Evening Star Newspaper, August 29, 1885, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY: CITY AND DISTRICT. PADDLE AND SAIL. BIRDS OF BEAUTY. ANOTHER TALE OF THE Woops, | The Rapid Rise of the Washington | An Hour with the Ornithelogist of the Mighty With the Kod As Well As the Gun. ‘othe Eattor of Tux Evexixo Sta Your report in last Saturday's STAR of Mr. Barvis’ terrific encounter with ® gray squirrel ‘rings tomind an important inciden: In Jesse's life, the initial point, in fact, at which he emerged from urban obscurity and strode forth upon the road that has led him, as a news- Paper man, tofame and fortune. Before your hero became a hunter he was @ noted angler: and there wasn’t a bass ripple or catfish hole In the Juniata or Susqtehanna that Jere didn'tknow. Ata ¥ “age he was skilled in fisner- men’s lore, and knew ail the indications froin the stens of the zodiac to the temper of a Southerty breeze, There wasn't a barefooted Doy in a bob-talled wamus tn all the region who | cond gamer # string of bass or a basket of trout more ceriainly thaa he. But it is a singular fret th onng genits of the mountain nineh ‘addicted to exaggeration is piseatorial acquisitions. Ler or two to his statistics iausible abandon, and the con- at uo one would believe his raitle except upon ocular proof. It is, of | purse, hard to reconeile such a condition with s present formal statement. But let that One morning Jesse sallied out at 3 o'clock, ‘and ip the course of a few hours caught a many fish, and among them two very fine hass, ‘og About three pounds each. ‘These two. | With boyish pride, he put on a string by them: | selves. and fastened them to a bush on the | Dank.” Preparing to return home, he went a | ort distance B-b line, aud wh own stream to take up a.cat-| away two fancy fishermen ; sro, Harrisburg along. They bad not eanght y thin: iting sight of the two lar. not seeing the other string—they her pre- ‘on the boy's good Tuck, one of at he was a noted, as some say ‘On his return one of them sai sonny, what luck this morning bully ! said the boy; “caught more’n ahun- red, I reckon. Fe you disposed tosell? Our success has Rot beer commensurate with our efforts and tae! 4 we want to take home some fish.” hat “ill you giv yell, seeing It's you, we ‘ill give you fifty a piece.” quare ; ‘and will pay you down for all you 've got stipulated assessment.” “That's the agreement. My friend here Is a Member of the legisiature and is ready securi for all that's nominated in the bond.” “I don't exactly follow you,” said the boy; “but I'm onto that fifty cents. It's a cold day | when I—well, here's @ couple of 'em, and I've | Kot another siring; take ’em all, do you?” “Yes, yes: pages Ad fish.’ With an air of diffidence and assumed dejec- tion the barefooted mountaineer —— pay — of bass, catfish, sunfish, and eels, marking: here'g,@ hundred and two with them big uns, and if Thadn’t a run ont of dobsons ant Minners there 'd a been a heap more.” It is related that a yarn string could have been tled around the protruding ¢fes of those Harrisburg gentivinen. But, to their credit be it said. they paid the boy $51, iy stipulating as the money was counted that he should cominit. to sacred memory one short | Phrise: “Dont t mention it.” boy of such means and ability could not main inthe mountains, and ina few years ‘Washington acquired him'with all — Bud never-failing geniality. C.B, eres That Gas Deposit Again. To the Editor of Tie EVENINo Stam ‘Through the kind medium of your valuable and influential columns, X.’s article entitled “Some Pertinent Questions,” bas partially accom- plished its purpose in. eliciting public opinion in regard to, and public condemnation of, the | Indiscrim inate taxation of consumers of zas by the exaction of a deposit with that powerful Monopoly, the Washington Gaslight company, | of ten dollars; and we trespass again, respect: fully, to merely review the subject that it may pt in a condensed form before the eye o! Bu A Mr. O' Don: ring constituency. Hi (whom I do not know) has ‘hi upon the subject and ne nati when he shows by | own deposit-recetpt of two. years ago that the | forced by the zas company from the peopl | ted at that time to ‘nearly $11 certainly a snug little sum if it be r Uhat it cost the holder nothi ms same gentleman counter-sinks anothe> sp ke when he states that “though a dollar do Dies in 13 years at 6 per cent. compound inte Bst, the gas company pays only simple interes Bnd in the period mentioned thus saves $2. 2 gory “mulcted” $10, or $220 on “eich 000. Next comes “Merchant” whose special claim to recognition les in the fact that in a mome: of apparent wrathful indignation he denom!- Bates the believer in individual right 9 srowler.” But “Merchant” has been so com- letely silenced by hot shot from the logic: tteries of my stranger-frlend, O'Donnell, that Yo turther discuss him would be tantamount to Striking a man when down! ‘Then comes “Citizen,” also unknown to me. He represents the Landiord, and says: “I take certain of my tenants on faith, and walt for my Fent until [ bave rendered ‘a quid (On Why should not the gascompany follow ‘the Bame custom?” Most potent logic indeed! But under the caption of “Some Pertinent Questions,” one prominent point appears to Have been entirely lost sight of, viz: That the company itselt—or one of its most honored, up- Fight and faithful employes endorsed ‘mo as honest so faras my relations to the company Were concerned. On the back of my applica- ion for this most needful commodity one of the Pidest attaches of the gas company states to the agent of my house: “Mr. Piithts gas bills promptly. * * + and 7 you lt guarantes (payment of} the gas during his oc- cupancy we will turn it on.” In other words,the company says: “Mr. Agent, your tenant has 2 paying us promptir for gas for nearly 20 Years, but although he desires no increase in the quantity, he must now make a deposit for the fame article he has been recelving without se. eurity during this long period,ualess you ‘put up" rad hon?" Virtually at. is this: * We hate nown your tenant nearly a fifth of a century; You hardly know bim at all. You will risk hothing by securing us for be wi:l surely pay if the past is any criterion whereby to Judge the future. Lend him the deposit’ money und it ‘Will be all right, and this, notwithstar weare far better able to make the loan, or stand the Loss, than yourself, and moreover, ‘nothwithianding we reap ail the promt from the sale of what 1 tenant desires!” Landlord (or agent) repli: “Mr. Gas Company, { furnish pipes and fixtures ‘and am responsible for the meter; It is you who Sell the illuminating substance my tenant de- Sires and upon which you realize a handsome Profit. Pray tell me why should take any Fisk ip the matter? I furnish this tenant with ® range and latrobe stoves and dranght power for the same, should I make bis fires and go security for his wood and coal? Isupply him with water pipes, water-close: and tub, should I pay for his water consumption? I give Bim an asphalt walk leading from the public pavement to his front door; should I pay for the ‘Wear and tear of his shoes in his use of the sang?” This knock-down logic on the part of Ageftt remains unanswered and will continue indestructible when Cleopatra’s needle shall have crumbied to dust. Agu. then, (in company with my unknown friend O'Donnell and “Citizen,”) [ask why should not the gas company be made to dix eriminate or do their business concerns, and ascertaining, as far ax in its power lies, the facts concerhing a consumer's responsibility and integrity, make the same distinction in Tegard t crediting parties that has been cus- tomary in banking and business circles for generations past. Let Erho reply, since its an- Swer will be about as potent among business men to persuade them to the: contrary of this ¥iew as would anything “Merchant” could (offer, since we take {t that “Merchant” i# an in- telligent being and one who. would deem a tradesman with whom he was dealing a fitean- didat- tor an asylum should the latier exact a of $10 for $5 worth of the very same . ad been purehasing and ‘h month for nearly lly if Merchant heid dorsement that he had romptly settled” the identical class of sired to continue. As illustrative of the consisteney of this mo- Ropoly when told it “would sooner have land. Jord sign the book than to have the deposit,” I & continuous note, so drawn as hever to | to the Canoe Club. CANOEING ON THE POTOMAC—A SKETCH OF THE CLUB—PLEASURES ON SHORE AND WATER— THE GROWTH OF THE ORGANIZATION. In continuing the chronicles of aquaticevents on the Potomac, Tar Stax comes next in order of date to the advent of the canoe and anew era. The annals of eanocing sparkle with the bright sayings and clever phrases of men high np on Parnassus, who have deemed this noble pastime not unworthy of the service of their pens. ‘The achievementsot eanoeists have been celebrated by the most melodious of modern bards. The man in the canoe is becoming a familiar figure wherever there