Evening Star Newspaper, November 23, 1895, Page 14

14 THE -EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. BIRD ARCHITECTURE | Some Curicus Nests to Be Found in This Locality. BIGGEST AND THE SMALLEST SPECIMEN At This Season the Homes of Birds Can Be Studied. ——_e—___ THE EAGLET’ CRADLE ——— Ss ASHINGTON HOLDS lovers of bird who would, if they could, have a closer friendship with the many interesting forms found around us. With the majori- ty the great factor is time, and a great deal of that essential com- modity is required in a successful study of our little friends. Perhaps no. single branch of study will give a closer insight in- to the habits of a bird than a study of their nests, and just now with the leaves barely off the trees and before the delicate struc- tures have been injured by the fall winds is the very best times to examine them; they are easier to find and easier of access, and a day spent in the woods now will yield far better results than at any other time of the year. It is always a source of surprise when walking in the woods after the leaves have dropped to note the great quantity of birds” nests, while an inspection a few weeks later will show a large decrease in the number. ‘The reason is that, with the exception of a few placed in sheltered positions, nests are such delicate structures, they soon go to ces after being exposed, many of them sting only a few weeks after the young have flown Washington bird Ife is extremely varied, hown to so good an ad s by a glance at some of their delicate are cthers that one might almost imagine their owners to be inhabitants of another clime, and, indeed, in two or three Three-Storied Nest of Yellow Bird. instances birds common to this section are closely related to some very remarkable birds of foreign countries. One of the most interesting facts about birds of this locality fs that the largest bird in North America is among them, as ts also the very smallest, namely, the bald eagle end the humming bird. The writer knows of three nests of the bird of freedom, all within rifle shot of Mount Vernon—two on the same side of the river, and one within sight of Marshall Hall. The one represented by the illustration is within plain sight from the road leading west from the lodge gate at Mount Vernon, and is within a quarter of a mile of that place. It is an immense struc- ture, as can be seen from comparison with the man seated tn it, and who ts holding eloft cne of a set of two eggs that now adorns a collection gradually forming to show the local oology. ‘The nest itself measures about six feet in diameter, and nearly fifteen in_circumfer- ence, ind is bullt of sticks and branches, many of them of a size almost beyond belief. It has heen used for yerrs, the birds adding to its bulk each year as portions dropped away. A Delicate Structure. To pass from this massive structure to the dainty domicile of the humming bird seems almost like descending from the sublime to the ridiculous; yet I can assure you there is nothing whatever ridiculous about this beautiful nest, for beautiful it certainly is. Imagine, if you can, a little ball of vegetable and caterpillar downs, and spiderwebs,about the size of a good hickory nut, near the ex- tremity of a small branch, and so deftly plastered all over with lichens as to appear even upon close scrutiny to be merely a knot on the branch—and you have the nest of the smallest bird in America. There seemed to be something quite unique in find- ing a nest of this bird within sight of that of the bird of liberty, and both so near the home of the father of his country. The humming bird is an abundant breeder in the District. Probably the most curious specimen of bird architecture is a three-storied nest of Nest of Woodpecker. the summer yellow bird, taken by the writer some years since, It iNustrates an only too f ly in bird life. Most of us are with that parasite among birds, the cow bird his bird never builds a or cow bunting. nest of its own, ut Socks the nest of some other and gener- Ally smaller bird than itself in which its eggs are deposited. The various species that are thus imposed upon are too numer- ous to mention here, but our Httle summer warbler cr yellow bird is, perhaps, most frequently a victim. In many instances the fraud seems not to be discovered, but in one instance it was discovered each time, and the bird displayed no small amount of thought in attempting to circumvent the intr rs. Careful separation of the three nests showed the lower one to contain two eggs of the y+llow bird and one of the cow bird; the second story contained three of the cowhird and two of the rightful owner, while the third and last attempt at a home two of the interloper and none severing little fellows, who had up as a bad job and gone else- Nest of the Ortole. class of builders, the work of which will be scen in any woods, are the weavirg birds. These comprise many va- Fietics, and many beautiful nests are built by them. The little structures suspended from the fork of some sapling are gener- ally the work of some one of the vireos, and ore cannot help admiring the grace- fulness and ingenuity shown in many of them. Prominent among these hanging nests is that of the. oriole, or hang bird, and here we get a perfect marvel of dex- Engle’s Nest at Mt. Vernon. terity. Any soft fabric found is used, and the fondness shown by the birds for bright colors Ww: ance, who exposed 5 and blue worsteds until a certain nest v completed, the grotesqueness of which be imagined. The orioles are closely r lated to the weaver birds of Africa that breed