Evening Star Newspaper, January 18, 1890, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. D.C. PLUMAGE AND SONG. Points About Birds That Are Scientific- ally Developed. 4 BIRD FANCIER IN BIS HOME—HOW CANARIES ARE FRAINED—THE WILD AND THE DOMESTICATED— ULTURE—CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE FEATHERS, tome Few people who own birds or who are charmed the music of feathered songsters are aware of the trials and tribulations the lit tle fellows have to go through before coming to this country. A BIRD PANCTER’s HOME. Inasmall two-story building not far from Pennsylvania avenue lives a genuine bird fancier. surrounded by scores of his pets. ‘AS the visitor enters the building he is greeted by songs from the throats of hundreds of the little musicians which are ranged around the room in tiny wooden cages—a royal welcome indeed when a Stan man visited the bird fancier and found him busily engaged feeding his pets. “Are canaries as popular as ever?” asked the Feporter. | “The popularity of the canary will, in my opinion. i always the same, for the canary has been known as a household pet since the com- mencement of the sixteenth century. Few peo- ple know.” continued the bird man, as he slapped a poll parrot that was trying to open its cage door, “that the original colors of the canary were green and gray. It has been stated y found its origin on the islands uw its name, end was first found in x on the Island of Elba, having flown there from a wrecked ship; but I know nothing ofthat. Canary birds are found in a wild state on some of the islands near the coast of Africa, but they are rarely brought to civilized coun- tries owing to their inferior musical abilities.” THE WILD AND THE CULTIVATED. “Ts it not a fact.” queried the scribe, “that the birds found in a wild state are superior to those bred in captivity, as far as singing quali- ties are concerned?” “I am aware,” rejoined the bird man. “that a great many people have the impres-ion that the wild birds are superior to the cultivated. but this is not so. The supe- Fiority of the Iatter class over the wild birds is manifest in many ways, and has been brought about by the watenful study which has been Siren them in the various countries where their is eculuvation has been made a specialty has brought about a sort of nation canaries, and each breed can easily be distin- gushed from the others by the various sizes, <3, colors and songs which they distinct- ively have.” “Is it true that there is more than one spe- Gies of can: replied the bird man. “There ny varieties, ali springing from he German, the English. the Beigian. the Freach and hybrids. But by far the best song- ter of the lot is the St. Andreasberg, so named from its native village away up in the Harz mountains. One would scarcely believe,” con- tinued the fancier, ‘what an immense amount of Bchoolin, ng this breed of canary un- it is ready for the market, The of this «pe were first obtained from glitingale, which was placed in a room he young birds. It tukes six months’ bard training before a bird is perfect in song.” ~Waen is a bird said to be perfect in song?” asked the reporter. “Weil. that is hard to ¥." responded the man birds. “You see the object to be attained is to get the greatest combmation of difficult trilis and the odd notes, aud the excellence consists in the performance of them. I guess the length Of the song combined with quality of voice and a continued repetition of the varied strains are the qualities which distinguish the perfect You would be astonished.” he continued, ow easily One can tell a perfect sougster; the gong is Lke an endless stream without any perceptible commencement or ending.” THE RELGIAN CANARY “What isthe matter with this bird?” asked the reporter, pointing to a bird with a large bump on its back aud apparently much de- formed. “Why, that's the famous Belgian or long- breed canary, prized above parts of the world. This bird isbred tor shape, is of ancient Dutch origin. and may be said to be a thoroughbred canary. When at rest his Shape should conform to a right eungle—that is, a hne drawn from the crown of the head to the tip of the shoulders sb form one =ide,while & line from the tip of the shoulders to the tip of the tl should torm the other side, Truly, the Belgian is an awkward-looking bird. *Lhis is the fa family of English cana- ries.” said the bird m 3 he pointed to a number of bird rear of the room. “Ihis family includes more varieties than any other known breed. This is the Yorkshire, said, referring to a compactly built fittie f With fine feathers and a large top-knot, * this.” pointing toa large bird with a b 1 crest and feathers which seemed to radiate from a ex m center, “is the Manchester coppy. Now here is a bes he remarked as he moved to 4 cage in which a substantial Little fellow in a dress of bright gold was hop- ping around, “and his name is the Norwich canary. He isnot mach for song. but can be eas.ly trained, the Manchester coppy, bis head is ornamented with acrest. ‘There are other birds of th such as the Lon- don fancy, the gold iver lizards and the Scotch fancy, but Ihave not a good stock of them just no} The bree ng of these differ- mense amount of pa- the English people ent classes requires 3 tience have.” 4 and skill T! DIFFERENCE IN TRAINING. any difference in the way canaries “Yes, the methods of the sh and the Germans are widely different and must neces- Sarily be so, inasmach as the former seck size ather. while the latter strive for voice » You see. the Germans follow their taste for music and breed birds for that alone.” fe any other varieties?” asked the te’s the French canary, with its feathers just h claims no ‘an- ils, Which are better known as ‘mule’ birds, aud which are the offspring of @cross between s canary ands goldfinch or a eanary and some ot © bird. not forget to mention t . were 1 the blood circwiates: t € wd its plumage ows who it was that at last hit ight azont. except that be guarded bis secret for two years aud bad everybody guessing.” How To Uss Tits Prrren. “Suppose I wanted to produce one of these . how should I proceed?” asked the re- obe done is to get your hould be the best grade. of it and mix it with one grated and an eq mount of AWeet should commence when wo months old and they Should be kept in a warm r heat is a Powerful assistant in moulting canaries, You will be eurprised to witness the tr dina short time tion. ventured the scribe, “by ish a male from a fe- is. Of course, if itis at a female oc- tenonally ‘¢ short and dis- tonnected Tretice and the con- dequent handling of a great number of birds to become an expert in the i “The principal points in ju bird a8 he opened the do: ing cage and d- a bird of its head Now, the bh tof fen : female birds are There is a groat s bird when |. and per- sous showld certainly know how it is aceom- Pom a The perees «ould be removed and the aad Gatter on the er ways very light mack in Pxaminatio: for any allowed to alight in a good position: then with a