is a water-way or @ pretty heavy fall of dew. Hardly more than year has since he a the Poti ing rapidity. The eanoeist claims for his pas- time that it combines all the pleasures and benefits of rowing and yachting, and es ay others which inan who has to sit with his face to the stern of his boat, or who submits him.elf entirely to the tyranny of the fickle winds never dreamed of. He deems it a nobler time for it has never been degraded, and from. its nature fs never likely to be degraded by the tain: of sordid professiondlism. “If not the sport o: . it is the sport of the heir ay reat, f toyal Canoe club of Englan of the world, had for its patron odore, his Royal Highness the . It‘has tascinations for the ¥ a lazy attitude as well as the cle prowess, It is flavored with ad spiced with adventure. The Panne isis Vik who have tasted pleasures of whieh ad them knows noth- cling of epee iho) the e Washington Canoe elub, bound together by this mystic Ue of the paddle, form a very compact and delightfully sociable body, ‘THE CANOE CLUB was organized June 26th, 1884. The object of the club was announced to be “to pramote canoeing for purposes of pleasure, health, or explorations, by means of meetings, camping, ddiing, sailing, and racing, and by Kkeepi fous of Voyages, records of water Nee od ant routes, details, drawings and dimensions of b nd _coilections of maps, charts and The active charter members were Flint, Authur Brentano, F. N. Moore, J. KR. Lake, G. &. Channing. Chas. H. Calvert, H. H. Soule, Rev. Theodore S. Wynkoop, J. A. Cole, A. Devine, E, W. Cady, I. B. Linton’ 1. Dod: and J. B. McQueen. The first officers of ub were commodore, Rev. T. 8. Wynkoop; commodore, Mr. H. H. Dod; secretary and treasurer, H. H. Soule; and measurer, Mr. Arthur Brentano. The club began an active existence at once. Quarters which are still occupied by the club were rented at the foot of High street, West Washington, next to the Columbia boat house. The club has nearly passed through its second summer, without suffering from any of the maladies supy to be incidental to that period of life, and. now, if still in its infancy, is in the most robust health, and growing strong and influential. The canoes of the members form a very pleas- ant part of the passing show of pleasure ts which may be witnessed any fine evening from the Aqueduet bridge. The distinguishing club signal is a pointed burgee, color red, e being a white disc, enclosing a red d within it, The private signal is ar gular burgee fifteen Pores ong and ten {Inches wide with any color or device. The sailing club device is a red “W" in peak of mainsail. ‘The rezular meetings of {the club are held on the second Monday of each mont Pri vie CAMP FIRES, Camp fires are held semi-monthly during the winter at the homes of different members. At semblies the art of canoeing is dis- arns of adventure and hair-breadth es- in, and plans are laid for the next me who derive the name of their erb cano enliven these gather- Iinusie. During the summer camp fire al freses is held every Wednesday at some point on the upper Potomac. These gath- erings have proved very successful in promo- ting the social union of the club. Ladies are Smithsonian Institution. THE WONDERFUL PLUMAGE OF ‘TROPICAL ‘BIRDS—TORINS OF BIRDS’ AND THEIR HARITS—HOW THEY ARE CAUGHT FOR MU- SEUMS AND THE MILLINERY TRADE, The ofthe Smithsonian Institution catalogues and the National Museum contain a record of | be! 105,000 specimens, whieh have been received in the ornithological department. There are now on hand in the cases and chests, in which are stored away the ornithological wealth of the museum, 65,000 specimens. Of course there are many birds of the same species. In addition tothe type specimens preserved for exhibition and study, a duplicate collec tion is maintained, and besides that, there 1s always on hand @ large stock known as the re- serve collection, used in making exchanges, by means of which the museum fs enabled to Tare birds from collections in other count Mr. aoe EAS . the CennOKenS now complet & duplicate lection of North "American at wite the view of having always on exhibition in the. museum @ complete collection. Then, if a requisition is le upon the department for birds to exhibit at an exposition, as was done in the case of the recent New Orleans exposition, the request may be honored without detriment to the col- lection in the museum. At present the public sees only a very small portion of the ornitho- logical collection of the museum, This 1s dis- played in exhibition cases in the museum hall ofthe Smithsonian building, and consists chiefly of birds, which, on account of their size, their plumage, or thelr habits, much popular interest.’ In one of the long galleries looking down upon the hall Mr. Ridgway has his studio or workroom. At one side is row of cases fitted with drawers mado for the which are closely packed with In one of the large apartments in the of the buildi wored away twenty-three cords of birds in chests and cases. They are mostly birds of large size, and birds Kept in the duplicate collection. ‘The basis of the collec- tion was the private and valuable collection be- longing to Prot. Baird, and which he donated to the Smithsonian Inititution upon becoming assistant secretary of the institution. ‘THE GROWTH OF THE COLLECTION has been very rapid. Since Mr. Ridgway as- sumed the curatorship of the department ot birds in 1869 the number in the collection has trebled. During the last fow years the colleo- tion has increased in increasing ratio. While last year about 6,000 skins were received dur- ing the previous year the number was about 2,000, ‘One who can get the privilege of a talk With Mr, Ridgway while he is deitly at work among the myriads of specimens from the feathery kingdom around him, will discover that there are thousands of curious little tacts about birds and their habits he er heard of before, Whilo the ornithologist is engaged in Working out his share of the great problem of life and evolution, which, of course, entails much hard and dry study that has little popu: lar interest, he gathers around him much that 4s beautiful and wonderful and interesting from the popular standpoint, Itis the fairy-land of science, WHERE BIRDS ARE HUNTED, There are many persons engaged in hunting Dirdsand eggs, not for scientists only, but for trade purposes. Mr. Ridgway said to a Star re- porter, wuo luvaded his sanctum, that a great Place ‘for hunting birds in this part of the country is on Cobb's Islan: Mr. Henshaw made ‘an expedition to Cobb's Island in 1878 ante man; _ seein. The ee sa favorite stopping place for migratory In 1879 Mr. Henshaw returned there with Mr. Ridgway and spent a most profitable season gathering ornithological riches. In 1881 @ professor from Princeton university visited the island and captured four thousai specimens, Then the island having become famous the professional collectors raided it, In the season of 1884 these collectors took away twelve thousand, beautiful birds to supply the milll- Binds: trade of Paris. Under such a draft the birdsare rapidly disappearing from the island. THE MILLINERS AND THE BIRDS. ‘The milliners dogreat damage to the birds in purpose, imens, ment always present as guests of the club, and their presence cheers the canoelsts, and seems to add Sweetness to the smiles of nature and rhythm the waters, A real camp s built, pon which the vo; and tea, which is serve lunch, At dark the woods ure lghted with Chinese lanterns, making dancing shadows on the river below. "Then follow: and story-telling. The wild, the canoeists ure rd legends of ited. The club is fortunate In comprising in its membership two accom. plished banjoists, who strum a melodious ac- companiment to the ditties trolled by the vocal- ists, of whom the club boasts several of no mean order. THE CANOFS AND THE CANOEISTS. There are nineteen canoes In the club at present. The number comprises nearly every description of this craft. Among them Rice Lake. a Peterboro’. a Mo- hadow, a Rob Roy, a Herald, ’s Tandem. There is also one canoe,owned by Mr. D. McC. Russell, who is considered the inost’ practical and experienced eanoelst In the city. He isa Canadian, and hence a born canoeist. "His son, Mr. Russell, is, however, not far behind ather in his skill with paddle and sail. Mr. Moore Is rated as the best sallor tn the club. “It is difficult, however, to discriminate in point of skilfulnéss among the members of the club, many of whom beeame accustomed to the paddle in early infancy. THE ANNUAL REGATTA. The club heid its first annual regatta on the 7th of July last at Marshall Hall. As there was a dead calm that day the sailing race, after an ineffectual start, was reluctantly abandoned. There were four contestants in the upset race, which was won by Mr. Hague Russell. The up: set race is an institution peculiar to canoeing. The canoeist upsets his craft at the start, and mtestants then strnggle to right their canoes in the water. regain thelr places, and paddle over the course. To the spectator who does not fancy a ducking this race may seem absurd, but it has Its uses, in training eanoeists to handle their canoes aid regain their places under the greatest difficuities. The paddling race, half mile and return, was won by J. MeQueen in the Rob Roy. ‘The regatta committee was Messrs. J, R. Lake, Pickering Dodge, and F. M. Moore. The floor comimittee at the ere dancing w: indulged in, ¢ H. W, n AT. did not oceur, owing a early this month ance one mile. Messrs. Flint H. Russell and Wynkoop and Lake. and Flint, two sill , workmanship being awarded es. ‘Spor » Messi MeQueen, and Messi The winners were De flags of exquisite to them as tr 7 Mexmensmrr, The club now numbers thirty active and six honorary members. The active list includes the charter members named above and the fol- lowing more recent additions: Lieut. 