Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1878 — Page 2

The Rensselaer Union. RKNHBKUIER INDU3X

General News Summary.

PHOM WASHINGTON. A M’ashinoton dispatch of the 24th Mates that there m no change in the position of the Government on the Mexican question. While a friendly feeling waa expressed toward Mexico, there no signs of an immediate rvcognftion of the administration of President IMax. Hom. R. W. Tarizm, First Comptroller of the United States Treasury,, was strack wit h paralysis, on the morning of the 25th, and died shortly after. Tub President, on the 26th, nominated Alan son W. Bard for Collector of Customs at Boston and Charlestown, Mass., nrr Simmons, refused a reappointment. Smhatob Fbrbv, of Michigan, has l«cn chosen President pro fem. of the United States Senate. Both houses of Congress, on the 38th nit, passed the Silver Mil over the President’s veto —the vote Iv the Senate being yeas, 46; nays, 19; and in the House, yeas, 126; nays, 73. The total internal revenue receipts for the month of February show a decrease of *1,485,327 as compared with the corresponding month of last year. Bomb weeks ago President Hayes was informed by persons whose statements appeared worthy of credence that colored men, citizens of Florida, had been kidnaped and transported across the GOlf of Mexico to Cuba, and there sold into slavery. With a view of ascertaining the truth of the statement, the President. has commissioned Judge Leonard, a Republican Member of Congress from Louisiana, to proceed to Cuba and investigate. That gentleman left New York for the island, on the 27th ult. The statement is made that, should the information he substantiated, immediate measures would tie adopted to prevent the recurrence of these or similar personal outrages and violations of liitcrnStional law. Judge Izonard took letters to the Cap-tain-General from the President. Tub public-debt statement, as published on the Ist, indicates the following: Total debt, including Interest of *22,700,666, *2,214,601,047. Cash in Treasury, *172,563,921. Debt, lese cash in Treasury, *2,042,037,126. Decrease during February, *2.250,237. Decrease since June 30, 1577, *18,121,094. THK KABT. J. C. Cunton & Co., proprietors of what was known as the “Blackboard Office ” or “ Bucket Shop ” in New York City, suspended on the 27th ult This was one of many concerns for transacting stock speculations on the French pool system, allowing investments of five dollars or upward on a margin of 1 per cent. Returns from the Clearing-Houses of nineteen cities for the week ending Feb.. 23 show exchanges of *436,547,889, a decrease in comparison with corresponding week of last year of per cent. The loss at New York was 25Wpei cent; Boston, 10; Philadelphia, 21; Chicago, 12; Cincinnati, 5; St. Louis, 21. There was a gain in San Francisco of 45 per cent., due to large mine dividends. Miss Brrtha Vos Hiixkbn, the Chicago female pedestrian, recently completed, at Pittsburgh, Pa., a one-hundred mile walk in twenty-seven hours and fifty-three and a half minutes. She made the last mile in eleven -and a half minutes. She had undertaken to walk the 100 miles in twenty-eight hours, and six and a half minutes to spare. A Philadelphia telegram of the 26th announces tin- sailing from that port of the steamer Constitution " ith 500 tons of exhibits for the Paris Exhibition. Therc were sixty-seven failures in New York City during the month of February. Tint aggregate liabilities were *2,658,598; the assets were placed at *695.000. Gou^closed in New York, on March Ist, at 101 The following were the closing quotations for produce: No. 2 Chicago Spring, Wheat, *1,24(81.26; No. 2 Milwaukee, Oats, Western and State, 35<rt45Xc, Corn, Western Mixed, 50@57c. fork, Mess, *11.25. Lard, *7.60. Flour, Good to Choice, *5.20(86.00; Winter Wheat, *6.05(86.75. Cattle, *[email protected] for Good to Extra. Sheep, *5.00(86.25. Hogs, *4.25 (84.45 ........ _ ... At East Liberty, Pa., on March Ist, Cattle brought: Best, *4.70(85.00; Medium, *4.25(8 4.50; Common, *[email protected]. Hogs sold— Yorkers, *4 15(84.25; Phlladelphias, *4.40® 4 s'l. Sheep brought *3.oo(Bs.so—according to quality. ——= ... .. At Baltimore, Md., on March Ist, Cattle brought: Best, *4-75(86.00; Medium, *3.25.84.50. Hogs sold at *5.50(86.00 for Good. Sheep were quoted at *4.00(86.50 for Good. WEST -A N I* SOUTH. The trial, in Chicago, of Jeremiah Connolly and George Sherry, two reckless young men, who, a few weeks ago, when on a spree, assaulted and fatally stabbed an inoffensive citizen, named Hugh McConville, after having g rossly insulted his niece, whom he was escort big home early in the evening, ended on the evening of the 23d, the jury, after being but alxsut an hour, returning a verdict of murder and fixing the penalty of death by hanging. This verdict seems to give satisfaction to the citizens generally. , • . At New Orleans, on the 23d, Judge Whittaker denied the motion of counsel, in the case of Gen. Anderson, of the Louisiana Returning Board, for a new trial. On the 25th, the prisoner was sentenced to two years’ hard labor in the Penitentiary, and to pay the costs of the prosecution. The report of the United States Entomology ical Commission, recently published, states that, in the opfnion of the Commission, the grasshoppers will do no great damage this summer in the territory west of Mississippi and south of the fortieth parallel, and probalily not for, several years to come. The grounds for this opinion are the facts that none of the insects that were hatched fn that region remained long enough to lay eggs; that scarcely any eggs were laid by the scattering autumn swarmers, and that the permanent habitat of the locusts east of the mountains is likewise remarkably free of eggs. The Illinois State Convention of the National party will meet in Springfield, on the 27th of March. A Columbia (8. C.) telegram of the 27th ult. says Niles G. Parker, eX-State Treasurer, had been released from Jail on his own recognizance. He had given evidence inculpating former associates fn office, and surrendered documentary proof against them. In cotrsM* eration of such testimony, he had been accepted as State's witness in future prosecutions, and allowed his freedom. Tub Tennessee Democratic State Cbnvention, for t\e nomination of five candidates for Supreme Court Judges, is to be held on the 29th of May. The Missouri Prohibitionists will hold a State Convention jn St. Louis, on the 6th of June, to nominate a Wlate ticket. 1M Chicago, on March Ist, Spring Wheat No. 2 dosed at cash. Cash corn closed at 43|<c for No. 2. Cash oats No. * sold at 24Xc; and S7%e seller May. Rye 1 Jfo, 2,55 c. Barley No. 2, 46(846,><c. Cash Mefo Pork closed at *10.17)-,. Beeves—Extra brought *[email protected]; Choice, *[email protected]; Good, «[email protected]; Medi urn Grades, *[email protected]; Butchers’ Stock, 2.35(83.00; Stock Cattle, etc., *260(83.25. to Choice, *3.?8®4.a). fiheep-. |WtoC*o|ee,*B,«®t7s.

