Evening Star Newspaper, October 3, 1891, Page 12

WHITE HALL. CASSIUS M. CLAY. A Visit to the Southern Abolitionist in His Kentucky Home. A CHAT ABOUT GREAT MEN. How the Modern Cincinnatus Lives on His Farm—Stories of Lincoln and Seward—How Clay Got the Russign Mission and How He Gave Us Alaska. IN SIX MILES OF THIS TOWN the richest of the famed blue grass region of Kentucky, lives one of the most interesting characters in American history. Gen. Cassius ‘M. Clay, the first abolitionist of the slave- holders of the south, a prominent candidate for Vice President at the time that Hamlin was nominated, our minister to Russia during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and for the past fifty years one of the leading thinkers of the country. is today, at eighty-two, al- most as strong intellectually and physically as he was when he made his first abolition speech ass student in Yale College nearly sixty years ago. His fourscore years have not dimin- ished his courage, and his arm is as ready to strike in his own defense today as it has been in the many deadly encounters of his past, wherein in self-defense he has used the pistol and the knife in the support of his doctrines and has fought to the death. There is no braver man in the Upited Statcs than Cassius M. Clay, and I doubt whether there is a gen- tler or more cultured one. 1 have spent sev- eral days with him on his estate, known as White Hall, and have had hours of’ chatty con- yersation with him about the great men he bas Ynown and as tosome of the most stirring in- tidents of his eventful life. GEN. CLAY AT WHITE HALL. Cassius M. Clay was perhaps the richest poung man in the south. His tather had vast Yracts of land, and he left him 2,200 acres of the very * st Ken- tucky blue grass. White Hall is one of the finest mansions of the south. Gen. Clay was born upon the spot on which he now lives, and his father’shouse cost 350,- 000, and Gen. Clay has added such ‘improve- ments to itasto make it cost $30,000 more. Itisa great red brick “of three ries, of nearly 100 feet front and almost the same depth. It stands ona knoll, and a rich roll- Bost or onerzer. ing country of forest wn slopes out on every side of it. Stas ball mentored trough a big froat and as you go in you see either side “ of young man and it was made Hart, the famous Kentucky sculp- tor, for Mr. Clay. Henry Clay's bust is also by Hart, and both of them are originals of great value. The hall is so large that jou could turn s wagon load of y about in it without touching the walls. It is furnished with sofas and chairs, none of yhich are leas than an hundred years old, and upon its walla hang works of art by famous furopean painters. Gortchakot! and the Em ‘of Bussia look down upon you from the as you enter, and on the right you seea magnificent painting by the Landscor of Ras sia of the Czar Alexander II riding in a sleigh. and have many beantiful paintings. To the left of the hall is the general's library, consisting of two large rooms, and back of this is @ second floor is dimensions, and fteen feet high, and it was, I judge, twenty-tive feet square. Shortly after I was shown to my room a plate of the most luscious grapes was sent up. and Gen. Clay has, perhaps, the finest fruit in Kentucky. He is famed for his watermelons. end on the inside of the hall near the door I Roted at least a score of great melons, some of which were four feet long and about eighteen inches in diameter. I found them as sweet as looked and Gen. Clay discussed the fruit + we ate them together. During our meals— we ate asa rule alone, for the general keeps bachelor's hall—he discussed gastronomy and the laws of health and told me that he attributed his longevity to i nd that he always got He preferred vege- said that everything on his with the exception of the pepper. the salt and the coffee, had been raised by him on his farm, and thathe felt happy in being inde- LINCOLN AND SEWARD. during my stay I asked Mr. Clay who was the greatest man he had ever replied: “I believe that Abraham at Washington. He was then very anxious to nt and he showed me a paper he had which he announced he was for the . slave or free. That killed him with me and I then decided I would have nothin; todo with his candidacy. He knew that went against him, and he became my enemy }and we were enemies till the day of his death. He was Secretary of State while I was in Russia and he heaped many petty insults upon me. I first met Lincoln before he was elected to Congress. It was during a lecture that I gave at Springfield and Lincoln was sit ting whittling in the back part of the crowd. I became well xcquainted with him later on, and when he was nominated I was leading can- didate for Vice President, but I did not go to the convention nor make any effort to have my friends nominate me, and Hamlin was chosen. President Lincoln wrote me shortly after this that he intended to appoint me Secretary of War. I had served in the Mexican war and hhad some military training. “1 would have ac- cepted the position, and I remained in Ken- tucky at my home here waiting for Lincoln to faifill his promise. At last one day I received a letter telling me I had been made minister to Spain. I did not want the Spanish mission and I started at once to Washington tosee about it. HOW A RUSSIAN MINISTER WAS APPOINTED. “I went to the White House as soon as I got to Washington,” continued Gen. Clay, ‘and I found the President in the library. He received me pleasantly and I told him at once that I could not take the mission to Spain. Said I, ‘I don't want to go to any of the effete monarchies of Europe. Ihave served all my life for my party and Ihave never asked for an office. I had § thought that I might take one asa sort of a vindication of my prin ciples, but since you Lave ‘so many better men XN than myself I 1 think I had better go ogy. v. maken. back to Kentucky and retire to private life.” Lincoln, who had been rather reserved up to! this time, here got up and put his band on my shoulder’ and said: ‘I don't want you to go home, Mr. Clay. I want to do something for you, but I am so hedged around here that I can't do just what I will. Isn't there some place you will take” Well,’ said I, ‘you have made up your cabinet. How about the mis- sions to France and England? President Lincoln then said that these been promised to Adams and Dayton, and that he didn't see how he ” could: let me have either of them. ‘Well,’ said F' ‘that settles it. There is no other place I want. Iwill go back to Kentucky.’ President Lin- coln again urged me not to go. He said, ‘Stay a few days, Mr. Clay, and I will see what can be done.’ This was in the morning. That evening I dined with Sanford, who had just been made minister to Belgium. While we were at dinner the waiter came to me and told me that Senatot Baker of Oregon wanted me to step out into the bali fora moment. I had known Baker very well in the Mexican war. He was a noble fellow, Ileft the table and went out. He said, ‘The President has sent me to see you. He has been considering your case and he wants todo something to please you. He wants to know if something else except London or Paris will not be acceptable to you. Why don’t you take the Russian ministry? LINCOLN SHOOK MY HAND. “Well,” continued Gen. Clay, “I just hada good dinner, and Baker was my friend, and I finally told him that I would take the Russian mission and that he might go and tell the President that I would accept it if he would appoint me, or if he would wait until the din- ner was over I would go with him. ‘Wait for the dinner.’ said he. ‘Hang the dinner. Let's go to the White House now. Ihave a cab here and I tell you the President is waiting.’ ‘All right,’ said I, and with that I went with him to the White House. President Lincoln was sitting in his office. His lege were stretched out. His head was resting on bis hands and he was in deep thought. As we came in Baler said, ‘Mr. President, Clay will take the [Russian mission.’ Lincoln sprang to his feet and shook me by both hands and said: ‘Clay, I thank you. You relieve me of great embarrassments.’ And so I went to Russia. THE EXPERIENCES OF A DIPLOMAT. “How did you like your mission?” I asked. “Very much indeed,” replied Gen. Clay. “And I think I did a great deal for America during my stay there. It was through me that Alaska was secured to the United States, and I carried on all the preliminary negotiations. ‘The question came up first through the project for building a telegraph line through Siberia across Bering straits. An American traveler named Perry McD. Coliins had gone across Si- beria and he had interested Mr. Sibley, the president of the Western Union Telegraph, in the scheme for building a telegraph line from America across Bering straits to Europe to St. Petersburg. Sibley attempted to get a charter for this line through me, and I_got one which would have made the fortune of the company had they not spoiled the job at Washington through our Secretary of State, Seward, press ing the infamous Perkins claim. In my char- ter we had a clause which provided that every telegram from Siberia. to St Peters- | burg should pay to the American company & ‘rebate of One-half of the price of the telegram. This I got out of my friendships at St. Petersburg, and I had interested two of the grand dukes of Russia to take stock in the company. Then Seward pressed the Perkins | claim. ‘It was an outrageous steal, and Seward knew it. He commanded me to’ press it and I handed his letter to Prince Gortchacow. Gortchacow read and spoke English as well I do. He looked over the le:ter and then slapped it down on the table and emphatically said “We will go to war before we vill pay a smgle red kopeck of it.” From this time on Was angry with Seward, and he refused to give Ry concessions in favor of the telegraph line. He was well enough satisfied to have # bail | bat he did not intend to show any favors. then got them the right to build the line under other conditions and through this came about the negotiations which gave us Alaska.” STORIES OF HENRY CLAY. Cassius M. Clay was a cousin of Henry Clay. Lexington is not more than an hour's ridefrom Richmond, and Gen. Clay knew his great rela- tive well. He says that Clay would have sande great general, an says that the similarity in all respects between Clay and Jackson was i They had = —= 5 ‘ - THE -EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURDAY, OCTOBER They tell a story ating his earl le courage. of him in Lexington re. aw years of imagined himself’ insulted by a man who was ten or fifteen years older than he was and who was very much stronger. Clay attempted to fight the man and the man knocked him down. it was the custom in those for under man, when he found he could not suo- ceed against his adversary, to cry “enough,” and the man then got off him. Clay would not ery “enough,” and the crowd, thinking he would be killed, pulled the man off. No sooner had Clay gotten to his feet than he went at the man again, and he was again knocked down and pounded. The man was pulled off and Clay again attacked him, and finally, in order to save Clay from being killed, his friends took his opponent into a store and kept Clay on the outside for fear he should fight limself to death. Clay had a number of duels and he bad ®@ good military mind. Fraxx G. Canrentza, ——__+e+ - —_ IMPALED AND YET ALIVE. Curious Story of the Breast Bone of a Brant ‘That Was Shot in Alaska. VERY SURPRISING CURIOSITY HAS been placed in the hands of Prof. Otis T. Mason at the National Museum. It is the breast bone of a wild brant transfixed by an arrow. ‘The bird, which weighed about fifteen pounds, wasshot in the Kankakee marshes, Indiana, with a gun and subsequently eaten, but the part of its anatomy mentioned was preserved. Once upon a time—it must have been some years before, so a Stan reporter was told—this particular brant was summering in Alaska, where others of its species gather every year for the Purpose of mating. An Indian shot at the bird with an arrow, which had for its point a piece