The New York Herald Newspaper, October 31, 1870, Page 8

8 SUNDAY ON A Sabbath Study of Van- ity Fair. FIFTH AVENUE. Tho Religions Aspects of the Most Magnuifl. cent Street in the Worthd. 178 TEMPLES, PRIESTS, ANP WORSHIPPERS. Tho Road to Heaven a Flowery Path of Ease. EHE VOLUNTARY sysTam. Musie, ‘the Fashions, the Faiths end, Greede of Modern Aris tooratic Piety. The sore of ime manymeans open toa travé?ed man for the, pleasant murder of the few lazy hours that now fad then come to all of us and obstinately re- fuse to Mt im with any useful or amusing cmploy- ment, te to live over again in a waking dream the strangely various Sundays he has met with tn his wasderings throngh Christendom. Sabbaths of all tinds-—French, Scotch, German, Bnglisn, Italian, Bevies—in the city and in the village—wet, snowy, fac, windy, dull—come throngtng forward at the outie jnvite@tion of Memory and float airily past, ke @ pleasing mirage, before his mental vision, And what # curlous procession they form as they sweep slowly along through the chambers of the | orain! First, perhaps, rises the peaceful Sabvath of | on Bugiish village, seated in a landscape wrapf an tie hush of unbroken rest; again the dreamer | aces himself wending his way along the crooked street to the little ancient charch, where dozens of Ang!o-Saxon generations have met to worship the God of their iathers; and once more he hears the stupid, good-natured parson droning out in sleepy geccnis the subordination of society and the divine justice of tithes, Then in the twinkling of an eye | he finds Bimself in the cheerful heart of the gay y, healing mass at the Church of the Madeleine, | ed and wonder-stricken, in spite of himself, at ne pomp of the most magnificent ritual known to macn, The heavenly music; the solemn yoices and the rich raiment of the officiating priests; the tink- ing of the bell and the fragrant fumes of precious | iucense—ail come back to him as vividly and freshly and fmpress him with the same lively emotiona of reverent adoration as they did in the old days of his early youth. Passing out of the | church he gees lis shadow stroliing along the Rue | Royale, and through the Place de la Concorde into | she cafes chantants of the Champs Elysées. All the sharply defined contrasts of that Parisian Sunday | again strike foretbly home to him. Next, perhaps, | be es part in the makeshift, but aristocratic, services of an English or American summer church | at one of the great European spas; or again he is | bored with the grim and heartless austeritles of a Beoich Sabbath; while, atlast, he fits rapidiy, but not hurriedly, through the Lord’s day life of Rome, of London, of Switzerland, of Belgium and of Russta, | Then, what an immense and bewildering variety of i | Tesults, When the last w World-jaded hearts or whether it bo wereiy Suat the adoration of one’s Creator inn in a six days’ prolonged thoughtiessness ome if tae ms of novelty, ibis hurd to dectie—scems to endow at with peculiar earnestness and fervor, es the case with every variety of congregation; Ut Ospecially ts it so With those that represent aris tocratic religious convictions, It 1s such @ fresh and Vivid sensation, alter living for a whole week Jn an Armida palace of luxury and ease and Cattery ana foclal triampb, to realize that ono 1s a misérabie sinner, to catch a glimpse of the heaven that will crown & Peaurained indulgence in the delights of the World aad to throw @n awe-stricken glance at the Yawuing gull that 0} for the wiilully care ‘abuser of the gifis of fortune. After the first half hour, when the rustle of belated silk dresses apd the creaking of tardy boots have sub- sided, there 1s for a tme—ind almos| until the end rvice—an appearance of solemnity and emotion about the assembied wor- shippers which it 1s to hoped is genuine, The bymns imme lfately preceding the sermon are sung with impressive xe and the prayers of about the fame period swell into a volume of ang fervor, ‘Then the manisver begins, In more or accents, to enforce the teachings of the Gos! Of careworn, it he be prudent and refrain from puttmg his hearers vo too severe and lengthened a test he may succeed in oops) them fast chainea te the chariot wheels of bis. jory till the final sentenco of his peroration, It must be confessed, however, that few clergymen are thus discicet. Gradually the @ame of piety rows dim, just as the premonitory pi luncheon grow tierce and sharp, and the restl movements of the volatile crowd prove that they are becoming impatient to depart tpto the outer world, ‘Then comes the benediction, and there is a busvein the aisles and the church porch, and again the car riages appear and the devotees Whirl away to seck a far different kind of reireshmeat than that they have now enjoyed. NOON. For a couple of heurs the evenue the hush of unbroken repose, pon the strect scarcely a soul is We be seen, and the houses stand stil and no.scless ta the brighbtaud silent sunlight, Again the church bells sound, no small proportion of them, at any rate, but ‘with drowsy and BUD pressed chimes, as though the beil-ringera were welgned down by the somnolent air that Infects the luet Sabbath afternoon, The churches, such of them as are open, are not-now by any means go weil Hiled as at the first service, and the exercises are comparatively dul! and spiritless, Many a Eutychus dozes 10 lis pew, though net, happily, with very fatal rds of the clergyman at last are said, there 1s a visible stir of relief, and the church speedily relapses into silence. EVENING. With the waning suv and the first breath of even- ing comes the brightest and best part of the day. Now, it ever, you can see Vanity Fair in its most pleasing, if not in its most et jumage, Strolling along the most beautiful street in ine world, you meet at any step handsome, elegantly dressed men and women, radiant with the marvellous beauty of American womanhood, and glorious with every tasteful adornment that the careless profusion of wealth can bestow upon its possessors. Quiet as 1s the Scene, suldued and softened as ts its coloring, it is penaced wiih an indescribable and almost intoxicating air of luxury and refinement. Other lands may, perhaps, exhibit pletures of more Suriking and inposing magnificence, but nowhere else cau be found one so keenly suggestive of what civilization, in its brightest forms, 1s capable, or 1m- bued so perfectiy in lis every line and feature with the subtle charm of material beauty, With nightfall practically ends the avenue Sab- bath, The churches, it is true, are many of them open, but the worshippers are few, Here and there ® fasiuonable family preserves the rigid piety of early times, and submilis to be fed with spiritual manna three times a day; but this isa rare excep- ton, and the majority devote themselves to the more Jaaterial pleasures of dintug and digestion, followed by quiet caiis upon very intimate frieuds. The houses, bright with Sy lights, echo now and then wih peals of subdacd laughter or with the light tones of a piano, and Vanity Fair once more bogina its normal lite of fashionable routine, only tobe again aroused fato Sabbatical emotions after another six days of mammon wo. siilp and of pleasure. Such ave the general teatures of a Sunday on the avenue. But to bring out in bolder relief its reli- gious aspects it is necessary to go in detail through the various churches and to give briefly their history, their theological tone and the character of their con- gregations, To such @ description the remainder of this article shall pe devoted. Starting from Washington square, now tn the Meiancholy plight of partial demolition, and passing the Brevourt