in immen: colonies, and build one mense nest, divided off into compart- ts for each pair. Another beautiful example of weaving is that in the ball nest of the marsh wren. It is made of rushes and lined with the down from cat tails, and has a small circular ori- fice for-entrance on one side. They are at- tached to the stronger and more vigorous reeds, and a search now before the winds get in their work will be sure to be suc- cessful. We now come to an entirely of architects—those that excavate homes in the d —the woody e ‘These ni a study t is no better place to find them tha along Pirey br: above P' Mill on both sides of Rock creek, Any whe in fact, where dead timber is to be found. Woodpeckers have a mathematical the entrance to the nest is ge! cular as if d bed by a pair of compasse: and looks very much as shown in the figur Internally it widens out to form the c and a section would look very much as repr: sented. Many of the species are quite methodical in thelr w: nship, and the entrances as smooth as if bored with an auger, whilesothers are clumsy affairs. One beautiful nest of the little downey wood- pecker is on exhibition in the Smithsonian, and others just like it are not uncommon. Feathered Clit Dwellers. Tf, now, the searcher after knowledge will go to Four-mile run and to the sandbanks there, he can form the acquaintance of the feathered cliff-dwellers—for the banks are honeycombed with the burrows of bank swallows, with here and there one of the kingfisher, the only difference being in the size and lemgth of the excavation. A little work with a spade now will show some in- teresting featu In the case of the swal- low a straight tunnel extends for perhap: two feet, ending in a smail pocket lined with a few straws and feathers, but in that of the “king of fishers” it is some five to eight feet in length, with a di 1 crook toward the termination, which is roomy and abundantly strewn with fish bone: Who is there among the lovers of birds that has not listened with delight to the flute-like notes of the wood thrush or the delicious carols of a spring robi Both be- lcng to the same family, and are the oul: thrushes breeding with Their nests are alike and yet very unlike; they form quite a distinct class frum any ave have spoken of, and I knew of no better locality in which to find them than the woods near Four-mile Run. Both of these birds are probably better known than any others, yet how many can tell one nest from the other? The greatest difference is that the robin uses mud with which he plasters the grass- es and straws into a firm mass, while the wood thrush, daintier by far, weaves leaves, pine rootlets and grasses into a deli- cate flimsy structure barely able to sustain the weight of the bird. A characteristic feature of it is that from the bottom usu- ally dangles a bunch of string, shreds of cloth, paper or clumps of fine grass, often a foot or more. Perhaps some wiseacre can fathom this eccentricity and tell us its use? Having touched upon the homes of vari- ous birds as usually found, this sketch would hardly be complete without a passing reference to curiosities occasionally found, and which any person is apt to run across at times. Prominent among these Is a hu- man skull, picked up on an old batilefield, and containing a nest of the house wren. This curio is on exhibition in the Smithso- nian ccllection, and is the mest unique thing known in this line. A pair of robins so far departed from their usual habits as to butld a nest on the trestle of a railroad, and so close beneath the rail as to be forced to fiy off at the passage of trains. In spite of fre- quent disturbances, a full brood was raised. An energetic house wren was only pleased to deposit her eggs after filling the larger portion of a small bore cannon with nesting material, while still another was persistent in her attempts to construct a nest over an electric light lamp. ——.—_—_. WHY HE LEFT ARKANSAS. He Found the State Too Mean for a Gentleman of Taste to Live In. Frem the Buffalo Express. “Why did you leave Arkansas?" asked the curiovs boy of the man who had tramped across the continent. “Why? Because the people of Arkansas are too stingy for a decent man to live “Well, I should say {t was so. Why, when I was Cown there I was ketched tak- ing a chicken. The men got around me, and some cne said that as it would cost semething for attorney’s fees and so forth to try me, they’d better save expenses by lynchin’ me. I didn’t mind that so much. That's a custom of the country down there, and we allus expect it. But when they be- gan callin’ for a rope, an’ it was discovered that no one had one, instead of goin’ off an’ at do you suppose they pro- posed to do “What did they propose to do?” “They proposed to take off my breeches, being the cnly clcthes that I had that was strong enough te hold my weight, and hang me vith them. Just think what an inde- cency that would have been! It was a lit- tle mcre’n I could stand, an’ I says to ‘em: ‘Gentlemen,’ says I, ‘this country is too mean a one for me to stay tn. If you let me free I'll quit the state and never come back. jo they let you go “They did. Said that would save all ex- pense, just the same. “Good-Bye.” Good-bye, good-bye, It is the sweetest blessing falis frou: mortal ps on mortal ear, of our human Love confessing, at a love more strong Is near— y God be with you! Why do we say it when the tears are starting? Why imvst a word so sweet bring only paint Our love seems all sufficient till the parting— And then we feel it tmpyteut and vaiu— May God be with y Better than earthly presence, e’en