and wearing refractive glasses. A hypermetropic or far-sighted eye is so called because the nearest point of distinct vision is farther from the eye than is normal. Its antero-posterior diameter is shorter than the local distance of its refracting media, and the retina lies within the focus. A double convex or condensing lens of greater or less power is required to assist the natural lens, to shorten its focus and bring it on to the retina. This kind of refractive defect requires the wearing of presbyopic or old-sight glasses earlier than either the normal or near-sighted eye. It is often a very hurtful mistake to delay the wearing of glasses as long as possible. Properly fitted glasses are beneficial just as early as comfort and ease in the use of the eyes and distinct vision require them. High degrees of hypermetropia require glasses to be worn all the time, even by very young children. It is mistaken sometimes for near-sightedness, because objects are held close to the eyes before vision is distinct. A myopic or near-sighted eye is erroneously thought by many to be a very strong eye. It is essentially a weak eye, and generally grows worse. Myopia may be acquired by long-continued use of the eye on close objects. Statistics show its increase to hold a close relation to the higher intellectual attainments of a people or nation. The axis of the eye is too long; the retina is behind the focal point of the refracting media; hence a concave or dispersing glass is required to throw the focal point further back. Low degrees of myopia need glasses only for distance; but high degrees require them for reading also. If the patient is a musician or artist, a glass must be adjusted for the de. sired distance. Myopes of low degrees may in old age need a convex glass, but in certain degrees never need old sight glasses; because they make use of their far point in all near work. More complicated and difficult cases, both for testing the eye and in grinding the glasses, are those described above as astigmatism. Here two glasses will cave spherical. In some cases two tions-northern and southern, At- ROMANIA B. PRATT, M. D., A FATHER'S COUNSEL. A FATHER'S counsel is good for Here are a "The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government." "All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force to put in the place of the delegate will of the nation the will of the party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests." "Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite not only that you should steadily discountenance irregular opposition to its acknowledged authority, but also that you should resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however of assault may be to effect in the specious the pretexts. One method forms of the Constitution alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a counthe credit of mere hypothesis and try-that facility in changes upon opinion exposes to perpetual change from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember. especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect_seLiberty itself will find in such a curity of liberty, is indispensable. government, with powers properly "In contemplating the causes distributed and adjusted, its surest which may disturb our Union, it guardian. It is, indeed, little else occurs, as a matter of serious con- than a name where the government cern, that any ground should have is too feeble to withstand the enterbeen furnished for characterizing prises of faction, to confine each parties by geographical discrimina- member of the society within the "It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your National Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourthe palladium of your political selves to think and speak of it as safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned; and have to be combined, each correct-indignantly frowning upon the first ing a meridian of the eye separately. One of these glasses is called cylindrical, because it is a section of a cylinder, and corrects only in one meridian. Spherical glasses correct in all meridians. If an eye is more myopic in one meridian than another, a concave cylinder is combined with a con dawning of every attempt to alien- limits prescribed by the laws, and to wish--that they will control the usual of egg, while the New Year's gifts maintain all in the secure and tran- current of the passions, or prevent distributed by the ancient Druids quil enjoyment of the rights of per- our nation from running the course son and property." which has hitherto marked the des- among the early Britons consisted "The alternate domination of one tiny of nations. But if I may even of branches of mistletoe cut with faction over another, sharpened by flatter myself that they may be pro- peculiarly solemn ceremonies. the spirit of revenge natural to party ductive of some partial benefit, When christianity began to make dissension, which in different ages some occasional good; that they may its way among the Romans the and countries has perpetrated the now and then recur to moderate the most horrid enormities, is itself a fury of party spirit, to warn against church vigorously opposed the