Evening Star Newspaper, December 12, 1891, Page 11

FASHIONS DECREES. Some of the New Designs for Stylish Costumes, HANDSOME STREET DRESSES. How to Be Comfortably Dressed and to Look ‘Well in Cold Weather—Embroidered Man- ties and Cloth Dresses—Shoulder Capes— Fashion Notes. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. December 11, 1891. RUE IT 18 THAT the. fashionable woman finds it more difficult to make a graceful and stylish appearance her winter costume than she does inher spring, summer cr autumn gowns, and the reason is obvious. The mo- ment that eager and nipping air of which Shakespeare speaks calls for heavy wraps, fur-lined cloaks or fur-trimmed jackets there is at once a no- ticeable tendency to sacrifice grace and style in order to se- curecomfort—a word, by the way, that hasn't its exact synonym in any other language, and I must say that it is an extremely diffi- SF cult thing to feel en- tirely comfortable on a real old-fashioned winter's 427 githout assuming » muffled-up look. Now. muffled-up look means death to all grace an’ style. If you want to know how look when you look muffied mp observe We aristocratic pag dog with his blanket onand his woe-begone countenance. I am well aware that many young girls inclined to embonpoint trifle with their health in the winter senxon in order to keep style ond comfort, so fat as pos- sible, hand in hand. ‘These foolish virgins for- get that nature has set a most sensitive ther- eter in the center of their faces, to wit, their noses, and I would respectfully suggest to them that, no matter how lovely their winter costumes may be, a red nose with indigolipsand & general pinched look is quite enough to rob the most beautiful face im the world of its charm. Of two evils choose the less, and so it seems to me that it is better to make almost any sacrifice, including grace and style, and keep the blood on each side of one’s nose rather than in its tip. But, by a little intelligent thought on this matter, one may be easily able to hit upon some styie of street gown that will Keep one perfectly comfortable and at the «ame time prevent that dreaded maftied-up appear- ance. My attention was attracted the other day by a winter garment which appeared to me to very nearly, if not quite, deserve the title of novelty. Itwasa long velvet casaque, made from a single piece of the material, while its collar and sleeves were fashioned entirely of feathers. Isay entirely, but, in reality, the feather tips were sewn upon a very strong but softand pliable material. Possibly this ca- saque might be rather too startling a novelty for you. so in my initial illustration I set before You something very much of the same shape ‘and style, only it is made up in # less original manner. ' This stylish garment may be made in velvet of any kind or color to suit a par- ticular figure and coloring. The corsage closes in the middle with hooks and eyes and to it are sewed long basques. The front sides haverevers sewed to them with reversed seams. The easaque may be embroidered in any way that taste may dictate. The sides have one dart. In order to keep the casnque from wrinkling you must sdd a band of silk of the sume color as the velvet to the left side, reaching down to the waist and serving to hook the right side to the left side. In front the basques flare some- what. The garment must be trimmed with some becoming fur. STREET COSTUMES. In the second illustration is represented on the left a very stylish street costume in gray cloth. The skirt is made up on an alpaca foundation, having a deep false hem and a drawing string in tho back breadth. The skirt fe slightly draped and finished at the bottom with a bias of grav velvet, which must be lined with muslin. This band is sewed with reverse seam with hollow pleats. The front breadth is soa to secure a proper fit on the hips. inder the jacket you wear a blouse of gray silk With a leather belt. The fronts of the jacket are double and it is ornamented with an open Pelerine. The fronts of the under basques are adjusted to the figure and meet at the front. ‘The upper ones have a dart,andi,as my illnstra- Hicates,are cut to a point and sewed upon velvet basques gathered below the waist. Tie points are red with velvet. The pelerine is gatbi straight is worn a very pretty gray felt, narrow brim and flat crown. The crown is turned up at the back and set off witha bow. An aigrette of Gray feathers is placed in front in the center Of @ bow, the twoends of which encircle the — ‘At the back there is » pearl-beaded EMBROIDERED MANTLE. The figure on the right in the second illus- tration pictures an embroidered mantle, the material being » black sicilienne. The skirt is 3 corsage and has folds at the The fronts have square tabs. This ! is ornamented with feather trimming 7 with silk twist and ls. t # f i ft HL placed at the back with an aigretié and pink strin, Many fashionable ladies prefer cloth mantles to velvet and plush ones, or else cloth mantles with velypt in combination. With cloth there is a greater call for rich garniture, but, on the other hand, you may attain more by using this more youthful mat bas a dignity about it that fits it pre-eminently for the dowager's wear; hence young people should not be too prone to mufile up too much in this material of pomp and state. In the third illustration is pictured « very becoming cloth mantle in beige cloth. The pelerine is in tobacco-brown plush. At the