powkniN nrmjjcnmr. A port lam war demonstration was held In Hyde Park, London, on the 24th, which was attended by nearly 100,600 peroona. A similar meeting held in the interests of peace was broken up. An explosion of dynamite occurred at Parma, Italy, on the 24th, by which six persons were killed, and sixty-three injured. A Russian detachment has Occupied San Stefano, near Constantinople. A Bucbabeht dispatch of the 25th says Prtacc Charles, of Roumania, threatened to abdicate If Russia persisted In Claiming Bessarabia. Thb International Aid Commission telegraphed from Constantinople, on the 25th, that there were then 80,000 starving refugees in that citv. - Aocoumno to late Rome dispatches, a feeling prevailed there that the new Pope was not by any means so lilieral as he had been represented to be. ' At Paris, on the 25th, tke elevator in the Grand Hotel was thrown out of balance and ascended to the roof with frightful rapidity. The occupants a Russian lady and a French gentleman, and several servants, were instant ly killed. Athens dispatches of the 16th say the Greek insurgents bad landed on the Albanian coast, and were marching on Delvlno. A Rom it telegram of the 2rttli says the Pope would be crowned tn the Sistine Chapel, on the 3d of March. Father Anof.io SkixTil, thedistlngulshed Italian astronomer, is dead. A London dispatch of the 27th ult. announces the ap;K)intment of Lord Napier as Commandcr-injL'hief of any expeditionary force that may lie sent out in case of war, with Maj. -Gen. Wolseley as Chief of Staff. Official tntcHtgenve, received at Athens on the 27th ult., was to the effect that the insurgents had defeated 2,000 Turks, a few days before, at Kukulia, in Epirus, after a desperate engagement, in which 200 Turks were killed. Willis Percival A Co., London bankers, have failed for £650,000. London telegrams of the 28th ult. say the Powers were entirely at sea in regard to the time, and place for holding the European Conference, and there were grave doubts whether it would tie held at all. Ln Austrian Government circles the project was regarded as substantially abandoned, and a Berlin dispatch had announced that the Conference would not be held. It was reported from Constantinople, on the Ist, that Russia had abandoned her demand for the surrender of the Turkish - iron-clad fleet. The Turkish Minister of War has ordered the Dardanelles Commandant to prevent any more men-of-war, whether British, French or Austrian, from entering the Sea of Marmora. The Bt. Petersburg news]mpers of the -Ist say that typhus lever was rapidly Increasing in the Russian Annies in Roumania, and that it was absolutely necessary that they should return by sea instead of marching through Roumania. Telegrams from the various European capitals, received oh the Ist, show a wide diversity of opinion in respect to the prospects of peace. In St. Petersburg, the war excitement was at fever heat, and the journals were vigorously demanding that war be declared at once against England, and Constantinople lie at once occupied by Russian troops. In Vienna, hopes were entertained that a peaceable solution of present difficulties would soon lie reached. At Pesth, war was openly advocated. At London. the Ministry were taking gloomy views of the prospects of peace, and vigorously continued their preparations for war. FOHIY-FiFTH CONGRESS. A petition of James Gordon Bennett was presented and referred, in the Senate, on the 25th, asking Congrws to aid him in seeking new discoveries at the North Pole; he had purchased the Arctic vessel Pandora, and intended to man and run her at his own expense, and he desired that the vessel should carry the American flag. . Several other petitions were presented and referred ... Several amendments were submitted to the Military Academy Appropriation bill and to the bill to authorize a long bond for the investment of savings. AMONG the bills introduced in the House were: For the free coinage of the silver dollar; to utilize the product of gold and silver mines, and provide for the issuing of certificates for gold and silver bullion deposited in the mints; to incorporate the United States Board of Trade; to organize a life station and coast-guard service; to gradually retire the circulating notes of the National Banking Associations and replace them with United States Treasury notes....A motion to suspend the rules and adopt a resolution for the appointment of experts to aid the Committees of Investigation was defeated—yeas. 78; nays, 163. In the Senate, on thte 26th. the VicePresident being absent, a resolution was submitted that Senator Thos. W. Ferry be chosejj President pro frm. of the Senate. A motion to substitute the name of Mr. Thurman for that of Mr. Ferry was rejected—yeas, 28; nays, 29—Mr. Davis (111.) voting with the Democrats in the affirmative. The original resolution was then agreed to, and Mr. Ferry was escorted to the chair by Sir. Thurman, and returned his thnnks for the honor conferred upon him.. After the transaction of some unimportant business, the bill to authorize a long bond for the investment of savings was called that it should be unfinished business on the 27th. In the House, several committee reports were made, and a bill was passed providing that, in case of the death or resignation of a Pension Agent, the President may temporarily appoint his successor . Mr. Chalmere(Miss.) spoke on the President's Southern policy, in reply to a speech bv Mr. Garfield, made the previous week. .... In Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union. Mr. Butler made a lengthy speech on the financial question, advocating the full restoration of silver to the coinage of tht country. Bills were introduced in the Senate,' on the 27th ult—to provide for the entry of land by Indians under the Homestead law; to establish the rank of Inspector-General of the United States Army.... The House bill providing that, in case of the death, resignation or delay in qualifying after appointment of a Pension Agent, the President may temporarily appoint a successor was. after considerable discussion, amended and passed-48 to 8. Bills were passed in Xhe House, authorising the President to review the courtmartial proceedings of 1864, in the case of ex-Surgeon-Gen. Hammond, and to annul the same and place Dr. Hammond on the retired list, as Surgeon-General, but without giving him any right to pest present or future pay or allowances; issuing arms and ammunition to the Territory of Idaho .. The bill pensioning soldiers in the Mexican War was further considered in Committee of the Whole. When news was received in the Senate, on the 28th ult.. that the House bad passed the Silver bill over the President’s veto, after some discussion, a motion was agreed to to postpone pending and all prior orderwand proceed at once to consider said bill. The bill and veto were then read, and a motion to lay them on the table was rejected, after wbich the bill was passed over the veto-46 to 19.... The bill authorizing a speqial term of the United States Circuit Court in the Southern District of Mississippi was passed, after discussion—3o to 15.... Adjourned to the 4th. ‘ ‘ During the pendency of some other business in the House, the President's Message vetoing the Silver bill was received, and immediate action was taken thereon, the previous question being seconded and the main question ordered. Objection was made to hearing the message read the second time, and the bill was finally passed—l 96 to 73—the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. The announcement of this result was received with Smeral hand-clapping and other marks of jubition- . The bill to pension soldiers of the Mexican and Indian Wars was further considered in Committee of the Whole; The Senate was not in session on the Ist. Several private bills were passed in the House. A bill was introdudfed and referred to aid the Great Southern Railroad Company to construct a line of railway in Georgia and Florida. . The bill to prevent speculation in postage stamps by Postmasters was made thp special order for the 6th .. Adjourned to the 4th. An able man shows his spirit by gentlewords and resolute actions; he is oeitber hot nor gmid ""\ • *