partifrightful despotism. But this leads the mischief of foreign intrigue, to cipation of its converts in the festiat length to a more formal and per- guard against the imposture of pre-val observances of New Year's Day, manent despotism. The disorders tended patriotism, this hope will be and miseries which result gradually a full recompense for the solicitude which were of a heathen character, incline the minds of men to seek for your welfare by which they the occasion being dedicated, as security and repose in the absolute have been dictated." was the whole ensuing month, to power of an individual; and sooner Now, have these counsels been the God Janus, from whom it was or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate prized and practiced? Let the pres- called January, and whom they repthan his competitors, turns this dis-ent condition of the United States resented as a man with two faces, position to the purposes of his own Government and people answer that one looking backward and the other elevation on the ruins of public question. And, then let the politi-forward, thus implying that he stood liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which, cal and philosophical seers of this between the new and the old year nevertheless, ought not to be entirely country peer into the future and tell with a regard to both. Sacrifices to out of sight), the common and con- us what that present condition will Janus were offered upon twelve tinual mischiefs of the spirit of party produce in the near future, unless altars, not only during New Year's are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to dis- there is a speedy and an honest Day but also throughout the entire return to the correct principles month of January. It was thereupon which this government was fore very natural that the church founded. WILLIAM JEFFRIES. should oppose the festive ceremonies of this occasion. But about the fifth century the first of January,or New Year's Day, assumed a specially saNEW YEAR'S DAY has been regard-cred character as the anniversary of ed as an occasion of peculiar signifi- the Savior's circumcision and as the cance among all peoples from very early ages. The fact that it marked the closing of an old account with Time, and the opening of a new one, caused it to be regarded by the ancient Romans as a peculiarly fitting period for the reconciliation of differ- Many of the observances of New ences, the making of good resolu-Year's which once enjoyed the tions, the exchanging of visits and greatest popularity are now nearly the giving of "strenal" or presents or wholly obsolete. This is most to relatives and friends. All of these notably the case with the giving of things may be found described at presents, which though once a unilength in the pages of Ovid and versal custom is now almost entirely courage and retain it. "There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of free government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose; and there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming it should consume. A HAPPY NEW YEAR.* octave of Christmas, which had then become a fixed festival on December 25th as commemorative of our Lord's nativity. Thus January 1st still holds a place in the church calendar. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to pitical prosperity, religion and morality are indispens- other Latin writers, who also tell superseded by the giving of Christable supports. In vain would that us of masquerades, feasts, smoking mas gifts. Many of the old English man claim the tribute of patriotism altars, and white-robed processions Sovereigns, like the Roman Emwho should labor to subvert these to the Capitol. The Roman young perors, derived no inconsiderable great pillars of human happinessthese the firmest props of men and man of fashion arrayed himself in portion of their income from the citizens. The mere politician, his best and went forth to visit his New Year's gifts of their subjects. equally with the pious man, ought lady friends, to partake of the cup In his quaint "History of the to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their conwhich both cheers and inebriates, World," Howell states that the nections with private and public and to impart a hue of carmine to wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth was felicity. Let it simply be asked, the seven hills of Rome, just like his almost wholly supplied by New where is the security for property, fellow of today in any of our modern Year's presents. Among other for reputation, for life, if the sense cities. Not only were the "strenal" things he remarks that "Queen of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of or presents exchanged between rel- Elizabeth in 1561 was presented with investigation in the Courts of Jus-atives and friends, but the Emperors a pair of black silk knit stockings by tice? And let us with caution in- exacted them from their subjects. her silk woman, Mrs. Montague, and dulge the supposition that morality The Cæsars made these New Year's thenceforth she never wore cloth can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the gifts such a source of profit to them-hose any more." In