Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 September 1889 — Page 4

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22? 1889-TWELVE PAGES.

. . .

THE -SUNDAY JOURNAL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1889. t. TTASHICTON OFFICE 513 Fourteenth 81 P. S. IISATii. Correspondent.

Telephone Call. lnesa CZco -S3 1 Shrill Rooms. 2Q J3C13 OT SUBSCRIPTION. DAttT. BT SUI1. Ona Tar wlthont FniwlsT.- - $12.00 vr wiLfc sandsy 14.00 ?l JI wlUumt fiondaj . 6.00 S5SwlSsuuUr 7.00 TrS riUloat MdJ 3AHJ ?SSScSaSanAfT f50 Jltjcmtj 00 ; wuxit. " Per year. -...$1.00 Reduced Rate to Claba. FTn I111 our Emncrom agents, or tend guiirtption JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, LTOLixtPCua, Urn. J communication intended for publication in cum paper mutt, in order to rteeite attention, b6 oecornpanUd by the name and address of the writer. THE ENDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL Can be fotmd t the following places: LONDON American Exchange In Eoropk 449 PJLHI3 American Exchange la Paris, 35 Bcalertrd de Capudnea. TCBX GCsey House and Windsor Betel y HIULD EUPHI A A. P. XesaBlA 3735 Incaster arena CHICAGO Palmer Htnuo. CINCINNATI X. P. Hawley A Co, 151 Vine street. 1X5X7 ISTTLLEC. T. Bearing, northwest corner Tnixvl and Jefferson street. BT. LOUIS Union Kews Company, Union Depot and Southern Hotel. 7ABHXNGT0N', D. OV-Biggs House and Ehbltt House TWELVE fAtiES, The Sunday Journal haa doable the circulation of any Ban day paper In Indiana. Price fire cents. i.ii ri iiiki ft j uii I An n r ji i ri.ftiii ari. HUliPDPIII Mrflfl IQ S T 1 I 1 U rtTTCP There is a faith-cure sot often considered, bat vrhich is in constant operation and quite as effective in its workings as that practiced by professional "healers" or "metaphyBician8.,, It is the cure brought, or assisted, by the patient's faith in his doctor. Every physician knows the desirability of inspiring this feeling, and the best methods of establishing this confidence in persons under his treatment are made matters of professional study. It is only in part a question of medical skill. He may be recognized as a man of great knowledge and ability, and may lack that one essential characteristic that makes him welcome in every household. The possession of this quality is largely a matter of temperament, and its usefulness is hardly recognized by the fortunate practitioner, though he may conscientiously cultivate it through knowledge of the fact that cheerfulness is better than gloom in all the relations of life. It is the gospel of cheerfulness that this man unconsciously teaches not the aggressive gaycty and unsympathetic jocularity that1 is an offense to an invalid and his friends, but a brightness of spirits that make glad all who meet him. He comes into the house of sickness, and the patient forgets that his ailment is hopeless in watching the cheery smile and listening. to the pleasant talk that is more strengthening than medicine. He says the right thing in the happiest way in thA nnxinna family, and. without in spiring false 'hopes, goes away leaving an atmosphere that is clearer for his coming, and a feeling of regret as for a departing friend rather than a mere physician. Such a man carries good cheer with him, and his presence is a tonic in any circle; but it is as a physician that ho does most trood. When sud denly, with all his joyousness, and vi vacity, and happy nature, he is taken cut of life, there is a vacf-ncy in the community not easy to be filled. Those who " have only known him in a casual way . . . . a i nave a reeling mat a gooa man nas gone; but those to whom he has ministered, remembering his ever-ready sympathy, the inspiration and refreshment of bin cheerful presence, mourn for a friend who haa been a physician to soul as well 3 body, and whose place cannot be filled. It is a good life for a man to have lived, a career that those who have gained higher worldly honors might envy. Bin EDwnr arkold. Sir Edwin Arnold's brief visit to the United States renews the interest in the author of . the "Light of Asia," ' the "Indian Song of Songs" and "Pearls of the Faith." Tho doctrines of the great Hindoo prince who founded Buddhism are probably best known to Englishspeaking people through Arnold's poems. The system of Gotama, as presented by' previous Christian writers and Western philosophers, brought to thejreader horror and astonishment. Even so broad a scholar and thinker as Max Muller characterized it as a religion made for a madhouse,' and expresses his amazement that such religious power should have been exerted and encii moral benefits conferred Ty a teacher whose whole doctrine Brims up in atheism and annihilation. But, in the "Light of Asia," Arnold shows that Nirwana, godless and empty as it appears to the Christian mind, discharged for the disciples of Gotama the functions that Western nations find in the ideas of God and immortality. Buddhism has had tho most numerous following of all the historio religions. It is only its form of statement that has made atheistic annihilation at once its god and its heaven. Annihilation is no morothe substance of faith to the Buddhist votaries than election to damnation is to the disciples of Jonathan Edwards. Nirwana is not to tho Hindoo mind the blank of boundless negation, tho destruction of all being .that the doctrine implies to the Western mind. To them it is an infinite entrancement, a resumption of that primal, relationless, changeless fitato of which every personal existence is the deprivation. The world came frcm God, as the XVntateuch teaches; it returns to God aain. Nirwana to the Buddhist is tho mask of that chaotio nijbt csaicst which all created things ctand in relief the unknowable, infinito c:o cf human personality. All literc iura b saturated with it; it abounds in Gcz'lio, Carlyle, Spencer; it is the basis c2 Co cjncctichin of such as Huxley r.:l !!r. Tcscreoll. Usee, climate, insti-t::'.J:"y--0 ir.2-;2ccsand teachings M f TzlClLzlz to renunciate to

