Evening Star Newspaper, November 26, 1892, Page 10

—3 — read SH CHURCH, WITTENBURG MARKET PLACE WITH PAR _—_ THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDA I THE HOME OF LUTHER.| A Washington Woman's Visit to the Old Town of Wittenberg. THE FAMOUS MONASTERY ‘Where the Great Reformer Lived and Died— Witnessing the Recent Reopening Celebra- tion—Some Interesting Relics. Bpecial Correspondence of The Fvening Star, Wittexnea, November 1, 1892. HE OLD TOWN OF Wittenberg lies about fifty-five miles south west of Berlin. Com- ing from south Ger- many, after the Harta mountains ate passed, the country becomes very flat and uninter- esting. In fact, the face of the landscape in totally changed. In- stead of mountains and yalless filled with fruit trees and pine forests there are only Broad fields with comparatively few trees, and eceusionally, here ard there, a large windmill fs seen, whose broad arms are swinging slowly in the breeze. It is not a prosperous-looking country and does not appear to be good farm- ing land, but 1s used largely for grazing. One great occupation is the raising of geese, and Siany Inrge flocks are seen, ascompanted fre- quently by a picturesque-looking girl, who Keeps them together. Houses, with brown- thatched roofs, whose color is varied by clus- ters of green moss, the accumulation of many Years, stand more alone than those of the southern country. Wittenberg at the first glance appears to be a sleepy oid town. ‘The very horses which be- Jong to the droschkys waiting at the station ave a Iazy look abo which r rT dl commodation of the traveling public evidently starts at the ceurenience of the driver. How- ever, when it does start the little bells on the at it is impossible tobe glum. As is urnaily the case, there is one long street in the town on which are placed nearly all the objects of interest. Although Wittenberg may be apparently asleep at the Present day. it has had a wonderful history as onnected with the life of the great reformer, ‘Martin Luther. There is probably no other on the continent of Enrope which holds More of interest to Protestant theologians and students than this same small town. Witten- Derg was founded in 1180, and it is about 400 Years since the eyes of all Europe were turned ‘pon the place as ine residence of the bold and rebellious monk. Not far “from the siation stands an old oak $nclosed by an iron fence. This marks the spot ‘where Luther burned the papal bull of excotn- aaunication in 1520. It must have been an im- Pressive sight to see him at the head of a pro- cession of and students of the univer- sity who were in empathy with bim marching out to this spot where the old oak now is and Publicly defying the pope. ‘TUE TOME oF LUTHER. A little further along on the main street of the village is the old Augustinian monastery in which Luther lived as professor and during all his married life. The front part of the mouas- tery has been replaced by the more modern “Augusteam,” which ‘used asa theological SRE) Ley, LUTHER'S Roox. z agh this building and a court filled with shrubs end flowers the old house is Feached. It is now fitted up as » Luther m eum and contains m: diects interest. winding stone + teads A the rooms of ‘the family. ‘The * room,” where Luther wrote and etude: the ‘family the children plave i possible as tt wed the same. the enriou date from the sixtee green porcelain +t the roo the room was heated n is the common case in A young man, in renting a room im Berlin, found that the stove, white porcelain af- ly at the foot of the bed. Naturally, being fresh from a land where they | Keep warm, be was alarmed. His landlady as-| sured him that he would not find it uncomfort- sble—andhe never did. The fire was made with a species of fucl called briquettes, in the form of bricks. Two of these were placed in | the stove, the fire lighted and then it was left | to “beat up." In the course of time the stove got warm, but the room never did. By means of leaning against the stove the unfortunate young man was able to take the chill off. It is ‘said that in some country places the stoves are so large that during the coldest weather the ops afford delightful sleeping places I have frequently seen porcelain stoves #0 that two comfortable seats were made of tiling at the sides, on which the aged mem- bers of the family sit. leer: many portraits, those of Luther and Melancthon, painted by Lucas Cranach, are ‘icularly fine, and must be the most accurate in existence, being painted by a contemporary. Several portraits of Luther and his wife, by the fame artist, representing them at different periods of life, are to be seen. In passing once again into the court one notices a fountain of running water, clear and sparkling. The guide said that this water had been running in this way for several hundred years, and un- doubtedly Luther and his family used to slake their thirst at the same place. THE HOUSE OF MELANCTHOR. Not far from Luther's house stands the house of Melancthon, the learned professor of Greck in the Wittenberg University and the intimate friend and co-laborer of the teformer. Me- Jancthon’s calm deliberation and quiet temper- sment were valuable modifiers to Luther’ basty and almost viok ct that Luther’ made armor, ‘The miner's won drew forth ‘the metal, the armorer’s son fashioned it." Me- lancthon marfied a Indy of Wittenberg, also Catharine by name, and the two families lived on the same side of the same street and were closely associated. His house is open to the EHESES DOORS. mblic, but does not contain much of interest. Fe ‘large market. place contains statues of | Luther and Melancthon, and has doubtless seen many excited and enthusiastic crowds of stu- dents and townspeople. Near this open equare is the parish church, where Luther so often preached to large congregations, ‘TRE SCHLOSS KINCHE OR CASTLE CHURCR. At the end of the long street is the old Schloss Kirche. The original building was erected in 1490-99. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1760, but was restored. It was on the doors of thie old church that Luther nailed his famous theses in 1517, which created so much excite-| ment throughout Europe. The doors, which | were of wood, were burned in 1760, and have | been replaced by bronze ones, bearing the text | of the ninety-five theses. The graves of | Lather and Melancthon are in the center of | the church near the side entrance. The slabs marking them were formerly sunk into the floor. At the time of the four hundredth anniver- sary of Luther's birth there was a great cele- bration at Wittenberg. Frederick, then crown prince of Germany. placed on the grave of Luther a laurel wreath which is still shown with reat pride. On October 31 bis son, Williem 'I,present Emperor of Germany,placed another wreath on the same grave. THE CELEBRATION OF THE REOPENING. During the past year the old Schloss Kirche has been thoroughly restored. The graves of Luther and Melancthon have been raised about three feet from the ground, the interior of the building bas been greaily altered, and the round tower at the front corner of the church | has been raixed. The emperor has visited Wittenberg twice during the restoration and expressed himself as well pleased with the work. On Saturday the crowds commenced to gather and Wittenberg began to awake to # her importance. By Sunday there was no more room in the town and even some of the Lutheran clergy were obliged totake rooms in Halle, about a two hours’ ride by rail from Wittenberg. The decorations were very fine, an abundance of bunting and evergreen being | used, with here and there an archway or a tall | post, from which floated one of the many flags of Germany. Conspicuous among theee was | the flag of the city of Wittenberg. Windows long the line of march were held at a premium, usually bigh prices being charged. On Monday morning the emperor and | empress, with three of their sons, among them the young crown prince, arrived, accompanied by representatives of nearly all Protestant | rulers. The Duke of York, who since his brother's death last winter has been the heir Presumptive to the English throne, came in place of Queen Victoria, and even ‘the small Queen of Holland had her representative. ‘The procession was formed and marched to the rathhaus, where the emperor and were welcomed by the burgermeister of Witten- berg. A long line of soldiers, with here and there an officer, kept the crowds of people in order. Only those privileged persons who had been fortunate enough to have a special card pass throug! After the reception at the rathhaus the pro- cession moved en to the church, in front of LUTHER'S MARRIAGE. In the large “living room” there is = high ‘Wooden chair, consisting of two seats, one op- posite the other, on which it is said that La- ther and his wife used to sit. The chair is Pisced by, the window: one panc of which may opened, thus affording a view of the pleasant garden in the court. The marriage of Luther was quite romantic. Catharine von Bora, his wife, belonged to an old Saxon family and was one of nine nuns who jaring the excitement attendant upon the ref. the Lut service in the church was very those who were abie to obtain cards id enter, as the building is not ¥ State ive. of in- F i large. On the was given the Sie Safire oot “Eee wi wi loves. ony . TiS" Seal of Ine lana cea the sol-| | = grand procession and looked as stepped from old pictures, Protestant Germany has paid ee to the monk Luther, who lived, wrote and fought bers gy in Wittenberg, where his body uow rest On the tower of the old church is an id old line of Luther's hymn: “A mighty fortress is our God.” In blue and gold the letters will shine forth for centuries to come: ‘Ein feste burg ist unser Gott.” Tavxvs. peer ete eee GRAND ARMY POLITICS. The Contest for the Department Com- mander’s Place Begun. The politicians in the Grand Army are al- ready laying their pipes in anticipation of the annual encampment of the Department of the Potomac. At that time officers for the ensuing year will be elected, and while there is no valne of a permanent character st- tached to these’places, yet the honor is of suffi- cient magnitude to appeal to the ambition of » large number of the members. Each Zeer the contest ie more or less prolonged and this year tthe fleld of candidates is regarded as ever before. The Inst clection assumed some- thing of a factional character and the right of the present commander, Capt. Dinsmore, to hold his position was contested up to the court of last appeal. it is not antici- ted thet the approaching contest will of this chargoter. "Per one thing there are too many candidates in the field. In the course of a week or so the various posts will elect del- fates to the next eneampment and men who are ambitious for honor ‘are ‘cond: a canvass in order to secure the election of men favorable to their interests. As a rule the com- rades east their vote for the man to hold the first place, whom in their opinion will be of the most service to them. What the average Grand Army man wants ina department commander is some one that will hustle about the de ments and look after comrades and the widows of comrades and see that they are not dis missed, ‘& DEMOCRAT SUGGESTED. This year, however, the result of the recent election is likely to bring in another considera- tion, which may largely infuence votes. The question that Is now being discussed is whether it would not the wis est policy to place at the head of the department in this city comrade who is known to bea democrat, While the Grand Army is not @ political organization yet the fact is recognized that in all probability a dem- ccrat will have more influence with the incoming administration thana republican,andin thia view itis conceded that a democrat ought to be elected commander. Those who take this view have suggested the names of men who might be available. For examble, two democrats mentioned are Gen. Albert Ordway, the com- manding officer of the District National Guard, and H. H. Mohler, who holds a position at the House. Maj. Burke, the warden of the jail, is also mentioned. Ho, however, once held the office. Independent of this there are other candidates in the field.The friends of Mr. John McElroy, the present senior vice commander, consider him an available| candidate. ‘The fact thnt he is now next in rank is said to carry no weight, as it has not been the custom to promote along the line. ‘Then Mr. Faunce, who has been « candidate before, is being pushed for the place, while the names of John Joy Edson, Gen, Ellis Spear, Dan Gros venor, L. 8. Emery and others are mentioned. THE