return for the influence of refined education selves and so onerous a burden to elaborate New Year's presents on minds of peculiar structure, the people, that Claudius at length reason and experience both forbid issued a decree limiting their cost. us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. "In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope that they will make the strong and lasting impression which I could Like the ancient Romans, the early Saxons observed the festival of New Year's Day with feasts and gifts. Among the Persians these New Year's presents took the form *Copyright, 1888. which she received from every one practiced just as under the old Rom-woman to be the first to enter, mis- from the fact that when the present an Emperors, and the custom of ery and misfortune would infallibly style of pins first came into vogue voluntarily making them to the ensue. reigning English Sovereign continued until Oliver Cromwell, on becoming Lord Protector, put a stop to it. they were so expensive and were Upon the calends or first day of thought so desirable that they were January, the ancient Romans were largely utilized as New Year's presespecially careful to so regulate their ents, and instead of the pins themconduct that their every word and selves, the money with which to buy Apropos of this custom of giving act should be a happy augury for all them was often given, thus giving New Year's gifts, a good story is told the ensuing days of the year, and rise to the term "pin money," which of a Court jester of James I, who, they believed that as they were for- finally came to be applied to all being sent by his royal master with tunate or the reverse, glad or sorrow-money bestowed for the purchase of a bag containing a fine lap dog as a ful, happy or miserable upon that feminine dress or ornament New Year's present to a female favo-day so would they continue to be rite, was persuaded by some ways throughout the following twelve of the Court to refresh himself en months. This old superstition still route at a tavern, where they ex- exists in the minds of many persons, changed the lap dog for a pig. The especially in the northern counties dismay of the jester on tumbling out of England, where both old and his sowship at the feet of the lady young are particularly careful in was so great that he rushed precipi- their behavior on New Year's Day. tately from the house of the favorite In many of the rural districts of and into the presence of the king, Scotland it is still customary, as it shouting all the way that he had has been from time immemorial, for been bewitched by some fiend who all horses and cattle to receive an had metamorphosed his master's lap extra feeding on New Year's Day, dog into a pig, a statement which that they as well as their masters received ready credence from the may have cause to commence the king, who was a devout believer in new year with rejoicing. Readers witches and witchcraft, and who of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, had written and published a vol- will remember his "Auld Farmer's uminous work on those subjects. New Year Morning Salutation to His Auld Mare Maggie, on Giving Her the accustomed ripp of Corn to Hansel in the New Year:" "A Guid New Year I wish thee, Maggie! Hal, there's a ripp to thy auld baggie—” a ripp being a handful corn. Everyone is familiar with the customs of masquerading on New Year's eve and day, of watching the old year out and the new one in, and of firing off guns, blowing horns, singing, and partaking of good cheer on New Year's Eve; but Felix Fonteneau, a Frenchman probably few are aware that these who published a very curious work are among the oldest of all our social on astrology in 1680, says that New usages, and have been practiced in Year's Eve should never be spent in variously modified forms in nearly idle mirth and frivolity, and that all civilized countries ever since the unhappiness and misfortune will be Roman Emperor Julian reformed the result of thus misusing it. He the calendar and made the "cal-adds that it should be devoted to ends", or first day of January, the pious meditation and to an effort to beginning of the year. In many read the future. parts of rural England and Scotland it is customary for large parties of men and women to go about on New Year's Eve bearing from house to house an abundant supply of cakes, bread and cheese, together with a great bowl of what is called wassail or "lamb's wool," a drink composed of hot ale, spices, sugar, toast and apples. In the households they visit all the members of the family are awaiting their coming, and are prepared to welcome them with a plentiful supply of good cheer. The A pious old English custom was first house visited by these wassail for one of two friends meeting on carriers after midnight is regarded New Year's morning to exclaim, as highly favored, it being a popular belief that good fortune throughout the entire year is then sure to follow all its inmates. Great care is taken, however, that the first member of the wassail party crossing the threshold shall be a man, for were a Pythagoras, an old Greek philosopher (a term which he was the first to apply to himself because he was