The New York Herald Newspaper, January 9, 1876, Page 3

quinine NEW. BOOKS. Swinburne’s New Poem—Erec- theus,” a Greek Play, AN ATHENIAN “JEPHTHAN'S DAUGHTER.” Stirring Description of a Greek Battle. THE AMERICAN CYCLOPEDIA, Loxpos, Dec. 25, 1875. “Erectbeus,”” which is the name of Mr. Swinburne’s now volume, is a sort of dramatic poem, written after the mode! of a Greek play, in which the chorus plays an important part. The subject is one eminently fitted to form the basis of such a work, and Mr. Swinburne has, it will probably be admitted, done full justice to it. Erectheus, King of Athens, is at war with Eleusis, and he is at first presented to the reader praying to the gods for aid against the foe, who scems likely to bo yictorious. The answer of the gods he tells Praxithea im these words:— ‘There shall die One soul for all this From thy womb Came forth the seed that here, on dry bare ground, Death’s hand must sow, untimely to bring forth Nor piade nor shoot in bemg by name ‘To the under gods made holy, who require Vor this land’s life her death and maiden blood, To save a maiden city. * Praxithea, the wife of Erectheus, makes known to Chthonia, her daughter, the will of the guds. Chthonia replies, expressing her willingness to lay down her life to save the city of her birt! That I may give this poor girl’s blood of mine, Scarce yet sun-warmed with summer—this thin life, Still green with fowerless growth of seedling days, To build again my city; that no drop Fallen of these innocent veins on the cold ground But shail help knit the joints of her firm walls, ‘To knead the stones together, and make sure The vand about their maiden girdiestead Once fastened, and of all men’s violent hands Inviolable forever; these to me Were but such gifts as crave no thanksgiving, If with one blow dividing the sheer life 1 wight make end, and one pang wind up all Aud geal mine eyes from sorrow: for such end The gods give none they love not; but my heart, ‘That leaps up lightened of all sloth or fear To take the sword’s point, yet with one thought’s load Flags and falls back, broken of wing, that halts, Maimed in mid-thght for thy eng! and borne down— Mother, that in the places where | played, Av arm’s length trom thy bosom and no more, Shalt ind me never, nor thine eye wax glad To mix with mine its gyoaigh and for love Laugh without word, filled with sweet light, and speak jive dumb things of the inward spirit and heart, Moved silently; nor hand or lip again Touch hand or lip of either; but for mine Shall thine meet onty shadows of swift night, Dreams and dead thoughts of dead things; and the bed Thou strewedst, a sterile place for all time strewn. For my sleep only with its void sad shects Shall vex thee and the unfruitful coverlid. For empty days reproach me dead; that leave No protit of my body, but am gone As one Dot wersh being born, to bear no seed ; A eapless stock snd branchless, Yet thy womb Shall want not honor of me that brought forth For all this people freedom, and for carth, From tne unborn city, born out of my blood ‘To hght the face of all men evermore, Giory. But lay thou this to thy great heart: Where under in the dark of birth conceived Mine unlit life lay girdied with the zone That bound thy bridal bosom, set this thought ‘Against all edge of evil as a sword, To beat back sorrow that for all the world ‘Thou brough’st me forth, a saviour who shall save Athens! tor none but , from none but thee, Shall take this death for garland, Praxithea’s grief finds vent in the words which fol- jow:— Of gode and men \ drift unsteered on ruin, and the wave Darkens my head with imminent height, and bangs Dumb, filled too full with thunder that shall leave These ears death-deafened wheao the tide finds tongue, and ail its wrath bears on them. Thee, oh child, T help not, nor am holpen. Fain, ah! ‘fain, ‘More than was ever mother born of man, Were | to help thee—fain beyond all prayer, Beyond all thought—fain to redeem thee, torn More timeless from me Gig than the dream hat was, F ; 80 shalt Tabu vat & Piplons shadow a sleep, By grief made out of nothing. Now but once 1 Wouch, but once more bold thee; one more kiss ‘This last time, and none other evermore Leave on thy lips, and leave them. Go; thon wast My heart; my heart’s blood, life blood of my life, My child, my nursling; now this breast, ouce thine, Shall rear again no children; never now Shall any mortal blossom born like thee, Lie there, nor ever with small silent mouth Draw the eweet bays 44 dry for an hour that feed ‘The blind blithe life that knows not. Never heed Kest bere to make these cold yeins warm; nor e; Laugh itself open with the lips that reach Lovingly toward a fount more loving. These Death makes as all good lesser things now dead, And all the latter hopes that flowered from these, Aud tall, as these fell, fruitiese; no joy more Shall man take of thy maidenhood, no tongue Praise it; no good shall eyes get more of thee ‘That lightened for thy love’s sake. The consummation of the sacrifice is thas described by the chorus :— High things of stroug-souled men that loved their land On brass ang stone are written, and their deeds On high days chanted, but none graven or sung ‘That ever set men’s eyes or spirits on fire, Athenians, has the sun's height seen, or earth Heard in her depth reverberate as trom heaven, More worth men’s praise and good report of gods Than here I bring tor record in your cars? For now being come to the aliar, where, as priest, Death ministering should meet her, and bis hand Beal her sweet eves asleep, the maiden stood With light in all her face, as of a bride Swiling, or shine of festal flame by night, Far flung from towers of triumph, and ber lips ‘Trembied with pride in pleasure that no fear Blanched them, nor Death before his ume drank dry The blood whose bloom fulfilled them ; for her cheeks Jaghtened, and brighver than a bridal veil Her hair enrobed her bosom, and enrolled From tace to feet the body’s whole soft length, As With a cloud sun saturnate, Then she spake With maiden tongue words man-like, but ‘Lit mildly like a m: ry ry! With more good will and Height of happier heart 1 give me to you than my mother bare, And go more gladly this great way to death ‘Than young men bound to battle.” Then, with face Turned tothe shadowyest part of all the shrine, And eyes fast set upon the further shade: “Take me, dear gods; and as some iorm had shone From the hay hy ange shadow, some god's tongue Answered—‘‘I bless you that your guardian grace Gives me to guard this country, takes my blood, Your child's by name, to heal i” Then the priest Set to the flower sweet snow of her soft throat ‘The sheer knife’s edge that severed it, and loosed, From the fair bondage of 80 spotless flesh, Bo strony spirit; and all that girt them reand, taxing with souls that bung on that sad stroke, and kept silence, After while, a man Might count how tar the fresh biood crept and bathed: How deep the dark robe and the bright strine’s base Ked-rounded with a running ring More large and duskier aa the wolls that ted Were drained of that pure effiuence. But the queer Groaned not, nor spake, por