The New York Herald Newspaper, February 21, 1870, Page 5

ee rene PASHION IN WASHINGTON. General Disenssion of Social Affairs in Washington—A Romantic Preface— Pierre Bonaparte and the Saddler’s Daughter — Receptions During the Week—The President’s Levee— Madame Catacazy’s Entertain- ments—Lively Picture of the Franco-Russian Belle—The Belknap and Fish Evenings. WASHINGTON, Feb. 38, 3870. One day when Prince Pierre Bonapar’ was ariy- ‘Ing wo the races some part of the harntms gave way. Fortanately a saddier’s shop was near by; and while the broken harness was bemg repained the Prince regaled himself with a glass of water and discovered how marvellourly pretty was the sad@ier’s daughter ‘who served him and curtsied 80 modestly to bis Royal Highness, True, be had seen beauty in its most artiatic and cult'vated forms, bewitching and dazzling enough to tura even a prince’s ‘head a | feore Of times. But this roadside flewer captured the Prince with the strategy of loveliness, and bis heart was left behind nim as ne rode on to the races. ‘The Prinoe, tike other men, found it «ifficult to live without a heart, and he was not long in winning thas of the saddlerts pretty daughter. The story can hardly be repeated too often, as what succeoded was so knightly end true and wRhal so rare. The Prince @ecided:to marry her, and so placed her-at echool from which she emerged with ‘the mecemary acqaired graces. She was quick and apt, and se extremely :good looking ‘that ‘when Prince ‘Pierre presented his wife to tne Em- ‘peror his Majesty wis gracious enough to forget‘her origio and received her corvéally. It would finish ‘beautifully to add that the Empress smitated the ‘Ranperor tr bis reception offer. But alas! Eugénie, ‘who 1s the most charming bigot in France, drew her ‘robes abouther in scorn @t the presumption. But ‘for all thas the wile of Prince Pierre graces the ‘eourt circiea of Paris, or “id until Awteuil,and the ‘people take pride in her. But what has,a Frenoh saddler’s daugiter to do ‘with Washington society, or how does her romance attach itself to the interest of the “court circles of the republic?” It will do for a preface quite as well aa'wourd the true atory: of a well known iady here, ‘who ‘dresses elegantly, gives magnificent dinners, ‘entertains charmingly, and now and then numbers ‘® guest who remembers very well (forit'was not so very long ago) when she presided at ‘tie counter of a lager beer saloon in the interior of Pennsylvania. Society everywhere in America, save perhaps in a few of the older towns, is too new, unsettled, and of woo transient a character to be purely aristocratic. A season in Washington will give a stranger, in the ehortest possible time and in vhe ‘best and truest form, the most correct type of American s0- clety. Democratic enough for freedom, 1t ts ‘Mnvartably well tempered smQ modulated by tne “esthetic elements in its leadere, A few families here, who take pride tn being “okt: and well estab- liabea,” maintain a somewhat rigid! degree of caste, | but when one comes well tntrodaced he is made the recipient of such cordial avd generous welcome as to feel that tnis element of soctety is 4 most delighi- fa) one. But what interests the people most is of the people and open to them. They feel a sort of per- sonal pride and ownerskep in the magnificence of the Capitol and the various public buildings: but as buman faces and human forms forever possess tn- terest beyond architecture, the ruling passion tri- umphs, and the reception topic gains full possession of the senses, As society liere differs in its organt- vation, system and operation from that elsewhere, st fa an easy m: for one to comprehend the situa- tion, The lent’s receptions are public, not oo- carring at regular intervals, but always duly adver- tised in the city papers. They are held from eight to ten in the evening. Mre. Grant receives every ‘Tuesday, from two untul four P.M. Her receptions are open to all, and from three until four she ts. usually assisted by the. President. On every Wednesday, after two in the. afternoon, the ladies of the Cabinet receive, and all persons are at Iberty to call. On every Friday evening, from nine untu eleven, Speaker Blaine repeives nis fricnds pro- muscuously, Thursday and Saturday are the recep- : NEW YURK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 187 ae the presentation, You have only front of you has done. ‘The President extends his hand, looks you straight in the eye, with @ look sharp, keen and powerful ugh te do credit to a detective omicer, Mrs. Grant smiles and looks pleasantly enough. It hes been neariy an hour since you left the room, and you begin to desire a ghelering place, where you cam nave space to identify yoursel! and look about. The Green Room adjoining and the Bast Room further on, the grand saion, are but a sea of heads. You may be fortunate enough to get nto an out of the way corner where you can see the presentations and hear the music of the orchestra, which 18 an ble remove, * What an agreeabie thing 1t would be tohave the external man keep pace with offictal or social pro- mution. Of course everybody bas heurd, over and over again, that General Grant aa “very ordinary looking man—looks very like Mis pictures,” &c, But whatever your Rrejudices may have been, they do not bias your Impressions of the small, squarely Dixit man in a swailow-latl coat, white neckuie and gloves, who has been standing like a martyr tor two mortal hours shaking hands with hundreds ot people, with many of whom it is impossible for him to nave any individual sympathy Whatever. The condensed, n expression of his face grows more stolid and unrelenting as the moments wane, The fight it out on this line system characterizes his manner 10 receiving, There is no iudication of genuine enjoy- ment on his part. Persoual acquaintances linger for @ brief conversation. The last visitor is finally in. troduced, presentation iy over, and the President breathes more After a little the crowd 18 less dense by the departure of visitors, and with his aughter Nellie, @ healthy, girlish looking little qeaid of twelve or fourteen years, in a bine silk, WILD ry Di tod long-siveved overdress of E ited Swiss and her nie brown hair crisped and dowing, the President makes a promenade, sorouga o lors, Whic& 1s RoW more iully indulged in ty vi Ladies in well gotten up toilets are wo the promenade—and shouldn't they be? isn’t it quite natural for people to desire an appreciation of what they devote most of their me and energies wo? And wW Women exhaust their on costumes and devote their time to perfecting their toilets, one must have no tenderness at ail to pass the “alk worm by” and not make acjual dempn- stration of appreciation. Mrs, Grant is supposed to wear this season only some one-of her Parisian dresses, be tt a silk, satin or velvet, For the most part gentlemen are in full dress, but with the exception of differently tinted gloves they so far as look a8 much alike as 80 many black dress" distinguishes them. ‘There 1s always a sprink- lng from and navy, and as the officers are good enough to attend in uniform they not only. cause themselves to be distinguisbed but give indi- viduality tothe assembly. Admiral Goldsborough, stauch and rotund, makes ample reem for follow-- ers when -he leads the way. General 5i "@ Lwo-storied head towers well above the average of about him, while he Jooks to be last man in the world an army of men would enthusiastically follow on & Warch from any where to the sea. I’m sure women never would, and never wii, if ever tney do don ‘the biae or the gray and spring to arms. They might pardon bis daughter, however, who is at once as distinguished and refined in her manners as the General us abrupt