loathe personal existence as the sum of

evils, while the Western religionists cling to it as the one good. In tho "Light of Asia" this great renunciation is set lorth with the life of its founder in one of tho noblest and most inspiring poems of modern times. Mr. Arnold's "Song of Songs" is a sub tle idyll of Hindoo theology transferred to English poetry. It has no such deep, absorbing interest as the "Light of Asia" does not stand to it as the Divine Com edy of Dante does to the Christian story. The "Pearls of the Faith" is devoted to the author's friends in America, and completes his "Oriental Trilogy." It was composed among the Scotch mount ains in 1SS2, during a brief summer rest from politics, and suggests juster thoughts than the geographies and child's histories teach of Mahommed and his votaries. It consists of the "ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah" found in the Koran, to each of which is appended some illustrative legend, tradition or comment in verse drawn from such Oriental sources as Sir Edward Arnold has had access to--f requcntly paraphrased from the "Perspicuous Book" itself. Tho author shows in these poems tho oneness of the origin, government and life of the universe, which the JewArab camel-driver imparted to onesixth of the race as its central dogma, thereby creating a new empire of belief and civilization. There is a vast amount to be learned of South Asiatic religions and philosophical systems, and in Mr. Arnold's writings is found a good point of departure for the student, as he has added to opportunity both historic insight and religious feeling. SEASONABLE EETLE0TI0X3. What beautiful September weather we are having, and, on the whole, what a delightful summer we have had very little hot weather, only a few very warm days, generally cool nights, a sufficiency of rain, and, altogether, a comfortable 6eason. This is not said by way of taunting those who went away from home to find comfort, but simply to remind those who remained at home of how much they have to be thankful for. Pretty soon, when winter comes howling down out of the northwest, and the weather becomes really uncomfortable, do not fall to abusing tho climate of Indiana, but remember how delightful the summer has been. And these September days, how beautiful they are, and how full of life and health for those who can appreciate and appropriate their gifts. They, are the rich fruitagoof the year, the very cream of tho season. . It is always in order to talk about the weather, and threadbare as the subject is, it always seems to have a certain charm as a topic of familiar conversation. Anyhow, it is a good subject to have in 6tock and to fall back on when all others fail. , People '. are apt to talk about what they; understand best, or think, they; understand best, and, as everybody thinks he is an authority on weather, climatic, and meteorological topics, it is not surprising that they should be universal topics of discussion. There is one advantage in talking about the weather? one can appear very wise while he is really very ignorant, and can bo very dogmatic . without hurting the feelings of . the person he is talkiDg with because the chances are the latter is just as opinionated on the same subject, and is secretly laughing all the time at your exhibition of ignorance. Thus, you have the satisfaction of . expressing what you regard as very valuable opinions on a subject' which you think you are . master of, while your neighbor enjoys the pleasurable feeling of being amused at your shallow views on a subject which he thinks he alone thoroughly understands. But we were speaking about the seasons rather than the weather. When it comes to expressing personal preferences everybody is entitled to vote, and one voto counts as much as another. A person does not have to bo a meteorologist nor a weather prophet to tell which season ho likes best, and give a reason for his preference. Spring, summer, fall and. winter, each has its peculiar characteristics and charms, and each has its admirers - who prefer that season above the rest. As a rule, the young generally prefer spring, or summer, while tho -middle-aged and elderly give the preference to fall and winter. There seems to be a natural affinity and sympathy between youth and spring or summer, as there is between maturo ago and autumn or -winter. .The occupations, thoughts, activities and aspirations of the young seem to find their counterpart in tho opening energies of spring and the large, full lifo of summer, while tho settled purposes or accomplished plans "of ago "are reflected in tho ripened fruit?, tho garnered harvests, the sere and yellow leaf of the fall, or the bleaker and more dreary aspects of winter. But, after all preferences are expressed, the fact remains that each season, like each period of life, has its pe culiar pleasures, and each one added to its predecessors helps to fill up and round out the measure of life. "Autumn to winter, winter into spring, 8 price into summer, rummer into fallSo rolls the changing year, ami so we change; Motion so swift, we kuow not that we move." .WHO HEADS THE CUBRENI NOVEL? If there is one thing upon which the educational, moral and religious instructors of the public are agreed in their teachings it is tho desirability of avoiding what is known as "light lit erature," or, if indulged in at all, of taking it in homeopathic doses. School teachers solemnly implore their young pupils to Tead "useful" books, and let fiction alone; young men and women are urged, in sermon, and essay, and lecture to improve their minds by the 6tudy of solid literature, novels being branded as pernicious with few exceptions. Elder ly members of literary clubs, male and female, converse learnedly with each other on classic or scientific topics, and ignore tho existence of tho class of books that is makin most of the publishers' presses go. For these profoundly cultured persons to confess a partiality for tho current novel would be to lower their reputations for lofty intellectuality; and not to be intellectual, and of high literary tastes is, in these days, to bo out of the swim. This