wept, but as a dream Fioats out of eyes awakening, 80 passed forth, Ghosthke, a shadow of sorrow from all sight, To the inner court and chamber, where she sits Damb, Wil word reach her of this whole day's end, Chthomia’s death is followed by that of her two sisters; for we are told that they—whetber mad from grief and sore love for their sister— Or with the shame soul stung ‘To outhve her dead, or doubt lest their lives, too, ‘The gods require to seal their country safe, And bring the oracular doom to periect end— Have slain themselves and fallen at the altar foot, Lie by their own hands done to death; and fear Shakes al) the city, as winds a wintering tree, And, a8 dead leaves, are men’s hearts blown about ‘And shrunken with ill thoughts and floweriess hopes, Parched up with presage lest the piteous blood, Shed of the maidens guiltless, fall and fix ‘On this land's forehead lik ise that cleaves To the unclean soul's inexpiate hunted head, ‘Whom his own crime tracks bother than a hoand To lite’s veiled end eel and this hoar Now blackens toward the je that mast close All gates of hope arid fear on ail their hearts Who trembie toward its issue, Knowing not yet If biood may buy them surety, cleanse, or soil The heiptess hands men raise and res no stay. ‘The horrors of the battle which follows are increased by the war of the elements. The scene is described ‘brough the chorus in language which shows the skill of the author in word-painting:— For now, not in word but in deed, is the harvest of spears beg! And its clamor ‘Outbellows the thunder, its lightning outlightens the sun. From the Prd Str morning it thunders and light- by thew wh A 'o the wave where the m it en the last low star; joonse! ds and the pall of With a trampling of drenched red hoofs and an earth. quake of men that meet, Btrong war sets hi ‘ ca te Py the scythe and the furrows Sram ree oe Tent beart and the holiows And the mountains are waves Iara) . Bh ct aw! and the valleys are he roots of the hil from w Progr lis to the plain’s dim verge and shuddery with sbrili ar oo ps spears crossing and hurtling nuff YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET AS tne grinamg or teeth tm the Jaws or the tion that foam as tbey gnash 1s.the shriek of fap oxiee (nahiloesen, the shoal 66 100 poles: at crash. ‘Tir’ Orpammenerdactins antgiiterdit mouths of the mad steeds champ, Their beads flash blind through the battle and death's foot rings in their tramp, For a fourfold host upon earth and in Heayen is arrayed for the ight— Clouds rising in thunder and armies encountering as clouds in the night, Mine ears are amazed with the terror of trumpets, with jarkness mine eyes, At the sound of the ae host charging that deafens the roar of the skies. White fronilet is dashed upon frontiet and horse against horse resis, buried, And the gorge of the gulps of the battle is wide for the spoii of the worid, Aud the meadows are’ cumbered with shipwreck of chariots that founder on land, And the horsemen are broken with breach as of break- ers and scattered as sand, Through the roar and recoil of the chargers that mingle their cries and confound Like fre are the notes of the trumpets that flash through the darkness of sound; As the wing of the sea, churned yellow, that sways with the wind as it swells, Is the lift and reiapse of the wave of the chargers that clash with their bells, And the clang of she sharp shmll brass through the burst of ine wave as it shocks Rings clear as the clear wind’s cry through the roar of the urge on the rocks; And the heads of the steeds, in their headgear of war and their corsieted breasts, Gleam broad as the brows of the billows that brighten the storm with their crests— Gleam dread as their bosoms that heave to the ship- wrecking wind as they rise— Filled full of the terrors and thunder of water that slays as it dies. So dire is the glare of their foreheads, so fearful the fire | of their breath ; | And the light of their eyeballs enkindled so bright with | the lightnings of death ; And the foam of their mouths as the sea when the jaws of its galfare as grav | And the ridge of their necks as the wind-shaken mane on the rid, of waves And their fetlocks afire as they rear, drip thick with a | dewfall of blood— As the hips of the rearing breaker with froth of the man- slaying flood. And the whole plain reels and resounds, as the fields of the sea by night When the stroke of the wind falls darkling, and death is the sea/arer’s light, Eumolpus, the son of Neptune, is killed by Erec- theus, and bis death is avenged by Jupiter, who, ‘‘tor his brother's son’s sake,” killed the king by hghtning, Athens, is, however, saved, the enemy, on the death of their leader, falling “sullen back ‘ana strengthless.’” Praxithea’s grief at the loss of her hus- band and children is assuags proclaims the futare fume of the city which bea: name ;— 1, virgin daughter of the most high Ged, Give all you charge, and lay command on all, The word | bring be wasted not—for this The gods have stablished—and his soul hath sworn ‘That time, nor earth, nor changing sons of man, Nor waves of gencrations, nor the winds Of ages risen and fallen, that steer their tides Through light and dark of birth and lovelier death, From storm toward baven inviolable, shall see So great a light alive beneath the sun As the awless eye of Athens. All fame else Shall be to her {ame as a shadow in sleep To this wide noon at waking. Men most praised In lands most bappy for their children found Shall hold as highest of honors given of God - To be but likened to the least of thine— Thy least of all my city; thine sball be The crown of all songs sung of all deeds done; Thine the full flower for all tune; in thine haad Shall time be like a seeptre, and thine bead Woar worship for a garland; nor one leaf Shall change, or winter. cast out of thy crown, ‘Till all flowers wither in the world. ine eyes Shall first in man’s flash lightning liberty ; Thy tongue shall first say om. APPLETON’S CYCLOPZDIA. N York: Tux American CrcLorapia:—Vol. xiv, D. Appleton & Co, This volume includes topics from ‘Prior’ to ‘‘Shoe.”’ Since it comprises al! subjects in R it is naturally one © of the most interesting volumes of the series, and, in- deed, ranks in point of interest with the volume con- taining M. This fact may be verified by ® glance at the subjects, The editors have, as usual, made good selec- tions of writers on special topics. Richard Grant White furnishes the article on Shakespeare, which seems, however, to suffer by compression of space, America could have tolerated a half dozen more pages in its popular “Cyclopedia” on this subject. On fruits, flowers and other botanical subjects Professor George Thurber, editor of the American Agricultur furnishes descriptions. He is by far the best authority in America on any subject he will accept. Dr. Jobu G. Shea, who isthe successor of the Hon. B. G. Squier on subjects of | antiquities, writes the articles on Indian tri whea is a conscien- tious, erudite and exhaustive ic, The article on “Prussia” and several articles on religious and geo- graphical subjects are written by Prefessor Schem, formerly foreign editor of the Tyibwne. Professor Kneeland, of Boston, writes on zoological subjects; Elder Evans himself gives an interesting article under the title of “Shakers,” and Willard Bartlett contributes descriptions of towns in India We wish, however, that the publishers had used greater discrimination in preparing the list of contributors, Judge Joe Bradiey, of the United States Supreme Court, would tear out the advertising leaf in rage and say, “I didn’t buy an ad- | vertisement of a lot of local nobodies, but a cyclopa- dia’ In many of the articles in this volume we notice that criticism or description has given place to dexing of works, books or battles, For instance, tho article on ‘‘Proudhon”’ is simply an index; the article on ‘Prussia’ is contemptibly short, while ‘‘Pumpkin’’ receives a page and an illustration, and “Pustule” gets two pages. Professor Hayden's “‘Rocky Mountains” deserves especial praise. The book ts really disap, pointing. In sclence, indeed, tt ts quite successful ; but in biography, geography, music and history t by no means answers the expectations of those who thought they would receive something far superior to the old edition. Jt may not be inappropriate to say that tbe “Cyclopedia” excels in general subjects and | fails in special subjects, Yet this is by far the best cyclopm@dia printed in the English language. THE DUMB SPEAK. | RECOVERY OF SPEECH AFTER TWENTY YEARS OF SILENCE—A CASE FOR THE PHYSICIANS. Provipence, R. 1., Jan. 7, 1876. Avery singular case has just come to light in the town of Woonsocket, in this State, which is just now the wonder in medical and scientific circles, About twenty years ago Frederick E, Luke, then a young man well known in his native town, was suddenly deprived ot the power of speech. For several years afterward he wasan failing health, and it was never thought that he could live. During these twenty years be was obliged to make himself understood by his mother and brother, the only occupants of the house, by signs, using the letters of the alphabet. For the past four years bis health has been Improving and he has been ‘able to care for a smal! garden and materially assist his mother {n the management of the household affairs. A few days ago a great change was noticed im him for the better. He felt the removal of a restriction tn his mouth and he was made sensibly aware that the im- iment in his speech, which had made life a blank to im tor twenty years, had di . He joy and went to his mother’s room, informing her in ‘an audible voice of the great change which had come over him. His enunciation as yet is not fully restored, but each day it is improving and he ts able to converse in a manner which can be understood by the many of his friends and relatives who visit his home to con- gratulate him opon the happy event. Some are of the opinion that the power of speech may again be taken away from him, bat this is not probable from his present condition. The case will be presented to some of the eminent physicians in the State for investigation and their report will be looked forward to with peculiar interest. STIRRING SING SING, THE POLITICAL GUILLOTINE AT WORK LOPPING OFF OFFICIAL HEADS, The democratic axe wielded by the Board of State Prison Inspectors at Sing Sing has begun its work, and the official heads of many well paid employés of the State have already tumbled into the basket of dismis- sal, Warden Walker has been removed, the resolution take effect on the 16th inst, when his successor, George R. Youngs, of Yates county, will assume the management of the prison. The clerksli) — from the custody of George B. Gifford to thas of muei S. Whallon, of Cattaraugus county on the same day. Chaplain Canfield has been removed to give piace to Jobn 8. Wood, of Orange county. Thus far only ten — new keepers have been appor aii of them being what are termed at the prison ‘green’? men. Yesterday afternoon the Board was engaged investi- gating the connection of Keeper Hastings with the plot to liberate Joseph Kingsland and another convict pamed Brice, Hastings baving requested an inquiry into the matter for the vid naar he states, of ex- onerating himself His ts that he led in the matter with the consent and advice of the prin- cipal keeper, An unavailing effort is understood to have been made by the inspectors to find the wife or female confidant of Kingsland, as they expected she could throw some light on the subject, A FATAL FALL DOWN STAIRS. James McShaw, aged forty-Ove years, fol! down stairs at his residence, No, 216 eae urth street, yesterday forenoon, and died shorty shaft of | ed by Athena, who thus | her | for | COCK. FIGHTING. The first of a series of three cocking mains came off in Westchester‘county.on Friday night on the estate of a gentleman who is ‘oterested in the matches, and isa large breeder and fancier of the gamecocks known as the “nigger,” they being nearly all very dark. colored birds and of Irish parentage. The company was select, attendants being principally the immediate friends of the makers of the matches, the cards of invitation being for a New Year's feast, It js not necessary to say, how ever, that, notwithstanding that many of the gentle- men are acquaintea with Mr. Bergh, neither the latter nor any of bis henchmen were among the favored few. The fighting took place in Mr. ——’ barn, which was. brilliantly lighted, and the place was arranged in the most modern style, the cock pit particularly being a. model of itg kind. 1t was quite evident that it had been used before on many occasions, and no doubt many & gallant chanticleer had received his quietus in the arena, The arrangement of seats for spectators was much admired, many boasting that it was the most comfortable amphitheatre they were ever in during their lives. The matches are each for $1,000 a side, each party to Produce seventecn cocks of various weights and fight all that fall im for each battle, from five pounds four ounces to four pounda The fight 1s between West chester and New York and the place of fighting the matches has to be drawn by lot, The backer of the Westchester cocks won the first choice, and he decided to fight in his own pit on his own grounds, Nine couples fell in of the mght weight, and the principals agreed to fight for $100a side a battle, irrespective of what they bad on the main, The birds representing Westchester, who achieved the first victory so signally, | were bred not far from Pelham Bridge, of Irish strains, while their opponents were selections from the best | that could be got from Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey, several of them being Called Jackaway's Le hore The betting previous to the commencement of the fight was 25 to 20 in favor of the Westchester cocks, probably because they were to the manor born, ' Preliminaries for the fighting, such as trimming, weighing in of the cocks and the schedule made out, were completed at about eight o'clock, THK FIGHTING BEGAN. First Fight.