The New York Herald Newspaper, March 9, 1879, Page 9

BURYING THE LIVIN > Measures Proposed by the Medica-Lega! Society to Prevent Premature [oterment, —-—_— SCIENTIFIC TESTS GF DEATH NEEDED. Dangers of the Existing Want of Supervision Exposed, A subject of more than ordinary interest is now under consideration by a committee of the Medico- Legal Society, and it is deemed probable that the re- sult of the research and report of the committee will be the passage of a law providing for the verification of every case of supposed death occurring in New York city. The wisdom and necessity of such a law can hardly be questioned by any one who has given the subject any careful thought, and so thoroughly is it acknowledged by Europeans that in every principal country of Europe legal cog- nizance 18 taken of the possibility of syncope being mistaken for death, And in nearly all, if not all, of the principal cities on the Continent there is an offi- cer of the law whose duty it is to decide in every case of apparent death whether it is or is not real. In England and America, however, no protection is afforded by the statutes against the possibility of a live person being buried. Dr. Wooster Beach, who was for many years an assistant coroner in this city, states the case forcibly when he says that every person who chooses to prac- tice medicine or any form of “the healing art,” and who asserts himself to be a physician, is recognized by the law as @ physician. If any such person chooses he may have his name entered on the list of physicians kept by the Board of Health. His certificate that John Smith is dead is thereafter held by the Board of Health to be proof that John Smith really is dead, and unless some accident should reveal the necessity for official inquiry none is made. The Board of Health docs not even require that the “physician” shall certify that he has seen the dead body, but ho may, if he sees fit, accept the statement of any messenger that one of his patients is dead, and he may on this information issue his certificate. John Smith is thereupon buried. NO PROTECTION BY THE STATUTES. It is evident on this statement that any protection which the community has from the danger of prema- ture burial to which it may be exposed by the ignorance of quacks or by any other cause does not come from the Board of Health, nor, in any direct way, from the statutes. The facilities afforded for the concealment of crime are too obvious to need recapitualation, and it would be easy to enumerate cases in which malpractice or crime has, in’ all probability, been concealed by means of a physician’s certificate. But far more subtle and more far reaching is the danger of premature burial, since no police regulations or vigilance, no love or tender care can ward off the possibility of an error ina question in which scientists are sometimes at fault, And itis asa guard against this danger that laws have been enacted and that hospitals, even, have been erected in Europe and that the Medico- al Society is now deliberating. ‘he files of any newspaper of to-day, if carefully searched, will show occasional stories of the re- moval of coffins in which the condition of the in- . mate's bones or dress indicates almost surely that consciousness was recovered atter burial. Many of these stories are doubtless sensational, and care should be taken in the office of any reputable paper before publishing a story of this kind; but that such cases have been known is beyond the reach of adoubt. The records of centuries show them, and more than one citizen of New York can remember in- stances in his own family of such horrible occur- rences, While it is remembered that few cases of this kind are discovered, it should also be remem- bered that very few coffins, comparatively speaking, are ever opened after they are buried, and that there i# therefore, no means of knowing how many such cases really occur. » | STUDY OF THE SUBJECT BY PHYSICIANS. It is as certain as anything in medical science that theré are numerous cases of suspended animation which may easily be mistaken by superficial ob- servers for death, and physicians say that some of these cases are of such @ nature that it is difficult for even scientists to declare with certainty whether life still remains in the seemingly lifeless body. In America the subject has not been so care- fully studied as to lead to any compila- tion of cases, and it is consequently very difficult to collect and verify these cases. Occasion- ally, from different parts of the country, reports come of individuals who have been supposed to. be dead, and whose burial has been prepared for, but the verification of such cases is not always made by professional men, and rumor is apt to distort or ox- 1 them; so that any quotation of them in an article like this would be unjustifiable. In France and Germany, however, the case is very different. There, particularly in Fance, for some reason the attention of physicians has been drawn to the subject and for along time it has been a subject of special study. Prizes have been offered of considerable sums of money for the best papers on the subject and the re- sult has been acomparison and classification of cases, together with treatises on the best methods of deter- ing the real presence of death and, thus obviating the horrors of premature burial. As long ago as 1837 a prize of 1,500 francs was offered by Professor Monni, of the University of Rome, for the best essa; ‘on suspen animation. This prize was won by ”. Bouchut. Among other prizes offered have been a hoy of 20,000 francs, left by the Marquis d’Ouche, which was to form two prizes for the best test of death that could be applied readily by people who were not educated in medicine; and a legacy of 500 francs por annum left to the mch Academy of Science establish a prize of 2,500 francs to be paid every five years for the best test of death. A number of French sicians have taken these prizes, and their papers, read betore the Academy, furnish perhaps the best treatises on the subject which are accessible. Ii public on the subject to such an extent that hospi- tals for such cases were established, CAUSES OF SUSPENDED ANIMATION, Among the writers on the subject, M. Josat is per- hens Sia teat epewr and moat widely quoted. He collected and classified 162 cases, veritying each one carefully, and he gives the ‘causes, of the seeming death as syncope, hysteria, apoplexy, narcotism a.nd concussion the brain. Other caxes ae laid down in medical works as resulting from wounds, drunkenness, anasthesia and lightning strokes, The duration of the seeniing death varies from two to forty-two hours. In Josat's classilica- tion he declares that in thirty-four cases it lasted trom two to cight hours, in fifty-eight cases from eight to fifteen hours, in forty-seven cases from fifteen to twenty hours, in twenty-two cases from twenty to thirty-six hours and in seven cases from thirty-six to forty-two nours. As has been said, the most of the cases on record tre French or German. There are, however, some well known cases which are not laid down in the books, but which are authenticated by physicians of standing, and which well exemplify the dangers that attend alinost every case of supposed