Evening Star Newspaper, July 21, 1883, Page 2

ere “CITY AND DISTRICT. THE RIFLES NEW ARMORY. some Home Keady for Them on Their Return, Aan A COMMODTOTS PEILE ROOM WITH A SOLID FLOOR— ROOMS FOR OFFICERS AND PRIVATES—A KITCHEN AND A RIFLE RANGE IN THE BASEMENT—HAND- BOME DANCING AND MUSIC HALL—SOMETHING OF THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY. When the National Rites return from thetr trip to Cape May on Tur lay night, instead of march- tng to thelr old armory on E street, near 9th, they ‘Will continue two blocks further, and on the south side O£4G street, near %Kh, they will find a stately cew buflding iz colors, a cheer- ful light of pouring through the ample and with proud hearts in and take formal possesston of their new armory. The pleasure of com! M1 thus bo emphasized, and this will be the culminating event of the jowment of their holiday trip Tne delights of Cape May with its round of festivities, the tender longings and sweet regrets for certain fair ones left belaind, will be overshadowed and forgotten in the exultant pride over the glory and beauty of thetr new home. iL 13 a Deaviiful bullding. Any one will tell you that. Even the casual sser by, ordinarily ob- livious of architectural beauty, will not need the enthusiasm of a member of the corps, or the in- terest of a friend of the company, to convince S bimsetf of that fact. The front broken by the bsy projections, with their squsre, sturdy tops; the ~—sturreited towers pointing to the sky imparts something of the frowning, siera appear. tress, and this tu:p Of Dlack mortar 2 ce of a military for- n is cnhanced by the lines uating the martlal gloom. In the center, between the main entrances, s a large plate, on Which will be inscribed the words, “NATIONAL RIFLES’ ARMORY.” ‘The keystone of the arches over the entrances boars the carved monogram of the company. Two wide doorways, beneath the east and west projec- ons, give entrance on the ground floor into large halls. Ineach halithereare broad staireases lead- irs, Between the entrance hallways are ith large windows looxing Into the enter rooms the library and read— room, Which Will have an open grate fire and will be handsome'y furnished. ‘The rooms on each side are for the w= of the commissioned and non commissioned These Toons will be Atted up With ali the necessary convenlences,and there will be b 0 1g them. By’ this means the can inform the non-con Sst) ure the men to fall in for dru. Th 0 $ Will communicate with the privates ar of the bu'lding in the same way. INS DEILL ROOM. The arm room oc the entire center of the ground floor, and ts 57 by $0 feet in the clear. ‘There are large windows om each side giving plenty of light and alr. The flooring of North Caroiina pine is sid on jolsts which are imbedded in solid concrete affording a firm and unytelding sur- face, atmirably adapted for drilting purposes. In the ‘ear ts a spacious locker room for the use of the privates, with ing. ‘There wiil b. for every portion of the unifor not be allowed to tike their uw! for this reason the accommot made unusually ample. which will be used by the fanttor as his bed room, and there fs a oom for the quartermaster. On the other side of the locker room 1s a stair case Which leads up to the hall above and down to the basement = men will forms home, and ons have been he Tight 1s a room A BASEMENT KITCHEN. ‘This basement, under the locker room, extends the entire with of the butlding. It ts 12 feet cep, 25 feet wide and 67 feet long, and has a con- erete floor. main part of the basement nen with a splendia range, hot n improvements. » four furnaces which will heat the butiding 13 placed at one end, the other three belng tn the front basement, which Is of the same gize A dumb walter will connect with the upper oor. THE ARSENAL ROOM. ‘The farther end of the basement has been par- titioned off by brick walls, making a good-sized Toom,and this will be called the arsenal room. Here all the ammunition will be stored. A novel features the ritle range, which fs a terra cotta Pipe 1é inches in diameter, running to an tron tar- ket which fs placed in the front basement. Fifle range ts 110 feet long, and advantages for rifle practices’ Here in the future the “crack shots” of the : training which will enable them to add to the THE GRAND HALL. He must not ve supposed that the Rifes in erect- | {ng this fing building and in providing such ele- gant quarters for themselves have forgotten their friends, and esp2cially thetr lady fricats The fact is that the part of the building upon witch they have bestowed the greatest care and which, after all is said and done, is really the apple of their eyes, 89 to speak, 1s the reception room or hall up stairs “Here they expect to en- in thelr” many friends ‘with a hospi. tality which will not be hampered 3 ry contracted space and insufficient rooms. The hail 43 87 by 95 feet, with a lofty ceiling of oval shape, Fendering the "acoustle properties admirable. Tt 4s lighted from the top, and special provision has Deen inade for a full and free ventilation from all the sides and from the top. At the south end a Graceful arch forms an alcove, where when needed & portable stage can be placed. A room at the right furnishes dresging facilities for the actors. Around the upper part of the wall runs a polished Tod, from which decorations and flags of every description can be suspended. The floor has been constructed with the especial view of using 1t for dancing purpos:s. When used for entertainments and iectures, the hall will have a seating capacity Of 1,042 “Three wide doorways gives entrance to the ‘ball trom a hallway into watch the stair- cases on each side lead. DRESSING ROOMS for ladies and gentlemen, handgomely fitted up, with all the necessary appotntments, are on each Side. As there are wide Windows tn each of these Tooms, opening directly into the air, the discom forts artsing trom excessive heat and Dad ventlla- Hon will be avobic The dressing rooms are sep- arated by a passaze way, where the gentlemen Can Wail f01 eiudies From tl Massage Way a fair case up into a balcony, which will be and. This Dalcosy is unusu: deep, but tye spa each mneans of =fAding Inte rooms 1 ri place for a quiet @ Stairease in a nsignificance. accommodate ‘tween the roof und the ceiling > and a good ventilation fs thus The woodwork of the interior of the entire “building is cratned oak, and the Ught color adds to the attr arrangement of the Dutiding 13 a4 ited for the purposes for 1 the solid Character of the all the detulis, wich 18 very highly commended, provision for exits, so that the hall «tin a very few minutes. OTHZ% FACTS ABOUT THE BUILDING. The architect of tue bullding was Mr. John BL Brady, and tie contractor Mr. George B. Turton. ‘The piumbing and gas fitting was done by EB F. Brooks & Co., ant the heating apparatus was put in by Hayward & Hutchinson. The entire cost of the butiding complete will be $40,000. ‘The bulld- ing com:itive for the corps, consisting of James ¥ Oyster, chairman; J. 0. Manson and J. H. Rate ston have had the entire supervision of the work, Rad their untiring energy 1s highly apprectated by thelr fellow members Mr. M. G. Copeland has presented the corps a handsome garrison flag for ‘the armory. A SKETCH OF Tite CORPS. So much kas been sald about the bullding that he company which has erected It 4s the ampie @an be empt birthday at tonal Killes was. or. © Was familial z fore that date, e by a company that Wag in exist- the war, and disbanded shSrtly after The present company