GROWTH OF THE DEPARTMENT. The encampment does not meet until the early part of January, but long before that time the delegator aro elected, and it is, there- fore, necessary that the canvass should be begun rather early. It is stated that — the t year been a Prosperous one with the Grand Army orga: zations in this city. No doubt i andes here of the national encampment served to stimulate and arouse an interest. At the close of Iast year the total membership in the Department of the Potomac was between 3,400 and 3,500. The number has increased to over 8,900, and it is expected that before the end of the year the total membership will reach 4,000. Four new have been organized during the year, making a total of twenty posts. The medical director of the department, Dr. Hays, has made a rather curious computation wed on the death rate in the department during the year. He estimates that by the close of ‘the year the number of deaths will reach” 100, a ntage on a membership of 4,000 of about two and a half. The same death rate holds good for the entire organization. With its membership of over 400,000, then during the past year there were between ten and eleven thousand members of the Grand Army who passed away. He estimates that there are some £00,000 survivors of the late war whoare not members of the Grand Army, and applying the same death rate to the entire number he finds that the old soldiers are dying off at the rate of 33,000 per year, With these figures as a basis, Dr. Hays thinks that any one can readily calculate how many years it will be before all the old soldiers have passed away. —__+ —__ Transfers of Keal Estate. Deeds in fee have been filed a8 follows: R. Sherman to A. L. Shear, subs 57 and 58, eq. 180; &—, W. Mealy Williams to H. C. Fairfax, subs 15 to 24, oq. 1038: @—. B. T. Welch, jr., to Thomas MeGrath, lot 5, block 7, Brookland; &. & R Arrington to P. J. McDonough, lots 22 and 23, block 21, Rosedale; $2,200. Laura ML. Doolittle to A. ©. Bradley, lot 58, Lanier Heights; #—. J. H. Junghaus to D. Junghaus, sub 4, in sq. 1033; $1,200. T. J. Lane to F. A. Paul ‘ar, sub 229, 04. 1004; § ‘A. Pessagno, part 16, FP. Young to FE. L. Eost such; ¢—2 48, block 3, Annie L. Peck to H. Austin Clark, in trust, real estate of Aun Bartlett, deceased; @—. H. A. Clark to E. J. Peck et al. 0.5 &—. Gibson to J. D. Mila: H. Wood et al. Mary Fulton, lots'8 and 4, aq. 1, Edgewood; 8. J. H. Collins to 0. L.'s sub '8q. 855; $3,200. H. T. Kent etal. to James Lowndes, parts Widow's Mite, Mount Pleasant and Kalo- rama ee $—. G. W. Cook to F. P. Nash, G. 8. Wormiey to Anna M. Cole, sub L, rusi, lot 4 block 9, and 14, block 8, Ecki $—. C1 eal 1 Seater, pet ag $—. A. Peter to H. ©. Borden, sub 109, Borden to ou 5°y ty; $2,112. Sarah E. Wildermuth toM. 5. ‘sab 16, sq. 1088; €226. Asking Too Much. My mother wanting me to come home and spend Thanksgiving. She says my grandmother is sink: id wants to bef Sade wee ow see me lore First College Man—“I don’t see howI can very well. It wouldn't do to miss that foot ball game."—New York Truth. 8q. 188; $833.83. J.B. Wimer to Eugene Ce- Ho. 3. &. Detrich, First College Man—'‘Hello, here'saletter from Becond College Man—‘‘Are you going?” A Fall Opening. From Trath, A CHINESE THEATER. The Novel Entertainment to Be Given at the World's Fair, THE CELESTIALS’ DRAMA. It ts Like Nothing Else on Earth—Two Hun> area Actors From the Flowery Kingdom to Interest the Crowds—A Strange Play House and Still Stranger Actors, — ee ‘Written for The Evening Star. HICAGO SEEMS DE- termined to have the original or the counter- feit presentment of everything that will in- terest, instruct oramuse People during the world’s fair. ‘The Intest reported addition to the collection of curios is Chinese theater. It is to be located just out- side the world’s fair grounds and will con- tain a bazaar and Chinese restaurant. A stock company of 200 actors and artists will be im- ported directly from the flowery kingdom, the Permit for their entrance having been condi- tionally granted, ‘The Chinese theater is like no other house of entertainment on earth, and if this world’s fair Mongolian enterprise is run on strictly colestial plans there is picnic ahead for the uninitiated sightacer. CHINESE TRADITION gives it out that the Chinese drama was mim- ioking the woes of the world and dancing ballets ons of ages before Greece made a spot on the map. This may be taken cum grano salis, how- ever, for the celestials, like political parties, are much given to claiming everything in sight and © great deal that isn't. They claim that their learned men of medicine taught Mr. Hsculapius his primer in physics, and that printing was the time of their professors thousands of years fore Mesers. Guttenberg, Faust and Caxton a] d on the scene of action, and as for the ier acts and cdlaness they had them “on the list" when the waters separated and the dry land appeared. They don't pin much faith to things that do not ‘antedate “A. D." So it is altogether probable that the almond-eyed orientale get onto some other feilow's reserva- tion quite often in their vigorous attempts to Jocate claims, FATHER OF THE CHINESE DRAMA. The actual facts in the case, as substantiated by history, show that Wau Te,a blue dragon emperor, who flourished about the year 580 A. D.. was the father of the Chinese drama. He seem also to be responsible for the celestial who stalks the stage and hisses “Ia hatea you!” intwo strides and one pose, or who roars jo as ® sucking dove, in Chinese hieroglyph- If it will f-e-e-d ‘nothing elsea, it will f-e-e-da my r-0-v-e-n-g-e."" Heun Tsung, who wielded the celestinl scepter about 900 years later, claims the honors of dra- matic paternity, but Wan Te seems to have tiled his papers about three centuries *oo early for Mr. Tsung. THE CHINESE DRAMA, The Chinese are @ queer people to claim, as they do, 7,000 or more years of civilization, and in nothing does their peculiarity crop out asin their dramatic art. The Chinese drama is never immoral——according to the law. is no suggestion of vulgarity, no questionable allusions are mado, no social frailtios paraded in theatrical representations—according to the law. Thoro is a special provision in the penal code of China which prohibits personations of immorality upon the stage. As if this were not enough, Buddha