House, the first church one comes to 13 a@ handsome brown stone Gothic structure, stand- ing on the west corner of Tenth street. This is the Episcopal CHURCH OF THE ASCENSTON, In externai appearance it greatly resembles, so far again sinks into American Sundays he has spent! In no other country, even if he have been @ curious man in | such matters, has he seen so great a diversity | of forms of Christian worship; nowhere nas he Ustened to such endlessly miuttiplted variations of the Gospel message of good will and of pei But it would be tedious to ron throngh \ them tu detail, In this article It 1s proposed oniy to Gescrive one of them, and that the most interesting of ali slike to the thonghiful and the thoughtless—to &im who looks with a careless glance of superficiat attention at the mere objects that paint thems pon his optical retina, as well a8 to him who looks and bebind the pleasing picture, and tries ts meaning and its laws, We are guius to describe A SUNDAY UPON FIFTH The avenue as it appears in the busy week is no stranger to the columns of @ newspaper, and every AVENUR, phase of its worldly life has been por. | trayed with winute and ost painful pre- | cision. But, although ew places take a} feeper Sabbath coloring, or display 80 strikingly the difference between the day of worship and the days of work, no journalistic lm- ner of the times we live in seems to have yet made tile Lord's day aspect o! lorious hone of Ame- rican wealth a careful s And yet what could be ously instructive? Vauity Fair, with quiet y, Voluntarily doing homage te Him who had no place in ich to lay His head; Fashic be- sunced and befurbelowed, strutting forth to pros 2 herself before the altars of the final Judge of all the earth; old Dives, and the “gilded youth,” and Intriguing mothers of unprovided daughters, and hard-headed, hard-hearted oppressors of the poor, and brilliantly lucky favorites of fortune, trooping out in decorous bands to acknowledge for an hour pr two the higher ana nobler mystertes of life— ines! de rye minute are indeed pictures that des neation and thoughtful resection. , the staple element of the crowd— also no scanty sprinkling of the men whose various genins aud p tindustry have made the American people the most powerful, the most pros- perous and the most glorious of modern nations. Captains, setl-promoted, of toiling hundreds—per- haps thousands of thotr fellow citizens—they Issue forth at the head of their tamilies to reverentiy learn how best to em the weaith that has crowped their exertions, wid to listen to the sacred promises of the future reward that will wate upon @ entious use of the present. Where, indeed, tuere be found elsewhere contrasts moresiik- ing or 80 Worthy of attentive study? VHE PHYSICAL ASPECTS seem » & pecullar and jis mansions some special | stobal paiaces | and softened | of the aven anigue tone on we pf brown stone ap and sacred iniuenc ble oct witt baued d as gcoms 80 to the gaze of of mi: brigutu @ spectator lows lumself to be carried the Impaipabie apirit of the scene. ‘the foet on the pavement is lees harsh and ; the children, who come forth at the heels of aids aad governesses to take their daily auwr- rous and r e in the number ¢ he atorekeepers’ ) First among the eigns anday on the a of ita fortunate » The mor n in the busy window ra, lv cigar. You ¢ tom the curtain tly held aside by delicaic ent you snatch a vision of a fair fw Dol ve a magician to know 4 and Caloe are binding up ee and equipping theimselves with all we nations of the period for Mirtation y conquest. Other human pittons and cares Jor a cay be still and pate: iMactive, baron aday’, a4 On aii Che rest of the week besittes, **"\s Jove," @ alines! only love, “that makes the word go round,” \ agers, and may Be THE CHIMES oF THE CHURCH BELLS sound through the quiet air and elegant and juxurous carrlages Soitly roi! up hefcre the doors and liveried | coachmen and sieck horses walt patientiy the coming | of \uelr empieye:s. Aud then the portais open and | down the cleah stoop quietly trip the plous worship» pers, decorousiy perfect in attire, laultlessiy re- pectabie in demeanor. Av last the carriage doors | ove with @ gentie bang, the goachmen lightly Mevks the tmpatient steeds witn his whip and away a¢ the party to the house of Gc, Slowly the arches dii ip with thess und less protentious | wi jppers, and after a week's pause” the div.ne rork of grace ip advances lo the near of upper- paw el Sometiing avout the morning ¢ervk eé— Whether it by the sudden awakening lo Liywey mune ) | type. Pass across the paved court, through the ves- | sacred to the choir, | than to the promises of tho golde Theu, too-- | | the Rey. Jol Cotton Sraith, the editor and pro- | No strains of tnstramenta! nusic | to profane the precincts of the chureh, and the wor- as mere form goss, We parish church of an English village, It has the same low, square tower, the same modest portal, the same large-arched windows, aud bere and tnere a sickly creeper, Whose leaves are now dyed tu autumnal tints of crimson and pale gold, trails over the wall—a poor imitation of the vy that almost hides the stones of tts English arche- Ubule, into the charoh itself, and you wil ind points of resemblance. Higi-backed pews ot d, rich-colored wood, furnisned with handsome cus' 1on3 aud hassocks are spread over the Noor; aud along two sides of the chu vy, frowning gilic- ries hang threateninyly over the heads of the wor- Blippers im the #isiés beneath. The chancel is decenuly, but plainly, furnisned, and the com- munion table, im is stndied from ail orbament, sevmis to mutely ainst the word “altar? tn the Litur tue door there {is an old-fashioned organ lott, ened [rom who are ¢ burt The Gospel, ihe public view by a as it Is preached here, seems.to be colored with tie sume lone thatsilently asserts itself in every mate- ratfeature of the chureh, Church and gospel ure both eminently respectable and both eminently oid- fashioned. No glowing pictures of the indetinite progressive growrh in goodness and in intellectual yo. the human race; no eager siraining alter a nciiiation between the new hght ef sctence and Id light of accepted revelation; aud perhaps, \so, UO sirong expression of sympathy with the strange times we live in, mark the truth as it is de- clared in this house of the living God, p r t Tn theology the church is what may be termed “Low,” with strong conservative insiincts, its | teaching 8 remarkable for most of the good points of the Low Church school, such as the earnest inculcation of the “beauty of holuess,” anil n incessant praise of the meekuess, unselfistmess aud huuuitty that ought to pervade the Cliristian character. Far more attention is paid to the dill- geul fuldiment of the mantiest duties of the present Turure that is spread open beiore us. Its idea of heaven Is | bounded by the literal declarations of the Gospel; it | contents itself with a vague hope of eternal hay | ness and a hearty desive and purpose to deserve it, | and does not care ularly ve speculate as to the form such happmess wil assume. Ixcept upon it teaves the terrors of hell in ind, as though they were too hor- to be lightly thought of, So faras it has any ng upon the old and indeterminabie ab- eristianity, it iciines to believe | itt scepts the passages of Scripture are the contrary doctrine with at bottom hots that the whole m | one of many pysteries that can find i ovly when the spirit is released from the tanwiels. | of the fleot and receives throngh @ less gross mio- | divin than is possihie upon earth the enlightemug infueuces of the Holy Spirit, This church is one of some historical associations. | Jt