The New York Herald Newspaper, February 6, 1879, Page 6

af " f 6 NEW YORK NERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. Pt JAMES GORDON BENNETT, FROPRIETOR. ry day in the yar, » Ten dollars per nthe, or at a ra lar per mouth for than (ivee months, Sunday edition included, HERALD—One dollar per yoar, free of post- age. ‘NOTICE TO SUBSCRIRERS.—Remit in drafts on Now ; and where neither of these can be procured send th ey d letter. All money remitted a! tion subscribers: w their old as well « All busi be addres K HERALD. ‘operly sealed, o ss will not be returned, PERRADELPETA OFFICE—NO. 112 SOUTH SIXTH STREE EOF THE NEW YORK HERALD— LOPERA, A PACE. s will be received and ke PARK THEAT: NEW YORK AQU. LYCEUM THEAT! BROADW TIVOLI THEATR SAN FRAY The probabilities are that the weather in New York and its vicinity to-day will be cloudy, with rain, followed by lower temperature and light snow. To-morrow it will be cool and cloudy, possi- bly with light snow, followed by clearing weather. WALL Srp YesTerDay.—The stock mar- ket was dull and quiet. Government bonds were firm, States dull and railroads strong. Moncy on call was very easy at 1lg a 21g per cent. Gas Srocks have gone up. Gas bills are always up. SovTiern Ixrrors enjoyed the luxury of a first class lynching the other evening. Brapy, the latest released Fenian, gives the usual cheerful account of life ina British dun- geon. A Firry-Yrear th. cent funding bond is the latest proposition in regard to Virginia finances. Tur Rumor of the loss of the United States steamer Richmond scems to be entirely without foundation. Mayor Coorrr has made another demand upon Commissioner Erhardt for information. Put him on the stand. Davenrorr and his deputies are expensive luxuries. Fifty thousand dollars last election and double that amount in ’76. Tue Massacuuserts Fisuzrmen who are putting in claims for damages ought to beware of au international commission. Tue ABOLITION by the Post Oftice Department ot the two per cent commission on the sale of postage stumps is what might be called two eent economy. For Tw YOUR inch steel plated cheek commend us to Owen Murphy, the defaulting Excise Commissioner of fragrant'memory. Here he is suing for the balance of his salary. Ane Evrorrean LERS’ wearing ap- parel and personal effects subject to duty is a question which Mr. Astor proposes to test in the courts. Its decision will be watched with inter- est. White Expressty Disciamine non-partisan- ship in filling the vacancies on the Bench in New Jersey Governor McClellan, it seems, has been guilty of the very offence he condemns. His theory is far better than his practice. Tne Army Butt in the House and the war amendments in the Senate formed the chiet topics of debate in Congress yesterday. At a late hour last night the resolution on the latter question was agreed to, and the country is now sate. Tue R Esra SaLes YESTERDAY were Quusually heayy—in all more than six hundred thousand dollars. Among the lots sold was the Windsor Hotel, which brought the comfortable sum of three hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars. ‘Tur News from Venezuela is of the usual South Awerican charac No sooner had the successor of the late President Alcantara been chosen than a revolution, which is still under full headway, broke out. There has been severe fighting, the national troops being generally successful. Tue Weaturr.—Within the past twenty-four hours the centre of lowest pressure has moved from west of the Lower Mississippi River to the Middle Atlantic coast, preceded and attended on its northern margins by snow and rain and on its southern by rain only, ‘The area of high ba- rometer that lay in advance of this depression has moved into the Atlantic off the coast, between Cape Hatteras and Florida, all of which region, together with that northward into Canada and the lower lakes, now lies within the influence of the storm centre. Snows con- tinue from the Upper Mississippi Valley over the lakes to the New England const, and light rains are numerous from the Ohio Valley to the coast southward of New York. Tempera- tures have risen along the Atlantic sea- board, but have fallen sharply again west of the Alleghany Mountains and chiefly in the North- west. Achange to cooler weather will follow quickly after the depression in our vicinity. The winds which were heavy in the West have decreased in that region, but have inereased eastward over the lower lakes and Middle States. Our special cable weather report from London announces the fulfilment of the Hrrar’s predic tion of the arrival of a depression, with gales on the British coasts, cabled on January 30. Vessels continue to arrive after suffering heavy damage in loss of sails, pars and cargo. At Plymouth the weather last evening was cloudy, with west- erly winds and barometer 20.64 inches. At Holyhead a strong southwest gale prevailed, with ® barometer at 29.47 inches. The weather in New York and its vicinity to-day will be cloudy, with rain, probably followed by lower tempera- ture and light snow. ‘To-morrow it will be cool and cloudy, possibly with light snow followed » by clearing weather. NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1879--TRIPLE SHEET. Means and Methods of Building Up the City. The obvious tendeney of the new rapid transit