THIS NUMBER.-Our readers will observe that we this month present them with articles from new contributors, many of whom have not heretofore appeared in the WESTERN. The first one noticed is that of Prof. Thos. H. Safford, on "J. YOUNG SCAMMON and the Dearborn Observatory of Chicago." The Professor has charge of the Astronomical Department of the University with which the Observatory is connected, and is to write a series of articles upon topics pertaining thereto. Mrs. A. P. Sweet, of Kalamazoo, Mich., furnishes the dainty little "Devon Pixies." "My Patchwork Quilt" is from the pen of Mrs. Feuling, of Madison, Wis., and will arouse many slumbering memories in the minds of those who read it. Dr. Geo. M. Kellogg, of Keokuk, Iowa, appears with a solid, scientific article on "Where does the Water Come From?" which every scholar in the West should read. The Doctor shows himself thoroughly acquainted with the subject. "Rudolph and Hermann: a Legend of the Black Forest," by Miss L. M. Gilbert, is a very interesting poem-grand as the gloomy old forest she sings of. Prof. Boise continues his scholarly papers on "Athenian and American Sophists." Wm. H, Kingsley, of Lansing, Mich., presents a well-written page from the mournfully sad history of "The Bronte Sisters." Mrs. Burke, from Louisiana, Mo., sends a very pleasing little article on "The Lost Pleiad." "East and West," by G. Nelson Smith, of Urbana, Ohio, is a fair statement of the relation existing between the two great sections of the country. Every commercial reader will relish "The Modern

Ancæus," by M. Hugunin. Col. Brackett furnishes another readable article on "Arizona Territory." In next number he will write about "Nevada and the Silver Mines." Horace Stanton's "Vox Populi" is a well-written, patriotic paper. "Sketches from Memory," by Dr. Sideview, of Omro, Wis., are decidedly readable, and will be continued. Robert Collyer, of Chicago, has written some fine articles for the WESTERN, but none that excel "The Human Heart of Luther."

It will be observed that, in the selection of articles for the WESTERN MONTHLY, we pay no attention to the location or name of the writer, but look upon merit as the true standard; hence all Western writers have an equal chance in the "great literary race of the age."

LIFE'S MISSION.-One of the greatest needs of this age is moral stamina. The faculties need the restraining power of truth sanctified by a well-ordered life. Man has a higher mission than mere animal existence; there is a summerland of thought where the deeds of virtue grow in luxuriance and ripen into manhood. To live and move in the immoral region of passion is to degrade us below our position in the scale of created intelligences, and make us the denizens of the animal world.

There are many beings around us. who have the appearance of happiness, but within the angel of death rules the soul and withers the tender plants of goodness which are budding beside the heart-fountains of their better nature. A life spent in undermining the resolutions of the young, or in betraying the

hopes of the innocent, weakens our faith in humanity and leads to misgivings as to the progress of moral truth.

That man whose bright intellect and keen conceptions of justice are blunted by his ambition for wealth or fame, presents to our view a column of marble broken down by his own strong will. Life has a mission and an altar, where the good angel of our nature brings the sweet offerings of grateful heartshearts that were yesterday bleeding under the stroke of misfortune, but to-day are healed by the Good Samaritan of humanity.

Some people imagine that if they only get through this world by any method, whether it be noble or ignoble, their mission is fulfilled and their highest ambition realized. But there is a deeper and a holier view. Abundance is not life; fame and position do not reach it. These may be assistants at the outer court of life's temple, but they form no part of it.

The world presents a vast scene of suffering, and every one should become a missionary to enlighten and restore. Look around you and see the woe and tears, hear the half-smothered sighs of grief; poverty, wretchedness and want meet you in the alleys, on the corners of the street and in the prisons; then, ask whether there is not something more of life than mere self-love and "home comforts." Some people make their religion an outside garment, which can be worn on stated occasions, but laid away, when convenient, with the prayer-book and the Bible. What is needed is more earnest labor in the field of moral conflict. The whole life-power should be dedicated to the great work of elevating the brotherhood of man, and in sending forth tokens of relief to the fallen.