8. C, Lemly, Messrs. D, McC. Russell, Hague Russell, q 5 H. H. Hildreth, Pickeriny it yA. Cowles, John He Dod Morgan, H. G. nes K. Bakewell, Alezander Mason, H. Hi. Law, Robert 8, Chew, F. J. Monroie, Hi. D. Gooke,jr., F.'T. Bowles, Paymasier General J, A. Smith'and George I. ugh. The honorary members are Mrs. Russell, Miss Jennie Russell, Dr. Wm. rthur Brentano, H. H: nerbee. The nt of mmodore, T. Ss. Wynkoop: viee commodore, Mr, H. H. Dodge: setretary and treasurer, Me. Pickering Dodge: moeasurer, Mr. F. N. Moore. * isan officer peculiar to canoe many parts of the country, On Long Island alone last year 70,000 birds were killed as a sacrifice to fashion and female vanity. These birds were sent to New York. The slaughter of the birds in the Interest of science is compar- utively trifling. The ornithologist secks for specimens of the same birds from different parts of the country or of the world for the pur- pose of discovering the fatermediate cles, id dividing the birds into geographical races. ifference between For mstance, there is littie the robin redbreast east of the Rocky mountains and his western cousin, ex- cept that the westero robin isa little larger. The orinthologist has discovered, however, that the eastern robin has a little white dappled. marking on theend of the tail feathers, which the western robfn has not. To ascertain whether this was an invariable rule it was necessary, of course, to examine a great many specimens’ of robins. Now, an eastern robin can be picked out of a large number ofrobins atonce by means ofthe label which nature has attached to its tail. In the cases in Mr. Ridgway’s gallery and workroom are 35,000 specimens. The collec- tion of North American birds which takes up mostof the space, is the finest of itskind in the, world. Next to it is the collection of South American birds, which 1s rated as the second bestin the world. A private collection belonging to a wealthy gentleman in England, who spent much time and money in perfecting it, and recently presented it to the British mu- feum, {s considered as the finest collection of South American birds. Central and South America are especially rich in birds, as about one-third of the known species of birds in the world have their habitat there, The depart- ment under Mr. Ridgway's care comprises also a very full collection of birds from the old world. HOW THE SPECIMENS ARE KEPT, ‘These birds preserved for study and compari- son are stowed away in flat cases, which in turn fit securely, one over another, in the rows of drawers. Upon each drawer 1s placed a id or top of glass, the sash or edge of which is fitted with a tongue, which drops into a groove in the edge of the drawer, making a perfect protection agalnst the invasion of insects. The insects love toget at a dead bird, Just as the fabled (onkey took pleasure in kicking at the dead lion. ‘The bird hunter secures the skin of the bird, preserving its head, plumage and legs complete. The professional collector skins a bird very neaily, so that it can be mounted “by the 'taxidermist with very little trouble. When the skin ts received by the curator, it is filled out with a little padding of cotton ind. placed away In_ its proper ease.” A complete record !s_ kept of each specimen. re- ceived. Ifitis desired io mount the specimen the dried skin. is sent to the room of the taxi- dermist, Mr. Marshal!. There it is buried for twoor three days in damp sawdust, and when it is resurrected the skin is soft and pliable. The unmounted specimens, however, with proper care may be kept for years, and are just as valuable to the scientist as when they are stuifed and posttred by the taxidermist, ‘Some of the specimens of North American birds in the collection belonged to Audubon, and. were used by him in making illustrations for his work on birds, ‘THE HUMMING BIRDS form one of the most attractive parts of the col- leetfon to one, who luoks at it from the esthetic standpoint, There are 450 kinds of humming birds known. While they differ widely in alze and appearance, they bear a resemblance structurally, and have similar habits, feeding upon honey and insects. | The collection com- rises nearly ail known kinds from the giant umming bird of Mexico, which boasts of pro- portions nearly as great as as those of the robin, twa tiny humming bird of Jamaica, scarcely more than an inch long. There are hummin, birds with bills longer than thelr bodies, which ps a correct list of all the canoes measures all canoes as directed and keeps a record of the dimensions, &c., of each canoe. He 4s required to report at any time whea requested by the commodore or executive committee, He has possession of the logs of yages, records of waterways and routes, de- ails, drawings, collections of maps, charts and books and Is required to keep them to that they shall be accessible to the members of the lub, A FLOATING BOATHOUSE. It Is the purpose of the club to erect a floating boat-house next spring at the foot of New York avenue, near Easby’s wharf, if permission can 1 be outlawed, and endorsed by as many promi nent individuals as could weil get thelr ‘signa: ‘tures on its back. Ohno! “A thirty day note” was demanded! “And yet “it is not your money We want,” is the cry of this company! Coui- ment Is unnecessary—indeed would be wholly ‘Gut of place. x ————+e0____ The Normal School. ‘Fo the Fattor of the Evextne Sram: The school board, at its last meeting, ap- pointed five new teachers, three in the second division, one in the fourth and one in the sixth, not one of whom ix a graduate of the Washing. ton Normal school. This ix contrazy to law, custom and fair dealing. The law is expli that Normal school graduates shall have p! erence; the custom heretofore has been uh Fied, and fair dealing requires the fulfillment Of the implied contrac: with the young women Who are thereby induced to spend their time ia Preparing for feacherships. i a farce ix to be Inade of the Normal scuool here, as It isie Some otber cities, and teachers are to be ap- pointed through tnfinence only, the school night as well be abolished. That dppareatly 18 the plan. With the Normal school first crip: Pied, then abolisied, nothing will interfere With the Importation and appoiniment of feachers through brokers’ shops, iriendship or Otherwise. : i This talk of getting “expertoncea” teachers from abroad is besh. © presumption is always against applicants from a distance, as being failures at home ur broken in health.” A few ure worth empluying, but the great majori- ty are worse than worthless. Evidently the trustees want 0, control the patronage or are afraid to do right for fear of disturbing “har- mony.” ‘Trustee Brooks deserves thanks for his teal defense of the Miner normal school by his appotntment of a graduate. ‘TAXPAYER. {The appointment In the Fourth division mentioned by “Tax-payer’” is, it is learned, that ©futeacher who had been granted a leave of ‘Absence for one year without pay, and upon re-’ furning to the city has been assigned to fill a temporary vacancy. Under the of the board she was just as eligible for assign- | 40 @ school as a teacher Vice at the close of 1 who was in ser just school year.