Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 2, 1876, Page 11

— e e REAL ESTATE. [xtraordinary Improvements of Chi~ cago Real Estate in 1575, fapitalists Invest $10,000,000 in Building New Stores and Dwellings. tn Miles of New Buildings Added to Chicago Daring the Year. sales of the Year Much Less than in Previous Years. he Toan Market Shows $14,000,000 Less Borrowed than in 1874 [he Transactions of Last Week Unimportant---Miscel~ lancous. REAL ESTATE IN 1875. [ILLIOSS OF CAPITAL DEVOTED TO JMPROVING IT. In reviewing the course of the real estato mar- 1ot for tho past year, we are cempelied to dis- \ent from the prevaleot opinion that 1575 has seen a poor year for the real estale interests of Thicago. It is truo that the amount of prop- wrty which bas changed hands is much below tho ralue of the transfers of each of the two pre- seding years. Prices have shrunk, and capital- e, with tho exception of those possessed of SUPERIOR BAGACITY, jke that which lay at the foundstion of the As- or fortune, have been slow in making purchasoe. Ipeculative operations have been at the mioi- pum, for it is a characteristic of the speculative Aasses that they never bave the nerve to operate sna declimng or stationary market. DLut if there has been but little improvement in rezl es- aiey ¥ THE INPROVEMENT OF REAL ESTATE bas been cpormous, Iu mo othercity inthe tountry bavo there been crected an equsl fum- ber of stores and dwellings in the past year. After the great fire Chicago put more cap- ital into building thao any other city in the world, but tho building operations of this sear show that tho mere restoration of thoso losses was not the limit of our deveiopment. 1n 1574 there wero 757 building permits issued; in 1575 thére were 975 permits given our, for abont 2,500 erections. ‘The frontage of new boildings for 1874 was 33,065 feet; Ior 1875, 55,470 feet; (he cost, £3,785,441 in1874; £9,778,080 in 1875. 1o 1574, 617 miles of new buildings werc’added to Chicago; in 1875, abont 105 miles. A city that pdds to iteelf at the rate of more than A MILE A MONTI in the building season, and spends in round num- bers §10.000,000 in a year for pew houses and stores, muet bo considered prosperous. In view of the depreesion in all the Eastern cities, where houses and stores are vacant in such numbers tuat the building trades have come to a dead stop, and in view also of the charge of overbuiding that was so freely brought sgainst Chicago after the great fire, 1his ex- hubit of the year's operationsis extraordinary. Toeven sanguine Chicagosue, there was a time after the rebuilding of 1872 when it eeemed as if the blocks of new stores and offices would be elow to fill. But althoagh the panic followed, the business of the city grew steadily up to and bevond these abypdaot accommodations. It tound them insi room. 'lakiog out the exceptional period of rebuilding, MORE STORES HAYE BEEN BUILT in Chicago during the past year than in aDy pre- ‘vious twelvemonth of ber history. The gaps on Madison street, from Wabash aveoue to the river, have been filled on both sides by the erec- tion of first-class stores. On_Wabash avenue, between Monroe street and Washington etieet, Judge Mark Skinner, the Rutter csfate, Alr. Rothbarth, and others, have erected business buildings 28 fine as auy in the city. _ The Ollin- ger aod the Sears bmlditgs on Washiogton street, and the Meeker Building on Dearborn, just morth of Washington, are all in the heart of tbe business district, and first-class strnctures. Oueof the events of the year has been the concerted movement among the dry- goods and clotbing wholesale merchants for the sutablishment of & new jobbing centre, Monroo sereet, west of LaSalle, 1n the vicinity of J. V. Tarwell & Co.'s store, was the epot selected. Bimultaneous purchases were made there by T. Z. Leiter, Marshell Field, Heory W. King, J. V. Farwell, and others, at prices ranging from £500 to 3800 a foot, and new buiidi somest description put under way toat bave siready CBANGED TIE CEABACTER OF THE LOCALITY. To make such » movement successful 1t must be under the direction of men who bave the un- disputed control of their respective trades. Field, Leiter & Co., J. V. Farwell & Co., and the clotbiug dealets concerned in this step have tins power, and will plainly succeed in their plane. ANOTHER MIGBATORT PASSAGE was that of the produce men from their over- crowded quarters of South Wi street to Quoey 2nd Market etreets. ‘This dif- ficolt matter was managed with great Buccess; nDew stores wers buwilt for the seceders in sixty days, and a ncw business quarter added to the accommodations of Chi- cago. Thoe post year witnessed another great achievemeni—the almost completd rehabilitation of the district swept by the destructive tire of 1874, which was emall only in comparison with the ‘greater_calamity of 1671. Sixty acres were Inid bare by it. By July, 1675, they were recov- ered, excepting along Wsabash avenue and Fourth avenue, by stores and dwellings of stono and brick, far superior to the wooden rookeries that stood there beforo. The district that bes recovered less rapidly than any other is that on Tabash avenue, between Vao Buren street aod Eldridge court. Much of this was burnt over by the two fires, and 1ts future has been some- what uncertain. However geveral PROMINENT SOARD OF TBADE MEN = purchased property there, and improved it with stores, dwellings, acd apartment houees. ‘Lhe recent introduction of the horse-raitway has also bad a favorable influence on the street. The better class of horse-car travel now passes through Wabash ayenue, and its prospects are much improved for reaching its long-predicted destiny of becoming THE BROADWAY OF CIICAGO. The extent to which business-men like Ficld & Leiter, Board of Trade men, local capitalists like Judge Skinner, and outside parties like the Bears esiate of Boston, have put monsy into the improvement of their real estate here, is a most satisfactory index of our condition. Such trans- wuctiops are the basis of a substantial prosperity far more valuable to a city than the speculative delirium that Tolis_property through a dozen baunds that add nothing to it. Every street in tho business part of tho city has bocn improved by the erection ‘of large and commodious stores. Au amount of room for residence and building has been added to Chtcago in the last year that could not bave been procured two Tears ago for £15,000,000. This vast expendi- ture of money entiances not only the valuo of the property built upon, but of all the rest. More population, more business, mare wealth, bigber rrices of real estate, are to be the ro- enits. The city concentrates and grows, and VALUES BECOME GREATER AND MORE REAL. At one time new buildings were begun ut tho rate of twenty » day. In such state of affairs it is certain that, tlthough property may not easily eell, it grows more valuable every minute. ‘The length at which we have spoken of tho ad- ditions in_overy direction to our busineas ac- commodations, makes it neceseary to state, with emphasis, that the major part of the building opeations of 1575 has been the erection of new houses. 