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. —Trust him little who praises all. —The worst pill in the box. A pili o’ sham. —To keep yourself warm— keep the firo coaled. —The Rev. Mr. Plaratanatissatarrun•nse preaches the Gospel in New Zealand. I —How does a cow bccopio a la ided estate? By turning her into a new field. —A Portland (Me.) cow lias adopted a couple of fawns that wore left motherless. —Our-divorce counts suggest that family-iarity breeds contempt —- N. Y. Graphic. —A Nebraska girl’s observation on the Pope’s death was that her folks had all nis poetical works in their library. —A Boston editor says he never knew a man who was very sociable on short acquaintance but that htf wanted to borrow money. —Louisiana statistlcahs have discovered that after a negro has passed the age of fifty he can stand twice as mtich heat and cold as a white man. —The soprano and bass in a Houston (Tex.) church choir have been arrested and put under bonds for disturbing the peace by nnharmonions singing. —lt is said that a woman can hit a man who is dodging around quicker than one who stands still. She throws any way but straight.— Detroit Free Press. —lt is no feather in the cap of an astronomer to discover a new planet What the world wants is a'more certain cure for toothache.— Detroit Free

—The most selfish, offensive person in the world is a woman with an iron constitution, iron nerves and principles of steel. They arc the dragons of society. — Exchange. —A New England paper wants another office created —one to be filled by a man who can collect money from a Justice of the Peace after the Justice has collected it from some debtor. —“This is meat and drink,” said the sailor, who sat on the gunwale sipping his grog—following his remark by tumbling backward into the water. “Aye, and there’s washing and lodging,” said his messmate. —A man being tried for assault and battery in Virginia City, Nev., when asked by the Judge if he had anything to say by way of defense, replied: “ Well your honor, 1 saw but little of the fight, as I was underneath most of the time.” —A clergyman says, “ I once married a handsome young couple, and as 1 took the bride by the hand and gave tier my warmest congratulations, she tossed her pretty face, and, pointing to the bridegroom, replied, * I think he’s jo be congratulated ' ” Holland every year makes .915,000,000 from Java.—N. K Herald. Add this to the salary Holland receives for editing Scribner s Magazine and it will be seen that bis yearly’ income is lieavier than that of any’ other literary man in this country, if not in the.JYQrld.—Norristown Herald.

