Washington sentinel., 1853-12-17
4otal ann Yfrsonal.

U*o1 aIlo ]~"u""'.
X Criminal Court.--Since Monday some little
progress has been made with the trial Of DIR.
George A. Gardiner. The testimony, thus far, is
about the same as that elected last year, when
the case was before the court Business proceeds
as though the parties were in particular hurry
to bring the trial to close, owing 10 the import %
ance fthe subject DESTROYS, yesterday at noon,
of seeing how things looked in the courtroom we
entered and noticed the Judge unoccupied in his
seat; the counsel, the accused, the Witnesses the
auditors, and the jurymen, were absent, indnlgng
in brief recess Mr.. Robertson, the crier OF the
court, was, as usual, engaged in making quill
pens, 'the old grey goose" being still preferred on
the premises TO the steel and gold Innovations
Passing into the marshals room, we noticed a
,lymphatic iuryman eating his dinner from smok-
ing basket; WHILE on the portico, two other jury
men were engaged in smoking; one of them
cigar and the other a pipe. Susan's groaning la
bic of eatabes, in the vestibule, was the main
point Of attack by the hungry attendants the
court.
NJ We like the recess system. Six long, uninter-
rupted hours in jury box, every day, for proba-
bly, six weeks or two months, listening TO lesti- II
mony and arguments of counsel, would undoubi-
edly weaken the strongest physical constitution,
if not conflict with the Constitution Of the United
States which prohibits cruel and unusual pun
ishments' from being inflicted on either guilty or
innocent persons
The Prize Poem.-The glit,sring prize Of \
FIVE hundred dollars, offered by r. w. Latham, for
the best national poem or epic, has tempted one
hundred and one poets 10 enter into the contest
for the purse, and, as a consequence, for Ameri-
can Immortality. For nearly week past the ex-
aminers have been at work testing in their order,
the merits Of the patriotic and rythmatical offer
ings As TO how much longer the committee will
be engaged, we have no means of ascertanng;
but we are assured they will g continue their la
bors so 10 arrive at decision as soon as prac-
tcable."
But day or two ago we read an account of
Spaniard in the employment of the New York
custom-house, who is a marvel in the way OF
counting out and weighing gold and silver coins,
and, by means Of his nose, Immediately seeming
out the bad from the good specie!
Unfortunately, there are no Mteratsnrs, smi-
larly ghcd,to arrive at speedy determination
relative TO the mass Of poetical heroic illusions.
Seriously, the task Of making an impartial selec-
ton the best poem, from, no doubt many good
epcs, isnol light labor; and the gentlemen employed
in the business will deserve TO he remembered for
an exercise of patience for which all men are not
calculated. gsIR i.4
A Dark Afair.--We learnthat, not long since,
q man who keeps shop in the first ward so of X
Tended one Of his neighbors that he determined on
seeking revenge throughthe operation oflaw. He &
suspected the shopkeeper Of selling liquor, with
ont license, 70 negroes only but as negro can
not be a witness against white man, the ag-
grieved party hit on the expedient of Disgusting
himself with a blackencd skin and woolly head,
and, taking with him friend similarly altered in
appearance, he boldly went into the aforesaid
shop; and not only called for whiskey but drank
it. The desired proof was now procured, as a
preliminary 70 the infection of a fine upon the
unsnspecting vender. The successful adventu-
rers, however, were subsequently arrested by the
auxiliary guard-for what cause we did not learn
and brought to the watchhouse as vagram negroes,
but, rolling up their sleeves and exposing their
necks they easily satisfied the captain that they
belonged to the Caucasian race of mortals, and
were, as consequence, released from custody.
. The Industrial Fair in the new Baptist
church on Thirteenth, near G street, has been well
attended during the last week. There are contri-
buttons from eight States, embracing large va
riety Of useful and fancy goods, lecture is oc
casionaly delivered by some gentleman ade-
quately qualified to instruct and delight his audi
tory But the great attraction, at present, is the
singing Of Mr.. Il. Y. II. Crosby and his wife. "The
Gamblers Wife, )" aThea Grave Of Washington ~.
g The Old Irish Gentleman" [" The Happiest Time
was them, and /" Before my Hair was gray"
are among the popular melodies.
Grace Church.--A fair is now being held in
Farnums new building, corner Of Eleventh street
and Pennsylvania avenue, under the auspices Of
members Of Grace church, the proceeds TO be APP
piled to the liquidation of The debt growing out Of
the erection of their handsome church edifce, on
the Island. Tomorrow evening the ladies' will
provide supper for the visitors and music and
singing will add enjoyment TO the occasion.
Captain Walter Nj. Gibson, well and favor
ably known to some Of our citizens recently read
a paper before the New York Geographical and
Statistical society, on his adventures in Sumatra
St e NEW MUSIC, PIANOS, &c.
WY Il have this week published the /" Star