The New York Herald Newspaper, November 1, 1876, Page 4

4 A RAILROAD DISASTER. Ratal Accident the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Railway. on Two Persons Killed and Twenty Wounded. NAMES OF THE DEAD AND WOUNDED. Scrantox, Pa, Oct. 81, 1876, A rallroad disaster, by which two persons were filled outright, four fatally wounded and sixteen others injured seriously, occurred last uight at Lebigh Sum. mit, & small station on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railway, twonty miles suuth of this city, on the highest point of the Pocono Mountain, The regular train leaves Scranton at four o’clock was two hours behind time in arriving here, and consisted of eighteen cars, having at least 1,000 pergons on board en tho Centennial, The passengers were principally from the Western which route for portion of the State of New York, and belonged to the farming classes, They seemed exceedingly happy as they halted {n Scranton, chatting echeerily of the Cen- tenuial Exhibition and giving free expression to the pleasurable anticipation uppermost in their :ninds re- goruing the World's Fair, litte dreaming that death and disaster lurked so near tn their path, or that thetr joy would soon be shrouded in grief, Owing to the steep acclivity of the grade on tho road between this’ cfty and Lebigh Summit three engines were required to draw the mammoth train to the latter point. Everything passed satisfactorily, however, although the journey was necessarily slow, until the summit of the dreary Pocono Mountain was reached, when the train stopped to take water. The road at that place is unusually level and clear of such cuts or chasms as those which intervene between there and Scranton. One of the engines was detached, with a view to sending it back to Scranton, and shortly afterward the train started forward, 1t had uo sooner dove so than A BROKEN COUPLING of one of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's cars, of which there were four in the train, necessitated apother halt, The coupling was adjusted and another start made, when, yielding to the immense strain, another coupling broke, and the train baited once more, Before the severed cars could be connected gain a heavy coal train from Scranton rounded the fummit aod came thundering down the level in the rear of the passenger train, A iniute later, and, like & flush, the awful situation dawned on the mind of the engineer of the coal train, and leaping from his peril- ous position he saved his life, He had a narrow escape, however, for an instant later THE PATAL CRASH ensued, andthe engine plunged into the rear car ot ‘the passenger train, spreading consternation and death among the bruisod and bewildered passengers. A heartrending cry rent the miduight air on that lonely Mountain solitude, as that thousand men, womon and children franticaily strugvled to free themselves, and the moon looked down on a harrowing and heart- Fending picture, The groaus of the dying, the shrieks Of the wounded and the solicitious inquiries of eager friends after beloved ones, made the sad, sad sceno lamentable beyond the power of portrayal. Glass, tim- Kurand stout iron wore tora in sureds and scattered 4 yng the track, and seven cars were severely shattered, The fiercest part of the shock was feit in the fifth nd sixth cars from the rear of the train, which wero telescoped, tho former dashing hike a thunderbolt through tho latter uearly its fall length, and yielding itsel! entirely to the cager aud awful work of demoli- tion. Both were packed with passengers, and it Beemed impossible that any could escape when stout trons were riven like so many blades of grass and um- bers twisted and broken intothe most fantastic shapes, The most HARROWING SCENES ensued, Out of the shattered sides of the broken cars men, women and children palo with terror looked at the white-faced moon that shed its light serenely on the awful picture, robbiug death and pain of many of their terrors, while the poor victims struggled desperately to tree themselves from the vice-like grasp of death. Scores were jammed between the seats writhing in the most xcute agony, sensible, yet helpless to extricate themselves, and out of the broken, splintered sides of the cars heads, hands and legs were thrust indis- friminately iu the fruitiess effort to escape. The work of tearing away the splintered sides trom the telescoped cars was a THRILLING ORDEAL to the wounded and those who struggled to release them, Strong men actually wept and women fainted at the sickening sight as they contemplated the bruised and bleeding victims who were torn from the wreck. Those who were fortunate enough to escape injury hastened to the relief of their distressed and fying companions and used every eifort to extri- tate them and assuage their sufferings. Tho most awful situation of any of the victims was that of Mrs, Brown, of Morrisonville, Madison county, RN. Y, who was surled through a hove in the floor of one of the wrecked cars, and lay in a narrow space between the bottom of the car and the truck, amid a tangled mass of twisted iron and timbers. How to re- lease her as she struggled and writhed to free hers Beomed a most perplexing problem, At length stout pieces of iron and broken ra‘ls were procurea and with these dozens of strong men broke open the side of the ear and pried tt up, while the unbappy woman was re- leasea, She was carried to the station in a dying con- dition, The most excraciating torments were cadured by those who were JAMMED BETWEEN THE SEATS and unable to free themselves, For nearly an hour many were forced to remaia in this horrivle position— Men, women and children begging their friends ‘for God’s sake’ to relieve them, Some of them had the sharp splinters sticking in their flesh, others were rushed together face to face and held in a deadty em- Drace, and others still Jay upon the tloor, trampled be- neath the feet of their equally unhappy companions. Mr, James Archibald, the compauy’s chiof engineer, forta- Bately happened to be on the train and, escaping un- hart, rendered valuable ecrvico in directing aud aiding in the work of saving the wounded, It scems a miracle that in the face of such a fearful situation ‘only two persons were killed outright THe KILLED. David R. Pierce, of Hamilton, dames Bragg, Utica, N. Y. The latter was not accompanied by any friends on the Irain, and lay a long time at the station before any one Knew whohe was, His bead was almost severed from bis body, and his face was disfigured beyond recognition, Ut is though: be had bis head out of the window when ‘the crash came, THR PATALLY WOUNDED, Truman Seymour, Rome, N. Y. , Cornelius Gay, Preble, N. Y. Lena Dowall, Hamilton, N. Y. Mrs. Daffy, Hamilton, N. Y. Mra. D. R. Pierce, Hamilton, N. ¥. THR IXICRED, riously and some perhaps fatally ¥. of whom y are burt, aro as follow: Joho Parker, Hamilton, N. ¥., severely