death, A WEMARKABLE CASE. One of the most remarkable stories of this kind is bold by Dr. O'Sullivan, of this city, who says he learned it from his father, who was at the beginning of the it century & medical student in Cork, {rei |. A lady of good family in that city was jaken suddenly with convulsions, and to all outward seeming died. She was seen by several physicians who examined her and was pronounced Head. She ‘was proynunt at the ting and the convulsions wi supposed to be of the nature of premature labor. She was prepared for burial and the customary wake was held over her romains. After the lupse of the usual time from her supposed death the usual religious rites were pertormed, and the body was placed in a vault. On her fingers were several valuable rings, which it had been proposed to remove betore her burial, but when the attendants were about to take them off they found that the hand was so swollen that the rings could not be removed without cutting the fingers, and this the laay’s husband ie, forbade. The rings were accordingly ft in the coffin, and it is supposed that the servants of the house Fie ol to violate the grave for the pur- pobe of securing the jewels. RISEN FROM THE GRAVE. Late on the night following the burial the lady's husband tay in awake, when he heard a knock at the street door of his house, It was before the in- troduction of door-bells, and it was a common thing to recognize « visitor by the sound of his knock. The husband called to his servants to go to the door, aud added, in great agitation, that it his wite | were alive he would swear she had knocked, Paralyzed with superstitious fear, which was probably enhanced by # consciousness of guiit, the servants all rotused to answer the summons, and tho husband thereupon went to the door himself. Standing outside in her grave clothes was his wife in a terrible of agitation, but undeniably alive. After she recovered her selt-possession she eclared that she had Unconscious from the time sho had fallen in the convulsions until she had been aroused by her fingers. Opening her eyes she had robbers were trying to cut her rings from her hand. ‘They were frightened er resuscitation and fled, aving her aione, and she, when she realized het situation, was hardly less terrified than they. Sho however, got out of her coffin unaided and na er way home alone. The physicians pro- noaueed the case one of suspended animation and declared that her revival was caused by the fresh ped gg to the oon and Wy the cutting of her ngera, oy were, however, by no means prepared for the birth of her child a nouth later, bat Tape boy was in truth born, and in the course of time be- tame an emipeut physician, Itts probably sate to NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1879.—QUIN say that none of his patients were ever buried pre- maturely. A CASE NEARER HOME. Agentleman of this city, Mr. Cornelius Benedict, who was formerly a citizen of Connecticut, has an ever abiding fear of meeting a fate as dreadful as it is possible to imagine, and this fear is born of an experience of this kind He carries constantly with him an account published at the time ot his own narrow escape trom a living burial in order that if ever again he should be suddenly attacked with catatepsy, as he was once attacked, the accounts may be read by any ns who may 2 to take charge of him, aud due precautions may Ee taken against the possibility of burying him alive. When be was livingin Connecticut several years ago he was seized with an tlness which took the form of coe and the physician who attended him t declared t he was . Preparations were burial, and glthough h was perfectly conseio! I. the time he was unabie to signify in any way that he was alive. His eyes were closed and he was arrayed for burial and placed in a coffin in bis own parlor. While he lay there his wife, who was fortunately a very intelligent woman, came in to look at him alone for the last time. As she stood weeping over the cotin the unfortunate man realized that If he failed then to give any sign of life he would probably never have another chance. He determined to concentrate all bis thoughts and energies upon one thing, and, as his hands were crossed over bis breast, he deter- mined that be would, if possible, move one of his ttle fingers. He strove with all his might, and at first was unable to do it. A LAST EFFORT SUCCESSFUL, At length, however, when the strain upon him was become almost too great for him to bear, he suc- ceeded in moving it a little, Even then he was doubtful if the #); would be seen, but at length his wife screamed and rushed from the room, She had seen it, and at first doubtful of her senses had watched until she was certain and had then rashed out. Eventhen he knew not what was coming, but his wife had gone for physicians, and summoning all that she could find she 4 thorough examination made of the supposed corpse, which resulted in an indefinite tponement of the funeral, Since then he has had one slight attack of a cataleptic nature, though tortunately not of a severe ption, He is constantly apprehensive of it, ho er, and bas iven positive instructions that in case of his death f is not to be buried until mortification has begun. TWO*RECENT CASES, Only about two mouths ago acase was reported from Suissourt of @ man tra’ ing by stage over the Boston Mountains who had a similar narrow escape. He was thinly clad, aud his fellow travellers noticed that he appeared to be suffering severely from the cold, which was yery intense. Atlength he seemed to go to sleep, and at the next stopping place the guard was unable toarouse him. He was examined and pronounced dead, as no signs of life could be de- tected. The body was accordingly taken into a hotel and preparations made for its burial. Fortunately it was placed in # room in which the temperature wae a little above the freezing point, end after lying there alittle over twenty-four hours signs of lite were discovered, and he was restored to conscious- ness. Still later last month an account was received from Troy of a Miss Anme Carter, of Fort Edward, N.Y., who fell dead, as was supposed, from heart disease, and whose condition remained doubtful for nearly a week, some physicians declaring that she was dead, while others declared that it was at least doubtful. A later report said that she had revived. A PERILOUS PRACTICE—PACKING WITH ICE. Dr. Beach, who furnished the writer with a por- tion of the foregoing facts, speaks in terms of the strongest disapproval of the prevalent custom of handing the body of a dead person over to the un- dertaker ay soon as life is supposed to have left the body, In muny cases only a superficial examination is made, and when the ient is declared dead— it may an ignorant purse or a quack physician—the remains are washed and placed on ice. The custom is, indeed, almost universal, and so simple is the process through which the body passes that it is all over in about an hour, and not in- frequently in leas than two hours after a man has been talking with his family his body is placed on ice. The inevitable result is that if a mistake has been made—it the man has simply lost con- sciousness and the appearance of life—he is’ deprived of all chance of