—A correspondent asks, what is the best method of feeding cattle in winter? We don’t exactly know. One man might prefer to take the ox in his lap and feed him with a spoon. Others would bring his into the dining-room and let him sit at the table with the old folks. Tastes differ in matters of this kind. -New London Telegram. —A Philadelphia lawyer agreed with a turnpike company of that city to bring a suit against the city for no compensation if he recovered no more than $20,000. He got.averdict of $70,000, and collected the money, paying the company. $20.00Q, the President, who brought him the case, about $4,000, and keeping the remaindei*. The city is trying to recover. —Angiospermous is a hard name to call string-beans, even if the caller be angry. Yet it is the scientific term. All Boston uses it. The Boston young lady who desires to decorate iftr plate anew with the fruit of that cultured clime lisps, “ ’Fye please, parse me an additional instalment of yonder leguminous angiospermous.” And they are “parsed.”—GrrajiAife-— — —The Mark Lane Express thinks it very strange that while many other formsxif sport are condemned as cruel and barbarous, fishing, even with live bait, should be generally commended as gentle and humane. “In the whole realm of sport there is no operation that requires greater callousness than that of twisting a hook in and out of the bodytif a writhing worm.” —At a Custom-House sale in New York, recently, an old oil painting,without breadth, tone or effect, and with a hole punched in the foreground, was sold for $5, and it was considered pretty dear at that, as it was impossible to tell whether it was a battle piece or the Eortrait of an old monk. The discovery as since been made that it is a Murillo, audits price is fixed at $3,000. According to this valuation a panel of old fence whitewashed by Murillo would be worth about $900,000. —A minister was once engaged to preach to his Sunday-School, but after the little people were all placed before him in order, he told them that some of them might be weary and want to go out before he had finished, so he would rather Kaye any who fancied they would like to go, to do so now, and then no one would be disturbed. For a moment all sat still; then one little fellow tdok his hat and went down the aisle; another and another followed, until not a child was left.

Famous Weddings and Brides.

History and tradition Jiave handed down to us wonderful accounts of thfc magnificent ceremonials and gorgeous raiment which have signalized the wed dings of bygone days, though some of the high-born dames of old have stood at the alar simplv apparelled. When Louis XIII. married Anne of Austria, her robe was white satin and her hair was pimply dressed* without crown or wreath. Isabella of Portugal, as the bride of the Duke of Burgundy, woye a dress of splendid embroidery, a stomacher of ermine, tight sleeves, a cloak brpidered with ermine falling from her shoulders to the ground; but she had no ornaments, ana her head-dress was white muslin. When Ann of France, finding the Archduke Maximiliaii tardy in his waging, jgave herself and Her dominions to Charles VIII., she appeared at the imposing ceremonial of her marriage in a robe of cloth of gold, with designs in raised embroidery upon it and embroidered wUh priceless sable- James I. nearly ruined himself ill order to celebrate the marriage of his daughter, the Princess Elizabeth; great and determined was opposition shown by his subjects to the marriage tax he raised to defray

the £53,924 it cost. The ceremony took place at Whitehall with so mucn pomp that it has formed the precedent for all other royal weddings io England which have followed. The train of the bride's dress, which was silver cloth, cast £l3O. Her hair floated on her shoulders, intermixed with pearls and diamonds, and a crown of gold was on her head. Perhaps, however, the marriage of Henry I. with Matilda of Scotland carries off the palm so far as outward splendor is concerned. Bishop Anselm performed the ceremony in the presence of all the beauty and chivalry of the realm. The marriage of Henry 1., in Canterbury Cathedral, was little less magnificent. Margaret Tudor, when married to James of Scotland, stood proudly at the altar as her noble lineage warranted, a crown on herdiead, lier hair hanging beneath it covered onty by a cap of gold, and with pearl about her neck. The ill-fated union of Philip and Mary was solemnized at Winchester Cathedral, as lie fitted the sovereigns of two great countries. Charles I. was married by proxy at Notre Dame. George 111. signalized his marriage with Queen Charlotte, which took place at St. James Chapel Royal, by abolishing many of the practices which then held good, but which were opposed to modern taste and feeling. St. James Chapel Royal has been the scene of more royal marriages in modern days than perhaps any other modern editice. though it is cramped and small. Queen Anne and William IV. were wedded here, and here George IV. was married at ten o’clock at night. Queen Victoria was married at the same place on the 10th of Fcbrury, 18-40.— N. Y. Graphic.

Why He Vetoed the Silver Bill.