himself takes a band in purging tho play, by canonical law. This canon is unique. ‘It recites that the author of an immoral play must not only suffer the pangs of torment while in the flesh for infringement of moral laws, but he must, after death, enter a urgatorial place where he sizzles and sighs as jong as his play is produced upon earth! ‘THE LAW NOT ENFORCED. In such 8 counfry and with such lawa Sardou and Dumas, Byron and the Bard of Avon would seem to stand mighty poor show, while the lord high executioner would find business booming if the law was enforced, ‘‘which it isn’t.” ” The Clemenceau cases and Camilles of the Chinese drama are just as numerous in the land of Confucins as they are in the territory of Uncle Sam. Women and wantonness seem inseparably connected in the minds of Chinese dramatists, but love is not often the theme of their labors. The quarrels of kings and spites of petty dignitaries form the corner stones of their ponderous plays and historical incidents compose the superstructure. If the historical hopper gives out religion steps in and Buddha getoawhirl. There is a section in the penal code which forbids the introduction into plays of emperors, empresses, princes or generals of former ages, but they are impersonated “just in the same old way” despite the law. NO ACTRESSES, ‘One section of the penal code is strictly en- forced. No women are permitted to appear on the stage in China. This happens because once upon atime an emperor fell in love witha Chinese actress and plucked her from the stage toadorn his collection of wives. Henceforth women were forbidden to act in China, whether to protect emperors from their wiles or actresses from the importunities of emperors is not known, history being silent on the sub- ject. When female parts are written in smooth- faced youths impersonate the characters, ‘THE BEST ACTORS ARE SLAVES. Acting is not considered an honorable pro- feasion in China, because the best actors are slaves. ‘They are purchased from their parents when infants and are educated in the dram artfrom the time they can talk and waik. They are not well paid and they seem to have no future, because to have been an actor makes them ineligible for official position, which in China is the acme of ambition ina Mongolian. ‘THE ‘FIRST CHINESE DRAMA, like that of Greece and Italy and India, was a mixture of pantomime, speaking parts and bal- let, and was supposed to represent the con- uest of China by Won Wong. Long after that © recitative style was introduced and a funny falsetto style of chanting the finer poetical pas- sages. This chanting was done by the leading man, who was also supposed to represent the author ofthe play. "thls came) in i the yung ty ant lays of it were called H-KEo. ‘THE CLASSICAL PERIOD of Chinese drama came under the Kin and Yuen dynasties from 1125 to 1967. The list of dramatic authors under the Yuen dynasty com- prises eighty-five, and something like 564 plays ‘were written, ‘Most of the Chinese plays that have been translated belong to the domestic school. A few might bo said to belong to the criminal echool; but the favorite virtue is piety. It is formal, intensely practical and usually relates unprecedented kindness to parents. But like American dramas, their favorito interest lies in the discovery of long-hidden guilt and the vin- dieation of persecuted innocence. In the elab- oration of incident and aceident, in the por- fragal of emotion, sad or sorry, joyous. oF gen- , the most ardent devotes of agony in art could find nothing to desire. THE TITLES OF TRANSLATED DRAMAS show them to be about the same in import as the heavier plays of today. Comedy is not one of their strong points, and farce comedy ia un- known to them. One of their society plays, Han-Kong-Teen, translated reads, “The of Han.” Lai-Seng-Tchai, “The Debt to Be Paid in the Next World,” is a semi-spiritual re- play. Techao-Mei-Hiang, “The In- of a Chambermaid,” is in ‘the nature of acomedy. Pi-Pa-Ki, “The Story of » Lute,” is @ melodrama where’an emperor gets into» complication with his wives. ‘Tchno-Chi-Ca- Enl, “The Little Orphan of the House of Tehao,” belongs to the school of “Tae Two to be one, seems , in fact, the chet, desideratum of a Chinese play. “The Story of & Lute" has forty-two acts and requires several nights to put it through a tation, Some ‘A CHINESE THEATER aa unique in its way as its plays and the peo- ple who present them. In China there are s few <¥ noveusien 26, 1892-SIXTEEN PAGES. THE INTERIOR. foom is dingy dark and disreputable looking in the half light thrown through it by smoking candles and kerosene lamps. It costs “two bite’ to get inside, and that paye for the play, @ piece of pandemonium and various stages of prod opium drunks, for of the thousand or more nt not one is without a cigarette soaked in opium, and these are all burning. The ait is fetid and heavy with the soul-murdering fumes which roli up and around the glories to meet the upper current of smoke, and finding no outlet all settles back on the smokers, staining the clothing with slimy poison damp. ox THE stacr. The stranger ona visit toa Chinese theater is honored with aveat on the stage, which i reached by devious paths through the back way. Seated in one of the great arm chnirs of ebony and silver, inlaid with priceless mother- of-pear!, » part of the stage paraphernalia, one stares out over a sea of—hats! Small round Diack hats, yet miles too big for the sraall brains and smaller weasened oriental faces which peer out from under them. Hows and rows and rows of hats as calmly immovable as though hung on dumb effigies of men. Up the walls, tier on tier, more hats and more small yellow faces. All hats—no bonnets. “For Mon Only” 4s the sign that might be hung on Chinese thea- ters, for women are never found there. Some- times in the little eage-like boxes up near the ceiling females are found, but they are not called women. They got away from that title long before they began to frequent Chinese theaters, Those who bemoan the tendency to pander to the artistic sense in stage adornment and set- tings would be pleased with the Chinese stage. Ithas no drop curtains, no footlights, no wings; no scenery, nocall boy, no prompter; no any- thing to relieve ite barenesa, It is not very deep and is well elevated. At either side in