a lover of wisdom), required his disciples, of whom he had 600, to devote New Year's Day to recalling all the events and actions of their lives during the preceding twelvemonth, in order that by condemning those meriting censure and by praising those who were worthy they might the better regulate their conduct for the ensuing year. "Welcome the New Year," to which Lady readers will be interested to In this connection it is related that Queen Elizabeth once said to Sir Walter Raleigh, on receiving from him a New Year's gift of the newstyle pins, "I trust these will pin your loyalty still closer to our person," to which Sir Walter gallantly replied, "That might not be well, for my love for your majesty might ooze through the pin holes in my loyalty in so unruly a manner as to be unpleasing to your highness." GEOFFREY WILLISTON CHRISTINE. STAND YOUR GROUND. Millions now accept with pride Lo! the skies are overcast; Let oppressors run their round--- Man, inclined to rule and reign, When Messiah comes to earth, MARTYRS TO THE TRUTH. Simon Cox, Hiram Abbott, John aid and brutally murdered by an York, Charles Merrick, John Lee armed mob near Varnells Station, and John Byers. And among the Whitfield County, Georgia. His wounded who subsequently recov- companion, RudgerClawson.through ered were Isaac Laney, Nathaniel the providence of God, escaped the K. Knight, Wm. Yokum, Jacob and fury of the mob, and was permitted George Myers, Tarlton Lewis, Jacob to return home with the body. Haun, Jacob Fontz, Jacob Potts, Charles Jimison. John Walker, Alma Smith, and Miss Mary Stedwell, who was shot through the hand while endeavoring to escape. ACCORDING to the history of the Church, the martyrs to the truth of this dispensation number about forty. But this statement applies to those whose blood has been shed for the testimony of Jesus, and has no On August 10th, 1884, there was reference to the many hundreds enacted one of the most shameful whose lives have been sacrificed and inhuman acts that has ever through the hardships and exposure been recorded in the history of the to which the Saints were subjected Church, in the murder of Elders in the early days of the Church. In The details of the martyrdom of Wm. S. Berry, of Kanarra; John H. this connection it is estimated that the Prophet and Patriarch Joseph Gibbs, of Paradise; and Brothers not less than three hundred of the and Hyrum' Smith are so well known Martin Conder and John R. Hudson, Saints lost their lives from these to the Latter-day Saints as to need of Tennessee. Sister Conder, mother causes in the Missouri persecutions no description here. I will there- of the two last-named, was also alone. The deaths of quite a num- fore briefly mention that on June severely wounded; and David Hinber are also traceable indirectly to 27th, 1844, at about 5:20 p. m., an son, leader of the mob, was killed. the crusade carried on during the armed mob with blackened faces This occurred at the residence of last few years. surrounded and entered the Car- Mr. Conder, on Cane Creek, Lewis thage jail and cruelly and deliber-County, Tennessee. ately murdered Joseph and Hyrum The last martyr of this dispensaSmith in cold blood, while John Tay- tion of whom we have reliable aclor was badly wounded, and Willard count was Edward M. Dalton, who Richards received a slight wound on was murdered by Deputy-Marshal the ear. This diabolical deed was Wm. Thompson, junr.. while riding perpetrated at the time when Gov-peacefully through the streets of ernor Ford had pledged his word Parowan, Iron County, on Decemthat the brethren should be protected. ber 16, 1886. Yet in all probability The next martyr in the course of this narrative was Edmund Durfee, who was killed by a mob in Green Plains, Hancock County, Ill., in November, 1845. About the same time, Joshua Smith was poisoned in Carthage. On March 25th, 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were dragged from their beds at midnight in the town of Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, daubed with tar and feathers, and severely injured. Aquafortis was poured into President Joseph Smith's mouth, and he was held by the throat until left for dead. One of his children, who was sick with measles, and in bed with him at the time of the outrage, was thereby exposed to the night air, and died almost immediately. She may therefore be called "the first martyr of this dispensation." But the first man whose blood was shed for the Gospel's sake Brother Andrew Barber, who was shot and killed in a skirmish which occurred between a company of Saints and a mob several miles west of the Bi Blue, in Jackson County, on Nov. 14th, 1833. In this engagement two of the mobbers were killed, and several were wounded on both sides. was the number of martyrs has been augmented by the mysterious disappearence of Elder Alma P. Richards, of Milton, Morgan County, who, while laboring recently as a missionary in the Southern States, was undoubtedly waylaid and murOn September 12th, 1846, the so-dered by a mob near Meredian, called battle of Nauvoo took place. Miss., on August 2, 1888. Wm. Anderson, his son Augustus, and Isaac Norris were slaughtered, while others among the defenders were wounded. The