The New York Herald Newspaper, December 21, 1878, Page 6

MISS FANCHER. WHat “sPECULUM” Has TO SAY IN BEPLY TO PROFESSOR PARKHURST AND OTHERS ON THE SUBJECT OF CLAIRVOYANCE. To rue Epiror or rae Hea! Having investiyated such subjects for many years, | and having read with much interest your narrative of the phenomena occurriug through Mixs Fancher and the subsequent correspondence, I desire your permission to discuss the questions involved. Miss Pancher’s case may serve as @ text for many ser mons. Her case is marvellous, but only in degree. Hundreds similar in many respects are recorded and &s well authenticated as most facts in pathology. The | recent evidence in the Vanderbilt will case, and eral cases of a sitmilar nature, show that the ques- tion of clairvoyance is of cousiderable impartance to wealthy believers, Is @ man sane who believes in clairvoyance? Can be make a valid will? These are medico-legal ques- tions urgently requiring discussion by the medical Profession; but the whole subject is so tabooed as to make it almost impossible to discuss the matter in ® medical journal. ‘The manner in which this case is treated by several Bo-called experts is, in my opinion, most uncharita- ble and unscientitic, and savors more of the police etective than the physician. Miss Fancher and her friends ought certainly to be treated as honest till they are proven otherwise. Every scrap of evidence T have read tends to remove this case out of the cate- | gory of the professional “medium” or advertising elairvoyant class. The intense self-satisfaction and arrogance of some of the critics is amazing. The Beveral physicians and others who have publicly tes- tified to the tacts must be astonished to discover how dreadfully blind aud stupid they have been without knowing it. Here they cave been trusted for years with the lives of thousands, and it seems they ure pot to be trusted as rey«rds simple, palpable, physi- val facts which they have observed for year As aspecimen of the sublime in sel?-conceit, take | the following literal quotations from an article on this question by Dr. G, M. Beard, in the J Record: — rh, all the e&aims of M nd wiil tion, fe nows Ti imony auy scientific problem.” * * * rofes:ion @ un¢ n some of the Br ndirectly or d 1 our of men th » have been directly with the case expert, by halt | with any similar cas claims in these 1 | or uniute Dr. Beard | e thing is ap deception, although he has never seen the case. | beyond the taws of muture; he has been speci: privileged with a complete edition of them. Own that itm hard to Keep cool in di such writers. He ackuowle Lmust | ing with | hat | there are other two experts besk —2 wondrous trimity, who have sadly neglected their duty, or suc qaestions woukd uot perplex so many of the students of t fo. Protessor Parkiurst’s letter, in your issue of the 18th inst., though not from a physician, is tue most | Philosophical contribution I have yet seen on this | case. He shows that phenomena of this kind | cannot be ‘tmrned on” at pleasure, ‘his is where most inguirers get astray. The merest scien- tific tyro knows that, given the same conditions, similar resuits will always follow. But can we ever Bepend on getting the humu: y twice in exactly “bhe same coralition ¢ Assurediy mot, Rare patho- Jogical or psychological phenomena have to be taken Bs they come. We must wait on mature. But this jan does not satisty a great many. They cannot un- jerstand why B shouki uot see the same wonders that A beheld on sous previous occasion. If the | rogramme is not fulitiled it must be because the | experts” thwarted the game they fancy. | ‘This sealed envelope test hag been a source of great | tistaction to many scientists, who seemed to be rribly afraid the txing mright b valled clairvoyant can read oue letter of course he san read another, they think. But it is nota iogical Bequence; he may never ba in the samme peculiar tond:tion necessary for such a feat, and any number of failures to read seuled letters could not disprove one well-attested case where ue had succeeded. No Bmount of negatives can disprove an aflirmatve in such matters. The [rishman who tried to prove that he did not steal the pig by getting his neignbors to swear they did not see Lim do it was just about as logical as some of our self-appointed experts. Some years ago I had young servant girl, about ten years of age, in whom Clamrvoyance could be pro- dd by what is usually designated mesmerism. ‘he best experimerds were those conducted without any warning to the patient and when no strangers were present. Oufgsiders always acted as a damper till they became acquainted. If I appointed a special evening and invited someone I wax unsious to im- press I was very apt to be diseppointed. When no One outside the fraily was present I have bandaged her eyes most secairely and opened a book picked up &t random and ‘the would read the page I desig- nated. As she was very ignorant and illiterate this was hard work ‘for her. If I thought @ poor ignorant girl like this could tool | me in such a waiter, under conditions of my own making, I wou'ai burn my dipiomas and “go West." Although this Kittle girl on numerous occasions de- scribed what was gi id, g ov through solid walls and 1 this crucial test thinks it) of putting a bank note in a ot y. And Iknow from other experiments that such set tests usually fail. The money element is a disturbing force in these occult experiment * would try to solve how this o . fultilling their function betier than by denying the indisputable facts which have been proven hunureds of times. And then supposing cepted this bet (for it mdi better) and she read the enclosure correctly, how much would the case be altered? Thousands thank themselves smarter than Dr. Hammond or Dr. Beard, and would require th test repeated with their envelopes. The celebrated Professor Gregory, of Edinburgh University, a teacher @nd writer of acknowledged merit, investigated the subject of clairvoyance for years and was thorough! convinced of its truth; but does Dr. Hammond or D: Beard believe it on that account? Does the fact that jor Elliotxon, ot London (one of the physicians of his day), after nt, Was a thorough believer sett ? rtainly not. And the conversion of uid not settle the ques- tion any morethun the elie of thetr at least equally Sifted rellow physicians just named. I could narrate many experiences in this line as ex- traordinary as those of Miss Fancher, but space for- bids tor the present. It you think the subject worthy of more ventilation I can help you. As [am a man of family and may possibly die rich, Ido not care to run the rivk of having my will con: texted on account of my belief in this matter; so, till of clairvoyance is better defined, I SPECULUM, 19, 1878, A CORRECTION FROM ‘‘M. Hi.” fo THE Eprrox ov tm Heraty:— In your editorial comments on the case pf Miss Pancher in Tuceday’s issue you ascribe to me the honor of formulating a new theory called the “trans- position of the senses.” Permit me to disclaim all pretension in that direction. I did not originate the Proposition or the doctrine which it involves. Lam, | however, very willing to sustain it asatruth, The | ides originated centuries ago. 1 found the term which gives it expression in use in medical literature when I firat became a student. Y ery justly interpret the expres#ion as tnean- {ng that “one may see with his eibows,” aud were %iud enough to say that, as set forth, it was “sfine Piece of professignal imagination.” r it may be with their elbows, there are NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. Fancher. He says:—“Has not fasting, physical suf- fering, purity and innocence of life and the entire subjugation or extinction of animal appetite en- abled mortals to peer beyond the boundarics of the grave into the life beyond?’ We wonder it tfe man who, @ short time ago, crossed the Atlantic in the hold of a yessel, with nothing to eat but | an empty beer bottle, was able to read sealed letters, or more wonderful, to peer into the life beyond.” | He certainly filled all the conditions mentioned b; “M. Hi.” He “fasted, endured physical suffering,” | and who will say that he led other than a pure and | inuocent lite all alone by himself? Next, aiter explaining his starvation theory, “M. | HL.” gets up out of this world in some manner and has communication with the spirits. He sees, hears and kuows things unseen, unheard of and unknown by us poor mortals, who are less morally purified. He once stood on ‘this earth, too, but it was a barren | and husky place, and while standing on the husky | desert he even published an essay to prove that he actually lived here, like other mortals, But now, | thank God, he has escaped. J. W. T. “NOT A’ PENNY MORE.” THE LAST OF MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS—A POOR . WOMAN'S EFFORT TO SELL HER HAIR, How many people there are in this great city who weep yenuine tears over the tragedies of the stage— over the unhappy fate of “The Two Orphans” and similar creations of the playwright’s brain! Or, in romance, has not the incident of Victor Hugo's Fan- tine selling her golden hair and pearly teeth to buy bread for her little Cosette aroused teelings of the deepest emotion? If fictioncan so move the heart, | how much more should fact! An incident as pitiful | as anything in romance was witnessed a day or two since by a HeRraup reporter. While loitering on Fourteenth street, watching the eager throng of happy people out shopping for Christmas presents, he noticed an incongruous figure among them. It was that of « woman, tall, slight and clothed in a dress of shabby black. Her eyes wore a sad expression, and the lines about her mouth were tightly drawn. What a contrast was this pale face to the rosy cheeks and bright eyes on every side! The reporter regarded her with interest. She stopped suddenly in front of a large store for the sale of hu- man hair, near the corner of Sixth avenue, Hesitat- amoment and giving @ cautious glance up and Wu the crowded thoroughfare she entered. With woe! yes she walked up toa counter, behind uich stood a well fed female clerk. Taking @ news- r parcel from under ber shawl she opened it out re the cold gaze of the clerk. It was wroll of about a yard long, thick and fine. Incolor it was uutbrown, with a tinge of gold—just the shade © woman's, Which clung in short ringlets around her and just the shade that poeta love to write about. It suggested those lines of Cozzens’ :— Oh, loosen the snood that you wear, Jeannette; Lot me tangie a hand in your hair, my pet, For die world to me bath no prettier sight ‘Thun your brown hair bathed in its golden light. “How much will you give me for that?’ said the tremulous voice of the woman. The shopkeeper looked at it critically; then coldly answered, “A dolar ing | anda ‘The woman gazed blankly at her for a moment. ‘Is tull?’and the pent-up tears chased each other u her careworn clveks. dollar and a half, not a penny more,” repeated yoman from behind the counter, “The barber that cut it off told me that I could get $10 for it,” said the poor woman, choking back her tears. Phen you had better sell it to him; we will give you but a dollar and a half.” . ‘A young lady customer who had heard this con- versation With mingled feelings of indignation and emotion turned to the tradeswoman—‘‘How can you oifer this poor woman such a sum when you kiow that you can get a least $20 for that hair ?’”’ said she. “Of course we can; that is the way we do business. ‘The woman has heard my price.” “Then you shall never yet acent of my money,” replied the young lady, hurrying from the shop. “Only a dollar and a half! On, my God! is it pos- sible?” and the wretched woman sank down upon @ chair and buried Ler face in her thin hands, while the reporter wondered what was back of all this, what terrible want had induced this poor creature to part with her beautiful hair; and even more he wondered at the hard heart of the shopkeeper. The slight figure of the woman shook with suppressed sobs; the long ringlets lay upon the counter. For the world to me hath no prettier sight ‘Than your brown hair bathed in i n light, Had any man ever said as much of those shorn locks? PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING, MR. BEECHER SPECULATES ON HOW CHRIST WOULD BE RECEIVED ON EARTH- HOW HE WOULD RECEIVE HIM AT HIS HOUSE—-A CHRISTMAS TALK. ' “How would Christ be received if he were to come again ?” inquired Mr. Beecher last night, at the Ply- mouth prayer meeting. “Suppose,” he continued, “he were to come again to preach. If he were to pass through New Haven, get the endorsement of Yale, of Princeton, or of Amhert, men would say that he was allright. But if he came up alone and were to go into the Presbyterian* or the Lutheran churches he would be ssked a number of questions, and if he did not answer them right he wonld be-set aside, and not one pulpit in five would admit him. If he were to go among the enthusiastic bodies of men and refuse to kindle at a hymn, o prayer ora shout, he would be considered lukewarm by the brethren. ‘Suppose he came to our houses and were to select those which would be the most agree- able, would he go into the ministers’ houses? ‘They are supposed to be the elect, and would he find in the elect a spirit of meekness, of spirituality or of sweetness of temper? Idon’t know but that if He were to come to my house He would be treated very well; but I should look well to my spirit, to my | thoughts if I knew He were coming, and while I | should not be afraid to meet Him know that it would be a very ‘severe ordeal. I will not speak for others of my brother ministers. This Iknow:—When He came before He did not come to the riests and the rabbis. He could not be rec yy them then becanse of the owners of their spiritual life and of their earthly ambition.” Mr. Beecher coneluded by an appeal to his audience to avail themselves of this Christmas seasou to make @ personal inquiry as to how they | would receive Christ Himself were He to come on earth, and to so order their life that they might say in ail sincerity, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” THE TROUBLES OF TRUSTEES. To Tue Eprron or THe HrxaLo:— Your editorial to-day about how school trustees might.give due consideration to the sanitary inter- esta of the pupils was just the sort of thing that some New York trustees need. But you have fallen into one important error, and very naturally. You state that each board of trustees bas a small fund at its own disposal to pay for repairs. This is true, but our Board of Education, in its excellent wisdom, has decreed that ventilation does not come under the head of repairs. A