Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 25, 1874, Page 9

e T e . T A X T YRS AL e T ihm"—n————-_—-mm-—‘nm [ HE CHICAGC DAILY RIBUNE: SUNDAY J UARY 25, 1¥74. L] BERLIN. he Funeral of the Queen-Dowager of Prussia. preparations for the Holidays. The German Press---An Enter- prising German-Amer- ican, o Correspondence of The Chicago Tribnne, Beuvrs, Dec, 22, 1873, . A BOYAL FUNERAL. On Baturdsy, Dec. 20, tho Jast honors were peid to the lately-Geceased Queco-Dowager of Prussia. The funeral-ceremonies taok place in Potsdsm, where the Queen was laid to rest in tho Fricdenskirche, among the ashes of other members of tho present dyvuasty., Itisin Pois- am, where tho wonderfully-beantiful gardens sud palsces of Sans Souci are,—the favorite res- ficaco of tho grest Froderick; snd it is bere that, tho hero himsolf reposes. Toers i3 a mysterious shrugging of ehoalders, among those who ought to lnow, shenever «ze nzme of tho late Dowager is men- tiozed. Report, indeed, is inclined to sully her sarscter, though an official of high standing ex- preeead tomo the benevolent opinion that Ler mistaiies arose from an erroncous conception of fle character of tho Prussian nation, she being s Daverian Princess. But all aro not so charita- bly inclined, and mysterious hints are thrown oat as to ber empirical cxperiments in matters of bygionics ; and it is even supposed that the mentai pardxyams which clouded the latter years of Fredenck William IV.'s life, were, in part, | superinduced by unwifely manipulztions of his wiaes. Being cne of the favored herrschaften who were anthorized to witness the funcral-rites, I betook myzelf, carly on tho sppointed duy, to Potsdam, with a!l the cutward appoarances of being plunged in the deepest aflliction. 4 order had ecsnoted from the Court-Marxhal that tho dress | gar the cecasion should consist of a full evening- P it, with erape on the arms and hat, aud Dlack kid gloves. Long ere tho church-bells bad commenced to toll, an immense throng erowded the Luisenplatz, the piomenede lead- to Saas Souci, and the short way¥rom the latter piace to the Friedenskriche (Cluirch of Peace) ; in which, at proportional distances, was stationed guards from the Potsdarn garrisoni Tlree special {rainsbroaght the ministers, Generals, Diplomatic Corps, Clief Mugictrates, and other_officials,— {he number of whom, together with foreign sobles, Charges d'Affaires, Court dependents, ladics and geutiemen, &c., it is impossible oven to spprosimate. i colin, covered with rosesand camellias, Iy in the so-called audience-room of the Queev’s Palace, under s magnificent canopy, sumonnted with palms. From the silver sLandeliers the wax-candles threw a soft, lux- uriant splendor over the room. About 11 o'clock the membern of the Roval family, followed by the Chancellor of the Empire, the Ministers, the Presidents of tho Houses of Lords and Repre- fcntalivos, Generals, &c.. entered tho room, where the funeral sermon was being delivered bz the Court Minister, ot the close of which the relatives Lnelt in silont prayer a the foot of the eofin. The hearse, which was extraordinarily wide, w23 dravn by eight horses. and accompauied by the Gardesdu Corps in perade-uniform. In- faurry snd_cavalry, preceded by the flags and standarda, led the procession to the Friedens- Yirche. They were followed by the houselold Eervaats of the Dowager, deputies from the Grenadicr and Cauirassier Regiments, of which tire late Dowager was Chief. and tho Field-Mar- auals of Prusiia. The benntiful cofiin, which was ornamented with golden crowns and eagles, Bad searcely place for tho n}lmmmy of flowers ‘and wreaths that were heaped apon it. Among others was & magnificent garland of immortetles from the lately-widowed Queen of Saxony. and the Bavarian Royal family contributed a chaplet of thododendrons. Immedistely following tho hearse came the Kaiser and family; various Princes, Grand Dukes, and_digitaries of Eu- rope emccoeded, and ciiliana brought up tho rear. As the cofin was brought into the church, and placed upon the estrade erected before the sltar, the beils ceased toling, and the choir broko out in & choral song. When the mueic - Eadcensed. the ccromonies prescribed by the Liturgy followed, and all that remained of the onee houghty and ambitious Queen was con- signed to the vault. CHRISTHMAS. Derlin is all agog in anticipation of Christmas. There is somcthing in the natioual conception of i - completely melts tho character- rman impassivencss, aud ull yield them- selves to the intlueuce -of the spell with the sbandon and nsiveta of children. For the poor it is indeed a holy day, for it is almost the only opportunity they have of peeping into a world which is closed to them the rest of the year. Eampioyes of all classes cxpect a donceur Trom their masters; in fact, with many of them it is 20 absolute necessity in order to enable them to che out ucanty eubsistence. Living is Gear in Berlin, provably dearer than' in auy American’ citr, and wages _sro very low. Clerks and “drummers” reccive from §400 to €300, and servant-girls $30 to £40, per your,—tle most profitable occupalion for a moneyless Lert beiug that of waiter in a beer- raloon. These waiters, 38 a general rule, re- ceive no wagee, or, at least, only & nominal sum, depending for compensation upon the pour-boire of the customers. The most unique feature developed with reference to the coming holdays is the booths, immenso numbers of which are erected all over the city. In tho Zust- Carfen, — pleasuro _grounds fronting the Royal ' Museum, —is _the most ecxtensive talicction of these, formiug a little city of about 450 tents. One would think, at first glance, that ahorde of Bedouins had teen enticed from the deserts snd pitched their tents in the place. In tlie evening, whea the quasi-city is illuminated, the offect 19 oxceedingly dazzliug. The ** glitter of many suns upon a gounding sea” is sbout the only simile by which I cdu convey an idea of the intense briiliasiey arising from the reflection of the rays of the lamps from tho thousands of ar- ticles of virvy, etc., which are exposed for sale. Christmas, with the Germans, is almost exclusive- Ir & famul¥-holiday,—the public demons:rations being_generally of an_elecmosynary character. New Year's day, however, floats by on 2 sea of congratulations, and one pecd not be astonished if every employe of whose services he has had nccasion to nvail himself at some time, as well 25 (he might-watchman, the honsc-servazts, and, yegods! the beggars, put in an appearsnco to invake & blessing for tha New Year, and obtun 2 few silver groscheus to seal the gamo in beer. THE BERLIN¥ PRESS. It an Americen reporter should be translatod t0 Berlin, oven if miraculously endowed with s complete mastery of the language, he would apt to find no sphero for bis tadent. It s true that he would be confronted with the most strocious murders, Reartlees robberies, and stupid swindles; but of what solace would these be if he could not exe- crte erime with 2 hyperbole, or soften a har- Towing tale byan ellipsis ? And vet the former world be miginterpreted as a wiliful lie, and thio chesm of an ellipsis a Berliner cannot spav. As to hamor, 1 have never met with any ome, ex- ceps a German, who is willing to allow that such a thing exists in Berlin ; or, at least, admitting that & litile spice is percaptible at longintervals, jtinof exotic origin. Thac phase of humor Pecliar to Amer and_ conspicaous " fhe writings of *Mark Twain,” * Max Adeler,” +tlio Danbury man,” and_others, re- ceives two sotutions at tho hands of its German cntes: Either the story iy beld for true,—in which case » commentation on American morals is eure to tollow, cimazed with the inevitable conclusion that the Home Government should