Evening Star Newspaper, April 6, 1889, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, - Lf D.C SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 188S9-TWELVE PAGES. HORSE, WIND AND STEAM. CURIOUS MOTORS ON RAILWAYS, Some Interesting Old Models Exhibited in the National Museum. DAYS WHEN THE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE WAS A DOUBTFUL EXPERIMENT—CARS THAT WERE MOVED WITH SAILS OR BY HORSE TREADMILI— BACE BETWEEN COOPER'S ENGINE AND A HORSE. ie “The wind has a good deal to do with the running of @ railroad train even to-day,” said Mr. J. E. Watkins, curator of the section of transportation, National museum, to a STaR re- porter, who was looking at a model of a curi- ous sail car, which was used experimentally on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in the early days when it was, by no means settled whether the motive power on railroads would be wind, horse or steam. “If you go to the bureau of intelligence at the Broad street station, Phila- delphia,” Mr. Watkins continued, “‘and ask whether some train, say from New York, is likely to be on time, you may be told, if there isastrong wind from the west, that it will Probably be four or five minutes late. Wind bas considerable effect on the speed of trains.” THE B. AND 0. TREADMILL CAR. Steam had to show its superiority both to horses and sails bet@re the steam locomotive was taken into service on the Baltimore and Ohio. A car that was among the first put into opera- tion on the road was run by horse power. A model is exhibited in the National museum. It was a tread-mill arrangement, the horse being on the car and treading an endiess apron or belt. An old newspaper describing the car says: “The machine worked indifferently well, but on one occasion, when drawing a car filled with editors and other representatives of the press, it ran into acow. and the passengers, having been tilted out and rolled down an embank- ment.were naturally enough unanimons incon- demning the contrivance, and so the horse- power car, after countless bad jokes had been perpetrated on the cowed editors, passed out of existence and probably out of mind.” On the South Carolina road, when the first experiments were made, it was the sentiment of the management that they should begin at least with horses. The steam locomotive was considered then asa very doubtful thing. The construction of the road was begun in 1529. Six of the projected 136 miles were completed in a year. The company offered a premium of $500 for the best locomotive by horse power, and with fifteen passengers, the mast went by the board with the sail and rigging attached, car- Lim.» with them several of the crew. The wreck was descried by several friendly ship- masters, who kindly rendered assistance in rig- bean dee! mast, and the car was again put un way. During the afternoon the wind changed 80 as to bring it nearly ahead when going in one direction, ®ut this did not stop the Eye Sea it was ascertained that the car would sail within four points of the wind. We understand it is intended by some of our sea- man to rig acar properly and shortly to ex- hibit their skill in managing a vessel on land.” THE B. AND 0, SAIL CAR. Sail cars have been used on the level roads of Holland, Spain and China. C.J. Bascom, of the Kansas Pacific road, constructed a car with a mast eleven feet high. having a triangular sail with two booms. With a favorable wind it would speed over the plains at the rate of forty miles an hour. At Barnegat beach railroad men frequently hoist a sail on construction cars den and take advantage of the wind. On the Ma the South Pacific, a tramwa miles in length, constructed for the purpos bringing guano from the guano fields to the harbor, is operated by sail power and by hand. The trucks are pushed up to windward, loaded, and then sail is made, and the train moves along ata fine rate. On these islands there is nearly always a fair wine. The locomotive truck carries a single mast in its center, rigged with a large sail. HORSE AGAINST STFAM. The first experiment on the Baltimore and Ohio with a steam locomotive was made by Peter Cooper. The story of his locomotive, known as **Tom ‘humb,” shows how doubtful at that time was the issue of the ce ptition between horse and steam. Mr, Co was satisfied that steam could be adapted to the curved roads which he saw would be built in the United States. He went to Baltim build bis engine becanse that city posses then the only railroad on which he could ex- periment. His engine when completed was about the size of an ordinary han ar. The boiler, no larger thana common kitchen boiler, stood upright. The engine was provided with zylindds r 3'¢ inches in diameter, and a draught was arranged with a blowing apparatus worked by a belt from the engine. ‘This tiny affair was the first locomotive for railroad purposes ever built in America. The first experiment was made at the Mount Clair car-house in the sum- mer of 1530. and it was so successful that “Tom Thumb” soon afterwards made a trip to Ellicott’s Mills. drawing an open car. On this journey it is recorded that it made a speed of 15 miles an hour and more. The passengers were astouished at the rapidity with ice, A itres Migs TOM THUMB’S RACE the was awarded to C. constructed a car with an endless chain attach- ment. This car, known as ‘The Flying Dutch- man,” ran on the road for some time. of it stands in a case in the National museum, near that of the B. and O. sail car. With twelve E. Detmold. who , which they traveled, a | notes the fact that when the locomotive | making 18 miles an hour some passengers wrote A model | their names in their memorandum books “to | prove that even at that great velocity it was A cur cnicher sue was ossible to do so.” On the return from Elli- ee ae aboard it achieved a speed of 12/ cott's Mills, at the Relay house, the passengers mm an hour. Old pictures represent it with | the horse in the center, persons sitting about found waiting for them, on the opposite track, a car. to which a fine gray horse had been har- on the sides. and s negro driver or engineer | nessed by Stockton & Stokes. stage line pro- standing behind the horse with a whip, him up when he lagged. to stir THE FLYING DUTCHMAN. After the horse experiment on the Baltimore and Ohio road recourse was had to the wind, and a sailing car, known as the Meteor, invented by Evan Thomas, was run for some time, when- ever the wind was favorable. It would travel at @ good rate