stood originally in Canal sirect, but having been | burned dowu about 1849, moved to its preseni loca on, The two Iminediate predecessors of tts pre- Sent pastor aye now both been _ raised to tne dignity of the Episcopate—Bishops Eastburn and Burdeil, Its rector since 1860 has been that de faith. prietor ol the Prolesiant Churchinan, and aa ac- knowledged leader of the Low Church party of tho American Hpiscopai Uhurch, He isa man of about forty years of age, With a high, inteliectual fore- head, irom which thick curly locks of grizzled hair fre Woil brushed pack, His face is strongly marked = with the lines of thought, but. preserves @ pleasant aur of cheerfulness, Which seems to attest that his givdies have not as yet unpaired his digestion. As a pastor he is singularly popular, and is celebrated isiie purity of bis pronunciation and for > Ol @rich, SWeel, Musical voice, The | ion at this chureh 18 an extremely arisio- Among the rest are numbered August oyd aspinwall, Willlam H. Aspinwall, Brown (of Brown Brothers), » William 0. Kheinlander, erick G. Poster, Frederick Schu- | ain Heimbole, | pying the whole west | event and Tweltun FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. iibles the Chureh of the Ascension aval character of its archi re, Its tracery of its | and the iis portal are ermal appear- | by is shaded on each well patenes | evergreens = and | ve been pur up in | nd then the eye follows, | asure, e aiuent | Dp, Aur. | lis present pastor 18 | W. M. Paxton, sant-mannered ekteriy | man, With a si r and slightly stooping ray hair and winsk His lace is pale, “and Mr. ohtn. reputation for prudence a the higher quaiitics that belong to the tdeal ¢ mouth and for ‘lan muuster, Before the union of the American Presbyterian’ Churches this congregation adhered tothe Old School party; and even w it obsti- nately preserves We ancient custou @ Kirke ever allowed shippers stand erect wate indulging in prayer, and sit while singing hymns of praise. cal tone, it is, of course, decidediy Caiviaistic. Perhaps, a6 1n most Calvinistic bodies, its teaching deals more frequently with the abstract dogmas of ett thau with the every day dutles of life. But possibly a fait, appealing’ so strongly to the In- tellect as Calvinism, would only be adopted by men who, whether they were Christiana or not, would regulate their lives by the obyiow rinciples of morality. Still one cannot aah think! crgr alittle more sieas Might with advantage be !ald upon the paramvunt pbugaiion of copying the le of ow Sa- | haps even with deati-laden carbines, | Reaching its npper and in its theo'ogi- | ylour, as well as mastering the divine truths He taught. A CALVINISTIC DIGRESSION. and here perlaps a digression may be prgperly introduced tn regard to the astonishing majority of Caivinistic churches uy the avenue, At least iwo- thirds, perhaps even three-fourths, of ail the avenue churches hold with more ov less earnestness the doctrines that nave been preached in various coun- tries and at various Umes by Augustin, by Jansen and by Calvin, Is there any philosophic reason for this curious preponderance of the predestination jogma—a preponderance not confined alone to Fifth Avenue, but existing In most other sections of the country? Buckle thought there was and formed & general/zation, which las been generally condemned 45 hastily framed upon an imperfect basis of in complete facta, He laid it down as a priuciple of civilzaiion that the doctrine of free will would always be the favorite dogma in aristocrav countries, while the teneta of Arminius W0'y() as certainly prevail under any weno dic form of goverament. @ Arminian “{neo- ty of fre) will wa thought, gaturally the opinion most gratefyl to the pride of rich men. Free will necessailly endowed with "uért whatever charities the Wealth and good nature of devotees of fortune prompted them to make. “Thus im the race for heaven the poor tan was Welghted down by the inequality of humen condittong, Caiviniam, on the other hand, By insisting oply on the necessity of faith—a luxury within tle grasp of rich aud poor alike—was in coraplete and perfect accord with the democratic sotrit, If this be true it is curious to nd that tre pressure of popular opinion in this counwy subdued even the influences of wealth, For if Arminianism be the natural creed of the Wwealtl Oey should at least expect to find the reli- jong Meas of Fifth avenue strongly tinctured with it. The reverse, however, Is the truth, THE CHURCH OF THE DRAV MUTES. Strolling further up the avenue for some half dozen blocks, We come next to St. Ann’s Episcopal church, “standing modestly @ lot or so aside from the great thoroughfare of fashton, ‘Tis church is one of the most interesting memortals of large-hearted human- ity that can be found tie wide world over. It is spe- cially dedicated to the spiritual instruction of deaf mutes, the sad victims of the apparently blind aud mys‘erious malice of nature. It is true tuat the prin cipal services. those in the morning and evening, @re conducted vocally, and not by signs. But this is only ecause it has been found necessary, in order to obtain suMicient funds for the proper matotenance of the mission, to connect it with a settled congregation of mortals, who, being biessed with the usual organs of speech and bearing, and , are able to win their own bread pay for their own pews. The eloquence and good- ness of the pastor, Mr. Gallaudet, have acted like a magnet in attracting un attendance of wealthy wore shippers, and thus the pecuniary needs, both of .the chureh and the mission, have been provided for. ‘the church itself is a not very pretentious brick structure, with a tolerably handsome brown stone frout. Luwas built in 1852, and can accommodate about eighteen hundrea people. Inside the church Js extremely simple in iis appointments, but the absence of gal- leries gives it @ certain alr of nobleness auii dignity that cannot fail to strike the visitor. ‘There ave five services cach Sabbath, two of which are devoted to the delivery of the Gospel message, by manual signs, to the deaf mutes, In the week there are also sev- eral services, ‘The theology of this church, as might be expected, 18 not of a very rigidly defined type. It has no perceptible leaning any direction, and simply con‘orms itself to the general truths of Ciiris- uanmity. Not long @mce the Rev. Mr. Gallaudet cele- brate.t his silver Wedding, ana received numerous complimentary gilts from members of his congrega- tuon—from deaf mutes, by the way, as well as from the jess unfortunate objects of his ministry. SHEARITH ISRAEL. Looming up in tie background of St. Ann's church, a hage, pale, sandstone building of an in- definable color strikes the eye. It ts situated just a Iittie of the avenue, on Nineteenth street. At first, after the beautiful Gothic structures one has just been looking at, 1t must be confessed that this new candidate for attention seems rater ugly. But it is a substantial aud costly structure and was built by the oldest religious community of Jews in New York. Its name is the Shearith Isracl. In architecture it 1s of the classic type, and appears to consist of a couple of stories, supported by Greek pillars, with richly carved capitals, The doors ave extremely massive and are beautifully carved. Inside, the synagogue 18 well but not magniticentty furnished. In Judate theology this congregation would probably be classed as orthodox. They stil cling to most if noi to all the religious custonis of their forefathers, such as the separation of the two sexes in public worship aud the exclusion of women from the cholr, This congregation numbers some ot the oldest Israclite