—Westchester produced a black-red with | dark hackie—a fine looking bird. New York sent into | the pit a black-red with white hackle, and a rather | clumsy one, much overgrown for his weight, These birds seemed not inclined on mischief; at least they did | notdo much for some time, being more intent ip looking around the pit for corn than anything else, All of a | sudden, however, after afew minutes had elapsed, the Westchester cock wheeled and rattling which sent it over on its back, The gaily did | not penetrate the New Yorker, and he came again; but soon afterward he stopped fighting entirely, was pounded and taken up, after 7m Second Fight.—-These were light weights. Much ex- | eitement and considerable betting. brown-red with dark hackle; Westchester a very dark aud dirty colored bird, After the first buckle the brown-red, seemingly having some fire in him, was the favorite at 10 to 8. These little fellows fought desper- ately for a while, when Westchester got a stroke that | crazed him and another that burt his leg badly, and as | he was about hong 4 given up as whipped, New York | became tired, lost his attention and quit fighting; bat | the Westchester bird, with dogged endurance and de- | termination, picked and picked at his adversary when he could not getup, and saved the battle nicely out of the fire. Time, 11m. 4s. Third t.—The weights were 4 Ibs, Soz, New York pyle, Westchester a black-red, the latter the | favorite at 20 to 16. A$ the first fy the black-red bad the best of it; but the pyle rallied and fought desper- ately for some time, At last Westchester made a des- | perate drive at New York, when the latter ‘‘ducked”’ | and then, quickly wheeling on nis adversary, succeeded | in gending the steel into Westchester's bead, killing | him instantly. Shouts from the backers of the New York cocks. Tfine, 8m. 10s, | _ Fourth Fight.—The weights for this fight were 4 Ibs. ; 50% New York showed a blue-red, while Westches- ' ter had another black-red with black backle, a httle deformed about the neck. At the first buckle West- chester had his leg badly cut, which made him quite | lame; but he fought gamely, notwithstanding this dis- i advantage. His New York adversary knocked him bout considerably and damaged him a great deal for | some time, but at last the cripple succeeded in his up- hill work by strikimg New York in the head, the gaff e the New Yorker a | ew York was & | *| in the Hwracp that our firm and several others of nearly entering the brain, The bird did not know what burt him, ‘Thne, 9m. ds. | _ Fifth Pight.—The weights were 4 Ibs..4 07, New | York showed a Jersoy pyle, and Westchester @ black cock. The odds of 10 407 were ofered on the latter. | It was short work, as atter the second or third buckle the black struck the pyle @ stinger, which discomfted | him so much that he dropped bis head and walked away, and would not come again until counting began, when the bird turned, and after a couple of more Sights "he was run through the body by the: black, and tho lat | ter had to be pulled loose after the pyle was dead. | Time, Om 15s. Three cheors for Westchester, without | the fear of being heard. | Sixth Hight. The betting was now 3 to 1 on West- | chester winning the main. New York showed a gray, } whieh waathougbt to be invincible, while Westchester browght out one of the “niggers. weights were | dibs. 802. The birds were stunaers; My for fy, bit | for bit and cut for ct Pight—The weights were 7 lbs. 602 Both black-reds. New York was very leggy and inferior in | strength, while Westchester was a compactly built j of great power. The New York bird fought well | for several buckles flys were too high for exe- | cution. chester j Dut bis ca Wost fought slow but sure, and the i | one foal bird, having worn himself out, the lite settled him by driving both galls deep into bis breast. Time, 10m. 7s. | _Bighth Wight—New York another pyle and West- chester a biue back; 4 lbs. 3 oz These were both game birds, and they tought rapidly for a few miu- utes, when both being badly burt about the body they seemed inclined to rest and moved off from each other, where they stayed for # couple of minutes. During this time ft was noticed that what was ieft of the comp and waffles of the Westchester cock began wo grow black, and it was evident that he had not iong to live. In that condition, however, he wheeled and with a des- | perate effort drove bis gailé through the head of \be Row Yorker. Time, §m. | The Westchester party were Jubilant and boastta! with their great luck; but the New Yorkers replied | that they would show them a different Oght on the sec- ond mateh, and hinted that the worst of birds fought well on their own dungbill. Ninth and Last Fight.—Westcbester had another | Cpigger”” to Anish up with, as the proprietor anchored bis Lopes on that breed for an emergency. New York hada bine-red of same weightexacuy. The cocks fought nobly for two or three minutes, and there wag little to choose between. The “nigger” dew too high forseveral | times, but at length he succeeded ja blinding the New | York bird, after which he soon disposed of him. This | fight lasted but four minutes and six seconds, | _ This endea the first battie, ana the backers of the New York birds were much lighter in the pocket than | when they came to Westchester; but the winner of the match having bad # magnificent banquet epread im the | dining room ot his mansion, the party adjourned there for the remainder of the night and enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content until broad day; when, after having the loose feathers brushed from their clothes and taking a good wash and another cocktail the major | ity of the cock fighters and spectators came to New York in the early trams. The second of the series will come off in this city at the appointed time. ~~ HANDBALL ‘The match for $100, between Mr, B. McQuade and Messrs. Morris Moore and Madden, was played at the Madison street court yesterday afternvon. In the first | game McQuade was behind from the start, ana the | game at the finish stood:—Moore and Madden, 21; i! one and 'y | McQuade, 6. The second game was a lon | sph | game and game. on Tuesday next, GRAMERCY BOAT CLUB. Ata meeting of the Gramercy Boat Club yesterday it was decided that an eight-oared barge should be built and named the “Centennial,” and that a picked crow Bbould be selected to represent the club at the Centen- | nial regatta The crew are to row the entire distance W Puiladeipbia, which will occupy about four days, STEEPLECHASING. “CARTERET” CLUB. Exvizanetn, N. J., Jan, 8, 1876, | To tne Error ov ts Heray:— It ts always pleasant to find you, sir, in the van, en- | Couraging and pointing out the way to promote aud im- pr ove public manly amusements, and the remarks tm | your issue of to-day on “‘Steeplechasing” are eure to ‘bring forth good fruit. For years past the jumps in our | steepiechases have been a subject of derision to those | Who have seen anything of the “real’’ article, A well broken English hunter could carry thirteen stone over | @ Gve-foot stone } | Wretched “steeplechasers” can skim feet | | Of shallow water or knock over a enowgh to pen in acalf. As long a8 we have our pres- | ent style of fences * thoroug! useless | racers can gallop away