The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1869, Page 5

—~ — OSES TAYLOR. An Old School Merchant of New York— Busy and Brilliant Mercantile Career— Clerks of Old Times and Their Labors — Reminiscences of tho Cholera Scourge, the Great Fire and Financial Panics—Busi- ness os Banker and in Other Fields of Enter- prise—Persenal Life. Continuing our aketches of the living representa- tive men of New York, we find no one the teach- ‘tgs of whose life are fuller of interest than those of Moses ‘aylor. To young men just entering upon business careers and ambitious of mercantile wealth and honors the record of his life is full of instruc- tion. There is vitality in such a life record, en- eouragement, hope—the stimulus of noble example, thu stimulus of highest success, Moses Taylor is a Merchant of the old school, that distinguished class of high-toned men who, by directness, energy, intel- Wgence, honesty, uprightness bave achieved thelr mercantile triumphs and given such splendor of eharacter, stability and world-wide renown to the merchants of New York. Because he t an old mer- chant and belongs to the old school he is not by any means old fogyish. In the busy scenes of our busy Metropolitan life to-day, on Change, in matters of Minance, in questions of commerce, in politics, in re- ligion, in science and art, there is no one more active, mone more wide awake, noue more thoroughly up to the spirit of the times, none more warming with active human sympathiea with everything apper- taining to modern progress and the great strides of our modern civilization. Commencing his business hfe as clerk in @ shipping house he soon founded a abipping house of his own, whose vessels crossed every ocean and penetrated farthest seas in remotest quarters of the globe to which American enterprise has pushed its commerce. This house still con- Sinues with him at the head. Its success has been un- exampied. He started with agood name, justice aud trath, honor and uprightness. These he inheritea— ‘these he never sacrificed. Extending his invine.bie energies to otver enterprises, and carrying With him into these new fields of labor the same energy, promptness and integrity, he has added largely to his wealth till now, as ts well known, he is one of the richest men in the city. He has known nosuch word as fail. Tne triumphal rewards of a successiul life are now his. He has kept his hands clean, hia honor unsullied, Entire Taithiulness, scrupulous honesty, unswerving trath- fulness and untiring activity have brought him his wuccesses. No one need be told how he bas mado ‘his vast wealth the minister of good deeds. It hay not yet Deen forgotten how a few years ago in an Important financial crists in our city affairs he came to ube rescue of the police and advanced nearly a Malilion of dollars for their pay, and how, in the darkest hour of our country’s peril and need, he ‘was foremost to furnish the go. erament money with which to carry on the war, and without which the erowning victory of its brilliant close would never bave been achieved, His lite hus been onc of great business enterprises, great peraisteace aud industry, great and lofty aims and great uuselfisiness. Devo- tion to business, earnest and praciica), plain and straightforward, quiet and unostentatious, and seek- img that, Above all early dignities, A still and quiet conscience, is the summary of his life, Tne details, necessarily constrained, of course, within the compass of a er sketch, we give below, aud which, as iready promised, will be found full of interest and replete with iessons of instruction. GENEALOGY AND SCHOOL DAYS. Moses Taylor is of English descent, His great- grandfather, after whom he was named, came to wis country in 1736 from London. An advertisement in the New York Gazette of 1750 announces his piace of business, which was aiso hig residence, ‘the corner house opposite the Fiy Market.’ & few months, during which timo he resided ana carried on business iu Old slip, tis paternal ances-— tor remained in his first chosen locality, pursuing kere with diligence his business the residue of his life. And this reminds us that im this city, where one generation seldom leaves any distinctive mark connecting it with another, where the landmarks of furmer times are 8o speedily obliteraced by the spirit of changeable. heas prevailing our people and the product of revo- ations in business, and where everything that is old is sacrificed to anything new, it ts ideod re- markable that now, a century later,a lineal descend- ‘ant of the same name should be carrying on busi- ness within a stone’s throw of the same locality. Tho youngest gon of the elder Moses Taylor was the grand- father of the subject of our present sketch, having been born three years after his father’s settlement In this city. During the occupation of New York by the Britisn forces in the Revolutionary War this youngest son moved into New Jersey with his fam- liy, and while there Jacob B. Taylor, the father of ‘Mr. Taylor, Was born. Many still living remember Mr. Jacob B, Taylor. What gave him conspicuous prominence was his long association with John Jacob Astor as his conildential aud advisory business aggent—a trust of great respousibilty and the duties a@ppertaming to which he discharged with unuring weal and fidelity. Kew citizens were held in nigner Tespect, and, a8 will be remeinbered, he, for many successive years, was elected to our City Councils as alderman of the Ninth and Fifveenta wards—that goow old period in our municipal history when, it should be stated, civic distinctions were only con- ferred on our worthiest citizens, On the 11th of January, 1806, Mr. ‘Taylor was born. The house in Which he was born then stood atthe corner of Broadway and Morris street, a house which has Jong since passed out of exisience; but the memory of which and the pleasant cnildhood days passed ‘Within its walis is still tresh and green in the recol- lection of Moses ‘Taylor, 1n 1818 his father removed his residence further up Broadway, heariy opposite to where the New York Hotel now sands, and where he continued to reside jong after his son nad faven bis vepartare from the paternal roof and es- sayed single-nanded to combat life and its duties in the sharp and sern confict of the world’s tumultuous arena. Until he was fiiteen years of age he atvended school reguiany. ‘ihe achoois whicn lie successively attonded were those of Pickett, Wuich was conducted ‘With such fourmsbing success in Chambers street; Forrest and piccum, in Church street, aud Kellogg, in Thames street. hese sciools were ail near.y wo Mies irom bis father’s house, which, as Wii be geen, ‘Was then quite out of town; and as hia undeviating custom was to go back and forth on foot he tus early learned ibe babit of long and rapid waiking, gud Which he still keeps up, and to Lue constant Practice of Waicn his present vigorous healtu is no doubt maniy to be «wtirivuted, ‘The same energy and puuctuailly which have characterized all tie Jong years Of bis active business life were Lis Marked cuaracteristics then. He was pever @ truant; he shirked no duty; Le Jeit no work unpertorined; but he wos always prompt in bis attendance, ditigent im his studies, and fartiiul an @horough tn the work wuich was iinposed apon him. Though @ diigeut student, his inciivauons did not Jead Lim towaraa the pata of scudlarsip or Lbose leading 10 professional emuneuce. Young as he was, is youthful brain bad beeu busy pianuing his future. His aspirations were of trade; hi Victories’ commercial conquesis; merce of tae world, This secret bope and yearning ambiion of his young lite were unex, de- veloped to bis father in a conversation wita hun jase beivre his