fannles of New York, Judge Car- dozo 1s one of its inembers, und so was the late un- fortunate Mr, Nathan. Tne synagogue dates back to old Dutch times, and was founded by a few Por- tnguese families who sought in New Amsterdam some time in the sixteenth century the liberty to hoid the faith of Abraham ‘without fear ofpersecution, Its present chief rabbis the Kev, & J. Lyons, who is now about fifty or sixty years of » He is a little below the medium stature, with a figure bowed by study or care or age, and with marked Hebrew features. His jicalth is now fauing him. Mr. Lyons enjoys some Mttle repute as a He- brew scholar and as a religious teacher, and the in+ tegrity of his life and the industry with which he attends to the duties of his profession have won him a bits Place in the esteem Of the Israelite commu- nity. DR. HALLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, On the east side of the avenue, opposite the syna- gogue, we come to another Prexbyterian chureb. it 18 @ haudsome Gothic edifice of rough brown stone supported by massive buttresses, and surmounted with a@ handsome steeple, Its interior appointmenis are extremely clegantand luxurious, Here, indeed, if anywhere, may be seen The “well eushioned pew, Where salvation is preached for a dollar or two," of which a society poet has sung. The congre- gation 1s one of the most aristocratic to be found on the avenue, In the general features of tts service the chureh belongs to much the same school as the Key. Mr, Paxton’s, aud they might be called by a profane outsider, perhaps, dull and feless; but a certain beanty with which the simple dignity of the worship eidows it is pot wanting in the service. The pastor, the Rev. Dr Hail, stands deservedly high. both in tae own vody and im the denerat religious world, He is a tall, heavily made map, with straighe white hair and sinooth face. Huis features, though somewnat roughly shapen, aré trubaed with a pleas- ing ar of rugged Kindness and are not lacking in luteliectual expression. In lus preaching the doc- -tor impresses one rather by the carnestess of his Christian veal and the outspoken vigor of his testi- mony to tho trath than bythe graces of rhetoric or beauty of illustration, Doubtless he would have made a splendid Covenanter, and, though fortune or Providence bas given him the easy part to play of the well pa sbepherd of a wealthy and appreciative Fifth avenue flock, he would with equal cheertuiness have = “*testified’? for the kirk, while Claverhouse’s troopers stood by with thumbserews and tron beots—per- {i 1s almost neediess to say that in theology the Doctor and his flock are decidedly Calvinistic—that ty to say, @ little more so than they need be, even under the stringent declarations of their Church. ‘Two blocks higher up, on the opposite stde of the way, tere is the handsome brown stone home of ie the oldest church organization ia the coun- try—the SOUTM REFORMED CHURCH, Tt is of the Gothie type of archilecture, crowned by a handsome steeple, and takes up the whole front of the block. 113 history 13 extremely interesting. Scarcely haa the sober-minded Hi ders fatriv landed on Manhattan Island than th erected with. in the fort the first church that bore this name, No Goublit Was DU a primttive stracture—a rude tems ple of rough logs. After sixty years, when the In- dians, thanks to the simple and summary process of extermination, had becoine a liitie less trouplesome, a new church was erected in Garden street, or, as 1b is now called, Exchange place. Upon tis site, dur- ing a period of acentury and a bait, su stood two diflerent edifices, ihe lust of burned down in the disastrous fire of 1835. In the meantime two other chureles, connected with this one and sharing its revenucs, had been formed, one being what is now used as the Post Uillce, and the other that antuquaied bub sill substanual ltdle chureh standing on the corner of Fulton and Wilifaim streets, y in the century, however, the. South Dutch chureh, by an equitable arrangement, willidrew from its connection with these churches, After the fire in 5 it bailt and oecupied for a short ime an edifice in Murray street; but the stveafa of population still tending apward, it finally bought the sile upon which the present handsome temple has been erecied. ‘he tots upon. whieh this now stands cost only $20,000, and 400,000 have been otered for théfn—a significant symptom of the vast increase in the value of city real estate. The present pastor, te Rey. Mr. Rogers, isa ian uf considerable repntation as a scholar, and has earned a yet more enviable piace in the af- feetlons of his flock as a faithiul and devoted shep- herd. He isa man of about fo vo years of age, with black hair and hazel eyes and fresh, ruddy complexion. He has held sever jous charges, ainong the 1 that of the i 1 charch to Northampton, than wards long labored. His congre; as largely increased under his minis numbers @ gre course, this Daich congre- The Reformed Duce. itunes indeed, Continental to of th of s duplte Presbyteria i Scotiand, both In its doctrines and system of church gov- ernment. ‘Tits brings us to Madison square, and to the close of What jay be termed the lower eeciion of the avenue. TWENTY-NINTH STREE REFORMED CHURCH, eb Taw) stocratic sec- | ton, We soon come upon another church, belonging, like the last, to the Reformed (Dutch) body, It isa handsome edifice of white marble, wih a steeple said to be igher than any in the city, except that | of Trmity church. In the turret, from which the | shaft of the steeple springs, there 1s a clock With & bla dial and golden hands, and the | steeple itself 18 surmounted with a — gilded | rooster, which has given a — somewhat expressive but profane popular title to the church. Jn style its architectnre 1s Saxon, with slender, rounded windows, it 4s one of the three churches which are now included io the Collegiate Duteh Cnurch organization, the same body as that from whieh the Twenty-first street church seceded, ‘These clinrches are served in rotation nominaily by five pastors—the Rev. Drs. De Witt and Vermilye and he Rev. Messrs. Ormston, Chamvers and Ludlow. Dr. Vermilye and Dr. De Witt are both, however, too aged to engage in active work. Another charch, on Fifth avepye and Forty-eight street, Je being erected by this same body, watch, thr of an old Knickerbocker, named I" nerations ago, 1s nuw Worth Br harch on Twenty-pinth sire? y 4s, of co he same in tts general reliy* featurgs as last Gescribei, It hasa verv ¢uenttal congregation, among whom are MANY ell-knowa Kniokerbocker and uenel name i as De Peyster, Beck- Fn De Witt, Stuyv, Bowne, Duryee and Ver- Gradually ase Jaaing Murray Hull we come now to CHRIST CHURCH, belonging “4 the Episcopatians,"and notorious for sme mn Dbaraweer ot lis woraniy and. teach- jug. J substanual brown stone church, but to or contradic:ion to the art belief of Trac- 4" ha, it 19 not of the Gothis type of architecture, 3 interior is magolficently decorated, and the altar covered with handsome cloths and adorned with flowers, This church, so far as Ita theological char- actor ia concerned, be! to what has been styled the hai!-way house te Catholicism. from ita pulpit are preached many of the doctrines which old- sehool Episcopalians regard ay pecullar to tho creed of tho Church of Rome, ‘the Real Pre- sence 1s openly declared; the adoration of tae Virgn 18 enforced a8 a plous duty, and the invocation of salnts and the sacrament of con- fession, though not urged with sane earnestness, are still hinted at as legitimate articles of Protestant bellet, ‘The services are of a very attractive and impressive character, The music is eeyecially good, and combined with the rich raiment of the officlating riests and the glittering of the candies on the altar, resent a striking coutrast to the old.