Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 25, Number 23, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 January 1876 — Page 1

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VOL. XXV-XQ 23, TIIE SHADOW'S ON THE WALL.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY JANUAEY17, 13TG WHOLE ZSXrcETil.SG.j

BT PAUL II. HATKK. What mournful Influence chills my soul tonighiT I watcti th expiring flames that fade and fall. From which oiitleap vague shafts of arrowy light. Pursued by spectral shadows on the 'x!l. ily thoughts arewanjerlng on the verga or dreams, Mist-ladn, grav, ftml mbre as a -pill, Wtille lower, feebler, lilt the fireside gleams. And drr;er those quaint shadows ou the wail. The old rtd voice (fraught with tue centuries' tear ) That s terns through Infinite space and time to c' Faint with the doubts and grief of antique y tarn, Yea n that are dim as shadows on the wall The M sad voice Is whispering to my heart : M ns life, phan'asmal, vain, Illusive all. Eeh , olds too ion Its c!oul foundations part, M siting like midnight shadows ou the wall. Tr o soon the noblest passions, worn and old, lle, or grow dulled and laDguid past recall : E.VenLove may wane in memory's twilight Sad, wavering, wan, as shadows on the wall. .And oft the loftiest nature's loftles aim. Heaven soirirg once, wide as this earthly ball, KinV. n. tamwl eaerleo'er whosaeres of name

Tbe death films steal like shadows on the wail. A snbtler voice wMsirs the conscious soal, "What of high hopes which held thy youth in thralir Where flash thy chariot wheels, where shines thy goal?" The mocking shadows answer from the wail. With deepening dusk and faded flame they grow Fantast:C phantoms, hovering over all The tremulous space, or flickering to and fro In wild unearthly antics on the wall. Till as the lat iow ember drooos in gloom. Like vassals hurrying through some wizard's hall. Whirling they pass, and darkness haunts the room No life, not even a shadow's on the wall ! FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. UNDER SUNNY SKIE3. ITALY INVADED BY AN INDIANIAN. THE CITY OF MILAN ITS GRAND CAT3EDRAL WORKTOP ART A CHARMING CE METER If VESTOES OF VAIN AMBITION. Occasional Correspondence of the Bentlnel Milan, Oct. 10, 1875. Milan, the capital cf Ismbardy, is a grand old city. One of its most interesting objects is, of course, tbe ar famed cathedral. I have very often been disappointed with the buildings I have beard, and read a great deal about, before aeo Ing them. This was the case with St. Peter?, at Rome, and several others. What I saw, was very much inferior to the building ;of my imagination, very often tbe two pictures, still remain in my mind, the imaginary and tbe real, but as soon as I saw this beautiful structure, I said this Is the cathedral ol Mi lan, as I have always conceived it, graceful, beautilul. unique, u mine the eye wiin sat isfaction and Beeming as though nothing could be added. The city authorities are Increasing its beauty by removing all the unsightly old buildings from the square lu which it stands. When this is done, and the splendid buildings surrounding it are finished, it will be one of the finest squares in Europe. Tbe noble arcade just being finished, la one of tbe grandest things I ever saw. It is an immense block of buildings, or rather one mammoth building, in the form of a cross, that reaches from this great square to one in which stands a fine marble statue of the great painter, Leonardo De Vend. Through this arcade, which is paved with variegated marble, runs a wide street, covered with a roof of glass. In the center, where the streets cross each other, there rises an immense glass dome. The Bides of these streets are lined with stones of all kinds, but more especially stones of tine lancy goods. There are several large and elegantly furnished cafes and refreshment rooms. These are usually crowded in the evening by persons of both sexes, either drinking wine or flipping coffee, with great apparent enjoyment. It is really an interesting sight, when the whole scene is brilliantly lighted with gas, to stand under the center of the great dome and watch this busy moving panorama of humanity. This is only one of the many great buildings that are going up. A striking proof of the uprising and the spirit of enterprise that Italian unity has created in all these old cities. Our hotel being near, we examined the Cathedral on all sides, and one fine, clear morning, went to the top, MOST WONDERFUL SIGHT. Among the many interesting things in this great church, are its relics and treasures. I had observed several times, when in the interior, large numbers of poor people go op to an iron railing and there kneeling flown, with t he great s reverence, seem to be most devotedly praying to something within It. This, I found to be the shrine of the great Cardinal Borromeo, the patron saint of Milan, and more especially ot the poor, paying a franc apiece, we went down into the crypt to see this and some otner curiosities. The shrine Is In a rich little chapel in which lamps are constantly kept burning right under the center ot the great dome. The Intelligent priest who was our cicerone snd who spoke good Eoglisb, after showing us the richness of the chapel and pointing out the many val nable gifts that had been bestowed bv cele brated persons, told us that by paying five francs more we could bare a sight of the saint himself. Alter