sharp. decisive pounce one rrrely misses. md an exeminaiion can cams be made by placing him in the palm ef your hand with the thumb across his neck. TRICK CANARIES. “Here's my sweetheart,” said the bird man, as a cute little canary hopped ont of its ca: onto his band and stuck its bill in the fancier's mouth. “It took me just one week to teach the bird that trick and a month to get him up to his present cdhdition, I'll show you what be can do,” Going to a case near by the bird man took out a large old-fashioned revolver and primed it. Bidding the bird to defend the fort the little fellow hopped on the barrel of the pistol and cocked bis head as though he wanted to see that everything was ready. Pulling the trigger a loud report hushed all the birds in the midst of their songs and set the parrots to screeching. Notso with Gen. Grant, for that isthe birds name. He shook himself apd then burst forth in a sweet song. “That's what patience and perseverance do,” said the bird man, “How in the world did yon ever teach that bird such a trick?” “Why, easily enough,” rejoined the fancier. “Anybody can train a canary who has a lit patience their make up, but then kindness and decision of character are great helps. Some people.” continued the fancier, “use kindness in teaching their birds, while others resort to cruelty and starvation. My way isthe former, and kindness coupled witha litile perseverance will work wonders. Birds which are to be ned should know but one master, and that master in order to thoroughly train the bird must first set out to gain its confidence; after that is obtained it’s easy sailing. But some one will wantto know how tu commence to gain that confidence. Hunger will always produce the desired result, but it's a cruel method and shonid only be resorted to when all other means tail. Talk to your bird constantly while feeding it and soon your | voice will be recognized and the approach to | the cage will be greeted by a great flapping of wings. Now the bird knows you. Gently in- sert the hand in the cage, talking the while, and hold out your finger with a dainty morsel ‘on it. The bird, of course, will shun you at first. but like the fubled il which pinned its faith on patience and perseverance and got to Jerusalem, so also will you accomplish your end in time. As soon as you can get your bird to light on your finger take it out and let it fly around the room. It will be sure tocome baci | to you. The rest is easy enough. I cannot be- | gin to tell you of the tricks that cnn be taught, Bat everybody has seen a trained lot of birds erform and can accomplish the same things y perseverance and kindness.” “Did you know that cavaries could be taught to talk?” continued the bird man, as he re- turned his trained canary to its cage. The re- porter smiled, but the bird man continued: “Yes, the canary has been taught to talk, and | Lbad one that could say ‘Dickey’ quite dis- tinctly. Young canaries just beginning to sing are the best pupils. DISEASES OF CANARIES. “This isthe hospital,” continued the fancier, ashe pushed opena side door, “and here I treat all diseases.” ‘Do birds often get sic Weil, yes; they areso delicate thatany change | is likely to affect them and they can't stand ‘exposure. A bird need never be sick, if only a litue care and discretion are exercised. In the | first place, the cage should be absolutely clean. Then again the perches should be about twice the size of a lead pencil in diameter, so that the bird can get a natural grip. Too smail a perch distorts the toes and makes the bird | peevish, But there, I'm giving away all my | Secrets, cowe around again and I will tell you of the diseases of birds and how to cure them.” ————__—_ Written for Tae Evextxe Stan A New One. Banana-peel and orange-skin long held the field alone In “doing up” the muscles and shattering the bone. Banana said to orange: “There is none that can compete With us in gathering mortals from off their mortal feet.” “Oh, no!” spoke up the orange, “we're the sur- geon’s greatest friends, And when beneath the leather, then the human form unvends.” “Ah! hat” spoke up the new on heart and soul,” Lam not so devilish slippery, but, gosh, how I can rol Though newly on the market, my record It is bright; I'm the remnant of a carbon from an arc electric light.” “Iam with you A.C. —————— Saturday Smiles. daughters are certain to follow.—/ Usburg | Chroncle, The real estate man wants the earth, and usually has some ground for such a desire.— Keurney Enterprise. The man who picks up a wire on the street wiil cure him of the grip.—Scranton Truth, The ladies of Boston wear no Jewelry but spectacies.—Lou. seule Courter-Journal, “Miss Magumpy, will you be my wife?” “No, Mr. Hennepin. But Till be a sister to you. “Thank you, Miss Magumpy, but I'll not | trouble you. I'm for the ague, not the Brotherhood "—New York Sun. ‘it Lhave to speak to you again I'll a fittle boy for if you can't get along any bet- ter with him than you do?”—Phludelphia In- quirer, A correspondent, who thinks there is noth- ing new under the sun, says: Adam bad the grip. At least Milton says so—“Paradise Lost,” Book xi: —“for Adam at the news Beart-struck with ehudiny gripe.” Philidelphia Ledger. A Long-felt Want—Candidate—“You are a Working man, are you not?” Workingman—~' am sir.” Candidate—Well, I am a candidate fora Position of trust, and I wish to say to the sons of toil—” Workingman (who is tired of taffy and dis- gusted with its resuits)—“I am very busy now, sir.” Candidate—“T was merely going to say that that if elected I shan’t do any more tor the workingmen than for anybody else, because I don't care a continental for one class more than nother, and I don’t think there should be any ss in legislation, anyhow.” Workingman (grasping his hund)—“You'll get my vote."—Aew York Weekly. Both Suited.—Workingman—“Give me work and I do not care for the rest of the worid.” iramp—-Well, give me rest and I don’t care for the work of the world.”—Tume. It is said that a former Sandy Hill pastor is anxious to interview the sacrilegious joker who led him innocently to pray for the repose of the * anty at the altar ot a Troy iy.—Albany Argus, “[ hear Harrison won't invite Reed and Rusk to the White Louse at the same time.” “Why not?” “They say he’s afraid the prohibitionists would jump on him for having Yom and Jerry ata White House reception.”-—-New York Sua, We cannot always approve the arguments which are used to get people to join the church, e. here is one we heard the other '¥ unmarried man ought to join the “h. for there is no telling how soon he will Wutie is a very observant youth. He seemed to prefer smaller bors for companions, and hen asked why, replie Well, I notice’ the gger boys play with me, but I don’t play with em. Iw somebody I can play with.” ainly avery fine distinction here, — Harper's Young Peopi Candidate—~I may not get my office, but I'm getting some benctii in a moral way.” ( ressman—*How’s that? aieut mM getting a vel jd idea of —New York Herule. ile udent (to his sweetheart)— ou know. Jatia, that the human heart is equal to the lifting of 120 pouads every twenty- | four hours?” Julia (demurely). weight.”"