Then we can see the practical features of life and the noble qualities of man. Then life has been given to the world for an object, and has proved a blessing. It is the surest road to self-conquest to

labor for the moral growth and development of others. In doing this, we forget self, and work for the common cause of humanity; labor thus given will yield a bountiful harvest of blessings, not only to the suffering, but to ourselves. Each one can easily find a field of usefulness, and the cry Come over and help us," salutes the ear from all points. The difficulty is not in the lack of opportunities to do good, but in the disposition. The effort seems to be to close the ear against the appeals of the suffering, and this only deepens sorrow and makes the inequalities of life more apparent. We often see our alms wasted and our kind deeds converted into aids for crime, and here lies one of the great secrets of indifference among those who would ever be active and true to the interests of the fallen.

But there is a remedy for this admitted evil; it is found in moral discipline, and in exerting the hallowed influence of kindness over the clouded mind, and in letting into the unfurnished parlors of thought the sunshine of happy words and kind deeds. The struggle may be long, and at times uncertain, but it must win at last.

The Beyond is full of triumphs; crowns gleam on the brow of an emancipated brotherhood. White-robed victors will then weave chaplets of fame for those who have made life a ministry of goodness, and the sweet remembrance of other generations will compensate the service rendered for a higher and purer civilization.

REPRINTING.We have no objections whatever to allowing our many exchanges the privilege of reprinting any article published in the WESTERN, provided they don't forget to give us what is reasonably due-credit. We pay money for them, and if they are worth republishing, you certainly get them cheap enough so as to afford to simply mention where you found them.

We do not say this with a view of chiding those who have been kind enough to copy, but to prevent a repetition of any neglect in the future.

We believe in the West fostering home talent, and hope that Messrs. Reed & Tuttle will not rob us of the opportunity to commend their enterprise, by turning the WESTERN MONTHLY into a Radical organ.-Northwestern Chronicle, St. Paul.

With Church and State, as such, the WESTERN has little to do. It is not its province to meddle with the affairs of

either, only so far as tends to the "interests of the West." If the Chronicle fears it may be turned into a "Radical organ," politically or religiously, we have the pleasure of stating that its fears are entirely groundless. While

we reserve the right of fearlessly criticising all that pertains to either, our pages shall not be devoted to the interests of any church or political party, to the exclusion of all others. Ours is a broader field-the literature of the boundless West.

FLEUR DE THE.-A new comic operetta, by Lecocq, is being played with much success at the French Theater, New York. The music is said to be of the lightest kind, but contains a few pleas ing melodies.

At the New York Opera House, Offenbach's "Orpheus" is given in brilliant style.

Miss Kellogg gave five concerts in this city, the first week in February, which were a decided pecuniary success. A better programme, however, might have been selected, as there was very little variety in the performances. At the Saturday matinee, the programme was nearly the same as that of Friday evening. Kopta, the violinist, was well received; but Miss Topp, the pianiste, deserved better treatment. Lotti, the tenor, was a failure, owing to an unfortunate hoarseness. Mendelssohn's "Athalia" was performed at Elizabeth, N. J., on the 17th inst., under the direction of the organist, Morgap.

Oscar Pfeiffer, the pianist, was well received in Boston.

The four German Singing Societies of Paris have been consolidated, and are to give a grand concert.

Preparations are being made at Baltimore for the coming Sængerfest. The "Maryland Institute" building has been engaged for the concerts. Two prizes are announced-one valued at $1,500, and the other at $1,000. Two European Societies have been invited.

The third concert of the New York Philharmonic Society brought nothing new, although Mendelssohn's "Reformation" symphony and two parts of Schumahn's unfinished symphony were announced as novelties. Ole Bull assisted in the

performance, playing two of his own compositions -the "Concert," in A Major, and the "Polacca Guerriera." At the close he was the recipient of a handsome compliment. The members of the Society presented him with a piece of plate, and Mr. Edwin Booth, who was absent, sent him an emerald ring.

Senorita Josefina Philomene, a native of Chili, and a pupil of Alard (violinist) and Quidant (pianist), has arrived in New York, where she will give concerts.

