Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1893, Page 18

18 A FIGHT FOR BLOOD. The Great Battle That is to Be Fought Next Month. WILL I? BE CORBETT OR MITCHELL? Comparison of the Merits and Chances of the Two Men. THE RESULT IS IN DOUBT. Written for The Evening Star. HE PRELIMINA- nes of what promises to be one of the most notable boxing events in many years have at last been arrenged and articles of agree- ment drawn up t the apparent satis- faction of the two principals — Charles Mitchell, champion of England, and James Corbett, champion of America. ‘The battle is to be fought in Jacksonville, Fia., under the auspices of the Duval Ath- Jetic Club, for a purse of $20,000, a personal et of $5,000, and the boxing championship of the world, but whether the stakes to be fought for consist of an actual deposit in cash of $20,000 or,as is more generally believ- ed, mere percentage on the probable gate re- ceipts is a matter that will not affect the chances of the fight taking place one way or the other, both men being bound in suff- cient cash surety to guarantee their ap- pearance in the ring on the date named— January 25, 1804. The final meeting of the parties interestéd took place at the Gedney House, New York, and the articles were agreed upon, in presence of Henry Mason of Jacksonville,Ike Thompson, Billy Thomp- gon, Joe Vendig, Wm. E. Harding, H. B. ‘Huckett and Dan Smith. Each of the principals has been given $2,500 by the officials of the club for train- ing expenses. Dave Blanchard of Boston holds a $5,000 deposit from each man to guarantee his uppearance in the ring. Al Smitb holds the side bet of $5,000 from each man, and as a closing act Mitchell reminded Corbett’s manager of his offer to bet a sum of $1,000 that Mitchell would fail to keep his contract, and after some further wran- gling, Brady covered Mitchell’s $1,000,and the total was deposited in the hands of Phil Dwyer as stakeholder. Maxey More was @ppointed as referee for the contest with | buildin, the concurrence of both parties. Doubt as to the Cha onship. That either one of the two men can lay any just claim to the title of world’s cham- pion, until the question of supremacy is set- acknowledged by the majority of sporting acknow! yy the m ol men, for neither man has hitherto deported himself as champions have been wont to do. In appearance and conversation they it a standard of refinement and in- ice far above the average looked for in the mere fighting man, well possess to a - able degree that perfect knowledge of their profession and cat-like shiftiness of move- ment which in these latter days has caused such a revolution in the boxing world. Though the Englishman possesses a much more conclusive record than the American, the latter cannot be equaled—not even by the famous red-haired antipodean—in the Lag utilization of his immense advan- in the matter of height and reach over his more stockily built rival. The bet- ting is inclined to favor Corbett, and the almost universal opinion is that he ought tdwin,yet there are those who,more intimate- ly acquainted with the English champion’s characteristics as a ring general, his brute courage and unconquerable pugnacity, feel tips safe in placing their venture on chances of victory, confident that they will at least get a brilliant run for their money. The victory will most likely hinge ou—not who is the greatest fighter, but who de the greatest glutton for punishment. Charlie Mitchell. Mitchell, who is thirty-two years of age, was born of Irish parents, in Birmingham, England, and for over ten years has occu- pied a prominent position as a boxing cham- pion. He weighs somewhere in the neigh- borhood of 184 pounds, and among his most notable battles was his contest for the En- glish championship in London, December, 1882, as Billy Madden’s competitor, open to all Amongst the numerous com- petitors were entered such formidable an- tagonists as Jack Kniften, the forty-tonner, Bul England and Jem Goode, but Mitchell's performance was a complete surprise to the “fancy,” scoring victory after victory with the greatest ease and at a single bound springing to the top rung of the ladder of pugilistic fame. When Jake Kilrain was about training to fight Jem Smith, Mitchell traveled with him as a sparring partner, and when Smith was negotiating for a bat- tle with John L. Sullivan, Charlie perform- ed the same service for him, though the ™erest tyro in boxing could see that Mit- chell was master of both of the two “cham- pions” he escorted around. During this lit- tle tour the writer, then retired champion of Ireland, had a personal experience of Mitchell’: kill. On the occasion of their appearance at the Star Theater, Dublin, the writer and a protege, a graduate of Trinity College from whom great results were look- ed for, sparred three rounds in public with the two Englishmen, and though a man of much superior physique to Mitchell and of considerable intellectual abil- ity, the big Irishman seemed but a dummy in the hands of his more experienced an- tagonist; Mitchell seeming to have hypnot- ized his man as in the case of Billy Ed- wards. In this country Mitchell has proved his superiority over such men as Mike Cleary, Sheriff, the Prussian, Jake Kilrain and Billy Edwards, whose well-known sci- ence he rendered completely abortive in their contest at Madison Square Garden in May, 1884 McCaffrey, Jack Burke and Patsy Cardiff had as little luck as their predecessors, nor was the great John L. himself, then in the heydey of his career, able to do much more with Mitchell than keep the plucky little Englishman from de- feating him. Though weighing but 138) _ as against Sullivan’s 200 pounds, | itchell knocked Sullivan clean off his legs with a blow, thereby scoring the only knock | down the American champion ever received} till his decadence and fall at New Orleans. | 1t ts a universally acknowledged fact that their subsequent