'This has been carried on upon s scale pever before seen in the West. Not less then 1.500 new houses have been erected. Thay are of all kinds, from the private palaces io the Sonth and North Di- visions to the $1,000 workingmen's fire-proof cottages pat up by Mr. Sydoey Myers. Mos: of them are buildings for the ACCOMMODATION OF FAMILIES OF MODERATE MEANS. They suppls & want long felt in Chicago, where the ambit:ious prosperiiy that preceded the fire apd the #}aniu ren too much b0 three and four-story marble fronts. Two-story’ &nd _ bssement - houses thsé & berented for £600 5 year and upward have icient, snd demanded more- THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE SUNDATY, JANUARY 2, ISTE-—TWELVE PAGES. 11 been put up during the past summer in great numbers. The number of permits gives nog:lua to tho number of houscs. Oae'permit will some- times cover twenty, forty, or even _sixty houses. Mr. C. W. Rigdou put up, for instance, forty houses and ten stores, under one contract, on the Iake shore, at the coraerof Cottage Groveave- pue and Thurty-first street. Mr. S. S, Hayea built eighty-three houses on one lot, avd groups of fifieen, twonty, and thirty were nob uucommou. The increasing cosmopolitanism of Chicazo ap- pears in the number of apartment houses erect- ed. Sevoral structures of tius kiod have been put up during the year that are equalto the most exacting standard of apartment houses. A large numoer of elegant private residences bave been built during the year, partionlarly on the North and South Sides. The LONG-DESERTED TERRACE LOV on Michigan avenue, known befora the fire a8 the Linudsomest block of resideuces between New Yorkeand Snn Fraociaco. has begun to bo rebuilt, and befors the close of this year the Lako Front Park will sgain be adorned with bowes along its cntire western front. The erec- tion of fire-proof workingmen's cottages, under the direction of Mr. Sydney Myers, has been one of the mnotable events of the vear, and marke » departure from tho usual tenement house evstem of cilies, to which Cli- eago with Ler unlimitod area need never resort. Rents were reduced in 1875 from 15 to 30 per cent. Tho heaviest reduction was in the higher rents ; the economic tondencies of the period coutd not sustain £1,200 and £1,500 reats, and theso fell beavily, The inquiry for moderate topements wa3 50 eager that theso sufl- ered moch less in proportion. It would” be = pataral ¢ inferenco from the immense number “of mnew dwellings tuat rent would be much lower 8uriog the com- ing season. Rents will bo low—nothing will advertino Chicago better than 1its cheap rents— but the inovitable incresso of population, tho growing demand within our prosent population for cheap homes, and the large numbers who will Ieave old houses for homes with ail tho modern improvements, will all OPERATE TO ARREST ANT TENDENCY {0 a severs decline in rents, The only very cheap rents will be those of the old-fosbioned rookertes that avaricious landlords have kept in use, exact- ing the highest market price. They will be abandoned for newer aud more comfortablo nomeg, and will, it i3 to bg hoped, be torn down to make room for modern houses. Tt chief interestof the rcal-cstats market has thas centred in tho ENOEMOUS ADDITIONS CAPITAL HAS MADE to its improvement. Tho ultimato test of the value of land is what it will yield. Only real ez- 1ate that is productive—i. e., that is improved— has s practical vaine. ‘Lhe sales of realty duriog tue year have been restricted. Prices have been low, purchasons wary, and holders de- girous of keeping their property for a more active era. Iew have gold who conld uold on. Whe total valuo of the transactions of the yoar has_consequently been much less than in 1874, 1873, and 1872." The exact figures aro not befors us, but a tolersbly accurate caleu- Iation ehows that the transfers for 1875 amount- ed to sbout 245,000,000 ; for 1874 they were $67,871,636 ; for 1873 §78,427,391. Leaving out of view foreclosurs eales, and the countless ex- changes msdo to swift indebtedness from the pecumiarily weak tothe strong, the most striking sales have been thoso to ' LONG-MEADED CAPITALISTS, Toca] and outside, who bave taken advantage of the times to secure bargaius. Somo specien £ales were those on Wubash avenue, south of Congress street, for $300 a foot; at the corner of Michigan avenue snd Van Buren sireet, of 102 feet. for $29,000; of the Peter Pago build- ing, 48 feet front, on Stato street, near Madi- con, occupied by Jansen, McClurg & Co., for £132,000; of tho Tuurman building, at the northwest corner of Madison and Clark, 20x90, for 204,000; of 80 feet on Wabash aveaue, near Madison street, for &G4,000; of the Dotter Palzer buailding, occupiéd by Ross & Goszaze, on State street, near Washington, for £140,000; of the fine marble-front building, nearly oppo- Eite, occupied by the Mandel Dros., for 8140,000; and of the stores bmit by Potter L'almer, op~ posite the Patnier Houso and at tho coroer of Quincy strect, for $40,000 exch. At most, with- out exception, these pieces of property wera purcbased by resident business-men or capital- jsts. These aro the men who have seen Chi- csgo grow in the past, and who bave faith 1o its tuture, and their investments aro MUCH MORE IMPORTANT 20d significant than the occasional investment of the * Eastern capitalist,” for whose com- ing so many yearn. These sales, like the otbers that hive been recordea from time to time, show the docline in prices; they shior, 100, how much below the prices elsewhera Chica- ga real estata rules ; Boston prices range up to 26.000 sud 212,000 a front foot: in New York ¥500 and £2,500 a front foot is given for land 5 or ¢ miles from Wall street :in Providence, R. L., on a street only prospectively & business thor- oughfate, £1,500 a foot bas been paid. Lherecord of prospenity Chicago has to shovw, a8 exhibited in our annnal etatement yesterdar, is nnigue amon3 the leading cities of the couotry, and the result must £000 become apparent in &n en- lancement of the prices of our real estats to an oquality with those obtained elsewhere. The situation of zffairs as far as selling goes may bs accurntely deacribed for the wholo yearin the remark often beard on the street, that “* JI0BE MONEY CAN BE LOBROWED on property than it cau be fold for.” Thatis. it is worth miore, and s0_recognized, than it will at the moment bring. The greatcst quiet pre- vails in suburban speculative property. Tor that, every onmo but tho speculatots is ihapkful. In the substantial suburbs, like Evanston, Hyde Park, South Chicago, Lawn- date. Oak Tark, &c., thoie las Leen great growth. The maoufacturing ‘popalation of South Chicago, the Grand Crossing, and other points in the vicinity of the city, has increased reatly. With the completion tius spring of the oseph H. Brown Iron and Steel Mills, South Chicago will rewch s working population of about 5,000 The new manutactories at. the Grand Crossing and the suburban derots of the Baltimore & Ohio Ralroed have given an _impetus to the development of ths region between the city limits and South Chi- cago that is not likely to stop short of the exten- sion of the city to tho Calumet, whero it