Evening Star Newspaper, December 28, 1888, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, an dian astronomer-prophet, who was in posses- lic of America by a new theory, given wide publication. This idea his was that a certain comet, known to astronomers by the name of “Encke’s comet,” ia being retarded in its flight through space by some resisting medium, and is attracted out of its course by the influence of the planet Mars. The result of the attraction would be to make the comet « satellite of the planet; but, failing that, and here fered Semen Lig amen gen mysteriously significant, the come sround tothe vicinity of the earth. the attraction of which would serve to keep it in — — - — wed Hey i the —_ ving arrived at this a his the 1D point ont the disas- g i may be thse th ings of h- may t these warn’ of approac! r have caused some uneasiness in the a few credulous ones, but it is proba- Die that the majority of people dismissed the subject with scarcely » second thought. Yet, in order to satisfy himself that the Washington real estate market is not in immediate danger of a break on account of the possible advent of this new visitor, a Stan reporter paid a visit to the naval observatory other day and sought one of the astronomers. WITH AN ASTRONOMER. There ia something so infinite about the air of an astronomer—he always appears to be look- ing so far away, and in conjunction with these characteristics the presentation of finite things to their minds seems so absurd—that at first the TF was somewhat abashed and ata loss to know how to broach the subject. So he talked for a long time about eclipses, and to give the professor the opinion that when a layman tries to grasp an astronomical subject it is time to shut the observatory doors to outsiders. He rambled along = coronas, totalities, durations and lenses, an: barely escaped two or three pitfalls that would have proved his destruction. At last he made such a mistake—casually remarking that five hours and a half was a pretty long period of totality in an eclipse, while the time was actu- ally five minutes anda half—that he concluded that he had reached a ripe stage for the final pisnse into the subject of Encke’s comet. So asked the professor if he had seen the Wiggins story. As he mentioned that name a nebulous emile gathered in the corners of the Professor’s mouth and eyes, and the wise man replied that he had read some nonsense from that Canadian fellow. » “But you know, are all going to be drowned ‘every six hours,” said the reporter, clutching the arms of his rs in his suspense. NO DANGER. “Well, you can rest assured that the present generation need not worry their heads about the matter, and when the next generation comes the present one can tell it the same thing. and so on foras long as you want to calculate time.” “Then I can inform the readers of Tae Star that they need not stop their subscriptions on the faith of what Wiggins tells them?” queried the scribe. “I think you can, with safety.” was the re- sponse, while the smile extended beyond the corners. “The truth of the matter is just this.” he continued. ‘Encke’s comet is the most frequent visitor to this part of the universe of any of that class of astronomical bodies, its period being three anda third years. Hence it has received more than ordinary attention from observers. Of late years, astronomically speaking, it has been noticed that the comet was ia GRADUALLY CHANGING ITS ORBIT, shortening always toward the sun. After much thought and research the conclusion has been reached that there was in space, or at least in the track of this comet, edium that? offered sufficent resistance to the flying body to sl nm its enrves and thus accelerate its This may seem like a paradox to you, a resisting medium increasing the comet's speed, but it isnot, you know. Careful watch- ing has shown that this cause is resulting in bringing the comet nearer and nearer the sun, and if continued, the final effect would be that the flyer would fall into the sun and be Jost.’; Here the reporter thought that his personal- ity should be preserved by a little recognition, so he suggested, “In the soup.” Buttit did not please the wise man, and a frown chased the aebulosity from his countenance. Yet he con- tinued. Latterly, however, he : “There has been some doubt cast upon the continuance of this process, and there is evidence that the shortening of the comet's orbit is disappearing and that eventually it will have returned to its original condition. At any rate the difference between the orbit of one flight and that of another is so small that at the present rate it would take a great many years to produce results whatever—a great many years indeed’ and the professor seemed to ponder whether or not he yuld open the flood-gates of his scien- tific figures and drown the reporter with his millions of time. But he appeared satisfied with his generality. ‘ “Then, professor.” said the reporter, “it is not very likely that either the earth or Mars has anything to do with this case, is it not?” “You can be satisfied that neither the earth nor Mars is going to have any vote on the sub- ject, at any rate. Let me advise you not to consider any schemes for migrating from the earth on account of the Canadian’s theory, for I fear that it would be a wasted energy. Good- PRED AES eee ‘the City Co-extensive with the District. To the Editor of Taz Evzn1xo Stan: ‘The suggestions of the leading article in Tue Star of this evening are worthy of early and earnest consideration. Our present municipal government is co-extensive with the District of Columbia, embracing about 60 square miles and including the cities of Washington and Georgetown and the county of Washington out- side of said cities. The suburban portion of the county is already dotted all over with vil- villa sites and subdivision lots and a ban residences, as instanced in Anacos- tia, Mount Pleasant, Brighton, Tenlytown, Le Droit Park, Tacoma Park, Agassiz Park, Wood- Jey Park, Kendall Green, Soldiers’ Home, Ivy City, Whitney Close, Montello, Eckington, Meridian — Hill. t Hill. Columbian ‘leasant Plains, Linden Heights, Forest Glen. Farm, Oak