The New York Herald Newspaper, January 18, 1879, Page 5

GLOOM IN EUROPE Social .and Financial Troubles in Germany. OMINOUS SIGNS VISIBLE. The German Empire Accepting a Chinese Policy of Protection. VOLCANIC RUMBLINGS IN SPAIN. Anxious Days in Italy, Austria and Russia. FRANCE POWERFUL, PROSPEROUS AND FREE Lonpon, Dec. 25, 1878. The Christmas leaders in this morning's news- papers are sad reading. You are reminded of that tamous passage in a German work of music which was suggested by the voices of the multitude in Vienna crying for bread, ‘There is acry for bread through all the pleasant conceits and sentences with which the English writers always welcome Christ- mas. Last year there wore dark clouds rolling up from the Bosphorus, and many a mother ate her Christmas dinner with a heavy heart, not know- ing when the drum would beat which called forth her son to battle with the Czar. Well, that cloud is not so ominous, although it can acarcely be said to have vanished. Other clouds have formed—distress, famine, depression—and the jour- nals are inachorus. “A nation like ours,” says one, “never feels its unity more fully than in periods of adversity. The manufacturing region may be per- suaded that, although the saddest auguries be veri- fied, the kingdom will account the calamity of a part as the calamity of the whole.” “Astrong and mighty effort to drive the wolf from the doors of many thou- Band homes is, after all, not out of accord with the origin and genius of Christmas, however opposed to the traditions of feasting and revelry.” These are the words of the leading journal. Another newspaper say: “Hunger and cold are terrible allies when they fight together against men, women and children who are insuf- ficiently fortified against them.” Another journal calls on the people to ring the bells and rejoice, be- cause during the passing year England has upheld civilization and the liberties of Europe. How old-tash- ioncd that appeal sounds, that the interests of Eng- land are invariably the interests of liberty and of Europe! But somehow the bells will not ring, and the editor before he finishes his chant finds him- self denouncing as a churl the man who would button up his pocket and not contribute to the general distress. Another journalist sings the triumphs of England over the Ameer, which are regarded as in ‘eality triumphs over Bismarck and the Czar. But dark care comes in the chorus. “Good will,” he says, between man and man, between employer and employed, between class and class, will help us to tide over difficult times, and good faith—for these ‘two are kindred spirits, like Sandolphon and Arimel, angels of the Nativity—must be soon back again into ‘the dealings of daily business.” Is there not food for thought in this confession, that good will does not exist between the employers and the employed of England, and that good faith no longer presides over the dealings of daily life? GLOOM IN GERMANY. Since England has proved hers¢lf the saviour of the Werties and the civilization of Europe, and since the ‘bets which no one hears are to ring out in honor of these triumphs, let us see how Europe enjoys the liberty which she could not save for herself, but ‘which she owes to the prowess and the generosity of England, There is Germany for example. Germany has achieved the greatest foat of the age. She has gained yast renown. She has not only consolidated her empire, but as @ corner stone she has placed the imperial throne of the Bonapartes. One would think that a work like this would bring many and many a happy Christmas to the fireside of the Kaiser. But Germany—poor Germany. Was ever a na- tion so overburdened? Every despatch that comes from Berlin tells of a new trouble, Socialism is rampant, snd the government is now ina terrific struggle with the monster. Every day you hear of new blows, new energy in saving the, State. Papers are suppressed, books are interdicted, and when it ‘was proposed by a German to deliver a lecture in Berlin on the resources of the United States, in the hope of attracting emigrants, the government in- terfered, fearing it might be socialism in disguise. Men try to kill the Emperor. They have no animosity toward the Emperor. If he were simply 8 German citizen or a German soldier no one would put a pebble in his path. Itisthe system which the Emperor represents which has excited the fanaticism of the socialist conspirators. If it were murder, assassina- tion, brigandage or any form of crime which could be reached and crushed these attempts at royal lives conld be suppressed. But how can any government strike the impalpable casing air? That seems to be what Bismarck is attempting. Instead of asking whether the people have grievances, whether they have too heavy taxes, whether, perhaps, thero are too many soldiers. whether there is not some hope of such an understanding with France that another war will not be inovitable, his policy is repression; and the influence which he woula repress is an influence which he cannot reach, Ae well might the authorities of Lisbon have reached the earthquake which deso- lated that beautiful town so many generations ago. 4 POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE IMPENDING, Do you remember the story of that Lisbon earth- quake? Itcamein the morning suddenly—a calm, beautiful morning, when all good people were at church praying for the repose of the souls of the dead, What itdid to Lisbon is known in history. But you will remember that at the same time there ‘were strange plonomeua all over the globe—in Ja- maica, in the Orkneys, in Bristol. It was not Lisbon alone that suffered, although it was upon Lisbon that the burden of the disaster fell. What the earthquake in Lisbon showed was that ail nature was in commo- tion, that those mighty and awful powers which aro within our globe were in revolt, and whether they expended their force in Portugal or Scotland or Mada- gascar no one but God could tell, So with those political troubles in Germany. What wo see there means not alone troubles in Germany, but in Italy and Spain, Russia and Austria, When a year or so ago tho Commune outbreak perplexed everybody in the United Btates calm observers saw that it portended, not alone trouble for us, but for other countries not as well prepared as our country for meeting the trouble. It showed that the restless spirits which Europe throws off in the tides of every emigration were in agitation and preparing to strike # blow, oven against the form of government which gave them the most perfect freedom. This outbreak was tollowed by the strange commotions of the past few moutha-—commotions which Bismarck aud his policemen are striving to suppress, CAN BISMARCK DEWRAT His RNEMY? Bismarck and his policemen are at work. One wonders if the Chancellor will find his blood and iron theories as popular when applied to Germans as when applied to Frenchmen. After all, the most serious offence