Evening Star Newspaper, January 4, 1896, Page 13

EE Ee FABRICS IN SILK Great Variety as Well as Beauty in Designs. SOME NEW IDEAS IN PLAIDS Rough Cloth is Still the Feature of Stylish Gowns. ABOUT PETTICOATS HE SHOPS LOOK as though a cyclone had struck a rain- bow, splintered it to fragments and spread them around over the tables and counters. Such rich- ness of color, such rareness of shades, such beauty in ef- fect surely was never before attained any- where. The silks are rarticularly elegant. Some are of the soft India weaves with aj} colored leaf or flower sprinkled over them, giving a kind of changeable effect, and then there are the more wiry taffetas with a sheen of lights that change with every movement. Most beautiful of all perhaps are the printed silks, those with big red roses half covered with moss, or pink ones} buried in green leaves, or bunches of holly, or bouqvets of violets. You can pick your flower and have it served up by the deft salesman in attrac- tive folds, under the gaslight, or in the broad glare of the sun, just whichever light you expect to wear it in, and it will seem the very prettiest fabric that you ever saw. These silks don’t cost such a lot either. The Indias are only fifty cents a yard, any color, any shade of any color, and the printed ones run from a dollar to two a yard. For $1.50 ycu can get a lovely fabric, and when you stiffen it properly it will be as rich in effect as those elegant fabrics that your great grandmother paid six dollars a yard for, and expected them to last a life time and never be made over. ‘There are brocade effects in silk, too, Some in colors on black might have been painted by that best of all artists, nature, 80 perfect is the copy. Then there are the -satin brocades with their dainty flower ~ figures, strung, together in endless stripes by exquisitely colored ribbons with long floating ends and innumerable loops. In black silks and satins the styles run into infinity. Just now you cannot be quite up to date unless you have a black satin, smooth and plain and shiny. It must be confessed that there is something substan- tial looking about a thick black satin, and ‘ou instinctively feel that its wearer must a lady, or she would have chosen some- thing more showy. A satin tea gown that will give new grace to its handsome wearer right after New Year, is in the black and white ef- fect, so much sought after just now. The back of the beautiful creation is of black satin marveilleux. The front has a square yoke of the black, outlined with white os- trich feather trimming, and from it falls a full shirred front of thick white satin. The sleeves are very full and are trimme@ in odd fashion with plumes of white and “ black chiffon. One almest gets tired reading and writing about plaids, but every single week there comes it some new combination that would simply paralyze a canny Scot with .its beauty, and drive him crazy with a de- sire to locate the clan that supports it. ‘The plaid velvets are something new, and ¥ery rich. in combination with black vel- vet, the plaids of bright colored velvet are exceed:ngly chic. Early m her married life one of the handsomest gowns that Mrs. Cleveland wore was cf rich black velvet, with a foot trimming of ostrich feather bands, and a band: of bright plaid velvet, having lots of red in it, sandwiched in be- tween. There was a bit of a bonnet, with the colors of the plaid repeated in it.’ That of wearing them: has come Fack again. ‘or little children plaids are quite the thing. Nothing much prettier could be de- vised than a coat of green and black plaid, with muff, cuffs and front trimming of stone marten. The collar is of white cloth, lined with green and trimmed with marten tails. The hat should be of green felt, with bow and feather of different shades. of green. Rough cloth seems to forge abead, though the fashion wiseacres insisted early in the ; season that the craze for rough cloth would surely not last s . and that smooth thirgs w he most popular. which is heavy and stiff and ful in the bolt, makes e: Gant tailor-made gowns; but, really, a Man is foolish to order one unless she wants to worry off some of her flesh, for they are a burden, particularly in this cli- mate, where you want a swiss frock one gay and an india rubber cne the next, and but few days in the year when a heavy gown is at all acceptal Much of a wo- Man's strength is exhausted in carrying around a needless lot of dry goods. You don’t catch a man doing it, if he can help bimseif. it is whispered that alcng early in the winter two or three of the handsome young matrons who can bear those things off are going to have gowns built on real Pompa- dour lines, with the quilted petticoats lace trimmed and the full, flowered brocades opening over them under a sharp pointed basque! Won't they look perfectly elegant! To carry the idea out, they even contemplate wdered locks! It isn’t likely that that lea will ga‘n much support, however. The ‘Women of this end of the century like clean, THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES, 18 sweet-smelling locks, and won't have them pomaded ‘and’ ured up, to the detriment of the gro ef their well-groomed tresses. When the rain came unduly the other day, and spoiled the fun of the timid shop- pers, some of the “dressers” came out in rainy day costumes, and they certainly did look nice. One lady, who has a foot and arkle that would discount that of the stage Trilby, if not the real one, had a heavy black serge skirt that was three inches from the ground. It seemed