of a deer’s rib seven inches long. His aim was so true that the weapon went clear through the “keel” of the fowl’s breast bone and stuck there, the shaft falling to the ground. It is in this way that the natives of those parts make their arrows, in order that the shafts may not be lost. The latter fall when the game is struck and are picked up again. ‘Though transfixed in this fashion the brant was too sturdy a bird to yield its life so readily, no vital organ having been touched, and it calmly flew away, doubtless to the disgust of the hunter. After a while the wound healed, and the fowl managed to get along very comfortably with the deer’s rib through its breast. Years afterward it was slain with more sure leaden shot in Indiana, and now its breast bone bas deposi the National Museum by Mr. W. W. Cheshire of thi Its tragic history is known thus in di jetail because the arrow head itself told it all. Each Indian tribe in Alaska makes its weapons after a pattern peculiar to itself, and Prof. Mason has thus been enabled to determine that the brant was struck with the arrow on the Yukon river, and towhere else. Furthermore, he knows positively at what part of the Yukon the thing occurred and he can even locate the spot with certainty within two or three miles. It is an affair quite unique that a bird should be thus impaled and Fet carry the instrument of death so long and in such'a manner. Besides, the story has ad- ditional interest in the bearing it has upon the study of this bird’s migration. The arrow head is stuck through the keel of the breast bone precisely at mght angles with the latter, projecting on either side about an equal distance. To protect the bird's flesh against its irritation bony material has been deposited around the weapon for half an inch each way. The piece of deer’s rib was straightened by the maker of the arrow with a sort of wrench in the process of manufacture, after which it was shaved down and polished toafine point Near the butt end of it isa single barb; for the instrument is of the char- acter known as a rankling weapon—that is to say, after entering the flesh of the victim it works its way into the vitals, eventually caus- ing death. An Indian thinks nothing of foliow- ing a deer thus wounded for many days, in the expectation of securing the prey finally. SoS es NEW PUBLICATIONS. THE BUSINESS OF TRAVEL: A Fifty Years’ Record of Progress. By W. FRASER Kaz, wu thor of “Austrian Health Resorts,” ete. 1841— Igicester to Loughborough (12 miles): 1s91—All over the Globe. London: Thomas Cook & Son. FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS: A Collection of Pas- sages, Phrases and Proverbs, traced to their sources In Ancient and Modern Literature. By Joux Bantizrr. Ninth Edition. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. Washington: Brentano's. AT ANCHOR and HONORED IN THE BREACH. Two Novels. By JULIA MAGRUDEK, author of “Across the Chasm,”“A Magnificent Plebelan,” etc. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co. Wash- ington: Brentano's. THE BUSINESS OF LIFE. A Book for Every ‘One. By the author of “How to be Happy Bovenytarnid,” ete., ete. New York: Charles Scribus Sons. Washington: Brentano's. THE RAILWAY MAN AND HIS CHILDREN. By Mrs. OLIPHANT, author of “Agnes,” “Lady Jane,” ete. New York: John W. Lovell Co. Washington: Brentano's. PHILLIDA. By Mavp Howe, rhe 8 ort Aguarel k ited States Book Co. New York: ington: Brentano's. A GOLDEN DREAM. By Groroe May FENN, author of “The Mynns’ Mystery,” etc. New York: John W. Lovell Co. W ton: Brentano's Wash- etc, ‘ashing? IVAN, THE FOOL: also, A LOST OPPORTUN- and POLIKUSHKA. By Count Leo ‘Totstot. Ilustrated. New York: Charles L. Webster & Co. IN TWO MOODS. | By Srerwark and Wa. West ALL, authors of “The Blind Musician.” New York: John W. Lovell Co. Washington: Bren- tano’s. ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. By Amruix Rrves, author of “The Quick or the Dead,” etc. New ‘York: John W. Lovell Co. Washington: Bren- tano’s. THE SABBATH I ‘By ALICE MORSE EAKLE. Scribuer's Sons. Washingtoi NEW YORK FOREST COMMISSIO’ port,—for the year ending December Albany: James B. Lyon, State Printer. A FAMILY FAILING. By HawLey SMart, au- thor of “Long Odds,” etc. New York: Jolin W. Lovell Co. Washington: Brentano's. MY LAND OF BEULAH. By Mra. Larva Apams, author of “Aunt Hepsy’s Foundiing,” etc. Phil adelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co. THE MARRIAGE OF GERARD, By AnpRE ‘TREURIeT, author of “Queen of the Woods,” ird & Lee. THE HEART OF A MAID. B: 1inG. New York: John W. ington: Brentano's. RABBI AND PRIEST. A Story. By Mrutox Gouvsurrm. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. STAMMERING. Its Nature and Treatment. By Emil BEHNKE. Second Thousand. London: ‘T. Fisher Unwin, CARMEN, THE GYPSY GIRL. A Spanish Story. By Puosren Menimex. Philadciphia: T. B. Peterson & Bros. ‘THE CAPTAIN OF COMPANY K. By Josern Kixx- LAND. Illustrated. Chicago: Donohue, Henne- berry & Co. A WOMAN IN THE CASE; or, Destor 70 THE PURITAN NEW ENGLAND, w York: Charles rentano’s. Annual Re- 81, 1590. Beatrice Krr- well Co. Wash- Devit. New York: 5S. Ogilvie. BEFORE HE WAS BORN; or, Tue SCARLET ARM. By Dr. E. L. Macoms BRISTOL. % ‘What's Going On in Politica. The democratic campaign in Maryland was opened at Woodstock, Howard county, Thurs- day. ‘The gathering was under the auspices of the democrats of Carroll, Howard and Balti- more counties. Gubernatorial Candidate Frank Brown, Senator Gorman and Mersrs. M. DeK. Smith, Jobu P. Poe and J. Frank Ford made addresses. ‘The Cook county (Ill.) republican convention at Chicago on Thursday nominated Theodore Brentan for judge of the superior court, O. 