the dearest, Is the great blessing that our partings bring} For in the lonellest moments God 1s p st, ‘And from our sorrows heavenly comforts spring, It be with you. latest breath we say it, and faith, and love; we curnot long delay ft, we hope to meet above, God be with us. « Parting But, ot Goo. ve—tis all Our love more stroug than death ts helpless still, we have for one another, For owe an take the burden from his brother, Or shield, xcept by prayer, from any ill— May God be with you! ~J. BEEMERES. ———- -+#0+- Murder Will Out. From Pearson's Weekly. “Excuse me," said the detective, as he preserted himself at the door of the music academy, “but I hepe you'll give me what information you have and not make any fuss.” “What do you mean?” was the indignant inquiry. “Why, that little affair, you know.” “I don’t understand. “Why, you see, we got a tip from the house next door that somebody here has teen murdering Wagner, and the chief sent me down to work up the case.” _ about doubled. TO UNITE WHEELMEN Movement in the Interest of Greater Sociability. ANNUAL VISIT 10 OTHER CITIES It is Proposed to Begin With Bal- timore, Then Philadelphia. LOCAL CYCLING a For cities situated so close as Baltimore and Washington there is a remarkable lack of affiliation between the cyclists of the two places, and a movement has just been in- augurated teading to abolish the existing state of affairs and to bring about a warm- ing feeling for the general gcod of the sport and for the individual advancement of the riders of the two cities. Wheelmen on the road are a permeative set, and to this ex- tent the bicyclists of the capital and monu- mental city may be affiliated, but the friend- ly feeling goes no further. If anything there rs to be a decided antagonistic feeling. is natural that there should exist a rivalry between the whcelmen of both cities, tending to bring the honors of cycling con- tesis te their respective cities, but there is ason why this rivalry should not be of a friendly nature. The movement which should be welcomed by the cy places. As the Washington wheelmen are taking the initiative, the local cyclists should join hands to make the thing a suc- cess. It premises to b but the starting point cf more intimate relations tending to the mutual benefit. If the riders of Balti- more and this city arrange matters, it is highly probable that the movement will be extended sc as to take in the city of broth- erly love, forming a hond of good fellow- ship among the cyclists of the three cities. When onc? set in motion the movement means the formation of united clubs in all of the cities, to which all riders are to be ad- mitted, with but one common object in view —a broader and fuller enjoyment of cycling. Bri outiined, the scheme is for the wheelmen of each city to visit one another at least once a year in a body and spend one day of mutual good will. The cyclers of this for instance, visit the other ¢ n a good time by the wheelmen of the respective places. In re- turn the local cyclists are to do the honors with the riders of the other cities when the return trip is made. More than this annual pilgrimage, the riders of the different cities will, it is expected, show up in larger num- berg ¢t race meets, thereby lending addi- tional interest to events. Mr. William H. Henshaw of the Queer Wheelmen is the leader in the movement. He is a Raltimor a he is ably assisted by Mr. W. K. Larrimore, who also comes from the same city. Roth of these gentl men to further the movement are willing at their own expense to visit Baltimore and even Philadelphia to start the movement in those cities. Mr. Henshaw has drawn up the following appeal to local bicycle riders only: “The Americ, tho mith, a law: has been started ists of both h he be a preacher, er or anything else, at times have enthusiastic though ney may, and do, IT hope, differ, but this enthusi be it little or great, is not only natural, hut quite essential, both for happi- and health. e riders of an el, any club or unattached, listen! Wh is it not possible for us, the riders of Wash- ington, to form a united club for the pur- pose of receiving large delegations of wheel- men? To begin this great undertaking let us give a run in the city of Baltimore, say, Sunday, December 1, the entire delegation to go on special train at 10 o'clock a.m., via the Raltimore and Ohio railroad, and. re- turning, reach Washington at 6:30 p.m., In ample time for usual Sunday eve engage- ments. If 100 wheels go the rate will prob- ably be $1, or perhaps $1.25, for the round trip. Let each and every one who will take any interest in this affair, which is one of the greatest, help push the movement along. For those who are willing to go and help a special meeting can he called at any time at my residence, 1002 K street northwest. To those who have not been to Baltimore the following route, perhaps fifteen miles riding, will give all of the sights to be seen on a Sabbath day in the city, and at the same time making a pretty ride. It is only offered as a suggestion, and is as follows: From Camden station to Eutaw place, to Lexington street, to Fulton avenue, to La- fayette street, to Eutaw place, thence to Druid Hill Park, around the lake to main entrance, to the Pimlico road, to Arlington, to Mount Washington, to Charles Street avenue, to North avenue, to Broadway, to Baltimore street, to Patterson Park avenue, to the celebrated shell road, with dinner at Point Breeze or Steelton, and return. nes The Thanksgiving Road Race. Arrangements for the Sterling road race on Thanksgiving day are progressing smoothly, and