to flare a gced bit, but it couldn’t have been stiffened. She had a short, double-breasted jacket, and her boots were good, stout, button ones, with extended cork soles and fairly high heels. The way she swung around through the slush and the water, unmind- ful of the clouds weeping above, or the mud that clogged the pavements, was perfectly delightful; she went and came at will, and seemed to wear a smile of superiority that was maddening to the women who plodded around in long skirts, which slapped dis- ccnsolately against wet ankles and wiped all tha mud off of the clumsy “goloshes,” Perhaps women will become real sensible after awhile. Did any of you see this gown at the New Year reception at the White House? The skirt was of rich, dark red velvet, and had two plaits in the back. The ' :-o-mut- ton sleeves were of velvet in melon puffs. The bodice was hid- den under an ermine jacket, with short, flaring skirts, with revers and epau- lettes of the ermine, all lined with white satin. About her waist was one of those fancy jeweled belts such as Cleo- patra might have worn, and she’ car- ried a muff with satin dress. She wore a beg hat of black velvet, with white plumes, ..4 a gleam of ruby velvet bows. She was a picture of health; and a medel of style. Just a short time ago the report went forth that no trimming was to be permitted at the foot of a gown, presumably, for fear some one would guess that an old skirt was being furbished up to look like new. Now ycv can trim with bands of velvet, or silk or fur, cr fur and lace points set to turn up, or a lace band between two bands of fur or velvet, indeed, yeu can trim the foot of your dress as much as you like. Rufiles of infinitesimal width are even per- mitted—two or three—and nothing is pret- tier than bands of bright-colored ribbon, ecvered with lace, which are still popular. The princess gown is gaining favor. It ovght to be very popular because it is such a sensible kind of dress with all the weight of the fabric, be it heavy or light, fastened on the shoulders. A very handsome one is of red and black checked velvet, and trim- med with a border of Russian sable. The vest and collar are of black satin, and the gigot sleeves are finished with a cap of the fur. Fur goes on everything, and if you can’t afford the real, you really must have the imitation. lined like her anes SOMETHING ABOUT CAPES. They Can Be Made at a Surprisingly Small Outlay. There is no use denying the fact that everybody who is anybody has a cape or two in her wardrobe. One for each out- door gown isn’t bad, but if you can't quite accomplish that, then you must have one opera cape, and one for common wear. It is safe to guess that capes are not going to reign much longer, because the manufac- turers won't stand it. Any woman who knows a pattern from a piece of wrapping paper can cut and make a pretty cape, and that is an economical fashion that isn’t to be endured. The fabrics most sought for capes are cloth, either broadcloth of a fine soft texture, or some of the crepons or boucle cloths. The lighter capes are lined with bright silks and satins, and are much trimmed with lace vnd ribbons and fur. A very handsome heavy cape can be made of a square of broadcloth which costs only $1.50 a yard, and it does not have to be lined Enough will trim off the corners to make a pointed collar, which may have an edging of fur, and a pretty clasp fixes you out at a cost of $2.50 at the very outside, count- ing the cost of a pat- tern, if you make it yourself. Of course the evening capes are gaud er and costlier, unless you know how to look for bargains and are deft with your needle. Very hand- some opera wraps can be made of velve- teen in the soft, light colcrs, and the ma- terial only costs eighty cents a yard. Four or five yards of velvet, with a quilted satin lining, an applique of handsome lace which has had cne season on a gown, and some of the new passementer‘es to brighten it up, will make a much handsomer cape at a cost of ten dollars than you could pos- sibly buy for $90. A handsome example of one of the home- made capes is found in a chameleon vel- vet of black and green, which is lined with green satin and has © black and green sat- in ribbon bows up the front. It has a broad bow in the back. For an elegant op- era wrap the des'gn given may be work- ed up in black vel- vet, with an over- cape of white vel- vet, on which rich white lace is ap- pliqued with tinsel e thread. The border- ing of fur makes it costly, but this might be omitted and the wrap yet be one that a rich woman might des‘re. = ae NO QUOTATIONS ON EARS. The Railroad Company Drew the Line at Paying for Lost Aural Appendages. From the Chicago Post. He had ene side of his head bandaged when he entered the office of the railroad company and approached one of the clerks. “Say,” he sald confidentially, as he leaned over the desk, “how much is a frozen ear worth?” “A what?" exclaimed the clerk. “A frozen ear,” repeated the stranger. “I can show you the loveliest frozen-ears you ever saw.” “But it’s of no use to me,” protested the clerk. “Of course not,” replied the stranger; “but how about the company? How much dces it generally pay for them?” “Not a cent,” answered the clerk in des- peration, “Do you think this is a medical college?” “No, I don’t,” retorted the stranger, “an- grily. “I think it’s a railroad office, where they pay damages for broken legs and such things as that.” “They do that only when they’re at fault,” said the clerk. “Well, they’re at fault in this case,” re- turned the