—Grawi Put away your parasol, Set your rubber si Shake out your Aud ge On eternity. that b Alton Ly S x Must be New ly (from the country). “I'd like to git a pair 0° shoes, young man. Polite Ciork. es, ma'am, Something pretty mice, ma'am’ Old Lady. want ‘em good 'n’ stout, Polite Clerk, —“-Well, ma'am, here's « strong | shoe, an excellent strong shoe. It has been vat deal this winter—” ‘Man alive, I don't want no shoe that’s been worn this winter nor any other winter; 1 want a bran’ new pair!"—Puck, see The Philosophy of It. Fron Life, Miss Bleecker—*'You English have some ab- rd customs, Now there’s no justice and no sense—no rhyme and no reason—in primogeni- Lord Bondhunter—“‘Oh, don't know. now, Its just like this, yousee, ‘First come, first served” When the sun comes out these days, the | is quite Lkely to get hold of something that | © Terror—"Say, papa, what did you have | HOW TO GIVE GOOD DINNERS. A Veteran Society Man Discourses Upon an Interesting Topic. THE FIRST THING TO CONSIDER IS YOUR coM- PANY, THE BEST WILL COME OF ITSELF— CHOOSE YOUR GUESTS FOR THEIR MUTUAL aF- FINITY—DINNER-GIVING DECAYING AS AN ART. “A perfectly managed dinner party is the highest expression of an onlightened civiliza- tion.” It was a veteran society man who spoke and the half dozen younger fellows about the little drinking table at the Meridian club listened re- spectfully to what he had to #a y, “A good dinner giver,” the oracle went on, “must possess the social talent in its highest development. Anybody can give a tea—leave the front door open and let the people come in, There is considerable knack in organiz- ing a ball, but evon that makes itself a success if only the appointments are good. the peovle all of one set and the rooms sufficiently spacious. Only a real social philosopher, how- ever—the person who has made a stndy of the art of entertaining—is qualified to offer a dinner, The dinner is necessarily stamped with the mark of a host and hostess, Their company does not come together; it must be put together, and to accompany this well aed happily is indeed a science. For you must remember that upon the makeup of the list of guests at the table chiefly depends the fes- tive enterpris “I quite agree,” said one of the young men, HOW NOT To DO IT. “Why, it is an axiom, of course, The ordi- ary dinner giver supposes that so long as sat- isfactory food is well served, with an accom- paniment of good wines, he has a right to ex- re that the entertainment will go charmingly. ast of all the things he considers are the com. pany and its arrangement; very likely he will throw his guests in higcledy-piggledy in such a way as to make every one miserable, He will have the young girls taken in by married men; copie who have known each other so long aud intimately that they have nothing new to mu- tually communicate will find themselves seated together. The tactless host usually considers this a fine stroke, you know, and age will be mixed in with yonth, the two having no interest or feeling incommon, This sort of business is unutterably distressing. he guests are com- | polled, whether they will or no, to submit to the misery, wud the sentiment aroused in their breasts is apt to partake of resentment as well a8 disgust.” THE WAY TO MANAGE A DINNER, “Pray tell us how you wouid set out to give a dinner party?” “Well, in the first place, I would—as I always do—have everything prepared by my own cook, 1 know what she can do and where she is apt to fail and I would make no experiments, laving made the best possible arrangements about the menu, wines and general appointments I would set prayertuily about the all-important task of select: g and placing the guests. They must not only be agreeable individually but, more important still, they must have a natural afiinity for one another. “I would have. let us say, a clever young Romish priest who has seen the world,and I would put him next toa girl he has never met—the bright Miss Dash, a young woman of convictions and talent. Next I would have that gay young blade Thingumbob, who has a sneaky fondness for frivolous Miss What- ye-may-call-it; | would invite her too, and put them together. I would ask that solid old boy Thingumajig, who wears gold-mounted spec- tacles and takes life seriously, aud he would be startled and pleased as well to find himself next tu Miss Rapid. WHO I8 JUST A BIT Fast, And 0 I would go on, putting people as nn- like a3 possible in the closest proximity, taking care to select none but bright ones, the notion being, as one might say, to bring the negative and positive carbons of ‘intelligence into con- tiguity, so that a brilliency results. It isa fortunate thing that one may invite guests to a dinner whom one would not welcome into his set. For example. you know,1 might with propriety ask Henry George to dine with a party at my house, and he would doubtless be a welcome addition; but it would hardly occur to me to send him an invitation for a cotillon, even supposing that he danced the german. You perceive the distinction, of course, Thanks to it you can recruit your dinner company from & much wider circle than your own, and it is unnecessary to remark that there are plenty of interesting people to be picked up outside of fashionable society, To wind up the dinner arrangement we were speaking of I would take in the least important and desirable girl myself, My wife, necessarily, would pick out the man | she liked best. Women, as hostesses, are not expected to sacrifice themselves in this particu- lar. WhenIgotoa dinner party and find in my envelope the name of the daughter of the establishment I know that Iam recognized as the most important man there. But, if I ama girl and I pick up a card that hands me over to the master of the house, it is a bitter pilf 1 know that Iam given to him because no other man is likely to want me.” THE ART CONVERSATIONAL. “Conversation, you argue, is the most im- | Portant thing in making a dinner party suc- cessful?” “Good conversation—yes. Unhappily, the art is almost a lost one in this day. Listen to the conversation around a dinner table and you ‘will find aimost invariably that it partakes | largely of shop, The guests are so pervaled with the industrial spirit of the nge that they cannot lift their talk out of their business, The best conversationalists in Washington at pres- ent are foreigners—men of leisure and cuitiva- tion. An American never has any leisure, and his cultivation stops short when he leaves col- lege. People in thie country make too much money; they don’t loaf enough. You may say what you please, but the highest retinement is aman has not attained without leisure. Whe: to work all the time he is unable ) attention to the elegances of exi Aud by the time he has made his ‘pile’ he has lost the capacity for enjoying himself. A genera- tion ago the dinner talker was still to be found (he