ts an offshoot aston Light Infantry, and was or- twenty-nine metabers. bers were as follows :— S.W. Fuzgerald, J.M. Bassett, noraett, Jamies C. Ad: the same time ganized Ju . To the peopl» of the as It was bc w. Page, J.B. Burn- side, James A. Sample, George W. Evana. GF Barrett. ©. A. Smith, G. W. ‘les, CA. Winter- steen, W.P. Vale, A. C. Floyd, CE Simms, Chas. H, Page, Max Hansman and A’ G. Buri ‘The history of the company since ils organtza- ton has been one of steady growth, and a record of what it bas accomplished iu the tree short Years of its existence 13 one to be proud of. It now has oa its roster 8] active members, some 200 honorary members, compristug many of our Most WMiuential and prominent citwens. It has ‘uniformed and equipped its men st a Is of money, paying rent for an armory ‘other ‘Toe Deen neglectful of its as given four ho) ind contributing con: in ment of its iriends. have al i other ways On the other hand, ways been ready to further the interests the company, and its present prosperity is dt the first instance to is, own efficiency, and ‘" and cordial co- idea Jace to the generous the community. Of building an ‘armory originated two ‘and from the fair which was held in the last year $13,000 was realized, which the nucleus of the building fund. They wil ¢ possession of their new armory with a debt upon It, but tf the success of the past is any Guarantee for the future, they will soon succeed oms occupying the front of the | In wiping it out. | At present the company nas | ng. an reached a high state of perfection in dril can furnish 4 file of men who, tn a contest, would make regular soldiers loox to thetr laurels. ae iste S Zhe District Should Have a Delegate in Congress.’ To the Editor of Tax Eventsa Stan: if 4 Y., July 17, 1883. fOUNT VERNON, jast Saturday's edition of Tue STAR in this cool, country dell, I notice that a num- ber of my friends at home have somewhat in- creased their own temperature. perhaps, by in- ion totheir opinions onthe suffrage question as applied to the District, both in the past and in the future, and while there seems to be a general feeling opposed to suffr: there Js yet a respectful minority whose views are en- | titled to consideration. The problem of how | best to govern large cities is one that is engros- sing the attentive thoughts of metropolitans everywhere, and has not yet been satisfactorily solved. Ininy humble judgment the govern- ment by three commissioners, as in Washington, is the nearest approach to positive success that has yet been reached. It is economical, and should subserve the best interests of the com- munity without all the paraphernalia of petty officers and their concomitant of “‘red-tape” an- Noyance. True, the two civil Commissioners should be ‘ns of the District, and represent- men, and I havehope. that if this be not so the appointing power will remedy the alread: defect hereafter, and feel in so doing tha interests of the United States will be jeal guarded, as they should be, by the a1 zineer Commissioner, in conjunction with his asaociates, —for the —_wel- fare of the District are in common from necessity, with those of the United States. All these Commissioners should: be appoin But not so a Delegate in Congress, who, I think, should be voted for, under proper restraining couditions, by all duly qualified citizens. This delegate should be the mouthpiece to impart to hia assoclate members, and to the country at large. on the floor of the House, the needs of the 185,000 persons he would represent—men, wo- men and children, as loyal, werthy aud intelli- gent as those in the many territories whose popuiation is much lees than ours, who pay less taxes, and, notwithstanding which, have always had a Deiegate to represent. their interests. think experience has shown the good accon plished for the District during the short time the Hon. N. P. Chipman served as its Delegate. Every one who has had any experience knows how unpleasant it is, and how personal it be- comes to the implorer, to ask members to do the most simple things in the common interest of the District. They look npon all who presumeto ap- dvccupy their valuabletimeasjust alone pre- exceptional cases, from acting so in foreible, if not oyer-polite, lan- guage; and this deters nineteen out of twenty | ladies und gentlemen who do not care to be snubbed, even in the Interest of the not’ always appreciative public. It must be borne in mind that the average Congress- maz is sent to Congress to represent | his own particular “deestrict.” and If he lias any | time left over. which he seldom has, he gener- ously devotes it tothe much neglected nation, but seldom to the District of Columbia. If there comfortably dainp that to cross it, overshoes be- come an absolute necessity for strictly sanitary Teasons. you will hear of “That gteat natural outlet into the ocean, upon which all the navies of the world can safely float,”—in the river and harbor bill, while the poor District,—poor, be- cause it cannot make nor unmake legislators, receives in courtesy. but “the crumbs that fail irom the rich man’s table,” and has been taught, by sad experience, to be éver thankful for them! ne able jurists have claimed that it is uncon- stitutional to disfranchise the residents of the District; that there ean be no legal “taxation without representation,” and it may be remem- bered that our ancestors made such a claim, and had quite a livel ate with England on ‘that subject over ac y ago, and that the de- cisien rendered was decidedly in our favor: but rithout going back so far for a precedent, and justice seem to point to the adv bility of our having a Delezate in Congress, aud T hope the time is not far distant when it will be realized. ‘A. 3. Soon = Or acer What a Stranger Says About Wash- ington." ‘To the Editor of Tas EveNine San: Permit me, a stranger passing through your city, togive you his humble opinion of it. That Wasitington is a beautifal city, is an old story | Not to be-disputed. The most astonishing part | of it is that a certain class of people (and that class will be found in every town) are not re- strained by any police foree, and yet are so orderly. Dogs also wander about with perfect freedom through the very dark streets at 9 or 10pm. If they are supposed to be following their master they should be led by a cord, which in New York {s compulsory, und would be in any weil-regulated city. The neglect to enforce this law has resulted in a distressing accident. which was related in your columns last week. However, time may improve matters and make Washington a safe, comfortable and attractive city toa stranger ora resident. STRANGER. —ee0 PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE SOUTH. Folks Better Off Than They Were “‘Hefore the War”—A Southern Imie tator of an English Swell. “Du you naw when the next train leaves?” asked a dapper young man with an English accent of the clerk at an up town hotel this morning. The information was given, and after some further questions the younginanstraddled away jin the most approved English style of walking. “He is a good specimen of aa English swell" rematr! porter of Tie Stak, who was looking over the general get up of the stranger. “He is not an Englishman,” replied the clerk. “He is from South Carolina, was born and brought up there. But he was educated in Eng- land, and has acquired thelr way of talking, dressing, and walking. There are not many people down south who have money enough’ to send their children abroad to ‘be educated,” remarked