reviving, and, his tissues bein, frozen by the contact with the ice, life lost when it might have been recovered. Other physicians with whom the writer talked, expressed the same opinion in relation to this habit of packing the body in ice, and it seems not improbable, now that public attention has been called to the matter, that the custom may be changed and some less dangerous practice be substi- tuted, It would certainly ve better to allow all bod- ies to become partially putretied before burial than to have even one or two lives needlessly sacrificed every year. PROOF OF DEATH. That all this danger may be averted is beyond a question, for there are uudoubteuly signs which can be detected by a skilled person, the presence of which is absolute proof of death. Among these signs, one of the most certain is the total cessation ot the heart action. If it can be absolutely determined that the heart has ceased to act, it is considered certain that life is extinct. This can be determined in a negative manner by auscultation, but it 1s only a small percentage even of physicians whose dictum could be received as final on this op- eration. Only one who had especially studied this branch of the profession, and whose ear is excep- tionally acute and moscleliytcaine should be consid- ered as entitled to ide @ doubtful case. And even if such a one should tail to detect any heart sounds, there would al- ways remain the possibility of the heart still being in action, although so feebly as to make no sound, or almost none. Certain tests with the scalpel are also held to determine this question. If an artery is cut the physician should be able to tell if any action remains in the heart, but tins test would seem un ble by most persons if any other could be applied. EXAMINING THE EXE. The test by the opthalmoscope is, perhaps, the most satisfactory, but the same “objection exists to this that has already been mentioned. Very few persons are able to apply it. Dr. Beach, in his paper referred to, says:—'*Lhe appearance of the eye and parts con- tiguous to it furnish valuable information to de- termine the questio1 death. If life is not m of resent the pupil does not respond to light, The eye has lost its sensibility to touch, then the conjunctive orig oo first becoming assuming a blackish hue, The cornea has lost its lustre; the bali is sunken and has no elasticity. If the eye is clear enough to make use of the opthal- moscope the instrument will reveal a change in the fundus. Its yellowish, red or living appearance will change at the moment of death to a pale yellow. The retinal veins will present beads of air within them.” OTHER TESTS, Among other tests are scarification to see if the blood will flow, appheation of burning wax or other blistering agents with the view of producing redness or vesiculation, observation of the fingers and hands to ascertain their transparency or opacity, binding of @ cord tightly around the finger to produce cou- ition, injection 0 aqua ammonia beneath the skin, olding & cold mirror betore the mouth to learn if the breath is perceptible, and the application of a galvanic battery, In all these tests @ skilled observer should note the result, as the dunger is greater when the sign which can be discovered is the least. The desirability of a test which can be applied by even iguorant persons is obvious, but it is not so easy to determine what this test is, and the necessity of examina tion by a skilled officer of the lawin every case seoms plam. It naught be that many people would object to the intrusion of such an officer into their household, but if it were generally known that this officer was to remove the possibijity of a horri- ble mistake little objection would be » Unless there was a crime to be concealed. ‘Lhe economical advantages to the city are also worth noting, and will probaby be carefully consid- ered by the committee spoken of. With such an offi- cer, Wuose certificate would be final, the necessity for fully one-half the so-called inquests that are now held would be obviated, and the expenses of the Coro- ner’s office greatly reduced. REMARKABLE VITALITY. There are two cases under medical treatment in Newark, N. J., just now which puzzle the attending physicians and excite the wonderment of the whole community. One is that of Dr. Trevonian Haight, who, on Thursday, February 27, put « bullet in his head during a fit of melancholia, caused, it ig said, by financial troubles, The bail took a transverse course through the sub- stance of the anterior lobes of the brain. Ite effect has been merely to occasion partial derange- ment, showing itself chiefly in absence of mind. There has been no marked physical change, the Doctor's pulse beating at its average rate and his temperature Temaining as usual. During the first few days there Was some engorgement, but that has subsided and a healthy suppuration has set in. Total physical re- covery is hoped, but full restoration to intelligence is despaired of. As already reported in the Henan, Charles Hoehne, a robust German, twenty-three years old, attempted to commit suicide by shooting on Thursday evening, February 20, The bullet entered the head a little to the left of the centre of the frontal bone, and lodged the brain. On the following day the man's respiration, temperature and pulse were but not so his appetite. In violation of his physician's orders to keep perfectly quiet he arose several ti and went to the kitchen for something to eat. Finally, that he might be more carefully at- tended, he was removed to St. Michael's Hospital, where he now lies, DWELLINGS BURNED. A dofective flue caused a fire to break out about four o'clock yesterday afternoon on tho top floor of the dwelling house No, 837 Dean street, Brooklyn, owned by Mr. Rapelyea, of Hempstead, Long Island, Henry Hock, who occupied the upper portion of the ho tained a lows on furniture of about $200; insured in the Germania Company for $400, The’ furniture of Eliza Damm, who resided in the lower part of the house, was damaged to the extent of $200; i red in the sam for $600, Mr. Rapelyea's adjoining house, No. 833, owned by Mr. wiso damaged by fire and water to th of $1,000, Mr. J. Halstead occupied the house @ud his loss on turniture is about $400, No, 835, owned and occupied by John Stafford, was also burned, and the loss is piaced at $500, The damage to No, 839, owned and occupied by Ellen Nicho! was about $1,000; insured in the tinental Vor pany for $1,000, THE LECTURE SEASON. “WOMAN IN SOCIETY”-—DB. LOBD ILLUSTRATES HER STATUS AND INFLUENCE FROM THE LIFE OF MADAME DE MAINTENON. Dr. Lord chose Madame de Maintenon as the sub- ject of his lecture at Chickering Hall yesterday morn- ing, opening his discussion of her career with a pic- ture of France during the seventeenth century, di- lating upon the brilliant society that flourished during the reign of Louis XIV. In that society, he said, women shone. Society is woman’s realm and she desires to reign in it if she be ambitious, Domes- tic proclivities belong to primitive times, to feudal cas- tles and early New England villages. But society has outgrown domestic virtues as savans have outgrown religion. It is the higher civilization of cities that constitutes their charm for