The New York Herald Newspaper, February 25, 1873, Page 4

4 " MARDI GRAS. Origin of the Great Festival of Misrule. Some Account of Its Earlier Celebra- tion in New Orleans, the Car- . nival City of the Union. The “Mistic Krewe of Comus” and * Their Past History. THE ADVENT OF “REX.” His Peaceful Accession to the Throne of a Motley Kingdom and the Ready Rec- egnition ‘of His Authority. A CARNIVALISTIC COUP D'ETAT. Preparations for His Reception This Year Upon His Entry Into His Oapital, Ac- companied by His Qourt and Es- corted by His Household Troops, Oomposed of the Picked Men of the Oarnovalini. TWO GRAND PAGEANTS PROMISED. Speculation Rife as to the Appearance of the “Mistic Krewe" and in ‘What Questionable Shape. THE FOLLIES OF A NIGHT. Four frand Balls Announced to Give Closing Eclat to the Great Event. Immense Influx of Strangers Into the City. NEw ORLEANS, Feb, 20, 1873. Mardi Gras is a festival known at the present time almost throughout the civilized world, al- though its celebration is principally confined to the Latin races, among which there is a singular una- uimity in its cemmemoration through al! their ethnological fragments, however widely separated. Marking in the older communities, or those of ‘modern date most Latinized, the culmination of a «festival period lasting over several days, when folly reigns supreme monarch and the sober com- monplaces of life give way to gay conceits, we, of the present time, look to Italy, the home of the Latin peoples, as the place of its inauguration and where it finds its grandest demonstration. Seek- ing here its origin, we learn that, like many other festivals that have come to us from the same source, many occasions of Christian celebration, where pagan traditions of feast and loliday were adopted into the early Church, and, dis- severed from their heathen association, placed ander the patronage of saints and martyrs ana dedicated to their honor, it, too, antedates the Christian era. Among the more cultivated nations of that period, Greece and Rome, the close of Win-" ter’s reign and the gentle advent of gracious Spring, the season of planting, the gods who were supposed to have in charge the fruitfal yielding of the earth were propitiated in song and dance, and the wildestrevelry—Bacchus being most honored in this respect—while the shepherd piped his lay to the god Priapus (as the garden deity), and sought” - us favor in more decorous, though’ not less abun- dantly joyful, fashion. In the Catholic Church Mardi Gras is Shrove Tuesday, or Shrovetide, so called from the practice recommended the faithful, and in the primitive times generally followed, to go‘to confession on that day in preparation for the better observance of the penitential season of Lent, immediately fel- towing. Thus the merry madness of Mardi Gras il- dustrated not only the culminating point of the car- nivalistic period, but the wild, reckless enjoyment of the flesh in its last hours, before entering upona protracted “period of fasting and mortification. Such was, no doubt, the spirit in which the early pastors Of the Church looked upon the frolicsome excesses of this day; but it would be too much to assume thatall the pranks that the modern cele- bration permits, or gives opportunity for, can claim the same fatherly indulgence. In connection with the recognition of the day as Shrove Tuesday, it has been and still is celebrated in both England and Irelana, and in some parts of this country, as Pancake Night, batter cakes fried on a pan forming an important part of the evening repast. OUR OWN REX, Leaving out of account in the present narrative the carnivalistic history of Cuba, Mexico and tae different Spanish American States of South Amer- (ca, it is interesting to see the growth and extent of the carnival spirit among our own people. And here it is worth while to remark that only in this city, New Orleans, where the population is largely | of Latin extraction, does it find its. fullest or grandest development. And, further, it will be no- ticed how the influence of the other races repre- sented here has toned down much of its extrava- gance or exuberance, subjecting it to regulation and discipline and bringing into well-ordered demonstration, with ample opportunity for the indulgence and display of individual idiosyncracies "or pet personations where desired, a spirit of mirthfulness previously sporadic in its exhibition and likely to give hurt or occasion of effence to many worthy citizens less tolerant of folly than they whe indulged in. it, while affording the criminal lasses a ready chance, in simulating folly, to ply their several vocations, with little risk of detection. We have it on the authority of Mr. ©. C. Hancock, Aistoriographer to the Court, now filling the high | osition of yy Extraordinary to the people of Kew Orleans to consult with them concerning the reception promised His Majesty on next Tuesday, that “the ef the Carnival a | into ex! tence, like Minerva from the brain of Jove, full armed, on January 31, 1872.’ Searching, however, Fi bene back into the historic period in which New rleans did ite Hh qnreuatay HONOR - to tl and mighty personage, we come upo' puneroas evidences of sympathy with the organ- ized rule thereafter to be established by His Majesty other than those already mentiened, the most important of which we trace back as far as 1857 in the appearance in the streets of New Or- leans, on the evening of February 24, of a pro- cession of masks, who announced themselves as the “Mistic Krewe of Comus.” They came, no one knew whence, representing in their cestumes Various of the infernal deities and personages known in mytholegy and described by Milton in Paradise Lost; and aiter parading the principal streets in the Light of blazing torches for some hours repaired to the Varieties Theatre, where, after & tableau exhibition of various groupin; sugges ted by the source whence they Porro their costumes, they indulged their Invited guests in ® brilliant hop. At Dl ly twelve o'clock they as suddenly and mystesiously as they had made their appearance vanished into the shadew land, leaving only the spirit Terps chore behind to rule the reveis until morning. ‘The success whieh had attended this first parade of the “Krewe” stimulated them tocontinue a kin- red display yearly, which they did a lading. Mardi Gfas of ies) “ua,teNm ve and in- sively in fuller repfesentation ot ‘ancient myth- ology in 1868; the god: and goddesses, Comus, Mom Jani Flora, Diana, Jupiter Oly: n nerves and heroines "gh hg Bc of their graceful forms as portrayed by mor. man in meng, or sculpture, illustrating “Twelfth Night, or the bay Pageant of Mis- Fuleé”’ in 1869; representing, iu living groups, prow. NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1873—-TRIPLE SHEET. inent characters in American history from Colum- bas to Clay, in 1860; and in 1861 teaching a moral lesson in “Scenes from Life,” by four groups, illus- | trative of Childhood, Youth, Manhood and Vid Age, beset by the vices and follies that belong to each period, with temptation luring to destruction on one side and the virtues and rewards that follow resistance to the syren voice seeking recognition on the othes, Here we have a long hiatus. Comus was driven from his high conceit, and a skeleton, ‘ghastly, grim and stately,” inthe grand panoply of war, led his whilom revellers to a fearfui dance of death, New Orleans, drunk with the poisoned cup she had placed to her own lips, reeled and toyed with it in the madness of intoxication for ashort while, until soon compelled to drain ita bitter dregs. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF MOURNING it might be said in the vear 1866, when grim-visaged war had smoothed his wrinkled front and@ stern alaruins again given place to merry meetings, Co- mus resuined his sceptre, The Mystic Krewe early in 1866 gave notice of their intention to parade on the coming Mardi Gras night, sending out invita- tious as usual. These gave the occasion for a very beautiiul and artistic conception in the design of a card, the years 1962, 1863, 1864 and 1865 being repre- sented as bubbles blown trom the pipe of peace, fast being enveloped in the cloudy distance. Tho subject o1 the procession this time was a suggestive allegory representing the Past and Prosent and the Future. The following years atorded opportu- nity for illustrating in the same manner as pre- viously described in the order mentioned, “The Triumph of Epicurus,” ‘The Senses,’ “Lalla Rookh,’? “The History of Louisiana,” “Spenser’s Faerie Queen”? and “The Dreams of Homer.” ‘This brings us down to their last pro- cession last year. What is to be the subject of this year’s parade is emphatically “one of those things no fellow can find out.’ Surrounding themselves with the strictest incognito, and pre- serving the most profound secrecy as to their in- tentions, it is not even known beforehand te the public where they will first appear, much less in what shape, questionable or otherwise. This last is anxiously speculated about, as there was con- siderable POPULAR DISAPPOINTMENT both last year and the year before at the subjects chosen, Which, indeed, it will be seen, were rather too classical ior a strict parade, belng above the average knowledge and understanding or the masses. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to state that after each parade as recorded above, tableaux and @ ball terminated the Krewe’s devoir to their soy- ereign lord. Two other organizations exist here in imitation ot the Mystic Krewe of Comus—viz., “The Twelfth Night Revellers” and the “Knights of Mo- mus.”’ Both are, however, of recent date, and, we may add, without a history, although illustratiny that carnivalistic spirit so prevalent here, evi- denced in the many and unreserved proofs of de- voted loyalty to Rex atiorded him ever since the first announcement of his coming. The Twelfth Night Reveilers made their first appearance on Twellth Night, 1871, im a pageant headed by the Lord of Misrule, and followed by all the nursery heroes of the Mother Goose period of literature, Their second parade, 1872, introduced in various groupings, each of his own creation, the most pop- ular names in English and current American lite- rature. Their last parade, January 6, 1873, repre- sented Audubon, the great American ornithgjo- gist, with various groupings of birds. On each night tableaux and @ ball wound up the festive occasion. The procession of the Knights of Momus on New Year's Eve last, their first and thus far their only public display, was, although a grand pageant, in some sense a popular disappointment, the char- acters portrayed being taken from Sir Walter Scott’s novel of the “Talisman,” not the most fa- miliar to the multitude of his works. ‘Thus the parade was scarcely more than a costumer’s suc- cess, the ideal failing to touch the sympathy of the masses, Having thus, by our researches in the historic Past, shown how it was that His Royal Highness the King of the Carnival “sprang into existencé full armed,’’ we take up again our narrative of his reign. Although entering so recently into his kingdom, His Majesty has been ever received with protestations of the deepest attachment, and his AUTHERITY ADMITTED ON ALL SIDES. A series of edicts issued by him to various officials, State and municipal, officers of militia, to the public, and finaily to the Chairman of a Con- gressiony! investigating committee then in session here, eblained ready recognition and obedience last year. Business was generally suspended at his order, the Courts were closed, the police were placed at his disposal, the Louisiana artillery fired salutes as ordered, and the aforesaid Congres- sional investigating committee adjourned over; in fact, everywhere he met with unconditionai sub- mission to his commands, and Folly reigned for one day supreme in authority in New Orleans, And yet not altogether Folly, for we further learn from the distinguished historiographer of the Court pre- viously mentioned that in excellent and responsi- ble hands, embracing a large number of our most highly esteemed and responsible citizens, the King of the Carnival, whose origin is herein related, has now become a permanent institution of New Orleans. Its design and object, while pleasurable and esthetic, has still a practi- cal and ulterior object in benefiting the city of New Orleans, commercially and socially. It not only offers increased attraction to visitors from abroad, but in all the festivities arranged or conse- | quent thereupon, the entertainment and accommo- dation of the Mardi Gras visitors are primarily con- sidered in the true spirit of hospitality. Previous to his departure last year His Majesty instructed the Legislature to make his séte day @ public holiday, which order was promptly carried out, It would be tiresome to reproduce here all | His Majesty’s proclamations made either last year or this; it will be suMcient to say that they, with his correspondence, all evidence the boldest as- sumption of authority, which was nowhere dis- puted. We present the following, however, which artiy explains this early confidence on his Bart. a is among his efforts at establishing his king- jom :— To the Hon. B. F. Fraxper: His Royal Highness the ty of the ctty the wandering maskers ot Mardi Gras into @ procession on Canal street, respectiully requests your permission to carry out his nd the co-operation of the police In enforcing his sumed" authority. An carly answer is respe To. A. 8. Bancer, Superintendent of Police :— The permission respectiully request that the police assist and protect the Procession. BENJ, F. FLANDERS, May or. New Onixays, Jan. 31, 187: s Roya Hignwzss tre “King oF THe CARNIVAL? — uest referred tome (as above) by His Honor Mayor Flunders is cheertully acqulesced in. [wilt do allin my power, and that oi the force under my com: mand (as far as consistent with public duty), to make Your Majesty's fleeting reign as powerful and pleasant as it mo doubt deserves to be. in accordance therewith I hereby order all maskers-of jardi Gras to ,oin in the processiou under Your Majesty's rection. Respectfully yours, A. 5S. BADGER, Superintendent of Pole. Armed with this support of his authority the nucleus of & pageant was at once at his command, and it remained only for him to imbue those roving bands with some spirit of submission to his au- thority before taking command of them, that they might be the more readily brought into line. Novhing more was needed, for Rex aims not at pantomimic display, his parade being simply his grand entry into his