fight with bare| knuckles Chantilly, France, been fought} out Sulltvan would have ffered defeat— the overtures for a peaceful settlement com- ing first from his corner of the ring. This latter memorable battle, which will always rank as a victory for Mitchell, lasted three hours and eleven minutes, ending’in a “dra Corbett, who is built on a totally different plan, longer limbed and finer drawn, should be possessed of great powers for speed and ysical proportions, though veloped as Mitchell's, are y high order, and his great su- Rot so largely d still of a ve periority in height and reach ought to win him the fight if nothing else should. He has! demonstrated his superiority as a crafty skillful and powerful boxer times innumer- able, reckoning amongst his many victims Buffalo Costello, Jack Burke, Mike Bren man, Joe Choynski, Jake Kilrain, Dominick McCaffrey and Joe Lannon, his contest with | Peter Jackson being looked upon more in the light of a blemish than otherwise, as both men were turned out of the ring by the referee of the California Athletic Club after sparring sixty-one rounds with no THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 18983~TWENTY PAGES. prospect of a satisfactory termination. Cor- bett’s world-famed battle with John L. Sul- livan at the Olympic Club, New Orleans, where the latter was beaten into insensibil- ity without making scarcely a struggle to defend himself, is too recent to be recalled here except in so far as to notice that on the strength of this altogether one-sided en- Jim Corbett. counter Corbett has dubbed himself cham- pion of the world, and as champion has tamely listened and submitted without a murmur to personal insults, abuse and chal- lenges from Mitchell, Goddard, Maher and a host of others that the old-time orthodox fighting champion—Sullivan, for instance— usually went insane over till he mop} them from his memory with gore. ‘or build, style and ring tactics, Corbett may be classed at the head of the new and advanced school of boxing experts of which Bob Fitz- simmons and Jim Hall form the right and left bowers, built on the ostrich pattern as breathing apparatus and endurance, all neck and legs, with the speed of a cy- clone and the kick of a mule. In such a shape we are told and such guise the weight of evidence goes forward to prognosticate the “coming man” if—if it wasn’t that the “other fellow” don’t see it in that way. Build of the Two Men. The respective measurements of the men compare as follows: Corbett. Mitchell. Height, ft. Iein. Sft. SK in. Measurement of chest, 42% ade = “waist, 39 33 Reach, 34 30 Measurement of thigh, 25 24 Width cf shoulder, a 23 Circumference of neck, 18 20 Measurement of calf, 17 15% “ “biceps, 15% 15% “forearm, 14% It may be observed that where Corbett has the advantage of height and reach, Mitchell possesses the greatest development round the neck, chest, shoulders and biceps, so that it is not the easy soft snap to pick winner that the American public have been schooled into believing, and that James J. Corbett will enact a reproduction of Bob Fitzsimmons and Charlie Mitchell of Peter Maher is, to say the least, a very tall con-| "Preparatio y ms on an exceptionally large scale are already in progress at Jackson. ville for the erection of a capacious frame ig, capable of seating 12,000 people. A 24-foct ring will be erected in the center on 4 stage raised some four feet above the ground, and illuminated by a blaze of elec- tricity, admitting of a perfectly uninterrupt- ed view of the combatants from all sides of the amphitheater. The inner circle of spec- tators will be wholly confined to newspaper men and telegraph operators, the outside circle being laid out in private boxes for the tion of over 2,000 of the Buests, the Portion being parti- toned into reserved seats, general admis- sions and galleries, the whole to form, with its thousands of spectators, a vast arena, such as the world has seldom seenaince the palmy days of ancient Rome. JOHN CHARLES EARL. Ex-Champion of Ireland. —————_+ e-+- —____ AN OLD-TIME OFFICE SEEKER. An Ancient Letter Dug Up by Appoint- ment Clerk Holcombe. In delving through a mass of antique official literature today Appointment Clerk Holcombe brought up the following old and unique application for appointment: BLUFF SPRINGS, Cass County, Mo., September 15, 1849. Dear Sir: This is to inform you and through you the President that I am will- ing to accept of an office under this admin- istration, provided it pays well. But I have very little expectation of getting one. I consider myself qualified to fill almost any office; but there are hundreds of others who are as well qualified as I am, and per- haps better. I consider myself an honest man; but there are thousands of others equally honest. I am a political friend of the President; but that is no good reason why I should receive an appointment. I am a stranger to fame and fortune; but that is no good reason why I should not receive one. I should of course like to have the best office; but beggars must not be choosers. I should like to have an office near home; but I do not wish any honest and capable officer turned out in order to make room for me, who am untried. I am & poor man; but I do not wish to plead pov- erty. I am a farmer; but that argues nothing for or against me. I am also a surveyor; but there may be a great many better ones. I am a self-taught man; but I have much yet to learn. I have the repu- tation of a great mathematician ;but I do not wish to boast of it. I have a small family; but everybody else either has or wishes to have. 1 have lived several years in Mis- souri; but I am yet unknown to fame. I have sought office, it is true; but I have seldom been successful. I see a great many offices bestowed at Washington city, either with or without merit; but none has fallen to my share. This looks somewhat strange; but how could it be otherwise? The