cut, Mrs, Abbot', Hamilton, badly bruised. Mrs. A. L. Tattle, Columbus, N. Y., internal in- Juries, Mrs, W. S, Parkes, North Broolefeld, Madison @ounty, N. ¥. Frank Dofly, Morrisonville, N. Y. Edward Brainard, Richfield Springs, N. Y. Alvert Thomas, Shourburne, N. Y. Hugh Reilty, Columbus, Chenango county, N. ¥. Enos Parker, Morrisonville, N. ¥. Mra. D. L. Norton, Columbus, Chenango county, N.Y. Miss Maggie Perry, Watertown, N. ¥. Mrs. Armor, Morrisonvilie, N. Y. J. RK, Smith, Greene county, New York, E, Jackson, Riebfield Springs, N.Y. Mrs. Latmer Loddy, New York, severeiy crushed, James Armor, Morrisonville, N. Y., seriously injured, Several of these include fractured limbs, One woman has # broken jaw and others are bruised and ‘pattered fearfully. ‘The wounded were promptly conveyed to the Simons House at Gouldsboro, a mile distant, and disposed of as comlortably as possible under the circumstances, TUR STARTLING NEWS was speedily telegraphed to Scranton, and Superin- tendent Halstead, acting with bis usual energy and despatch, ordered a special train forthwith, and, pro- curing the servicea of Drs. Squires, Boyd, Ever- bart and Fisher, proceeded to the scene of the disaster, accompanied by a Hekatp reporter and several of the company’s employés, to render assistan Mr, Hal- stead took personal charge of the train, which leit Seranton at nine o'clock, reaching the SCENK OF THK WRECK shortly after ten, The sight was a shocking one, and was heightened by « passenger car in James upon the track, This was the rearcar of the ill fated tram, and caught fire from the locomotive by which it was struck, The passengers were huddled together, talking of their providential escape, in cars wiih broken floors snd windows, sbattercd seats and generally de- molished appearance. The dead lay in the Station, besieged by persons anxious to know their names, while the telegraph office, with its one wire and miserable accommodations, was crowded with passengers, despatching the news of their narrow escape to their friends at home. Hundreds were wait- ing at the door for their turn to seud a message, and the slow elick, click of the tedious machine kept send- ing the wail along the line until four o’clock this | morning. Supermtendent Halstead, on arriving at the wreck, speedily set about the work of transferring the pas- sengers from the cars of the shattered train to those of the special that conveyed us there, and shortly ufter midnight the train moved forward again tor New York and Philadelphia, with a “Thank God we afe saved!” on many a lip and in many 4 grateful heart, The remains of David Pierce and James Bragg were Drought to Scrantou on a gpecial train this morning and le at Undertaker Raub’s, on Wyoming avenue. Mrs, Pierce, wife of one of the dead men, and Mrs, | Loddy were conveyed to the Lackawanna Valley House, in this city, LOCALE OF THE ACCIDENT. Tho scene of the accident is on the very summit of the Pocono Mountain, a very wilderncss, overlooking the Shades of Death, where so many perished in 1778 while fleeing from tho horrors of the Wyoming mai sacre, The accident ig tho firatof the kind that has ever happened on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Toad. LATER—TUESDAY EVENING, Cornelius Gay, of Preble, N. Y., died of his injuries this forenoon. The body, together with that of Deacon Bragg and D. R, Pierce, was forwarded home this after- noon, KILLED BY THE CARS, Euizaneru, N. J., Oct. 31, 1876, As Conrad Mann, aged fifty-six years, a wood cartor of Roselle, was drivmg across the track of the Pennsyl- yania Railroad in this city, lust might, he was struck by atrain and instantly killed, The wagon was de- molisbed, but the horses escaped unhurt, THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION, Paitaverrnia, Oct. 31, 1876, Next Tuesday, November 7—clection day—has been appointed as woman’s day at the Exkibition grounds, A reception will be held at the Woman’s Pavilion by the Ladies’ Centennial Executive Committee, from twelve o’clock noon until four P. M., during which time a band of music will be in attendance, All the arrangements for the closing of the Exhi- bition are being rapidly completed and every necossury detall is receiving careful attention, In order that the work of removal may be facilitated as much as possibic it has been determined that this labor inust bo commenced on the 11th of November and finished before the 31st of December, Unless otherwiso author- ized by the Director General, goods then remaining without authority will bo removed by the Director General ana sold for expenses or otherwise disposed of under tho direction of the Centennial Commission. A circular issued to exhibitors by the Bureau of Trans- portation contains the following concerning frea return transportation: — / “Most of the railway companies in the United States having officially announced that they would transyort at regular rates all articles intended ior exhibition at the International Exposition of 1876 at Philadelphia as weil as all other - articles forwarded by oxbibitors for their own use in gonnection with the Exposition, and would return unsold articies iree, and it haying been announced that at the cloge of the Exhibition the Chief of the Bureau of Transportation will issue, when necessary, certificates showing what articles are un- sold and areto be returned to tho place of original shipment by the route over which they were transported to the Exhibition, exhibitors who expect to secure free return transportation for their goods must apply for such certificates at the office of the Bureau ot Transportation, where proper bianks tor the purpose will be turnished, ’ There will be a noral sale of all the buildings belonging to the \-utennial Board of Finance on Thursday, November 3v, at eleven o'clock A. M. The list comprises the Main Butlding and carriage annex; Agrictliural Hall, with wagon and pomologicul an: . the Photographers’ exhibition buildicy, Shoe und Leather bwliding, Judyew’ Hall, Butter und Cheese ouilding, Guard station houses and various other small butld'ngs, Particulars of the sule will be turnisbed ia pamphiet form on application ten days before the appointed time. The poultry exhivition was to-day placed in perfect order, all the entries having been iustalled, every coop caretully labelled and a fullcatalogve of the exnidits ready for distribution. Fuliy 600 birds are vow on e: hibition, besides over 1,500 pigeons of various breed: ‘The display includes every known breed, froma the most dimimutive bantam of only fourteen ounces to the largest brabia of fourteen pounds, ‘The Judges have already commenced their work, and will, doubtiess, be busily engaged uati the close of the display. To-day’s admissions at Mfty cents were 80,690; at twenty-five cents, 1,194, SCHOOL TEACHERS’ CENTENNIAL EXCURSION. Toxoyro, Ont., Oct 31, 1876, Mr. Byington, general