ought originally t> have been placod. THE PARK STSTEX OF CHICAGO has been well cared for during tbe vear, al- thongh the Park Commiesioners havo had little money_ to spead. Central Park, —on the ~West Side, has been _opened to the public: the morth shoro drive haa been 1aid out to Lincoln Park, whera otber great im- provements will be made : the South Park boasts one of the most beantiful lawns 1u the country, and has new drives, walks, and water scenery. The Botanical Gardens have been bronght, under the able and l?nbllc’epiribefl superinteudence of Prof. Babcock and Judge Hibbard, to a point Whers they are deservedly the pride of the city. They contain 3,500 specimens of plants, horbs, and trees. There 18 NOTHING EQUAL TO IT ELSEWHERE in the country, nor, in Bome of 1ts departments, in the world. It bids fair to becomeina few vears one of the proudest oxamples of the liber- ahty, foresignt, and energy of Chicago. The improvement of the Lake-Front Park betweon Yan Buren and Twelfth streets has been prose- cated with great taste and econamy, and the peopls of Chicago have for riy a mile along the ehore of the laka sud over against the very centro of population, a resort unequaled anywhere for its beauty and healthfulvese. As years go by aod the population grows denser, the inestimable value of this great resort evil become more and more evident. In o development of tho resources of the city, 88 we have shown 1875 to .bo, the founda- tions of a speody and substautial prosperity aro essily seen to bave been laid. Even the London Economist, & distant and by no means over-friendly observer, predicts that in the United States the recovery is at hand that has been necessarily preceded by the pagt two years of readjustment. It is notriaking much to add to this the prophecy that the recuperation of the industry and capital of the United States will nowhere be more rapid or thorough than in. Chicago, the centre of the moat prosperous pop- ulation in the world. —— THE LOAN MARKET. THE OLD YFAR LEAVES ITS MONET DETIND IT Tho past week's business has been fully up to tho averago of the lato falland early winter, which has boen dull at the best. Tho year closes with few desirable spplicants for losne, and with s plethora of money in the bands of sgents seekiog investment. Interest remains et 8 to 10 per cent, and the complaints on the score of payments are by no means s numeronsag the state of business would lead us to expect. Tho borrowe3 money of 1375 bas fonnd its way in & great measare towards the improvement of prop- wrty for residence purposes. The amount of capital invested in this direction has been very large. At the opening of the past year the rates for money were 10 per cent, with a weakening tendency, gradually falling to the present figures, with no prospect of improvement or any further Qeclive. The year 1875 shows A LARGE FALLING OFF in the aggregate of bucigess done as compared with 1574 Excluding %be railroad mortgages, the latter year has a difference of some $14,000, 000 in its favor. The averageof ocach instru- ment, with the above-mentioned exclusion, was $3,260 for 1874, and for 1875 amounted to ¥2,830. The proportion of releases to incumbrances was 74 per cent in 1874, ana 82 per cent for the year just passed. b Outside of the railroad corporations, ths heavicat borrawer in 1875 has been the Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock Company, this in- stitation during the last week of March effect- iogalosn with the New York State Loan and Truat Company of 81,000,000 and at the bogin- ning of October nogotiating another losn of =| £1,450,000. It was understoed that this money was to be used for the development of the Com- pany’s valuable property &t South Chicago. The total number of inetraments of ali kinds filed for record in the Recorder's oftico for 1875 was 57.634, an average of over 4,500 per month, of which nbont 25 per cent wero in the nature of trust-deeds and morigages. * COMPABATIVE STATEMENI FOR DECEMDLR. = 1575, T s, % - Instraments. ' Considera- Cousidera- tion. | No.j tion. Trust-deeds. 2,007,008 9331 8 7.2 Mortgages...... 465,815, 2211 28,1 COMPARATIVE BTATEMENT OF TRUST-DEEDS, MONT- GAGES, AND BELEASES FILED YOG RECORD DURING THE YEAL. 5 1675, , 1874 os., Consider | Bo- | Consider | Ne- No. | tion. ioasesi| No. | tion. (leases Jan,... 1,033 834 127315 5,695,018 816 i sl 723 1,201 6. u,ml 815 Marcli 2,192 Loo1]; 1611 sagv1al 1178 Aprit.| 1343 o7 1,097(] 1,507 “4,350.550] 1122 3 523,135 1,097, 1,560) 4, 711,109; 1,195; 1,511‘ 2,803,344 mmll 1,526, 31 52022403 045]{ 1,407 2,816,110 ¥26] 1,350] 34816501 9iv| 12701 2 B: T43)} 1,141 G150 758} 1,150 §35,091,822]11,4451, 16,52 " Incladed in tho abovo statement ara the fol- towing FATLEOAD MORTGAGKS 835, Clicago, Danville & Vincennes Ralrozd Company..... $ 1,000,000 Cliicago, Milwaukeo & St. Paul Tailway Compauy... 35,000,600 Pennsylvania Company. 12,000,660 . 1,590,000 Chicago, Millington & Ttsilwiy Company Chicago & South Company . 5 Chicago & Tilinois Eiver Liail- . way Comipan: Chicago & Pacilic Rafiroad Com- Ecitbsburg & Lastern Rallroad Compau 2,560,000 Tllinois Central pany. . 15,000,000 Chiicago, Tortas Eallway Company. 12,500,000 Total, $49,500,000 £70,020,000 The following table shows a compartive state- meut of tho FORECLOSCRE SALES FOR EACI MONTH 3 1 FEW IMPORTANT TRANSACTIONS. The eales of real estate this woek were neither pumerous nor,_important. The following were the principal ones : Goorge 1. Rozet has eold for John Creswell residence No. 200 North Dearborn street for §12.500 ; and for Georgo L. Dunlap sevon lots o Block 6, Central Park Addition to Chieago, for £5,300. ,+J. 1. Hubbard sold 83 feet on Fremont street, Dear Sophia, with improvementa, for 325,000. Tade Shore Distillery Company sold works on Jobnson avengs, near Twenty-geventh street, for £30.000. J. S. Wolfe sgld thirty-zeven lots in west 15 southwest X Sra 7, 56, 13, for $15,000. Phillip Larm,. sold house a0d loL on Wabash evenue, south of Thirty-firat street, for 310.0). 8. L, Brown sold 38x70 feet on South Water street, west of Clark street, for $80,000. Y. G. Loomis eold the northwest corner of Harrison court and Michigan avenue, 55x127 feet, for $13,000 3. 1. Weber eold 50 fect on Wainut street, west of Paulina street, south front, umproved, for 310,000. W. 0. Snow sold undivided half 1275108 feet Walnut street, corner of Oakley street, for $12,650. John Cresswell sold to George L. Dunlap house and lot on North Dearborn street, norta of Superior, for 312.500 Kelton & Williams sold four honges and lots at the northwest corner of Western avenua aud Wilcox street, for $27,000. AL T. Tuléy bought 50 feet on Van Buren street, west of Michigao aveoue, for $10,000. Albert Portman sold 60 acres in the northwest quarter of Sce. 11, 87, 13, for $18.000. Heary Wisner sold the northwost quarter of Sec. 33, 88, 14, in four loty, to 3. E. Smith, Tieming Grabam, M. O, Grogory, and N. I. At- kins, for a total consideration of £150,000. E. W. Westfall bas gold the corner building 10, 12, 14, and 16 Canal street for $70,000. —_—— CORRESPONDECE. BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS. To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: Carcaao, Jen. 1.