the extension of the time in which to file entry blanks will doubtless be taken advantage of by many more riders. The list of entries received up to the first date of closing, which was published in The Star yesterday, was read with interest, as was also the list of prizes. The weather, it is hoped, will be moderate enough to permit good riding, though at this season of the year the elements are so changeable as to prevent good racing. Colored Wheelmen. The local association of United American Cyclists, the colored wheelmen’s national or- garization, was held Tuesday at 1005 R street, at which President Lacy officiated. The increase in local membership is very gratifying to the officers, and the District promises to be the banner division of the bedy. There are enough riders in this city to Capital BL. Noten. Mr. Irwin Williamson, the president of the Capital Bi. Club, who has been confined to bis room since August 28, suffering with an abscess, is rapidly recovering, and will soon be out again. Dr. W. D. Wirt of the same club, and chairman of the amusement committee, is in Atlanta, Ga., taking in the sights of the cotton states exposition. The run of the Capital Bi. Club last Sun- day waa scheduled for Marlboro’, but on ac- count of the rains of the previous days the rcads were thought to be in too bad condi- tien for cycling, and the run was changed to Great Falls, the condition of the Conduit rcad being judged to be ridable. Six mem- bers went up, and on the return were met by a number of other club members, the entire aggregation being caughtin the rain. If the weather of tomorrow permits, the Marlboro’ ride will in all probability be taken. Mr. Franklin Jannus and his wife gave a pleasant dinner last evening at their pretty residence, 222 New Jersey avenue, to the riding members of the Capital Bi. Club, among the ranks of which Mr. Jannus is a prominent member. The first “smoker” of the club was given at the club house last Saturday night, and proved to be a great success, reflecting much credit upon the new amusement committee, which got the affair up in quick time. The attendance was limited to the club members, and an evening of solid enjoyment was spent. The feature—and at the same time the most amusing part—of the program was the singing, dancing and humorous selec- tions of a quartet of darkies, who were smuggled in for the occasion. Capt. J. Bartlett Hills has just completed a little summary of the read riding of the club, which begins with April 7 and runs up to October 27. During this time there were twenty-seven club runs, representing forty- five days on the road. The total distance covered in that time is 2,121 miles, which makes an average of over forty-seven miles for every day spent on the public highways. The total distance is almost equal to a trays- continental trip. This is perhaps the best showing that can be made by any club in the country, and if the individual rides of other members were added to the club total, the mileage would be Among the club runs are several tours, one of which extended for two weeks, while there are several others which lasted for three and four days or more. The Military Cyclists. The military cyclists just at present are more deeply interested in the successful outcome of their relay ride to New York than in any cther one thing. The publica- tion in The Star last week completely cov- NOTES ered everything, with perhaps one or two of the mincr ,jetails, which had not then been arranged. The pacing of the riders on the first relay, extending from this city to Columbia, Md., will be left to the local riders. No ciub/in particular will be asked to make the yace, but all local riders are invited to assist. ‘Lieut. Frank Libbey has requested most of the clubs to assist In the pacing, and there is no doubt that plenty of riders will be on hand on Sunday morning, December 1, to give the riders a rousing send-off. At the last meeting of the company it was decided tq give a dance some time within the first two weeks of next month, the proceeds of* which will be used to de- fray the expense incurred by arranging for the relay ride. ‘The dance will be held at the National Rifles’ armory. If this is su cessful the contemplated fair next Febru- ary at the Light Infantry armory will be given up. anh Capt. S. H. Wiggins is using every means to get the men in good condition for the riding that is expected of them. Last Sun- day he took the company out on the Con- duit road and kept every member on the “scorch.” To make the work appear less tedious to the members of the company a paper chaSe will be inaugurated tomorrow and the men kept at riding for a three hours’ stretch. The members will assem- ble at the armory tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, when a man will be chosen as leader, or really as the “fox,” perhaps given an assistant and a half hour start. At intervals the “fox” will drop small bits of paper, by means of which he will be traced. The glory goes to the rider who first catches up with the “fox.” The terri- tory for the “fox” is unlimited, and if not caught at the end of three hours he re- turns to the armory. Queer Wheelmen. Several members of the Queer Wheelmen rode out to Cabin John bridge last Sunday, though as a club no run was taken. To- morrow a run has been scheduled for Great Falls, with Dickey’s as the objective point. The invitations to the first dance of the club, which will be held Wednesday even- ing, December 4, at National Rifles’ arm- ory, have made their appearance, and their uniqueness has occasioned general com- ment. The