board of trustees may spend for repairs, and without consulting the Central Bourd, a sum not exceeding $60, but if one of the missing ventilator chains which you allude i# to be repiaced pense eaunot be taken from the repair fund. pipe joint in a room heated by steam should begin to leak and to hiss, as leaky steam pipes always do, neither the principal nor teustees dare give # plumber fifty cents from the ae fund to tighten the joint, for heating apparatas, like wentilator chains, comes under the head of warming and ventilation, | and section 51 of the bylaws of the Board of Kduca- tion says that “No liability shall be imeurred by any some who see with their fingers, like Sir Walter Scott's biind tailor. He, it is said, readily adjusted the colors and stripes of the Highiand plaid by finger contact alone. His elbows, however, only kept time tr P Bing. Kespectfully, M. A REPLY TO “'M. H. To Tre Eprron or rite Henatp:— The “M. HL” in Wednesday's Henanp sly of ignorance and superstition that “M. H." must have written it when under the fniluence of some i He saya, “Dr. Hammond's attitude, if courtesy, is Butagouistic to to prove this he cites sou huis ‘teens,’ while under (he influence of mesmerism ud blindfolded, read ers that were sealed without Dreuking the seal by simply touching the envelope to | bis forehead.” Thies happened in Troy, N. ¥., and ‘was witnessed by # well known clergyman. It is a | ‘very nice little story, but give us facts and.namen | Also * perience he | Similar to that of Miss Buch extreme supersensaous bis patients did have bis “auricular nerves tran ferred to filiments permeating the eurface of the gastric region,” which translated he says means “the @erse of hearing was transierred from the certain spot on the abdomen.” And his conclusiv proof of this little story is that careful experiments (made by himsel!, of course) established the fact, But were he leaves off giving cases tor the mentable Teason that if be cited “numerous and ample other diiustrations Is" in the Firman othe n ff they work their hardest, would not be able t them in time to get the Hxnaty ready for the early tains. We do not question the fact that s person in the | sane delusion. not wanting in ay chological facts.” ages, in hia own e has mot with however But ‘ancher, none, nature,” urs toa condition of Miss Fancher, tying on her back, with- | out having any physical exere whatever, aud re-~ Guced aimort to a skeleton, must require but very little nourishment, and it is certainiy remarkable that she has lived so long in that condition, But we Gunnot believe she can do miraculous things But let us see Low “M. H.” cau outdo even Miss | First, “A lad still in | F | an adjourn: of trustees or its committees for repairs to | heating apparatus, unless the neveasity thereof be | first approved by the engineer of thas Board, on the written application of # board of trustees, who tobes while he merrily whistled a Highiand | shall report his action thereon to the Committee on | Warming and Ventilation.” So, in case of rither of | the accidents suggested, or the many others that are constantly happening to all systems af warming and | veutilation, the teccher must find a traatee who must | forward an application, signed by hamself and two other trustees, to the engineer of the Board, who i turn mst report the case to the Committee on Warming and Ventilation, Then everybody must | wait until this committee meets, and if the request is | granted there must be more waiting until the com- mittee instructs the engineerof the Board, who in turn must order some one to make what, in'the lan- wiuye of everybody except maeambers of the Board of ation, would be called “nepairs,” In brief, local boards may, of their own will, spend $50 a month for epaire to buildings, $20 ® month for repairs to school furniture, but not owe penny for ventilation, which figures clearly show the exact di im: portance Which the Boardaft Educati the subject of ventilation. New Youn, Dec. 20, 1878. M'GLORY, taches to EDUCATOR. ‘Tho investigation of the MeGlory case camo up botore the Excise Board yesterday, Officer Ryan, of the Tenth precinct, was pat on the stand and furnished the most damaging evidence that has as yet been furnished; he stated that he had-oner arrested Fiynn, who claims proprietorship, wad had twice taken MeGlory into custody; m each instance the men had been charged with sesaul and dis- orde conduct. Ryan the proceeded to re- count the ~ history of Metiory’s assault upon Schneider, which some tune siime was made the subject of & judicial invepigation, ‘This was riled out, however, on motion of coonsel, Ryan further testified that MeGlory’s dance hiuse was the resort of disreputable characters cad the scene of con- stant disorder, The ces was then closed for the prowecution. ‘The defence in opening stated that owing to MeGlory’s inearceration and their inability to produce hit in court they would hare to request t. ‘This was acceded to aid a further hearing of the case was set duwa tor nex). Monday, SKATING IN BROOKLYN. THE CAPITOLINE ICE COVEBED WITH FLYING FORMS—PROMISES OF 4 PLEASANT SEASON. ‘The skating ball at the Capitoline Grounds, Brook- lyn, was up at an early hour yesterday, and the beau- tiful weather and superb condition of the ice drew a large concourse of people, even before noon. While the ball was up for the first time this season, the grounds had been open on Thursday afternoon and evening, and the residents of the neighborhood had availed themselves of the opportunity to test their skates on the virgin ice. The pond has been reduced somewhat in size since last season and other improvements have been made by the proprietors. The easterly portion of the pond has been cut off and arranged as a dumping ground for the snow which is cleared from the ice after every suow storm. ‘The water in the lake has been made a uniform depth of tweuty inches and ‘that fact is thoroughly appre- ciated by timid skaters, There were fully three aud a half inches ‘of perfectly clear ice yesterday morning and its unusi ly fine appearance excited shouts of admiration trom the hundreds of boys and girls that flocked to it after school hours. The pond was not monopolized by the youngsters, however, for the adult attendance was both large and enthusiastic. ‘The arrangements of the ladies’ parlors and other rooms are as complete as in former years. Wednes- days and Saturdays will be the gala days on the lake, and the presence of a band of music will make the time pass more pleasantly. While this is the pr gramme at present tie proprietors say that they m: possibly, atter the season is well inaugurated, huve luusic every day. Wednesday will be known as “ladies’ day,” while Saturday will be given up to the schoolboy. There will be races for prizes and ice games of all descriptions will be played. During the height of the season it is proposed to have a grand “skating carnival’ after the fasion of those given years ago, with flashing lights, fancy costumes, and @ thousand feet keeping time to merry strains gf music. ‘The efforts to effect a revival in skating matters have certainly met with assuring success ut the Capitoline, judging from yesterday’s attendance. Late in the evening the lake was crowded with ladies and gentle- mien, sud the propriewors chuckled with deligit as Foy coin of the