bas since diswppeared almost altogether) and, despite his weakness for taking entirely too much wine lute in the evening. his loss may well be mourned, Que never sves such dinners in these times ag used to be given by a certain distinguished man who was famous for the little banquets he gave. “THE FEASTS WERE STRICTLY STAG in make up and seldom more than eight, be- sides the host, sat down at the board. Not fewer than the graces nor more than the muses should the company be, he believed. The host himself stood up and carved and the vege- tables were placed on the table in silver dishes. Never were there more than eight cow First came halt a dozen rare oysters: tl inimitable pure trafiles; following this, a genuine Kentuei mutton shop; then a pate, with a crust tha! a breath might paif away; next. three or four canvaxback ducks, sientitically dissected, the blood following the knife; and finully, salad and the usual dessert, with coifee forth. Alas! one goes to no dinners in these degenerate days. conversation, too—how delightful” it was! After all, the expert conversationalist is nowhere so in his glory as at a dinner part have heard of dinner talkers prepar: topics and appropriate witticisms bet! but I don’t believe that any really good con- Versationalist does that sort of thing. A dinner party like that in the “New Republic’ wouia of De ity bea stiff failure. To allot cortain topics for taik toa set of guests—certain sab- jects to accompany exch course— id always make the discourse stuf and artificial, however bright the people mizht be. Conversation, to be good. mast sparkle spontaneously, hike champagne, aud it ts worth noting that itis the bright man rather than the deep man who taiks well at a dinner.” AS TO WINTS. “Conversation and champagne go well to- gether,” ventured the most youthfal of the group about the drinking “Champagne is an agreeable stimulant,” re- spouded the oracle, “though I prefer other wanes, I agree with the old gentleman in Threkeray’s ‘Lovell the Widower,’ who said when fizz was offered him: “Thauks. I've passed the age.’ You'li notice, I think. that connois- seurs in wines are rarely champagne drinkers. In the matter of wincs, as weil as in other things, the decadence of dinuer giving has exhibited itself. I don’t mean to say that good wines are not served now at dinner parties; but the tact is that the old-time spreads, at which each variety of the grape juice offered* had its own authentic pedigree, are things of the past. Wines come irom the wine merchant now; they are no longer derived from cellars handed down from father to son, The old rule of din- ner etiquette that a host could properly boast one thing—namely, his wines—ean no longer be said to have an application. Ali that a host can say nowadays about his wines is how much he gave for them and what merchant he bought them of. Quality in wines at present is guar- anteed on the strength of flavor and the mer- chant's word, and notas a matter of family tradition, as formerly.” DINNERS BIO AND SMAIL. “But, apropos of what yon have been saying, big dinners and little ones differ.” “I think my remarks apply in all essential respects to both kinds, you «ayaliule diuner you mean, of course, one of not more SATURDAY, JANUARY 18. 1890—SIXTEEN PAGES. than eight or possibly nine guests, At such an | Written for Tae Everro Stan. entertainment the host must take a directing part in the conversation, while ata bay be one talk naturally splits the people up into doublets and triplets. Few small dinners, however, are given. as you are well aware, for the reason that is just as easy to offer one ot sixteen covers as one of eight. ‘At a little dinner, of course, it is necessary not merely that pairs should be suited to each other but the whole company should be entirely congruous. It is easier to spoilasmall dinner party than a big one. I have secn two United States Senators com- pletely ruin a little entertainment of the sort by conversational sparring across the table; if it had been a big dinner party they would not have had the power. One stick of a man or his like in petticoats can spoil a little dinner, but notsoa large one. Your bashful, solid fellow is the dangerous person tothe success ofa dinuer.” GOOD THINGS WASTED UPOX YOUTH. “Jolly young people are the nicest ata din- ner party, after all,” said a man in the group who had not spoken before, “Yes,” admitted the oracle, ‘‘so long as they are not too young. Young men.as a rule, don’t Spore a good dinner; they haven't learned quite what is what in the edible line, and fine wines are wasted on them. The girls usually don't care what they eat. so long as there are plenty of boubons afterward. Of all dinners, permit me to say, the sort I like least is cooked by the caterer, served by hired waiters and eaten from rented china, Such a banquet cannot do otherwise than havea res- taurant air and taste about it. Its most appro- priate accompaniment is an ill-assorted com- pany of guests, Result—an evening of torture anda fixed determination to never accept an invitation to that house again.” THE CAR DOESN’T RUN FAST. Because People Going Down the Monu- ment Elevator Get Sea Sick. The young woman in the poke bonnet grew paler and paler as the elevator car in the monu- ment descended below the 400-foot level. Her husband—the two were evidently bride and groom—gazed upon her with earnest solici- tude and, when he saw a positively greenish hue take the place of her complexion’s usual roses, he whispered: ‘For goodness sake, my own, what is the matter?” “I don’t know, Adolphus,” she replied with a gasp; “but I feel extremely sea sick and I want to get out.” The car was stopped at the 300-foot level and the pair alighted, A few minutes later they were seen waiking about very happily arm-in- arm—she quite recovered—at the base of the great shaft. . Said the elevator man to Tax Star reporter: “You see, sir, that’s the reason why we don’t run any faster; the passengers t stand it, Complaints are often made because we go so slow, but nine minutes is the best possible time up or down, although the elevator can easily do it in four minutes. The trouble is that when we run fast people get sick, particularly going down. Even going up tries many pas- sengers’ stomachs, but the down trip is the test. Have you never felt a slightly ‘gone’ sensation in the fast elevator of an ordinary building when it descended? Fegple don't get sick insuch elevators because the journey is over in a few seconds—before they have had time to be affected much—but here in the monument there is a fall of a sheer 500 feet. ‘Yo doitin four minutes means 125 feet por minute, which is a pretty fast drop, and that is plenty of time to accumulate the nansea, Not only women but strong men are taken fre- quently, even at this slow nine-minute rate of speed. ‘It isa very common thing tor passen- gers to have vomiting fits in the car.” “It seems very funny, doesn’t i “Yes, indeed. I asked a physician who went up with me in the elevator the other day what