with the pases. This famous sport waa intended, and should continue to be, to improve and give encouragement to the breed of horses combining the ability to carry weight acrose country ‘with speed. Let the different Facing associations get up a race where horses must jump and also one where ama- teur riders alone can enter and we should soon see gen- tiemen owning a different kind of cattle than the ob- jects we see daily in Fifth avenue and the Park, Their clipped coats and ‘‘banged’’ tails only make their crooked legs and mean points more Conspicuous. You would soon have 4 breed of horses here of subsiance as well as blood if your hints in regard to the work they are put at are acted on, 1 doubt, however, if at pres- j ent there is a single horse entered in our “ | chases” that could stay ten minutes us > get bs aad Quorn oF Atherstone, | in alcohol, which we received from them en consign- | ween, in Which he states that he had positive informe- | letter? | ascertain how far they are tneulpated. Anthony Junker, of Roelle & Junker, tn bis testimony last week, | testified to having made payments to Jake Rehm ILLICIT WHISKEY. ‘The letter in yesterday's Henauo from Chicago giv- ing an account of the latest testimony adduced before the Grand Jury was the subject of very general com- ment among those interested in the wholesale liquor trade in New York and Brooklyn. If, as there stated, revenue officers bave been sent on to investigate fm- plicated firms here, the authorities in New York pro- fess to know nothing of the tact. Whether, as stated by the government informer, Golsen, in Chicago, there are Grms im New York and Brooklyn that have profited by the Western illicit whiskey traffic or not, cannot be determined anti! after investigation by the Revenue Department, Meanwhile Mr. Boyd, one of the part- ners of the firm of ¥. 0. Boyd & Co,, makes an {nter- esting statement in defence of his firm, and charges Golsen with improper motives in accusing them. This atement is contained in the following interview :— Rerorter—Mr. Boyd, you have doubtless read i the Hanan the charges of the government informer, Golsen, im Chicago, that you had purchased illicit whiskey through him? Mr, Borp—These accusations are utterly false. Rerorter—Wil! you state how you bappen to be thus accused ? Mr, Borp—This man Golsén has made the statement that he had an understanding with F. 0. Boyd & Co., by which they agreed to buy his ‘crooked’? whiskey at twerty cents a gallon lessthan market price. That is false, We never bought any whiskey from him. He states here (in the Hwraup) that he sent us 360 barrels of illicit highwines last spring. ‘That is false. He shipped us no highwines whatever last spring, and we bad no transaction with him such as he states at that time, and wo know of none of his ‘goods having been put on board of ® transport in the harbor.’ He states here that we have bought a t deal of ‘‘crooked” whiskey, knowing that it was crooked, from other dealers ih St Louis, Chicago and other cities This is not woe. We have had no transactions whatever ip St, Louis for the past three years. Wedo not purchase whiskey at all, our business being exclusively that of receiving distilled spirits on commission and selling |t for accodnt of the owners. It is also stated {n the letter equal standing have kept two sets of books, one for the revenue officers and the other for their customers. This !s not true in our case, a8 hag often been proved through the government officers, who have made frequent examinations during the past year, The iaw requires that a transcript of the government book required to be kept by all wholesale dealers, and in which they are obliged to make entries of their daily receipts and deliveries, shall be taken once a month by revenue officers, By com- parison with the distiller’s books any discrepancy would readily be detected. The officers come usually from the Ist to the 10th of the month, but they occa- sionally come in at other times. It would bo an impos- sibility to keep a second book of this sort without de- tection. Rxrorrer—Do you believe any leading firms keep, as stated, a double set of these books t Mr. Borp—No; because such an attempt would cor- tainly be detected. JASONS POR GOLSEN’S STATRMENTS. Revorree—Can you explain Goisen’s reasons for making such assertions about you ? Mr. Bovp—Goisen was a member of the firm of Gol- sen & Eastman in Chicago up to last May, when he was seized for fraud on the revenue. We have done bust- ness with the firm during she past two years, mainly ment, and sold in this market for their account When we closed our business with them in June, 1876, they owed us a balance of $2,200, which ' tnoy stated they were unable to pay in conse- quence of the seizure of their property by thi government, We threatened to sue them, and also tried to get possession of some notes of theirs held by a Chicago bank, but were amable to do so, the bank re- quiring all the property they held to indemnify them- selves. Goisen learned of our application to the bank from the cashier and was very angry at what he was Peapat to consider an attack upon bis credit, and said e would have his revenge. Now lor another reason. During the past ten years my business bas been with the West largely. I have received from Illinois and 50,000 to 75,000 barrels of spire every year. For the past years our busthess has been very much interfered with by illicit whiskey, This was as well known to the illie!t distillers as to ‘myself, and they naturally suspected that 1 bad something to do with the efforts that were being made to break up the contraband trade. Here 1s @ leer signed by this same William Golsen, written in the spring of 1874 to a dealer in this city (showing the writer the letter signed William Golsen), in which he directly charges me with having reported him to the Treasury Departinent at Washington as dealing 1m illicit spirits, Ip consequence of which, he adds, the depart. ment had ordered un investigation of his books. Gol- sen was in error. I did not report him; others did, and the consequence was that his books were examined and found not correct, as he claimed they would be, but wholly and the result of the investigation was the seizure of his establistinemt tn the spring of 1876, After the gerzure he wrote another letter, which I have | tion that J was the cause of this seizure and that he was bound to have his revenge before he died. Henco his statements about me and his evidence before the | Grand Jury. * i We have telegraphed to-day to the District Attorney at Chicago asking that a revenue officer be sent here to Investigate Golsen’s alleged transactions with us, and we are = to place our books and clerks at his dir- posal. an investigation will show that Golsen’s assertions are uttorly false and that all our transactions with bis firm have been in strict accord with the la In conclusion, I may tell you that I entirely agree with the genera! opinion expressed of him in tho Chicago papers. They say he is ‘a great liwr, a con- summate rascal and a plidnt tool of the Ring.” Reroeter—tin your opinion, Mr. Boyd, has any