roads, when they shall have been extended beyond the Harlem River into the northern part of the island, will be to recall to New York a considerable portion of the population which has overflowed into New Jersey and Long Island, and to give a mighty impetus to the laying out of streets and the construction of dwellings in the tract which stretches toward West- chester county. Nobody ean doubt the superior desirability of a residence in New York, in point of conven- ience, comfort and even of expense when the upper part of the city becomes easily accessible. In comparison with the nearest places on the other side of the two rivers there will be a saving of time in reaching the principal places of resort. An average of twenty minutes in a Jersey City or Hoboken horse car, the change from a horse car to a ferryboat, the ten or fifteen minutes consumed in crossing the ferry, even in summer when the river is not ob- structed by ice, and then the uptown passage, take up the greater part of an hour in reaching either the fashionable up- town stores during the day or the places of amusement in the evening. In less than half the time people living in the upper extremity of the city will be able to reach the same places with- out the three or four disagreeable changes in the mode of conveyance. ‘The light, airy, tasteful and smoothly running cars of the Metropolitan Elevated Railroad will present an inviting contrast tothe Jersey horse cars, the ferry and the gauntlet of blocked and filthy streets which passen- gers have to run after leaving the ferry- boats at West street. ‘The only motive which has heretofore reconciled people to this accumulation of annoyances is econ- omy; but there will be no economy in crossing either river for a residence when there shall be an abundance of cheap dwellings in the northern part of the city easily accessible by the rapid transit roads, Nothing is more certain than a prodigious growth of the population of the city treading close upon the full completion of the rapid transit roads. The new buildings which will start up, as if by magic, in the upper portion of the city will comprise every variety, from the splendid mansions and villas of great bankers and merchants down to modest cottages for clerks and mechanics. The endless varieties of surface, site and pros- pect will be utilized in proportion to their natural advantages. The high grounds which overlook the Hudson and the Harlem will be crowned with the ex- pensive and tasteful residences of the wealthy, while the low-lying lands and valleys will be filled with blocks of neat dwellings suited to the means of families in moderate circumstances. The capacity ofthe city for extension northward is un- limited, and rapid transit will place the inhabitants practically nearer to the cen- tres of business and amusement than the most eligibly situated people in New Jersey or Long Island. But in order that the city may reap the full advantages of the new situation there is a great deal to be done which, unfortu- nately, there are no symptoms that people having a stake in the city’s prosperity are inclined to do, or at least not with that vigor of purpose by which important re- sults are accomplished. We will point ont some of the things which require imme- diate and strenuous action. First of all, and most important of all, is a thorough revision of our tax laws, which, of course, can be done only by the State Legislature. We do not object to the efforts which are making at Albany for a reduction of municipal salaries, ang we hope they will be successful. But this is really a small matter in comparison with the urgent necessity for revising our tax laws. We will not dwell on the unfair action of the Board of State Assessors by which this city is made to bear about one-half of the whole burden of Statetaxation. If the city could be saved from this injustice enough would be saved to pay the difference between frir.sal- aries and the present excessive salaries. But this is not the point which we desire to press. What needs to be reformed is the law relating to such taxation as falls alike on all the property of the State. It is for the interest of the city that all taxes should fall on real estate and that personal prop- erty be exempted. Our present tax laws, instead of inviting capital to the city, drive it away. Multitudes of great manufacturing establishments ° have been located in New Jersey and Connecticut because the tax systems of those States are more liberal than ours. If those great estab- lishments could be attracted to this city the municipal treasury would be benefited by taxes on the real estate they would occupy, and this alone would overbalance all the revenue we derive from the easily evaded taxes on personal property. Our tax laws also repel residents. Many a capi- talist who has acquired wealth in other parts of the country would gladly come here to reside if he were to be taxed only for the splendid mansion which he would build and occupy. But when his mortgages, his mining stocks, his railway bonds, bank stocks and other property of that kind is sub- ject to local taxation in a city where local taxes are so high, |.c prefers to reside in a sumptuous villain Orange or Morristown or at some point on the Hudson beyond the city limits. The consequence is