View, Garfield, Twining, Trinidad, Kalorama, Edgewood, &c. In the common order of things, all’ these, ultimately, will mingle into one. Already the distinction of — between the urban and suburban of e District is merely aj ent or nominal, and I[ think mach’ good would result from the speedy removal of this distinction in name and appearance, This would leave the District of Columbia and the county of Washington to consist simpiy of the two cities of Washington and Georgetown. And Boundary street. now extending diago- ually nearly parallel to Pennsylvania and Mas- sechusetts avenues, in a straight line from 15th street east to 7th street west. nearly two and a miles, or about twice as long us Pennsyl- vanis avenne from the capitol to the Treasury, be given the name of one of the states sean avenue. Personally also, with the consent of town, I should be very glad to see the two cities, by act of Congress, united under the name of Washington, making the city of Washington co-extensive with the District of Cokumbia. This, however, can wisely be ac- complished only by careful provision for a legal ‘ion of corresponding peculiarities now existing in both cities; as. for instance, in du- plicating the name or number of different squares, ‘&c., in the united city. aSHINGTON, D. ae The Fairmount Park Mystery. TEE ONLY CLEW TO THE MURDERED MAN'S ADENTITY FURNISHED BY AN OLD NEWSPAPER, On the dismembered body found on Wed- nesday in Fairmount park, Philadelphia, was *Rewspaper, on the in of which wi a eR ey ea ag sea nea nosrding- douse — 2d and Raver = : = red says the description of . wi ids with that of Geo: Haseltine, who left house two ‘weeks ago Squeet was held on tbe fod at Paitdoipit on ai i Yesterday. Posy Formad, he ——— met sa} appearance S wore severed from the indicates rofessor, that he says we | A COWBOY DISTRICT. How Representative Laird Captared a) The First Sketch Renomination. From the New York Star. Few Congressmen who come to New York are better known than James Laird, of Nebras- ka, who is ill at Eureka Springs, Ark. When here he is a welcome visitor to the leading clubs. Upon a visit here recently he was a guest at the University club, and he told there how he saved himself from losing a renomina- tion to Congress four years ago, He had tar- ried in Washington until within p few days of the convention. In the meantime several op- posing candidates appeared. Laird represent- ed a cowboys’ district. One of the opposing candidates had become exceedingly popular with the gentlemanly “beef jabbers,” who seemed to hold the balance of power. Upon his arrival, however, Laird started out for one of the round-ups. The cowboys change a good deal durii each year, and Laird found that about half of them were strangers to bim. He was dressed in the latest style and the strange cowboys concluded that he was a dude. Among others who shared in this belief was a cattl der who had lately arrived Texas. made all sorts of fun of the Congressman, and finally became offensive. Laird resented this treatment and vpreey. 24 the man toa duel. It was arranged that the; stand off 100 yards and exchange shots at eac! other with pistols. The cowboy fired first, and the three shots he aimed at the statesman missed the mark, Then Laird prepared to fire. “Now,” said the Congressman, “I will not try to kill you upon the first shot, but I will try to send a bullet through the crown of your hat.” He did just as he said, and then coolly remarked to the now trembling cowboy that the next bullet would pierce his righteye. Be- fore he had time to carry out what he had said, the cowboy begged for mercy. “I took you for a dude but you have proved yourself a thoroughbred,” exclaimed the cow puncher, : ; “Iwill let you off,” said Laird, “provided that you will ‘not treat the next well-dressed man You meet as a dude.” ‘ The fellow promised, and the incident made the cowboys solid for Laird. eee A Riot Over a Goose. FREE FIGHT BETWEEN RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS IN A DAKOTA SETTLEMENT. Aserious riot occurred Thursday morning near Tripp, Dakota, between Russian Menno- nites and Americans. A public sale was held at the farm of a Russian named Sink, and an American farmer named Merchant purchased adozen chickens. When ready to start home he found two chickens missing and complained to Sink, who told him to take something of equal value, He caught a goose and started home, but was overtaken by a party of eight Russians, who claimed the goose as their prop- erty. A wrangle ensued that attracted others to the scene, and soon a general fight was in pro- gress, in which some twenty men were engaged, with the Russians as the aggressors. Two brothers, named Johnson, who were passing. joined in the melee with knives. A Russian, named Mayer, was stabbed, and he, in turn, split Chas. Johnson's head with a neck yoke, intlicting a fatal injury. The same weapon broke the arm of Geo. Johnson, and the knives were used to slash up three other Rus- sians badly, but not fatally. The Americans found the force opposin; them too strong, and withdrew from the field. The wounded Russians were taken care of by their companions, and nothing can be learned from them owing to their clannish custom: The affair has created the most intense excite- ment in the neighborhood, where the majority of the settiers are Russians. Officers are now investigating. ipa gig The Anarchists’ Plea. THEY CLAIM THEIR AIM IS THE AMELIORATION OF THE CONDITION OF HUMANITY. The application on behalf of the anarchistic Arbeiter bund for an injunction restraining the Chicago police authorities from interfering with or preventing their meetings was argued before Master in Chancery Windes, in that city, Thursday. On behalf of the bund it was contended that it was a peaceful organization, whose sole aim was the amelioration of the condition of the human race, and that the action of the police in forbidding them to meet and in closing all public halls against them, vi et armis, was in open violation of their consti- tutional rights as citizens of the republic. On bebalf of the city it was argued that the bund, as a body, was made up of men who were