the wall at the back of the stage are doors lead- ing into the subterranean passages of an opium dive and the one smull property room. There are no dressing rooms. ‘TRE CHINESE BAND. In the center back of the stage the band is Aisposed. A Chinese band would strike terror to the souls of Batan’s imps. The eminent ar- tiste who manipulate the varions instruments and maltreat melody in the name of music probably know the names of the machines they lay upon, but the secret will die with them. ere are two big brass affairs that look like cylinder heads to a mogul engine. They are the ginnt relation of the civilized cymbals, and when plied by anenergetic son of Confucius sound like a boiler factory in full blast. Then there are cousins to American fiddies and great uncles of American banjos, which are certainly haunted by the cats whose internal organism is supposed to give them voice. The unearthly yowls produced on them resemble nothing 80 much asa tomeat concert. There are horns whose elongated necks produce ten times more noise to the square inch than dia Joshua's at Jericho. ‘herp are drums with a boom like the thunder of ‘Niagara and drums with tor like a tin One. performer plays a der: tattoo with chopstick on the head of a barrel, and another blows on something that must be the mother to the instrument of torture known asakazoo. Against tho playing of one or ail of these instruments the actors have to talk. | As long as the play is on the musicians perform and their misapplied energy is worthy a better cause. ‘THE AcTons. The “leading man,” who always sings bis lines in most dolorous tones, is the “Sue Sang” | of the Chinese drama. His salary is seldom more than $1,200 ayear. ‘The general utili man, who plays the “Fah Dahn" parts, is a high-priced actor, getting 5,000. ‘The heavy tragedian or “Soo Moo” gets $3,000. The low comedian or “Chop Chi” gets $2,400. The “first old woman” (who isa man), or Lue Chow of the drama, gets $1,800. There are under studies and substitutes just the same as in all well-condncted play houses. ‘The imagination of the audience is not in the Teast hampered in a Chinese theater. Tho actors change their costumes in full view of the audience, heavy villain puts on his make- up before the people whom he purposes to plunder or put out of the way, and while one set of people discuss their plans those who are pected to circumvent them stand around in | various attitudes calmly waiting their turns. mn a Paste falls on the edge of a mur- derous broad sword in the two hands of his hated rival he lies till his presence is no longer required, then ambles to theend of the stage to wait his turn to impersonate some other character. Angelina's husband discovering her in the arms of her lover drops her head off ina {geen rib steak way. Angelina obe- diently succumbs to tbe decapitation and tumbles promiscuously at somebody's feet. When the heart “rendering” scene is over shie | picks herself up and retiring to a corner of the stage proceeds to adjust her raiment and smoke | a cigarette. THE WARDROBES OF CHINESE ACTORS are magnificent beyond description. The stiffest of brocades, the richest of silks, the | thickest of satins, and all heavy with embroid- ery of gold and silver and incrusted with Jewels, Chinese actors never attend stage rehearsals. They are trained in the conventional and me- chanical arts of their profession from the cra- die up. The words of his part are only used as 9 settling for his previous knowledge. ‘The Chinese have no “gags” and no “funny busi- ness.” Chinese audiences never applaud. ‘The few funny allies are received with quiet grins | or grunts of dianpproval. No more, no less. | But a Chinese audience is extremely critical and if the grunts of disapproval grow at ail emphatic the actor who calls them forth is fired remorselessly. Unless the celestials decide to do things up in “Melican”’ style, this Chinese play house willbe an objct lesson in primitive theatricals that will not soon be forgotten. Teaver. Wonrent Bat. FROM UPPER MARLBORO’. Correspondence of The Evening Star Urren Marcpono’, Mp., Nov. 26, 1892. Arthur B. Suit of Prince George's county has sent a challenge to the National Police Gazette office, New York, saying that he will arrange a ‘‘main” against any breeder in Penn- sylvania, New Jersey or New England to show seventeen birds at weights ranging from six to four pounds and four ounces for €100 cach battle, and $500 or $1,000 on the odd fight. /Mr. Suit agrees to fight the main in Washigg- ton, New Jersey or Long Island. Thomas Hall, colored, who was eighteen months ago sentenced to the Maryland peni- tentiary for stealing a gun from John R. Coale of this place, is out again. Sunday night last, it is charged, he went to the earriage house of Joseph at Bristol and stole a fine set of harness, and from there it to the farm house of R. F. Moreland, near the same and stolea road cart. ‘The things were no’ until Monday, at which time search was made for them. These men soon got on the track of them and found Hall and the stolen cc an ores ae house “sg Fic idge, in ce rge’s county. uty Sheriff Dove of this county and Constables Arnold and Ryan of Anne Arundel county were in pursuit. Hall seeing the officers coming and knowing their mission’ made bis cocape through a back door of the house and thus avoided arrest, Warrants on both charges have boon issued for his arrest and the officers say they will havo bim. ir. E. O. Welch of Bristol killed a hog today which dressed 470 pounds. A marriage t SOME SANGUINARY RELICS, War Department Officials Want Provision Made for a Museum. CURIOSITIES OF WAR AND OTHER INTERESTING OFJECTS PRESERVED IN THR DEPARTUENT— RELICS OF BOOTH AND WIS ABSOCIATER 1% ‘TRE ASSASSINATION Coxsrinact, Secretary of War Elkins may not eee the fra- ition of his hopes regarding « museum at the department before his term of office expires, He probably will not, especially when the con- gressional appropriations committeesare likely to have tbeir hands full in attonding to a deficit for current expenses the next fiscal year with- out legislating coin of the realm into new chan- nels. However, the necessary sum may be in ranning order, because the additional wrinkle to the War Department machinery will require comparatively nothing more than a salaried curator or superintendent