con- siderable quantity of illicit whiskey come on to New York and Brooklyn from the Wi as stated in this Mr. Borp—I’ve no doubt a good deal of illicit whiskey came on here, but in such a way as to place it beyond the power of the government to seize it, for it bore ail the stamps and brands required vy the law, Rerontek—How could this have occurred? Mr. Borp—It could only have occurred by collusion with the government officers at the distilleries out West, This bas been shown in the recent trials in St Louis. The brands and stamp are the enly evidences we bave that whiskey has paid its tax. WHAT SUPERVISOR SEWELL 6AYS. Yesterday afternoon a Herato reporter called upon Supervisor of Internal Revenue General Sewell, at his office in Cedar street, with reference to the alleged complicity of Messrs. Boyd & Co. in the matter of “crooked” whiskey, Mr. Sewell said:—‘l have no | official information that Boyd & Co. are implicated. ‘The only news that I have received on the subject was that contained in the Hgpaxo of this morning, THE GOVERNMENT DEFRAUDERS, JOHN V. PARWELL TO BE EXAMINED BY THE GBAND JURY—REHM’S SHARE OF THE SPOILS or THE “RING,” Cmcaco, Jan, 8, 1876. Owing to the adjournment of the Grand Jury wil Monday there was a lull in whiskey matters to-day. Among the witnesses subpenacd for next week ts John V. Farwell, the millionnaire dry goods merchant and brother of the Congressman, who will be asked to testify as to bis brother's connection with Mersereau's dis. tillery, but who will cottataly say nothing that would tend to implicate him, aud J, C. Scanlon and W. Tramer, gaugers. ‘The whiskey trials set down for Tuesday wil! be post- med until next weck, owing to the pressure of other vasiness, which has to be immediately disposed of The Grand Jury will thoroughly examine tnto ex. Collectors Wadsworth’s and Hoyt’s administrations, to amounting altogether to $20,000, 11 the others paid equal amount, Rehm must have got $250,000. Junker said be handed bim the money in smounts varying from $500 to $1,000 cash in an envelope. Coolbaugh, the wealthy banker, who has been accused of doing the banking basiness for the Ring, blisbes ® card in- dignantly denying the truth of the statement. CARD BY MR SCAMMON, HE DECLARES THE CHICAGO INDICTMENT | AGAINST HIM FALSE IN EVERY RESPECT. Wasnrsoron, Jan, 8, 1876. Mr. J, Y. Seammon, of Chicago, who is now In Wash. ington, in attendance on the Supreme Court, publishes the following card here this afternoon :— Wasminoron, Jan. 8, 1876. The indictments reported by telegrapn as having been found against me in Chicago since | left home last woek to attend thy ipreme Court here are confessediy blackinailing operations gotten up by a Boston creditor f Mr. Reed, who i¢ my son pel Mr Reea’s friends C4 4 malicious, 60 far ag any intentional wrong charged against me, and cannot be maintained in an: honest form anyw! much less in ae where have resided for over years, and am known. So far from using the of the Mechanica’ National Bank for my own purposes | became personally re- sponsible In 14 to save the credit of that bank, w ite correspondent in New York, to over $260,000. i do not recollect the exact Ogures. 4, YOUNG 8CAMMON, Ebbett House. BROOKLYN FIREMEN’S FUND. The receipts of the trustees of the widows and or- phans’ fund of the old Volunteer Fire Department, of Brooklyn, amounted to $7,843 26; the balance on band was $6,290 29, total amount was $14,233. For | shoes and coal, 866; for pensions, $7,579; for inter- ments, &6., ‘the widows of Gremen number 140, The amount of bonds and mortgages ty the oy is $71,700. The cash baisuce on hand is WASHINGTON. Proposed Repeal of the Union Pa- cific Railroad Charter, THE SOUTHERN MEMBERS’ BARGAIN, Concentration of Naval Forces at Port Royal. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasnineron, Jan. 8, 1876. THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD—AN ATTEMPT TO BRING THE CORPORATION £0 4 SENSE OF ITS OBLIGATIONS, The defeat of the government in its issue Union Pacific Railroad when tried both in the Court of Claims and the Supreme Vourt oas spurred all the par- tes interested to fresh measures for. bringing this Krasping Corporation to a sense of its obligations, In ‘he first place the Secretary of the Treasury is in no harry to pay the $500,000 awarded ty the Court of Claims, and confirmed as due by the Supreme Court, until he is satisfied the road has paid up its indebt- | edness to the government on account of the five per | cent tax imposed upon its met earvings, and payment of which is refused. on the ground that the company has had no net earnings since its incorporation, sug- gesting the inference, consequently, that dividends have been paid by sale of lands In the next place the agents of the company have been at work to defeat all proposed rival Pacific railroads, such as the Texas and Southern Pacific enterprises, and this meanness has drawn down upon the company the indignation of the Southern and Southwestern members, who favor these latter roads. The opposition ef the several interests antagonistic to the Union Pacific is united in a measure uow maturing ander the auspices of some of the lead- ing members of the House, proposing the repeal of the company’s charter and forfeiture of its franchises, A step in this direction was taken in the Senate the other day, when a bill was introduced requiring am investi- gation as to what means compel the company to pay its interest to the government as fast as it fell due, but the newer move- ment intends to go further and aemand the repeal of the company’s charter as a means of securing the gov- ernment against tho loss of the subsidy granted the road, Had the Supreme Court decided in favor of the government in the issue with the company this severe punishment might not have been resorted to, but the | obstinate determination of the company to get and keep all it can has aroused a feeling of indignation that will not be satisfied with less than an effort to deprive it of its franchises, which are well known to have been forfeited both by the Crédit Mobilier frauds and by tho gross violation of the provision of the charter requiring the stock to be paid for in money, espectally as Con- 6ress reserved the power to alter, amend, alter or re- Peal the act creating the corporation, and as the Select Committee of the Forty-second Congress on the Crédit Mobilier swindle did at that time report their opinion that “tne facts would furnish ground for judgment of forfeiture of all the franchises of the corporation, in- | clading the principal franchise to be a corporation on proper process,” THE CENTENNIAL APPROPRIATION TO BE BAR- GAINED FOR—THE VOTE FoR THE souTHERN | PACIFIC RAILROAD AS AN EQUIVALENT. It i8a general anderstanding in the House as to the Centennial bill that it will have the support of the Bouthern members and hence be sure of its passage tn | the House, provided, first, however, that the passage of the Southern Pacific Railroad bill shall be assured by tho pledged votes of those who are imteresied in the Centennial bill, securing the passage of the Southern Pacific Railroad