mobbers who were driven back also sustained con siderable loss. In conclusion, it may be stated that while the above includes all the actual martyrs in the history of the Latter-day Saints, there are a number of instances wherein the servants of God, although seriously In May, 1857, while Apostle Par-wounded, were, through the power ley P. Pratt was on his way from and blessings of God manifested in St. Louis to Arkansas, he was their behalf, restored to life and followed by three blood-thirsty health, and permitted to live for wretches (one of whom was Hector many years. In a few instances the H. McLean), who had previously survivors are living to-day, and declared their intention of killing these are properly entitled to the him. To aid them in their sanguin-honor of being called living martyrs ary design they preferred fictitious charges against him, but from these he was honorably discharged by a United States Court, at Van Buren. Five days after this memorable These assassins there followed him battle the Haun's Mill massacre and murdered him in cold blood near took place, in which eighteen or Van Buren, Arkansas, on May 13th, nineteen defenceless Saints were in- | 1857. On October 25th, 1838, a battle was fought between a mob and about seventy-five brethren on Crooked River, Caldwell Co., Mo. In this Gideon Carter was killed, and eleven others wounded. Among them were Apostle David W. Patten and Patrick O. Bannion, who died soon afterwards. to the truth. Among them I would make special mention of Bro. Philo Dibble (now a resident of Springville), who was fatally shot in the stomach in the engagement with the mob near the Big Blue, in Jackson County, on November 4, 1833;and of Isaac Laney and Alma Smith, who were dangerously wounded at the massacre at Haun's Mill, in of recent years has presented some which the first-named was literally remarkable examples of courage and riddled with bullets, while almost devotion in meeting death for the the entire hip of the latter was shot sake of truth and righteousness. away. These brethren, through the On July 21st, 1879, Joseph Stand-power of God, recovered and lived ing, while performing a second mis- more than thirty-five years aftersion to the Southern States, was way- wards. Elder Laney died in this humanly butchered by a mob. The Reference must now be made to THE city on October 31, 1873; and Elder Smith in Coalville, Summit County, on June 19th, 1887. In the above narrative no reference has been made to the many Elders who have died while on missions in foreign lands. Of such there have been no less than four during the last two years; but I feel justified in stating that for the sacrifices these great and noble men have made, in giving their lives for the Gospel's sake, and for the dissemination of truth on the earth, a great and lasting reward awaits them hereafter; while here, among the Latter-day Saints, their names will be ever held in grateful remembrance, and esteemed and cherished by this and future generations as among the noblest martyrs that have ever adorned the earth. JOSIAH BURROWS. A PECULIAR RACE. THE region of the Cumberland Mountains is not one which has attracted foreign immigration to any great extent since the Revolution, yet in it is found, in considerable numbers, a race quite distinct from the homogeneous American population which inhabits that, portion of the Union. An animated discussion of the traits and peculiarities of this race has lately taken place in the columns of the New York Christian Union; aroused by a sketch written by James K.Gilmore, entitled "A Mountain White Preacher." Mr. Gilmore has won an extended and excellent literary reputation over the nom de plume of "Edmund Kirke," and is the author of historical writings relating to the Alleghany and Cumberland mountain regious, and of the part taken by the inhabitants in the civil war. Mr. Gilmore's sketch portrayed a type of preacher which, he claims, DESERET WEEKLY. * * mountain districts of the states half the prostitutes of the cities are Mr. Gilmore rejoins in a commun- scription and enrolment in the confederate army; but as soon as the federal army took possession of their country, and invited them to aid in putting down the rebellion, they were found to be altogether as hostile to the Union as to the confederate cause. There was but one way to enlist them, and that was to let them organize a guerrilla force, officered by men of their own race, is often met with among the peculiar sonal observations among them, in with free license to plunder both race referred to, and which forms a consideraole element of the population in the mountainous districts of contiguous portions of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. The portraiture was that of a knavish hypocrite, ignorant and dishonest, and being applied to a fraternity, called forth an indignant reply from several correspondents. among whom was a Mr. C. J. Scofield. This gentleman denounces Mr. Gilmore's description of the white preacher of the Cumberland Mountains with vehement indignation, characterizing it as a gross libel upon a worthy class of Christian workers. Of the preacher in the sides." support of his first portrayal of them, * * |