opposed to the operation of all law, and that the pro ition of their theories tended to publie disorder and to the rendering of life an A Remarkable Volcano. From the Gustemala Star. The city of San Salvador, the capital of the smallest and most populous Central American republic, was founded in 1528. It has been three times almost entirely and eleven times partially destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Itis 18 miles from the sea-coast, has an elevation of 2.800 feet. and is surrounded by a group of volcanoes, two of which are ac- tive. San Miguel and Izalco, and present a mag- nificent disp! ty the passengers of steamers sailing along the coast. constantly discharging masses of lava which flow down their sides in blazing torrents. Izaleo is as regular asa clock, the eruption occurring like the beating of a mighty pulse, every seven minutes. It is impossible to conceive of a grander spectacle than this monster, rising 7,000 feet almost di- rectly from the sea, an immense volume of smoke like « plume continually pouring out of its summit and broken with such regularity by masses of flame rising 1,000 feet, that it has been named El Faro del Salvador—the light- house of Sslvador. It is in many respects the most remarkable volcano in the world, because ite discharges have continued so long and with such rej and because the tumult in the earth's bowels is always to be heard. Its ex- | eoeeer are constant, and are audible a bun- red miles off. It is the only voleano that has originated on this continent since the discovery by Columbus. It arose from the plain in the spring of 1770 in the midst of what had been for nearly a hundred years a magnificent coffee and indigo plantation. Couldn’t Do Otherwise. From Harper's Bazar. “So old Brown is dead, eh? Well, well! Did he leave anything?” “Yes, It broke his heart to do it, but he left everything.” ig at Struck a Bonanza. From the Epoch. Woman (to tramp)—‘‘So you want a drink of some kind? I'll get you something nice.” She brings it to him, “There, drink that.” Tramp (suspiciously Vhat is i Woman—“Its a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.” Tram, {gracetalty)— Oh! I gen’r'ly drinks plain Old Tom but I’s'pose them fancy brands is good enuff so long as they’re Tricks of the Trade. From the Brooklyn Times, A Brooklyn grocer was weighing ont some grapes to me the other day when I jokingly suggested to him not to slip a weight in with the fruit. He said that reminded him of an in- cident related to him as a fact by a Washing- ton market butcher. “We were skylarking one day,” the grocer said, “and I accidentally hurt one of his little fingers. ‘I'd be sorry to have you lame me for on that finger.’ he said. “Why? says L. at finger,” he continued, ‘is worth $3,000 a year to me.’ ‘How?’ I inquired. ‘I use it to regulate the scales,’ he answered, with a meaning look; ‘a customer buys some meats, and when, in a burry, { toss it on to the seales they bounce around a good deal and I steady them with that hand. At the identical moment they are steady that little finger, con- cealed by the rest of the hand, gets in its fine regulating work for an instant and determines te weightot, the" meat think it was Sevex Taousaxp Mites New Ramo. _ The Chicago Rail a ghoe iiws } LINCOLN’S PROCLAMATION. Read Before the Cab- inet. From the Century Magazine. Further conference was had on ryan negro regiments, but Lincoln decided that moment had not yet arrived when this policy could be safely entered upon. Writes Chase: “The impression left upon my mind by the whole discussion was that, while the President thought that the organization, equipment and arming of negroes like other soldiers would be productive of more evil than good, he was not unwilling that conimanders should, at their discretion, arm, for purely defensive purposes, slaves coming within their lines.” But on the kindred policy of emancipation the President had reached a decision which appears to have been in advance of the views of his entire cabinet. Probably greatly to their surprise, he read to them the Se hgeey of a procla- mation warning the rebels of the pains and penalties of the confiscation act, and while renewing his tender of compensation to loyal states which would adopt gradual abolishment, adding a summary military or- der, as commander-in-chief, declaring free the slaves of all states which might be in rebellion on January 1, 1863. The text of this first draft of the émancipation proclamation is here printed for the first time: “In pursuance of the 6th section of the act of Congress entitled ‘An act to suppress insurrection and to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for: other purposes,’ approved July 17, 1862, and which act and the joint resolution explanatory thereof are here- with published, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim to and warn all persons within the contemplation of said 6th section to cease participating in, aiding, countenancing or abetting the existing rebellion, or any rebellion against the govern- } ment of the United States, und to return to their proper allegiance to the United States, | ain of forfeiture and seizures, as within and by said 6th section provided. And I hereby make known that it is my purpose, upon the next meeting of Congress, to again recom- mend the adoption of a practical measure for tendering pecuniary aid to the free choice or | rejection of any and all states, which may | then be recognizing and practically sustaining the authority of the United States, and which | may then have voluntarily adopted, or there- | after may voluntarily adopt, gradual abolish- ment of slavery within eas state or states; that the object is to practically restore, thencefor- ward to be maintained, the constitutional re- j lation between the general government and each and all the states wherein that relation is | now suspended or disturbed; and that for this | object the war, as it has been, will be prose- | cuted. And as a fit and necessary military | measure for effecting this object, I. as Com-| mander-in-chief of the army and navy of the ; United States. do order and declare that on the | first