Evening Star Newspaper, August 7, 1886, Page 2

THE NEW PENSION BUILDING. A _Correspo: ¢ Suggests Slight Changes that Might Improve It. ‘To the Editor of the Tax Evewtne STAR: The public verdict seems to be that the new Pension office building 1s an architectural fail- ure. In plan, this building may be a practical success, but as to desixn it is certainly a failure, and the verdict of the public is not unjust. The more pretentious a work the more consplcuous its weak points. The design of this building, though poor asa whole, may, with a few com- paratively slight changes be so toned down as Yo make it less objectionable to the eye of taste and not interfere with, or detract from Its prac- teal features. Substantially the building is a holiow square, with a court lighted by aclear- story. ‘The central portion of this clear Story Is at right angles to the length of the building, and is fnished with a huge gable roof, “The rest ot the either side of this immense ished with a more modest roof running length- Wise of the building, and mucb resembies the ridge ventilation of a hospital. Now, ifthe in- mense and conspicuous central cross gable could only be removed, and the whole of the Glearstory made to ‘conform to the more modest proj-ction which flanks it, a great improvement would be effected. It might be thought that this would interfere with the mount of light necessary in the court, but if roperly many at what suflic t light could be obtain be removed for the sake of the building of whieh tt forms a part, but for the sake of the City hall. And herein is a most singular 3 tectural effect. A huze, ungainly feature building bears such a reva bald i irom @ Very cons of view, tormaierially sajure the effect of its. skyline. From Pennsylvania avenue, at the foot of 44 Street, this huge gubie-end towers over the cen- tral portion of the City hail, and in connection with iis severe classic design forms a strange contrast, as though the City hall was sur mounted by » new and inharmouious upper story. In addition to this, if there could be erected over and about the entrances lurge and high porches it would do much to redeem the present barren effuct of the elevations. By these Ghanges, in themselves not very radicul, the Pension’ office building may be greatly’ im- wed, and become iar less of an eyesore than resent. May it be done. x, D. C., July 29, 1886. vA FRIEND. a Tricycle Whe Looks After Maltreated Animals. ‘The Humane society, as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been known since its charter was extended by Con- gress so as to include the protection of children, has moved its headquarters from New York avenue to F street, between 12th and 13th streets, The rooms occupied by the society are above the Woman's Exchange, and a large sign over the door informsthe passers-by where the Humane Society office is located. Agent Key, who wears the badge of a special police- quan and has the full authority of a member of the force to make arrests, had brought bis tri- eyele toa stand at the curb the other day, and was gazing up with considerable satisfaction at the display made by the sign in the new local- ity when a Stak reporter happened to pass along. Stopping to have achat with the pro- lector of dumb brutes THE STAR reporter soon found out that Mr. Key was suffering from a Slight disability incurred in the discharge of iis duty and be was then on his way to apply niment to a foot, which adisabled horse in the excess, perhaps, ot his gratitude to his pre- server bad stepped upon the night before. “I found astreet car horse that was unfit to be ,” observed Mr. Key, “and in leading bim ay from the car when Ihad found him he Stepped on my foot.” “Bother rough oa your foot,” remarked the listener; “but how about the car that was leit ‘Without motive power?” asked the reporter, “I rode on the car,” was the reply, “until we eame toa bili horse, and then a sounder animal Was substituted tor the disabled beast. I always try todo my duty with as little friction as pos- sible, and am not unreasonable.” “How are you treated now?” inquired the Istener. “First rate,” was the prompt response. “I never have apy difficulty. Of course, now and then some one who is not familiar with the laws and the action of our courts is Inclined to resist me, but such cases are very rare. During the three or four years of my connection with the society there hax been @ change pot only in the treatment of animals in this District, but in public sentiment on this subject. I have now assistants all over the eity. The boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, When they witness an act of cruelty tothe dum} creatures, Instead of saying nothing, either | make some protest oy the spot or report the matter to the society. Men who use animais and were formerly cruel in their treatment have now become aware that they have not a Fight to treat dumb beasts, even though they own them, as they see fit.” “Where do most of your cases come from?” ‘Was ibe next inquiry “The railroad companies,” said Mr. Key, “need the most watching. They have a way of putting to work horses that are unfit to be on the road, and they do it at times when it will be least noticed. As a ruie the stock of the railroad companies in this city 1s in a good con— dition and weil cared for, but sometimes, and erally at night, a bad horve is put in a car.” | ‘Do you see those chickens?” suddenly tn- terrupied the re; ailing Mr. Key's atten— Who Was carrying ‘resting on his arm, instead of heads downward, as is usually the case. Mr. Key smiled grimly and said, be caught sight of me. W the law in regard tochickens, and it has had & good etfeet. I have distributed these dodgers | ground the markets and grocery stores,” he | Went on, producing a small hand bill with the following privted in very black letters: “The law protects chickens. ‘Tie no legs; carry no beads down; nor crowd in coops. Humane So ciety. ‘Mr. Key, in further conversation, sald that the dread’ disease of gianders among horses, Which appeared to some extent in this city last Year, had avout disappeared, owing to preeau- Tons whiels those interested had tak Spprehended no further trouble on Bt present. “] suppose hhaveusen entureing | soe “The Almighty Do! To the Editor of Tux EVENING Srau: ‘The debate in the Senate on the Morrison res- olution shows that the currency question is still one of the live issues of the day, and, that like the tariff question, does not divide by party lines. Whether the statement of Senator Teller that the “silver doliar wil to-~day buy more of what aman eats, dricks aud wears than it would twenty years age ‘orrect or not, one thing certain! 1 the standard worth only 74 cents, (iu Wilai?) will buy as niuch of everything, Teal oF persouil, Will liquidate the same amount Of indevtedness, not only in the United States, Dut in any country in us will the gold dollar. That such is th strated by any man or wi nity. That there is not ainodity of apy Kind whatever w cannot be bought as cheapiy with silver us with gold, as cheaply with silver certificates fs with gold certiicates, and as cheaply with jonal babk notes as with Either gold or sliver coin, is kuown to every- body who buysand sells. Lia native or a fore 1gher Wants to place funds in Lo: Berlin, tor any amount whatever, it does not luake'a penny dillerence to bum which of the awiorementioned cuin or paper representatives of coin he bas with which to purchase his bill any di of exchange. Nor ts tu making contracts money, however loug the time such contracts ure to Tun, In making leases, executing decds Of trust, of providing tor iucure payments on aby account, the must conservative Lrust cou pany, bunk, or individual, does not pretend to Giseriminaie against siiver, or requiring pay- Ments w be mace in gold; and yet it is as cet tain as auything in the future that ‘In our cur- Feney sysiem, siiver is to 1ully hold its present Telailve position with gold. Who, thea Jured? who deiraudea by the issue ‘ard silver doliat? No one; cieariy no one. But certaluly somebody 's to be benefitied, if sliver cau be discriminated against, discredited and depreciated as a currency, relatively with old, or we Would wot Witucss the persistent effort which is constantly being made by a certain class to bring about Usat result. Outalde the U.S. Treasury the gold of the country Is in ‘the hands of the bank» and bankers. They ure the custodians of the bulk of tue government bonds, and collect most of tie luterest of bunds held Uy private individuals. They collect 1p gold, which is held, wasie the silver received On deposi aud ia current vusiness ts paid out ever the couuter. If the alilerence of 25 per gent, whieh it is claimed exisis, intrusieally Detween gold aud silver, could be established Letween the currency Value of the two coins; im other words, If the value of gold as currency quuld be appreciated 25 per cent, it ts not dik Hieult to see Who would profit by the deal. L. ‘ee & German Remedy for Caterpiliars. Wo the Kaiior of Tux EVENING Stan: It may be late to make trials with the follow: Ang mixture for cleansing trees o1 caterpiliars— the remedy may bave been tried here—but it Will be well to let your readers kuow in what, According wo the Prussian Garden Zeitung, the Femedy cousisis. A solution of By to 402. of alum in boiling water, thinned by'an addition Sf cold water 6 5% gulions, should be employed for spraying with « cominou garden puinp. Alter twice appiying the liquid the eaterpiliars Will Vauisu. But wien they come alive wo the Ground do not let the caterpiilars escape. F.P. ‘The Girt of the Period. be wae a mins of summers ten ‘Aiud did not care a sap for us ‘Bat ouiy loved ber poudies” And when she got into ber ‘teens he did uv care ior men of means, ‘But loved asickly noodle, ‘She's thirty 2ow and has more sense, Aud kouws what mousy Ls, aud heace Hier iove must have the “ouodle.” Sead The girl who never screams when she sees @snake isn't sale virl to marry. With ber calm, cool, collected, unexcitable disposition she Would’ hit where she aimed with tue roll- ing pin every tume.