The New York Herald Newspaper, February 12, 1877, Page 6

P THE TOWER. The Question of Nerve Which Ferry Passen- \ gers Daily Discuss. MEN UPON WIRES. A Short Walk on the Foot Bridge—Ascending | the Tower—Revolving Scenery. ‘There aro thousands of people crossing daily between New York and Brooklyn who look upat the spider-like figures of men which creep upon the iron filaments, swuying as gossamer threads between the two towers, and who are lost in wonder at the nerve these men dis- play and cannot imagine how they can work under such perilous circumstances. The writer was one of a group staring at these bridge flies, He heard many ex- pressions of admiration o1 their pluck and proceeded to seo what there was in it. First he approached the gate of the New York tower, Soon a watchman sang out:— “Hi! there, where yer goin’?”” “Up the tower—it 1 can.” “Yer can’t, Go sce Mr. Farrington, he’s in Brook- lyn, or he is somewhe' in New York, or ho’s at the ;chorage, or he? —”? “Stop, my friend, you aro sufliciently explicit,” and the reporter started for the New York anchora; la the office he found the toreman of the riggers and Jaborers, Charles W. Young, a tall portly nian of six tull, intelligent face, with heavy mustache, Mr. though very polite, also referred the reporter toMr. Farrington, Passing from Mr, Young's office atthe fvot of the anchorage, he found a but full of laborers and riggers taking their dinner and pipes, He asked the names of these bridge flies and how they felt when up on the bridge. * MODEST HEROES. ‘A bright looking young feliow ina brown oversbirt and with asparkliog eye, gave his name as Joseph Callaghan. The otbers were Louis Holland, William Gardner, a reticent, tull bearded man; Martin Whalen, clean shaven, with a Robert Macaire baton; Joseph Shredecker, who tugged away at a pipe and squeezed himseif out of shape in a corner in bis modesty; Jono Perry, witb a mustache and imperial, and Tom Brown, All that could be ascertained from these modest bridge fies was that if they were putin the Henan they would be chaffed by their comrades; that clinbing tables aud waiking tight ropes was caster than rolling off a log, and that there was po heroism or calling forth of the subtle nerve force in it at all, but, bemmg brought up riggers, they knew a rope froma handsaw, and weren't such fools as some reporters took them to be, Every effort to get more of their experiences was mot with the answer, ‘Go to Farrington. ? ‘THK SUPERINTENDENT. Edmund S. Farrington, master mecbanic, superin- tendent in charge of wire work, iron work and curpe tery of the Eust River Bridge, was found at his vflico in ‘Brooklyn, He isatman fity-seven years old, of medium height, solidly bait, wearing a closely cut Drown mustache and beard, und somewhat resembles General Grant in a quiet decision of Jace und manner. ‘His eye 1s of that caim, dangerous blue; his voice is of # low, clear pitch, both indicative of immense resolu- tion. “Sir, Farrington, I want to go over as much of the foot vridge as | can, and up the tower.’’ “You cun go, sir,’ repied Mr. Farrington, with a peculiar twinkle that the Prehend, “and as appen to have business in the tower, I shall go with you.’” Before we go pleuse tell me something about your men and bow they can work under such apparent ditll- uty? e Vol, sir, many of my men have been with me for eurs, There are Join E, Smallfield and William jempsen, foreman carpenters; Harry Supple, fore- m 1 the New York (ower, whose name tudicates bis pature; William Siler, James ONeill, Fred Arnold and William Gurdner are old experienced riggers aud men of like churacter in this kind of work. ‘They are tomperate, thoroughly disciplined, and in lofty post. tions u gerture or a J00K will have the iull sorce of cominand,”’ WORX, NOT MADE, “Do you thivk what it 18 simply temperance that makes these men steady at great heights 1” It must be a constitutional gitt. not, when 200 feet m the air, use his brain to keep his head steady. He needs it all to make bis deheate and dificult work secure, They must 4 their feet by instinct, of course atter sary training, und be able to look sheer down hundreds of ivet without a muscle trembung. [tis a rare thing for a mun to lose his lite mn our business from loss of nerve. Sometimes or want of judumont in handling costs m 8, but competent, faith. ful met ars comparatively in unuch Jess danger than you «hink,?” “Then landerstand you that when one looks up in admiration und winder at these men from the ferry- boats It is somew'at lost r”? No. sir, But 1 do say that my men and myseif move with such care and precision that our eyes and muscular sense are so thoroughly trained that what to yon seems so dangerous 1s to us Lo more than treading folid ground, But think where we would be if a catle should part; then imagine yourself in that place. I ever drink nor smoke. 1 can depend absolutely upon my verves and do not Know what giddiness 15.” “Now, shall we go to tbe tower, or rather try the bridge irom the anchorage,’ continued the repoiter, WALKING THE PLANK “Certainly,” said Mr. Farrington, and soon wo had mouuted the Brooklyn anchorage pier, Which 1s sixty feet high. Betore us the siender foot bridge, not four feet wide, built upou two massive cables, sloped up to- ward the sua, stopping on the way at the top of the Brooklyn tower. Some twelve feet from the unchorage pier the bridge was uot laid. For this dis- tance it Was conuected by a single plank, six inches wide, With the inusoury at our feet, Stepping pimbly pn this plank, and thence to the bridge, Mr. Farrivg- ton commenced to danco around and run upward, aud exclaimed :— one ou; See how steady it is,’ Sertainly'; steady as—my nerves. Here I como,’ replied the reporter, putting one foot firmly on the plank, ‘The atuer, however, became glued to the pier somehow, and looking sixty wh inviting veins of gold were plainly to be scen traced upon the stone pavement. a “Why don’t you como?” sbouted Mr. Farrington; “1 thought you wanted to go over the bridge as tar as it wus done. Another desperate effort, but, alas! the reporter’s foot bad Peter Cooper's giue on it and it would not give, Finally Mr. Farrington came plunging back and guid quietly : ¥ ~ “My danghter went up here yesterday.” “What?” yelled the reporter, and dishing over the board on to the bridge shot up al a rapid rate for jully ten jeet and muwardly wonderiug how he was to again. After a prolonged conversation of a minute constant terror lest the lively Farrington might bump against bim both got off, Teuched solid earth and presently were at tho toot of the lofty tower that rises veside the river, ‘As Mr, Farrington tnrust his key into the entrance door be said;—"'Now, what inseription would you put over this door, sir”? ‘The reporter replied:— nd like « steadfast Its top for all the blow! “11 be bound,” replied Mr. Farrington, “here's one man who doesn’t say, ‘All hope avandon ye who enter in?” wer that never way {the winds,” SUCH A GETTING UPSTAIRS, The ascent began. 