is the way all the talk goes; but what is

the practice! In spite of admonitions and remonstrance, children devour fic tion from the time they are old enough to read it understandingly. The boy who will willingly exchange a story by Trowbridge, or Stoddard, or Kellogg for a volume of ancient history, or the girl who voluntarily selects one of Shakspeare's plays when a book by Miss Alcott or Mrs. hitney oflers itself for perusal is a phenomenon unknown to the majority of people acquainted with the ways of , youth. But if this fondness for fiction is so general among children, it is scarcely less among their elders. It is the complaint of certain novelists that they are hampered in their art because novel-readers are young girls, and they must write to their level; but young girls, inveterate novel-readers though they are, are not responsible for the vast grist of books turned out every season. The truth is, everybody reads fiction; children, because it gratifies their love of the won derful and adventurous, young people for sentimental reasons, elderly and gray-haired men and women as the rec reation of their busy lives. More and more is the novel coming into use for this purpose, and not the "standard" novel either, be it said. The few works of fiction that the most conservative peo ple place on the lists of "books, that must be read" are not tho novels found in the hands of professional and business men or lying in the work-baskets ot their intellectual wives and sisters. It is not to be assumed that these approved tales have not been read, but they aro not the ones taken up to while away an hour when exertion, mental or physical, is a tax upon weary body and mind. It is the frivolous novel, tho lightest of light literature, to which the tired men and women turn. Books by "The Duchess," by Haggard, by Miss Braddon but why betray the readers? They know the literature that refreshes them, by its very lack of flavor, and why should thejr fancies in this direction be made a subject of criticism more than their taste for syllabubs or other culinary trifles! The flood of novels does not come without a cause, but to fill a very definite want that of diversion and recreation in a work-a-day world. For children indiscriminate indulgence in imaginative tales may be as great an evil as their teachers say; but to rail against the novel as an evil to be shunned by all is hardly just, and savors a little of insincerity, since even the outspoken opponents aro known to indulge in secret. The publishers of a well-known magazine recently asked a number of prominent literary people to name their favorite novels, ard in response came lists that bore a curious similarity, each one giving tho titles of books worthy to appear among the "best hundred books." In commenting on the responses the editors expressed a regret that the question had not been clearly understood to mean, not the books regarded as best in a literary sense by the persons interrogated, but what they preferred to read, thus acknowledging a belief that the lists might not be identical. Plainly, the light, the airy, the frivolous novel has come to stay until a people in search of rest and recreation have found a satisfactory substitute. TnE Christian Commonwealth, published in London, England, is a religions paper without being sectarian. It advocates Christianity from a non-sectarian standpoint. A recent issue of the paper, now beforo us, contained an article calling attention to a mean attack on Dr. Sweeney, of this State, recently appointed consulgeneral to Turkey. The attack was in the form of an editorial in the Levant Herald, an English paper published in Constantinople, conducted by Englishmen and supposed to represent English sentiment m Turkey. The article is as follows: Application has teen made to the Porte for an exequatur for the Rev. Mr. Sweeney, who has been appointed consul-general for the United States in Constantinople. Mr. Sweeney is a Srominent member of the Campbellite sect, and as acquired celebrity for his eloquence as a reacher, and for his activity as a propagandist n that community. The American missionaries In Turkey, who have heretofore confined their efforts to the spread of useful knowledge and the development of industrious habits, will have a new example in Mr. Sweeney, whose 2ealous interest In the sect of which he Is so bright an ornament will find in Turkey a virgin Held for its exercise. The forms of faith professed in eastern Europe are numerous, but the CampbeUllte doctrine is unknown. Its introduction by a consular divine will not certainly be unfavorable to its propagation, for although it may be questioned whether holy orders strengthen the hands of the magistrate, thero can be no doubt but that temporal .authority, as a supplement to the moral weight of the priesthood, is conducive to those sacerdotal objects which profound conviction, added to a long and successful association, have naturally endeared to the Reverend Mr. Sweeney. There is no mistaking the temper of this article. There is in it an undertone of contemptuous disparagement, evidently intended to prejudice Dr. Sweeney in official circles and among English-speaking people in Turkey. The Christian Commonwealth comments on it at some length and with considerable indignation. It intimates that tho article was written or inspired by English missionaries, and says:' "Besides tho evident marks in tho paragraph itself, indicating the source of its inspiration, we have private information from Constantinople that a movement has been set on foot toinlltience the Turkish government to reject Dr. Sweeney's appointment." The Commonwealth regards the incident as a notablo instance of sectarian bigotry, and characterizes the Herald's article as a breach of Christian courtesy and international comity A recent article iu the Critic contending that pupils and teachers are both harmed by being thrown constantly together in women's colleges has brought out numerous expressions of opinion from teachers in these schools. Host of them agree that their strength is apt to be ex hausted by tho constant presence of the girls and the demand of the latter upon them at ail hours, and that so far as they are concerned separate residences are desirable. A difference of opinion exists as to tho injurious effect upon the girls themselves of the exclusive companionship of women. All of them seem to consider the matter from a wrong stand-point. The idea conveyed is that the: constant society of women is peculiarly wearing upon other women, but there is no reason to believe that these same teachers or pupils would be less subject to nervous strain or excitement were the households made up of boys aud rfirla. It is not a question of schools of any class, "female" or "mixed," but of a social and human law. Constant and exclusive association with the same individuals, year in and year out, is trying to the strongest human constitution. Members of the same households, feeling the fondest affection for each other.