—Crristian ut Work. there ‘would be no trouble | ‘This great cenirai cros+gable should not only | | read | tence, and gives vent to its teelin; | amused at the anxiety of the nu: THE LEGLESS AND ARMLESS HEROES OF THE WAR—EFFECT OF THE NEW PENSION Law— THE HIGHEST PENSIONS AND WHO DRAW THEM, The bill which was passed by Congress grant- ing an increase of pensions to a certain class of Pensioners effects quite a large number of the Veterans of the late war, The bill was popu- larly known as the $45 bill, trom the fact that this was the highest increase granted, and was given to those who had lost an arm at the Shoulder joint or a leg at the hip Joint, Form- erly the pension paid for a disability of this character was $37.50 per month and the new bill provides an increase of $7.50 per month. A statement pre] at the Pension oftice, by direction of the chief of;the certificate di: vision, Mr. J. E. Smith, shows that there are only 453 pensioners of this class on the roll who Will become the beneficiaries of this increased pension. The small number as compared with the number of pensioners In the other classes judicate, 1t 1s suid, how iew survive the ampu- tation ofan entire limb. It may be inferred aiso from these figures that there is greater danger attendant upon the entire amputation otaleg than that of au arm, for there are on the roils only ten pensioners who have lost a leg at the hip joint, while those who have lost an arm at the shoulder Joint number 443. ‘The other classes benefited by this bili are those Who have lost a leg or an arm elther above or below the elbow or knee, and who bave been receiving a pension of $24 or $30 per month. In both cases the increase 1696 per month. From the statement above referred to it is learned that there are 3,105 pensioners ho have jost an arm above’ the elbow, and G41 who have lost a leg above the knee. Such | Pensioners are to receive a pension of per inonth, an increase of 36. ‘There are also 839 | pensioners wuo have lost an arm below the eivow, and 1,185 pensioners who have lost a leg below the knee, ‘These pensioners are to receive $30 per month, an increase of $6. ‘The bill further provides “that nothing contained in this aet stall be construed to repeal section 4699 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, or to change the rate of $18 per month therely mentioned to be propertionutely Givided for any degree of disability established, for Which section 4695 makes no provision.” THE LIST OF PENSIONS now paid show that in the higher grades the number of pensioners are comparatively few. For instance, for what is termed total disabil- ity, such us the loss of both arms, both legs, both hands, both feet, the sight of both eyes and insanity, the highest pension is pald, nameiy, $72 per month, The number of pen- sioners {n Liese classes are as follows: Lost both both legs, 22; both hands, 7; both both eyes, 851; insanity, 190. "There are only two persons who receive a higher pen- sion than $72 per month, oue of whom recelves $75 per month and the dther $100, the latter being Gen. Black, commissioner of pensions, who received this pension by a special act of Congress. Of the 250,000 and more pensioners now on the rolls, the largest number, 60,268, receive $4 per month; the next highest number, 44,775, receive 98 per month. Then there aré 34,639" pensioners who receive $6 per month, 26,154 who receive $2 per month, 15,480 who Wuo receive $12 per month, 15,020 who receive $24 per_month, 9,297 wlio receive $10 per uonth, 7,927 Who receive $30 per month, 4,485 who receive $16 per month and 3,413 Wuo receive $14 per month. ‘The gradesof pen- sioners run srom $1 per month to $100, and the above are the classes which contain the great- est number of pensioners. In addition there are 884 who receive 35U per month, and there is one at $48, one at $47, seven at $45, one at $40.25, one ‘at $42, iourteen at $40, one at $38.50, one at $38.25, sixty-four at $37.50 and thirty-six at $38. TING IN°THE PARK. Evening Scenes Under the Shade of the ‘Trees, THE NURSES AND THE BABES—FOLKS WHO FREQUENT THE PARKS—THE CHANGE THAT OCCURS AT DEWFALL—THE LOVERS AND HOW ‘THEY ACT. The Washington parks are a great summer Tesort. On Warm evenings they are allcrowded, and itis interesting to watch the people as- sembled there. Lafayette and Franklin parks are particularly popular. Franklin is probe- bly the most popular in the city. There is a Prevalent idea that parks are given up to chil- Gren in the day time and to tramps at night. It is doubtful that one of these latter gentry is ever seen in Franklin square. In the evening early is the best time to gothere. Just about the time the sup is going down the most peo- pleare there. As long as it is light enough to entlemen sit with THE STAR and their after-dinner cigar, while nurses and baby car- Tiages abound. Some times the nurse has a | beau, as pretty nurse girls are apt to have. In this case she is very fond of the baby—and so is thé beau. They both pet the baby, giving to it the caresses it would not do to bestow on each other in such @ public place by daylight. But they both understand. and when the beau wants to kiss the baby the pret- ty nurse-girl blushes, as If the kisses had really reached the lips they were iutended for. Some of the babies that live in the parks at this hour are very sociabie,making friends with auybody who will notice them. Then there's the baby that fully appreciates the terrible wrong in- flicted upon it when it was brought into exis- in loud Screams that may not be mollified. Then there's the litive toddler that has a tendency toward the fountain. It breaks away from its nurse at every chance and makes ior the sparkling, splashing water. He is always very much and laughs heartily to see her coming after him on the clip, cross lots, By the time he bas made twen- ty-five beeaks for the fountain the dew bas be- gun to fall and the babies have to retire. With them goes the old maid with the sharp nose and close set jaw, who has been sitting near the fountain kuitting ia many colored worsteds, ‘Sne Wraps a worsted shaw! about her shoulders: and departs. Under @ lilac bush an eiderly Towantic person has been reading a love story out loud to herself. She, too, shrinks be- fore the gathering shadows, On a seat in a shady path are two little maidens just from school, all dressed in white with pink ribbons. They sit very quietly and talk little nonsense in an undertone until @ good looking teilow goes by. Then they giggle and strike each other with their fans, and say, “Ob, you silly thing,” very loud. If dsome Young man looks around, they are as demure as kittens at cow time. They don’t leave as soon as the sun goes down. Nor | does the young man with a high collar, who sits sucking the silver head of bis cane and casting “outrageous sheep's eyes” from under a bat that coversa calf's head. ‘The coupies begin to drop in at sundown and seek seciuded seats in the shade. Soon every de- sirable seat Is taken, and the less fortunate lov- ers who come late Wander about with no place to rest. It is curious to watch their growing dis- appointment us they go from oue well-known: Seat to another, finding them all taken up by Squatters, It is’ then the young man begins to talk wbout the repeal of the pre-emption law, aud the hed oe says, “Ain't it horrid!”, The other evening Tis STAR man noticed a couple strolling slowly along the gravel walks, At @ certain point where there was a. sha turn and the shadow of a spreading lilac bush lay across tie narrow path, tcy stopped with @ little exclamation of disappointment and rapidly waiked away. Another couple came slowly along, their Lands close together and their voices low. At the same point they stopped and turned back, Another and anotuer couple came and went in the same way with Various expressions of disappuint- ment, Presentiy THE STAR man went over to see what was in the bush, It was the cosiest seat in the park, just in the middie of # big shadow, and on’ tt was a big, bad colored many smoking. itis only as a last resort that young couples Will sit in the circle around ‘the fountain. The seats are too ciose together. It is re: served for old men and married cOupies, and oceasionally a muci worn out young man, who looks very ‘tired and sits with his arms’ over the back of the seat, Another is the red-faced, iat ola man, who carries a big yellow hand kerebiet and a palm-leaf fan, Walking all about through the paths are people who can’t find seats anywhere, but are waiting for a va- caney. Hut everybody ts well behaved, and It 1s a wrong impression {f any one thinks there is anything improper in sitting in the park. ———e-__S "= A Sacred Melody. Ifyon bright stars that gem the night Be each 's bisstul dwelilug sphere, ‘Where kindred spirits re-auite Whom death bas torn asunder ‘How sweet it were at once to die, Aud leave this blighted orb aiar— MMIX soul with soul, w cleave the sky, ‘Abd soar away ffom star to star. But oh how dark, how drear, how low, re aiid set he brightest word of Bilas, Waudering turouch each radiant 2000, We failed to tlad the loved of unis! Af there no more the ties should twine Which death's coid band alone oan sever, ALI then these stars ia mockery shine, ‘More hatetul, as they shiue forever. Itcannot be. Each hope and fear ‘That lights the eye or clouds thee brow, Pruclaime (here {sampler sphere, ‘Phau this bieak world that Holds us now. Theresa voice whieh wartuw hears n heaviest Welgis lite’s calling chain, "Tis Heaven that whispers—"ary thy tearss ‘The pure in hear: shail live asain —Witttas Leoaxrr, 200 The Sphinx Uncovered. Paris Dispatch to the London Standard. ‘M. Maspero, who from family circumstances bas found it necessary to relinquish the super- tendence of the important archwological exca- Yations now in progress in Egypt, has just diven at the Academy ot Inscripvions am ior: Fegard to the great Sphinx, M- Muspero staid D: FO that the works of tins yecr had lowered. the suriace of the ground surrounding the monu- ment by 16 meters. Little more had now to be done before lt could be ascertained wnethbr the rested on x pedest rrown shee of the Sphinx, now that itis 99 iardis M. Muspero’ is inclined to reject opinion that it was carved on u hugh rock manding the plain, He considers that th {eau Was hollowed out into un immense busib, the center of which the rock intended wo sculptured into the Sphinx was left Among the numerous excavations Muspero mentioned an untouched ee, the (WentietD dynasty, even the priests’ seals 00 the doors remaining us When pluced there, be IN CASE OF WAR. ‘The Fighting Power of Mexico and the United States. 