the re- porter. were before the war,” was the prompt response. | They have more money in the south to spend [than they ever did. I know this partly from the numbers that come to our northern watering plas Long Branch and Saratoga are filled with southeri people, and they have plenty of money tospend. friend of mine,” hecontinued, who keeps a hotel out in Minnesota. told me not long ayo that this summer reminded him more of the time before the war than any previous year. from the fact that so many people from the south liad come to his house. They come tn families, and they have money to spend more than in the alleged good old times before the war,” concluded the clerk, as he cup the pen in the ink and handed it to a new arrival. ae Showing His Gratitude. He inquired his way through the City Hall until! he finally found himself in the presence of he chief of police, says the Detroit Free Press. Then he removed his hat, took a chair, and said: id: “You've got a right good lot of policemen in this town.” “ Yes! . “I got drunk here one day seven years ago, sind instead of locking me up and sending me to the workhouse, an officer walked miedo to the depot and put me onthe train. I'ma man. as never forgets a kindness, and I’ve said that if ; ever the sign come right F'd show my gratitude. The sign has come.” | Make your statement.” said the chief. | “Well, I was waiting for the train, when a fellow with a long, sharp nose and an eye like a hawk edges up to me.and says be: ‘Uolonel, can you change a $10 bill” Says I: ‘Judge, I can.’ 1 gave him two fives, and away he went. ‘That $10 bill of his was a counterfett “Tsee. When did this happen?” “ About six weeks ago, but this is the first chance I’ve had to tell you.” “* Where was it?” “ Down in Ohio at a town called Akron.” “* But what can we do about it?” “Send some of the police down there to scare up and arrest the scoundrel. It’s the bigy sort of a chance to create a sensation and let people know that you are wide awake. Think of whata it would be over the police of Chicago! Just imagine how mad the police of New York and Philadelphia would be to hear that Detroit had taken the cake!” “Tean’t help fae apy.” “ And I can't help you, eh! Do you scorn my gratitude?” “In this case PR be obliged to.” “‘Well, that settles that,” said the he rose up. “I got drank & gentleman, and in my gratitade I’ve put you up toa big thing—a to rake"in crowns and wreaths glory and fame till you can't rest. You wave my gratitude aside. She'll stay waved. Some one-horse Ohio constable w! id here, was like carry off the cake, and you won't be heard of. Weare square. Good day, sir!” And he walked out with a as stiffas a Gram malo, end retuned to to the right dulgence in the harmless amusement of giving | isa brook in his constituents’ territory so un- | “There are mére of such people than there | THE BLACK BASS. AFew on the Favorite @bservati Fish of the Pojom: Written for Tar Evaxmne Star. The succeas that has followed the introduc- tion of this most excellent and gamey fish into So many of our inland lakes and streams, the facility with which It accommodates - itself to new varieties of food and water, its excellence as a food fish, and especially the sport it affords the angler in its capture wift® rod and line— these qualities have made it deservedly pope lar. It has many names, but with the sclentific nomenclature it is not proposed now to meddle, leaving to the scientists the settlement cf this much be-deviled question. 1 am content to almply record a protest against the absurdity of calilng it ‘“‘Salmoides” or trout-like, as being applicable to this fish in no particular or char- acteristic whatever, either of form, color, hab- itat, or belonging. The bass is a member of Percold (perch) family, having the spine-rayed dorsal fin, coarse scales, and distinctive form of that variety of fishes, and it resembles a trout inabout the degree that an ox resembles a race horse. The subject of this paper is best known in | the north and west, at least, as the black bass, and assuch, unheeding the welghty and sonor- ous christening of spectacled gavants, we propose considering him. There are pecu- liarities of color, due to differences of location, food and water, not, however, of sufficient im- portance to constitute a claim for a new variety, y | to be met with in the north and south; but in all these waters are to be found two separate and distinct varieties, viz.: the large and the small mouth. Both species are found in the Potomac: and, although the difference between them is marked, it is not always noticed by the angler, True, these differences, save so far as they tend to a better comprehension and more intelligent conception of the needs of the sport tollowed, are not important to the angler, pure and sim- ple, but it is believed that the true sportsman is, and should be, interested in the habits and | belongings of the game he follows, if for no | better reason than that it contributes not a little to his success and enjoyment. THE DIFFERENCE. The large mouthed bass is thicker about the head and shoulders, and is generally a heavier fish for its length than his small mouthed brother, giving the idea of strength rather than activity. and, as the name implies, has a much larger mouth. A vertical lme drawn from the center of the eye will strike forward of the angle of the mouth, while in the small mouthed It passes quite behind it. I believe the large | mouthed bass, from its more powerful build and consequent slower movement, is oftener the inhabitant of deep still pools, and fs there- fore more frequently taken with bait than with the artificial fiy, while his more active relative sports amid the rapids, and ventures into shal- lower water In search of food, where a surface j lure, like the fly, is more easily discerned. and to which he Js therefore more often the victim. It | is indisputable also that as a rule the heaviest | fish are taken with bait, as they can rarely be | coaxed to the surface from the depths they in- habit by the artificial fly. This is muchto be re- gretted, as the sport of taking them fs vastly | superior with the latter device. In tact I belleve that their capture, with either bait or fly, can not be predicated with any of cer- tainty. By this I mean with the certainty with which, under certain conditions of weather and water, successful sport may be expected with fish in general. Furthermore, both varie- ties are more often in a mood when no bait or lure—be it ever so attractive—will tempt them to bite. Beyond cavil—twhen so inclined—they afford splendid sport with the rod and line; but even then a tyro or novice in fly casting will not be apt to carry home a heavy creel, and none of weight worthy of record. Both varieties are voracious teeders, and not at all particular as to quality. When hard pushed they will even eat their own young, and they show no quarter to frogs, water snakes, minnows, heldomites, craw-fileh, young eels, grasshoppers, insects of all kinds, nor, in fact | to almost anything alive capable of being swal- lowed and digested. Their powerful jaws en- | able them readily to crush the protecting armor of any of the fresh-water crustacie, and, from their great strength, voracity and general pug- nacious disposition, they should never be intro- duced into streams where other fish are ex- pected to prosper. THE SPAWNING TIME of the bass varies with different localities and is largely dependent upon the temperatures of the water. It commences in May and extends sometimes