Dill, as i ts regarded in the hight of a pecuharly Southern measure, and one en which much of the fature prosperity of the South depends, It is even threatened that uniess assurance is given that the Southern Pacific bill shall be passed there is no chance of the Comtennial appropriation receiving the sapport of the Soutbern members. A REPUBLICAN CATERER. Freand, who was appointed to-day by the Committee | on Public Buildings and Grounds of the House sa its caterer in place of Downing, has been discovered to be a republican, and measures are on foot to bring this fact before the committee at its next session, The fact of his election by the votes of the republican members of the committee, with the aid of two democrats, after the fortieth ballot is regarded here ag a good joke on «| democratic house, GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, a Ace St Wasmcrox, Jan. 8, 1876, A SPEECH FROM THE PRESIDENT. After the serenade to-night at Willard’s to Messrs. Fort and Cagon, conspicuous in the House for their ad- vocaey of the claims of the wounded Union soldiers to official place and preferment, the crowd and band went off suddenly to the White House, whereupon, after a little music and cheering, the President appeared and made a short speech. Afver expressing bie thanks for and gratification at the compliment, he said that he didn’t know that be understood voices in the crowd that they were old soldiers come to pay their respects ; that they were the Boys in Blue and the hike, One voice went into details and announced that they were the crippled men, Appearing to get a cue from this last statement tho President went on to say that they were a class of cit- izens be sympathized with, and that, as far as lay in his power, he would look after them. “I can’t make a speech, you know,” said the President. He was con- | eluding when the speech was finished for bim by a ehout of “No, General, you're better at fitting.” | Amtd the applause and cheers following he bowed him- self outef sight. It is said that the third term movement contemplates s revival of the ‘‘Boys tn Biue’’ excitement, and that the serenades and speeches to-night were part of the programme to set the ball im motion, COTTON REPORT’ FOR DECEMBER. ‘The Statistician of the Department of Agricatture has completed the compilation of official returns for the | past month, and finds correct the general assumption of a lower yield of lint in proportion to seed cotton. Only two States, Arkansas and Texas, repert a larger | Proportion than in 1874, The Atlantic States, which have previously made low estimates of aggregate pro- duction, all return a smaller yield of lint to seed in comparison with the previous crop, and none of them over thirty pounds to each bundred pounds of seed. | ‘The average decrease in all of the States is four per — cent. This reduction is ateributable in most cases to excessive moisture and resultant imperfect develop- ment of the boll, and in some to the effects of early drought 1m preventing fall matarity, Cotton grown in flelds heavily dressed with commer- cra! fertilizers is found to have & greater proportional development of seed than of lint. ‘The average quality of the fibre ts somewhat lower than it was last year, Arkansas and Texas furnish the only exceptions to this statement, though the average depreciation is slight in Louisiana and Alabama, [tis greatest in Mississippi and the Atlantic States, The proportion ef the crop gathered on the Ist of j December was 00 per cent, as reported, as follows :— North Carolina, 69; South Carol: 95; Florida, 93; Georgia, 02; Alabama, 87; Mississippi, 15; Louisiana, 83; Texas, 94; Arkansas, 16; Tennesseo, 78. In analyzing the montbly cotton reports of the season the average condition from June to October is made 93% per cent, against 83 per cent in the same period of 1874. This would Indicate a crop of about 4,400,500 bases, with an equally favorable autumn, and ap equal | proportion of lint, The loss of 4 per cent inthe yield of lint makes @ reduction of 176,000 bales, and the aif- ference in maturing and gathering since October points to a further reduction of from 2 to 4 per cont W. ‘A margin of 100,000 bales for contingencies afer the first week in December, the season's feports, taken to- gether, indicate a report of not less than 4,060,000 bales nor more than 4,150,000. THE UNION WEBBING. The Treasury Department bas decided that the Union webbing, composed of silk, cotton and rabber, the silk not Leimg the component material of chief vaiuo, it the | were nécessary to | t this call meant. He was wid by | should be classified for duty st the rate of fifty pep cent ad valorem. THE ITALIAN CLOTH QUESTION SENT TO THM OCOURTS—A DECISION AS TO UNION WEBBING. The Secretary of the Treasury has addressed the fol- | lowing letter to the Collector of Customs at New York :— | |. Your letter of the 9th ult. is received further Solating | fo the classification of certain so-called striped <A | fancy Italians, which, by dey nt decimons of | August 29, 1874 and August 18, 1876, were held to bof Hable Wo duty at the rate of Ofy cents per nd and thirty-five per cent ad valorem as Tainutacsares of worsted not otherwise provided for. This question, baving lately been again raised by cer- tain tmeporters, that the goods, ahhough “stmnped and taney,” were dutiable under the provision for “real or imitation Malian eloth’’ a the square yard rates, the de- partment submitted (he same to you, accompanied with, certificates from munufacturers of the goods, with. samples, 60 thas the Appraiser might give an opinion) on the uew evidence. The report of the Appraiser \s: favorable to the views of the importers and manufac- turers. but, for reagons to be presently stated, not ac- cepled 8 conclusive. After the careful c ra ‘ion given \o the matter prior to the promulgation | of the decision of August 18, 1 | of the provision of sectiom. 2 of the act of i NE td fitted ‘An act restricting the refund | oms duties,” ko. the department is of the opmion thas the interoits of ihe governehens will be Dest senved by leaving the question to be tried by the courts, where Jt 8 understood severa! suits involving the same ques tion are now pending The United States Attorney at New York will be re quested to take the proper steps for securing. an early trial of ono of these suits, in order that she importert may suffer no unnecessary deliy. THE NAVY AT PoR ROYAL, SPAIN HOLDS CUBA BY AN UNCERTAIN TENURE—= THE POLICY OF THR SECKETALY or THE NAVY DEFINED. ' Wasuinetox, Jan, 8, 1876, The concentration of naval vessels at Port Royal, | C., 181m parsuance of a general plan of the Secretary of the Navy to make that place the headquarters of the North Atlantic station, as 1t presents many advaniaget over any other port on the Atlantic coast. In the Gret | place, the chmate is very healthful, and the barbor offers every facility for the exercise of nav: tecties, so that the servico can be kept im thorough discipline. On one occaston only during the late war was the yellow fever there, and then for | only a very brief pertod, while at Key West, tha | former