ick there is a smocked effect. The pelerine is gathered at the shoulders and is lined with silk of the same color. The mantle may be — with black fur or with any long-haired fur. COMFORTABLE AND STYLISH. The long jacket lends.itsclf most admirably for winter purposes, uniting warmth and style. You see itmade up in a thousand different ways, but I think you'll search far and near be- fore you hit upon a more thoroughly becoming and refived garment than the one pictured inthe fourth illustration. It is madein a ma- rine blue vicuna and has double fronts, the under ones being richly braided and closing in the middle with hooks. The outside fronts are, you see. longer and are finished with revers and a rolling collar in sealskin or plush. The fronts fitted with fastenings, so that the jacket may be worn completely closed in cold weather, and if you belong to that class tritely denominated frozen turnips. you have only to line the whole garment with fur or silk wadding. ‘WINTER GARB FOR TOUNG 3188. The last illustration you will find repre- sents a pretty and withal serviceable winter garb for a young miss. It is made up in wood- brown vicuna trimmed with Persian lamb. The jacket is not only lined with silk, but has also flannel inlay, and with itis worn a milk blouse of the same shade as the cloth, belted in with a narrow leather belt. ‘The plastron is sewed into the seam at the right shoulder, but buttoned on both sides. ‘The epaulets are continued around the back in the manner of short pelerine. In front the skirt is slit up into tabs, which are trimmed,as shown, with the fur. The hat has @ crown in the same mate- rial and is trimmed with the same fur as the dress. Whenever the weather permits, and no doubt often when it forbids, you will see the popular shoulder capes, palatines and stoles. Mufls romise to be more reasonable as to size than Ehcy were last season. Tt seems too ridicule to aggravate the evil of cold fingers by ¢ ing about a muff too small to cover the It would be far more reasonable for the lady of fashion to revive that quaint old custom of ing a live poodle about in cold weather to as a muff, but the society for the pre tion of cruelty, &c., would soon put a stop to sucha practice, no matter how picturesque it ight be, especially when the dog was dyed to suit the wearer's complexion. Astrakhan will be a modish fur with which to trim an after- noon costum+ for visiting or reception purposes. It goes well with cloth. Que very coming way to apply this trimming is to ran three narrow rows of it around the bottom of the skirt and to run a single row around the cut-out of the bodice and so down the waist, thus framing the embroidered plastron and producing a fine effect. There is a very hand- some woolen material with a rough surface simulating astraklan which will be very popu- lar for winter costumes. It looks very well in gray or black. ee Wanted. A hat for the head of a fountain, A glove for the hand of fate, A shoe for the foot of a mountain, Alink from the chain of debate. A spoke from the wheel of fortune, A chip from the “pole” of thesouth, A drink from the fountain of knowledge, A word from the river's mouth. A drink from the cup of sorrow, A look from the face of the A stroke Irom the arm of justice, A ring from the finger of scorn. A knock at the door of repentance, A throb from the ocean's heart, ¢ from the eye of a needle, from Cupis dart —Lrookiyn Life, ——-eo—__—. Some Facts About Coffee. From the Detroit Free Press. How long coffee was in use among eastern nations before being introduced into Europe is not known. Aljeziri Alhambali, a noted Arable author, states that it was first made known about $70 of the Hegira. Some pious Mohammedans thought it might be included among the intoxicating beverages forbidden by the Koran, but Alhamball, in an able i tory section of that book. As a consequence the followers of the prophet once more re- turned to the delights of coffee. Among the Egyptians if was a favorite drink, bat was allowed only twice, = week in cam- paigns especially assem lor purpose, the greatest solemnity being observed om such occasions. 1s was introduced into Countentinopte in me early part of the seventeenth century, an writers of that time inform us that the ithab- itants of that city drank it as hot as could be endured. A Greek merchant introduced it into “Mer- rie England.” As early as 1663 it was satirized in England and on every hand the bitterest in- vectives were applied to it by the = and pulpit. In one instance a preacher buried anatbemas at the heads of those who used as 8 beverage “a syrup of soot and essence of old shoes!” “Probably he had fc cae mably he bad good, grounds tor coffee. ED: 1 was not until 1668 that the French learned to drink this “essence of old shoes.” A ambassador, on the occasion of a dinner given to some public functionaries, served the seduc- ive drink in elegant porcelain eups, placed highly wrought fiver salvere, and : “My boy says you haven't tal him any ling,” eaid Mz. Oatcake to the “No. "We only teach the girls - The boys don't need it, because when they grow up and go into business employ ry oewriters.”