great probability is that I never will obtain one; but who knows? You may perhaps think Lam j with you in thus applying for office; but I assure you I am in earnest. You may accuse me, too, of egotism and arrogance in thus addressing you; but how can I expect an office unless I ask for it? You may perhaps wish to have my charac- ter before appointing me to office; but, in- deed, 1 would not exchange my character for any office whatever. I could, perhaps, get a good recommendation from my neigh- bors; but 1 do not wish to ask them to tell a@ lie for me. If you wish a reference to some one high in office I will refer you to the Hon. John F. Ryland of our supreme court; but he knows very little, if anything, about me. If you can do nothing for me in the way of office please write to me and say so; but make no apologies. I shall await anxiously an answer to this letter; but I shall be agreeably disappointed if I get one. My address is Pleasant Hill, P. O. Cass, alias Van Buren, county, Mo.; but what of that? In looking over this com- munication I see as many personal pro- nouns as if it had been written by Col. Benton himself; but I assure you it was not. I could write more, but I fear I would be wasting time to no purpose. No more; but remain yours, &c., MARTIN RICE. To Thomas Ewing, secretary of the home department, Washington city, D. C. ee A National Characteristic. From Trath. Lord Forgivuz—“T can always tell an American by what he drinks.” William Ann—‘But he drinks anything he t." can get. Lord Forgivuz—That's the way I tell.” ———_- ee And That’s a Fact. From Truth. Dr. Fourthly—“Look at the groveling ser- pent, my boy, and behold its punishment! It has to crawl in that manner for its sin in_the Garden of Eden.” Tommie Tompkins—‘‘Huh! I don’t see how that’s any punishment. I should think it would be bothered worse if it had to crawl in some other way.” ON NEW YEAR DAY Should Wine Be Used at Big Public Receptions? VIEWS OF SOME WELL-KNOWN WOMEN It Will Not Be Seen at the Cabinet Entertainments. CUSTOM AT THE WHITE HOUSE Written for The Evening Star. ITH THE COMING of New Year day the old question of serving wine at New Year receptions has official question is not of 80 much importance in other cities perhaps as it is in Washing- ton, for the New Year day reception has not so general an observance elsewhere. There is not only the President's reception on New Year day, but receptions at the homes of the cabinet officers and of the officers of the army and navy. It is as much a duty for the officers of the army and navy to call at the home of the general of the army and the senior officer of the navy as it is for them to call at the White House. During the last administration the recep- tion of the Vice President was also a nota- ble sffair. Singularly enough, it was the first administration from the beginning of Grant’s second term to the incoming of the Harrison administration in which there was a social establishment of the Vice President. During the sixteen years from 1873 to 1889 there was no Vice President for ten years, and during the remainder of the time the Vice Presidency was filled by men who had no wives. Only one of the Vice President from Schuyler Colfax to Levi P. Morton had a wife. Three of them were widowers—Wilson, Wheeler and Arthur. Vice President Hendricks had a wife, but he died in November, 1885, and he was never in Washington as Vice President on New Year day. Vice President Morton re- vived the custom of a New Year day re- ception at the Vice President's, and he fixed regular hours for receiving the diplo- matic corps, the army and navy, etc., just as the President did. Mr. Stevenson can- not afford an establishment like Mr. Mor- ton’s, so he will not hold a formal reception January 1. Wine at the White House. There has always been wine at the White House, although it has not been served at the President's receptions for a number of years. When the receptions of the Presi- dent were less crowded, refreshments were served at all of them. Mr. Hayes did not share his wife's intense prejudice against liquor. Mr. Arthur served wine at the White House, and he had refreshments at his crowded receptions. The custom of serving refreshments at these receptions died with Mr. Arthur. Mr. Arthur always took wine with his meals. President Harri- son took a drink when he wanted it, and had wine served at his table when he gave an official entertainment. But so strong a prejudice lies in the minds of the reformers against the use of liquor by public men that when Mrs. Harrison was lying at the point of death in the White House, her son-in- law, Mr. McKee, asked the family physician not to make public the fact that she was being kept alive by the administration of brandy, because, he said, if that fact was published, the President and his family would be grieved by constant letters from cranks saying that Mrs. Harrison’s death was a dispensation of Providence in punish- ment of her people for having used brandy. Of course there will be no wine served at the White House on New Year day. Pres- ident Cleveland has no prejudice against wine or liquor; he uses both; but it would cost an unreasonable sum to serve wine to the enormous crowd which will fill the par- lors of the White House. There will be opportunity for serving wine at the houses of the cabinet people, and of some other public men and women who will receive on New Year day. A reporter called on the women of the cabinet recently to ask them for their views on the subject of New Year day receptions and the use of wine. There has been no meeting of the cabinet women to determine officially whether wine should be served or not. Many of the social ob- servances of these women are the subject of conferences and concerted action. In this matter each of them will follow the dictates of her own judgment; but it is pretty safe to say that there will be no serving of wine in cabinet