Science, Art, Andthe Drama.

Science , Art , andthe Drama .

GINSENG . The most prized drug in the entire Chinese pharmacopoeia—that medley 0 f fearful and wonderful things—is the famous ginseng , the root of a nlant belonging to the ivy tribe , which has , for centuries , been regarded as verv elixir of lifeand supposed to be endowed with almost miraculous

* , properties . While of prime importance in China and Japan , its use is by no means confined to these countries . It is the principal tonic used in Cen - tral Asia , and in Oriental countries generally , and indeed , was , at one time , introduced into Europe , where it met with some favour , until sarsaoarilla supplanted it in popularity . So great is the demand for ginseng

in China , that the finest kinds command enormous prices ; the drug according to quality , selling at from six dollars to 400 dollars an ounce . Doubtless , its dearness contributes largely , with such a people as the Chinese , to raise its celebrity so high . The rich and the mandarins , probably use it mainly out of pure ostentation , as its cost puts it beyond the reach of the common people . To meet the wants of the poorer classes , many other roots orp substituted , the most important of which is American Ginseng , the

product of an allied species , which is largely imported from the United States . This American Ginseng is said to be much used in the domestic medicine of the States , to the west of the Alleghanies ; but is regarded by regular medical practitioners as quite worthless . Notwithstanding the firm belief which the Chinese have in the extraordinary powers of the genuine native root , Europeans have hitherto failed to find any remarkable properties in it , mandrake

and it has no active principle , and no medicinal action . Like the , which was accounted so potent in former days , it no doubt derives its virtues largely from the faith of the patient . Dr . Porter Smith , however , mentions having seen some cases , in which life appeared to have been prolonged for a time , by its use . Mons . Maack states that a Cossack of his party having accidentally chopped off a finger with an axe , applied an ointment made of

Ginseng to the wound , which healed rapidly . The Chinese believe it to De a sovereign remedy for almost all diseases , and more particularly for exhaustion of body or mind . M . Hue says that " they report marvels of its curative powers , and no doubt it is for Chinese organisations , a tonic of very great effect for old and weak persons ; but its nature is too heating the Chinese physicians admit , for the European

, temperament , already , in their opinion , too hot . " At one time the Ginseng grovfln in Manchuria was considered to be the finest , and it became so scarce in consequence that an Imperial edict was issued prohibiting its collection . AU the supplies of the drug collected in the Chinese Empire are Imperial property , and are sold to those allowed to deal in it at its weight in gold . The ginseng obtained in Corea is now

accounted the most valuable . The root of the wild plant is preferred to that of the cultivated , and the quality of the drug is supposed to improve with the age of the plant . The export from Corea is a strict monopoly , the punishment for smuggling it out being death . The total export is only about 27 , 000 pounds annually , but owing to its great value even this small quantity yields a considerable revenue , which is said to be the king ' s

personal perquisite . Ginseng is also grown in Japan , where it was introduced from Corea ; but as there the plant grows much more luxuriantly than in its native country the root is considered less active , and is not so much esteemed . Though the product of the wild Ginseng is most valued , the plant is carefully cultivated in some parts of Corea . lt is raised from seed , which is sown in March . The seedlings are transplanted frequently during

the first two or three years , and great care is taken to shade them from the sun and rain . Healthy plants mature in about four years , but the roots are not usually taken up until the sixth season . Ordinary Ginseng is prepared by simply drying the root in the sun or over a charcoal fire . To make red or clarified Ginseng the root is placed in wicker baskets , which are put in a large earthern vessel , with a clostly fitting cover , and pierced in the

bottom with holes . The whole is then set over boiling water , and steamed for about four hours . The ginseng is afterwards dried until it assumes a hard resinous translucent appearance , which is a proof of its good quality . That of the best quality is generally sold in hard , rather brittle , transparent pieces , about the size of the little finger , and from two to tour inches in length . Its taste is mucilaginous , sweetish , and slightly bitter and aromatic .