—Harper’s ‘. How Legislators Decorate Themselves Under the Chin, BIG BEARD AND NO NECKTIE. The Evolution of Neckgear—The Congressman ‘Whose Stock Lasted Over a Month—Speaker Crisp’s Modest Tie—Mr. Reed's Aggressive Black Sallor—White Ties for Evening Wear. ‘Writton for The Evening Star. IONGRESS I8 UPON US ONCE MORE and everything that relates to the members of this illustrious body is of interest to the people of Washington. It is a knowledge of this fact that prompted a writer for Tue Stax to investigate what is perhaps the smaliest gar- mont that men wear and to see how the minds of the great statesmen of the country are dis- played in this particular. Cravat or necktie, which is correct? Cravat is the more old-fasuicned, and to many ears it sounds better, but if the thing that it describes is not tied about the neck and by consequence a necktie, what is it? In old times this part of “man’s attire used to be a neckkerchief or a stock or aneckcloth. In the same way the nether garments used to be breeches or inex- exprossibles. Now they are pantaloons or trousers, and even to some people “pants.” Similarly what used to bo alwaysa cravat is now quite as often culled a necktie. MEN WHO DO NOT WEAR THEM. Should a man under any circumstances not wear a necktie? ‘That is a question, but itis a matter of fact that a few of the men who may be called statesmen do not wear them About me occasionally encounters a man thinks bimsclf a statesman, and the eyes Of some other people besides himsclf, who wears a neat clean collar and does not wear a cravat. This indi- has a long full beard and he latters himself that no one whether there is a jiece of ik or satin back of t is a ion. There never was a beard 40 thick but what the turning of the neck revenled the Presence or absence of the cravat. ator Coke of Texas, whose beard is. a8 opaque asa beard well can be, could not hide his col- Jnr button unless it were covered, as it fortu- nately is, by a slender piece of neck adorn- ment. His necktie is modest enough, and so are the neckties of most of our great men, but some of them are self-assertive in this par- ticular. Ex-Senator Ingalls, for instance, wears a rod cravat of a fine blazing ly tied in a sailor knot and desceniing gracefully under his waistcoat, and Representative O'Neill of has worn a crimson cravat for nor twenty years—not the sam course, but as one wears out or b oiled its place is taken by another that might be a twin Lrother. A THIRTY-THREE DAYs’ STOCK. But there used to be another member of the House—poor fellow, he was snowed under by an ungrateful constituency after two brief terms—that wore cravats of such variety and splendor that they became the deli colleagues. Euch day he would appear in a fine cravat and nobody would see it again for a mouth or more. He never appeared in the samé cravat two days in succession but once, and — thats was when there was a continuous forty-eight- hour session of the House and he wasn't al- lowed to go home. One of the pages of the Honse kept a record, and discovered that it | took thirty-three days for the M.C. to go through his stock of ceavats. On the thirty-fourth day he would be observed wenr- ing the sxme cravat that he had worn upon the first day. Whenever he made a speech he selected his most gorgeous cravat to wear on that day, and the same mischievous little page that kept a record of his cravats used to be al- ways able to tell on what days the member in- tended to speak merely by looking to see which one of his thirty-three cravatw he had on. When he left there was no oue to take his piace and ever since then Congress has been reduced to a commonplace stage that gives no pleasure to the ladies’ gallery o1 to the little pages who play about the Speaker's desk. CRISP’S SILE TIZ. What can anybody tell of Mr. Cris>, the new Speaker, by his necktie? Is there any severity lurking in the neat manner in which this plainy modest piece of silk is tied? When people looked at Speaker Reed's sailor-knot cravat two years ago it looked innocent enough, but before Congress had adjourned it looked like ever thing else pertaining to Mr. Reed—uncot mising and aggressive. Mr. Crisp's cravat is a narrow piece of silk, neatly and tightly tied inabow knot. His collar turns down and his neck is not at all a bad one. But how this ordinary and conservative neck- tie will be regarded in two years’ time it is impossible to say It may be a most popular piece of silk and admirers may beg for pieces of it to keep and cherish, but it may on the other hand be execrated. WHO WEAR WHITE CRAVATS. ‘The statesmen who wear white cravats are not unusual. Senator Pugh of Alabama wears one all the year round, thus disproving the of the late Josh Billings in his “Al- ” where there used to be the assertion under the month of June, “No cravate worn in Alabama during this month—or any other.” Senator Pugh wears his cravat in Alabama as well as in Washington. It preserves its proper bearings, too, which is more than can be said of many oratorical bow knots Very often, as the speaker warms up to his work, his cravat rises too, until it climbs up behind above the coat collar, and ingeniously works its way around under ‘the orator's leit ear. No matter how fine the «speech may be, under these circumstances it 1 apt to fall fat, An andience cares more about trifles of this kind than it does about anything else. Two things shoulda speaker be sure of before he starts to make his speech. First, he should see that his cravat is tied and pinned and that it cannot get loose, and then he should make certain that his cuffs won't break away when he begins to swing his arms. SENATOR DAWES’ UNRELIDLE CUFFS. Now, Senator Dawes of Massachusetts. wears aplain black necktie