and sharp sometimes. She has a fair, intellectual face, cold rather than intense or eager, and @ grace and high mindedness of address that wins admirauon When mere prettiness utverly fails. Her dress is some colored silk under one of! Swiss and valenciennes lace. Her hair, ight brown, is very plainly dressed; no curls, nor frizzes, nor puts. A white camelia low at the side of the chig- non 18 the ouly noticeable ornament, As she 1s said to-wear ber nalr uniformly #0 plain, dt might almost be.a safe criterion to follow for strangers to identify her at receptions. For ladies’ evening dresses, black, 80 much worn last season, 18 but litle worn thls. Silks of all the new shades and the old; grenadines, Swias and pale oolored poplins predominate, Alsnough every lady wears @ dress unlike her neighbors, degrees -of difference are 50 1n;accordance.with and subservient to & general prevailing style, that few cossumes are seen which tnay propeply be verined striking. Dresses are mostly decolietéesin some shape, aad Matrons and maids seer far less terrified at the free exhibition of their physical charms than are the Most unsopiusticaved of beholders. But some mar, veliously prevty snoulders, pretty all the way around, make you feel ful to the owners tor demon- strating the fact beyond dispute that art beauty 1s an absolute fact yet i America. . In contrast Lo ull the ‘1ugs and feathers,” with their atmosphere of politeness, not formal to stiffness, now and. then one appears sa ordinary strec: dress, With cloak and hat. 10 looks a little ouLof place, but quite pardon- i! ‘when one fancies them to be straligers at the Capital who left their party clothes “tu hum,” and conidu’t fail to see tae Predideut and the dine people, and, when home, astonish the gaping lis ers with an account o! how social aduirs are mau- aged at the Capital, SPEAKER BLAINE’S RECEPTIONS. The receptions of Speaker Blaine are far more en- joyabie, as there are iewer peopie, aud @ more social feeling prevalis. His house is @ pleasant one iu which to receive, the parlors below and the rooms above being ample and well arranged. One meets any number of Senators and Representatives, with their wives and daughters, snd as Mr. and Mrs. Blaine have the faculty of imparting their own good feeling and genuineness 0 welcome ww their Visitors everything ins happily and progresses smootaly. ‘ineir mode of receiving is very in- jormal, the visiiers introducing themselves if not known. Personally, the Speaker is one of the handsomest, if, indeed, not the most ei } man. in Washington, Mrs. Blaine, a tail, dark-eyed woman, charms all by the sweetness and suayily of her manner. Hardly a person 18 present but is ‘famous’ in real or re- -llected honor, imagining for the present success albett it was so fashionable and dressy. How the carriages did drive up was something worth looking at. Aud then the people, owing through the door from nine o'clock until midnight, getting into the dressing and then squeez! them- Selves up stairs ata sort of snail's gallop! Did any reception habitus ever see that beaten save on some ‘monster occasion like ® President’s levee or an In- auguration ball? As Senator Revels would express it, in nis tamitiar style, “ra-ather guess not.” The unusual attendance of fasuionavies was a well deserved recognition of the good qualities of the new War Secretary and the grace and accom- plishments of nis beautitul lady, ‘To-night Madame and General Beiknap give their secona reception. They will have another fine evening for it, and it is expected that it will be fully equal to, if t¢ do not eclipse, recepuon No. 1. FISH FRIDAY RECEPTION. ‘The Friday evening reception of Secretary and Mrs, Fish this week preseuted the usual array of elegance, beauty and fashion, and was none the less agreeable because not crowded. The evening was unusually rough for this lautude, and otker parties exercised thelr influence. in preventing concentra- tion, Among the distinguished female personages Lady Ouseley was conspicuous, no leas on account of comman< appearance and rich and taste- ful attire vaan for that frank, cordial and pol- igned eate with whieh she greeted old friends aad new acquaintances, More remotely than her appearance would indicate, Lady Ouseley Was a distinguished belle of tue capital—the daughter of Governor Van Ness, a representative m the first three years of the present , alter Minister to Spain and Mayor of this , and having married the daughter and heir one of the principal owners of the original site. of the city, early adopted it as his future residence, and was long one of its most useful and greatly re- spected citizens. Many years since Mr. Ouseley, now Sir Wiltiam Gore Ouseley, K. C. B., was at- tached to the British Legation here, and being a gentemen, of taste and good judgment, naturally i attached to and married Miss Van Ness, the accomplisaed lady who mow revisits, not for the first time, she scenes of her childhood, lending & charm to every assemblage favored with her pres ence. At the soirées of the secretary of State, as & matter of-course, the foreign legationa are always Koll, nepeneanian, and particularly so when 80 Many attractions as now lend additional induce- ment; and here, 1f not elsewhere, the Cabinet officers And not unfrequently the Presifent.make thelr ap- pearance. Among Senators present we noticed te amiable Mr. Buckingham, Soooippansed by bis niece, and Mr, Anthony, ever cordfil and lively. Con- ) 8 Bong strangers were Winthrop, of Massa- chusetts; Governor Graham, of are arolina, for- merly United States Senator, Secretafy of the Navy Under Fillmore, and whig candidate lor Vice Prest- dent with Scott—a gentieman of the old school, and alstinguished no less for bis fine, command! Dearance than chat manners; Mr. Evarts, late Attorney General; Governor Clitford, Bishop Mcfl- vane, Charles Macalester, of Philadelplia, and many other notables, attracted hither by business or Pleasure. Amid the throng of beauty and fashion and rich and tasteful toilets the hostess wae unsur- assed 1n appearance and elegance of manner, and that would be an assembly worth seeing, but rarely mn, where, bemg present, Mrs. Fish would not attract attention and compel admiration. ART NOTES. Why Hi We No Art Gallery ? Strange, indeed, does it seem that a city claiming to be one of the first three in the world in refinement and cultivation should be without wuat even a third rate town in Europe possesses, a public gallery of fine arts, In vain we seek for a solution of the mystery. It cannot be that we are without the talent to supply sucha demand. The evidences of the proof to the contrary we see around us every day. It is not, of course, tuat we are wanting in artistic taste; least of all ts it that we lack the means. We cannot sup- pose that it is public spirit in which we are deficient, when we see money spent so freely in other causes aud 60 many arise to sustain points of far leas im- portance, Of course, it cannot be that an intelligent people, In the accumulation of wealth and m the pursuit of personal aavantages, forget what they owe to their higher natures ana w cheir brothers among men, Nor can we suppose that among us the practical usurps the office and functions of the geathetic and the inteliectual. The question remains unsolved, We are, there- fore, obliged to wonder still longer why a people, second to none in intellectual activity, progress and civilization, practically ignore a question -of such Vast importance in the solution of others seemingly gross and selfish. There is dormant tn the coarsest matures a chord which ig at least the principle of a love for the beautiful. it ts this chord whose note sounds in the great choral of numanity. It may only occasionally vibrate irom a momentary influence. It may awaken into harmony. It may be developed into taste. It 1s something, at least, tohave touched, even for @ moment, the note Whose sound is music in the din and discord of human bearts. Meanwhile, in default of any regular national or public gallery, We should not fail to appreciate those repositories of art among us which so creditably supply the present great want. Prominent among these 1s ® chase for butterftes, ‘The child 1s ¢ ly reaching forward. ‘Ihe care. in detail and finish, ment. The accessories are treated witn the hand of ‘&@ master. The group ol y men, seen down the Toad, in the distance, has much life and feeling. BERANGER, A hignly finished French picture of 8 nurse giving & glass af water to @ child, apparently fatigued after ‘The net lies on the floor. h, are both worthy of remark. The ‘Ogure of the child 18 not altogether happy. That of the nurse 1s far better, DIRFFENBACH. The Broken Window.