of the various ex- hibits, which can't be displayed for the public’ benefit now throngh a number of difficultigs. The firet of these is a want of available space for the purpose, although there is room in tho big building if a small appro should be granted to put the selection ness to receive the treasures. In the next place the necumulation of curios of various sorts has become ¢o great of late years that bores and bundles filled with the articles are consequently packed hore, there aud everywhere from base- ment to top of the department in order to pre- serve tho relics as well as keep the business end of the machine unhampered. Mr. Elkins will probably not make a recommendation in the matter in his annual report, owing to the near approach of his retirement from office. But he recognizes the absolute necessity of some rem- edy Very soon, and army officers on detached duty at the department, whom political changes will not affect in their’ poritions, are quietly working the scheme into shape among them- selves for proper presentation to the House. As matters stand now the officials of various bureaus are daily pestered by visitors to be shown the dozens of odd and even morbid rel- ies which are known to be under the Secretar care, and, as one chief of division expresses it, the ‘services of a $1,600 clerk are required for almost that purpose alone, to the exclusion of his regular duties. Consequently, it is argued, there should be an extra appropriation of $1,000 or $1,200 for the employment of a clerk who might be intrusted with the classification and exhibition of this extra property asa matter of necessity and relief, aside from the more senti- mental view of the question, which demands the preservation of trophies and curios that figure most extensively in Uncle Sam's war ex- petionces. | Congressional legislation and per- aps an extra appropriation would have to be made if the whole outfit were to be piaced in the National Museum, and even then there would be very valid legal objections to prevent the removal of certain portions constituting absolutely a large alice of official records. Te keep the latter intact means their retention within the War Department walls, and while making provision for safe-keeping of these par- ticular archives no valid reason appears to exist why the whole affair could not be just as weil disposed of at one fell swoop and a highly in- teresting. if somewhat sanguinary, collection of exhibits be placed where their destruction from age and wear would be precluded. THE BOOTH RELICA The biggest popular demand to view these articles came during the Grand Army encamp- ment, and fally one-half the visitors at once in- quired the whereabouts of the murderous paraphernalia which played a part in the Booth conspiracy and Lincoln's aseassination. Tho morbidly eutious were generally gratified in their desires and taken to the basement, where the judge advocate's as.distants have been com- pelled to store the parcels, but since the en- campment Col. Lieber decided that they should be boxed up and in that way preserved as much as possible pending any final disposition which may be determined. As the trial of the con- spirators implicated with Booth was a military one and presided over by the then judge advo- cate general, Holt, the evidence both for prose- cution and defense is of course now held as record in the department. The various weapons handled by the accnsed were intro- duced as exhibits by the government side of the cage, and unless Congress should decree other- wise must necessarily remain as part of the record in the War Department's custody. The first murderous article found after Booth committed the astassination was the derringer | pistol from which the fatal shot was fired. This Booth dropped and drew a fierce-looking bowie knife with which he slashed at Maj. Rathbone, who was an occupant of the President's box. and brandished as he jumpod to the stage and ped. Tho knife was taken from the assas- sin’s body when be was shot at Garrett's barn, on the Rappabannock, several weeks later, to- gether with revolver and carbine, both of Which it was proved at Herold’s trial was eup- lied the conspirators at the Surratt tavern in Sieryiand, where th topped as the first stage of their flight southward. Three other revol- vers are in thecollection,and one of the number belonged to Lewis Payne, to whom had been assigned the tack of assassinating Mr. Seward. It is the identical weapon with which Payneclubbed retary Seward’s son when the latter came to his father's rescue, but the knife used by tho would-be assassin was afterward voted by C gress to Mr. Robinson, who, in all probability, prevented the murderous designs from being successful. Payne, however, contributed another relic of that tragedy and it is in the shape of a saddle which was upon the horse he rode that night to the northern part of the city, after his eseape from Mr. Seward’s honse, and there abandoned. An old rope found in Span- gler's grip sack and the bar which Booth used to effectually close the door of the theater box in which Lincoln was killed were also in evi- dence before the military court and therefore down on the unofficial eatalogue of the judge advocate general's office. But the most gruesome and ghastly objects in the collection consist of the bullet extracted from the dead President's skull andemall pieces of bone which the missile carried before it on ite deadly fight. Perhaps there are reasons why visitors on relic-gazing bent should ask for a glance at these things first of all, and perhaps it is only typical of human nature to want to see that which is most ghastly and connected Tith a bloody tragedy. “ut the fact remains that the bullet and pieces of bone hare been generally the most interesting articles to sight- seers, even when the well ‘informed might sniff spicy scandals in another portion of the col- lection, even at this late day, nearly thirty years after the-assassin himeelf wae killed. BOOTH’S DIARY. From one standpoint the most important ex- hibit of the whole concern would be Booth’s diary, which was found on his body when shot, if the actor-assassin had not neglected to make entries therein, a complete and truthful record of his doings. | So far as written evidence gore the diary contains nothing beyond