to July, and is delayed or hastened by an early or late and cold spring. Iam con- vinced that the law enacted for the protection of this fish at this period fails almost entirely in its purpose; nay, more, that it is absolutely unnecessary. It is apparent that any restriction in their capture which applies to only a few days before a supposed time for spawning is of very limited value, inasmuch as every fish of mature size cought at any time in the spring re- duces the number of spawners—no matter if taken one Cie or two month before they seek their beds. herefore, to ‘‘protect” them, as designed, no fishing should be permitted until July, by which time all have completed this task. But I do not believe that any protection of this nature is needed, and fur many reasons. Bass are not readily taken In any nomber by legitimate angling. They suffer infinitely more from netting, with its endless contrivances, and the contemptible “ set lines,” or “ out-lines,” to which some pot fishermen ‘resort, than by any, other means of depopulation. The nearer’ spawning time approaches, the less readily they take either bait or fly; and, besides, the waters j are generally turbid and swollen by the frequent rains of spring, and are, therefore, only occa- sionally in condition to be successfally fished, up to July, with road and line, while with the illegitimate contrivances above mentioned there is no hindrance to continued slaughter. Enact asharp penalty against wholesale murder by net or trap and night lines, and compel clyil- ized methods of capture, and the bass will take ere of himself without further “ protection” or favor. As stated above, the haunts of the bass vary. The large mouthed generally trequent the deeper pools, edged with shallows and fringed with a growth of water grasses or “splatter docks,” beneath the shade of which he loves to lie, wait- ing for some yenturesome minnow or frog to tempt his — fate by an excursion ‘to- ward the deeper water, or lazily _rest- jing in the cooler temperature of the deepest part of the water. His small-mouthed brother, on the contrary, delights most in the rapids—where the stream tumbles over and foams amid rocks and boulders—under the lee of which he lies in wait for such a bill of fare as may be borne to his vicinity by the swift cur- rent, venturing into the shallows toward sun- down -in pursuit of minnows and the myriad inseets that hover near the surface. While the gameness and fighting qualities of the bass are generally admitted, { believe it exists in the greatest perfection when they are natives of the more rapid streams of the north, and less in those sluggish lakes and rivers where the finding of their daily food necessitates little activity or energy. Many experienced anglers stoutly maintain that the small-mouthed is the mos{ vigorous fighter, when hooked, but al- though their conformation and active habits would seem to confirm the claim, my own expe- rience is not conclusiye, as I have never been able to predict with certainty which variety was at the end of my line before landing them. While a very cautious fish, the basé Is not easily frightened—at least not sufiiciently so to scurry hastily away. He will, on the other hand, often lie and coolly scan the lotrading angler, paying no attention to any lure or bait, however attractive. At the north they are rarely taken over six pounds in weight, while in Florida apd other southern states ten and even twelve-pounders are not uncommon; but I believe this difference in size to be more than compensated for by the superior dash and actiy- be of those who dwell in the more rapid waters the north. But, wherever found. the bass apj by its Many good qualities. to the chivalrous regard of the fraternity of anglers, and by them he should be protected from the villainous arts and methods of the pot fisher and the all-devouri net. Not one should be called to yield his life except by fair and honest angling’ with elther bait or fy. This assured, and our bronzed- backed friend will care for and ect himself. “«Too good a fish” (as Father Walton hath tt) “for any but honest anglers.” CuEstER. Wasuincton, July, 1! Defense of American Pie. From the Indianapolis News. The English can mix up a mess of meat, toes and dongn, 2 foot across and six inches bake it, and when its cold dig It out tn ch 3 and eat it. They call that “pie,” and It is al- lowable to eatthat sort of thing—a mess of indi- stil unpalatable stuff, as witness Sam eller’s testimony to the ‘ ple,"that tt was the ‘seasonin’ as does it.” But when we pro- toeatabitofthin crust, fresh baked, with Frat, makin: it ly digestible, then the army ess se Dy paragral Zecgec a newt mI dap @ moan at the iguermacerwisek wonid doso. It is tea tieee ofnui: xpond itself. Pieisan Ameri- tie, ‘Pies thes portection of = Wonca oi J is the. on of a healthful. dig ot be treason, make the most. t Long . “ A BATTLING PIGHT IN A MOUN- ‘TAIN-PASS. Defending Lee's Fiank on the Gettye- ‘burg'Retreat. Written for Tax Stam by T. J. Murray. When the Army of Northern Virginia started out on the Gettysburg campaign, Corse’s brigade of Pickett’s ‘division, and perhaps the strongest in ‘numbérs in the division, was left behind at Hanover Junction to de- fend the line‘ot the Central railroad, from Richmond to Gordonatille, and Richmond itself, from raiding parties of the enemy. Trains of flat-cars were provided, and the consequence was that on accountof the frequent alarms from “reliable individuals,", of whom the confederates had tully as heavy acrop as did thelr adver- saries, the greater portion of the time of the brigade was spent on the trains running up and down the road, first to one point, then to another, where the enemy was expected to strike. It was a harassing and wearisome duty, and most of us wished heartily that it had been assigned to some other troops, little thinking of the terrible experience the re- mainder of the division had undergone in the celebrated charge up the bloody slope of Cem- etery Hill. One morning bright and early we struck out from Gordonsville through Madison C. H. and over Thornton's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, for Winchester, and it was not until we arrived near Winchester that we learned our army was falling back into Virginia. We had met long lines of prisoners returning from the tatal field on our march, and until the time re- ferred to it was believed inthe brigade that Gen. Lee had won a decisive and crushing vic- tory. Of course we were terribly disappointed when thesad truth became apparent that he had failed, but if there is one thing that is char- acteristic of the veteran soldier, it is to take Whatever the gods may provide—whether good luck or bad luck, joy or disappointment—with philosophical stoicism. PROTECTING THE RETREAT. The brigade encamped near Winchester for some days, and then took up the march on the back track towards Gordonsville. Now, be it known, that while the army of Northern Vir- ginta, with its long array of trains and impedi- menta, was slowly defiling in retreat behind the mountain wall, the various mountain gaps, from Ashby’s Gap to Thornton's Gap, inclusive, swarmed with federal cavalry watching with hawk-like keenness of vision for a chance to pounce upon Lee’s trains, or even to break and stagger his infantry line. The truth is, that besides the gaps proper there are many places in the Blue Ridge between. the points Indicated where horsemen can easHy cross, provided they are not encumbered with artillery. A very for- tunate