stranger. “Did you think I wanted them to buy it for a curiosity? Did you have some sort of an idea that I froze this ear so as to sell it for a mantel orna- ment? I froze it waiting for a train at one of the company’s stations.” “Why didn’t you stay in the waiting room?” “There wasn't any waiting room, and that’s what I'm kicking about. It was one of the suburban stations where they haven't anything but a platform, some ice and a north wind. Now, can you tell me what the ear is worth? “Not a cent,” replied the clerk promptly. “You are guilty of contributory negligence in exposing yourself. You should have walked on to the next station and waited there.” ———__+e- Quantity and Quality. From ‘fruth. Tommy—“How many presents did yer get?” Jackie—“Twenty-one. get?” Tommy—"Nineteen. But I'll bet yer I can make more roise with mine than yer can with yours. How many d’yer — —— The Question. From Life. “They say Henpeck's wife died unex- pectedly.” “Yes. Henpeck gave her the wrong medicine.” “Was It a mistake?” THE AMERICAN NOVEL Its Scenes Will Be Laid in the Na- tional Capital. THE WORLD OF LETTERS A Washington Writer Talks About Fiction and Its Reading. OMNIVOROUS READING HABIT Written for The Evening Star by Julia Schayer. While the American short story stands the acknowledged peer of its French rival, the American novel, with a few brilliant exceptions, has not been accorded the po- sition in the world’s literature which those most interested in the advancement of American art would wish to see it occupy. This is no ney thing. The writers who during the past fifty years have made American letters to be honored the world over, in but few instances have won their fame on the field of fiction. We are still awaiting our Balzac, our Thackeray and our Tourgenteff, but we are awaiting them hopefully and expectantly. We have writers who are doing for differ- ent sections of our country what Barrie is doing for Scotland, Caine for his quaint little island and Hardy for unfamiliar parts of England, and doing it with wonderful charm and cleverness; but the great Amer- ican novel to be will not be a sectional novel. It will be a work that sends its roots down to the center and heart of our national life, political and social, and the scene of it will be the national capital. Where else, indeed, can be found such a wealth of almost untouched material as here, where is stationed the mighty Corliss engine that keeps the governmental chinery of the entire country in motion; here where that hydra-headed monster—the spoils system—has his noisome lair; here where human brains scheme their deepest, human passions burn thelr fiercest; here where human hopes flare up most brightly to sink into darkness the most hopeles: A veritable “embarrassment of wealth, truly. The First Attempt. Yet let us see what use has so far been made by the novekst of this vast treasure. The earliest ‘attempt in this direction which the writer has been able to unearth is a little volume entitled “A Wanderer in Washington,” issued by the Washington press in the year 1829, when, as every one remembers, Adams was President. The au- thor is a Mr. Watterson. Strictly speaking, this Httle book cannot be termed a novel. Still, as something faintly resembling a plot occasionally thrusts a very dreadful head above the inchoate mass of obser- vations and reflections in which it has been swamped, and as it is altogether too amus- ing to be lost, we will give it the benefit of the doubt. The author starts out with the virtuous resolution “nothing to extenuate, naught to set down in malice.” But he is pained at the very outset to discover that the popula- tion of what he calls “the proud metropolis of the nation”—that was nearly seventy years ago, be it remembered—is given over to the worshp of people in high places to an unheard-of and nauseating extent; that “the females” are wrapped up, body and soul, in fashion and frivolity, and the men engaged in undignified scrambles for social and oflicial notice. Many families of small means, says Mr. Watterson, in order to keep up with the style in public, maintain privately ‘‘a continuous Lent.” To quote further: “If one sports a buggy, another must fig- ure in a carryall; one gives a dinner, an- other dashes out in a route, and if one goes for his health to Ballstone (7?) or Sar- atoga, another, rot to be outdone, flies to Shannondale (?) or Bladensburg!”” At a White House levee he meets a cu- riously mixed s: ty, but is gratified on the whole by the republican simplicity of the entertainment. His companion and mentor, however, refers regretfully to the Jeffersonian administration, when visitors to the White House were regaled solely with the traditicnal “feast of reason,” etc., ete., instead of cakes and whipped sylla- bub, as on this occasion, or as in Monroe's time on such frivolities as “sugar radishes, lemon candy and other pretty sweet- mea‘s.”” Washington’s society leaders no longer fly to Bladensburg for their health, nor of- fer their guests lemon candy and “whipped syllabub,” but in spite of its antique tone Mr. Watterson’s picture bears a strong re- semblance to those drawn by the average correspondent of today. Moral and Religious Tone. Yet now comes something which the lat- ter has apparently overlooked. Our an- cient chronicler declares that a high moral and religious tone pervades all classes of society here, and “but for its fashionable infatuation, Washington would offer a so- ciety which the philanthropist would love to contemplate, and with which the moral- ist might