two shors sketches of memoranda and evidently bearing upon subjects of comparative non-importance, at least in a public way. These entries make no reference to the conspiracy itself and there- fore throw no additional light on the matter, although the details were probably established as clearly as possible at the time of the trial, Only a limited few will likely ever know exactly what that day does contain in exact eub- stance, for a War Department order made its secrets obligatory with the recipients long ago, and beyond a look at the cover of the book the every-day visitor has never been inside, But to those who been in charge of fet permitted to tell, but the rest of the story will probably be sn ‘unwritten War Department 4 | Secret for good and REMINDERS OF WAR. forthecming to put the much-needed museum | readi- | captured in the war with Mexico were returned to the southern republic by act of Congress several years ago. | ‘The glass cases on the third foor of the build ing containing wax figures dressed in all the various prevailing styles of army uniform since | the revolution wouldn't be the least valuable | portion of the museum, although only of worth asa matter of historical reference, and ® part- | nership affair with the Navy Department would | bring the numerous ¥ modela and various sca trophies to swell the exhibit, At the same time the absence of any such provision for the | Preservation of curios has already resulted in | the wide scattering of hundreds of articles of a | Teminiscent character. 4 SCATTERED coLLEctrON. Several years ago, when the ordnance burean | | was located in the Winder building, the division j | boasted of a fairly large museum, consisting in | } | | the main of peculiarly exploded shells, a t | cut down on one of the civil war battlefields | the action of minie balisand the most odd freak of two hostile bullets meeting in midair and be- | coming firmly wedded. In addition the ord- nance officials held a complete collection of included the various types of -time and the more modern ex- | stay rather BUT A MASS OF KUINR, = * Cornelius Vanderbilt's Costly Residence ot Newport Borned. The Breakers, the elegant and costly sum- mer residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt near Newport, is « mass of smoldering rains. Plack- ened and trambling wails of brick and heaps of asbes are all that now remain of the palatial Filla which for years bas been numbered among Newport's largest and finest residences, The fire alec destroyed all the valuable contents of the villa, including furniture, bric-a-bree, Wearing apparel and rare ard costly articles of every description. Tho fire was discovered by Mr. Vandorbitt Ramee?! about 4:30 p.m., the smoke being seem he main hall. A telephone mersage was sent the city and a still alarm wos sent in, Mr. Vanderbilt thinking at thet moment that the fire wns slight and easily within control. A fow minutes sufficed to show this to be « seri cS Mistake, and within two hours the buid- ing and contents were totally dostroved. villa was located at Ochre Point, nearly one and one-half miles from the nearest tire station, Rofore an slarm could be sent out and the apparatus reach the scene the ff war be Yond control, and all that check the w A general alarm summoned ¢ us. When the present quarters were occupied the museum had to be perforce abandoned—there was no further space in which to make a diaplay—and many of ¢ | more interesting articles were placed in the Ni | tional Museum. Shells and euch like were tr | turned to the various arsenals from which they had been brought to Washington, ana practi- cally that ended the ordnance bureau's aitempt in that direction, | A great deal of time would be required to put | together another such aggregation of cutiosi- | ties, but if the contemplated move reaches 9 | substantial result and the articles in charge of different officers can be unified as a collection there will be a war museum of no mean propor- — inthe big building beyond the White louse. _ THE JOCKEY “SHOCKED” HIS HORSE, ~— } Kuhn Wore an Electric Battery and Little Crete Jumped Fifteen Feet. Jockey Kuhn was caught stirring up Little | Crete with an electric battery at the Roby track | at Chicago Thursday afternoon. The judges noticed that every time Kulm used his spurs his mount jumped about fifteen feet. After | Kuhn had weighed out he was taken in hand and searched. Under his jacket he wore « broad belt with cartridge-thaped attachments, each of which formed an electric cell. From these wires ran down the jocker’s legs to his spurs, No rule had existed to cover this particular misdemeanor, but the § and passed the followin, No jockey shall uso anything on his mount | but whips and spurs, and any one f | an eléctric battery or similar coutriv: | be promptly ruled off the track. apply to owners or others instigating or assisting Jockevs to use such contrivance. Kubo has ri at Garfield and Washington ps men *ay that this is not ihe firs \dges at once prepared | Eloise Had Been to Boston and Came Home With Many New Ideas. From the New York Recorder. (Dramatis person»—Eloice Lulu—My dear Eloise, 1 baven’ since your trip to Boston. Of course you learned lots of clever new things. And is it true that the people there care nothing for fashion, except changes in spectacles?” Lula.) seen you Eloise—"Well, they do think rather more about isms and ologies than the way their skirts hang. Lulu—"Did you get any new ide Eloive—“Loads! “No, I won't say loads, but heaps and heaps, I know quantities about heredity now, and it's the most interesting «ub- ject I've taken up yet. Luin—Then it must be lovely. Eloise—“Oh, it is, A man nemed Joseph Rook, or Cook, or something. lectured there on that topic and my cousin's debating society has been discussing it over again. It’s very deep.” Lulu—"I should think as much. Eloise—*They believe there are seven kinds— most of them [have forgotten, but I know one sort is called collateral; it's what you inherit from some one out of the direct line—like aunt or uncle.” Lulu—“How very, see how you can gras Eloise (gravely )— me. Lulu—“How?” Eloiso—“I have no unele and only one aunt, so I must inherit her tendencies, you see; and what do you suppose they are? Lulu—“I can never guess, Eloise.” Eloise— Husbands.” Lulu—“How perfectly