circumstance the latter for the 17th Vir- ginia regiment of Corse'’s brigade, as will be seen by and by. To defend his flank from these swarming and audacious horsemen Gen. Lee had bat few cavalry, and those he had were in bad condition; for during the Gettysburg cam- paign the cavalry" of the army had been literally Tun off its feet to very little purpose, and pretty thoroughly demoralized, according to the gene- ral understanding among the infantry of its status at that time. JUBAL EARLY UPON LER'S CAVALRY. The cavalry of Lee's army was as good ma- terial as ever existed. They were not only out- numbered by their .adversaries, but the latter were far better armed and mounted In the clos- ing. years,of fhe war. They fought gallantly when they had a ghost of a chance, and the re- mark attributedto grim old Jubal Early that he “would give any one a reward who would show him a dead cavalryman” was invidious. Gen. Lee, then, had to substitute infantry for cav- alry. Thus on arrival at Front Royal the 17th Virginia regiment was detached from the brigade and ordered to move into the mountain gap, opposite that place, through which the Manassas railroad passes. Our commander, the major, (our colonel, Arthur Herbert, of Alexandria had some tfine previously been detailed to bring into a state of discipline a refractory regiment, who had shaved the tall of their colonel’s norse, and were in open mutiny against him,)—had been duly notified that we had no cavalry in front of us, videttes or otherwise, and that we should probably haye to fight for thee gap before we were relieved. In order to explain what follows it is necessary to state that the regiment had not one particle of confidence 1a the major as an officer, although he was popular for his kind heart and affable manners. Once before, during the siege of Suf- folk by Longstreet, when the regiment was de- tached and se] ted from the army by along and deep mill dam, which could only be crossed by a narrow causeway, by his inconcelyable carelessness in posting’ pickets, he allowed the regiment to be surprised in their bivouac; and asleep under their blankets, it was only by the individual pluck of the men fighting on their own hook without line or order, that the regiment was saved from being gobbled up body and bones. Aa it was, the enemy in their charge threw down the majors tent and cap- t his horse and saddle, while he was mak- ing good time into the bushes in his stocking feet. He was killed inthe fght—God rest his soul!—when Ben. Butler was ‘‘bottled up.” A HOT DAY AND A HOTTER FIGHT. * Well, to resume. Onthat hot—scorching hot— morning of Jaly 22d, 1863, the Seventeenth be- gan its march up the dusty country road that winds through the pass. Two companies were detached te proceed up the ratlroad which runs along, with Bigh hills covered with scrub-ush intervening, about half a mile or so from the county road. The bulk of the regiment toiled along amid clouds of dust, raised at every foot- fall. utterly unconscious (at least we of the rank and file were) that there was a blue-belly within a dozen miles of us. Nomen ever less expected afight. Everything looked quiet and peaceful, and the eye was fairly wearied with the glim= mer of the heat as we gazed on the biue out- line of the distant peaks. A little before noon we had attained about the center of the pass. The regiment was halted just as we reached the point where the road nade a double elbow, and we then moved Into a narrow fringe of woods on the roadside and stacked arms. Up to this time we had neither advance guard or picket ahead of us; but here a picket of six or seven men under a sergeant were ordered to | <o about a half mile further and take a good position tor a look out. The men were per- | initted to leave the stack of arms without warn- ing. Not even a quarter-guard was placed, it recollection serves. Soon pretty much the entire-command, officers and all, were scattered over the adjoining flelds gathering dewberries, which grow in this section to a size. luscious- ness, afd profusion that is never elsewhere seen. equalied. Even the major, whose home was at Front Royal, deliberatdly rode off to see some of his friends—“pissanting after pies and whisky"— as our old general used to style such foraging, and it may here be remarxed that we never saw him for days afterward. A SURPRISE AND A RACE. The boys were all eagerly engaged in getting outside of the delicious fruit. Suddenly an ominous and well-recognized rat-tap-tap sound- ed faintly up in the gap, which caused us all to throw up our heads like a herd of deer suddenly startled. The writer was one of those nearest the bivouac,.and seeing the adjutant throwing up his arms and dancing about, although he could not distinguish what he was shouting, he yelled out ‘To arms! the enemy!” at a venture, and broke into a.run for the stack of arms. Such a helter-skelter race as then took place from all sides! Some of the men pitched head- long over the intervening tences and got bloody noses, others tangled up in the long dewbe: vines went heavily. to grass, but enough of us got to the stack of arms in time to save the credit of the regiment. No sooner had the writer jerked his rifle froni the stack and buckled on accoutrements than it flashed across his mind that it was his birthday and superstitiously he thought to himself, “You'll catch it to-day as sure as a gun.” The next instant, sweeping around the wood af the elbow of theroad, some ahs pe of ankee oat wat ir sabers and shot te “Surrender!"’ put we didn't surrender wo! cent. 81 itway a volley from a hundred rifles at pein ik range was ured into them, and wi 8 dozen riderless orses gallo) us, the remainder of the squadron wheel to the right-about ina cloud of dust, and were out of sight behind the elbow betore we could ram down another cartri Holy Moses! just think what would rea bk engine sulted it that cavalry had gotten possession of our stack of arms. The old Seventeenth, so of its record, would have been the laugh- stock of Cig BE phan afterwards that this squadron ambushed our picket Geel prgst meena almost before they could + But we had small space for t or _con- tulation that we were just in Rein- ents were at once brought up to the cay- alry, and, y soon made it ex- ceedingly warm for us with their W! Besides those in our some got on the flank, and others crept around behind us and began away at our backs, IN A BAD FIX. We were, to say the least of it, in'a very uncomfortable position; the more so as there seemed to be no Commanding officer present and the men were taking position to suit them- selves. We were at a disadvantage, both as to positionandthe tact that we were doubly outnum- bered by the enemy. Suddenly we heard aturious galloping down the road from the way we had come and we thought we were surely destined for a yankee prison.. But up dashed at full gal- lop our own Col Herbert. Had an angel dropped from heaven into our midst we could not have felt more rejoiced or surprised than at the Colonel's sudden and unexpected appear- ance. Taking in the situation at a glance,— ‘Bring that flag out here,” he sald. Then as the men leaped the fence Into the road to torm onthe colors, ‘No time for forming boya, "he shouted, “break forthat knoll Einar “pointing to one of those curious rounded knolls which spring up detached from the mountain and are some sixty or elghty feet high and a hundred yards or 80 across the top. The regiment was soon snugly ensconced in the low scrub that covered the hill without