that these Germans who are in exile or imprisonment have committed is that of writing and speaking. It is Just as much a slander upon ad- vanced Liberalism in Germany to say that it moans murder, because Hiédel and Nubiling tried to shoot the Emperor, as it would be to ay that the cause of the Southern Confederacy was assassination because Booth killed Lincoln. In each case what wo saw was an effect, and the cause remained, In Germany the people are oppressed, The new Em- pire involves 4 vastarmy. The country is too poor to sustain an army. France can afford it, but France is the only country in Ovntinental Europe with NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. morey enough to do so, Germany is under a burden which she can neither carry nor throw off. So om one side we find Hédels and Nobilings in arms and on the other we have Bismarck saying, as he does in a letter telegraphed to the morning papers, that the Empire can only raise money by the severest and most compromising system of protection. A CHINESE WALL AROUND GERMANY. Protection! Why, one supposed that this belonged to the Middle Ages, and that only weak nations like Spain or ignorant nations like the United States would deign to tuke refuge in protection. Now, alas! enlightened Germany, the mother of thought and progress, proposes to become as protective as Japan or China, Isee no incident in the closing year so preguant as this. When the Germans captured Metz and Strasbourg they began the most claborate works to protect their new frontier and their new posscs- sions from France. That was a material de- fence. Now they propose commercial lines of defence, Bismarck must have money. He} cannot levy direct and he must exact in- direct taxes. I can conceive nothing more sug- gestive of the great changes taking place in Eu- rope than that at a time whef America is about to come into line as a free trade State Germany leads in a return to protection. There is a large party in England that must follow her to-day. Already tories say that for sheer self-defence, as a barrier against ad- vancing America, Beaconsfield may be compelled to Pe-enact the corn laws and tax the imports of Ameri- can feed, GLOOM IN SPAIN. All these are strange signs, and show you how im- portant a part America—poor, dear, despised Amer- ica—that only a few years ago was a bubble, abursted republic, an unhealthy excrescence that had by God's blessing been cured, and was abolished forever, is playing in the world. Behind America comes France. ‘They were together in their two revolutions in the last century. ‘They are together now. The two im- portant facts in the history of the day are France and America, Look at Spain, Her poor little King sits shivering on bis throne. A friend of mine told me the other day that the King did not dare to leave Spain, lest when he returned he would find no throne, ‘They have tried to shoot him, too; not that any one would do him harm, but because he represents a system, and the political elements are as much at war against that system as nature was at war when the earthquake came upon Lisbon. Spain is republican. Her best men are republicans, The republic would even now be living but for the enmities of the out- side nations and the treason of generals who deserved the guillotine. Remember how England treated the republic. So long as Castelar was a constitutional and elected President England declined to recognize him. The moment Pavia made his coup d'état, driving ont Castelar with bayonets, England recognized the usurpation, just as she, with joy and swiftness, rec- ognized Napoleon after the coup d'état, Look at Italy. There is no royal house in Europe more popular than the House of Savoy, no sovereign more in sympathy with the republicans than the son of Victor Emman- uel. Yet they have tried to kill this King and throw Italy into a revolution. AUSIRIA, RUSSIA AND FRANCE. Of Austria and Russia what canone say? Thero is no country in Europe eo permeated with revolution- ary ideas as Russia, and if you read closely that inci- dent of the students and the heir apparent tele- graphed here the other day you will see that it means more than appears. Austria isdead. She only exists because her Emperor is the second choice of nationalities who do not care to assert their first choice. But this reserve is only for the present. The Germans will go to Germany, the Italians to Italy and the Slavs to Russia. That Bosnia occupation was a bad business, as showing the feebleness of Austrian power. Alone among the European nations France closes the year in con- tentment‘and prosperity. The Republic has war on every side. She has shown patience—wondrous pa- tience. Beginning with the German occupation and the Commune, with a majority of royalists in the Assembly and tool of the royalists in the Elysée, she has conquered everything and begins the new year with a majority in the Senate. Notwithstanding the severe taxation on France because of her war in- demnity France is the only one of the great Powers that can say she ends the year prosperously. Her influence to-day is the most powerful in Europe. It is not an influence like that of the first revolution— an armed proselytism, bent on overturning the thrones of Europe and making nations repub- licans whether they cared or not; nor is it like that of the First Napoleon, who believed he was the ordained Emperor of the West, and that French blood and French money were given him to establish this empire; but it isa gentle, beneficent influence, like the warm current of the Gulf Stream, which forces its way into the icy North and rifts the ice- bergs out of eternal seas and clothes islands and con- tinents with verdure. So republican France is rifting out old monarchies and old systems and clothing Europe with s republican spirit which can only end in a federation of peaceful nationalities, wise enough to see that the highest aim of government is the hap- piness of the people, and that civilization means universal freedom and universal peace. AUSTRALIA'S EXHIBITION. Mr. R. W. Cameron, the representative in the Unitea States and Canada of the Australian International Ex- hibition, to be held in Sydney in August next, said yesterday that every assistance will be given to ex- hibitors, that no charge will be made for space aud that motive power will be provided it early applica- tion is made for it. He computes all expenses to be incurred by an exhibitor having 6 by 6 feet at £15 from the arrival to the dey ure of the exhibit. The bark Princess Louise, which sailed on the 15th ult., carried out some American ucts, and the bark co ee is the next vessel to leave this port, will sail ween the 10th and 15th of February. Mr. Cameron also stated that all exhibits which are not at sea before April 1 will be too late to go by sailing ves- sel and will have to be forwarded to Sydney by steam- ships via San Francisco. ated "360,000 for: the purpose