reali fell tiukling imto their cusp OXES. WESTCHESTER HARES AND HOUNDS. The Christmas chase of the Westchester hares and hounds promises to be very lively and interesting. The place of rendezyous—as at the first meeting— will be Schroeder’s Hotel, on Central avenue, near the Woodlawn Cemetery, which may be reached either by the Harlem Railroad or by other conveyance from Kingsbridge. The hares will start at ten o'clock in the forenoon of Christmas Day, with a headway of ten minutes, after which the pack will set out under the lead of Colonel Delancey hane, master of the hunt. John B, Haviland and James W. Lowe will be the first and second whips, The hares will be Walter S, Vosburgh and Frank Burnham. Should Mr. Burnham be unable to run on account of his part in the foot races at Gilmore’s Garden on the zith, L. A. Berte will be his substitute. Thirty or forty hounds will start. Tue pace will be that of the “slow hunt,” which is more popular and gives op- portunity for greater rivalry than the faster one. if the ground should happen to be covered with snow the paper scert will be blue instead of white. BASEBALL, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] SPRINGFIELD, Deo. 20, 1878. Fergus 8. Malone, of the Californias for 1578 and Athletics when champions, will captain and manage the Holyoke Nine in 1879. Gillespie, of Worcesters and Baltimores, plays in field. RACKETS, A single handed match at American rackets was played at Hicks’ court, Hudson street, Hoboken, yes- terday afternoon, between Nat Hicks and M. Kellog. ‘The contest resulted as tollows:— Hicks, 6 a1 18-45 Kellog. wo Ml 6 148 ‘To-day tive first annual celebration of the opening of the court will take place, A match at handbal will be played in which four leading experts will take part, Phil Casey and Michael Lundy being matched against Bernard McQuade and William Courtuey. A racket match will also be played, in which James Keating will play against Messrs, Kellog and Good- win. THE O'LEARY-CAMPANA MATCH. O'Leary and “Sport” will meet this sfternoon to toss for choice of tracks and quarters, This formality is observed so early to enable each man to have his track fixed to suit. “Sport” being a runner will re- uire # harder track than the champion and less saw- Tus mixed with the loam, The furnaces were started in the Garden on Friday morning in order to reach the required temperature, which prety | previous long distance contents has been kept at 62 degrees, Fahrenheit. FEMALE PEDESTRIANS. The feat of endurance that is now being attempted at Mozart Hall by the English lady pedestrian, Mine. Anderson, has excited the liveliest kind of interest among the residents of this city and Brooklyn, and the visitors yesterday were numbered in the thou- sands. Physicians are also taking the matter up, as, in the opinion of some, it is almost impossible’ for any human being to exist for thirty days with no more than ten minutes’ sleep at # time. Mme. Anderson finished 400 laps (100 miles) at half-past eleven o'clock last night. A party of eight or ten of the leading physicians of Brookiyn are to pay her a visit this afternoon in order to examine her condition, A CHALLENGE, To rue Eprror or THE HeRaLp: — Somebody says there is nothing in a name, but I think there is a good dealin it. For instance, I am one of the O'Leary family, and, like my male name- sake, Daniel, the it pedestrian, I am willing to make a mateh for that came over here lately, or with any Very rekpectfully, &c., JOHANA O'LEARY, No. 4 West Thirty-ninth street, New York. MURDER TRIAL DELAYED. Judge Scudder, of New Brunswick, yesterday over- ruled the objections of counsel for Abraham Beach (colored), whose trial for the murder of the boy, Eugene Munday, was set for Thursday, but went over by reason of the objections entered by Mr. Rice, the counsel. Judge Scndder a few days ago, on motion of the prosecution, removed the foreman of the Grand Jury because he was related to two of the direc- tors of the defunct State bank, the officers of which institution were arreswd for conspiracy, and the case was to go before the Grand Jury for action. Mr. Rice, on Thursday, when the case was called, claimed that the Grand Jury was an illegal body, that no power existed to remove the foreman, and cited authorities in suppprt of his claim. Mr. Rice yesterday challenged the petit jury be- cause the paiel served upon the prisoner did not con- tain the jurors’ residence This objection was sus- | tained and the trial was postponed until (hursday next. ‘The County Committee of the natipnal greenback- labor party, or all that remains of them to tell the sad tale of their late political defeat, met last evening in a bowling alley, in the rear of the Germania As- | sembly Rooins, Nos. 291 and 293 Bowery, for the pur- pose of hearing reports from the different districts and discussing various matters. Several tenpins, which had escaped the balls of the last gai stood at the rear of the alley in sympathetic silence, Mr, George Blair acted us chairinan of the meeting. ‘The call for reports from the districts was faintly re- sponded to, most of the "a aaa, being par- ticularly conspictous by their absence, but those who did report stated that their districts were more determined than ever to fight the battle out, regard- ¢ committees appointed by the Gen- eral Committees to draw up resolutions concerning the manner in which Dr. Miller has conducted an organ of the party presented resolutions which were unanimously a 4 WHAT BECAME OF THE VOTES, ‘The next report was that of the committee ap- pointed to investigate the cause of the scarcity of greenback yotes at the late election, A gentleman arose immediately after the report was called for and puta motion ti assemblage, calling for the oft th ti he prees, This ed committee thoroughly over- hanled the report of the investigation. The session was un exeiting one, but its result is shrouded in mystery. NOT INSANE. Jndge Gilbert, in the Supreme Court, Kings cotnty. granted an order yesterday in the case of Jeptha A. Wagener. Mr. Wagener, who is a resident of Holts ville, L. 1., is the inventor of @ valuable sewing ma- ‘chine patent. In June, 1877, be was declared a lunatic, ond his father-in-law, Samuel Wagener, and his wife, Charlotte Wagener, were appointed a committee of his person and property, Six mouths thereafter Mr. Wagener took legal measures to set aside the proceedings declaring him insane, and the Court vacated all the orders previously made in the matter, After the committee had been discharged they collected, it i# rat 4 share of property in- herited by Jeptha A. Wagenes nd the order now granted directs Mr. 8. Wagener, attorney for the committee, to refund the money within ten days, TRIED FOR DISOBEDIENCE. CAPTAIN M'DONNELL AGAIN BEFORE THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS—HIS CASE CLOSED. ‘The charges against Captain McDonnell, of the Eighth precinct, which had been reframed by the ad- vice of the Board's counsel, were brought up for further consideration yesterday. According to their last reading the Captain is chargea with having, in wilful disobedience to the Chief of the Bureau of Elections, selected as polling places certain rooms located at No, 205 and No. 190 Spring street, in build- ings where liquor was sold at the time. Investiga- tion had shown that the saloon was