‘ashioned Shurch of the Ascenston, waich has been already de- scribed, Everything in th s church indeed seems to breathe a passionate sensiousness of religious feel- ing that only by a stroug effort of the mtellect can be included under the came ecclesiastical body with the steady and, above all things, respectable wor- ship of the other. ‘This church, among other pecu- harities, 18 supported exclusively by voluntary sub- scriptions. Jt sells no pews, each of which 13 held to be the just right of the poorest of worshippers; and it subsists exclusively by the offertory which is taken ap at the close of each service. Cnhappily this democratic feature of the church has scarcely been sailsfactory in its resuits, and only very re- cently the rector was compelled to upvraid his fac. tuating flock with their parsimony, and he even threatened that uiiess they displayed more liberality the church would have to be closed. In fact, there is now a report current that the church hes actual, been sold to the vestry of St. Bartholemew’s cnure! for $200,000, and wilt be taken possession of by that congregation early in November, Ou Thirty-seventh strect 1s THE BRICK PRESBYTERIAN OMURCH, an ugly rei brick edifice, relieved by dressings of brown stone und surmounted with a steeple of curiously berg and ungraceful proportions, So far as can boast style in architecture this church belongs to the clas- sic school Almost every color is biended ina heterogeneous mass in this structure—white, red, brown, green, black and gold. This church 1s the uptown offspring of the old brick church that fifteen or sixtech years ago stood at the north cor- ner of Park row, and as an ecciesiastical organiza- tion it dates back to 1797. lis present pastor, Dr, Gardner Spring, deservedly occupies the highest place among living Presbyterian divines. Le 1s an author oF some repute and, mm olaen times, was an eloquent preacher and an earnest and conscientious je is now eighty-five years of age, and, of is course, much too infirm to engage in active work. ‘fhe Rev. Dr. Murray acts a3 bis coadjutor, and 16 extremely popular. Tae service at this church, however, is somewhat dull and constrained, and a ‘wet day or a very flue one empties the pews. In its doctrines it 13 sirictly Calvinistic. THE TEMPLE E’MANUEI. We now come to one of the most striking and in- teresting religious e:lifices on the avenue—the Israel- ite Templo B’Mauuel, In arciitecture 1t 1s a curl- ous and si larly pleasing combination of the Byzautine and Moorish styles of architecture, Its fagade bewilders one by @ fantasiic profusion of arabesque ornament, and the eye, after vainly striv- ing to master tho delicate iiricacies of 1:8 deco- crated Moorish arches, and dwelling tor a moment, not without a feeling of pleasure, upon the beauty of the ample fore-court, with 18 hanging brazen lamps, Wanders up tu the little turcets that crown each side of the building, supported by slender pilasters, So airy and tragile do these gracetul tow- ers appear that one can scarcely suppress a tear leat the first rude breath of wind should scatter therm in broken fragments upon the earth. The temple in its internal arrangements displays a luxury and wealvh such ag has probably no equal the wide world over. In its theology it 18 an uncompromising advocate of the refurin school, and in its worship the sexes are indiscriminately intermingled, both in the pews and the choir, 1'his temple is beyond question the hand- somes: edifice on the avenue, and forms, peruaps, the most significant commentary upon the ab- solute supremacy America of the principle of religious toleration. Here, at last, after centuries of oppression in Europe and in Asia, bj the children of the Cross and the Crescent alike, the Hebrew has found a sure and abiding refuge against the cruel bigotry of superstiuious lanaticism, and bas been encourayed to erect in our most magnifl- cent street perhaps the noblest existing Israelite temple to the God of Abraham and of Isaac, DR. CHAPIN’S CHURCH. At the corner of Forty-fifth street we come to yet another form of religious wersip, enshrined in & handsome brown stone Gothic church. This is Dr. Chapin’s Universalist Church of tne Divine Pater- nity. Dr. Chapin is one of the most eloquent and prominent of American clergymen. Heis now on the shady side of life, but possesses a constitution of sin- gwar vigor, and will no doubt prolong his useful and ‘busy career throug) at least another generation. He js of about the medium height, with short neck and stout, square figure. His face is stmgularly in- tellectua}, but speaks more of evergy and force than of refinement, iis forehead is broad and massive, and lis eyes, In moments Of oraiorical excitement, flash brilliantly even through lis spectacies, He is as weli known aud perhaps even more popular as a lecturer upon literary, artistic and patriotic topics than asa preacher. His present church 1s the same organization that owned and inhabited the hand- some little church that stood a few years agoin we middle of a Broadway block, near Prince street. It is very little, i any, Jarger than tts original, but itsap- pointnents are, perhaps, somewhat more luxurious, he loading dovumes PrOCillued Vy Uulyersausit fre the indefluile perfectibility of the human rae the universal reign of law, aad the non-exisience 0! aheu. ‘The wicked are tudeed to be punished, but only in proportion to their wickedness, und will ultimately be restored by a merciful God to purity and happiness. Dr. Chapin is perhaps the most prominent advocate oj these doctrines, and nis clo- quence has gathered round him a distinguished and wealthy congregation. The philosopher o1 the Trwune rstone of his most steadfast and devoted ad- mirera, among whom are also included Colouel Opdyke, Collis P. Huntingdon, Jason O, Clarke, General Wilcox and Adclphe Rusch. The worship 18 ofa very simple type. There is no formal liturgy, and the prayers partake quite as much of the nature of an eloquent address of thanks and congratulation to the Almighty as of hearifelt sup- plication, ‘The choir has ® reputution of its own, and no doubt deserves 10, as it certainly does the singing for the entire congregation, Opposite Dr. Chapin’s church, in the middle of the block, 18 the Episcopal CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY RRST. It is as yet unfinished, but part of the butlain, been roofed in and is used for public worship. Like Ohrist church, it is extremely “High” in its doc: trinal views, and: its services are marked with a ommp and splendor that remind one very forcibly of ome. {ts pastor is the Rey. R. 8. Howland, =~ We come next to DR. ARMITAGE'S BAPTIST CHURCH, alot or two off the avenue, on Forty-sixth street. It ts built in between the houses, but boasts an imposing and handsome brown stone Gothic front. This church 1s perhaps the most aristocratic Baptist church in New York, and Dr. Arinitage 13 @ singularly elo~ quent and influential divine. In their theological history the Baptists are the descendants, in most es- sential particulars, of Cromwell's Independents, and One can scarcely fail to feel a movement of astonish- ment and surprise at secing here enshrined, in the central home of American wealth, @ sect which in Engiand has always been confined to the lower and middle classes, ‘this is another exaimple, anda very striking one, of American sentiment in regard to roligious toleration. In this case, however, tolera- tion takes a social rather than a political form. In