The following is the full text of President Hayes’ message vetoing the Silver bill: Executive Mansion, I Washington. D. C., Feb. 28,1878, f To the House of Representatives: After very careful consideration of House bill 1,093, entitled “An act to authorize the coinage of the standard silver dollar, and to restore its legal-tender character,” I ieel compelled to return it to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, with my objections to its passage. Holding the opinion which I expressed in my annual message, “that neither the interests of the Government nor the people of the United States would be promoted by disparaging silver as one of the two precious metals which furnish the coinage of the world, and that legislation which looks to maintaining the volume qf intrinsic money to as >full a measure of both rnetals as their relative commercial vaßies will permit, would neither be unjast nor inexpedient,” it lias been my earnest desire to concur with Congress in the adoption of such measures to increase the silver coinage of the country as would not impair the obligation of contracts, either public or private, nor injuriously affect the public credit. It is only upon the conviction that this bill does not meet these essential requirements that I feel it my duty to withhold from it my approval. My present official duty as to the bill permits only an attention to specific objections to its passage, wheih seem to me so important as to justify me In asking from the wisdom and duty of Congress that further consideration of the bill for which the Constitution has in such cases provided. The bill provides for the coinage of silyei dollars of the weight of 412 U grains each, ot standard silver, to be a legal tender at their nominal value for all debts and‘dues, public and private, except where otherwise expressly stipulated in contracts. It is well known that the market value of that number of grains of standard silver during the past year has been from ninety to ninety-two cents as compared with the standard gold dollar. Thus the silver dollar authorized by this bill Is worth 8 to 10 per cent, less than it purports to be worth, and is made a legal tender for debts contracted when the law did not recognize such coins as lawful money. The right to pay duties In silver or in certificates of silver deposits will, when they are issued in sufficient amount to circulate, put an end to the receipt of revenue in gold, and thus compel the payment of silver for both the principal and interest of the public debt. Of the bonded debt now outstanding, sl,143;493,400 was issued prior to February, 1873, when the silver dollar was unknown in circulation in this country, and was only a convenient form of silver bullion for exportation; *583,440,350 of the 'bonded debt has been issued since February, 1873, when Sold alone was the coin for which onds were sold, and gold alone was the coin in which both parties to the contract understood that the bonds would be paid. These bonds entered into the markets of the world. They were paid for in gold when silver had greatly depreciated, and when no one would have bought them If it had been understood that they would be paid in silver. The sum of *225,000,000 of these bonds has been sold during my Administration for gold coin, and the United States received the benefit of these sales by a reduction of the rate of interest to 4 per cent. During the progress of these sales a doubt was suggested as to the coin in which payment of these bonds would be made. The public announcement was thereupon authorized that it was not to be anticipated that any further legislation of Congress, or any action of any Department of.the GovemmenL would sanction or tolerate redemption of the principal of these bonds, or payment of interest thereon, in coin of less value than the coin authorized by law at the time of the .issue of th? bonds, being the coin exacted by the Government in exchange for the same.

In view of these facts, it will be justly regarded as a grave breach of public faith to undertake to pay these bonds, principal or interest, in silver coin worth in the market less than the coin received for them. It is said that the silver dollar made a legal-tender by this bill will, under its operation, be equivalent in value to the gold dollar. Many supporters of the bill believe this, qnd would not justify an attempt to pay debts,.either public or private, in coin of inferior value to the money of the world. The capital defect of the bill is, that it contains no provision protecting from its operation pre-existing debts in case the coinage which it creates shall continue to be of less value than that which was the sole legal-ten-der when they were contracted. If it is now proposed, for the purpose of taking advantage of the depreciation of silver in payment of debts* to coin and make a legal-tender a silver dollar of less commercial value than any dollar, whether of gold or paper, which isnowlawful money in this country, such a measure, it will hardly be questioned, will, in the judgment of mapkind* be an act of bad faith. As to all debts heretofore contracted, the silver dollar should be made a legal-tender only at its market value. The standard of value should not be changed without the consent of both parties to the contract. National promises should be kept with unflinching fidelity. There is no power to compel a Nation to pay its just debts. Its credit depends on its honor. The Nation owes what it has led or allowed its creditors to expect I cannot approve a bill which, in my judgment, authorizes the violation of sacred obligations. The obligation of public faith transcends all questions of profit or public "advantage. Its unquestionable maintenance is the dictate as well of the highest expediency as of the most necessary duty, and should ever be carefully guarded by the Executive, by Congress and by the people. It is my firm conviction that if the country is to be benefited by a silver coinage, tt can be dene only by the issue of silver dollars of full value, which will defraud uo man. A currency worth less than it purports to be worth will in the end defraud,not only the creditors, but all who are engaged in legitimate business, and none more surely than those who are dependent on their daily labor for their daily bread. R. B. Haras. , Bhackets orr the wall are bandy things. By hitting them you always know when you reach the wall, they catch what dust is overlooked by the picture frames and center table, and Sundays you are kept Out of trouble nailing up those which have tumbled down during the week.— Bridgeport Standard. The wholesale merchants of the United States now employ, all told, not less than 60,000 travelers, at an average expense of at least SB,OOO each, making as direct cost, to the wholesalers, of this system the enormous ag.gregate of slßo*ooo,ooo a year. - l. . : ■ ' -* • ' ’ r ■

“HOW WOMEN LOVE DRESS." He rat by * window al tjrilight. And placidly puffed hu cifiar. He gaied on a neicbboriny alqr-light. And thought of hie bank (lock nt par. Two voioea eame upward, a* high an The place where he eat. from Die etreet; I 'wo ladies on “unred" and on “ bias," 1 Were holding communion sweet. Then he maned upon feminine folly And fashion's almurd excess: And he said with a tone melancholy: “ How women do rave over drew! " JIUII get any two of them started And they II talk for a month about clothes.” He spoke like a hero, strong-hearted. Who all such frivolity loathes. “ And the way they oppress the poor craalures Who build all those dresses and things! They'd like to make marks on their features For a little mistake in the strings." Here a knock at the door. Then a waiter And a new suit of garments appear. “ Oh, they’ve come, have they ? strange they're not later, Quiek, light up the whole chandelier!" One glance from a proper position Huffices their fnte to decide; The linings are only Hileaian. The trowscra a tnfle too wide. “ Well, if I don't pitch into that Schindler! I never did see such a bilk! Why 1 told the outrageous old swindler I wanted the linings half silk! “ Oh. hang all the scoundrelly tailors! The collar's a half-inch too high. The trowsers—they might be a sailor's! Now wou'dn't. I look like a guy?” Each ginnee makes him more and more irnte, " Why, they look even worse from behind! I’ll blow up the sneaking old pirate. I'll give him a piece of my mind. “ I'm done with the scoundrel, that’s certain. Now, if ever I saw such a sight—” (But here we will let down the curtain The rest wouldn't suit ears polite.) —IF. IF. Crane, in Scribner's Month.lv.

PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

—England talks of making Stanley a Baronet. —lt can at least be said of Senator Sharon that he mines his own business. —Lowell Courier. —Since 1860 the lecture fees of John B. Gough have averaged $127 each lecture. —Hon. J. Willis McNard (colored), who used to be a State Senator in Florida, is now watchman in the Postoffice Department in Washington. —The New York Express is quite decided in its opinion that Mr. Ross wouldn’t know his lost boy Charley, even if talking face to face with him —The death of Hon. Gideon Welles, of Connecticut, reduces the survivors of Lincoln’s first Cabinet to two persons—Simon Cameron and Montgomery Blair. —Stanley is having a first-rate time knocking around with “them Kings” in Europe. A reporter will find his level wherever you put him. — Detroit Free Press. —The oldest Postmaster in the United States is Nathan Wood, who has been Postmaster at Deep River, Ind., for more than forty years, having been appointed by Gen. Jackson’s Administration. —Mr. George Bancroft, the American historian, is a reader of the newspapers. He subscribes for many of the prominent journals of the country, and clips as he reads. His scrap-books are many and large. —Montgomery Blair announces his intentioiTto write a history of the administrations of Jackson and Lincoln, in order to put his father in his true position respecting the great events and men of his day. —Mark Twain says that, though the report of his becoming editor of the Hartford Courant was incorrect, he was exceedingly gratified to-receive a number of subscriptions for that newspaper on the strength of it. His joy was only clouded by the reflection that an equal or larger number of persons must have written to the editor of the Courant discontinuing their subscriptions. —Mr. Montgomery Blaii is credited with telling this story: “Van Buren said to me in St. Louis, when I told him his son, Smith Van Buren, had been marred: ‘I thought he had given that girl up. Well he’s ruined. She is very rich. Now he’ll give up his profession of the law, where he had great ability, and become really a rich man—the least useful of human things. Poor Smith!’ ” —This is one of the latest stories about the Pope: “Not long after the Pope’s return to Rome, in 1850, a beautiful young English lady was out sketching with a maid near the Porta Pia. The Pope came out in his carriage, descended, and began to take his usual walk. The maid having gone to ask his blessing, returned to say that His Holiness would gladly give his hand to be kissed to her young English mistress. ‘ Indeed,’ said that lady, with a toss of her heretical head, ‘ I think my hand better worth kissing than his.’ The Pope, who had approached unseen, anj overheard this speech, laughed gently, and said, to her great confusion, ‘That is perfectly true; but you will allow an old man to bless you, nevertheless.’ ”

The Domestic Life of a Naturalist.

“It’s a jolly little brute, and won’t hurt!” exclaimed Mr. Buckland, as we were about to retreat from the threshold. The monkeys had seized the jaguar’s tail, and, lifting it with its hind legs bodily to the altitude of their cage, were rapidly denuding it oi fur. No animal with any feelings of self-re-spect could submit silently to such humiliation, and the jaguar was making the place hideous with his yells. Hearing the cries of-her pet, Mrs. Buckland came to the reseue; and it was amusing to see this child of the forest, with gleaminge eyes and frantic yelps, cast itself at her feet and nestle meekly in the folds of her dress. She had nursed it through a very trying babyhood when Mr. Bartlett had sent it from the Zoo, apparently dying and paralyzed in the fore legs, with a promise of £ls reward for a cure. That sum has long since been swallowed up in damages lor clothes and boots devoured, as the invalids health and appetite returned. Hard bv, a laughing jackass was sportively chasing live mice up and down a glass jar, as an appetizer before eating them; and below, solemnly weighing the doctrine of chances, a battalion of cats waited patiently what might befall. At a front window an intelligent parrot'kept calling cabs from the moment we entered, and was equally ready to hail an omnibus if we preferred it. A peaceably-disposed piebald rat was enjoying gymnastic exercises on a pole, until seized by his master and told to “ sing up, old boy.” Held suddenly to our ear, melodious notes were heard issuing from the diaphragm, which Mr. Buckland considers as good as the carol of a lark, whether it arises from a parasite in the liver or not. All around the walls were covered with the heads of curious hybrids and horns of extinct animals; and in- ' deed there was everything in this won-. derful museum to fascinate the mind, |