interfers with Germau emigration; or it is tlassed in the category of willfullics indigenous 'ths Western Hemisphere. It was only a few days sinco I saw in the Neue Boersen Zeilung— one of tiie ablest fiuancial papers 1o Beilin—the story by Max Adeler of the prizo-package boy's e3m in church. Not coutent with throwiog Euspicion upon it by ** double-leading " the ar- ticle, the scandalized editor indicated his title to immortality in a comprssionate outburst: *In- eredible! ¥ ", There is great paucity of American news in the German papors, and what does appear is of Little valne. *Lately o German-American has at- tempiad to supply the desiciency by—but I ¥ill let him explain in bis own words, as the document js interesting, and, if succossful, the euterprise will form quite an epoch in the his- tory of the Gesman press : $othe Editor-in-Chicf : HoxoRts e+ 4 fako tho Hperty to introduce ms- £f to you with these Lines, Bornin a city iu the Province of Baxe-Coburg, 1 attended the gymusiium at Coburg and aftersards stadied law at the - Eties of® Leipaic, Jena, and. Heudbers® Tanie, passed the “Siate’s examination,” T was employed 88 a Justizrath in my native province, and sfierwards practiced as an advocate, both in my native city and Coburg, For proot of iy statements T refor you 1o . Justizrat —,a adalat Cobrrg. U cmelon iseatiafaction with my position_lod me, in 1 betuke myneis 10 America, Shence T setucaed o Gors many the 26th of this molth (November). I have, be- ing un unmarried man, traveled in différent parts of the United States, and visited especially the principal cities, 2s Bostom, New York, Nowark, Philadelphis, Baltunore, Washington, New Orlesns, Louisville, Cin- cinuati, Pittsburgh, S{. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cievalaud, Sun Frandisco, etc. During the American Civil War I served throe years as a soldier 10 the Union army. Proviously T had cccupied myeelf principaly a5 o feacher, but sinco have been conneeted with verious Englieh aid American journals, Among the German papers with wlich I have been connected, 1 mas mention the Cinclonati Volks- Vat,* Ilinois Staats Zeitung, Milwaukee Herald Sringfeld (TiL) Post, and the Long Jatand Anzeiger, In Omali, in the State of Nebracks, I edifed and pub- liahed a weekly paper, tho Nebraaks State Journal, Amoug the Englieh journls, the Cincinnall Gazette, Chicago Erentng Puat, New York Tribune, New York Tines, Herald, and Erening Post. Besides, T worked eeveral montht in tho oflico of 1ha New York Associat- ¢d Presz, copyiog dispetches. The kst two_vears 1 have occupied a Bubordinate pesition in tho New Tork Custom-House, which T left bocause the situation was not agroeablo 1o me. For testimony touching my carcer in America, T Tefer you {o Dr. K—, whose acquaintance I ch- {35 in Now York, aull Dr. D—, whom I met ia I dexdre now to conncet myself with tho press of my old Tatherland through (ho medium of & Hiographed correapondence appearing every Thursday. *Tue samo shall coutain the most importaut tnd intaresting items zom Amerden, whici: aronot received by teligraph, clipped from the latest Lnglish New York papers. 1 take the liberty, thercfore, to invito you to sub- scribe for half a quirtes fosmy correspondence for your valued paper. With reference to tho price for my work, I would iike to bave you makeme tn offer, upon which I will declare myscif more dixinctls. Ap- peaded T send you my first_corzespondenco, A. L. . (American_Litiiographic Correspoudence). ‘The suc— ceeding will be as lurge, or nezrly 80. Yiopiug for = favoralle answor, snd begging fora copy of your paper in ciso the corrcspondence s printed, Tum, respectfully axd obediently yours, Undoubtedly the very prominevt journals mentioned ebove will watch tho enterpriso of their protege with interest ; cortainly ono whose journalistic cxpericuce has been o diversified, and whose talent Las been fostered under such judicious auspices, coonot fail to_make nu im- pression ndvantageous to bis interests. Ameri- cans abroad, at least, will thank him if he snc- ceeds 1n enlightening the Berlin editors in refer- encoto_the political and sacial_complesion of affairs in the United States. Itis ouly a few daye since I was edificd by the following ob- servation in the Burger Zeitung, penoed by & sagacious editor as au _indignaut comment upon #10 sonoancement that the Virginius is nof an American ship: *“1¢ is to bo Loped now that, instead of meddling so much with foreign affairs, tho Government at Washington will direct its at- teution to mternal matters, n3 late dispatcues assert that dissensions are being fermented in tho Episcopal Church in New York.” PHILo. Skl akgraless st | KOLARS AND INCISORS. To the Edtor of The Chicaqo Tribune: Srr: Noticing an article in a recent Sunday edition of Tir TrIBUNE, entitled **Monthly Pay- ments,” Ithought, if you would spareme a small space, I would expatiate a little on the subject; that is, so far as the molars and incisors are con- cerned. £ Now, do not for a moment imagine that [ have been badly biiten, for I have not—very. I did Dot go into it deeply. Itriedit for awhile, and oversthing was lovely uutil the time for the second payments came round. The first install- ments were paid down,—about what the male- rials would cost; but pay for the work and my profits were to como, 88 I fondly imagined (judg- ing from the numbers who came to obtain teeth on monthly payments) in the gloriously-bright future that was just dawning for me. 1 tell you thesc monthly peyments are s fine thing. It is worth constdorable to be filled to overllowing with hope and bright soticipstions I this cvery-day working world of oura. if only for a season, and in imagination to build up & fourishing busioess with monthly payments for a foundation; to feel again as in days of yore, when you were a schoolboy ; to feel that honce- forth your businesa is to move on in & smooth channel ; and to bid adieu to dull care. My expericnce in this sort of thing was of short duration ; ‘four blissful weeks, sud the dream was over. Tho parties who were to pay at the end of that time bad apparently forgotten that the time had cowmo; they, of course, were not to blame. Some of them I reminded; but they averred that they could not think of every- thing; besides it was not convenient for them to eall on me just on time; I must romembor they were o panic-stricken people, bad spent the money thoy intended for me, snd I must wait until they could obtain more; and, more than all thut, {heir teeth needed a little lixing,—did not exactly suit,—would call around to wmy oflico s0on and make it all Tight. T began to be suspicious; & blow had beea struck at tho root of my confidence. Hope's siren voice was hushed,—first, becauso 1 nover knew, in all my exporieuce, dentistry to Suit that was not paid for ; secondly, I knew it was a moral impossibility for me to get those fecth into my possession again ; and, lastly, I was well awaro that I should never meet those parties again in this worldif T waited for thom to call on me at my place of bLusiness. This Jattor consideration very nearly drew tears from my eves, although *‘unused ta weep.” When one is the debtor himself, he does not teel this so keenly; this parting with no ces- tainty of mecting again is rather plessant to contemplate. My wife, who is not of ko hopeful & temperament as myscll, bad from tho first jeered at my monthly-paymont ventures; her faith in thom was small; bLut T reassured, or st least quicted kher, With the promise that she should havo all the gccond payments to repleuish her wardrobe, and that I would buy her & switch 2 sard long,—never doubting the will or ability of Ty follow-creaturcs to pay, especially ss the amounts were 5o small ; but they did not come, in