day of January, in the year of our Lord 1863. all persons held as slaves within any state or states wherein the constitutional authority | of the United States shall not then be prac- | tically recognized, submitted to and main- | tained, shall then, thenceforward and for be free.” Ofthe cabinet proceedings which | followed the reading of this momentous docu- ! ment we have unfortunately only very brief memoranda. Every member of the council was, we may infer, bewildered by the magni- tude and boldness of the proposal. The sudden consideration of this critical question reveals to us with vividness the difference in mental reach, readiness and decision between the President and his constitutional advisers. Only two of the number gave the measure their un- reserved concurrence, even after discussion, It is strange that one of these was the cautious eneral, the representative of the faction of the slave-holding state of Missouri, and that the member who opposed the measure as a whole and pro- d to achieve the result indirectly through the scattered and divided action of local com- manders in military departments was the anti- slavery Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Chase, A bagel perhaps more nearly than any other the abolition faction of the free state of Ohio. All were astonished, except the two to whom it bad been mentioned a week before. None of the others had even considered such a step. But from the mind and will of President Lincoln the determination and announcement to his cabinet came almost as complete in form and certain in intention on that memorable Tuesday of July as when, two months later, it was given to the public, or as officially pro- claimed on the succeeding New Year's day, an irrevocable executive act. tee) Easily Swindled. | A RICH FARMER'S HASTE TO EVADE THE REVENUE LAWS GETS HIM IN TROUELE. A Lancaster, Pa., special to the Philadelphia Press says: A clever swindling scheme, which the internal revenue officials believe to have been very generally worked in this county, was made public here to-day, by thearrest of Harry Metzger, of this city, charged with extorting | money from Christian M. Landis, a rich farmer, living near Witmer. this county. In default of $1,000 bail he was committed for a hearing be- fore United States Commissioner Kennedy. Last week a man, giving the name of John Hicks, called at Mr. Landis’ residence, and, representing himself as a traveling cigar ma- ker, offered to make cigars for Mr. Landis, the work to be done in Landis’ house, and by keep- ing the matter quiet the payment of revenue tax be avoided. Landis accepted the proposi- tion and Hicks worked for several days. When he had made about five hundred cigars, a man, giving the name of Hurry Metzger. and repre- senting himself asa revenue officer, called at Landis’ house and accused Landis of violating the revenue law. The latter finally confessed, when Metzger said: *:Now, I want $100 to keep quiet or Iwill give you away.” Landis refused, but finally compromised on $15, giving acheck, and receiving in return a receipt. which stated that the money was given in consideration of Metzger keeping quiet about Landis’ violation of the revenue laws. Landis mentioned the matter to several friends and it finally came to the revenue offi- cials here. They secured the receipt from Landis and had Metzger arrested. Hicks. the other man in the conspiracy, has not yet been arrested. It is probable that the government will seize the cigars and may bring suit agaiust Landis, he being as deep in the matter as the two conspirators. The revenue officials have reason to believe that the game has been very | extensively worked in this county. coo A Dazzling Scene. A BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN TEXAS THE RESULT OF RECENT RAINS, An El Paso, Tex., dispatch to the Globe-Demo- erat says: The present winter has so far been an unusually wet one in western Texas and southern New Mexico, more so, perhaps, than for twenty years past, and cattle-raisers, as well as farmers. are delighted with the pros- pects. Some 60 miles due north of El Paso lies a formation of almost pure gypsum, form- ing ranges of low, undulating hills, without 2 | speck of a mixture, and of @ dazzling white- | ness, The gypsum occurs in the shape of a | fine sand, and the district is some 25 miles | long by 6 or 7 miles wide. The rays of the sun | are so strongly reflected trom the brilliant surface that traveling across the country is almost impossible in summer on account of the blinding glare and the great heat gener- ated. This gypsum range is locally known as the white sands, and the White Oaks railroad, now building, skirts the eastern border. In one locality, on the White Sands, there is a natural basin-like depression, into which a number of neighboring gullies and valleys lead and concentrate, and this basin has, for the first time within the memory of man, been filled by the recent rains, and over 300 acres have been covered several feet deep and transformedinto a lake. As the bottom of this lake consists of the purest gypsum, which has been by the water cemented into a solid snow-white mass, it cannot drain off except by the slow process of evaporation, and when the midday sun shines with its full foree upon the landscape, the effect of the reflection is daz- zling and magnificent beyond description. There is, probably, no similar scenery any- where in America, : Not # single entry has yet been made in this gypsum t, the largest and most extensive im the world, neither under the homestead or mption, nor under the mineral laws of the ‘nited States. It lies in Don Ana county, New Mexico, and is skirted aed White Oaks rail- road, 60 north of E£) Paso. i | i FE {examining the buried fragments of man’s | molished his antagonist in the pages of « | therefore affect it except by the slow process of | | for ostensible fact is made, whether AN EDUCATED SUFFRAGE. Why the Leading South Carolina News- / paper Advocates It. ‘From the Charleston News ‘Courier. It will be contended, no doubt, that by im- posing sn educational qualification the state will lose representation in Congress, and there- fore