1 was vecid eastor than the cable bridge, bul, some how, when You got up some filty fect you found, in taking one of the turns, that you go around quicker than yon inean to. You think it is w mistake, vue It’s the in the next one and the next, untilyou sit down and commence to make a simmlet of yourself and try to bore » hole in whe step, Poa look at Mr. Farrington and he is lean. ing lazily agaiust the slender railing, his eyes dancing with laughter, and, In a low tone, he repents “Keep fast hold, tor by * s these Must we pertorce depart from so ninch evil, BATRAOKWINARY SCENT ‘The reporter now sugzests that ihe view is very fine and Mr. Farrington says itis liner much higher; so they start again 100 feet higher, and the reporter looks outat New York justas you 100K into a zootrope, tho houses jamping one over the other, steamboats bounce ing frantically over ships and into warehouses; tnen, women and children not deigning to wait lor the com. pletion of tbe bridge, but taking tho river at a teay— ries— “Sr. Farripgton, | am not constitutionally litted tor & bridge builder, ond if I ever can describe this scenery Well Lean do it how; this 18 just the proper height that is, 1f the scenery will only hold #ulia stairs a “Well,” Mr. Farrington replied, “we will rest. here,’ and stepping off the planking to a wide ledgo of the tower, to thi absolute terror of the reporier, who ox ‘ bim “go below,” Mr. Farrington continued: “Come over here aud Jook vt this man bolo. O'Neil tell down 4} feet the other day, and actually when a rope was lowered he fastened it on his own body, we pulled him op, aud he is at work up top now. The roenery baving how become tranquilliz went, Ove bundred feet higher and tho stairway gan to bo like a piston of a Corliss engine, and to the ‘seemed to be planging up and down thirty , oh We reporter Strokes, per minute, “Two hundred aud fifty feet!” he exclaimed. ‘Come, Me. Farrington, igh enough for any orthodox bridge—anyhow tas Mt Ienough lor me. Twant to got down,” He Wnstinocively thought of the comedi 8. Clarke sit- ling on the top of 4 n wall whic ror wich broken ginss botties—in oue of the scencs of “Foy and Goose’'—Clarke says, “I w to get down if I tan.” Me. Farrington replied, “Yes; it was just here that [had «young Jady the other day, She was so that I had to almost cerry ber up, But she had lack, und Jeaning on my arm she went on. will 1 the reporter, with a voice like a ad on we went antl the top plat. y a ladder with five stout rounds aud aband rait bad to be olimbed, and you s100d on tue topmost stone, Up this dr Farrington | porter did not then com- | No man can be a bridge builder who must | hee | | | | maranes supply us. NEW YORK AERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1877.—WITH SUPPLEMENT. feaped, and stretching his arms out over New York, with sparkliog enthusiasm exclaimed, “Rejoice, O Florence, since thoa art so gre ‘That over sea and laud thou beatent thy ON ‘Tor. The reporter thought it was very fine, but he simply sut down to rest, undertook to take mental notes of the scenery, but the **frumious” scene cannot be described. Trimity church steeple fencing with Grace chureh, the City Hall was bumping iato the park lake, “Governor’s Island, guns and all, was playing suuttlecogk and battledore with Harlem, Beecher’s church shook its windows on the top of St, Paul’s, the top of the Tribune tower had fastened itself some- where and was swinging the building penoulum fashion, and the reporter leaned against the solid tower in dread lest lis weight would push it over, Mr, Farrington informed the reporter that ‘they were placing the saddles in position to get the length of the guide wires,” The reporter said he was obliged for the information and Jeft him, got down after much deliberation, and 18 of the firm opmion that nerve is necessary. Mr, Farrington joined the reporter at the foot of the stuirway, taking two or three stops at a jump in coming down, and in bidding bin goodby said:—“Come aver again, and I will gladly “Oo over the bridge with you,” The reporter replied that he would see him—another time, first. Sen” FISH FOR LENT. AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY ON HAND IN THE MAR- KETS—THE SHAD SEASON, The Lenten days, the hungriest of the year, are near At hand, ‘The hours of balls and carnivals and winter merry-makings are numbered, and sackcloth ond ashes will soon onvelope the Christian world. ‘Black fasting,”” as it was called, is now obsolete, and Lent, even for the orthodox, has taken to itself many fash- jons and dainty ways unknown in tho olden time. ‘The fastidiousness of the penitent world is known to none more intimately than to the fishmonger who ers to critical appetites during the season of fast- ing. ‘Thig individual bas been interviewed by a Hxnaup reporter, and bis views will be found scat- tered below, When the fishmonger in question was interrogated as to the condition of the market and its ability to supply coming demands he said :-— “We kin feed fifteen times as many Christians as there is in New York and at Chosper rates than any other town In the Pope's parish, We got herrin’s enough to keep the town goin’ for two Lents put into one, and they aint no snyde herrin’s neither, They’ro as lovely as we oun catch ’em.”? Ho might have continued his harangue on herrings, but that the reporter claimed a word for the toothsome shad and inquired if that favorite was at present to be h al, . “eshad! Well, I just guess we got a tew shad,” said he, as he thrust his hook into a bin and brought one up. “Them shad,’ he continued, *s tho finest eutin? fish that ever was fried; Just us sweet as if they growed on Staten Island; just as cheap, too, and just as plenty, ‘Them ere fish comod from Florida, and they havo some fish down in them waters, they have. They ain’: so big as our fish up here, but, ob, they’ro sweet, vhey are !”? PACTS ABOUT FISH, All efforts to elicit any statistical information from the old gentleman failing, the reporter went (o another dealer and from him obtained the following facts rela- tive to the shad supply :—“shad,” said tue interviewed, “can always be had inthe New York market, for all the yoar round they are boing caught along the coust and finda market here. About the 15th ot December they begin to take them down along the coast ot Flor- idaand North Carolina, About the Ist ot February they begin tocome from Newbern and Charleston. Then on the first of the next month the Roanoke About the middle of March shad begin to appear in the Potomac and Delaware rivers. About this time our own fishermen down the bay begin to set their nets, but very few fish aro ght until about the Ist of April, when | they are quite plentiful in these waters. Tho fishing around New York lasts until about the middle o! May. As the season grows old the tish begin to Jose their flavor, They are more deleate tn ilavor just alter coming up from the sea and the longer they Tremuin in the tres water the poorer they grow, During the second week 1n May tho Connecticut River shad begin to appear in market. The beight of tho seugon is reached at this time and the Connecticut shad are considered by judges to be the most delicate flavored and desirable fish to be had, From June 1 to July 4shad are brought from the coast of Maine. During the summer months shad can also be had in the markets, us al) kinds of fish aro frozen by a patent process. ”” PREPARATIONS POR LENT. The marketmen, wso know that during the holy seusou large demands will be mage for tancy fish, have propared for it, and bave ow on baud an immense quantity of all Kinds, A man who has been in busiaess in Fulton Market for twenty years says that never by Jore in his recollection wes there so much fish in stocic as at present. For the last six weeks the market bas been glutted. At present there aro nino cargoes of herring, each cargo containing avout 450,000 bering. Al present they ure sold ior three cents % pound, but there is @ prospect that, the price will further be reduced, us several cargoes are expected to-day or ‘carly next week, An snquiry into the ‘couse of this full market elicited the statement that the demand was at present about nor- , but that the supply bad increased on account of hard mes, This seeming paradox 18 explained by the fact that hundreds of men, having been turown out of employment in mills and other inagstries, have taken to fishing fora living. Tne expense of ittting out a boat is very small, and most of tuose uncm- ployed men bave iuvested their little capital in fishing boats. “It every onem New York obeys the