receiving the money be put on a robe of greater sanctity anil lighting an extra lamp began to turn a crank wuich slowly raised the solid silver shrine and we saw enclosed in a crystal case a grin cing skeleton. It was clothed with a robe inlaid with gold and upon its bony finger was a diamond ring of immense value. The riches ot this tomb are estimated at more than two hundred and . fifty thousand dol lars. Among the recent gi ts I was very sorry to see a very valuable gold cross eiuaoea wnn aiatnonas, a preseut and an offering from Cardinal Wiseman. I bad always thought be bad too much English good sense for such folly. Surely the good man whose ghostly remains are thus exhibited like a penny ahow Instead of being al lowed to rest quietly In the tomb would, if live, look with contempt upon these trap pings and this miserable farce. lie would, do doubt, as he did when alive, apply all this useless wealth to active benevolence. leedinz the poor, clothing the naked, rain istering to the sick and to tbe necessities of tbe wretctei otjecjs around him. I was sorry to see large numbers go end worship at this tomb, like votarlas as tlia satine of a hcathsn deity, and jet I could- tot help being, glad to see eminent goodness like this honored and com memorated. Of course we went to see the church of 8t. Ambrose and tbe old building in which is all that remains of -Leonardo Da Vincle'd great tictv&b of the last supper. Though defaced and almost destroyed by iUo abusa that It baa received, yet the Land

of tbe great master can be clearly seen in its

execution and design. I could recognize the same wonderful countenance of our blessed Savior that I saw painted by tbe same great artist In tbe cathedral at Antwerp, it brought to my mind the same feelings I bad then, and tbe same tears to my eyes. I have no language to convey tfce expression of that countenance. I saw in that painting, a I have eean in no other, an untold depth of sorrow, of entire resignation, and of lov ing pity, R3 looking on His ci3cipie3 lie sa!d"Tnis night one cf you shall bctra? Me." Among tbe many artists tak ing cor-i&s of tliU immortal work one bad If ft a mos: ad mirablo copy. Peter's indignant inquiry for the nama of the traitor, and the varied expie-jsioES of countenance upon the faces of the wondering, terror stricken did pits were well given. How very few copies of great paintings have in them the soul of the originate. There is an intangibility about it that is hard to catch and put upou canvass, and yet the life of the picture is in it. I was talking to a Florentine artist a few days azo, upon this subject, and he said: "I do not find it a very difficult thing to accurately delineate the human form, to get a good, true likeness of tbe features, but I find it very difficult to get the expression, tne ootflashing of the soul that reveals the man." I had a short time before met his charming wile. I went into bis studio to meet her a second time, in marble, with the same smiling benignity ol countenance that I had before seen. Does not this very thing make the difference between a great artist and an inferior one? The cemetery of Milan seems to me to be the mcst perfect conception ot a city of tbe dead that I have ever seeD, and when finished will be one of the finest in tbe world. It docs not possess the natural advantages f Greenwood, or even of our own Crown Ulli. It Is situated uoon a levol plain. A large building nearly a quarter of a mile in length covers the front entrance. This immense building, which is still unfinished, is to be a great city mansoleum, large enough to afljrd a palace of sepulture to thousand- yet unborn. In tbe center of be building there is to te a large circular hall, with a dome like the Pantheon in Rome. Ail around the casement of this room (which is above ground) are places for the interment of the dead. In the second story, which will be reached on both sides by wide flights of marble steps, there will be alcoves, over the vaults below, fcr monuments and s'atuary. From each side of th's central building will diverge two large corridors. Oue ol these already built is a handsome cut stone edifice of b.autiful design and execution, this forms a eiies of corridors more than lilteen hundred feet In length. Tho lower part, which is lofty and well ventilated, is provided on earn sic with receptacles for the dead. Ti ese are all separate and just large enough to admit one coffin. When the interment s made a marble slab fitting the opeuir.g closes the tomb. Upon this, of course, the name and epitaph ot the occupant are inscribed. Into this cool, quiet place of the dead, only friends sre admitted. Oj looking in through the iron gates I was pleased to see the numerous mementos of fresh flowers, immortelles and other tokens of loving affection brought to the graves of loved ones by hands and hearts that could not forget these grateful manifestations. Surely, this custom so prevalent upon tLe continent, is a beautiful oner Is it not a pleaiant thought that our dear ones will not forget us after we have passed away, but will keep our memories green by these floral ofleiiogs at our graves. The gallery above the corridor has arched niches for MONUMENTS AND STATUARY. The de6lgrs and execution of many of ttem are exceedingly beautiful. One the monument of a good man who bad been a great benefactor to the poor represented a poor widow and two children on a snowy night at his door, which