in the electoralcollege. Admitting that this will be so—although other states which impose such a qualification lose no representa- tion of any account—it is better by far to sur- render a Congressman, or two, than to perse- vere in ways and means which injure our peo- ple at home and give them a bad name abroad, and so hinder, more seriously than the thought- less imagine, the progress and development of South Carolina, There is always. too. the broad ground that it is not » “denial” of the right to vote to affix a condition which can easily be complied with by the means provided by the state. The public schools give to every one the op) nity to learn to read and write, and it should not be considered a deniel of the | right to vote to juire that only those who have availed themselves of the opportunities given them shall enjoy that privilege. No ‘‘de- nial.” no loss of representation. What we say of South Carolina we say like- wise of every state which is exposed to similar political conditions. There would soon be an end to sectionalism, and all that the word im- plies. if in every state there were such qualifi- | cation of the suffrage as, without even the sug- gestion of fraud, would give the control of affairs to the responsible and educated people of the commonwealth. There would be no} more talk of reconstruction, if the states which are affected were to move on this line. It | would content Gen, Harrison and the majority of the republican party. More important than | this, it would satisfy the thoughtful people of | the states, and give them fresh hope and new courage in the knowledge that there was, nothing in election laws or election methods to apologize for, or to make them eshamed. The News and Courier is unwilling to believe that there are many white men in South Caro- lina who will refuse to take the trouble to qual- ify themselves to vote when they have received at least a year’s notice that an educational | qualification is proposed to be placed on the suffrage for their protection and general bene- fit. Intelligent as they are, and easy as it is for them to learn, it is almost an affront to them to say that they who have served the state so splendidly in war, and were so faithful to itin times of peace, will flatly decline to learn to read end write in order that their election laws and elections may be as fair and ; manly as the tight they made against the fed- eral armies a quarter of « century ago, Among | the old soldiers there should be no difficulty on this score. and for the younger men there is no excuse whatever. sribiecrneleom Tr eee: THE FIELD OF FICTION. Influence of the Modern Novel and the Extension of Its Impression. } From the Boston Advertiser, This is the age of fiction. The geologist, handiwork, tells us of human beings who in- habited our earth in prehistoric times, and H designates the periods in which they lived ac- cording to the materials out of which their de- gree of advancement enabled them to construct implements and utensils, Thus we are told of | “the stone age” and “the iron age.” It is the proud boast of our present century that we ac- complished the most characteristic and endur- | ing works, not by the labor of our hands, but by the labor of our brains. We desire that } those who come after us shall judge us. not by our pottery and our arrow-heads, but by our institutions and ide: On both the infiu- | ence of the modern novel has already made its mark. and is likely, in the immediate future, to extend its impression. So distinctive and wide- reaching is it that that the social geologist who examines the strata of civilization for the lat- ter part of the nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth will probably label this epoch “the fiction age.” The plain tendency is to settle or attempt to settle all living questions by a process of story- telling. Dickens and Reade turned their hands to this work with conscious and signal effect, and the power of Uncle Tom's Cabin was felt throughout the world. Not many years ago the prime minister of Great Britain was a man who had gained his fame, in the first in- stance, by writing Vivian Grey, who found con- solation for his last political defeat in writing Endymion, and whose avowed ambition was to govern England on the plan ontlined in his novels. Jules Verne has given us a multitude of semt-seientific novels. It is now in order for a oaniing sad imaginative disciple of Darwin or Agassiz to undertake a final settlement of the debate between evolutionists and creation- ists by @ sparkling romance. If Dr. O. W. Holmes had not reached an age at which even aman of his almost perennial vigor is apt to shrink from undertaking any great work, it would not be unreasonable to expect from him a love story that would strike a staggering blow in the long contest between homeopath- ists and practitioners of the older schools of medicine, John Ruskin made a mistake when he accused Whistler of “throwing a pot of | paint in the public’s face.” He might have de- novel and saved beside the famous sixpence which he was constrained to pay as the result of a libel suit. There is no field of inquiry or dispute into which the novel writer now hesitates to enter. It is of little use to attempt to stem any tide of fashion, whether in millinery or literature, and there is more likelihood that the liberty of the press will run into extravagant license than that it will be unduly curbed. Mere disap- proval of the stretch of any tendency will not molding or converting public opinion. But there is a considerable weight of opinion that the indiscriminate appropriations and ventures of the novel writers of the day often pass ont- side the legitimate range of fiction and are positively misleading and harmful. For not to speak of the artistic objection to the hybrid products which are often turned out, it is urged that there is apt to be a mischievous confusion of reason and emotion in the consid- eration of subjects of grave importance, that an impartial and competent treatment can scarcely be hoped for from the nature of the composition, and that the substitution of fiction 1 t consciously or not, in a