rule of the Cuurch wo Will have enough fish to heip them to the obedience,’ said the reporter's informart, ‘n conclu sion, A NEW BORN INFANT THE VICTIM GENOUS PET. An infant's mysterious death was brought to official notice yesterday, and investigation has once more traced the cause to the venom of one of those jamily pets that have of late contributed to swell the more tality record, This time the victim is a new born infant, and death has been instantancous, thereby saving the little creature from the horrors of hydrophobia, which doubtless would have in time carried her off. On Saturday night, av No. 13t Pitt street, little Katie Hartman was born, and Mrs, Fischer, the midwife who Was at- tending the mother, gladdened her by the assurance that the child was doing well, and that its condition was exceedingly healthful, At midnight she left the patient, who was rallying fast, and gave the mother of the latter, who was present, directions about the care to be taken of the child. When the midwite had lett the house this woman took her little grandchild in her lap and sat down near the bedside of ber daughter. Sho was weary with ‘watching and anxiety, and belore OF A DAN- long tell asleep. It was five o'clock’ yesterday morning when she awoke, and, of. course, her first care was for her litle charge. It was lying in her lap as she had placed it, but She wag horrified to find it hmp and cold with a drop or two of ‘blood upon its lips, She aroused the infant's father, who at once sent for the midwife, Mrs, Fischer. She came, and on examination found a pecu- har wound upon the child’s neck which seemed only trifling, but was to her altogether inexplicable. While she was In a quandary about the canse of this wound she chanced to catch sight of a Spitz dog lying on the floor close by and eyeing tho dead infant. “I's at once suggested to her mind tbe posetvilicy that the dog might in somo way be connected with the Jitte one’s death. Sho told tho parents to notify the Coroner of the occurrence, and yesterday aiternoon an imvestigation made by Coroner Woitman ard Deputy Coroner Custman proved that the Spitz dog without doubt had inflicted the wound upon the child's neck. An examination thowed that the child had been born healthy and was doing well atter birth, but that the dog, either by a bite or by a scratching ofthe paw, had injured the glands of the neck, thereby stopping the circulation of the blood and filling the cbild’s mouth with it, Death had reeulted from the shock and strangulation so caused, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. There is an unugual commotion just now inGrammar Schoo No, 12, Madison street, over a case of corporal A | tuvat punishment inflicted by one of the principals upon a pupil in the primary department, Tho facts of the case are as follows:—On the day of December 21 one of the little girls 'm the primary department gave a signal with ber hand to a schoolmate and a half whisper “Mary” to attract ber notice. Miss Anna M, Marsh, principal of the female grammar departinent, saw the action, pounced upon the litie offender and adminis- tered a dose of corporal punishment so harsh in its elfect that the child suffered from it all day, The principal of the primary department noturally felt that tis Was an iniringement upon ler rights, aad, recoge nizing her duty to report any cases of corporal punish: ment that came under her notice, reported the above case tv the Board of Education, From all accounts the child who suffered under the bands of Miss Marsh is a model of gentleness and ladylike dee portnent, and, before entering School “Ni 1 was under the teachings of the Ursuiine rs, Miss Marsh, on the other hand, bears the reputation of being tyrannical and severe. Sho has served as principal ot the female grammar dep ment in School No, 12 for twenty-five yeurs, and dur- ing that time she has repeatediy been guilty of offences sirolian4o that she is charged with now. Four er tive gare ago there was avery serious churge made against her, A scholar, for « vory trivial offence, wae shut up jn a dark ologet and kept Mere for so jong atime that the ehild became sick in consequence. Lt Is thought that time, tied it not been for her years of ser tho local Bouru would have summarily punished vie her. A want of harmony is also eaid to exist within these mic walls, The reason piven by those most inti ely concerned in the charge 1s that itis owing to the hasty and ill-advised legisiation by the loeal Board, ‘This Board frequentiy decrees that certain teachers shall take charge of classes which they are incompe- tont to manage, and will not Listen to any complaints against teachors so assigned, The Board of Education will goon investigate the charges preferred agamut Mise Marab, SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICA, LITERARY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CENTENNIAL— A REVIEW BY JOSEPH WATEON—THE STATE, CHURCH AND THEATRE--EFFECTS OF AMERI- CAN ZISTHETIC TASTES UPON FOREIGN THOUGHT AND CULTURE. Sir, I praise the Lord for you, and so may my parishton- ers; for Aneft acne are wall satored By Yow, ind their a u it 1e) under yor are & good m Gf tike eommonwoulth Love's Lakirs Lowe ATV, ‘Scone 2, With the close of the year 1876 exactly one hundred years passed away since one Morgan, of England, ro- sented a literary outrage which Voltaire, of France, had perpetrated, Voltaire was the first French writer to notice the genius of Shakespeare, and, with the hope of agcrandizing himself, sought to depreciate it, and pronounced it to be of a burburian order, In his ro- sentment Morgan gave expression to the following enthusiastic but prophetic words:—‘*When the hand of Time shall have brushed off Shakespeare's present editors and commentators, and when the very namo of Voltaire, and even the memory of the language in which he has written shall be no more, the Apa- lachian mountains, the banks of the Obio and the plains of Sciola shall resound with the accents of this barbarian, In his native tongue he shall roll tho genuine passions of nature; nor shall the gricis of Lear be alleviated, or the charins and wit of Rosa- lind be abated by time.’’ In less than twenty years from the time of this prediction tho first transatlantic editionof Shakespeare appeared in Philadelphia, It was announced in these words:—The plays and poems of William Shakespeare, corrected from the latest and best London edition, with notes, by Samuel Jobnson, LL. v. To which aro added, a glossary, and life ot the author, imbellished with a striking like- ness from the collection of His Grace the Duke of Chandos, First American edition, Philadelphia, printed and gold by Bioren & Madden 1795,” Ip 1817 Dr. Nathan Drake, of London, observing tho growing popularity of Shakespeare in the United States, roforred to the prophecy of Morgan and said:—It is not now too much to belicve that, cro another century elapse, the plains of Northern America, snd even tho unexplored wilds of Australasia, shall be as familiar with the fictionsof our poet as are now the valleys of his native Avon, or the statelier banks of the Thames,’’ Indeed, so impressed was he with the progress which Mterature was then making in America, that he re- garded it as a delightful consideration for lovers of English literature, and one which should excite among the authors of England an enlarged spirit of emulation, that the language in which they wrote was destined to be also that of so large a portion of the New World. The United States he looked upon as a ‘eld of glory to which the genius of Shakespeare would givo an imperishable permanency.” Only ten years later and the predictions of Morgan and Drake had become so far verified tn ther purports as to attract tho attention of M. Villemain, of Franco, This eminent scholar