Discipline, obedience and industry are cardinal principles in training children. The hours of school-room study are not so long as in ordinary schools, and the little ones are given plenty of time to romp and play and thus build up a healthy physique along with mental development. Various branches of industry are taught in one department, and recitations heard in another. Little boys and girls alike are taught to sew, knit, &c., and the object seems more to inculcate habits of industry and avoid mischief than for the actual work the little ones do. Small children under school age are placed in the kindergarten department, under care of some old lady during the day. Thus the mothers are relieved of care and have more time to devote to other pursuits. Any family living in the school district, whether members of the Society or not, can send the children to these schools without extra charge, where all receive exactly the same advantages.

No idle persons are seen loafing about the street corners, because the system of employment is so well arranged that every man and woman knows exactly what he or she will go at the next day. In each town a meeting is usually held each evening; affairs of the day are quietly talked over and the work laid out for the next day and everybody duly informed.

The spirit of submission seems so well understood that there are no contentions and petty jealousies; all seem to be on a common level and no cross words or sarcastic reflections are indulged. Those in authority speak mildly, and it seems a pleasure to obey. Thus in harmony they toil on, apparently happy with their lot.

The German language is used, almost to the exclusion of any other, because the people are principally German and many can speak no other language. Thus it is used as a matter of convenience and not, as it has often been claimed, because of prejudice against the English. It has also been erroneously stated that the Society is exclusively for German people; but such is not the case, for any one of good moral character who will come in good faith and submit to the rules and regulations of the Society can become a member.

The marriage vow is held to be a solemn contract, never to be broken or dissolved by divorce proceedings, and polygamy is not tolerated. As between parties unfit for marriage because of mental or physical defects, it is not only discouraged but positively forbidden. Too much haste either as to age or time is also discouraged. A young man must be at least twenty-two and a young lady eighteen years of age

before the Elders will consent to the marriage. Then, too, from the time of engagement to the date of marriage there must be a period of from one to two years, according to the ages of the contracting parties, that they may have sufficient time to reflect upon the solemn vow they are about to take upon themselves.

In the matter of dress the usual blending of economy and comfort is displayed. They wear plain garments of uniform cut, not particularly as a religious observance, but for simple comfort and economy as well. With them there are no gorgeous artificial flowers and bright colors in dress; no diamond rings and bracelets; no deceptive cosmetics; no lownecked dresses or fancy headgear, to be cast off when out of style.

The people, both young and old, are kind-hearted, hospitable and generous. The young men are sociable industrious and well-informed. The young women retiring, lady-like and sensible.

Plenty of fresh air, an abundance of good wholesome food, an even life without over-exertion or mental anxiety, regular habits both as to eating and sleeping, warm and comfortable clothing, temperance and moderation, all combine to build up and maintain a robust and healthy physique for both men and

women.

The ladies often labor in the fields and garden, but that is from choice rather than compulsion. They take a pride in their flower and vegetable gardens, and all have an ambition. to excel. The small children being cared for at the kindergarten, gives the women time after the housework is done to exercise and enjoy this laudable ambition to its fullest extent. Thus in every town the door-yards are full of bright flowers and sweet perfume and the cellars well filled with vegetables for winter use.

Society and amusements are of a substantial rather than frivolous nature. The rule is first work and then recreation. There are no circus days, bands of music, political harangues, swell parties, theatres and pool-rooms to attract the people from their even tenor of life. They have their own holidays, when they suspend work and often visit the surrounding towns, and they appropriately observe our National holidays. Social gatherings consist of church meetings, friendly conversation and harmless amusement, but dancing is never tolerated, and all retire at a seasonable hour.

As sportsmen they do not excel; but occasionally, when work is done and recreation desired, the young Nimrods indulge themselves in a stroll through the fields and woodland with dog and gun.

The physical welfare of the people is looked after by Dr. Jacob Winzenried, of Amana, Dr. C. Hermann, of Middle Amana, and Dr. Wm. Moerschel, of Homestead. These gentlemen are regular graduates from our best medical schools and their professional labors are free to members of the Society.

Churches are open every evening for prayer and are usually well attended. Regular church services are of a very simple nature, consisting of prayer, song, reading the Scriptures and a brief explanation and exhortation by one of the Elders. There are no paid preachers but some one of the Elders in each town leads the meeting. These Elders are common citizens, work the same as other members, live on the same fare, and dress as plainly as the most humble laborer. They cannot claim exemption from labor, or pecuniary compensation for their extra services in church affairs.