of speed with the wind abaft or on the quarter. With a wind abeam or from the side the car was likely to capsize. Ina calm, of course, the car was useless, and pas- bengers nding upon it might have to wait — while for itto start. Among those who sailed in the car on one of its experimental twips was Baron Krudener, the envoy of Rus- sia, and he was so much pleased that he sent a model of it to the czar. A sailing car vas also tested on the South Carolina road in 1430. The following account of the first experiment was — in the Charleston Courier March 20, 830: sail was set on a car on our railroad yes- terday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. Fifteen gentle- men got on board and flew off at the rate of 12 to 14 miles an hour. Thirteen persons and 8 tons of iron were carried about 10 miles an hour. The preparations for sailing were very hastily got up, and of course were not of the | became, in some connection whic best kind, but, owing to this circumstance, the | forgotten, important asa piece of evidence. twas hunted for and found among some old ery fresh from about northeast, which,as / rubbish at Mount Clair, ald "and would drive } imagine that it had ever generated steam peed. When noing { experiment afforded high sport. The a was ‘abe the car either way with e: at the rate of about 12 miles an hour and loade: prietors, who were interested in showing that a Steam locomotive stood no chance beside a horse. The challenge was accepted, and there was a lively race. A SPIRITED RACE. The following account of the contest was written by Mr. H. B. Latrobe, of Baltimore, who was one of Mr. Cooper's guests on tite trip : | “At first the gray had the best of it, for his tsteam could be applied to the greatest ad- vantage on the instant, while the engine had to wait until the rotation of the wheels set the blower to work. The horse was, perhaps. @ quarter of a mile ahead when tho safety valve of the engine lifted and the thin blue vapor issuing from it showed an excess ofsteam. The blower whistled, the steam blew off in vapory clouds, the pace increased, the passengers shouted, the engine gained on the horse, soon it lapped him, the silk was plied, the race was neck and neck. nose and nose, then the engine passed the horse and a great hurrah hailed the victory. But it was not repeated, for just at this time, when the gray’s master was about giving up, the hand which drove the pulley which moved the blower slipped from the drum, the safety-valve ceased to scream, and the engine, for want of breath, begun to wheeze and pant. In vain Mr. Cooper, who was his own engineer and fire- man, lacerated his hands in attempting to re- place the band upon the wheel; in vain he tried to urge the fire with light wood: the horse gained on the machine and passed it, and al- though the band was presently replaced, and steam again did its best. the horse was too far ahead to be overtaken, and came in the winner of the race, But the real victory was with Mr. Cooper notwithstanding. He had held fast to the faith that was in him and had demonstrated its truth beyond peradventure. All honor to his name! Ina patent case tried many years afterward the boiler of Mr. ein age engine has been It was difficult to enough to drive @ coffee-mill, much less that it had performed the feats here narrated.” THE PRESIDENT’S SALARY. | A Comparison of the Salaries Paid to Various National Chiefs. ‘From the Boston Globe. The sole income of the President of the United States from the public treasury is his salary of 50,0008 year. He draws it at the Pate of €4,166% a month. This is a fraction m 008 iy and $160 each for six working days. Until Grant's time Presidents lived on half this salary. Experience has shown that the present sum is large enough to! cover the expenses of the most extravagant and to leave s comfortable balance the purse of a presidential family of moder- ideas. Yet there is not another magistrate the head of of 10,000,000 who does not receive a larger the august, potent and toiling Presi- it of the United States. Persia, who has nothing to do Hd age i it of an income of 30,000,000 a year. re is the czar of Russia, whose chief keep from being blown up. He is something like $10.000,000 yearly. The king of Siam gets along on a like royal family of poor, miserable ive $3.900,000 every vear, and Italians of doors and eat nothing but mac- to make upa of 3,000,000 and wore for their royal Such figures as these eonsole the British people somewhat for their sunual outlay, under specific laws of $2,915,000 ou Victoria and her family to say nothing of in- Grect extortions and Laps juisites, That reformed pii the seas, the sultan @f Morocco, is slighty compensated for his self-denial by an annual allowance of #2,500,000 and the mikado of Japan receives 2,300,000. ‘The khedive of Egypt draws $1,575,000 from the substance of that tax-ridden land, while the content themselves with a yearly tribute of $1,125,000 from the empire. Even the sultan of Zanzibar i H any people exceeding the num- | boss several hundred wives, is in the shouldered, and narro' The Society Young Man. From the Argonaut. While the society girl is a subject of so much sympathy and comment in the newspapers, it might not be amiss to cast a kindly glance toward the young society man. Unquestiona- bly the season tells heavily upon debutantes, but after they have been out for a year or two they thrive upon fashionable life in a way that is wonderful to see. The leaders who set the pace in the lively circle of New York society are, without exception, magnificent specimens of robust and beautiful womanhood. They have bright eyes and clear skins; they are quick of movement and apparently happy. Although the years roll by, many of the old leaders con- tinue to keep in the van, aud the incessant round of balls and parties has no other effect upon them than to emphasize their charms, Meanwhile, how about the society man? one who casts a glance at the vacuous, round- w-chested youths who block the doorways at ev entertainments, and drag themselves eons ictal their so- — — of the trouble with the society man is that né® get enough sleep, ai Poet or ina comfortable brougham, very often after having taken @ cozy and healthful naj after dinner, and dances until about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning with vivacity. The next morning she sleeps snugly in her bed until about 11 or 12 o'clock. The whole house is hushed that the beauty ofthe family may iudulge in her re- pose, and after eight or nine hours of healthful slumber she lounges around in an easy wrap over breakfast, and then goes to walk, ride, or drive, precisely as an siblete would who is training and building his strength. Her brother goes to the ytd until 3 o'clock, lights a big cigar, smokes it on his way home, srgblas into bed at 0 quaxter to 6, & somed at hurriedly . THE SAMOAN ISLANDS. INHABITANTS AND THEIR CUSTOMS Interesting Facts by an Observant Naval Officer. ——-__ COMMANDER MULLAN TELLS OF THE PEOPLE WHO DWELL UPON THE ISLANDS ABOUT WHICH THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH DISPUTE, AND WHERE THE RECENT DISASTROUS WRECK TOOK PLACE. ——-.