of making « Good rit 250, a purpose ot ag aihibit at tne fair, and has promised the use of a steam transport to carry articles to Sydney. CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER, The trial of Frank McKenna for tho murder of William Willse, in Mulberry street, on the night of September 2i last, was concluded yesterday in the Court of General Sessions, before Judge Cowing, Shortly after the opening of the case Assistant Dis- trict Attorney Rollins summed up for the prosecu- tion. Judge Cowing delivered a clear and compre- hensive charge, which was listened to with great at- tention. He instructed the jury on the law defining murder in the second degree and manslaughter in its several degrees. The present case, he said, was re- lieved frown much complication, inasmuch as it was not one where justification or self-defence was pleaded, the prisoner totally denying that he had any pistol at the time the shooting took place. William F, Howe, counsel for the prisoner, then handed in several’ requests to c ‘The jury ro » and later on tired at a quarter past three o’clo returned for instructions and asked that the tes- timony of Francis MeCormack and Bridget Devine, setting forth that thoy had seen o istol in the bands of the prisoner, be read. ir. Howe then insisted that the evidence of Ed- ward Borger, who testified that the accused was knocked down at tho time shot was fired, Le also read. Tho jury in retired and came into court aiter nine o'clock. Even at this hour 1 large crowd was in attendance, the greatest speculations as to the verdict being indniged in, owing to the contradictory character of the testimony. The jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter in tho third degree, the extreme penalty for which offence is four years in the State Prison, Mr. Howe promptly moved for a new trial on the minutes of the court, and asked that sentence be postponed until Monday, when he will ae the motion. Mr. Rollins offering no objection, Jndge Cowing adjourned the matter until it day, ‘snd’ the pris- oner was remanded, EDUCATIONAL COURTESIES., The investigation by the Common Council of Ho- boken into the alleged irregularities of the members of the Board of Education of that city was continuod last evening in the Councilmanie Chamber. Coun- cilioan = BStreng presided, and the rooms were crowded, President Kerr, of the Board of Kdu- cation, in opening the evening's debate, suid the members of the School Board who had raised the protest were gentlomen who had “such a precious re- gard for the truth that they very seldcan meddled with it.” School Director Valloau afterward stated that eight members of the Board, including Presi- dont Kerr, always conspired together to thwart the measures of the remaining four, and iu that way ai (By sou ier ji the by bY “tum- Hed,” on the; will be continued next week. sh LITERATURE. HARPER'S MAGAZINE FOR FEBRUARY. Harper's comes to us this month full of interest and good work. Its illustrations are marvels of nicety and the literary contents up to the usual standard. There are articles of travel in the South of France and Brazil. ‘Then there are “Wiuter Sportsin Canada” and a continuation of the studies of the old Fiemish masters, Commander Meade, United States Navy, contributes an appreciative biographical sketch of the late Admiral Paulding, which is accompanied with a capital portrait of the great old sea dog. ‘There is the usual amount of clever fiction and a poem by Carleton—not his best, however. Perhaps the article that will attract the widest attention is that containing Mendelssohn’s letters to Mme. Moscheles. ‘They form interesting links in the story of the musician's life, and depict the gay spirit in which for the most part he met the little troubles that come to most men at some time or other; but we see, also, that he was occasionally subject to fits of melancholy, His friendship for Dr. Moscheles and his wife was of the brightest kind. Their common love for the goddess of nrusic made their communings very agreeable. In a letter from Diisseldorf, dated May 15, 1834, he says: The cravat, however, dear Mrs. Moscheles, I put on at once, and, so adorned, went out for aride. You must know I have bought @ nice bay, and that it ives me immense pleasure, When I went to the [——'s inthe evening Madame H—— asked if that cravat were English, . I gave her your message, and she returned it very sincerely. But you have not told me what composition 1am to write in the time saved by this cravat, which does not require tying. It ig to you L owe this spare time, and you ought £9 say how I am to employ it. Shall I write P. F. pieces, songs, or what else? And did the people at the Philharmonic not like = “Mélusine?” Never mind; that will not kill me. I felt sorry when you wrote it me, and quickly played the whole overture through to see if 1, too, should dislike it, but it pleased me, and so there is no great harm done. Or do you think you would in conse- uence receive me less amicably at my next visit? ‘hat_would be a pity and I should much regret it, but I hope it will not be the case. And perhaps it may please somewhere else, or if not I write another one which pleases better. On the whole, what I like best is to see such @ piece on paper, and if, besides, I am so fortunate us to hear such kind words about it as those I had from you and Moscheles, it has been ie received, and I may go on quietly doing more work, Here was a young man not lightly discouraged. If he had the approval of two judicious and critical friends for his work he was not discontented. Most of the letters are in the same pleasant strain. In one dated 1832 he says:— is a Knight of the Order of Bachelors and so am I. Who knows but we may both wish to marry thirty years hence?’ However strong -his celibate purposes may then have been he married a. minister's daughter five years later. At twenty-three one makes many brave resolves. THE BURNSIDE ARMY BILL. LESSONS TAUGHT BY ITS INCEPTION AND FAIL- URE—AN ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE MILITARY ABOVE THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES—A DANGER THE COUNTRY HAS ESCAPED. To tHe Eprtor oy tHE HERaty:— The Burnside Army bill is, to all practical intents and purposes, dead. It has died of its own mons- trosity. A bill of more colossal proportions and om- bracing more preposterous propositions was never offered to Congress. The claborate scheme, as it would now appear, of conspiracy of ambitious men, it is indeed most strange that it could have imposed itself even upon the Joint Committee That the mem- bers of the committee are now completely ashamed of it is quite manifest. Viewing it as mainly the work of the few army officors to whom it has been so generally attributed, it strikingly illustrates the two most marked characteristics of the military martinet, his ignorance of (or rather insensibility to) law and his simplicity. Thus, although