circles on New Year day. Only three of the women of the Harrison cabinet served wine at the New Year day receptions. Most of the women of the present cabinet believe in serving wine at dinner, but they think that it should not be served indiscriminately at @ public reception. Mrs. Carlisle’s Firm Stand. Mrs. Carlisle has been in Washington so many years that she speaks with greater authority than any other of the cabinet People. She has always had a New Year reception, and she is a firm believer in the good old custom, now falling into disuse. “1 thin! said Mrs. Carlisle, “that it is a good custom to keep New Year day, because it affords an opportunity for old acquaintances to meet. Besides, if the lst of January is set aside as a day for making and receiving calls, young men who neglect that social duty at other seasons of the year, because perhaps they are too busy, will go to see their friends. I am very much opposed to serving wine, especially on New Year day, and to young men. 1 think that some good hot coffee, some sub- stantial food to help them get through the day and a cordial welcome are all that should be offered to them—but particularly the cordial welcome.” Mrs. Carlisle said that she realized the fact that the opinion of women in promi- nent place might have some moral influ- ence, but she believed that the less said on the subject of New Year day the bet- ter. She is preparing to hold a reception on the 1st of January. She will receive at home, as she has always done. The wife of the Postmaster General will hold her first public reception on New Year day. She says that she will follow the established custom so far as “keeping open house” and receiving all those who wish to pay their respects to her is concerned. “Receiving on New Year day is not a@ general in other cities as it was,” said Mrs, Bissell, ‘‘but the reception of the President has become a matter of official custom, and I do not see how it could be abolished. 1 think that the hostess should use her own judgment in regard to serving wine. 1 my- self think that it ought not to be served at public receptions.” In Mr. Herbert’s Household. Miss Herbert, the daughter of Sec- retary of the Navy, will not be at the head of her father’s establishment this winter. His married daughter, Mrs. Micou, whose husband was recently appointed to the position of chief clerk of the Navy Depart- ment, will live with her father and pre- side over his establishment. But Miss Herbert is more nearly associated with her distinguished father in the public mind. So the question was asked of her. She was just leaving her home, and she answered but briefly. She said: ‘“‘We have made no preparations yet for New Year day, be- cause we are hardly settled in our new home. I do not know what our arrange- ments will be; but the serving of wine is something about which I always consult my father.” Mrs. Smith has been so much absorbed in caring for her sick boy that she has not had time to consider New Year matters. Her predecessor, Mrs. Noble, used to say that she had one quarrel with Mr. Noble every year. It was over the question of Daniel Webster’s judgment in leaving the house of a friend, whom he had gone to visit, because he found that his friend did not serve wine. Mr. Noble always held that the friend should have consulted the wishes of a man of Mr. Webster's genius. Mrs. Noble thought that Mr. Webster's friend was entitled to his own opinions and his own prejudices, Mrs. Noble never serv- ed wine on New Year day. Mrs, John B. Henderson, wife of the ex- Senator from Missourtl, began a quiet home crusade against wine a few years ago, be- cause she believed that, while there was no harm in placing it in the hands of men of mature judgment, it was dangerous to serve it to very young men. Mrs, Henderson al- ways has the courage of her convictions, and she has very generally substituted a pure unfermented grape juice for wine on her table when she has entertained young men, Not a Dinner Without Wine. Mrs. Eugene Hale, the wife of the Sena- tor from Maine, who lives in one of the most beautiful houses in Washington, en- tertains liberally during the season. Al- though her husband comes from a prohi- bition state, she has wine on her table at dinner. The Hales entertained the diplo- matic people a great deal, and to them a dinner is not dinner without wine. A great many people claimed when New Year re- ceptions became a thing of the past that the custom's decadence was due to the growing prejudice against serving wine. Mrs. Hale thinks that New Year receptions outside official circles have been abandoned because the reception at the White House is so fat that the many women who attend it do not feel equal to holding re- ceptions at their own homes later in the day. She is one of the many Senators’ wives who have given up New Year day re- ceptions. But if she did receive she would serve tea and not wine. The wife of Sen- ator Hawley is also a firm believer in tea and a firm adherent of New Year day recep- tions, There will undoubtedly be wine served at the houses of the Supreme Court people. Every one of the old justices takes his little nip, and one of them made it a rule for many years to ask his hostess whenever he went out to dinner to put a glass of whisky and water at his place. He said that it was all that kept him all The Supreme Court people always receive on New Year day, and always serve light wines and punch. Although Mrs. Hoke Smith has been so busy with her sick child that has not had time to make any preparations for New Year day, she kindly gave her views. She said: “I think the custom of receiving one’s friends should be revived, provided they call during the ee and early evening, but do not think that the reception should be only Jate in the evening. I am very de- cided In the opinion that no wine should be served, for obvious reason: ——---— +02 How Canaries Are Educated. From