New York has another prodigy. Mlle. Marie Rose, a young French violinist of about sixteen, has recently arrived there, and is to give concerts. Henrietta Markstein, another talented young lady, who has given a piano concert recently, at Steinway Hall, and has since "favored" other cities, is to return soon.

During the season of Italian opera in New York, the following operas are to be given: Verdi's "Sicilian Vespers" and "Trovatore;" Bellini's "Norma;" Donizetti's "Belisaria," and Meyerbeer's "Africaine." The following named artists are to appear: Madame LaGrange, in "Norma," supported by Miss McCulloch, and Signori Boetti and Antonucci; Miss Agatha States in the “Vespers," assisted by Miss Wesmael and Signori Brignoli and Orlandini. The "season" is to continue until Easter Monday.

Theodora Mundt, a daughter of "Louise Muehlbach," is to come to this country as an opera singer.

Franz Liszt has invited all his pupils to visit him in May next at his villa in the neighborhood of Tivoli, when will be given three grand concerts, to which the elite of Roman society will be invited.

scene an aquarium is required for the characters, who have to swim and disport about between water and rocks, singing all the while.

Louis Staab, the justly eminent pianist, gave a wiree musicale on the 2d of February, in J. Bauer's music store, to a large and critical audience, who were highly entertained by the accomplished pupils of Mr. Staab.

The Hutchinson's gave a concert at Farwell Hall on the 11th of February.

Miss Scott gave a very brilliant concert at Smith & Nixon's Hall, and was highly complimented for the fine artistic execution, of her pupils, several of whom gave promise of remarkable musical ability. They did great credit to her admirable system of instruction.

We would acknowledge the receipt of the following new and beautiful music, just issued by the publishers:

From S. BRAINARD & SONS, Cleveland, O.:

"Florence McBride," "Maggie Leroy" and "Nellie Malone." Words by Dexter Smith; music by Thomas and Charles. Illuminated title pages. Plain, 40c.; colored, 50c. All beautiful songs, with chorus.

"Only a Cluster of Withered Flowers." Song. Music by Meininger. 35c.

"Summer Roses in the Heart." Ballad. Words, Cooper; music, Thomas. 40c.

"Velocipede March." By Wm. O. Fiske. 40c. "At the Gate I Wait for Thee." Belle Mahone's Reply. Words, Kail; music, Havens. 30c.

"Wedding Bells." Grand March Brilliante. Wyman. 30c.

"You Cannot Soothe My Breaking Heart." Song. Charles Sues. 30c.

"Seminary Waltz." Louis Rink. 30c.

From LYON & HEALY, Clark and Washington sts., Chicago:

"Transports." Brilliant arrangement for Piano. "Over the Bright and Sparkling Waters." Duet. Kucken. In German and English.

"They Call Me a Rag-a-muffin." Song. Comic. "The Pet of the Fairies." A Mazurka Brilliante. "Dog and Gun." Music, Webster; words by Dewing.

"Ye Merry Birds that Sweetly Sing." Beautiful Song.

"Lilly Pearl." Song-pretty. By Arthur Vane. "Remembered." March-elegant. By G. W.

Lovejoy.

From ROOT & CADY, 67 Washington st., Chicago: "Songs that we Never Forget." By Frank Howard.

"It's Joking You Are." Comic Song. "And He's got the Money, too." Humorous. "Waiting for Angels to Come." A lovely Song. "The Prettiest Girl in Town." Quartette Song. By Frank Howard. And "I'm Such a Nice Young Man. Same author. Companion pieces.

"When Sue and I went Skating." A lively Song, with piano accompaniment. J. R. Murray.

"Vote It Right Along." Song for the Times. By John W. Hutchinson.

From DE MOTTE BROS., 91 Washington st., Chicago: Sacred Melody.

"Do Right and Fear Not." Words by Cooper; music by J. R. Thomas. "It is I." A beautiful Sacred Song. By D. C. Addison.

"The Promise She Gave at the Gate." Song and Chorus. By Frank Howard.

"Souvenir de Columbus." Polka Brilliante. By Schirner, author of "Alpine Horn."

"As we went Berrying, Jennie and I." Sprightly Song. By Harrison.