be was Jast opening from within, all most strikingly life-like. Beside this great central building, there are many fine tombs of great beauty and taste. This spacious gallery protects the monuments and statuary (many of which are of white Carrera marble) from being defaced snd disclosed by exposure to the weather. No pure white marble will long retain its beauty unless it has some such protectiou. This cemetery is owned by the city. I was told that, notwithstanding the large amount of money that was being expended in buildings, it waa still a paying enterprise. Many thousands were securing last homes lor themselves and their families. Still leaving abundant room for future generations, Milan is strongly fortified even for a modern city. There is a heavy embankment inside tbe walls, which makes in excellent corso for carriage-driving. We saw here another instance of tbe mutability of human ambition, and the freaks ot capricious fortune. When Napoleon made this city the capital of his ItalUn kingdom, calling his infant son tbe king of Italy to immltate the old Roman emperors, be at great expense built a circus upon tbe ancient plan. This would accommodate 50,000 spectators. The arena like many ampitheaters was made so that it could be filled with water upon which marine exhibitions could be given. Near this be erected what he called the great arch of conciliation, covered like the old triumphal arcbes with Alto relieve and Bass relief, representing bis own victorious battles and setting fortb his own glory. When little Napoleon gained his victory over the Aus'rians, be had part of this erased and bis xva came substituted for his uncles. And now comes along Victor Emmanuel, who has no love for Frenchmen and changes tbe French arch ot conciliation into wbat it ought to be the Arch of United Italy. Thus men plan and propose, little thinking tbat they are only puppets in the bands of a superior though unseen power. Great preparations are bmng made for tbe visit of the Koperor William, hundreds of men are at work night and day tearing away the old buildings tbat obstruct and disflgurethe publlo square. The citizens seem very much gratified that they now have a king who ranks high enough to receive a visit from perhaps the most powerful ruler in Europe. This visit bodes no good to the panal nartv here, whose power and influence is lessening every day. S. F. S. The Laramie Sun says: They have some queer girls over in Colorado. One of them, who resides In the Cache la Poudre Valley, and had been receiving tbe attentions of a young man for about a year, but, becoming impatient at his failure to bring matters to a crisis, she resolved to ascertain his ideations. When he next called she took him gently by the ear, led him to a seat, and said: "Nobby, you've bin foolin' 'round this claim fur mighty near s year, an' hev never yit ehot off yer mouth on tbe marryin' biz. 1'vo cottoaed to yer on the square clean through, au hev stood off every other galoot thet has tried to chip in; an' now I want yer to come down to business or leave the ranch. Ef yer on the marry, an' want a pard tbet'Jl stick rite to ye till ye pass ia y er checks an' the good Lord calls ye over tfce range, Jiat squeal an' we'll hitch; but, el that ain't yer game, draw out an' give coins otLer feller a show lur bis pile. Now sing yer song or skip out." lie surg.

HUMAN SKELETONS.

THE TRADE IN THEM. THE BUSINESS IN NEW YORK AN ARTIST IMPORTED GOODS FRENCH SCREWED AND GERMAN RIVETED GOODS A SKELETON SALESMAN AND HIS STOCK. An employe of the World has been looking up this branch of industry ia the metropolis and thus writes: That tbe handling ol human bone?, though a grim occupation and one calculated to send a cold shad Jer through tbe bosom of a delicete school girl !et alone many people of & sterner sort is still a necessary occuDation and one having obviously a scientific end, there wili be few to deny; nor, further, will it bedoubted that in this city of tew York where there are so many young Burgeons and doctors with the desire Co possess a complete "set" strong within them, to say cotbing of artists who love to cherish a skeleton for its picturesque effect; and ot certain unfrofessional individuals who atfect a fondness for anatomy, having at the same time no good reason for eo doing there should be naturally a brisk demand and a thriving trade in tbe article ot human bones. Tho young lady who, having read thus far, ejaculates, with a little cold shiver "Impossible 1" 6hould pause and reflect. Five hundred of these In her eyesunwholesome things are annually imported into this city, to fay nothing of other hundreds which are constructed by medical students and hospital janitors out of native material. If she be seventeen years old, there are 8,500 such marrowless horrors which have been silently closing in about her while her unsuspecting mind has dwelt progressively on barley candy, bon-bons, pink dancing slippers and pin-backs. Nay, as, reflecting, sheleaos her bead against the cbimney-pitce, perhaps there dangles within two lest of her fair cheeks a human skeleton neatly put together with brass screws! How the color would My from that cheek if she dreamed of baying such a dreadful neighbor ! and yet a pbysiciaa lives next door perhaps who ke?ps a skeleton in his cabinet, and that cabinet may ba contiguous to the ycung lady's mantle-piece, and no New York partition is more than two feet thick; and