4 TALK WITH AN ARMY OFFICER—WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF WAR BECAME NECES- SARY—A CHANCE OF MEXICO'S RECEIVING HELP FROM ABROAD—TEN THOUSAND REGU- LAB TROOPS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE, “How long would it take us to whip Mexico?” Fepeated.a well informed army officer when questioned by aSrax reporter. “Well, that’s a Pretty difficult question to answer,” he con- tinued, as he settled back in his easy chair and looked knowingly at the news-hunter. “Have you any idea what might be the result of a war with Mexico? I wouldn’t undertake to pre- dict the outcome myself, but it might mean au entire change in the map of the United States, and even in the map of Europe. The Cutting case and the Arressures case, small things in themselves, might bring on 8 war which would last for years and be fraught with the most unexpected results. Yes, I think we could whip Mexico readily enough when we Were once well started, but somebody else might take @ hand in the fight besides Mexico. Germany would like very well indeed to get a 600d foot hold in this part of the world." Bis- Marck undoubtedly has his eye open for the failure of the Panama canal and the success ot the Nicaragua canal,and in such an event he doesn’t want to be too far away. He wouldn't care to lay violent hands on Cuba or on any of the Britisin ions, but it is doubtful in my mind If he wouldn't jump ut the chance tosecure his object by lending # helping hand to Mexico in the event of a war with as. I don’t predict it, but Tam only telling you what’son the cards. If Germany should make such a move, France, Who has recently declared herselt to be in fight- ing trim, might think it about time to attempt to regain Alsace and Lorraine, Then other Powers might step in. England would prob- ‘ably be neutral, but she sa good one to fur- Bish ships, as we know from experience, and she holds most of the Mexican bonds. Mexico has no navy to speak of She is worse off than Weare in that respect, but the loan of a couple GERMAN IRON-CLADS might play the mischief on our coast. These vessels might be equipped andeven manned by others than Mexicans. A right to hoist the Mexican colors, with Mexican officers noml- nally in command for show, and the iron-clads would be ready for service. The defenseless condition ofour sea coast has not been ex- aggerated. We would be at the mercy of such anattack. An fron-clad vessel could approach New York or any other seaport and levy tribute or blow it to pieces. Our best guns can only penetrate ten inches, and we have no proper carriages to enable them to do that. An eleven- inch armored vessel could bombara any of our cities on the coast and we couldn't help it, The ‘only thing we could do would be to sink vessels in the channels and endeavor to prevent the approach of the enemy. That would only bea temporary check. In'these days of dynamite the obstrictions could be blown up before our eyes, and we wouldn’t have the means to pre- vent its being done. We are in a fine condition, truly, to resist an invasion! Had Congress di- rected the President to demand the release of Prisoner Cutting, it would have gone home without doing anything to enable ts to with- stand the consequences of enforcing this de- mand. The House retused to appropriate even $600,000 for seacoast defenses, when the for- THE STRUGGLE FOR PLACE, The Difficulty of Keeping o Man Oat of Ofice. THE EXPERIENCE OF A DEPARTMENT OFFI- CIAL—WHY EFFICIENT CLERKS ARE DIS- ‘CHARGED—REPUBLICAN CLERKS SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN, A few yoars ago the government officials were considerably harrassed by the importun!- ties and persistency of people who wanted pub- lic offices. There are still a few left who have not yet had this particular ambition gratified, and who are no less assiduous in bringing the fact to the attention of those in power, but the officials seem now to regard this incident of their official life as @ minor annoyance com- Pared with the obstacles which they find m getting people out of office, “Why don’t you remove the poor clerks if you want to make removals,” asked 9 visitor who had called atone of the departments to Protest against the removal of an efficient clerk. “The are the very clerks that we can’t touch.” was the rather imitated reply. “The Jess efficient a clerk is the more influence he or she scemsto have. The minute we try to rid of @ clerk whose office record is bad or in- different, my office swarms with an army of pro- testing Congressmen. It seems to make no difference that the person removed is a republi- can and was appointed by republican influence, the number of democratic Congressmen who ted on the side of the clerk issimply overwhelming. The more wértbless the clerk, the greater is the array of influence. Soyou se Wo re reproached for not, making changes b the members of the democratic party, ai when we attempt to make changes then the members of the democratic pee, Protest, and with great vigor, too. With one breath the democratic party’ cries ‘go on, and with the nex breath they shout ‘halt.’ To describe such a situation as a quandary isa very mild form of expression. “What is the result?” continued the official, in tones of genuine disgust. “We are compelled to search out employes who have no influence, and, as arule, it is the efficient clerk, who has paid strict attention to the duties of the place, and who has not taken the time to hunt up influence, that must of necessity be selected tor decapitation. The dne relies on a official record, and the other on influence, and it is the Jatter that counts every time when the question of removals is under consideration.” Apropos of removals and the eagerness dis- piayed by the dominant party to enjoy what 1s regarded as the fruits of victory, a STAR re- porter was told the other day a good story illus- trating this characteristic. A democrat was talking with an official who had thesupervision ota large number of offices, and he rather inti- mated that the changes were not being made with sufficient rapidity, “lam making appointments as fast as I can sign my name,” p.otested the official, “Why don’t you get one of those stampa with your name cut in and you could get @ clerk to use it,” quickly rejoined the visitor, as he smiled. pleasantly upon the astonished official. It is one thing to put people out of office and Another thing to keep them out, a8 a great many find out. One of the recently appointed officials told a STAR man that the next dai aiterhe had made some forty dismissals, halt Of the persons dismissed came to see him’ with their influence to try to get reinstated, and the remainder came the following day and then tor, some time afterwards a large per centage made daily calls either ix person or by friends, a — BOOKS OF THE WEEK. Ufications board reported that over $21,000,000 should be expended the first year” HOW OUR COAST IS GUARDED. “Just look @ minute at this map,” continued the officer, pointing to a map of the United States. “From Fortress Monroe, along the coasts of North and South Curolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, two com- panies of artillery are the only protection that is afforded, while from Fortress Monroe to the Mexican frontier, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, there are stationed four companies of artillery, one of infantry and two of cavalry. There isa tort at Key West, but there are io troops to garrison it, On the Pacitie side there is but one company of infantry to guard the coast from Mexico to San Francisco. “At the close of the Mexican war we ranked the world in light artillery, swod well in heavy artiliery,and bad a navy equal to that of any otber nation of uur relative saan ‘To-day we are simply experimenting with heavy ar- lillery, and our navy is ranked by all countries, excepta tew little ones in South America, Mex: ico is stronger now than she was at the close of that war, but I have no idea that she could withstand the United States without assistance, but she would fight betier than is generally supposed.” THE MEXICAN NAVY. ‘The reporter here produced the following list of vessels belonging ‘to the Mexican navy, which he had obtained from the bureau of naval intelligence: Two iron gun-boats, the Mexico and the Democratica, each of 450 tons, two twenty po six officers and eighty men, eleven knots speed and 6U0 horse power; two 300 ton vessels, the Libertad and the Indepen- dencia, each armed with two twenty pounders and manned by six officers and eighty men, and one other small gun-boat, the name of which is unknown, “Yes that constitutes