violating the constitution in the particulars alrcady pointed out in numerous articles by the intelligent press, especially in its repeated infringements upon the power of the President as Commander-in-Chief, its elevation of the imilitary above the civil power, and its sahiectiog of civilians to trial and punishment by court martial, its authors yet actually supposed that it could pass; that it could deceive the country, blind the press, safely run the gantlet of the dis. tinguished iawyers of both houses of Congress aud become law! Sancta simplicitas ! LESSON OF THE BILL. It would be a waste of time, now that it has disap- peared forever, to discuss in detail the eccentricities of this phenomenal bill. But it has its lesson; like other histories of folly it has left its moral, and that moral should be imprinted upon the statute book that all may read and understand. This lesson is that in time of , at least, no such public func- tion as that of the command of the army by a mili- officer should be permitted to be exercised. Tho constitution makes the President the Commander-in- Chief of the army, and it might well be argued that to place any other officer or person in such command at any time would be an unconstitutional proceeding. y except in time of war and in view of the public exigencies incident to such an emergency, no Inilitary officer oom dy has ever been authorized to comin: the entire army—until in 1869, when the present cumbent of the office of General of the Army was in- vested with such command. ASSUMPTION OF AUTHORITY. Since then the history of this office, as has lately been exhibited in articles in the Hxnatp and other newspapers, has been one of chronic assumption of authority by the General denied by the President and Secretary ot War, aud contested by the chiefs of the staff departments of tue army. Open outbreaks with two Secretaries of War, the compulsory revocation by the Prosident of orders issued by the General and the exiling of the “headquarters of the army” to St. Louis were emane the most conspicuous features of the struggle. This struggle culminated in the late —— The bill was an endeavor to effect by legislation what had unsuccessfully been attempted to be effected bg egy and army regulations. The bill in its turn failed; but certainly now is the time and occasion to preclude for the future all simi- lar unseemly contests. Meanwhile the office of Gen- eral-in-Chiet has become wie unnoceseary. The existing law, indeed, in providing pee 1,004 of the Rovised Statutes that the office shall not be filled, but “shall cease’ on @ vacancy occurring, has practically pronounced it to be superfluous. A LAW SUGGESTED. Would it not be well, therefore, that Congress enact a law to the following effect:—“That hereafter, in time of ce, no officer inferior to the President as constitutional Commander-'n-Chiet shallcommand the army; and all acts or parts of acts authorizing or sanctioning such a command are hereby repel od. And the President is hereby requested to revoke iy and all orders authorizing or sanctioning such & command.” Axstatute embodying such ® principle would be worth to the War Department aud the army all the “army bills” that wit or ambition could devise. it would relieve the former from the endless complexi- tics and embarrassments of a dual administration of military affairs, while the latter would be ‘no longer compromised by the eccentricities of its highest offi- cor, As to this officer, it would simply placo him whore the law has placed tho Admiral of the Navy—a functionary without command, but whose office and pay are continued during his life in consideration of Lis public services. XZ SEVENTY-FIRST VETERANS. Ameeting of the Voteran Corps of the Seventy- first regiment was held at the Armory, Broadway and Thirty-fifth street, last evening, Vice Com- mander 8. A. Bunce in tho chair, The special committee on law reported a new constitution and bylaws, which were, after some discussion, adopted. The following officers for the current your were then elected:—Colonel, H. Martin; Lientenant Colonel, T. Freeborn; Major, A. L. See; Adjutant, C. H. Patrick; Quartermaster, J. ‘T. Woolsey; Pay- master, W. A. Philbrick. When the business meeting adljo the gentiemen present spent a pleasant hour socially while discussing an exceileut collation that was provided for them by the Executive Com- mittee. KLEPTOMANIA'S VICTIM, Lizzie Gardner, the young girl who was arrested in Brooklyn, some time ago, for stealing earrings and jewelry from little girls on the street, was arraigned Defore Judge Moore, of the Kings County Court of Sexsions, yesterday, an indictment having been found against her. Assistant District Attorney Weruberg said that similar accusations had been made ag: the accused before, aud that Dra, and Walker had certified that she was not reapor for her acts. In the opinion of the Assistant District Attorney the girl was a confirmed kieptomaniac and should sent to an asylum. The prisoner was ro- manded to Raymond Street Jail by Judge Moore, who directed that her mental condition be again examined into by Dra, Shopard and Walker. ASSAULTED BY A ‘TRAMP. A tramp presented himself on Thursday toward evening at the kitchen door of the house of the Rey, J. E, Owons, pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Port Richmond, West Brighton, 8 L The sorvant girl answered the door, and, in response to the tramp’s appeal, offered him some bread and but- ter. As she extended her arm with the food the rascal stabbed her with @ penknife, inflicting two paintul but not dangerous wounds, one on the check and the other in the breast, Rol was 80 fright- ened that she was unable to give the alarm, although Mr, Owens was engaged in removing the snow from the sidewalk in trout of his house, and so the fellow THE ASTOR LIBRARY. ITS PROGRESS AND USEFULNESS DURING THE PAST YEAR—THE 'THIRUIETH ANNUAL BEPOLT IN THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATURE. ‘The most voluminous document placed upon the President's desk in the Senate Chamber at Albany yesterday was the manuscript of the thirtieth annual veport of the Astor Library. It was handed in by Judge Robertson, of Westchester, who moved that the usual 500 copies be printed. The report contains @great deal of interesting information concerning that popular institution and its work during the past year. It appears that the fund for the maintenance of the library is now $417,500, and the endowment fund is quoted as $1,071,296 31. The expenses of the library would seem to be very heavy, for the sum of $1,942 02 is set down for repairs, additional safeguards against firo and plumbing work; and under the head of “books, binding, catalogning,” Sec. appears the sum of $11,432 91. This is exclusive of the cost of a now skylight in the south hall to replace the old one, and the cost of which—about $1,500—was defrayed by Mr. Astor. In April last that gentleman