fact, except in few instances, they nover come. M wife’s confidence was, of course, destroyed irrevocably; she said * told you so,"—not in the Joica of the * soft spring wind,” but of thun- der.. She then proceeded toresd mo a lecturo,— a8 good 28 I cowld have besrd anywhore for & quarier,—not 5o long perbaps: in fact, it was 6 much of a good thing, and I could not belp seyivy to mysolf, while listeniug to her remarks, so pointed and personal: #1Vould that the earth would open just where &ho was standing, or whero I was, I did not care which.” Were I to adopt that method of closing busi- nees again, I ehould know .that, in nino cases out of overy ten, my last pagment would be the first, and bo misied by no falso imaginings. My first experiment in thot line bas proved sn in- Sury, a8 my wifo will refor to_tbat switch that #ho did not get, and to that wardrobe that was ot replenished,—and hss mot been, yet: and Fhat can I do? Nothicg, but put my Bands in my pockets, sigh for that * back-pay,” and lease. e Phenomenon Witnessed at Metropolis, Il From the Massac Journal, . A most remarkablo phenomenon was wit- nossed yesterdsy morning by some of the citizens of this place. Directly after sun up, & dark baok of clouds lay close to the horizon in tho direction of Paducab, obscuring tlho golden- hnired King of the day, and just - above this derk embankment mirrored io s screno and deep bluo siy, the city of Paducsh appeared, with oll ita spircs, ~houses, Birects, wharves, eoic., clearly visible. Tio mirago appeared about 40 degrees above the horizon, At tbe time the beholder could ses threo steamboats st the wharf, the Tenneszeo Tiver, the tow-beads, and, in fact, tho entiro city, all appeariug as natural as life, except that overvibing appested magnified to tiice toe nat- aral mize. A gentleman who csme down on tho Fisk, vorified the appearanco 80 far a3 the steamboats were concerned. 'This and one other st the only instancea of the’ appearance of the mirage in this section that we havo evar heard of. 3 sivedish Courtship and JEarriage Courtship and marriage_in Sweden sro pe- caliar iretitutions, Du Cbaillu says: ‘I saw ono match made. He met ber at the gate snd pokiod Lis fingers i ber ribe, and said : ! Lwant 1o get married, don’t you?' *'Oh, Idon't knuw. Gobaway. ‘Yes yon do; let's get mariied. ZWell, awk pa.’ *No, never mind him, we'll get married anyhow.” And bp weut around . teliing eversbody - be saw, *I'm going to marry that girl’ The preparations continned during the thres weeks required by law I“:}.\h“e the bahn‘a A iished in tho churches. Fiehes wero caught, B ex for the feast Iaid in, beer browed, and e nrchased. Wedding jollifications were Tnaulged in for weok. This ouplo wre mar- ried. They, went from tho church to the house, and the bridesmsaids Jocked the bride in_hor room. The groom knocked at ‘the,doar. *How O will you give to como in? *Iwo cows and § “i'hat's Dot auqu&h.‘ ‘Thr:::t oqw: £10.' Oh, you are rich; you m Bive :;’adr: than :lmtty “Five cows_and $25° was tho Bnal offor, which was socepted.” . - Rare OUR MEXICAN CITIZENS. The Order of the Penitentes. Their Repalsive Religious Rites, and Their Devotion to the Art of Stealing. Characteristics of the “Greasers?? «- How They Marry and Are Buried, Special Correspondence of The Chicaao Tridune. Casiox Cir, Col., Jan. 18, 1874 Beattered all through portions of Southern Colorado, and New Mexico, and oxterding even into Arizona and Utah, aro members of & queer religioud sect known as PENITENTES. Theso fellows sct upon tho theory that all ‘moral sins, no matter how hideous, canbe atoned by physical suffering; and nccordinglr, at cer- tein sonsons of the year, gemerally in the fall, they castigate thomaelves into a condition of godliness, and then commence tho battlo of life anew. In Colorado and New Mexico the order numbers 10,000 souls, who are all under the con- trol of, and yield implicit obedience to, the High Priest, Romero Miguol, who resides at Taos. Tradition svers that the XMiguel aforesaid is a direct doscendant of Monte- zama; and such is the faith reposed in him, and o strong the conviction of his Divine origin, that auy ono of his 10,000 ignorsat sub- jects would gladly immolate themselves upon the altar if told that Miguel desired it. He lives in great stato st Taos; is surrounded by s numerons retinuo of servauts and humble peors, und religiously EXACTS ONE-TIlIRD of whatever s produced by his subjects, no mat- ter whether it be grain, wood, gold, or silver. A neglect or refusal to comply with this ordi- nance subjects the offonder to excommunication at least, and, in aggravated cases, to death. When thelatter line of policy is adopted, secrecy is observed, and, shonld inquiry bo made, the Priost gives his interrogator to undorstand that the obnoxious party hus immigrated to another country. It is certain, howover, that the victim never comes back; snd, if the rolatives are of on inquiring frame of mind and dispoaed tomakoe a scarch, they can geuerally find their kinsman buried under & pile of rocks in the immediate vicinity of Taos. Miguel of course professes ignoranco; but his subjects deduce = healthy moral therefrom, aud the coffers of the Priest are filled witn commendable promptness. One or two sawmples of this kind always have the desired effect, while it affords the Penitentes o practical illustration of the fact that their Priest is o man who must not be im- poscd apon or trifled with. The Penitentes, though doubtless springing from the Josnit missionaries, have no prayoers, or hardly any of the iamiliar forms of worship. Their croed, if they can bo said to have any, is ‘borne upon their backs, aud consists of SOARS AND WELTS which they have inflicted upon themeelves in atonement for sins committed. No matter what the sin may be, whether a theft or a murder, if the Penitente castigates himeelf enough Le can go clear and enter into that Heaven prepared for the enjoyment of blessed Ponitentes. These devotional cxercises are confined to no particu- 1ar day or season, but, es before remarked, they generally take placein the fall. The bauk of & Hiver or smoller stream is selected, and, ats given signal, the Ponitentes repair to the spot, with their wives and children, and proczed to business. The malo members of the flock strip tuomselves sturk naked. and theu, joining heuds, move round ip a circle, humming & low, mouo- tonous chant, while the women and children rotate out to one mde snd put in the applanse. By decrees the circles sping around faster, while the chaut gwells louder. The spirit has commeuced to work. When the proper degreo of enthusiasm has been renched, a stiange and oftimes re- pulsive scene takes place. Ench one of those Uevotees ia supplied with & whip, club, bunch of cactus, an inswrament of torture of some kind, and they proceed to POUND, BEAT, AND LACERATE EACH OTHER. A rivalry springs up as to which ono.can en- dura the greatest awount of toriure. Blood flows down their bacis in streams ; thorna are pressed into tho quivering flesh ; while otbors, still more enthusiastic, sit down and literally roust themselvee vefore & slow fire. If ooe faints through physical exhaustion, e 18 ‘brought to life again by pouring over him a buckot of Live coals. Others bear immenso crosses about the country, until they sink dowa beueath tho burden ; and some smear themselvos with mo- lasses, ‘and remain for hours exposod to the fhies, in the bread roys of the suo. Al this, and much more, the Peuiteutes perform in the name of their religion. The orgies continuo about a woek. A Penitente who caunot lash himself in- to o stato of obedienco during that time i# con- sidered incorrigiblo, and KICKED OGT OF THE ORDER while all his worldly goods uud substance, should he be so