wear upon each others' nerves until these bonds between fiesh and spirit are rasped bare and no one suspects where the trouble ies. It is a matter of common observation that members of certain families love each other better when apart than when together. It is not a lack of love in the latter case, but an action of one temperament upon another that for the time hides affection. The nearest and the dearest may 'unconsciously "take it out" of their family associatesdraw upon their vitality to a degree beyond belief. Change of society is good for every one, young or old, in school or out. The use of frogs as an article of diet is comparatively of recent origin. Formerly a frog-eater meant a Frenchman; now: it means many Americans. It is a peculiar cnlt, however, and not likely to : become very general. Tho kind of frog most affected by epicures is the bull-frog (Rana catesbiana). They are big, squatty, clumsy fellows, of a yellowish, sickly green color, and very dropsical in appearance. The demand for frogs in cities has given them a market value, and in the East they are beginning

to be cultivated in ponds, like fish. They are bred from tadpoles, which, at the proper season, can bo caught in myriads in sunny pools or mud-holes along the shores of frogfrequented streams. -The young tadpoles, carefully transferred to a pond and protected, develop rapidly and in from ope summer to two years become young froes. As soon as a tadpole gets rid of his tail and begins to paddle instead of wriggle ho becomes a frog, with all that that implies. One of the things it implies is the' right to be eaten. If well taken care of, bull-frogs attain their full 6ize in about three years, and may then weigh a pound. If the conditions are favorable they aro marketable in less time, but the large ones bring so much better prices that it is better to allow them o attain their full size, when they command as good a price as the best qualities of fresh fish. Frog-hunting is a considerable industry among the swamps and along the sluggish streams of central and northern Indiana, and they are captured or killed without regard to anything but immediate profit. At the present rate they will soon be exterminated, and then, probably, we shall go to work stocking the streams and ponds again, as we are now doing with fish. That is the American way. On Friday evening, at the meeting of the Indianapolis School Commissioners, a Journal reporter opened a "complete geography" of the Becktold-Williams series, at the map of the east central States, and pointed out to several persons present that Indianapolis and some other cities were located on the wrong side of White . river. One of the gentlemen .present expressed the opinion that the mistake was not "fundamental," an opinion which is sufficiently charitable to cover all the defects in the entire bungling series. In the "Manual of the Publio Schools" of this city, Pago 107, is the following on coursQ of study for the guidance of the teacher: "In passing from the study of the local geography in the 3 A grade the pupil should be led to see spread out about him the State of Indiana. The teacher may . lead ; the class to follow in imagination White river to its mouth. Locate the principal .cities with reference to Indianapolis, to ono another, and to parts "'of the State. ' Make imaginary journeys by railroad or water from Indianapolis to other cities of the State, and from one of these cities to another." r Yes, teacher, just try that, using the Becktold-Williams map, and see where you will lead the children. They will be as effectually losti as were those youngsters who followed the Pied Piper from Kamelin town several centuries ago. TnE United Presbyterian ministers of the country are agitated over the tobacco question. Last year the General Assembly handed down two propositions to be voted on at the next meeting. . One is to so amend the Book of Government of the church that any theological student who uses tobacco shall he refused license to preach, and the , second, that no church member who uses tobacco . eh all be eligible to the office of elder. The brethren, at least those who smoke, are hardly willing to vote in favor of tabacco, and yet have personal reasons for not wishing to banish the weed. The most of them aro of tho opinion that the question of its use is a personal matter, to be decided by the individual alone. This argument will have no weight with Miss Willard, who proposes to have a law passed prohibiting tobacco, as well as whisky. Some of the preachers who favor personal option as to tobacco advocate prohibition for whisky. This inconsistent course will not do. If the State has a right to control individual liberty in one case, . it has in the other, and when laws prohibiting whisky are passed, tho reformers aro likely to .look about and prohibit other indulgences of other people. It is a principle that, if accepted, has no limit There has been of late a perceptible diminution in the number of English sparrows hereabout. They are not nearly so numerous in the Btrects and their chatter is much less incessant than formerly. x The universal war that has been made upon them is having its effect; What with airguns, devil-slings, trapping-nets, etc., they are being killed offfaster than they multiply. Whether their extermination would be an unmixed blessing is open to some doubt. It is a little remarkable that during the present season, in which the sparrows have been considerably reduced in numbers. caterpillars have been more numerous than ever before, and 6ome varieties of shade-trees have suffered Irom thexn'to a noticeable extent. It would be worth while to watch this matter and see if caterpillars increase as the sparrows aro reduced in numbers. Perhaps the sparrow may be vindicated yet. In tho chapter on Indiana prepared es pecially for insertion in the "complete geography" of tho Becktold series the fol lowing remarkable information is offered: "The State maintains four hospitals for the insane, at Indianapolis, Richmond, Logansport and Evansville; one for the blind and one for the deaf and dumb, at Indianapo lis." Does tho distinguished State histor ian who prepared this chapter really think ihe blind children of the State come to Indianapolis to have their eyes treated, or the deaf and dumb to be cured of their infirmities! Most people have the impression that tho institutions provided for these unfort unate classes are purely, educational in character. ." - - - As Atlanta paper says: One of the leading officers of the Western & Atlantic Railroad Company, in talking of the almost phenomenal success of the road in increasing its earnings steadily in spite of all the new competing lines which are being opened, said: "I don't want to appear as assuming a sancti monious manner, but am altogether sincere when I sav 'It is the Lord's doing lint for Him we would have been swamped long ago, whereas by Ilia aid we have steadily ridden on the top wave of prosperity, anu me amu esteem oi our neign bors If this is the result of the Lord's engag ing in the railroad business, his services will, doubtless, be in general demaud. Blinkers, or blinus for horses, are going out of use in Europe. In France the Soci

ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has resolved to do its utmost to obtain their abolition. In London they are not used on street-car lines, and apparently this is a great advantage. The horses are allowed to see everything, and in time get accustomed even to road-rollers. Nervous backing and jumping aside are consequently unknown. The best way to make a horse acquainted with things is to let him see them. People are sometimes wakeful because their heads are cold. Remember that when the thermometer gets down to zero. The society editor of the Journal says a good preventive is on over night-cap crocheted out of soft zephyr or wool yarn. After a teacher has gone through the chapter on Indiana in the Becktold "complete geography" with her correcting pencil, the pages look like what is known in printers', parlance as "dirty proof." A general election will occur in France, to-day, for members of the Chamber of

Deputies. The canvass has been a hot one and the election is likely to be attendod by considerable excitement. There is one thing to be joyful about in the Robert Ray Hamilton episode. Mrs. Hamilton s sentence of two years' imprison ment will prevent her from taking the stage. To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal; What is a "homing pigeon, and how are they bred I b. City. The homing pigeon, or carrier, as it is sometimes called, is a bird bred expressly for the development of the homing faculty. Color and shape are non-essentials, although there may exist a preference for particular marking and form. It is a composite bird a bird formed by the'blenaing of different varieties of pigeons, but its pro duction is not due as much to the variety of pigeon to which its parentage maybe traced, as it is to the selection of stock of actual performance. All pigeons possess in some degree the homing faculty, but it is greatly more pronounced in some birds than in others, and in producing "long-distance" birds the best performers are selected and mated, regardless of color or shape. To the Editor of the Indianaiolls Journal: 1. When was the letter "s" changed from the old style long "f ' to Its present form! 2. When were the poems "Britannia" and "Poem to Sir Isaac Newton" pabllshedt Subsceider. City. 1. The date of the change in the letter "a" cannot be exactly stated. The long "a," resembling the letter "f," was the last of several forms which the letter passed through, before it assumed tho present one. the process of evolution occupying a very Jong time. 2. The two poems named were written by James Thomson, born in 1700. They were published in 1728 or 1729. BREAKFAST-TABLE CHAT. TnE widow of President James K. Polk received many visitors on her eighty-sixth birthday. Her mental vigor is remarkable. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe will doubtless be able to attend the celebration to be. held in her honor at Hartford on Tuesday. TnE chief footman of the Prince of Wales has been fined by a magistrate for keeping a footman of his own without paying the required license. HirpoLYTE, the provisional President of the Republic of Hayti, is a full-blooded negro, and is described as a man of ability, energy and resource. Jeff Davis is growing very infirm and had to decline attending the meeting of the Confederate Veteran Association, which will take place in Mississippi Oct 15. We are now about to have the Eiffel tower in paper weight, inkstand, thermometer and letter scale, all from a celebrated Parisian bronze-worker's place. An Ea.-tern sharper advertises a "sure insect exterminator" for fifty cents. Confiding remitters receive a slip of paper reading, "Get your insects to smoke cigarettes." Emile Zola is one year this side of fifty. Short as to stature, thick-set vas to build and parched as to face, he wears eye-glasses and a painfully sheepish expression before straDgers. Col. Paul Frederick De Quincy has recently been made Sergeant-at-arms of the New Zealand Parliament. He is the sole survivor of five sons of the famous essayist and opium-eater. , Dr. Morgan Dix, rector of Trinity Church, New York, is accustomed to work sixteen hours a day. He boasts that Trinity Church has not had its doors closed once in twenty years, not even during the great blizzard of March, 18S& An effort is being made to 'get Oliver Wendell Holmes to write an autobiography. He refuses on the ground that his works already tell as much of himself as he cares to have the public learn, and that he desires to spend his remaining years in comparative idleness. George W. Cable made himself so unpopular by his Creole caricatures that the French children of New Orleans used to hoot at him on the streets and pelt him witii stones. He was finally compelled to leave the citv to escape this intolerable annoyance. Mr. Cable is a small, delicatelooking man. , Am f. lie Rives, who won an unenviable reputation by her kissing novel, "The Quick or the Dead," has an ungraceful figure, crowned by a beautiful face. Indeed, if the truth must be told, she is short, somewhat dumpty, and although she is very x'ond of horseback riding, she does not look at all well iu the saddle. The Shah of Persia has had a long interview with Hadji Hassein Ghooly Khan about America. -The details of their conversation are not known, but it is understood that the Shah's curiocity regarding our conntry has been roused to a feverish heat. It is rumored that he is now making arrangements to come to America next spring incognito. A curious historical document hangs in the private office of Judge John J. Gorman, at No. 2 West Fourteenth street, New York. It purports to be the original commission granted by John Hancock, President of the United Mates, on Oct. 10, 1776, to John Paul Jones, the gTeat naval hero of tho revolution. The signature of President Hancock is in his well-known round hand, and the script of John Paul Jones's name appears to nave Dcen written in the same bold hand. Somebody who has been studying the passenger lists of European steamers says that fully 80,000 Americans will have crossed the ocean by the close of the year to see the Paris Exposition and other sights of the ;old world. The fares of these 80,000 go into the pockets of foreign steamer-owners and must represent a very pretty sum. Supposing they averaged $1,000 spent abroad, they will have left $80,000,000 American money in Europe. Berry, the English hangman, is as proud of his calling as wa. the hangman in "Barnaby Rudge." Berry is sociable- by nature and likes to talk of his professional success. As his occupation is not conducive to popularity, he is snubbed on all sides, but does not seem to mind it. He is a hard drinker, but never gets intoxicated. He seems to have an idea that the highest ambition a sensible man can possess is to be "worked off" by such a skillful operator as he is. He is very anxious to come to America and display his genius. James McMillan is the resident director of the Cambria iron-works at Johnstown, Pa. Fifty years ago he was driving a pair of mules on a tow -path. When twenty-two years of age he was the commander of a canal boat. He made some money on a wheat speculation aud then began to lay up a fortune. He went to Johnstown in 1S49, and from .a poor young man became president of the two banks in that city. He

