Whisperings of Nature

LEARNING TO SING. 895 playing the lead part of each piece; this can be learned in a very few hours, and, while it will be somewhat slow at first, like learning to manipulate a typewriter, it will soon become very easy. Of course, I would recommend, instead of a partial accompaniment, or playing but one note at a time, that the young people learn to play upon the organ or piano, but where a person is between forty and fifty years of age, as in my case, and his time is fully occupied, it might not be worth while to take the time to learn instrumental music. I say to ''our boys," I have learned to sing; you can do the same; will you make the effort? WHISPERINGS OF NATURE. Standing on Norway's snow-clad island hills, Viewing her icy peaks and crystal fjords; Her pine-clad slopes and laughing babbling brooks And peaceful hamlets, 'neath the forest shade. Sweet nature seems to beckon me to say: "Come join with me, rejoice, and be made glad, Bask in the light, of my eternal day; Inhale the breezes of my northern clime, And sip the nectar that my bosom yields; Sit in the shadow of my ancient pines, And view thy image in my crystal lakes; Stand on the shore and view the mighty deep Where vikings sailed their fearless barks of old. And when at length thy feet shall fail and tire. And eyes grow weary with the wondrous sight, Go seek repose upon some mossy bank, And dream the dream of childhood and of love. Securely sleep, for thou art not alone, A mighty sentinel shall guard thy couch — The midnight sun, with rich and mellow light, Shall banish every dark and evil power. J. M. Lauritzen. Tromso, Norway, July, 1899.