___ The following is taken froma private letter written by Commander D, W. Mullan, com- manding the U. S. 8. Nipsic, one of the vessels wrecked at Apia, Samoa, and furnishes an amount of information in regard to the Samoan islands and the people who inhabit them which will prove offgreat interest at this time: The Samoan islands are situated in about 14° south latitude, and 169° west longitude, and will, in the near future, be the center of a great commercial enterprise. They are ona direct line between California and Australia; and, when the Panama and Nicaraguan canals are open to traftic, will be of more importance. The town of Apia is situated on the sea shore, and consists of a straggling line of European- built houses, of all sorts and sizes, placed at intervals around the edge of the horse-shoe bay inland on a fair road running its fn!l length. It is the principal port in these i : and was formerly governed by a municipal board, consisting of the American, English und German consuls, which is now discontinued. Set far back in the hills, at a high elevation, and thrown out vividly by contrast with the dark bush background appears a grand water- fall, flashing like silver in the bright sunlight, mal:ing a most useful landmark for sbips ar- riving in port. Apia, where Tam now, is situated on the island of Upolu. The principal of the eight islands of the Samoan group are Tutuila, Upolu and Savii. PROPUCTS OF THE ISLANDS, On these islands are grown all the tropical fruits, cocoanut, banana, oranges, lemons, pine- apples, ete, Some coffee, sugar and cotton are also grown, The chief article of native pro- duetion exported is copra, the dried kernel of the cocoanut. his copra is shipped to Eng- land and America in bulk, There the oil is pressed out, and the refuse made into cattle- feeding cake or sold to the manufacturing con- fectioners, who convert it into that bygone sticky delight of our youth, most gorgeousl: colored pink and white, known under the na: “Cocoanut Rock,” and many other juvenile del- icacies. THE ISLAND OF MANONO, Near the Island of Savii lies the Island of Manono, which compared to the others is small. From its position it is and always was considered of the greatest strategic importance in war times, being convenient to Upolu and Savii, either for offense or defense. From their insular position, necessitating more fre- queut use of canoes and boats, the inhabitants ot Manono have attained the reputation of be- ing the most proficient seamen in Samoa, and in fighting times the Manono fleet is considered to be of no small advantage to the cause it es- pouses, About two miles from Manono, and longing to it, lies the mall Island of Apolima (the hollow of the hand), @ perfect, natural fortress in itself. SAMOAN CHIVALRY AND DIPLOMACY. In all the Samoan wars they have never in- tentionally killed the women or children. The women, even when two opposing armies are facing one another with deadly intent, pass to and fro between the belligerents without mo- lestation, visiting their relatives and friends on either side. The inhabitants of each town seek marital alliances in as many other towns as pos- sible, the farther off the better, so that they may have friends in any part they might wish to go. and allies in case ‘of war, Some districts, on the approach of war, will agree to differ among themselves, especially if the scene of operation is in their neighborhood. _ They will divide into two parties and join the fighting on opposite sides. Thus they preserve their lands and property which ever side may win, and be- sides that, have friends in court when the war | is over, THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE. In Samoa is produced what is called “the kava root” (pronounced karver). A drink is made from this root, and is the national bever- age. It does not matter what is the incentive, whether it be in political or everyday life, “kava” is omnipresent and indispensable. It even follows the ting parties to the bush, where, seated in the shade, the untiring dam- sels will preside over the festive bowl for the refreshment of their relatives working round about them, In Samoa kava is invariably chewed by young girls. None but they are permitted to chew kava for strangers or guests, or upon any public occasion. A native in his own town requiring a stimulant will, at times, avail himself of the services of his wife, should there be no girls at hand, but this would not be eonsidered proper before strangers, Each and any maiden ina town may be called upon, without any chance of refusal, to make the “brew,” even a strange girl passing by may be pressed into the service, and will obey without @murmur, The chief kava-maker is ALWAYS THE BELLE OF THE VILLAGE, who, by way of conferring distinction on fa- vored visitors, attends with her companions on occasions worthy of such condescension. The necessaries for the manufacture beyond the raw material are the bowl, cup, and the strainer. The bowl is made of a very hard red- colored wood, either circular or oval in form, more frequently the former. It is all sizes and depths, and is supported by four short, thick legs. The cup is the lower half of a cocoanut shell, scraped thin and polished, sometimes highly ornamented. It is used for apportion- ing the kava. The strainer consists of a bunch of vegetable fiber of mulberry, produced from the bark of a tree of that name, and is used for the purpose of straining and separating from tie Cave te atution all particles of woody fiber that will not dissolve. On special occasions kava drinking partakes of the nature of a ceremony, and is carried out on the most serious lines. Dressed in their best, the belle of the village and her com- panions will be perceived seated in a row in the center or at one end