loss,too, as it crossed the open. Then the cavalry line closed in upon us and we had it nip and tuck. But we had what was comparatively an impregnable position as long as our ammunition held out. We suffered hor- ribly, though, for water. Every time a rifle was fired the Jar raised the dust thickly strewn on the leaves of the pames a8 nearly suffo- cated us; and, worse than all, there were two or three nests of lively hornets established on the hill, who must have imagined we were at war with them. One-half the time we were beating them off. and several men were badly bunged up by their stings. But everything comes to an end, and greatly to our rellef, about 4 p.m. the enemy, finding that they could not force our position, drew off up the gap. A strong line of skirmishers was immediately thrown out in that direction (no surprises when Herbert was on hand) and our two companies on the ratiroad recalled. CLEARING THE Gar. The regiment was permitted to fill canteens and to rest for a half hour or so, when we were ordered to fall in, and the colonel, addressing us, said: “Boys, shall we finish this job, and drive those fellows out of thegap?” Of course we shouted our assent; but, if the truth were told, the writer strengly suspects that not many of us were enthusiast athirst to under- take the ticklish job aforeaaid. However, headed left in front, with the skirmishers well advanced, we started ahead to clear the pass. At that time we didnot know, though doubtless the colonel did, that Garland’s brigade of Pick- ett’s division, now alas! depleted to asmall- sized regiment, ‘was coming up from Front Royal to reinforce us. As the regiment passed the point where the cavalry wheeled at our first volley we found three or fonr dead federals tallen in the road, and one poor fellow, shot through the bowels and mortally wounded, was propped up against the fence gazing mournfully at us. The writer went to him and gave him a drink of cool water, but it was evident that he would soon need no more water in this world. He told his name and regi- ment (which have been forgotten), and informed the writer that we had buckled in with Gen. Merritt's Beeate, or a brigade of Gen. Merritt’s division. We saw nim sitting propped up there on our return march, but as dead as a door nail. But, to our muttons: We marched briskly fora couple of miles, Berheps, when Capt. Fowle, commanding the skirmish line, on mounting the crest of a hill, while we were at the base, waved his hat around his head, crying, ‘Here they are, colonel.” At the double-quick we filed perpendicularly to the road on the left, and when Wwe were well stretched out the order was given, “By the right flank, march.” and we were in line ot battle on the left of the road, our right just touching it. We moved forward as swiftiy as the low scrub brush would admit, and soon caught sight of the Yankee cavalry in the road in column of fours, extending down the hill and up the opposite hill, a half mile distant. All this was cleared fields. Col. Herbert commanded the charge, andaswe em@ged from the bushes we rushed at the head of the cavalry column at the same time pouring In a withering volley. The whole cavalry force as if one man wheeled to the right about and went down the hill ona run, the men bending low on their horses’ necks. Most of us, however. got two more shots at them before they disappeared over the brow of the opposite hill. It was adense mass anda fair mark to fire at, and they must have lost heavily. THE FUN NOT ALL ON ONE SIDE. Soon the enemy’s skirmishers appeared, dot- ting the crest ot the hill and dismounting, they levelled their Winchesters over the saddle and began to have a little fun on thelr side. The regiment was ordered to cease firing and form, having been somewhat broken in the final rush. We stood at ordered arms in plain view, and very soon the Winchester men got the range, as was shown by an occasional dull thud, a little stagger in our ranks, and a man being lalddown on the grass by the file closers. It was uncom- fortable, very uncomfortable, to stand there and be shot at without being allowed a shot in re- ply. Presently our battle flag pitched forward and fell to the ground, but was quickly raised aloft. The ensign, Steele, staggered back through the ranks, with his hands on the pit of his stomach and doubled up like one attacked with a sudden fit of the colic. “The d—d scoundrels have got me this time,” he gasped, but they hadn't; the ball had struck equarely open 4 cap-box he was using to hold the terule of the staff, but did not penetrate. WHAT 18 THE USE OF BATTLE FLAGS in war, anyhow? They only serve to direct the fire of the enemy, and are about the only objects visible when the smoke of a fight becomes dense. A amall gilt eagle ona staff would serve every purpose. Thrice did our flag go down that day from sharp shooters. But to our muttons once more. After we had suffered some loss in wounded, and Gar- land’s men having arrived within supporting distance, the welcome order ‘forward—guide center,” was given, and we movedat the quick step down the hill toward the enemy. When we got within two hundred yards of their skir- mishers, still without firing, they remounted, and we prepared to form square, fully expect- ing a charge from the brigade in mass. If they had made such a charge boldly and vigorously it must have been snecessful, as we did not number 300 men,and even if they Lad not broken us they could have stood off and fired five shots to our one with their Winchesters and revyol: 5 Or if they had had a couple of mountain howit- zers they could have stood off also and lathered us with canister and shell until we cried “enough.” But that little “if” was in the way. He's a genius who always knows how to do the right thing at the right time and dees it vigor- ously. As no charge wasmade we were double- guicked by the right flank to a hollow roadway about two hundred yards on our right, and there we lay until nightfall as snug as a bog in a rug, occasionally exchanging shots, but neither side deing much damage. But the Seventeenth had saved the artille: and trains that were passing. There is no teli- ing what mischief Merritt might have done with his big brigade if he had once struck the re- treating line, for we had no cavalry to head him off at any point. pea ee ‘The Extraordinary Occurrence on a Railway. From the 8t. James Gazette. The occurrence on the Holyhead line of the driver and stoker of a train falling asleep while on duty and the extraordinary escape of the Irish mail last week was even more seriousthan wasreported. It would appear that the signal- man at Llandudno saved the Irish mail passen- gers on Tuesday night from what might have ved a terrible fate. The signalman at the JoReuon received a message from the signalman at Conway, the next station toward Holyhead, that a light engine was coming. The junction signalman, knowing that the Irish mail wasdue, decided to run the engine into a siding in order to pont the express to pass. He accordingly put up all the signals but to his extreme astonishment the engine came straight Jato the junction at full pre swept round bey corner, dashing the put fog signals on sass was equal, for, ranning out of his box. he had hardly tine So a eee, o Manes wien the sare lowed which awoke the men. LITERARY NOTES. TRE STORY OF IP4. By Francesca. Edited, with SKIN, D.C.L, Boston: “Cup- Pinata Weeks a. Deine OE The interest in this little brochure comes largely from the enthusiastic praise it has re- ceived at the hands