the Popular Science News. In a small town called St. Andreasberg (Saxony) some 700 families are entirely e! gaged in the task of rearing and educa ing gced canary singers. A great propor- tion of these singers is sent abroad, far or near—to London, to Australia, and to the United States, where one single firm ships 10u,000 birds each year. These canaries are the interior birds, the schreir as tney are calied in Germany, on account of their notes. ‘nese scnreir, which are bought tor from 7 to $v cents in the Harz, are sold for two, three, or tour dollars in Amer- aca. ‘Khe best birds are Kept in Geramny, where they aré called bonirolier. A guod nomrolier cannot ve nad unger $ or sly (Gn the Hard), and $40 and $20 are no unusual prices, But such birds are certamy Splendid singers. ‘‘ne Germans have quice @ number of words, eacn of whicn appues to a qufferent sort of iune, or intonauon; the heuiroiie is in minor Key; kungeroue ap- pues to silver tones; koller to a waroung wach reminds of tne murmur of water, giucnrole is similar to the nighungaie’s notes, and one may say that every uecaid of the canary’s song has been named, and that for every one there is a standard or perfection which the expert rancier knows pertectiy weil, The scng of aii canaries is not exactly similar; each race has its special points, and while the one is great or neulrou. for instance, it is weak on giuchrolie, waile tne case is reversed with another race. fi Of course, singing is a natural ‘feature with canaries, but tne influence of eauca- tion is considerable. The educational cur- riculum begins in May for the young cana- ries, and they are, as soon as possivie, sep- arated from their parents. svducation is all in this: Keep the young bird from hear- ing any but excelent singers. Some fitteen or twenty young canaries are put in one cage wila an older bird, an especially good singer, and he teaches them the elements; they try to imitate him, and hence comes his beneficial intluence. In August each of the young birds is put in a smaii cage, and kept in the immediate vicinity of the cage of the teacher. At this time the fancier tries to gather some idea of the progress échieved, and of the aptitude of the differ- ent birds. The best are put in the nearest vicinity of the teacher. In order to pre- vent the young birds from getting dis- turbed, their cages are wrapped with cloth So as to prevent them from seeing what is going on around them, and in order to encourage singing the cages are generally shaped in form of a dome; this shape in- tensifies the sound, and the birds are pleased in their own music. Then comes a period of great trouble—the moulting of the fepoeegeed birds. During some ten weeks the tter remain entirely silent, and the young birds are very apt to fall into bad habits; 8 soon as the voice of the professor is re- gained, the training goes on, of course. Some 250,000 canaries are trained each year in the Harz region, and of these 200,- 000 are sent to the United States, 27,000 are sent to ingland, 10,000 are sent to Rus- and other European countries, and 10,- 000 remain in Germany. The latter are the per 10,000" of the canary world, the very “pick” of the best singers. Two firms ly (Ruhr, and Reiche Brothers) make it their business to export canaries from Germany to America. There are a number of varieties of the canary. Artifi- cial selection has to account for many of them, and while scme fanciers have selected individuals especially notable fer their song, others have selected birds for their form, their color, their size. In Germany the song fs the main point; in England the people seem to care only for color or form; in Bel- gium shape only is considered. So there are great differences among canaries. ———+o-_____ Overlooked Gold Fields, From the Age of Steel. The decline of silver values has resulted in a revived interest in gold mining. The search for the yellow metal being thus ac- centuated, some of our older sources of sup- ply that for various reasons have been over- looked or neglected are likely to come once more in the range of enterprise. In its re- vival the Souuerd goIu vet Will nave 113 snare. ‘Ine aiscovery of goid deposits in the south anteuated by many years tnose of the Yaciie sivpe and tne Kocky Mountains. in North Carouna, Georgia and Alavama more than anywhere eise prospecting and mining have had @ respectavie taougn intermittent history. In muning and muung appuances the equipment has been necessaruy prumi- tive and crude, which, with scanty capital and @ limited knowleage of gold metallurgy, bas had an untavoravie effect. The richer deposits of the west and political events handicapped what enterprise might have been Jett in the impoverished and practi- cally ostracised south. The dormancy was unfortunately followed by the boom fever running wild from 1862 to 1873. The result was injudicious Skye blatant and in- flated statements, With the usual squad of charlatans and sharpers, who fattened on public credulity and pocketed its cash. No industry can thrive on illusions or intox- icants of this kind, nor public confidence, so essential to prosperity, be maintained on a spider-and-fly program. It is not likely that for some time at least the public will suffer from this too-oft-repeated folly. It may be said, or at any rate hoped, that we are settling down to a more steady and ealthy basis of growth, in which the min- ing interests of the south will share its advantages. It is true that southern ores are of a low grade, but this is compensated for by their abundance. It has the advan- tages also of such economies as low-priced labor, abundant water power and vast re- sources of timber for fuel and mining pur- poses, That capital is not blind to these in- ducements is evidenced by the more careful examination of gold deposits, the reopening of old mines and a more diligent search for new locations. With science and enterprise