observed that Shake- spearo at that time was perhaps the only poet whose verses blended themselves with the “simple eloquenve and gravo discourses of the American Senate,” Ho conceived tlat {t was through Shakespeare more than any other that the people of the United Stutes had become acquainted with the elevating pleasure ot letters which they had hitherto neglected. At this period such an impression was the advance of learning jn our country making upon the thought and culture of Europe, that Villomain added a French prophecy to those o1 England, to the effect that at mo vory distant day the ‘authority of Shakespeare and the enthusiasm of his example” would rule over the United States, which he characterizod as a rising republic of litera- ture, VICTOR HUGO AND TUM RACONIAN THKORY. It isto the credit of Frauce that so many of her authors baye rebuked Voltaire by producing com- mentaries on the genius of Shakespeare which partake, in eminent degrees, of a conscientious and extolling character, Through those effusions she adds glory to the renown ofher literature, Tho discernment shown by tnt whirlwina of a French genius, Hugo, in classi- fying great minds, is altogether remarkable. He rates Voltaire as a good judge in everything except litern- turo; he denied Shakespeare, and Is punished through | whatho sneered at, ‘Those who, like Dante and Shakespeure, he adds, have produced the beautiful, surpass Voltaire, who 1s une of those laminaries which make the thinker say yes and no. Tho Bacunian theory recently condemned by the Hrnaty would seem to find no champion in Hugo, who, probably, bad no thought of that theory when he, in fact, argued so strongly against it, Shakespearo he represents as tho great glory of England, which tas in politics Crom weil, 1m philosophy Bacov, and in sctence Newton, But Cromwell, ho states, is tinged with cruelty and Bacon with meanness, while Newton’s edifice 1s shaking on its base. Shakespeare, he continues, is pure, which Cromwell and Bacon are not, and immovable, which Newton {s not; ho is also higher as a genius. Above Newton, he declares, thero 1s Copernicus und Galileo; above Bacon tnero is Descurtes and Kant; above Crom- well there is Danton and Bonaparte; but ‘above Shake- Speare there is no one, ‘the French public bad held Shakespeare in little or no favor, regarding his joys as crude, ‘Through an unpardonable ignorance, jowever, 1b Was sincere In its estimate, while Voltaire’s was a genius and observation towering above the mass that comprehended their grandeur, He took advantage of the situation and by a false use of bis mtellectual power, aided by the French opinion, vainly sought to debuso the marvellous talent that had ereated them. It was a compliment, then, destined to assume mternational importance that an Englishman, a century ago, in order w rebuke Frauce, should have foretold the universal fayor which shakespeare has mot in the United States. The literary siguiticance of the prediction assumes magnitude when wo contem- plate the cheerfulness with’ which the French, as weil as other peoples, recognize its fulfiiment and as readily condemn the rashness of Vottairo. ‘THK MERALD AND THE BACONIANS. During tho early preparations for the P’ Centennial a great statesman and Shukespearian echolar of France died. 1t was M. Guizot. He coa- ceived that ‘the entire world, the whole of human re- anues’ are reproduced by Shakespeare in tragedy, and ghat, in the eyes of Shakespeare, tragedy was the “universal theatre ot iifé and truth.’”? No one, he con- sidered, ventured apy longer to deny the glory of that genius Which his misguided countrymen had con- demned, To admit this usa fact when the Bacoman theory finds adlerents would seem a paradox, That ladelphia theory, however, acknowledges the splendor of the genius which imbues he productions but denies the nw while Voltaire admitted the name but not the genius, That the Baconian theory should have found its origin ia the United States may seem dotrimental to our critical ucumen; but on tho contrary it is a theory worthy of respectful considera- tion, aud as a study has proved interesung to profound scholars, Itis a natural though sbort lived offspring Ol that eager desire on the part of Americans to learn more of the individuality of Shakexpeare—an inci dental result of Jaborious research, Itis the greatest literary curiosity that the century has prouuced. Its Vitality has been lost, not through the stern strokes of the critic's pen, but through the channels of American Journalism, Where “the people” have given expression to their views upon the subject. Through this source it bas been very justly cohdemned, Though Germany may iiaye produced the most profound class of Shakespearian comm the people of the United States, as a whole, abi others, best appreciate and are the most ardent ad- mirers of the poet’s works, ‘The inflacnce which this national appreciation exerts bas become a purifying and controling power throughout the literary world. 118 so capable of passing an unerring judgment upon any question of literature that critics of the present duy hardly dare to pervert therr calling after the school ot Voltaire, It bas done much toward giving to Vol- taire his true plage in history. JOUN QUINCY ADAMS AND THE THRATRE. It is worthy ot note that John Quincy Adams was, erhups, the most cultured Presideat of which the Juived States can bows Like Guizot, he was a stu- dent of Shakespeare, and belonged to that class of statesmen who ‘do the State most service.” Ho com- menced the study of Shakespeure when eight years of ago, Late in life he said:—*1 have read Shakespeare 4s a teacher of morals, as a student of hutnan nature, as & punter of life and manners, as an anatomical disgecter of the passions, us un artificer of imaginary worlds, as at once the sublimest and most philosophic of poets.” He had looked up to him in his carcer of life and “resorted to him as a pilgrim to the’ shrine of a saint for religious instruction.” In this connection the writer desires to add an American prophecy to those of England and France, He believes that the national’ love tor Shakespeure, as oxbibited in the United States, is operating u the religious world ‘with a pressure sack as will cventuate in the complete recognition by religion of the theatre as Shakespeare teaches it, The opinions of many eminent divines aro alroady so far modified through this influence that we mnay safely regard the day as not far distant when the Church will co-operate with the futellectual and ro- fined drama as a substantial means of promoung Christian morality, Asa mere youth Adams patron. od tho theatre, und alter having witnessed nearly ail of Shakespeare’s plays that had been pot upon the stage made the statement to James H. Hack~ ét «othat he had found in the story of most of those plays, in the character ot their personages, in incidents of their fables, in their sentences of unparalicled solempity and mag- | niteence, and m the very quibbles ot their clowns, | the most cicvated and compreuensive ‘The Bivie aud Shakespeare, he stated, wore mpanion books of his hte, ‘*Young America”? is eminently fond of the Shakespearimn drama, and © boys Who crack peanuts In the galleries are among its most demonstrative worshippers, They, in fact, appreotate ail plays of an ennobling order and are discriminating in their applause, setdomn bestowing it when not deserved by the actor or unloss In recog- nition of some Jofiy sentiment. WARNINGS TO THB CLERGY. The clergy should take heed of such statements as | ‘bave been made by mon like Guilzos and Adams and lessons of suorality. hearken to the warning voice of paroues the classic halls of Hetdelverg, Why was it that the teres) of England tor more than a century reaped 80 small a measure on); pearls of wisdom and