capital, surrounded by his court and jollowed in column by his loving and devoted subjects. This column 18, of course, duly marshalled in different divisions under general orders, with a view alike to convenience and pic- turesque effect. Of such a nature will be his demonstration on Mardi Gras next, with, however, many improvements upon last year, To descend irom the heroics to THE REALM OF FACTS. The managers this year comprise some one hun- dred and filty of our best citizens, with a capital | Of $20,000, sate are divided, for the eifective and rapid organization of the large force of maskers who will take part in the procession next Tuesday, upon the plan of a regular government, monarchi- cal in form as representing the kingly authority, but in reality republican in its working and well worthy of higher imitation in the harmonious ac- tion of its several parts and the absence of red tape in its several departments. We may, indeed,* be thanktul that its members are drawn together by the desire only of a peaceful el of strength, tor it can be said with truta that these men are of the stu! of which successful leaders of revolution are made. They have, too, at their command, “jessons of the war,”’ valuable in the ore organi- zation called for. Hevits of iscipline, accustomed submission to superior author- iy, experience earned at no slight cost of the duties of parade, lasting impressions of drill everywhere Jelt, help them in no small de- gree to bring the various detachments reporting for assignment in the line inte due and proper control, and can be greatly relied on to gre or- der and mebility to the vast processien. any of the costumes to be worn on the occasion, in- cluding the satire crown regatia, bave been im- } Ported from Paris, and a more than ordinary dis- | play in this particular is promised, A prominent feature will be the appearance of various details of troops belonging to the King’s household, and designed to act as the exponents of his authority, These carnivaliini will, it 1s said, at an early day take possession of the principal public buildings, in the name of and under the authority of the king, and see to the enforcement of his several edicts respecting the observance of a@ holiday, 80 that no one shall be deprived aguinst his or her will ofa share in the joy of this memorable occa- sion. The following PROGRAMME OF THE PRINCIPAL, EVENTS OF THE D, AY published by authority. His Majesty will arrive at the head of Canal street at precisely eleven A. M,, and will assume formal possession of the city at half-past eleven, receiving thereupon the ‘atulations of the peers of the realm created by him. At twelve M. the procession wiil form on Canal street, and at precisely one P.M. commence to move over the route, proceeding first to the city Hall, where the honor of a royal visit will be con- ferred on Mayor Wiltz. Ataquarter to six P.M. the sunset salute will be fired from the foot of Canal street by the 365th artillery. THR GRAND BALL will commence at nine P. M. at Exposition Palace, i ‘ked for above is granted, and I would for that distinguished favor by the Lords Chamberlain, the Master ot the Kevels has accordingly prep: an) fitted up Exposition Palace for the purpose, und intends signalizing the rare and happy occasion with A GRAND STATE BALL, to, which admission will be afforded’ ouly on the Lord form of ap- Chamberlain's invitation; the manner ani piles tien Soe w Gian has been elsewhere proctaimed by And in turther provision the ‘comfort and happi+ ness of the guests Dt His Majeety, the hereinatter named Dukes of the Kealm are hereby declared and constituted THE ROYAL UosTs. They are charged with all duties incident to the recep- entertainment of His Majesiy's frets. oer will be so honored and respected by all yal subject (Here tollow the names of eighty gentlemen, with their several titles of honor.) The Dukes of the Realm will be distinguished by wear- ing the ribbon and decoration of the Order of St, Hex. ie Th: Room will be opened at ten o'clock sty will receive all such loyal subje ly presented by the Lords C amberlain. room willbe reserved exclusively for the upper ball room will be devoted to Carriages, either in taking up and setting down, wilt invariably ‘approach the ‘patho entrance from Julia street, and leave northward. Tickets of invitation are not transferrable and must be Presented at the door. No checks will be issued. By order of the King. BATHURST, Lord High Chamberlain. The guests on this occasion, exclusive of those connected with the court and their personal friends, consist altogether of strangers, visitors to the city, the ball being In fact specially designed on their behalf, Over two thousand tickets have thus far been issued, The above is the last general order issuea, and brings the history ef the Carnival down to the resent date, at which its spins is fairly active. e city is saplay, filling up with visitors trom all parts of the Union, although the greatest number are expected to arrive during the close of this week. The royal standard, a tri-color of green, gold and purple, arranged diagonally with green above, and a crown in the centre of the gold stripe, floats proudly in most of the principal street: while carnival bills are announced at all the theatres, So great is the influx of strangers expected between now and Mardi Gras, however, that people who have rooms to let are requested to communicate with the saperin- tendent of the trunk lines leading into the city, that there may be no delay in providing accom: modation, It will be seen trom the programme of the King’s parade that it in no way interferes with that of the Mistick Krewe, thus affording the sight- seer the double spectacle of both a day and a night pageant. Besides the balls of these two principal organizations, ‘‘Rex’’ and the *‘Mistic Krewe,” two others are announced, one at the St. Charles Theatre and one at Odd Fellows’ Hall, at either of which those not bidden to the former, whether sojourner or citizen, will doubtless tind ample provision for enjoyment. I close this preliminary notice of the great Mardi Gras festival here with the following list of the i A Ki ME CARNIVAL The Royal Bird ‘The Royal Bea: ‘The Royal Color: The Royal Flower. ‘The Royal Anthem. iver I Cease to Love. It may be as welj to add here that the association of which “Rex” is the figurehead is as impersonal asthe “Mistic Krewe,” and members are known to the public only in their assumed dignity, with the single exception of the annalist named above, whose duties embrace all direct communication with the commonplace world necessary for the transaction of business. ‘Rex’ is a well known banker of this city. THE MEMPHIS CELEBRATION. i ie age aaemeer wT y . Tennessee comes to the with its celebra> tion at Memphis this year. In the exposition building, and in all the halls of the city balls will be held, that at the first-named place being the centre of attraction. There Momus, King of the Carnival, Lord of Misrule, will lead the throng in search of merriment. Like all things nowadays, even misrule must have its executive committee, ; aud this grave portion of the affair is ministered by two people with German names, one Italian, one Frenchman and a negro minstrel, the mis- cegenated troubadour of these latter days. To pre- pare the Memphian mind for the jollity which will burst upon it this*evening the committee have issued a “pronunciamento,” setting forth with some stilted fun what they think of things in gen- eral and their Mardi Gras in particular. It runs as follows :— To ovr Vacctnep AND Wet.