was the cause of it and he told me that it was simply nervousness, He said that the stomach was surrounded bya network of nerves aud that when the nerves were affected in way sickness at the stomach resulted.” DON’T MENTION IT. Whether a Woman is Stout or Thin, the Less Said the Better. Young Noodles says he has foresworn adipose as atopic for conversation with ladies. The other afternoon at a reception he ventured to tell a pretty young matron that she looked stouter than she had been last winter, He meant it of course as a compliment, but it happened, unfortunately, that the lady bad arrived at just that becoming stage of plump- ness where a woman always feels a little anxious less she should become too fat and is a trifle touchy on the point. Soinstead of accepting the remurk graciously she gave Noodles a cold stare and fairly turned her back upon him, so that he found himself shut out of the con- versation and was compelled to retire ungrace- fully. The same evening at a party Noodles thought to offset the mistake he had made by ing gracefully to a girl he had taken into supper that she looked less stout than <he had last Summer, Whereat the young woman, arresting the progress of a forkful of chicken salad to- ward her rosy lips, opened her eyes very wide and replied: “Why, Mr. Noodles, don’t you know that you must never te’ lady in evening dress that sbe looks thin Noodles has had his lesson now; he won't require anothes one, Female Camp Followers in Africa. From the New York sun. Quite alarge number of the people whom Stanley has just broaght from Central Africa are women and children, the families of the Egyptian soldiers who abandoned the upper Nile with Emin, Native women have taken an ac- tive part in the toils and hardships of nearly every exploring expedition that has entered Africa, One of the most pathetic incidents in the story of Stanier's first journey across the darit continent was that of the woman who, foi- lowing the fortanes of her husband, trudged from sea to sea, and thendied ot her privations atthe mouth of the Congo, just as the party wore about to tuke the steamer on their home- ward jou. ney, Col. Gailieni saya that one of incidents of his labors ia Senegal was the ment of womeu that constantly fol columns as ho pushed through tue to the upper N There was great tion in hi ars ago when ty Marabout L: ined to let the women a b ik soldiers for fear they would d the rapid march of his troops. A little r, however, the women and children joined colamn asitmarched to the Niger, aud he most curions hiv 1 | Gallieni says the women were among the ‘most useful members of the expedition. His black soldiers, uniike the French troops. did not like to oceupy themselves with culinary details and other work of the camp. ‘iney left ail these cares to their women, who took charge of the rations and prepared!the meals, and on the march they lightened the burdens of their husbands by carrying a good shat the bag- gage. The soldiers, hav: iit but their arms and munitions to carry, were abletomake marches, “I have rarely hed any 4 ‘ol. Gallieni, “to complain of who readily adapted taemselves ‘3 found that their te comrades were able to take life much easier then they and therefore did not fail to improve uny favorable oy portunity of getting wives. Among tle spoi.s of war was the harem of the Marabout Lumine and the ladies cheerfully consented to make an equal number of bachelors happy. Therenfter these women were among the most faithful workers in the camp and apparently iad no re- &rets for their former lord, who ran away from them. iu their long journeys through Africa, Capella and Ivens, the Portuguese explorers, regularly enlisted women as well as men, and found them most useful adjuncts to their expeditions, ‘They said the women carried loads nearly aa heavy as those of the men, did all the cooking and madé fewer complaints, A number of ex- plorers give similar testimony to the value of women on long expeditions, ‘The notion that women are inferior to men enriously enough has led to very different results in two countries widely separated. It is found that many Burmans are anxious to have their sons attend English schools, believ- ing their chances in life ure thus improved; but they are not at all anxious that their daughters should have similar advantages, In Senegal, On the other hand, when the French receut besought the chiefs to trust them with their sons to be educated at government expense, some Of the natives replied: “We wish to keep our boys at home to fit them to be chiefs them- selves. But if you want girls, you can have all you will take;and teach them everything in the books,” is (00 Domestic Felicity ln Boston, From the Boston Gourier. Wife (to husband at the end of a “spat’)— “The fools ain't all dead yet.” Husband—“They ain't eh?” Wife—‘No, or Iwould have the amount of your insurance policy before this,” ATTRACTIVE. HOMES. How Many Little Things May be Turned to Happy Account. A PEEP INTO ELLEN TERRY'S HOME—SOFA CUSH- IONS AND THE WAY TO DECORATE THEM—A RECEPTACLE FOR HAIR ORNAMENTS—ANTIQUE DESIGNS FOR SILE HANGINGS. Industry seems to be the order of the day among women.so much so indeed that any masculine writer in mentioning it would doubt- less call it a ‘fad. No one quite likes to have her absorbing, if passing, interest in anything called a “fad” This designation, however, does not in the least take from the good re- sults of the industry I spoke of, whatever form it may take, There are comparatively few aim- less lives now among the women of this coun- try, especially the young ones. For one thing every one cultivates whatever she may have of latent talent about her. So in all directions and po- sitions in society are hard-working students, seeking to enlarge their capacity for pleasure or business by improving themselves and de- veloping their own resources, Sometimes what has been undertaken as an accomplish- thent merely becomes one’s sole dependence in this world of change. and the feeling of a power within one’s self in case of need gives one an independence that is very satisfying to one's spirit. The reaction in favor of indnstry tills classes in every kind of artistic culiure and brings an enthusiasm to the work most bene- ficial to the students. So permeated, indeed, do some people become with this abhorrence of idleness that more than one branch must be followed, although one excels even to distine- tion in some special line, ELLEN TERRY AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. Acharming account of Ellen Terry in her South Kensington home has lately been pub- lished, in which she appears in a new light She has a small Dorcas society all to herself as itwere, andif her plan were followed quite generally many hearts might be gladdened by the beautiful charity. She keeps a basket filled with odds and ends of work to be given to the cor, aud when her friends drop in to see her, instead of atime idle as to everything except tongues each one is expected to choose a piece