fortunato as to have ouy, are forfeized to the Chief Pricat, Lt often Luppeus, too, that quite a_number of the deluded fellows punish themselves 5o severely that recovery is impos- sible, and death ends the scoue. When o Peni- tento dies from soli-inflicted stripes, but little fuss or ceremony is mado over it, and he is hustled under ground as quickly as possible, whilo his relations and friends console them~ solves with the belief that the bruisod departed has been gathered home to the bosom of Xonte- Zums. The Penitentes belong to the Mexican race, and, in harmony with their religious rites, ostess tho lowest ard most brutsl passions. {Viien not engagzed in whipping themselves or curing their wounds, they conline their atten- tions strictly to STRALING; and their many exploits in this lino often excite tho admiration of their frieuds aud allies, the Arapaboe Indiang. Some of the latter even wout B0 far as to openly embrace the Penitento reli- Bion ; but ouo scourging was suflicient, and thoy apostatized. They are in on stesling, however, and, when & Penitento is hard pushed by the avehging hand of justice, he always striltes out for an Arapahoa camp, where he is sure to meet with & cordial welcome. 'AS A RACE, TIE MEXICANS are ignorant and lazy, treacherous and suporsti- tious. Tho inventive gevius of the age, which has manifestod itsel in printing-presses, rail- Toads, and telegraph-linos, made but & vory faint impression in either Old or New Mexico. Mana- factures and all the arts lsoguish, while agricul- ture and all the most simple and ensily-improved gystem of labor stand exactly where they did 100 years sgo. The Mexican farmer to-day lowa his fields with & crooked stick, and has no faes of anvthing that would sorva his purpose better. Heo bas no faith in reversiblo or sub-soil Pl made of steei; in fact, never heard of them; snd tho entire plow-factory of Mo- line, ‘T, would mot tompt him to part with his wooden stick. n is tareshed by driving cattle upon it, and winnowed ous by the mnds of heaven. His habitation cousists of & miserable hovel, made of somo dried brick, or, as they are terme«lhldflms. ¢+ Chule " composos tho bill of fare; while tho most of the freight- ing is porformed upon the backs of the patiout little mules, whoj like the sage-brush and cactus, are indigenous to this country. But. though living in_filth, squalor, and wretclhedness, the ‘Mexican is very claunish, and bas the bhighest re- spect for his own longusge snd institutfous. Though encompusced on every haud by the rapidly-rising tido of immigration, and thrown indaily oputact with the irropressible Yenkeo elamont, yet he adberes to his old home, Sod continues to speak his old tongue. The vowels and consonants of the Angle-Saxon are t00 arsh for his sensitive ear, aod the av- erage Mexican, while he may understend the ‘American language perfectly, REFUMES TO SPEAK A WORD OF IT unless compelled to do so.. . He hss no l°$° for Uncle Sam at the best, sud is_losalty, though paraded on every possible occasion, 13 only sKin deep. He would not do to depend upon i au emergency, and would make a very rebellious citizen if given balf o chance. Tho manners, habits, and gocial life of the Mexicans are peculiar, whilo the gealo of virtne ad moralicy is exceedingly low, and tho lozs said mpon this point, perhaps, the better. ‘women, however, with all their faults, are fuperior to the men. Thoy are kind-hearted and hospitable, and their friendship once ,{;inad is rarely broken. True to the natural instincts of the sex, they are fond of ey et S e shawls a0 colora. But the; hn:.mm. M%& ia mafe \o presume mmn @ daughters of Montezuma will never tako ihe place of Bridget in the kitchen. MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE among the Mexicans 18 somowhat differcnt from the old-fashioned and approsed style, embalmed by the poet, and novelist. Whon the Mexican gallant becomes tired of a life of singlo-blessed- ness, he sums up the list of his acquaintances among the dusky maidens, and selects an affinity upon which to pour the wealth of his beart. He next procecds to write a lotter to the object of his affactions, and dispatches this by bis father or by his next neareat relation. Tureo days are allowed the Gamsol to roply, and, pending ber auswer, the Jover rotires to some secluded spot, and implorcs the Virgin to intercede for him and win his suit. When ihe three days have passed, the lover come ont to learn his fate. Should the auswer be favorable, ho packs up a trunk fall of cloth- ing forthwith, and sends it to the domicile of his Jady-love ; but, should the answer bo in the neg- ative, Lis Jovo At onco changes to rage, and ho instifutes aggressive measures. First, Lo kicks over and mutilates the copy of the Virzin before which he kuelt and_implored the lady's faver, and then he proceeds to give tho old man and all the guls big brothers o sound drubbing. Of courso he mow and then gets thrashed imself; but this makes no difference,—his ooly object is to show tho contompt with which he regards the wholo tribe. His vongeance satiated, e casts his eyes about for some one else. His sighs of love are responded to at last, and he packs his bride home triumphantly on 3 narrow- Pauzo mule, and kettlos down to housekecping. Whero nature is permitted to run its course, thie Mexicaus generally live to a green old nge ; but all are obliged to shufile off this mortal coil at last, and then comes tho cercmony and ex- peaso of THE FUNERAL. A funerzl must always boe condueted by a priest. and his charges aro ooly governod by the length of the monrners' purse. 'The lowest fee is 31 but & rich Alexican, who counts his sheep and peons by the thousands, caunot sceure the Eer- vices of a priest to light him through the datk valley for less than $500. ‘Theso fecs aro always required in ndvance, aud go directly to the pricst, who never fails to eppropriate the same to his pensonal uge. THE SERVANT QUESTION To the Edstor of ‘The Chicayo Zribune: Smn: It you are not alrcady weary of the con- troversy upon servauts, Iwill say a little eay, suggestive. In thofirst place, WIIAT CONSTITUTES A LADY? Is it wealth? A person may buve diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and many procious stoues; sho may havo vessels in trafiic with the Iudies, and own a gold-mine in California. yet be go coarso in Ler naturc, so ignoraat, so devoid of tho better feelngs, and so generally disagree- ablo, 2s to ba ignored in polite socioty. TIs it scholarship? Not alone. 1s it fino clotties ? Brocades, royal velvet, and cream-colored lace cannot make o lady, though tloy will show one to advautage. Indeed, so subtle uro the qualities which com- ‘bino to form s lady, that it is difiicult to put them into words; but I will cssay to describe her as oo who by uature is sensitive, delicate ber tastes, who has some calture, and an innate love of the good and beautiful, with a due con- sideration for the rights of others, of every station. BUCH A HAPPY GOMBINATION of roquisites lenda a glow to the countenance, a suavity to the manner, and a charm to the con- versation, that give the possessor the signet of Iadyehip which nono will gaineay ber. To almost every refined ludy the dotails of bousekeeping aro quite repuguant; in which case, if she has the means, she gets some ono o attend to them for her; if she has not, she does them Lerself. Thon, although none the less a lady, SHE DOES NOT IMPROVE, 28 she would were her time occupied differently, and consequently (a3 wo muat either progress or racrograde) hor thoughts and manuers fade for Wan: of burnishing. “But a painting by Raphael still proclaimed the magter, thongh faded and dim. On the othor hand, a8 per ono of last Sunday's letiers, 'tis true enough that