-Taxkp Sunsects, GREETIN Tt is meat, as isthe custom among all rulers, to dish up the past. and in obedience to that custom-er, we produce the hash and squeal. 3 1872, the first of our rain, has been fraught with many blessings; aside trom driving sloth, fr: our marts, we have crowned the angels of Peace, Progress and Viviliz tion, and sent them soaring, Joye-like, triumphant har- bingers throughout our realm. No midnight brawlers made night hideous, while vaccine. who ts well-armed, ran virns hi Peace, order and rood will reixne supreme. We have caused thousands of strangers to flock to,our court, who, aside from making known our prowess among other nations, have filled our cof as quadrilles. )$ EMBLEMS, ‘eacock. ion. -Purple, Green and Gold. Violet. ters. Wé have been honored b. preenng, visits from innumerable tax coll rsa constable: Old Sir Ice Gorge, gr: dislocator of amboats and barges, gave'us a swilt reat metropolitan ox intra | Epizoo, did not y ye nd passing call, while the ucer_ and equestrian, Old tion, trinity of bursted banks,’ tree concerts, muddy streets, ‘unpaid bonds, a promise of Custom House acid Post Office, the aninter- rupted flow of that temperate beverage, lager beer, in our | capital—Hupperstown, reliet for the poor and coal $2 50 } a barrel have marked our reign. | We have encouraged immigration, and boast an influx | of spirit, both Bourbonic and Fosterian, Vox popult xoes the “hull” hog on the former, and “grave” donbis are expressed as to the latter. Agriculture has not suf- tered. as we claim a@ greater crop ot dead beats and gal- loots than ever betore, while our bandbox brigade and chronic 4heatre wedges are still hetty. Tho pistol has ceased its whiz, and the Keno artist is heard no more. What other benefits bestowed we leave to posterity and our creditors. in having reached our royal ears that there risen a pretender, named who. issued patents of nobility ‘the and would usurp. our — crown, benefits bestowed upon the nation, power (in us as Momus, King of the ival, xrana inaug Nardi G FOtectOr OF OFphans, ssolver of codfishtoc Protessor of Keddisbecher ul LL.D. of all cheap uni- a versities, &c., we banish the traitor and his cohorts, and, by our knightly halidom, deeming merit the true’ test, d all others false ttle Weeds of nobility, we have com: anded that tNe great exposition building shall be our ‘where we will recei highest and lowest in dom, Mardi Gras, F : ‘And to do them ave we made known our pleasure to his E: cellency the Chict Squire of the United States—com | monly called the President, lus Cabinet, Legislators, { Senators 1 Representatives of our nation, the wise, the great and good; and we propose to do the thing Brown to our worthy Governor and the General Assembly of. ors, Who shall all attend. We h ted the Czar the Solitary milers favora- ble‘to our Court, and upon inspecting treasury and finding but orphan asyium receipts within our coffers, we have ordained that 00 shall be drawn from our privy purse, in order that’ the festival may reflect credtt Upon our Court and honor to our reign; aad we further command that the press disseminators of knowledge favorable to us shall spread the gladful tidings throughout | our realms. Witness our hand and signet, this 1873, and second of our reign. MOMUS, Rex Carnivall. Arrest:—Prince Lesrycvs, Duke Parsi, Count Botte vauio, Chief Minister and Cook. MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES Olver Doud Byron appeared at Wood's last night in his sensational piece of “Across the Conti- nent.” Mrs. Margaretta B. Moore, a new dramatic reader, is descrited by her friends as under twenty and as accomplished as Mrs, Scott Siddons, A concert is to be given at Steinway Hall to-mor- row evening in aid of St. Mark's Methodist Episco- pal church, at which the Hyers sisters are to sing. One of these young girls is a soprano and the other contralto, tenor and bass, if ‘The farewell season of opera at the Academy of Music begins on Friday evening with ‘‘La Favorita,” Mme. Lucca singing the part of Leonora, We ex- ie pect to hear Lucca im parts in which she has not yet been heard in this country before the close of the season. “Claude's Wife,” which is announced for fature production at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, was written by M. Dumas to justify his idea thata wronged husband has the right to kill his guilty wife, Claude is an inventor of a cannon of tre- mendous power. A pretended notary wishes an interest init. Finding Claude inflexible he applies to Cesarine, Claude's wife. She declares she will tell her husband, whereupon the notary threatens to expose her past life. “Ido not care for that,’ shrieks the guilty woman; “and he has forgiven me.” “No nonsense, madame,” replies the agent, “what your husband docs not knpw is that you fied from here lately with a paramour under pre- text of a journey to see a relative; that par- amour took 200,000 francs away with him. You have that money; where is M. Richard, your lover? Say a word, and I will tell your husband, and he or I will hand you over to the public prosecutor as a murderess.”’ She, of course, does the agent’s bidding; there are fresh intrigues, and the second act closes with a threat from Claude that he will kill her. The play ends with the con- summation of the threat. There is much bratality in the piece, but it can be toned down to the point of acceptability. In Paris it has had a great succe mostly through the excellent acting of M, Laudro! as Claude and Mile. Desciée as Cesari [ WERE ADAM AND EVE TaISHMEN?—ToU BT New York, Feb, 24, 1873. where arrangements are now in active progress to | To Tax Epiror or tre HeraLp:— make it one of the most successful features of the day’s entertainment, andin every way worthy of its royal patron. Some idea of the grandeur of this affair may be gathered from the following “general order” just issued in reference thereto:— ENERAL ORDER, IN HONOR oF HIS MAJESTY THE KING. CaRnivat Patace, Feb. 19, Deragtwent Lorp High Cuammwauatn. ‘sin Most Puissant Majesty Lig | raciously conde- Pes to grant audience during his brief stay in tho Foyal capital to such loyal subjects as may be presented While reading your paper of Sunday, February 23, I chanced to come upon an article headed ‘“Civ- lized Irishmen,” written in reply to Professor John W. Draper, After reading it I was very much in doubt but what we all were descendants trom Irishmen, and to be convinced I have written to you. The question I wish to have answered is whether Adam and Eve were not born in freland and from thence emigrated to the garden of Eden? ) A READER, | lar to the Irish stirabout, THE LENTEN SEASON. ART MATTERS. The Chapman Collection. The Rules and Regulations for the Holy Season | Tne successive exhibitions at the Leavitt Art of Forty Days—Gourmands Reduced to Ex- tremity—Old Customs and Observances— Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday— Easter Sunday and Its Customs in the Olden Time—The Simnel Cake and “Mothering