in one instance actually ig another section of the house, which had more recently been erected. John D, Townsend, the Captain’s counsel, moved to have the complaint dismissed on the following grounds:--First, that the Police Commissioners had not been disobeyed; second, because ‘John J. O’Brien was not a Police Commissioner and the Po- lice Board had no right to delegate their authority to him; third, because John J, O'Brien, as chief of the Bureau of Elections, had no power to issue orders to potice captains except through the Superintendent and by order of the Board; fourth, that in complying with the request to report as to whether the same polling places used last year could be obtained for this year, the Captain had done his duty, and it was the duty of the Bureau of Elections to see whether the places were proper ones. THE CAPTAIN EXPLAINS. The Board refused to dismiss the case, and the Cap- tain himself was then called to the stand. He stated that No. 190 Spring street had been used as a polling place for twenty-four years; he had never known any liquor to be sold on the premises, although there was a saloon next door; in obedience to the instructions of the chief of the Bureau of Elections he ascertained that the same piace could be obtained, and so re- ported, as also in the case of No, 205 Spring street; in 1874 it'was used as a polling place; in the following year it was given up, but in 1876, by the order of a commissioner, it was again used a8 a polling place and had been sq used ever since. ‘At this point Commissioner Erhardt began plying the witness with questions as to who the Commis- sioner reterred to might be. At first the Captain made certain reservations, denying that it was either Commissioner Smith or Nichols. But. all further queries were replied to by the formal “I decline to answer." The Captain was asked whether it was Comuiissioner Erhardt or Wheeler who had given him the instructions, but he refused to satisfactorily settle the question. Mr. Townsend at this point said that he had tried to avoid this difficulty; that he was not trying the Commissioners, but ‘that, if the question was pressed, he believed the Captain should answer it. Comunissioner Erhardt moved that the Board insist on an answer. ‘This President Smith amended by moving to reqnest the Captain to answer, but leay- ing it entirely to his discretion as to whether he should or not. This was carried, Mr, Eraardt alone yoting in the negati ‘he latter then asked the Captain what comm sioners, if any, he had talked with about the trial since the charges were preferred against him. Objection was made by the counsel on the ground that the question was irrelevant. This the Board sustained. No further questions were submitted to the Captain, who accordinyly retired trom the stand, SUPERINTENDENT WALLING ‘ON THE STAND. Superintendent Walling then testified that he had caused an examination of the buildings ut Nos. 190 and 205 Spring street and found that there were beer saloons in both, but that they were not counected with the polling places. Henry Oeste, a United States Marshal, stated that he had known the places tor years to be used for polling purposes, and had never seen liquor sold there. The men who occupied the two places testified that they had no connection with the saloons. The owners of the saloons testified that their places were closed on election day, and an in- spector of last election swore that he had-seen no liquor sold there. A recess of half an hour was then taken, and at its close Mr. Townsend renewed his motion to dismiss, which the Board held over tor further consideration, ‘The case was then declared closed. THE GRAHAM AVENUE BURGLARY. CHARGE OF JUDGE MOORE, OF THE KINGS COUN- TY COURT OF SESSIONS—THE JUBY FAIL TO AGREE, ‘The Kings County Court of Sessions was crowded yesterday forehoon when Judge Moore and associate judges took their seats on the bench, The Court re- assembled, pursuant to adjournment, for the pur- pose of charging the jury in the case of William Mor- rig, alias Billy Porter, the alleged burglar, whose trial occupied the attention of the Court the entire week. Judge Moore stated that he was in receipt of au anony- mous letter charging one of the jurors with improper conduct. He considered that the writer of such a note, who would not sign his name to it, was a moral cow- ard. Judge Moore inquired whether any of the jurors had spoken to outside parties since the night pre- vious, and they replied, with but few exceptions, in the negative. The Judge said the prisoner had been indicted, with three others, for the crime of burglary in the third degree and grand lar- ceny. There was no question but that Messrs, Thert’s store was broken into. The only point which the jury would gave to consider was who committed the crime and who aided and abetted it. It the pris- oner knew of the burgiary, but remained in his own house and did not participate in the crime, then he shoald not be found guilty. That was the law. The jury should not consider for a moment of & verdict of guilty us affecting the break- ing up of the prisoner's domestic relations. Money identified as some that was stolen from Tbert’s store was found in the house where the pris- oner resided. The house was occupied by other per- sons. Where that was the case the law required stronger proof to show possession of stolen articles than where a house was in possession of a single oc- cupant. If they believed that the prisoner had not been in possession of the stolen goods the jury must If the testimony of the prisoner's wife her acquit him. was to be believed—she having sworn that husband was home the entire night the burglary—then they must find the accu guilty, It is the duty of the State to prove that the fefendant is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt on the evident f the crime charged in the indictment. If he is not so proved beyond @ reasonable doubt he is in the eyes of the law an innocent man. ‘The jury retired to deliberate at fifteen minutes to eleven o'clock A. M. They returned to the Court room at twenty-five minutes past seven o'clock last evening, when the foreman announced that they had failed to agree. Judge Movre there- upon discharged them. They stood eight for con- viction and four for acquittal. The prisoner was sent back to Raymond Street Jail. THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNISM, INTERESTING DEBATE BY THE CLIONIAN AND PHRENOCOSMIAN LITERARY SOCIETIES. A joint meeting of the Clionian and Phrenocosmian literary societies of the College of the City of New York was held in the college chapel last evening. Tho attendance was large, one-half or more of the audience being ladies. The mtresting feature of the occasion was a debate upon the resolution “that Communism has an evil effect upon the republican institations of the United States.” Messrs, Bartow 8. Weeks and Joseph A. Fripp, of Clionia, spoke in the affirmative, and Messrs. R. W. E. Merrington and Gustave Lograe, of Phreno- cosmia, in the negative. Mr. Weeks said that Com- munism destroys labor, liberty and individuality of character, He sketched its rise and progress in France, Ruseia, Germany and this country, holding thot the discontented of ‘other lands were now seek- ing this as » better field for their schemes and plots. Communism, he thought, would create