and turn-down collar andadiamond pin in his sturt bosom. His neck is safe and he can get warm about the In- dinns and talk with safety, so far as this is con- cerned, but his cuffs are not always to be de- pended upon. Sometimes they break loose and the writer remembers some years ago secing him wrestle with the cuff of his right arm during a long speech in the Senate in a way that was painful to Le- hold. He would make an emphatic gesture to accompany an equally em- hatic sentence and before the period would Be'reached he would bo desperately clutching at that errant cuff and endeavoring to get it buttoned, or at any rate to prevent its tying off and striking the nose of the presiding officer. Such an accident would not be likely to happen to Senator Brice, the new Senator from Ohio, for his cuffs certainly look secure. He wears a good cravat,too, and is altogether a fine-looking man. SENATOR PEFFER'S NECKTIE. ‘There is doubtless a great deal of curiosity about the famous Senator Peffer of Kansas. Aman with sucha big beard might possibly fall into the delusion that nature has been kind tohimand made it unnecessary for him to Wear any cravat, but delusions are not what Mr. Yeffer goes in for, and he wearsas respecta- ables necktio as any man in the Senate. But it is. small affair, and the collar, which it is a part of, is not high. Perhaps there was vome- ing moro impressive about the appearance of rn when cravats were ‘and collars 1% OLDEN Days. If the statesman of former generations was @ more dignified man in his bearing than the statesman of the present day it is due, to a great extent, to the difference in collars and cravats. : eo hepato yar — with ny ita coming up under Sone used Rerccsernd by several thicl a silk or — or re linen, and the eet neck and chin were kept pro; up These ade unl Ls gp etc difficult Even Sen- | ht of all his | F r i i 5 E CRAVATS IN CONGRESS |eeirmi.r white muslin with buttonholes. Through these he inserts his gold collar button and thus the cravat falls upon his chest in the shape of the letter X. His standing collar is wide b= in front and his throat is very visible. effect is unique to say the least of it. THE EVENING TIE. one, and manfully does he endeavor to fo so. But of all things in the world that men must wear the white cravat is the hardest to arrange. It is ambulatory, as Senator Ingalls would say, and loves to wander sround the neck. Anchor it to its proper moor- ings with a pin and the pin is apt to got loose and one is then stilettocd in the neck. The tie keeps coming undone and hangs defiantly down upon the bosom. The thing isa nuisance and the Prince of Wales, from whom it is said we get our fashions, ought to invent something that is more easily managed. Our Poor statesmen wrestle with the abomination mantully, and some sueceed in conquering it, do, for at a White House reception, for instance, where the statesmen are so num: erous, the well-tied white cravate ure not num- erous at all Recently there has been a revival in cravats. The puff-knot scarf, that requires all the inge- nuity of the most accomplished dandy to make it stay where it belongs, is. but a modification Of the old neckerchief of stifily starched linen that used to bother our ancestors so much. But the puff-knot scarf is not for the American statésman. Life is too short and politics re- quire too much time for a man to have leisure to waste upon the adornment of his neck. paki SHAD FISHERIES. How They Havo Been Conducted in the Po- tomac River. DAMAGE DONE BY THE MAUI. SEINES, GILL AND POUND NETS TO THE PRODUCT—INTERESTING TABLES PRESENTED AS RESULTS OF INVESTI- GATION BY THE UNITED S1ATES FISH COMMIS- BION. N COLONIAL TIMES, AND UP TO ABOUT 1885, the shad fisheries of the Potomac, it is learned from the United States fish commis- | sion, were entirely prosecuted by means of haul seins. Every large plantation on the river had | its fishing shore; the catches of shad and | herring were large, and the returns from the shores very profitable, some of thom renting for several thousand doilurs. A few years prior to 1835 gill nets were introduced by fish- ermen from the Delaware, and in that year had multiplicd to such an extent as to embarrass the operation and materially affect the profits of the fishing shores. In 1835 a convention of master fisher- men was called at Alexandria, Va., to protest against the use of gill nets and to take meas ures to secure legal prohibition of their use. This was the beginning of the contest which was waged for years between the plantation owners on the one side, who claimed exclusive privileges under vested riparian rights, aud the wandering fisherman, who had only his | boat anda couple of hundred fathoms of net, and who insisted upon and su serted his right to equal fishing pr | riparian proprietors in the public waters of the state. Both the haul seines and gill nets were operated in the rivers--there was no catch of shad or herring outside of the rivers--and the product of the river fisheries was very larze, though we have no accurate data of the num- ber of fish taken in a season. In 1871 trap or pound nets were introduced inte Chesapeake waters. They were first em- ployed on the east the sult water tisliing. ‘They rapidly multiplied and were set atevery aveilable point on the west shore of the bay in the track of the slad and herring advancing from the capes to their spawning grounds in the rivera. The nets were theu