glory to mingle.” The office seeker, too—no modern inven- tion, as we all know—is treated by the au- thor with considerable wit, and in this connection Mr. Watterson tells a story, 50 old that it may bear retelling. It seems that President Adams was af- flicted with an obstruction of the lachry- mal glands, producing what is commonly known as “weeping eyes.” An aspirant for office who had just left his presence was asked what the President had done for him. One can imagine the twinkle of the eye that accompanied the answer: ‘He gave to misery all he had—a tear!” Late Washington Stories. If any works of fiction (barring those of the correspondent) purporting to deal with Washington life appeared during the pe- riod between Mr. Watterson’s book and the civil war, oblivion has claimed them, as it is fast claiming most of those which have appeared since that time. Yet within the past twenty years some famous pens have taken up the theme. Foremost among these appears the name of Mrs. Burnett, author of the well-known novel “Through One Admin- istration,” written with brilliancy and fin- ish, and abounding in ‘local color,"’ deli- cately and artistically used. Yet in spite of this the book is hardly a “Washington,” or even an “American” novel, in the full- est sense, its motif being a mistaken mar- rlage—a circumstance unfortunately not peculiar to any place or people. Next, perhaps, in literary importance comes “Democracy,” whose authorship has idea in this novel is what we have a right to expect from the title, and it is brilliantly and even thoughtfully written. Other novels dealing with our society life have been written by Mrs. Dahlgren, Mrs. Jeanie Gould Lincoln and others less known. Cer- tain lurid productions, dealing with the seamy side of department and official life, have appeared—and disappeared—to reap- pear, let us hope, in the less objectionable form of domestic utensils manufactured m paper pulp! tite’ burden ‘of all these Washington novels, great and small, artistic and vul- gar, is the same—the venality of men in pewer, the impotence of the executive, or of any man who tries to serve his country and keep his hands clean, and the misery and folly of things in general. None of them are strong, hopeful and stimulating as a really great book must be. Disraeli being asked if he had read the latest work of George Eliot, answered, loft- ily: “when I wish to read a novel, I write one!” Perhaps some day one of our own states- men will be seized with a similar desire, only to be gratified in thessame way. Then, it he be a man uniting to his knowledge of history and politics ekeen insight, broad sympathies, literary skili and general cul- ture, the’ whole animated by a strong pur- pese ahd illumined by the divine spark-- then, perhaps, we may get our “greal American novel.” Reading in America. The habit of excessive and omnivorous reading is in no country so prevalent as in our own, where a larger proportion of the inhabitants have advanced beyond the al- phabet than in any other country on the globe. And what are all these millions reading? From the dignified statesman down to the noisy newsboy, from the society leader down to Bridget and Diab, everybody reads fic- tion. There Is, to be sure, a vestige remain- ing of the class who abjure novel on moral grounds, or as being unworthy the attention of the scholarly. mind, but this class is fast disappearing, and, in paren- thesis let it be said, that-it would not be safe to leave one of the titost austere and erudite of them all alone i#f @'room with a volume from the pen of # dozen authors who might: be mentioned! Novel reading, like theater going, is no longer on the list of pleasures forbidden the ‘professed Chris- tian. The pulpit today acknowledges the power of both novel and play for good as Well as evil. fhe Novel and Drama. Like its twin art, the drama, requiring reither exceptional gifts mér special traih- ing to enjoy, the novel has fixe itself firm- ly in the innermost heart of; the people. Marion Crawford calls the,rovel a pocket stage, the novelist undertaking in his own Person tq act as architect; stene painter and scene shifter, upholsterer, stage man- ager and dramatist all at.once, and the comparison is a good one. Yet the very fact that it may be carried around in the pocket and indulged in at any moment cr in any place, places the importance of the Lovel as a factor in.sggial life far above that of the drama. Sydney Lenier in his brilliant work on the rovel declares that it is educating us as a people, and it cannot be denied that fiction has beccme a force rather than an influence in mcdern life. his fact being Tecognized, it is worth while to bestow more than an indifferent glance upon the mental and moral pabulum that is being furnished by these purveyors to his majes- ty the public—the publishers. And even a casual glance at publishers’ }ists, news- stands, book stores and circulating libraries, leads the thoughtful mind to question whether the ability to read, unaccompanied by any other mental training, be, after all, the great boon to mankind which it is com- monly held to be! There is, at first thought, considerable satisfaction to be derived from the fact that a large proportion of the inane and vicious stuff offered for sale is the work of foreign writers; but this feeling is sensibly diminished by the equally evident fact that the strongest and best fiction is the work of foreign authors also! THE LYNCH BOOK PLATE. Discovery of the Rare Signature in an Out-of-the-Way Place. New York Letter in