The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-01

ent day choose TO at the idea of the ancent
that the oppressyeness and sutnes for several weeks
including the latter part of July and the month Of Au
gust are owing 10 the dog stars rising and setting at
nearly the time with the SUM- and uniting its in
fueDce with that of lumnary the fact is noontro-
verble that this Of the year is of peculiar char
acter and ii s at least convenient to have term by
which to designate it, short and universally under
stood the phrase .'dog days We do not intend at
this time to agtate the question OF stellar influences in
laton to which, to the language Of sncho Panz much
may be said both sides shall discuss the pro-
pety of calling Sirius the dogstar But object is
to notice briefly of the dangers to heal tn which
more threatening than ut other periods of the year In
consequence OF the excessive heat vegetation Is unusual
y rapid and the decay and putrefacton of animal and
vegetable substances is corespondingy accelerated
Thus the atmosphere is full of noxious exhaations
which, during the day, borne upward into the higher
regions of the air by the which is created by the
heat OF the SUM- During the night however, these poi
sonous exhalatons are from the absence of such
rent left on the surface Of the earth and being inhaled
by those who exposed to their influence they often
produce feyen of the most dangerous type. This is
pecially true in the country and many persons have
brought upon themselves serious illness By sleeping with
open windows in localities where these exhalations
abound The Philadelphia Ledger, in article on
this subject which contains valuable suggestions
rem4ks that, general rule, third story chambers
healthier than secondstory and either health
Ter than level with the street The rea
for this is that the noxious vapos being heavier
than the atmosphere, settle down along the ground
When the yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia, at
the close of the last century, DIR. Rush observed
that those who occupied apartments in the third
story far less liable to attack than those who slept
the ground floor 1t is always safest, therefore, to
sleep up stars and children old people, and nvalds
should sleep in third stories These precautions the
more necessary il the dwengh house Is the outskirts
OF city or in the country for in proportion to the
want Of drainage the danger from no1ious nhaatons
Many persons in order to escape from these exhalatons
sleep with windows and doors closed and without any
ventilation But this is counting greater danger in
hopes to escape less If the system be kept in proper
condition. there will be less danger of sickness from
these causes and hence every should take care
live tempentey and practice frequent ablution and in
this manner he may successfully resist these dangers
which Turk unseen around his path.
1t is essential to the health of city that deca,ing
animal and vegetable substances be not suffered TO accumu
late about our premises The carts go their rounds daily
to remove such offensive matter and any householder
who may be neglected in these vstatons need only to
make complaint to the commissioner of health to have
the matter inst,fallsy attended to.
NEW CATHOLIC CEMETERY old grave yards belong
ing to the Catholic churches Of Washington having be-
come filled up otherwise rendered unfit for further
nse says the Catholic Miror it became necessary to
make some early arrangements for the becoming burial
of the dead The pastors of the several congregations
termined to unite their efforts procure proper place
and large enough for the whole Catholic population
They succeeded in obtaining nearly forty OF the
'Fenwick Farm, at the comparatively small price of
$lO, OO0 It is situated on the Bladensburg road and
not half mile from the city boundary.
The and walks already graded and gravel
led the flower beds set out the trees trimmed and the
uuiersrowth removed The side fences are Of rustic
work. thcky crowded with the Usage orange whilst
the front is of hammered stone sumouned with iron
ratings, and supported by cut-stone columns chapel
Is to be erected the highest point of the cemetery
which presents the finest view of Washington and the
Potomac Immediately in rear of the chapel will be
semi-circle of stone vaults. As whole, we have no
doubt that few years will show the wisdom of selecting
this place and manifest in the beauty of its ornaments
the piety and taste Of the Catholics of Washington
NEW USE FOR PmorooRApnY. art of photography
says Washington correspondent has been pressed into
public service. In the Treasury Building may be
found Mr.. Walker, accomplished operator who is en-
poyed by that department to take views of the building
In a Its stages Of progress and of the various portions
Of it, His sketches found of great service to the
architects He is also occupied in taking Photographic
copies of the various plans aud drawings and even of
business letters of the department Whether the plan is
more expensive than any other is not stated but it is
certainly and interesting feature in the transaction
Of public business.
The SrEuBEN MosUMrNr.-Thc Steuben Central Com
mitee of New York city state that the receipts from the
recent festival amount to $S00-leavng clear profit Of
500 after dcducting the expenses. We think our
German feowcitizens may feel just pride IN the fact
that they have excelled their New York brethren The
receipts of the festival at Arlington Springs amounted to
ST. 600 There is such warm hearted enthusiasm about
this class Of population that when they undertake
project it is pretty to be accomplished and we may
expect to have Steuben Monument erected which will
be honor to those contributing to It. and worthy
mecnto of that distinguished warrior and patriot whom
every American delights to honor.
of construction at the ma First streets
Is progressing satisfactorily, and the walls are now nearly
complete. The work on it has been performed in the
best manner and in short time its slate roof laid In
mortar will be put on. The building designed by
Father Sestin s. j. who personally superntends it's
construction The ceiling is to be of plates of iron al
ready prepared and painted, which will DO novelty In
architecture. That part of the city has within few
years been growing rapidly, and the fine residences of
Vice President Breckenridge and Senator Douglas to-
gether with the public printing establishment have done