morality which the lessons of Shakespeare offered them? Gervinua insists that Shakespeare's works should properly only be explained b; tation, Although they are full of historical poetical beauties and of psychological characteristics, yet Lay aged that for the stage and for that alone were they written—“we read thom but do not seo them. Jt is to be deplored that dramatic art im England at the time of its = most substantial growth had to protect itself against the important and the magistrates. threats and utions of acti id adversartes’’—the clergy an law, hower tl ampte of theatre as rey sented by a Garrick or dons or a Cushman, the :mmoral drama, as a result, ‘will cease to exist. Shakespeare's wor have dove more toward reforming the social abuses of the Court of England and to teach goverpinent ruters their du- ties than all the sermons that have been preached since thoir production, Even as a play within the play of Hatelet strikes terror and remorse to King Claudius go we may conclude that the very play of ‘Hamlet’ bas had 18 crushing effects upon many persons who have galned power through criine and corruption, In the United States recently legislutive bodies, headed by tho Governor of a great Commonweaith, and academic classes went en masse to witness the play of ‘Julius Casar,’’ wherein Shakespeare teaches this Republic how it can'gvoia drifting into that political vortex which swallowed the might of Rome. JOSEPH WATSON, Newront, R. 1, February, 1877, THE: TURF. THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB. The programme for the spring meeting cf the Mary- land Jockey Club has bes issued, and comprises eighteen races in four days, $10,000 being given in purses, Tho following aro the cvents to come off:-~ FIRST DAY—TUESDAY, MAY 22, First Race.—Dash of three-quarters of a mile, for muidens of all ages, Entrance, $15. Purse, $250, Entrance money to the second horse, ‘Second Bace,—Chesupeake Stu For fillies three yours-old, One aud aquatter miles, Fitty dollars on- tranco, play or pay, Club to add $500, of which $100 to the second aly. Third Race.—Handteap Stakes, For four-year-olds; $50 eagh, half forfeit, and only $10 if declared out, Club to add 2400 for the first horse, and $100 for the second; to close Murch 1, 1877, weights to bo an- nounced April 14 and declarations to be made on or betore May 1, 1877. One mite boats, Fourth Race—Half-Mile Heats.—Yor gentiomen rid- ers. Club to present prizes to the value of $100, Terms of tho race to be decided upon by the president of the club, if Fifth Race—Triab Steeple Chase,—¥or horses of all ages that havo never won a steeple chago race, Welt weights, Avout one mile und a half over a traction of the regular steeple course, Threo or more to start. Purse $350 for the first horse, $75 for the secend and $25 for the third, SKCOND DAY—WEDSEADAY, MAY 23, First Race—Sweepstakes,—for vhree-year-olds that have not won in thoir two-year-old form, of $25 each, play or pay. Colts to curry 100 pounds, flilies and geldings 97 pounds, To name and closo March 1, 187. Club to add $500, of which $100 to the second harse, One mile, Second Race—Baltimore Cup.—For all agos. Two and a quarter miles; $50 subscription, bulf forfert. Club to add $1,000, of which $200 to the second horse; the third horse to save his stake. To close Merch 1, Third Race—Kree Handicap Stakes,—For ail ages, of $25 cach, if not declared out, To namo and close at the judges? stand at four P. M, Monday, May 21, One anda half miles. Club to add, $400 for the first horse, $100 for the second, Fourth Race.—Mile heats, for all ages; maidons lowed, If three years, 3 pounds; if four yoars, pounds; it five years and upward, 12 pounds, Pur $500 for first horse; $100 for the second, THIRD DAY—THURSDAY, MAY 24, First Race—One Mile—-For horsos of all ages that have never won at Baltimore, Jerome Park or Sara- toga; purgo $250 tor first horse, $50 for the second, Second Iace—Preakness Stales—For three-year-olds ; one and a half miles; $00 subscription, play or pay; club to add $1,000, of which $200 to the second horse. Third Race. ing Race-—For all ages; one and three-quarter miles; horses to be sold at auction, im- mediacely after the race, for $1,500, full weight; tor $1,000, allowed 5 pound: r $750, allowea 10 pound: for $500, allowed 14 pounds; if not to bo sold ut all, pounds extra; purso $400 to first horse, $100 to the second. Fourth Race—Mile Heats—For oll ages; purse $500 for the first horse and $100 for the second, Fifth Race—Mile Heat, Hurdle Race,—Ovor tour bur- dles; wolter weights; purse $400 for the first hort $100 for the second; distance titty yards, FOURTH DAY—FRIDAY, MAY First Race,—Ono mile, for all ages; tocarry 100 Ibs. ; fillies ana geldings allowed 3 los. ; parse $375, Second Kace—Handicap Purse.—For all horses that have run during the mecting $450, of which $50 to tho second horse; one and a half miles. Third Race,—Two mile beats, jor all ages, Maidens allowed. It three years, 3 lbs; it four years, 7 Ibs, ; if five years and upward, 12 Ibs. gPurse $300 for first horse; $200 for the second. Fourth Race—Grand Steeple Chase Post Stakes—Of $50, half forteit.* Club to add $600 for the first hors $100 for the second and $75 for the third. Five or More subscribers to fill, Wolter weights, About two and a haif miles over tho regular steeple course, To close March 1, and name at the post. HORSE NOTES. ABOLITION OF POOL SELLING. Wallace's Monthly :—Now's the time for action. Heretofore we have pressed upon the public attention the necessity of banishiag the pool box from.all trials of speed, whether running or trotting, The legisla- ‘tures of the several States are now in session, and let every man who bas the wellaro and success of tho trotting interest at heart at once and in carnost send his petition to the Legislature of his State praying that the pool-box and all gambling devices sball be banished and prohibited under severe penalties from the grounds and appurtenances of all agri- cultural fairs and horse shows and all occasions where trals of speed take place at any gait, whether running, trotting or pacing. We are rapidly becoming a nation of gamblers, but we do not now place the question on its moral or rather tmmoral axpects, but as a question of dollars and cents, Tho yulue of the trotting horse is gone unless the trotting course can be freed irom tho dishonest control which the gambling fraternity exercise over it, Our opportu. nities to know what isthe public sentiment on this question have been extensive; we have talked wih many horsemen in the habit of backing their own horses at the pool box, and we have found no excep- tion among this class of men, in an unqualided coa- demnation of the pool box. It may be urged that associations must make their percentages on the pools sold to enable them to pay their purses. To this we anewer that, if any association is dependent upon this means of paying their debts, the sooner its gates are closed, and closed forever, the better, This co. partnorship between the association and the gamblers is one of the most fruitiul sources of tho scandals of the turf that are constantly bringing tho whole tn- terest into disrepute, If, with an entrance feo of ten per cent of the whole purse, au association cannot live without a percentage on the gambling which It Ticonses, it is far better 1t should die at once. When trotting becomes so ecandalous that the people will not go hear It, 1t ceases to be an institution that should be tolerated in any community. It is eur most earnest and honest wish to perpetume racing as a source of profits to the breeders and pleasuro and recreation to tho _ pecpl but it is our conviction, equally earnest and honest, that ft caunot be perpetuated unless it 18 divorced by laws that will hold water against tho evit