fifteeuth birthday, “You are getting to be a pretty big boy,” nis father said to Uw us he come im frow tis walk irom school, “Have you made up your mind what kiad of business you Would ike to follow When you are a mau!" “Ob, yes, long ago,” le promptly anawer ed. Well, what sa 1b f" ‘Supping mevohaut.” ouldu't you Uke to #tudy ana be @ lawyer!” Not at ati’ “A doctor? “No, sits”? ot “A cergymen “No, wr; t don’t Wamt to be euything but # ship- ping merchant.” L8RK IN A SHIPPING HOUSR. Yiedmg 1 his predvection in the watter.of se Footing Its iavure arora, Be father very moon allenwards rewoved young Srow seh00\ aud placed hho in the Bouse of J. D, Brown; but he remained there @ short time, when he became @ Clecé 10 the ment of Menara, G. G. & 5. Howlapd. le rewasmed in the latier estavliahment ten yeas, it wasten yours of very active, busy, Jaborious Iie. It was es of most usctul prenticestuyp, It was tea years tbat he needed varry out successfully the cherished dream aud pe of iis Younger days, When young laylor ea Jered the service Of tie Mesure, Howlwad we were then—as, Indeed, during the entwe period he vemalaed lo their service—engaged lu a very exten- #ivo abd varied foreign commerce, Their corre spondence and busigess reiations ¢xiended Lo every part of the worid, They owned aud employed IDsay easels, Which sALled PPO eVeIY sea wad Vieiod every bivre, Freaghied with ‘asa embracing every yarlety of towowe sed Excepting” NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1869._TRIPLE SHEET. foreign they went forth upon their aistant — Yo} ahd revarned en with the rich aad varied groducts of far om countries. ‘To all parts of Europe, up the Mediterranean, to tho larthest parts of the Hast Indies, to South America, to the West Indies, to our Pacitlo coast, to every quarter of the these mercantile adventures were carried. In such a fleid young Taylor set to work. vigliant and always ready and zeal- ous, bi ito che performance of his duties that industry, steady application and tutelligence that s00n atiracted the notice of his employers. Unlike ao many clerks of the present day, he did not clamor for privileges or immunities from toil, nor did any additional work fil bim with dismay. Rapidly pepe through various gradations of countiag use promotion, new spheres of duty and activity were open to him. At the present time, when the commerce of our city has attained such vast pro- portions that each particular brauch of it constitutes in many instances a separate business by itself, and many of its operations and detaiis are turned over to vrokers who make them the onjects of their es) occupation, is diMcult tor young gentlemen who now pass a few hours every day in @ counting house to realize the extent and variety of labor which Mr. Tayior as @ clerk had to perform, His Place was no winecure. ‘Tne separate entry, the old complicated system of duties so as to admit of their ready pe pe bome ns omtepes pec ae heel goes embracing every variety of forer, - voiced in ‘overs, variety of currency, the sale of these products, the purchase of outward cargoes in every detail of assortment and their repacking for con- venient carriage, lading, inv ‘and insaring— these and ovher details Dow in a great measure ou- trusted to outside agents involved an amount of labor of which a clerk of the preseat caa have Lo idea, Ene yet they ge cates A eae only Ci te every-day Work young perform. not to be Iwoudered that the candie u, Dia desk the bells of old sounded the hour of twelve u; the atill midnight air. The day was devoted to outdoor work—to vessel, wharf, Custom House and market. The night was employod in recording what nad been hed during the and in the ry pre} for the mur- row. Notwithstanding these severe demands on his industry ne yet found tiure to test tie value of his mercantile educauon by methods wiich not only confirmed the lessons he had learned, but which also afforded some remuneration for the diligent faitful- ness he had bestowed upon them. After a whule, with the concurrence of his employers, he frequently engaged in small ventures upon his own account. Acting on his own judgment he would make up con- signments which he would entrust under lnstruc- tious to the capiains and supercargoes voyaging for the house, and these sold by them and tel pro- ceeds invested in foreign products Irequeatly yielded bim @ double profit, ‘These were the lore- Tunners of hig subsequent mercantile success. Tacy Yleided him tne capital which enavled hun after- wards to enter on @ large sphere of business on his ownaccount, Always exact and orderiy, he opeacd at toils early day a set of books in Which ail Of these adventures were recorded by douvie entry. They are said by those Wo have seen tiem to be models of neatness and accuracy, for Sir. Taylor, wita special pride, ull preserves Luese first recoids Of bis business career, BEGINS BUSINESS ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT. The dreaw of his boyhood days hauaved young Taylor still, Ten years of assiduous and incessant devotion to the interests of bis cuployers had dived him to do business on his own account—flued him to carry out the great purpose of huis early ite, ‘Ihe frst seven of these years be bad worked with- out pay, and he only received $500 a year the re- maining turee years, ‘‘aose were times, however, when preliminary years of labor in fitting one for business Were nut considered turown away, With @ capital of $15,000, the product mainly of the private ventures to which we have referred, wiih the respect and good wishes of his late enipioyers, aituough deeply regretting the loss of hig valuable services to them, und with te conf- dence and esteein of all who knew him, Mr. Taylor in 1882 set up m business on hisown account, He was now twenty-81x yeara of age. ‘fhe good reputa- tion which, asa clers, be had establiaued, and the hign respect entertained for him by ail classes of people with woom he had been throwa tn co and his excellent traits of character, had secu: him a large circle of friends, and gave him from the first the best of credit in business circies. ie felt, however, that whatever of success was in store for him must be wrought’ out by his own energies avd by the employment of his own unaided powers, While he was singularly sel{-reitant Le was carelul therefore not to avali hiuself of the extrane- ous facuities ‘watch were within his reach, aud bo kept his credit good by never using It He opened nis first store at No. 65 South sirect, where uessrs. Howland & Aspluwail now carry on business. He remaiued here but only temporarily. Hts really fist piace of business was at No, 44 south street, which hia house suili occupies, . THE CHOLERA SCOURGE AND GREAT FIRE, Itgo happened that Mr. Yaylor entered upon hia career of active business at an uniortunate Mme. The year 1832 will be remembered a5 tue season when that fatal scourge, tie cholera, raged 10 tuis city with flerce and unexawpled viruience. Every Class of business felt its Gepressing intuence. Death, not the concerns of life, occupied the thoughts of men. But inauspicious as the ume was for busiuess enterprises Mr. ‘Taylor was not deterred from carry- ing nia plans into execuuon. While otuers tied tie city in irantio fright he remained steadiasi and un- daunted at his postofduty. He entered upon tis business With so mucbd energy and diligence, witha 40 much capacity and judgmeut, that very soon bia efforis were crowned With success. ‘Inree years passed and his business was under prosperous head- way. Then came that memorable devastating fre of December, 1835, that reduced to uses 80 many stores and dwell and from affluence to sudden poverty so many leadiag busineys men. On that cold