women, though there are still some bold enough to say that they prefer domestic interests. In Parig many women have attained the highest position m society who by thetr social qualities outrivalled rank. Mme. do Maintenon was one of this kind. No wo- man but Catharine Il, ever arose from such depths to such a height. Born in 1635, in a prison cell, in her girlhood the future wife ‘of Louis XIV. assisted the grooms in caring for horses and fol:owed the turkeys from the ficld, At that time, in Paris, was the house of Scarron, the witty but wanton wae ot Mae It Sy: conainered, a great privilege to enjoy the hospitality of bis supper table. To one of these suppers Mme. De Maintenon, then a girl of sixteen, was brought. Her dress was short and common and she wept bitter tears when she found herself surrounded by the wealth and fashion of Paris. But she was beautiful and witty, and Scarron determined to make her his wife and she accepted him, coarse in mind, deformed in body as he was, for she had made up her mind to improve her condition at any cost. While presiding at his table her quick intelligence became polished by daily intercourse with the bright- est minds of the day. She become known to the court and the world of fashion. Louis met her in the ripeness of her beauty and was fascinated by her charms. On ner husband's death he made her the governess of his natural child that he might have her at the palace. She was vir- tuous, or bpp) 80, and he secretly married her, she being fifty and he fiftytwo. She became the dispenser of court favors and the real ruler of the land. Her reign was political as well as social. There is nothing more fascinating or more humiliating than the history of this reign. Whatever was most rare and costly in art was brought to decorate the royal palace, and whoever were the most glorious in France assembled under its roof. Easy conquest shed a delusive lustre on the army, but Louis did not know how to use his power for the benefit of his country. His people became poor and his persecutions drove the best of them out of France. At the end of the seventeenth century his great lights began to wane, so that his latter days were sad, cruel and revengeful. He loved nobody but himself and feared nothing but hell, Such was the monarch to whom the best days of Mme. de Maintenon were devoted. No woman ever ruled with such unbounded ewa: and it is to her credit that she did it by the exercise of her intellect, Whatever may have been her de- fects she was always ted by the gay world in which she resided, and no breath of scandal in that tainted court ever touched her reputa- tion. Her influence over the King was unbounded, and she kept him as much as possible trom war. The court under her was not so gay, but more interesting than it had been. She was the friend of the immortal men of that era. She undertook to reform the most dissolute court in Enrope. She was the guardian of the King’s in- terests and his best friend. So great was his respect for her that she was allowed to sit in the councils of the Cabinet. Mme. de Maintenon was one of those strong- minded women who enjoy anything that taxes the intellect, ‘The gravest charge that can be made against her is that of ambition. Nobody could be- lieve that she married her first husband for anything but position, or her second for anything but power. Her marriage was never - acknowledged and she was willing to be thought the same as any other court favorite to cover her ambitious aims, She held a false position and was treated as a usurper rather than a wife. She lived to be eighty-four and retained all her faculties to the last. FOOD AND DIGESTION. ‘The members of the Manhattan Athletic Club as- sembled in force at Chickering Hall last evening with their friends to listen to Dr. J, W. Ran- ney’s lecture on food and digestion. The lec- ture was amply illustrated by a series of colored stereopticon views of the muscular and digestive systems of the human body. The muscular system, which turnishes motive power for the body, must be properly nourfshed by fibre producing food, and gradually developed by systematic exercises, Al- though walking exercises a large number of the muscles of the lower limbs and Indian clubs do as much for the arms the work of rowing is better for the development of muscular strength than either club drill or walking. HOW FOOD SHOULD BE EATEN. The great error ot Americans is their too hasty mastication of food, and the speaker claimed that the people of this country injure their diges- tive powers, and consequently ruin their health, by imperfect mastication. He pte that food which is swallowed down astily, before it is properly masticated, and moistened by the salival secretion provided by mature for that purpose, becomes a burden to the stomach and overtaxes this vital organ with work. Men and women, too, who, after a hasty meal, rush off to their daily occupations, stifle the efforts of nature and shorten their own A series of tables was shown to exhibit the nutritive gone of the different staple articles of food and ¢ proportions in which they should be taken, so as to produce eehaertect health which alone can make life enjoyable afid joyous. PROFESSOR SPICE ON SOUND. Professor Robert Spice, of Brooklyn, at the Cooper Institute last evening delivered the second lecture in the concluding division of the course of free lectures for the people, His subject was “Sound,” and his remarks were freely inter- spersed with illustrations Professor Spice showed by means of his lantern the vibrations of the tuning fork, organ pipe and glass tube. He then explained polarized light, the nickle prism and wave motion. This was followed by an elaborate illustration of the conduction of sound from one tuning fork to another. The lecturer succeeded in car- rying the sound when the forks were at a distance of over thirty fect. The difference between musical song and mere noise was then shown and sympathetic resonance explained. The concluding illustrations were made trom the telephoue and the phonograph. Through the former an assistant in a distant room sang @ selection from “H. M. 8. Pinafore, and the words were made distinct throughout the hall. The phonograph was then fully : and Professor Spice recited a line embel witha number of rolling r's. The instrument onded and rerolled the lines through the with reat effect and to great laughter. The phonograph, {ogreat shouts of laughter: ropested 8 wong slinowt as it had been sung, By first turning crank slowly and then rapidly the instrument alternately sang the lines in measured; deep bassiike tones, and then rattled them out in a lively, bigh pitch of voice, bringing down great applause upon its unassuming and seemingly indifferent head, “THE EVOLUTION IN RELIGION AND MORAIS.” Mr. B, F. Underwood addressed the Liberal League on the subject of “Evolution in Religion and Morals,” at Republican Hall, No. 55 West Thirty- third street, He said:—It is obvious that morality and law should go hand in hand, and the fallacy that morality depends on reiigion has given rise to the in- | justice of coupling religion with the State. The true way to disseminate just views and to bring adminis- trators toa sense of what is due to liberty of thought is