—This picture is painted with a great breadth, without any disregard for de- tall, @ combination not common tn arusts of this school, There ig a great deal of humor and feeling 1n the subject and Its treatment. BEYBCHLAG, Morning Promenade.—A cold, gray picture; too cold, with some grace and feeling, PROFESSOR JORDAN. The Pilot on the Night Watch.—The painting is quite remarkable for its tone and power. ‘There is also considerable sentiment, ‘The old man, wearled with bis night work, is sitting thoughtfully by the fireside, while the cold, early morning 4s beginning to dawn, and appears through the win- dow. The most triting details of color or drawing are in harmony with the whole subject throughout. ZAMACOIS, A water color of a group of lackeys, witn their varied and gay livery, seem taking a few minutes of repose from their duties, The artist has succeeded MM producing a strength and richness of color equal in effect to oil painting. It is treated broadly, and the drawing is excellent. B. C. KORKKORK. A lanascape, which is a masterpiece of careful and minute detail. The avenue under the trees is well thrown into the distance. MEYER VON BREMEN. Children in the Woods,—The subject 1s wefully dealt with, but there is a slight affectation in the standing figure. The woods are well painted and the C6 good, SNEDECOR, A number of paintings, which will form a new collection, has not as yet been received at this gal- lery. At present there is little Riel remark which has not already been fully noticed. SCHAUS’ COLLBCTION consists of @ rather limited supply of works of Ameri- can art, tho there are several very noteworthy from the of foreign painters. MR. B, W. NICHOLLS. The Mists Rising tn the Mansfeld Mountains 1s @ vigorous picture.” The distance is eget | well rendered. The arust seems to have alin more particularly at effect aud veracity. ‘at least, he bas succeeded, MR. 4. T. BRICHER, Shower on the Mississippi.—This 1s in its concep- tion somewhat original. In the pursuit of original- ity, Dowever, one is apt to lose signs of other equaliy un) elements, The color is managed and anced. ‘There is @ want ae of interest. The clouas w the right are altogether too heavy. ‘They might be easily mistaken for mountains. * ‘MR. 8. H. SMILL White Mountaina—Lake in Autumn.—There is a son effect of the highly colored autumn scenery. ere is correct feeling aud promise in the picture. ME. W. M. BROWN. Study of Apples and Litacs.—Beside the inexplica- bie and utterly incongruous combination here worthy of remark, the lilacs are most heavy ‘and monotonous, though the «apples are far better. AB a study tbe painting might be pardonable. As a picture it is most unsatisfactory and deficient in taste. ‘The foreign paintings in this collection present a strong contrast to the foregoing in caretul study, appreciation of the great pripcipies of art and exe- cution, Among only too many of our own artists there is an apparent neglect of the realization of the importance of the higher rules and principies of art very perceptible in their productions. One of the great delects noticeable among us i8 superticiality, As ® people or as artists. Nothing, even inspiration, cao take the place of patient and caretul study. HFILBUTH. One of the most exquisite paintings tn this collec- tion 18 one of a lady reading @ letter in @ wood. The picture is French. ‘This 1# evident from tne manner and treatment of the subject. There is Ubroughout the work a charming grace and delicacy which appeals to every one. Without apparent effort for effect, Lhe artist has secured one of extreme Simplicity and beauty. Ihe color, while periectiy subdued, is light, harmonious and effective, The whole picture breathes a spirit of refined feeling aud sentunent, In these, ROBIE, Perhaps the most striking of the works in the gallery 1s @ painting o1 flowers, It 48 @ remarkably brutiant composition. Jt bears careful examination. worked up. Ing, however, 1s somewhat tuo sensuous. Occasion- of truth. A small v: of attention. oMicer of the Order of Leopold as # token of royal apprecialion of tus.paimung. SIBGERT, are awakt asicep over her spinuimg. ‘Through Ube noonday meal. venderness. CARL MILLNER. truthful. lated in regard to fore and background efycts. DIBZ. volunteers on service in Paraguay 1a another matter the Ministry was afraid to allow the Comte d’£u,lo ally the color somewhat transcends the strict limit e of amother-of-pearl and a branch of roses near ita base are particularly worthy Ths artist, a Belgian, was made an Dtrner Time.—Two children, cautiously, and with ® respect inspired im some countries by old age, their grandmother, who has fatlen an open door ‘ihe other members of the family are seen seated at ‘The distance ig well given. ‘The drawing ws perfect. ‘fhe picture is iuil of pathos and A Svene in the Tyrol.--The foreground 1s carefully studied and vivid, ‘The tree@ are especially creuli- able aud lifelike, The mountains i.the distunce, though 4 trifle woo promment, are well detaued aud ‘the coloring 38 scarcely enough modu- 0.—TRIPLE SHEET. SOUTH AMERICA. The Return of the National Guard from Paraguay—Cable Communication with the United States—Steamship Tra- vel—The New York Herald in South America — The Paraguayan War. RIO JANEIRO, Jan. 2%, 1470. The expected return of the national guards and which was exciting attention, The Comte ,d’Eu wanted to arrive in Rio with a body of 5,000 or 80 of them to give ap opportunity to the people of Rio to give them an ovation. ‘This the Ministry refused to permit, alleging various reasons, such as that it would be disparaging to the regulars who will have to remain in Paraguay, and to the wounded and disabled men who have already returned. Some say return at the head of a respectable force, devoted to him ag is the Brazilian army, lest he should attempt acoup Wetat, Probably this was the case, for although nothing of the thing feared is likely to occur through the Comte @’Eu's action, its known that there ts no love lost between the Prince and the Emperor's existing Cabinet, However, there are other reasons besides tne political fears; there is a large sum of money due to the returning troops, for arrears of pay, and, in addi- tion, they have to receive the bounty of 300 milreis promised to each of them, together with about 300 acres of land each. But neither money nor land is ready, and if a body of expectant troops landed in Rio their united complaints would make a disagree- able noise, supported, as they would be, by the ma- jority of the Kio press and by ail the liberal Senators, It is, therefore, intendea by the Ministry to dribble the return- mg troops into the provinces, so as to prevent any unity of reclamattons on the govern- ment for the money and the land. As for the money, that