winter’s night, when the sireams of water from the fire engines were turned to ice in tue presence of the mounting flames of the ali-de- vouring fire, his store, with ali its conteuts, was destroyed, involving him in the joss, as te tuen sup- posed, of alihe possessed. On his way lone, witer 8 night of exhausting tou, in which he had been aie to save only his books of accounts, he met his iatuer. “Tam ruined,’’ he gaid to his father, ‘My store 14 burned and everything in it except my booss of account’? “Never mind, Moses,’ said the father, “you are young aud have good health. Try it again,” “I will, sir,” replied the resotute son. RESUMING BUSINESS. Throwing aside all feelings of despondency, tho sauie day of the fire saw Afr. Taylor ac work again, He opened an office immediately tn the basemeut of his dwelimg, in Morris sireet, where he resided, and whicu he kept there uatil he couid secure temporary accommodation in Broad street. He kept his ac- count in tue City Bank. He had left some notes there to be discounted. “Have my notes been discounted?” he asked Mr. Woodward, president of the oauk. “No, slr. We discount no notes. We do nbt know who is good,” answered Mr. Woodward. “Pm good,” replied Mr, Taylor, and the notes were passed to his credit, This terrible disaster, which created so great a diswurbauce of ali the business coucerns of tie cit; merely served to cail fort in a greater degree exc: cise of the powers which were uecessary W oyer- come them. The result waa that By the storm of circumstances unbroken, as it always will be with those strong and deter- mined characters who do not permit tuemseives to be subdued by circumstances, he averted ruin by nobly daring Lo oppose tt, With foresight and quick decision, those traits so prominent in his character througo all the years of is life, he at once entered upon new adventures and made importations to supply deficiencies in the market. ‘Lhe profits re- sulting from these judicious operations more than. counterbaian ed the losses he bad sustamed. He belongs to that order of energetic men who not only strike When tue iron is hot, bus when occasion re- quires strike the iron until it becomes hots As a characteristic circumstance, showing his energy and promptness, it may be meniioned vat the very day after the fire, while (he ruins of his store were yet aglow with 11s smouldering combustion, he went to is landlord, Mr. John G. Coster, and made arrange- ments for its reconstruction. The present building, No. 44 South streo’, was, owing to this promptness of his, among tho frst to arise out of the ruius of the great coniagration, Upon its completion Mr. Taylor entered it again and alterwards became tts owner, and ever since hes carried on bis mercantile busi- ness there. 141s main field Of enterprise ag @ mer- chant was the trade with Cuba. He was aiso at ono period of lis career @ cousiderabie suipowner @nd extensively engaged im tuat braucn of commerce. At the same time he carried On other important mercanilie Operations, but these were ail suosidiary to the business to which he prin- cipally devoved himself, As we have said, his main eld was the Cuba trade, and in that his mercantile reputation was principally acquired. Upon tunis ho concentrated his reeee Powers, Jo this ne gave the sum of his eflergiow. The great success to which ho hag attained and the wide reputation which he bas estaviished for mercantile capacity and honor attest the diligence and fatihtuiness with Which he has devoted himself to this, the primary and leading business of his life. No man in the walks 01 business has a fuer stand.ng in the com- munity or 18 more reapectod abroad, He is univer- sally regarded with confidence and trast, aud tho mercautie house which be founded atill stands, as it has ever stood, a witness and exponent of his great mercantile ability aud bis excellent personal A# BANK PRESIDENT AND FINANCIER, Tn 1856 Mr. Taylor was appointed President of the City Bank—an eifice Which he has ever since filed wish great credit to himself and great benefit to that insti: ution, as well as to the public at large. Under is directing influence the aifairs of this with coasummato financial skill. been | For financial ability and strength it stands second to no banging lostitution im this city. In every com- inercial yicisaitade it bas stood firm and unshaken, As an evidence of its high standing iu public cont- dence s significant fact may be stated. Di the rh ae Of 1867; when ruin swept over the com- Hished eafeyuafds of property seoruod. to: have’ been bean obiiterated, when fear, Cra and apprenension wok the mind of the business commun this Ume, while the ever to be re- mem 4runs” were being made upon the banks, & meeting Of Lhe presidents of tuvse naututions was held for the purpose of taking counsel together as to the dest means of providing against the storm in which they were iavoived. Upoa inquiry being made bow each of the banks had been affected by the day’s operations many of them announced having lost irom fiity tw ninety per cent of weir “What report baa the City Bank fo mako?" asked the coalstwan of the assombied presideuts, “we tad $400,000 tiv morn auswered Mr, lor; “we pave $480,000 to-n ho Dank bd TemnaANel ever siuce eqnally strong in public cow cea result, no doapt, ly wo | be adriouted to M2 Tavier’s good piudus aud eagacity asa financier. The subject of finance, in- deod, in al! its complex relations to Individuals, to com! tes and to the government, Mr. Taylor long and carefully studicd before he became resident of the City Bank. There is nothing invidl- ous in tho remark that there 18 DO one in our city to-ffay possessing a broader or more practical fami- liariiy with this great question of fnance. If there 18 anything which more than another evinces, by unmistakable manifestations, the straightforward truthfulness of Mr. Taylor’s character 1t 18 bis views upon this sadject. Great financiers, so called, are not unfrequebtly great tricksters, Whose main pur- pose fy to make someting out of nothing; who, Sharp and unscrupulous, exert ther powers in weaving mesues In which to catrap the anwary and Involve them in destractiov., Intricacy and double dealing, secrecy aad musdireetion, are essential con- comitants of their plans of action. Nothing so dis- concerts them as openness and truth. Mr. lor’s ideas of finance, on the contrary, are as simple as they are just. They rest upon the substance, not the shadow, of things, While no man can with more acutencss detect and ex- pose what is fallacious in financial preten #0 no one can with more effectiveness unfolg ani exgoute a gound financial scheme. it 1s because of the sounduess of his judgment upon this subject and the unswerving lutegrity of bis character that he exercises such @ large controjling miuence to the Mavageuient of the various corporations with which he is connected. In tne Clearing House Association @nd in vie meetings of bank onicera nis judgment and sagacity are implicitly relied upon, and he has always been prominent in the adv and ad- vancement of ali measures involving the common intereais of the community and the banks. ‘Ine breaatn of Ins views and soundness of his quick and intuiuve judgment always giving him a command. ing pluce in their councils, He has never paid over seven per cent interest for money, ang has never 10 the course of ail bis hfe, altuough at tines using immense sums, had any difficulty im optaining ali tae money he required His influence ts against slock “corners,” against overs oiing a bi Nnance, against every fraud rickery Of 6 javors. ite uuderstands thoroughly tie enars tuat financial sca—Wall street Me knows every shual and quicksand, every hidden rock, every