of the house of assembly with the bowl, cup and strainer before her. At the bidding of the chief some pieces of kava root will be given her; after a little dressing, to remove any worthless t, she or one of her fair companions will slice them into convenient pieces for chewing, which, after carefully rins- ing their mouths, they all proceed to do. Now is the time for a young man to show his polite breeding, perhaps with the idea of inducting himself into the good graces of one of the lovely damsels sitting chewing the kava ina most unsympathetic, solid and business-like manner, by stepping up and assisting the cut- ting department. Perseveringly he will con- tinue to supply the ladies piece after piece of sliced root, until in time it becomes a physieal impossibilty for the most capacious mouth among them to contain any more, and the facial attractions of these dusky ones are con- siderably distorted by the distended condition of their cheeks, WHEN SUFFICIENTLY CHEWED, the kaya is ejected into the hands, carefully held up before the mouth during the process, and after two or three turns, in order to con- solidate the lumps, they are placed in the bowl with an audible thud, looking for all the world like so many egg-shaped masses of the damp oatmeal. The attention of the chief is then drawn to the work to decide whether there is enough material chewed to furnish kava for the company present, and for this purpose the bowl is tipped toward him. If, in his opinion, there is not enough, he sets the girls to work again, but, if be is satisfied, the proceedings pass on to the second stage of manufacture. Again the nice young man comes into play. The beauteous damsel selected to continue the pro- cess_now holds forth her pretty, light olive hand just outside the house, over which hi pours ‘the contents of“a cocoanut shell full of water, She then resumes her ition in frout of the bowl and grasps the st , in the folds of which are the chewed lumps. Once yang man is requisitioned merely from one chief receiving the cup pefore nother, believing himself to be of higher rank, and as such, entitled to prior service, As soon as the hand clapping is over, one of the house party, who is appointed a sort of toast-master, and upon whom devolves the duty of correctly distributing the kava, calls out, in a loud, sing-song tone of voice, ‘Here is the kava. Let it be shared out.” One or more of the girls will then arise, and, taking in hand a cup, will present it to be filled by one in charge of the bowl. This is done by plunging the strainer into the liquid and squeezing the con- tents into the cup, which for the purpose is held over the bowl. Even, in this simple perform- ance. there is found room for the display of considerable grace, the bearer swinging the cup away from the bowl, and returning it to its former position: on each occasion the strainer is recharged in time to receive the next squeeze, and so on, until the cup is filled. She will then face about, and. with the cup held delicately by the farthest rim, LEVEL WITH HER DIMPLED CHIN, and with raised arm, stand in a most charming attitude of expectation awaiting the crier’s in- structions, to whom she is to take the cup. He, of course, having made his arrangements be- forehand, calls out at the top of his voice, with a loud, introductory shout, the more prolonged the better: “Oh! a cup of kava for Sd mentioning the name of the highest individual in rank, to whom our bronze-tinied Hebe, with all dignity possible, crosses over, and, standing in front, cup in the same position, bends down gracefully, at the same time lowering it with a grand sweeping motion, until it reaches the recipient's hands, She then, with the prettiest air of studied humility, stands back and to one side, awaiting the further pleasure of the indi- vidual she has just assisted, who either retarns the cup to her or skims it along the matted floor with more or less dexterity toward the bowl, the highest aim of which practice is to make it stop exactly in front of it, There can be no doubt that the preparation of kava, as practiced in Samoa, is in the ab- stract, repugnant to foreign tastes and ideas, and that there is every excuse for entertaining a sensation of disgust with regard to it; but, nevertheless, as a fact. itis not very long be- fore the feeling wears off, and the stranger takes to the national beverage as kindly, if not more so, than the native himself, The aversion to the operation of chewing the ‘root is made vastly more easy to be overcome by the visible and careful precaution take cleanliness, while the ay herself who performs this duty, the very incar- nation of purity and glorious health, together with the graceful manner in which she does her work, goa very long way toward reconciling the tyro to patronizing a practice, which, under very slightly different circumstances, he would never be brought to consider at all without loathing. _ Lhe taste of the beverage to the virgin palate is by no means tempting, being somewhat of the flavor of soapsuds, with a curions tinge of ginger about it, leaving, however, after awal- lowing, not an unpleasant sense of smoothness inthe mouth. It cannot, however, be denied that it isa very appropriate drink for the cli- mate, being a moderate stimulant and, at the same time, an astringent, and a very useful diuretic. Intoxication may be produced of a peculiar and local nature by indulging too ireely in this flowing bowl. THE EDIBLE DELICACY—THE PALOLO, These islands have reefs extending around them, and formed of coral, and near them the natives gather the palolo, a very curious, thread-like sea-worm, appearing in the reef- openings once a year, and only tor the single hour before sunrise. On their arrival the na- tives assemble in their canoes and scoop them in bailers of all soris, screening them im- mensely as an edible delicacy. The Samoans can calculate to a moment when their arrival is due by observing the juxtaposition of the moon with a certain star. “If, however, they should not appear on that day, they can be safely cal- culated to arrive that’ same day four weeks hence, This fishing, one of the romps of the seuson, is looked forward to by both young and old, When collected the natives send the pa- Jolo all over the island post-haste, as compli- mentary presents to one another, in the same manner that presents of game are made in other countries, THE ‘*TALOLO,” OR FOOD OFFERING. A beautiful Samoan ceremouy is that which is