guye to the library another sum of $10,000 to be devoted ex- elusively to the purchase of books. The additions to the collection during the year by donations and purchase amounted to 5,858 volumes, making the whole number of volumes in the library at the close of December last 183,245. In accordance with the plan of the institution the trustees state that they have endeavored to apportion the increase through- out the various branches of science and literature, giving the preference, however, to American history and ‘for the year to Oriental literature, which bad fallen somewhat in arrears. In general, the trus- tees report, they have not deemed it ad- visable to apply the funds of the library to the purchase of rare and costly anti- quarian books and manuscripts, but they have received the last year a very valuable addition of works of this character by a donation from Mr, Astor of six very rich and rare manuscripts and some specimens of the earliest printed works. Among them are the following works, which all have an ex- ceeding interest and villue to the antiquarian and the scholar :— “Epistolae Apostolica Graece,” in quarto, hand- somely bound. ‘This is a fine Greck manuscript of the eleventh century, on charta bombicina, and was formerly in the library ot the late Duke of Sussex. “De Disciplina et Perfectionc Monastice Couversa- tionis,” an illuminated manuscript in vellum, dated 13850, and containing religious treatises. iblia Sacra Latina.” ‘This ix a magnificent man- useript of the vulgate on the finest vellum. It is of the fourteenth century and probably was executed in England. It is enriched with miniatures and decora- tive initials in gold and colors. “Buthii de Consolatione Philosophiae,” a curious manuscript of the fourteenth century contained in the original wooden binding. “Aristotclius Liber de Virtutibus et Vitiis Grace et i ‘This is a very beautiful manuscript on vel- itten in the early part of the fitteenth cen- tury, and is embellished with illuminations and ara- besque borders. “Claudium De Raptu Proserphinae.” ‘This is a mi- nutely written manuscript volume on vellum, and belongs to the period of the Italian Rennaissance. #Janna (J. de) Catholican, Editio Princeps,” 2 vols. folio 1460, A yery valuable specimen of early prin ing, attributed to Guttenberg. It consists of a trea- ties on grammar and rhetoric and a complete Latin dictionary for the writings of the fathers and school- m jie Heylige Bibel,” two volumes, imperial folio 1477—the first German Bible with a date. vas printed by Zanier, of Augsburg, with Gothic type. The first page of each yolume is illuminated in gold and colors and the initials are woodeuts printed by and. Among other donations was a copy of “Rymer’s Foedera,” in twenty volumes, folio in servation, the gitt of Mr. Charles O' fessor Owen's valuable work upon tinct Mammals of Australia,” of which said only 100 copies were printed, presented by Mr. William Astor, was and Alex- ander Hamilton made the institution a present ofacopy of the fourth folio edition of Shakespeare and 120 sheets of the Ordnance map of Great Britain. The “American State Papers,” twenty-one volumes folio, must be added to this list of donations, and they complete one set presented by Judge Albert 8. Bolies, of Norwich. Perhaps the most notable gift of the year was the complete archives of the United states Sanitary Com- mission, These contain a vast amount of statistical and historical matter which will make them invalu- able in years to come as a storehouse of information concerning the late civil war. “These records,” says the report, “of the most complete and effective work in relieving the sorrows and sufferings of a war which the world up to that time seen, have been haw! described as a monument to the patriotic zeal, intelligence and efficiency of the American people. They are an important part of the history of the reat civil war, and have furnished a guide and model iu many respects to the great nations of the world.” With thia transfer the valuable and important work of the United States Sanitary Commis- sion énds, and im the appropriate words of Professor Bellows, the Commissioner, says:—“We lay down the burdens and cares of eighteen years of oversight and direction with a sense of great relief and of gratitude to those whose hospitality shelters the records of our work. With this act and with my signature as President of the Sanitary Commission, the last official act of the service, the United States Sanitary Commission expires. You receive its ashes, in which I hope some tragrance may linger, and at least a spark survive to kindle in time of new need a flame equal to its own.” ‘The card catalogues continue to be popular with the readers of the library, and the facility they afford is shown in the report by the fact that while the number of readers increases the number of volumes called for decreases, showing that each reader obtains without deiay the volume sought instead of as before asking for several unnecessarily. The total number of read- ers for the pust year was 60, 215 days, when the library was open, of Ot these the alcove readers numbered 7, creased usefulness of the library is shown by the fact that whereas the number of readers in 1865 was 23,085, there were last year 60,346, BENJAMIN NATHAN'S WIDOW. Mrs. Emily G. Nathan, widow of Benjamin Nathan, who was so brutally murdered in 1870, in the build- ing No. 12 West Twenty-third street, now occupied by Adams Express Company, died on Thursday even- ing at her residence, No. 683 Fifth avenue. The iuneral is to take place to-morrow (Sunday) morn- ing. CITY NEWS ITEMS. For the past two days no immigrants have been landed at Castle Garden; and yesterday afternoon, for the first time in years, there was not a single im: migrant in the building. Acail has been issucd by the Socialists of this city for a meeting, to be held at Chickering Hall on Wednesday evening next, to protest against the pol- icy recently enforced agaiust the people of Germany by their rulers. ‘The Patrol Committee of the Bourd of Fire Under- writers has been authorized to purchase seventy-fi India rubber covers to replace those belonging to the Vire Insurance Patrol which were burned on the night of the great fire at Grand street and Broadway. At amocting of the Board of Directors of the New York, Loke Erie and Great Western road, hefd on ‘Thursday, several estimates wore received of the cost ot the proposed new elevators to be built at Jersey City and Bufalo. ‘The matter was referred to a committee for examination, and a report will be made at the next meeting of the Board, stating to whom the con- ibe awarded. One of these elevators will aw capacity of 1,000,000 bushels and the other of 500,000 bushels. SUBURBAN NOTES. ‘The body of a newly born babe was found buried in the snow adjacent to the railroad depot at White- L, yesterday morning. It is estimated that atthe present rate of