that we lose, not merely the opportunity of taxing his personal property, but of taxing the expen- sive real estate which he would otherwise own and occupy in the city. Our influen- tial citizens should make an organized and persistent effort to procure a thorough re- vision of the tax laws of the State and to get them so liberalized as to invite property hither instead of driving it away. Another subject on which an imme- diate and most urgent appeal should be made to the Legislature is the acquisition of the right of way for the Harlem River im- provement. The benefits of a ship canal connecting the Hudson River with the en- trance to the Sound would bo immense. After much persuasion and long delay Con- gress offers to make this inestimable im- provement if the right of way can be se- cured without expense to the government. ‘The owners of the land, although it is for their interest, will not make a gift of it to the United States, and the improvement is blocked unless the Legislature exercises its power to take private property for a public use with a reasonable compensation to the owners. Asmall assessment on the neighbor- ing property benefited would defray the whole expenses, and nothing is needed but resolute pressure and energy to carry sucha measure through the present Legislature. But our leading citizens, failing to appre- ciate its importance, are supinely passive and apathetic, and the members of the Legislature are too much engrossed with petty partisan schemes to do anything in this matter without external pressure. We could easily extend our list of things re- quiring immediate action, but those which we have mentioned may suflice for the present. Dim Yot ever find a policeman just when you wanted him? Never. What! Never? Hardly ever. Uncertainty About Nordenskjold. We print this morning a special cable despatch to the Hznatp from Berlin, which informs us of the continuance of anxiety in Europe, and particularly in Russia, for Professor Nordenskjéld’s safety. The Rus- sian journals appear to discredit the reports regarding the arrival of the Vega near the East Cape of Siberia, and express fears that the vessel may have been wrecked among the islands farther west, known asthe Siberian Archipelago, or on Wran- gel Islands. As these journals can know nothing more than we do in America of the Vega’s position, their apprehensions must be the outgrowth of mere speculation, and will probably prove to be unfounded. Meanwhile the Kussian authorities in Siberia are not idle, and their arrangements for the rescue of the Swedish expedition, wherever it may be, are practicll and have been promptly made. Nowhere as well as under the Russian authority in Siberia can the semi-civilized natives be relied on to carry out orders such as those issued by Baron Fredericks, the Governor of East Siberia. It is not impossible that as we write the rescue sledges, drawn by swift-footed dogs and reindeer, may be hurrying over the wastes of Siberian snow to Professor Nordenskjéld’s assistance. The reliance of the Russian government on the American Arctic expedition for making a thorough search tor the Vega will not be misplaced, as nothing will be left undone to rescue the gallant Swedish explorer and his com- panions. Ventilate! Ventilate! The annual report of the Superintendent of Public Schools was presented to the Board of Education yesterday, by which it appears that there are 305 schools, with an average attendance of scholars in 1878 of 130,076, or an increase of 3,568 over the previous year. The Superintendent de- clares that satisfactory progress has been made by the children, and as his analysis is comprehensive we are glad to learn the fact which, however, no one doubted, for we all know that the schools of this city are models in their system of teaching. Of the. whole number of children admitted only 198 were suspended or dismissed, and 51 of these were readmitted on the Superintendent’s certificate, which is a gratifying proof of the good con- duct of the pupils. The Superintendent remarks, in touching on the question of buildings, that “Our present mode of con- structing school buildings isin the main in- fluenced by a tradition of the past and should be changed in many essential features.” ‘This is very true, and taken in connection with other utterances in the report proves conclusively that the quostion of ven- tilation has been neglected. The re- port states that . while the sanitary condition of the schools is on the whole good there are ‘‘instances of a violation of hygienic principles which are deplorable,” Now that the Board are officially informed of these facts by its own Superintendent it is to be hoped that the commissioners will see that prompt action is taken to remedy these ‘‘deplorable violations,$ and not let Mr. Wickham’s committee waste time about it. We are sure that the public will not agree with that gentle- man in the belief that ‘‘most of the schools are better ventilated than the majority of private houses.” The question is too im- portant tor delay, and the lives of oar children must not be endangered any longer. its ihe ihe Woman’s Rights. The woman's rights movement is looking up. The cause is to be reported upon fa- vorably by three members of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and there are