of work and so contribute their mite to the success of the basket, Crocneting, knitting and sewing are all provided, soa choice of em- poms is given and the good work goes on, the fascinating Ellen on this particuiar occa- sion described wore a tea gown of gray corded silk, with rufties of white mousseline de svie at neck and wrists, and her piece of work chanced to be a ‘Garibaldi,” which, if offered for sale at a fancy bazar, would probably be quickly sold, with the distinguished name of its maker as an inducement, The visit de- scribed had been paid to get Miss Terry's views on young women who desired to be actresses and not on ‘Garibaldis,” so a long talk on that subject follows. The most noticeable piece of furniture in her study is a large couch heaped with pillows, and, indeed, there is such a lounge in every room of her house—a great promoter of poe and comfort as well as attractive in lool CUSHIONS FOR COUCHES, So much are these same large couches with Pillows galore used in our own homes at Breeent that any suggestion for novelty in lecoration for some of the many cushions is always inorder. A pillow has just been made that for good effect, compared with the time spent on it, can hardly be surpassed. The front of a small down pillow, 18x14 inches, was covered by stripes of mixed gold and silver braid alterpating with rows of terra cotta velvet ribbon, each stripe being about 134 inches in width. These are sewed together, the braid overlapping the edge of the velvet and hemmed down upon it. ‘Then with a piece of chalk or lead pencil little circles with curling tendrils were drawn on the velvet. These are worked with gold _ thread and the circles become solid disks of gold, After drawing the design on the velvet it was easy to work similar figures on the tinsel braid, on which the pencil would make no im pression, in all instances letting the tendrils run indiscriminately over velvet and braid, By treating it ail as one surface and not observing the dividing lines of the stripes a much better effect is gotten than by confining the pattern to either fabric. The front of the cushion be- ing of this combination. and the back of plain India silk of a dark terra cotta shade, the two are simply blind-stitched together, perhaps a day’s work being put on the whole thing, which is certainly effective for that amount of time spent. CORD IN DECORATIVE WORK. So many chairs of light and fanciful shapes are cusiioned now by the ladies who possess them that I will suggest cord as a newer finish for the cushions than ribbons in fastening them to the chair. At the frouf corners a long piece of cord can be attached, then brought tight around the leg to catch the cushion down well, and then crossed and recrossed haif way down the leg, where it is tied in loops and ends. A soft silk cord should be used aud a knot tied an inch anda half from the ends, which should then be raveied to form tassels. The effect is something like that in old-fashioned pictures maidens whose slippers of the proportion of No, 6 in length and AA in width are similarly attached to very slim ankics, Little cushions for the back of the chair can be also tied on with cords either laced down the sides of the buck or with short loops and ends as desired. A RECEPTACLE FOR HAIR ORNAMENTS. A young lady who is so fortunate as to pos- sessa number of pretty ornaments for the hair, and who is tired of keeping them on a tray, has devised a pretty cushion for their dis- play, which may be copied if desired in any ‘The model is in old pink, The fuunda- a small tin baking-powder box—the smallest size that comes. ‘Ihe sides of the box are smoothiy covered with pik cambrie or silesia as a beginning. Over the top is then puta network of the silk crocheted rings on? can buy at the art stores, These are sewed to- gether on four sides of each rong, thus leaving both round and square openings, through which to thrust the pins. This top is sewed securcly to the side covering of the box and a frill of pinked or fringed silk is shir- red on asa finish like @ pin cushion or lace over a color might be sub- stituted, A soft cord of narrow ribbon is tied around the top below the narrow head- ing with loops and ends hanging over the frill, If the collection of pins is large enough a size larger tin nay be used. Some girls put t! air pins in a cylinder vase on the ares as achange froma tray, Ina tall re- i both show better and ure easier on a tray they often become en- tangled aud Lifting one drags up another. ‘Then, too, the shoil or gold is liable to be scratched when rabbing against each other, as they do on trays. SILK UANGINGS. Antique silks, or silk with antique designs, are much usedin making ornaments of various kinds for drawing rooms and boudoirs. An iugenious arrangement for a table screen was made in the form of an old tavern sign, The sereen Was cut shield shape, and the old silks put on to suggest the idea of the tavern arn.s, A post-shaped standard was covered with old Genoa velvet and Louis XIV silk, to which the shield was hung, with curious binges, which ero really hinges, and swung back and forth desired. Wall pockets and photograph frames are also made of these precious silks, musical instru- ments baing a favorite shape. The passion for collecting these ancicnt silks is quite prevalent among many ladies traveling abroad. When one once becomes interested there is as much auxiety to increase the quantity and quality of these silk collections as the numismatologist or the entomologist ever displays. A simple thing often gives much pleasure and by taking a little troable children may amused and entertained in an easy way. A glass prism hang ina window where at some time of the day it will catch the raya of the sun makes an ever-recurring giory which nover faiis to interesta baby or Little child. Even the older ones coming into the room whils the beautiful changing lights are glow- ing on walls and ceiling caunot fail to notice aud enjoy the brilliant effect, Judge Lynch in 1889. From the Atlanta ‘ onstitution. Judge Lynch was more active than the regu- larly constituted courts last year. For the United States at large there were ninety-eight legal hangings during 1889. Against this insig- nificant umber Judge Lynch rolled up a total of one bandred and seventy-five. Inthe south one hundred and thirty-nine persons met their deaths at the hands of the lynchers, The north furnished thirty-six such executions, This is a very black record, It is a bad one for the north, and a bad one for the south. But it re- flects greater discredit uy judges, juries and sheri it people do not beng sot ebeeger 9 a — exceptional cases Judge Lynch will always put in bks work even im the most orderly munity. But such cases are rare, and all } be prosecuted to the full ex- tent of the law. bates’ Ran, (pag heamen:teeteton the excep! cases, to they will never be harmed by a jury of their pecrs. eee Blossom—“Do you believe in minding the | aap" oe amide my wife.