the Mexican navy,” said the army otfticer looking over the list. “One of those vesseis was lying at San Fran- cisco ior several years. Sue was out of repair, but the Mexican credit was so bad that nu oué wouid do any work on her. She was originally the yacht of an Huglish gentleman. ‘The Qwner brought her over and sold her to the Mexican government, and she was changed mtoagunboat. We would have no difficuity with Mexico at sea as she is now, but I'm afraid there would be some ironclads secured from some place.” THE SOLDIERS OF MEXICO. “How about the strength of Mexico on land?” asked THf Srar reporter. “I don’t know detinitely; but I have seen it Stated that Mexico’s army consists of 22,500 men Of all arms, just about the size of our army. Some of’ the soldiers are very. fine, while others are the worst leversaw. In the western part of Mexico there are some admira- bly drilled aud equipped soldiers, but in the region of Chihuahua the troops are composed. of the scuin of tue earth, They are mostly convicts, who are given the choice of working in the prisuns or joining the army. These troops are marched 1u Open column, With the officers in the center 0 that they can watch the soldiers on either side and check any al- tempt at desertion, which they know from ex- perience will be ‘made it the slightest oppor- tunity is afforded. Mexico has really « tine of men in what is known as the Rural guard, about 5,000 strong, forming a very good nucleus for an army.” OUR AVAILABLE TROOPS. “What troops would we have available in the event of war,” asked THE STAR, “Of course the war would probably be car- ried on mainly by state militia, and perhaps, if it assumed serious proportions, by volunteers, but i don’t believe it would be possible ut the start to oppose the enemy with more than iep thousand regular troops. This force wouid have to prevent the Mexicans from. invading our country until the state militia could be regularly sworn in for government service and ordered to the front by the President. You know the militia organizations cannot be called into service outside their respective states until after a formal declaration of war.” “What regular troops could be sent to the Mexican border?” asked the reporter. About half of the army ts regularly em- ployed on the frontier as ayuard to the In: diaps, and it would be manifestly inadvisable to withdraw these troops, tor the Indians would: overrun the country. Of course a company could be withdrawn here and there, leaving a st jent garrison at the posts, but most of the troops would come trom Kansas and Nebraska. ‘The entire a garrisons at Fort Omaha, Fort Leav- enworth, Fort Hayes and Fort’ Riley could be sent to the front without ys danger, and the Atchison, Topeka aud Santa Fe railroad, being Very accessible, they could. be shipped direct to the border in forty-elght hours. These troops, logether with companies picked up here and there, where they could be s; would, I think, number about TEN THOUSAND MEN. Still the number would not be so large if all the companies were like one I saw start out from Fort Leavenworth to put down a threatened outbreak of the Indians. It consisted of just nineteen men, with a laine lleutenant In com- mand. Most of these I reier to would show up @ little better than that though. A war be- tween the United States and Mexico alone would probably be over in a comparatively short time, for Mexico is no match for us. Sue couldn't raise wen an army as we could, and she has no credit. As I said, though, there is the danger of assistance being rendered to Mexico, and then there is no telling where the trouble’would end.” ———+e+-_____ Washingtonians at Rock Enon. Correspondence of Toe EvENINe STAR. Rock ENon Springs, Va., August 4. Saturday morning last a party of twenty-two started from Washington for this place via the B.and 0.R.R. to Winchester and thence by stage to the springs, Mine host Pratt, who was one of the passengers, used every effort tomake the trip pleasant. This place keeps up its repu- tation as @ summer resort of the country. The ride trom Wasuington up the valley of the Po- tomac to Harper's Ferry, und thence up the Suenandoah to Winchesier, is made in hours, and the stage ride on the pike 18 one ot the most agreeable ‘eatures of the trip, the con- Veyance crossing the beautiful mountain stream no less thirteen times in five miles, Rock Enon to be a; must be seen, and we therefore advise our friends and Others to cease their etforts to endure the heat id daughtel . Lawrence (organist of Si, Matthew's) aud ae &. re and and sister, Mr. ‘office; Mrs, Jubn Joy Edson, ‘son and Unughter, Bir. and Mise Cate, Mrs. Seymour W. ‘Tulloch and Mrs, Rudolph - Heaton, son and ddughtor, "Mrs. CB. Batley, Dr-d.3: Johneon and family, Birs. Hon, G. 0. Symines, of Colorado, and idmily; Mra. John bie and daughter, Miss Bates, Mrs. John, ‘Trnmple ant ig! te, 2 THE GOLDEN TREASURY of ‘The Best Songs and Lyrical Poems the English Language. Solected aud Arranged, with Notes, by FRANCIS TURNER PaLGnave, Professor of Poetry in the University Of Oxford, ‘&e.,&c, New York: Macmillan & UO. Washington: Wim. Ballantyne & Son, WAR AND PEACE. A Historical Novel. By Count LEON ToLstor. ‘Translated into French by a Kus- sian Lady, and from the French by CLaRA BELL. dn Two Volumes. New York: Wm, 8, Goutsber- ger. Washington: Wm. H. Morrison. PEPITA XIMINEZ From the Spanish of JUAN VALERA, (L.te Spanish Minister at Washington, ] with an Litroduction by the Author, written spe cially for this edition, New York: D. Appleton & bo, Washingtou: Robert Beall. PLUTARCH’S LIVES: Alcibiades, Coriolanus, Aris- tides, aid Cato the Censor. ‘Translated by J:& W. faxduto se [Cassell National Library.) New York: Cassell & Co, Washington: W.-H. Mor ison. REPORT of the Sixth Annnal Meeting of the London. society lor the Abolition of Compulsory Vaceina- ion. April 14, 1880. Londou: 5. W. Allen, 4 Ave aria Lane. STUDIES IN MODERN SOCIALISM AND LABOR PROBLEMS By T, EDWIx BuowN, D.D. New York: b. Appleton’& Co, Washington: Robert eal ESSAYS. By Anranam CowLEy. tioual Library.] New York: Cassel ington: Brentano Brothers. A POLITICIAN’S DAUGHTER. By Myna SawyER ‘HaMuin, New York: D. Appleton & Co, Washe ington: Hobert Beall, cee —____ ‘Transfers of Real Estate. Deeds in fee have been filed as follow: George F, Graham to J. W. McMahon, pt, sub 105, D. &'L.’s sub. part ML Pleasant; $800, C. Brown tw Elizabeth L. Richards, suo lot 94 and pt. 65, C. Brown’s sub do.; $—._W. C. Hill to James A. Bates, in trust, sub lows 2 to 11, bik, 44, University Park; 334,500, Georye Bogus to’ Adelaide “A, Alexander, pt. 15, 8q. 870; 37,500. Julla J. Caverly 16 James Simpson, 220 wad 131, C. Brown’s sub part Mt 2.000, “C. C. Duncanson to Henry lot 78, H.'s addition to West Washing- $170. J.T. Arms to F. L. Cardozo, sud lots 62 and 63. sq. 206; $8,000, “A.C. Baker to Biasiand, lot 10, block 26, Columbia Heights; 91,882.81. J.8. Edwards et al tees, Lo Timoiny O'Connell, sub lot N, sq. 5,000. J. D. MePuerson ét al, to Jotin 24, A: derson, lots 560, 561, 562 and 363, Uniontown; $-. J! H. Anderson to Julia Entwisle, lot 560, do.; $50, "Same w H. W. Eno, lot 661, doz $300, E,W. Learch to Turner Torrey, sub lot 41, sq. 872; $2,900. L. E. F. Spotturd to L. Cavanaugh, part 9, 8q. 868; $2,088.06, E. Cos tell to Ella A. Maroin, sub ‘lot 6, sq. 1088; $1,270.90. 0. #. Presbrey to Woodvury Blair, Jol 87, Washington Heights; $4,000. 5, Howl- son to'F. Dietz, lot 7, sq. 662; $300, John Milk ler to Ida U, Marshall, ull uq.'713; $34,000. Ian U, Marshall to B.F.'Leighton etal. in trust, same property; $34,000. J. B. Wimer to E. Rhodes, lous 40 to 2p, eno; $180. J. W. Pare ker to Caroline Wiiliafas, part 4, sq. 24; $845, Caroline Williams to Ida E. Kidwell, part de 3900. C. Walter wo J. ‘t. Petty, sub 18, sq. 57 [Cassell’s Na- '& Co. Wash- tras. . Annie Ray to James Gowans, part sq. 28; $—. E. Greer two ‘t. Heilman, east hui 5, ‘sq. 166; $5,000, Same to H. Schulze, west hali do.; $5,000, J.S. Edwards etal. to Mary E. Garuen, sub lot 36, 8q. 877; $2,815, Same w S. D, Newcomb et ul., lots 37 and 38, do.; $2,930. “Kt. F, Lee vo Mary &. O'Connell, sub 46, sq. 478; $—. G. H. Plant, trust w National Savings bank, lots 71,72, 81 to 85, 58, 59, 5044, G2, 56 and 67, 8. P. B's sub Pleas wnt Plains; 38,693.76, Nutional Savings bunk to Fannie ‘A. Moore, nor’t part 8b, do.; $—; and lots 68 to 72 and 81 to "84," dot 88,900. C. Herr to G. W. Cissel, property on Bist street, West Washington; ¥10,000, George Watt to Alice G. Philpitt, pt. ‘tom's Last Sbiit, 22 acres; $968.80, Jesse Shreeve to . Murphy, suv lot 44, nq. 478; 83,000. Dorsey Seville to Alice M. Olterdinger, sub 17, 6q. 154; $2,5UU. Mary E. Selby to Edmund Lyadane, pl. of “The Slip,” West Washington; $2,500, Luretia D. Turvey to Mary V. Burrows, pl, 249, and H's Ad ww West Wasuington; $200, 41! . Davis, trustee, to 8. Ross, all sq. $2 und lot 1) sq. 84; $0,412.01, Jesse Sureeve to KR. F. sub lot 46, sq. 478; 33,000. M. Isubel H. sare nt to J.'M. Vurnuni, sub lot 4, sq. 298; 3, P, aL. Helier to P. H. Giynn, lot 1, bIK, G, 'T’ and B's sub pts. Pleasant Plains, &e.; $1,200, ‘Joseph Paul to L, 8, Friswe, lots 10, 12, 13, 14 and 45, sa. 773; 8—. G. M. Raub et ui, wo Mary A! Leannurt, pt. 3, sq. 264; ¥—. Sume w ldw a, Hough, pis, 2 und 3, do; $—. Same ws, EM Raub, pt 3, do; $—. Ida A. Hough eval, wo G. M. Raub, pi. 16, sq, 266; $—. W. Pettibone w J. R.'Hutchinson, sub. lot 88, aq. 624; $1,979.90. 