current, every breath of wind precur- sury of hurricave and saigurenk, the Grat faint ouier ripple of tuis great muelstrom which Like @ gulf doth draw What's near is with it, No one knows better than he, to change the figure as shakspeare does in the passage we have just quoved from “itaualet’? that our present Wall street Is a masay whoel Fixed on the aummit of the highest mount, ‘To whoxe uugo spokes ten thousand lesser things 'd, winieh, when it falls, Kaci smail agnesment pelty consequence, ‘Awonds (he boist’rous ruin, He has kept out of all of these speculations him- sell, aud those who huve done tae same im pursu- auce of his advice are happier and better olf m con- sequence. iis advice to all of special speculative procitvities 13 to preserve above all else their good names abdhoner unsuiiied, lest it turn out that the riches they acquire, however great they may be, bo- come asnes in tueir grasp, and the prominence they Gttain serve ouly to reader them more conspicuous objects of public detestation and contempt, DEVOTION TO TH# GOVERNMENT, An Important chapter in. the life of Mr. Taylor, in | connection with bis cuaracter as @ financier is the great aod notabie work b> accomphaned as Caair- man of the Loan Committee of tho associated banks in the carly part of the war. From the commence- meut of the wur vo its close he was an earnest advo- cate of every measure for the aid and support of the government by the banks, to the tuliest extent of heir ability, He saw the great issues at stake. He saw the crippled tinanciai conditioa of the govera- ment. Hundreds of thousands of noble volunteers hurried to their country’s defence. Money was wauted as weil, And thus this loan committee was organized, Mr, ‘Taylor was among the foremost and most energetic to take steps in the matter. He Was given tho directing management. Securities of upwards of $200,000,000 were entrusted to the comimistee, All these vast and complicated trans- actions were imanaged by that committee with g@veat financial ability, Everybody knows that through the confideace shown by the banks in the loan to the government, negotiated in July, 1861— the darkest perivd of the war, aud wien meanscould have been obtained from no other source—the country was reileved from a condition of difficulty and peril surpassing that of any subsequent epoch of the war. ‘To tae influence of no one mau is the country more largely indebted for this eminent patri- otic service than to Mr. aylor. Mit. TAYLOR IN FINANCIAL PANTOS, ‘The strength of Mercules crystallized nto moral intrepidity, imto sublime energy, into the highest development, iu tact, of ideal heroism, never more forcibly, more bravely and more triumphanuly shown itseif than in the’ midst of the great tinan- cial panics waich of times, with tue wild and furious devastation of the tempestuons hurricane, have swept over our country, ‘The bravery aud energy whica he displayed during the panic of 1857—that most disastrous of all our fvancial paaics—bo.n in tis Own aifairs and In the conceras of others, will loug be reuembered by those Who had occasion to witness them. ‘That jodomitaole energy, integrity aud abiiuty which bad made hlin one of our first merchants, and one of our Most trusied, useful and*honorabie bankers, bore him safely through tils most trying Ordeal. Firmly his business Louse Btood the shocks Of eddying storms and mocked the howling Tempest. His own extended obiigations he met promptly. But vais did not sausty bia, He was not unimindful of the burdea wiich ressed upon nis weaker Irends, Tarougnout tuose days of peril and consternation he s\00d the central fyure of a group of deeply earnest and anxious men who ned upon him for support, His kindness and maguaoiunty can best be told by them. ‘The interposivion of his strong arm saved many Trom utter ruin, It was the same in panics betore this, It hasbeen the same in panics since then. How fully and cilicieatly be cane to the rescue a few years siuce Of our large police force, when there Was no money in the city treasury to pay then their monthly ducs, t sili fresh in the pubiic recol- lection, He advanced, as is well koown, $500,000, and by this act of timely generosity established claims apon the gratitude of @mr police which will never be jorgoucn. We migit muitiply these in- stances and show how his whole life, in fact, has beeu marked by noble and generous deeds, OTHE BUSINESS ENTAKPRISES. The energetic nature of Mr. faylor sought other flelds of euterprise and usefuiness as his growing capital Kept lacreasing in maguitade veyoad the requirements Of ois eriginal business. From ume to time he has ‘vecume largely interested— and so be is stili—in various directions io the development of the mineral and industrial weaith of the country. The magnificent results accruing fcom these enterprises are due to the same qualities which reudered bis mercantile ca- Teer sv brilliant and prosperous. We have not time or space to go into tue details of his varied flelds of business operations. We will only refer toone, At an early day, when the Wyoming valley lay in agri- culturai repose and the vast mineral treasures of its eucompassing bills were undisturbed in their deeply hidden depositories, ne from personal investigation became convinved of the value and importance of conaectlig It vy railroad communication wit this city. With a few otuer capitalists he set to work to carry tis project into enect. 1 was agreat and duncult unueriaking, but their indefatigabic zeal was equal to lt, The eculerprise has yieided tie ample reward antici; frou it. ‘Tne pauting locomo- tive, whose slirill whistie now awakens the echoes of Wyoming valley as 1c struggles along with its burden of mineral wealth typlies the wisdoi of th enterprise and the strengta aud energy of its saga- clous projectors, PERSONAL LIFE, We have given above a brief ontiine of Mr. Tay- lor’s business career. Self-made man tuat ne is, aud prosperous as he has been, prosperity has not hardeaed him. The courteous merchant, the urbane banker, and polite in ali ils bustaess relations, he in private life is one of the most agreo.ble and genital Of men, In 1832, the same year he commouced busi- ness, he married Miss Catharlae Wlison, of tnis city, Ther children, five in number, two sons and three daugnters, are all gull living, Une of lis sons, Henry Taylor, 1# jJuntor partner in the house 10 South stree Qnd the other son, George Tayior, 1s, a8 18 wel Kuown, American Consul at Catro, Egypt. Mr. ‘Taylor aitends St. George's church. He 1s an_early riser, temperate in his habits, @ great walker, tug daily on foot from his residence, on Fittu avenue, to his Piaces of business aud walking back again, and altu- gether shows the same energy and industry to-day as at any other time during his loug business career, With health still firm and aovrokea—and he comes of @ long lived stock, lis uncie, Moses Taylor, having recently died in New Jersey at the advanced age o: ninety-hine years—vhere is every prospect of a long Iife-voyage beiore him—a continuous iife of irrepres- sible thdustry, cheerful duty and those broad sym- pathigs that have always rendered him so open to the claims of friendship and go yielding to the im- pulses of benevolence and humanity. High tions, as is well known, have been of bim from time to tlme by the government; but the vast Importance of he bdusivess trasts commited to him, besides having no poiitical aspirations, has prevented his accepiing oitice, It 18 unnecessary to describe his persoual appear- ance, No man i more widely knowa wm our city, 1s face is & benediction, but decision and energy are legibie in ite every lineament. Few have given more largely to charity, few have been more