Washington sentinel., 1854-01-25
Death Of DR.. r. M. Bird.

/ Green Bay advocate, Jan. y.
Death Of DIR. II. M. Bird.
Robert Montgomery Bird, one Of the editors OF
| the North American died on Monday morning,
the 22d instant, at his residence in Philadelphia, OF
| an attack of brain fever. DR.. Bird was born at
Newcastle, Delaware, in lS03 and was educated
/ in Philadelphia for the medicnl profession. He
early turned his attention to literature, and wrote
three tragedies the Gladiator, Oraloosa, and the
Broker of Bogota, all of which have been popular
upon the stage In 1884 he published his first
novel, Calavar; and from that time to 1889 he
| published in succession The lnfdel, The Hawks
Of Hawk Hollow, Nick of the Woods, Peter Pill
| grim, and the Adventures of Robin Day; each OF
which exhibited considerable talent, and several
| of which have secured permanent popularity.
| Since 1885, when DR.. Bird suddenly retired from
the field Of letters for home in his native village,
he has not appeared as an author. few years
ago. however, he returned to Philadelphia andbe-
came one Of the propretors and editors of the
North american. contributing largely TO its edto-
rial columns His loss 10 literature will be sens-
bly, felt, although he had of late years nearly
abandoned the profession OF an author, in which
he had such brilliant prospects, And to his family
and large circle Of friends his DEATH at the prime
of life, is painful bereavement.
The Public Schools Of New Jersey.-The
annual report of the superintendent Of the COM
mon schools of New Jersey shows that the num-
ber Of children in the State, between the ages of
FIVE and eighteen years, is 16l,6l1. The whole
number attending school is 100000; amount oi
| money raised and appropriated to school pur-
poses, $325,2l9 39 raised by tax. $201 ,293 %;
State appropriations $4,000; other sources, prin-
cipay interest the surplus revenue, $43, ,926 80
Total, $235,2l9 SO. Increase, during the past
year, $52,4Sl g. II notices the State educational
and teachers conventions, and specially com
mends to the Legislature those proceedings which
look to the better preparation and training OF
teachers. II recommends the collection Of statis-
tical returns from the Incorporated academies and
other schools as necessary TO a full and complete
understanding Of the subject of statistics; also,
the establishment of schools for the preparation OF
teachers. The amount of the school fund is
$393,994 6S; income this year, with the tax from
banking associations, $52,657 a. Number Of
teachers, 1857; male, 1,l29; female, 62S Aver
age salary of male teachers, $2S4; female, S205
Nj. Bedini-Some of our cotemporaries are
contributing what they can TO excite the more ex-
citable portion of our population to personal
demonstration against M Bedni, should he visit
this city again before his departure from the
try. This is most mischeyous and criminal.
Republicanism can gain nothing by violent demon
strations, but it may be disgraced and occasion
given to its enemies for misrepresentation. No
good citizen will do anything TO create riot and
public opinion in this country is free and strong
enough to deal with the acts and public character
only be excused where the people have no public
press through whibh to place the stamp of their
reprobation upon acts Of inhumanity and tyranny
M. Bedini is a stranger among us, and his person
should be as safe while he remains among us
that of the representative Of any other European
ruler or as any citizen in the republic
JNew York iSRn.
Return of General Gadsdcn.-Our dstin-
guished and successful minsterto Mexico arrived
in this city, from the Mexican capital, via New
Orleans and the South Carolina railroad, on Tues
day last and Immediately went TO his plantation,
whence he returned, on Thursday last, and is now
at his residence in our city. lie will leave on
Monday next for Washington, 10 report TO our gov
ernment the results of his emnently successful
mission, aud receive instructions Tor the future.
We had the high qualification of an interview with
him last evening and of congratnlating him on
the great advantages he has secured tor his coun-
try and the honor he has won for himself He is
in fine spirits, and delighted with Mexico and its
climate; ascribng to his residence there his highly
Improved health and looks, and indeed a very
large share of rejuvenescence.
[Chorieaon Courier of 21st.
Aged Murderer.-A man ~ years of age,
named Windsor, convicted nearly four years ago
of the murder OF his wife, in Sussex county Del
aware and sentenced TO be executed, is still inn
prisoned in the Jail at Georgetown, in that State
having been respited by the governor four several
times On the last occasion the respite was till
the l7th of March, 1855. He keeps a record of
the persons visiting him, by which il appears that
during the year 1853 the number was 1853, being
100 more than during the year 1852. He is just
now sick, and greatly concerned about his re-
covery.
Frightful Tornado.--A destructive hurricane
swept over portion of Kosciusko county Indiana,
on the Cd instant breaking off or tearing up by
the roots the forest trees in its course as well as
blowing down several buildings, some of which
were lifted bodily and smashed in pieces at con-
siderable distance from their foundations. The
track ofthe tornado was nearly OF uniform width,
between six and seven hundred yards. The
above taken from private letter is all that is yet
known Of the effects ofthe hurricane, but the loss
Of property If not Of life, must be great.
Mexican steamers ON the Pacific.--The
Mexican government has purchased two steam
ers, destined TO watch and protect the coasts of
the Pacific. "They wi have plenty 10 do" says
the TRAIT a. Union. Dispatches had been receiv-
ed at the capital of the organization and presence
of large forces, both in Sonora aud Lower Cali
ornia for the defence Of the territory, with abun-
dance OF resources.
G1- most atrooous attempt to kill the off,
GERS Of the ship Defiance was recently made in