decoraticn committee, of which Mr. L. O. Slack was appointed chairman, was announced during the week, and consists of Messrs. William H. Henshaw, Robert P. Clokey, W. R. Larrimore, H.R. Dawley FB. L. Vogt, John Woerner and G Boyd. In addition to this comm sistance will be rendered by ¢ of the club, The hall will be prett rated on the ocea: and Schroede chestra, seated on the stage, will he sc ed by a 1 of palrrs and tropical plz Mr. Frank Ghiselli of the Q' men, who was injured at the the Washington Road Club, October 19, has entirely recovered from the effects of his all. deco- A Trip Planned. Mr. W. T. Robertson of the Washington Road Club has arranged for an enjoyable P, which will be started on Thanksgiving s planned, the trip will last for four days, during which time the men will have to cover 466 miles. As mapped out, the cyclists will not ride over sixteen hours a day, m i the total maximum’ riding time sixty-four hours, while the cost of the whole trip, including meals and lodging, per man will not exceed $5. The schedule of the trip is as follows: Leave Washington at 6 o'clock on the morning of Thanksgiving day, and ride without intermission to Frede where dinner will be n. After a suitable lay over the ride will be resumed and contin- ued to Martinsburg, W. Va., where the night will be'spent, making a total distance of 101 miles for the The ride will be resumed the next morning at 6 o'clock, the only stop being at Woodstock, Va., where dinner will be enjoyed. The night will be spent at Statintott, after a day’s ride of 129 miles. The next morning the return trip will be commenced over the same route, stopping at the same places as on the out- ward trip. A list of riders, made up some days ago, comprised the following: W. T. Robertson and C. L. Palmer, C. E. Wood and mate, on tandems; W. R. Mackyille, Kempton Miller, C. T. Ronsaville, “Bert Moore, George Si Ball, W. H. Ronsaville, Harry Z. Greer and C. M. McClure. On ac~ count of the Thanksgiving day road race and the twenty-mile club road supremacy race coming in the intertm, some of the above named will probably drop out. Cyéling Not Fred. A. L. Schade will visit Portsmouth, Va., on Thanksgiving day and participate in the race meet of the Portsmouth Cycle Club on the Port Royal course. He is en- tered in six races, opens and handicaps, which includes the mile championship of Virginia, which Schade at present holds. The proposed century run of the Liberty Wheelmen to Frederick City last Sunday had to be abandoned on account.of the bad condition of the roads, due to the wet weather of the week. A short visit to Rockville was made instead. Tomorrow the club has a run scheduled to Laurel, Md., a distance of about thirty- five miles, round trip. Like most of the local clubs, they have covered almost all the ground within a day's ride of the city, making it a difficult task to select a route of sufficient Interest to bring out their fuil strength. Chief ‘Consul G. W. Cook will spend Thanksgiving day at Barnesville, Md., in > company with friends, spending the time in hunting. Dickey’s, at Great Falls, will be the ob- jective point tomorrow of a. number of local unattached riders of both sexs, un- der command of Mr. T. A. Newman, for- merly captain of the Columbias and also the Georgetown Cycle club. During the week a curiosity in cycles was found in the four-wheeled tandem used by the midgets who appeared at Kernan’s Theater. The tandem was nothing more than two minute wheels held abreast of each other with co- 1ec*ing rods, being con- structed especially or their use. The total weight of the whole was about thirty-five pounds, and the distance from the ground to the saddle was about eighteen inches. The wheels were fifteen and a half inches in diameter, and the machine was seared to thirty-five and one-half. The saddles were about six Inches long by four wide, while the pedals were about two inches long of the rat trap pattern. The whee} base was about two feet. The midgets only used the machine at night, on account of the crowds which would follow them dur- ing the daytime, and frequently during the week they rode around nearly the whole n'ght. The Dupont Cycle Club held a meeting Thursday at the club house of the Wash- ington Road Club, but no business of im- portance was transacted. The Washington Road Club is scheduled to make a trip to Frederick. The riders will start at 9 o'clock this evening, and by easy riding calculate to reach their destination at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning. The party will ride back Sunday afternoon. Among those going are Messrs. Wood, Ronsaville, Ball, Hodges, Robertson, [is- choff, Petze, Greer, Burrows and a number of others. The Road Club is dissatisfied with the present remote location of its club house and a committee, consisting of Dr. W. W. Hodges, A. M. Tubman and C. 1. Petze, has been appoifited to secure a centra] location, The most remarkable feat of the year in the bicycli world is the performance of Angus MeL he crack Canadian class B racer, who sUcc@sded in riding a mile in the wonderful ttme@f 1.35 2-5 and without as- sistance by pafing. His course was a straightaway road along the bank of the St. Clair river,Just south of Sarnia, Ontario, which was Jatcurately surveyed, and the ride is well authenticated. McLeod rode a %-gear whgel, d had a favorable wind. The best previoug record was 1.52 3-5, made by Leonert, in Buffalo, while Edwards of San Franciseo hYlds the fastest paced mile record of 1.34 4-% receiving assistance from @ quad. & No cyclist 1s permitted to ride on the streets of