passenger agent of tho Lehigh Valley Railroad, ts in town making arrangements for all the teachers of the province to take part in a mon- ster Centennial excursion, which will leave here Satur- day. ALL HALLOW EVE. Last evening was the anniversary festival of All Hallow Eve—that is to say, the eve of All Sainte’ Day, which occurs on the Ist of November, and is kept by the communicants of the Roman Catholic Church all over the world, In tho north of England the Evo of Ail Hallow is known as Nutcrack Night, from the fashion of cracking nuts and eating apples on that occasion, It is the custom in England, when the young would know if their lovers were faithful, to put their nuts on the bars of a grate, naming the nuts after the love! If the nut cracks or jumps the lover who 18 represented by it will prove uplaithful; if it begins to blaze or burn he has & sincere regard for the person making tho trial. If the nuts named after the girl and lover burn together they will be married within a year. ‘The game of “snapapple’’ is provocative of great merriment on Halloween. A stick is hung up_bori- zontally by a string from the ceiling, and a candle placed at one ena of the stick and'an apple at the other end, The stick is then made to twirl rapidly, the merrymakers in succession leap up and snap at the apple with their teeth, no use ot the hands being allowed, and it frequentiy happens shat the burning end of the candle scorches au eye or face or covers it with grease, Another sport on Hallow Eve ty to set apples afloat in atub of water and then allow the boys and girls to duck for them, with thein- \ention to cate them with their teeth. Great fan is nuanifested im watching the youngsters chase bobbing apples with open mouths and sharpened teeth. Last evening, despice the political hubbub, there was a gen- eral celebration of the festival, and ip many places of amusement allusion was made to the anniversary. ALL SAINTS’ DAY. To-day the festival known as All Saints’ Day will be celebrated in most of the Episcopal and ail of the Catholic churches. At Trinity chorch services will begin at eleven A. M., and in addition to the uaual ser- vice communion will be adininistered to the members of the church, In the afternoon at th o’clock there will be « prayer m 4 other kptscopal churches nearly the wil be observed, Cath- olic churches will colebrat olemn high mass in the morning, and in some a sermon on the suoject of the festival wili be delivered. HOTEL BURGLARY. Atan carly hour yesterday morning barglars effected am entrance into the hotel of Mr, E, B. Simmons, in the village of Flushing. After robbing the money went tothe kitchen, where chickens, throwing the refuse visited the billiard room, and, ittoons on she billiard tables, alter em; took thei THE HERALD POLICY. | AN INCREASED SALE IN HARLEM—INTEBVIEWS WITH NBWSMEN AND NEWSBOYS -WHAT 165 DONE IN YONKERS-—-EXTORTIONATE PRICES FOR THE HERALD STILL OBTAINED, The progress of events daily indicates increased Public satisfaction with the course pursued by the Hekacp in reducing its price, The obstinate persist ence of some newsdealers in refusing to furnish their patrons with papers at the new price of course creates just diss jactioa on the part of our readers. We are in receipt of complaints on this account, and can only assure the writers that @ little time mast suilice to correct the evil. The conduct of these agents cannot long continue in the face of tho rightful disposition of the public to obtain the paper at its regular price. Already many of the dealers havo accepted the change with advantage, and others who do not follow the example will find their patronage decreased beyond recall, The newsmen of Harlem, like those of other places in and around the city, being gradually brought to sce the unprofitable nature of a contest against the public, are making up their minds that the better part of valor in this matter is discretion, and are acting ac- cordingly. The futilty of standing out against the public demand tor the Hexavp is neatly instanced by the statement of the young girl In cha of the sta- tionery abd news store No. 2,245 Third avenue, yes- terday:— “Do you sell the HERALD hero since the reduction?” was the question asked of her. “Ob, yes!” was ber reply; ‘my fathor stopped taking em when the price went down, because, you soe, he wasn’t making much on ’em. But so many people came after HxxaLps that he had to put’em on again,”? Being interrogated concerning the compara- tive sale be/ore and since the reduction, she admitted an increaso in sales during the past week, expressing surprise at the difference in the demand. It was impossible to,get a copy of the Heraup at the small stationery store No. 2,197 Third avenue, not be- Cause itis not sold there, but owing to the lateness of tho hour, “We don’t soil many,” said the desler, “put they go off early in the day, We sell a few more since the reduction,” At the cigar store, No. 2,306 Third avenue, the dealer looked cautiously over his stand, outside tho door, fumbled over some Suns, Tribunes and Worlds, and announced jn a careful nannor that ho hado’t a single Heracp left, Being asked the reason of this deficiency ho circumspectly replied that they were all sold early in the forenoon. Five minutes’ general conversation, with an occasional recurrence to the prime subject, served toghow that the demand for Heaps at that particular place was rather better since the reduction in price, notwithstanding the deal- er’s conviction that “it don’t pay to keep ’em,”” A lively small boy at the cigar and news stand No, 2,330 Third avenue cocked his hat at an angle dunger- ous to his general equilibrium, and, having assumed an air commensurate with the importanee of the sub- ject, delivered himselt as follows:—Sell Huranps ? You bet we do? Bétore the price came down wo used to sell about fifieen or twenty here every day. Wo gitaway with thirty now, and we could sell more easy enough.” Then the rakish youth tipped his head cov- ering still further over his ear and began a brilliant general conversation upon the merits of Presidential candidates and also of his own stock of cigars, until his interlocutor withdrew. Attho stationery and nows stand No. 2,352 Third avenue the proprietor said he belleved his salea bad been increased one or two copies since the reduction, but the trade in papers was so uncertain and fluctuating that it was difficult to make a definite statement. The sound of banjo playing and other merriment issued from the back room of the cigar and news stand No, 2,376 Third avenue as the stray customer for a Heravp ventured in. A brisk young man emerged from where the music was in progress, after some delay :—‘‘Henatp?” said he, ‘No, sin Give you a Timez, Sun, World or Tribune, but no Hera. You know, the price of the Hxxatp was put down lately nud they sell very fast. Wo won’t put on any more than our