somo domestics are moro ladylike than their employer. What matters it ? If sho ** pufs on ains i her turned alpaca,” they may laugh In their slecves ; if she does not, there i3 no remark to bemade about it ; o thing may be s misfortune, bat it can only be absurd when it fa!ls shoit of its pretensions. Irthe two parties cannot livohappily together, each bas the samo privilege of breaking tho compact. I canwot see but shot au cqual num- ber of libertics aro grauted to madam and ma;d in this country. Thoso maids who do ot think so bad Letter cross the water, aud try servitudo anywhero in ths Old World. WHAT CONSTITUTES A SLDVANT? As T understand, it is one who serves or ad- ‘ministers to the wants of others; oune who has chosen a certein class of worl to do, which she considors lerself capable of doing, or in which she intends to qualify herself. She selects ber owh position, a8 a lawyer or 3 physician selcets lus rofession, or & me- chane bis trade. She takes it withoot com- palsion, and with promeditation. In retarn for her sorvices, she beccives o stipulatod sum agreed upon. If sbe be anovice or a boteher, tho sum should be small; if skillful and ex- pericnced, greater in proportion; but dom't mako the mistake of expecting & 25 girl to work for §3, nor expect tho latter to fill the place of the former. If such work s cooking - and washing dishes, clear-starching, kospiug the house tidy, or pre- siding over the nunery, is distasteful to & wowan, she shoald getan omployment more agreeabla. At tho present day, ALL FIELDS OF LATOR ara open to her ; gho is uot compelled to accept a position beneath hier qualifications because, as in olden days. she iy excladed from higher ones. 1If she takes the pluce of house:caid, it is her duty to givo tho best of her cttenuion and timo to supplyiug tho demznds mado upon her; to reflect that she is not only paid for doing her work, but for doing it in a satisfactoryand cheer- fal manner,—thus adding her imite to tho family unity. What kind of atmosphere would that be where all tbe members of tho household should ‘complaiu of their duties, end that fato had cast 8 too heavy burden upon themw, and each should try to shirk it off on the shouiders of some ons elso? There wonld be coastant bickerings and dissensions. FHeaven spare me from ever form- ing one of that circla! A good servant, upon entering & family, imme- diately gives tacit consont to the authorityof the hoad of the family, and YIELDS OLEDIENCE ACCORDINGLY. There must be order in every household, o recognized head, end o recognized form of gov- errment, a8 there is in_Cburch aud State; elss how can it thrive? Natwithstanding, o lady should look upon ber servants less as subjects to be commanded than as members of ber family 1n whom she foels o personal interest and desire for their wolfare. Fecling thus, she will ot only command their respect and regard, bus slso their best servicea. Ifa eervant be faithfal to her daties, and respectfal in her deportizent. she will be treat- ed kindly, and oftentimes with affection ; for no line which marks one station from another is so broad but that friendship may bridge it with Tinlks, nor is it so small that it is noceasary to lose sighe of it. There have been 6OCTAL GRADES 8 far back as wo Liave auntheutic history ; why gnould wo expect to avolish them to-day? It15 true thab our younz countrs has gone tarough tho differant stages of ~ civilization nud cuiivation in two centurics which rie Old World has boen cycles of years in atieining, and consequently we may expect to outsirip her in the new social era which is already dawoing upon us, o are forming a standzrd of excol- Jeuce not decided by hereditars right, nor up- held slone by wealtl, in which Aini oll assert its power and claim jts titlo to nobility ; to at- 4pin which, wealth will be cailed imto requisi~ tio‘xl:, and thus become a mosus instead of an end. Alenntime, let us look to it that we do mot endoavor, by OUTWARD APPLIANCES, to begnile others iuto tha belief that our cir- curastances are better than they are; and let us take more folid comfor; a3 we go aloog ; with o constaat and carnest dosiro_of high and low to improve the mind and condition as rap- idly as possible, and bo beiter and greater, in- stead of seeming to be. L.C. CE1caco, Jan, 21, 1874, Admits Ilis Mistak Gov. Woods, ofUtah, in his recent message to the Territorial Legislature, says : “Sac. 4, of an act entitled * An act to protect the rights of marred persons, approved Feb. 16, 1872, declares that * The night of dower shall not exist in this Territory.’ I approved that bill; but after due _reflection I am 8=tisdad that inso doing I made s mistake. And I recom- ‘mend that thas portion of the act referred to be repealad at this yeasion.” - LITERATURE. Mexico. HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO, zvr MEXICAN CrviLizaiioN, &e., &t, By rL1ax H. PREsCOTT. Ia thres volumes, Vol 2, Philadsiphia : J. B, Linpincoct & Co. A review of Prescott’s great work will not be expected ot this late dsy. 1t has long ago become classic, and has taken its place in libraries of all civilized nDa- tions. The second volume opens with tho march of Cortez to Choluls, and the residenco of tie army there,—giving an account of tho religion, mannere, and customs of the people of that city, and the terrible massacro inflicted upon them for their alleged treason against the con- queror. Tho warch to Moxico; the eeizure of Monto- zama in his Capital, surronnded by hundreds of thousands of Lis own subjects; the return of Cortez to the coast; his battle with the forces of Narvaez, sent to nrrest him, and incorporation of that army with his own; his return with them to Mexico ; therevolt of the inbabitants; the storming of tho temple, and the battles which followed ; tuo character ana death of Monte- zuma ; the retreat of the Spaniards across the causeway, fatal 10 €0 many of them,—all de- ecrived in tho classic style and graphic langusge of Prescott,—make the second volume of thus work one of the best in historical literatute. Seattered through it are paragraphs and por- tions of chapters in regacd to the wealth and the civilization of tho Aztecs, which one reads and pondors with increasing amaze- ment. The gold which the conguerors had ab ono timo accumalated in the Capitol amounted $0 26,300,000, Most of it, however, was lost in their fatal retreat acrosa the causowsy ; but the knowledge of its existence,—the amouut at that time being considered vast and wonderful,— greatly excited the cupidity of the Spanish monarchs, end influcnced thcir fature action. 1t is & Curious foct that some of the children of Montezuma were taken to Spain, aud werc remarried into somo of ita most aristocratic families. The blood of the Aztec Emperor, thereforo, courses throuzh the veins of the best hidalgo families. History will also record that the late President Tuarez, ono of the wisest and most lenrnod statesmen of his age, was u full- Dblooded Irdian. The sons of o proud Castil- ien yiclded gracefully to the rale of the nativo Mexicau,—snother illustration that timo is sue to work out its own compensations. England’s Chic? Justices. THE LIVES OF THE CHIET JUSTICES OF EN- GLAND. By Lord Casprect. ,In Four Volumes. Vo, 1. Boston: Estes & Lauriat. The first volume of Lord Campbell's great work embraces about 500 years, irom the ap- pomtmens of Odo, the first Chicf Justice, by William the Conqueror, in 1066, to the death of Sir Edward Coke, 1634, in the roign of Charles 1 Nearly every varicty of character is fully il- lustrated in the lives of England’a Chief Jus- tices during this early forming period of En- glish history. These men aro €0 inti- mately conmecicd with the establishment of the cardinal principles of English