eMcient helpers of young men, few have been such Pillars of strength to their friends, It 13 not bia idea, however, to sympathize with the idle or shift jess. He only helps those who heip themseives. Of great simplicity and singularly {reo from ostenta- tion, his life has been as pure and beautifal in all its Felations aa 1t hag been successtui, maguanimous and unseldsh. THE COW We THE SUB-TREASURY. The Counting Completed—How it was Done—The Amount of Coin. The countung of the coin in tho vaults of the Snb- Treasury in this city was completed on Friday last by Messrs. More, Guthrie and Bigelow, special om- cera detatlea for that duty by the Treasury Depart- ment at Washington. The whole amount was found to be $74,960,000 of gol and $43,100 in sil king & total Sroin tne rae New York Sub-Treasury of $76,300,100, fhe amount thus ascertained corre- *ponded precisely with the books of the Sub-Treas- ury, thus indicating that the funds of Uncle Sam has beea safely kept. The examation was made in two ways, first by weight and then by actual count, and each timo it tailled to a dollar, No changes in the clerical force of the Sub-Treasury have yet been made, nor, ay It 18 Bald, are any con- templated Jor tie present. NEW YORK CITY. | THE COURTS. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. The Seizure of Ribbons. Before Judge Blatchford, The United States vs, Siz Cases G, L, and Eleven Cases G. L, Consolidated,—In this case, the full par- tuculars of which have already been reported, the jury were unable to agree on a veraict. UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. Criminal Business. Before Judge Benedict. ‘ The Uwtied States vs. Elt Fields.—The defendant, charged with counterfeiting, was remanded till Wednesday next for trial. The United States vs, Joseph Provezant.—The de- fendant, & young man, pleaded guilty to the charge of uttering counterfeit currency. He was sentenced to two years’ linprisonment, with hard labor, The United States vs, D, A. Eckert.—The aefendant was charged with uttering counterfeit currency. ‘The case Was adjourned till Saturday next. The United States vs. Vincent de Lorenzo.—Tho de- fendant pleaded not guilty to the charge of uttering counterfeit money, The trial was set down for the 1th instant. Alleged Embezzlement of Letters. The United States vs. M. Kelly and ¢. 4. Witard.— ‘The defendants were arraigned charged with embez- ailing letters containing articles of value. It was understood that the defendants pleaded guilty, and the hearing of the case was set down for the 11th inst. A Lottery Case. The United States vs, Jacob Bauer.—The defendant was charged with carrying on the business of a lot- tery dealer, without having paid -the special tax jaired by law. A motion was made to quash the indictment found against him on the ground that 1t was not certain whether the indictment had not properly founded, Judge Benedict, in delivering judgment, said the question was whether the law had been repealed and also whether the thirteenth section of the act harmonized with the act of March, 1867. Under all the circumstances he would sustain the prosecution m denying the motion, as it was by no means hero that the thirteenth section had been re- UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT. Alleged Tobacco Frauds. Before Commissioner Shields. The United States va. William Ochs.—The defend- ant was charged with having failed to keep the proper books required bylaw. He was discharged ‘On his own recognizance to appear on Tuesday next. COURT OF SPECIAL SESSIONS. George, the Connt Joannes, on the Richard- soneMcFarland Tragedy—Free Love Among the Dariiles. Belore Judges Dowling and Kelly. “JUDGK DOWLING AND JUDGE KELLY ACTORS,” Mrs. Eleanor F. Bishop, the plaintiff in the well lecture on “Recent Arctic explorations” at Stein: way Hall on Tuesday evening. ‘Tus WeaTnen YesTenpay.—The following record will show the cranges in the temperavure for the | past twenty-four hours in comparison with the cor- | responding day’ of last year, a8 Indicated by the thermometer at Hudnut’s pharmacy, HExaLp build- ing, corner of Ann street:— 1 1868, 1560, ‘ang tered 13 at #1x o’clock A. Vira SravisTics.--Tho deaths for the week end- ing yesterday were 460, against 466 the previous week, and the births 354, married, Tur New Carnoric Cuunca of the Dominican Fathers, corner of Lexington avenue and Sixty-sixth street, will be dedicated on next Sunday morning at half-past ten o’ciock, ACHILD FaTaLty ScaLpep.—On Thursday even- ing William Thomas Hyde, a chi!d three years of age, whose parents live at No. 820 Washington street, while at play on the floor with a toy wagon fell back- wards into @ pail of boiling water and was terribly seaided, He lived till Friday evening, and expired from the effects of the scalds received. Coroner Schirmer was called and held au inquest on the ‘there were 822 persons Tue Fim RECORD YOR NovPMBER.—Fire Marshal Brackett reports that there were 68 fires in tnis city during the month of November, of which 9 were caused by kerosene, 16 by carelessness, 1 of incen- diary origin and tne others from various causes. In 10 of these fires the loss was between $1,000 and $5,000; 6 between $5,000 and $10,000, and 2 between $10,000 and $50,000. The loss on’ bulldiogs was $23,600 and on stock $124,800; total joss, $145,400. Insurance on buildings, $452,800; on stock, $856,700; total insurance, $1,839,600. The total number of fires in November, 1868, was 83; total loas on stock and buildings, $377,440; total insurance, $725,950. During November, 1869, there were 25 fires in Brook- lyn; total loss, $70,190; "total insurance. $119,550. ‘Tux St, FRaNcis Xavrer’s Cavgon Farr.—During the past week the fair held in the college hall of St. Francis Xavier's church has been a most gratifying success in every particular. The ladics of the con- gregation who have had charge of the ‘tables have been untiring in their efforts to please every visitor, ond in the most winsome way possible to make lum contribute his mite toward the eral fund of the falr. There 18 @ refresnment tavié in the hall, pre- sided over by two ladies who, although not profes- slonais in the art of ‘mixing drinks,’ are expert enough to make temperance and non-temperance Iviks alike relish thelr champagnes and nectars too numerous t Mention. So novody can apologize for @ short visit by pretending to go out fora “simile.” ‘The air will continue to-morrow and Tuesday, and will close on Tuesday Qight. Professor Berge wi'l do his musical best on evenings of both days to aad to the attractiveness of the occasion. ‘tax Rgcetver’s Orrice.