a despotism more terrible than the world ever saw; it would subvert our institutions and bring the country to ruin. Mr. Merrington contended that Communism wouid never have the slightest effect upon our ineti- tutions, because it could wever gain a foothold in the United States. Mr. Fripp, the second aifirmative sperker, thought that Communism need not exist as a system of government to produce an effect. Already it indirectly biocked the wheels of industry in this ‘country, as witness the railroad riots, Commaniam, strikes at morality, religion and industry, and thus aims a fatal blow at every fundamental principle of our government. ‘The speaker enlarged upon these pointh quite satis- fatorily. Mr. Legras was the last speaker, but he failed to advance anything new. Congreseman-elect Morton was the referee, and awarded the prize offered for the best argum to Mr. Fripp. The prize was a set of “Macaulay's History of England. SOCIALISM. A public discussion of an interesting character took place in the large hall of the Germania Assembly Rooms last ming, under the auspices of the so- cialistic labor party. The hall was crowded with in- terested auditors, and among the number were many jadios, Nearly all the leading socialists in the city were present, and Herr Schlessinger, the socialist leader expelied from Berlin, occupied « seat on the platform. ‘The question chosen for discussion was, “Gan the present poor condition of the workingman be improved under ® eystem of free competition?” The speakers were Police Justice Marcus L, Otter- bourg, Mr. George Winter and Dr. Douai, of the socialist party. Mr. C, Collenberg took the chair, and Dr, C, Strebeling acted as secretary. Judge Otterbourg, on being introdaced to the moeting, Was received with cheers, Ho assumed the affirmative and spoke with great detail and partic: larity for an hour ands haif. He opposed the ei houf law as advocated on the platform of the soci jatie party for the reason that the duration of labor was a matter of civil contract between the employer and employed and could not be regulated by legal measures, “He opposed the employment of women and children iu i as their proper {phew was at home. He favored the estab- himnent of kindergarten schools for the education of the children of workingmen. In the course of his address he said that Mr. A. Jonas, the socialist candi- date for Mayor at the last election, was a demagoyue. At the close of Judge Otterbourg’s address Mr. Jonas, who occupied a seat on the platforni, excitedly demanded an opportunity for a personal explanation, and, on being accorded permission, said that the statement ‘mate by Judge Otterbourg regarding him was a false one, which he would uot have conde- scended to notice had it been made under other cir- cumstances. The incident created considerable ex- citement. Mr. George Winter and Dr. Douai spoke eee Otterbourg, and the mecting closed at a ur. GERMAN REPUBLICANS. The meeting of the German Republican Central Committee was held last evening at the Germania Assembly Rooms, on the Bowery, at eight o'clock. About fifty delegates were present, nearly all the dis- tricts being represented, Judge A, J. Dittenhoefer was called to the chair, Mr. Maurice Friedman, chairman of the Executive Committee, presented a report recommending that the general primaries take place some time between the 2th inst. and the 26th of January. The report also recommended the se- curing of @ new headquarters, After considerable discussion the report was adopted. Dr. Hoeber pre- sented a resolution eulogizing the life and character of the late Mr. Bayard Taylor. MRS. SMITH’S TRIAL. By agreement of counsel the trial of Mrs. Jenny R. Smith, for the murder of her husband, Police Of- ficer Richard H. Smith, at their home, No. 133 Pacific avenue, Jersey City, in August last, has been set down for January 13, 1879, Mrs. Smith will be de- fended by ex-Judge William 1, Hoffman, Gilbert Col- lins and ex-Sengtor Charles H. Winfield. The prose- eution will be conducted by Attorney General Stock- ton, District Attorney McGill and Assistant Prosecu- tor Vandervoort. cITY NEWS William Hughes, a colored waiter at No. 3 West Thirtieth street, was yesterday held at Jefferson Mar- ket Court in $2,000 bail on a charge of theft. Mrs, A. T. Stewart has given $500 to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, with the request that it be spent on the poor and not placed to the credit of the capital account. James Sullivan, a bill-poster, was brought before Tndge Otterbourg, at Jetterson’ Market Police Court, yesterday, and held in $300 bail ou a charge of having pasted Dills over the door of Niblo’s Theatre. ‘The Erie Railway completed their third rail from Builulo to New York yesterday. ‘Tho distance now covered measures 425 miles, and although it is ex- pected that a through train from Jersey City to Buf- falo will be run next week regular trains will not be put on the line until next month. Dr. E. C, Seguin will lecture on ‘Diet"’ at Science Hall on ‘Tuesday evening, Jannary 7, in aid of the Workingmen’s Lyceum. ‘This association has been in existence only nine months, its ultimate object being the establishment of a mechanic's institute, such as exist iu many of the large cities in England. Frank Clifford, William Welsh and John Jones, who were arrested on Thursday evening by Detec- Mulvey and Flynn for a burglary committed ight before at No. 4 Battery place, were yester- day committed for trial, in default of $2,000 bail each, by Judge Murray, at the Tombs Police Court. Coroner Woltman yesterday held an inquest on the body of John Henry Wray, the Methodist preacher, of New Brunswick, N. J., who died at Bellevue Hos- ital afew days ago from the effects of a dose of foudanum. No new facts were brought to light, and the jury rendered a verdict of suicide while tem- porarily insane. L. Meyer, first officer of the steamship Cimbria, and four of the crew were instrumental in saving the lives of the crew of the schooner Julia Mary, of Ban- gor, Me., which foundered in mid-ocean ou the 3st ot October last. In recognition of their bravery on that occasion the German Life Saving Association, of Hamburg, has presented Mr. Meyer with @ gold medal, and Las awarded to each of the sailors forty marks. A petition was in cireulation yesterday among the members of the Cotton Exchange, requesting the Board of Managers to calla mevting of the Exchange for the purpose of deciding whether January 2, 1579, shall be a holiday. This was voted down last Tues- duy, but was again renewed on ac-ount of the recvipt yesterday of a cable despatch from Liverpool, which stated that the Exchange in that city had decided to mike the day # holiday. Henry Schmidt was taken into custody on Thurs- day night at the Cooper Institute for creating an up- roar and disturbance at Francis Murphy's meeting. He was arraigned at Essex Market Police Court yes- terday and described to Judge Wandell as the ring- leader of a gang of young men who had been laugh- ing and scofling at the proceedings, ‘The magistrate, when the prisoner could mot give a satisfactory ex- cuse for his behavior, imposed upon him a tine of $10, or in default thereof, ten days* imprisonment. Mr. Lewis Morse, of No. 109 East 103d street, was ten yeirs ago a successful tobacco merchant of Chicago, but the great fire of 1871 left him a bank- Fupt, and he removed with his family to this city, where he again entered business. verses came, however, and tended to unsettle his mind. He be- came go violent that Mrs. Morse was compelled to apply to the authorities, and yesterday Judge Kas- mire, in the Harlem Police Court, sent him for ex- amination to the Commissioners of Charities aud Correction. ‘The annual election of Merchants’ Lodge, No. 709, F. and A. M., was heid at their room: 0. 