so it is all quite horribly possible, aud there is not the least bit of doubt in the world about it. Or, may be she lives in a flat, and a doctor or an artist or an amateur iu anatomies occupies TUE FLOOR BELOW. In t hat case it was better not to let the thought enter her gentle mind that, perhaps, beneath her bed her own bed, in which she is accustomed to enjoy her innocent maidenly slumbers unbroken iu a direct line, it may be, with bar unsuspicious, quietly-beating heart there dangles, attacaed to the doctor's chandelier below, one of Maitre Mazzur's French articulated and greaseless "No. 1" skeletons, exhibiting the full bureau compliment of 240 distinct and separate bones and admitting of the compound motion of the elbow joint. Iv is no unreal or imaginary skeleton which inhabits many of the New York closets; it is not an unmeaning smell which creeps out ot the medical etudent's room at the dead of night, alarming the other inmates of the house by being different from any other smell they ever experienced. Maitre Mazzur and the importers do not live in vain; there are skeletons scattered about among tbe community, If not quite as thick as leaves in Valla mbrosa, at least sufficiently thick to answer all the purposes of art and whims and science; and tbe trade in these has perhaps enough novelty and interest to warrant a slight account of the same. In Bleeker street, not far from its junction with Crosby street, stands tbe house of Maitre Mazzur, the only man outside of Paria who understands how to extract the oil from human bones so perlectly that a skeleton constructed of the same may hang in a doctor's parlor without giving offense. Maitre Mazzur does not appear to the casual observer materially different from numbers of his countrymen sojourning in this city. Nothing in his manner or bis conversation betrays the possession of that deep osteological knowledge in which he is admitted to have no peer in the world save one or two in the fabled Rou de l'Ecole Medicine of the French capital. Indeed and this is a matter much deprecated by others of his profession, MAITRE MAZZUR keeps his mouth systematically shut where bones are con corned. Ths manner of per lectly extracting the oil from and of perfectly articulating the human anatomy is preserved by him a profound secret. True, the skeletons whlcii pass from under the hands of Maitre Mazzur sufficiently testify to bis ability without the need of Maitre Mazzur himsslf opening his mouth once. Tenderly screwed and delicately rivited, admitting ot every motion, perpendicular, horizontal, oblique and rotary, and withal so clean that a lady might dandle tbem in her lap without prejudice or fear or evil, tbe skeletons of Maitre Mazzur issue forth from bis workshop a graceful and inodorous company which may well fill the heart of the master with pride. But many would give a good deal to look into the little room of Maitre Mazzur, and see bow the artisan does it all. Tbe extraction ot tbe grease is the particular wonder; other csteologers can lay a rib accurately, put together a metatarsus or a metacarpal, arrange the vertebno with discrimination, even distinguish the right knee-pan from tbe lett; but the little maitre of Bleecker street alone can send his perfectly articulated skeleton forth without a grease spot. Nobody, however, may look Into the workshop of Maitre Mazzur. There stands the old fashioned housa in Bleeker street, into which a visitor may freely go; a little, plain board door ia tbe upper story will be locked against bim; be may contemplate a human skull screwed thereupon, and Maitre Mazzur, in his shirt sleeves, will tell bim tbat a secret is a secret, and tbat be Intends to keep his for awhile yet. Wbat tbat secret 1, before the puissance of which human grease spots grow faint and die, nobody other than the maitre knows; It came down to him from his predecessor, and he preserves it and utilizes it, and doubtless profits by it additionally to profiting by the pursuits of his other business ot manufacturing musical instrumenta. But il the skeletons of Maitre Mazzur are the only ones which may walk abroad, as it were, at noonday without being ashamed of themselves, there are still OTHER SKELETONS IN NEW TORK which come from other places than bis workshop. It is not an uncommon practice for the janitors of the hospitals to clean bones and to articulate tbem for the students, though this practice is forbidden thera by the suchorlties. A student will sometimes select his prospective skeleton while Its owner is lying sick in the wards, watch it not unkindly as its superincumbent flesh passes through nature, trace it through tbe post-mortem tu tbe dissectingroom, there obtain a portion of it by lot and the rest of later by request or purchase, send it to the janitor to be cleaned, articulate it himself, and so come into possession of an anatomy which has the double merit of be

ing cheap and possessing an identity. Anc tbea tkeletons are imported from France and Germany, four or five houses in this cily doing a regular business In tbe article, though always in connection with some otter trttde. At the house of Messrs. Otto & Ravnuers, in Chatham street, the writer va referred to a gentleman who had chrvge of tbe skeleton "department." A thin little man, with bald head and deeptat, nervous eyes, bowed and, rubbing his hands slowly together, said tbat be stioulj l e fc&ppv to rive any inlonrja'ion possible.