—REP. be obtained from the authorities controlling this privilege. ‘The club-house will be 38 by 23 feet and two stories high, accommodating firty , with kitchen, bath-rooms, and all necessary conveniences for the growing needs of theciub. This will give a new impetus to canoeing in the District, which will, lt. is ex. ed, soon boast one ofthe largest and most rising organizations in the country. Among the projects now being talked of is that of getting a ‘war eavoe for the elub, not rs have any belligerent inten- tions or lack confidence in_ the Navy depart- ment. The canoe desired is one of the huge birch canoes made to carry a war pariy, pick, it ix said, can be obtained by eon: tract frou kome savaze John Roach in the wil- derness of Manitoba, With such a crait, the commodore of tie elub can ride in regal dignity ¢ the King of te Cannibal islands while die cting t overents of his fe The eanoe'st hi ot t. special vocabulary, aslo: y to the laudsman, aa that of tue tarriest Jack Tar who ever ute salt junk orapliced a malubrace. “Every part of his little craft hus its special name. A pecicet canoe has yetto be built, and the canocist derives no ‘Small portion of his pleasure from the study of lines and forms and models, “Wanderer,” owned by Mr. H. H. 4s considered the best “ull round” cance In the club. The outlook for the future of the club ts most romising, and the members confidently 1ouk jor an increased interest in a pustii yields both health and pleasure kn must libeset measure. they use in extracting honey from deep-cupped flowers, and humiing birds with no more beak than an ordinary wren. Many of the different varieties of “humming birds are distinguished only by the marking of their Kathers, ‘The colors are rich and gorgeous. ‘The crown, throat and breast are marked with topaz, gold and ruby,in the most exquisite shades, ‘The colors scem Iridescent. A_pecu- Marity of some of the birds which Mr. Ridgway inted out to THE STAR reporter ix that you can see only one coloratatime. When the throat or breast is thrown back at a certain angle the first color seen disappears and an- other comes to view. Tue feathers have a sheen or gloss like burnished gold ot gems, ‘and, in some cases are so nearly luminous that the colors become more pronounced in a dark place than in the twilight, In every variety where this glossor sheen exists, except ono, the gloss becomes visible only when looking at the bird from its front. If the bird was flying from one the colors would be dull and ~lusterless, In the one exceptional case the bird would appear as shining only to the one who got a rear view. Many of these birds derive beauty not only from their mate lors, bat from the graceful arrangement of thelt feathery drapery. Some have most delicate Uttle ruffs about ‘their throats, and are called coquettes. Others, have two long and graceful tail feathers, which cross each other in beauti- ful curves. Nearly all the South and Central American birds are conspicuous for the richness of their Tiaveitinax in une royal bird of tke Astecs on Axtecs, a maguificent creature, considered to surpass the famed. bird of in grace and exquisite- ness of color. The aT of bi differ: markings, of birds differ very strangely form 1 between two varieties. In , for instance, y of humming bird, marked ins peculiar way, ts found only até ceruin eleva, ion on the side of Chimborazo, an bori mountali a found another buinming Sirds the’ exact coum Ta en aU sclentific society ang published illustrations of fe°tt tarued Sut to oes combination bird, Beructed very pertectis.. ‘Phe wings and tall of one variety bird haa been attached to the body of another.” BIRD INTELLECT. se Leaiak Sarde have sense naa Ms Ridgway, repeating a query of a 8tan reporter. “Well, [have econ tasny tinge whish make i the have some reason. Iremem- Der ‘one Femevkabio tnsianes, I came. once upon the nest of @ humming bird which had been attached to the bark of adead twig. The bark had peeled off and broken so that the nest had been turned over and the eggs spilled out. The bird thea built another and much smailer nest upon the other side of the bark, so light in weight that 1t was {ust nicely balanced by the old nest. Not i reason could have told & bird bow to build the nest in that way.” ‘The bright color of the plumage of some of the birds will fade and become dingy after expo- sure to the light, The colors of most of the birds, however, are fust colors. Dyers ‘might get some very Valuable suggestions by a careful analysis of nature’s process. The plumage of some of the birds ie uy With red, so that when it is unrufiied the bird presents a uniform red appearance. When the feathers are ruffied, however, the bird becomes white, One bird, the lantain eater of Africa, has # brilliant’ red Breast, the eolorof which ‘will easily wash out, Whentthe bird is drenched by rain all the red color disappears, The bird, however, soon re- news its brilliant color from a store of pigment or dye stuff which it secretes. The same effect can be produced on the feathers of this bird by ‘using aniline dye. THE TAXIDERMISTS WORK ROOM, ina small building adjoining the Smithsonian building, is filled with curious and beautiful specimens of birds, in various stages of prepa- ration, Among the odd birds are two speci- Hiens of the ptarmigan, with the name of which e one who has read reports of arctic oxo ditions is familiar. One isa ptarmigan in his ‘winter dress of white and bis snow shoes. Dur- ing the winter the bird 1s covered with white plumage, which protests it from its enemies,as t cannot be seen st any distance in the snow, ‘There are little between its toes, which are covered with stiff feathers in the winter, and serve the pu of snow shoes. In the summer the bird has@ speckled plumage, like a@guinea hen. A little bird from Central Amer- Jou, which has just been mounted by the taxt- dermist, is one of the most curious In the col- lection. It has a little tuft of feathers upon the back of the head, which opens and closes like a fan, Ordinarily the fan is closed and lies down on ‘the back of the neck. When the bird Is hu it spreads open the fan and throws it up above its head. ‘The open ‘feathers are & brilliant red, flecked or spotted with black like poppy. The bird then takes its place on a Ying oF swinging twig, and tho fan moving back and t in the shrubbery looks like some rich-hued flower. The insects “hunting for flowers are attracted by the rich color an fly around it, only to be gobbled up by the bird, ‘whieh holds out this gaudy bait. ‘A MUTTON-STEALING OWL, Among the birds stowed away in the base- ment isan owl from New Zealand, represent- ing a variety which has strange story, show- ing how the habits of birds may change. Be- fore Buropeans settled in New Zealand there Were no mammals on the island except bats. These owls subsisted upon the vegetation. AC ter the whites settled on the island and intro- duced sheep one severe winter the owls could not get enough toeat from the sparse vegeta- tlon, and one of them made @ meal of the fat clinging to an old sheep skin. From that mo- ment the owls were changed into carnivorous birds, ‘They soon learned that the hides caine from the sheep, and they became the most de- structive enemy of the sheep. The owls light upon the backs of sheep and kill them with their strong beaks. Then they tear the hides away and get at the kidney fat, which they like most. Thousands of sheep are killed in this way, andthe New Zealand authorities have taken every measure ‘ible to. exterminate the voracious owls. ough New Zealand bad no mammals to speak of it ,0r could boast a few years ago,of the biggest bird in the world. “This was the moa, a huge creature, sev- eral times as large as an ostrich. Natives there to-day claim to remember when the last moa was killed, The remains of the moa are still found there with the feathers attached, indicating that the bird has not been extinct very long. When ®@ moa came near a settlement of natives the whole tribe turned ot with spears to Kill it, as it was too powérful and formidable for one man to assail alone with the rude weapons which the natives possessed, AMERICA STILL AHEAD, Speaking of large birds, it may give a thrill of patriotic satisfaction to good citizens to know that America is still ahead in the matter of the size of birds of flight. ‘The distinction of being the largest was claimed for a.long time for the condor of the Andes. The California vulture, however, has proved its superior size. A speci: men at the museum has a spread of over ning feet. The various specimens examined weigh, as a rule, several pounds more than the aver: South American condor, In the taxidermist’ fom isa huge live owi of the ordinary kind known as the barn owl, These owls rarely ex- ceed in weight or size that of an ordinary roos- ter, yet they will steal a hen or rooster and fly away with it, ‘This the owl accomplishes by & piece of strategy which Mr. Ridgway described to the reporter. When the owl finds a number of chickens roosting upon fence rall or the Limb of a tre. it will settle down to roost at the end of the row of sleeping fowls. Soon it will begin to crowd a little, and it will keep on crowding till the chickens get considerably dis- turved and one of them loses its balance and files off. Before the unfortunate chicken reaches the ground the owl pounces upon it and gets a firm hold of its back with his claws. The fright- ened chicken continues the motion of flying. ‘The owl, with his stronger wings, merely guides the chicken in the direction he wants to go, but makes the chicken work its own passage. In this way a small owl will fy away with a very big rooster. The Singular Death of Robert Morris— ‘The Facts in the Case, ‘To the Editor of Tre Evawroe Star: In Tux Srag of July 18th there is a letter from Oxford, Md., giving a short account of Robert Morris, the father of the Revolutionary financier. The suppositions of the inhabitants of that locality are incorrect, and as the man- ner of hig death was remarkable I will give it you as told to me by (my father) his graudson, Robert Morris dreamed that one of his vessels came into port, and the captain reported a ver favorable voyage. After ging through busi- ness details he invited Mr. M. to a party or ball tobe ven on the vessel (in compliment to the owner) afid asked him to bring his family and immediate friends. The invitation was accept- ed; the ball was. a joyous one, and at the con- eltision, as the guests were on their way to the shore in small boats, s salute of thirteen guns was fired, and a ball, which had been carelessly left in one of the cannon, struck Mr. M. in the breast and killed him.’ This dream made a deep impression, and when, several weeks later, the vessel arrived, and the captain came with congratulations and the invitation, ex- actly ashe had dreamed, Mi refused; but the captain seeming much ‘hurt, and represent- ing the mortification of the entire crew, Mr. M. id him of his dream, “Oh,” said the captain, ‘Sf that is the cause we will dispense with the salute.” So—although unwillingly—he con- sented to go, and when the time arrived go he did, with family and friends, and a very pleas- ant ty was the result.’ When they were about to leave in the small boats the captain said to Mr. M. that the crow thought It no‘com- pliment without the salute; that he had per- Sonally examined every gun and not one was shotted; to make all sure, it Mr. M. would con- sent, he himself should give the signal, when ata safe distance, by waving his handkerchiet, Mr, Morris reluctantly consented. When but a short distance from the vessel a puff of wind blew a lady’s scarf into the air; itwas supposed to be the signal; they fired the salute, and a wad from one of the guns struck him’on the arm and breast, causing mortification and death. ‘MM. H. Knowles, Ma, as A Remedy for Cruelty to Horses Males, To the Editor of Tum EVENING Stan, A writer in THs EVENING STAR of last Satur. day very justly says that in noclty in the Union re horsesand mules so badly treated as in Washington, and complains of the abuse of the whip in the hands of ignorant colored drivers, Owing to the large negro population the horses and males certalnly. tare badly in this city. It isa pity that they have so few defend the Sructty of the biaskee to the ‘poor beasts ip only walled by the apathy of the whites, wh ought to be ‘ashamed to allow such things to exist. The cruelty to horses and mules drawing brick carts is very distressing to beholders, es- peolally if they happen to live in the neighbor. ood of buildings {n process of erection. Such culls and blows, fener oper by loud shouts, [eas roe cay sto wilder he poor te it to drive people. living ‘ear tway” ie not easy fora pair of horses or mules to a4 over uneven ground with such a heavy load as bricks to exactly the right spot desired by the colored youth, and as very often they cannot understand what is expected of them they are accom] its. Then f 2 from aud many of these boys go to Biotin tance Es toanimats tn the bo sebools., A fou lessons in the schools on ‘of more use to the in tel f i it ; H i ! ie make not on! a By being more kind coeashrochen” "Blapton ‘London which bas beoneToes oe ij. A WHY THEY Dowr ware Reasons Why Lady Clerks in the De- partments Remain tn 5; Blessed- nese—Opinions Gathered hy @ Star Reperter. ‘ashe 1s a nice looking girl,a very nice looking girl,” and the speaker threw his head on one side and assumed the, gravely reflective alr of a connoisseur. The person thus criticised tripped along through the corridor of one of the department buildings, apparently mot only indifferent to any possible criticism, but uncon- scions that she Was being looked at, She wore a dainty summer dress, and looked as feminine and sweet as @ young, happy girl can look, and consequently THE STAR man could not forbear remarking to the watchman, as he loitered near the door fora moment, that she was a pretty girl. ‘This official Corea at Lag fair vision, at first in a perfant sort ofa way, and the influence, of thls feminine nt wee trated his soul, he relaxed from his offiviat he, difference and uttered the above as his solemn ifnot enthuslastie conviction. The young lady, however, was not aware that she had been om lly stamped, 4 ast ches and authority of the watch force ene eet continued on her way to the desk where the government claimed her services, “There are 8 good many pretty girls employed in this department,” observed THE Star tan as the watchman’s éye returned trom following the retreating form, and his countenance re. sumed the gravity of official position, “Yes, there are,” was the rather brief answer, asif the matter was hardly worthy ef further consideration. “ ‘that they all marry and leave out” suld THE STAR man, ina matter of course phy e of voice. “Indeed they don't,” replied the watchman, with returning animation. “It is very seldom any of them get married.” hy, how is that?” asked THe Staz man, with at interest. “1 don’t know that I can explain 1t,” was the response, “but at any rate that is the fact, as far asmy observation goes. I have been ‘in the government ore for thirteen or four- teen years, and I don’t recollect in all that time of more than four or five of the ladies employed in this department getting married. You evi- dently think that use that young lady is -pretty thatshe will be married, but ina gov- ernment department the fair and plain seem to have about the same fate.” “Why aren't they married?” persisted the Ustener, as he thought of the absurdity of such fair flowers being allowed to waste their fra- rance in solitude. “They have opportunities, They are thrown continually in contact with men, and you know that department clerks get, married, and they seldom marry rich wives.’ “As I’ told you,” answered the watchman, with some irritation at the attempt to draw him into an argument, “I don't know the rea- son why, but I know the fact, because it Is the result of’ my own personal observation, When the clerks marry they choose a wife outside of the department, and they may not be rich, or half as pretty and smart, as the ladies he meets in the department, but nevertheless that is what the department clerk does, and has always done, since I have been here.” As he concluded with the above, the watch- man took up a newspaper, and it ‘was evident that the discussion was at an end as far as he was concerned. ‘Tax Stan man, however, was not satisfied with this concluslon, and the more be thought about it the more he was convinced that the Watchman was wrong. The matter began to grow in interest, and THE Star man, as he met with people who would be likely to throw light on the subject, consulted them, ne of these persons said, “I think that it is true but few ladies in the departments marry, and the reason for {t, in my opinion, is that they have acquired an independence, id they don’t care about relinquishing it, Of course, if an opportunity should be presented of making @ brilliant marriage and acquiring social posi- tion and wealth, I think that in a majority of cases the ladies would accept it. But when a woman is earning her own living and has an income which she can use as she pleases an average marriage does not present the induce- ments that it does toa woman who is. differ. ently situated. Besides, such a woman’s ideas are more practical and her PI reciation of the size of a dollar in every day life does not need the experience of marriage on a small income.” Another person, in discussing the same mat- ter, said: “{ think that while a L siped many ladies in the departments do not desiretomarry unless they ‘can better their condition, still it may be laid down as a general principle that they are apt to lose their attractivenessin the eyesof men. Their constant association with day, their occupation, which is not, speaking, feminine, causes them to lose thatfeminine grace and charm which is so in- Tangible that it is felt rather than expressed. Men are attracted to women because they are so different, It is what we mean when we speak of a womanly woman, and it is those quall- tles of mind and heart that find their best development in the ranfoneh bared home. Women are apt to lose the delicacy and charm of their nature when thrown in daily contact with men, and they are apt to be- come masculine. I don't think that men are attracted by wishy-washy women and prett; doll faces, and that In order to be womanly it is necessary to be impractical and silly. But still, I imagine that most men,and the best men, like feminine women; and, while it is not always the case, still I think that the majority of women in the departments gradually lose this quality of their nature.” The STAR man did not pursue his inquiries any further, for, while not exactly satisfied, still it was realized that the old adage, “Many men, many minds,” was still true. oe THE CALICO DRESS REFORM. The Ladies Urged to Help the Cotton Mill Girls by Wearing Calico—The Views of a Merchant on This Subject. ‘A girl in one of the eastern mills was reported