Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Art , and the Drama .

ECONOMY THE GRAND LAW OF NATURE .

This , the first of our papers on practical Science , is introductory to a subject of which we shall afterwards treat . Science , by the way , literally signifies nothing more than knowledge generally , but , by an understood agreement amongst all , it is limited in its meaning , so that , now , it comprehends more especially the knowledge of the powers and workings of the great forces of Nature and their adaptability and practical use by the

human race . We , now , will endeavour to show that Economy is the grand law which rules over Nature in her varied phases . Let us have a fair understanding of the exact signification of the word " Economy . " It is derived from two Greek words which , taken together , mean the law which regulates the expenses of a household . The ancient Greeks were most particular in their family life , that no more than a

reasonable expense should be incurred in the proper government of their families , and were opposed to luxury and lavish expenditure . We , of course , allude to the primitive life led by the Spartans , and the wise , though severe , enactments of their great law-giver Lycurgus . These we cannot treat of here . Coming down to our modern times , the original significance of the word Economy has been lost , and now simply expresses theudue care which

should be taken of the blessings we receive from the bounteous hand of the Almig hty—that all which is committed to us should be properly valued , partly used in the present , and partly stored up for unforeseen circumstances which may arise . When we speak , then , of Economy as applied to Nature , it is to be understood of the law by which she carries out , in full perfection , the wise decrees of the Giver of all Good . As Economy may be

considered the preservative , so may Waste be considered the destructive , influence . These two forces are in direct opposition to each other , and must naturally be at constant enmity . The terrible catastrophes which we have so often to deplore ; the convulsive energies which lay desolate many fair portions of our beautiful earth , are the evidences of the destroyer Waste . When his power ceases for a time , then comes our

loving mother Nature , and from the resources which she has stored up and economised for future use , repairs the terrible damages which have happened . As on a grand scale , equally so in all the varied forms of existence , does Nature act as the consoler and renovator , always ready from her great store , to supply all present pressing wants . In the worlds of our existence , so familiar to us , we have indubitable evidence how

beneficial is this grand law of Economy . In the vegetable world we see it in the sap stored up in the trunk of the tree for its future development , and in many of the flowers and plants it is evident . The pitcher plant is a striking instance , which has a reservoir of water , ready at hand , in the pitchers , which diffuse refreshment and life to the plant . In the insect world we have the familiar example of the bee , which

stores up and economises its honey for food in a future time of scarcity . Many other instances might be cited , bearing on this point , through the varied grades down to the lowest state of animated Nature , but let us briefly consider how this grand law influences human existence . Human happiness may be considered to depend upon whether Mm obeys or disregards the universal law—his very physical existence depends upon it . In body , or

mind , there must always be a due exercise of economy to provide for the unexpected . Nature , if we treat her fairly , will always , without any trouble on our part , provide what is needful for emergencies—but , if we waste her gifts , draw upon her resources to the fullest , so there is nothing left , we cannot expect her aid when we need it . When the great enemy

Waste exercises his destroying power to the deterioration of property , health , intellect , nay , even lile itself , the beneficence of Economy now , alas , too late , may be valued . The old heathen satirist , Juvenal , said that the perfection of happiness was the " Mens sana in corpore sano , " but this can only apply when the mind knows how to regulate and keep under subjection the feelings and passiorts of the body . ( To be continued ) .

The Fine Art Society, 148, New Bond Street.

THE FINE ART SOCIETY , 148 , NEW BOND STREET .

"P UNCH" DRAWINGS BY L . RAVEN-HILL .

A few mornings ago , we visited the Galleries of The Fine Art Society , where is exhibited an interesting collection of the original Black and White Drawings , which afterwards formed the illustrations in Punch . The artist is the well-known Mr . Raven-Hill . He has for a longtime been before the public , not only as the clever illustrator of Punch , but as the contributor of many interesting pictures in the weekly journals . He seems to have a keen sense of the ludicrous , and , though he excites our laughter b y the curious

phases of humanity he brings before our notice , yet he is so genial and goodtempered in his treatment of their foibles , that those who form the subjects of his pencil must join in the laugh , even though it is against themselves . His leading idea seems to be that , dull as is this cold world of ours , there are bright , sunny spots to be found , which

will amply repay the trouble of those who search for them . Enough , however has been said in his praise , let visitors judge for themselves . We will mention a few of the drawings which took our fancy , only premising that they are selected from many others equally good . A ' o . 4 . —The Christmas Shopping . — The Shopwalker : " Anything else we can have the pleasure of showing you , madam ? " Paterfamilias . — " The . Door ! " No . 8 . —

Sauce for the Gander . — Rector - . " Now I hope , Adam , you will try to turn over a new leaf this coming year . " Adam : " Yes , sir , I opes so too , sir ; same to you , sir ! " No . 13 . —Fitznoodle ( who fancies himself as the "Black Prince" ) : "By Jove , Miss Van Remeslaer ! How awfully charming ! " Fair American ' .: " My ! What are you ? Canned lobitcrt " No . iS . —Clcreyman : " Augustus , wilt thou take this woman ? "

Bride ( late of Remnant and Co . ' s ribbon department ) : " Lady ! " No . 21 . —Usher ( the Court being much annoyed by the shuffling of feet ) : "Will yer hould yer tongues up there , wid yer feet in the gallery ? " No . 23 . — "Awfully jolly concert , wasn't it ? Awfully jolly thing by that fellow what ' s his name ? something like Door-knob . " She : " Door-knob . Whom do you mean . I only know of Beethoven , Mozart , Wagner , Handel " He : " That's it ! Handel . I knew it was something you caught hold of I "

The Fine Art Society, 148, New Bond Street.

