The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-28

PoET's CHALLEYGE.-In q late Home Journal,
there mention of visit to Jacques Jasmin, the
barber poet of Agen, who has "written beautiful
poems in the old Languedocian dislect-the tongue
of the good King Rene and the Provencial trouba-
dours." In recent English work we find men
tion of challenge, la troubadour, given to Jas
min several years since by Peyrottes, the potter
poet of France. Peyrottes writes to his brother
poet that being unable to invite him TO public
recitation of their respective poems after the
ner OF the ancient minstres, owing to a defect in
his speech he yet challenges him to contest which
will be equally decisive. He proposes that each
shall be shut up for twenty-four hours in apart
ment by himself, with sentinels at the door; and
that three subjects shall then be given them BY as
many literary persons, and the poet who in that
time shall produce, in the opinion of these gentle
men, the finest verses on these three Subjects shall
be acknowledged victor he adds that he shall
Immediately distribute several hundred copies OF
this challenge about Montpelier. Jasmin replies,
with simple good sense that his muse loves the
open air and liberty, and cannot breathe in locked
chamber with sentinel at the door; that as to wri
ting three poems in twenty-four hours, he was
twelve years in writing the FIVE he has published,
although they consist of only twenty-four hundred
lines. His muse is, therefore. ready, if Peyrottes
wishes it, to confess herself vanQuished. To this
letter is appended the following: "P Snow that
you understand the muse, in two words you may
understand the man also. | love glory: but the
success of another never disturbs my slumbers."-
Which OF the two may be the finer poet we have no
means of Judging, we have never seen the works
of either; but there be question which is the
nobler man.-Home Journal.
DR.. WISsHIP OUrDoNE DR.. w inship, the cele-
brated Massachusetts, athlete, who was asserted to
be the 'strongest man in the world,' has net a
superior in the person of one William Thompson,
who is connected with the Chicago Gymnasium
The test of strength occurred in that city one day
last week, at gymnastic tournament, at which
DR.. Winsbip performed his great muscular feat of
lifting nine kegs of nails, weighing 1000 pounds,
- al. .a.l
ders, l,5l7 pounds. He was succeeded by Thomp-
son, who, commencing with the last lift of the
Doctor, then went on adding weights and lifting,
with harness on shoulders and hips, until the num-
bers stood successfully, 1885, $780, ,736, 1,S36,
1886, 2036, 2,l36 pouuds-a very remarkable lift,
the latter, to be sure. He also experimental with
dumbbelis weighing 100 and l65 pounds. Another
competing gymnast, named Curtis, "pushed''
first 130 pounds, and then $50 pounds in each hand
with the pulley, and lying down upon his back,
put up lilo pounds in each hand But the feat of
the evening the great lift of Thompson, and
the judges considered it in the award of the $500
prize to him.
Baron DE -, of Paris, lately gave dinner
to half dozen friends, to "wsrm" house he has
lust built for himself. 1t was bachelor dinner.
his wife being in the country. When they were
at dessert, lady entered the room-his wife!
There was disagreeable moment or two for the
guests, as surprises always dsa greeable, espe-
cially when they come in petticoats. She said
"Gentlemen, | am sorry to disarrange you, but
have something to say to my husband, and / am
not sorry to have your company" She thsreupon
went up to her husband, who was turning many
colors as dying dolphin, and said to him, "Six
weeks ago, in the heat of discussion which did
not provoke, you we're coward enough to slap me.
| As there were no witnesses present, my lawyer
| tells me can bring action. There are wit
nesses here now, sir-take thah (giving bim ter
Tioie slapl use your witnesses. l expect your
lawyer at once" She then quilted the room ma
lesticaliy. The husband has summoned all hi:
friends as witnesses, and brought suit for divorce
1t is stated that new daily journal will appear
| in Washington City this evening, entitled The Con
federation. 1t is to support the policy of the ad
| minstration while it lasts, and to advocate re
| construction of the government.
There is to be grand calico ball at W ashingtol
on Wednesday evening next for the beDoft Of tn
poor of the city.