to have said that if every woman in the land would buy but one cotton dress it would give her two more looms to tend and would make business good in every cotton mill in the coun- try. This statement has been given wide pub- licity through the newspapers, and has at- tracted considerable attention, In some of the towns in Massachusetts, it is sald that the tdea was taken up by the women who formed calico societies and appeared in of that material. The information is made additionally interésting by the accompanying declaration that the ladies never looked so pretty and that the men were all charmed. When utility and otnament thus go hand in hand the success of most any movement would be ensured, and if these newspaper reports can be relied upon It will not be long before calico regains Its place as the leading fabric for ladles’ dresses, A STAR man asked one of the leading Avenue merchants if he had yet caught sight ofeven the crest of this wave of reform which had started in New England. He said that he had not, and did notuppear to be very much interested. He was then told that the ladies found that calico made very pretty dresses, and that the men had become interested. “What is the matter with ginghams, indigo prints, satines, percales, and cretonnes,” asked the merchant, as he turned up his nose disdain- fully at the mention of callcoes. “My e: ience is that the bottom fs about falling out of the calico market, and there is reason b for it, when better material at equally low prices can be obtained. During the war calico was adollar a yard, and then we had the French and the English prints. ‘Then we be- zan making them in this country, and our prints were so much better and cheaper than the English that the latter were driven out of the market, ‘Then the quality began to dete- rlorate and the prices went down. Other fabrics came into the market, and the comse- quence is that to-day I have but little calico in my house, The reason is there is no demand for it.” the holidays,” continued the mer- is if “Daring chant, “There is some calico bought by those who want to make presents to their servants; but it Is no longer used to any extent, Other fabries can be obtained for the same price whieh wear better and look better. This idea of gol back to calloe isnot reform in my opinion in the Interest of the public. Nor do I see how it can increase the demand for cotton, be- cause the ginghams and the Indigo prints are cotton, and the goods made are mainly of American manufacture, Besides there are the silk mills‘and the woolen mills, which are as much American industries as the cotton mills, ‘They ought to have some consideration, If there was enough difference between the price of calico and other goods it might be s good thing to advise a return to the mere econom!- cal dress, but the fact ts that calico is not the cheapest dress material. If some enterprising per would now interview a lady who has been buying poor catloo and she would com- pare it with what was offered for sale some years ago, it might be a valuable hint to the cotton mill owners to resume again the manu- facture of a decent calico. ‘The market is sup- plied with inferior grades and the mill men are making heavy pr ie ———— ‘Thirty-six Hours in = Bear Trap. ‘Boston Special to the New York ‘Tribune, Ira Linnell, a young man in the employ of R, pass near rt Phought td examine it Tiitentng tn auy indication of the ‘presence ol a ned the trop, and there, in's fainting he found young Linnell. It Tue uddale fof cateutug anfeaale ait Pee ee ei a an ety: reix Hide Sin and: bis only food. Ae i FEERE : Hi Hy Z i fr i 2 i i H LIFE AT MARTHA’S VINEYARD. Pen Pictures From the Picturesque Seaside Resort. THE WASHINGTON BICYCLISTS AND THE “TAN. KEE” MAIDENS—A RAINY DAY ATTHE sza- SHORE—A STRANGE FEMALE HERMIT—WASH- INGTON FOLKS WHO ARESUMMERING THERE, Ere. Oax baiers ‘Manrma’s VIFEYARD, Bu “ Fae August 27th, Arrainy day at the seaside is not as bine and Aoleful as might be expected, with windows down and doors closed, shutting out the ocean, and all the delights found upon the piazzas where nearly all the time not devoted to eating and sleeping is passed. In shutting out the one it shuts in at “Cottage Elastic” (the lovely home of E. B, Dennis, esq., of Boston,)® number of ‘Washington visitors, some of the Capital bicy- cle boysand lots of pretiy ef from several parts Englan @ num! Bearinvas anstious sbout the future of thelr ac. complished | daughters—real yankee girls, There's nothing refreshing as a Yankee girl free from puritanical restraint and ‘Off upon @ summer frolic, There is nothing she will not do, from riding ® bicycle, diving from a raft, or entering a swimming match, to the quiet and delicate duty of fi ing a bit of ‘Sea moss to fix it upon @ card as a souvenir to t into a church basket, or to be sold for the Benent of “The Home for Litte Wanderers. Clouds and rain without, brightness and happi- ness within, A fire buros upon the hearth, and songs, dances, and sea foam gossip create much merriment. ing time is heeded not, and 80 a rainy day goes by brimming over ‘with Plesaures that in meuery will be reorded as The lust was‘om the Sot ‘August. tis lettes anguish!” What ucter, that either Ittie'witsstands out. Since our sported to him?’ Wilt he haves a he have a successor? portion Martha's Vineyard it is said that [ik'tuore dear mates than and in New Hampshire excellent him in his researth He has traced am hered\- line of deaf mutes in the Mayhew tamily to the seventeenth century. Mr. Frank Z Ma- Ete Mr. Bell's private secretary, with « Mr. larke, of Washington, is now at Edgartown seeking pleasure and data. CAMP MEETINGS AND LAND LITIGATION. The fiftieth anniversary of the Methodist camp meetings at Martha's Vineyard, was cele- brated last week. The emp eerie prota te tg 5 accom: Asem, iss - Fetes ded. In ‘942 there were forty tent TRabs tins Wandned tents in, 1ba, tbe lensing Pro hundred tonsa 1m, of ground begun and wooden collages were Teared—the camp being far away trom the vlad and ccaan view. An “Oak Blue and and it divided the many acres of unoccupied ourichiag "and tbeuuttial ‘sca side" Feaort a well, own to this section. The moral has not, it i ‘out, and big hghttsimininent. ‘Tr seems Inevitable be- tween the and a Boston lawyer who Sang 6 08 SS eS ee eee wer a committee purchased from the Oak juffs com} all of the park reservations marked upon the plats to adorn the place. The cottagers contend that the Vak Bir having disposed of the parks inthe ae = recorded ‘postmaster says, “business | deeds made according toa Tene SU, te Rent aaa Wf te wemeten, Bow no equitable Lule and cannot by centage salary, instead of the regular annual, | Fob them of park privil cottagers are fed be be ted, and pray for rainy daysac: | Wild. Their town meetings are equal to pollti- ae ” gates to Chicago, with the ‘exception that they A LONELY SwUGWOEr.” - Sre all gentlemen it. One old Postmaster Vincent seems to hold on to his | brother, who had ventured outside of his quict nook or hammock, was enthused into saying: “P've read of dynamiting! I've heard of boy- cotting In the cities! 'magood mau; but I'm in favor of Ling everybody who dares to build on one foot of park ground. Now you ear me!” Captain and Mrs, Ross Browne will entertain at their at “Vineyard Haven,” on to- morrow evening, the many Washi: jans Sjocrning there, Gen. Horatio C. ing vad with his family, who has been at Vine: a ven for the summer, left for Brooklyn on Tues- day. Lieut. Gov. Ames, of Mass.,is spending the week here at his cottage. Ex-Axsistant Sec- Office to the satisfaction of everybody, scarcely knowing the meaning of “offensive partisan- ship.” "Twould be difficult to find an Islander of the faith, even should his place be wanted for a successor, save Old Ni 3 blind fellow, a character, who loves and sells bananas, his voice belng. hoard, aa he slowly Wends rough the aven “anenabs! Be-neashe!. Rousers! Rouseral Anda picture of the old man himself. Come and buy!” Nathan has always been a republi- can, but being in sentiment with St. John, and dissatisfied with the grand old party, saya “he hopes to be forgiven for voting for Mr. Cleve- | retary of the Treasury French is here. The Pe- Tand, but he thought 1 would do the Island | ravian minister Kimore is the of Mr, Jos. G. Spinney. Mr. and Mrs, Randolph de B. Kelm are at their cottage on the Mr. E. A. Newman left for Washington to-day. The Capital Bicycle club will leave fore trip to Nantucket tomorrow to meet Mr. Rudolph Kauffmann. A WASHINGTON LAWYER DISAPPOINTED, A little seaside incident occurred a few days ‘ago which might have resuited in the ultimate transfer of a sweet'girl to Washington in which the following took part: An unsophisticated but pretty girl of eighteen, a Washi aw {or,A smile, a word, a basket of truft, and a diady. "The lawyer became smitien, and being 60 much afflicted with the smit, and finding ‘no one to present him, with an as- surance that so becomes him, he smiled and introduced himself upon the