Th writer rt-plled that he would like to be made t.crvnairjted with any interesting facts concerning tlx9 traie.and if allowable would like to look: over the steck. ''If you'll have the goodness to step dawn s'alrs, sir,"sani the skeleton salesman, "I'll chow you." Lighting a candle as be spoke, be led the way behind a show ca-e filled with surgical instruments to a door, and through this door uown a flight of awkward stairs to tbe cellar, which, although tbe dusk was only just beginning to shut in, was quite dark. THE 8ALESMAN paused at the foot of the stairs to close a second door, elevating the candle as be did so in order the better to see. "My young men," he gild, "do not like to come here after dark. They have a sentimental Idea that things of this sort grow uncomfortable wten the light's gone, but bless your heart, sir, bones is honest; they never stir unless I stir'ena," and, satting his candle ou a convenient box, the skeleton salesman waved his band as If to indicate ana recommend a general view of tbe place. As the eye graduuilly acccstomed itself to the moderate light it became filled with a vision of boxes innumerable. These were strangety labelled with such specifications as, "Bones, femur, humerus; No. 405;" "Foetal heads, feet, hands;" "skull, 6even cuts;" "skull after Bouchene," and many similar. Some of thesa boxes were opened, and revealed bones of all sorts and conditions, physiological specimens of the heart, lungs and liver, and numerous' other interesting realities which looked rather ghastly in the catidle-l'got. The skeleton salesman, alter a moment's pan9e, turned to a curtain cf some dark material which screened completely a large cabinet on one Bide of the apartment; this curtain he drew, discovering tho interior of tbe cabinet, which was lined with black velvet and which contained hall a dozen lull growa anatomies dangling at the end cf short copper wires. "Now," tald the skeleton sileetuan, sbad.iag the candle with his hollow hand in order to tnrow a stronger liebt upon tbe pleasant spectacle in the cabinet, "that's much better quarters for 'em than those silver-handled horrors as tbev commonly pack 'em in don't you think?" "Whatdoyo-i me a a by siver-hand'.ed horrors?" "Coffijs, of course." People have a notion that they must pack 'em away in boxes and brkk graves at a ruinous expense, when they might make a profit on 'em and keem 'em of tome use in the world by just consigning 'eti to some respectalle house as did A GOOD BUSINESS ' in that line. Turning tbe subject the writer proposed a number of questions, in answer to which he obtained a yariety of information. The best workmanship In skeletons always excepting the work of Maitre Mazzur is done in France. Thete the joints are articulated with screws, and the bones are capable of being taken ipsrt and replaced without trouble. In Germany the joints are articulated with wires simply. This process not only renders it impossible to take the different bones apart, but allows of no rotary motion of a bone in its socket. The German skeletons are articulated by a number of small and comparatively unknown business houses scattered about the country, and oftentimes by tbe pedellen of the universities, but all the French skeletons emanate from the one great house of Vasseur, in tbe Rae de l'lScole Medecin. Wherever a skeleton is se9n with screws in its elbows, that skeleton came always excepting the work of Maitre Mazzur from tbe Pays Latin of Paris. It was put in an oblong box, in company with two others, with its knees against its chin and its feet securely tucked into the hollow of its pelvi?, and bo, unknown to the superstitious mariners who sailed the ship, was sent across the water like tea or sugar or any other amiable and Inoffensive thing. There is no duty on skeletons if there were there would not be near so many sold. Skeletons, as a rule, are a luxury rather than a necessity. But at this point the skeleton salesman seemed utterly exhausted from having been so long held down to fact. Probably never before had he drawn the screen over his stock and left his "department" tor the day with so little regret ss he then experienced, and his "good night" as he puffed out his candle at the head of the stairs seemed really honest and hearty. THE LUCK OF A BARMAID. SHE FALLS HEIR TO 80,000 AMD MORE COMING. A correspondent of the World writes from London : It Is not often that a pretty barmaid falls into a fortune of 80.000, as a very pretty barmaid at the Harp, Jerymn street, has done; but then probably few pretty barmaids deserve such luck as well as this one did. Three yoars ago a very well known man was Mr. Thomas Alexander Mitchell, member of parliament for Bridport and senior member of the firm of Mitcbell &. Co., of London aal R!gH. He had represented Bridport for 30 years. III3 business was extremely profitable; be bad accumulated a fortune of about 250,000. lie was, however, in the habit ot drlnkiag a great deal, and be liked best to do his drinking at the Harp, Jermyn street, where he was served by the pretty Miss fielen. In 1872, to the surprise and amazement of all bis acquaintances, he walked off with Miss Ilelen one morning and married her. She made him an excellent wife, and to a great extent cured him of his intemperate passion for drink. Last March, however, Mr. Mitchell was taken ill and died. A few days before his death he made a will by which be left 30,00 to but wile; gave legacies of 1,000 each to his old servants and acquaintances, provided an annnity of 100 a year for some eld ladies, bis cousins; and leit another 80,000 in the firm of which he was the leading partner, on condition that it should remain for twenty-five years, and that then his wife should have one-half of it, while the other half should be retained by tbe firm. The rest of his property tbat is, about 75,000 he bequeathed to the Metro politan Board of works, leaving them to do what they liko with it. Mr. Mitchell's relations were greatly displeased when they learned of this will, and they resolved to dispute it. Tneir grounds of dispute were tb.it the will was not properly exscuted, that 11 bad been ouained by undue Influence, and that tbe testator was notof sound mind when he made it. Tbo case has lost been tried in the probate division of the High Court, and tho will has been sustalneJ it being shown tht.t tho pleas S6t np by the relations were wholly and absurdly false. So the pretty yoong widow gets herS0,000 down, and 10,000 more in expectancy, while tbe board of works comes in for its 75,000 oröu,oou.