depends on whether the government can get a loan, but as regards the land, to judge by precedents Wherein the patents for lands gold to settlers have not yet been issued after a lapse of thirty years, the soldiers will have to whistle hard and long for the lucky breeze that willbring them their land war- rants. However, at the last moment the Ministry caved in and we hear to-day that the troops will come to Rio. It seems there 1s a probability of cable communi cation netween Brazil and the United States and Europe being established within three years, as a company has been formed in London to carry out the Balestrin! concession for one between France, Brazil and the West Indies, But the government has decided nothing as yet in regard to making the land connections with the cabie terminal near Pernambuco, although several proposttions have been before it for more tnan @ year, However, it may be that the new Minister of Agriculture wili come to some decision before the Legislature sits, so a8 to anticrpate the interpellations which are sure to be made tn regard to the matter. Seven tenders were handed in upon the 18th, with proposals to carry the mails between Pard and Rio, calling at the chief ports, and between Kio, the river Trave and Matto Grosso, calling at St. Catherine and Rio Grande do Sul. All the steamers, except those between Rio and Buenos Ayres, must sail under the Brazilian flag. Among the seven tenders 19 one from the United States and Brazil Steamstip Company, two from resident Eng- lish houses, two from River Plate houses, and two from Brazilian firms. Strange to say the ‘The detaiis are most consctentiously studied and | Brazilian company, wnich has ‘hitherto carried on ‘The arrangement 1s excellent. ‘The teel- the service and which is powerful aud wealthy, has Sent in no tender. Many persons assert that the com- pany feels sure that all the tenders put ja will be re- Jected and that it then can dictate {ts own terms. It is to be hoped, bowever, that the service will fall invo ‘foreign hands, for its administration by the Brazilian Company was sadly benind the require- ments of the umes a4 regards regularity, speed and accommodations, and the captaing thought shem- selves privileged to half sturve and bully the passen- gers, who had ao resource but toendure. Fortunately the competition of foreign vesseis has been bringing such gentry to their bearings. ‘The Legislature of Pianhy, which 1s almost totally composed of liverals, bas instituted velore the provincial laws which were in execution. misssed nine months after his action. against Farasn, to tha 23.6 per cent., the perce! decreased from 47.37 in the last half of in the last halr of 166%, The railroad cost about £656,000, Supreme Court of Brazil a prosecution of a former Vice President, who last year suspended thirteen Besides this act the Vice President is accused of various uber political or administrative misdemeanors. After along delay the suspension of the laws was deolared illegal by the government, aud he was die ‘The provincial presidents and vice vresidents, when acting, have very great powers—powers 9428, half of 1868 The itr- on eae teapectively $308,004 and tie the increase = receipts was ntage of WO! Coged 638, 80 that wi Another great landslip has occurred upon the San Paulo Railroad in COMNSEuenOe of the long-continued rains of December and January, during which foar feet of water fell in forty-nine days. The place where the slin occurred Was i one of the Immense embankments of the third where the trains are hauled up and lowered a stationary engines, along five inclines of about a mile each in length, which form the conjunction of tue locomotive lines at the foot and top of the plateau, whose top is a mile above the seashore level at the foot. Gpoda tramic 4s completely stopped and will continue 60 for per- haps @ month, but th» passengers manage to get along by Walking for about a mile and @ halt along the Injured inciines, The muie road up the mouu- tain 1s also damaged by the rains, so that the mer- chants of Santos will have little to do but to whistle unul coffee and cotton will appear again descending the mountain gorges to their empty stores, ‘The last accounts from S, Paulo do uot give notice of the awarding of the tenders for the construction of the Jundiahy and Campiuas junction, but a meet- ing Was to be held on the 200h to form 8 company for the consiraction of @ branch from Jund.ahy to Itu.to reach the cotton country Mr. Chandiess has furnished some account of his late explorations of the river Mua, a tributary of the Upper Amazon, which he found to be navigabic by steamboats for 900 mules, and for wy 2 les more. There are only one or aaa pisces where difficulty. would, exist at low water, The cimate appeared to be healthy, aa none of his crew fell sick, Sarsal and gum- elastic are abundant, and the river swarms with fish, including the ox fish and the piraracu, or fresb water whale, whose dried flesh is #0 largely em- ployed along the Amazon. The Indians are few, and in general peaceable. The lightstup at the entrance to Para 18 not likely to be replaced for two months, a8 she needs exten- sive repairs, so that ube dangerous shoals are leit again unlighted. However, a Small veeset has been ordered to cruise there aud warn vessels. The ans of the public peace are usually termed oficers. but in Para the policemen were 80 well commanded that their two tittle corps of 186 men had ‘forty-six commissioned officers to order them, ‘This is nearly as good as the Montevidean army of 150 men which lately returned trou Pare- quay, and whicit had one general aud sixty to sev- enty oMicers in command of it. Accounts from the provinces tell that pressing for the army 18 still ent rey cme & tes troops are on the point of returning. y rea- sonable explanation for this fact seems to be that as elections ate stil going on the government uses the pressing scare to keep the volers uuder com- ete contrel. It appears to have bees effected in Marapham, tor the opposition cone not elect @ sin- le deputy to the Provincial Legisiature. by Noting of importance has been heard from Para- guay since the Rakria left, by which I forwarded correspondence. ‘The government publishes a des- patch which says the Northern Bragiilan corps sur- prised the Paraguayan intrenchments at the Verde and made twenty-nine prisoners without sul fering loss, It is also aid that the In- dians were offering their services to the hes, saying tuat they had reiused to help Lopez. But persons proiessing to know the country assert tat Lopez can banie his pursuers for years, and that the report of his making boats in order to flee is nonsense, as there is hot ® navigable stream to put them on within 100 miles of lim. Two Braziiap crafts, laden with powder, blew up at Corrientes, causing the death of all on board but the captain, who yet lived. ‘The heat bad been terrible la Para guay. Many soldiers died of sunstroke, aod two-thirds of the corps marching would someumes faildown in the road. . LITERATURE. Criticisms of New Books, Lurk Dorigs, By E. E. Maroy, A. ML, M. D. York: D. & J, Saditer & Co, ‘Yhé long experience of Dr. Marcy as ® pbysician In large practice renders him peculiarly fitted for the writing of ® work pointing out the “life duties!” of man. Ly close attention to the physical atlmente of humanity he has been enabled to ascertain to what extent the sutferings of people are due to merely spiritual causes, or, rather, to a want of spiritual blessings, In the preface to Unis book he justly remarks that ‘‘tne welfare of individuals, of socicty, of governments, is dependent to a great ex- tent upon a proper cuiture and uevelopment of the spiritual and physicai man,” and Dr. Marcy pro- ceeds to prescribe a cure for existing maladies as sunpie ag it is eMcacious, To begin with, we must cherish for God a love supreme over all else, and to feel this love we must induige in prayer and medi- tation, and possess laith and hope and charity. The seventh chapter, which is devoted to temperance, is an essay Of greatforce. The necessity for moderate New indulgence in ‘intoxicaumg liquids, the — in- jury infitcted upon physical health by their excessive use and .the moral dedradauon arurkenness resulta tn, are all argued with great force and cogency. in iike manner the chapter on morality and virtue, is most instructive and argu- mentative. Dr. Marcy writes with much delicacy, at the same time holding up & view @ mirror wherein we can see the damning effects of immo- rality and vice, The dangers of sensuality, its pro- vocation vo infidelity towards God and its destruc: ton of tbe mental faculties are tarefuily aud candidly of the thing that Al. U. really means ‘honorable.”’ Beck, of Kentucky, & tall, handsome man, holds a small court with bis handsome daughter, whose jaughing, generous style of beauty ts neither height ened nor depreciated in her dress of gray silk with blue trimmings. Back of General Sheridan, who will persist in dying his mustacue, stands Colone! Parker, of Indian renown,.and bis wife, wo 1s said to entertain as weil as apy lady in Washington. The diplomatic corps contributes some stylisn jooking ladies, tall, diguified and roped in pale coral silks, furbelowed to repietion with the same. Burdett, from Missourt, is a striking looking man, large and hale looking, such a8 Charucterizes so many of the Western men. Logan H. Roots, of Arkansas, the youngest member of the House, and yet on the suuny side of tuirty, 18 @ sort of magnitied sunbeam, popular with the men and doated on by the ladies, Being “unencumbered,” he belongs by natural right to the “catches” of the season. THE DIPLOMATICS, We are not supposed to go direct from the Speaker's house to that of the Russian Legation, where Maddie Catacazy preaides,.and from which everybody comes away with “Maguificent!’ “Just splendid !” on their lipa. Verbaps at three on some ‘Thursday afternoon would be the best ume. At ali events @ friend and. L went at three and found it a good ume. The dwelling, like most in Washington, 4 not remarkable in any sense, valess. you observe the Russian coat of arms embossed in White ou the glass panels of the door and look hugh enough to note the flagstaff from the roof. A carpet is spread from te door down the steps to tue curbsvone. Lackeys in white kids and silver trays receive your GouPi.s, whose judicious collection furniabes a.varied selec- tion of domestic and foreign works of art. MB. 8. R. GIFFORD, A Scene on the Lago Maggiore, neor Pallanza.— ‘This w one of this artis’s happiest pictures. Ln it are combined many of the merits with few of the Objections to which he may be open. ‘There is an element of truth underlying i¢ which 14 appreciable to those fumiliar with the scene. ‘Tne buildings in the foreground are particularly good. The peculiar effect of distance, dream-like, harmonious, . yet per- fectly distinct, so common on the Italian Jakes, 1s here wonderfully well rendered. All.the prominent characteristics of feeling and poetry, which fori so. great a charm in the works of this artist, are here in harmony with the great principle of all. art—~trath. MBM. Fe H. DB HAAS. A Scene on the English Channel.—There is, litte tn this picture beyond the transparent effect of waves, in which this artist excels. The composition and coloring are what one ts led to expect im marine views, Tuere 1s little more. Seeking Shelter.—A group of travellers are crowd- ing together under the gateway of aruined tower \o seek protection [rom @ coming storm. The figures are all parucularly well drawn, Each ts given its full effect and importance, although closely grouped. SPITZWEG, A Monk Shooting a Kavou.—There is considerable humor, with caretul drawing and good ellect of ughs and shade, tb Luis picture, BOSCH. i .. Sunday Afernoon.—Av old man is pointing out to nis good wile the promises of the coming harvest. The two figures are weil studied and tuoroughly characteristic. There 18 much intelligence and study of the suoject evinced in the incerpretation of the wholg picture, which almost anoul local government of the pro- vinces—and the conservative presidents who suc- ceeded the liberals in 1868 acted as if they thought it behoyed to overthrow ali that their pre- decessors nad allowed. Thas the President of Minas Geraes annulled over thirty provincial laws at one fell swoop immediately after entering into powers and the present Cabinet has generally up- heid the acuion of their agents in contracting taeir provincial attributes in opposition to the practice of the liberals, who favored their expansion and interpreted the constitutional clauses Tess restrict- stated. In fact tue Doctor holds that miying vent w the passions, no maiter of what character they may be, 18 not only injurious co physical but 1s also dan- gerous to thé spiritual heath of man. Excessive absorption of the faculties in worldly pleasures, which are harmiess enough of themselves, are ae dangerous 43 intemperance or berunism. He would not, however, recommend tw mankind the severe abstinence of Puritanism. A moderate enjoyment of the pleasures of nature gad of society is @ recreauon beneficial to man and need not conflict with his duties to morality and religion, Coming to the purely spiritual duties, Dr, Marcy argues eloguently in be- half of baptisin, of repentance, acknowledgment and reformation. Not the least interesting of the chap- vers Is that on “fhe Holy Communion.” It is vigor- ous and convincing. The book closes with an arga- ment and plea for Christians unity. The work throughout exhibits the careful consideration be- wcowed upou the subject by the author, Ils review. of the tusluences which mould the cuaracters of m4! is Close and analytical, and in the broadest and ygout catholic spirit he sloys us wherein we are Wak or criminai, and teacheS us how to well pér.orm our life duties. A History or OrgGoN (NeW York: ‘The American News Company) 13 a teaily valuable addition to we histories of these United States, ‘The research of the author (W, H. Gray) bas been siguaily success{ul in bringing to light # vast amouul of Inwresting information. S. Macer PLaurt. Carrivi, TRINUMMUS Br RU DENS (New York; Harper & Srothers) is @ neatly printed tion days of the ladies of the diplomatic corpa. Aside from these are numberiess receptions of a more exclusive character, for which cards are ‘twsued. THE PRRSIPENT'S LEVEES, ‘There are no prescribed rales of etiquette or dress imposed upon visitors at the President's levees, except those of decorum and decency. One would think all the people of Washington turned out en masse to swell the thronga bound for the Execntive Mansion. At about nine o’clock the accession ts, perhaps, greatest. People get there in ali sorts of ways. Oarriages, horse cara and pédestrianism— which the people out West-call “Foot & Walker's express’”’—are brought into lively use. At the en- trance gentlemen are ordered to the right. and ladies to the left. Ifthe evening te propitious ladies find their dressing room altogether too small. Wrappings are laid aside, bundled wp into the most secure shape, checked and disposed of by the waiting maids tn attendance. Women who entered hooded and wrap- ped like monks, with their dress skirts pinned up about them, producing a magnified Grecian bend, emerge full blown and radiant, A woman skilled in the preservative tollet art game the dressing room serene and undisturbed. The uninittated find re- edly. This keeping of the provinces in leading strings ts one of the greatest evils preventing progress in Brazil. What would a State tn the United States say if the government at Washington would, directly or indirectly, appoint and remove its presidents, vice presidents, police authoriies and magistrates, faamen, commander of arms, oMcers of the nauonal guard and a host of other oficials down to jailers, Its priests and ts schoolmasters, annul 10s eiections of State oficers down to township trustees and its elections of senators and representatives? forbid a company to incorporate without Its appro- val, and carry out centralization in a thousand ways besides. But tls i# the Brazilian system, copied from imperial France, and aggravated ten- foid by the trresponsivie power of pressing for the army afd police and of designating national guards for service at home and avroad. Adding to these influences the Umidity or bias of the judiciary in the provinces, the mass of the Brazilians are in a position nearly identical with that of the Kussian seria. A. LESREL. A Portrait of Laura, the Friend of the Poet Pe- trarch.