—I notico my communication on tho subject of *“Loan and Building Associa- tions,” in your 18sue of Dec. 19, has called ont a snotica™ of what the writer calls *‘Frank- ford's Strictures.” I intended to pro- voke mo discussion in the matter, my only desiro baing to explain the lesding features of these associations where thoy have becn con- dacted with succoss, in contrast with untried plans, or plans which have been tried and abano- doned by reason of their impracticable or ex- pensive form of orgamzation. In consopanco with your eriticisms on the subject, it scemned to me that, compared with the plan on which they chim to be orgunized, the ‘‘People's” was largely too expoosive; but your correspond- ent frankly acknowledges his plap a new one, and claims it as s improvemen! on that in usoin Philadolphin,—but claims the differ- ence to be ** immaterial.” It may be that an io- crease of the labor of mansgement four-fold may not be material bere in Chicago, but in Philadel- phis it wow!d be very malerial. Your correspond- ent refers to Mr. Francis 3. Wood, of I'hiladel- phia, whois the Seccretary, he ssys, of cight or ten sssociations which he manzges at a coat for galary to each association of $250 to £300 per annum, sud endeavors to leave on the mind of the reader tbe impression that each of the asso- ciations ig equivalent to only a eingle series of the * People's.” . Te fails to tell us that all of these right or ten associations issue thejr etock in series and hove always done 80, and that cach of these aseociations i8 quite as Jarge, probably, as the association referred to, and wera the dues on shares paid weelly and the labor thereby iu- creased four timesthe business could not be done for that figure. Beyond & doubt even the same svstem _wonld cost more in Chicago then in Philadelphis, but to ordinary minds it would scemt that no mora machinery was requisite to a clear understand- ing of buriness by a Chicago shareholder than by one in Philadelphit. Considering the wide and inviting fiold offered by your city. it is & matter of surpriso that teso organizaticns have uot attracted more attention, and their workings become more thoroaghly un- aerstood by the masaas. s Many a dollar which has been sunk in worth- Jess savings panks would have been saved, and my onls desire was to point out the leading fea- tures which aro considered essential in their or- anization to insure success. If our system in ihllsdnlphin i suaceptible of improvement will gladiy accept the change, but 1t will b d cult to demonstrate to us that the * Chicago the oue we should adost FRANZFORD. improvement " i3 «oole at Sea,” s whimegical farce playing in Tondon, ehows the imaginary adrentures that befel the comedian in & aream, consequent upon partakiog too freely, during & voyage, of reme- dies, alcoholic and ~ otber, azainat sea-sickness. It 18 scted with much drollesy by Mr. Toole and Miss E. Farren. FISK UNIVERSITY. Celebration at Nashville of tie Tenth Anniversary of This In:titutiogp. Some Account of the ERemarka- ble Labors of the Jubilce Singers. . Dedication To-Day of the Imposing Build- ing Built with Their Earnings. Special Dispatch to 1he Chicago Tribunc, NaseviLie, Tonn., Jan 1.—The ficfcl fortunes _of war, while it had the effect of restoring mill- ions of human beinge from tho thralldom of elavery to & liberty to go and come as they choose, yet it left thom 1o an almost belpless state. Theil old habits broken into, the farms desotated, and thoussunds thrown together with- their toyrisd necessities, where before they hed mnover known what it was to provide for themselves. Thrown upon their own resources by the emancipation proc- lamation, they foundjthemselvos without either means or experience in the midst of a territory which had been ravished by contending armies. Their first and only thought was to moet the daily wanta of themselves and familiea ; it was for others tostep in and point them and lead them to a higher lifo and & greater dovelopmont of their faculties. At this crisis, missionary societies of the North undertook the work, es- tablished echools, and preached the Gospel {o them, and endesvored to effect substantial or- ganization for their permanent good. Theso schools wok the form of missionary institutions, and were enpported entirely by their respective socioties, who had sent out the teachers. One of tho first of the kind established in Nashville was as early as in 1863, on Oct. 13. It was con- ducted by the Rev. J. G. McEes, of tho United Presvyterian Church North. He was singularly fitted for the work, possessing much talent and a large share of undaunted courage that was not tobo cast down by the many obstacles metat every turn, Ha was immeusely successful for a series of years, and his school only waned 1n strength and infiuence alter tho establishmont of many echools by other sacietics and the opening of the city echools to colored children, when it was abandoned. Abont the same lime,—in 1866, —sachools were established in Nashwille by the Methodists, Episcopalians, Baptists, and Con- gregationalists, which have always prospered since that time, Fisk School was opened Jan. 9, 1860, under the auspices of the American Missionary Aseo- ciation, of New York, and the Western Freed- men's Aid Commission, The latter Society soon mado over ils interest to tho American Mission- ary Association, which has'fostered it ever since. Some Government buildings west of the Chstta- nooga Depot, then known as the Railrodd Hos- pital, were taken possession of by the agents of the Soctety, and used from ibat time to tho present as s echool-building. At the time of tke establishment of the school, Gen. C. B. Fiak, who was then Chief of tho Freedmen's Bureau, took sreat intercst in the enterprise, and it was called by his name. Ile bas since contributed largely to its success, The gchool wns managed by Prof. Ogden, well kpoown 1n the West, now of Ohio, and, for the twa years of his Professorship, instructed more thau 1,200 pupils nunlllll% " In 1867, Gon. O. O. Hovward, of tho Freed- men's Bureau. donated the nice little sum of $7,000 to the school. thus rendering it advisable to incorporate it and_sppomt a Board of Trus- tees. In Aungust, 1867, the school was chartered 28 o University, with &_Board_of nine ‘Trustees. Tho Academic and Normal Departments . wore added soon aiter. Although it seemed a proten- tious nawmo to call so small an ipstitation a Uni- versity, yet the fact was never lost sight of that this was ooly tho iofant, that was intended to grow to vast proportions and como 1uto the posecusion of its mature powers. The determination has been cherished from the be- ginning that the operations shonld be co-exten- give with the namo, and toward that end the oflicers have steadily worked. ‘After the school was chartered, provision was 1made for a boarding department in connection with it, into which students might be received, in order to be uuder good home influences. Tho beneficinl results of the arrangements have been beyoud tho most ite originators. The ioflueuce upontho man- ners, morals, and habits of the students