peculiarly insidious and impressive manner. Above all it is pointed out with evident truth that there is an increasing tendency to make the novel argumentative rather than illustra- tive, and to enforce a point, not by some vivid life picture, as Reade and Dickens and George Eliot did, but by serving as advocate, judge, and jury, and controlling the produttion of | Witnesses and refutation at will This Pooh- | Bah method, it is noted. is employed with no little popular effect. Without considering at present what force there is in these objections, | it is well to bear in mind that they exist and are entitled toa hearing. “Bullet-Playing” Miners. From the Scottisi World, ‘The Scotch miner has many ways of amusing himself. Quoits is a favorite game of his; so is a game called “rounders”—a sort of cricket —and cricket itself is popular among the younger men, but with them foot ball is the favorite pastime, Leaping, running, throwing the hammer and tossing the caber are all prac- ticed, and in some parts a game called “bullet. playing” is in high favor. “We have neverseen this played except in the Lothians and Stirling- shire, and there it was at one time crack amusement. Rather a peculiar amusement, too. It is played in this manner: A certain distance, say a mile out and a mile in, is fixed upon as the ground to be covered ‘by the players, and the man who does so in the fewest number of throws is declared the winner, The bullet is a fished hail of hard whinstone, und weight from ten to rcwig eon Sot this ball the es into his hand and running to a line drawn on the roadway, he swings his arm and throws with all his might. This is termed “hainching the bullet,” and good player can cover the iile in five or six throws. The game isone mainly of strength, but a good deal of skillcan be shown in it. Each player has a. man in front to show where the bullew should be landed, and his business is to see that, if his directions are followed, the bullet of his player will have the best part of the road to run on. The ae is always played on the best way in the neighbor! and the authori never hevelnardofbapaiaes anneal never e of any: it LE bar A bullet match is wi a "7 3 fe x. GW bats DECEMBER 28, __NEW PUBLICATIONS. _ 1888, PRESENTED To EVERY READER OF THIS PAPER. Just appeared from the press of the SPECTATOR PUB- LISHING COMPANY of Boston, Mass, It is their sumptuous Annual Heslth Papers for 1888, by Dr. R. C. FLOWER. and is richly made up, being printed in large open-face type in deep blue ink, bound in heavy Plate paper printed incarmine and gold. The contents are well worthy of the rich setting, containing as they doa number of the ablest, most brilliant, and practi- eal health papers contributed recently to the AMERI- CAN SPECTATOR. Papers at once fascinating as fic- tion, yet strong in original thoughtand fairly bristling _ with valuable suggestions and practical information on vital questions relating to health and life. 7 ‘The following partial table of contents indicates the Tange of subjects treated: L. Paralysis, IL. Evil effects of unnatural excitement on mind and body. III. The physical and mental decline of the race. IV. Cause of this frightful degeneracy. V. How to remedy the evil VI. Proper generation—A glance at the great prob- Jem that most intimately affects the human race. VII. Choice selections from recent ethical essays by | Dr. B.C. Flower. The publishers’ price of this pamphlet is 50 cents, but for the next few weeks they will mail it free to every reader of this paper who encloses 2 cents to pre- Pay postage for an additional stamp, that is two 2-cent stamps, The company will also send a large pamphlet richly illustrated with numerous engravings, describ- ing sud portraying Dr. R. C. Flower's magnificent } stat health palace, also containing sn exhaustive chapter on the original system of ventilation introduced in this building at n cost of 820,000, by meaus of which the air in every room is changed every few minutes; the systein being found in no other building in the world and is unquestionably one of the greatest scien- tifle sanitary triumphs of the century. Address all communications to THE SPECTATOR PUBLISHING COMPANY, BOSTON, MASS., And mention this paper. 1t-d&K __LADIES’ GOODS. _ AND beg ed RAILROAD. Gependaigus, and ti Calis : fee Buf- RL Sepia Car Wan Seturday, 10:00 p. with Sleepini eset Rochester ~~ sport: Lock Haven, sud nite, ate 508, For New York and the Fast, 7:20, ®-00. 11.00, and 21 ioum, 2-0. 410.1 ooand ST Adon v, 1i40am.2 4:10, 10: Oa; and 11:20pm. Linrited Express of Pullnan Parlor Cars, $:40 em, daily, except Sunday, aud 3:45 p. m, daily, with Dining Car. For Brosulyn, 8 Y.-all throush thane cowbectat_ Jen wl boats of Pui 40, 8:10 10: reek Line, 7-20a.m. and 4-40 pam. daily, 3 iis, 7:20 and 9:00 am. 12:05 and 4:40 daily, except Sunday. 1 ‘Sundays, 9:00 a m, 1 4:10 EXANDRIA AND DERICK SB! RATL WAY, AND ALEXANDRIA AND W NGTON ALLROAD. For Alexand ia, 4 in. -1:04 noon vofid aud the South. 4.220, 7 0:57 & m. daily, "sfegananafor Wanna’ E 2 p.m. Tickets and information at the office, northeast cor- ner of 13th street and Pennsylvania avenue, and at the ion, Where orders can be left a7 ALTIMORE AND OWTO RAILROAD Scbednie in effect Dec oth, TS8R Leave Washington from station corner of New Jersey avenue and C st d Northwest, vestibuled limited ex- wee, Sag ey) a.m. ex} yan. eee and’ St Louis, capress, daily, 3 and lO p.m. For Pittsburg and Cleveland. vestibuled limited ex- Dress. duly, §:55 a ni. and exbress, 9-05 pn. For Lexington and local stations, 10-1 in. #8), Gtstions between Washington and Balt 00, 6:40. 4:20 a. m.. 12:10, 3-25. 43. 6 Sundays, 8:30 am, 1:15,3:25, 435, 1:30 p.m. . Jeave Raltimore for Washington, wrek 0,6 30, 7:20,8:00, (45-ininute train), 30, 45-minute sraiu 30, 8:00, 6:30, 8:00, » 0 or 10, u y 18" : sT- undays 5:10. 6: 5 DO, 9:00, 4:1 10.40 am. TAL, ZANUARY 187.1 WiLL, SELL CHRIST. | 5:15 00. 4:10, 600, 6-36, 60. toed Tl ae ie on ol} Ocpames s, Toys, Gold Faint, ET? | ey 40 hy Ps os apand $3: ook Pictures. Studies to paint, French Tissue Paper, be ANS p. re An je Leaves, ke. 3. JAY GOULD. 