other indications too significant to be disregarded. A woman lately com- pleted a wonderful walking match against time, and no man swooped down upon her honest earnings. Another woman did the next best thing to Mme. Anderson's feat, for she began a wonderful walk, and when she retired prematurely from the contest there was no one to say that sho had ‘sold out” or swindled the public, as they might have saidof aman. A drunken husband came home a few nights ago and proceeded to beat his wife, as drunken hnsbands have done from time immemorial, but the lady, instead of submitting tamely to the inflic- tion, as drunken men’s wives have gonerally done, arose and flogged her loving lord into a condition of extreme quiescence. A couple of young women have lately given several sparring exhibitions in New York, and on Monday the Hrntp published an agreement between a blonde and brunette in California to fight with fists, in the ring, for a purse of two hundred and fifty dol- lars. Women are preaching, lecturing, practising law and medicine and editing newspapers, and at least two or three of them huve for several years been wearing literally the trousers which, figuratively speaking, have in other days adorned mem- bers of their sex in families with incompe- tent heads, Whoso is wise let him consider and think on these things, for the woman is here, and here to stay, and even Congress is unable to prevent her competing with man wherever sho pleases, The Cipher Investigation, The sub-committee sent from Washing- ton to take testimony in this city begun its sittings yesterday, and occupied the after- noon and evening in examining Smith M. Weed, who visited Columbia in the demo- eratic interest during the counting of the electoral vote of South Carolina, Mr. Weed | seems a tolerably frank witness. He does not dispute the substantial accuracy of the most damaging of the published cipher despatches attributed to him, and acknowl- edges that he entered into negotiations with members of the Returning Board for the sale of their votes. The most important part of Mr. Weed’s testimony is that which relates to his prearranged meeting with Mr. Pelton in Baltimore. The fact of this meet- ing and the money transaction which it was expected to consummate was altogether the most damaging thing in any of the several sets of cipher despatehes as translated and published. We attach no consequence to Mr. Weed's exculpatory statement that the profters came from members of the Return- ing Board. The confessed fact that he en- tertained such proposals and completed the corrupt bargain so fur as it was in his power to complete it makes him, for aught we can see, just as guilty as if the prof- fer had been made from his side There is no moral difference between the two parties to a bribe—the distinction be- tween the tempter and the tempted being utterly trivial and despicable. It appears from his testimony that he did entertain a corrupt proposal, that he communicated its terms to New York, that he solicited a meet- ing in Baltimore for the transfer of the money, that he was accompanied to that city by an agent of the Returning Board, and that he there met Mr. Pelton, who had come on from New York as expected. At this stage of the transaction the published cipher despatches dropped the curtain, and the public was left to its own inferences and conjectures, which, from the nature of the business, were justifiably damaging, not to say fatal. e Mr., Weed lifts the curtain which was dropped at that dark point and testifies that Mr. Pelton came to Baltimore without money, and told him that the proposed transaction had come to the knowledge of Mr. Tilden, who condemned and forbade it. We can discover no improbability in this testimony. It is evident that the bribe was not paid, since the Returning Board de- cided in favor of the Hayes electors, There is po other perceptible reason for the fuilure of the negotiation than the retusal of Mr. Tilden to furnish the money for consum- mating it. Unless Mr. Weed was de- ceived (and he does not seem to be @ person who could be duped in such a matter) the Presidency was offered for sale by South Carolina republi- cans. Myr. ‘Lilden’s refusal to buy it is the most probable explanation of the failure of the visit to Baltimore, We sec no reason why Mr. Weed should not be regarded as a credible witness on this head, especially as he makes no attempt to shield the dis- honorable part which he acted in the affair. But it is, perhaps, safe to reserve any judgment on the testimony until it is all in. Dm tHe Street CLEANING AUTHORITIES ever thoroughly clean the streets after asnow storm? Never. Did they ever fail to draw the monthly appro- priation for the work? Well, hardly ever. What the Governor Ought to Do. There can be no justification for the wil- ful violation of the law by a public officer. The oath he takes when he assumes his po- sition to faithfully discharge its duties is inconsistent with the idea that he can dis- regard the laws by which the office is regu- lated and governed without committing an offence. The charges made against the New York county officers, of exacting more than the legal fees for services performed by them for the public, cannot be ignored by the Governor, and demand the investigation for which the law