Sunday.” ‘To-morrow will commence the Lenten season of fasting and prayer, it being Ash Wednesday, which will last forty days—that is to say, until Easter Sun- day, Which wili fail this year upon April7. To-day is usually known among English-speaking nations as Shrove Tuesday, which in older times was ac- counted a general hol day, though it derives its nome from the aucient practice in the Roman Catholic Church of a person’s being shriven or “shrove” by confessing and receiving absolution for sins prior to the Lenten fast, In England Shrove Tuesday is still kept, though carnival jollity does not hold sway as in former times, the chief amusement seeming to censist in devouring an un- limited number of pancakes, to the detriment of the stomach and the delight of the doctors, At Westminster school, one of the most famous en- dowed seminaries of England’s metropolis, the fol- lowing singular custom is observed upon Shrove Tuesday, even at the present time:—At eleven o'clock A. M. a verger of the abbey in his gown, bearing a silver baton, emerges from the college kitchen, followed by the cook of the school, in his white apron, jacket and cap, and carrying a pan- cake. On arrival at the schoolroom door he an- nounces himse!f “the cook,” and having entered the schoolroom he advances to the bar which sepa- rates the upper school from the lower one, twirls the pancake in the pan and then tosses It over the bar into the upper school, among a crowd of boys who scramble for the pancake, and he who is able to capture it unbroken and carries it to the deanery demands the honorarium of a guinea from the abbey ‘funds, though the cus- tom is not mentioned in the abbey stat- utes. The cook receives two guineas for his part of the performance. Even during the present century the sport of “throwing at cocks” was much in vogue gn England, at Shrovetide. An unhappy rooster was tied to a stake by a stout cord, and reckless young men and boys, having no tear of the penalties which in these days would be meted out to them at the hands of humane societies, would “shy” sticks at the poor bird until death ended its sufferings. This favorite pastime has now degenerated into “Aunt Sally,” and even the practicé of chidron going shroving— id est, singing from house to house in the hope of receiving presents of cakes and fruits—has only -gaiecence insome of the smaller hamlets and con- obvarlye ‘illages in “the shires,’? Ash Wednesday derives its name from the nota- ble ceremony of the day in the Roman Catholic Church, In order to remind the faithful at the commencement of the great penitental season that they were but dust and ashes the priests took a aes of ashes, which they, biessed and sprinkled with holy water. The ashes used were ‘enerally made from the palms consecrated on the Palm Sunday of the preceding year. Upon a com- municant, attired in sackcloth, approaching, the priest dipped up some of the ashes on the ends of his fingers, made the mark of a cross om the wor- shipper’s forehead, and said, ‘Memento, homo, quia civis es, etin pulverem reverteris,”” This day foes not seem to have been observed by any par- ticular junketings, even in the olden time, and at the present period religious ceremonies and fast- ings are all that proclaim it different from others of the week. There will be services in most of the Protestant churches in New York and Brooklyn to-morrow and during the Lenten season, The Lenten feasts are movable, and Ash Wed- nesday this year fals on February 26, and fort: days after, on April 7, Easter Sunday occurs, Mardi Gras is among the French people an equivalent ior Shrove Tuesday, and in Paris and Antwerp, which has many French customs, the Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday festival, is one of hilarity and gayety previous to the clothing in sack- cloth and ashes of the penitents on the succeeding Ash Wednesday. In Paris the beus @ huge ox, decorated with ribbons flowers, is paraded by the denizens of the voucherie, and so strong is hereditary cus- tom that the same thing occurs in New Orleans and Quebec, antipodal cities, but having the same ancient blood and faith on the American Continent, Mi-Caréme is another French festival which occurs in Mid-Lent, and is, in tact, the equivalent tor “Mid-Lent.” AN nations have customs more or ike; and the French Mi-Careme is represented less by the English “Mothering Sunday,” or fourth Sunday in Lent. People who went out to service or apprenticeship, or to be bound out as appren- tices in the olden time, were necessarily deprived of the fond care of parents and reiations, occa- sioned by their absence; and, consequently, when “Mid-Lent Sunday” or the fourth Sunday came it was @ pious and honored custom for the son or oven daughter to travel filty or even a hundred miles with some trinket, or cake, or sweetmeat, or some other of the tokens of three, four and five hundred years ago, as a pledge of remembrance to a fond mother, who had been separated for a full twelvemonth. This act of duty was called goin; “a-mothering.” For this day there was a special dish of food, which gladdened the domestic hearth, and made the wanderer glad. It was called “furmety,’’ and consisted of wheat grains boiled in sugar and milk and spiced, a dish somewhat simi- In the northern part of England and Scotiand they had tor a “Mothering “Sunday” dish steeped peas fried in butter with pepper and sait, Pancakes were called * carlings” 260 years ago, and this gave rise to the name‘of “carling Sunday,” applied to the fourth Sunday in nt. Up to this day a custom retains in Herefordshire and Shropshire, in England, which is as old ag the Norman Conquest and which preceded the grant of Magna Charta. At Easter “simmel cakes” are made and eaten. They are rich and expensive raised cakes, made ef fine flour and water, with suficient saffron to give them a deep color, and the interior of the cake—the surface and circum- ference of which are as high and as great asa large New Year's or wedding cake of. the present day—is filled with the materials of a very rich plum cake, with plenty of candied lemon cake and other good things. They are made up very sbi, tied in a cloth and boiled fer several hours, aiter which they are brushed over with eggs and then baked. When sale the crust is as hard as ade of wood, a circumstance which has given rise to various stories oi the manner in which they have beep treated by persons to whom they were sent as presents and who had never seen them before, one ordering his *‘simnel” to be boiled to soften it, anda lady took hers for a footstool. Some are very costly and sell for as much as & pound, and others can be had as low as half a crown, The name of “simnel’ is from the old medieval Latin simanelius or siminellus, and 18 undoubtedly de- rived from the classic Latin of simila, “fine flour.” For the use of the faithiul we publish the regula- tions for fasting and abstinence during Lent in the Roman Catholic diocese of New York, together with the evenings on which services are held in the churches of that taith:— 1. All the week days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday till faster Sunday, are fast days of precept, om one meal, th the allowance of a moderate collation in the even- Ing. ps The precept of fasting implies also