shocking.” Eloiso—“Yes, she has had three already. One dics and then she marries another. Fancy me with three husbands. I feel like ® perfect Bluebard.”” Lulu—“I shouldn't think that would be so bad, Eloise. There would be great vari itand jostno monotony. [hate monotony, don't you?” Eloise—“Oh, yes, indeed! Bat, then, you forget that Ishall have to be a widow at least twice, ‘and T'm imply hideous in weeds. I tried oa young Mrs. Rogers’ the other day, and ill at the prospect.” n't you leave off the cap? Yon seem too young forevena little wee bit of a one. But, Eloise. maybe, though, you'll bea good deal older when the first one dies.” Eloise—*Don't try to comfert me that way, Lulu. You know I'shall have to begin soon i: order to get around. Then the most probable first one isn't very strong, anyway. He was hit in the chest with a ball he was on the Yale junge are quite weak now.” “If you wear a cap I shall never speak to you again.” Eloise—“I'm glad vou think it won't seem heartless not to. Maybe I won't, then.” Lula—“‘How sweet of you to reient! Eloise—“Here is one of Mrs. Rogers’ cards: do you think I need to have such a broad black border on mine? It looks #0 somber.”” Lulu—“No, indeed. I wouldn't do it for any man.” Eloise (turning down the edge)—“Do yoa think half as much would do? Or would it look too much as if it were only fora child?” | Lulu—“I should advise not more than a third | asdeep as bere, It's one’s duty to be cheerful in this world, I think.” Elcise—“Youere such « comfort to me, Lulu; always so practical.” Lulu—“I don't believe you will bea widow ‘as young as you imagine, and after a time you a much mind if mourning is anbecom- I don't Eloise—“Thank you for your thy, dear. Bas it's of no use. “I know what to expoot when Seung man has been hit in the chest with » base re ——+oo ‘They Still Fat Dog. ‘From the Northwest Magazine. Gen. has been much pleased with the Progress made by the Indians so far as hjs in- | like narure tind be | servants, and are probabiy unharme b ment, which was unable to work to Lenni This wns partly dne to the sm: ~" I number of hy= nts in that section of the city, where the ses occupy large grounds and are scattered about at considerable ds It was also partly duc to a lack of euificient water prosure, | owing to a break in the mai: had reduced the pressure oue-balf w Loure previous to the breaking out of the fire, However, it is very probable that nothi could Dave faved. the the f ~ gained such a headwa firms that of previ once get a in ¢ summer villas ontside thi the city the building and certain to be a total Io» A portion of the ing large in itself, b of all, while all the rick ings, br furnixbi The house was b: years ugo for P. Lor was bought, with + $400,009 by Mr. V #2100.0 pro) lar eh to th height, the lower part of brick and the upper of wood. with numerems towers and gables. tape worth $50,00 Members of the all their clothin rbilt and f found tem dener's ta . entertained au neygbbors, | mate of bi largely arance, placed through New York brokers. It is thought to be about 20 Hie suid that although he had tm- in hisco; holidays his family once to th probably ir New York rv build anew oud clegant villaatem early ¢ ‘The wil ‘or, jowe and other valuables of lacod in the safes by the cd. have been here spent the season the recent deat® Mr. ly « Vanderbilt and family ce Oc h his yee! olde r bec SAVED FRO! How the Secret Ballot Preserved the In tegrity of One American Citizen. HE. POREIGN-LOOKING GENTLEMAN gave his soft-poiled brenkfast egg suchen emphatic chup with bis knife that a drop of the j Yolk flew across the hotel table and alighted upon the expansive shirt front ofa fat man with red whiskers who «at opposite. “Urmp!” granted the fet man disgustedly. “Per-t-tdon, my dear sir!” exclaimed the “A thousnd apologies for my rmp!” replied the fat man ussentingly, ‘Ze attempt was made to buy ze control of government, but eet was foiled,” declared the foreigner unpressi be second half of his “Urmp!" granted “In ze state of New York everywhere was r-raption,” said the foreign gentleman, is spoon. “Millions of dollars were votes of American citizens.” Pp: rejoined the fat man with more interest in his tone. “Zat which I speak of was open to 20 obser vation most public,” the stranger went on, “Ze cor-r-ruption of ze franchise was open and undisguised. Even I myseif was wppr-roached, by ze agents of ze taachine political.” sontmp,” replied the fat ison, as if inereda- jous, “Bach is ze fact most abominable,” retterated the foreigner with indign stroking his goatee. cal party stopped meas Iw polling place. He was fall of dollare—a big ‘wad’ in each hand. Said be: a bere and have quelquecbose with “For to be polite Tassent. We have a glass of eau-de-vie together and he offers me @ bill for & ticket of his party.” I put it in my pocket ing place. 1 vote, but at ze ve. I am saved ed by a circumstance provi- ed the fat man with the red rogatively. erved from cor-r-ruption,” said tleman proudly, “by ze secreey the foreign of ze ballot. _ Jewelry of Former Thnes. From the Jewelers’ Cireuiar Patterns of girdles worn by Indios in the sixteenth and at the beginning of the seven- teenth century were very much alike, Some girdles were formed of gems set with « lange bezel, covered with white, red or black enamel. Chains hanging down the skirt held a mirror, a purse or a fan. If wo were to judge from the works of the a bach at Hans Callaert, Woerioi, Vorert end Ducerceau, we should believe that pendants worn during that period were much varied im shape. Yeton portraits we only see besides jeweled letters, crosses and oval cameos elon- gated motifs exhibiting the same outlines, We remark nowhere pendants showinr figures sit- ting in a bower made of jewels, fantastic waves, watches surrounded with allegorical fig- Ures and surmounted with spheres. Ae. Arebi- tectural pendants made by Cellini were mo doubt perfect works of art, ———— Dr. Shirley Hope, United States. and vestigations have shown him, although he is said to have been somewhat stunned a few miles from Fort Pierre on the coming upon an Indian family killing = dog for the evening meal. Mise Florida Costes, daughter of Capt. HL. 5. Costen, United States marine corps, were mar ried at Trinity P. E. Church, Portsmouth, Va, Wednesday afternoon. IMPRE From SSED.