from a shoe left as a keepsake by Brice the giant to a “ lady’s slipper” floating about in a wine-glass of water. The latter was a beautiful little object like a fairy glass slipper, about an inch long, without heels, and exquisitely fringed and finished off. It belongs to the jelly fish tribe, and was alive and well when we saw it. The “ happy family” life, of which Mrs. Buckland is the center, is carried on in an ordinary London house, formerly the hpme of Charles Dickens’ father-in-law, Mr. Hogarth, in Albany street, Regent’s Park. In their time the room into which we were ushered was probably the drawing-room. At first, during the present tenancy, it used to be called “master’s room;” now itistermedthe “ monkeys’room,” which Mr. Buckland remarks Is Darwin going backward. The dining-room is indeed the one room preserved, but with difficulty, for the sole use of man. It is held, so to speak, at the sword’s point against the incursions of animals from the neighboring jungle. Sometimes the rale is relaxed in cases of sickness, or on the arrival of a welcome little stranger like the jaguar. It is to this room that all good animals expect to go, in a stuffed form, when they die. It is regarded as a Poets’ Corner for the great; while the bodies of the less distinguished are consigned to honorable burial in the back green. Mr. Buckland was informed lately that there was not room to bury so much as a bird there now. * * * *

Enjoying the rare art of imparting his knowledge *to others, Mr. Buckland delights in showing his treasures. Regardless of fearful odors, he will plunge up to his elbows into a deep, dark tank, and draw forth a slimy, dripping reptile, and ask cheerfully “if he is not a beauty?” It requires a strong stomach and no small diplomacy toknow how to act, for he is ready on a word of encouragement to make another fatal plunge ana bring up the other seven. But another joy awaits you—if you can bear it—in a jar, when he carefully hauls out a rib-bon-fish, and tells you it is the next of kin to the great sea-serpent. At that moment you heartily wish the great sea-serpent would bury its own relations; but Frank does not, and any one who would bring him the head of the family would be his friend for life. On the whole, Mr. Buckland prefers live snakes about him; but he has not yet succeeded in getting his household to agree with him. A live snake is considerably worse than a pickled snake, seeing that the latter, they find, is not so likely to be found under their pillows. Perhaps the worst moments for the family, are those when the Parcels Delivery van drives up to On these occasions there is a general closing of windows observable in the neighborhood, and the only lighthearted creature within the zoological circle of Frank Buckland’s home just then is the persevering parrot, who takes the credit of the van’s arrival to himself. The Naturalist steals out to survey the state of things, and, if likely to be very odorous, the man feels uneasy, while the husband, deep and treacherous, drops a propitiatory sovereign into his wife’s hand, and recommends her to try a little shopping in some distant region. * * * * Mr. Buckland’s housekeeping books cover a wide range; his bills for rats and mice and other small fry exceed the butcher’s. Not less peculiar than the fare provided by his kitchen is the company to be met at his parties. It is his especial delight to entertain celebrities on view in the town. This penchant makeshim the idol of aU the children and stray waifs in the neighborhood, who crowd round the door when a party is expected, or clamber up the railings to get a good view of the giant going in or the dwarf coming away. * * * Nothing could have been more appalling than what happened when Mr. Buckland was honored at dinner by Tomati Hapiromani Wharinaki and a number of New Zealand Chiefs. The party had adjourned to the monkey room to smoke the pipe of peace, when for their amusement the host turned some six-and-thirty slowworms out of a box. Instantaneously the guests were transformed; the garb of civilization slipped off, and they returned to the wild untutored savage. With one frantic glance at the slowworms on the floor, they uttered wild yells and straightway fled. Down Stairs, the dining-room was open; through this into the garden, helter-skelter, like hounds breaking cover and filling the air with a tapage denser. Thence they spread over the neighboring gardens, taking the low fences like deer. Two of them seeing another open window, and at it a peaceable old lady at work, headed for it, dashed in, and with their tattooed faces and awful cries nearly were her death. By this time the whole parish was up.; a hue and cry organized, recruits joined from the railings, and the fugitives were run safely to ground. -It appeared that they entertained a superstitious horror of the slow-worm; to them it was the “ Ngarara”— the incarnation of the power of evil.—London World.

Cook’s Lectures.

In former' days when a man entered a Bpston newspaper office and manifested a disposition to wait until the editor came in, it was customary to give him a volume of Emerson wherewith to amuse himself, but Joseph Cook’s-Monday lectures have been substituted, and the effect is excellent. The visitor comes in, happy and smiling; he-knows all about the._Bogardus kicker, and Max Adsler’s chair that shuts a man up like a jack-knife, and Burdette’s movable floor that slides a man out of the editorial room, and he is not to be imposed upon by any of these things. He picks up a chair, sets it down near that of an assistant scribbler, cutter and paster, and shouts, “Editor isn’t in, is he?” “No,” says the victim, smiling with the sweetness thit comes of long practice. “He won’t be in for three hours. Wpuldn’t you like something to read until he comes?” and, handing out tire Advertiser, the assistant goes to work again. The visitor begins on the Monday lecture immediately, beguiled by the biggest letters that the Advertiser's conscience allows it to use. At the end of five minutes he gasps, “ Great man, this Cook!” In -ten, he .whispers, “Immense man!” In fifteen he looks up. and inquires, ,“ Say, do you talk like this all the time in Boston?” “We can.” says the assistant, briefly. “Well, well,” murmurs the visitor, and glides away, forgetting his errand, and lost to use and name and fame in what Mr. Cook would call the tortuous enswathment and engirdling environment of the efflorescent possibilities of polysyllables.— Danbury News. ■ In the event oi war between England and Russia our own country will show sympathy with neither, but stand aside and sell things for cash to both,

Scotch Plaids in Renewed FavorOther Fashion Items.