regular order, and what we have is picked upin less than no time, We don’t take no more because we want to get ’em to allow us a bigger profit,” and, having recited this legend to the accom- paniment of an imaginary banjo, the brisk youth again secluded himself behind the scenes and the twang of the music was heard again in the air, At the cigar and news stand, No. 2,883 Third avenue, tho woman in charge said, ‘Sell Hxnaps? Yes, that’s the reason we uin’t got any left, Wo sell nearly double what wo used to. There’s a great deal moro call {or them than there was before the reduction.’” ‘Vhe Yonkers dealers are supplying a little more than their usual quantity of Hrexaos, u general inquiry re- veuling an increase of about ten per vent iu tho aver. age of sales since the reduction. Four cents is the price asked per copy, the increase in the demand being attributable to the fact that this is a cent a copy less than was demanded before the reduction “We sell about seventy or eighty a day,” said the dealer at No, 50 Warburton avenue, ‘We find u small increase, but not many copies. You see wo have our regular line of customers, and we know about what our sales amount to every day.” At the small stationery and news stand, No, 6 Dock Btreet, the woman in charge said—*l’m sorry we haven't a HeRaxp left. Do we sell moro since the re- duction, sir? Well, a fow more; but we don’t sell a great mauy apy way, and you coulda’t judge by us,’’ “We sell about 200,” said the woman at the station- ery and news stand, No. 40 North Broadway, “but we don’t notice much difference since the redaction,’? She further averred that the fluctuation and uncer- tainty of the demand made it hard to account for any difference in sales. At Seberp’s stationery and news store, on Palisade avenue, the dealer announced a better sale of Hxnatps since the reduction in price, ‘We have a regular de- mand for them,’ sald ho, ‘“‘and the counter sales have been quicker.” “We make about tho same profit that we always did,” said the proprietor of the stand on Palisade ave- nue, opposite scherp’s. “We get the same, and so far as I can see, we sell about the same uumber, with, perhaps, a slight improvement” All these dealers sold the Hera at tour cents, and it was found impossible to purchase at a less price,’ AT OTHER POINTS, F. W. Cole, of Albany, writes that Hutman Bros, No. 6 Martin Hall, Beaver street, are the only news- dealers im that city who sell the Hxaaup for four cents, Other dealers charge fivo cents, These young men ought to be encouraged. “Que Hundred Readers’ say none of the nows | venders atthe boat landings foot of East 119th and 1201h sireots sell the HuxaLy, thereby compelling many to take some other paper or go without, They say:—‘'Please send one or two of your brigade there to sell tho Hzwaxp at threo cents.”” J. D. writes:—“Going down ona Third avenue car this morning | was obliged to pay Ave cents tor a copy of your valuble paper. As I got out | saw a large boy strike a small boy for selling the Hxratp at three cents, Ay brother’s son keeps a largo stand and sells three times as many Hxxacos as he used to.” “A Lady Reader” writes trom Yonkera:—“This morning, coming to Yonkers on tho 9:10 tram, I wished to buy a Heraio, and the boy asked tour centa When | said tho price was only throe now, he replied, ‘Always four om the traina’ So I had to pay bis prico or go without it, R, T. Loomis writes from Elizabeth, N, J.—“Since the reduction in prico it is aimost impossible to get a Hexxa.n trom our dealers bere, You have reduced the price to the dealer, thus placing half « cent more protit in his pocket, while we, the poor public, have to pay ola extortionate price of tive cents, abd eight conts Sunday’s Heraty. We trust this imposition on us is to be short-hved, and wo “wait for the wagon,” be- that you meao to inciude us in your list of and give us, not only the benefit of the reduc- jut the paper of our choice, without insisting must take a substitute. How gladly would we greet & wagon loaded with HxxaLps and clamorous newsboys with ‘Hkeatps valy three centsl’ See from your books what wumber of copies were formerly or- dored, add fifty per cent. more copies, send them out to us, or get some enterprising newsman to do this, and the profits will moro than pay tor tho trouble, aod bow grumbling community will be made happy.” “Constant Reader’? writes from Pittsburg: Dewsdoulers of this city, without exception, tinue to charge cents for the Henan, wile you vo three cents. it is the y ‘hen yo four cents they void it to the public at five conte, until about a year ago, when the price was raised to six cents,’’ J. W. Wessou writes:—“Will you be good enough to inform your patrons that the Hxra.p can be purchased -4hree conis at my store, 787 Seventh avenue. Riley & Sargent write from Philadelphia that waltors to the Centennial Exhibition can buy the Heraup at the stand in the Pennsylvania Ratiroad depot, Centennial Grounds, for four cents per copy. Wilham M.’? writes trom Philadelphia to com. gas that ‘was charged seven cents for a copy of the RALD, i NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. THE DARIEN CANAL. The Surveys and Reconnoissances Made on the American Isthmus for a Transcontinental Ship Canal. ssay by Commodore Ammen Read Before the Geographical Society Last Right EXPLORATIONS IN PALESTINE. What Has Been Done by the Navy Depart- ment from 1870 to 1876. audience of cultivated ladies and gentlemen attended the meeting of the American Geographical Society at Chickering Hall last night In the absence of the President Chief Justice Daly, who has veen lying ill of a fever since bis return trom the Columbus monument ceremonies at Philadelphia several weeks ago, Major General George W. Cullum, of tue United States army, presided. Fourteen new tel- lows were elected and three corresponding members who are located respectively at St. Petersburg, Russia; Central America, and Berlin, Mr, E. V. Stout moved some amendments to the constitution of the society, having relerence to the election of officers in classes, whose term of office should expire at certain periods, Under the rules the papor was laid over. ‘The feature of the evening was the reading of a paper written by Commodore Daniel Ammen, of the United States Navy, on “The Sarveys aud Reconno sances from 1870 to 1875 for a Sip Canal Across the American isthmus,” Ags the Com- modore’s duties prevented his attendance, the essay was read by Mr. Gardner, who prefaced it by explaining that it bad been prepared in response tou request from the society, made in view of the recont movement tn France for an internatienal exploration of the isthmus with reference to building acanal, TheCommodore, he explained, is at the head of the Bureau of Navigation, aud bas had the general supervision of all tho explorations on the isthmus during tho past eight years. Mr. Gardner proceeded to