Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

the well-thumbed volume of " Punch , " whose pages though ancient will yet be redolent of a wit that mellows with age . And now the evening draws to a close and we will call for a bowl of fragrant Mocha , or " the cup that cheers but not inebriates . " whilst such of us as have a bent that way

will dreamily watch the blue smoke-wreath soaring upwards till lost in space . The clock strikes and we go home to rest after a well-spent day , to rise in the morning with our money still in our pocketand with our heads clear and our

, bodies refreshed for a new day ' s honest toil . And this is no fancy picture but already a reality in many a quiet spot in our land . Shall , we ask , any exertions on our part be spared till it is made the rule instead of the excejition 1

Now a word as to those that are husbands and fathers of families whom we would desire to find after dusk seeking their enjoyment rather in their own chimney-corner than any other spot ; and one will , perhaps add , a word too about the wives and children , for you surely would not have all these at your Institute during the dark evenings of winter ? No

need , we reply , if the father be a stay-athome , and fond of promoting his littleones' amusement . The games learned at the institute , if transplanted , will thrive and flourish at the home fireside ; the paper purchased at half-price from the Reading-room will afford tidings of the

great outside world sufficiently fresh ; whilst the books ( presented or lent b y friends ) from the Library , and read aloud by Ihe father , whilst the thrifty mother makes or mends the household garments , will yield an ample store of sound

instruction or harmless entertainment . That these evenings of quiet enjoyment prove not monotonous , once a fortnight or so , entertainments of Music and Reading may be provided at the lowest possible cost to cover expenses . At such gatherings the

Readings must be short , interesting and varied as to subject matter ; for it is a great mistake to suppose on the one hand that our working friends will endure continued cramming with large doses of heavy and didactic verbosity , or , on the other that they will be flattered by being provided solely with pieces of senseless inanity ; here , as elsewhere , let the learned and the

ludicrous blended hi due proportions make a well flavoured whole . Abov ? everything give those that we wish to benefit as great a share as possible in the execution of the programme , for not onl y will it give the performers such an interest

that they would never take as mere listeners , but it will afford their fellows a feeling of honest pride , that at least some of themselves can contribute to the

ainusement of the whole ; besides which , and above all , it will show them that they possess the means of amusing themselves , and lead them by a healthful spirit of emulation to fresh efforts in self culture ; one other result , too , will accrue , and that one most to be desiredwhich is that a

, love of music , that most humanising of all the sciences , will be planted and cultivated amongst those who stand most in need of such civilizing influences . Before leaving this part of the subject we must not omit to recommend the Conversazione with its

accompanying tea . Few who have not seen it would believe the keen appreciation that our poorer friends display of those ltitle curiosities which are to be found in almost every house , of the interest of which their possessors are often heedless or ignorant but which collected make quite a

wonderful display ; and still fewer would credit the gusto with which full-grown working-men will discuss tea and cake ; it is a sight to be seen to be believed , and , let us sincerely add , to be enjoyed . But , some friend will urge , we have tried all thishave done our bestand failed

, , what is the reason 1 why the reason is not so far to seek , my friend , as you imagine . You have set all this going , you say , but it has stopped like a bad clock ; peril aps the main spring has been weak or altogether wanting . You have started this machinery ,

but have you shared in its working ? Because there is all the difference between pointing out the way and going it ; between a passive and an active interest in good work ! In the English Merry-makings of the past when the Squire

" Opened his broad lawns " to the revellers , the feast was not complete without himself , and , just as in the same way that his dependants , as humble members of his famil y , dined at his table , so in the mirth that followed , he in person