availing themselves of the privilega have been incalcn-~ Iable. The school had now become an ioati- tution of no msigoificant power, and while its operations were extended its wants grew greater and its needs more enormous. Owiug to 8 scar- city of funds the parent society, the American Missionary Association, seriously 'contemplated the sbandonment of the University, =3 it bad upon ita hands more schoole tban it conld sapport. A% this crisis the music-teacher in the University, a young men named George L. Whito, conceived tho idea of training and introdacing to the world » band of colored singers, in which way be hoped 1o maintain the school, which he felt must be kept up as a!l hazards. He had unbounded facility in traioing his_classew, acd it was not long befors the Jubilee Singers wero ready to meet all obstacles and en- ter ~ upon that untried work. It was hot withont some misgiviogs the 6bject was undertaken, but they went for- ward determined to accomplsh their purpose. At first they made barely enough tomeet current expenses, but_the indomitable leader was not cast down, and stood his ground in_the face of difticulties. As last tho tide turned in his favor, and he saw his cherished hopes about to be real- izod, and Fisk University, throngh his exertions, placed upon s firm basie. At the end of the first conmcert season they roturnod With a baok account of ~ $20,000. . Never waiting to let tho grass grow under their feet the trope again made a concort tour and again netted $20,000. With these fands 25 acres of ground wero parchased in the most cligible portions of Nasbville, Tenn., and the foundations of Jubileo Hall wero laid. Tuo work of the mow famous Jubileo Smpgers was thus favorably begun, but still therg was much more to do. The iroupe, remaining at home at Fish University, reorganized for anothor sesgon and took their way upon the huge geas to otber countries 10 engage with ail thoir former success in giving their uuique concerts to delighted audiences iu England. Their campaign in Great Britan petted 250,000, This carried on the building to a cost of 370,000, The wholo estimated cost of the buildiog is $120,000. This left 350,000 to be met by otber moans of the Univeraity., They own the Fort Houston property, donated to them by Congress, and tho property used by them for the last ten years, These piecos of property will, when soid, bring a snug eom. Since going to England last summor the Jubiles Singe:s have petted about 220,000 This is the bistory of an institution that has already accomplished much, and 18 destined to play an importaut part in the future history of the colored race. Establivhed aud fostered by tho American Dligsionary Association of New York, that benevolent society is sustained almost entirely by the Congregationalist Church of the North.” Ithasnow no less than seven char- tered institutions in the South, beaides twenty mnormal schools snd 100 other schools, In the past twolve years it has ex- peaded sbout $3,000,000 in the educatiod of colored children. In the past year over §270,000 bave been laid out in that field, and it has had 250 teachers aud missionaries at work. Upwards of 10,000 pugils have been taught in its schools an- pually, oo in turn becoms teachers, €0 that during the last year no less than 60,000 chitdren were taught by those whom this sociely had eda- cated. This is but the work of one socisty. Other benevolent associations are engaghd in the sama work, and the State, too, has mado provision in the public schools for colored children. Accord- ing to the new scholastic censns, Tennessea has 1 scholastic population of 820,000 white children and 106,000 colored. Out of the latter, only about 25,000 attend the public schools regulatly. ‘Thero aro 900 school buildings for colored children aod o _equsl number °of colored teachers, all of whowm have been educated within tho past decade. In some counties the school-terms vary from three to wix months, while in others they con- tinue throngh tha fegular ten months. The teachers are paid from $25 to $60 per montb. The chool fand is raised almost entirely fram white tax-payers, there being very few colored people owning taxabla prooerty. Jubilee Hall, whose magnificent walls show the substantial proaperity of Fisk Uriversity, is stosted about 1 mile northwest of Nashville, upon the former site of Fort Gillem, named in honor of Gen. Gillem, who died lere some four ‘weeks 8g0. The furniture is made of walnut. Fortyrooms o ardeut expectations of. were furnished by friends 1n Eogland, aod forty by trieuds in this country. Mra. Clinton B, Fisk furnished wood from Africa to finish off the front ball. Friends in England donated philo- wrphical apparatus valuad at aboat 31,200, lsaac Dickerson, one of the Jubilee_singers, raiged & fuud in Great Dritato of over 31,000. Numerous donations of books, articles for tue museuns, furnishings of various kinds, have been madeby pursous Loth in America aud England. Fisk University celebrates its tenth anoiversa- rv to-day by the dedication and occupancy of Jubilee Hall. The present immediato object of the Univer- sity is to propare teachers sud ministers of the Gospel for the vast field before them. While not ‘neglecting other things, this i3 to be the main object. Teonesseo provides froo schqols for the colored children, and their most urgent need 1s for capablo in- structors,—those who can guide them not onlyin mental but in moral character. And it is moat important to evers State that her ministers of the Gospel be ntelligent and well prepared to guide and iostruct the people in wacred things. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES. Commissioner urdickk Submits Remedy for the Evils Complained: Of. . To the Editor of The Chicago Tridunc : CH1caGo, Jan. L—At the eolicitation of many tox-payers, I am constrained to ask the use of your columna to present my views on this ques- tion of taxation, which is agitating the public mind at this time. Crooked whisky affocts but fow persons in this commu in comparison with the pumber iuterested in Stato, county, and manicipal taxation. b . There Las been so much written in the way of complaints of the enormity of our taxes and porsonal criticisms on the action of our As- gesrors and Town Collectors, without any suggoestions for relief, that I am constrained to present my wname to the public in this connection, hoping to be able, after stating propositions fairiy, to suggest at loast » partial remedy which shall be applicable to thoae havieyg just causo for complaint. Tue personal property tax for 1875 isnow due, snd the various Town Collectors who are authorized to collect the same are preparing their batteries for a charge on ail those who do not come forward at once and liquidate their hit- tle bills. Sinco there has been so much written on the enormous tax-levy, and so much eaid abous the action of the State Board of Equalization, and 10 ncreasing our taxes 52 per cent, I will firat call your attention to s comparative statement of assessments and tax-levies for 1874 and 1875. Teforo proceeding to said table of comparison, that I may not be misunderstood by any, I will refer back & few lines to the language, “*In- crenging our taxes 52 per cent,” and say all who 80 undorstand the result of the action of the Stato Board are wrong. Tho addition of 52 per cent to tho assessment does not result in the addition of 52 por cent fo ocur taxes. o illustrate : A is adsessed $1,000; 80 cents on £100 of this amonnt will produce 3, which is the State tax, 30 cents on $100 being the rate fixed to produce a given amount. So if we figaro on tho addition of 52 per cent to the above £1,000, making 81,520, 30 coats on this will producs $4.56. The difference betweon 83 and 4,56 represeuta just what i the amount of in- Justice dono tha tax-payers of Cook Couniy and the City of Cuicago by the action of the State Doard of Equalzation, which is $1.56 on each £1.000 valuation. As far as relates to our city, county, town, and park taxes, it matters not what the sssessment Inay be; provided it is uniform mo injustice i8 done any one. The amonnt of tax to be raised ia first ascertained by the varions estimates, and then the rate per.cent on_any amouut, whethor the amonnt of the original sssessment or on the amount 88 equalized, determines the rate per cent, and the rate per cent cannot bo fixed nor any tax_extended under the general revenue 1aw until after the action of the State Board, and oo the amount as they determine. Follow- ing is the comparative asscesment and taxation of 1874 and 1875 : Personal 1874, South Chicago.. #§27,749,507 West Chicago. 93, North Chicagc 1,949—835,874,283 - Added by State Board, o per Soutb Chicigo..... 39 West Cbicago. 34,179,914 North Chicage 1,721,247—$35,250,363 AQd 166 per cent, State Board £5,250,308—$170,500,706 Totaleesaaeseonsss <n 234,638,433 The following rates per 3100 were levied for the various purposea: State, 24 cents; conaty, 40 conts; South Town, 2 7-10,cents ; Soutn Park, 19 cents. The Siate and county taxea wero 1avied on tho full smount above, and the South Town and South Park tax on the amount of the gssessment of the South Town, which can eaaily be ascertained from the foregoing table. « = Personal. 1873, South Chicago.....§19,571,0:3 West Chicag 6,167,819 North Chicag 2,138,753-$28,177,7C0 State Board ae 14,652,404 Total personalin Gty . $12,830,104 Tands and lots. South Chicag. ... 40,734, West Chicago 2935,140 North Chicago. .. 10,310,:96—$52,4%0,861 State Board adds 52 per cent... 42,890,047 Total resl estate.... $125,570.908 Total for 1875. eeeee §163,201,012 On the above smount, with the addition of about 6,000,000 for stock companies and rail- roads, tho tax of 1875 18 figured as follows on the 8100 valuation: Citviax, $2.94; county, 6Gcents; Etate, 30 cents; South Town, 3 9-10 cents; South Park, 25 conts. Tne esmo statement made at the close of the table of 1874 is applicable to 1875. Allow me to sum up the points of difference in the two tables of ‘comparison : 1n 1874, total asseasruent a8 equalized. In 1875, total assessment 26 oqualized.. Less for 1875..... B Now allow me tostate that the total amount o1 tax levied for 1875 is_hetween ¥200,600 and $300,000 lesa than for 1874, And os the total asscesment, a8 squalized by tho State Board, is 06,437,461 less for 1875 than for 1374, the L§234,638,473 164,201,012 .rate per cent to producs the amount must bo correspondingly increased. Bv lakiog the paios to figure on the datn above given in connection with the follow- ing, auy One can prove my statement that the total tax of 1875 is less than for 1874. For 1874 the Weat ‘Town tax was 16 cents, park and bounlevard 5 cents, West Park 24 cents, sll cn original assessmont. For 1875 the West Town tax is 18 cents, park and boutevard 5 cente, West Pack, on cesessed valuation, 26 7-10 centu.| ‘Che foregoing comparisous and figures will show that the total amount demanded of tax- payers for 1875 is less thao for 1874, thoush ln my opinion it is more by at least amillion dollars that it ougkt to be, and would be if our municipal and county officers in thetr official ca- pacity would face the times and situstion sguare- [F neindividuals by necessity are compeled to. 1 have shown that in the sggregate tha total taxes assessed are below what tuey were for 1874, and bavo also shown that the action of the State Board adding 52 per cent to our sssessment does 1ot operato to- our disadvantage to the eztent that = many suppose. _The total levied agaiust Cook County by the sction ot the State Board by their addition will be cover- od by £295,000, When our total levy is near 28,000,000, this $225,000 becomes quité ivsignifi- cang to cause 8o much commotion and indigna- tion. Early in this article I state that I will sucgest some moda of relisf for those justly aggrieved, but before doing %0 I must refor to aud aecite some of the provisions of the Reveuus law to make my points plain. It is generally knuwa that our assessments ars made by Town Assessors elected in Apnl of each year, whose daty it is to make the assessment between the 1et day of May and the 1st day of July. Itisthe duty of the Assessor to furnish a proper blaok 1o be filled by the aesessed and returned to the Assossor with the number, quality, and descrip- tion of the various articles therein listed, and the Asgessor's duty is to aflix the respective values opposite. Sec. 26. Revenua law, reads as fol- lowa: * Whenover the Assessor shall ke of the opinion that the person Lsting property has not made & full, fair, and complete scnedule, he may examine such person aader oath," ete. The Assessor i8 mnob suthorized to change said return in any wise witbout firat call~ ing the party making said retarn batora him. Sec. 8 of the General Reveaue law »2ads ag follows: “*All personal property ehall be valned % its fair cash value.,” Now, :t 13 well under- stood, notwithstanding thd section above, by thoso who have given any attention 1o tax- ation, that the baeis of 2s3.usmeut in many or most cases is 40 per centcf the valne. If this shonld be guestioned, or mot underatood by all, a8 I am ~ re it is not, I will refer to the National Banke i3 illusurate. The law governing National Banks reads as follows : so:rhe stockholders of overv bank located within this State sball be assessed and taxed ou the valne of toeir shares of stock therein” etc., subject, however, to the restriction thst taxa- tion of snch shares shall mot be at a grester ate than is assessed upon any other moneyed cspital in the bands of individuals, cte. Many of us koow that the Nationai Banks of our city are assossed on 40 per cent of their shares on a par value, when inmany cases suid shares are worth & promium of 50 per cent. And yet most of these pauks have declined to pay, and some of them bave not paid for 1874, claiming that they are assessed higber than private banks. 1 recite this to prove my proposition that 40 per cent of actual yalue is accepted 2sa basis of assessment, ond I bave also shown that Na- tional Baoks do not pay on so large zn amount as this. 1 will say farther with reference to assessment that, if apy person with whom blanks aro left by the Assossor to be fiiied; and returned fail to fiil and return said blanks, it becomes the duty of the Assessor to asseas such persons to the best of Lis ability. 