read the essay, pointing out the various places luded to upon a large map suspended above the piat- form. Extracts from a paper prepared by Commodore D, Ammen, United States Navy, at the request of the American Geographical Societ; In preseuting tke paper relating to these surveys a brief explanation may, however, be expected from me. More than twonty years ago l was attracted to the consideration of this subject by the then publishea accounts of the coincident attempt by the English, the French apd ourselves in the vicinity of Caledonia Bay to discover the pretended Cullen route—a ronte dis- proved by those three partics, but which, having bocn again insisted upon as feasible, was recently shown by the American expedition (1870) to be a pbysical impossibility, by reason of tne eleva- tion of the watershed adjacent to and across tho divide near Caledonia Bay, tho streams of which watershed flow into the Pacific. At the date referred to the English, working from the Savanna River, ran aline ot levels toward Caledonia Bay and reached the waters of the Sucubti, the stream north and west of tne Cale- donia Bay range of mountains, at a height suflicient to show the impracticability of the route, The French seem to have abandoved their work without producing instrumental results indicating in apy degree a hope of success, The American party, under Lieutenant Strain, of the Navy, ascended the mountain runge from the bay, reached the Sucubti on the Pacific slope, and, without thé use of instruments of precision, fol- Jowed the tortuous stream to the Chucunagua and made their way down that sull more tortuous stream with the loss of more than half of their “number by starvation. Afer two days’ descent of the Sucubti, Strain’s purty, when encamped upon an island, bad supposed they heard the evening gun of the Cyane, tho vessel wuich they had left anchored in Caledouia Bay. This sup- Posed tact, ingly without signilicance to theu, attracted my attention; for, if it were a tact, it would appear to indicate the existence of a low lino of levela between that point and the waters of Culedunia Bay, It seemed to moe not at all likely that the sound was deflected up & mountain side and again descended through the valley beyond. I was Jed to consider more fully the probability of a low line of levels near the point referred 10, and, further, to study tuo question ,>t meeting the formidable obstacies besotting~” explorers in this almost —_ tmpus- sable region, apd of securing suficiently positive conclusive knowledge of the country to establish the practicability or tbe reverse (in relation to ail the watersbeds) of a transconti- nental ship canal Presenting my views in 1856 to Mr. ‘roucey, then Secretary of tue Navy, bat tauing to Teeeive his countenance and support, | went to the Pacitic Ocean on board one of our vessels of war, aud did pot return until 1860, when I wrote out bricily my project for exploring the entire region necessary to be examined, Which paper this socioty did me the honor to read on the 7th of June of that year. This project has, in fact, formed the basis of our surveys and ex- plorations, modified as has been found necessary by the intelligent and able officers who have actually executed the work. APPROPRIATIONS FOR SURVEYS. On my return irom the Asiatic station in April, 1869, I was gratified at Moding that appropriations bad been made for trangcontinental stip canal surveys, and that General Grant, then President, was initiating 4 comprehensive examination and guificient surveys of the extensive region involved, Their full execution required years of labor and the employment of large, well equipped parties, as will be hereaitver shown, SURVEYS COMPLETED. were at length completed, as will be re- toi detail. They were gauistactory te the com- jon, and | can assure you that their execution was no holiday work. In every case whe! ntative lines only were prosecuted this was done instrumentally to @ point develop'ng impracticability, or else a manifest interiority in construction as compared with other lines tound more favorable, On the latter, actual in- strumeutal locatious for a canal were made, and plans and approximate nates oF construction prepared. M. LEON DROUILLET'S VIEWS. In view of the conclusions which 1 hope to establish fully with those who wiil re-examine tho various sur- veys that be hereafter summarized I have read with some surprise the postulates recently and widely published by M. Leon Droutllet, engineer and member of a Commission of Commercial Geograpby of Paris, Jately formed under the sanction of the Freneh Societé de Geographie—postulates on this subject thus seemingly indorsed by that lewrned and distinguished body. Through tho kindness of M. Dromilet | have been favoured with a copy of the proceedings of the French Section of the International Committee for t Exploration of the American Isthmus, and also with a pamphlet, of which thia gentleman ts the author, eiavoruting 4 plaa for such an intermational exploration, in the pamphiet referred to M. Drouillet, when urging the neceseity of an tuternational exploration of the American Isthmus, sets out with the following postuiates:—"'The problem of interoceauic navigation ig at present incapadle of solution on account of the insufMciency of geographical data, and ot the flagrant contradictions which exist in these data—ingufficiency and contradictions which do not permit the engineer to mudy protoundly a definite project.” e strength of th seoming approval of th of Paris, 4h appeul 1s made to the learned societies of the world, apd tv all the Powers interestod, to lend their ald to a “general and serious exploration of the isthmua’? In view, theretore, of the long series of elaborate jorations sud reconnoissances lately made by: the Jnited States, reported upon by the commission to the President and accepted as satisfactory by bim, it seems proper to present what has beon really done by ies 'y or advisable, ‘Tve denand tor a resurvey is rested upon two prin- First—That the data at hand aro insufficient, Second—that what is available is flagrantly contra- dictory. Let Ts consider these two assertions separately, As tor the sufficiency of the data at band without, at Present, going beyond the work executed for the most part during the past six years the United Stues alone, we thay point to the following not inconsider- able sources of reliable information reapect every art of the isthmas of any promise for a cau rom Febuantopeo to the Napipi Ri ja South America, Of our surveys and recounoissances the foliowing is a list in the geographical order from the north west to the south aud east, 10 regard to which list it is to ve tpecially noted that overy survey and reconvoimsance was made With instruments of precision, unless men- tion tu tho contrary is herein mado. All lines upon which calculations have been founded were ran by or tra it, the barometer bony relied upon only to fill im the topography on oither stdeof the main Ine. SURVEYS AND RECONNOISSANORS. 