that of abstinence from the use of tesh meat. But, by dispensation, the use of flesh meat is allowed in this diocese at the princi- pal meal on Mondays, Tuesdays eo Thursdays of Lent, ry with the exception of Holy Thur: 3. There is neither fast nor abstinence to be observed on Sundays ot Lent. 4. It 18 not allowed to use fish with flesh meat at the saine meal in Lent. 5. There 18 no prohobition to use eggs butter or cheese, Provided the rules ‘of quantity prescribed by the tust be complied with, . Lard may be used in preparing fish, vegetable, &c. 7, The Church excuses trom. the ooligation of tastin; but not of abstinence trom flesh meat, except in speci cases of sickness or the like—the following classes of sons:—First, the infirm; second, those whose dutics of an exhausting or laborious Character ; third, per: Who are attaining thelr growth; fourth, women ‘in preg- haney or nursing Infauts; ffth, those who are enteedied ry old age. The public religious exercises during Lent in the churches of this city, to commence each evening at half- t seven o'clock, will be in Monday, in the Chureh of the Nativity, of sumption (airman), St. Michael's and St. An (italian). On Tuesday, in St. James’, St. Joseph's, St. Vincent de aul's (French), St. John the Evangelist’s, Holy Cross, & Gabriel’s, Immaculate Conception and Our or rrows. On Wednesday, in St. Peter's, Most Holy Redeemer German), St. Francis Assisium’ (German), St. Fraacis avier's, St. A: neiation (Manhattanville), St. je _As- ony’s , Annut Paul's (Ninth avenue and Fitty-ninth street), St. Teresa's and St, John the Baptist’s German), On Thursday, St. Columba’ Y in Cathedral, St. Andrew's, St, Stephen's, St. Bridget’s, St. Alphonsus’ (German), Ho St. Rose of Innocents’, a pee AY, Ca Manhattan- y ont guration, St, Paul's Getmams se Vince Aa ; of the kpiphany and Holy Name mt Ferrer’s, jon Bernard's, Church it, of Jesus. sso The old and well known charitable socio! Les Amis de la Gaiet¢, who have always been fore- most among our French citizens for works of benefi- cence and kindness to the poor, will and ‘ig 4 annual Mardi Gras, (or Shrove Tuesday) Y ten the benefit of the poor, on Thursday night, ts ; Germania Rooms, in the Bowery. Tickets, $2 for lady and gentleman, FOUL PLAY. Bridget McSwegon was found in the hallway of 43 Scannell street yg ticed dled severe wounds head that it is supposed she received from pr She was attended to at the gome one in the place. Precinct station house by Dr. Saville, ghd afterwards wont to Bellevue ideapltal \ Gallery during the last few months have formed a sort of art flower, every newly unfolded petal of which had certain charming traits that eclipsed those of its predecessor. Remembrance of just elapsed displays will remind the reader that the Higginson exposition, the Rossiter collection and the Brevoort gatherings were all excellent, each having a specific character of its own. And now we have the Chapman budget, which in all re- Spects is equal to any previous exhibition of the year, and in some respects is superior, A number of the more attraétive works were briefly indicated in this column one day last week. A fugitive news- paper réswmé ought not to pretend to do full ar. tistic justice to any considerable collection of good pictures. All that lies within our province is to describe the few which stand distinctly forth from the average, and to mention the chief points of the more promineat among the remainder. “Hard to Convince,” a cabinet picture, is an exquisite example of David Coe, The scene is ap- parently a wine shop. Two old men occupy the centre of the picture. The one with his back to us isthe keeper of the shop, with long white apron, cap on head and in his shirt sleeves; the other, facing him, 1s, it is easy to divine, an old cus tomer. He is dressed in @ long surtout, wears a cocked hat, and from one of his hands, ‘held behind him, a long walking stick obliquely protrudes. In the left background are seen a large cask, bottles, & ewer, some mugs and a slate, In the right back- greund is a pair of stairs, leading to the room above. The point of interest in this exceedingly clever picture is the expression on the faces and in the attitudes o1 the two men. The customer wears @ look of testy eagerness, and, with fore- finger raised, is apparently crushiag the shop- keeper's ye The wine merchant holds his arms folded ; his lips are puckered, hig eyes are obtusely set and his blunt nose indicates a sublime degree of obstinacy and self opinion. i. Meisel, of Munich, is represented in “The Secret Letter,” ® composition which shows a@ young girl in humble life cov- ertly reading a letter apparently from her lover. The attitude of the girl's figure is very fine, taken as the index of delighted abstraction. Seate: on a bench, she leans against the wall, her profile turned towards us. In her left hand she holds an open letter on g E} ed; her Tait fests ear iet.8 he Fares is of hoist labor lie unregarded around, and the an- tithesls betwee the innocent delight which the girl takes in her léver’s missive and the rude sur- sone which that delight causes her to forget is exceedingly beautiful aud charming. It is well to linger before H. J. Boddington’s “Fisherman’s Home,” particularly since this pic- ture is a fine specimen of an artist whose works in this country arerare. The “Fisherman’s Home” is & stone cottage almost hidden behind the willows that edge the stream beside which it is built and beneath the tall oaks that cast their shadows on the roof. The ligit and shade are managed with wonderful effect, the radiance trom clear heavens outwitting here and there the shadows that lark along the tree-girt road, around the outspread nets, behind the little children sporting on the water’s edge, and failing only when it reaches the deep foliage of the tall trees and the profouna gloom of the willow roots. The cottage 1s one of those rudely picturesque structures which art re- veres and civilization, with her railroad network, is peat to be very rare. Charmingly full ot character is “A Rebellious Patient,” by A. Kaltenmoser. The patient is a baby, whom experience has evidently intormed that medicine is not always what it is represented to be by mothers and nurses, who sacrifice truth to zeal. The child occupies a large cradle, on the left ‘ot which sits an elderly woman—probably the child's grandmother—whose face expresses lovin; solicitude, and also proffers a taple-spoon too obvi- ously containing a nauseous mixture. To the cradle’s iy ors stands the nurse or mother, bending over and holding the reluctant child, who, with strong aversion on his countenance, draws himself back and eyes the spoon askant with jmmeasurable disgust, At the foot o: the cradle stands a stool, bearing a labelled bottle. ‘The truthfulness of this painting is one of its most exquisite charms. The patient tenderness of the elder woman, the mild solicitude of the younger, and the artless disgust ~ aversion of the child are wonderful in their elity. “The Last Resort,” by Alphonse Duplessy, is another very strong work. In the middle of his lair sits an Ie ort usurer, surrounded with the costly evidences of his business. Laces, helmets, bro- cades, pistols, caskets, urns, hangings, jewels, cabinets, pictures, portfolios and musical instru- ments