headquarters of the station, it was often epi- | domie and caused the vessels at that place nearly every | summer to be ordered to Portsmouth, N. 4., or soma other Northern port where supplies, repairs, &c., could be furnished without delay. The geographical position of Port Royal makes it the central point for the North Atlantic station, and vessels ren-; | dezvoused there can reach Cuban waters and ; the Gulf, where our | interests most need to be looked after within forty-eight hours. It is the policy of the Secretary of the Navy to bave our home | equadron larger th: y of those abroad, becaase ne believes in being prepared for any emergency which | may arise out of the present difficulties on the island of | Cuba, While there is no official announcement in re gard tothe condition of aifairs between this country: | and Spain it is believed in well-informed circles that the uncertain tenure which Spain has upon that | island may cause that government to become in- | volved im a difieulty with the United States when it sees it can no longer boid the island and the | Parts with it as a matter of necessity. Another reasom why vessels will be ordered to Port Royal from North- | ern rivers and harbors where they have been j laid ap ts to free them from the ice during the approaching winter. In ease of any dim~ j culty arising it would not do to have. these vessels | frozen up at Leagao Island or some other North- ern port, where they could be of no service; hence tho | Secretary deems {¢ advisable to have them at Port Royal, where there is no danger of an ice blockade, and incase of an emergency they could be used with effect. Commodore Howell, chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, im bis last annual report recommends an ap- Propriation to erect inexpensive wooden buildings at Port Royal, with necessary machinery and tools for The South is earnestly interested in | artificers of the squadron to work and make necessary repairs to vessels needing them, as there is generally from four to five vessels at that plage atone vie A sufficient force of blacksmiths, carpenvers, sailmakers, gers ani others could be collected to do extensiva: repairs, and vessels would not have to be ordered North to receive them. At Key West, the former head-) | quarters of the station, there was a small establishment’ | of this kind; but every summer {6 bad to bo | abandoned on account of the yellow fever. The Shaw.’ | mut, Dictator, Pawnee and Piata are now at Port Royal, and the Congress and Juniata bave been ordered | there from the European station, Other vessels will) ve ordered there from our own Northern ports, as well! | as several now abroad. The Marion, now at Ports. | mouth, N. HL, and the Vandalia, at Boston, will be or- dered to Port Royal, preparatory to their cruise among the West Indies. \ THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. } | | | NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN 8QUADRON—MOVE- MENTS OF THE SHIPS—A WHOLESOME CHANGE; | IN APFAIRS—BROOKLYN YARD NOTES. | There has been the faintest revival of activity in the | Brooklyn Yard within the past two days, Ten men | have been pat on the Trenton, lying in the dry dock, | to canlk ber and finish that part of the work, propara- tory W putting her in readiness for her engines and voilors. Uniess more money is supplied by the Navy | Department the Trenton i# likely to lay in the dry dock for many months to come and anhoused, | Private advices trom the dagship Franklin of the Eu- ropean squadron, now at Lisbon, state that the corvette Congress, Captain Earl English, sailed from Gibraltar | for Port Royal, & C.. Dezember 6. On the 12th she ar- | rived at Punchal, Madeira, where she coaled and sailed thence for home. As she was to make the passage under | sail alone, itis likely she will reach Port Royal about | the middie of the present month The corvette Juni- aia, Commander Greene, sailed from Gibraltar on the | 18th of December, aod she may be looked for at Port | Royal about the lst of February. The departure of these ships for home and tho harried change of base of the Franklin and Alaska, from Villafranche to Lisbon, sefiously disturbed the “domestic” arrangements of many of the officers, The ships were again converted into men of war, the ladies and children being sent ashore, and ® general | spirit of thanktainess pervaded the breasts of the bachelor officers, who bave been greatly (inconvenienced by the presence of the ladies, who are adored by all | the gallant fellows on shore. The European squadron has been literally a “‘aursery'’ of American seamen for j y sone time te | tard ‘of officers, consisting of Chief Engineers | Ayres, Latch and Fitch i in session at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to examine engineer officers for promotion | Several gentlemen have been’ detore them, and have | passed satisfactory exarnination, notwithstanding the fact toat the standard as been notably sievated. |. Tne Board of Inquiry to examine into the alleged maladministration of affairs in the civil engineers’ de-~ | partment in the Brooklyn Yard, particularly relating to overpay of men and false entries is still in session, iscovered, | No one yet knows what has bes THE PO ‘The deposita in the New York Post Office during the pam week have been as follows :— Tt OFFICI January 8 $12,400 January 7......... 12,200 | January 4 14,200 January 8.. 5 12,900 | January 6 16,300 Fas bat | January 6... 15,100 Totl.....6..... $83,100 The Post Oflice Department ts now connected by tele- | graph with all the branch Post Office stations of the city. Postmaster James reports that the total receipts | from all sources during the last quarter amounted to | $828,071 13; that the expenses amounted to $210,100 73, leaving & balance of $017, ®, The report of the | Postmaster for December | is as follows: — | Number of carriers... ef 459 Number of registered letters. deliverod. 22,151 Number of mail letters delivered 2,910,213 Number of postal cards delivered 290,487 Number of local lovers detivered.. 176,445 Number of local postai cards delivered. $1,668 Number of newspapers delivered .. 748,840 Number of circulars, &e., collected 35,886 | Number of letters collected. ... 483,062 ' ber of postal cards collected. 578,408 | Number of newspapers collected. o« -+ 899,780 ‘The total postage on local matter amounted to $50,079 24, j | etapa carina | ACCIDENTS BY FIRE. New Yore, Jan. 7, 1876, | To tum Eprror or tre H&aLo:— | I bave examined the Iaws and find that as carly as 1871 the Fire Board were given the most unlimited power in regard to providing means againat accidentby. re in our pablic buildings. Why they have =a exerciee that power tainly a mystery whieh bite safety clearly calls upon them now to tis a lamentable fact thas tl is pot & ete He seboo! building, church orany other pablic there bas been the least in the city today in wirich provision made toward guarding against the most ter- They rible calamities that have ever bappened to any | AQd yet our Fire Commisstoners do vothing. should either be legisiated out of office or be wagers | moniously turned oub Be