5, S. Stearns to Albert M. Read, sup 124, sq. 365; $3,000. J. W. Reed to Bernard Burhstine, part 13, sq. 438; $1,400, C.K. News man to Cella Bresnahan, part 12, sq. 724; $1,450. Same to Catharine Barry, bat dow 31,800. District to H. Spalding, lot 7, sq. 73: $-. H. Spalding to Mary R, Durling,’part lot 4, £. ‘730; #100. Came Berry wo E ‘Brod- efick, part-do; $—. W. Lamborn et Adeline No Gndiker, “lot "a, ee Columbia Heights; $2,447.65. GN, sloure, lol "8, "sq. . M. Morrison to 7. F, Cissell, sub $2,750. Henrieua ‘0. tole Shall, lot 10, bik. 6, Meridian Hill; $600, W. 1. Edmouston to L. Fieteher, pt. 71) aq. 7125 9650. _P. C, Palmer to J. F. Van Horn, sub. 38) Sq, 045; $1,450. A. M. Sinith to Wickham Holtman, pl. 4, sq. 158; $4,250. A. H. roar ic ss Meurod sub lot 8 and pt 1d, a, 733, ‘hom psoa, lot 11, $3,400. F. J. Shadd to. H,T sec. 2, Barry Farm; $150, T. ¥. J. Shadd, pt. 6, bik. 1! 3600. J.P. Keenan wD, W, Brow! 16 17 and 19 dnd 20, sq, 1094; ‘99,423.72. J. Gray to Jumes Conville, pt. 15, 8q. 347; 88, Julia A. Thompson to E. B, Fox, ot 8,’ Dl. 30, Columbia Heiguts; $6,700, E. ‘8. Fox w Sally L, Larman, saine property; $7,086.50, —ee ‘The Pharmacy Law. ‘To the Editor of Tux EVENING Sram: Inotice in your report of District affairs it is stated that a “Drug Clerk” protests against the re-appointment of the present commissioners of pharmacy on the ground that they have not enforced the law regulating its practice. So far as Iam aware, I donot violate any ofthe clauses of said law, but wish tosay in bebalf of the commissioners that so far as Known they are all gentlemen of ability and integrity; that their tmuin duty, as preseribed by the law, consists in the exumiation of applicants for Fogiutration; H. ‘Sno: Hitingham Pisco, that they have no fui placed at their lor the purpose of eniorcing said law, and'chet the chief of police Is the one to toon the latter point; though, do special funds have ever therelore it is doubtful if even he wouid ‘nave the means to make it a matter of lar at tention, ‘Trusting that in the interes of jus tice you will give thls a space in. your over fulr PHARMAGIET, s neica - Selence Baffled. From the N, ¥. Sun. Young Man—Is it true, Doctor, that smoking cigarettes tends to soften the brain? Physician—There is a belief to that effect, but iM scientific’ ap- ide aoe Soins = een Man—Why, Doctor? smokes them. a A Nebraska farmer says that acres and of corn isgrowing this year without ears, “ft in ew How the Swiss Celebrated a Notable Anniversary. ‘HE BATTLE OF SEMPACH, AT WHICH Vos ‘WINKELRIED MADE WAY FOR LIBERTY, REP. RESENTED IN A GREAT OPEN-AIR DRAMATIC PERYORMANCE—SPEECHRS AND AW ILLUMI- NatION. Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR, Hore Nationa, Lucerne, July 12. Next to William Tell, no figure in Swiss his- tory stands forth more prominently or is better Known tothe world at large than that of Arnold yon Winkelried. The first was the best type of the fearless, selfasserting freeman—the latter the highest type of the noble self-sacrificing patriot, The historical events which brought Tell’s name into prominence may be shrouded somewhat with doubt; but no one has ever essayed to deny the verity of the deed of Win- Kalried to commemorage the five hundredth anniversary of which all Switzerland seemed to have gathered at the pleasant but ancient ad- Jacent town of Sempach, on the 9th inst. As ‘usual on such occasions in Switzerland, the town assumed agalaattire. Bunting and gar- direction; ‘appropriate inscriptions” could ‘be ead on buildings, and every lady about the PICTURESQUE COSTUME of the locality. At sunrise already people were everywhere astir; trains commenced depositing load upon load of visitors, wagons freighted with gaily-dressed human beings arriving from all quarters, and by 7 o’clock, amid the ringing of church bells and booming of cannon, a large procession, preceded by a brass band, was mov- ing out of the town towards a memorial chapel situated at some distance on a knoll overlook. ing the battletield of Sempach. pigbonarival at, the, chapel the wiole assem. , Kneeling, repeated the usual battle pray- er, which was followed by the aupually read report of the battle. A short but impressive sermon was then delivered by an eminent divine, who selected as text the words of St. Paul; “Let every man abide in the same call- ing wherein he was called.” ihe preacher enumerated the many national blessings which followed the struggle for tree- dom, pleading, in conclusion, for # faithful ful- fillment of the nation’s calling—the preserva- tion of freedom by the maintenance of unity. Mass was then said, and this concluded the re- Jigtous part of the exercises. Meanwhile, some 500 ofticers of the Swiss army, ine body, 100K Possession of a portion of the battlefield adjoin- ing & grand amphitheatrical auditorium, irom. which arose a unique triple arrangement of re- ceding stages or spacious platfornis, with steps along their entire front leading upfrom one tier toanother. By this time an audience of about 85,000 pie had gathered in and flanking the yast auditorium, intent to hear the orators of the day and witness the GREAT DRAMATIC DISPLAY that was to follow. The first orator, the Hon. €. Zemp, deputy speaker of the Swiss house of Tepresentatives, with a stentorian voice recited how, in the summer of 1386, the young, am- bitious and courageous Duke Leopold,of Aus- tria, had collected together an army of his ad- herénis, numbering some 5,000 well-armed men, Including a body of noless than 700 fine mounted and heavily armed nobles. Wit these he aoe to bring into subjection and punish for disloyalty the inhabitants of the canton of Lucerne and adjacentterritory. When marching forward toward Lucerne, just above Sempach, the duke, however, encountered an arméd force of 1,300 Swiss, headed by the in- trepid Gundoldingen, posted on the edge of a clearing skirting the brow of a hill. This body of men, When the Austrian host came in sight, knelt, as was the custom of the Swiss belore ‘engaging in battle, and reverently repeated ‘THE BATTLE PRAYER. Then rising they formed intoa huge wedge- like column, preparatory to rushing from their vantage ground upon the approaching enemy. Butthe daring Leopold in the meantime had. caused his knights to dismount, send their horses to the rear, and with their sixteen-feet long, heavily speared lances, in solid double phalanx, await the onslaught of the dauntless Swiss. ‘These latter, armed with huge swords, great iron-spiked clubs, immense battle-axes and all manner of striking weapons, a line of archers on their flanks, and being’ taunted, with unearthly shrieks, yells and blowing of horns, charged impetuously upon the serried double line of lances. Neither tae tury of their attack nor the powerful blows they dealt made any impression upon the solid wall of iron. Already their leader and many of the bravest men had fallen, The situation seemed bope- lessly desperate, when ARNOLD VON WINKELRIED, of giant stature and noble mien, cast away his weapons and resolutely stepped forth uttering those ever remarkable words: “Contederates, I will make a way for you; remember my wife and children!” extended his muscular arms, clenched with hereulean grasp well nigh a dozen of the projectiug ances pressing their spear heads towards his bosom, and throwing his whole weight torward while blood gushed from a dozen self-inflicted wounds, bore them to the ground. Instantly, ere the gap could be filled, Winkelried’s fellow confederates rushed in over the dying hero, and, striking right aud left, penetrated tothe rear the enemy’s line, carrying dismay and destruction into the midst of the heavily encumbered knights, who, unable to defend themselves or take fight, Le- came a ready prey to the embitiered moun- taineers. No less than 1,500 Austrians, among them Dake Leopold, were slain, whereas tue Swiss lost only 200 men, “Tils victory,” said the speaker, “cemented tirmly the union of tue contederates, and five centuries have not ob- iterated its effect.” ‘The president of Switzerland was the next speaker. Aiver alluding to the triais and strug- gies which the country had passed through aud the marked success which had crowned the efforts of the people in maintaining Intact their liberties, he Went on to speak of the unsettled political horizon which Europe at this time presented, Danger sppeared to be threatening in every quarter, and it became Swiss, not merely Wo be content with having their liberties guaranteed on parchment, but they should also show that these rested upon asolid iron basis, upon thoughtiul preparation tor self-de- fence, thorough discipline anda unity which feurless hearts rendered unassuilable, It be- hooved them, said President Deucher, to give proof that small states too had @ destiny to fulfil, and recognizing this in allits beariogs, likewise offered well-founded reasons for their national perpetuation. He would impress upon. them the words of the immortal Pestalozzi: “Guardian spirit of the land, proclaim aloud through mountain and vale, tuat treedom is of the people; proclaim aloud ‘the eternal truth,’ ‘that in protecting the liberties of all, lies the Suteguard of individual treedom.” Upon conclusion of these addresses, which at times wrought the vast audience to the highest pitch of entausiasm, followed the most unique part of the program, a kind of Oberammergau HISTORICAL DEAMA AND LIVING TABLEAUX, illustrating the events and significance of the battle of Sempach, the whole conducted upon a seale of simple grandeur heretofore unat- tempted. No less than a thousand actors must have taken part, Upon the lowest of the three immense (ee Se or platforms, erected on the gentle slope, there was assembled a chorus and an orchestra of some 600 musicians, Upon the second, somewhat receded and wider stage above, Were grouped in the ancient costumes of the period numerous peasants. Upon the third ‘and uppermost stage stood, immediately in the rear of some veiled object, a colossal figure of Helvetia, The initroducwry movement of a cantata entitled “Freedom's Hymn of Victory” was then rendered in a most effective manuer by the chorus