is a very wealthy man at present, but is still actively engaged in business, and is hopeful of Johnstown's future.

President Oilman, of the Johns Hop kins University, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Without possessing any remarkable scholarship, he was ap pointed President of the University of California at an age when most men are f:lad of a professorship. When he was a ittle over forty ho was made president of the Johns Hopkins University. His duties are light, and the position is for life. He has visited Europe several times at the exFenseof the university, lives at the most ashionable hotel in Baltimore and enjoys great social distinction. Mr. George Miller, who is traveling and preaching among the Himalayas, has written the fiftieth annual report of hi famous orphanage in Bristol, Eng!und. Since the institution was founded it h.received and spent more than So.SOO.OC-;; J more than 109,000 persons have been eatirely supported and educated in it, stid j iens oi inonsanus materially assisiea, uv large houses, capable of affording hv:o for 2,050 orphans, have been built At a esut I of&575.000. and sixty-six 6choolv -f-r.- v ' maintained. Yet the institution hii ue . : oeen a penny in debt, and nasr.evrrcirectly or indirectly asked for human aid. The Queen of England is one of th hard est worked officials in tho realm. Arn:t from her private correspondence thore i hardly a government office that doec lio daily send her boxes of documents, warrants, etc., requiring her signature and attention. There is not a question of precedent, etiquette or change of uniform in the array or detail of military and civil orders and decorations that docs not come under her immediate supervision. The d.iily Court Circular is carefully edited, revised and corrected by her own hand, and the punctuality with which she returns documents submitted for her signature is said to be marvelous. John Hay, who has a short name, but a long head, was born in 1S38, and therefore is, or should be, in the prime of life. He was brought first into prominence by Presi dent Lincoln appointing him and John H. Nicolav his private secretaries in 18C1. Their life of Lincoln, now running through the Century, is his great work, although .Lame ureecnes" gave nay nis literary reputation. He is a millionaire, made so by marrying a millionaire's daughter, not by literature. Few literary men can boast of one home, but Mi. Hay has two, one in Washington, the other in Cleveland. He is of the medium height; he has dark hair and beard and brown eyes, liis hours for literary work are from 9 to 12 in the morning. A YOUTHFUL CONTORTIONIST. An Eleven-Year-Old Jersey Girl Who Twists Her Delicate Body Into Many Shapes. Correspondence of the Indianapolis JonrnaL Newark, N. J., Sept 21. Pretty, fraillooking little Irene Crawford, who is only eleven years old, and who resides with her parents at 83 Bruen street, in this city, is one of the wonders of the day. As a contortionist, Irene can twist hef body into more shapes and tangle herself up in more ways than any child of whom there is any record. Marinclli, who is known on the stage as the "snake mau," saw Irene go through her evolutions at ' her home recently, and he said she surpassed ny one he had ever seen. She has never exhibited in public, except for the benefit of several lodges to which her father belongs. At one of theso entertainments at Montclair, some months ago, Eibridge T. Gerry, of tho New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, was present, and thought the girl violated the law, because she was under sixteen years of age. Mr. Crawford heard of it, and since then Irene has never given any exhibitions, except in her father's parlor, for the entertainment of some friends. A few days ago she showod her wonderful powers in the presence of a newspaper man. The exhibition was given in the parlor. Before appearing she dressed in a tight suit of Jersey clpth. She walked into the parlor on-her hands. Springing lightly from her hands to her feet, she stood for a few seconds and then resumed her position on her hands and merrily kicked the back of her head several times. Once more regaining an upright position, she began a series of remarkable contortions and tricks, which lasted nearly half an hour, and included 6ome of the most difficult forms, figures or positions known to the professional contortionists. She turned handsprings backward, forward and sideways, with one and with both hands; stood on her head; did what is known as the "splits;" turned Hottentot and Japanese springs; stood on her head and folded up her body to represent a snake; formed a perfect loop by resting her breast on the floor and bending her body so that her feet were on her shoulders, one on either side of the head, made a "close bend' her body being doubled up almost like a jack-knife; rested her chin on a pad on the lioor and formed various figures, besides doing at least a dozen other difficult tricks, finishing up the whole by standing on her head with her hands and feet resting on the floor, doing what she has termed a "curved spin on head." which aptly describes the manner in which she makes her body spin about in a circle. Then she again resumed her upright position and began to amuse herself with a doll, showing no sign of fatigue. "Irene," said her father, after she had concluded, "has never received any instruction in the art of bending or doing contortion tricks, and all she knows she has learned by looking at circus and theatrical 6how-bills. Since she was two years old 6he has been remarkably supple-jointed, aud even at that early age would twist her body into all manner of shapes. When sho becamo older she would sit for hours studying the position of 'human snakes' and other contortionists who were content without that hih-sounding title. After looking at these pictures she would go into the garret, bed-room or wood-shed and practice until she got the position down perfectly. She got to be wonderfully prolicient beforo I knew she could bend at all. I don't know whether 6he will ever go on tho professional stage, but as she cannot legally perform until she is sixteen years of age, we will have plenty of time to consider the matter." Those theatrical managers and hunters for novelties who have heard of Irene have tried to scenre her services, but without avail. Mr. Crawford seems tirra in his determination not to allow her to appear in public for five years yet. s FAITH-CURE MARTYRS. People of Low Intelligence Influenced Most by the Christian Science "Healer." Philadelphia Prt-ss. The case of the Massachusetts mother who, under the influence of so-called Christian science, allowed her daughter to die in childbirth by withholding hpr from all assistance except prayer, is matched by the case of Miss Martha Olsen. a voung woman of Brooklyn, who died last week irom typhoid fver. no remedies having been used to avert the result except those in vogue with the so-called faith-curers, which an irreverent police surgeon describes as "hellish incantations." A Newark yountrman who had typhoid fever was advised by Christian science friends that all he had to do was to believe and trust, and if he did that he could do what he pleased and eat what ho pleased, and he chose to eat bananas. His faith availed him little, for as soon as the bananas reached his ulcerated bowels he died, as a matter of course, killed by his well-meaning, faith-healing friends as certainly as if they had brained him with an ax. Miss Olsen, of Brooklyn, is, in a measure, responsible for her own death. She was already a victim of the faith delusion and accepted in full its fatalistic doctrines. "1 am in the hands of the Lord," she said, 'and if He sees tit to take me I'll not interfere." So she would have no physician aud refused medicines, and in this determination she was encouraged by those about her. She grew steadily worse and died, when tho proper remedies, if applied in time, would probably have saved her. It is not easy to distinguish between such a case and that of a persou who voluntarily starves himself m tho midst of plenty or refuses aid wheu sinking in a river, saying, as do tho deluded faith-curers, "The Lord's will be done." The law was invoked against the Massachusetts woman who allowed her daughter and grandchild to perish, but her sincerity

