economy, low taxes, sound
currency, civil service reform, preservation of State and of federal
honor, strict adherence to the Constitution, keeping federal and State
governments within their separate and defined spheres of action, while
encountering the hostility of extremists, would rally to its support
enough of intelligence and patriotism to repress sectionalism and hate,
and bring our lately discordant States into a fraternal union, based on
fixed law, mutual toleration and respect, and exact justice.

J. L. M. CURRY.

THREE PERIODS OF MODERN MUSIC.

In "Punch's Almanack" for this year is an illustration, in three
compartments, of the subject "Music at Home." The first is called
"Drawing-room Music of the Past." A young lady sits at one of those
little spindle-legged piano-fortes, hardly larger than a large
washstand, and somewhat shaped like one, with which our grandmothers
and great grandmothers, and the men who composed music for them, were
not only satisfied, but delighted. Her hands are moving, light and
level, over the little key-board, and the dainty turn of her head shows
that she is captivated by the sounds that she is eliciting. Around her
is gathered a family group of some dozen people, old and young, from
the grandfather to the little grandchild who sits upon a hassock at her
lovely mother's knee. They are all entranced by the music. Plainly
there is not a sound in the room but that which is produced by the fair
performer. The souls of all that company are enchained; their hearts if
not their eyes are brimming with emotion. A spell of tenderness and
grace has been cast upon them; and they have given themselves up to him
who has woven it. The faces of all are lightly tinged with sadness, but
it is an elevated and elevating sadness; a sadness that is mingled with
a joy silent, deep, and strong, a joy far above hilarity. The most
impressive figure of the group is the grandfather, who sits with his
arm lying listlessly across the instrument and his head slightly bowed,
as, we may be sure, he is carried back by the sweet strains to a time
when one who does not appear in the group was by his side in all the
charms of early womanhood. The composition is so touching, so filled
with purest, sweetest sentiment, that it is impossible to look at it
long without being moved almost to tears by the tender and serene
pathos with which it is pervaded. The legend tells us that the music
which has wrought this