PRE rTY FEET.

TEE PAST AND PRESENT OF WOMEN'S PUOES. A BENEDICT'S BOAST THE EÜTCHESS OF YORK'S SHOES INTERVIEWS WITH THK KNIGHTS OF 8T. CRISPIN TUB FEET OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. The New York Murcary publishes tLe following upon ihe subject of tbe fair tdal extremities: "Djes any lady or gontlerjin present know wbat was tLe size of Ci.dere"lsi'a fool?' "Why do you ask?'' queried a langbiug chorus of voices. "Becau?, ursy wife has the tiniest foo oversaw. Sie wears a child' &hoe, ocly seven and tbree quarters long, and yet she weighs 120 pounds." Tbo sceie was a handsome parlor in this city, ou New Year's night, aud the speaker wa a flushed and pom pens benedict, who had only recently been admitted into matrimony's fold. From that moment shoes and feet absorbed the conversation. The toes of such ot the ladies present as were graced by diminutive pedal terminations b?gan to peep like mica from beneath silken skirts, while tbe feet of those not so enviably endowed were seen no more during the evening. One married lady told of a minister of her acquaintance who, when bis wife died, afterwards paid bis pastoral calls with a Bboe of the lamented departed in his coat pocket, and it was his habit to inform wistful-eyed spinsters and mothers of marriageable daughters, generally, tbat he would never marry aaln u ail he found a lady whose foot would fit that shoe. The foot of the "sainted departed" had been unusually 6 mall. The parson himself was a pious Apollo with a mellow voice. There were several eligible maidens in the congregation; and consequently that shoe was soon utterly demoralized by the frantic attempts ot feet, many sizes too large, to force entrance therein. The shoe fitted two or three merrieJ belles, but, at last accounts, no candidate above eighteen had "come down" to the standard. A gentleman present, who parted his hair in the middle acd wore ai eyeglass a la Levi, tootist opined that the teetot American women were smaller than they were 20 years sinc-e, alleging as a cause the disinclination to exercise evinced by them. A young lady who wore a distracting pair of dress boots, remarked in silvery accents, that "to complete the costume, nothing is more important than well-fitting and stylish shoes, and this Centennial year novelties in shoes will be looked lorward to with interest." A pert little miss of ten wondered what sort of shoes girls wore A HUNDRED TEARS AGO. Replied a silver-haired octogenerlan: 'I remember reading when I was a ycung man that about the tkne when Patience Delight, daughter to Called-to-Grace Delight and Arlöc'.lon, bis wile, was tried In New Haven beiore Brother Condemned Fish and Rever end Itu member-Lot's-Wita Parkinson, lor bewitching a man named Harvey, and with her two piercing eyes banishing restraining grace clean out of him I remember, I eay tbat tbe woman were recommended to wear slippers of humanity, shoes of diligence, stockings of perseverance and garters ol determination." "About the time," continued tbe old gentleman, warmirg with his subject, "when our people began to got clocks and watches, and learned to use forks at table, our women were very tasteful about the feet. ships that used to call here brought lancy shoes from France and England that bad cork soles and ties of silk edged with rich lace, spread out like a rose, until they nearly covered the root. Iben, about tne time when the Franklin stove began to be introduced and tbe Franklin lightning rod began to be experimented witb, and when men generally began to wear collars to th6ir shirts, the belles of tbe period wore laced shoes and topknots. Just preceding the period when our brave forefathers were diluting their tea in Boston harbor, and when they were planting liberty poles pretty extensively on Manhattan island, our richer Denes were tottering aiong on high heels, as we have seen tbem np to this day. These were tfce Louis XV. heels, and some doggerel about tbem appeared in a Boston newspaper of the time, ot which 1 can remember but one line: "You can wabble along, bat take care, missi don't fall." "As far back as I can remember ladies of this city wore boots with high heels and tali tops, 'made to walk but not to run in,' as the b y s used to say. I tell you they bore a close relationship in form to those some of you girls are wearing just now. "Wbat is the smallest foot you ever saw, grandpa?" asked she of the distracting dress boots. "Well, I remember seeing a -boot, but somehow I never could quite believe tbat a lull-grown woman's foot ever got inside of it. It was made