The greatest care is taken of the pieces of the finest quality . M . Hue says that throughout China no chemist's shop is unprovided with more or less of it . According to the account given by Lockhart ( medical missionary in China ) , of a visit to a Ginseng merchant , it is stowed in small boxes , lined with sheet lead , which are kept in larger boxes , containing quicklime , for absorbing moisture . The pieces of the precious

drug ate further enclosed in silk wrappers , and kept in little silk-lined boxes . The merchant , when showing a piece bared of its wrappings to Mr . Lockhart for his inspection , requested him not to breathe on nor handle it while he dilated on its merits , and related the marvellous cures he had known it to effect . The root is covered , according to quality , with the finest embroidered silk , plain cotton cloth , or paper . In China Ginseng is often sent to

friends as a valuable present , and in such cases there is usually presented , along wilh the drug , a small ,, finely-finished double kettle for its preparation . The inner kettle is made of silver , and between it and the outside copper vessel is a small space for holding water . The silver kettle fi ts in a ring near the top of the outer covering , and is furnished with a cup-like cover , in which rice is put with a little water . The Ginseng is placed in the inner vessel ,

lhe cover put on , and the whole apparatus set on the fire . When the rice in the cover is cooked , the medicine is ready , and is eaten by the patient , who drinks the Ginseng tea at the same lime . The dose of the root is from 60 lo 90 grains . During the use of the diug tea-drinking is prohibited for , at least , a month without any other change 01 diet . It is taken in the morning before breakfast and sometimes in the evening before going to bed . In

¦™ ia , Persia , and Afghanistan Ginseng is known as chnb-cliini , the " ChineSe wood . " In these countries it is prepared either as a powder , which is composed of Ginseng , with gum-mastic and sugar-candy , equal parts of each , about a drachm being taken once a day , early in the morning , or . as a decoction , in the preparation of which an ounce of fine parings is boiled for a quarter of an hour in a pint of water . There are two ways in wnicn

the tonic is taken . The first is a truly Oriental luxurious method , tected by wealthy people , and especially by Afghan princes . The patient retires to a garden , where his senses are soothed by listening to music , the on g of birds , and ihe bubbling of a ( lowing stream , and enjoying the balmy reeze . He avoids everything likely to trouble and annoy him , and will not pven open a letter . lest it should contain bad news , and the doctor forbids

Science, Art, Andthe Drama.

anyone to contradict him . Some grandees of Central Asia go through a course of 40 days of this pleasant regimen every second year . The other and more cqmmon-place method of taking Ginseng requires no other precautions than the avoiding of acids , salt , and pepper , and chosing summer time , as cold is supposed to cause rheumatism .

Painters In The Reign Of Elizabeth.

PAINTERS IN THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH .

Continued . It is observable that her Majesty thought enormity of dress a royal prerogative , for on 12 th February , 1579 , an order was made in the Star Chamber " that no person should use or wear excessive long cloaks ( this might proceed from apprehension of their concealing arms under them ) , as of late be used , and before two years past hath not been used in this realm ;

no persons to wear such great ruffes about their necks ; to be left off such monstrous undecent attyring . " Also another against wearing any sword or rapier that shall pass the length of one yard and half a quarter in the blade , nor dagger above 12 inches in the blade , at most . In her father's time , who dictated in everything from religion to fashion , an Act of Parliament was passed in his 24 th year against inordinate use of apparel , directing that no

one should wear on his apparel any cloth of gold , silver or tinsel , satin , silk , or cloth mixed with gold or silver , any sables , velvet , furs , embroidery , velvet in gowns or outermost garments , except persons of distinction , dukes , marquises , earls , barons and knights of the order , barons' sons , knights , or such that may dispend £ 250 per annum . " This was renewed in the second year of Elizabeth . Edward VI . carried this restraint still farther . In the

heads of a Bill drawn up with his own hand , 1551 ( though it never passed into a law ) , no one who had less than £ 100 a year for life , or gentlemen , the king ' s sworn servants , was to wear satin , damask , ostrich feathers , or furs of conies ; none not worth £ 200 , or £ 20 in living certain , to wear camlet ; no serving man under the degree of a gentleman to wear any fur , save lamb , nor cloth above ios . the yard . Besides many pictures of Oueen