421 Oth st. oc1 3-3 | am., 17.09, 4:10, p.m. Sundays, LADY, FORMERLY CARRYING king "in New York, would like the p axbington ladies. ‘Moderate prices and st. ne. AUTIER HAS RETURNED Fi York, and informs her customers and the that she ‘will make Directoire Empire Gowns. « Tailor-made Suits. 728 1:3th st. u.w. aL3-cw* UPERFLUOUS HAIR DESTROYED, trace, by my electric needle process, ¢ y Prominent physician. Ten years’ practice tn y. Electrical treatment for ladies and children, DR. GABRIEL, 1321 G st. u.w. Mae M. J. Prasor 1329 F st. n.w. (Mrs. Harrison's) FINE FRENCH HAI GODS, Also, A special selection in SHELL, AMBER AND DULL JET ORNAMENTS, SHAMPOOING. Hisir Dressed and Bangs Shingled. au31-4m* NDIS, 1229 PENN. AVE. lor-made Gowns, Riding Habits, Evening and | Bireet Costumes, etc., le ut short notice. Perfect ‘At and work, one fitting required. Reasonable prices. Formerly with Lord & Taylor. New York, ay Barr& uis. Buttonholesmade. 013-2m’ | ILY DRESS SHIELDS ARE THE BEST. MANT- | jufactured by the Brooklyn Shield Co., Brockiyn. N. | ._ Sold by all leading dry-goods houses in the United | Biates, ovttfed] | RENCH DYEING, SCOURING AND DRY CLEAN. ING EST, SHMENT, S New York ave. irat-cl 8 and Gente’ ‘of every deacri tion. “Plush. Velvet and Evening Dresses ANTON | AND CAROLINE LERCH, formerly with A. Fischer aud Maison Yriewe, Paris. Ja2-ly ASONDEESCHER’S DRY CLEANING ESTAB- LISHMENT AND DYE. WORKS, 909 G at. nw. ‘Ladies’ and Gents’ Garments of all kinds cleaned and Dyed without being ripped. Ladies’ Evening Dresses a specialty. Thirty-five years’ experience. Prices mouerate. Goods ¢ (oF and delivered. sls LL-WOOL GARMI DI UI ate — T Ni E UP OR RIPPED A. FISCHE! elt ‘206 G st. Bw. GENTLEMEN’S GOODS. _| G. T. Kees, | TAILOR oc8-4m 414 9TH STREET. H. D. Bax. IMPORTER AND TAILOR, f | Plas the honor to inform you that his NEW GOODS | ave Just mi Mr. BARK personally fits all garments in his establishment. es ~— 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. mh17 Washineton, D.C. the Metropolitan Branch, 6-35, se P. a for prine:pal stations only hersbung. ane points, 19:00 a. ma f12:30, Ha, 0 ah Boyd's and’ interniediate stations, +7-00 p.m. ¢ " reh tain leaves Washington on Sunday at 1:15 wn. stopping at all” stations “on Stetropolitan ranch ad! Pipderick, 10:10am, 14:35, 45:30pm. Sun- ‘or Hiacerstown. 110:10a.m..and 5:30 pan. ‘Tratus arrive from Chicago dally 8." pau. trow Clucitmad and St. Louis Pau.; trom Pittsburg "S235 " PHILADELPHIA DIVISION. ery pie at 11:30 p. — + te, Baflet Parlor Carson tne Sleeping Car on the rains leay for Wi ington, di . 8330-11-00 th, aod 12°05 tights” Enewsre called for bad’ ctetctant ok TP ont or cl Test cesou onlers left at Ucket offices, ld and Toi CHAS. 0. Gen. Ww. PP PMONT AIR LINE. cane % Schedule in effect November 18th, 1888. SCULiL :30 A. M.—East Tenn. Mail Dail Warrenton, ———— Gacotesrilie, Ziyebljury’ and Stations Rnorvilie, Rome, Calera, Mentenscns rat See Pullinan Sleeper Washington to'New ween je, Greensboro, Haleisl, Charlotte Commute siker ‘Aucusta, Atinnta; Birtags gomery, New Onieane. Texas hd California E New York to Montgomery in_¢ - tion with Pullman Sleepers Monteomery tor New Or. Jeans and Mann Boudoir Sleepers for Birminham, Vicksburg. and Shreveport. an Sleeper Greens bore to Columbia. and Rustista. Solid traits We s tou to Atlanta. Does not counect for 'c. & 0. points Sundays. 30 P. M.—Daily, except Sunday, for truabury and intermediate stations. sree 5:30 P. M.—Western Express Daily for Warrenton, Gordonsville, Charlottesville, Louisville, Cmcinnath, Pullman Sleepers Solid Trains Washington to Louisville; also for Lynchburg, Bristol, Chattanooga, Hempaia, Little Rock, and all’ southwestern points, Thronch Pullman Sleepers Washington to Menpisis withor re. 00 ‘P. M-Southern Express Daily for ho ry, pach: feinhs us it 11:00 le, Talo Anbeviie, © ‘ usta, Atle {i Jeabs, Texas aud Culfornin, Palimen Vestibule Nashingtop to New Orleana vis Atlanta and Mont canerys Pullman Se eton a Coraline on Werbiny bebe ig ‘rains on Washi fon at io Aiviric Ws fegton B:00 4. ML Dally except Sunday eon Sas aE, Daily: arrive Rowand Hill 11-90 AM nd 4-90 Pt Peturping leave Round ‘Hil 6-05 ALM. Daily and 1-25 3i- Dally except Sunday, arriving’ Waxbiueion 8.30 AM. ands “ Througis from the South via Charlotte, Dan- villeand L arr Washington 7-00 AM. : nesser Bristol and Lypeb- 40 PM: via harlotteswille at 9:40 PM. rains tabu information — — . Penney Iva TAYLOR, + Agent. OMAC RIVER BOATS VERNON! oo | MT. VERNON 708 a A AN —— PIANOS AND ORGANS. STEAMER WW. CORCORAN = - << | Leaves Tth-street wharf daily (except Sunday) for Mt. BORE PURCHASING ELSEWHERE SEE ‘THE | Vernon spd Kiver Lan‘liucs an tar down ee Gipmons, app gpaauer Piauos end Burdett Orcas at 407 10th | at 10 glock Keturuing, reaches Washlugte a0" Practical Piano Maker, General Azent. LL. BLAKE. Captain. . BR POTOMAC RIVER LANDING. Ex Fi A BPR pe EW IRON STEAMER “WAREFTELD" fe Gaus 4 Be Leaves 7ih-atreet whart on MONDAI 8, THURSDAYS. oe = ahd SATURDAYS at a.m. Returning 1UiSDAve . ey FRIDAYS end SUNDAYS p. ‘in, touching at Ueiver « xe 4 A See” ee Loudings as far co Nomini Oreck. Va. St Clement UNEQUALED IN TONE, TOLCH “worxwansure | 384 coma. 3a, se FOE ro EES A BCRABILEEY = CW. RIDLEY. Mamumer, Co & PADGETT. Age Special attention of “Holiday Purchasers” is t to. their “New Artistic. Sty lon" Uinained tu dose ot ST DECORATIVE ART. Pianos for rent. 2OND-HAND PIANOS. — A large assortment, | ine lmost every well-mo: coustry, an thors MONTHLY INSTA =| NY ¢ INSTA Ww 5 Ls KNABE X CO, an, 16, Ga - Marke: Space. | 38” a Saale, Weil, dan. 0, afitafortaive stateroom exeelient Nt v ENTS. don eppointments, bes: Ist in, Pie haves rtieudid eck mi fang? berth. according to location: Fy "eats si GRAND ends ANOS, by orth: w rates. Apply to EF. DRO be inaxert: DECKER BNOS. #26 Pent ave. BEALL, BROWN & 00. et and ESTEY. Cases ¢ swoed, i Mahowuny. “Moderate prices, ‘ou inouthly pa ments. Call aud examine. SANDERS & STAYMAN, ‘934 F st. ocl-3m uw EESZEX, ORGANS FOR HOLIDAY PRESENTS. ‘Beautiful uew styles jnst received. Handsorme 9- Sop organ for $75. “Sold on Cail and ex- amine, SANDERS & STAYMAN, ecl-3m 934 F st. nw. HE FIANO AND ORGAN QUESTION. | rms “and o' formation | desired by those ti purchase i PIANO vr an ORGAN cheettalle gins fica | ae ® SAND! ALLE & DAVIS PIANOS; SUPERB IN 7 ree ie ser pagers een ae, StSil Mhstuwe HL: SUMNER, Agent see 2 Ber pt mic ata eee @ PRI FOR CASH: 25 ‘Wharves and Rail yards, 12th & Water sta, Southwest. 