jurispro- dence, and the progress, slowly but surely made, to 2 well-defined code of laws, under which tho rights of the subject are protected, and the en- croachments of the Crown upon the liberties of the peoplo aro provented, that thoir individual history should bo well undsratood by all who would know what sre the real elementsof England's greatness. These are based npon the storn justice and the substantial liverty which pervade her Constitution and her lnws, and which American jurists and statesmen have la- bored to trausplant to this side ot the Atlantic. ‘No other people ever struggled 6o long and so stubbornly for this right os tho English; and to-day they can point with pride to their vast wealth, to an empire on which the sun nover gats, as the result of the subatantial freedom which their ancestors fought throngh so many Jong and bloody wars to establish. The part which each Justice bore in sustaining the tyranny of the sovereign, or in resisting it, is carefaily stated by Lord Campbell, and held up s o warning and a motive for all men, and more cspecially for those ligh in_oftice,’ never to gwerve at the hehest of power or befors the horwlings of the mob, from the path of duts. The 580) yeers embraced in the biographies be- forous include tho reigns of several of the Ttichards, tho Edwards, the Henrys, notably thut of Lonry VIIL, Elizabeth, end those stormy times under Charles I. whick finally cost him bir head. We need nctadd that it is s period replote with thrilling eventd ; and that the men whoge lives Lord Campbell sketches had o larze, if not ncontrolling, intluence iu giving them hupe, and working ous tie 1esulis they produc- ed. No Judge's or lawver's library, and certain- Iy no public one, will be compléto without copy of Lord Campbell's Lives of the Chief Justices of Eogland.” Insurance Laws FIRE, LD OTHER NON RISKS, Ly Jous Wi~ DR MAY. Doston : Little, Brown & Co. Chicago: Callshan & Co. i The Lusiness of insurance is so varied and exteusive ; it enters so largely into all commer- cial transactions; and tho means by insurers to defraud the companics, and the devices some- times practiced by companies to escape respon- gibility, are s0 sharp and plausible, that the prin- ciples, the laws, aud the decisions applicable to the subject fill a Jarge volume. The suthor writes with so much perspicuity and care that his principles and conclusions ara easily. under- stood by the non-professional reader. Hence the book will find & place in the lLi- brary of all our insurance compantes and theiragents; and leading business-men, who carry large lines of insurance, and whose Iosses are, thercforo, liable to bo frequent, will placo it in their counting-rooms for frequent reference. It contains all the Iatest decisions, bearing on almost overy question that caa como up in_ tho coursc of businees. Both the goneral principles applicable to insarance. and those special to ench,—life, fire, accident, —arc elsborately treated. On fhe subject of life-insurance the work is specially compro- hensive and complote. The acts or garblad or false sietements that work the forfeituro of & policy should be well understood, and they_cer- tainly will be by & careful pernsal of AMr. May's chapters on tho subjcct. Indeed, the work seems to leave nolhing to bo desired, either at tho bar or i the counting-room, on the impor- tant subject of whicl it treats. Fern Leaves. FANNY FERN: A MEMORIAL VOLUME, CONTAINING Hrp SCLECT W 3, AND A MEMOLE DY JAMES Panrox. New York: G. W. Carleton & Co. Quaiut, incisive, and spicy aro the writings of Founy Forn. They wero 80 whon first thoy sparkled in newspaper columns, and thoy are none the lees so now that sho is gone. All sorts of subjects are briefly treated, sud in every paper something will be found to remember or to admire. The memoir is a dolicato and sppropriate contribution to tho memory of his wife by MMr. Parton. He has porformed the task, ‘as he_ does all things, be undertakes, woll. Fanny Fern will always Lave o place in American biography as one of the mest versatilo women of her Gay. The book is printed iv good, clear type. on tinted paper; and it will receive & cordial welcome by the read- ing public. Iiographical, A NEW BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY: CONTATN- N ENT PrRooNs OF ALL AGES 3 MonE PARTICULARLY OF Dis- TINGUISHED NATIVES OF ENGLAND AND By Tuoxrsos Coozzm, F. 8. A. New Yorl millan & Co. TThe copy of the title-page sbove given makes 20 extonded notice of this book unnecessary. It coutains 1,200 pages of closely-printed matter, in small but clear tpe, with s ebort notice of thousands of men whose deeds mako them more orless moted in past history. For referonce, some such work iy iudispensable. Thisis the latest, and it appears to be tho best, that has come under our vbservation. ‘The Chicago Exposition. THE INTER-STATE EXPOSITION SOUVINIR: CoSTAINING & ILISTOZICAL SKETCH OF CHICAGO; AL50, A KECORD OF THE GREAT INTER-STATE EXP0- srrio% 071570, Chicago: Van Arsdalo & Masule. The publishars Lave given the public & very handsome volume. It contains the entire pro- cocdings of the oficars of the Exposition, the names of the exhibitors, the articles shown, and tha purposss for which they are nsed. Iswillbe exceedingly valuable for future reference, snd, therofors, it should bo widely circulated. . Pcriodicals Beceived. Popular Science Monthiy for February. D. Applezon & Co., New York. Contents: * The Chromosphero and Solar Prominences,” by Prof. C. A. Youus; “Replies to Criticiems” IL, by Herbort Spencer; *Modern Optics and Paint- ing,” I, by Prof 0. N. Bood; *Sanitary Science and Public Instraction,” by President Andrew D. White; *News from Jupiter,” by Richard A. Proctor; “The Spang Collection of Ainerals,” bv Prof. Albert R. Leeds ; ** A Freal of Nature;” “Conundrum ;” “ Atmospheric Electricity sud Ozone: Their Relation to Health end Disease,” by Dr. Georgo M. Beard; “The Great Comotery ia Colorado.” Ly the Rov. Samuel Lockwood; * Suience, Education and Aristecraay;” *Sketc] of R. A. Proctor;” * Correcspondenco i tor's Table;" * Literary Notices;" “ Miscellany.” Scribner’s Monthly for February. Scriouer & Co., New York. Contents: * Rishyasringa, A 'Tsle of the Mahsbharats,” (poem, illustrated), by Clara Hilgard Tittman; “ Beranger” (illustrated), by Albort Rhodes. +Somowhero” (poem), by Julia C. R. Dorr o Great South: Glimpses of Texas—IT iliustrated), by Edward Kivg ; * Love'’s Land,” em). by Louise Chandler Moulton ; ‘“ The Peter Toft ; * Ratberine Earle,” Chapters VIIL. IV., by Adeline Trafton ; The Highor Kduca- tion of Women,” by William S. Tvler; ~By tho Dead” (Poem), by Celi Thaster; A Ropresentative Triud : Hood—Armold—Proc- tor,” by Edmund Clarenco Stedman ; *Dr. Blau- vell's *Novum Organum,’ " -by Lyman H. At- water; © English Sundays sud London Church- ¢5," by E. 5, Nadal; Earthen Pitciers,” Cliap. XI., XL, by Robeecs Harding Davis i ime ;" “The Ol Cabinot: 4 Nature snd Scienco, ports,” by Kate Hilliard ; ** Tho Family Upas.” by Julis Fillmore Greis ; ** Rolation,” by Adsm Bell; *+ Design, to Illuxtrate Candy-Motto," by W. 31. L. Galazy for Fobruary, Sheldon' & Co. York. Contents: * Life'on the Plains,” by Gen. G. A, Custer ; ** Linlov Rochrord,” Cliapters X. and XI., by Justin MeCarthy; **' tho Flower,” by Panl Hayne: tes aud Queries, 1I1. glish De- Rled.” by Richard Grant White; * Viows ‘Abrond: The Rag-pickers of Paris,” by Albert Irin:ui tic snd Riodes; “Johu Wesley.” by Alfrad L Guernsay; “A Queation” by May I. Ritter; . Mmo. De Mauves,” in two parts, Pmt_ L,” by Heory James, Jr. ¥ **Women as Friends,” by Junius Henri Browne « A Lover's Welcome,” by Margaret Dumford « Daudin's Double,” by Francis Ellington Loop; at Are_Our Democratic Iustitations 2" Richard B. Kimball; *“At the Wood's Edge,” by Helen Barron Botewick ; Drift-Wood,” by Pailip Quilibet ; ** Scientitic Mircollany ;" ** Cur- rent Literature:” * Nebulie,” by the Editor. Lippincoti’s agazine jor February. J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadclphin, Contenty: “iio New Hyperion,” coutinued (illustrated), by Edward Strahm; *‘Josephines and Malmai- son” (illustrated), by Marie Howland; **Mal- colm,” Chwp. L, IL, HOL, IV., V., aud VI, by Georeo MacDonald; A Westeru Sceress,” by Will Wailace Harney; ** The Two Maguires,” by Reginald Wynford; “How We Met,” by the anthor of * Blindpits;” ** Kismet” (poem), by George I Boker; * Among the Alligators,” by S. S. Clarke; **The Romance of a Tin Box,” ¥ TLouis A. Roberta; * Modern French Fiction,” by Francis Ashton; ‘A Serious Adventure,” by R. Davey; “A Famino in the Eost,” by I mio Roper Iendge; *Our Monthly Gossip,” * Lateraturo of the Day,” 0ld and New for Tebruary. Roberts Broth- crs, Boston. Contents: **OLl and New ;" ** The Way Weo Live Now," Chap. VL.