'f. Bright, superintendent of schvols; William Boldenweck, jz., and B. A. Eckhart, drainage trustees, and J. M. Green, president of the board of county commissioners. ‘The Massachusetts democratic state commit- tee has sent another letter to Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge; challenging him to discuss with the Hon. John E. Kumell the subjects of the atti- tude of the ational democratic and republi- gan partion upon ‘ver question an ye dee Deke tio congressional ‘he Sout ta democratic ce convention has nominated J. M. Wood, @ wealthy cattleman of Kapid City. ‘A democratic conference was called to order on Thursday afternoon at Roanoke, Va., by J. T- chairman of the state committee. A number of the members of the state central committee and the superintendents of Nor- folk, Portsmouth, Norfolk county, Nansemond, Isle of Wight, Southampton, the- Peninsula, Northampton and Accomac were present. Reporte were heard from the various counties, were in the main encouraging. pti mci chee teen OLD CHRIST CHURCH. The First Episcopal Church Erected | in the District. REMODELED AND IMPROVED. i Incidents in the History of This Parish—The Original Frame Bullding on ‘New Jersey Avenue—The Edifice Which Has Just Been Renewed and Redecorated. HRIST CHURCH OF WASHINGTON parish, although not as old as St Paul's of Rock Creek parish (which dates from 1726), is the oldest organization of the denomination within the hmits of Washington and George- town; and before the District was thought of as the sext of government, when the en- tire territory was covered by the virgin growth with some cleared land in cultivation, and ere the close of the war of independence it existed in a modest frame church on New Jersey avenue, not far from D street southeast. Then it was attached to St. John’s parish, in Prince George's county, Md., and was known as Christ's Church, and during ite existence many of the leading men of the country worshiped ‘in it, including President Jefferson, who was wont to ride on horse- back on Sundays to the church and tie his horse to one of the trees to remain till ter service. A drawing of this quaint old edi- fice was made by afr. E. P. Cranch, a son of Chief Justice Cranch, and some yeas ago afew photographic copies were made. OCCUPIED NEARLY THIRTY YEARS. This church was used for services nearly thirty years and Rev. A. T. McCormick held service in it as Inte as 1807, at which time he was elected rector of Washington parish. This frame church was in existence fourteen years prior to the first Anglican service held in Georgetown and sixteen years before the or- ganization of St. John’s, Georgetown. Although Washington’ parish was organized in 1795 by act of the. legislature of Maryland, passed in compliance with a petition for- warded in 179, the church on the present site was not used until August, 1809, nor formally dedicated till October 7 of that year, when Thomas John Claggct, bishop of Maryland, performed that service. In anticipation of the anniversary of this event FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. the congregation, through the vestry, have had the edifice thoroughly renovated, repaired, refurnished and beautified and it will be re- opened on Thursday, the 8th instant, with ap- propriate services, for which the following pro- gram has been arranged: Service and holy communion a.m.; service and sermon at 11 a.m.; service and sermon at 7:30p.m. At the 1lo’clock serv- ice the sermon will be preached by the Rev. Alfred Harding of St. Paul’s Church, Washing- ton. At 7:30 p.m. service the Rev. Dr. R. H. McKim of Epiphany Church, Washington, will Preach the sermon. , ITS EARLY HISTORY. The records of the church open with the statement that the petition for the formation of the parish of that part of St. John’s parish, Prince George's county, contained in the city of Washington, and of St. Paul's parish, Mont- gomery county, in Georgetown, was forwarded to the legislature of Maryland in 1794; that the act was passed and a mecting was held May 25, 1795, at which the following vestry was elected: Wm. Deakins, jr.. John Templeman, Charles Worthington, James Simmons, Joseph Clarke, Thomas Johnson, jr., and Gustavus Scott. Henry Edwards was ‘elected register) Clot worthy Stevenson and Wm. Prentiss, wardens, and Rev. George Ralph, rector. The vestry reserved the right to appoint a rector for that portion of the parish within the limits of Georgetown and elected Rev. Ed- ward Gant for that part of the parish. It will be seen by those acquainted with the early history of the District that the vestry was not confined to the neighborhood of the church or the eastern section, for the first named resided in Georgetown and othersin the western part of the city. LAND AND TIMBER PRESENTED. In 1795 James Greenleaf presented the with a lot in square 456, east of the Post Office Department, and Samuel Blodgett, who built the Great Hotel on the present site of the Post Office Department, gave an order for timber necessary for framing the building to be taken from his plantation— Farm— extending in a southwest direction from Le roit Park nearly to 20th strect northwest). The books of the vestry show that the erection ofa church west of the ‘Tiber was abou: this time in contemplation, and the rector, Mr. Ralph, was authorized ‘to purchase the lot ad- joining that given by Mr. Greenleaf, but there is no record that he did’ so, and the church was not built. In March, 1796, Thomas Law, Gen. Davidson and’ John Crocker was appointed vestryman in place of Messrs. Johnson (deceased), Clarke and Sim- mons (removed from the city). On April 7, 1806, the vestry elected was as follows: Com: modore Thomas Tingey (who commanded the navy yard of the war of 1812), Buller Cocke, ‘Thomas H. Gillis (father of the admiral), Peter Miller, John Dempsie, Andrew Way, jr. (well- known printer), Thomas Washington and Rob- ert Alexander. ‘Later Lund Washington (post- master) and Grifith Coombs, wardens, and Henry Ingle, register. THE PRESENT GROUND DONATED. On May 11, 1806, fr. Wm. Prout gave the lots on which the present edifice is located, Nos. 6 and 7, square 877, on the north side of G between 6th and 7th streets, on the condition that the church be erected’ within one year. Messrs. Law and Carroll offered three lote— 23, 24 and 25, square 732—facing the east grounds of the Capitol, but the offer of Mr. Prout was