Scotch plaids have again appeared. Blue and green, with threads of dark red and old gold colors, are the handsomest. Suits of this material are made in skirts without trains and long polonaises, and also in Princess dresses with the veston and apron taken in with the side seams. The trimming consists of ruchings bordered with faille cordings in the bright color of the suit, and falling below the goods. One important rule to be observed in making these suits is to have as few seamsas possible. A seam down the middle of the back and another under the arm are sufficient. As the checked goods now in use have larger checks than usual, they only make dresses suited to slender figures.- Plaid stockings, which have up to the present time only been worn by children, are used with these suits, and the trimmings and sash are generally in the same colors, to prevent the effect from being too glaring. Cloth suits have become very popular. They have the peculiar “ tailleur” cut, which is something like the riding habit. They generally consist of a train skirt, plaited in the back. The front and siae pieces are tight-fitting toward the top, while the lower part is raised in several draperies and fastened down in the middle under a faille bow. The waist is a half cuirass with “ Directoire” revere and a postilion basque. It closes down the front by means of tiny metal buttons. These same buttons also trim the basque and the rather flat sleeves. The borders of the dress are generally finished with several rows of stitching. Cloth suits are also made in Princess shape and trimmed with cordelieres. If these suits have a square, low neck, and an aumoniere depending from the side they are very similar to the dress worn by Marguerite in “ Faust.” Narrow flounces are again coming into fashion. For Princess dresses they are only used to cover the supplementary train. These flounces are from two tothreeinchesdeep. They are gathered, and the lower part is pinked out or trimmed with “frange mousse” or lace. Either nine, eleven, fifteen, or twentyone of these flounces arc placed upon the skirt. This full trimming forms a striking and effective contrast to the flat Princess back. The Princess must be, as it were, independent of the train, and the train may be of different material, such as faille or taffetas, the latter being most suitable for narrow flounces. A striking contrast of color is observable in some of the new toilets, as, for instance, in dresses of cardinal satin with polonaises of purple velvet with inserted satin puffings. This ensemble of warm colors is admirable. Handsome evening toilets can, however, be made in the same style with more subdued tints, such as pale blue satin for the body of the dress, and a navy blue velvet polonaise with red pipings and sky-blue inserted puffings. Yellowish greens are still very fashionable for evening wear. Lyons pompadour grenadines are the newest styles. A Parisian novelty in bracelets consists of gold and silver serpents, which are twisted as many as eleven times around the arm. Serpent designs are very much used for all articles of jewelry. Handsome pins are again in use to fasten coiffures and bonnets.

The fashion of wearing ornamental caps is now established. It is rather difficult to describe what these coiffures consist of. Many shapes are resorted to, among others the Charlotte Corday and baby shapes. The Catalano is a genuine Italian style; its form is a long square surrounded by lace. It is fastened down to the front of the head by means of a gilded Japanese pin. The coiffure includes lace, ribbon, crape, flowers, beads and jewels. There are two kinds of puffs. One is made of gauze, tulle or fulled lace, trimmed with a bouquet, a hummingbird, or any ornament in this style, and the other of flowers or feathers. The garland of flowers is a little out of fashion, flowers arranged as sprays being now preferred, as being more generally becoming. Coiffures for the evening are fastened down with pins, with diamonds and different jewels. For very young ladies it is better not to cover the head. Elegant parures are made of diadems of velvet enriched with pearls and diamonds. Combs are also made with pearls. A corresponding necklace is a great addition to the general effect. A Decoming puff for brunettes is of yellow roses, moss and small red seeds. All these things form a trimming placed upon a very small round piece or white lace. This lace is worked with mossgreen and clair de lune beads. The back part is formed of a shell-shaped trimming of the same kind of lace, with green ribbon moss and red seeds. A wreath of tea roses has the flowers larger in front than on the sides; they are mingled with bronze-colored plush and satin loops. In front of the coiffure, falling over the hair, is a fringe of yellowish leaves. Down the back are long ends. A lace mantle for the head for evening wear is made of white Spanish lace mounted upon a stiff tulle form. The lace falls flat over the front of the head, and is taken back on the side under a bunch of roses. One of the pointed ends form a scarf, fastened under the chin with another bunch of roses. The other point falls over the shoulders. Two gilded pins, joined by a chain, fasten the coiffure down in the middle of the head. On top, in the back, is a ribbon bow with longends. The Spanish lace covers the back of the head and neck.— N. Y. flinies.

—Last wpek we traveled fifteen miles over rough roads, to see a friend on business. His wife informed us that as he had nothing to do, he had gone to town, and would not probably be back till dark. And yet when we went to his barn we found no hinges on his stable-door, no feed trough in his manger, no hay nearer than eighty rods ff, in a stack by the slough; the calves; colts and hogs in his young orchard, around his- door and well. His corncrib had no roof, his front-gate was nailed up, pigs sleeping In the manurepile, chickens roosting on the harjiess in the stable, etc., etc. And yet he had nothing to do. In the house we found, a smart wife, a sweet baby and everything neat, clean and tidy. Cati it be possible for any animal to be more petverse, careles and slovenly than man when he tries to be?—Zowa Stale Reg.isler. ....... There were more miles of railway constructed in lowa in 1877 than in any of the other States, except California and Minnesota. The figures are: lowa, 136; California, 190; Minnesota, 182. A multitude of laws in a country is like a great number of physicians —a sign of weakress and malady.— Vol* laire.