—'vhe arust, @ pupli of Gerome, has throwa that intensity of iveling in his subject and that care- Jessness of det-all which 1s 40 characteristic of the pre- Raphaelite schvol. Mannerism there must be, to a certain extent, 1m these pictures. The (eeling and senument somewhat atone ior that, There is no abatement of the rigor of straight lines and angies, which, w be appreciated, must be regaraed irom the standard of aosoluce truth, “Ve mortuis,” &c.; but the Thompson coilection 18 one of those imposi- tions on the pubic creduilly and forbearance which justifes au exception to this must excelent waxiun, it 18 said that, a3 w people, the Americans are foud of a joxe, even at tueir own expense. The sumple existence of this collection, Uke suat of the Cardiff giant, may be acconnted for . MR. D, JOHNSON. Constitution Island, off West Point.—The scene is one of those familiar on the Hadson on asummer morning. it 1s % quiet, cool piece of coloring, with pairs necessary; stray tresses are restored to favor and cosmetical damages attended to. Gloves are drawn on, buttoned, and the Jady is ready for ber escort. If he is acquainted with the topography of the mansion he joins her in the dressing room, and they fail into the line of march for she Blue Room, where the President receives. But it is like going through the eye of @ needle, or being put through, Hedged and hemmed in by a mass of human beings, you are secured as by a vise. Heated, suffocating, you conld faint if there was apace for feiling, and If Dot exceedingly good humored the mildest wish that mounts your brain is that you could be suddenly Metamorphosed mto a steam engine. Pushed, em- braced, elbowed and jostled by broadcloth and burly shoulders on one side, and bewildered and dazed by bare shoulders and arms, towers of hair and the miultitude of odds and ends and middlings in the make up of women, tnat render them even marvels of mystery to their own sex, the last straw seems being added, when there is a break in the crowd, and 4m the respite you gather new strengte far the next advance. On one side moves @ solid phalanx of men in an Opposite direction, proceeding with true cavaiier fortutude to jom their ladies. Every imeb of their Way ls won by sturdy, unrelenting effort, At inter- vais thelr progress 1s impeded ky | the force of arms, A pair of guards tie their right arms together with a band grip, forming a barrier which to break down seems to be tbe awbition and salvation of those in front. By a bril- Hant and sudden coup de grace now and then one “‘etoops to couquer”’ and darts through underneath. revives the drooping spirit of his dickey with a Jel and a shrug, espies his Miss Nancy, wheels abous and joins the proceasion, Tne Red Room, so called fromi the prevailing color of its furnishing, is the first to enter. Standing sbout in groups or com- Jortably seated are Aabitues of te Mausion, or early arrivals, Who Improve the opportunity by watching the animated panorama. Jo an easy chair, G—— G—~is Jooking on as in- tently as she will next day fros a seat in the Sen- ate Chamber. She is @ dark brunette, with clear, defined features, sharp enough for all practical pur- poses; a high forehead, somewhat modified by tac careless freedom of her hair, beginning to aumber silver threads in ite abundance. There is an intensity “and purpose avout her face and aeep, dark eye howing traces of il) health, that makes an impression not soon forgotten. You wili-be very sure to see herio a crowd if abe 1s in it. Nothing about her dress attract one. She wears quiet, dark coioré, made for service and in good taste. You have time to take an inventory of the two young ladies, who stand so bolt upright, wite faces powdered equal to a tableau scene. hen you en- ter the borders of the Biue Koom, ,in the centre @tand the President and Mrs, Grant, supported by plenty of their relatives and friends. The throng as reduced to a single file, a» the President is ap- i hac) to whom each one i# introduced, takes 48 band, and passes 10 Airs. Grant, who undergoes # similar “ordeal.” ‘he gentleman gives bis own name and that of the lady or ladies with him to tne oificial attending the President, who performs the ceremony of Introduction, There ts no cause for embarrasewent, nor opportunity Sor marked display cards, precede you, with your names, to the lady, and before yon are acarceiy aware of your own pre- wence in the house of the Kussian Minisier you are overwhelmed (or would be were it. not for her grace) with the magnificence of this peerless French wo- man under toe Kussian bauner. Her robe is royal veivet, black and jusirous, nade with # graceiul aweep of train. An open-throated, loose sack of the same, with flowing sleeves, heavuy embroidered in gold, reveals the tair proportions of her neck and arms and tue noble contour of ier aboulders. She 18 o’er young yet, but pever was more handsome, perbaps, than now. Her compiexion is fair and delicately tinted as the heart of a sea shell; her hair, crowning her head with mas- sive raids, shoL through Witn & dead gold arrow, is jike to a coronet through which Cupid bas shot bis arrow. Jts color is like @ sunbeam Jet ina dark room. The skeins of pale, yellow flossy aik some- times bung up io manufaciurers’ cases to show prone how beautiful silk may be and cause them to reak one of the ten commandments, may set ove to dreaming of this woman’s hair. It would set aii ‘me artists ua the Studio Building on the gui vive to try their aris in Lurning pigments intoan indescrib- abie color, Her features are high bred and queen- Uke—as we fancy our ideal queen’s to be~-while her eyes, although not veauufui, do not detract from her attracuveness. Well, what should such People a8 came together then find to taik about ‘he weather? Yes. You need not laugh et that; for unless you are remarkably gifted in valk’ you muat fail iugioriously if you attempt vo slight we weather. We had a graphic description of the Kus- sian winters, toid.in excellent English favored witb the French accent, and the added effect of gestures [oeon tpt foreigners s0 entertaining In conversa on. The rooms were elegantly furnished with moquette carpeting tn deiicate shades, and furnicyre with up- holstery of crimson silk, Then were iiaid tables that suggested the odor and spices of the Orient. A bouquet of howers that Madame had received that morning from the President exnaled 11s fragrance in the adjoimiug parlor. She found fault in a charm- ing way with the fashion among Americens of read- ing’ French so mach but not talxiug 3t. Some gentlemen present conversed with tier ip her native tongue and showed their