influences that surround it, We are glad to see the leading turtmen of Maine ap and at work on this subject, and we can have no sympathy with a man who will sit down ond inveigh against the evils of the pool box and not sur his hand to banish it, Let every Stato as well as Maine take the matter energetically 1 hand and make a square fight for honesty and fair dealing In all turt organizations, ’? A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, The following rutes and instructions relating to pedigrees were adopted by the Board of Cengors of the National Association of Trofting Horse Breeders at a Jate meeting :— : As the National Asgociation of Trotting Horse Breed. ers has created tho undersigned a Board of Censor and made it their duty to exercise supervisory control of the contents of ‘Wallace's American Trotting Reg- ister,’’ tho following rules and instructions are adopted, and anounced to the public, that all sending forward pedigrees for record may know what will bo re- wired :— bi 1. Stallions and colts that mfay be kept for stock pur- mast have names ot their own, and nothing but a turf record or prominence in the stad will be acevpted as a valid reason for waiving this rule, The prefix of the owner’s name to the name of another borse can- not be accepted as a name, unless it bo in extensions or remote crosses, res and fillies should also havo Dames of their own, and no two of the sal me by the same horse will be admitted. 2 This i Cannot attempt to exereiga control over the names claimed and allowed in the agricaitural and sporting newspapers, but can only seek to keep tho oitteinl record of the breeders as (reo from confusion as possible, 3. In forwarding pedigrees for registration let the usual forin ve followed, First, the name, color and sex and date when foaled; second, the name of the tire, and, if he is recorded, refer to his piace in the “Register;’” third, the dam (uame, if sho has one), by whom brea and her sire; fourth, the dam of the dam name, if she has one), by whom bred and ber sire, Sus go thropgh the maternal line, Then take up tho sires of each of these dame in their order, and, if they are not recorded, treat cach one, as fur as you c Just as you treated the origina: animal sent for regis tration. 4. The namo and address of the breeder of overy animal sent for record is of supreme importance, and no avimal foaled since 1866 will be admitted without ij The address of the brovder of every dam and randdam should be inserted, as far as the maternal ino is traced, and all extevsions must be sustained by circumstantial hisiory or by public turf records, Where an animal has passed through several different hands it must bo fully identified at covery chango of ownors. 6. In deciding upon the admissibility of a pe i | Gorvinus as it sounds | consider whatever ovidence may be presented and the circumstances under which it is presented, aiming to arrive at the truth, through whatever channel it may be reached, 6. ing 10 assiat in pointing out and correcting any errors that may appear in ibe frat and second volumes, that their assistance will be welcome; »nd all who may be axgrieved with any curtailment of their pedigrees in those volumes are invited and urged to submit their written evidence, that 11 may be promptly and duly considered, Complaints of this nature may be ac- dressed to either inember of the board. 7. It is specially commended that all well bred trotting mares, kept for breeding purposes, and that have produced three or more foals, should have full lists of their produce placed ander them; and wher; list-ls not known to be complete it should be « id, This is not intend upersede the alpha- * but to show the char- acter of a given family at a glance, 8 The actual work of compilation will be carried ¢ forward, as beretofore, by Mr, John H. Wallace, No, 170 Fulton street, New York, to whom all communica- tlons relating to grees should be addressed, GUY MILLER, Chester, N. Y. F, D. NORRIS, Brooklyn, N. ¥., | Board DAVID BONNER, New ¥ of R. 8. VEECH, Louisville, Censors, WM. 8. TILTON, Togus, Me., HUNTING MANIA IN ENGLAND, London Saturday Review:—“We may here notice, one of tho most anomalous features of hunting etiquette, which consists in this, that if a man docs not hunt at all hunting men do not consider his con- duct strange; but should he hunt only once a week they look upon his doing so as a sort of disgrace, ‘They ecew to imagine that if any one ever hunts ho would certainly like to hunt at least four days a week, and that his not Going so arises either from stin- giness or trom the slendernees of his purse. Somé men are miserable if they cannot make up the quota of days’ hunting every week which they con- sider sufficient. Fivo days’ hunting and a considera- ble senso of fatiguo will not prevent thom from going a Jong distance, and that at considerable personal tucon- venience, to hunt on the sixth, And this they do for solo object of being able to say that thoy hunt every day. In fact, some men hunt six days a week with tho regularity of tho treadmill, and would doubt- Jess hunt on the Sundays also were it possible to do so. We hope that tho day may be distant when bunting shull cease to be @ favorite national sport, for even when carried to some excess it forms a better pastime tor the wealthy than many of tho diversions of our continental neighbors ; but when we find wives stinted on accouat of the horses of their husbands, the whole course of suciety deranged by the renson of hunting arrangements and the bulk of conversation devoted for mouths to this one es we cannot help wishing that, in the pursuit of our favorite sport, a little of that moderation might bo used which is advisable in all things,”” BRAZILIAN COLONIES. = HISTORY OF THE COLONIES OF MUNIZ, THEO- DORO, CAROLINA AND RIO BRANCO-—OFFICTAL STATEMENT OF THE CONSUL GENERAL—DIL- LER'S NARRATIVE CORRECTED. The thrilling story told to the Commissioners of Emigration Jast week by ono of the German emigrants to the Brazilian colony of Theodoro, or, as he called it, “Tierra dol Oro,”? awakened general interest and called forth a response from the Brazilian Consul Goneral. Tho following letter from the samo official gives further details of tho plans of the imperial gov- ornment:-~ To tak Enitor oy THE HERALD:— The complaints of the German omigrants do not date from to-day, and were not exclusively against the Empire of Brazil, In the same year in which tho State of New York ordered the investigation regarding tho treatment of the emigrants in the Tapscot Poor House and Hospital, aftor whicn followed the legislative act which established in this city the Bourd of Com- missioners of Emigration, which curbed the abuses ractised till then, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of russia, Baron de Canitz, addressed the Brazilian gov- ernment a despatch im which he complained of the false promises made to the Germans by the agents of em‘gration to Brazil. ‘The reply given by the thom Mivister of Foreign Af- fairs of Brazil, tho Marquis of Ahantes, shows that since that time the government of my country has had but one opinion on that subject, That roply said:— “That the Brazilian governmont bad already pro- nounced itself agaiust that reproved system of inis- leading and seduction, and that it was taking measures to publish laws that would secure the future of the colonists. That tho establishment of the colonists being prepared it only accepted the proposals made by Means of the consuls and responsible agents, and not by intervention or shipping agents or com- panies of speculators. That in tho double character of a Christian aud a Brazilian he baad nothing more at heart than the calling of the most serious attention of the Prussian authorities to such speculators, whose punishment was a