to spread) among the masses the truth asto the development of religion and the m ronse. They have no connection save what has artificially created between them. Tney are the sults of expericuce, hereditary and personal. They are iounded in different phases of human nature and they work independent of each other. One—moral- ity—is val le and ought to be fostered, the other is worthless, even injurious, and ought to receive no encouragement from those who are intrusted with the public weliare, “RECOLLECTIONS OF DISTINGUISHED AUTHORS ” Mr. Richard B. Kimball, author of “St. Leger,” de. livered an interesting lecture Friday evening, in Car- mansville, for the benefit of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Wastington Heights Methodist Episcopal Church. It was entitled “Personal Recollections of Distinguished Authors,” among whom were Bulwer, Thackeray, Dickens, Dumas, Lamartine, Irving, Cooper and Hawthorne, Mr. Kimball's recollections and anecdotes were extremely interesting and in- structive, and his address was listened to throughout with the deepest attention, “LIFE AND ART IN PoMPEtt.” ‘Tho second lecture of Rev. Mr. Spaulding’s courso at Chickering Hall will be given to-morrow evening. “Life and Art in Pompeii,” is the title of the series, but this lecture will be on Roman watering places, FATALLY SCALDED. Ellen Callick, three years of age, was fatally scalded yesterday at the residence of her parents, on Clinton street, near First street, Hoboken, by the overturn- ing on her of @ boiler full of scalding water. The boiling water Was thrown entirely over the child's face and breast, and ® physician, who was speedily summoned, pronounced the little oue's injuries fatal, i ex- | days. | TUPLE SHEET. 9 AMUSEMENTS, ACADEMY OF MUSIC— “CARMEN.” Matinée audiences usually adorn themselves and have their spirits after the manner of the weather, At the Academy yesterday there was a full house and there was the regular applause; and, indeed, both Miss Hauk and Campanini did so well for their andience that not the gentlest ripple of discontent, as generally expressed in sighs and bated breath, was heard yesterday afternoon. On the contrary, the applause was as genuine as it was generous, and perhaps no matinée audience ever enjoyed itself more. The great trouble, if there was any at all, arose from the fact that winter bonnets are still worn and spring bonnets have not vet appeared to hinder the view at matinées, The color at the matinée yeste: was dark, black and maroon prevailing on hats and cloaks, but ina few weeks the Saturdays will be much brighter. MR. VANDENHOFF'S DICKENS READINGS. Mr. George Vandenhoff gave the first of a serits of Dickens readings at the Union League Theatre yes- terday afternoon. The selections comprised “The Story of the Poor Traveller,” “Boots at the Holly Tree Inn” and the Mould family and Mrs. Gamp, from ‘Martin Chuzziewit.” Apparently without effort, and certainly by no meretricious arts, the reader brought tears into the eyes of his hearers in the pathetic passages. The humorous parts of the second number were inimitably rendered, and in the selection from “Martin Chuzzlewit” Sairy Gamp was confessed reality, however much the sceptic might be disposed to say of her, as some of her acquaint- ance said of her friend Mrs. Harris, ‘‘Ihere ain't no sich person.”” LYRIC HALI-—OUR GIRLS’ GUILD CONCERT, A select audience filled Lyric Hall last night and listened to a short but pleasing concert given under the direction of Our Girls’ Guild, the performers being Reményi and his friend Vogrich, Ferdinand Dulcken, Theodore Toedt, Miss Henrietta Beobe and Mrs. Florence Rice-Knox; there was also a recitation by Professor Locke-Richardson. ¢ programme opened with a rondo capricioso by Mendelssohn, which was played acceptably by Mr. Dulcken. Miss Beebe sang Cowen’s “Spinning Song” with so much effect as to be recalled. Then came the piece de reastance of the evening, a légende, composed by Vogrich for Reményi and played by the latter with great tenderness of feeling, the composer acting as accompanist, and thus making his first metropolitan appearance, The piece, while not of extraordinary merit or orginality, is quite sweet and plaintive, with an élusive quality that enhances its musical value. Mrs. Rice-Knox sang “Tho King of Thule” to Liszt's music. The song and air are tavorites with this lady and were finely rendered, “The Fisher's Life’ following in. response to an encore, Mr. Toedt was heartily applauded for his rendering of a romanza from “Mignon,” and Reményi played a nocturne and valse of Chopin’s with the effect which always attends his renderings of that composer. Professor Richardson departed from his usual custom so far as to relate some personal rem- iniscences of a humorous nature, following with Lord Dundreary’s soliloquy upon “‘pwoverbs.” QUEEN ESTHER’S PINAFORE. A large number of Hebrew young men and women crowded the Lexington Avenue Opera House last night to celebrate the Feast ot Purim. The grandeur of the ball of Queen Esther at the Academy of Music was eclipsed by the performance of the famous opera of Gilbert and Sullivan by the Purim Association. Between Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes and Sir Joseph Por- ter, K. C. B., there is a long historical pathway, but over it tripped merrily last night the gentlemen, some of very tender years, who did duty for the Syrian Queen. The orchestra consisted of a piano, There was a concert before the ‘Pinafore’ and lots of fun to show that twenty-four centuries after yueen Esther hanged Haman and Mordecai re- form Mayor of the metropolis of Susa, her sisters and her cousins and her aunts, very many genera- tions removed, were mindful of her thoughtfulness for the house of Israel. The concert and the opera were well enjoyed by the brilliant assemblage. and the ball that succeeded was worthy of the old As- syrian capital where Artaxerxes reigned and Belshaz- El afterward failed to spell the handwriting on the wall. MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, Wilhelmj, the violinist, is playing in Southern cities. Miss Genevieve Ward is playing in the New Eng- land towns. Aimée will probably sing in “Carmen” during her coming season here. The Mapleson opera company to-morrow evening will repeat “Lohengrin.” Mr. John Raymond, at the Grand Opera House, has drawn large houses during the week. Agnes Ethel and husband are in Spain, and will pass the remainder of the winter there. It is estimated that the Standard management have already cleared $50,000, and that ‘‘Pinafore” is good for $20,000 more. It is said that the performance of “‘H. M. 8. Pina- fore” at the Windsor Theatre in the Bowery is one of the best in the country. Miss Mary Anderson commences an engagement in Troy to-morrow evening. Her season thus far has been remarkably succeasful. Lotta, Mary Anderson, the Williamsons, Bouci- cault and Emmet are said to represent the most suc- cessful companies on the road. Vogrich and Reményi give the concert for which so many musicians are awaiting on Tuesday evening, the llth inst., at Steinway Hall, Notwithstanding would retire from the stage there are good reasons to believe that she will again be heard in America. The fun at the Theatre