and del n si on were so evident that the jury refused to convict her. Carl Olsen, who is the chief bettor of the Brooklyn girl who sacrificed her life to her mistaken belief ia miraculous interposition, has been placed under arrest, but, in view of the voluntary action of the girl, it is doubtful if anything can be done with him, as his crime, indeed is simply a failure to exercise commorj sense in a critical emergency. The faith cure and Christian science healers bavo had a certain vogue among intelligent peo pie, but their inliaenco is Lappily on th wane. They appear now to get their converts from a lower level, and in diminishinfl numbers. It is nrobablo that the delusion, if let alone, will die out like the best of others. It is, however, a serious question whether unlimited licenseoughtto be given them in dealing with the sick, when it is clear that their blind infatuation, disreJjaid of all experience, and refusal to nsa :uman remedies, causo the needless sacrifice . human life. - ' - m 0 - THE MEETING OP THE POETS.

2!r Edwin Arnold and Walt Whitman Tall on Each Other' Necks. j'l JladelfhSa Tress. Thero sat the poet in a big arm-chair, as straight as a plumb line, and slightly leaning acainst a huge, Khaggy bear-skin that xr. thrown over the back of his chair. The !'.If xizht from tho .window fell upon his lrov: face, and long white beard, and lowing white hair, and on the big broad collar, rolling and open at tho front. A tablo it front of him was covered with books and Capers, papers and books were strewn at is feet, and papers and books littered a bi g table behiud him. Sir Edwin rushed ac the poet with both arms outstretched. Mr, Whitman is a man of uncommon calmness of manner. But he wasn't quite prepared for all this, and he was a little thrust out of his repose. He rose, however, a little hardly, for he is not yet very strong, and gave his visitor a greeting that must have been quite as cordial as the visitor's own pleasure was sincere. "I have looked forward to this for years," Sir Edwin cried. "Then you are welcome to ray home,' Walt Whitman replied, giving him both his hands. "Welcome, and take a chair." Then, for a moment more, Sir Edwin, figuratively speaking, fell on the neck ot Camden's poet, and then ho fell to talking of poets in general, Walt Wnitman in particular, and of the great esteem m which, as he said, Mr. Whitman's poems are held in England. He himself showed an extraordinarily familiar acquaintance wittx Mr. Whitman's poems, and quoted thera by the page. Mr. Whitman only refreted that he could:, not do tho 6am or Sir Edwin. But he was not so well acquainted with Sir Edwin's poems. Sir Edward remained about half an hour and before he went he renewed to the poet .the assurance of his undying esteem. It was obvious that he had enjoyed the visit thoroughly. Mr. Whitman enjoyed it no less on his part. In the afternoon he wai faint after the excitement He would not see visitors for moro than a moment or two at a time. To one of them he said that Sir Edward brought him "messages from tho literati of Grpnt Ilritnin. r!attTinir mnsages, soft-sawdering messages." . . Senator and 11 g Driver. . Chicago Journal. Oliver Hampton Smith was elected Sena tor from Indiana in When: the election was over Smith, who was a pood lawyer and had been in Congress eight or ten, years before, took a drove of hogs down to Cincinnati, going on foot all the way. On the way he arrived at a tavern, covered with mud, unwashed and unshaven for many days. Tho crowd surrounded him, eager for news of the election. "Who's elected Senator? Hendricks?" "o " 'Nobler "No " "Who then?" "I am!" There was a dead silence for a moment, and then some one asked; "Who are you ?' A stump speech, with all the mud still clinging to his clothes, was nocessary to convince them of his right to the title of Senator in tho Congress oi the United States A Leaf for a Cradle. rhlladelplua Record. Visitors to Fairmount Park during th past week have been much interested in tW r splendid specimen of