England, at least a generation ayo, no man would have been received Inio the best circles of society if he had dared to avow himself a member of sucit a plebeian religious organization, But in America our richest and most reapected citizens can embrace Baptist doctrines without fear of social ostracism. We sce for tue first Ume in history that it is possible fora man to be at the same time a Baptist and a leader of fashion. THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. The eye now fairly gras) iunin its view the mar- veliously beautiful Catholic cathedral that for tweive long years has been Puen ot slowly growing into ecclesiastical existence, yet only partialiy fin- ished—indeed, years of labor and hanareds of thousands of dollars are still required to make It @ habitable temple~ it aiready yields a golden prom. ise of its iuture magnificence. Lis maia portal is at last completed, and the eye, in an costasy 0: delight, can roam over the exquisite perfection of its pro- portions and tue fairly-like delicacy of its ornamen. | tation, There 13 no churel In the New World that can compare in artistic beauty wit this wonderful effort of Catholic piety. Only very recently a detailed description of it was published in the HERALD, and it ts unnecessary, therefore, to again dwell upon its minuter featires, It 1s well, however, that the grand old Church of Rome sould possess a worthy fane upon the avenue, and it is to be hoped that Catholic Uberality will soon crown the edifice and enavie the Catholic Bishop of our glorious city to celebrate the rites of his faltn witin its prectucts, Ouly one church now remains to be noticed, ST. THOMAS? EPISCOPAL CHURCH, which was opened for public worship only a few weeks ago. Every one must remember the ancient St. Thomas’ chnreh, that stood at the corner of Houston and Broadway. This church 1s its legiti- mate offspring, but 13 @ far more beautiful and splendid temple of the living God, Tt 1s still partiy unfinished, but 13 avatiable for worship. Its pas- tor, Dr. Morgan, is an amiable and eloquent clergy- man, of considerable weight among the Epis. copalians, In appearance be seems anepiany, good-natured, with a ruddy, cheerful face anc snow White hair. in his views he aims to belong to neither of the parties that divide his sect; he does his best to keep to the ancient paths and confines him- self to preaching the more obvious truths of the Gospe}, speek ‘abstract theological dogmas in a conveniently obscure background. VENERAL REFLECTIONS. Having now traversed the length of the avenuc— kindly and close frlenaentp side by aide, various forme rel Almost all the great and cel ciety ‘as Well as the two great ln are represented in this, the most magaiscent st in the world, by bea cost jatiful 'y tem) ‘bia indeed, ‘Lal 88 grateful to American pride ag it suggestive of tho firm basis upon which our free instivutions rest. In other lands, with scarcely an exception, some favored ch: 1g re zea by 68 desi vernment ag the one aud only path to heaven. Even in Great Britain, at the very moment (hat religtous toleration 1g proclaimed as one of the fundamental principles of a constitutional government, a particular form of faith ig selected ag @& national church, is laden with the spolis of public robbery, and invested with tin- mense political power in the higher if not the stronger branch ot the legislature, In France, in Ausiria, and until very recently in Spain as weil, the game melancholy outi upon religious freedom ane Been the iramanne 4 srorance mie PaO ies Indeed, kings and popes have jaid 1 irrefragabiep incipie that religion in the absence of State protection would languish amd wither and die—a horrible blasphemy against the inherent strength of goodness and trath which coming gen- erations will with difficulty credit. In America, for the first tine in the history of the world, the Church has been severed from the State, Cassar has meddied only with the things that belong to Osar, and men have been free to yield to their God without terference, and without braving social or political persecution, the Intelligent homage f unl conviction, And, to the wonder of all who believe in ‘peseraal legislation and to the dis- gust of all who thrive by it, this separation of relt- gion and government has already preved an tm- mense and astonishing success. Let those wito doubt sttil whether che voluntary system, as it is called, be favorable to the interests of religion, study ly the religious aspects of the great centre of republican wealth and refinement and social and political power. Fifth avenue 18 some- thing more than a brilliant example of the material blessings recured to a free people by free Institu- tons; it is astanding and irreiutable argument in support of the ict more impressive trath that an orderly and well established and liberal democratto Becular government 13 singularly favorable to the prosperity of every form by which men recognize the higher and more spiritual side of life. ART NOTES. The Chicase Academy of Design. Ohicago has crowned her unprecedented success as a rapidly growing and well developed city by the erection of an Academy of Design. This inaugu- Yates in her history a new period, which we most cordially trust may be marked by the same enter- prise and success which have distinguished her Progress in commerce and importance up to this time. There is probably no city in the world which has more rapidly grown in wealth and mercantile importance. Yesterday it was a town w ‘ha few thousand inhabitants; to-day it 1s one of the first cities of the Union in size and enterprise. Ordi- narily the growth of art in a community engrossed in its own municipal or pecuniary development ts apt to be gradual. Here it is quite otherwise. Chicago has taken @ step and made an advance which many older cities will still be long in making. ‘The strong practical character of Americans ime presses itselfeven on their art and recreations, ‘Whatever objections there may be to this, it has this one advantage, that it gives an impulse and force to art which, as in the present case, 139 most beneficial. It is, no doubt, owing partially to the energetic commercial spirit of the people that the Academy of Design in Chicago has been bullt and inaugurated. Hitherto the opportunities for enjoy- ing arthave been limited and, to a certain extent, a private character. Thanks to the public spirit and enterprise of the people there, these are now enlarged and open to all in a more eflicient manner, ‘The Chicago Academy of Design, the opening of ‘whose Art Gallery ig to take place on the 15th of November. is a chartered institution by the State in 1868, and is now under the presidency of Mr. L. W. Volk, the well known sculptor, It 1s designed to furnish a school for art students and to maintain a rmanent exhibition of paintings, It will conducted in @ manner somewhat similar to our own, The exhibition will afford tho Various artists of tae country opportunities for dis- 2 playing and disposing of thetr works, It 1s also to oped that some of the spirit of Western enter- prea ‘will make thia institution rather more lively han ours has been, ‘The collection presented at the opeaing will consist of an excellent variety of American works, representing many of the best known and most able painters of the country, Mr. Bierstadt will have there several works, among which his last, a large and important picture. Messrs. Church, De Haas, Beard, Leclear, Shattuck, Whittredge, also ail of New York, will be represcuted. Mr, William Hart will also have his “Golden Hour,” his latest work, and one which we noticed at somo length while on the easel. Several