are strewn ground. The usurer, attired in knee breeches and long dressing gown, sits up: right before his desk, his formal rigidity and his harsh rapacity of features conspiring to tella story which is completed by the appearance of the woman standing near. The woman is dressed in deep mourning, her face is pate and profoundly sad, and in one hand she hoids aring which she desires to sell. The subject is painiul, but none will deny that it is very powerlully treated. The deep gloom of the apartment, the broken light falling at intervals upon the fe pecn J handsome fabrics, the woman’s poverty and frierdlessness, the usurer’s constitutional avarice expressed in the predatory gleam of the eye and the crue! accentua- tion of the mouth corners, are all indicated with exceptional strength and fidelity, Eugene Verboeckhoven is discerned in “‘A Pasto- ral Scene” which represents several sheep hud- died together. These sheep are very far irom being vague ovine generalizations such as most animal painters produce. They are distinct indi- viduals of different ages and temperaments, and in this little group of sheep character we have the Joyous sheep, the quiescent sheep, the intro- spective sheep and two lambs, one of which lov- ingly nesties by its mother, while the other alertly contemplates a cock and a hen. Numerous and very deserved are the commenda- tions that have been lavished upen ‘Love and Art” by E. Stammel. Itis a picture of exquisitely elaborate finish, expressing @ delicate blending of fine and generous sentiments, In a large easy chair reclines an old art connoisseur examining a Picture through a glass. Behind the back of the chair stands a lovely young girl, ostensibly sharing the old man’s admiration of the picture, but at the same time slyly extending her-disengaged hand behind her to ner lover, who, with easel before him and palette in his clutch, presses the girl’s hand with ardor, his eyes fixed upon the painting— clearly his own—which the old gentleman holds, Its one of those few sweet moments when love and art simultaneously triumph, when at once the lover thrills in sensuous contact with the woman he loves and flushes at the unstinted tribute given to long-toiled-for professional success, George Armfield’s “Difference DL eet George Hail’s “Youth and Age” and P. W. Sebe’s ‘Waiting jor Papa” perhaps deserve almost as much eulogy as some of those works we have here described in detail. Among others which claimed our attention during a careful inspection were some very faithful and tender elaborations by T. L. Smith; “Too Late,” a rare water-color by Birket Foster; “The Town of Castellane,” by Kuwasseg fils; ‘Sit Still, Miss,” by J. C. Thorn; “Looking up the Moselle at Codlentz,”’ by that very ambitious, industrious and hope-inspiring young artist, Mr. Thomas W. Mar- shall; “The Good Housewife,” one of several by Grips that are full of originality and thoroughly unique in their rich, ungaudy contrasts of color; ‘The New Picture,” by A. Stevens; ‘Market Day at Honfleur,” a powerful water-color by G. Howse; “The Pasaing Shower,” by Church; “Good Morning, ”? by Meyer Von Bremen; ‘*A Favorable apporeanit Aud by Sperl, and a crayon drawing, “The Little Net Makers,”’ by P. E. Frére. Since to-morrow evening isthe first evening of the sale only a very brief interval remains in which to visit the collection. The Coming Sale at Schenck’s. Among the pictures now on view at Schenck’s and to be disposed of at noon on Thursday and Friday are the following:—Cooman’s ‘“Pompetian Girl,” Schneider's “Birds' Nest,” Savini’s, jule,’” Cossman’s ‘Lady and Page,” Richomme’t ‘aterford,” Hasler’s ‘“Artist’s Daughter,” tskills,” Castiagione’s t Parrot,” Laws’ “Careful Domestic,” Dargell’s “Atter Schoot,” @. Doyen’s “Waitress,” Chaplm’s “Waiter Girl,” Lannier’s “In the Country,” Meyer von Bremen’s “First Born,” Thurion’s “G Friends,” E. L. Henry’s ‘Vacant Chair,” and three fine pictures by _Verboecknoven, Van Schendel and Gustav TIOR. RAPID TRANSIT. Meeting of the Rapid Transit Association Last Night—The Workingmen to Speak on the Subject—Anether Mass Meeting in Prospect. The New York Rapid Transit Association, which has a bill pending in the Legisisture to compel the city to build a rapid transit read, held ajregular meeting at 602 Sixth avenue last night. Henry Beeny, of the Cosmopolitan Conference, said he had been delegated from that body to state to the ‘Association that they had the full sympathy of the Conference, and could rely on them for any assist- ance it was in their power to lend. Mr. CHurcH “went for” tue gewspapers in good style. He accused them of ite to prevent the 1 issue Of @ measure which would benefit the poor classes. ‘Tiey pro} to us,” said he, “what they call feasible and sensible measures; but # fool with a hanging tongue and forehead at an of forty-five degrees would blush to; them as his own.” When all this ‘was wasted Mr. Church took a seat, and peenemeas De Workingmen's Union, presented from that organization. n’s, Union are in full accord and th the Rapid Transit Association, and doallin thetr power to further the pass- Of the bill to have the city build a road, A com- consisting of Messrs. Church, Morrison, and bevy, was appointed, who are to con- fer with the Workingmen’s Union, who are to meet at 327 Bowery, on Friday, March 7, when arrange- ments will be periected fora d mass meeting Of the workingmen at Cooper Union. At ten o'clock the meeting to meet ‘again oo Monday next, THE SOUTH OYSTER BAY TRAGEDY. What Was the Cause of Henry Jones’ Death t- He Begins a Civil Action for Damages Be- fore His Dissolution—His Broken Jaw Said to Have Never Been Set by the Doctor—A Novel Case—Is Howard Guiltless of Murder ? Down in & dreary, flat portion of Long Island (what portion of it is mot fat?) is situated the vil- lage of South Oyster Bay, marsballed into the an- nals of fame by that never-failing step to notoriety, the occurrence of a tragedy in its neighborhood. On the 8th inst. aman named Henry Jones, who lived about two miles from South Oyster Bay and four miles from Hicksvilie, called upon a neighbor- ing farmer, whose residence is nearer the village, and asked him for the small balance of @ bill of his daughter's, the greater part of which had already been paid. The young lady’s name is Katy Jones; the farmer's, William Howard, She had been living with the Howard iamily for several months as @ “help,” or servant, and on leaving was paid $15. SEVENTY-TWO CENTS was then due her, but she did not receive it, ag the change could not be conveniently made at the time. So she said she wowld come after it when she found an opportunity. 