of green silk, ornamented with gold stars, bound with scarlet silk, and bad a Louis Qainze high scarlet heel. I saw it in London in 1819; I crossed the Atlantic in a steamship tbat year; it bad been worn by the duchess of York, who was renowned for her small feet. Well, it measured only FIVE AND THREE-QUARTER INCHES in length, and the breadth of tbe sole across the instep was one and threequarter inches. An engraving the exact size of the shoe was published in London after she died. Somehow, I could never persuade myself that a woman's foot had ever been inside tbat shoe." Whereupon the newly-made benedict pronounced the datcbesva shoe a fraud, a delusion and a deal beat, and said be would back his wife'a loot against ail the dutchesses in Hanky Europe. A Mercury man who bad been present went home pondering on the carious information he had beard respecting shoes and feet, and next morning be prorend ed to interview several docipies ot Rt. Crispin concerning the peculiarities of ladies' ieet. Some of the fashionable Broadway and Sixth avenue stores were first called upon. In reply to the question, " What Is the smallest size of ladles' shoe ever inquired after?" the reporter learned that there were several hebes in the city wbo invariably wore children's sizes, and bad them made to measure. There were splendidly developed belles, tall and majestic, with little, shapely feet, barely eight inches In length, and there were several petite Southern and Cuban sylphs whose tiny feet were barely six and a half inches long, and who of course always bonght mists' shoes when they purchased ready male. The proprietor of an np-town establishment devoted exclusively to ladies' eboei was asked "What ia tbe largest si' you ever sold to a lady?" After amlnute's consideration he responded with a sigh, "Well, sir, it was a colored woman. Säe took a man's sizs she needed a man's shoe. It wasn't in this store, you understand; it was "Well what was the siza of tbat colored woman'd shoe?"' It was a man's No. II, sir, and it measured about eleven and a t half inches in length, and wea correspondingly broad ss well. The reporter in pursuing hia invest! gations discovered that as a rule ladies wbo patronize Broadway and Sixth avenue stores possess the smallest feet in tbe city; and

that as we pas from tre central be'.t of the is!aid, between Sixth ard Lexingtcn avenues, and reach the Tbird, Second and Frt avenues on the east tide, ard Eighth, Ninth aod Tetth avenue on the west sidf, tbe "unJerafandicgs" o.' tb flr sex are somewhat more robust aud substantial. Then, again, ss re?pcts race?, there is a remarkable diflrence in typp, chtrscter and s z3cf fcot. Lidioiof Spanish descent Lave ULdoubtrdly the smalkst arid prettiest arched f"tt of any wotan ii the world Yer., ur til the marriage ol Philip v., cf Spain, with Lu!fo of Sivov, tn lauies were o reluctar.t to exhibit their feet es these ct LnfitHiiia'8 peninsula. Uiitil that event we are informed tbat Spanish ei'.quetrorrquired

I ' snd t'te very Ifs favcr a lady cou-d graut her erhaucid Iov6r was TO SHOW HER FEET. Since then ihcrter skirts have not inappropriately been worn by Castiiian belles than thoss of the rest cf Europe or America. Next in order of merit come our Southern women. As a rule their fett are not only pmall but exquisitely tormoi. "It doas one good to see a real Southern woman's foot! ' exe'aimed a "practical" aud chivalrous Crispin, "ihe itstep is high and perfectly rounded and the toes, free irom come, nestle together evenly as a new born babeV New York ladies whose grandmothers were New Yorkers before tbem follow next in order of peCal beauty. Not eo small ss the two preceding types, the foot ot the Manhattan belle is charmingly and symmetrically formed; but ales! ridiculously high heeli and an unhealthy emulation to appear with smaller fett than nature has provided, have wrought sad bavoc with the extremities of our wivee, sisters and sweethearts. Gotham is naw cno of the most fertile districts in the world for tbe production el corns and bunions, acd here, accordingly, are the lavorite huntinggrounds of chiropodists and other grades of tbe skilled or bungling "corn doctors." The feet of Ne England women are larger than those of N?w York not that there is more substance in tbe foot, but it is longer, more attenuated, and the instep, as a rule, is lower and cot so well or smooihly arched. English women, as a rule, have shapely feet, but larger toan any of the Amsricaa types. This unquestionable arises Irom the large amount oi walkisg exercise indulged in by the dauchters