accepted. In March, 1807, Rev. George Ltalph, ‘as the only legal rector, called a meeting for it 7 o'clock CHRIST'S CHURCH AT PRESENT. the election of a vestry, as there were some doubts as to the legality of the election of those in service, to be held on Easter Monday, March 90, m the church on New Jersey avenue. This resulted in the election of Commodore Tingey, Wm. Prout, John Dempsig, G. Coombs, David Slater, Buller Cocke, Poter Miller and Henry In- gle.On'May 4 Rev. Mr. McCormick wasel Tee- tor and the church being completed sufficiently fo bold. service therelp i wes opens’ ch Angust 9, 1807. The name of Christ,not Christ's, Church (as the church on New Jersey avenue had been called), was adopted. Square 1026, on H between 13th and 14th streets northeast, had been purchased for #, burial | ground, but provi low for theast, was for £200 by the vestry in trust forthe congre- gation and called “ burial and.” Acc the rules “no of color” nor one “known to deny a be- in the Christian ” are to be interred therein. In 1816 the vestry set apart ext to heads of families of ST. JOHN's PARISH SET OFF. St. John’s parish was set off from Washington parish in 2815, and in 18% that parish sug- Gested that the boundaries between the two be Ist, 2d or $d street west, but Washington par- ia hed street west of A street north. Rey. Mr. McCormick officiated as rector till Saas Renee ieee ins an addition wasbuiltto the church and Mr. Allen Rev. W. Hodge rex 1885; Rev. Joshus Olds, with Rev.W.A. Harris re, 1878 to 1887, when the present rector, Rev. Gilbert F. Williams, was Glected. Gen. Archibald Henderson of the marine corps was for many years a vestryman, duri which ‘time the tastine musie boys attended, services, regularly marching from the bar- Facks but two squares distant In 1849 and 8 new front was put in, 8 plain gable to the strect, and in soi. belfry’ and vestibule were added. however, pressed into service, and Christ Church gave the congregation of that church its use on Sunday evenings, which was accepted. RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. 55 As stated above, the edifice, which is about forty by eighty feet, has been, almost entirely renewed, and although the congregation is the oldest in the city their church is not only a new one in appearance,but one of the handsomest to be found in this section. ‘The front is in imita- tion of stone and the tower has been raised some sixteen fect, relieving the front of ite former squatty appearance. It may be said that so ex- tensive have been the improvements that it is almost an entirely new structure. Judging from the condition in which the joists were found the work would have been imperative in» short time. The and floor were entirely re- moved and beneath acellar dug, and tho new floor is laid on joists placed on sustaining walls independent of the outside walls. INTERIOR DECORATIONS. The interior has been handsomely froscoed d decorated according to the designs of J. &R. Lamb of New York by Messrs. Kablert & Beiser of this city. The chancel windows have been removed and above is half a dome, the waincoating of paneled walnut on a wide border of royal purple tint on trefoil designs tan color, and above in tracery work all round and’ in regular spaces are six medallions in blending tight colors. In the ceiling is the symbol Agnus Dei, from which scintillate streaks of white color or cream, the foliated tops of which are high, lighted with gold. In the main body the frieze is ornamented with the symbol of the co munion—the vine and grapes—and the ceiling is of oblong paneling. Along the whole length on both sides of the center ceiling is round mold- ing in gilt, producing fine effect, aud the lower edge of the arch over the chancel isin bronze. While the fresco work is elabo- rato and the design in exquisite taste it is not overdone in any part es not open to the ism of overcrowding. ‘The wainscotin, led and the old-fashioned pew ends and | doors have given way to modernized ends, without doors, old oak body and cherry moid- ing, Messrs, T. 8. Denham & Sons being the painicrs. ‘The gas jets wore mado especially for this work, four lights on each of the eight columns. The entire floor has been carpeted by Mr. W. H. Hoeke, one of the vestry, the col- ors und figures harmonizing with the’ interior decorations. VESTIBULE AND Ponce. The ontside vestibulo and porch have been tiled in mosaic design—old red and French gray, with blue centers and white corners and buff border. The porch is finished with small lancet windows on the sides aud heavy paneled doors and the inner doors of glass, the pilasters on the four corners of church and galvanized fron finials and the pilasters in front with galvanized iron ca while the fronts of the gable and four sides of the tower are battlement finish, giving a vory solid effect, The Munson lightning rods are Placed on the root © present vestry is composed of W. E. Hutchinson, W. H. Hocke, H. C. McCauley, George C. Henning, | James C: Berry, 8. J. Me- Cathran, O. B. Hallam and W. Danenhower. ‘The wardens are Joseph H. Gibbons and L. B. Fonda. The boundaries of the parish which once covered the two cites are now that portion of the city bounded by South Capitol street, North Carolina avenue, 6th street, Last Capitol street and the Eastern branch. ee CHESTNUTS ARE AT HAND." How to Buy Them and How Best to Keep Them in Good Condition. The rose has its thorns. Likewise it is with everything in this world that is agreeable. Chestnuts are now just ripe. Unfortunately they have worms. Otherwise more people would buy them. It is 80 discouraging to bite into one and to come across a little white grub, which is harm- less doubtless, but none the Jess unpleasant. There is a way to avoid this annoyance if one only knows how. Chief Van Deman of the po- mological division of the Department of Agri- culture some useful instructions on the subject yesterday toa writer for Tux Stan. e best way to buy chestnuts,” said he, “is to go to the countrymen who fetch their pro- duce into Washington