plausible plea of being on a reception committee for a hop, sent out upon a mission to invite young ladies. His Tuse succeeded. He was delighted." She was coy, His last fee in a Justice of the peace case went into a basket of fruit. It was sent to the fair one's cottage. The landlady received the fruit, and Qp.that day the boarders delighted in desert that astonished them, wondering as they de- Youred it, what generous influence had come ‘over the spirit of the old lady's dreams. The lawyer dismayed, has returned to bls 4% street, office, in Washington. The girl swallowed her grleG and mourns the loss of what she has been da young millionaire. “Ah."saysa cottager onthe bluffs, “writ Wasningtont Then donot, a snything concerning the camp mee sion prevails ‘throughout the country that this is nothing but acamp-meeting ground. You know the error; rou Bee beauties of the place; you mingle in the gaieties here; you see the advant inequalled at any sea-side resort on the Atlantic coast, Then Please say that there is enjoyment for the worldly, an sce the Gaplial bieyelo boys and welcome thems see the icyel to the place, wishing to send them home to sound Its praises,” ‘THE WASHINGTON BICYCLISTS. ‘The boys already are in love with everything, especially the Yankee girls, A dancing recep- tion was given to them at the Sea View hotel on Friday night, which ts considered the swell affair of the season, Major Huxi A Lipscombe it Ac Nowinane ®. & Hay, Biltmore Beall and'C, F, Sundell, of Washington, were on the reception and floor committees.’ Two hundred and fifty dancers and five hundred spectators were present. Mr. made a brief address of welcome, and J. M. Killets, president of the club, responded. They were entertained on Friday afternoon by Jos. §. Spinney, exa..8 Reming, New, Nockac, Sad 8, eal Boe ‘whose cottage "home, “Bella J” on. a Highlands, is ‘one of the. most lands. Spacious and handsome on the island, Fiona, le is a jovial, happy host, and lives wks WSSENGID pocaaaen tia for the happiness of others, saying to his Christ- jan brethren: “What I do may not be orthodox, but it isdone in the right spirit.” Mr. C. B. Den- nis gave them @ musical and literary evening on Saturday, at which all the prominent artists visiting there took part. Among them Master Harry Brandon, the celebrated boy singer of St, Bartholomew church, New York; Miss Carrie Hun King, of the Italian Opera company; Miss Marion Sterns, of Springeld, BMasss the most finished reader of New England, and others from New York, Brooklyn, and your own Mr, Hay. On Tuesday evening they all wero pres- ent at the party given by Mr. and Mrs, Spluney to Miss Carrie Morgan, danghter of ex-Commis- sioner Thomas P. Morgan, which, as a private affair, was the most elegant that has been en- joyed here for many years, Miss Morgan was ‘assisted in her reception by Miss Brisbane, o charming belle of Philadelphia, Mrs. Spinuey, than whom no more beautiful and generous hostess ever lived, sald “‘she gave up everything WINETEESTH ANNIVERSARY—ELECTION oF OFFICERS—REMARKS BY A VETERAN PATRIOT, Ere. The Woodlawn Farmers club held its nine- teenth anniversary at Woodlawn, the home of John Mason, on the 22d of August, D. P. Smith chairman, N. W. Pierson secretary. The committee to prepare au address to the Farmers’ Assembly reported that 8 paper em- bodying some important reforms—notab! that of local sel government, which would rnd sure others to fullow—had been by Courtland Lukens, one ot the delegates from this county, and the latter gave some account Of the action of the assembly, stating that they had an interesting and harmonious meeting; that the address been presented and re- ferred to its appropriate committee, and that the proceedings would be published in some th hom she felt proud to have repre- | agricultural paper, the name of which the re- Sent her” Mise “Morgan wil leave hereon Frt- porterdid not teat Dut copies of which would day to visit her sister, Mrs. Parker, at Carlisle, a. Officers for the ensuing year were then elected. as follows: President, XW. Plerson: sooo tary, W. Gillingham; treasurer, D. P. Sialth. An address followed by the venerable John. Mason, who is in his eighty-seventh year. call- ing attention to his career in life as an evidence of what integrity and determination will ac- complish in’conjunction with an unwav trust and dependence upon the arm of the Ale mighty Father, and how he had always found friends by adhéring to these potent influences, He also feelingly alluded tothe outpouring of sympathy from all parts of the country upon ‘occas ion of the recent death of Gen. Grant and earnestly hoped it would be the means of burying forever all differences that had existed A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY, ‘The anniversary of the sinking of the Talla- poosa, a portion of our navy, was observed on the evening of the 21st by the relation of many incidents connected therewith. It occurred Just off this point, within two miles of the shore, where Captain Merry and several of the officers were landed, and it became the pleas- ant duty of a number of Washingtonians to try on them consolation st the loss of their home, then hidden beneath the waters, The wreck of the City of Columbus but s few months before this tended to give to the island a reputation of being wrecker. ‘The latter Gisaster ‘was upon, “Devit'g Bridge,” Just of So preducnveat merken ene poms Toataaen lowarte ra was te Foun It is an over. 's 18 land trp, & sandy, drivo-ot twenty-one miles | ,f#enty Hunterson, exhibited a new device tn ‘The title of “Gay” was originally applied t6| Sornmay be shocked, Hiv Colne ne Waist this point in honor of Martin Gay, the or i elt hibited a model 4 = discoverer, with Bartholomew Gosnold, of the | Even sity, exhibited Dar vinsee ee Island, and not as some suppose on account of | Jetary ot the Potmene Poot Coes ds the varlogated colors of the clay that compose | tion, George C Gwynn, was procest Geese the strata of the cliff. This rises up to a height | Won. Ge bel = of nearly two hundred feet, being crowned by | Surronndingesumrene, Cee visitors from the a lghthouse, in which | tower is ent | Suoanaing comntcy.. apeaken en Ge the “most pertect |, lghting p- | nounced. that President Lewis, of the State Paratus on the ,, Atlantic coast, | Gn Farmers’ “Assembly, who tn‘ raison ot those hills: ‘the effect le almost prismiatic: 20 Lawrence Lewis, the former proprietor tinted is the picture. | While the ‘clay adda to | Yas prevented ross attending by eee oe the remarkable beauty of the hillside it serves, toa great advantage, as pottery made of it finds its way toall of the country. The tills point is an Indian reser- by anumber of half-breeds, fature, He ‘was prevented from attending by Cireumstances, bene ea rf ti os yt abject iat tT journing upon the sul the attention of the Fatmers’ Assembly, stating land surroundi vation, inhabit that he thought those identified with the who hunt, fish and farm, and in cases of emer- Feucy, "ian tho. lWeboat” tn thelroceupa- | Movement were Paying too much attention to. tions they have made some strides toward clv- abstract ise om, Dut te Snes pape Ot ving ace yet Bie views of Prot, Wate a5 published tn er_ primitive. jobs! ‘@ source Tevenua and into trapsmany an innocent shell | A2,Sfticle in the I po han secretary to on the subject of “Diversified Industries,” clafining that acaiven sity of occupations created a home market for produce, and indeed a much more prosperous condition of the Cg —n—re ee the lation was so largely agrica The Subject reported for dischesion st ihesestmasce ing was “Which is the easier, the more prof- 1e and in which do we take the most pleas- ure, in makin, land land rich,” "tse discuss fish is allured by tempt ‘bait. Through many 7 hhands do they pass pursuits those halt-breeds seem to have no ambition, and as listlessly and lazily as the yoked oxen that bear their do they move abont as if to say— “T’m monarch of all Isurvey ‘My right there is none to dispute.” 