troduced into the rivers, crowding their lower reaches so as most effecthally to arrest the pro- gress of the shad aud herring to their spawn- ing grounds, which are above the limits of brackish water. The result, under the | present conditionof the fisheries, is that fully | 80 per centof the shad and herring are captured | before they reach their spawning grounds. Of the remaining 20 per cent the larger portion are captured by seines and gill wets in the rivers, and the opportunities afforded for nat ral reproduction are entirely inadequate to keep up the supply. The fisheries are under condi- tions wholly artificial and their maintenance is dependent upon artificial propagation. in seeking to estimate the influence of this work upon the fisheries it will be necestary to | trent the fisheries of the Chesapeake aren as a | whole. Fish planted in the Potomac remain » | few months and then d and only a small prop survive and mature can safely run the gauntlet | of pound nets and find their way back into the | river. The results of artificial propagation |upon the fisheries of the Potomac. cai | bo measured by the actual not properly | production of the fisheries of this river |from year to year, for the reason that the | larger proportion of the fish which could enter | the Potomac and be taken by the seines and gill nets in the river are captured im the bay and at the mouth of the river by the pound nets. To get a fair measure of the results of artificial propagation we must deal with the Chesapeake basin as a wh In the following tables are. given: 1. The | plantings of shad made in the tributaries of the Chesapeake basin from 1880 to 1891. aggregate yield of the sh: region for the census year and for 1885, 1836, 1887 and 1888, It will be seen that the production of the re- gion as a whole has advanced steadily, the number of shad taken in 1888 being nearly | 2,000,000 in excess of the number taken in | 1840." ‘The fishing grounds have, however, | been transferred to the bay and’ the lower | reaches of the rivers, and the bulk of the fish have been taken by the pound nets on the bey shores, much to the detriment of the fisheries in the rivers. Productions of tho shad fisheries of tho Chesapeake and its tributaries for « series of years: Year. | No. of fish. | 1830... | 1865, 1836. Statement of the deporits of shad fry in the Chesapexke bay and tributaries by the United States fish commission, from 1880-1891, inelu- | sive, arrangod by year 1880. The following num S in the carp ponds until they had reached the se of seven months and were then released into the Potomac river: A New Invention for Making a Hard Horse From Life. « Story of a Cruise That Was Tragedy From Beginning to End. SIX MONTHS OF HORROR. A Navy Officer’s Account of His First Six Months in the service—How He Saw Four- * teen People Eaten by Fish—Karthquakes, 8 ‘Tidal Wave and Yellow Fever. —_—_——_ 6¢Q\UCH ASSERTIONS AS I HAVE SEEN prod Published lately, to the effect that sharks never do eat men, seem ridiculous enough to me. With my own eyes I have seen more than dozen human being devoured by these ogers of the deep.” Tt was a naval officer holding an important position in Washington who made the remark, in conversation with a writer for Tux Stan. He added: “The year was 1867 and I was on my firet cruise. In six months, at the begin- ning of my career in the service, I met with more hardships and exciting experiences than have fallen to my lot during all the years since then. Just after Maximilian had been shot I ‘Was ordered to report at Hampton Roads on board the Susquehanna, which was bound for Mexico. Our mission was to get the body of the dead emperor and hand it over to@he Aus- trians. History records that we were not suc- cessful, but that has nothing to do with my ‘The Susquehanna, whith was the bi side-wheel steamer in'the navy, lay in the har- bor of-Vera Cruz under the guus of San Juan d@Ulleon. The Austrian frigate Elizabeth was also there waiting to receive the remains, ‘The month was August, and I remember well the evening when the shore boats of both ships lett the port for their respective vessels. I had command of the Susquebanna’s boat, and we reached the steamer in safety Just asa big squall was coming. For curiosity’s sake merely T stood on deck and watched to see how long the Austrian boat would venture to carry sail. She kepton bravely, when suddenly she struck ona rock in the middle of the harbor and was capsized. Of course those on board of her were all thrown into the water and every man of them was gobbled Ly the sharks. There were fourteen gallant fellows in all and every one of them was eaten in plain sight from the Susquelianna and long before nny assist ance could be rendered. In fact, the whole tragedy was finished in less time than it takes to tell the story. INFESTED BY MAN-EATERS. “The harbors in those waters are infested by swarms of man-eaters. Having failed in our mission, we left for Tampico. The bar there is ® famous place for sharks. They are gray sharks and 80 savage that they will instantly snatch up lumps of coal thrown overboard. I | have seen it disputed whethor a shark turned ou its side or not when about to grab for any- thing, but my own observation has been” that they invariably do _ #0, showing the white. of their bellios, We captured one monster subsequently at Matanzas, on the north side of Cuba, whi little while before a similar specimon had caught