and get from them tho freshly gathered fruit. Take the nuts home, ut them in a pail, and pour over them iling water. Let them remain in the scald- ing water for fifteen minutes, take them out and dry them. The great point is to render them perfectly dry. If any moisture remainé in them they will rot. When I was s boy I used to have a plan which Ido not think can be easily im- roved upon. I took the chestnuts out of the fot water and put them ina rough sack, such as is used to hold grain. The sack was only about one-quarter filled and I let it lie on the floor. Whenever it was convenient I turned the bag over, and in this way the nuts became after a while as thoroughly dried as was neces- sary. You can easily adapt the process I de- scribe to your own use. “This method of treatment accomplishes two purposes. In tho first place it kills the little eggs which would otherwise produce the worms. Secondly, it prevents the meats of the chestnuts from drying up and becoming bard, as they otherwise would do. When the nuts are ripening along come beetles of ‘a certain kind, ich deposit inside the burrs their eggs. These eggs are placed by the parent insects at the point nearest the opening of the burrs, namely, about the stems of the ker- nels themselves. 'When they arevhatched the grubs bore ticir way into the nuts and fatten upon their nutritious contents. By scalding you kill the germs and by drying the chest- nuts you prevent them from becoming moldy, “Virginia and Pennsylvania produce most of the chestnuts which supply the markets of the east. The crop obtained from those states is of particularly fine quality also, the fruit being exceptionally large. New England chestnuts are smaller and redder. This tort of merchandise haa always to be kepy in a cool place, lest it spoil. Owing to the reckless destruction of chestnut trees for lumber the product of many districts which formerly pro- duced largely has been greatly diminished of late years.” a ae EMILY SWEET’S BIG CLAIM, Her Husband, @ Chicago Pioneer, Sold Lands and She Did Not Sign the Deeds. Mrs. Emily Sweet of Chicago through her attorneys is engaged in pressing the largest and richest claim of dower ever heard of by Chicago lawyers. Valuable property scattered all over the city is affected by the claim, which appears to be so just and strong that some of the holders of the property in question have already settled with Mrs. Sweet on a cash basis to have clouds removed from their titles. Suits in petition of dower have been started in other cases. The claim dates back over half a century. Mrs. Sweet declares she did not sign deeds ford the property when it passed into other hands from her husband, Alanson Sweet, Chicago. She claims enough po income of $25,000 » year mat ———_ +02 —____ ‘The Unsettied Hen. of | merely taciturn 8, 1891-SIXTEEN PAGES. ‘Yet Other Kinds Have Absurd Habits THE VARIOUS SPECIES IN AUSTRALIA — WHEN PARROTS WERE PLENTIFUL IN THIS COUNTRY— CROWS AND MAGPIES 48 TALKERS—nOW TO TRACH A CROW—THE BEST IMITATORS. S¢]PARROTS ARE FUNNY BIRDS,” SAID Ornithologist Robert Ridgway of the Smithsonian Institution to «Stan writer the other day. “There is one species of nocturnal habits in New Zealand called the ‘owl parrot,” which lives in holes among the roots of trees and feeds upon the succulent roots of big ferns. Tt looks rather like an owl, but, although it has wings of fair size, it cannot fiy at all, because it has no muscles with which to work its pin- ions. This is the only known bird outside of the ostrich family that has no keel on its breast- bone. It can pitch itself off froma height, spreading its wings to easo its descent, but those appendages are merely employed on the parachute principle. IX AUSTRALIA. “Australia and the neighboring islands are more thickly occupied by parrots than any other part of the world, but the specios found in that region are peculiar to it and many of them are very curious. It is only there that the wonder!ul cockatoo family exists. To this nus belongs the biggest of all parrots, known the ‘Goliath cockatoo,’ which is as large as a goose, jet biack afl over, even to ite crest, with abeak much more powerfal than that of any eagle. With this instrument it is said to be able to crack the hardest of the tropical nuts, on the kernels of which it feeds. In New Guinea is found a pigmy parrot not so large as an En- glish sparrow, which is known asthe ‘bat parro- quet,’ because it roosts at night bead down- ward, holding on to the perch by ite claws. SHEEP KILLERS. “Another kind of Australian parrot has @ {feathered tongue for the purpose of feeding upon the honey of flowers. Somewhat has already been published cpncerning the extraor- dinary sheep-eating parrots of New Zealand. They alight upon the backs of sheep at pasture, and, fastening themselves to the wool with their claws, tear away with their strong hooked beaks at the backs of the nelpless animals. The lat- ter run frantically about in their agony, finally succumbing to their feathered foes, which eagerly gobbie the kidneys and the iat sur- Founding thove organs, leaving the carcasses of the slain scattered about the fields. It wasa dong time before the sheep farmers discovered what enemy was destroying their flocks in this fashion. Their theory ix that a winter of famine among the parrots rendered the birds hungry. ‘They had aiways up to that time been vegetable feeders, but one day a number of them alighed near some butchered carcasses of sheep that had been hung up and it occurred to them to try their flavor. Having thus acquired the taste they adopted the car- nivorous habit. For tearing and eating flesh their beaks are as well adapted as those of owls and hawke. OF BEAUTIFUL PLUMAGE. “Australia has by far the most beautiful Parrots in the world, as well as the groatest variety. Some of them are adorned with all the most briliant colors of the rainbow. In the Argentine Republic and Paraguay there is a species which makes a communal nest. Com- bining their efforts they fetch together a great | quantity