-X,, by Anthony Trollope; “The Better Samaritan,” by J. P. Quincy: “Tom Haliburton's Quandary; or, & ‘Washington Season,” Chap. IIL-1V., by K.W. and M. 8. S “Mistaken," by Clara ¥. Guernsey; _“The Lost Child.” by Wiliiam T. Harlow; «Gea-Tangle,” by T. G. A.; *The King and tho Beggar,” by Bishop Ferrette ; * Non-Proserip- tive Schools in the South,” by C. G. Fairchild ; % Exercise,” by Edward E. Hale; * Scrope; o, rho Last "Library," Chap. XXVI-XXVIIL. by Frederic B. Perkins; * The Exawiner; ord of Progress;” ¢ Musical Review.” Catholic World for February. Catholic Publi- cetion Hounse, Now York. Contents: ‘‘The Principles of Rteal Being;" * Dante’s Purgalo- " % Tho Epiphany ;” - Grapes and Thorns ;" i" ¢“The Farm of Muiceron;’ «Epigram;” “Nuno Nagle;” “Grace Bey- mour's Mission ;* * Cui Bono;” * The Jansenist Schism in Holland;” *An English Maiden's Love;" *“Our Masters;” * A Looker-Back;” % New Pablications.” 'St. Nicholas for February. Seribner & Co., New York. Contents: Frontispiece—'"In Sis- tor's Care,” by W. Brooks; ‘‘The Cost of a Plensure " (poem, from the Spanish), by William Callen Bryaut; “Bianca and Beppo” (illus- trated), by J. S. Stacy; * What's the Fun2"” (poew, eight illustrations), by Olive A. Wads- Worth: * Fast Friends,” Chapters V., VL., and VIL, (two illustrations), by J. T. Trowbridge: “3ild Fanner Jones and the Nnught{ Boys " (ballad. nine iilustrations), by T. Higginbotham ; * Grandfather's Story ” (illustrated); ** How the HeavensFoll " (iliustrated), by Rossiter Johnson; « Jinglea™ (lilustrated) ; " Ono of the Wonders of Scienca,” by Augustus Holmes ; “ A Churn- ing Song,” by Silas Dinsmoro ; * Tho Manatee” (two illustrations), by Harriet M. Miller ; ** How Jamio Had His Own Way,” by Mary N. Prescott; “Chanticleor” (poem), by Celis Thaxter; “What May Happeu When Littlo Boys Play Leap-Frog Too Much” (Picture); *A Moose ‘Huut in the Main Woods™ (illustrated), by C. ‘A Stephens ;] Nimpo's Troubles,” Chapters IIL. 20d 1V. Qllutmtcfi?. by Olive Thorne ; * Wood- Carving® (three illustrations), by Geo. A. Saw- yer; “Sweethearts Valentino” (poem, fwo illustrations), by ary E. C. Wyeth; ‘“How St Valeatine Remember- ed Ailly " (illustrated), by Susan Goolidge ; \i\What Might Havo Been Esxpected,” Chop. VIIL snd IX. (two illustrations), by Frank R. Stoekton; * John Martin's Snowball ” (transia- tion of French story in last number) ; *“ German Story for Trauslation ” (illustrated) Boys in Africa” (four illustrations); TLamb,” for Very Little Folks (mve 1ilustrations) ; © Jack-in-the Pulpit;” * Mischief in the Studio,” by G. B. Bardett; “The Riddlo Box™ (threo illustrations). Olier Oplic's Magazine for February. Lee & Shopard, Boston, _Contenta: “The Cominy Wave, or The Hidden Trcasure of High Rock,” Chap. V.. V., and VL, (illustrated), by Oliver Optic; ** Four Valentines,” hpuem), (with & full- page ilustration), by Nelie M. Garabrant; *ihe Lily and the Cross,” Cbap. V., VL., VL., VIIL., aud IX., (with sn illustration), by James Do Mille; * Running to_Waste.” Chap. IIL and V., (with an illustration), by George M. Daker; “Tiidorless,” (poom), by Edns Cruger Davis ; «The Homespun Club,” (illustrated), by Mrs. L. B. Urbino; **Minot's Ledge Light-House,” lfi' Emeline C. Jackeon; * Silk-Worms,” by Miss . E. N. Hatlewny; ‘‘The Camp in tho Gulch: Il.—The Saints in the Valleys in the Mountaing,” (with illustrations), by Justin Dalo; “Four Daye” by Sophie Aay; ‘*Origival Dialogue: What's in & Name?” by Lucia S. Alden; *‘The Orator: *Vot I Like und Ton't Like, " by Charles F. Adams; °* Pigeon-Hole Papers;” * Head Work;" “Our Letter-Bag;" “ Editorial Chitchat;" '**The Ancient City;" Music: * Nearer Home,”" by J. H. Teuney. Gem of the Test for February. C. Augustus Haviland, Chicago. Technologist for Jannary. Industrial Publica- tion Cumrnny, New York. Aedical lnvestigator ior January. No. 287 ‘West Randolph street, Chicago. American Naluralist for January. Pesbody Academy of Science, Salem, Mass. Literary Notes. Tondon is to have an American comic paper, it is rumored. 2 Victor Hugo's new movel, **93,” will bo pub- columns of the London Graphic, ly in February. ghetti, the Prime Minister of TItaly, and a distinguished limraz man, has in hand & book on * Europe Dariag the Reformation. —\ United Btates DLonds” is the facctions title under which the Rev. Dr. Isasc Haodv, of Virgiuia, is to give the story of his ffteen monshs’ imprisonment at Fort Delaware. —It is underatood that Aisa Helen Taylor has decided to hold back the voluma of ** Pos= thumous Essays ” of John Stuars Mill, until & least tho end of the year. s —3r.J. W.De Forrest's latest story, *The Wotherell Affair,” which bas bcen running turough the Galazy, will be published in book- form within a few days by Sheldon & Co. T brof. Henry Coppee purposes to expand his Penn onthiy papers (sixieen in number) on tho Hoorish conquest of Spain into & thorough- Iy historical work on that sabject. D imea T. Fields soys s popular Franch novel- ist once boasted to him that °**if ho Lad the ex- elusive right of novel-meking for balf e cen- tury, be could induce the Parisions to eat o o floah and maie them look upon murder no _crime. . ; H——rhcs London Times thinks ‘‘that a lady who wsa writing popular novels nearly a half-century 250, and whose ° collected works® in ten vol- ey wers published as far back 18 1814, sbould o1ill bo solacing her old age by tha prodacton, pearly every year, of 8 book which requires real Tes! s s _literary phenomenca, abd iirs. Dray's :Joan of Aro’ would desory rospectfal lack Marble,” (from the Danieh of Bogh), by ; notice for this reason alo: intrinsic merits which wonid mda}fendnmxy of the authors| he new Academy is out in London, ass fourpenny weekly rival of the Athenaum. Al tho lilerary reviews are sizned, sad amoug tis contributors are Francia Power Cobbe—on Mrs. Somerville's book—and Alax Mugller. —Thero is oue book in the world. and probably but ouc, eays the Publishers’ Weckly, enjoviug the privilege of perpetual copyrigit. This i Lord Clarendon’s “History of the Rebellion ;" which is printed at the *‘Clarendon Press” of the University of Oxford, and in which that Uni- versity holds perpetnal copyright. AMr. Macmul- Jan, of London, whoso Liouss is tho agent for tho University, writes in angwer to iry “There is no doub$ thatit is either by ro: mandato of Charles IL., or by sct of Parliwuent —1I belisvo the former.” —When Victorien Sardon, the French dra tist, was quite young, Lo gont an cssay to Ln de Girardin, tko famous cditor. hoping he would publish it in his paper. Girardiu refnsed it witk these words : ** Ay Dear Sir: Cut down two- thirds of thisarticlo and then it may do. Bub our style is too turgid. Study what Victor ilngu verites about the antithese.” When