St. Petersburg without a permit from the chief of police, and that function- ary, acting under orders, refuses to allow women to ride: Recently a wheel-woman, having demonstrated her ability to ride, was granted a permit after much red tape. Unfortunately she met with a mishap and injured herself severely in a fall from the machine. Her permit to ride was revoked, and through this circumstance the Russian authorities have doomed cycle riding by ladies in the province of the czar. Here is a true pen picture of the great Zimmerman, as written by a French artist: “Thin and sinewy, with nothing indicative of the cyclist; dress, most correct; sharp features, under a straw hat with a red rib- bon. See him walk along the street, his figure sways from side to side as if dis- jo:nted; his legs, which on the pedals are like steel, seem now broken; his gait that of a savage duck accustomed to devour space; and awkward in his walk; and on his smooth-shaven face the serene air of an emperor. DIPLOMATIC SKILL Prominence Given to the Venezuelan Minister by Recent Events. TRAINED AS LAWYER AND POLITICIAN Some Characteristics of the Man and His Methods. HIS HOME LIFE HERE es Senor Andrade, the Venezuelan minister, promises tu be much in the public eye this winter. In a quiet and unobtrusive way he has been doing a great deal of skiliful diplomatic work in the two years of his residence in Washington. He has been fencing with Sir Julian Pauncefote, and ap- pears to have proved a good match for that astute diplomat. But it is only within the past few months that the public have be- come cognizant that such a duel was in progress. ‘The Venezuelan boundary dispute is such an old story that it was little expected to develop anything of inierest at this time, and the letter on the subject written by Mr. Olney to Ambassador Bayard was more th: month old before the public began to realize that the question had sprung into importance. Even now, after much has been written on the subject, compara- tively little is known about what has trans- pired. Under the surface, in the smooth and easy way of diplomacy, the Brit! ambassador and the Venezuelan minister have been measuring their skill one against Venezuelan Minister. the other. Sir Julian was sent to this coun- try with the Venezuelan question probably most particularly in view, as he was fa- miliar with the subject. Sir Julian is a diplomat of long training and wide experience. With great prestige, high social qualities and insinuating ad- dress, he easily attained considerable in- fluence with the administration, particular- ly with Mr. Cleveland. Senor Andrade is now having his first experience as a repre- ive of his government in a diplomatic city in a foreign country. He fs a rand politician, who has held many positions of prominence at home, but has not heretofore been in diplomatic service. He is a man little past middle age, of quiet and retiring manner, whose shrewd- ress is massed under a perfectly frank and ingenuous bearing. The Minister Pictured. Like most of the Latin race, he is small of stature, and, unlike the generality of that race, is entirely free from impetuos- ity and nervousness of manner, The most phlegmatic Englishman might learn quiet and reserve from him. There is not the suggestion of aggressiveness about him. Possessing a remarkable power of secre- liveness, there is no appearance of cunning either in his speech or in the expression of his countenance. He is slow and deliberate in speech, almost to the point of reluctance, and has a low, gentle voice, somewhat deferential, but dignified in tone. Treatment of Newspaper Men. Since the Venezuelan question has been sss ens FLOWER GIRLS IN REAL LIFE. The Kind That Flourish in Venice and Naples and Their Way: From the Chicago Record. The “flower girls” of Italy are worse than the peddlers, The “girl” is usually a plump and pic- turesque creature, aged anywhere from twenty-five to forty, and possessed of “nerve” even beyond her years. She flour- ishes best in Venice and Naples, but there is no certainty of escaping her anywhere. Suppose a stranger seats himself at a table in St. Mark's square, Venice, to listen to the evening band concert. No sooner has he seated himself than the flower girl advances on him, preceded by the witchery of a beaming smile. She will place a flower in his buttonhole. He may prevent her doing so by rising and offering physieal resistance, but oth- erwise ie must accept the flower. After the flower has been placed there he may re- move it and offer it to her, but she will laugh coyly and refuse to take it back. He may throw it on the ground, but that would be rude. Suppose that he accepts the inevitable and decides to leave the flower in his but- tonhole. He puts his hand into his pocket and says to the flower girl, “How much?” “Oh, whata you please.” She knows her business. If he gives her 50 centimncs or more she knows that she will regard him an easy victim of her extortion, whereas if he gives her only two or three small coppers she will say, “Eet ees not and politely revile him. The un- protected man has little chance against the large and determined flower girl. —+2+— On Business. From the Chicago Tribune. Caller—“I wish to see the lady of the house, Man of the House—“If you have any busi- ness with her, perhaps I can—" “I prefer to see the lady herseif.” “Would you mind stating your business?” “I'll state it to the lady.” “If it's anything you've got to sell I don’t think she would want it. “It's an individual kitchen utensil, but I couldn't make a man understand it. I know =" want it in a minute