of material, such as sticks and leaves, forming it into a sort of platform ten or twelve feet across. This platform serves the purpose of a roof, and beneath it holes are constructed for every’ pair. These holes are so made, with entrances at first horizontal and then vertical, that a complete house is provided for each parrot family, the roof overbead keeping off the rain. SCARCITY IN THIS COUNTRY. “Fifty years ago parrots were plentiful all over tho eastern half of the United States. They were of one species, which is now known as the North Carolina parroquet. The genus to which they belong includes fifty known species, of which this oue is by far the most beautiful. ‘So short a timo as half a century ago it was plen- tiful as far north as the Great Lakes. It was abundant in the Ohio valley, in the Mississippi valley, in the valley of the Missouri and through Nebraska, Dakota and the west as far as Colorado and south .to Texas. These par- rots have been so systematically exterminated that at present they are found only here and there in Florida, along the gulf coast and in the Indian territory. Several reasons are ac- countable for their extermination. One of them is found in their unwillingness to desert wounded companion. If one parroquet in a flock is wounded the hunter can kill them all, because they will not leave an injured com: rade. Another cause for their disappearance is found in the fact that they used to be a reat pest to the farmers, eating the corn while in the milk and devouring the young fruits for the sake of the seeds. Also, the birds were themselves very good to eat. ' One way of cap- turing them wholesale was to cut down a hollow tree in which they had roosted for the night, their habit being to go in through a hole, as b swallows fill a chimney, and hang by their bills stuck in crevices. Parroquets are true parrots, notwithstanding their diminutive size. Those found in America are all small macaws. As for the macaws in general, they belong only in the new world. Another = why the North Carolina parroquet has mm destroyed is that ite feathers are particularly useful for the mak- ing of feather flower work, their tints being ex- actly such as are required for the purpose. 4 PARKOT DIALOGUE. “Speaking of macaws reminds me of the only apparently reasonable dialogue that I have ever beard between parrots. It was in the Smithsonian zoo. A blue and yellow one occupied the same place with another that was dressed in red and green. The two fell to fighting in my presence and one knocked the other off the roost. “Good-bye, P the vanquished, starting to wal victor shouted from the perch, ‘Come back®| Come back!’ But the defeated one looked up, cocked his eye, and replied hoarsely, “Rats!” “Macaws often talk well. but their voices are disagreeably hoarse and inhuman. Parrots are considered the talking birds par excellence, but there are other feathered creatures which are much more accomplished linguists than they. Ravens, crows and magpics are all bet- ter speakers than parrots. ‘Ihey are not so versatile, it is true, and the sounds they are able to produce are not so varied; but their Voices and articulation are far more human. A crow’s talk in the next room maj , but the same can hardly be said of a parrot’s speaking. It has been remarked that the voice of a Parrots is to say, they mimic whistling and other noises, partic ularly laughing, to admiration. But not one of their kind could ever approach a ie of my acquaintance, which is the best talking bird that I have ever known about. Not only is it acquainted with words, but it varies their in- ticction so as to convey different meanings. It is a favorite ith children, and it has actually learned baby talk to some’ extent. One of its favorite phrases is, ‘Bob's all right! On this it harps with ever vo many variations, saying that bob is this and Bob is that, but never can it be persuaded to say that Bob’ is bad, though greut efforts have been made to teach it the words. HOW TO TEACH 4 CROW TO TALE. “If you want to get a talking crow, hire a small boy some time in April or May to rob a nest of a half-fledged young one. Bring up the little creature by hand and talk to it agreat deal, repeating the same things over and over again. Kindness is the proper discipline. Beware of the popular notion that a crow talks better if its tongue is split. Such an operation is apt to interfere with the bird's experiment y chance, inasmuch as the —_ learning differs widely among crows. it hap- pened that the owner of the mzgpie I have spoken of also had another magpie, whion suid nothing publicly, but this it would say everything that other one vhen it thought nobpdy was b whisper. Ravens, magpies and crows Tong to the crow family: ‘THE EAST INDIAN MINO, FUNNY FACTS ABOUT PARKOTS. the Some Are Like Owls, Others Eat Flesh and | the | k | be|can have all these beautif | all looks of animation’ or expectation having | physicians erected From the New York World. Tic-tie “They're off at Latonia!” the operator cries, and the betters’ hearts stand sull. Which horse will it be? A pool room in New York city is the place where this race is ‘on tap,” where by the aid of the telegraph and an expressive oratorical shouter one can almost imagine himscif at the track, away down in Kentucky, many handreds of miles away. Tic-tic—tic-tie—tio-tic. “They're all together !” The silence is oppressive, strained for fear some nm ‘There goes the Moree agai Tic-tic—tie-tie—tie-tie. How ominous the sound and how anxious are the ears that await ite translation: “Ben- zine in the lead!” Belshazzar second!” Tic-tic. A low murmur of approval breaks the silence, for Benzine is the ries the most mone: With faces pale as death and beating hearts the spectators gaze anxiously at the name of their horse, as if they could see the race on the | blackboard. But listen ! tie-tic—tic-tio—tie. all ears are Trin "be siesed. “Belshazzar at groan. “Benzine A growl goes up. Scowls appear upon the faces of the disgusted spectators, for Bene Zine is beaten at the quarter where will he be at the last—where, indeed? It isa miscellaneous crowd that awaits the outcome of this race and mostly a sesdy-look- ing set, which goes to show that the “bookies” get most of the “pie.” A few, however, mostly Professionals, “sport silk and diamonds,” as the saying goes. As ar illustration of what a big significance Tace means to some, here stands a young who has bet his eatire week's salary on the favorite, Benzine. What will his landlady do? Where will bis laundry woman come in? Worst of all, what Will his girl think when he fails to appear with the promised theater tickets? c-tie——tic: —tic-tic-tic. “same at the half !