Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1881 — Immigrants. [ARTICLE]

Immigrants.

N. Y Herald. • ‘ It has been estimated that the average sum possessed by each immigrant when he lands on our shores is somewhere about S6O. The largest sums of money are brought over by men over fifty years old, and represent the savings of a life-time, carried here for investment. The people who can best be relied upon to reduce the general averageof capital introduced oy immigrants are thte Slavonians and Polandere. A great many of them have to be helped with samll sums to get them away to where they wish to settle. The Hollanders,on the other hand, frugal, industrious and clean, come pretty well provided with money, as a rule, and are, apart from considerations of personal beauty, among the pleasantest to look at. One of the most curious distinctive peculiarities of the costume of the women is a strange sort of helmet, made of brass, teilver or gold, according to the wealth of the wearer, filagree work, or exquisitely chased—a thin sheet of metal,-closely fitting to the head, and worih under a snowy linen cap. On each side the thing comes down on the temples in metallic curl. They all wear wooden shoes, and it is really amusing to see the children, even little toddlers just beginning to walk, clattering about easily and securely in the clumsy sabots. Of all immigrants the Germans are the least demonstrative in meeting their friends. Hearty hand shakings’ sometimes a solemnly administered kiss on the»cheek, and an explosive “So!” ora formal “Wie gaetes?” are about all they generally indulge in. But that their hearts are as warm and their affection are as deep’y stirrerhas auv other person’s may easily be read in* their tear-moistened eyes and the happy smiles that light up their countenances. The Russians are great kissers. Tne Italians greet with noisy laughter, kisses, and irrepressible chatter. But of all the wild welcomings those of the Irish are the most vigerous. Shouts, embraces, ejaculation of 4i Glory be to God!" “The saints be with us!” “Al* anna,” and the like, make the rafters rink. In cases where children living and prospering have 6ent for parents to join. them, the greetings are even mere wildly enthusiastic. , .