and orchestra introducing a pas- toral melody, when a body of joyous harvesters mounted on 4 gaily decked wagon came driving across the secoud, or middle stage, in front uf the grouped peasantry. ‘These were met by villagers coming trom the opposite direction bringing refreshinents, ‘The harvesters alight, the Wagon passes on, aud soon the immense stage becomes a moving mass of peasantry en- gaged in the mazes ot @ harvest dance, Sud- denly the music ceases, and two peasants step torward recounting in dialogue the abundance of the harvest, und the recent closer union among the confederates. A huntsman hastily bearing upon a smooth face, in letters of gold, ‘the inscription: “HERE WINKELRIED MADE A WAY FOR HIS Own, 1386,” ‘was displayed to view. Immediately in front of it stood ® sarcophagus, upon which lay the outstretched form of a dead warrior. A woman, plainly at 28 @ widow, leading two child- Fen, also 12 mourning: ‘then ascended the gentle rise in front and ‘vhree knelt be- side the monument, while the nius of Helvetia loomed up in the rear holding, as it were, @ victor’s wreath of laurel over the — a ee poe man eee. Lele other rating to the ow an Fats mise en scene ‘was ‘overpowering. Fhous: ands ot eyes ; men who ‘not shed Prose, thems on this, cocasiog, “Tenateave mon . Twenty-two Plainly dressed little ‘boys, each carrying a ‘small cantonal banner in one hand and a laurel wreath oe ae opp tiedapecewr ed and | Toverently deposited their wreaths around an: Papi The = ee amd Ing anthem, the whole vast assem ning in the final refrain, re. ‘RUFFST DU MEIN VATERLAXND.” Every one who had witnessed the superb grandeur of this unique dramatic representa- Ulon seemed carried away with its exception- ally powerful Impression. “Verily this is a Swiss; Oberammergau play,” said one, while several declared, “here was given a PP and foretaste of the popular drama of the future.” Later in the afternoon @ more elaborate mona- ment, Commemorative of the event, erected in the town of Sempach, was also dedicated, alter which followed abanquet to the more promi- nent guests and participators. The closing event of the ceremonies, however, was a grand illumination of the city, harbor and lake of Lucerne, when a chain of fires ail along the mountain-girt lake rendered luminous the heavens for miles around. Countless rock- ‘ets, bursting in mid-air, showered down their superbly brilliant contents Eat the placid waters below as they reflected tbe iupumerable colored lanterns decorating tbe constantly shifting craftin the harbor. The music of a splendid band contributed to make the weird scene one of unsurpassed impressiveness and beauty, and thus closed the five huadredth an- niversary of the battle of Sempach and death of Arnold von Winkelried. az OBSERVATIONS IN KANSAS. Thriving Towns and New Rallroads— People Whe Rush Into Debt. Correspondence of Tar EVENING STAR, Larnep, Kansas, July 29th, Itis two months since I left Washington for southeastern Kansas, I went first to Labette county. Pargons is the principal city of that section. It is a fine town of perhaps 8,000 in- habitants, The shops of the M., K. and T. rail- road are located there, Business suffered severely last spring from the protracted strike ofthe railroad men® The sentiment of the com- munity was unfavorable to the strikers, Cit zens attempted to guard the property of the company, but no trains were allowed to run until the state militia interfered. Parsons bas Several counpeting lines of railroads, and does a good business in grain and eattle. The country Surrounding it is a fertile farmiug region. There are three kinds of soll—chocolate, gray and black. Each variety has its advocates, and It might puzzle a new comer to determine which wus best adapted to agriculture. It is my opin- fon, however, that the gray soil is more easily tlléd in wet seasons, and that the black or gumbo yields best during drought, Corn, oats, inillet, clover and blue grass grow well’ here, but wheatis not regarded as a sure or profitable crop. Peaches have not done well for several Years; the winters appear too severe, but very fine apples ure grown. ‘The principal fencing is the Osnge orange, which grows luxuriantly and ives the country a fresh, green appearance. hile this section was ouce a treeless prairie, one sees to-day considerable umber. Maples, cutalpas and cotton woods flourish, and their rapid growth adds beauty to the landscape, ‘and it 1s said materially increases the rainfall, PROSPEROUS FARMERS, The farmers are prosperous; the discontented ones are, a8 a rule, burdened with debt, Money can be obtained on good real estate security at Spercent. Land is valued at from $20 wo $40 T acre, according to improvements. Coal, jumber and articles of general merchandise aré Very reasonable in price. Taxes ure high, but valuations are low. The finest fat cattle were owned by Messrs, F. D. and A. A. Briggs, who kad 133° steers which averaged over i,400 pounds. Fitty bushels of shelled corn were ied daily, and the animals had unlimited pastur- ageadditional. it was not uncommon 40 find that by actual weight a steer would gain on an average five pounds daily. One hundred hi fattened on tke retuse of thie eattie, witch were destined for the Chicago markets. ‘The streams of Labette county abound in fine fish, and the number of partridges and hare is very great. Tuere are a few prairie chickens and plovers, and in season large flocks of ducks and geese. 1 am inclined to think, however, that the region is malarious, A BUSY TOWN, From Parsons I went northwest to Larned, Pawnee county, passing en route the queen city, the pride and prodigy of Kansas, Wichita, Larned is a growing town on the Arkansas river. Houses and business places are being rapidly pushed to accommodate the growing Population and trade, At preseut there is but One iine of raiiroad, the A., T. and 8, F., butone Other is graded to this polut, aud others are con- fidently expected, One of the advantages of this region Is the unlimited supply of water, which 4s sound at a depth of trom 20 to 60 feet, uccord- ing wo the elevation. ‘The number of windinills in use 1s great; aliost every resident considers tis one of the necessities. 1 the town tanks and Teservoirs are built, aud pipes convey the water where needed, so that trees and fine lawns are no rarity. Many of the residences ure hand- some and costly. Larned has a U. 8. depository, U. 5. laud office, several banks aud two roller: steps up and interrupting thei, reports the Spproagh "of the Austans under Duke Leopold, An invasion by the enemy was im- minent. Commotion ensues—the peasants hasten away—a vocal and instrumental descrip- tive piece is rendered by the chorus and orehes- tra—armed bodies of confederates coming to the Tegcue puss over the stage in close array, dis- playing their several bau Ops are seen testing their weapons, and with the assistanes of women arraying themselves for conflict. ‘Farewell sceues ure enacted, and every thi on the spacious central stage assumes the reat ities of preparation for batile, while the musio, both vooal and instrumental, portrays the bust: Hing scene above. Meantime the warriors have all departed and the battle ts presumed to be taking place. ‘Then they commence ing in wounded, them the intrepid, now dying leader of the Swiss, who exclaims: “O! beloved country! Shuit I hot see thee freet_Is Meantime the music gradu- ay ciudad aud dying to cho taspiring soses nded and dying of victory. Suddenly detachments of the flee in weir rich costames afoot and on Etksebeck ‘come rusning across tho stage in wild cont intermingled among them Reavily. ‘his in utter dismay- tached of returning warriors as its farveuiags of the baile, “thea follow in ‘the main body of the ‘ates, pearing an immense quantity of SPOILS AND TROPHIES, | the chorous meanwhile singing a song of tri- umph, which changing into e hymn ofgratt- ailils, I met several old residents of Washing- ton here, among them Dr. Laurence Wilson, Mr. Howard 8, Abbott (formeriy a well-known patent atwrney, but now engaged In the stock business), and Mir, J. F. Medverry. JUST REACHED BY THE RAILROAD, From Larned I went south to the new (8wn of Belpre, Edwards county. This is on the line of the new railroad—Chicago, Kansas and Western. The road reached Belpre July 9th, at about five o'clock. It was an auspicious event for this region, saving tbe hauiing of supplies many miles, It is wouderiul to see the rapidity and perfection of railroad building in the west. As many as two miles are built in a day by three hundred hands. This dves not inciude grading. Edwards county is, in my judgment, chietly valuable for grazing purposes. Nograin crop is sure on account of the protracted droughts wo which the country is subjected, atte were formerly very profitable, but severe winters have lately cuused heavy losses, and the fact is demonstrated beyond » doubt that stock must have shelter und feed. This, of course, takes largely from the gains of the busi- ness, Tne pach eee) Jako of ee ug rowing population are destroying the Fancher of tormer days. I was through here in 1878, when tue cutie men had unlimited range “without money and without price.” The set- tlers, taking advantage of tue pre-emption, homestead and timber culture laws have se- cured control of the former free ranges. Tue administration of the public land luws by the resent commissioner of the general land office ls universaily condemned, His arbitrary rul- ings are severely felt with respect to residence and improvement, It is an impossibility for a poor man to reside continuously upon his claim, for farming is not profitabie and Le must leave it to obtaiu work in order to support his family, There is a good deal of specuiation in government land, but @ man is trading with is birtaright