Hartford Times, In recent years, and especially during the last half decade, book plate or ex libris col- lecting has become a widespread passion. A generation ago these simple paper labels Were regarded as worthless, but today a good print bearing the signature of Albert Durer, Chadowiecki, Hogarth, Bartollozzi, cr Paul Revere is eagerly sought for and brings, in many instances, fabulous prices. The general search for book plates in re- cent years has resulted in many discoveries, but none, perhaps, of greater interest than that recently made by W. R. Benjamin, an autograph ard book plate dealer of this city. ‘the newly-found plate was once the property mark of Thomas J. Lynch, jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, j and Mr. Benjamin tells the story of the dis- covery of this rarity as follows: “Enght years’ experience in the autograph business has naturally made me familiar with the signatures of many famous Amer- icans. It often happens that owners of book plates, where no name is engraved on the plate, write their names on the bottom. This habit led to the discovery of the plate of Thomas Lynch, jr., the signer of the Declaration of Independence, and of his father, Thomas Lynch, a member of the Continental Congress from South Carolina. When starting out in the book, plate busi- ress last May, I sent to France, for a con- signment of foreign plates, ana a dealer sent me about a thousand. At first:the sight of so many was confusing, and having no ex- perience with plates, I made no. attempt at assortment, but left them for any collector to choose from. 2 “While running over them earélessly I was surprised by finding one bearing the sig- nature ‘Lynch.’ I recognized the auto- graph as that of the signer. Having made a study of that signature for years, I knew it as well as my-cwn. There twas one in my autograph stock, and putting:them together they were seen to be identical. Then I hunt- ed for others, and found three more, but The Lynch Bookplate. with no signature of the signer. Two were blank, and one was again signed ‘Lynch,’ but this time in the hand of the father. Turning the plate over there was plainly written on the book, ‘Lynch, an English family, agent of Louis.XVI.’ “The plates were shown to Dr. Thomas Addis Emmett, and together we looked up the arms of the Lynch family, and found the plate was entirely correct.| Before the revolution the rich planters of South Caro- lina passed much of their time in Europe. Young Lynch was educated in England, and also lived in Paris for some years. |The plate is apparently of French manufacture, and was probably made for Thomas Lynch, sr., in Paris, or it may be that they used impressions from a plate owned by some relative. One of the blank plates is owned by R. B. Coutant, M.D., of Tarrytown, N.Y., and the other three are owned by W. E. Balley of Brideport, Conn.” The particular value of this little print is apparent when the rarity of Lynch’s auto- graph is taken into consideration. The autograph of Thomas J. Lynch, jr., has long been recognized as the rarest of all Ameri- can autographs, and but very few collec- tions contain it. The father of the signer became a member of the Continental Con- gress, but died before the end of his term, and his son was chosen to take his place. The son arrived in Philadelphia in time to sign the Declaration, but in consequence of failing health, he soon returned to his home in South Carolina, and in the hope of resto- ration of health, sailed, in 1779, for the is- land of St. Bustachius, in the West Indies, and was lost at sea on the way to that port. When collectors began gathering the au- tographs of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, it was soon found that zood specimens of the writing of Lynch, the s'gner, were not to be had. A few years ago Mr. B. F. Tefft of Savan- nah found in a public library a number of volumes bearing his signatuf® on the title page, and as these signatures ete supposed to have ro valve, he was permitted to re- wove them. A single one of these siznatures ‘gs now worth hundreds of dollars. More re- cently a few additional stenatitres were dis rovered. also a letter addressed hy Lynch to Gen. Washington, a document which at last found its way into the splendid collection of Dr. Thomas Addis Emmett, at a cost, it is reported. of over $5.000, The location’ of every undonhted sierature 18 well known, and the discovery of every additional siz- nature is an event of the highest interest to collectors. -see- Never Spent a Cent for Matches, From the Starkville Times ‘They say there is a man whe resides near Maben, in this county, who prides himself on his economy, and the other day when discussing his favorite topic he remarked that he had saved several dollars in matches. “Why," he said, “when I came to Mississippi, nearly forty years ago, I brought my fire with me, and I have kept the same fire ever since, never allowing it to die out, and during all this time have never spent one cent for matches.” a His Probable Fate. From the Chicago Record. ‘Tardy again, Johnny!” Johnny—‘Yes’m.”” Teacher—‘‘I don’t know what is to become of that boy. What do you suppose’ll be- come of you, Johnny, if you keep on this way?” Johnny—‘I expec’ dad’ll hire me out to the diskrick messenger office!” JANUARY HEAVENS Location of the Constellations by Aid of a Planisphere, PATHS OF THE SON AND MOON A Region Brilliant With Upward of 2,000 Stars. ABOUT THE PLANETS HE PRINCIPAL constellations now above the horizon at 9 p.m. are Orion and the “Dog of Orion,” in