A Department of Musical and Dramatic Chat. Apropos of a national school of music, one high in authority in the musical world has this to say: The national music of any country has come from the folk-song of its original inhabitants, and the undisputed reign of the red man gives him the prestige, for he lived, fought and died hundreds of years before the whites knew of the existence of America. That there is abundant romance contained in the lore of the North American Indian goes without saying, and from them, their legends and songs, should our composers draw their ideas and earnestly seek to clothe them with the fruits of their experience. Just as the music of the Latin races is the gradual outgrowth of Greek and Roman mythology, or the music of the Saxon races has emanated from the northern sagas, just so will, in all probability, the music of America owe its real germ, in the future, to the legends and fugitive folk-song of the aborigines of the Western hemisphere. The attempt of Anton Dvorak to found a national music upon the melodies of the Southern negro failed because the negro is not and never was the folk of America. The laudable opera of the "Scarlet Letter," by Walter Damrosch, cannot, for the same reason, herald a national school of opera, for the characters were descendants of the English, pure and simple. That the dramatic instinct is strong in the Indian cannot be denied. His appreciation of music and art waits only for development and the following announcement need surprise no one who has studied Indian nature: Kabaosa and Wabanosa are to Ojibways who are connected by marriage with prominent members of Boston society, and it was from Shingwauk, a patriarch of this family that Schoolcraft obtained the legend which he gave to Longfellow and out of which was spun the matchless warp and woof of the beautiful poem, "Hiawatha." Kabaosa has become so interested in the details of the poem that he has resolved to re-enact the scenes among the "Islands of the Blessed," as Longfellow called them. These islands are on the north shore of Lake Huron, not so many miles from Saut Ste. Marie. The family of the poet have been invited to witness the tableaux which will consist of scenes from the drama to the number of seven, given by Ojibways and which will be carefull exact as to detail. It is said that "a comparison was made between the Indian vocabulary in the poem, which is very extensive, and the language used today by these Indians, and they were found to be exactly the same, excepting in one or two places, where Longfellow has altered the accent of some Indian words to set them to his meter." It seems to me that the "Wagnerian cult" has upset Mr. Grau's theory that audiences, and New York audiences in particular, were not interested in looking at a man's back, no matter how great a conductor the owner of said back might be. And now Mr. Grau himself is negotiating with one of the greatest and most famous conductors in Europe to come over next season and direct two cycles of the Nibelungen Ring. The Musical Festival at Salem, Oregon, in May, was one of the most ambitious and successful events of the kind ever attempted in the state, and goes to prove that the Pacific Coast talent is in no way lacking. The Willamette Valley Choral Union has done enought to convince the music-loving public of the Northwest that its permanent existence is now a necessity. Another organization which should become a firmly-established institution in the musical world of the West is the Portland Symphony Orchestra, which has rendered some very excellent programmes during the Conducted by Davis Parker Leach. Short History of American Literature By Walter C. Bronson. D. C. Heath & Co., Boston. a This work is practically a student's hand-book of the literature of America and designed to give, in a condensed form, its history from the time of Captain John Smith until the present day. It is divided as to epochs, and each period is conveniently subdivided into classes. Mr. Bronson illustrates, in an interesting manner, the early tendency to imitate English style, and shows in a clear and comprehensive fashion the gradual growth of the "American" idea and individuality, with its later mellowing into smoother cosmopolitanism. He has a crisp, original way of stating things that makes his criticism even more interesting than the criticised, and many into whose hands this book will fall will be tempted to re-read much of the halfforgotten literature of the past, if only for the sake of proving, or disproving, some of the author's positive assertions. The volume is invaluable as a reference book, for many names omitted from other works of this nature are introduced here. The appendix contains copious extracts from writers of the earlier period of American leters, and also an extensive bibliography. And through all, from title page to finis, the author's personality is made manifest, and aal indeed must be the student who is not stimulated to active interest in this fascinating subject. Hoch der Kaiser--Myself und Gott, This poem was first brought prominently to public notice when Captain Coghlan, of the U. S. Navy, recited it at a banquet some two years since. In view of the slight antagonism developed by the Manila affair, it was considered an act of indiscretion on the part of the gallant Captain, and the German press was extremely severe in its criticisms. The episode created a sensation and excited an interest in the poem, which was widely circulated. There were thirteen verses in all, but by some mistake only eight were at first printed. The Abbey Press has here given the poem in its entirety, and the illustrations, by Miss Jessie A. Walker, are admirable. The book, altogether, is a desirable addition to the