when be does so. Que entry an- der each act only is permitted, and if a person’ sells his right to @ quarter section it is difticult to see who is injured by Ube transaction. WAGES LOW BUT LIVING HIGH. Relinquishment of a quarter section of gov- ernment land in this region can be had for from $400 to $1,000, according to location and im- provement. Money loans at 9 per cent and higher. Wages are low and work is scarce, ‘Coal and lumber are dear, and the cost of living generally is in excessof that further east, From my observations in varlous paris of the state, I am inclined to think that tue probibition laws area benefit, Men yet liquor, it is true, but the boys and young men have not the temptations offered by the saloons of our eastera cities, ‘This cannot be otherwise than beneticial to fu- ture generations, The climate of Kuusas is one ofextremes, ‘The summer heat is inteuse; 104° in the shade is not uncommon. ‘The coid of winter is severe and the storms are terrible. The air is invigorating at all seasons and fa vorable to the cureof cutarrh and asthma. The great drawback to the state is the fact that it is Practically owned by ions and eastern capitalists, People do not seem to hesitate to iitug they may happen to'wanl. ‘They are not thing the; ‘wan! are content wo awalt the gradual development of A BREEZE FROM OAK BLUFFS. Midsummer Seencs om the Martha's Vimeyard Beach. THE BATHERS AND THEIR cosTcMES— LADIES WHO SWIM THEIR MILE—THE CAMP. MEETING, THE HOTELS AND COTTAGES—THE NATIONAL RIFLES EXPECTED THERE NEXT YEAR, Correspondence of Tas EVENING Stan. Oax BLUFRS, ManrHa’s VINEYARD, Mass, Aug. 6. “Ah there!” was the greeting that sounded to the party of Washingtonians as the steamer Inland Home was landing at the Sea View ‘House wharfon Friday morning last. It is said to be the down east word for welcome, and was acted out to perfection, as the new arrivals Were soon mixed up with embraces and kisses, which came with such rapidity that it was with @iMenity to distinguish whether the right party, being saluted b; Bot. This was af Oo'clock ia tne morning Jur 24 hours from Washington, but as the trip via Fall River boats has such’ a lively variety it seemed really as if It hud taken but twelve hours. The Piigrim and Providence, floating arg.“things of beauty.” and hence “Joys forever.” To those who have not seen them they are revelations when seen; those having enjoyed a trip once upon them ‘will always de- sire to do so again. Music lulis one to sleep, Not the i Poetical stuff of wild waves roaring, real, every-day, extraordinary” musi large orchestra of artists, ‘whe style the chief work ‘oung—(that chief works should have been in French, but this is not our French ay), The early morning ride by rail from Fail ver to New Bedford is not at ail Uresome, and the trip across Buzzard’s Bay, from 7 to 9 o'clock, is most pleasant. So really refreshed, instead of being fatigued after so long a journey, one arrives and is immediately ready for any seaside sport or pleasure that sug: wests iteelt, THE ISLAND. The situation of the island of Martha's Vine- yard, and the principal spot, Cottage City, or Oak Bluffs, (bas been so often betore described that it may be omitted now); and the—“broad expanse-dotted here and there with white winged, messengers” —and “snowy capped faves,” ssurzing billows,” and “wasting upon the sand” will be excluded with this simple allusion to those rhetorical sea side set expres- sions. They will suffice to show tnat there exists the knowledge that such have been used upon some occasious when thoughts have had origin under the influence of salt air. The place is as attractive us ever, and thousands of people are on the island. The hotels are rea- sonably well filled, The season is really at its height during August. The temperature now is more like that of October. Wraps and over. couts are in order, and are brought into com- fortable use. Notwithstanding this the bathing shore is crowded at 11 o'clock cach morning and HUNDREDS OF BATHERS sport in the water. The theory that the colder the air the warmer the water is believed, whether it is true or not, and the dear darlings in all sorts and kinds of fancy bathing suits soon cover themselves in the ocean as protec- tion from fresh winds, which blow salt air, and from the glances of fresh young men ‘who “gather at the river” to gaze upon outlines specifically, graceful and “uitogether "lovely. ‘outh and beauty predominate. As years come and go, so the pretty bathers come and 0, and the graces that won admiration last season are elsewhere now, and others come who fill their places—and delicate hosiery just as well and just as modestly, The cos- tumes here are not too scant, but just scant enough t attract attention. It will do so. That ts a thing that cauuot be helped. The heaven-eyed brother and reverend dominies from the camp cent tabernacle, while on the shore may have their thoughts above, but their eyes are certainly intent upon fol- lowing the sweet girls up and down the sand, Age does not enter into the question; they never cease such vigils until eyesight is gone or they are too old to chew mush. A new wrinkle is for parties in mourning to have bathing sults of black. Several carry out the idea here. The bathing ts periectly sule. There is aes ei (pee with — who are not swimmers, flad great sport in ing the great “bob up serenely” act, For those who are fear less two large rafts ure anchored out trom shore about fifty feet, where experts in swimmi: and diving enjoy their proficiency in the arux EXPERT LADY SWIMMERS, Among the ladies who would be of great as- sistance to the lile saving service in time of need are Miss Tissington, of New York; Miss Crocker, of Fitchburg, Mass.; Miss Van Sly« ©: Providence, K. L; Miss Fanny Sprague, Fitchburg, Mass., and Mrs. C. B. Dennis, of Portland, Me., either of whom seem to esteem the swimming of the distance of a mile as but atrifie. It is a useful accomplishment, and every bather who dves not possess it devotes all the time in the water to finding the secret of Juaking tue frst stroke and the establishment 01 confidence in one’s own ability. ‘The air bere ts healthiul. So much evidence of it has been ae that itshould be cailed a sanitarium, irs. Green B. Kuum, wite of ube x-commissioner of internal revenue, arrived a mouthago, & confirmed invalid, almost wo feeble to travel. Strength has come w wer, aud her health is beginning to return, Florence, ‘the nine-year-old daugater of Mr. Churies B. Dennis, suifering since January with s com: plication of di: combining Bright's, Valvular trouble of the heart and dropsy, and given up by several physicians, was brought here in a special car, accompanied by purses and attending doctors, the tot June, and placed in a cottage iacing the water. ‘To- day she rides «4 tricycle arouud the island and mingles in play with other ebil- dren, Professioual people marvel and look upon the resioration trom death’s door as something of a miracie. Dr. J. V. Mott, the skilled medicine man here, adheres to the best treatment such a case ‘Calls tor, but says there is something in the piace that does the work Uhat is beyond his comprebension. Hence, if tue air brings back heaith to the sick, it should keep it always to those who enjoy il,and make the healthy still more vigorous. It is decidedly w sleep inviting place. So soundly does sleep come upon one that even sweet dreams are shut out. Flies and mosquitoes keep away entirely. There is @ standing reward of $1 for every mosquito aught upon the island without any takers up to date. une passes too quickiy, Thetis a decided objection tw this particular part uf the isiand, Oak Biutfs, It can’t be stopped, so should be enjoyed while going. THE NAME OAK BLUFFS ‘and Cottage City are synonomous. It is city of cottages, and incorporated under the name of Cottage City, though from its beautiful situa tion on a bigh biuff and the presence of so many hundred sacred oaks, it should be de- nominated exciusively “Oak Bluifs.” It sounds couler; more, Felreshing, more suinmery and sewsidy, and the subject is being agit with @hope that the nume may be changed. If some of tue old fogy, cranky element could be Killed off or chloroiormed for & while, “Co City” a8 a name could be made a tact of tory, and “Oak Biuifs” live on forever to be one Of the grandest and most satisfactory re- — the Aliantic coust, eltuer north or south, Local option prevails, hence much morality. Wau some of the optonists are liberai, ouhers: with no grit whatever in their craw, who de- light in milk and water, are aggressive and op- pressive, and it an empty beer bottle is found around @ premises they Jump at it as presump- lve evidence tbat their darling iaw has been Violated. 