at a man's feet that hung in the water while he was painting a ship. In that case the shark pulled lis victim off the float on which be sat and ate him “We returned to New York andstarted thence during October of the same year for the Island of St. Thomas in the West Indies. Our mission this time was to arrange for the purchase of the island with a view to using it as a coaling station. On the 28th of the month, while on out way southward, there were indications of cyclone, which struck following da; about 500 miles due east from Charleston’ &. C. That night I bad the second’ do; watch, from 6 to 8 p.m., and was afforde an opportunity of ing one of the most terrifie hurricanes on record. The ship straggled through it, now on top of mountain of water and now in the valievs beneath, rolling frightfully. You can jndge of the difficulty of muiutaining a footing on deck when I tell you that the roll to leeward was reckoned at 45 degrees and the roll to windward at 47 degrees. “When my watch was ended I was glad to go below, although there tue situation was hardly mote enjoyable. On one side of my room was agreat clothes press. It got loose from its moorings und proceeded to siide back and for- ward across the floor. When the vessel rolled one way it slid down in my direction andi smashed against the berth in which I lay. Whea the ship rolled the other way it slid back again, and so it went back and forth, each time crashing against my berth, while I clung close to the slup's side to avoid being crushed. I thought for some time that the berth would be d that I should be smashed like a fly. “However, before this happened, the huge article of furniture had pounded itself all ite. “We managed to keep afloatand reached Ha- Yana in time to hear that the Islund of St Thomas had been well nigh wiped out by the hurricane. That being our port of destination We steamed thither. We found the picturesque little hand-locked harbor filled with wrecks. Seventy-three vessels had been destroyed, and it was reported that between 700 and 800 ‘lives had been lost. Of this number 270 were lost on board # royal mail steamer which had an- chored outside. The corpses, as many as were recovered, were thrown into pits, the weather being warm and necessity requiring immediate burial. There were two pits, with 300 bodies in each, AN EARTHQUARE WAVE. “We dropped anchor in the harbor within sight of a famous castle which the original of Bluebeard in the fuiry tale is enid to have oc- cupied, Nothing eventful occurred until two weeks after the hurricane. The weather was perfect and one afternoon I came upon deck to smoke a cigar. While thus engaged I was starticd by a sudden rumbling and jarring as if the ship bad been under way and we had struck upon a rock. I jumped up, ashore and saw clouds of dust arising and the Then I knew it was an earth- quake. re two more shocks and then Tlooked seaward and saw an immense wall of water approaching. It socmed from forty. tosixty feet high. As it camo I saw it curl over a tug boat and bury it. Quick orders were houted, but almost immediatel wall struck the Susquohanna broadside on. For- tunately for us, the mighty wave had lost its crest bofore it reached us, so that it was trans- formed into a swell. Nevertheless, the shock was so tre: # that the chains running out through the hawse holes blazed like fire with the rapid friction, For some moments it seemed us if we must part our cables and be sweptashore, but the reflux of the wave came m the Iand and released the strain, held fast. Sma ty ‘Tho loss of life by this tidal wave was paratively small, simply because all the vessels in the harbor had been destroyed previously b; the hurricane and only ® few shige whioe hea arrived subsequently were caught. The De was also in the port at the timo. She did com- coming jum; fred to Peach te land a time to escape it. ey were caught rowned. fourteen of thelr bodies, gave “The earthquakes continued at intervals. On people wailing and a I i f ii ; i if & i I iH Aa i E iit ts pel piney tats stench feventy men lay ehuaing bs omen ico cece returning ry 5 Inter "Pulllipe ‘wae re ‘dead, kly as the ro; apothecary, hammock, wit on deck." The hammock lashing had been drawn so that the second turn drew around his neck antl the canvas showed the form of bis head, My first impuiso was to have the bam- mock relashed, and sbi afterward I had Teason to regret that it not been done. ‘Iwo of us midshipmen were dividing the duties of the watch. Four bells struck and m pees ree took his two hours of general while I took my turn in charge of the deck. There was no call of ‘All hands bury the dead ! e more quietly it was done the ors sat en men stood at the gangway anda lantern’s dull light shone upon the body as itlay on the plank which was soon to tipped up, permitting tho remains to fall into the sea. “Ten bodies had been thrown over- board during the previous twenty-four hours, and we had ceased even to stop the engines to bury the dead for fear of the effect upon the living. Any one who has crossed the Atlantic knows the alarming effect that is produced upon the mind by the unexpected stopping of the engines at night in mid-ocean. IX THE WAKE OF TRE SHIP. “L watched from the hurricane deck as tho ship sped on in the darkness, while the eorpse was held ready to be cast into the foaming water abaft the paddle wheel, which made a long wake of brilliant phosphorescence. ““Jobu Phillipe. we commit thy mortal re- mains to the deep!’ With these words the body was slid into the water, and then I saw a sight = ig a my orp al ‘or the corpse had hardy disappeared when it bobbed up again, standing erect and with | head and shoulders out of the water. As it | floated away down the track of white foam, held upright by the shot atite feet and rocked by the waves, it seemed to bow repeatedly to me, as much as to say, ‘Good-bye, good-bye!" The illusion was so weirdly horrible that it made me shiver. “When we were off the Virginia coast « sailor fell from a yard and was killed. His body was the twenty-second thrown overbourd in four days. Soon after that our fucl gave out and when we fiually anchored in the lower bay. at New York, in the midst of a bitter northwest ale, we were burning provisions to make steam, while m the stecrage every cranny was pasted over with newspapers and the tabic was Covered with dozens of candles lighted to keep us from freezing. That was Christmas eve, 1867, und such is the story of my first six months of service in the navy.” 3 —___see- Written for The Evening Star. DECORATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS TREES. Some of the Pretty Things to Delight Chil- dren and How to Make Them. ULL DAYS OF EARLY DARKNESS IN December are illumined by the distant glimmer of the lights that will blaze on the Christntas tree. Heads are planning and fi gers busily working for its adornment. Grown people usually think that there is nothing prettier for decoration than countless tiny ean. dles of different colors shining among the dark Breen folinge, but chil- dren are delighted with novelties,andevery year ° brings some fresh de~ vice. Little people are never happier than when cutting, pasting and gilding, and if the tree in their own homes is prepared by the elders they often render efficient help in dress- ing the one which is to stand in the Sunday school. There ix no end to the various de- vices—each year brings somo fresh novelt; Little hands ‘can cut boned of gold or silver per, stars, crosses or circlets, or string Corn, fostoons of which foru's pretty melnant with the dark foliago of the tree. Avery beautiful effect is luced by fol- lowing King Winter's mode of decoration. For this purpose bits of cotton wool, representing snow flakes, are gummed onthe branches. The foliage ix then smeared here and there with mucilaga, ove® which granulated sugar is strewn, so that the tree looks as if it were cov. eres ith snow and hoar frost. Many children are delighted with the sight of birds’ nests among the branches. These are made of half egg shell covered on the outside with moss, horse hair and bits of gray wool. Smooth, sugar-coated almonds or gilt or silvered hazel nuts can be used for eggs. Dainty little baskets, which can be used to hold eandies on the tree and afterward serve other purposes,are fash- ioned from pliable twigs of ion ies — after stripping off the needles. Round baskets and eatchalls are extremely Ee. For the round igs are crossed and wound with fine wire, while the lower ends are interwoven, as shown in the illustra- tion. The bottom is formed of four twigs, each four-fifths of an inch long, crossed in the form of a star; the haudle is a twig four and a balf inches the bottom and wonnd at the sides wi - The little catchall has the same interwoven edge, but measures only seven inches around the top. For the bottom and the frame to which it is fastened 90 lai are finiabed they must be carefully Silk or satin bags may be fastened inside. A NOVEL USE FOR AMMONIA, From Recollections of a Physician. Years ago, when I was a youngster, I became an assistant of Dr. B., the superintendent“of a public insane asylum. As in all insane asylums, some of the patients were docile and gractable, and had the freedom of a high~ garden; while others, being violent and dangerous in their madness, were confined in their rooms. Sometimes one of the last named gentiefnen would get loose, a fact which he usnally an- nounced by breaking things generally, upon which announcement the doctor would repair to the spot, and, advancing upon him with» steadfast gaze, would march him off to his Grin and poked the chisel at him heregoon a in chisel at him, whereupon the man of chips scuttied out and locked the door—then, while the enomy was battering away at it he rushed around and locked the other door at the other end. Having thus caged Jones he gave the alarm, and 1, supposing it Was an ordinary case, which I could con unlocked the door and entered boldly, where- upon be made arash at me. I incontinently bolted. The doctor was sent for. He soon came, reconnoitered through the keyhole, and secertaining that the enemy was ai the other end ofthe room, he opened the door and saw at once he could not do nothing with the loose manise. Here apparently wasa dilemma. A |- crazy individual, as strong asa bull, perfectly uncontrollable, and armed with a weapon. To captare him by foree waa difficult and danger. Ous undertaking, and to starve him would be & tedious affair. But the doctor did not hesi- tate long “Alfred,” said he, “go down into the surgury, fill the largest syringe with hartshorn and bring it up.” I caught the idea, rushed down and brought back a quart syringe with hartshorn diluted—for I did't want to kill the man. | Then the doctor, the carpenter and myself formed an army of invasion. We threw open the door and entered in the following array: I, beg