1. Instrumental reconuolssance of the Iscoimus of Tebuan. fee by Captain BR. Sehufidt, United Stetes N: ‘a. 5 E: ination, survey ni tinite Instramental loca. amination, i. vee ite frow it in anic canal q einity of aud thence via the Rios Commander K.P. Luil, some preliminary opera- id, Umited states Navy, Greytown, via Laxe Nicararua, dei Medio and Grande to Brito, b: United States Navy, 1872-8, wit! Commander Ubester Hai 3. Exumination, survey Hon of an imtercoeame oun ime by Ce auder E. P. Lall, United States Navy, 4, Examinations and from the Gulf of San Blas toward the river Chi way Commander T. O. Seltridge, states Navy. tatu, United sua i , keconnoissanes from the waters of the Chepo toward the Gull of San Blas, by Commander K.P. Lull, United States ative instrumental lives in the vicinity of across the Vordili he waters of ras to to the Chucunaqua, b: ander T. 0. Beliridge, 6. recunnoissance of the so-called “De the Atratu Kiver to be connected with the Teyter, by way of the Tunely River, by party under the bags Rl Commander T. 0. Sel ge, United States Na 7. Hentative instramental lines by the so-called “Gorgorts Toute,” trom the eastern coast the Atrato, Cacaries and Ferauchita rive weet cout, vie the er 1. O. welitidye, Unived Staves examination of what is known asthe ite, by Lieutenants Michler, United St estimated cost, $13: ‘Au insirumental recomislsenuce ot the Napipi and Cute ineludiny « reconno! of the Atrato River to thp bs s under the direction of Com United States Navy, 1871 and 1873. aud definite fustrumental lo- nd from the Tuyra and Cue rivers across the divide, by parties und ¥ jommander javy. 2871, 8. An ‘The results of these sever; briefly noted in the same deanna eae re nounes, a i Txavawtxrec,—Indisputable inferiority to other known Number of locks required, 140. Length ef canalization, he bi rom the wouth of the Sun Carlos oe Lake eieae fanco of sixty-three miles; Iske navigation for 50. mille x co via al a lpi Bas - ey 8 Of the Rio del Medio This plan involves the construction of four dams, ing an average height of 29.6 feet, and an aygre- ite length of 1,320 yards, and of twenty locks of an average lift of 10 28-100 feet each. It alsy involves the coasiruction of two harbors of sufficient extent to in- sure at least a smooth and safe entrance into and exit from the canal, - du, PaNawa.—This survey, executod, ax has been said, at the request of the commission appointed by the Presiteut to investigate the whole question of the an-actual location wlong an entire route, estimates for excavation and coustruction h en care- full, id. the Ni te, 4 tod bash ot cost for like labor, et» Toute And on & som The report ot the survey, published in the Appendix to the Report of the Secretary of the Navy for 1875, ne not appear to have been in M. Drouillet’s posses- sion. 4. San Bias.—The surveys of Commander Selfridge from the east coast, and those of Communder 1.uil trom the west demonstrated that there is no practicable route bi tween the Gulf of sun Blas and the waters of the Chepo, even with # tunnel of eight miles, although betwoen these points the tldes uppruach euch other from the two oceans more nearly than elsewhere. 5. CaLevonta Bay.—The tentati the northern and southe ia Bay. aie ts St mi - mation of Edward Cullen was an invention, N@'™Or The line trom tho southern extremity of Caledonia Bay crossed the “ divide” at an ‘ation of 1,259 feet, and struck the bed of Sucubti at a height of 553 fect, thus preciuding the possibility of any pass under that allituue above the point reacned on the Sucubti, The line from the northern extremity of the bay up the valley of the Sassard) and across tae * divide” to the Morti, cressed at an altitude of 1,148, and no indica- tions of any pass under 1,000 feet could be discovered, ‘Vhis line is marked by M. Drouiliet tor re-examina- tion, * 6, De Puypt's Rovurr.—Thi Puydt, as obtained from a genth him, Was followed some thirty-three mi an elevation of 638 feet had been reac! talus of the divide were piainly visibie be: curial mountain barometers were used: 0: ct line advoented by De u who had accomp: At this distance le two were curried by the party, Bench marl ‘at convenient distancs iusteu- she east and west coasts which were run in the examination of this suppored route estublished the that Haller chi Gogorzu wero pretenders, wary to establisn this in the case of no more than make unsupported as- were it, ind mm those who have do sertions. Our regular line of survey—by way of the Atrato and Perauchita rivers on tho cast and the Tuyra and Cué rivers on tho west—crossed the “divide” at au altitude of 712 feet, while a little further north Cap- tain Selfridge crossed uta height of 400 feet, as csti- mated from rough observations with 1 aneroid. M. Gogorza claims that Captain selfridge’s ex. aminations did not cover his proposed route, and it will always be possible for him and other authors of briliiant but vague projects to mako this complaint regurding avy expedition not led by thom- selves. Whether the exact route pro) by ML. Gogorza was tuliowed in this case or not, it is certain that the explorations were sufficiently extensive to show that the whole country, on the Pacific side of the divide especially, is a network of high bills, which feature, taken in connection with the extensive swamps On the Atlantic side, 18 suilicient to.condema the route, independently of the height of the dividing ridge. ‘ The locality, with two preceding ones, involving also the region of a third, comprises points epecially noted by M. Drouiliot for examination, He thus en- trely ignores the disprovement of the so-called Cullen Toute by the French, English and ourselves in 184, and tue recent instrumental disprovemcnt also ef it and of the others by the government surveys, %. The Trando route was reported - upon unfavorably after fuil examination by Licuteouut alchler, United states Atmy, aud Lioutenant Craven, United mesion Navy, i 9 and 10, Tax Atnaro Nartet Rovre.