hand in hand, with more perfected and effi- cient equipments, and such economies as are characteristic of modern methods, what there may be of gold deposits in the south may yet become a Promising and remunera- tive industry. A Man of Taste. i Frayed Fagin (as housewife gives him a pair of russet shoes)—‘N where's the derby hat and sack coat: Housewife (in surprise)—“Derby hat and sack coat! These shoes are all I’ve got, and all you'll get.” Frayed Fagin (throwing the shoes down in disgust)—“Want me to wear russet shoes with a high hat and Prince Albert coat? No, madam! If you were raised in Brook- lyn, you needn't think I was.” BANQUETS OF STATE Etiquette That Holds at These Sol- emn Affairs, | DIPLOMATS AT THE PRESIDENTS TABLE Invitations That Flow in Upon Mr and Mrs. Cleveland PRESENTS SENT BY STRANGERS Se Written for The Evening Star. HILE MR. CLEVE- land has not yet ac- cepted an invitation to dine with any one of the new ambassa- dors at Washington, diplomatic etiquette, as observed in other countries, would oblige him to do 60. A President of the United States does not eat in the house of a foreign minister; but the departure re- cently made by Uncle Sam in raising the rank of his envoys abroad has radically altered the situation of affairs in this re- gard. It is a serious question whether the chief executive of this nation could refuse such a courtesy without placing himself in the attitude of deliberately insulting the Power concerned. For an ambassador, when he represents a monarchy, is regarded as an incarnation of the soveriegn, and must be treated in all respects as if he were a king. Sir Julian Pauncefote, for example, has a right to consider himself the equal of Mr. Cleveland, and any disregard of his per- sonal dignity by the latter would be an in- sult to royal majesty. Mr. Gresham made a first call upon each of the new ambassadors. That was a novel departure. Ministers from abroad have al- ways first called upon the Secretary of State hitherto, because that is the rule in all countries. But an ambassador is a bird of a feather very different from a minister. Sir Julian Pauncefote, like any of the three other ambassadors at Washington, has a right to consult officially with the President in person, while no minister plenipotentiary could safely venture to talk with Mr. Cleve- land on matters international. Similarly, Mr. Bayard may appeal direct to Queen Victoria, representing the sovereignty of 70,000,000 people. His predecessor, Minister Phelps, could do no such thing, being merely accredited as an agent of the gov- ernment of the United States. Mr. Bayard has a far greater responsi- bility on his shoulders than ever was sus- tained by a minister from this country to Great Britain. He commits the United States by his acts, whereas his predecessors have merely acted as intermediaries. The same remarks apply equally to our other ambassadors abroad. It will thus be seen what a very important new departure this government has made in the diplomatic line. Save in the already mentioned partic- ular of visits, however, no change in diplo- matic etiquette at Washington has thus far been made; no foreign ambassador has in- vited the President to dinner, or demanded an opportunity for official conference with him. Yet there is no telling what trouble might not be stirred up at any time over these trifling questions. The Question of Precedence. The diplomatic dinners at the White House have made trouble on more than one occa- sion. A familiar instance was that of the British Minister Merry, who made a great row because some other lady was taken in to the table by ee hae Ghee . During the eld weatign Eee Blaine actually left the Presi- dent’s board in anger because she not the place to which she considered herself entitled. The plan adopted of making the order of precedence among diplomats de- pend simply on length of service here is an admirable solution of the problem on the whole. But Mr. Cleveland is too phiegmatic to bother about such matters. e diplomats dine only o1 t the White House each winter. This their date falls on Janu- . About fifteen minutes they will begin to arrive. On alighting from their carriages they will, be shown upstairs to the second floor, where a man in evening dress will direct the gentlemen to the library and the ladies to one of the bed rooms, in order that they |may remove their wraps, &c. As on any | similar festive occasion anywhere they will to say, the east room, {find Mr. and Mrs.. Cleveland awaiting them. The room is about eighteen times too large for general conversa- tion, so that it will be rather a relief ‘when, after a few moments, Sinclair, the steward, opens the door and bows, catch- ing the President's eye. Mr. Cleveland, offering his right arm to Lady Pauncefote, will then lead the wav with her to the dining room. Sir Julian will follow with Mrs Cleveland, and the other guests in proper order by couples. On en- tering the banauet hall the President will peavee at his seat in the middle of the side of the long table and will remain standing til his wife has passed around the fes- tive board to the seat opposite him. By that time the remaining gentlemen and ladtos will have found their wav to their Tesnective places, and Mrs. Cleveland’s sit- ting down will he the sienal for every one else to do ikevwiee, No mistakes as to the arrangement of the people can well occur. Tmpossthle to Make an Error. On the center table in the Ifbrary, before going down to dinner, each of the gentle- men will have found a small envelope ad- dressed to himself—unsealed—with the American eagle in gold stamped on the flap. Within it he has discovered a card with beveled and gilt edges, bearing the name of the lady whom he ts to take in to dinner. The name is written across the middle of a diagram of the table, with the seats numbered, that of Mr. Cleveland being marked “The President.” Two num- bers are struck