if she could see I am q use for it anyway “I can sit down and wait.” It won't do any good. z Is there any reason why I can’t see er?"" ., Oh, no. You can see her if you want to. She's my grandmot and she's blind. She is ninety years old, hasn't been out of bed since 188%, and you'll find her in the next room. One of the neighbors who has e sure she wouldn’t have any e is very much occupied now, exciting intcrest, he has been much sought by newspaper writers, but he has given the impression of not being desirious of excit- ing popular sympathy with his cause through the press. He is probably the most accessible of the diplomatic corps, and is amiable and accommodating of his time. Without appearing to conceal anything, he is so clever and shrew1 in keeping his own counsel that prohably the men with whom he has talked most freely cannot point out an ftem of informaticn drawn from him which might not have been had from pub- lic official documents. He is chary of being quoted, even for such information, and he never indicates a desire to influence the tone of the press. No sort of skill in questioning leads him to depart from his seeming ingenuousness of reply, nor betrays him by any possibility into revealing a secret. He never con- fesses to ihe possession of any information as to the attitude of this country towards the boundary dispute, not even to the ex- tent of krowing that there has been any correspondence between the United States and Great Britain on the subject. When the matter is discussed in his presence he is surrounded by an atmosphere of im- penetrable guilelessness and innocence. Aroused Interest and Sympa’ All the while he has persistently sinuatingly and always opportunely pre: the metter upon the State Department without giving the impression of being im- portunate. In his manrer of diplomacy he is in some respects much like Minister Romero, whose influence does not depend upon ostentation, and whose diplomacy is tco adroit to atiract attention. In two years Senor Andrade has been able to ex- cite interest and secure the sympathy of this administration. He laid the founda- tion of his influence by the manner in which he conducted the negotiations and settled the claims of this country against Venezuela, when representing his country on the mixed commission which met in Washington about the time of the Pan- American congress. His Diplomatic Career. Senor Andrade was Venezuela's ‘commis- sioner at the Pan-American congress in 1889 and 1890, and then sat In the claims commission. Prior to that, in 'S8, he con- ducted the negotiations with the French commissioner as a member of the mixed commission sitting in Caracas, which re- sulted in the satisfactory adjustment of the French claims against Venezuela which had previously caused some irritation. The American claims had been adjudicated by a mixed commission at Caracas before the meeting of the new commission in Washington, but the decision was unsatis- factory to Venezuela, and a plea was made to this country to agree to a new commis- sion, instructed to take up all the claims de novo. Senor Andrade conducted the negotiations to that end, and succeeded in convincing this government that the cases should be retried. He served on the new commission, and a settlement was speedily arrived at which satisfied both countries. After the commission was dissolved a new claim was presented, and that has been settled in ne- gotiations, brought to a close last March. Today Venezuela is meeting the payments directed by the award of the commission, and there is nu question of dispute or claim pending between the two countries. The settlement was reached without frrita- tion or dissatisfaction. His Family Circle. When Senor Andrade was here attending the Pan-American congress he was ac- companied by his wife, but his wife died before he was appointed minister, and his family now consists of two grown daugh- ters and two sons, one a lawyer and one a doctor, the latter a graduate of Georgetown University. They reside in a house on Towa Circle, which was presented to Mrs. Grent, and in which Gen. Grant and his family at one time resided. Senor Andrade was governor of the state of Zulia and the speaker of the house of representatives. He has served in both the house and senate of Venezuela, and is now a member of the senate, being appointed from that body as mir ister to the United States. a sick child has called in to ask her advice. Nearly every family arcund here has got the measles and. “Good land! Let me get out of here!” ~ —-@e. How Sweet of Her. From the Kansas City Journal. Husband—‘*Why so happy?” Wife—“Bridget is going to remain with us after all. Mrs, Jones, for whom she was going to work, died last night. Wasn't it sweet of her?” cp ar ~ + dust Waiting. From the Chicago Record. Str: it?” Weolly West—“You bet.” Stranger What are you going to do this winter? Woolly West—“T'm "bout to trade for two more dogs, an’ soon's I make the dicker we're goin’ to start back to wife's folks.” o-- A Doy’s Trick. in four pictures.) From the Fliegende Blaetter. nee! Hard farming out here, I take Wi. Ose CDePeDerL—REETEREDED Now Ready. The Beautiful Christmas Number of Wma y ooo THE- CENTURY CO-UNION SQUARE: News A CHRISTMAS BOOK FOR 25 CENTS. CONTAINING The First of ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON’S «Letters to Young Friends.” A Christmas Poem, «TheDream-March of the Children,” By JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. A Complete Story by MRS. BURTON HARRISON. Beginning a Serial, ** Betty Leicester's English Christmas,” by SARAH ORNE JEWETT. A Christmas Frontispiece, “Ho, for the Christmas Tree!" CHRISTMAS STORIES, “How a Street-Car Came in a Stockh “A Christmas White Elephant,"’ etc. CHRISTMAS POEMS. CHRISTMAS PICTURES. WHY NOT MAKE YOUR YOUNG FOLKS THE GIFT OF A_ SUBSCRIPTION “CHRISTMAS 12 TIMES A YEAR"? 