—During the past week the work at the ofilce of the Receiver of Taxes has been pursued with unflinching diligence. Those who have appeared at the office for the purpose of paying their taxes have been unsparing 1 their lavorable comments on the change made in the known divorce case, was the complainant in a charge of conspiracy set down for hearing yesterday morning atthe Special Sessions, The “handsome and intellectual” lady was present, attired in deep mourning, accompanied by her youthful son and her counsel, George, the Count Joannes, Mrs. Bishop alleges that she was taken into custody some long time ago on an unfoundea charge of felony, and that that charge was preferred by William L. Sweet, dry goods merchant in West Broadway, and a police- man named Patrick J. Britity, ir. Sweet was now hela In $1,000 bau to appear for trial at the General Sessions. On the application of the Count the Court was asked to hear a motion for the dis. Tor this case at the Special Sessions instead of the General Sessions. On the case being called on, Mr. Hail, counsel for Mr. Swees, said that he applied for a dismissal of the proceedings beiore this court, inasmuch as the case had been remitted to the Court of General Sessions, at the election not only of defendants, but ‘with the acquiescence of Judge Dowling. ‘The sec- ond ground upon which he applied was that if any offence had been committed it was barred by the [ statute of limitauons, He made that motion with less hesitancy than he otherwise should do because a civil suit was now pending in which the compiain- ant (Mrs. Bishop) sought to recover $20,000 as dam- ages for this alleged arrest. In that suit justice, he had no doubt, would be done to the lady without secking a further remedy by criminal proceedings in the Courc of Special Sessions, He (the counsel) hed in bis hand whe outline of a littie drama, writ- ten by the Count nimself, wnich It appears was per- formed when the court was assembled in this “tem- ple of justice’ last Thursday. The Count in that drama stated the second scene would be performed that morniug; be would conclude by expressing a hope that justice would be done without there being @ performance of any more scenes in tus little drama of the Count’s, Mr. Brown, from the firm of Brown, Hall’& Van- derpoel, said that he appeared for the police officer, insvructea by the Police Commissioners. Tose in- structions were only received late tne previous evening, and ne asked the Court to adjourn any hearing of the case until next court day, when they hope to be fully instructed, Yount Joannes said that the application of nis brother Hall had been suggested to him im anun- grammatical note he had received from that gentie- man. He would suggest that the adjournment be to @ later day than that named—to a aay when Judge Dowling would be re-elected by the people to the oMicial position, to that chair of Justice, he now so ably flied. The defendants were charged with the graud offence of Soe. and he nad ap- peared in the courts for the last five weeks in refer- ence thereto, and the Fabian policy of delay was the policy that seemed to be adopted in this case. The law gave him a right to bring it before his Honor, and being a conspiracy he had a right to charge ail the conspirators. ‘he Count then referred at length to tne absence of the third defendant, who was a “fugitive {rom justice’’ in Georgia, and who had gone out of the jurisdiction Of the court, and argued that the statute of limita- tions did not, under those circumstances, bar the roceedipg# in this case. This charge was “still anging over the head of this defendant, like te sword of Damocies, by a single hair, and it did not signify whether it was held by the hair or by the telegraphic wire.” His brother counsel had refer- red totne drama. He (the Count) once belonged to the drama, but his brotuer counsel was an actor now. He (the Count) was not. He pleaded for that poor, lone widow and her starving boy without any {ec or reward; “but his friend took fees for the act he jpetormed, aud very badly he played the part.” The Count then, in impassioned laaguage that xed the auention of a crowded court, said:—‘There is a poor prison now whom I offered to defend, without any reward, without any fee. He 18 called by some peopie a murderer. {call hima kilier; for he only killed that d—d infernai betrayer and villain whose funeral took place yesterday. (Immense sensation and a disposition to applaud, which was promptiy checked.) The form of justice was @ drama, and Josep Dowling on his domestic hearth did not play the same part as when he was the Justice on the bench, Neitier was Richard Kelly the same man as when he occupied the judge's chair. With reference to tne policeman he shouid be quite satisfied by his being released on his word of honor, instead of bail, and leit to the care of Captain Jourdan, the future Chief of Police. The Count concluded by urging his appication for a further adjournment of the Judge Dowling said that the papers would be sent Pee the General Sessions, where the case would e . All the parties then left the court. “PRRE LOVE" NOTIONS AMONG TIE DARKIES. Two American citizens of Alrican descent, named Eliza Thompson a d George Thompson, husband and wife, were in the position of complainant and defendant before the court. George was charged wiih assault and was very weil dec and before she was sworn the following conversation took piace:— Judge—Well, Mrs. Thompson, do you want me to do anything with this man’ man in the Mrs, (hompson—Weil, Judge, I don’t want him to come near ne again. dudge—Weil, but he is your husband, Mrs. Thompson—I dou’t know taat that matters much nowadays, Judge—Why, how's that? you are not divorced from him. Mrs, Thompgon—Well, Judge, you bind him over #0 that. be don’t come to me again any how. eee how long have you been married to t m2 Mrs, Thompson—Fight months, Judge, and that’s quite long enough for me. Judge—Have you auy family, or likeiy to have? Mra. Thompson—No, nor likely to nave, Judge—Can you support yourself and get along without him? Mrs. Thompaon—Oh, yes, very well. I can do Without him, Judge, iam a laundress, and would rather ve without him, Judge—Well, but i cannot divorce you. You have promised to be his wife, to love, cherish, honor and nourish him until death parted you. aire, Thompsaon—On, Md 1 Know; that’ matter Weill; but they tell_me getting out At any rate, | shan’t live with him any t now, and that the gay ail don’t more. Judge—Well, Thompson, what do you say to all this? Wi anything. 1 you ‘ rs from og 4 tp tg be ’ il keep away from her, Judge. bodder me I won't bocder her. ” both go; but remember plainant (in ® chorus)—All right, Judge; we know ail about that. Defend If ane don’ CIfY INTELLIGENCE, ARRESTS.—-The arrests made by th» police last week foot up 1,201, DISMISSED POLICRMEN.—James O'Neil and Andrew Whitehead, of the Sixth precincs, were yesterday Glsmisged the force. Axcrid Exrionation.—Dr. Isaac |, Hayes will | location and furnishing of the offices and the mysterious influence of the HzRAED in compelling tbe managers of the city and county government to appreciate the necessity of a change from the dark, crowded and miserable rooms in which the taxes were fornierly paid to more commodious and iitung apartments was universally acknowledged. From the figures given below it may ve Judged that Col- lector smyth and his deputy, Fithian, and the + right rk ee ee the bower" of the office, Interest C! well as the other attachés, have not been idie. amounts collected are as follows:— 5 platned that he had temporartly deposited a couple of trunks In the vaggage roow of the New Laven Railroad depot, on ‘whlch were his name a address. One Curtiss W. Smith, of Smith’s ” gage Expres took possession of the bag- gage, brought tt x. White’s house and charged eight dollars for expressage for the volua- tary service, It appeared in evidence hefore the Marshal that Mr. Sinith had done ‘thusly’ in other cases, Marshal Tooker, in puninshment, fined Mr. Suuth, obliged him to refund the amount extorted from Mr, White and then revoked his license. Besides these cases a number of complaints ask- ing damages on account of collisions between vehicles, involving amounts from five dollars to $100, were apparently amicably settled by the Mar- shal, ond fines inflicted on several hack and stage drivers who had been abusive to Mr. Henry Bergh While in the pursuit of his philanthropic work. AGE OF THE CARDIFF GIANT. Gypsum and Ita Solubility by Water Consid- ered as Bearing Upon the Question—Letter from Mr. George Geddes. ALBANY, Nov. 24, 1860, To Mr. GFonGE GEppE3, State Superintendent Salt Springs, Syracuse, &c.:— DEAR Smm-Knowing: your famiiartty with the geology of Onondaga county, you having prepared tne only geological = of that