Sar- dou had sfterwards becorie famous, ons of Gi- rardin’s plays was submitted 10 him for au oom- fon. 1o was malicious enough to write under it 2 copy of tho grest journlist’s old letterto hiz. ‘his Taade Girardin furious, and ho never ai- lowed a favorablo criticism to sppear in biy pa- per on any of Ssrdou’s ymdvfl:zfus But 5. bad " all the But it possesszs claim recognition “Expensive illustrated gift-boo! badly, and ic seems to be tho opinion hero st that cluss of books bas, for the time as least, quito lost popularity. A bookseller, who haé Deen selling books for the last twonty-five years, s2id he Lad watched thus matter of gift- books attentively, and bad acrived at the conclusion tbat the timo for them had passed. Ye vear Ueir place iu popular favor was diminishing. Peoplo began 1o prefer short sots of books in balf or full binding, by authors of stecling merit, to handsome tablo-omaments composed of 4 mosate workeof delicato ongraving, plate-paper, and chips from ihe poats. i theory was, that a_truer estiwato of literary 1merit was assorting iteclf, and that poople bo-. gan to bny books fo read nad not to look at. Whatever value there sy bo in this theory, the fact Temains that gifi-books wero this year com- plete faiturcs. Moderate-pricel books aud juveniles comprised tho greac bulk of the Christmnas trado.” i A NEEDED REFORM. To the Editor of The Chicugo Tribwae : Sz : Amongst all the projects of roform that engage tho attention of modern philanthropists, and the discnssion of which occupies so much space in your valuzble paper, I kuow of noue ‘more needed—certainly nono losa dwelt upon— than ono in fartherance of filelily to promises. The whole network of society depends npon our confidence in each other; if this be lost, * chaca is come again.” And by the term *promises 1 do not mean simply the obligations wo sssume over written signatures,—ncceptances, uotes of hand, and the thousand forms cssential in legal transactions,—but also the verbal pledges that pass from individual to individual in daily life, and which constitute the basis of all oure: pectutions of income or eujoyment. Muci as we need good faith in commercial matters, the massesara in still greater need of truthfuluess in word between ench other ; and no undertaking can. prove successiul wheee this is wanting. How many a printer, for exsmple, hans realized this propouition, when, in respouso to urgent solicitatious from interested parties, hio bas purchased materiuls for 3 country-news= paper, relying upon the verbal aasurances of materiel id, that piss 88 currency i ¥0 tmany new but embitions commasitics, for tho where- with to meet his bills payable. Not onoin twenty of suck pledges i eser redcemed,—per- Taps 1ot one in flity was made with any view of falfiliment. And tho poor adventurer, honesi and bard-wosking above the majority of lux neighbors and pecudo-patrons, is forced ot Jasi to abandon = field in which he hoped to be of service to tho world, aimply becauso tho lic was cheap upon tho lips of men in whom he trusted. But the unfortunate disciples of Faust are not alone as victims of false promiscs. It is sc easy to say pleasant things in regard to the ua- dertakings of other men,—so comforting t¢ those who have embarked their all in enter- prises that depena upon popular favor, to re- coivo assurances of future patropage and sup- port! The records of human exertwn, if mads palpsblo to the eyo of sense, would astonish even the philanthropist by their exhibition of tho holiowness of human pledges in every con- ceivablo direction. And men are daily made bankrupt, and incur the obloquy of dishonor in every form, through the unfortunate credulity of their natures, which led them to believe where they should have doubted,—to . hope, with no surer basis than the nnmeroud verbal pledges of sympathy and material uid which their fellow-creatures have fairiy Iavished upou them in the ontset of a venturesome careor. Therefore, I say, wo nced another Re- form movement,—ona that sball impress upon mankind the wickedness of thoughtlesa lying in their daily dealings with eash other. Forto #sv. T sympathize with you;” *I zm glad you have embarked in thia;” *I will patronizo yon,” etc., ete., when you do not mean to bo held thereby,— when, in fact, you have no purpose to coninbute snything to your neighbor's success, to whom you give such liberal pledges,—is, in plain Terms, lying ; for which God (if man cannot) will hold you responsiblc. In the name of all who are strugglng for support under such a condition, say, lot us have s new Reform. N. A QUESTION OF IDENTITY. To the Editor of The Clicago Tribune: Bmz: Anecdotes concerning animals are 50 popular that T will venturo to mention an i dent to show that even dogs sometimes maks ‘mistaley, and evince, like human beinge, & cer- tain degros of mortification. The other day. on State strect, at dusk, I noticod a little dog running slong at full speed, apparently in search of his master. All at onco tho animal stopped, and with s bark dashed at ono of those stationzry, cast-iron dogs, whicli Tie saw in his pathway frowning at him. Then, lcoking up with wonderment at the silent, im- movable impot ture, and perceiving his e egri- ous mistake, the little dog slunk away with his tail in o position that indicated tho intenaity of ‘his mortification and chagrin. x A CHEAP BURGLAR-ALARM. To the Editor of The Chicaso Tribune: Sm: To persons who are apprehensive of thieves and burglars (and who is not ?), the fol- lowing eimple precaution it suggested : In ro- tiring for the night, epread newspapors Toosely upon the stairways and in front of doorwayu sud windows. 'The noise prodiced at the dead of night by treading on crackling nowspapers, of attempting to remove them from the pathway, be the burglar ever 8o stealthy and expert, 18 sufficient to give almost any sieeper notico of the prosence and whereabouta of tho mldni%.xt fao. - - A Wonderful Art. The manufactory in Romo whero pictured ara ied in mosaic, being thus rendered almoat everlasting, or timo proof, is_tho most cele- Drated esiablishment of the kind in the worid, somo of 1ts producticns_being Littlo less than Sviracles of artistic genius, besuty, aud sluil. Tho moxaic ib formed of tiny bits of opaque ¢ orod glass of various ebades, amountiug. it is s0id. to the almost incredible number of 39,000 Qiferont nnd distinc: shades, themsolves so ar- Tonged 85 to form 8 picture perfucs in overy detail—iv light, shadow, ehade, and color. It {& described B4 corresponding, i BOMmO Meas- wre, to_tbe picturcs formed in Berlo ool Tho various picces of colored glags aro placed in_their pre-aranged order on a tablo covered with o sort of cement, and when thiz tedious process is over—for thore ara many thousands of pieces in each picture—tho surfaco of the picture is then smoothed and polisucd. These are Lthe main features, mzchanically coa- aidered, of this wonderiul art. A Vinegar Polypus. It is stated in the Retue Scientifique that the ariam of the Jardin d'Acclimation s msila 2 singular scquisition—a meduss (s sor: of ud- brella shaped polypus that swims, stomach, mouth, and s number of tentacy der water) that had no sooner got into the cura partment allotted to it thaa it ot rid of ull its Deighbors with wonderful rapidity.. On unalsz- ing the water it was found to bo impreguated with vineger, which had cansed the doath of the inmatcs. The medasa in question therofors be- longa to ono of tho rarest spocios in exiutonca, which, owing to its faculty of secreting tno scid in question, in called tbe ** vinogar polypus.’ The carious point in tho case is that £ie animal in the first instance emits alcobol, wiich is only afterward acidified, mmg:oii“ beccming dilaf in contact with nitrog matter.