Elizabeth we are so lucky as to possess the portraits of almost all the great men of her reign ; and though the generality of painters at that time were not equal to the subjects on which they were employed , yet they were close imitators of nature , and have , perhaps , transmitted more faithful representations than we could have expected from men of brighter imagination . The first painter who seems to have made any figure in this reign was

Lucas de Heere , born at Ghent in 1534 , of a family peculiarly addicted to the arts . John , his father , was a good statuary and architect ; Anne Smitter , his mother , painted in miniature , and with such diminutive neatness , that she executed a landscape , with a windmill , millers , a cart and horse , and passengers , and half a grain of corn would cover the whole composition . The father went often to Namur and Dinant , where the son , Lucas , copied

ruins and castles . It was soon found that he had an extreme facility in taking likenesses , and that his memory was so tenacious and faithful , that he could paint any face which he had examined but once . The young Lucas , under a good master , Francis Koris , made rapid progress , and drew many designs ( which passed for his master ' s ) for tapestry and

glasspainters , bcom uhent he went to France , and was employed by the queen and queen-mother in making drawings for tapestry ; and residing sometime at Fontainbleau , where he married Eleanor Carbonic-re , he contracted a taste for the antique by seeing the statues there , an inclination he showed less by his own worKs than by making a collection of bronzes and medals . ( To be continued . )

Alhambra Theatre.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE .

One evening last week we paid a visit to the above theatre . Mr . Dundas Slater , the general manager , has provided for the delectation of his patrons a good varied programme ; trapezists , gymnasts , comedians , \ ocalists , dancers , acrobats , parodists , & c , all , in their turn , have

someth . ng to interest the audience . The Corty Bros ., eccentrics , so well known , are as amusing as ever . The Niess Troupe , aerial gymnasts , make their first appearance , the smartness of their performance seem to be fully appreciated . An Australian dancer , Saharet , exhibited vivacity and grace in her saltatory exercise . A great feature of the evening is Houndini , king of handcuffs . He is not only secured by three handcuffs , but is also heavily

fettered , and jet contrives , before the audience , to free himself from his bonds . His entertainment concluded with being handcuffed and fettered , and covered with a sack over his head , the mouth of which is sealed j he is then placed in a large box , which is fastened by three locks , and corded wilh strong rope , with a complication of knots . The box is placed in a small tent at the back of the stage . After a lapse of a few minutes the curtains

are drawn back , the box brought out , uncorded and opened . Mc Houdini is no longer there , but in his place his young lady assistant , who , over her fancy male attire , wears Mr . Houdini ' s coat . How this trick is done we are at a loss to imagine ; it is certainly very clever . There is a Signorita Tortajada , a Spanish chantettse and danseuse , whj is deservedly a great

attraction . I here is a patriotic military display entitled " Soldiers of the Queen , " in which there aie dances for which tuneful and taking music has been written by Geo . W . Byng . Werner and Reider , Tyroleans , sing some national songs , accompanied by the inevitable Jodelling . A very pleasant evening may bi spent at the Alhambra Theatre .

General Notes.

GENERAL NOTES .

Justice is ,. at last , being done to the memory of King Alfred the Great . The colossal memorial now in course of preparation , which is to be erected at Winchester , will probably be one of the most remarkable pieces of sculpture ip the kingdom . Mr . I'horneycroit , R . A ., who has been entrusted with the work , has already completed the full-sized model in clay , and the statue itself is expected to be finished somewhere about Midsummer next .

1 he statue measures 14 feet from the crown to the feet , and represents the King standing , with one arm resting on his shield , and the other , with sword in hand , upraised . He is grasping it so that the hilt is held

uppermost , 'lhe pedestal consists of a single block of rough hewn granite , weighing close on 40 tons , and is over 20 feet high . About £ 4450 has already been received or promised towards the cost of the memorial , and £ 2000 more is required . * m m * It is no new idea of Sir Henry Irving ' s to produce " Manfred . " We are led to believe that the accompanying music will be by Mr . Geo . Henschel ,