provides. Governor Robinson signified to the dele- gation that waited upon him yesterday his intention to do his duty in the matter im- partially, as indeed all who know him have confidence that he will. If the charges brought against the county officers should be substantiated we believe that justice in the case will bo fully satisfied by the dis- continuance of the objectionable practice without the removal of the present incum- bents. Indeed, the grave suspicion that the prosecution against them is incited by political motives, and the fact that it is led by those who claim to be the especial polit- ical supporters of the Governor, unite in rendering it desirable and becoming that the Executive should take into consideration those extenuating features of the case which warrant, if, indeed, they do not demand, a mitigation of the penalty. If the present county officers have really charged fees in their several offices in excess of those allowed by law they certainly did not initiate the practice. They found tho scale they adopted in existence when they took office, and knew that it had prevailed for many years withont objection, although the persons do- ing business with the county offices are mainly experts in the law, who know what the legal charges are in all cases, and who may thus be held to have been consenting parties to the alleged disregard of the legal limitations, Of course this does not justify the exaction of illegal fees; yet it is no disparagement of the Bar Associa- tion to. question whether any of its members would have discontinued the practice had they been elected to the county offices, or would have regarded it as crimi- nal to follow a scale of charges which time and custom seemed to justify. The Regis- ter, moreover, is understood to have made his feos conform to the statutes as soon as the complaint of overcharges came to his knowl- edge, There ought to bo only one motive in the proceedings against the county offi- cers cither on the part of thoso initinting them or of the Executive who tries the charges—namely, to reform an alleged abuse and to bring the officers back to a strict ob- servance of tho law. ‘Ihis can be accom- plished by requiring the present officials to discontinue the practice that has prevailed for 80 many years and to make their future charges coniorm with the statutes in all cases. If the Governor does more than this he will subject himself to the unpleasant suspicion of having promoted a selfish poli- tical intrigue under the thin cover of a judi- cial proceeding. Dip You ever see the Police Department in such a condition t Never. What! Never? Hardly ever. Diseased Cattle and Distillery Stables. Mr. Archibald, the English Consul at this port, in the effort, perhaps, to supply his government with information called for in regard to the existence of disease in cat- tle hereabouts, has made some inquiries of the Brooklyn Board of Health in regard to the cow houses which adjoin the distillery of Gaff, Fleischmann & Co., at Blissville, Long Island. The Sanitary Superintendent of the Brooklyn Board of Health has re- ported to that body his observation of the cows in the house which is apparently the one referred to by the British Consul. He says:—‘‘Every second cow was diseased and every third cow was suffering from pleuro- pneumonia, a disease which runs through a herd of cows like wildfire, and so affects them as to rendef their milk not only, unwholesome, but poisonous.” Further particulars cf the condition of these cows, as observed in a recent inspection made by Mr. Bergh, were published in the Heratp of Sunday last. Responsibility for the condition of these cows is disclaimed by the Brooklyn Board of Health for the sufficient reason that the premises are not within their juris- diction ; and Mr. Bergh has attempted, sev- | eral times, we believe, to abate this horrible nuisance, but ineffectually, because the average juryman of that part of the world lives near enough to the stables to be used to it, and is not offended by sights or smells that would ‘‘rise the gorge” of other people. Consequently here is a herd of cattle in which exists the disease that has already compelicd the slaughter of a shipment of cattle immediately upon their arrival at Liverpool, and Mr. Archibald will so report to his government. Therefore when our cattle shippers say that none of the diseases classed as cattle plague under the English law exist in this’ country this report of the Consul will stand as un absolute answer. How can this evil be reached? How can the few unscrupulous traders who maintain this pest place be prevented from con- tinuing an evil that is likely to cause grievous injury to a greatcommerce? ‘The United States Commissioner of Agri- culture has asked the authority of Congress to stamp out this disease as it is maintained near the Eastern cities. Con- gress will perhaps be not prompt enough; but the menace to a great national interest should, if anything, stimulate it on this point. But it is a discredit to the State of New York that the laxity of its laws per- mits the maintenance of this plague spot. Here is a case in which a state board of health such as the Medical Society advo- cates could be of great public utility, but in the absence of such a board it should be considered whether it is not