Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-16
Kotal anO persunal.
The Man with the Razor powder Is 10

town, and has been holding forth al street col
! ners, vending his wares His predecessor, sevt
raj months ago, was as quick in his elocuti6n a
Caleb Quotem, and as truthful probably, as Majo
Longbow, but not comparable with Epamnon
das, who il is said 10 the credit Of that gentleman
OF antiquity, " never told e," and who has bu
comparatively few imilaiors in this important re
speci, throughout the world certainly not among
those who sell razor powder.
But the itinerant now IN the midst of us, if he
does not attract crowds Of men and boys by his
truthfulnsss, rvets attention by his not classic
and, 10 himself not fatiguing harangues, all in
praise Of the peculiarly gritty dust, packed in
little boxes, al "the exceedingly low price oil
| twenty-five cents piece" He has but.one arm
we cannot say it is the right. because j, is the
one left--and with this he plies over a
strop sprnkled with the powder, and which strop
| he holds firmly by pressing rhe handle Of il
against his breadbasket, while The end is lodged
at table, Wiping the instrument from heel
| to point, he amuses the crowd with bis oralorcal
gas; and then, by way Of proving the truth OF the
superior excellence of his powder, he dextrously
clips paper or bristles from his own head with the
edge OF The glittering steel This is the aygu-
| nentnm ad honlinem, and secures the sale Of
several boxes. of which there are always "a few
more of the same sort left"
Smith, the razor sirop man, was the first 10 set
the example of street peddng in such wares in
our city, and he adroy managed 10 escape the
payment of hawker's license, by an ingIorious
retreat, thus shariag the corporation. There was
versifcation or rhyme in his speeches, and he
TO th. 80
tons and boaslings in the facilitation of his trade
prominent outdoor attraction.
All who have followed in his footsteps engaged
in similar pursuits, have displayed more tact than
talent, and more gas than brains; but they have
been equally as successful in business, if We can
form an estimate from their ready sales. Pro-
vided everybody could with the same powder,
sharpen razor well as they do, the article
would be cheap; Lut the purchasers, nine out Of
ten at least, realize that they are deficient in the
practice which makes perfect, and that their
razors injured rather than benefited by rasp-
ing them over the "magic powder"
The Expenses of Living Ii is said that,
towing TO the very faltering prospect for a heavy
crop of grain our -four market appears inclined to
droop" II certainly is the desire OF all consumers
that this event may speedily take place, for, the
best brands of family -four are still selling at the
extraordinarily high price of,hrteen and half dol
lars barrel, by the retail.
With regard to marketabes the exorbitant
rates are not only maintained, but, on Thursday,
they advanced shade higher, though a complaint
Of scarcity cannot be uttered. The dealers esiab-
lish, by combination, the highest possible prices,
which generally uniform, and thus COMPETE
ton is excluded.
As compared with the prices two three years
ago, the cost of living is twice as high il at
that time, on average There has been an ad-
vance on every article which enters into house
hold consumption. If the pecuniary income of
the consumer were proportonately increased,
this state Of things would make no difference; but
as it is the uDustfable exactions for market sup
plies bear peculiarly hard on the community at
large, and especially on those who depend on
their honest, daily toll for subsistence.
The predictions which have been repeatedly
made, of late, of a speedy stumbling down of
prices" do not seem to be in the train of early full
flment in this section Of the country.
We repeat. there is no justification whatever
for the continued high rates OF the necessaries of
life as there is Of them an overabundance. The
vendors have not even the excuse of "Congress
being in session." as if that honorable body and
the strangers attracted hther during its delibera
tons, were like an army oflocusts, eating out the
substance of the countryman and the huckster
The Washington News. Our respected
neighbor, VIM. Thompson esq, will hereafter
publish his paper but once, instead Of twice
week. He is induced 10 this course by circum-
stances beyond his control; finding, since his con-
nection with the corporation was dissolved, his
receipts from subscriptions and advertisements
have not remunerated him for the heavy expenses
of publishing semi-weekly paper. II will be
recollected that the late City Councils thought
proper, under the influence of proscriptive
spirit, to deprive him Of the Corporation printing,
and his Office Of police ma gistrate, amounting
by its direct and indirect operation, 10 not less
than one thousand dollars year. He how're
specially and earnestly appeals 10 all his political
and personal friends TO sustain him; and the more
SO, as he has contended earnestly and unninch-
ingly, amid evil as well good report, 10 main
tain the constitutional rights Of the naturalized
citizen, religious liberty, and the freedom Of the
press ]" and will continue TO oppose the Know
nothing Vaccinations.
Concert.-The citizens of Washington 10
be treated to a rich musical entertainment on
Monday night at Carusi's Saloon. !, will be IN
der the direction Of Professor T. Ahrend, the cele.
br aied performer on the viooncelo. Madlle De
Boye, well known in this city as performer on
the piano forte, will preside at that Instrument.
In addition 10 the merits Of this lady and gentle
man, other eminent talent has been engaged for
the OCCASION so TO render the concert deserv-
ing, in all respects, ofthe public patronage
4 -
| Fourth of July.-Wc notice, in our exchange
papers. that preparations are in the course Of be-
/ ing made all over the country for celebrating the
approaching anniversary the declaration Of our
counlrys independence from British rule; in some
sections in n stvle of maQnifcencs heretofore un-