Brazilian water lily. ' known as tho Victoria Ifegia, flourishing in the parterre above horticultural hall. Tho leaves of the plant are fully, a yard in diameter, and shaped like green circular' tea trays, with an inch-high border aboub their circumference. They rest lightly on the surface of tho water, but aro of so strong a fiber that a dog or a small child couid readily 6taud upon them without sinking. Theso leaves aro often used by South American mothers as resting places for their babes, serving as a cross between a boat and a cradle. The llower is an immense white lily of wonderful purity and delicacy. The first blossom that has appeared sinco tho p!aLt was brought from South America, last spring, appeared ono day last week, but disappeared beneath tho water on Friday. Another bud is cxpectedv to burst within a few days. Decorated Gourds. Boston Transcript. Gourds are not the object of much cnltU. vatlon in this country, for even in the South' the well-known dish-rag gourd is reared in ' very small quantities, but attention is called to the subject by the sight of tomo gourd-bottles imported from Europe. On most of theso the design is graven with sharp point, and its lines tilled with black or color rubbed in, but it is possible to stain tho gourd and then to naint a design in color, or to illuminate it in gilt. The shape of the gourds are pretty, and they are both strong and light when dried and emptied of their seeds and other contents and mado ready to oe transformed into bottles, lieroi is something now for the decorator's skillif she can find the gourds or cultivate them Longevity in Tennessee. Colombo Bute JonmL When General Burnside was commanding in East Tennessee he w&j invited to dinner by an elderly farmer. The invitation warn accepted. At the table sat the mother of the host, a lively old lady, but in appearance extremely old. "Mother," said tho General, "may 1 ask your age? You appeal to be quite old for a person who can gea around as lively as you do." Sho replied "Yes, ray son. I am very old.' I have lived here all my life. I don't know adzackly how old 1 am. but I know that I am a littlo over a thousand years old." m m A Dracelet from Gold Fillings. Boston Itecord. An observing Bostonian recently taw, a$ a noted seashore resoit, a dashing and loquacious bride of uncertain atce. who displayed a good deal of jewelry, the most noticeable of which was a pair of extremely wide bracelets of plain cold. A conversation with her developed the fact that her husband was a dentist, who had himself made the bracelets for her as a birthday gift, and that they Were made entirely ot a large accumulation of gold fillings unconsciously contributed by his patrons. 31 rs. Potter's Clothes. Washington Pre. Mrs. James Brown Potter says her pres ent illness is due to the clothes she wore when she played Cleopatra. We imagine, then, she is not very ill. for when we saw her in that part 6he didn't wear clothes enough to produce anything more than a sort of tired feeling, accompanied by a slight nausea. Embarrassing to the Old 31 an. Boston Tran script. It rather spoil the dignity of a reaper ta ble middle-aged citizen, who has donned russet shoes on the recommendation of his son, and who wears them with his simple black suit and leather-colored gloves, when he is greeted by a street boy with. "Heigh, fellers, couio an beo the black-an'-tan tar rierl" Didn't Want to Itob Any One. Boston Transcript. - "Only think," remarked Fogg, at h passed the meeting-house of a strange sect) "how many religious there are in the world, and I havn't got any! However," ho added. "I never was of a grasping disposition. I never wanted a thing simply because somebody had it and becined to enjoy it" lfa Very Annoying. Milwaukee Sentinel. One of the inconveniences of lynch law is that frequently innocent persons are huna in hot haste, while tho guilty epc. Only m Temporary Embarrassment Minneapolis Tribcm. Marriage in not always a failure, la Chicago, for example, it is only U-mpor&w embarrassment. .