expendi- ture there will be a deficiency of $120,000 in the Ki County Department of Charities at ‘the end of th present fiscal year, The suit brought against Peter Cooper by Wallace P. Groom, for $50,000 damages for libel, was von- tinued yesterday inthe Kings County Circuit Court, before Judge Pratt and a jury. ‘The testimony was similar to that given at the previous trial. A rumor was in circulation in Paterson, the effect that the Board of Freeholders had dicted. The rumor wes traced to the summoning of County Collector Hayes with hie books before the Grand Jury in the morning. The Collector was in the Grand Jury room for three hours, and would dis- close nothing as to what had transpired. President Hayes has pardoned James Thompson, ‘ws sentenced to the Kings County Penitentiary for five years, in September, 1876, on the charge of aitompting to pass counterfeit five dollar national bank notes. Thompson's wife and children have been in very reduced circumstances since his imprison- ment, and it was this fact which induced the Presi- dont to restore to him his liberty. his annual report, just submitted to the Board uication of New J., City Superintendent Barringer sets forth that the schools gonorally in the city have had @ prosperous year, and that the at- tondance was ninety per cent, # higher average than during auy preceding year. The entire enrolment has been Upward of 15,000 scholars—a gain over the yoar before. The work of the night schools is highly commended, Mrs. Mary Doyle, of No. 197 Sackett street, Brook- lyn, yesterday morning started a fire, and, as it did not burn fast enough, she poured kerosene oil on it. The flame communicated with the oil in the cau, causing the latter to explode. ‘The burning oil was scattered Over Mrs. Doyle, burning her badly about the body and limbs, Hannah, her daughter, hearing her mother sereaming, rushed into the room, and in trying to extingwtish the lames was also badly burned Avoll be bamus aud Leow THE SRASON. OF WRECKS, Reseue of the Schooner Maggie's Crew During a Gale. | FIGHTING A NORTHWESTER. | The Crew of the Schooner Alert Picked*Up at Sea.’ ABANDONED ON THE OCEAN, od icled in the Henan yesterday, came up from the lower bay last evening. She went to Hoboken, J. A. Horsey, of Beaver street, being the agent here, ‘The terrible storms which she encountered during her last transatlantic trip have scarred her consider- ably. Captain Swartridge made several unavailing efforts to gain this port during the prevalence of the fierce northwester that attended the birth of the new year. He was driven down in the neighborhood of the Bermudas and roughly haudicd by the winds and waves. Euch attempt to hold on his course proved fruitless, ‘The vessel was on her beam ends, lost sails and strained herself, and was at length compelled to run before the gale, Ou the 10th of January the laboring bark fell in with a companion in still greater misfortune. ‘This was the schooner Muggie Vanduven, from Smith- ville, N.C., bound for Baltimore. The weather was bitterly cold, the sea running mountains high and the sehooncr waterlogged. She rolled in the heavy surge entirely unmanageable, her rudder having been swept away. Captain Swartridge, despite the danger in which his vexsel was at that time, did not neglect the signal of distress flying from the masthead of the disabled schooner. He lay by for nearly twelve hours until an opportunity offered the next day to send assistance to her crew. ‘A GALLANT RESCUE. Attor a desperate fight with the waves the Bout, of the bark reached the schooner and brought off her crew safely, it was a very dangerous task, but was successfully accomplished, ‘The five sailors and their captain who were rescued were profuse in their acknowledgments of the gallantry of the bark's crew. When the half frozen mari- ners were brought on board every attention was paid to them. Captain Thomas, of — the chooner, said that never in the whole course of his seafaring life did he experience such terrible weather. From the time he left Smithville, on the 3d of Jan- uary, there was scarcely a cessation to the fury of the gale.’ Sea after sca broke over the schooner and pt the decks clear, the boat being carried away, er casks bursted ‘and rudder ground to pieces. ! | The bark Oliver Emery, whose arrival was chron- For six days the crew labored at the pumps, the water gain upon them all the time. he destruc- tion of the ks left them without water fit to drink, and their sufferings weve intense. Two out of the five seamen were so terribly frost bitten that they sunk down alinost insensible at the pumps, To eom- plete their trouble Captain Thomas, :who was almost constantly at the wheel, was struck by one of the scas that washed over the vessel and injured in the head and side. On the sixth day the sore distressed people began to give up hope, when the welcome sight of a bark to windward aroused them. They hoisted a signal for assistance and were overjoyed to. find that it was responded to. Under circumstances which would have daunted many others the captain of the bark remained close. by the perishing crew and saved their lives. ‘The transfer of Captain Thomas and his men from the waterlogged wreck to the boat was attended with extreme difti- culty, yet not only their lives but even their clothing and personal effects were saved. Rarely has a more gallant and perilous action been performed on the stormy scas that wash our coast. THE SCHOONER ALERT DISMANTLED AND LOST— HER OFFICERS AND CREW PICKED UP AND | BROUGHT TO PORT BY THE STEAMSHIP CALE- DONIA, The steamship Caledonia, of the Anchor Line, Cap- tain J. D. Allison, arrived at her dock, foot of Dey street, yesterday afternoon, at one o'clock, from Gib_ raltar, having on board the master (Captain Winches- ter), mate and the crew, numbering six men, of the schooner Alert, which was abandoned at sea on Tucs- day last. Captain Allison states that the Caledonia had a very rough passage. He left Gibraltar Decem- ber 22, and, owing to the heavy weather which steadily met him, he was five days behind the usual time of the Caledonia’s trip. On the morning of ‘Tuesday lust, at about seven o'clock, he sighted the disabled schooner Alert, in latitude 40 deg. 30 min., aud longitude 64 deg., and, bearing down, spoke with her, Learning from her master that she was dis- abled and sinking, he sent out a lifeboat to the schooner in charge of his imate (Mr. Odell) and four of the Caledonia’s crew, and, aiter giving them a reasonable time to get ready, took the crew off. ‘The mate ot the Alert gives the following story of the loss of the schooner:—‘On the morning of De- cember 2 the Alert lett Barbados, in ballast, on her return trip to Digby, Nova Scotia, where she hailed from, and nothing occurred to mar the voyage until January 3, when a violent storm arose in latitude 42 deg. 58 min., longitude 65 deg. 30 min. For hours the winds rocked the vessel hither and