the southeast; Cet- us, the sea monster, in the southwest; Pe- gasus, in the west, the Dragon and the two Bears in the north— constellations which never disap- pear below our horl- zon; the Twins (Gem- ini) and Lev, .. the east—the latter only partly risen, and overhead Auriga, Taurué, Arles, Perseus, Andromeda and Cassiopeta. With the aid of the accompanying “plan- isphere” these constellations should all be located readily and their brighter stars should easily be identified. For those who may not be familiar with the use of a planisphere it may be well to explain that this chart represents the entire visible half of the heavens; that is to say, it represents on a flat surface the half of the celestial sphere which is above the hori- zon at the hour named, its circumference being the horizon, its center the zenjth, or the point directly overhead. The best way of using such a chart is to hold it nearly over- head and imagine that you are looking at the actual heavens, having due regard to the points of the compass, as indicated by the marginal letters. When the chart 1s held in this way these points will all come right and the stars will all fall Into their proper places. The point on the circumference of the chart which corresponds with the point in the horizon whieh the observer is sup- Fosed to face should always be kept lower- most. While we are upon the subject of the chart it may be well to direct attention to the Ines upon it, which represent the im- aginary celestial equator and the paths of the sun and the moon. These lines are all halves of great circles of the heavens, their complementary portions being below the horizon. It will be seen that the equator spans the heavens from the exact eastern to the exact western point of the horizon, passing very close to the uppermost star in the belt of Orion and about three degree: the length of that belt—below the star Men- kar, In the head of Cetus. Bearing these points in mind, one can easily locate it in the heavens. This great circle is tne line in which the plane of. the earth’s equator, ex- tended indefinitely, cuts the starry sphere, and it lies exactly midway between the two celestial poles. The distance of the celestial equator from the zenith, reckoned in de- grees, is always equal to the altitude of the visible pole and is the same as the terres- trial latitude of the observer's station. Paths of the Sun and Moon. The ‘Sun's Path,” known among astrono- mers as the “ecliptic,” crosses the celestial equator (the “‘equinoctial”) at two diamet- rically opposite points, known as the “equi- noxes,” one of which, the vernal equinox, is shown on the chart. Observe that this cross- ing point is very nearly in line with the more easterly stars of the Square of Pegasus, at a distance from the lower of the two a little greater than their distance apart. From this point the line runs eastward between the Pletades and the star Aldebaran, about five degrees south of the Twins, close to the planet Jupiter and still closer to the star Regulus, striking the horizon at a polnt north of east. The ecliptic runs along the center of the “zodiac,” a belt of twelve con- stellations or “signs,” through which the sun successively passes in the course of his annual (apparent) round of the heaven: The six signs which are now above the horl- zon at 9 o'clock are marked on the chart with their familiar hieroglyphic symbo The points at which the moon's path crosses that of the sun are known as its “nodes.” These nodes are continually shift- ing their positions, moving along the sun’s path in a direction from east to west. In other words, the moon each month crosses the sun’s path at points which are each a little to the west of the pvints at which it crossed in the preceding month. The rate of the movement is such that each node makes a complete circuit of the heavens in about eighteen and a half years. At present the “descending” node, at which the moon passes from the northern to the southern side of the sun’s path, is near the star Rezu- lus, as is shown on the chart. The position of the moon itself at 9 p.m. for every day of the month on which she is above the horizon at that hour is marked on the chart. Among objects of especial interest this month are the two variable stars, Algol, in Perseus, and Mira, the “wonderful star” in the constellation Cetus. “Minima” of Algol convenient for observing will occur at 1 a.m. on the 9th; at 9 p.m. on the 11th; at 6 p.m. on the 14th; at 11 p.m. on the 3ist. The pecu- liarity of this star is that after shining for about two and a half days as a star of the second magnitude, it descends in the space of about four hours to the fourth magnitude, and in the course of the next four hours re- gains its usual brilliancy. The explanation is that the star has a dark satellite revolv- ing round it, which, passing periodically be- tween us and it, cuts off a portion of its light. Algol is now, at 9 o'clock, oe nearly in the zenith. It can be located ex- actly with the aid of the chart. There is near it a star of the fourth magnitude, which serves as a very convenient “comparison star.” When at its minimum Algol and this star are of the same brilliancy. Variation in Brilliancy. Mira can be found easily by noting its position with relation to Menkar and the ether stars of Cetus shown on the chart, This star has a period of about eleven months, during seven of which it is invisible, to the naked eye, being when faintest of between the ninth and tenth magnitudes. When shining with its greatest brilliancy it occ: sionally becomes the rival of Menkar, which Is a star of the second magnitude, but more often it stops short of this degree of splendor. Last year it attained to only the fourth magnitude, and the year before to the third. A maximum of Mira may be look- ed for in the early part of this month. At the time of writing (December 20) it is of about the seventh magnitude and is just visible through an opera glass. The phe- nomenon of its variation in brilliancy will be found to repay careful observation. Of the host of telescopic objects which are above us and around us tonight, a few which can be found easily and can be seen with an instrument of a very moderate power may be pointed out. Let us begin with the Pleiades and Hyades. Strictly speaking, these are not telescopic objects, yet no one who has never looked at them through at least an opera glass can have more than a faint idea of the beauty of a star cluster. With the naked eye we see six stars in the Pleiades. An opera glass will show at least four times as many. A two- inch telescope will show about sixty; but even this number ts only a small part of the number revealed here by a first-class tel- escope, or by the still more searching agency of photography. It is known that within a region here which might be covered by four full moons, and forming a world system which is, apparently, roughly globular in shape, there are upward of 2,000 stars, more than one of which, if the estimate of the distance of this cluster is fairly correct, is a giant luminary in comparison with the sun. Two hundred and fifty. “light years” is the estimated distance of the Plelades— ten times the distance of Sirlug. Our sun at that distance would pale to a star of the tenth magnitude. Alcyone, the brightest Pleiade, is of the third magnitude, and, if the above given estimate is correct, it sur- passes the sun in splendor fully one thous- and times. The Hyades—the V-shaped cluster close beside the star Aldebaran—although more diffuse than the Pleiades and less striking to the naked eye, is really a finer object for the opera glass, perhaps because its stars are rather more brilliant. A Pretty Cluster. Close beside the planet Jupiter—to the west of i*—we may see with naked eye, if the night is clear, a little fleck of nebulous light, which even an opera glass will show to be a star cluster. This is Praesepe, the Beehive, or, as the name is sometimes translated, the Manger. It ts one of the prettiest clusters in the heavens, even for an instrument of ‘only moderate* power. It = in the constellation Cancer. lies be- Ween two stars of the third itude— Gamma and Delta Caneri—which were for- merly known popularly as the Aselli, or Asses, names having an obvious reference to that of the cluster. Another cluster which to the naked eye very much resembles Praesepe, and which is, perhaps, even more beautiful than that 8S a telescopic object, is the double cluster in the handle of the sword of Perseus. It les about midway between the central bright star in Perseus and the constellation Cassiopela, and can easily be found by sweeping this region with an opera glass. While surveying this cluster we are not far from the famous nebula in Andromeda. Its position, rear the northernmost of the three stars which form the belt of Andro- meda, is shown on the chart. To the naked eye this nebula appears as a “blurred” star, which beccmes still more hazy when looked at throvgh an opera glass. It is pointed out more because the reader may like to know where it is than because he is \kely to find it a very striking object with any optical aid at his command. Let us turn to Orion and look for the Great Nebula. Here, again, we shall be likely to meet with disappointment, unless we use at least a three-inch telescope. We can see with an opera glass a faint indica- tion of “nebulosity;” that is about all. The three stars in the belt of Orion form one side of a dfamond-shaped figure, the lower corner of which is marked by a short line of three rather faint stars. These stars Me in the midst of the nebvla, the central one being Theta, a multiple star, consisting, as seen through a large telescope, of six stars, and very commonly referred to, in speaking of the nebula, as the “Trapezium.” The densest part of the nebula lies around this star. The opera glass will show here quite a number of stars, forming a group which is worth looking at for its own sake, and if the night is clear ard your eyes are keen, you will find that the background on which these stars shine is perceptibly hazy. The misty light of the rebula requires to be condensed by a large telescope before we can make much of it. Double stars are exceedingly interesting telescopic objects. Among those suited to a small telescope and easily pointed out are: 1.Gamma Andromadae, the bright star in the left foot of the maiden, one uf the most splendid of colored doubles, con- sisting of a bright orange star with a green companion. 2.Castor, the more northerly of the Twins, the components of which are white and of about the saine brilliancy. 