117 West Twenty-third street, on Thursday evening, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— Henry J. ris as Muster; Charles F, Simes, Senior Warden; E. M. Neville, Junior*Warden; John H. Place, Trustee; James B, Smith, Secretary; K. C. Gibson, Treasurer; James W. Godfrey, Senior Deacon ; H. L, Van Pelt, Junior Deacon; Messrs. White and Freeman, Masters of Ceremonies; Messrs. Charles A, Place and G. W. A. White, Stewards; Messrs, Scott and Johnson, Chaplains; Charles 8. ‘Wright, Tiler; George Russell, Organist. G Collector Merritt recetved instructions yesterday ITEMS. {| trom the Treasury Department to have a proper in- spection made of ‘ll cattle exported from this port and grant a health certificate fur the same, if the live stock is found healthy. If there is any, suspicion that the cattle ure diseased veterinary surgeon is to be culled upon to decide the matter, The object of the order is to guard against sending diseased cattie to Europe. Every shipment of hides coming from Europe must be accompanied by a health cer- cificate from the port of shipinent before the inspec- tor is allowed to enter the xaine for consumption or obtain permission to laud them. SUBURBAN NOTES. The hearing in the Lewis will case was to have been resuined in Jersey City yesterday, but owing to the absence of witnesses did not goon, The hearing was postponed for # month. A policy shop at No. 1,861 Atlantic avenue, Brook- lyn, was raided upon last evening by the police of the Twelfth precinct, and George Frederick, the sup- posed proprietor, arrested. ‘The republican Aldermen-elect at a caucus meeting held yesterday atternoon in Jersey City decided to support Alderman Ray, of the Thirteenth ward, for President of the Common Council for 1879. ‘Thomes W. Angus was tried and convicted in the Kings County Court of Sessions, before Judge Moore, yesterday, on an indictment charging him with sell- ing obscene pictures. He was remanded to jail to await sentence. James Kirby, a boy fifteen years of ape, who was convicted in the Hudson County (N. J.) Court of Special Sessions of iudecently assaulting alittle girl was yesterday sentenced by Judge Garrettson to seven years’ hard labor in the State Prison at Trenton. Bernard Melger, a truckmau who resided in West Hoboken, while driving wlong Manhattan avenue, Jersey City Heights, yesterday afternoon, was thrown from his seat, and as he lay in the street # barrel of molasses rolled from the truck, and, striking his head, killed him almost instantly. ‘The body of Henry Sherry was fished out of New- town Creek, L. 1., on the Hunter's Point side, yester- day afternoon. The body is very much decomposed and could only be identified by some papers in the clothing. He fell overboard into the East River from the tugboat W. H. Devoe, about four weeks ago. Wilbur Conklin, of Huntington, L. L, narrowly escaped being murdered on Weduesday night. When near his own barn he accidentally ran against a negro, who drew 4 knife and at one blow sent the blade through Mr. Conklin's coat and memorandum book, which contained several letters and sume cards, The negro then ran away. The evening schools of Williamsburg and Green- point closed With formal exercises last evening, Ex- ercises took place in No. 17, on the corner of North Fifth and Fifth streets, and in No. 22, on Java street, Greenpoint, and thus the evening schools have closed for the winter, unless the Board of Education makes provision for @ short session in the latter part of January and February, The attendance during the session now closed has averaged 260 in the white schools and forty in the colored, A meeting of the Kings County Board of Super- visors’ Committee on Funding the County Debt was held yesterday morning wt the County Court House. ‘The chair wus occupied by Supervisor Eyolf. The city of Brooklyn was represented by Comptroller Burrell, The issuing of county bonds for a longer period at « lower rate of interest was informally dis- cussed, but no definite conclusion was reached. Su- pervisor Egolf was authorized, however, to visit Mayor Howell, of Brooklyn, and arrange for another meeting when His Honor and the Comptroller would be present. ‘The jury in the case of Colonel H. L. Potter, who ‘was tried tor forgery at Newark, were yesterday dis- charged because of their inability to agree. The pris- oner was charged with ieocar gat & piece of property at Linden from @ Mr. Gibbons and making a payment of $: A receipt was given which, it was claimed, was afterward altered to $4,300 by Potter. The pris- one? was released on bail, his son becoming his surety. ‘The son, on being questioned, said that he owned a of property worth $4,000 which he bought from is father @ few weeks ago for $100, ee SOUTH AMERICA. THE NEW BRAZILIAN PARLIAMENT—LOS8 OF & FRENCH STEAMER—CHILI AND PERU. Rio Janerno, Nov. 20, 1878, ‘The new Chamber of Deputies consists of ninety- five lawyers, nineteen medical doctors, three engi- neers, two soldiers, one editor and one planter. The Senate comprises thirty-seven lawyers, two doctors, two engineers, four military men, four planters and two house owners, The Council of State has seven lawyers, three military men, one planter and one house owner. The Cabinet consists of six lawyerd and one soldier, WHAT 18 THE EXPLANATION? Atelegram received yesterday announces the lose, on the Castalhos Islands, off the Uruguayan coast, of the French packet Hoogly, which left Rio for the River Plate on the 13th. All on board sayed, No cause is yet given for the loss of this splendid steamer on well known islands in fine weather, but the general opinion seems to be that as some ladies of the demi-monde were on board the gallant officers were perhaps too much engaged in petits soins to keep a good look out. TROUBLE AHEAD. The Ferro Carrit of Montevideo, the only paper published on the 11th, because of the great national horse races that day (which were attended by 30;000 persons), announced that the Argentine iron-clud Andes and gunboats Constitucion and Uruguay had sailed on the evening of the 8th for Patagonia, escort- ing a vessel going to load guano where the Chilian corvette seized the Devonshire, and that the iron- clad Plata and two gunboats were to follow. Tue same paper ulso published telegrams from Chili an- nouncing the departure of the powerful Chilian iron- clads Cochrane, Blanc Escalado and Checabuco for the same place. ERICSSON'S TORPEDO BOAT. Captain Ericsson’s new torpedo boat, which lies at the dock of the Delamater Iron Works, at the foot of West Thirteenth street, steamed up the river yeater- day morning, to a point opposite Manhattanville, where her speed was tried several times over a short course marked by certain lines of vision from the shore. After her return to the dock an effort was made by & HERALD reporter to learn the result of the trial; but the man in charge, evidently acting under