soston artists will contribute, and it 1s hoped there will also be a proper representation from our excellent neighbor, she of the broad brims and narrow ideas. We must congratulate our city on the number of our dis- tinguished artists represented; they are certainly never behind hand ta the general interests of art, and the example is one which we trust will be widely and closely and imitated, It would be interesting to see what each city, in proportion to its size aud means, can do for art, and 1t will doubtless be a great pleasure to very many who perliaps seldom, or even never, have other op- portunities of seeing and enjoying painting and of Visiting eastern cities. There will also be afforded a chance for bg ag ee | more widely known to ANY artists Who enjoy BOW SUN ‘not less practical importance to many, @ greater field for the sale of their works. There is much wealth in the West, and doubtless, a8 in ail portions of the country, a large class who, although of no great means, still are of suf- ficient to be able to cultivate and gratify their taste. We most cordially wish every success to the new gallery of art. @ would persuade every lover of art of the importance of the undertaking. We would inpress on those concerned in its direction the ne- cessity of united enterprising management and energy. ‘We ure assured, too, that so nobléa work | well cannot fail to go on, Inspired with the spirit of emulation and progress, till crowned with the brilliant success which has rewarded the labors and enterprise of the city as an ambitious working community. The Bogardus Art Gallery. Mr. Bogardus has for some time been incor- porating into his well known and established photo- graphic gallery a department of art in its more liberal sense, This department is essentially though not exclusively American. It seems to be his de- sire, and it 1s one which cannot be too nighly com- mended, to form a gallery where all American artists, rising or risen, may be represented. No one, feeling the Importance of the development and encouragement of art among us, can but sympa- thize with such an undertaking and wisii tt every success, It 18 only tov often the case that unknown painters, not haviug the opportunity to exhibit thetr works, lose many chances, and struggle on almost | hopelessly in the slow and weary ascent to fame and prominence. The Academy, of course, has done much to obviate this diMculty, We are, however, a large community, and so that alone is insuMcient, There are also many shops and auctions to which any oneisfree to send his works, To both these there are objections weil known to artists. Mr, Bogardus’ gallery is somewhat out of the more frequented portions of our city, but this is only a trifling anda temporary trouble, Many of our largest and most frequented hotels are up town, and the. city is rapidiy extending the great current of life m that direction, The more ,especial character, too, of the gallery makes ltin ameasure so different from our other exce}lent ones that lt may have nothing to fear from rival or older institutions. It should only mect, as it unquestionably deserves, the good will and co-opera- tion of other similar gailertes. Asastrong prool that the photograplilc depart- ment has suffered nothing irom the incorporation of the art gallery, we have seen a collection of photo- graphs of a great majority of the promineut artists, which, a8 excelleat portraits and specimens of | photographie art, deserves great credit. The © ale lection 18 @ Most Interesting one, and, both from its interest and novelty, is a Valuable addition to ine history of art in our country, ‘The gallery comprises & number of very excollent paintings, with many of average merit, and only a few witch fail Lelow mediocrity. One of the most prominent works {s one from a subject taken from Mr, Longfellow’s “diawaitha.”’ The picture 1s even poorer vhan the poem, aud with- out any of its redecming points. ‘The imagination becomes wearled and contnsed, strugg)ug ial the aificulties of perspective and trying to mako out something like conceivable nature in the Spal meration of hilis and vales, foreground and dis- tance. Two poor wooden figures, apparently a tribute to the Darw!ntan theory, aggravate the per- plexity. The whole has been doomed to the eternal punishment of an inferior chromo. JAMES M. HART has two works, “Evening” and Jatier of which, representing @ up of deer stand. ing tn the water at the border of a lake, from which 4 mist is slowly rising, is a very poetic aud pleasing “Morning,” the production, B, W, NICOLS. A gronp of ruins reddening in the evening Ught 13 well drawn, and is ‘a study ‘of the rich coloring of Southern scenes, It shows considerable power in the pre aretiany and is a harmontous and able work, MRS. JULIA H. BRERS. Has two or three pictures. A group ot cattle is well having watched not incurtously its general Sabbath life and mastered pretty tuoroughly the theological idiosyncrasies of its churches aud Moe ay pinay is impossible to close without giving veut to a fow reflections that must strike forcibly upon the mind Of every supartial readex, We seg Lexe. dwellipg io drawn and careful. A landscape 1s full of a pleast feeling without some of the sentimentality we have oe in ber treatment in some other of her pic- a1 RB. A bridge and vanascape. Despite # rather pols m-** of red in an antumn colored vine running over bridge, this is a very clever work, and shows stauy and power. poLrH. intl, J. “Harvest feld.” This pa: gis execated with a. freedom of drawing aud a brealth of color ‘which ts not often seen tn our own artists’ work of this class of subjects. There Is a depth and carnest. — ‘aes prove much study and evince ceria nt A. PF. AID. “A Group of Wild Ducks.” One haa been shot an ta about dei pera by a dog who hx: planged int the water v the prize. The others have ji taken wing. Se much has been said already of th excellence of this arust’s work that it seems Bu) ngpae to ant ore to the simple sence ae no One could tall to recognize the painter, valle in this class of subject. - x ‘ MORGAN, There are two paintings by this artist. One, “Wha- tean de Cartes,” ts a charuimg little scene of chil life, easy, Latural and with much expression, 0! the other less is to be said. The drapery 1s capital, the tdea, though fanciful, is graceful and poetic, Iris has’ come to the ald of an artist who had de- spaired of doing her justice and is painting ber’ beautiful emblem, The tgure 13 much 100 con- strained and affected and the general treatment far too material and heavy to do justice to the poetry of the idea. VAN ELTEN, A landscape by this artist, witch has just been re- celved, ts only an additional Beer of the superiort of American landscape painters. There is throug! out the work a careful Kuowledze of and a fidelity to nature manifested, which even the most uninitiated’ 4M art coull not fail to recognize and appreciate, | Mr. De Haas, who has already a very excellent ma¢ rine View, is engaged on an important picture—°The Wreckers at Montauk’?