4 FEMALE HERMIT, Ominous Prophecies Concerning 1866. From the London Globe. Somebody has unearthed an old prophecy for the year 1886 of adecidely uncomfortable nature. It appearsthat in the church of Ober- emmel, near the city of Treveri, in Germany, there is astone tablet some centuries old, on “Tisbury,” dwells a female hermit, who has be- come a noted and recognized and every visitor feels that something is nogiéotod to make a sojourn complete if he fails to pay re- spects to Nancy Luce, one of the many of that name, who make the native part of the popula- tion of the island. Nanoy is either soft-brained, tation ‘pou which to reap lucrative returns, jon upon Wi There's such @ “method in her 7” ‘When bring us Easter and hint at Ing Pee A a hermit. ee gn ed sing at Pen! age, Brom, childhood it ts said she has beon | Gne Jonn swing the conser at the ‘east ot Pecullar, selecting as constant and only com- ns whole earth re- ions” sh hor early Iite a pet goat and & sound with weopings and wailings. orse, the riding of wh! ther as | Now, tt so that nex en an equestrienne. When but a women | St ant ae ‘day, Pentecost on that of she became a recluse, cutting ‘of ‘all “relations it. Anthony of Padus, and the Corpus Domi- causes “have been | 21 comes on St. John the Baptist’s day, June duct, It is anid ene | 24, Here, then, are the drat conditions ‘of the ‘whoeg name was ‘80 that now believers in ‘end left for a long ana an: Persons gen- jancy adieu. Never ‘shots at Biguvors, R “Arethusa,” the is more than forty- None was all numerous hens an her brain, and blished'in a. small Dames of her pets with this queer being. ie bon an they are J h the off lpm ongert ‘pnebes Pee- | newsmen. A very iow and vileclass of publica- “Gedens-room- tions has come out like « mushroom growth in Amitation of the journalistis literature, of which "oz | 100 much has been heard, end which was sup i i iH | i Hi aH i : SMITHS FROM FAR AND NEAR. Seence at Their Great Annual Gathering | St Peapack. Correspondence of Tare BVEXINe STAR Prarack, N. J., August 26.—This «pot te neither a city, a town, nor a village. It is only ‘a spot composed of two houses, a blacksmith’s shop, a creek, ® borse clipping machine, and « church, and it is connected with the outside world merely by @ narrow road running along the side of Mine Mountain, much like a hoop around a beer keg. Peapack is the Indian name for Smith, and Young-Man-Get-Up-to-Goon- the -Warpath - and -Come - Rack -and-Sit-Down- Again, the present chieftain of the Pie Eaters, who inhabit this part of the state, is his lineal descendant, Some enlightenment concerning is absolutely when one writes of the place, because iy outside of radius of teu milos about it bus ever beard ‘of it, On the map of New Jersey it ina black spot right in the middie of the state, wi seven or eight lines of railroad reaching for It, and none of them getting within twelve miles of it. ite of its natural disadvantages, Pea- pack to-day # spot of unusual interest, here was held the annual reunion and pic: nic of the great family of Smith, upon the farm of the oldest Smith in New Jersey—Peter Z. ‘Smith—es bas been done on the last_Wednes- day In August every year since 1876, when Peier Z. was @ comparative! ‘emit only 86 Fears of age. "AML the Smiths in thes viein! ity, and there are something like 1,000 of them, have been looking forward to ‘this day since the Smith family picnic inst year, The men, have been arranging things so that they could leave their tarms {in charge of the hired man and the dog for the occasion, and the women have been busy making biscuit and cake for the deleciation of the Smith palate, and many a plump spring chicken eack le Inst yesterday y, su ing that the stomachs of the mude iad today, All the spring wagons, carga’ ‘gies and carriages belonging to the Sinith families of the vicivity were. oiled and greased last ulgh did any work to-day on preee § or the Fou: It rai during the night the beautiful grove upon Peter Z. Smith's farm was «trifle Wet this morning, but notwithstanding this fact the Smiths began to arrive soon after day- light, and all the rest of the morning the road that wound around the beer keg of « mountain Jas the scene of long and variegated sion of horses, wagons, und Smiths, Smith started to go back barrel hoop e 8 e entire procession, and the ot Smitin? horses had to giimb ap the perpendiow: lar side of the mountain to get around Just as one croton bug meeting @ del croton bugs moving around a beer keg to see If it was round would make it necessary for the delegation to climb up the keg. The Smiths who thus arrived were of all ages, sizes, condi- tions, and degrees, There were tall ‘Smiths 5 there were male Smiths and female Smiths, and handsome Smiths and ugiySmiths, There were so ered tind young Smit of the feminine gender that the young Smiths of the masculine — oa dazed, pag #0 many stout an young * masculine a thatthe Pan A ys ‘Smiths of the feminine uder admired. f these pretty Smiths of the tender vex there were every variety—shy abd coquettixh, sweet and demure, insipid and piquart. ‘There were Smiths dressed in white and Smiths dressed in ink and Smiths dressed in blue and likewise Einiths dressed in every othercolor, and it was e hopeless task to decide which color was the more charming. The exhibit of young Smiths was something ‘Startling. There were boy Smiths of all the ages from the Smith in his first short clothes to the Smith who was just big enough to be = at work hanging swings and arranging tab] while the Smiths were ving them- selves; and the little girl Smiths ranged up from Smiths in pinafores to Smiths who wore Dangs and giggled when, Smiths of a similar age dared to smi ly upon them, The baby Smiths were all ere, almost as kinds of babies as there were kinds of Sei cross babies and sweet babies, clean babies dirty bables, discontented babies and bh teething babies and well babies, bables bab! who looked upon life carelessly and bab! were earnest, babies who wept for a bottle and bables who could eat green apples, all of them. bound to do credit tothe name of Smith. The other extreme in age of the Smith family was bountifully _ represented, many white-haired Smiths and smiths with gold-bowed xpectacies were there, some 80 feeble that children and grandchildren supported them to seats, and some as robust, strong, hearty as the young ‘Smiths themselves, By noon the Smiths fairly swarmed all over the vicinity. Joshua Smith tended the lemon- ade stand; William Smith had charge of the Smith record, where all new Smiths registered @ their names; Abraham Smith had general charge of the grounds; Isaac Smith led the Mill- burn brass band to mighty efforts; Mra, An- drew Smith presided at the dinner table; litde Smiths were swinging and playing games; me- dium-sined Smiths were concerding, Gevilury; without springing Sinttps, of oppose without sprin, mn ° sexes Spooning under. the treeat. The aftr of Smith Rorses and wagons was infinite. ‘They lined the street on both sides of the road for a quarter of a mile; they were tethered to all th available fences, were tied to trees in the woods and turned loose into pastures. Smiths came in ail Dashing young Smiths harnewed to red spring best girs beside. thems dows; smart young village Smiths whirled up in smart and Smiths came in every- STDS dinner that aif the Mr ithe, prepared inner irs, was fallen upon at 1 o'clock, and ith appetite is 80 vi that it'would have ne- cessitated er miracle to ‘up evel ne, basketful of traginenta. fie iter! Wadi Smith, of Chester, returned thanks in brief prayer, and then all the Smiths hymn beginning ‘There happy land ‘Were sunithe in glory stand, ‘Bright. bright as day. ‘The address was delivered by Dr. Isaac Quinby Smith, of Jersey City. Over 150 years ago; be said, Joho Henty Smith and ith, his ‘wife, settied in Hunterdon county, N. J. and from them all the assembled Smlitis were descended. They had 17 children, and before either of the original Smiths died their grand- children numbered 67, All of the original 17 children lived to good oid ares, one dying at the ‘age of 104, and none younger than riah Smith, the youngest son of John Henry ‘Smith, settled on the spot where the picnic was being held. Mr. Quinby Smith exhorted all his Listeners to cherish the proud name they bore. Jon Smith, he suld,was the mostexalted name connected with the English language. Who Jed the fight at the battle of Bunker Hill? John Smith. Who alone and unaided signed the Declaration of Independence? John Smith. ‘Who was first in war, first in end first in the hearts of his countrymen? Jobn Smith. Who discovered America? Joho Smith, Who struck Billy Patterson? John Smith, Who dies but never surrenders? John Smith. Before Mr. Smith concluded bis address @ sudden shower Up, and in an instant the Smiths were in wild commotion. ‘They ran for Peter Z. Smith's house and filled it up. hen they fled to the barn until it would hold no jore. ‘Some of them bolted under the wagons id carriages, and the young Smiths who were spooning in the woods got very wet. Neverthe- Jess, they all went into the grounds again and remained untl almost dark, when the long pro- cession drove homeward under the arch of @ Joyous rainbow. COLONIAL BEAM. The Rapid Growth of » Summer Resort Correspondence of Tux Evxxrxe Stan. COLONIAL Brac, WESTMORELAKD Co., VA., August 26. Judging of ail life by the power of growth dis- played, no one can doubt for an instant that Colonial Beach is thoroughly alive. Three years ‘ago even the name was hardly known in Wash- ington, except by the river boatmen. At that managed by Mr. H. J, Kinte, who, after re verving about 100 acres, sold the remainder to ® party of Washington gentlemen, forming the Colonial Beach Improvement company. Its new owners having set fe por 50 feet apart quite « Jote hevie Pas the rest into ving = \d.a depth of 100. Witbin the last two Sbout twenty We been erected many lot owners; by far the handsomest i ure i Hh | 1 f.I ui | i # peer i rE 825: ii i i a, Sf oresreae ees large | F pi