instructions, would say nothing’more than that the result had been satisfactory, Acall was made on Captain Ericsson, but he de- clared that no report had been made fo him. ‘You must excuse me,” he said, “from saying anything to you about the torpedo, for I have been so misrepre- ented inthe reports that have been printed that I have determined to say nothing. Reporters have been to me and J have refused to suy anything, and then they have gone to other people—to the workmen, i sup- pose—and have printed the most absurd stories. For instan they said I expected to get a speed of twenty-five miles an hour. Now it is absurd, I don’t expect and don’t want to attain any such speed, It is enough for me to make @ greater speed than the average iron-clad.”” “And what speed is that ?” “It is about thirteen knots an hour.” It was then suggested that the probable cause of the misrepresentations was the failure to obtain correct information trom Captain Ericsson himself, and he re- plied, “Why should I tell anything about an invention Tam working at? It is a cruel thing that I should be obliged to tell what I am doing, when there are in- ventors all around who are ready to catch at my ideas and patent them. When Whitehead invented his torpedo he kept it entirely private, and when he completed it ho made a lot of money out of it. It is only right for a man to keep silence, and you must really excuse me from saying anything.” MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. ‘The last of the Kev. Joseph Cook’s series of leo tures was delivered last evening in Music Hall, corner of Flatbush and Fulton avenues, Brooklyn. The subject was “Marriage and Divorce.” The lecturer said that he proposed to have the case he desired to present tried by a jury. The first point on which he would argue was the family life, and against its abolition he contended in the strongest terms as a Christian andaman. When Cyrus sum- moned Panthea and asked her where was her home, she replied :—‘‘Ou the bosom of my husband.” And Xenophon makes her say in pagan times:—‘If any man is more loved by # woman than her own soul that is my husband.” These are pagan scenes. Talk of Phocion and Panthea! These are the fountains of all our Christian springs. You tell me to close up the Bible; but I say do not shut up the devotion otf @ pagan woman to her husband as against o Christian. Do not speak of Voltaire and Rousseau and the other lepers. Look into the faces of Aine ican women and propagate your theories if A curse on such lepers is a curse from the very dept of womanhood, Where is there protection for women? Not one jury in twelve will inflict ven- = for the highest crime inst the family. The votion of a husband to a wife was well exemplified in Thomas Jetferson, who, after the death of his wife, shut himself up for weeks and would not be comforted, ‘The lecturer, in his peroration, said that in the Anglo-Saxon race the supreme affection which is the basis of marriage could be tound, Every marr contracted without such affection is opposed uatural as well as social law. It obstruction to mar- Tiage were removed we would soon have happy homes, Prince Albert wax @ model for husbands. The ob- stacles to marriage are low salaries and poor oppor- tunities. The law of nature is that tem} ments seek an equilibrium, Let us have know! before ee e, not Poe ned a ‘. At this point the lecturer pointed to the reporters and mp osnery to them, as to a jury, to decide the ques- tious he had been discussing, but re @ verdict was reached the meeting adjourned. YALE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. There was a large attendance of members at the Yale Alumni Association monthly meeting last even- ing at Delmonico’s, the attraction being the election of a nominating committee and the reading of a paper by Professor Walker, of Yale College. The parlors were well filled when the meeting was called to order by Mr. Benjamin K. Phelps. After some routine business the report of the secretary was presented, showing an increase of thirty-five members since his last report. The meeting being the last of the year, the annual of the treasurer was also presented, and showed balance in the funds of the association of $1,153 37. Twelve gentlemen were nominated as a nominating committee of five to select candidates for the associa- tion officers and report at the next meeting. Thirty- eight votes were cast and the following gentlemen elected :—Alexander H. Clapp, 1842; Isaac L. Peet, 1845; H. Brayton Ives, 1861; Charles D. Ingersoll, 1864, and Howard Mansfield, 1871, Professor Walker was then introdnced to the audience, and was received with much applause. He proceeded to discuss at some iength the present bear- ing of political economy on the industrial condition of the nations, and taking issue with some econo- mists of the English school, After touching upon some of the fundamental principles of the science, the Professor went on to state that political economy was not iosing its influence with thinking men, though 4 certain school might be in serious danger. SULLIVAN'S VALUABLES, Detectives Lyons aud King last night arrested Thomas Godfrey, alias Thomas Green, alias Big Tom and James Reilly, both charged with burglary. It appears that on Tuesday night last the residence of James Sullivan, of No. 74 Henry street, was broken into and robbed of clothing to the value of $150 and and $756 in money, The thieves also carried away awatch and articles of household valne, A nurse saw two strange men in the house and sul tly gave a description of them to the police, which an- swered to that of the two men who were taken to the Central Office last night. A pair of studs, « collar button and gloves, which were identified by Mr. Sul- livan as his property, were found upon Godfrey. Upon Reilly's person was found a small jimmy, skeleton keys and pawntickets, * NOBODY'S CHILD.” Miss Katie Price, of No. 18 Boyden street, Nowark, appeared before Judge Otto, of that city, yesterday, and made the following statement:—Her sister is the wife of Mr. Charles Pink, the music leader of the Temperance Union Brotherhood. Some four weeks ago his wife deserted him and went to New Haven, where she is now stopping with a friend. The cause of the desertion, as her sister, Miss Price, al- leges, is the harsh treatment of the husband, Mrs. Pink left one child with her husband, The latter took the ehild to his father-in-law, an in- valid, but that gentleinan reftised to take care of the little thing. Nevertheless, Pink left it with the Prices, who tried to get Pink's mother (whose second hus« band’s name is Tinsdale) to look after the little one, ‘but she would have nothing to do with it. ‘Then it was that Miss Price sought the Justice, He said he would send for Pink and see that he was com- pelled to support his child, LAW REFORM. ‘Tho members of the New York Bar have taken the preliminary steps to foria a law reform society, anda temporary organization has been effected by the election of Mr. George Ticknor Curtis as president and Mr. A. P. Sprague as secretary. A series of reno- lutions was adopted condemning the late commission to revise the Statutes of the State as a failure, and de- Caring that the thirteen chapters of the Code of Pr lure now in force should be abrogated, and that the adoption of th chap ters should te prevented, true bocce ,