—for this same gallery. Also several other new works from some of our best art, ists are soon to be exhibited here. Art Schools, Mr. Charles C. Perkyns, of Boston, read & paper om this subject before the Social Science Association, which held a session in Philadelphia during the pass week. After felicitating the association on its share im the steps taken during the past year in the far- therance of art education, he went on to say that, although apparently of local, they are really of na- tional importance; because though teachers educated in a tried om, they tend to bring about unity of action. Certain nations are not so tavored by Cire cumstances as 10 the past, and America, If she will, can soon hope to take hor place among Europea! ‘The geutleman the nations in their art industries. pointed out the lessons we should learn from forel; efforts in the cause of art education, As we r nize the need of State help in other branches of education, so we should also inthis. He prope that the Social Science Association should @ a special division, called the National Art Departs ment, and made a motion that it be composed of tw@ or more persons, nominated from each of the priny cipal cities of the United States, with instructions to propose a scheme of organization by means of whick the cause of art education may best be promoted im every part of the Union, with authority to take such steps ag lt may deem necessary for this purpose. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. The Guerilere Court of Inquiry—Refutation of Charges of Drunkenovss Among Officers— Tho Fleet Fitting Out at Boston—Tho Fish- ing Banks Cruisers, ‘ Contrary to general expectation the court of in+ quiry sitting on board the frigate Guerriere, off the Baitery, to investigate into the causes leading to the grounding of the Guerricre off Nantucket, has nov yet closed tts labors. This apparent protraction of the investigation 1s partially owing to th@very thor-. ough and exhaustive examination entered into by the court, which has gone to the root of the matter, and partly beczuse the court has gone into an exe amination of the truth of certain reports aifecting the standing of the officers of the ship, which nave appeared in one or two papers of this city. It has been charged by these papers (hat the oillvers of the: Guerrlere were drunk and unfit for duty while the ship was bound to this port bearing the remaing of the late Admiral Farragut, The court, at the suggestion of Captain Stevens, com manding the ship, is investigating these serious accusations, and has already examined witnesses on that point, On Saturday Alderman Lawrence Jerome, chairman of the joint committee of the the Common Council, appeared before the court an@ gave in his evidence. He was a passenger on the ship and had every opportunity to observe the ‘morale of the officers, and he testified that he nos only saw no drunkenness, but that the oficers and. men throughout were perfectly free from the slight- est suspicion of having indulged in wine or spirits, and that they performed their duties with anility, fidelity and untiring zeal. Other witnesses con- curred in tins statement, and it became perfectly clear to the court that the charges of drunkenness were completely false and eniureiy destitate of the faintest shadow of a foundation tu fact. ‘The vilecal- ummies invented and circulated by some miserable creatures are thus formaliy exposed aud destroyed. ‘The discipline and perfect order of the officers and crew of the Guerrlere were remarked by ail the pas- sengers on the ship, many of wuom were veteran Ofiicers in the navy and perfectly competent to for ®@ correct Judgment on Matters of the Kind, It is be oped that the base libeliers of a galiant set oficers will hereafter remain silent, and cease to in vent and circulate false statements atecting the Tepufation and honor Phu ndy Rate udddled theif Lge i dander lives. ‘Tne court will probably conclude its findings ana + forward them to the Navy Department to-day, wuem they will doubtless be promulgated. ‘The report from Boston on saturday that ordera had beeu received at the Navy Yard from the depart- ment to propose estimates of the expense In and tme of fitting for sea, with despatch, the monitors Wassue, Shawnee aud Misutonomon, and the wood. en ships Wabash, Niagara, Wachusetts, Sabine, ‘Ticonderoga, Caiuornia and three other vessel must not be taken to foreshadow the completion o} @ fleet for Sea service. kven if these ships were ready for sea they could not be sent out, for the simple reason that there are no men at the disposi of the Navy Department to man them. ‘The laws 0! Cungress permit the navy to enlista maximum num. ber of 8,000 nen, That nunver is already enlisted, and cannet, unless imperious necessity should ree quire it, be increased. The corvette Oailfornia waa ail ready for sea at Portsmouth, N, H,, a tew week since, and her oficers bad been ordered to ner. Bul the Navy Department couid not, under the restrice tions framed by Congress, furulsh her mer, and she ‘Was therefore dismantied aud sent to Boston to take on a new screw, and then lay up. All the available meu at the disposal of tie department were ordered to the sloop-oi-war Narraganset, Licutenaat Come mander George Dewey, now lying at this port, ang her complement is not filled, ry man that the law allows 18 now in the service, and any talk of new ficets or squadrons js absurd until Congress in- creases the allowance, which 13 not likely soon to occur, judging trom the Pica eda feeling dis- layed by cones toward the navy, which, havin joue its duty during the war, has alighted au overlooked since its services are apparent.y less im- portant to the country, ‘fo matutain our squadrons abroad on a decently respectable footing Would re- qnire at least 15,000 inen—a force much Sinaller than that at the disposal of such third rate Powers as ain. Sriiere has been no information communtonted as to the day of satling of the Nipsic and Guard from the Fishing Banks for this port. As tey will come une der sail it is possible that their voyages may be somewhat protracted, but so far as Known there ia no reason to fear guy anxiety respecting thelr, aalety. A SELF-COKFESSED PERJURER, His Suborner Held for Trial—A Curious Case, Henry Oppenshaw, of 120 Atien street, was yesiere day committed to answer by Justice Scott, of the Fssex Market Police Court, on charge of perjury. ‘The circumstances are somewhat peculiar, On the eth of Uctober John Theis, of 223 Bowery, was are raigned before Justice Scott on complaint of Mary Adolaide Shaw, of 35 Catharine street, charging the accused with being the favher of her prospective off. spring and demanding suitable ind2multy therefor, Theis denied the soft impeachment, and Oppenshaw appeared and supported the deuial by swearing thas he had had carnal knowled<e of the complumant ab ditverout times and at periods making It Likely that Th was innocent of tue charge preferred, ‘tho Justice was infuenced by Oppenshaw’s teatl- mony aud dismissed tie case, Jt must be that Theis did not givo Oppensbaw the consideration he promiccd when he swore to the above stat nt, for ¥ rday he again appeares before Jastice Scott and made affidavit that ne ba been induced and sulo;ned by Theis to commit perjury, Vo bis great astonishment his Houor committed him, on Lts own self-confessed state- ment, on ® cuarge of perjury. Thels .0 bail for suboraing Oppecshaw, CHIVALRY 43 IT 13. Detective Wooldridge, of the Ggatral Office, yester- day arraigned Pedro Maiibran before Justice Dowling, at the Tombs, charging that the prisoner was about to fght a duel with John Chandon, of Willlamaburg, the place of combat to be Canada. Mallbran was arrested at the Hoifman House, where he was @ guest, Qud a package ign to him containing two cavalry sabres, with thelr points and blades newly sharpened, was found there. Justice Dowling held the accused fur examination. LONG ISLAND NEWS. The Queens County Teachers’ Institute, which has. been 1n session the past fortnight at Roslyn, closed on Friday night. Professor J. W. Barker, of Buffaio, was conductor. Addresses, during the ses gion, were delivered by the conductor, BR. Putnam, of Rome; B. saci, ele Yous, Homer B, Sprague and otuerg, to answer eld in 95,