1t is very annoyiag Ww generous hovel proprietors, who rather tnan comunit the grave ‘offense of selling the stuff preter to give it awaw. to thelr guests. ‘Some of Luese good, engle-eyed abstainers should ury to keep w firsi-class tem- perance hotel just tw see how muca money can be lost. Tue regular camp meeting vegan on Monday last. und will continue during the eek, The large tabernacie is crowded during every service. This place is situated back from the seashore, about one-fourth of a mile, amid grove of the largest oaks. It is beautitully sui roun with & carpet of fowering and green grass, There are many cottages, oi every Vuri- ‘ely, Upon the avenues that lead out irom it what is called the camp ground. ‘The impres- sion is that Murtua’s Vineyard is nothing bul o ‘asalaeme Politan hotels opened. The Sea View house is the largest and inost commodious house. The Deautiiul cottage of ex-Lieut. Gov. Oliver Ames bane muoraea ar aiscueesrariecat Ing renov: flor the occupancy of vw known gentleman. This move is said w have @ political siguificance, i i i il j F | i a : i i f ; : z Fe5 i if | f if i i H 4 fl F Hl ft A 4 in a E ty rf ‘ | i i bE Mr. Tilden's Big Fortane. HIS PROPERTY ESTIMATED AT $9,000,000—MEH LIBRARY AND TWO RESIDENCES, From the New York World. Mr, Tilden’s tortune has been estimated to be from $7,000,000 wo $10,000,000. From a good source it is learned that the estate is worth about $9,000,000. Efforts were made yester- day to learn something of Mr. Tilden's will, He was greatly troubled as to the best means to @ispose of his pro; and he gave the subject cousiderable study. “Ithus long been kuowm that Mr. Tilden had intended to bequeath nis Deautitul elty residence in Gramercy park,with its large and valuable collection of books, to the city for use as a public library. Tho value of the books and engravings are worth at least $100,000. The buildings when rebuilt caused ‘An expenditure of nearly $500,000. Altogether the pro] with 1t8 contents is worth $1,000,- 000. Toe ‘amount of fhe endowment’ ts @ matter re. The house (or rather houses, for there are two), is admirably adapted fora ubrary. ‘The buildings are made distine- tive by making an entrance at either end, each having stoops—one wide, the other ‘narrow— ‘one overhung by a balcony, the other sus mounted uy an elaborately ‘carved ‘marble ‘arch, of which the head of Michael Angelo bas-relief torms the keystone. The ba dows in one house run up to the third s the other they stop at und other variations go to make up's single handsome structure. “One is struck ut a giauce With the profusion of stone cary the at- tention to detail everywhere displayed. ‘The basement railing, with its Variety of xracesul curves and designs, is of elaborately Wrought iron. A handsome bronge railing runs along the broad redstone balustrade. Terracotta birds in Many attitudes peep trom aimong clambering terra-cotta Vines and clusters of Mowers whicl cover the sides of the portico, Ina wide space Where the two buildings Join are set five noble, historical heads in bas-reliet, sculptured ig dark, fine-grained marble just above the bead of the passer-by. Shakespeare and Milton oo cUupy opposite corners of the tablet, Franklin i set below in the center and Goethe aud Dante Jook out from the lower corners, ‘The doors of the building are of stained glass. Luxury, mage nificence, yet withal coméort characterize the interior of the buliding. The wide marvle ball, the spacious and joity parlors and. libraries the mabogany staircase, Lue quiet Gark tone of the rich decorations, Une fine carpets and turn ture all combine to artistic elegance and come tort. Carved oak and fire-piaces, in. laid wood floors, splendid ebandeiiers lend beauty to the interior, while large plateglass Windows admit @ plenteous supply of lights Nearly all the rooms are lange, but cosy. “Ale togetuer Mr. Tilde on Mr, Tilden purchased Greystone in 1879 for $150,000 of John T. Waring, a hat mavutae- turer. ‘The property originally cost Mr. Waring about $500,000. ‘The following year Mr. Tie den bought ihe adjoining house of Mtr. Baldwin for $55,000, and had the two places turowa into ‘one. Thirty men are employed mn the gTeenhouse, 12 ‘on the tarm, 10 servants, 3 couchmen, 30 head of eaitle, 12 horses, aud innumerable dogs poultry. The direct heirs of the estate are as follows: Mrs, Tilden, widow ot Henry Tilden, tae governor's brouser, living at New Lebanon, Columbia county. 5 hasa tamily of seven children —George i, Ti deu, the eldest; Col. Samuel J, Duden, jr., Mrs, Swan, of New’ Lebanon; Mrs. Wuittioscy, of Florence, Wis,, and Miss Susie and Miss aby Tilden, Who Lave lived with the go Greystone for several years past anu k for ‘him, but were temporarily absent at New on at the time of their uncle's death, Mrs, Pelton, sister of the governor, who resides Bt 38 west S8un street —— —— Nature and Art. THE TOUCH THAT MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD KIN. Bil Arp in the Atlanta Constitution. Nature can beat art sometimes. I've been to ‘the theater afore now, and the players acted the play so natural and sympathetic that I got all tangled up and excited, and would ery or laugh just as they did, but nature can beat art sometimes. Just about sundown, the other evening, while we were all sitting in the plazza calm and serene, there was a wild shriek down at the corner of the garden, and It was Carl calling, and be said, run here to Linton, wh ry; ia second. Yet these ‘$ gift is truly @ princely & Linton is killed; ran, papa; run somebody, aud we did run,and Mrs. Arp and the girls cried, Oh, merey! Oh, good Lord! and all sorte of interjections and goujunctions at every step, and there was a wild and fearful panic when we gotto the boy, and he was lying pale and senseless on the rocky ground, with @ bi limb across his breast. He. had ‘fallen about twelve feet trom the top of a venerable apple tree that, they say, was planted by the Indians about sixty years ago. I heaved theold broken Limb off of the boy, took him in my arms and then up the hiil to the house, aud my escort ob, ob my escort, with their cries aud screams, de- moralized mé fearfully. He was a stout lad of thirteen, this grandson of ours, and as tough 2s a pine knot, and I knew he was hurt, badiy hurt, but Ican always keep calm and "serene ‘on such occasions if the women will let me, Laying him gently on the bed, Mra. Arp ripped his garments with trembling hands ‘and motherly sobbings to find the flowing blood and the gaping wounds, and broken limbs, but they were uot there. "He was shocked and senseless, and breathed hard and gurgied in his throat, and groaned and sighed, but {had seen those signs before with the other boys and bad faith, And. sare, enough in about “an hour he came to'himselt, and looking around upon the excited fully ‘asked what was the mauler, and said “Grandma, I dreamed 1 was falling from the apple tree.” The doctor came ubout that time and found his arm and shoulder badly bruised and one rib hurt, per- ‘haps tractured, and said he would be awful sure foraday or two, and then get weil and be ready for the next skirmish. But Mrs, Arp Was not satisfied, and watched him all nignte and as he slept she listened to nis breathing nd felt bis puise and imagined that some- thing was internally wrong. The boy carries hisarm ina handkerchie! now, and can't go ina washing nor shoot @ sling aor climb a tree, and he and Cari have to stay in the house and’ read story books ana look at the pictures, But the like of this has to happen. At is part of ® boy's raising. I wasent much’ account un- Ul T tell down a ladder head foremost aud. was picked up for dead. I told my wife 1 wouldent Give a cent for # boy who bad never tell an apple tree or got his arm broke or his head eased "or womelbing of the kind. If a mao has never bad any narrow escapes, or auy wounds, or any broken bones, or been thrown from a horse and picked up for dead, what kind of @ dather’ will he bef Wai has he got to tell his litte boy, and ex- cite bis wonder and admiration? I had lots mishaps myself, and as I grow older Mrs. Arp says they grow hore bigger and more numerous. ‘Well, of course! Novody wants to tell the same old thing the same old way a thousand times, Amplification 16 @ sign of genius, Being knocked down and addied, isa big thing; but to be picked up for dead is heroic. = “aS A Revolution Called For. From the Toronto Giobe. “There is nothing in the world that shows the inborn tendency of mankind to ran in rut more than the architecture of the modern shirt.” So said @ young man of iconoclastic tendencies, “For years men’s vests have been buttoned almost up t the chin, and the litle piece of shirt front that would be left exposed has been covered by a necktie. And yet men go on wearing shirts with ironts dows to the Waist starched and ironed till they're as stiff as a boiler plate, and they pay every week for getting (Woof three of Uhese things caretuliy polisned. A man might as well have the buck OF Lis vest laundered every week. A Lesson in Pronanciation. From the St Louis Republican. How tew people pronounce the English langue age correctly —ut leastas the dictionary gives it, To pronounce all his words as he should a man must be almost too much of @ petty student to be ® scholar, or must have a gift in certain specialties of memory. SUll, it is a hobby of nine outot ten to by the card, and wo such as these the following paragraph will be interesting. It 18 @ curious collection oO fre quently mispronounced words: Comely Diana had @ voice like ecalliope; yet, although it was not enervaied by laryngitis, she Was not @ virago. She wore a swimacher set with Jewels, that gave an interesting idea ot her father’s finances, There was no squalor in their vicinage. “She sought to jnveigle her charity coadjutant into a hyme- ial ussociation without tedious delay. Sue sent him her miniature, a jessamine flower and an invitation w # Ginger of anchovies, He was @ coadjutor in the church. He bad & cadaverliike “complexion, and, in a Joust he bad been houg! ‘Faking almonds as e bridal gift, he mounted edary with the epizoolie and baswwned without digres- sion along Pall Mall. The were sil- ting on a divan, with no prescience of evil, ‘The diocesan was waiting, having finished an absolulory service, when suddenly, above the oF of the wedding bells, was * maniacal shriek. The groom had pierced his carotid arteries with a carbine on hearing thas @ deficit in his church collection had been dis covered. He was cremated, Wasn't Afraid. From the Merchant Traveler. George and Mabel were walking down the ‘avenue, and George was showing her how much be knew. “Yes,” he said, “science is constantly making some new discovery. Now, there's the tyro toxicon.” ible microbe tbat gets through your entire At fs caught by pee George all the indifference he bad