out with @ pen, indicating the places which the holder and his part- ner for the evening are to occupy. The trance to the room is also shown on the plan. Thus, it is hardly ible for a diplomat to make an error. He knows whom he is to escort; the seats which he and she are to occupy are marked, and at each of their places at table is a big card bearing the name of the person expected to sit there. All this business is carefvlly managed be- forehand by a gentleman of long expe- rience at the White House, who employs an ingenious dummy table of pasteboard for arranging dummy guests in dummy seats. In this way he puts together the future banouet as ff it were to be enjoyed by paper dolls. the latter being shuffied about until each one has his or her proper chair. With the aid of the dummy the cams are made out. For some years past the Italian minister. Baron Fava, has been dean, because he was the eldest minister in leneth of service at Washington, but ambassadors take rank above ministers.and so Sir Julian has taken his place of precedence. M. Patenotre, the French minister, desired the honor greatly, and there was an interesting race between him and Sir Julian as to which should gain it. But the Englishman was able to present the papers making him an ambassador at the Department of State one day earlier than M. Patenotre, and so won. This sys- tem of precedence by sentority works fun- nily sometimes. Not long ago the Nica- raguan minister here was high on the list, but political troubles at home caused him to resign. Being reappointed, he was obliged to start again at the tail end of the diplo- matic roster. The cabinet dinner at the White House is announced for January 4. At that re- ree Gen. Gresham will sit at Mrs. Cleve- jand’s right and his wife will be placed at the President’s rizht hand. Then follow, in the order ofprecedence established,Secretary Carlisle, Secretary Lamont, Attorney Gen- eral Olney, Postmaster General ry Herbert, Secretary and Secretary Morton. This is the order in which they stand as heirs presumptive to the presidency, in case both Mr. Cleve- Jand and Mr. Stevenson should di all of them are possible Presidents, the t dinner to the Supreme Court the justices, after Chief Justice Fuller, are seated in the order of their appointment: Field, Har- lon, Gray, Brewer, Brown, Shiras and Jack- son, ex-Justice Strong, retired, is some- times invited and sometimes not. Not a Very Lively Affair. At a state dinner the guests sit about two and a half hours at table. There are no speeches, and the feast is usually rather dull and solemn, the number of persons present being too large for general conver- sation. Between Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland stands a great golden vase filled with beau- tiful flowers—or its place may be taken by an allegorical structure of blossoms made by the White House gardener, such as a temple of justice at a spread in honor of the Supreme Court. A gold-framed mirror, representing an artificial lake,extends along the middle of the table, surrounded by flow- ers. But, dull though it be, everything is very gorgeous. The table service would do credit to the table of a monarch. Candelabra of gold and silver shed a brilliant light over the the wax candles which they hold being supplemented by electric chan- deliers overhead. The guests do not eat with plated forks, spoons and knives; the metal ware is all of pure gold and silver. The china is hand-painted and of most costly make. Most of it is imported. Though these are dinners for the nation, Mr. Cleveland must pay for all the food wines himself. ey cost him at least $500 each. His own cook Presiden: whereas t Harrison employed caterer. The ce of an invitation by the speech, with the utmost attention to accuracy and prudence of statement, for it will be print- ed all over the country in thousands of n and is sure to be dissected by ably to-one such bidding ts to eive an pee: ably to one 51 to give an open- ing for hundreds of others. Thus far in naval review at New York. such munications are attended to by one of his private secretaries. Unless they are ac- companied by personal letters, no attention is paid to them. Such of them as seem Properly entitled to consideration are duly answered. People frequently write to the President, saying: “Your friend, John Jones, has died. It would be a great comfort to his widow if you would er a few lines to her about gifts which pour in upon Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland from ail parts of the coun- ren ce bore. Strangers send all sorts o} ings, from jewelry to dogs. Presents of small value are usually accept- ed, when they seem to have been by kindly intention, and a note of acknowl- edgment is returned; but those of con- siderable intrinsic worth are politely re- fused. Not long ago a man sent a brooch of precious stones worth about $1,000 to Mrs. Cleveland. It wes sent back with the statement to the effect that she was not accustomed to accept valuable gifts from persons whose acquaintance she did not enjoy. RENE BACHE. —______+e+_-___ WORTH A THOUSAND DOLLARS. A Battery Which is Probably the sect in the World. One raturally thinks of butterflies in con- nection only with flowers, and flowers sug- gest sunshine and warmth. But there is no Place on this earth except upon its great mountain passes of and Sikkim, in the on the frigid alti- tudes of Thibet, Cashmere, and the Pamirs. Lieut. has told that Peary when he planted the United States flag on the ice cap at the farthest point north a moth lit on the pole for a moment. Prices of butterflies vary in the catalogues of pro- fessicnal dealers from 15 cents to $500. Ac- in the New York Herald, about butterfites are kind ever captured, was taken on the Island of Sumtawa, southeast of Java. Received in a shi it from his at that place, Mr. Neumoegen at cnce concluded that it was new to science. He sent it to