county ‘whic has ever been made, and that this map was authorized and approved by the State, and knowing your great experience sg aD ulturist, both scientifically and practically, { am led to ask your opinion upon & topic of interest to me and to the puolic—1 reier to the goiubility of gypsum by water. I will be irank vo guy, that my motive in obtaining your views upon the subject at this tune, has refer- erence to their bearing upon the uity or recent ness of the so-called giant. You are doubt- lees aware thas parues, for sundry reasons, sought to limit the repose of the Cardi giant in his bed of muck and clay, to-@ short period, and the theory most relied upon to effect tnis end ts, the ‘claimed rapid solution of gypsum. One advocate of this theory makes 2:0 days, six hours and thirty-one minutes a suficicnt me to be ras his entire body corporate, waile others have duced a@ similar range of facts (?) to show he would have been carried away into the surroundi soil, and as a fertilizer tuereof, in the short space two and one-half days, Under such representatio! or musrepresentations, | feci that your opinions an such facts a8 yon inay choose to give, will be of great mterest oe pupite. Ado high esteem, I very respect , Your obedient servant Oe ee ere 4. WESTOOTT. Faster } FAIRMOUNT, ONONDAGA COUNT: Nov. 2 Pam BINT Teply to tions, that [have Deak Srm—L reply to your question: geen the reports isd the trials of the soinbility of gypsum, and have examined some specimens of that mineral that have been subjegted to tire action of water. Certain points attracted my attention that may be of interest to you. Gypsum subjected Wo the action of ranning water water 18 let to fall from @ small height upon the stone. On one piece that had been experi upon and which was supmitted to my inspection, the water fell from @ height of six luches in con- Unuous drops, striking the stone at @ potat that was nearly surrounded ‘by clay placed on the stone so as to cover and protect the sur- face, except for a small space where the drops fell, and having a treuca cut out of one side to allow the escape of the water. ‘The drops excavated rapidly where they struck, and the water away the gypsum from the surface over which it run in passing off. ‘The clay was wet, aud wherever 1t covered the stone it protected it go that no action of the water could he seen upon it, The clay could not have prevented the water reaching all parts of the stone’s surface, but it did prevent any apparent action upontc. The whole stone must have been constantly wet, but under the clay the water changed but very slowly. lany years ago I dug a well, in which I found a rock Of gypsum, about forty-tive leet below the surface of the ground. The rock reached about one-half the way across the weil and back into @ bank to an unknown disiance, Water in small 642,068 Saturda: Wednesday..... Total....... THE WALL StRuET RoBBERY.—Patrick Fitzgerald, the young man charged with a robbery from a mes- senger boy of Messrs. Stouf & Dickenson, of Wall strect, of $100 in gold, Was Committed yesteruay by Judge logan w alswer. Taz GREAT SILK ROBBERY.—Bolssart, a French- man, charged with being in the possession of $7,000 worch of silk, the produce of the burglary of the Custom House steres in Leroy and West streets, waa committed yesterday © answer by Judge Hogan at the Tombs. Mr. W. F. Howe appeared as counsel for the defendant, LancgNy OF A BALE OF CoTToN.—Ofiicer Trainor, ofthe Twenty-elgbth precinct, yesterday arraigned @young man named James Driscoll before Justice Dodge, at Jefferson Market, upon complaint of Wm. V. Andrews, of 130 Chariton street, charged with aling @ bale of cotton from him on Friday, valued at $100. He demied the charge, but was commitied in default of $600 bail. Tue Eraura Warp Hiagnway RosBery.—The young man William Goodman, who was arraigned at Jefferson Market on Friday morning by oMcer Seaman, of the Eighth precinct, and remanded to the station houso, charged with highway robbery, the facts of which have already appeared in tne HERALD, was again arraigned yesterday morning and discharged by Justice Dodge, no complaiuanc appearing against him, STEALING A FIRKIN OF BuTrer.—A firkin of butter ‘was placed outside the store of Messrs. A. Moore & Son, corner of Peck slip (Front street), and it attracted the attention of John O'Neill, who resides at 273 Water street. He picked up the Urkin and walked off with it, but was seen by Bradford Sey- mour, Who gave @ description of the man to detec- tive Finn, of the Fourth precinct, who was on hand, and Fino, knowing his man, was very speedily on his track aud succeeded im capturing bici and the butter too, O'Neill was brought before Judge Hogan, at the Tombs, and commitred to answer. “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION.”"—Mrs, Ernos- tine Sturn, a German lady of very imposing pre- sence and very ladylike appearance, residing at 81 East Thirty-sixth street, was called upon yester- day moroing by @ young man named Henry Summett, a friend of the family, residing at 223 West ‘thirty-sixth street, While in conversation with him a laqy friend also called and Mr. Summett was shown into auother room, which Mrs. Sturn had just left, leaving also on the bureau her port- monniae containing $105. On her return to the room where Summett was she saw her portmonniae was slightiy move away from the place she had left it in, and she had the ped that Summett had taken it. A sensilive feeling on her part, however, she said, prevented her ox: her portemonaaic in his presence, and when he was gone she looked and found her notes were gone. She went out of the house imme- diately, but Summet, was nownere to be seen. Ho was afterwards apprehended and taken before Judge Hogan, at the Tombs, and committet to auswer. He atterwards confessed he was guilty; that tie temptation was too much for him, and the doilars were restored to their rightful owner, MAYOR)3 OFFICE. After a calm extending over some weoks the Marshal's Bureau, in the Mayor's Ofice, haa again become lively, and Marshal Tooker qnd his assist- ants have during the past week had*their hands fall in disposing of cases, giving information and advice and issuing certificates of license and attending to the gvartous, complicated and curious cases which came before them. Licenses have been issued through the week, by way of the bureau over witch Assistant Marshal Daly presides, as foilows:— Secoud hand dealers, 3; coaches, 8; ‘ven- ders, 25; carta, 18; expresses, 4; intelligence office, 1; porters, 4; drivers, 100—totai, 168, For lieense feeg and fines $304 have been received, and the sum of $1,911 has been recovered for parties who | had been fleeced by SWINDLES OF VARIOUS KINDS, It seems strange, indeed, that despite the various notices in the public prints, despite the warnings given by those who have been feeced, and the caras iggued Irom tho Mayor's office, apparently ivtel- ligent men aro daily enticed into the swindling establisnments of this city ana roobed, It 1s almost useless to give the location of the dena which the awindlers manage, @ such notices seem only to act as advertisements. The little crios along West and Chatham streets and tue shops on Broadway wiich the soapy scoundrels “run” as jewelry stores are so conspicuous that it seems astonishing any rignt- minded man could be tnduced to risk thore ‘his pio- porty and his money with the expectation of obtala- ig small fortunes for nothing. Among the victims who have sought the assistance of Marshal ‘Tooker during the past week and who, by his order and tue presence Of the stalwortn and determined 100k. aT officer MoGrath, have recovered moneys, we: Wittiam Heskitt, Sheri of Cosnocion county, Ono, oat $60; John Graham, of Scranton, Pa., Who lost ; Frederick Essick, of Staten Isiand, $22; 4, |. Mvlett, Westfold, Mass., $100; J, J. Hopkins, Wiikes- barre, I y Luther Eddy, Morris county, N.J., ey, Chicago, $20; Edward Mulleu, sson avenue, Brooklyn, $11; Frederic« Ender, bremen, $40; James Gilmer, Maiyiand county, $10; James Lawson, Iowa, tienry Roberts, Ao Engishwman, just from Honduras, ¢11 and a siver watch valued at $60. Conrad Blumer, Henderson, Ky., purchased ® ucket for $36, at No, 9 Hoboken sireei, and got im exchange for $95 in greenbacks sixteen Bi ish shillings, one sixpenny piece and two Pruasian thalera. Joseph Oakiey was charged one sovereign for beiug driven, together wit his wife, from pier 47 to ier 15, Nora river, by Daniel Holland, of hack % iva On application to Marshal Tooker the sove- reign waa obtained for Mr. Oakley and tie extor quanticy was found nine or ten feet above this gypsum rock, and in larger quantity near the top of the rock. The well Was punk five feet down by the side of the rock, to secure a full sapply of water; @ part of the rock Was cut off so as to allow the bucket to pass it, then the well was walled up, .the gypgum rock serving for a Joundation for about one-Lat the circle under the wail, andthe water standing for most of the time nine or ten lect above the rock. In times of drought the water in the well ig shailow and only reaches part of the height of the rook. ‘This rock, you will observe, was found in the water, where it certainly lad peen from the begin- ning of ita existence, There is no land within & mile that is not higher at it surface than the bottom of this fifty feet well, A small brook runs aquarter of a mite south of the well, over a bot- tom about twenty ieet higher tuan the bottom of the weil, and on the north of it another brook, within a fifth of a mile, ruus ona bottom, perbaps about on a ievel with the upper show of water in the well, These streams are the drains of two val- leys, betvreen which is the ridge of land where the ~well was sunk. ithink wat there can be no doubt that the water from unese two brooks passes through the shelly rock, of which the ridge is composed and at ali times kept Unis gypsum rock flooded. Now, why did it not dissolve during all the past years? My answer to this queation is—the water did not change. I might give more examples of gypsum being found surrounded with water without being dis- solved; but they would only show this:—when the not changed, its action 13 not suilicient to destroy the form or substance of the rock. Let us refer to the piace and material in which the as low as the bottom of the Onon- daga creek, which was distant from bim, perhaps, 100 yards, Above and below him for a considerable distance there is very little current in the creek, the ground being very level, as the creek rans, ‘The earth that ae the statue was the deposits of freshets, and bad sufficient tenacity to prevent any rapid change of the water that at all times coy- ered the figure, ‘The action of the water on some 3, It appears to me, confirms this view, Along the leit side there are extensive abrasions, due, as | taink, to the fact that there was a lictie gravel among the alluvium that did at some places allow of @ more frequent change of the water than the more tenacious earth allowed at other places. From what lnow know as to the rapidity with which gypsum dissolves in water, runuiug and siagnant, | am nou able to form any opinion as to its solubility in clay, mud and gravel. I do not think the experiments that have come to my Notice settle anything on this point. If a piece of the giant should be enclosed in the very material in which he was found, aud kept wet by the same water taken from the pit he was taken from, we might, by having sufictent time given us, form some satisfactory opinion as to the rapidity with which he would waste away; but i should hardly expect, even with the most carefully conducted teats, that we should. be abie to ix on the time the statue lay in his muddy bed with the exactness sug. gested by a learned professor, who, though he haa devoted much time to tue investigation, Nas not con- sidered it necessary to take precautions such as I have named to avoid error. have examined the surface of the giant and observed the small indentations that nave attracted 80 much notice. I have also observed the surface where abraded, apparently by water, ant I have been unabie to ttud any resemblance between- them. ‘The small indentations I cannot fad, except on such parts of the surface as bear tné appearance of being in their original condition. ‘The frat question | asked myseli, on looking at the giant in his bed, was, What is the material thas. composes it? ‘This question hag never been satis- factorily answered me by any chemical analysis. I¢ is called gypsuin, bus this 18 not quite satisfactory in this age of science, Cleaveland’s Aneralogy, which I studiea when a boy at school, says gypaula “13 sometimes contami- nated by small quantities of carbonate of lime, alumine, silex aud oxide of iron” (page 204). He says, sulphate of lime (gypsum) is composed of lune 33, sulphuric acid 46, water 22. A laminated specimen of Onondaga, yielded warden lime 32, sulphuric acid °7, water 21. In a compact variety, Genhard found lime 34, sulphuric acid 47, water 18, When I consider that this statue was constantly wet by pouring water on it for several days to gratily visitors, and was for several weeks flooded with new water every night—“common gypsuin loses one- sevenieenth of its weight in forty-eight hours when exposed to rain Water'’—the piece experimented upon, not perhaps paring. & larger proportional sur- face than has the giant, lam led to ask if he 18 like Onoudaga gypsum, why did not the surface. so often wel, change and approach, In some places at least, in appearance the parts that were found abraded by water? When [ first saw the giant I ventured the opinion that gypsum like it could not be found ta this vicinity. I still entertain this view, aud I consider all experiments made on Onondaga gypsum to be of litue vaiue in solving tue question of the antiquity of the giant. Busy rumor now says the Michigan im would, answer jor the image. Tois | caonot deny, further thau to say that | have aspecimen in my cabiuet from that state, which ts more unlike the giant by far than is our Onondaga rocks. I consider ali ovtside specuiacions idle or worre. You have ihe giant, and can make experiments on A part of his substance, under the direction of Pro- fessor Hall, or some other competent man. But to. make any progress towards a satiaiactory conclusion, it appears to me that you inust subject tae part ex- perimented alae to exactly the same conditions, in ail respects, that you found to exit im connection with toe giant where he lay, Yours respectfully, GEORGE GEDDES. “THE ELEVATED RALAOAB, The Salaries of the Officers ef the Road. To Tae Epiror or Tue HERALD:— The writer of the article on “Quick Transit,” ix your paper of to-day, pretends to give details or the business of the West Side Elevated Rail way, Which are not only not true, bus are ab surd, and should be contradicted if worth the trouvie, For instance, a@ list of salaries amounting to $31,009 per aunum is given, and the slur added that thus the capital is being cousumed, Sutice It to Bay $17,000 of Lhe alleged savartes can De mecked off as perinn: no existence, aad this, even though nob within Airy per cent of the truth, ip nearer correct thin the remainder of the statewens Houadte whip flned by tho Merehal Captain d. D. White, of tne salp Sea Serpent, con | Aout BLOCK Issues, ee. Yours, reapeovtully, 4 Di is rapidly carried away by it. particularly if the - ff