25 cents a number, $3.00 a year. All dealers sell numbers and take sub- scriptions, or remittance may be made to THE CENTURY CO., Union Square, New York. NEW PUBLICATIONS. nd Sketches. By Canada’s’ Fron- eat Wet.” “Chicago and the ‘Ke. Iistrated. New. York: Washington: Woodward Southern Scenes author of DIXIE; Or, Julian World 2 Harper & Brothers. & Lothrop. Old-time readers of Harper's Magazine doubtless remember the quaint drawings and the interesting gossip of Porte Crayon, who essayed to illustrate the south before the war and to tell the story of its people. To such the present volume is of especial interest, bccause of the contrast which 1t zffords in more than one direction. The illustrations of Mr. Ralph's®book represent of course the latest development in the art, and occupy therefore relatively the same position as those of the earlier travel sketches, which were printed at a time when book illustration was not In a very advanced stage. Yet the pictures of Porte Crayon, crude as they were, and inclined to caricature, are today regerded highly by many critics, who realize that much of the difference between the pest and the pres- ent art is due to the difference of manners and costumes. The matter in Mr, Ralph's book is charmingly told in that free and easy style of narration {hat characterizes all of his works, and the chapter on “Our National Capital” is sufficient to give the volume a direct interest to Washington- ians. POOR'S DIRECTORY OF RAILWAY OFFICIALS and Manual of American Street Railways. No- vember, 1895. ‘Tenth Annual Number. New York: H. V. & H. W. Poor. Washington: Robert Beall. In addition to the information contained in the directory of officials, this volume has a growing value in the department relating to street railroads, which, according to this authority, have today a total length of 13,000 miles, an increase of over 3,500 miles in four years. Of this total over 400 miles are operated by steam dummies, nearly 600 miles by cable, nearly 2,000 by animal traction and over 10,000 by electric power. The rapid substitution of electric traction for animal power {s shown by the fatt that since 1891 the number of horses employed in the street railway service has declined nearly 125,000, or about 71 per cent, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. A Co! by William Shakespeare. iilustrated by § Finneore and F. L, Emanuel. Bilit dy Edric Vredenburg. New York: Raphael Tu & Sons. This is a beautiful edition of the Merry Wives. The cclored page illustrations are dainty bits, while the book is profuse in marginal pictorial notes. The print is first- class and the volume is an excellent exam- ple of the work done by Tuck & Sons. THE SORROWS OF SATAN: Or, the Strange Ex- perience of One Geoffrey ‘Kempest, Milllonat A_ Roman By Marie Co author “Baral J. B. Lippincott Co A YEAR OF SACRED SONG. Prose from Sources Old and New. Capps. Oliver. With Selections in By Martha Mlustrations From Water Color Sketches by C, Klein. New York: Raphael Tuck & Sons. THE CHILDREN’S SHAKESPEARE, FR. Nes- bit. Mlustrated Frances Brundage, M. Bowley, J. Willis Gray, Se. Edited by Bario Vredenburg. New York: Kaphael Tuck & Sons. THE RED OOCKADE. A By Stanley 4 author of “A Gentleman of Tlustrated. “New York: Harper & Brothers. Washington: Woodward & Lothrop, ThOUGHTS AND COUNSELS FOR WOMEN OF THE WORLD. By Mgr. Le Courtier, bishop of Montpelier. From the French by Marie G, Redfern, | Baltimore: John Murphy & Co. THE HEART OF OLD HICKORY AND OTHER STORIES OF TENNESS! By i Alem Dromgoole. With preface by B, O. Flower. Boston: The Arena Publishing Co. YEAR'S GOOD WISHES IN PROSE AND RY. Compiled by Martha C. Oliver, With Twelve Mustrations by F.C. Price. New York: Raphael Tuck & Sons. DOROPHY and Other Italian Stories. By Con stance Fenimore Woolsou. Iitustrated. New York: Harper & Brothers. — Washingtont Woodward & Lothrop. LiRICS OF LOVE AND NATURE. By Mary Berrl Chapman. With numerous fMnstrations by the author. New York: Frederick A. tokes Co A TRA - ‘The Wreck of the nna. jirk Russell. Weeks & Co. ten: Brer .. A Novel. ated from the ul Margueritte. By Helen B. Dole : Thomas Y. elt & Co. y Adolphus, SOME MEMORIES OF PARIS. By F. . Washingtont York: Henry Holt & Co, William Ballantyne & Sons, SLAIN _BY THE DOONES, and Other Stories. R. D, Blackmore, author of Lorna Doone. York: Dodd, Mead & Co, FAIRY STORIES AND FABLES. Second Readeg Grade. Retold by James Baldwin. New York? American Book Co. STORIES FOR CHILDREN. By Mrs. Charles A. ane. can Book . OLD GREEK STORIES. Third Reader Grade. B James Baldwin. New York: American Co, FABLES AND ESSAYS. By John Bryan of Ohiey New York: The Arts and Letteres Co, eae Unchaperoned Women in Parts. From the Bostan Transcript. For the benefit of the many Americans who still believe a woman is unsafe alone on the streets of Paris, I would say that, if such a condition of affairs ever did exist, there is no trace of it now, for not only is she safely independent in the day time, but {both in London and in Paris two -vomen together can go to any resp2ctable place of entertainment unaccompanied by a man, without a thought of being spoken to, oF even locked at. If anything contrary te this statement occurs, it is apt to be her own fault, quite as it would be in the Unit» ved States. By we First Reader Gra New York: Ai