Comique fills the house every night to such an extent that it is impossible to obtain comfortable seats without applying in ad- vance. At the Broadway Theatre another e:lition of “Pina- fore” is to be presented to-morrow night with a company from Philadelphia. It is said to be exceed- ingly fine, The burlesque on “Pinafore,’’ by the San Fran- cisco Minstrels, has become one of the hits of the season, The music as rendered by the company is admirable. “Red Riding Hood,” at the Aquarium, is the sensa- tion among the little people, and is worth seeing. | The babies ave all talking about it, and, as everybody knows, a baby fills a house, At the Broadway Cheatre a Sunday concert is an- nounced, Mollenhauer, Mills, Arbuckle and others are named in connection with it, and the entertain- ment ought to be attractive, Mr. Duff, of the Standard, has engaged Booth’s | Theatre and as rapidly as possible is making prepar- ations to produce “Le Petit Duc.” people will be required on the stage. Next Sunday night a grand concert will be given at the Standard Theatre, in which popular and elegant music and the best of artists will be the feature, ho programme will be announced hereafter. Mime. Richardson, who will be remembered by | many in connection with the last visit of Christine Nilsson to this country as a kind of chaperone or adopted mother, died on the 16th of January. Mr. Rud, Aronson states that all of the money | necessary for the erection of the Musical Pavilion which he intends to build has been subseribed, and that he will proc ith the work at an early day “The Black Crook,” at Niblo’s Theatro, has made agreat hit. The management has been extravagant in expenditure and the scenic effects are equal to, it they do not surpass, anything seen on the New York stage. It is said that Messrs. Oliver Ditson & Co., the publishers, have forwarded to Gilbert and Sullivan a draft for $500, It all the managers were to do the same ‘Pinafore’ would prove a bonanza to the authors, 7 ‘The Lyceum Theatre will be opened to-morrow with 4 new and select company, who propose to sing “Pinafore” and the “Sorcerer.” The names ot sev- eral well known artists are mentioned in connection with the Tony Vastor’s pleasant theatre on Broadway is one of the pleasant resorts of those who desire genuine entertainment, Just now the c any have fallen into the evil ways of “Pinafore,” but they make it immensely funny. Mr. Maurice Grau having taken the Théatre Gaité, in Paris, commenced an engagement with Capoul in “Romeo and Juliet’ on Monday evening iast. He is said to be the first American manager who ever on- tered on such & venture. The attendance at the philharmonte concert at the Academy ot Music yesterday was large and select. ‘There is no reason to change the tenor of the com- meuts that were made upon the performance at the | rehearsal, cellent. ‘The annual concert for the benefit of the veterans of the Sailors’ Snug Harbor, on Staten Island, will take place on Tuesday evening. Among the vocalists who have volunteered are Miss A. Wells, Miss Addio The performance was in every way ex- L. Learned,’ Miss Kate Stark, Mr. David W. Me- Arneeny, G. K. Walcott and Mr. Deyo. Sefior Ranieri Vilanova, the pianist, has been selected by the Spanish government as musical director of a royal academy of fine arts, which is to be founded at Havana, under the patronage of King Alfonso and ex-Queen Isabella, The institu- tion will be formally opened in the fall. The Midgets at Masonic Hall have become one of the sensations of the city. The daily attendance is large, and hundreds go away scarcely believing that four anda half pounds of rea! flesh and blood can contain so much of vitality. The attraction is spe- cially patronized by ladies and children. Johu McCullough prevented a | anic in a Nashville theatre. He was playing Richard L1L., and the regis- ter on the right side of the stage commence! smok- ing. The audience was on the point of stampeding, when the actor, In his decpest tones, bade them keep their seats, asthe janitor was only putting fresh coal on the fire. At the Fifth Avenue Theatre to-morrow night “Thro’ the Dark’ will afford the critica: public another opportunity of judging whether an Ameri- can play can be successful. It is said to be replete with strong points and to embrace a strong cast. the announcement that Lucca | It is said that 126 | Those who have seen the rehearsals describe the plot as exceedingly effective. The “Scrap of Paper,’ which is to be brought out at Wallack’s to-morrow night, is an adaptation by Mr. Palgrave Simpson of Victorien Sardou’s cleverest comedy, ‘Les Pattas de Mouche.” This play has re- cently had a very Jong and successful run at the Court Theatre, London. Here it will be almost a novelty, as some sixteon years have passed since another adaptation was given at Wallack’s. Miss Adelaide Lennox has been engaged for a series of readings st Brewster Hall. Her first presenta- tion will take placo as soon as the hall can be pre- pared for the purpose. Her répertoire comprises humorous and descriptive selections in prose and verse from Trowbridge, Holmes, Whittier, Buchanan Read and others, Among the more noteworthy pieces which Migs Lennox will interpret are Carle- ton’s “Betsy and I are Out’ and William Allen Butler’ ‘Miss Flora McFlimsey,” Scats were at a premium last evening at the Union Square Theatre, it being the one hundredth perform- ance of “The Banker's Daughter.” The event was celebrated with satin programmes and considerable | enthusiasm. The manager, Mr. Palmer, is to be congratulated on his success with an American play performed by American actors. ‘The Banker's Daughter” is announced for an indefinite number of- nights, the production of “The Two Orphans” being postponed for the present. It is written of Mr. J, H. Haverly that he owns and manages Hayerly’s Theatre in Chicago, the largest theatre in that city; is the proprietor of the Mastodon Minstrel show, manager of McKee Rankin’s “Danites” party; also of the New Orleans Minstrels, part owner of the Bush Street Theatre in San Francisco, manager of the Berger Family Bell Ringers, principal owner of the | National Printing House in Chicago, the largest coal dealer in the same city, proprietor of three steam- boats on Lake Superior, manager of Her Majesty Opera, director in the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany, and, finally, » man who never gave a note for a debt, never took a drink, and fourteen years ago was a@newsboy on the Michigan Southern Railroad be- tween Chicago and Toledo. THEATRICAL FOLLY. MISS O'NEILL'S UNFORTUNATE VENTURE AS A MANAGER—MISFORTUNES OF A SILENT PART- NER. Some time ago Mics Agnes O'Neill leased the Columbia Opera House and reopened it as the Folly Theatre. The enterprise resulted disastrously, involving the sum of $20,000 invested by Mr. Patrick Kenny, and $6,000 advanced by Mr. Patrick Tierney, the latter secured by a mortgage. The artists engaged by Miss O’Neill have applied to Judge Donohue, of the Supreme Court, to be “let in” as her creditors, and ask for the appointment. of a re- ceiver. Miss O'Neill has also brought suit against her partners, and the latter are trying to attach her property. PATRIOK KENNY'S CAREER. Mr. Kenny’s carecr is somewhat