service to humanity.” ‘This bas always been tho language of the imperial goveroment, and on the 1ith of February, 1874, the Minister of Agriculture recommendegto the consular ugents of Brazilin Europe toat, with all prudence aud circumspection, they were not to allow the advantages to be met with im Brazil by the emigrants to be exag- gerated, TUK NEW COLONIES, T seo in official documents that the Commander Egas Muniz and Counsellor Lopes de Lew entered into a con- tract with tho imperial gurerament for the establish- ment of the colonies of Musiz, Theodoro, Carolina and Kio Branco in the proviuco ot Buhia, formed with Gor- man colonists. In 187% the contractors introduced 1,825 colonists, who were distributed among the above named colonies in quantities ot 400, 800, 160 and 60 persons, 405 individuala, who complete tho number of emigrants received, having died or abandoned the colonies, In lis report of the 1st of March, 1874, tto President of the province of Buhia tellé the Provincial Assembly that these colonies were not doing well; that the individuals composing them were not good and that the localities had not‘been well chosen, Tho colonists «died not of yellow fever, but on account of the lack of hygiene and of temperance ina climate that was foreign to their nature, ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT. The imprrial government, informed of thero facts, sent the Coungellor Nascentes de Azambuja to examine ie condition of the colonios and to ascertain in what manner the clauses of that contract were being carried out, 1t was proved that the colonists did not want to subject themselves to work according to the form ex- pressed in their contracts, 4s the colonists created severn! disturbances 14 was natural that the police should intervene, seeing that it ts its duty everywhere to maintain public order, and if in the repression any lamentable accident took place, a fact of which I am ignorant, it was nothing more than the patural con- sequence of the turbulent proceeding of the revolted colonists. ee I kuow, further, that the imperial government, hav- ing paid to the enterprise what it had ugreed to help tt with, an amount which only from the 16th of August to the 19th of Soptember, 1873, tigured up to $96,500, it could have rescinded the contract hout being hhable for anything else; but, always zealous for the good national name and’ giv.ng the best attention to the sudject of emigration, the government cancelled the contract, taking the entire charge ot it, and ox- tended to these four more colonies the protection it gives to the colonies of the state. ‘hese are the facts, and with their explanation it 1s evident that the narra- tive of Thomas Diller fails in several points, What there is no doubt about is, that theso colonists were not prudont enough in sizning coniracts which they afterward would not or could not perform; but that also the imperial government cannot have any re- sponsibility in that fact, However, as | havo already said, It not only dues not encourage the seduction of the emigrants, but punishes it with all the means in ite power, in this case doing more than it bound itself \ 0. ; Do not let the American reader suppose that the bad success of the four colonies of Bahta can be taken as an example of the normal condition of German colo- nizavion in Brazil Germ: your It 18 evident that rot all the 1s in Brazil have the same fate as informant, and that, notwithstanding the ities he has told us, the Germans have had, have now and will always’ have in Brazil a second home whenever they are able to understand that to the armed agitation of Europe they should prefer the more profitable and human agitation of industry in the vast, peaceful, fertile and health{al empire of South America, SALVADOR DE MENDONCA, Brazilian Consul General, New York, Feb. 5, 1877, NEW JERSEY CENTRAL, NO STRIKE CONTEMPLATED BY THE ENGINEERS OF THE ROAD. The rumor that the engineers on the Contral Ra!!rond of New Jersoy were determined to enter upon another strike turns out to be groundless, as the following will show:— MacuiveRy DevantMent, Jersey City, Feb. Ll, 1877. Wo, the undersigned, coginecrs of the Central Rail- road of Now Jersey, deny ihe statement contained in tho New York and Newark papers stating the en- gineers contemplated a strike it pot paid off. The engineers of the road bad an understanding with ‘the presidont when he would pay the employés, and would state that bo has lived up to his agreement, and, Juthermore, wo have no fear about our pay and deny that we had any intention ot striking. JAMES J. PHILLIPS, W. iH. Loven, Chairman ot Committee, Chief Engineer Central Division 157, B, oi L. EB. Cextrat RaiRoap or New mnt A PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY. Xavlor Noal, a Frenchman weighing about 250 pounds, was brought before Justice Otterbourg, at the ‘Washington Place Court yesterday, charged by Officer u'Shay, of the Eighth precinet, with disorderly con- duct, The officer saiu that on his end ring to arrest the prisoner the latter resisted, and assaulted him. When asked what ne had to say Noal looked at the officor with supremo contempt, and sald, “1 VISITORS. THE CORVETTE ASKOLD AT PORT ROYAL—-8UG CESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT TO OUR GUESTS— THE MYSTERIES OF CLAM CHOWDER EXPLOBED AND APPROVED—-LIST OF THE OFFICERS. Porv Rovat, 8 C., Feb. 9, 1877. As Linformed the Heratp by telegraph the Russian corvette Askold, Captain Tirthof, urrivyed on the 29th of last month, and came to anchor in line with the cruisers of the squadron lying here. After the custom: ary exchange of civilities sod salutes, tho Russiant began to got their craft ina neat, clean condition an¢ to prepare to mako somo important repairs in her spars apd rigging, somowhat injured in a heavy galg she cncountered just as sho came out of Cadiz. The Askold 1s now stripped to her lower masts, and the work of retitting is going on in @ satisfactory manner, all the work being done by the ship's company: It will probably require threo wecks more te complete tho work and to coal the ship. Sho wil) then proceed to Norfolk to join the flagship and Sogatir, now there. The Askold ts a handsome corvette of about 2,000 tons, armed with twelve breech: loading six-inch rifle guns, something after.tpo Krupy moael and forged in Russia, They aro mounted or pivot carriages of an ingenious and improved pattern, whieh pivet fore and aft when not tu action, but, w like th ngement on tho Bogatir, thoy aro pivoted well on the centre of the deck and not alongside the bulwarks, affording more deck room. Tho Askold has been in commission for five years, most of the time in Asiatic waters, Her crew, which is composed of a fine body of stalworth, healthy, vigorous mon, isia the highest stato of discipline, and can handle the ship and guns in the most admirable manner, The splendia way in which the ship was stripped to her low masts the other day attracted very general attention, and it was universally conceded that she was every inch a man-of-war. She carries a crow of abgut 30¢ men, and they work together intelligently and wich ¢ degree of quickness and skill that recalls the ships! companies in our navy in those early days when out admirals were licutenants and belore steam had bees introduced, and long before the “service had gone te the devil, sil’ However, in theso days of economy in the consump- tton of coal and full riggod men-of-war, there would seem to bo no reason why tho race of sailors should die out, as it is claimed it has by the veterans in the navy. The Russians do not seem to have trouble ta maintaining good, efficient crews of sailors, if one may judge by those of the Askold and Bogatir. We cag do as well when wo send ships out on long cruises, SOCIAL COURTESIES, As the ‘*Russkies’? were only to be here a little whi it was determined by the oflicers of our squadron & give them a modest entertainment—the only one, in- deed, that the slender resources of the harbor will per: mit,’ Tho weather being delightfally warm and ploas. ant, It was decided to have an al Tepast on the Shady beach on St. Helena Island, below the anchor: ago ot the fleet, A recent. discovery of a veritable vo. nanza of clams, of the gentle “quahaug” variety, and the presence of Lieutenant Rockwell, of the ms, # gentleman who comes trom under the very shauow oF Chatham Light, on Cape Cod, and who knows how tc ccok a chowder, happily conspired to bring to the very front that juicy dish asthe main feature of the entertainment. Besides being undentably toothsome it presented the flavor of novelty to our Russian guests, who were promised an American dish, rivalling the delicious and rare sterlot of the Voiga, About tbirty-tive American officers assembled at tho feasting place, and there soon camo to join them twelve or thir. teen Russian offers, who, with apparent interest, sui voyod the scene; and the boat sioves hot at work with the chaldrons of savory chowder boiling and sputter. | ing and turning up on tho suriace of the woll seasoned mass pieces of potatoes, thin slices of pork, bits of crackers and a never failing round of the swoot ciams— suggestive of all manner of good things, The Russians closely watched the intoresting process of cooking the tine dish, and listenod with great pleasure and protit to the lecture of Lieutenant Rockwell on the art of cooking chowaers, emphasized by vigorous stirrings thereof and grand flourishes of a huge ladic. Whilo this process was going on light. punches and beer were indulged in, and the hosts and guests were scon on the very vest fooling, Tables bal been taken asbore, aud when the feast was rendy all hander stood around, @ la russe, and commenced the onsiaaght. The « international jury pronounced the chowder super! aud, when all were content, a vote of, thanks w: unanimously given Lieutenant Rockwell, and somo additional low kisses dehcately bestowed by tho guests crowned his delight and reward. ‘The afternoon pent in athictic exercises of various kinds, all jotn- ith great zeal in the sport. At sundown the party took to their boats again, the Russians steaming first and saluting the hosts with several rounds ot thundering cheors, which were returned with a will, The entertainment passed off in the most satisfactory manner to all participating; aud I believe the guests were thoroughly delighted with the occasion. OL course our Jacks took a hand in the aflair and showed the Russian tars every attention, although the medium » of conversation was somewhat limited on both sides, The men feasted with chowder and had all the beer and punch they cared to indulyo in, and they were quite satisfied with the events of the day. LIST OF OFFICERS. ‘The following is a correct list ot the officers of the Askold:— Captain—Tirthof. Commander—Blagodareff. Lieutenants—Pouzilo, Berg, Plaksin, Chérkass, Sub-Lieutenants—Semendvsky, Chrabrostin, Deday- kin, Luskov, Ignazious, Kirst Navigator —Petroff. ‘Secon Navigator—Maximof, Artillery Oficer—Fedonlaet, Chief Engineer—Kmita. Second Engincer—Lasovizgy, Third Engineer—Tolkocheff. Doctor—friebo. The Askold carries a crew of 300 men, OUR COMPLAINT BOOK, THE QUESTION OF CONVICT LABOR, ‘roy, Feb. 9, 1877. To tHe Eprror or THE Heranp:— Is it right for the State to permit the employment of criminals in our Stato prisons in competition with free labor? This question has intensely agitated the pub- he mind tn this vicinity during the past four months, The Sunday papers have been extremely bitter in their criticisms upon the course pursued by one of our manufacturing firms in making a contract for the em- ployment of the femaic convicts at Sing Sing in the making of collars. Our Young Men’s Debating So- ciety have warmly discussed the subject, The Trades Unions havo opposed it. The Common Council have appointed committees to wait upon tho Governor. Petitions have been faithtully circulated and largely signed, Our Assemblyman and Senator have oach presented a bill to prevent tho making or laundrying of collars in prisun, We have been told that 10,000 women will be thrown out of work and driven to all sorts of ways, respectable and otherwise, to obtain a livelihood, until the whole community is agog with ox- citement. ‘As you are probably aware, nearly all tho collargin tho country aro made here. [t is estimated that there aro 10,000 hands employod in thi The operators upon the machines earp $10 to $25 per week. Now, then, we understand there aro only fifty girls employed tn prison, who cannot possibly more than equal half the amount of work the same nutmber would accom- plish here. Tho query arises, how can the employ- ment or production of twenty-five hands throw ton thousand out of employment? But if it is right to employ convicts at uny sort of work, why not at this? Certainly there 1s no kind of work that could effect the country at large as little as at this, Is it justice to legislate for or against specialties? Does not the wad physical condition or weltaro of the convicts ‘eemployment at some useful labor? Does ‘not the interest of the State require the performance of labor by the convicta? Should the prisoners be sup- ported ju. idleness, what would be their condition when released, and would not the public sufler more than ever by tho increase of crime? Can contractors in prisons really afford to sell thelr wares at lowor prices than other manulaciarers? Wo undersiand such 1s notthe case, This qnestion is of general ins lerest to tho entire State, and is now tn the hands of a commiiteo of the Legislature, Some action will doubt. lees bo taken upon it. Will you please give us your ideas upon the question. The Herato is our lavorite expositor of justice and public sentiment, \d your Views will ha reut influence in allaying the intenso feeling among the working classes here. By so doing you will groatly oblige a muititude, And especially AGITATOR, THE RUBENSTEIN TRAGEDY, DETECTIVE ZUNDT WARNED OF THREATENED VENGEANCE, A few days ago George Zundt, of the Brooklyn Police Central Oflico detective squad, was warned of a plot which is alleged to have been laid to rob him of ono of his children, Detective Zundt, it will be remembered, made himself obnoxious in consequémce of the ser. vices rendered by him in furtheranee of the ends of ~ Justice 1m bringing Pesach N. Rubenstein to justice. ‘Zandt was one of the strongest witnesses for the prosecution of Rubenstein, wio was convicted, and escaped the gallows by death in jai, The father and brothers of Rubenstein cursed Zundt bitterly, and rayed that tho “rats might eat him and the d at im to pieces,” Israel Rubenstein, the mardorer’s futher, is alleged to have prayed that the blood of Pesach might fall upon the detective’s tamtly, Smee ' the dewth of the murderer whenever the members of the Kabenstein household have mot him they have spat out and crossed to the other side of the stmwet to show their dislike for him. Recently the detective received a visit irom Peanch Alexander, brother of the unfortunate victim, Sara Alexander, who told him that the friends of Rubens stein were plotting to steal one of his children aad conceal it from him forever, ‘The informer claimed to assault bim! 1 resist hi Thoro was no necessity of doing 30, 1 walked with him to the station,” The officer blushed and said nothing. Noal was fined $10, igre or ay cross or crosses ina pedigree, tho Buard will 1 Which he paid, baving $10 in bw pocket when arrested, have derived the Information from undeniable source, The detective is on the alort for any such ~ paved ty Qnd hag no doubt us to his ability to frum rate i