1 will now divide personal-property tax-pavers who bave good grounds of complaint into three classes : First—Thoee who filled the black left by the Assessor conscienttoasly st the full cash value of tha property according to tho provisious of See. 3 of tbe Ilevenus law proviously recited. Second—Those, too, who filled the blauk, a8 in their judgment was proper, and find the roturn Bas been changed by the Assessor without first notifiyiug the parties to appear before him ac- cording to law. Third—Thoss who made no returns and find their property is assessed at from oue toten times more thaun it ought to be. Theso classes ail hud their romody, which has been recited by my fnend, the Hoo. R. P. Der- ickson, but, as he has well eud, bow can 40,000 tax-payers examine theas books to be apprisad of errors and correct them in the short time of from one to five days that these books by law are open for inspection and correc- tion? 1 wll eay here that if wo had but a few of such men as Alr. D., who did not shrink from the responsibility of_criticising the action of the Sapreme Court, as in the Adsit case, we wounld have lesa of such cases, and collect our reveuus withont so much opposition. 1 have got to the point of vital interest to many.—that is, my suggestions for immediate re- hef to the tbree classea above who have just grounds of complaint, aud I will prefaco my re- commendations by saying that reliet has been granted in the way of rebate by tbo Couaty Board atall times on proper proof. to the second and third class above, and 1 presumo by the city. The Park Commissioners in a few cases have doge likewige. But for these classes nzgrieved to bo compelled to go before esch department from the State down to the Town Board, and maketo each satisfactory proof of theinjustice of their assessment would almost be addiny insuit to injury, if it is practicable to moet these peo~ te fairly and in & manner that they may bo re- ieved. It may be eaid by some that they have redress through the courts. Do the officials of this city and county wish to drive honest tax- payers to this, when in_moet cases court costs would amount to much more than the relief should theysucceed ? _And suppose they should meet such court docisions as are cited by Mr. Derickson ? My plan of relief is as follows: ¥ would sug- geet that the Common Councilappointa commit- teo of, eay, five members, composed perhaps of Tax Commssioner and Assessor aund three members of the Council. The Couuty Board shall appoint a committee of two, the Park Com- miesioners aud Town Boards of each town each appoint & committco of one, makiog a joint committea of fourteen. Each corpomato body should inetruct or empower their délegates to act in joint session on proper evidence to remit or rebate in cages such 8a are mentioned above. 1t would be proper to notify the State ofticcrs and eolicit them to be represented. A few meotings of ench & commuttee might aajust these matters, with perhaps not to exceed in tho ag- gregate of all taxes a rebate of $50,000. 1 know it might be claimed by the State Audit- or that he bad no authority to participate for the State, a8, the Legislature not beiug insession, he conld mot obtain permission. It .seems to me that the nmeceesity of wome barmonious action for relief, if properly pre- sented, might induce the action neceesary, with a fecling of certainty that the Legislature at ita meeting would legalize it. . 1If this plan sbould be favorably received by the public and the varions officials, Ishall be pleased to present it to tho notice of the Connty Board. Youra truly, W. K. Bouoicx, e gy HOPELESS. The darkness gathering in my soul Grows deeper, biacker, dny by day ! O Christ ! that Thou would'st rend the vell Of this poor tenement of clay. . Oh that I might, dear God ! resimn. The Life that Thou hast given to mel Would'st Thou account it deadly sin Were I to give it back to Thee What use for one to langer live Whose Present bears 1o gleam of hope ; ‘Whose Past s lost ; whose Future is Cast in tho same dark horascope 2 Where are Thy promises, dear Lord 1 # _ Tothem who pleac on bended knee? Though at Thy door I've bumbly sued, Thon hast not opened unto me. 1Is it becanse my faith is weak That Thou dost still withhold Thy grace? Did'st not Thine own s iples donbe, Though stamhing with Thee fuce to face? T do not ask to touch Thy band ; T do not plead Thy vaice to heur = ‘Enongh for me would’st Thou but grant ‘Sowe evidence that Thou art acar. Ok for a ray of heavenly light To gild the clouds that ou me frown Wit joy wonld T sustaln the cross, For one brief moment of the crown | Dear God ! why dost Thon hids Thy face, "And bearken only from afar # None, none may know so well as Thon How weak Thy sufferiug children aro 1 Though I have songht The Wy in tears, My path is lost in blackest night ! Teach me, O Father, to belivve That * What the Eternal acts is right I'" ‘Help me tosay, *Thy will be done I And, when I draw my latest breat! Be Thou my hope, my strengih, my all, Tteceive ma from the arms of Death Drc. 29, 1875, . I H. A Chincse Mathematician. derre Houte Gazette, Wong Chingfoo, the highly educated China- man, rather ** gok away” with a young Professor at Greencastle on Fridsy evening. Dunng the course of the evening, Mr. Wong etated that among tho Chinese matbematiciaus were hired at 3¢ per week, and werc notas goodas the most ordinary men here. They do ts work by machinery,'as it were, and it is the dirty labor of the Empire. \When Mr. Wong first came to this conatry, to enter college, he was told that it would be necessary to study matlematios two years ; he at once told them he kuow mathemat- ics better than those who were to teach him in thus particular branch. Illustrative of this, Wong, in his address at Brown’s 1fall. offered to faot up several columns of figures. For conven- ience, his manager, Mr. Hawkins, was to name tho figures, but the young Professor of 3lathe- maties of Asbury, who was present, thought he saw a flaw there, and at once came to his feet. Ho askod: i 3 “Will you, sir, allow me togive you the figures > % Certainly, sir, I sball bo glad to have you do 50,” was Mr. Wong's courteous answer. - !4 Now, then, kir,” began the Professor, 2nd he pamed sum upon sum, not going beyond the tens of thcusands, but givinghimat least thirty different sums to add. When they were allon psper )r. Woog asked i And now is that ali, sir? wilhat's all,” repliod the Professor; “get ready to 2dd,” Nr. Wong stood smiling, and when the Pro- fessor had straightened bimself up and eaid: “Now Legin,” he quietly remarked, ' Very well, gir, here 1s my amouot.” This beforo the es- tonished Professor had time to get half way up the first columo. +¢But you're not through already !” remarked the Professor. A Here is the _footing of my figres,” was tho response; and he read them, the footing being oxact. wPleasa read that again, eir,” asksd the Pro- fessor. ;e didso, and the astonished Profeagor was forced to admit that he was right. £ The Professor wa3 astoaishad, and was forced to sdmit that Mr. Wopg did know something about mathematics. The Mandann etated that he was nob au ex- fraordinary