Unguistic skill ip speaking in Englisb also. Woe came away from a seuse of duty and politeness and without the remmant of @ hope of finding su enchanting a place again, Some ludicrous accounte are rehearsed of the in- terviews attempted at sowe of the legaiione when noae of the ladies were able to speak & gntual language. i) ia great pity tat menever bad the presumption to bewiv te build a stairway to Leaven. ‘Loe Lower of Babel offsets Eve's little coqueiy any day. BELKNAP’S RECEPTION. The fashionable events o1 last week were wound Up in @ most brilliant manner by the tirst card recep- tion of the Secretary of War and Mrs. Belknap at Wer residence on Madison piace. Happening om the last day of the week 1¢ came off boo late to enabie me to seud you an account of tt in any regular Weekly review of the social movemeuts of the capt- tal, aud though it ig now @ week oid J mnust not pass It over altogetuer. There bave been so many delightful affairs this Wiuter, bulf a dozen some days and as many every evening, that the impression left by any one in par- ticular must be very evanescent. It is hardly possivie to dwell long apon any one. They have been chasing after each other im such rapid style, and all have really been ao pleasant, that one cannot be expected to discriminate. And yet, he Belkuap'’s party 1g but s week 014, in ordiuary time (whion is like @ whole century in the fast chronology of fashion), 1 Stil have 8 very agreeable rememorance of it. J cannot forget that dreadful orush—dreaptul, little interest. The composition i4 a trifle heavy, and with equally sinail claim to attention. MR. EDWARD GAY. Near Arlington, Vermont.—The feeling and com- prehension of this picture are good, the latter care- Tully studied, ‘Tne detail ia correct and well marked. The color 1s warm and harmonious, but the general effect is rather too ordinary. It seems ag Ut the artist ought to have done mach better with oe elements at bis disposal. MR. MEADE, A Spring Shower.—A dreary and monotonous effect. The subject is @ pecuilarly unfortanate.ene and has the aaditional diwadvantage of being treated injudictously. The effect of the trees in bicgsom 18 harsh and crude. MR. NSETT. Narraganset Bay.—A rather heavy effect of land and water, with woo Hittle feeling and interest. The sky is good in tope and depth. ‘The foreground is wanting In effect and detail. MR, LOUIS LANG. A group of blonae and brunette women entitled “Circassian Captives.” The cemposition of this picture le singularly wanting in unity of action and originality. ‘The drawing is defective. The color is warm, rich, vivid ané varied. 1t lacks softness apd harmony, The feeling is not bad and the disposiion of some Of the gay robes of the central group shows some taste. MR. CHURCH ©. SMITH, One of the most pecultar paintings of this collec- tion, by an American artist, 18 “The Phantom Ship.’ The outiine of alarge ship under full sali 1s ap- proaching, Ginly discerned through a dense mist. ‘the harmony ef the distance is scarcely broken by the form of the vessel A group. of sea birds ix wonderfully arranged, without suddenly arresting the attention, s0,.a8 to heighten the effect of distance. There ts much force and originality in the idea. There is also considerable skill aug power in the rendering of the subject. The weird and strange element, open as it doubtless may be to criticism, avast relief to the hackneyed range of subj which everywhere meeta the eye at present. The origimality and skill im this picture canues fall to awaken both interest and praise. MiL BRANDT. hy Will te Done.—This beautuml and already well-known picture 1s a graceful and sunple repder- ing of the artiet’s idea of resignation. Tne absence of any positive color 1s scarcely felt in the exquisite harmony of sentiment and rendition. The character of the picture is good, although not @jtogetuer iree from consciousness ana atudied effect. There are several paintings of prominent foreign artiew, ali noticeable tor welr careful drawing aod elaboration, GEROME. The most famous picture by tar is “The Dealer in Arms.” jl ihe cnief cuaractenstics of the great French master are here, Extreme truthfulness of detail, care and finished effect are ali fully carried out. ‘his work might be an answer to the oiten urged objection that extreme attention to detall 1s incompatible with strength of effect. The picture is 8 study to the pupil and a delight to the master. 9 MUNSCH. The Christening.—A group of peasants are awalt- ing, in the stalls of the choir of a church, tue con- C.usion Of @ service to present an infant to be chris- tened. Each figure ig an individaal study of char- acter and 1s full of expression and truth. A ‘ema! figure, draped in mourning, kneeling in the fo ground, forms a very graceful balance to the rade peasants by her side. HUBYRZ, The Parting. —A group of two fgures—one, a peas- ant girl, Is consoling her companion ior the ios of her loverpwho ta seen in te distance, departing tor the ware, The picture ls tau of a very aweet wenti- on that ground, but practical joxes have an end. ‘Then comes the judgment. it has even been que mume it bore. lector it1s to be hoped that it had not. wondered, chattered ana have been disposed of Whe wonder. But it snonld bi phuosophic to know tuat 48 probabiy far away from We metropolis. Lt may be most OF It Las gone wheye paintug i4 more or ies4 appreciated than 1b is licre, Itimay be where Une aborigines, WiLh an innate, but somewhat iil-regulated love of colar, daub wnything tiey happen to meet. It must be, at to very young kittens with 1t# eyes closed, and where Justice as not yet learned the trick of peep. ing unuer her bandage, and reserves her scales solely for symbolic use. WALKER. The Battle of Gettysourg.—The public exhibition of thie great work closed on Thureday last at ibe studio Kast Thirteenth sireet, ‘The work ts great in more senses than one. It represen:s 4 scene which will form no small part in the history of ine nation, and a8 @ historical painting it 1s said to have uO superior in Chis country. Every detail of tuat wemoravle struggle o1 July 3 18 given to clear, boid trathfuluess and @ beauty of artistic faiah that must win additional fame for the artist, who Las 80 Clev- eriy Mastered his subject and has placed so vividly on @ sheet of canvass seven feet by twenty what wowd take @ whole volume (0 describe. COUAT CALENDARS—THIS DAY. OYER AND TERMINER AND SurReME COURT—CIR- 1 sefore Judge Ingrahau. No Circuit Part 2.—Betore Judge Brady.—Court opeus at eleven A. NOS. O04, 16H, 224, 356, 1566, 92, 1590, 454, 1602, 1524, 1606, 1612, 1016, 1588, 2874, 1620, 1622. 446, 1964, 6650, SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS.—Held by Judge Bar- cd. Cull of caleudar at twelve M., thira Monday calendar, PREME COURT—SPECIAL TERM.—Held by Judge ozo, Courkopens at half-past ten A. M.—Nos, 260, 236, 68, 125, 186, 205, 247, 246, 264, 62, 109, 481, 221, 227, 51, 66, 59, 79, 87, 88, 92, 93, 116, 12%, 128, 131, 133, 148, 166, 209, 211, 220, 242, 26134, 270, 282, 130, 101, 177, Sorueme Covkt—TkiaL Team.—Part 1.—Before Judge Monell.—Nos. 803, 1357, 1461, 1369, 809, 1265, 1180, 833, 334, 835, 1105, 677, '1359, 1386, 1987. Part 2.—before Judge Jones:—Nos. 1404, 1806, 1770, 572, 1744, 1988, 2008, 1804, 1742, 1080, 2036, 2042, 2062, 2064, 1368, 1108, 2090, 2098, 2112, 2114, COMMON PLEAS—TRIAL TERM.—Part 1.—Before Judge Daiy.—Noe. 477, 714, 171, 1701, 484, 837, 691, 705, 466, 396, 723, 789, 790, 368, 316. Part 2.—Before Judge Locw.—Nos. 702, 871, 481, 764, 113, 780, 706, 603, 810, 815, 817, B18, 819, 820, 821, MARINE COURT—TRIAL TERM.—Part 1.—Before Judge alker. Culender called at ten A. 38 Bh 7 Count or GexenaL Sessions.—Held by Recorder Hackett. €ourt opens at eleven A. M.