— il BOYS WHO SERVE OONGRESS. The Pages at the Capitol and What They Have to Do. PRECOCIOUS YOUTHS WHO KNOW MUCH AROUT POLITICS—THEIR PAY AND THEIR PRRQUISITES— GETTING AUTOGRAPHS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SPEECHES—PAGES WHO HAVE BISEX. The pages of the Senate and House ares sort of understudy to the statesmen. Each has some Senator or member whom he admires and imitates, and it is not beyond tne range of his ambition that he may some day occupy # seat in Congress himself, They have a sort of fellow feeling for Senator Gorman and other statesmen who have risen fromaseaton the stops by the Vice President's desk to « chair in the legislative body. All the pages are states- men in their way and are up in politics. Their fate is dependent upon the welfare of their members, and they rise and fall with their party. Ina republican Senate the boys are all republicans, and in the House they come and | go as the majorities shift. The Senate pages have a more secure tenure and hold themselves to be of a little more importance than the bors who wait on the Representatives, But the lat- | ter profess contempt for a class of young indi- viduals who don't take the chances of politics at every election, and pride themselves upon their own close alliance to their party's vicissi- tudes, They look upon the knee-breeched at- taches of the Senate as old fogies without knowledge of political wire pulling. They are themselves au fait on all matters political, They are the “legs” of the Congressmen, but they have heads of their own that are crowded with schemes to their full capacity. ‘hey are not usually well up in book learning, but are well up on affairs of state, They enter public life at the mature age of ten or eleven years upon a salary of $2.50 a day and such pe quisites as fall into their hands, and, if their political fortanes are good. remain in the service until they are no longer boys. Then they go out into the world to become polit cians, drummers, railroad sidents, or Con- gressmen, or else take a downward turn. They usually enter the field of politics, as they are familiar with all its branches, They are tully equipped for the position of Senator or Repre- sentative, but deficient in almost all other use- ful knowledge. PRECOCIOUS. The average page of fourteen or fifteen years old counts in his wardrobe a beaver hat, a pair of knee breeches, a cigar case, a Lord Chumley overcoat and a horn-handled cane. Many of these have a brilliant career during their tender years and have gone through all excesses of mature manhood before they are old enough to vote at any well-regulated election. On the House side there are thirty pages, fifteen who sit on the right of the Speaker to wait on the democrats and fifteen on the other side to respond to the call of the republicans. They are under command of two chief page: who have been promoted fra the ranks, and one-armed captain, who is chief in command. The chief page on the Senate side is almost ‘as old as the Senate itself and is custodian of the snuff box and all the antiquities and remi- niscences of that body; while the pages who are under command of Captain Bassett are usually very smail bors. When nator claps his hands half a dozen small boys rush out from different directions, coming to collision in the center isle, and the one who sustains the shock and picks himself up quickest holds the secret conference with the Senator and then with a pompous air starts off on a private mission—to the document room for a bill or to the library for a book. It takes almost as much political influence to bea Senate page in Congress as to get a for- eign mission, The usual age is from ten to fiiteen, and very few remain after they are eighteen, IN AFTER LIFE. Some of them after outgrowing their posi- tions have done very well in the world, but many have acquired dissipated habits which have ended their career disastronsiy at an early age. Familiar conspicuous examples of s are those of Senator Gorman, ex-Kepre- tative Scott of Erie and the iate Representa- tive Towsend of Illinois, who became emine in public hfe, Others have beea quite as suc. cessful in business or professional life, though not as well known, Pages usually make considerable money and make it easily, and they spend it with freedom, Besides their salaries they turn a good many honest dollars. They complain in these days that they have not the opportunities they used to have for making extra money. Rich and liberal members often pay them large sums for small services. In the House each page hasto file the records for ten members. This 18 a part of the duty for which they are paid by the government, bat each member at the end of the session usually gives the page who tends to his file from 25 to $10. If a member sendsa page off to buy a theater ticket or make some small purchase he often gives hima $5 or $10 bill and lets him keep the change of the transaction. Some of the rich Representatives and Senators are in the habit of making pres- ents of money to the pages at Christmas time and at the end of the session. THE AUTOGRAPH BUSINESS used to be very profitable. Every morning the pages would go around from member to mem- ber as they reached the hail and .olicit their signatures in big autograph books, A book containing allthe name was worth from $5 to #10 to the pages who had it, They found e ready sale for these books as fast us Shey could fill them and it did not take long to get all the signatures, One of the regular duties of a member was to sign his name about thirty times each morning. Whether it is thoi the members are shy about giving th ir signatures since their experience with Silcott or whether there isa falung off in the market for anto- graphs, for some reason there bas been but little of that business done this session. Ag autograph book is seldom secnin either the House or Senate now. Tho fact is that there t now as many chances tor the pages to to be, The new ris the game bunted by the page. On his jirst appearance in Congress tae member is liberal if ke ever intends to be soatall, Tho young men rush to wait on him then, and if be does no: respond quickly they know that he is not going to be a paying investinent for them. and they are less us- siducus in their attentions afterward. Asa member grows older m service he discovers so many ways of increasing his expenses above the limit of his salary without giving away moncy just to impress these Little men that be gradually gets out of the habit of * tipping.” The pages, too, have suffered through the graceless conduct of Silcott, The mem- bers at the opening of this session did not feel that they could afford to be guite «as lib as usual, When Mr, Flower was in Congress before he got quite a reputation among the pages for his prodigal generosity dou his return this time there was a hot rivalry among the pages over who should file his record, The boy to whose lot this duty fell was an object of uni- versal envy, He is now the subject of deep disappointment, for while Mr. Flower is stii liberal