No . 25—Customer : " Pity you didn ' t have another apple , ain't it ? Landlady : ( whose cider is not of the strongest ) "What d ' ye mean ?" Customer : " Well , you might ' a made another barrel ! " No . -ii—Irate Cabby : " Oh , if I hadn ' t got something inside , I'd talk to you ! " No . 14—Military Manceuvres : "How dreadfully stout the General is getting 1 " "Yes , isn ' t it fortunate , otherwise he wouldn ' t be able to wear all his

medals ? " No . 39—Bad little Boy : "You tell your brother ! an' I'll break every pane o' glass in your face ! " No . 43— " Did Mrs . Brown say anything when you told her I was out ? " Maid .- " Yes 'm , ' Thank Heaven ! 'Mum . " No . 4 6—Waiter : *• ' Did you ring , sir ? " Traveller : ( as a gtntle hint to previous arrival ) " Another fire , waiter . " No .

47—Grandpapa : " And why do you believe that little George Washington never told a story ? " Madge : " Cos I'd be smacked if I didn ' t ! " No . Sy—First Bluejacket : Matrimtny ! Wot ' s matrimony 1 Giving 'arf your grub to a woman to get t ' other half cooked . No . 100—Constable : "'Ere , you can ' t go to sleep 'ere ! " Convivial Party : " Can't I ? Jus' you ( hie ) watch me ! " There are several others we leave the visitors to discover .

THE NEW YEAR—SOME OF ITS ANCIENT GIFTS .

Some of the ancient customs in vogue with our ancestors have come down to us , and are still observed . Ringing out the old and ringing in the New Year , with the heartfelt wish for a " Happy New Year to all " on New Year ' s day , these were , in the old times , greetings mutually given and interchanged by rich and poor , young and old . All felt , at least on this day , that all came from the same common stock of humanity , alike

depending upon the same Heavenly Father , who so wisely and graciously dispenses his gifts to his numerous children . Old though the custom be , may it never become unfashionable with us in these , our modern , times ! In the time of the ancient Romans , congratulations , presents , and visits were generally made . The usual presents were figs and dates , covered with gold leaf , and sent by clients to patrons , accompanied with a piece of money

, which it was a duty to expend in the purchase of small statues of the deities . New Year's gifts were continued under the Roman Emperors , until they were prohibited by Claudius . In the Middle Ages , the bestowal of New Year ' s gifts was very prevalent . Kings to their subjects , subjects to their kings , in all classes of the community was this good kindly custom observed . With us now it is still religiously maintained—long may it

continue !—anything which tends to soften the asperities ot our human nature should be encouraged and fostered by us all . In the time of Edward VI ., an orange , stuck with cloves , seems to have been a popular New Year's gift . Honest old Bishop Latimer , instead of presenting Henry VIII . with a purse of gold , as was customary for a New Year ' s gift , put into the king ' s hand a New Testament , with a leaf conspicuously doubled down at

Hebrews , 13 chapter , 4 verse , which , on reference , will be found to have been worthy of all acceptation , though , not , perhaps , well received . Dr . Drake is of opinion that the wardrobe and jewellery of Oueen Elizabeth were principally supplied by the annual contributions of her courtiers on . New Year's day . Pins were acceptable New Year's gifts to the ladies , instead of the wooden skewers which they used till the end of the 15 th century . ' Sometimes they received a composition in money , and hence

allowances for their separate use are still denominated " pin money . " Gloves were customary New Year ' s gifts . They were more expensive than in our times , and occasionally a money present was tendered instead , and this was called " glove money . " It is worthy of notice , that the first month in the year —January—takes its name from the old Roman god Janus , who is represented by a bust , with two faces , supposed to be the type of the Old and New Y . ear—one looking back on past events ; the other looking forward to those which will hereafter happen .

Thc electric locomotive constructed by Messrs . Brown , Boverei and Co ., destined for the Jungfrau Mountain Railway in Switzerland , is said to be the most powerful rack-wheel machine hitherto constructed , and is designed to haul trains over the steepest portion of the road . The motors are placed

under the passenger cars , whereby greater adhesion between the driving wheels and rails is obtained . The car truck is provided with two bearing axles and two driving axles , the latter being situated between the former . The pivots of the toothed wheels are of aluminium bronze , lhe teeth being of cast steel .

So great has been the success of the collaboration of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Captain Basil Hood , that they will provide the successor to "The Rose of Persia" in that distant future , when a successor shall be needed . * * * <» Mrs . Patrick Campbell will open the Royalty Theatre on nth January .

It is feared that Mr . Forbes Robertson will not be able to take up his post in the powerful one act play , " The Sacrament of Judas , " for a little while , owing to illness . His character will be taken b y Mr . Frank Mills . The light sentimental farce , " The Canary , " which has been fairly successful through the clever acting of Mrs . Patrick Campbell , will continue its run .

It appears to be generally understood that towards the end of the present year Mr . Charles Wyndham will produce a new comed y by Mr . I lenry Arthur Jones . The work is already completed . It was read to Mr . Wyndham and Miss Mary Moore a few days ago . It is a " light " comedy .

Sir William Henry Wills the member for Bristol East , has just added to his present munificent gifts to his native city an offer of another £ 10 , 000 towards a municipal art gallery , for which the city have already arranged to purchase premises adjoining the city museum .

GENERAL NOTES . We note that one of the two peers lately created , by the Queen , is the philosophical scientist , Sir John Lubbock , Bart ., M . P . This ~ creation has given great satisfaction to the scientific world , in the fact , that one who has so greatly distinguished himself in the varied phases of philosophical research , should have been nominated to such high honour is an appropriate recognition of merit , and gives reflected splendour to Science itself .