called the “Talolo”—a food offering. The scene of the ceremony is the Malae, or town square, in which all public meetings of what- soever description are held. Here in the shade of some house or tree the recipients of the compliment will seat themselves in solemn state and with the most profound gravity await the coming event. In the neighboring bush, however, or, at all events, out of sight, the chiefs of the bearers are marshaling their pro- cessions and putting the finishiug touches to their own gorgeous array. Here is a busy scene; crowds are hard at work painting, oil- ing, and otherwise getting themselves up in all ways that severe Samoan washerdom demands, Allare dressed in their best, or the very best they can borrow from their friends, and shin- ing with as much oil as can cling to their bodies, ‘Lhe oiling department is strictly attended to by the ladies of the company, who are to be seen very busy going from one to another, greasing them up in the latest approved fashion, ‘The chiefs are the most particularly dressed in full war paint, their extraordinary fighting head dresses of human_hair standing about two fect high above a bandeau of gleam- ing, pearl-shell knobs clasped around the for- head. In thecenter of the hair plume, imme- diately above the bandeau, worn as an aigrette, securing a bunch of the long red feathers of the boatswain bird, is fastened a round mirror of about three inches in diameter. The neck- lace of scarlet pandanus fruit is there; around the waist is the usual, green-bush creeper, with two or three fine mats for full dress;and club or spear in hand, with bodies redolent and shining with perfumed oil, the head men stand ready to lead their divisions, THE MAIDS OF THE DISTRICT, too, are there, bare to the waist, and attired in allthe barbaric splendor they can muster, sporting anklets and what can be termed knee- lets of leaves; proud as they can possibly be, letting all know it, they stand ready, able, and willing to do their best for the credit of their own towns, and to assist their chiefs in working their followers into a suiticient state of noisy hospitality, worthy of a nation to whom enter- tainment is a fixed principle. Everything reagy,each division will form into acolumn,four deep, with all the intended gifts shouldered, and amost comprehensive lot it is. Barrels of beef, pork, salt salmon, roasted and live pigs of ali sizes, tins of biscuit of all sorts, live fowls, yams, taro, tinned meats of all descriptions, generally recognized under the héad of “pea- sops,” a name adopted from the fact that the first’ canned provisions ever introduced in Samoa was the preserved pea soup, which the visiting whalers used to carry. Everyone must offer something, even if it is only a biscuit. With a loud shout the provision train, headed by its chiefs and maids, issues from its hiding place, and, all chanting loudly a gong of wel- come, or their particular district song, one di- vision will march slowly toward the malae (town square), where sit, with the most digni- fied stoicism, the recipients of the honor, to all appearances unaware of, or indifferent to, what is going on. During the whole time of the ad- vance the chiefs and maids are engaged in dancing in front of or around their men in A GREAT STATE OF EXCITEMENT. As the trogps get nearer and nearer their destination, the interest becomes greater in proportion. Clubs and axes are hurled in the air, and cleverly caught descending, or whirled round and round the bodies, and under the arms and legs of the warriors with great dex- terity, until at last the march is ended, and with one great shout, each man deposits his load in front of the recipients, and then retires to some appointed spot on the edge of the Malae, when that particular division will sit down 'in a gyoup, making room for the other divisions to come on in like manner, So pro- ceeds the Talolo, until each division has per- formed its appointed duty, and all are calmly seated preparatory to the delivery of speeches, without a share of which no Samoan meet- ing is complete. Everything is now as quiet as a Quaker meeting for some little time, when one of the donors of the good things, generally the chief talking man of the district, will rise and, throwing his fly-flap across his shoulder, and gracefully wok on his long orator’s staff with both hands, his head inclined on them, stands, as it were, mutely seeking inspiration for the speech he is about to make, although there is rey set meditation needed to invoke an oration froma Samoan. At last, having sat- isfied native etiquette by a sufficient pause, he calling over all the titles of his unw of their gifte, asking regipients over and other side an tor i rs a s Fi eh tion by himself and crowd of the beatific coun- try they have had the good fortune to visit. All talking over, the hosts generally depart, ieav- ing _ pemagirl shad own Seagneeg = ir perhaps two, of party then go among the = So ae cocaine their scant feng ‘cription, an ey are then ie! 8 ~ uted. Manya serious fight in Zico ha@ had = in the distribution of the gifts ata “talolo.” POLITICS IN THESE ISLANDS. One of the most curious systems of soliciting Political support is to be found in these islands. If some great political movement is in contem- plation, and an important family or section of the community refuse to join or, perhaps, waver as to which side they will take in the ps geome Struggle, then the head men of the new movement will go to the abode of the people in question. that is, if their assistance is of some importance, and sitting down in the front of the principal house in the dust and sun, undergo every sort of humiliation known to Samoans. This they will endure sometimes for days until, at last, they get some sort of promise from the family thev have been boring 80 persistently. This proceeding very rarely fails to elicit some kind of favorable answer, as a flat refusal would be equivalent to a procla~ mation of actual opposition; but what that forced promise is worth is’ soon discovered when the movement becomes an open one. MANUFACTURE OF NATIVE CLOTH. The natives manufacture a kind of cloth, called “tapa,” from the bark of the mulberry tree, which is cultivated especially for the pur- pose. This tree is raised from cuttings, and is ofa very rapid and upright growth, putting forth few lateral branches, When it is about 4 inches in circumference it is cut down and car- ried into the village by the men. From this point