1t seems she en- trusted the mission of collecting this sum to her father, but without giving him the proper creden- tials a8 proof of his authority. On the day in ques- tion he drove over to Howard's place, alighted from his wagon, and, finding him there, asked him for the money. The common story of the neigh- bors is that he, at the beginning of the interview, used very sharp and gruif language, and that How- ard answered him pleasantly, but firmly. He re- fused to pay him the seventy-two cents, but would give it to Miss Jones whenever she might call for it. Henry Jones then became excited, and spoke to him in an insulting manner, calling him @ “rascal” and giving him various other unpleas- ant epithets. Howard was angered, and ordered him peremptorily to leave his premises. The old man went toward his wagon, muttering, as is alleged, while he placed his hand inhis pocket, “I will stab you,” andrew _AN IMMENSE PRUNING KNIFE, such asis used by gardeners to trim trees and shrubs, and turned about. Howard came up to him saying, “You will, will you?” and struck him with his fiist twice in succession. One of the blows broke the bone of his jaw, and the other fell upon the jugular vein in the neck, back of his head. They could not have been very heavy blows, as Jones was not knocked down, but got into his wagon and drove away. He went immediately to Squire Seamen, in Bidge woud, procured a warrant for the arrest of Howard, and then drove home. He kept his bed, and a phy- sician was called to attend him, Meanwhile the patient procured a lawyer and instructed him to commence & civil suit for damages inst Howard, and the neighbors say that his keeping his bed was to further his plan for getting well paid for the blows which he had received. It was not until last week— Wednesday—that he became worse, the broken ta becoming, as it is’ said, corrupt, and Coroner ‘aylis was notified of his condition. That official took the unusua! and somewhat novel proceeding of empanelling a jury and commeiticing an INQUEST ON THE BODY OF A LIVING MAN. He insisted all the time that it was an inquest and not an ante-mortem examination. The dying man made a statement which is in- deed very meagre and unsatisfactory. He re- ceuuted the preliminary circumstances of the quarrel, and then said that alter ordering him oft lus place Howard approached him and said, “You will stab me, will you ?”? and struck him, whether with his fist or an instrument he could not tell, in the manner above related. He said nothing as to whether he himself had drawn a knife or not. A SECOND JURY has since been appointed, but the first has not been discharged, and there pronules to be a lively dispute about the legality ofits existence. District Attorney Dewning advised Coroner Baylis that it should be dismissed, but that geatleman can- snot shake off his belief that the examination of last Wednesday was the beginning of the‘inquest, and id it should continue with the same per- sonnel, 5 Yesterday the inquest was again postponed, and will not be held until Thursday morning, at ten o'clock. The doctors on Saturday made a POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION, and shook their heads (ee over the dead maao’s poor broken jaw. hat their ultimate con- clusions are has been kept secret, and it is very probable will not be made public before the formal eee takes place, The body was buried on junday. 5 Howard was taken to Mineola yesterday from Hicksville, where he has been held in custody by Constable O'Hara, and might have been seen sur- rounded by several ‘TIPPLERS IN THE BARROOM, joining with apperentiy forced geniality in the gayety of the group. He is a young and tall man, With a well-knit figure and a very peculiar, but quite handsome face. His hair 18 very dark and curly, his ores are large and dark and his com- lexion 18sombre, and no doubt is capable of aving made not a few conquests among the lasses of the Hempstead piains. That there is a woman in connection with this tragedy is not at all im- probable, but that is yet to be seen. Howard’s conversation is quite pleasing, and he deplores bitterly the occurrence of this catastrophe in what is comparatively an early period o1 his manhood. He has @ wife and children. He related in a sim- ple-and straightforward manner the circumstances of his fatal atfray with Jones. He said:— “t NEVER MEANT TO KILL HIM; I only wished to resent an insult. I know very little about Henry Jones. I never had any trouble with him before.” He scouted the idea that the death of Mr. Jones was caused directly by the injuries received in the affray, and 1s, according to rumor, sppported im this | septal by the opinions of the doctors. Some very interesting developments may, then, be ex- pected from the evidemce of next Thursday. WAS THIS HAN MURDERED? POE NAAR Se te Mysterious Disappearance of a Long Island Sea Captain—His Wife Believes Him to Have Been Murdered for $500. , A woman with tears in her eyes yesterday morn- ing entered the Southside Railroad depot at South Eighth street, Williamsburg, in seareh of Conduc- tor Chichester. She was a little deaf, and a niece accompanied her. Both had the appearance of grief and trouble in their faces. The elder woman was in search of her husband, who, she said, had disappeared some two weeks ago under circum- stances of a mysterious nature. The story as told by the distressed wile is substantially as follows :— “Her husband's nawe was Robert Warren Peter- son. He was captain of the schooner J. S. Steven- son, engaged in the oyster business and at present plying between New York and Virginia. Two weeks ago he arrived at scow No. 14, with acargo ofoysters for Jordan & Strong. He telegraphed his wife at Islip, L. L, to come down and see him, which she did, bringing her three children with her, and they tool board at 199 North Sixth street, Wittemeburg. He was always a kind husband, and particularly fond of his children. Last Wednes- day morning he left their temporary abode at Wil- liamsburg at half-past six o'clock tor his boat, which was then lying at the foot of Broome street, New York. He promised his wife that he would return in the afternoon and give her money enough to last the iamily until May. He had fully five hundred dollars coming to him for his cargo of pysters, which he put in his pocket and left the schooner with the intention of going to Williams- burg. Since that time he has not been seen by his family nor the men employed on the schooner. He was to have sailed on Thursday morning last for Virginia for another cargo o/ oysters, but as Pia the schooner lies at her moorings, her owners hoping that the captain will be found. His wife believe that he was robbed and murdered, and expresses the belief that his body is in the East River. Tha poor woman is destitute and a fit object for charity. The missing man was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Islip. PROBABLE MURDER. Louis Piling, a butcher residing at 1,143 Thira avenue, was dangerously beaten the night before last im Smith’s saloon in Third avenue, near Seventy-sixth street, during an altercation. Smith and an unknown man engaged in a quarrel, which resulted in the injuries to Pfling. His wounds were attended to by the police surgeon of the Twenty-third precinct, and he was then re- moved to lis house. A BLIND MURDERER, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Fob. 24, 1973. William H. Beck, @ blind man and notorious character, residing at 24 Douglass street, in this city, has made a confession of the murder of two girls, Mary Hennerby and Catharine Gunier, aged respectively eleven and four years, The murder Was committed in June, 1870, aion bank: White River, near this city, kul created the ment intense excitement at the time, but was sur- rounded by an apparently impenetrable mystery, and no possible clew could be obtained as to the fev ey. Beck Was arrested early this morn- ‘o lag become blind since the murder of the ldrea,