he does not at all come up to the exag gerated expectations of the youug man. Mr. Fiower is now content to be only as liberal as are other members of means, whatever cloud it may cast on his past record. GETTING SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SPEECHES. The most fruitful source of income the pages now have is through the canvassing for the sale of members’ speeches. When a popular orator on the floor makes a good speech, particulary ifit is one especially suited for a campaign document, the pages enter a hot contest for the privilege of selling it—that is of Retting sub- scriptions for it among the members. member making the speceh does not pay them anything for this work, but each member sub- scribing fur the speech pays a bonus of a dollar and a half for every thousand speeches to the boy who takes his subscription. The boy then sees that the speeches are done up in wra and delivered to the subscriber b Balk. If the member wants them ad- & project tuat is bro’ ri ceip healer ions ~ ae eraily opposed, too, by the circulation am the mernbers of — and various tend ments, These are with the door ag pied be placed on the desks of the members, If they are merely left with the request that they distributed they do not appear i y comes back and will EDUCATIONAL, IN WASHINGTON, ART STUDENTS LEAGUE 009 F ST. Petsson eatte eeng ie Pesdoueld “Evediin Deewing Clases jer me vl. ante Ye ABT scioor 1013 16TH ST. RET. K AND LST. Mise 8. W KELLY, London Modalist, Principal. Competition for Gold ¥rdai tn “Life Claes” JANUARY 11, Clases ty China Fussonge” SUT bee Ss ND—A NEW EA IN THE Ale. fy phy taught iv sixteen easy lewons. feiency iB trom two to three months Fapiuity, legiblitty, unprecedented. peeson and evening, Typewriting teugh. free. Coll Ear plist BEAD school ACME PHONOGE: st cipal. T. 2 MULVE, Prin: PAINTING, DRAWING IN CHAROOAL AND ayo, a by Mie L Natt S Three lee Zoek late onan for Children. Forse Lith st rt Peasonable. Studio 82) _ ‘= JRAWING 4 ND PAINTING—INSTROCTION FOR Childs hers and pe Sag Fy at Historical Painters tL GENER HLL bas bad 1! medals and et im Europe. Instroction day years or evening. in clase or private. Terms reasonable rate in charcoal, ‘iy aed crayon, on solar prints. pastel, water and oil onder, frow $5 to 8,000. Stodios open Wodseaday evenings. ail and see the won adents, ACADEM) OF FINE ARIS, frecam Of 8 Y oe Me Sts NDREWS Rick WOoal Sue PP. ture. Theo d Analysis of Mumtc wt) of Me, Lyman Wheel: also of | tory. 1206 Stn . == isin? 31G. MAKIANO MAINA SCHOOL FOR SINGING Ss Italian method, Studio and residence, 91 H st. H.W. Will be pleased t irvulaf on demand 430-3w* PESO FEO iss CLARA PAxuiaony Pail of Dr. Win. Mason of New York, 1008 8 iw. Call between 6 ro aan o28-Sua | ARBALVAKD Giabtate SIRES PUPILS Sitcly OF am Stuall Classes” Appi to WM. PUTNAM, AM, 9.3m At Sanders & Staymuan’s, 034 F st. aw, Acanewy Or Acr Na, B14 12th st. tw nest Fst; up one fight PUptis tay enter ‘thus wont: - _ Catalogue free 89 SCHOOL OF LAN ¥F sT-Dall¥ SS cissnce of all ere.tes. ual metl been warded the scademie decoration, FREK LECTURE saturdey uext. 4:30, Speaking. voice culture; a perfect prouunciation ; elo- cubon, with tones aud gestures surely acquired the sciemtitic wud gy iuusey:. Walming of dhe muscles; bo parrot-like ttuitatio yS-lm* IANO AND HAKMONY Miss AMY C. LEAVITT Has Kereved to Jasseciusette SERVICE EXAMINATIO! complete 1uiormation ex repariuk applicants. &, W, utube, &W. Our, Sth and. a? ti nly one that perience of LYON, A © ates tun MSUPAAES GY, Sevicg Nemo 4¥A 1207 loth st. nw —Pupiis prepared tor all ex ami aions. Special Lessous for scone ~ we Highest referer: RIVATE 1UITION AND PREPARATION POR Par eakecs h French, Latin, Gre alia, iat. by HEN TORY OF MUSIC, 913 PA tore. Priwary apd of Piano, Urgan. Violin, &. EDWIN 1. rine pal, late of New England Cor tory, Boston, Mass a KENCH LESSUNS, do rit; Mi: Chewremont, me de PAradenue de au. Address 1143 oth et ow. sie RS MANN'S KINDELGALTEN AND» M Btinoot, >) AND KINDERGARTEN NORMAL TRAINING CLASS iwi a Disc, south of Dupont cine. Jaa pe® sear SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, 14th et. nw, ‘FREES ‘Send for circulars, Pulisdcltiie: Louvais, Posse Ceeeoon Boot Hladely bis, Latasvalle, (rrance), Berliu Dresuen, Gerunuy. welt OLUMBIA COLLEGE OF ComM 609 F / st. B.W.—Bunivers course: Bookkeoping ( em be one Practice ey ste Theory, ri . € re, id fOr cu teen years a Jot author of tion at FIFILENTH ST, WASHINGTON, “D: 1223 ES KERIS SCHOOL FOR YOUN@ 431-tofeo LADIES AND LITTLE CHILDREN. JON CONSLKVATURY OF MUSIC, ST, lding, ci and F ta —i wenty-fines Was Orgatt, Voler, Violin, Fiute, N Cloud Bi por eet orDet, 0, Freeadvautages. O.'B.BULLAGKD, Director, d2é-lm Nee*ogp stir Cre a 1407 Mans ave. ciiuehland Terrace, 421-6m, Mr. and 4th Street Cirel dirs, WAL. D, CABELL, Principals, T. GEOKGE'S HALL FOK Boas, sT. GEORGE'S, Suan Prot 3c. Binesr, AM Pine an ae eury Ung School, BiVW tos eset. Wisco Thorvuch, rucces Indorsed vy tue Rew methods, © bend for eveuiar PLOCUTION AND Lh 5 Alsu Grace, Bt, and kapression. The Si attesbury mecthouw in 411 clase or private, Cl CUlar cubtaiuing terms aud 1ull idiormation iree, Mids MAUD Db. BLCKWILK, Bea, +1 Leth stn ey IAL SCHOOL, 407 L.CAP.SE, Ald pro pervus dads bees Orxarony, GE OF bic le ite CADEM) OF THY vis error | ikeory aud tecunte fo suitar aud bat zo. velit, Jaixuayes, seueral vocal aud drawing end fancy work Ire. rn we ENCLKIAN 1 iss OO be Comer 410 ed D ste, Low, Behool of Busive-s and Counting House Drain. Pehoul of Fr. BeLowd OF Sb roeneerey Bebool of Sper Bevoul of dectuatics MEDICAL, ax. YANCEKCCKED Without the wid uf Knife orPlaster, Positively no A yp Morly Vomeum eats whch rewoves fy BUI AB wet bor jeruculars aud eur duress Dr. ABUUT4 M. MASUR, Custham, N.Y. The Gia t Pstablished snd only Kelisble Ladies etches 4 t cam be consulted duliy, 404 C at * a, ot. Prompt treatment, Consultation stricuy a. for Law cunfiden- evatate tvs Ciiceaiwaysopea, Neti, Se EASES, WIARNESSES ap THUM va 275 A Esctacot adtineee tad Gar ios ha. wid N- Exe comet Ja. U-eodan tt ® for nou-reaideuia ADILS WHO B IKE THE SERVICES OF EX ky sedan, dons > Puck between B i, 1.€. place 1. 85. ME, DE FOREST, reliable Lauies M MAIL 2c. STAMP sealed ustrucious 1uF eularctig bust Unix Lisme bust Developer; avev.urely + led calacue Laned eer remo. 2 cet 4 x 5 Dok sees SoNTRADICT ED iwar OLLEKS is the oldest. ing Lecies’ Physician im the city. you cm coLfidentiy cunsuit Dr. BLUTHERS, 10 B etree AuUcular sttenUon paid Ww ail discases w iigies. married ur siuicie 2orty youre’ reve J, EAD AND BE WISE—DEBLOTHEDA Doe : ee ew. Sipeared bolure ne SSsteiattier te entpeencr of men and furnish ue, OF LO ‘, ton advice iree wt auy hour of % Saibed phd guom., to beiuie me by be. pore Dieurict of Cosumbia, + plese ‘im* cure jp 43n00D Kistonen am NGA My aig pe eee Oe ait cure a Gee of Nervous Debi Tw Mier reuse, woe be see ‘asia oi MLCT.) Anwistant sc Uilice bours, ¥ Wo 1x ai6-1m" EWTON'S EY D “ee N's EVE WATER, Washington. W ey. 7° 2r"