of Mr. Bull. The daughters of Erin's Emerald Isle tave thoroughly substantial fee:, with an unfortunately too prevalent and abnormal development cf the big tee jlnt. Moreover, there are more of Ilibtrnia'a native belles disposed to be flat-footed than those of any of the types above discussed. The lassies oi Caledonia are not by auy weans renowned for small or sbaptly feet. Ofttimes tbe sole clings to the ground like a flat-iron, while the foot itself is long and un9y mmetrical, with a low instep. It is a fxt, however, that can be warranted to get over a good space of terra firm a without ranch inconvenience from corns or other excrescenses. German women are very flit-looted, and tteir feet are, as a rule, fleshy and clumsy. They mostly walk with a heavy stick-to-the-ground waddl?. and their ankles are potently substantial. If the lenionic female be a Hebrew, these calue?thetlc defects are very freautntly intensified. It is an extraordinary and disappointing fact that the mpiority of those en chanting daughters of Israel, "Who walk In beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies," should so frequently possess long, unshapely, awkward feet. HINT TO HORSEMEN. THE ENGLISH IDEA OP THE BEST GAIT. The London Field, referring to the invi tation ent to England for the exhibition of live stock during the Philadelphia exhibition, says: In the meantime it is amusing to observe tbat prizes will be awarded at Philadelphia to horses which possess merits unappreciated, or at least unrewarded, on this 6ide of tbe AMamic. Thns we read that awards will be made for "running horses having made fasteat record;" for "trotting stallions having trotted a mile within 2:30;" and for "mares and geld:ngs having trotted a mile within 2:25." In England we are make entire colts accustomed to concede three rounds to geldings and mare?, whereas in the United States mares and geldings are asked to trot a mile within 2:25, while stallions are reardel as "up to proof" if they can accomplish the same distance within 2:30. It would not be eay to get together a synod of English racing men who would be willing to give a priza to "running horses having nude labtest record." We have long ago satisfied ourselves tba1". nothing can be more fallacious than the tima test, and it is notorious that Bothwell, wbo was little more than a plater, won tbe two thousand guineas in shorter time than West Australian, wbo could have given bim twenty-one pounds and a beating had they been born in tbe same year. With the awards designed for trotting horses we do not presume to interfere. The HONORS OF THE TROTTING TURF belong exclusively to the United States; and Hiram Woodruff was probably correct when he said that a three-minutes trotter is as rare and hard to find in England as a two-thirty trotter in the Great Republic O.her nations may be tempted to compete at Philadelphia by Eendicg thorougbred hcrses or pur sang cattle across tbe Atlantic; but it is certain that our enterprising cousins will have the trotting c'a-ses all to themselves. Yet we confess tbat we sympathize with tbßir determination to give prizes for fast walking horses. Many of the best judges of horseflesh that these inlands have produced were of opinion that if a horse could walk well he could do all things well. When Teddicgton, Aphrodite, Breba, The Ban and Confessor were a!l yearlings together at Leybourne Granae, Sir Joseph Hewley's stud groom, Tweed, told his master that Teddlngton would prove "the pick of the basket," as be could outwalk all tbe others. Fobert, the trainer of the Flying Dutchman and Van Tromp, was alwaye a great believer In the fast walking race horse. Every bunting man who has fcal occasion to jog home at night tor 20 miles upon the back of a tired hunter, is aware what a blessing it is to bestride a good walker and sprightly trotter instead of an animal "who kicks a six pence before him at every srep." Nothing Is better known than tbat proficiency in certain gaits is not less hereditary in horses than sre distinctive types of ieitures in human families. Touchfttona and Orlando, the gTaadsire and sireol Teddlngton, were themselves lemons walkers, and If th prtz" for wlkirg diitribatd n Pbilaielphia tr-r. 1 to dra the atfintioa of E 'rliJu bro-lora to tin dve'.jpmsnt of ex:'fli'jrce in this gait the Centennial will not ba held in vain. St. Lou's cats ad dogs takes the surname of their owners, and are given sensible names such as John, George, William, Heary, Pwter and tbe like by the directory men. Fido, Watch, Tray. Rollo and Tabby would look funny in the directory