interesting. Up to September , When he failed, he was one of the largest wool merchants in thiscountry. He had been in the business fcr ten years or more, and, besides being wealthy, was well known in society in Boston, Providence and other Eastern cities. Even atter his failure the esteem of his friends did not di- minish, but on the contrary increased, when, in Oc- tober, he made an assignment of $00,000 of his asseta to Judge Blackwood, of Providence, R.1., for the benetit of his creditors. Mr. Kenny at that time re- sided in Providence, and those whom he owed in that city looked upon the assignment as a very mag- nanimous act. His Boston creditors, however, were far from satisfied with the proffered compromise and at once instituted civil and criminal proceedings. In the former Kenny's property was attached and in the latter the Grand Jury tonnd an indictment. ‘Thereupon the Governor of Massachusetts issued a requisition upon the Governor of Rhode Island, but Mr. Kenny, on learning of his intended arrest, called, it is said, wpon the latter, and the requisition re- mains unsigned. The reason given is that the ottence for which the indictment was found in Boston is not regarded as a crime in Rhode Island. The Bos- ton creditors then brought suit in the United States ccurts in Rhode Island and had five writs of attach- ment issued against the person of Mr. Kenny, The papers were placed in the hands of United States marshals, and at nine o'clock at night Kenny was ar- Tested, but, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, foun sinen who quali in the sum of | found’ bond h alified 40,000, FINE ARTs, BOUGUEREAU'S “CHARITY” AND A MILLET. A large and important example of Bouguereau, entitled “Charity,” will be placed on exhibition in M. Knoedler & Co.’s gallery to-morrow morning. It is one of, if not the finest example of the master, which has been exhibited here for some time, and was one of tho twelve pictures which represented him at the Universal Exhibi- tion and brought him a grand medal of honor, As usual, the figures are of life size. The all loving mother, seated in front of a niche, on either side of which are pillars, hoids in her arms three naked children, while two others are 8 overturned a vase, ver pieces, and rests r naked left foot on it, thus giving picturesque folds to her drapery. One of the babes whom she | | hoids is asleep, with his curly head pillowed on ber left breast. She draws the two others toward her right breast, and looks with slightly opened mouth and serene, tender, loving gaze at the chikl who 18 suckling. The remaining jene of this charming trio, so skilfully | gfouped and contrasted in action and repose, strives to raise himselt from under her eneircling arm and | nearer her face to which he looks longingly. Of | the whole gronp the sweetest figure is that ot the | | little girl who huddles to the right at the mother’s feet, With her arms crossed over her breast in timor- | ows, childlike action, and half smnties, half pouts, as she looks at us. The darker skinned boy on the left lies on the step with his head in shadow and leans on a couple ot holy books as he spells out the word “Evangile” written on a sheet of parchmet The composiiion is @ fine one and the grouping especially good. As an example of skillul, thor- oughly correct drawing and delicate modelling and | chiaroscuro the work is worthy of much admiration | j and study. The somewhat pale, luminous and | transparent flesh tints of the master have been often objected to, but in this case they please us ex- | In management of delicately contrasted he painter is especially happy, and his rendition of handso skinned children is | almost unequalled at the 1 nt day. The archi- tectural work is worthy of all praise. While many prefer paintings which exhibit more neryous strength and picturesque treatment, none will deny | that this isa noble work of a thorough, admirable and conscientious painter, whose reputation is well deserved. | In the upper rooms of the same establishment is | a small and excellent example of Millet, full of sun- | | light and pure in tone, By an open window, through which streams the sunlight, a peasant mo- ther site sewing as she rocks the wooden cradle in | which her baby sleeps. In the garden outside the father is seen at work, SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARTISTS—PRIVATE VIEW. ‘hore was a large attendance during yesterday, and in the evening the Kurtz Gallery was crowded with a well pleased and much interested assembiage at the “«private view” of the second exhibition of the Soct- ety of American Artists, To-morrow morning the gallery will be open to the public and rem wntil the With inst. ‘Che hours are from nine . to six P, M., and from haif-past seven P.M. to ten P. On Sundays the gallery will be op | free, from twelve M. to six BP. M. reference to the case of Thomas Moran, who stated to the writer on Friday that he had resigned from the’ society, members say that his resignation will prob- ably uot be accepted, and that it is equally probable that he will be expelled—a good chance for a law case it this is done, A private view was given last evening at Avery's art rooms of the “Indian Vase; in marble, by Amoa | ART NOTE. Van Warf, which was written about in last Sunday's HenaLp, THE ASTLEY BELT. COMPLETING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMPETITION-—-THE DRAWING FOB THE COT’ TAGES—JUDGES AND SCORERS. At half-past three o’clock yesterday morning work- men commenced to erect the cottages designed for the competitors in the Astley belt contest at Gil- more’s Garden. Three of the structures were in sec- tions and readily put in place, while the fourth isa new building throughout. The house to the right as you ent@® from Madison avenue is more com- modious than the others. It contains three rooms, the largest being ten feet by eleven feet, with the right and left wings eleven feet by six teet and a half, The rest of the houses are eleven by ten feet and have only one room. All will be furnished alike. Gas stoves, comfortable beds, plenty of cooking utensils and all other necessary articles for a six days’ occupaney have been purchased by the management and will be equally distributed, The drawing for these struc- tures took place late in the day, Rowell obtained the new house, which is located on the northeast turn of the track; Harriman the one directly oppo- site, on the Twenty-sixth street side of the Garden; Ennis that at the northwest turn, and O'Leary the largest of the four. As the cham pion’s wife and family arrived from Chi- cago yesterday his friends and backers aro greatly gratified that the more comfortable of the huts fell to him, There will now be accommo- dation sufficient for those who desire to render him assistance, Equally well pleased was Rowell regard- ing his luck, as his trainers think that the lower end of the hall will be more retired and less liable to invasion® by the masses expected to attend. The railing around the inner circle was finished at noon. A platform has been constructed on the outer side of the track twelve feet wide and guarded by a stout rail, which will afford space for a vast number of people, as it extends the entire circuit of the vast