the shortest of the three, marched first, holding a chair in front of me by the back, so that the legs might keop off a rosh if our popgun should flash in the pan. ‘Then came the carpenter, with the syringe rest- ing up on my shoulder, like a piece of flying artillery. Finally. in the rear, in the safest ce, hike all great generals, came Dr. B. The lunatic sat at the other end of the hall, ona chair; eying us keenly and savagely. Slowly, very ‘slowly, we advanced toward him. The nearer we got the more wicked that chisel looked and the handle seemed to increase until it was very, very long. When we were within & few feet of him he jumped up and sprang toward me. Whiz! splatter! splash! went the quart of hartshorn into nis countenance, down he went like a log—it would have knocked down # battalion—and while he was catching his breath we caught him, ——+e-_____- GEN. GRANT'S EMPHATIC DENIAL One Memorable and Brief Interview With the Great Leader. From the New York Herald. It’s rather an unusual statement for a news- Paper man who has been in the traces long enough to be counted an “old-timer” to say that he never saw Gen. Grant but once. Such is the fact in my case, however, but that once I will never forget. I saw him in such a way as few people have. It was at the black period in the great ral's history, when the scandal of the G d Ward failure and the Marine Bank col- lapse filled the city. The rumor that Mr. Fred. Grant was more deeply implicated than he was and that he had fled to Canada had been started. The city editor sent me out to verify it. This was Igte at night aud I had but slight hope of accomplishing my mission. It was near midnight when 1 e bell at Gen. Grant's residence. After awiil!e a colored servant opened it. He only opened a little way. No, be said, 1 could not see Gen. Grant under any circumstances, be had retired. Neither would he take my card or a message up. Of course I did not give up ensily and tried to convince the man low very important it was for me to see the general. While we were talking at the door a deep voice at the head of the stairs called out: that is it?” I stepped inside and looked up. There was Gen. Grant in his night shirt leaning over the balustraae. I told him of the ramor concerning his son and asked what trath there was in it, He had evidently not heard it before and a queer look came over his face while be wax talking. He thought for # few seconds and then he said: “Young man, it is not true. I doubt if there is money enough in the Grant family just now to take Fred to Canada. Good night” And the white-robed figure of the sturdy old hero disappeared in the gloom back of the lauding. Ihad got what I wanted, an authentic de- nial, and, as subsequent events proved, the ru- mor was not true. ‘That was the only time Iever saw Gen. Grant, and I always associate him now with a stubby, sad-faced figure in a night shirt. ———or ____ Mr. Villard Tests the Ticket Agents. From the Seattle Times. Henry Villard, the railway magnate, while in Seattle visited most of the railroad offices in the city. He walked up to the counter of the down-town Northern Pacific ticket office and said to Ticket Agent Johnson, who had not the slightest idea that he stood in the presence of the highest officer of his road: “Give me a ticket to Boston over the Cana- ign Pacific” re E ian Pacific's ” Iaconically responded Johnson. "ll investigate.” said the financier, as be asked Mr. Jacob Furth to await his return, and started over to the Canadian Pacific office. ~“Want 2 to Boston over the Northern Pa- cific,” said Villard briefiy. " ~~ s do it,” said McGinnis. ‘our feet of sand on the road at Pasco, Lake Pend d’Orelle overflowed and Indians on the wa th in Dabok “sRaything elee?™ es. Gang of train robbers near Helena, a in force in Dakotaand « strike on eastern division.” “Jewhilikens,” WASHINGTON CHESS CLUB MEETS every evening at 910 F street. Visitors welcome. PROBLEM No. 63 (Tourney Problem No. 96 By MISS SADIE E. L., Washineton, D. ©. (Compose! for The Evening Star.) Biack — Five (3) pieces. White— Seven (7) pieces. ‘White to piay and mate in two (2) moves. PROBLEM No. 64 (Tourney Problem Ne. 98k. By 5. ©. DUNHAM, Washineton, D.C. (Composed for The Evening Siar.) Biack—One (1) piece. WhiteSeven (7) White to play and (Tourary Problem No. 9 By F. G. JAQUETTE, Washington, D. €. (Composed for The Evening Star.) Black Seven (7) pieces, White Right (8) paces White to play and mare in three (3) moves, PROBLEM No. 06. @wkH Od A{qQBi KR KKth KKM @R5 ge Atk Arges §=Qne ‘White to play and tree (8) moves, PROBLEM No. 6%. By F. HEALEY, @® we: 4 age KB? OBS gus & eo ate in three (3) moves, White to play and PROBLEM No. 69. From Loyd's Tourney. S@wEAZDAL 4 AtQR QR2 Qt QKt QKt? KRS KS KBT ORB @eEaAs ACKER KES QR KES Qz ‘White to play and mate in two (2) moves, GAME No. 25. EVANS’ GAMBIT. White—Burille. ‘Biack—Youne. , mae. Bick White. la. r 2 Brkt igre oS kK b ithe 2 BRE Pp. t 2s KiKi oh bx a es i Pieae Bt kee % kas’ 2 hea P ak Pxh QBS QxLPA Anktch 3 + = 4 Cokie Behe @ The Stone-Ware defense. > This variation of Fvaus certainly leads to interesting positions ¢ 14 ht B-CKt with a strous gatue. @ A beewe eit hardly seems wise of action. Here Mr, Green, Geviates from, the wale fayine P-KBS at once he, would have Namase. As it 18 be pete into diMiculties te he tacks vigor unl 7 ‘pe * eke i preter 3 GAME No. 27. ‘The way they do it in ubs. (Ginoco Piase.) juer. Biack—Golmago.