possible for the Legislature to take some direct and imme- diate action on this case. That it has full power to deal with all such evils we have no doubt. Amusement and Charity. The event of the winter season in New York is the annual charity ball, which this year takes place at the Academy of Music ori Monday next. It is an occasion which draws together the beauty and fashion of the city in ascene of unequalled brilliancy, and at the same time carries many a bless- ing into the homes of the suffering poor. ‘The charity ball always realizes a substan- tial amount of money, which is applied, under judicious management, to the relief of distress during the winter months, and which the poor would not receive but for this popular entertainment. It was a happy thought that suggested the ball as a regular event of the season. The managers and those who attend, cither as spectators or as participators in the dance, are all liberal contributors to our public and private charities, and this reunion of the wealth and refinement of the metropolis is an addition to the general relief funds which would not be made but for the efforts of its patrons, and especially of the ladies, to make ita success. It is believed that the attendance on Monday evening will be larger than on any previous occasion. ‘The ball season this year promises, in- deed, to be unusually brilliant. The Liederkranz, always popular, will present some especially attractive features at the Academy of Music and Nilsson Hall on the 13th inst., and the demand for tickets is said to be unprecedentedly active. The Hebrew charity ball, under the auspices ‘of the Purim Association, is assured of a most brilliant success. The applications for boxes are already numerous, and tho wealthy Hebrews of the city, who are always noble in their charity, will see to it thata large fand is realized from the affair. The Arion will, as usual, attract the lovers of mirth and merriment, while the Seventh Regiment ball—always engerly looked for—and the firemen’s ball, which every citizen loves to patronize, will come in for their full share of the public favor. We have a betier business prospect before us than we had last year, and one of the first effects of returning prosperity should be seen in the liberal attendance at enter- tainments which give rational enjoyment to those who take part in them and afford be- sides substantial aid to deserving objects, Mexteo’s Merchant Visitors, The visit of the American Industrial Depu- tation to Mexico is progressing happily, and it promises to result in greatly develop- ing trade between tho sister republics. Tho interesting letter of our special correspondent, which we print to- day, shows how much importanco the government and people of Mexico attach to this peaceful commercial inva- sion; and we are sure that the American people will cordially join President Diaz in his hopes “that a trade may be opened up between the two countries as lucrative as it is important, and this will be the efficient ‘means of establishing social, political and even blood relations between the two peoples who oceupy the principal part of North Amer- ica.” Viewed in this light the movement, which led representative business men of the United States to practically examine into the best methods of strengthening the mercantile relations of the two coun- tries, is to be commended, and when these gentlemen return they will, no doubt, be able to speak intelligently on the subject and give our merchants many valuable hints. How much better is it to thus cement our international relations than to invade the territory of a neighbor and lay the landeaste by fire and sword? We are certainly making some progress in civiliza- tion when our ‘merchants thus take the van, leaving shot and shell to rust in the ar mories of the respective nations, —_ Playing Ostrich, . One of the time-honored stories of the school reading books is that of the ostrich that, having put his head in such a position that he could not see the remainder of him. self, imagined that no one else could see him. Our own Board of Education, the members of which were probably brought up on this story, has dodged the moral of this talc and repeated the bird’s blun- der by neglecting to investigate Superin- tendent Watson’s charges that the existing interest in school ventilation was brought about by owners of ventilators putting tens dollar bills where they would do the most good. Itis natural enough that the Board should resolve that none of its own members norany of the trustees who have recognized the poisonous nature of much schoolroom air are among the persons corrupted, but do the Commissioners imagine that such a self-applied coat of whitewash will satisfy the people who pay the expenses cf our school system and whose children go to school? Mr. Watson has made serious charges; he is alawyer, and consequently knows the full significance of his own words; he appar- ently knows something, and the public de~ mands, not only his facts, but the names of the Commissioners implicated by the charges alluded to. Does the Board image ine its own satisfaction with its own integ- rity will bo accepted as a substitute for the desired information ? PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE. M. Leon Chotteau, of Paris, is at the Everett House, Prince Bismarck and his family have arrived im Berlin. ‘The Presidential nominations became democratic contirmations, In London there is aconstantly growing scepticism about Edison. ‘ For the first time Mr. Hayes’ snow did not turn to rain; but Sherman did it. Asa Welshman might say, “theatres hafe not pecn pehind in taking ‘Pinafore.’ ” Professor Felix Adler has just returned from a suc- cessful lecture course at Cincinnati. ‘The New Orleans Picayune thinks that people who talk at theatres might rather go to chicken fights. Rear Admiral William Gore Jones, naval attaché of tho British Legation at Washington, is at the Claren- don Hotel. New Haven Register :—“Mr. Beecher has been to seo ‘H. M. S. Pinafore,’ and says he ‘never—hardly eyer’ had so much fun before.” The Barron mystery is unspeakably consoling to amateur detectives in Maine, or, in other words, to most of the population that has leisure on its hands, Washington society has found a new source of diversion. General Shields, while at receptions, is asked to tell stories of his fights with Indians and Mexicans. A late attaché of a Philadelphia theatre,bequeathed his head to the house to be used as the skulbin “Hamlet,” and yet there are people Who deny that. the American stage is getting ahead. Herr Robert Franz has discovered a chestful of the musical MSS. of J. 8. Bach. A gardener had used several chestfuls, including the Passion music and the oratorios, for binding up fruit trees in his garden. Henry M. Stanley, the explorer, was present in Brussels at the recent meeting of the Conference on the Civilization of Africa, and stated that he would lead the Belgian Exploring Expedition which is soon to start for Africa, Assistant Secretary of State Frederick Seward al ‘ways wears a tasselled skull cap of velvet to hide the fearful scars of the wounds which he received from the assassin Paine. He is slender, of medium height, and entertaining in manner. It is not often one sees an Irish bull in a French newspaper, but the other day Figaro, which affects extreme smartness, had a beauty’ in the heading to its police intelligence, It was this:—‘Suicide of two persons; statement of the one that survived.” George Eliot (Mrs. Lewes) is completing her de ceased husband’s latest volume on “Positive Philos- ophy.” If ber material rans short at any time she can scissor and paste in certain chapters of ‘Daniel Deronda,” without spoiling thesymmetry of the new * book. Monseigneur Guibert, Archbishop of Paris, reply+ ing to a letter from Pore Hyacinthe notifying him of the opening of a Reformed church in Paris, writes that he regurds his correspondent as deranged ands dreadful example of divine chastisement for inf delity. Olive Logan writes that she said to General Grant while he was recently in England:—‘‘Are you going to be the next President of the United States, Gen- eral?” “No, I am not,” he replied. Then, after » pause, he added:—“But I’m going to be their most independent citjzen.”” Art is everything. Indeed, if you are not posted in art you aro nobody. In, the twenty-third round of the prize fight a few day ago the man who was get ting badly whipped turned and said:—In the next round my seconds will throw up the sponge. You will be o kind as to hit me after the Eastlake style.” After all, the very republicans who sneered at Hayes’ conceit that he could create a wing of the republican party among the ex-Confederates may smile a little the other way when they see that the respect with which ex-soldiers of the South hold Grant's name is silently forming republican senti+ ment there, ‘The “Detroit Free Press, in one of its intervals of sadness, says that everybody, even the driver of race horse, nowadays, is a “professor,” and it won- ders where all the “professors” come from, And the Free Press has struck @ popular folly, The man of education, even though he be a specialist, does not require any props for his name if that name is worth anything. London Truth:—“Arthur Van de Velde, so many years secretary to the Belgian Legation in London, and who has made himself a host of friends by his charming and amiable qualitics, is appointed Minis- ter to Mexico—the first representative of Belgium to the Mexican Republic since the sad fate of Maximil- jan, M. Vande Velde is known to the diplomatic world as a man of exquisite tact and diseretion and singular modesty and simplicity of character.” ‘The following statistics of the number of lodges of Free Masons which existed at the end of laat year will be read with interest:—In Germany there were 342 lodges; in Switzerland, 33; Hungary, 4; Roumania, 11; Servia, 1; England and Wales, 1,187; Seotlan 394; Ireland, 280; Gibraltar, 6; Malta, 4; Holland an Luxomburg, 46; Belgium, 15; Denmark, 7; Sweden and Norway, 18; France, 287; Spain, about 300; Por tugal, 22; Italy, 110; Greece, 11; Turkey, 26; Egypt, 98; Tunis, 2; Algeria, 11; Morocco, 2; the West Coaat of Africa, 11; African islands, 25; the Cape, 61; Arabia (Aden), 1; India, 118; Indian islands, 16; China, 13; Japan, 5; Australian islands, 4; Australia, 220; New Zealand, 84; United States, 9,894; Canada, 695; Cuba, 30; Hayti, 32; West Indian islands, 66; Mex ico, 13; Brazils, 256; other States in South America, 170—a total of about 15,000 lodges, Tho uumber of Free Masons is about 5,000,000,