library, and the reappearance of the clever verses recalls a remark made by one of our brainy women. Someone calling attention to the Emperor's exalted opinion of himself and his divine right to rule, she said: "He must be akin to those mental-science, or in-partnership-with-the-Infinite people, who claim to believe themselves omnipotent. The Emperor's position is no more ridiculous than their's." The volume is tastefully bound and printed, and reflects credit upon the publishers. Poems By Frances Fuller Victor. This volume of verse will be welcomed by all of Mrs. Victor's admirers. There are some of the old-time favorites here, but many are now for the first time published. The author retains the thoughtful tenderness and sentiment she had of old, but the later poems show an increased dramatic power that was not conspicuous in the earlier work. It is not easy to choose where there is so much that is worthy of praise, but among the best are "The Passing of the Year," "Reprimand," and "The Poppies of Wa-ii-lat-pu." In the latter there is a glowing tribute to the memory of the pioneers of Oregon. The following stanzas are from this poem of the "Poppies." From the Atlantic's rocky rim, To the Pacific's steel-bound shore, Stretching from flashing brine to brine. And measured it with dautless eye. They in a common danger shared, Nor shrunk from toil, nor want nor pain, But sternly every peril dared, Just to be heroes, scorning gain, We, trembling, listen to tue tale That turns the hardest hearer pale. Scattered through the book are fragmentary verses that are gems in the way of style and thought. The following, entitled "On San Francisco Bay," is one of them: "O perfect day, O sunlit Bay. Whene'er our souls are called to sail, The sunless strait where shadows wait, May we emerge into a vale Where Angel Islands guard the gate!” Poems By Will Skaling. Merchants' Printing Co., Seattle. This collection of short poems embraces a wide range of subjects and in many instances are marked by a true poetic instinct and grace. The author seems at his best in his descriptive verse of Puget Sound and mountain scenery, and in inscriptions to friends and acquaintances. Some of his work is marred by a despairing, irreverent tone, and his yearnings for happiness will probably be fruitless until he takes a sane view of life and a more respectful attitude toward the universe and the Creator. There is an evidence of talent in his work, and when he can write with selfforgetfulness and realize that the "Kingdom of God is within him" we look for some very meritous productions from his pen. A Pair of Knaves and a Few Trumps By M. Douglas Flattery. The Abbey Press, N. Y. This is one of the class of books which should be labeled "positively bad." In the beginning, one is not favorably mpressed with the title, and before the end of the first chapter the tone of the work is unpleasantly indicated. It is coarse, unnecessarily so, and a generation ago would have been eagerly caught up by the publishers of that class of literature. called "yellow backed." The book is a delight as to binding and paper, but why the publishers will print a book of this kind when there is so much good material going begging, is a question that can only be answered by themselves. Literary Notes. Dr. and Mrs. Eastman are now living in South Dakota. Dr. Eastman, who has been appointed Government Physician for the Sioux Indians, is himself a Sioux, and his wife is the talented writer of prose and verse, Elaine Goodale. She was the first supervisor of schools in the Dakotas. This interesting couple, for whom all manner of troubles were predicted at the time of their marriage, seem to be very happily mated. They have two handsome children, Virginia, and her baby brother of three years whose Indian name is Ohyssa. Dr. and Mrs. Eastman have recently been at Carlisle. In Madge Morris, whose Easter poem, written for the Call, of San Francisco, is reprinted in the current number of the Pacific Monthly, is a most interesting woman as well as a clever writer. this "Peace Conference," she gives evidence of unsuspected strength. Hitherto her poems have been remarkable for beauty and grace and richness of color, rather than for the rugged virility which characterizes this, her latest production. It is said that Miss Braddon's new novel, "The Infidel," is on more ambitious lines than her former works, the scenes of which belong to the time of George II. Since the days of Haggard. Kipling, Hope and Zangwill, Miss Braddon has lost much of her former popularity, but with her ingenuity of plot and natural gift of story-telling, it is predicted that she will in new lines be successful. Messrs. Calderwood and Aeffron, of Minneapolis, have issued a convenient pocket manual of "Politics and Finance" which they term "Pan-Partisan" or rather non-partisan. It is brimfull of useful statistics covering every line of trade, development, finance, population, etc., and should be in every voter's pocket to refute wild and reckless statements, if for nothing more. It is entirely free from advertising matter, and is sold for the low price of 15 cents. In Politics. The Constitutional Convention in Cuba was an event that occasioned considerable political activity. GovernorGeneral Wood, in his speeches prior to the election of delegates to the convention, assured the Cubans of the sincerity of the United States in its promises of independence for their country. At Santiago he said: "Whatever the ultimate destiny of Cuba may be, its immediate future is independence." A circular note from the Vatican to the Catholic powers appeals to them to relieve the pope from an intolerable situation, and declares that the condition of the papacy under Italian rule, is grow ing worse. Puerto Rican