thither and the waves dashed against her with relentless fury. At length the main- boom and sail yielded, then broke and were swept out of sight by the foaming sea that washed over the bul- warks. The storm somewhat abated during the night; but again, on the following day, 1t gathered renewed fierceness, and at an carly hour the jibboom and all sails attached were broken and carried off. Then the schooner squared away before the wind, the vessel laboring heavily. She drifted for several days, going with the wind, and, as the weather con- tinued rough, she had a hard time of it. She had already ‘sprung the foremast and started tho bowsprit, and in this disabled condition ten days were paseod on the ocean, await- ing friendly assistance, ‘Two veswels’ passed her, which she hailed; but cither they did not see her or were unwilling to delay. On the morning of the 14th the Caledonia sighted her and went at once to the rescue. Had the Alert been left much longer without relief she would assuredly have sunk and all on board must have perished. The provisions had nearly given out, and the vessel was leaking badly. Captain Winchester, her master, owned a consider- abie share in her, and, as the insurance is very light, he loses heavily by her abandonment. The officers of the "Alert, as well as the crew,’ were treated hospitably on board the Caledonia. When the mate of the Alert was asked how the crew behaved thomselves during the ten days the schoouer drifted about the ocean he replied that no one on board felt the slightest uncasiness, A little wonder was sometimes manitested that the Alert did not strike sooner on the path of some pass- ing steamer, but no fear of ultimate loss of life was experienced. On the morning the Caledonia came in sight the man on the tookout had been promised $1 from the wate and $2 from the captain it he was the first to sight a passiny vessel, but he lost the money, as the Caledonia had been first observed by cors, Which goes to show that there was no great dvead of an ocean grave on board the dismantled schouner, ABANDONED AT SMA. The brig Princess Beatrice, which arrived at Brook- lyn from Guadaloupe yesterday afternoon, had on board Captain F. M. Chase and seven men, the crew of the schooner Joseph W. Allen, which was aban- doned at sea while in @ sinking condition. Captain Chase made the following statement to a Henaup re- porter in regard to the loss of his vessel: *©We lett New York on December 19, bound for Sa- vannah, haying on board acargo of guano. On the 2ist, when off Cape Henry, we encountered a terrific wind from the southeast, which biew away our foresail, forestaysail, ‘split the mainsail aud broke the main boom. ‘The gale then shifted to the westward and blew us off into the Gulf Stream, the vessel laboring heavily. in a short time she Commenced to leak, making w good deal ot water, On the 28a the wind moderated some- what and we were enabled to repair the sails and also fix up the main boom. We hadcontinuous gales trom the west-southwest to northwest, which drove us out of our course and into longitude 71 dey. 8 min. and latitude 45 deg., and finally we were blown 0 longitude 74 deg. and latitude ut dog. There we caught anot gale of wind from the northwest, causing the vessel to labor very heavily, while the water in the holt and cabin rapidly increased. The storm also carried away our main bo and sails. At this time vl to k open aft, and wo con- ather than stand another gale th of Junuary we sighted the ong ud, having hoisted signals ot distress, she to our vessel and took us all on board.” ‘The abandoned yossel hailed frou Boston, bat wi owned at Cape Cod by several parties. With her t $35,000, on which the eap- tain believed there was @ partial iasurance, the vessel conmmel cluded to aban THE WRr ‘The bark Italia, which stranded on Deal Beach, N. d., on Thursday, is still lying waterlogged in the breakers, which at high tide make a clean breach over her decks, Captain Mazzana and the Life Sav- ing crew boarded the ship at low water yesterday and seenred the baguage and clothing of the sailors, but Wery Wado to get the captauas clotling or imple ments, as the cabin was filled with water and ice. Coast Wreeking Company's men expect to right ship shortly, THE VINDICATOR ABANDONED. Owing to the intense cold and the barricade of ice the Coast Wrecking Company’s men were compelled to stop work on the wrecked ‘The probability is thut the vessel will prove @ tot) loss. Most of the cargo bas been taken out. coment THE CHINESE QUESTION. The the RECORDED TESTIMONY TO THE MERITS OF THK MONGOLIANS—INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER, CHIN LAN PIN-~AN INSIGHT INTO THE GOVERNMENT OV CHINA. ‘To rue Eprzor or rae Henacy:— The question, Shall America epcourage free inter- course with China? is one that is of present interest toa large portion of onr citizens. California seems inclined to restrict, almost to prohibit immigration, and certainly her views merit profound considera- ~ Do we, as two nations, Understand one an- other, or ave we calling each other barbarians for want of an intelligent appreciation the one of the other? It is to be presumed that the presence of the Chinese Embassy in this country will ultimately gi the people of the Flowery Empire a somewhat better knowledge ot us, and meantime it mm not be amiss to glance at the sum of our knowledge of them. Four hundred years ayo the Caucasian landed on American soil and today the uative races are pleading tor the last vestige of the contineutal domain. ‘The time seems to have ar- rived for the Mongolian to visit his brother and dwell in his tents. Ought America to prohibit him as an enemy or to regulate Lim as a friend? Cau more be suid for the Chinese than against them ? MERUDS OF THE CHINESE, Let us cail a few instances, ‘Lhose who know most ot the history and people of China—400,000,000—seem, favorable to tree intercourse and think America has more to gain by Chinese imiigration than she could possibly lose. i, Medhurst, in his ‘History of China,” is fayor- able to them. . 2. Martin, in 1847, wrote a fuller history, in some respects, and tayored “perfect freedom of intercours with Europe and America.” He was an Enyglish- man. 3. Speer, in his large volume of Chinese history, also regards their future hopeful and tavored imm. gration. 