Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-03-11
TIE CONTINENTAL.

writer arguing glorious future Tor the
empire, and maintaining that the proba-
bic fall of Islamism, through the inAu-
ence of Christianity, by no means implies
the fall of the Turkish rule, the one be-
ing a religious and the other civil pow
er. "Gold" is discussed in its material
aspects:
"The fact that the large amount Of
gold which has been thrown into the
circulation of the world within
the last fourteen years has exercised SO
little influence upon the money market
or prices generally, is at variance with
the predictions of financial writer's upon
both sides of the Atlantic. The increase
in the present production of gold, com
pared with former periods, is enormous;
and it would not be surprising if, in view
of the explorations which are going on n
Africa, Japan, Borneo, and other cOun-
tries bordering upon the equator, the
product of the precious metals within the
next decade should be million of dollars
daily. The price of gold has not dimin
ished, although the annual product has
increased fve-fOld within twenty years"
The Century of Inventions" is re-
view of curious work published in 1868;
but the most noticeable article in this
number of the Continental is that enti-
tied q Montgomery in Secession Time,
in which we find the following reminis +,
cences of the Inauguration of JEFF. Davis;
Early on Monday morning, however,
the hill before the Capitol was covered
with a vast throng, collected from all
parts of the new confederacy. For the
accommodation of the members ofCongress,
a temporary platform was erected in front
of the Capitol Standing on this, and
glancing over the city, the eye rested on
the rich valley of the Alabama, stretch
ing away many miles to the north, bro
ken here and there by the dark green
foliage of the pine forests, which now
twinkled in the soft light of day mild
even for the latitude. At the extreme
rear Of the platform, behind small table,
was seated the chairman of the Congress
Howell Cobb. Corpulent even to gross
ness, he formed curious contrast to the
small and TASTED forms of the two presi
dents elect, who sat at his side The
events of this day have given to every
trait of these men a lasting and unenvia
bic interest. Neither looked like great
man, neither like man thoroughly bad
All the impressions produced By the first
of Mr.. Davis were strength
ened, without being changed, by fur
ther acquaintance. To physique by no
means imposing, he joins manner too
reserved to make him at any time a IA
vOrite of the populace. His whole being
in fact, declares him stranger to that
deep and contagious enthusiasm which
has so-often in enterprises ike this drawn
to leader the admiration and uneonquer-
able fidelity Of the common people. Nor,
on the other hand, IS there anything in
his appearance to indicate the presence
Of the broad and comprehensive energy
which, in the mind of the thoughtful, can
take the place of such an enthusiasms
Still he is in many respects peculiarly
suited to take the head of the rebellion.
Elected at a time when state distinctions
we're lost sight of in the warmth Of the
first formation of the confederacy, he soon
lost his sectional character, and repre-
sents, as ne one now elected could, the
people alike of Virginia, and those along
he Gulf. He is shrewd, cautious, de-
But his caution may easily
become scarcely distinguishable in Its
results from timidity. His determination
S never far removed from stubbornness.
Mr.. Stevens, who sat, or, rather, had
Junk, in his chair by the side Of Mr..
Davis, was a thin, sickly-looking man,
whose small round face was characterized |
" the -pallid self-concentrated expression
peculiar to invalids. On rising at the
administration of the oath, which he did |
With the laborious movement Of one to
whom weakness had become habit, he !
evealed a form of about the medium |
height, but broken, as by some physical
During most of the GER
he wore the air of an uninteres-
d spectator, amusing himself with the
lead of slight and rather jaunty cane, !
which he had between his knees. Al |
hough greatly inferior, so far as mere
physical appearances are concerned, to
lis colleague, there is yet something in
he expression and bearing Of Mr.. Ste
ems which suggests depth and compre-
of intellect for which one
earches in vain the face Of Mr.. Davis. !