inclosure. An immense black board has been hung on the Fourth avenue side of the garden, so arranged that the name of the com- petitor who is in front will be at the top of the list, and the distances made every hour by each man will be noted in figures sufliciently large to be easily dis- tinguished from the extreme opposite ends of the lace. ‘Lhe track will not be ly until a few hours tore the men are called upon to start. It will be constructed by a veteran at the business and cannot fail to please the contestants. The Western Union and American District offices will be in readiness for work this evening. O'LEARY’S OFFER. O'Leary called at the Spirit of the Times office after banking hours yesterday and withdrew the $3,000 left there by him, which he was willing to bet against $6,000 that 540 miles will be covered in the 142 hours. A few persons were willing to take small portions of the amount at the terms offered, but wanted to get the whole sum placed that he might have an additional incentive to work. Neither of the com- Ppetitors took any violent exercise 7. and to-day they will rest most of the time. The start will take place to-night, one hour after midnight, an it is ex that several thousand persons will be present to witness the beginning of what may prove the most exciting and bitterly contested event of its character that ever took place, Each competitor means to win or ‘‘die on the track;*’ at least such is the substance of the sanguine expressions of their respective friends. Next Wednesday night may prove to be the time when guesses can be made with some degree of accuracy, but until then, unless there is an accident or an unfortunate breaking down of some of the men, it is not likely that anything sufficiently definite will have been developed to point with certainty to the winner, JODGES AND SCORERS. The five judges from the sporting 8 called for by the articles of agreement are as follows :—Spirit of the Times, R. H. Dudgeon; New York Clipper, Charles Colvin; Turf, Field and Farm, Leslie C. Brace; New York Sportsman, E. Plumer; London Sporting Life, G. W. Atkinson. The athletic clubs selected to fur- nish the other judges have named the tollowing gen- tlemen:—New York Athletic Club, William B. Curtis; Brooklyn Athletic Club, James Taylor; Harlem Ath- letie Club, W. I. K. Kendrick; Scottish American Athletic Club, Maxy E. More; Manhattan Athletic oe George W. Carr; American Athletic Club, John Gath. ‘The scorers and timers for the first twenty-four hours have been selected from the New York Athletic Club, and will be arranged in the following watches: — From twelve o'clock midnight, Sunday, to six A. M., Monday—Edward Merritt, James W. Carter, R. W. Rathboone, W. G. Demarest and Ed- ward Roehner. From six A. M., Monday, to twelve o’cluck noon—Charles C. Shaw, Henry C. West, William F. Shaw, Cornelius Mahoney and C, Lie bert. From twelve o’clock noon to six P, M.—Rich- ard Meares, William E, Cox, Joseph H. Loughman, Frank J. Kilpatrick and Edward Goldschmidt. From six P. M. to twelve o'clock midnight—Alfred H, Curtis, John H. Stead, Edward J, Hudson, Matthew ©. Patterson and Earnest C. LaMontague. COLUMBIA COLLEGE ATHLETICS, The first annual winter athletic games of the Columbia College Boat Club, will be held at Gil- more’s Garden on the evenings of Friday and Satur day, April 4and 5. The events will be as follows:— First, open to students from any college, one mile walk, one mile run, half mile run, quarter milo run, 225 yards run, seventy-five yards run, run- ing high jump and tug of war. Second, open to any amateur, two mile walk, handicap; one mile walk, handicap; one mile run, handicap; quarter-mile run, handi- handicap; 440 yards hurdle rr handicap; three mile bicycle race, one milo walk (baring seven minute men); amateur tug of war, teams of ten men; amateur tag of war, for light weights, teams of six men; military tug of war, open to teains of #ix men from the Seventh, Twenty: second and Twenty-third iments, NGS, On Saturday, April 5, at one o'clock P. M., there will be a four-hour race, “go as you please,” open to any amateur who has never, in an open race, beaten 8mm. 30s, in a mile walk, or 5m. 40s, in a mile run, All entries should be addressed to J. T. Goodwin, Columbia College, New York. MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB. ‘The following stakes closed on the 1st inst. :-— Baltimore Cup—2!q miles—12 entries, Peyton Handicap Stakes——mile heats—15 entries, Vernal Sweepstakes—1 mile—3 entries. Rancocus Handicap—1\¢ miles—33 entries, Breckenridge Stakes—2 miles—45 entries, Dixie Stakes (1840)—2 miles—61 entries, HORSE NOTES. It is contemplated to retire King Philtp from ti trotting turf this season. He left a few colts in Massachusetts, now coming four and five years old, among which Electra, Philapewna, Brown Stout and others have given him acali atthe stud. His record is 2:21; his sire has a record of 2:213;, and that of his dam 2:29!;. The Bates mare by Ethan Allen, out of Pocahontas, the pacer, recently foaled a bay colt by him. Dr. L. Herr, Lexington, Ky., has taken the filly Admiration by Administrator to train for her en- gagements in 1879. Hor first appearance is due at Chicago July 4, in the three-year-old purse, which closed with eight entries, of which the most con- spicuous ts Memento by Administrator, that took the two-year-old record of 2:33 last fall. YACHTING NOTES, The differences in the Williamsburg Yacht Club which first led to a disagreement between the yacht owners and the general body and afterward to the organization of the Empire Yacht Club by several seceders, have at last resulted in a complete dissolu- tion of the parent body. At the last meeting of the club, on Thursday night, it was decided to sell all the property and divide its proceeds among the members. At the twenty-second annual meeting of the Jersey City Yacht Club, held last Thursday, the following officers were elected for the ensuing :—Commo- dore—John A. Nugent, Vice Commodore—A. P. Ball, ‘Treasurer—John H. Carnes, Secretary—James T. Grady. rer—George N. Weston. Board of Directors—The above named officers and Messrs, Jobn Hitton, J. FP. Roberts, C. BE. Gardner, . Sherman, D. H. Bennett, C. W. Beamis, Finance Committee—Joun A. Hitton, J, F. Roberts, ¢. E. Gardner. Regatta Committee—J. T. Roberts, Joha H. Carnes, D. H. Bennett, Executive Committer—G, ©. Doyle, H. Searie and Edward Gilbert. Friday, May 30, has been set apart as opening aay, when the squadron is expected to be ready for faapeotion. THE RIFLE, The third competition for the Ballard riffo, offered to mercantile teams, took placo yesterday afternoon at the Creedmoor Junior Range. ‘The totals made by the best teams were as follows:—North British In- surance Company team, 146; Home Insurance Com pany team, 146; F. H, Holton Manutacturiag Com- pany team, 139; Custom House team, 14. The tie was decided in fayor of the first named team on ace count of supertority in the details of the score. The prize is still open for competition, as it must be woo three times to become the property of the winning team,” 75 yards run, THE DOMINION RIFLE SOCIATION, Ortawa, March 8, 1879. The Governor General has gi £0 to be coms peted for at the Dominion Rifle Association matches,