There is no aristocratic class, but all are like unto one great family where no one is better than another, and all work together for the common good of all, without discord or contention.

The last sad rite-the burial service-is only a plain simple affair. Without vain pomp or useless ceremony the deceased is laid away by friends in the last resting place-the grave. Nor is the cemetery filled with granite monuments or bronze tombs, for no matter how exalted the position of the deceased in his or her lifetime, the graves are all marked alike with but a plain wooden slab and a plain inscription thereon.

At Amana proper, or Big Amana as it is sometimes called, are located several manufacturing institutions of more than a local notoriety. The woolen mill at this town is one of the largest in the State and has four full sets of machinery. It is under the management of Charles Moerschel. At Middle Amana there is also another large woolen mill, under the management of Martin Winzenried. It has three full sets of machinery of the latest pattern, having the same capacity as the four set mill at Amana proper. The magnitude of the combined products of these two mills can better be appreciated when it is remembered that there are seven mules for spinning purposes, and that with one mule alone one man can spin 432 threads in much less time than one thread can be

spun by the old fashioned spinning-wheel process. Both of these mills are run up to their full capacity, and the flannels, blankets and yarns produced are of the finest quality and have an extensive sale far beyond the borders of our own State.

The prints works at Amana proper is where the famous Colony blue is produced. This splendid brand of prints is known from Maine to California; is a staple article of trade, and is kept in stock by a number of the largest wholsale establishments in the country. This establishment is under the management of Gottlieb Christen, an old and experienced man at the business.

There is also at Amana proper a large flouring mill with full roller process and elevator, under the management of Henry Zimmermann.

At West Amana there is a fine full roller flouring mill under the supervision of Andrew Urban. There are also machine shops at West, Middle and Big Amana, all capable of turning out fine work and under the management of master mechanics who are skilled artists in their line. The Society publishes no periodicals, but the job printing office at Middle Amana under the management of Lewis Koch turns out good work.

At other towns there is considerable machinery on a small scale and various trades.

At each town the general store does quite an extensive retail business with the outside trade. The wholesale store is located at Homestead, and the Society has its own traveling salesmen, through whom much of their manufactured output is sold.

Most of the machinery is driven by water power from the Iowa river, and for this purpose they have a dam in the river and a mill race over six miles long. The dam is kept in excellent repair and the river furnishes sufficient power to run their machinery the whole year round.

At Big Amana there is an artesian well over 1600 feet deep that throws constantly a full five inch stream with sufficient force to elevate the water into the second story of the factory building. The well was put down for the purpose of securing pure water for washing wool, and it is certainly a marked

success.

At Middle Amana a nice system of water-works has taken the place of the old-fashioned pump. The water is drawn from three two-inch points driven thirty feet below the surface at the woolen factory and forced from the factory through iron

pipes to an elevated reservoir holding several thousand gallons, thence of its own force to various hydrants. Water for fire purposes is drawn directly from the mill-race.

Standing on the top of the hill near South Amana one has spread before him a landscape of rare beauty and a perfect picture of prosperity. The Iowa river, like a silver thread upon a background of verdant green, winds its crooked course from west to east. From this eminence one can look down upon rich pastures, meadows, herds of fine cattle, droves of fat hogs, sheep and horses.

The little hamlets that dot the hillsides tell of many happy homes. The tall smoke flues and long mill-race tell of the busy hum of more than a thousand spindles, the big round loaf and a well-fed populace. The birds sing sweetly, and as we look forth again and again it all seems more like an enchanted dream than reality. In the very midst of this grand panorama of nature we pause to reflect and wonder if these people, surrounded as they are with all these comforts of life, where squalid poverty and wretched want is unknown, can fully appreciate all these rich blessings, even though bought at the expense of honest toil and humble living.

NOTES.

THERE were three citizens of Iowa in the class which graduated at the National Military Academy of West Point, June 12th, 1891: Hanson E. Ely, of Iowa City, Johnson county, who has been commissioned as second Lieutenant in the 22d Infantry, its present headquarters being at Fort Keogh, Montana, Palmer E. Pierce, of Traer, Tama county, assigned as second Lieutenant to the 10th Infantry, the headquarters of which are at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, and George P. White, of Plymouth, Cerro Gordo county, who goes to the 4th Cavalry, with regimental headquarters at Fort Walla Walla, Washington.