3. Gamma _ Arietis, the fourth- magnitude star in the left horn of the Ram, both components white, 4. Gamma Leonis, in the Sickle, the third star reck- oned from Regulus. This last star is of interest also as marking very nearly the “radiant” of the November meteors known as the “Leonids.” The Planets. Venus continues to be a magnificent Woman's Wit. TOLD BY A SOCIETY GIRL Something About Morphine, Sulphur, Molasses and Other Things. From the Evening News, Newark, N. J. disposition and the light of the social se she moves. For two years she has been a from: internal troubles peculiar to women, ing recently recovered, has given our reporter following interesting account: “Instead of improving under the care of sician I became worse. For five weeks I uble to get out of bed and about six 0% morning I suffered horribly My lips were lacerated from the marks of my teeth, efforts to keep from screaming I sunk cep into my ips. At such times I fossed until the bed shook like an aspen it finally got so serious that the doctor—I won’t you his name—gave me some morphine pills to take, ‘The very thought of theu now makes me xhiver, Sn ee eae eats pat me to sleep for a when me conscious was renewed. atiedizs' “The pain in my stomach and back ‘more than I could stand. ‘Your blood is esr,” ent doctor; ‘take sulphur and molusses;’ and until it was ® great wonder that I was not lasses cake. It was time wasted in taking cause I was not benefited in the least; my continued, but by a ntighty effort after bed so long I got up. Oh, but I was a then. From 112 pounds I had fallen my cheeks were ‘and sunken and ; yes, sctaniy Pave and sunken I Mmpea; read rs BE FR Ret eihae egies ¢ rire ATE 1 a inspired me with hope. I got the pills and took them, fore many 1 fof and before ys out and ing, Pt ‘00d headaches, while the pain in my aod ‘bak, slowly but surely succumbed to the influence these pills that seem to be able to persuade all pain to leave one’s body. Now I am as I used to be—well and strong, light hearted and merry, but hever without the pills. See, I have got some them now,”’ and from a near-by desk she handed out one of the box f ces, Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills contain, ip a cond: form, all the lements to give new life and richness to the blood aud restore shat nerves. They are also a specific for troubles pe- culiar to females, such as si irregulari- les znd all forms of weakness. They build Sp the cure th blood and restore the glow of health to pale sallow cheeks. Io meu they effect a radical in all cases arising mental worry, overwork or excesses of wha ever nature. Pink Pills are sold in boxes (never in loose bulk) at 50 cents a box, or six boxes for $2.50, and be had of all or direct “by tall trom Dr.” Williams” ‘Sredlfeine Company, Schenectady, N. ¥. ee morning star, now rising about three and a haif hours before the sun. Mercury will be at its greatest castern elongation, or apparent distance east of the sun—I8 degrees—on the 234. For a few days about that date it may be looked for near the horizon between west and south- west, a half hour or so after sunset. Jupiter is now the reigning planet, and at 9 o'clock is shining gloriously in the eastern sky. Since the 25th of November Jup'ter has been retrograding, or moving westward. It is now in the constellation Cancer, about midway betweene the Twins and Regulus, in Leo. There are in its ~- cinity a number of stars, by means of which its retrograde movement can easily be observed, particularly if one will use = opera glass. On the 234 of this month jupiter will be in opposition to the sun, crossing the meridian at midnight and shining with its greatest brilliancy for this year. Its distance from us then will be, in round numbers, 430,000,000 miles — about four and a half times the distance of the sun. None of the other planets are now in po- sition to be of interest, except to astrono- mers. HE FOUND A HERO. The Trolley Car Conductor's Position Filled Him With Genuine Admiration. From the Detroit Free Press. He was coming down town on a Woodward avenue car with a basket of eggs to trade for nails and sugar, and, after watching things for a while from the rear platform, he said to the conductor: “You must have lots of things on your mind?” “Yes.” “You have to stop and start, help people on and off, collect fares and do a heap of work. It must be an awful strain on you?"~ “Yes.” “Then there's that thingumbob up there,” pointing to the trolley. “You have to keep an eye on that, don’t you?” “Yes.” “And look at every pole to see that the = is all right?” “Yes.”” “If that thingumbob should slip off and slew around an@ hit the car the hull crowd of us would be knocked into a cocked hat, T take it.” es, we should.” “None of us would ever know what hit us, and we'd be so mixed up that our friends couldn’t tell one from the other?” “Yes, that’s so.” “And here you stand,” resumed the man with the eggs, “here you stand as cool and calm and smilin’ as a knot on a log, while the horny hands of death may be stretched out any minit to yank us in! I don't see how you do it! You are a brave man, and I want to shake hands with you!” The conductor shook with him, and he waved his arm through the air and con- tinued: “I don’t see how you do it—can’t really see! Why, all the strain I have on my mind is to keep the hogs from gettin’ out of a hole in the pig pen,“and yit I can’t sleep nights! Hero, before I go inside to sot down and figure how much seven dozen eggs will come to at eighteen cents a dozen, lemme shake that noble and terrific hand agin!” ——— op. Delicate Taste. From the Chicago Record. Mr. Binks—“What’s that you are put ting up on the top shelf?” Mrs. Binks—“That’s Fido'’s candy. He can’t eat this cheap kind we get for the children.” —--eee--—__ The College Needed Them. From Whim-Whams. She—“Your college’ is not turning ow many surgeons now?” He—“No; we need them. We've got five foot ball teams.” “He didn’t tell me ne loved me, but he kissed me.” “Well, he must love you if he kissed you.”—Life.