—This was exam: iued, rst by parties under the direction of Commander Self- ridge, and alterward Ly Licutenant Collins, By nauied officer a detinite instrumentul location for « ‘was made; the question of additional water supply from the Cuia was invest for excavation and construction framed of « common dasis for like labor us for Nickragus and anuma, The report of this survey withous map» wnd.pluns is to be found in the appendix to the report of the secretary for 1875. ft appreciation for publishing this report and mmmander Goll oa Panama in full is re- ‘enot namod by A. Drouilles im 7 REPEATED AND LARORIOUS SURVEYS certainiy inuicate the continued interest which the United States have taken in the construction of a canal, This interest dates back, indeed, to the admin- istration of Mr. Jeferson, and its appreciation by the Congress of toe United States was shown as eurly ag 1835 by an elaborate report in the House of Represent- atives, as well as by various oficial inquiries and American treaties. HOW THE EXPRDITIONS WERE COMPORED. The scientitic stall of the Grst expedition of Com- mander Seliridge uumbered thirty-llve members, in- cluding astronomers, geologists, aineralogiats topo- graphical and hydrographical engineers, telegraphers, photographers and others. The men attached to thia expedition, exclusive vu! natives employed as laborers, numbered abeut 300. ‘Ihrec shipsof war were also attached to the survey; twoon the Atlantic side and one on the Pacific, “The scientitic staff of the secoud expedition of Commander Selfridge numbered thirty members, exclusive of the officers of the United States steamers Nipsic and Resaca, both of which, with the inited States steamer Guard, were attached to the expedition, The Tchuantepee and Nicarag xpedi- tions were equipped with like liberality. Able officers of the United States Coast Survey and civil engineers were assoctuted with the commanding officers in these various expeditions, The work assigned to the ex- peditions thus equipped was laid out by careful and ample instructions trom the Navy Department and was satisiactorily periormed. The resuits obtained are believed to be all that the nature of the conditions ren- dered possible. LAYING OUT OF THE WORK. None of these extended surveys conflict in any de- grce with each other or with other partial survoys or reconnvissances wnich have been at times undertaken by private American enterprise. If any authentic in- sirumental surveys or proper tentative lines in the possession of M. Drouillet disprove or contradict any one of our surveys, this would be certainly of pro- found interest to the learned societies of the worid and afford for them foundation for turther projects of exploration, however little they are considered neces- sary by those who havo goue through ¢ repeated al labors and experiences in the gloomy fast 8 of the great American Isthma: Var surveys have been undertaken and conducted with & View to ascertain the remtive practicability of all possible canal routes. It is not affirmed that they are suflicientiy extensive and minute at all points tv afford the engineer tull data tor locating a canal and for estimating tts approximate cost, Actual instrumental locations of determimate lines throughout were made at three points onl; it Nicaragua, Panama and the japip. The tentative lines tu uther places were car- ried only sufficiently far to demonstrate their imprac- tieability or manifest relative inferiority, thus elimi nating, however, all such terruory from the cunal probiem.’ Lt it isin the plan of M. Drouitiet, or of others, to procure the precise data called for by tho engineer on each of the pretended or of the real lines ot promise for u canal, there will certainly be need by such partics of that most extensive co-operation in every particular which is invited in the publication re- ferred to. DARIEN AND SUKZ COMPARED. The natural conditions of the American Isthmus will be tur widely different irom those of Suez is @ region of extraordinary ratufall; the otber of ex- treme dryness; the ono covered with impenetrable and interminable forests, the other wholly denuded ; the o1 region of steep escurpments and wator sheds, where every ravine many times during the year ve- comes arivor of rapid waters, rushing Wildly to the po wnd bearing huge uasses of mit, giant boulders tte falien trees; the other simply a sandy, y narrow Ameri valley many in length, between the seas, be admitted, and a without locks be supposed to be located therein, it must become the ultimate drainage of whole tropical valle: Ly human power could tt be kept clear of the débris ene into it by every heavy Taintall along its entire length? RESULTS. In submitting what bas been done to learned 60- cleties no indulgence for nationality is desired; nor, ou the other bund, cat there be a tenable assumption that we are incapable of obtaining results which can be obtained by others, or that we have not the integ- rity to present them fairly, Surveys tell their own Btory and discredit themselves y are to be dis. credited; and | feel not Feber mci discour: fety thar, furiher surveys, however unnecessary soc! cousider them and however anwilling, therefore, itself to participate (ue TY Batley i fa oon ed. (habke On movion of Mr. Ty joys wis \eixlored Commodore asimem "for bia. interesting aud valuable paper.” Professor Roswell D, Hitchcock, D. D., was next in- troduced, and, with the aid of & map, wo placo belore the audience, in & oriel aud oom results of the explorations tauea ta ae curing the poss leven yearn, He explained the objects of the Palestiue Exploratiot Society, of which be is President, and told in a fow ords what had beon accomplished ‘by its first survey- party, er Lioutenant Steever, in 1873. which triangulated nearly 600 square miles of Eastern Palestine, including Pisgab, the. of which was satisfactorily determined by Professor Paine. | A sec- ond party, under Colonel Lan 1875 made a recon- noissance of nearly the whole territory tad brought back « collection of inseriptions and about 10) tae photographs of ruins aud scenery. After showing that Americans had done as much if now more than any other nation im that direction, the professor made an appeo! for tunds on behalt of the society, and ended by introducing Mr. W. H. Goodyear, the artist, who, he said, would be more competent to explain the ar- chitectural features of about thirty of the photographs referred to, Which were about to be exhibited by means of # stereopticon. Mr. Goodyear, by mea t the pictures, pointed out three great epochs indicated by the architecture of the ruins iu the East Jordan country, he said, were te be found finer specimens of Roman architecture than exist anywhere else. Dr. Howard Crosby was announced to speak cn thia subject, but was prevented from attendin the meeting by illness, and Professor H. Thompson, M. D., who was to ha followed hun, was introduced. He entertained and to. ructed the audience for about hull. an hour with the aid ot many handsome views of ruins in Western Pal- estine, The meeting adjourned after Dr. Hitchcock had ex- hibited a few views having great biblical interest, upon which he commented ia a very pleasing manner, AMUSEMENTS. GERMANIA THEATRE—‘‘OTHELLO,” Mr. Neueadoril’s company appeared last night ta “Othello.” It was not an impressive performance, With one exception none of the performers rose above the plane of mediocrity. Therefore the performance had, with the one exception, the quality of symmetry, The Othello was Mr. Von Ernest, who appeared under serious disadvantages. They may be enumerated as follows:—An intensely black face and white hands, uw balting gait and