of Mr. Ruskin and his warm admiration of the author, both as an artist and awriter. This circumstance will heighten it in the esteem of some readers, and lower it in that of others; but on its own merits alone it is weil worth reading. ‘It is the story of the unselfish but short and sad life ofa young Florentine girl, told with a refined simplicity that is far more effective in its way than a pretenttous effort on a higher key could possibly be. It ts to be regretted, however, that the pleasure ‘of Treading it should be marred by Mr. Ruskin's notes and meddlings with the text, which are both unnecessary and exasperating. The author, we may add, is Miss Frances Alexander, & young American artist, long resident at Flor- ence, whose pictures so pleased Mr. Ruskin that he purchased a number of them. The portrait of Ida, the heroine, drawn by Miss Alexander, which serves as frontispiece to the book, wot seem epee at least a part of his extravagant praise of her talents. SINNERS AND SAINTS. _A Tour Across the States, ‘and Round Them; with Three Months Amoug the Mormons. By Put. Kopi=ox, author of "Under ‘Wim. Balantyne & Son. As a rule, the impressions of a visitor who Spends only three or four months in a big country are not worth much in the way of reliable information, either about it as a place toliveinorits people. Mr. Robinsons, however, 80 experienced a traveler, a person of such excellent judgment, and so bright a writer, withal, that his book is very far above the average of its kind. But even he, we fancy, would modify some of the opinions he expresses had he staid longer and looked into all braaches of his subject more thoroughly. He made a special study of the Mormons, and takes a favor- able view of them as a people and of what they have done in the way of developing their coun- try, as all intelligent and fair-minded travelers are bound todo; but it appears pretty plainly that he has only concerned himself with one side of the case. Aside from this bias, the record of his Journey is exceedingly clever, giving evi- dence throughout of keen observation, and oe in bright comments and droll con- celts. EORGE SAND, Boston: OnE ANE. Modstctin Wt nak m. Miss Thomas has brought intelligence, care and discrimination to her task, and she has per- haps done as. wellas any one could do inthe same space; but her effort will doubtless fail to satisfy those who desire to fully understand the strange character and follow the singular career of her heroine. For this alargerand more com- ponaes work wili be required, and for this he volume before us may perhaps pave the way. Jf it does this, it will do well; bat mean- time, to use a cant p| ». it meets a want long felt by those who more for salient poluts than minor details, and few who take up the book will willingly lay it aside until the close be reached. VOICES FOR THE SPEECHLFSS. Selections for Schools aud P:ivate Keading. ‘By Apnatam FIRTH, Secretary of thi ion. Boston” Houghton, “Miin & Co.” We on” Houghton, in & Co. Robert Beall This collection of verse and prose, impressing the duty of kindness to animals, has been made, as the compiler telisus, in response to inquiries frequently made by teachers and others for a selection in which that lesson 1s distirctly taught. Mr. Firth has gone over a wide field in his search, and his work seems to have been ju- diciously done. The influence of such a collec- tion on the young can not fail to be good, and to older readers It will havean interest as show- ing how many writers and especially how many writers of verse have “plead the cause Of those dumb mouths that have no speech.” PUBowons oberia Brothsray Waskingions Waa, Bak lantyne & Son. This is the latest Issue of the “No Name Series,” and a quite charming story. Its period 1s just previous to the French revolution, and its characters are the lesser celebrities of that time. It 1s a little too pedantic in style, and some of the conversations and situations seem forced, but the plot 1s well worked out and the happy ending is a closely-kept secret to the close, which of itself is a great merit in the eyes of many readers, and especially in those of young ladies, who will probably be the story's greatest admirers. DOOR-YARD FOLKS AND A WINTER GARDEN. By Amante Harris, ‘Boos: D: Laturoy & Os, Miss Harris, who will be pleasantly remem- bered by young readers as the author of “Wild Flowers, and Where They Grow,” “Field, Wood and Meadow Rambles,” etc , takes them, iu this attractive and well {ilustrated little volume, along another pretty path in thestudy of nature. She first discourses in an entertaining way of the living things common about a farm, and then takes up the examination of forest-tree buds in winter time, and gives plain guidance ne on instructive experiments in that irection. ‘TAI LAW3 01 u ‘ATES; THE TARIFF F THE UNITED STATES: with Explanatory Notes, Citations from of the Courts t.. BY Guantay F Wittias. Boston, Sonte © Daghee, ‘The author of this work was the Secretary of the late Tariff Commission, and therefore had an excellent opportunity to qualify himself for the task he has undertaken, and which he seems to have pertormed intelligently and datisfac- torlly, so far as we can judge. Business men and lawyers will doubtless find the book con- venient and useful. Dowss,’ Paris: Libraire D'Art, Washington: V. This volume has nearly three hundred filus- trations representing some of the more promi- nent works not included in the main catalogue, after sketches supplied by the artists themselves, and is about as essential to a clear idea of the exhibition and as interesting in itself as the principal volume, which it is intended to accom- pan; FAIRYGOLD. A Novel. By the author of **A Lesson in Love.” ‘Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Aclever story, well worth reading, as stories go now-a-days. The style is original and strik- ing, and the interest is sustained to the tast, albeit the characters are not all of the most agreeable sort. KATfopewN BURNETT, Puildeytia. TW Bonne son & Brothers. Another edition in cheap form of oneof Mrs. Burnett's earlier stories, reprinted from Peter- son’s Magazine, where it first appeared. From John B. Alden, 18 Vesey street, New York, we have a package of his cheap but tastefally gotten up publications, including brief biographies of Aristotle, Demosthenes, Plato, Peter Cooper and Alexander H. Stephens; Edwin Arnold’s Indian Song of Songs and Pearis of the Faith; Dr. Storrs’ and ta tive Hewitt’s orations on the opening of the Great Bridge; and the Elzevir Library Science Series, containing papers by Huxley, Spencer, and other eminent scient Mr. Alden’ literary output, though modest in its way, is assuming very considerable proportions, as it ought, being in the main creditable in appear- ance, cheap as to price, and unexceptionable as to character. ‘ponly’s Scheme,” by Corydon, (published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston,) is a bright and jolly account of the experiences of a young couple who undertook to depart somewhat from the utine usual ro ot y trying the experiment of taking a nice little furnished house in tao come, and keeping it on ops perative acompany ftlof incident and comical as one might guess. Among the most attractive papers in the August Manhatian is a portion of Kate Field's x once a mort charming bit of biography anf ea interesting chapter of history. f From A. Brentano & Co. we have a copy of Van Loan's ‘“Catekill Mountain Guide,” # publie cation not only of great use to those