4. If Gray takes decided views either way it is not now remembered, Mr. Y. J, Allen, of Georgia, has resided in Shang- hai twenty years. He is a gentieman of independent means and Unusual attainments. He knows the lane 4uage and people from the lowest classes to the high- est. He told the writer, while visiting Georgia in 1878, that the Chinese had the elements of a good charac- ter and thought that America would do well to en- courage free intercourse with Chin: Dr. Legge, who has translated “Chinese Classies,’”* is a fricud to China, and speaks tavorably of its future, tion, INTERVIEW WITH CHIN LAN PIN, 6. The last witness is the Minister from China, the venerable and learned Chin Lan Pin. ‘The writer had a conversation with him a few evenings ago, and among other topics discussed was this one of Chinese immigration. “Do the Chinese desire citizenship?” he was asked, hey simply “They do uot,” said the Minister. “ ‘tere with American ideas wish to make money, to work and trade. “Would they likely int of government or religion ‘No; they have not so done in othercountries. In ingapore the Chinese are over one hundred thousand, while the other inhabitants number ouly about five thousand, and the Chinese do not interfere in govern- mental affairs. As to religion, China tolerates all religions. The missionaries are permitted to make converts to Christianity. The Chinese would not disturb religion.” “Suppose beth America and China were willing, under what restrictions should you think the Chinese should become citizens of America?” “Phat is a hard question. It would depend on the degree of intelligence of the Chinese immigrant, The students might qualify thomselves for such privileges much souner than other classes—the far- mers, the artisans and the merchants.” ‘the writer said:—‘I have been reading Chinese classics, and was surprised to see Mencius taught democratic doctrines, the rights of the people, and lie goes so far as to say:—‘lu u nation the main ele- ment is the people, and if the ruler does not consult } the wishes of the peopie he shouid be dethroned.’ “Yes,”’ the Minister replied, “the Emperor consults the wishes of the people. He must give a reason, He must follow the precedents and statutes. Those books piled yonder ure all precedents and statutes.”” “Mencius also says the ‘administration of govern- ment consists in putting proper men in office.’ I sce that selection of officers by competitive examination is no new thing in China, aud that your civil service has been long recormed.” ‘The Minister roplicd, “Yes, China has selected offi- cers in such a way tor 1,000 years.”” PAPER MONEY, “Have you had cxperience with paper money is- sued by the government?” ‘Yes, China has tried paper money. She received her own paper from the people for ali taxcs and dues: to the goverument. Inthe twelfth century she had such money. In times of prosperity and when the reserves were ample the paper moncy was good. In times of rebellion and when the reserves were ine sufiicient the paper money was depreciated.” “What was your remedy?” “Nothing, but to wait till prosperity returned.” Perhaps China could aid Arerica to solye some problems of thefuture. What legislation is prudent? ‘The constitution, the Burlingame treaty, the law of nations, natural and revealed law should counsel and direct. In 1876 Amenca threw open the doors to the world, Shall she now shut the door in the face of Chins because the problem is hard to solve and there ure many unknown quantities? Change places moment. How would you like for China to charge vay $200 on each American landing in Shanghai ? if Christian America cannot act towards heathen China according to the words of Jesus, “Do unto others,” &c., perhaps she can retrain from doing un- der the negative vein presented by Contucius:— “What I do not wish men to do to me I also wish not to do to men.” W. O. TUGGLE. Grora1a, Jan. 16, 1879, PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING. “The continued illness of the pastor,” said Rev. Mr. Halliday last night in Brooklyn, “renders it im- possible for him to be with you on this occasion. He will positively preach on the Sabbath.” The speaker then went on to explain that Jeremiah was @ very sad and melancholy prophet and Isaiah was the reverse. It is better to be in the sunshine and be always cheerful. Mr. Finney was a very wonderful evangelist in the recollection of the speaker, and he used to smash men, especially sceptics, to pieces by his exhorta- tions, His efforts among the educated and cultured people who live in the western part of this State were ellous. Dr. Pendleton and old Dr, Beecher’were also signal examples of the power of reachers. The speaker said that when the pastor ast Sunday made such an eloquent address on the importance of watchrulness he asked himself, “Am I watchful?’ Prayers were thou offered up by some of the brethren and appropriate hymns were sang. CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS. The Executive Committee of the Young Men's Christian Associations of tie United Siates and the British Provinces have just agreed to call the next Dicnnial convention of the associations, to meet at Bal- tumore, Md., May 21 to the 26th, The 125 geveral secretaries of the more than eight hundred associa- tions will hold their mevtings at the same place from the 19th to the 2ist of May. The Executive Committee state that the occasion will be ove of marked inter- est, as reports will be presented of the progress made in the South and West during the last two years, and of the work doue among 500,000 railroad men, 60,000 college students aud 600,000 German youths. A DOMINI TROUBLE. A warrant was issued last night by Judge Betts, of Jamaica, L, 1, for the arrest of the Rev, Lunis Titus Kendrick, Brookiyn. The complainant is Charles Skidmore, and the charge obtaining goods vy false pretences. Kendrick, so the complainant states, had been negotiating for the purchase of Skidmore’s trotting mare Hetsey Briggs, with # record 2:23. li is alleged that he called gt Mr. Skidmore's house last Saturday, with proniissory notes representing $700, and stated that Archiba d Jouuston, of Thirteenth street, this city, had seen and approved them, and that if he could have the mare he would redeera the notes on the following Monday at noon at Johnson's stables. Having persuaded Skidmore, so the com- pliint avers, that Johnston had approved the notes— the consummation of the bargain having been en- trusted to Jolnston—Kendrick was allowed to take the mare, He tailed, Skidmore declares, to put in au appearance at Johnston's stables on Monday, De- teecives were put on the case, but have fatled to find any trace of him or the mare. Jobuston says he never saw the notes and would not ii he had. Kentrick wis formerly pastor of the odist Episcopal Church in Grand street, Williams. burg, and chaplain of the Vorty-seventh regimenth of rouklyn, coy PAGION DYING OUT. The number of cases of scarlet fover and diphthe tia reported to the Sanitary Bureau this week indie cates that th diseases are beginning to be lesa prevalent. Yesterday there were twenty-three cases: of scariet fever reported and nine of diphtheria, ‘The work of the disinfecting corps still continags unabated, and constant demands are made wpon it by hotels, boarding houses and the like for fumigating facilitios, Medical experts attached to the Health Board say that the snowstorm will have beneficint effects in clearing and purifying the air, provided dirt Leaps do not be alioWed to accumulate in it,