1202 Pst. n. w. 1515 7that. nw. ‘Sdand K st. nw, 1740 Pa. sve. nw. : thay bento apes esses Of the best coal mined. ore fomilien aceon, "br at Be eae 8 success. | BOOKS AND STATIONERY. | ie ak 1108-1116 E st. n.w., south side, SUES TET RACERS PERT FINE WORK ASPECIALTY, a9 ___HOUSEFURNISHINGS 5, 8.2, wind 9:35 ¥ 6:20am. | and Wilmington, daily, 8-15, m,. | 3 ++. | pursuit of general information. F aap 1n presenting THE EVENING STAR in its nop Gress and improved form, attention is called tomy Peculiar merits as news and family paper, ap wellas to the extraordinary advantages is atturds Wo advertisers, sigh professional autbority—which ia mis > stance only expresses public sentiment—ae de clared that “THERE Is No BETTER EVENING NEWSPAPER IN THE UNITED STATES” wes THESTaR. But even more than Ahis may be justiy 45, | Clalmed forit. In all that relates to the com punk tion of @ first-class journal, devoted to news, base mest, family and local affine it takes rank with the very best in the world, ud in the special quash ites mamed it ts not surpassed by uy. With “ial special correspond- ents at all centers of interest, ty the tree used? the telegraph, and with the Superior mechanicag facilities with which its ofice is equipped, it covers the whole Meld of news, and is able to prescate, Feflex of the entire civilized w. alert, intelligent and i: jerkd each day upte the very moment of going to press. In thesere Spects THE Stax is wisclutely without @ rival, and fearlessly challenges comparison, within rangedt Hi the territory it ovcuptes. In its treatment of public aflaire it is Impartial And alms to be fair and just to all taithsand inten ents, and it is absolutely independent, in the bigte est and broadest sense of the term. In the publ. | cation of uews tt records facts without bias or | color, and in the expression of editorial opinion it | 1S as steady and firm in advocating and promoting only what it believes to be right, as it is persistent in condemning and opposing what it believes wo be | “Tong. Ids, in brief, wholly untrammeled by any ‘other interest or consideration than thatof Serving the public, and securiug as far as possible the wele fare of the family circle, and of society a8 a whole, With these general objects in view, what Tas Stak specially concerns iteelf with, and thst fe Which it gives its best efforts, may be briefly de scribed as THE INTERESTS OF WASHINGTON | AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. To these the paper has been unswervingly devoted since ite present management assumed ite direction, | nd this policy will characterize the future career of the paper as prominently ae it has marked its past Listory. AS AN ADVERTISING MEDIUM. The EVENING STAK claims to be, and can com clusively establish Ubat it 15, the best local advertise tng medium tn the world! NO OTRER PAPER PRINTED: CTROULATES SO MANY COPIES IX THE CITY OF mm PUBLICATION, IN PROPORTION 70 POPULATION. Itie hardly too much to say that It is read by the mem | bers of every family in the District of Columbia | It ts peculiarly the favorite of the home cine, and | 48 m0 less esteemed in the counting room and the Work shop. It follows, therefore, that as an agent | of publicity within the Natiowal Capital and com | tiguous territory it bas no rival An announce | mens in us columns practically meets al! eyes, auf, | im proportion to the service it gives, Its advertising | Petes rank with the lowest in the country. Being | low, they are rigidly adhered to, There only re mains to be added on this head, as an indication of the esteem in which the paper ts held bythe * pustmess public, which best understands its oma interests in this respect, that, both In the numba of subscribers and of new advertisements printed, | each year in the history uf the payer shows «large increase over its predecessor. For example, during the fret nine months of the present year | the average daily circulation of the pape hes been 26,651 copies, and the whole number of new advertisements printed 39,688, against an average daily circulation of 25,477 copies and 38,504 new advertisements du® ing the corresponding period in 1887. In sbort, THE STAR has never taken a backward step, ane its conductors are determined that it never sbsll *ake one. THE WEEKLY STAR Is especially commended to thst portion of @® reading public who desire to be kept advised & affairs at the seat of government, and are so sitve } ated as not to need or care for e daily paper. Iti in every respect a first-class family journal 1 news is carefully collected, and may be depended Upon to be fresh and authentic, Its scientific, Ite Tary, household and agricultural departnents are edited with the view of meeting the wants an8 tastes of an intelligent and reading public, and Of affording assistance to the student end those IB Some of the most Tae P. Haxsox Hiss noted and learned men and women of the count MANUFACTURING COMPANY. are conttibutors to its columns. Its ample tele WALL PAPERS. graphic arrangements and full corps of special Furniture, Uphoistery Goods and Curtsins, correspondents enable it to lay before its reader® 815 15th at. nw, Baltimore House, 217 N. Chsries st. A full tne of GAS COOKING STOVES Ou band and for sale. ali-tm | every Week all important happenings, foreign aml domestic, and especially such political, social, anf current events as are worthy of note, in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Care Une, and those adjacent thereto. ‘The low price at which It is published, ONLY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, 228s . « brings it within the reach of all. Nove are so pot nv. | tat they cannot afford to take it, and none #0 rd ‘that they can afford to do without it SEND FOR A PREMIUM LIST. “As an exis inducement now osbecivan @ Tan Waexx Oran, 0 latot valuable, useful sod ‘ernsmental articles has been prepared, « cop7 4