Europe,-risking its loss, and experts there that he was right. It is of a wonder- ful metallic green. expeditions have been sent to the locality several times since in the hope of finding arother, but this one still remains unique. If it were sold at auction in London it would bring $1,000 at least. ——_ee_____ Soldiers. Written for The Evening Star. U. Morris GA R., @edicated to George iad Our ranks are growing thinner, every year, And Death is still a winner, every year; Yet, we still must stick together, Like the toughest kind of leather, And in any kind of weather, every year. Our comrades have departed, every year. ‘They leave us broken hearted, every year; But their spirits fondly greet us And they constantly entreat us To come, that they may meet us, every year. We are growing old and lonely, every year; We have recollection onls, every ear; And we bled for this grand Nation On many @ field and station And with any kind of ration, every year. Many people may forget us, every year, And our eremies may fret us, every year; But, while onward we are drifting, Our souls with hope are lifting To heavenly scenes still shifting, every year. In the May-time of the flowers, every year, JOHN 4. JOYCE. | showed me the ee Good-Mannered Monkeys. From the St. Nicholas. haa Monkeys as a rule—certainly as we in America know them—ere not distinguished for good manners, beauty or tidiness, and surely not for elegance or grace. Yet now we have a new species to consider; a mon- key possessed of all these good qualities, yet playful and active as any of its frisky kindred. For its introduction we are in- debted to Dr. Abbott of Philadelphia, who discovered it recently at Mount Kilima- Nijaro, in the eastern part of equatorial Africa, and brought back to America fine specimens. Not only are these monkeys neat, quiet and well behaved, but they are among the most beautiful of animals, and they are said to take the greatest care not to soll or to injure the beautiful coat of jong hair with which they are adorned. The drapery of silky, silvery-white hair begins at the shoulders, extends along the sides of the body, and meets over the lower Part of the back. When the animal springs swiftly from one bough to another, the = of this peeing Fp Fog e a ce 0: inged. e throat templen, ase oi the head, and a band above the eyes are also white; the rest of the body is covered with soft, glossy, jet black fur. The tail, which is unrivaled by that of any monkey in the world, is fringed with pure white hair that glistens like spun glass, and the hair gradually in- creases in length as it approaches the ti where it droops like @ festoon of ctlver? grasses. The five brought here by Dr. Abbott and presented to the Smithsonian Institution are, with one exception, it is believed, the only specimens that have ever been seen outside the native home of the animal. The | caudatus, as this species has been named, belongs to a remarkable genus of so-called thumbless monkeys, which have in the last ten years furnished millions of victims to the goddess fashion. T! have been so greatly in demand for robes, capes and muffs, that the whole race is in danger of extinction. The Ideat “Every time I drink I've got to give up work. So I had to give it up for good.” “What—drink?" “No. Work.” heir beautiful skins | PROVED HIS COURAGE. The Remarkable Act of a Federal Officer Accused of Cowardice. From the Bowling Green Democrat. War times and adventures was the bur- Gen of the conversation among a half dozen veterans of the civil War the other day. War stories are always entertaining, and each one of this party was ready with some “I have read many stories,” said one of the old soldiers, “of individual exhibitions of bravery during the but I witnessed @ duel between two ‘high rank that had I read it I would have believed it the product of imagination.” erate, with a small force, would visit « fayette one night, and an i capture was arranged. Soon enough raider put in appearance, expected, and Major Brackett thought ‘was at last corraled. Woodward at it surrounded, as = ett thought, and the sigi the Union men to t E been i its H Ps lis HE ue i i ———$ oo JERRY SIMPSON LIKES TO FISH. But He Believes in the Old-Fashionea ‘Way—His Game-Eel Story. “Do any of you gentlemen like to fish?” asked Jerry Simpson from behind his gold- bowed glasses, addressing more particularly the Washington correspondent of the sas City Times. “I am passionately % angling as a pastime. I can't say I Amos Cummings and some of Izaak Waltons of the house. I iH TE z i 3 i if ¢ 3 3 g : gentle sport was out nut river in Rp g i H place. I cut a plum bushes. It my arm at the butt and strong EL ede <e | oF I : i a4 a Hat Ee felsiae ig i | ifs i | district that away? Well, | done anything. He'd just | Maybe he'd curl his tail a the limit. But this eel of mi was the galeest eel I ever m up the moment he hit the grass | for the water on the run—pole, And game! When I headed him y & a iH ma § Sega HL & E i f £ £ if Ee i Fz Hi. in : : fia ‘ti f in the Walnut, where he as well have tried to stop ——-22______ ‘The Deepest Water fm the From the San Francisco Examiner. In many respects the North Pacific resembles the North Atlantic. A ‘warm current, much like the gulf and of equal magnitude, called the stream or Japan current, runs north’ along the eastern shore of Asia. Close the east coast of Japan it flows through marine valley which holds the deepest water in the world. It was sounded at depth of five and a quarter miles by the United States steamer Tuscarora in while surveying for a projected cable route between the United States and Japan. The hour to sink to the bottom, But trial was made of a chasm yet more profound, where the scad aid not fetch it up at all. It is the only depth of ocean that yet unfathomed. i § teh Evers man having a beard should keep tt an even and natural color and if itis mot so ~~ Buckingham’s Dye aud appear dy.