—The People va. Obaries Duppell, rape; James McCarty, James Russell and Witham Collins, robbery; Jobn rrely, Ber- nard Waters, Join Williams, Arthur Palen and Wil- liam Supp, burglary; Joun O'Toole, obtaining goods by false pretences; Jobn Kobinson, felonious assault and battery; Mary Aon Hogan, Minnie Wilson, Jgmes Gou; eorge Fellman, Catharine Rogers, lary McNamara, Joum W. Burns, Peter Cassidy, Micnae; Kagan, Margaret Sinith and Harry Hartwig, wrand jarceny; Conrad Spyder, ausavit aud battery. Uoued, it seems, If the collection had a right to the For the credit of the reputed col- The thou- Saude of square fect of rubbish Over which peopie yed for weeks past e and how is, indeed, a solace enough tor the ali events, where Art isin thatiprant state peculiar the worst point in the civie life of Brazil will swear themselves “suspected” to avo # sult or Information. {tis only through some en- mivy of the judge or magistrate that anything can be Imtlated, and to prevent such action the care of the body of unscrupulous scoundrels whom wimost every Infiuental Mao barvors on his iands. nm this provi of Rio, within sixty miles of capital, there are planters who are notoriousiy accused of several murders and other atrocities, but against whom their deadliest enemies find it impos- aibie to institute a criminal sult and their wealthiest debtors to obtain @ judgment. One of the leading Rio papers has drawn largely from your columns of the 22d of December, for, as itways, “the HEKALD, of New sYork, shows itself much better informed of our affairs than even the Jnarvw Opictai, townich we pay hundreds of thon- sands of miireis to give us news of our country gad 18 rulers. Upon the war, the great- est question of the bour and that pre- ciwely on which the most inviolable secrecy is preserved, the HEkaLp of the 22d of December gives us the following information.” It ten fliis three columns with exiracts of the war and home news, appending remarks which are highly Natterihy to your corr ges efforts to give true pictures of Brazilian rs, knowing that the HERALD Is the only paper recognized in South America as the ex- ponent of public opinion in the United States. The Minister of Finance has just published a de- cree fixing the order of the lotteries to be tasued tnis year, which number sixty, chierly tor charitable in- stitutions and churches, Some, however, are tor the building of a theatre in Rio, Besides these im- berial lotteries there are a host of provincial ones, and @ number of foreign ones are #old on tie sly. Almost every person is carried ino the whirlpool of gambling, aod one rich individual is said wo have 10st $50,000 in buying tickets which turned out blanks. The effect is very demoralizing, a8 hun- dreds of thousands, free and slave, spend all their earnings on the wheel of fortune, and a large clase of amail dealers exist by giving shares down to twenty-five cents’ worth, In tickei. And, although the money distributed as prizes is thirty per ecnt Jess than the amount of tne tickets soid, there are exen lottery clubs got up on the joint etock plan, for speculating In lottery prizes! Yeliow fever ts gettiug worse in Rio among the foreigners, and the deatis are DoW up to twelve a day. The year's returns for the Pernambuco Ratlroad sbow the receipts to have been $845,798, and the expenses $525,122, The guarantee of the govern- ment ana province being seven per cent on the sum Of £1,200,000, the loss on the year Was $422,900.° The Bahia Railroad receipts do not even cover the working expenses, so that the government has to pay the whole guarantee of seven per cent, but the Sey does not receive that amount of dividend, owing to ine josses on the working having to be deducted. The Petropolis Railroad of late, in consequence of the Dom Pearo Segundo line cutt ing olf tue Minas Gerais trafic, barely cotlecis receipts suMetent to cover its working expenses, and is Jooking for @ subsidy Of $60,000 # year {rom the pro- Vinee of Rio Janeiro to enable it to pay a six per gent dividend. The Cantagiilo Railroad 1s 4iso living on the provincial guarantee, ‘Tue Dum Pedro Segundo Ratiroad pays the government (its owner) about #x and a half per cent thia year vy ciivese paring In every shape. ‘ue San Pauld Raliroad ix not yet independent of government aid, but promises 8000 to be, 46 the Increase on the last year’s Work- jog is thirty per cent over that of 1868. The re- celpts for (he wast hat yoar of 1869 were $1,044,200, the want of independence in the judiciary {4 ax influential men can bid defiance to creaitors and accusers, KnOWlpg that the Judges and magistrates taking plunderbus and stick are freely committed to the 4nd bound volume, containing three of the purest And lost popular of the comedies of Plautus, “witb Euglish notes, critical und explanatory.” A Voick rnom THK Newsnoys (New York: A. 8. Barnes & Co.) is a republication of what was a Jar and muctt read work wuen It frst appeared, THE MERCHANTS AND BANKERS’ ALMANAO for 1870 18 an accurate compiiation of valuable information, it makes a fair sized voiume, which is handsome: pee Bola Kul edged leaves and neat binding of CONVERSATIONS ON LIBERALISM AND THE Caurch Gow teres D. & 5 Saaiter & Co.) 13 @ strong Ultra- fs on once written and logical, but by no THE MAIDEN Wipow (Philadelphia: 'l. B. Peterson & Brothers) 1, a4 night be supposed, another work from the fecund pen of Mrs. Southworth. Jt has the merit of being nu worse tuan the novels” ihe same Indy, oveis* written by THE BALL SEASON. The ball season nas been 60 far quite a brilliant one. Among oiler grand affairs of the kind which took place during the past week was the ball of the Apollo Coterie, at Lyric Hall. The ladiew aresses aud tollets on the occasion were superb, and the company present had an exceedingly pleasant time of it. The following balla will take: place during this week:— if bbe aon Merchants’ lon ball, Apollo Hall; Full dreas recepuc ‘Thirteenth infantry, G., atthe y Bindi ‘ot Mosier Brooklyn; Anpual invitation ball of Enoch Morgan's Sona employes, Brooks’ Ausembiy Kooms, 6) Broome street; third annual masquerade of the Young Men '# Suctal Club, at Busch’s hotel, Hoboken. FEB. Prat apicenth annual invitation military scocual: eokees ol bd Mike Continental Guard, cs any, Irving Hali; also Wasuingtou Mar: ket Social Club, at “porto Hall. x4 Pes. 23.—Stuyvesant Clud annaal ball, Irving Hal! Pastime Commandery reception, Apoilo Hail. Fes. 26.—Annual hop of H ( ompauy, Ninth infant . Lyric Hall. : PLAYING. HANGING Fatal Practical Jo! from the Balimore Aboul eicven o'clock yesie boy named Willian Cook, about cleveu years of age, employed a driver by Mr, Cox, on Carey sireet, near l’ratt, while playing with uwo boys Younger than himself In the loft over Mr, Cox's Stale, proposed to “play hanging,’ and, gettin upon @ ple of bay, put one end of arope around bis neck and attached the other to @ rafter. The two boys, one of Whom Was @ negro, remained a short time wterested spectators, but unfortunately ‘ene of them proposed to go ont on the street and play, Which they cid, leaving Cook in the stabie jott. Some tie aiterwards the boys returned to the loft and found Cook sull hanging, and on an examina. toa he was found to belifeless. The negro Boy nad the presence of mind to cut down the body at once, aod the other gave tue alarm. Assistance soon artived, but no aid. could be rendered. [tis gup- posed that while engaged in his dangerous game Coterie, grand invita- Negro Roy. te, Fen. 1%.) ¥ morning # negro te boy’s feet sipped oi the Way, aud he was tin. mediately strangied. Dr. R. Wilson Cart, City Coroner, held an inquest on the body, and @ veralct of death frou accidental hanging was returoed ip sccordance With the fact® given above,