls. A beautiful little volume selected from Lord TENNYSON'S Poetical Works. 16mo, gilt top, $1.00; half levant, $3.00. Ballads, Lyrics, and Sonnets. I. 2. A tasteful little book selected from the Poetical Works of Mr. LONGFELLOW. 16mo, gilt top, $1.00; half levant, $3.00. Lyrics, Idyls, and Romances. Selected from the Poems of ROBERT BROWNING. 16m0, gilt top, $1.00; half levant, $3.00. Romances, Lyrics, and Sonnets. From the Poetic Works of ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. 16mo, gilt top, $1.00; half levant, $3.00. N. B.-These four volumes are bound tastefully with white backs and gilt tops. They are excellent for gifts. RIVERSIDE LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. BY JOHN FISKE. GEORGE WASHINGTON; An Historical Biography. 3. BIRDS THROUGH an Opera-GlaSS. BY FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. 4. UP AND DOWN THE BROOKS. BY MARY E. BAMFORD, 5. COAL AND THE COAL MINES. By HOMER GREENY, For sale by all booksellers. 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