discontent continues, with no sign of diminishing under present conditions. The "Ponce Diario de Puerto Rico" explains the situation at length in a recent issue, and compares the state of affairs before and after American domination in the island. The Dingley tariff, it holds, is ruining the people of Puerto Rico. It was confidently predicted that the beginning of September would show some signs of activity in the Presidential campaign, but the signs have not materialized. The month, at this writing, is half gone and very little has been done or said that could be taken as indicative of a deep or active interest on the part of the people in the coming election. Meantime, in spite of the Chinese expedition, guerrilla warfare in the Philippines, the military occupation of Cuba and Puerto Rican discontent, the different departments of the government at Washington are "running on a steady keel." . At South Point, Wis., an iron mast 150 feet in height, has been erected for the purpose of experimenting with wireless telegraphy. To Dr. Zierler, of Vienna, is ascribed the discovery of the successful application of electricity for the destruction of bacteria affecting the teeth. Dr. Zierler is a dental surgeon in the Hygenic Institute at Wursburg, at present. The amount of heat given out by an ordinary incandescent lamp is greatly underestimated in the popular mind. An ordinary 16-candle power lamp immersed in a quart of water will heat it to a boiling point in an hour. Celluloid in contact with a lamp bulb may be ignited in a few minutes, while silk shades close to the bulbs are scorched in a few hours. Some interesting experiments are being conducted in Buda-Pest, Hungary, with high-pressure rotary current for working an electric railway. It is stated that despite the high working pressure of 3000 volts which is used, the system ensures complete safety, even in its application to main line working. Experimentally, the system is to be introduced on to the Valtelina stretch of the Italian state railways, which has a length of almost 66 miles. The length of the cars which are worked by the new system is 60 feet, while the speed attained is about 37 miles per hour. In a recently published article Mr. H. W. Conn urges the beneficial effects resulting to the human organism from the presence of certain forms of bacteria. In another scientific journal the subject of tuberculosis is discussed at length, and the writer contends that while the disease is one of the worst that afflict 292 humanity, its terrors are greatly overestimated. He laments the fact that so much has been said and written to fill the public mind with horror regarding it. The evil, he thinks, is necessarily exaggerated, and the danger of infection, though existing, is nominal. In Literature. Marie Corelli's "Master Christian" is meeting with popular favor. One hundred thousand copies were sold before the day of publication. Jerome K. Jerome is again in London, where he is writing a book. The copyright on Balzac's novels has expired and cheap editions are predicted. productions of the aborigines in either skill or beauty. Mr. W. E. Rollins' exhibition of sketches and paintings at the Y. M. C. A. rooms, opening September 12th, was the one event to attract attention in local art circles. James Aumonier, the English artist, who is now acknowledged one of the leading painters of the present day, was a student at South Kensington, and his first work was as a designer for printed calicoes. The organization recently effected at Tacoma of an association of artists of the Northwest, is destined to encourage the growth of art in this particular part of the world and to stimulate the feeling and the art student at one and the same time. The first exhibition will be held in Tacoma in November. The second, which will follow in due course of time, Woodward and Lathrop, of Washington, D. C., have just issued a little book called "The Temptation of Friar Gonsal." It is from Eugene Field's pen, and was first published in the columns of the Chicago Daily News. The two principal will be in Spokane, and the third in characters are Friar Gonsal and Friar Francis, Dr. Gonsalus, of Chicago, and Rev. Frank Bristol, of Washington, furnishing the originals. Miss Bradon has a new novel in the press of Harper Brothers. It is entitled "The Infidel," and is a revival story. Zitkala Sa, the Dakota Indian girl, whose articles in the Atlantic Monthly have proved such interesting reading, is a violinist. She has played in Boston during the winter, where she was well received. Portland. The critic who holds that there can be no art in mere black and white would have been inclined to modify his opinion slightly if he had seen the Rollins exhibit in pencil at the Y. M. C. A. rooms in September. In Education. The University of Oregon opens this fall with a larger attendance than ever before. The administration of Dr. Strong has proven most advantageous to the institution, whose affairs are in a most prosperous and promising condition. The request made by the president at the close of the school year in June, that each young man, on returning bring with him three new students, seems to have not been forgotten or disregarded. In Religious Thought. Revision is again up for consideration. The committee appointed by the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly at Philadelphia last May, met in August at Saratoga, and formulated the following questions which are to be sent out to the clerks of all the presbyteries: (1) Do you desire a revision of our confession of faith? or (2) Do you desire a sup plemental, explanatory statement? or (3) Do you desire to supplement our present doctrinal standards with a briefer statement of the doctrines "most surely believed among |