contemp- lating a tour to that delightful locality, but one considerable interest which possesses for the general reader as well. cae baer We ART NOTEs. Mr. R. N. Brooke has gone to Vinginia for astay of some time, during which he hopes to not only recuperate his health, which was some- what impaired, but also to gather some new material for next winter's work —Mr. Matthew Wilson, who occupied a stadio in Corcoran Building all winter, is now at Lake George, where he has a charming summer resi- dence, with ample studio facilities. At Inst ac- counts from there he was finishing the portrait ot President Arthur, upon which he was en- gaged when be left here. We understand he has an order for a replica of this picture, to be undertaken at once. — Mr. Messer expected to go on a protracted pedestrian and sketching tour through Virginia, this summer, but other arrangements seemed desirable when the time for starting came. He has, therefore, taken a place for the season on Anacostia heights, where he can enjoy the company of his family, and at the same time avail himself of the plenty of excellent subjects for pictures to be found in the near vicinity of Washington. — Feeling sure that the French government will never pay the prices which he receives for his paintings, and yet desiring to appear in com- Pany with the immortals whose works are treas- ured in the Louvre, Mr. Meissonier has made a clause in his will bequeathing two pictures, Which he considers his best, to that collection. The two works re ing this hich compliment at the distinguisned artist's hands are his “Gra- veur A Eau Forte.” and his “A la Fen@tre.” — The committee of selection for the Trien- nial International Exhibition at Munich have accepted an oil painting sent in by Mr. Wm. V. Birney, of this city, entitled “The Girl at the Window.” It shows a single 4gure in repose, and exposed to a strong noonday sunlight. The complinent paid to Mr. Birney by this favorable action of the committee is no slight one, since it is rather unusual to accept a painting by a student for such an exhibition as the one in question. — Advantage will be taken of the summer closing of the Corcoran gallery to change and Improve the color of the walls of the exhibition rooms, which has never been quite satisfactory to the management nor of a tone to display the paintings to the best advantage. Some changes in the arrangement of pictures may be made, but these will be sligiit, If undertaken at ali, as those In charge are unable to see how any tma- terial Improvement could be made in that re- spect unless some important additions should be secured. —A young Washington artist for whom a successful future is anticipated by his friends is Mr. Charies Krauskopf, who has spent some four years in Europe in the prosecution of his studies. He has recently returned here, bring- ing with him a portfolio of drawings which show not only great industry on the part of their owner, but also close and careful study of na- ture. "We understand that Mr Krauskopf has chosen animal life ax his speciality, an cxummele ot which may be seen at Barlow’ Its motive is perhaps a little too suggestive of a memory of Landseer, and the work a trifle sketchy for an exhibition picce, but the drawing is good, and commendable familiarity with tae subject isshown. — An idea of the value of some of the private collections of paintings by modern masters in Europe may be had from the followingstatistics in regard to that owned by M. Henry Pettit, in Paris. It contains as many as thirteen of the cholcest landscapes by Rousseau, and the same namber by Corot, six Daubignys, four Fromen- tins, six by Delacroix, six by Millet. The yalu- ation of the-collection was so enormous that the French fire insurance companies at first declined. totake the risks at all. English and Lelgian companies, however, took $1,800,000, where- upon the ‘French companies rallied and took risks for $600,000 more. The average sum for which these pictures were insured was $24,000 each. -—The statement that Mr. Wm. H. Vanderbilt has bought, for £110,000 or any other sum, the collection of old masters, etc., belonging to the historic eee f of Sir Philip Miles, of Somerset- shire, England, is a denied by Mr. Van- derbilt himseff. It hardly needed the contradic- tion of that gentleman, however, to show the improbability of the story. In the first place, he has no knowk of or taste for that style of art. Then, had he purchased the collection enlarge = prniongian clad ert pope to either _ is yor build a new one, on theone hand or, of the other, to sell orgive the new ao- quisition or his it collection—which cost more and is worth more than the sum named above—to some public institution. it is well understood that the latter alternative is not in the line of Mr. Vanderbilt's precedents. — Max Weyl left the city a tew days ago fora several weeks’ vacation, which he will epend im the delightful scenery along the west branch of the Susquehanna, dividing the time between making studies and sketches and visiting rela- tives and old frends residing there. Since he has been before the publicasan artist, Mr. Weyl's paintings have never been in such demand as now. During the past six months he has sent several characteristic examples of his work to New York, Rochester and San Francisco, re- spectively, on orders pre tously given; ‘and be- tore leaving here for Europe, M. de Geofroy of the French Claims Commission purchased two or three of his canvases, which are to be added to that gentleman's large and fine collection in France. These facts indicate an appreciation of Mr. Weyl's talents throughout a much wider circle than that composed of mere personal and local admirers, and are no less creditable to his oon ra as an artist than gratifying to his friends, The hints of the Germantown Telegraph upon the advantage of planting frult trees along the dusty roadsides, is commended to the attention ofthe pomologist, andthe writer says that there is generally an abundance of frult, and ‘this abundance is usually in proportion to the quantity of dust. Not only is the fruit abund- ant, but the leaves are generally remarkably heaithy; and we do not remember an instance of a blighted or seriously diseased tree, when they have been covered with roadside dust. If there are any doubters, let them see forthem- selves. This has been’ frequently noted in regard to old pear-trees in gardens along road- sides; but as to the cherry, it is very striking especially low-headed pie cherries, which are more easily covered with dust than trees of larger size. The trees do not seem to mind it in the least. We do not pretend to account for this curious fact, but rest with simply stating it. It ts supposed that the plant breathes thro tte leaves—how it does this when co with dust itis not for us to say. It be that the minute Insects which crowd on it-trees generally don't like dust; indeed, people do say that it is to destroy insects that chickens so love tocover themselves with dust. ar. some people have a notion that many It diseases come from minute fungi, which develop on the leaves and branches, and soon cover the whole surface, destroying tissues as they go. It may be that absolutely dry dust ling on minute juicy little plants, may suck the moist- ure out of them, and leave them high and dry. We do not pretend to discuss any of these Prop- ositions; at the same time, it !s curious to that these dust-covered fellows should do well. Pleasant News for Book Enemies. The Lancet confers 2 signal benefit this i