it is handed entirely over to the women tor preparation and manufacture. The bark is now completely stripped from the sticks, from which, when freshly cut. it separates itself readily, as does also the inner white bark from the valueless outer skin. The former is then steeped into water, generally being anchored down in the river with stones all night in arder to soften the fiber, Phe next day will be seen scattered in every direction along the stream, sitting in the water with all sorts of sun-shade contrivances, picturesque groups of girls and women of all sizes and ages, with sloping boards in iront of them on which each strip of bark is successively placed, and with constant application of water, scraped with a cockle shell until all the vegetable mu- cuous is separated from it, and there remains nothing buta spongy, white material, ready for the next process, It is now taken to the house and in a rounded, hard-wood log, kept for that special purpose, is pounded with wooden beetles, both ribbed and smooth, until the bark is greatly expanded, and which can be increased to any reasonably desired extent, of course, proportionate to the thickness wanted. The sound of fifty or sixty of these mallets, all going at the same time in one village. is by no means unpleasant to the ear, the resonant clash of the hard wood producing somewhat musical notes. Often, previous to knocking off work for the night, aregular concert will be arranged in which all will join from one end of the vil- lage to the other, with a pleasant and most novel effe Each piece, when hammered out to the re- quisite thickness, is spread on the stones in front of the house to dry, and when a sufficient quantity is ready the ladies proceed to fasten the pieces together with arrow-root gum, layer over layer, andoverlapping, side by side, until acloth of proper thickuess and size is ‘manu- factured. It is then painted with the various pigments at their disposal of any color and of any design that may be thought fit, made up into large rolls and deposited on the roof beams tor future personal use or barter when- ever it may be required. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Before the introduction of the Jews’ harp and the penny tin whistle the only sound-giv- ing instruments in use by the Samoans were the wooden drum and the conch shell, but whether these articles can be classed among musical instruments is a matter of* grave doubt. The former consists of an oblong block of some resonant wood, rounded off canoe-shaped at either end, but hollowed out, leaving a considerable thickness of wood all round. These drums are made of various sizes, and every village of any consequence has its drum for summoning the inhabitants at the chiet’s will, or to give a warning that something unusual is taking place. The small ones are carried in the hollow of the arm, and are struck with a hard stick. These are only used in schools to call the scholars to attendance, The conch-shell is used, as it is all over the Pa- cific islands, more as a war trumpet than any- thing else. “The Jews’-harp to a Samoan has a use beyond its musical properties. Two na- tives may be sitting in the same room with you, innocently as you may suppose, lost in rapture in the seductive strain breathed through this old time instrument. You, in your simplicity, would never suspect these two ingenious sav- ages were a. with one another through the medium of this harmless article of South Sea barter; but, nevertheless, they are doing so, RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES, Sunday isa great day with all the natives, and, with the exception of the intervals of sleep, so necessary to their existence, hymn singing ie indulged in from morning to-night. Really the Sunday, in and about the schools, begins on Saturday evening, when, as a rule, they carry on practice to a late hour. The natives, xs is the case in more civilized parts, take advantage of church going to parade all their finery, andit is with a good will they do so. At about 6:30 in the morning the bell rings, and off all troop, with Bible and prayer book carefully wrapped upin a clean handkerchief, fo the church tor Soom prayers; returning in about the course of an hour to their homes, when a few hymns are indulged in, and, per- haps, an exhortation from the head of the house. Domestic affairs and gossip now fill up thesinterval, until itis time to prepare for the regular morning service, About half an hour before church time, all is bustle and hurry among the dark fair ones; a rush is made for the bushes and the house ‘soon presents the ap- pearance of a very much disorganized milli- ner’s shop. If there is not sufficient accommo- dation for dressing within the house, the outside will do just as well. They are not in the smallest degree inclined to sacrifice their once-a-week chance of displaying their finery to any mauvaise honte. The native costume is soon thrown aside, when the preliminary snow- white garment takes its place, to be followed by petticoats, and over all a long, flowing dress, generally of some gay-patterned muslin; and, in course of time, amid the almost deafenin; laughter, chatter, chafing and hooking and tying one another up, the bevy of damsels saat completely metamorphosed in semi- papatagi (foreign) costume, resplendent with every hue and color of the rainbow, and all looking and feeling as proud of themselves as they well may. After careful but insidious in- spection of each other, and a good deal of good- humored comments as to relative appearances and sly references to the donors of such and such ornaments, during which one good-na- tured girl may often be seen stripping herself of some little finery of her own to adorn a com- panion, they troop off to church, the smaliest ones leading, the largest bringing up the rear, SOME OF THE SUNDAY DRESSES, more especially the simple white-flowing mus- lin ones, suit these girls to perfection, and show off their always , beteeerael never-ugly, and frequently ver: dsome brown faces to great advantage. The whole pleasing effect, how- ever, is often woefully discounted by the atro- cious specimen of hats they will insist upon wearing, or by some loud, flaring ribbon orna- ment, quite out of keeping with the admirable and becoming simplicity of the rest of their at- tire. No color or mixture of colors can be too loud for some of the middle-aged beauties or old women, and the more elaborately hideous the head dress, the more