spasmodic utterance, Desdemona (Miss Valette) was of the simpering order, and Emelia (Mimo. Witt) was coquettish, The exception we have mentioned was the Iago of Mr. Freeman, which, although somewhat coarse in conception and imper sonation, had many traits of positive dramatic pow.r, On Friday next ‘Around New York in Eighty Hours,” a local sketch, will be presented, KELLY & LEON’S MINSTRELS. “Ching-Chow-Hi,”’ tho latest opera bouffe extrava, ganza produced by Kelly & Leon, at their neat little theatre on Twenty-third street, ls about as stupid as cun be, There is neither wit nor harmony in it, and, sav. ing the grand finale, where tho Japanese jugglers are introduced and make a little fun, ove looks in vain for any excuse for its prosentation, In other respects, howover, their programine 1s admirable and shows an effort to mect the public demand for novelty and first class entertainment MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES. Mme, Essipoff makes ber début in New York on the 14th inst, Edwin Booth closed his San Francisco engagement on Saturday night, Miss Dargon, Fochter and Fawcett Rowe have lately been dividing the attention of Pittsburg critica, Tuo O’Briens are in high favor in Brussels musica, circles, three sisters of that name having written songs which are highly commended. Theodore Thomas intends giving Tuesday evening and Wednesday matince concerts, orchesiral and choral, during the winter, at Steinway Hall, commenc- ing alter the election, Carl Wolfsohn, the Chicago pianist, is preparing a descriptive and instructive pamphlet to be used in con- nection with his recitals, an example which should be followed by every pianist. After Boucicault, Janauschek at the Boston Theatre. A change {rom “The Shaughraun’’ to “Bleak Houso,’? Leonard Grover’s play, ‘Our Boarding House,” said to be American in every respect, will be brought out at the Brooklyn Theatre on November 13, The story of the Vienna Neue ret Presse that Hert Hans Von BOlow was robbed by his private secretary in the United States ot all he pessessed is not true, und does injustice which the press should remedy. There 1s no foundation for the rumor. Little Nell, “The California Diamond,” criticised severely before the curtain a New Zealand critic who spoke disparagingly of her inthe paper to which he belongs. Even at the antipodes there is trouble be» tween the press and tho stage. Miss Adelaide Neilson appearea Monday night at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, to an im- mense house, as Juliet, The orchestra had to give up their seats to accommodate the audience, She was called out at the end of every act, and her reception ‘was brilliant. Thero is nocity in America in which ‘Miss Neilson is more popular than in the Quaker City, A literary and musical entertainment tor the bent of 8t, Stephen’s Home for Children will be given at Steinway Hall this evening. Mrs. James K, Hackett, Miss K. M. Coates, Miss Agatha Munior, Mr. Fritsch, Mr. Sobst, Mr. Duntorth, Mr, Bent and Mre. Gilvers have volunteered theie services, The programme is admirable, and. Mr. Steinway, in aid of the Home, ba® given the use of his hall free of expense. This evening, at Wocd’s Museum, tho Widows and Orphans’ fund of Navat Lodge, No. 69, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, will recelve a benefit. Thousands of dollars nave been expended by this noble charity, and it is to be hoped that the fund will be well replea- ished. The performance will be excellent, and among the actors who have volunteered for the occasion are Messrs, George 0. Boniiace, Charies-Sturgis and A. H. Sneldon and Miss Stella, fi The Boston Glove says of Mile. de Beloeca, who sang at the Boston Theatro on Sunday last:—‘-Her first selection, the ‘Avo Maria,’ by Cherubini, with orchen- tral accompaniment, displayed her rich voice and the simplicity, yet artistic grace, ot her style, to good ad- vantage. Her voice is a mezzo-soprano, particularly round and resonant in the lower and middie notes, and is capable of much expression and warmth of feeling. The breadth and graciousness of her styte charmed her hearers, and her rendering of Wailace’s ballad, ‘Good Night and Pleasant Dreams,’ in English, which immodiately followod, aroused the audience to ® fervor of enthusiasm which was gratified by her re- appearance, when she sang # pleasing cavatina, with piano accompaniment.” ART NOTES. Cologne is tohave a memorial statue of Prince Bis marck, Signor Michael Fandi, an Italian sithographer of note, died lately at-Mil: Carpenter has finished a life-like portrait of Asa Packer, the Pennsylvania politician. Carl Rosa ts succeeding admirably with his Rnglisl opera performance at the London Lycoum. “La Foraa del Dostino,”’ by Verdi, his most pondem ous work, is 1 rehearsal at Les Italiens, Parts. ‘Thomas de Codezo has opened classes for instruction, in art at his studio in Union square, Mr. Codeso bag studied in the best European schools. The Italian and Bonaissance sculptures In salles om the ground floor of the Louvre are being rearranged . ‘under the direction of M. Barbet de Jouy. _sThero is a steel engraving of Cropsey’s ‘Echo Lake’* in the November number of the Art Journal ja whic the characteristics of the artist’s stylo are happily re" produced, “he operas in which Mme. Christine Nilsson wilt sing at the Imperial Opera Howse, Vienna, next De cember are “Les Huguenots,” “Lobongria,” “Faast,* “Mignon” and ‘‘Hamiet.’” A two-aet comedictta, taken from the French, and entitled “Mother Carey’s Chickens,” bas boen pro- duced at the Criterion Theatre, Loadon, It isa slight picco, with a strong resemblance to previous works, and is whimsically interpreted by Mr. John Clarke, Mr, Righton, Miss Hathaway and Miss Eustlake. 1ts intrigue is founded on tho difficuities of a mother with @ large assortment of marriagoable daughters, for ‘whom she ts required to flad husbands, Adeamatic company, consisting of forty persons, have. been performing in Hamburg the celebrated Oberammergau passion plays, They style thmseives tho Old Bavarian Passion Company, but are not those whe performed at Oberammergau. They are bound for America, ana take England on their way. Their re pertory is not drawn from the Now Testament alone; the Old Testament is laid under ribution, Their attraction !s tho representation of the crucifixion. The Art Journai for Novomber Las an interesting biographical sketch of the boy artist, Frederick Walker, A. R. A., whose untimely death deprived Great Britain of one of ber ablest and most sympsthotic draughts- men, Walker appeared in the art world of London im 185@ Rising suddenly from obscurity he traversed? the sky of popularity like « brillant meteor, and then disappeared from view forever. He died regretted even by his rivals, for his kindliness of heart and gentle disposition mado bim a favorite even with these he supplanted ia public favor, ‘ id