mathematician, a8 compared to some of the educated Chinese. Hlis First Duty. Atlanta (Ga.) Conatituton. Jake saw ao old acquaintance by the namsof Amos on the street tbe other evening andac- costed bim *W's, Amos, whar you been 50 long ; Ia'n't seed you fur flong time?" < Tas been down de conntry far two weaks to my brudder’s house.t s Well, can't you come down to my house to- pight? Iwantstobavea good long tali wid you *bout the p'literkil sicherwashnn !" “I1'd be a mighty pleasure to do 50, Jake, ‘but yor see, ol felicr, dese bere's hog-killin' wmes. 704 meat's lyin’ round regardlesa of ds perlitikil condishun ob aflairs, an’ ef & mgier don't Iay in Eome of dem perwiséuns dese nights, he's gwine to smell the grabeyard 'foro de next *loction !" » Den I'll ’ekuse yod till yore meat’s all in!" 8aid Jake. : FINANCE AND TRADE. FINANCIAL. The business of the bauks and wholesals houses was snspended in ths universal obsarv- auce of Now-Year's Day. » COMMERCIAL. Saturday was obzerved as a general holiday ia Chizago acd elsewhere, and there were no com- mercial transactians that need to be reported. LIVE STOCK. The Annunl Report of thke Unior Stock-Yards and Trausit Company for 1875, Below will be found Secrstary Williazs' re- port of the live-atoe trade for tho past rear The receipts show some falling off in hoga. bal considerable gain in cattlo and sheep. This market during tho past year has been noted for its steadiness and tho maintenanca of good prices for all classes of stock; our market is na longer exclusively for fat stock. The results of the past year have fully demonstrated that it is destined to become a great market for the eale of stock cattlo and hogs, the same being gener- aily distributed into the States of Obio, Indiana, lilinvis, Wizconein. and Miclugan, and some few droves being shipped to New York State. Tha larger portion of whst is distributed in tha Northwest returus agsio to this markel @ma well-fatted condition, and generally yieidsa good profit to the feeder for his ¢erop of corn and grass. Total value of all liva stcck recsived at the Union Stock-Yards dnring tho year 1875, $117.- 533,941. Value of cattlo, £16.042,150; value of hogs, £068.461,925 ; value of sheep, $1.895,266; value of horses, 31,134,60. Total number of boad of each kind received in 1875: Cattle, 920,843 ; hogs, 3,912,110: 4] borses, 11,816, Total i 843,566 ; hogs, 4,258,317 17,553. Gain on cattle for tho vear, 76 on hogs for tho yoar, 316.459 ; gain o sheep for the year, 50,293 ; loss on horses for ibe year, 6,247 Averaze weight of Jiogs for the year, 23337 s, Tuial cumber cars of stock received, 116,752 ; total pumber cars of stock ebipped, 57.882. The following tables show the receipts and shipments by the ditferent roads: Receipta— Catile. Clacsgy & Rock Talnd, 81 Lhoos Centra Chicago, Burl Sheep. E & Quiie 02, Y. 2,916 Chicago & Northweatern. Sl Cuicago & AKOD.....ve 613 Patsburg, ¥t. Wayne & Chi: €3g0.... L2367 10562 25 Michigan CentraL., DS msn Bus Michigan Southern & North- ern Indisua. GABS 3,008 10,101 Shipments— Pittsburg, Ft, Wayme & Chi- cugo . Chicago, Buriingion & Juine Chicago & Northwestern.. Chicago & Altcn...... Chicago, Ailwaul Al Lreathless for tha volce of Fata To ring Zrom yonder steeple bigh, Aud tell the Dying Year to die. Slowly the notes begin to roll Upon tho air with measured toll 3 Time's bands are Taised above bis head Tis twelve! apeak Jow | the Ol Yearu dead? - Now ring, yo joy-bells, a New Year is dawning! Fling out your Lacners of sound on thoair ! Ring? let your music awake the new morning t Fill with your gladness the Easth everywhere ! The greas Gearvof Earths seems 1o throb to Joy's meas wre: . Sea the bright stars all aquiver with El!s!flu ! ¥y, winds ! bear tho voice of the is far and near,— Wake slupibenag mortals to haul the New Year! Rock IsLasD, IIL Jernz Eante, A WANTSUPPLIED. New York Tribun:, The American mind is activo. It has giveo w’ ‘books of ‘fiction for: the sentimentalit, learned books for the scholar and professiosal studeut, but few books for the people. A ook for the peo- ple most relate to a subject of nniversal interest. Such a subject in tho pbysical man, and such 2 book **Tue Prorre’s Coxntox-Sexse epicat Apvisez,” a copy of which has been recently laid on our tsble. The bigh professioual attainmente of its author—Dr. R. V. PrencE, of Buffalo, N. Y.,—and the advantages derived by bum from an extensive practice, would alone insure for bis work a cordial reception. But these are not the merita for which it claims our attention. The author is @ man of the people. He sympathizea with them in all their aflictions, efforts, and at- tainments. Ho pecceives their want—a knowl- edge of themselves—aad, beltoving that all trath should be made as universal as God's own sua- light, trom his fund of learing and experienco he bas produced a work in which he gives them the benafits of bis labors. In it he considera’ man in every phase of his existence, from the moment he emerges ‘‘from a rayless atom, too diminutive for tho sight, until ho gradually evolves to the maturity of those Conscious Pow- ers, the exercige of which furnisnes subjective evidence of our immortaljty.” Proceeding upun the theory that every fact of micd haa s pbyai-. cal antecedent, he has giveu aa admirable treat- iso on Cerebral Phyeiolosy, acd shown the ‘bearings of the facts thud eatablished uvon indi- vidoal and social welfare. The author believes with Spencer, that “*as vigorcus healthand 1ts accompanying high epiri:s are larger elements of «. happiness than any other things whatever, the teaching bow to maintain them 18 a teaching that yields to no other whatever,” sudaccordingly he introdnced an extonsive discussion of the meth- ods by which we may proserve the integrity ol the system and ofttimes preven: tho onzet of disease. Domestic remedies—their preparation, uses, and effects—form & prominent feature of the work. The bygienic treatment, or norging ol tho sick, 18 an important Fubject, and receivet attention commensurste with it importance. Noar}y all diseases ** to which flesh ia heir " are described, their symptoms and causes explained, and proper domestic treatment saggested. To reciprocate the many favors bestowed upon hix by & generous public, the author offers his book at a price (31.50) little exceeding the cost of pub- lication. Our readers can obtain this practical and valuable work by addressing the author. __OCEAN NAVIGATION. " National Line of Steamships, NEW YURK 10 QUEENSTOWS AND LIVEXPOOL HELVETIA, 3,68 S: 1200, 1 SPALN. 451" tons. 1] LN, 4, ENGLAND, £.1& v yon DIREET. Tussday, Jan. 4, st98. CANADA, 4,706 toos. a: G 2 toa nosday, Jan. 12 atdp. m Cabin pasisge, 360 and 870, currency. Estaraifex gta 8¢ eduoed rutes. Breacago Hekols, $2 cusraacy. = 1ts for £1and t Britaio. b ea . ad upwacds on Urssy, Btk eson, Norihenst sorzer Clask sud Randolph.eis. (0pposie nsw ‘Sherman fisase), Chicsgo. I3 CUNARD MAIL LINE. Sailing thres times a Week to and (rom British Porta SHIRTS. “THE HARRIS,” Time-tried 2ol thoroughly- tuitd, elgans in design, 8O- erb in workzanstip, fiult- less in Bt. Lezve your wmeas- o with HARRIB & COBB, 171 Bagsh Clark+43 EX