it appears to be appreci- ated, With flowers and variegated leaves—in the harmonious arrangement of which they are full mistresses—coquettishly entwined in the folds of their raven locks, sy look very well. All the ladies who can afford it, on Sun well as bn other day after the style of their white sisters after church at home, when bonnets, appearances, ko., are criticised; others go visiting, while the rest pass away the time in that usual Sunday afternoon amusement—flirting. So the time passes, until the bell calls for evening worship, when stays, boots, muslins, hats and all the de- testable paraphernalia of the morning's exhi- bition are once more resumed, and off they in a crowd following the native pastor, who importantly stalks aheoa, armed with a large umbrella and a lot of books. Returning in about an hour. away flies all the finery again, this time to be relegated to the family boxes, not to be brought to light until the next San- day, or gala day. Various companies generally resolve them- selves into a meeting of song, and sometimes keep it up well into the night, to the edification or otherwise of their neighbors. In the evening the men will as- semble in village council, when island politics Will be discussed and the affairs of the village putin order. At those meetings the members almost always bring with them «mall bundles of cocoanut fiber which, while listening or even talking, they plait into sinnet or native string. To any settled, steady work, it is quite impossi- ble to bring the ordinary Samoan; he will start all right, but will weaken at it gradually, day by day, until at last he will throw up the job altogether. THE BELLE OF TRE VILLAGE. Tampo is the Samoan name for the belle of the village, and every village or town in the group cf any position or importance has one, most frequently the ruling chief's own dangh- ter or one adopted by him, She is, at all times, a girlof high rank in the place itself, or in that of her parentage, and from the first day of her installment to the day of her departure in marriage. elopement, or dethronement for bad behavior—which, in quite recent times, was ef- fected with a club—she is virtually the queen of the place. It is she who receives strangers on arrival in her viliage, makes kava fof them, and personally sees to their entertamment and comfort, Never from one year to another is she permitted to be out of sight of her duennas, and, when abroad, she is invariably attended also by as many of her youthful com- panions as are available for the service, who follow her in single file wherever she may go. She heads all processions and visits, and takes the leading part in ail siras or native dances. Her attire on gala da of the gayest and most splendid description that her village can afford, and everything is un- grudgingly sacrificed that can add to the glori- cation of her personal appearance. It is only when dressing for any ceremony that she ap- pears to have no will of her own; at all other times it is quite the reverse. On these occa- sions, a long time before the commencement of the ceremonies, old tirewomen take full pos- session of her, and on them devolves the exer- cise of the mysteries of the Samoan boudoir. She is first of ‘all taken in hand by two or more of her duennas, who briskly SHAMPOO HER ALL OVER with sweet-acented oil until her warm-colored skin shines like satin. At the same time, another will be energetically brushing her jet- black locks, polishing them until the raven’s wing is dulled in comparison, and will after- ward plait or otherwise dress them in the mau- ner that the combined wisdom of the old peo- ple, assisted, probably, by the suggestions of some twenty or more of her youthiul compan- ions, may dictate, All the finery available is brought to light, and the effect of dress after dress is tried, only to be discarded by a major- ity of votes, until, at last, something like a unanimous decision is arrived at, and the pride and the hope of the village stands forth in all her conscientious beauty, both of attire and person, the purely native charms of which are enhanced or otherwise by “‘papalagi” (foreign) ornaments. The belle of the town, in addition to being the social pride of her native or adopted place of abode, is, in proportion to her rank and the importance of the town she rep- resents, looked upon by her people as of _poli- tical value, her friends being continually on the lookout for some marital alliance of conse- quence for her, whereby they may gain useful allies for turbulous times, and many are the “Fonos” meetings assembled by the chief men to devise the means of attaining this end, so valuable in a country like Samoa, where ina moment one town may be set against another for the veriest trith sn ne WHEELING TO ARLINGTON. The Pleasure Ladies Derive From Cycling. To the Editor of Tar Evextse Sra Nowhere in the United States can we find streets so well adapted for cycling as in Wash- ington, and if the women could know how much stronger and healthier they would be riding, but few wouid stay in the house on these fine days. There is nothing that will make the blood circulate and one’s fingers and toes tingle like a 5 or 10 mile ride on a bicycle. It is better than horseback riding to gain strength, for one has to sit straight and exercise all the muscles. I like both, but I will keep my bicycle for health ‘and the horse for pleasure. ‘A few days since a friend and myself, taking our wheels, started for Arlington. It was a lovely day, the roads were good, and we soon found ourselves crossing the aqueduct bridge, and flying along the road, leaving the carriages, men and horses far behind. We dismounted at a spring and got a cool drink, and rested a few moments, While so doing we tried throwin; stones at large trees, Of course a woman could not hit what she threw at, so I took my revenge on my accompanying lord of creation by ridiug off up the hill, leaving him far behind, but taking pity on the poor little fellow, who is 6-foot tall, I'waited for him at the top of the hill. We were then at Fort Myer. Turning to our left we asked a soldier whom we met if we could see the «stables, He very kindiy turned around and accompanied us through a long stable. Everything was neat and clean. Going through that we passed over and went through the main stable, but the stalls were empty, as all the horses were out in the sun, tied toa long rope stretched between posts, some 20 feet apart. I do not remember how