—Faimouth coming fast!" With Belshazzar in the lead and Falmouth moving up Benzine's chances for winning are not #o fair; yet the lookers-on still hope. They will not despair until it is entirely over. ‘Tie-tie—tie-tie—tic. second ! Tie-tie—“Benzine third!” ‘The crowd still gaze at the name of their horse, but it’s a sickly, hopeless sort of a gaze, left their faces. But—*-wait ! ‘Tie-tic—tic-tie—tie-tic-tic. ‘almouth in the stretch!” , @ second !” ‘Tic-tic-tio— ‘Vie-tic — “Belshazzar All hope is gone. The crowd have turned away and their faces nly show their disgust and chagrin. — ssi ~ The young man whose reputation and next Week's livelihood depend upon Benzine con- cludes that he is tired and takes a chair. _ There's not a “tout” in sight, for they have | give the “tip"—Benzine—as one man, and #0 | feeling that it isu't death, it will certainly cause rm to stay—they vanish. ‘Tie-tic—tie- =e ‘they stare—then a shout gocs up— ved! Who cares for the horse that gets the place? not Benzine won the race? e “Hurrah! Hoora; A LECTURE ON VICHY WATER. ‘The Audience Was a Soda Fountain Boy and He Fled in Terror. From the New York Tribune. “Wot'll it be, sir?” inquired the boy at the soda fvuntain ina Broadway drug store, as @ thin old man with gold spectacles and white chin whiskers wandered up to the counter. “You may draw me a glass of vichy, my son,” said the old man. “I presume,” he con- tinued, watching the operation placidly over the top of his spectacles, “that you have no idea of the ingredients of the beverages you compound?” “We use the best fruit sirups,” responded | the fountain operator, confidently, “made from | the genuine article, and block-tin-ined foun- tain, all Al.” “Yes, yes,” responded the veneraple =| 4 tomer, testily, “but take this vichy. kno _ “I perceive with sorrow, young man,” con- | tinued the venerable customer in chin whisk- | ers, permitting his glass of vichy to stand | untouched and bubbling on the counter, “that you do not improve the myriad opportunities | to acquire information Take this “mineral glass of vichy, my son. The term | ter’ is applied to all springs differ- ing chemically from ordinary water. Such | vaters have been used as remedial agents | rom an early pores. The old Greek close to mineral to the sulphurous thermal springs of Tiberius (now Tabareah), which are still used Ly the | Syrians. Josephus mentionsthe warm baths of | Culirrhoe near the Dead sea, and we are in- debted to the Romans for the discovery of the principal springs of Europe. Pliny mentions most of them, including, I believe, vichy,which | at that time was largely used for bathing. as the | temperature of the Vichy springs varies from 68 | degrees to 112 degrees Fabrenneit. “Itseems so strange to me, you man,” continued the aged customer, pment every | moment more yoluble and emphatic, while the fountain boy listened half stupefied, “that you and ‘instructive | facts about you and yet remain so densely ig- norent. Why, take the soap which lies in the cave at your left. Soap is supposed to have originated in France: it first’ beeame known during the conquest ‘of Gaul by the Roma: and 1s distinctly mentioned by Pliny. The modern soap is formed by heating fixed fatty bodies with an alkali, resulting in «process called saponification, from which a trausparent homogeneous mass——" “Hi, Finnegan,” called the fountain boy huskily tom clerk at the rear of the store, “come and tend de fountain: I've quit. Tell de boss I'm sick.” and, with a glance of horror at the volubie customer with spectacles and chin whiskers, he rushed into the street, over- turning the sponge rack in his flight. “Strange,” commented the old man, pickin, up his untisted vichy, “I have ever’ found averse to knowledge. A Delayed Luncheon, From Judge. i fol & qi h Fi which lie about you. | Qh. 7 found Heintz, Annapolis” Pa; D. A. Usina, Savannah, SOME FINE PROBLEMS. ‘Three Brilliant Games—List of Solvers. —_ WASHINGTON CHESS CLUB MEETS every evening at 1213 F street Visiter: PROBLEM No. 7, By 8. C. DUNHAM, Washington, D. ©. (Composed for The Evening Stas.) Biack 6 piecea White 7 pieces. ‘White to play and mate in two moven. PROBLEM No, & By A. ¥. HESSF. JR., Bethlehem, Pa. (Con.posed for The Eventing Star.) Boack—3 pieces. PROBLEM No. 9. ew ot AtQ4 KG QB KS QKte @witit AtQES OPO KG @¢ @5 QBE Waite to piay and mate in two moves. PROBLEM No. 10. By Mrs. T. B. ROWLAND, Ireland. @#uwkegsas t AtQBS KES QES QKr2 QRS @2? w i i i AtKS KES Ké QBS ‘White to play and mate in two moves, GAME No. 3. ‘The following little eccentricity Ruy at the home club's few weeks euise. GAME No. 4 A fine struggle between, Mesara. Young and Snow of the Deschapellee cit of Boston = Biack, Mr. Snow. KixP 12. E $e fac) Lak 4. Re 1 Sok Ee @ 2 (a) The compromise (b) A novelty. BxKt ts the usual move here, (©) A beautiiul coup. We give a diagram: GAME No. Awarded one of the consolation prizes at the recent N.Y. C. A. tournament, White, W. F. ino. Biack, W. E. Scripture. Stounton's opening. And KtxP te generally payed here Se huure visuroww end would hve the > the future. tamt factor he pawn? ¥ suTifice. Serius to be utterly oblivions of the com ine dancer. We give « diagrau witer black's tweuty- Binh move Molstad, 8. C. Dunham. There are two solutions to No. 2: Q-QRT7 and yyy ge P. Jefieris, E. M. | lett, Capt. Jas. ra solunous. B. G. W., 989 K street, city. B-Q stops mate. again.