many horses there were, but I do remember one that seemed to have more than horse sense. He had been used out west, and by taking hold of his left foreleg, and placing a hand on his neck, he would lie down, while the soldier could lace his gun across the horse's back and fire. pe our wheels again we were soon at Gen, Lee's old residence, with its massive pil- lars on the east, and the lovely view of almost all the city. Looking long and well at this lovely scene it made an impression on my mind that will never be effaced. Taking our wheels we were soon, to the astonishment of those around us, fiying around the beutiful curves of the many miles of road, and for nearly a mile we coasted, not havi touch the foot to the pedal. We were soon at the eastern gate. We found this road a little rough, with many small stone lying very close together. But we soon had an adventure that more than paid us for our trouble of comin; home that way. At our left, perched on a hig hill, was a gipsy camp; old wagons, a tent, two old women and some truck met our view. Leaving our wheels down near the road we visited the tent. Giving my compamion a hiat not to let the gipsy know I was married, I gave one my hand. e kindly informed me that it must first be crossed with a half dollar, She told the old, old 6 of an enemy and a rival with ht = hair and blue eyes; that I was very fickle-minded; that there was a dark-haired gentleman that loved me very much; thatI would win him from my hated rival and be married some day and be happy. That was enough. Laughing], shaking my fist at ber, I said, “you old frau: I'm married now, and have two children.” She retorted, “I don’t believe it.” After telling my friend his, we mounted and were soon on our way home, arriving there hungry, but not tired. This spring we hope to get all the ladies to- gether ag ride and have many a fine run around and out of the city. Scarcely any one knows how many ladies here have ley. ride in the District. Last fall there were one hundred and fifty, and I know of several more who have secured bicycles this winter. Mus. 8. sac be cnasbaamed on wop of it, Thus alargecolumn of steam and joke rises, By covering the fire with a i Be _ LADIES’ GOODS MADAME XALMONT WISHES TO INFORM HER yatrons that she is now prepared to execute all leaning fne lace curtaine, Iressa, de. at her apd lie® UPERFLUOs HATR PERMANPNILY REMOVED St: electric needle without 2h ia the shan or leat & mar) mils. DE, G my Mux M. J. Praxo, 1320 F st, now. at Mire, Harrison's, FINE FRENCH HAIR Goops, Also, SELECT ORNAMENTS FOR THE HAIR. HAIR DRESSED. BANGS SHINGLED 2-1m* SHAMPOOING. 325 N. CHARLES STREET, cz BALTIMORE, MD, Will open at Willerd’s Hotel, Private Parlors, April ® to13, The Istest Paris Novelties in Costumes for Spring and Summer wear. Directoire Garments, Visites and Jackets, Carriage and Visiting Dresses, Costumes for the Springs and Summer Resorts. Orders taken. Fits guaranteed LADY, FORMERLY € c New York, would like the Oat TER EGGS, 3c. CHICKS, RABBITS, &., Be ; ras, 400. per 100: Setin ities, T Br » Favors. Gold ‘Pain: ‘Text Cards, Birthday Cards, Der Flowers (Lessons tree.) J. mh20-Lin* yos BRANDIS, yior, New bholes mad SHLELDS uss, Butt. DEESS HE FE OKA ARE PRO. nounced by Messrs WOODWARD & LUTHROP Sethe best in their stock They have noegual. For dal sale every uere Kunserrs Durss Surexps, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST AND MOST RELIABLE. Kleinert’s FEATHER-WEIGET (washable. KLEINERT'S SEAMLESS STOCKINETT. KLEINERT'S SPAMLESS PURE RUBE VARIOUS CLHER DRESS SHIELDS A™D EVERY PAIR WARRANTED. NONE GENUINE WITHOUT OUR TRAD! and name (KLEINER) on every paar Ae » NT, 1205 New Gents’ work of every descr d Evening Dresses. ANT ‘H, formerly with AF ton, Plush, Ve CAROLIN HER'S DRY CLEANING ESTAB- MENT AND DYE WOEKKE, 906 Get. uw Ladies’ and Gents’ —— of all hinds cleanedand Dyed without peing. ripy Ladies’ kL veniug — a specialty, Thirty-five years’ experience. lucderate.” Goods calied for aud delivered. as LL-WOOL GARMENTS, MADE UP OR RIPPED A Syed’ goed mourning blocks On PIANOS AND ORGANS, | HAE § Davis crnicnr PIANOS: CHOICE z 3 selection pril 10, ages manner. SUMNEX, 811 Oth at. now, Saxprrs & Stave AN. LEADING PiANOS AND ORGANS. DECKEK LKOS. WEBER, FISCHER aud ESTEE PIANUs, ana ESTEY ORGANS. ‘Pianos for rent aud sold ou accommodating terma, SANDERS & STAY MAN, KVIS BULLER, Manawer, a5 w., Was &. es st., Balthier ™ borougily ¢ It is artistic in d be found in auy Upry ‘Terms—Cash or cae | Justallments, ‘FELFFE WORKMANSHTP lasers” is invited to their aed in desucns of HIGH- ASATIVE ART. Pianos for rent. AND PIANOS. be clo MENTS offered butl, pWiaeh will be arrauged om BASE MENTS when destred. WM. AN OCEAN STEAMERS. KT ROUTE TO LONDON, Ss DOKDUECTSCHEK Fast Expres To Southampton (Lor ag Tal, Woun Avril 40, . Ap Vp le. stateroc ts | 25 Peun. ave. | Ppa HN anapton aud iw of 10,000 Lou Safely, speed KEGULAK 5 Every ‘Thusday from York to h (London), e (Parse, Hamburg.” Through tickets t Pe Excellent fare. Kutes eextreme! Apply to the General Office, No Broadway, New Yor R. J. COKTIS, Manager. | mb30-sktu-¢m Axcuor L Atlantic Express Service. LIVEKPOOL via QUE Steams) EDNESDAY sage Office, AKD & COy . New York, DROOP, 925 Pa av, GLASGO¥ Cabin Passage to Gi eee and 80. becur "a Steeruie pasauge, either service, €2 Saloon Lucumion Wickets at Reduced Kates, Travelers’ Circular Letters of Credit aud Drafts Jor any amount issued at lowest current rates, yw, Londonderry hecond Clams, Apply to HENDERSON BROS, N 1G. W. MOSS, 921 Penneylvatia Washington. | CESS TRE nos &.00. nte, 605 onan, CHAS. ©. Dol i 7 2 Plans, and iists of estiiugs farusbed, booked to Paris. GRATEFUL—COMFORTING LPPS’Ss COCOA BREAKFAST. thorongh know! of the natural tat fore the operations of ale peat Satnite an gs bas ition, careful ce ton five well- selected Cocoa Mr. ED) our tables with a delicately be which save Us many heavy doctors’ It 18 by the judi~ ous Use Of such articles of dict ‘that a consutation bony be gradually built up until Ba be oe fist every tendenc} . Hus su maladies are flouting: nd yo ready © ettack = ever there is a weak point, We may ana Jatel shalt by Keeping ourselves well wet mare thood eod's properly vourished frame."—C vice asetia, ‘with boiling milk. Bold ta balf-poubd Uns by grote habaled thas: omy JAMES EPPS & 0O., Homaopathic Chemists, dy2l-m.tus Eow.and Tis curative powers are miraculous, ‘Us testes good. Children like it, ‘Try it once end you will use it again.