The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-10
and scientific only ON the threshold of this

and scientific men we're only On the threshold OF this
interesting field OF discovery.
The lecturer claimed that our earth was once =
shining star, and gradually the chemical action
became checked aud 1t cooled upon its surface.
Geological specimens were exhibited, winch showed
the Impressions Fade upon them by monstrous
OF them were found in the gate OF New York. DR..
Doremus ther proceeded TO show that the atnlos-
phere s sAted to the early and to the present va
reties OF life. One OF the great offices OF early plant
life was to enrich the atmosphere with oxygen
while 1t removed 70 the cold winds OF the
prepared for the higher animals until we
came to the highest-the human race. The early
forms Of vegetable iie io1nd IN the cold regions OF
men. There were no floral decorations at that
period; but those were subsequent touches OF the
almighty hand IN preparing the world for our pre-
He argued from the present condition Of the earth
and OF man that the world would not soon come
to an end. On the contrary he maintained that
science showed we were only az the beginning OF
our race and that multtudes Of years. according 70
the story or science must elapse before man shall
know the mystery Of the great problems that were
offered to him in the worlds above and beneath:
The lecture was concluded by another series Of
experiments to show the intensity OF the afinity OF
gaseous bodies.
ssThe Spratts mt Saratoga"
To large and fashionable assemblage, filing not
only the parquet and first and second balconies,
but the stage at the northerly end Of Steinway Hail.
Mr. De Cordova delivered last evening the first of his
annual course OF humorous lectures. His subject
was life at Saratoga, who 60 there, the fashions the
medicinal waters and the adventures OF gentle
man (Mr. De Cordova) who was not in search OF
even health, and who although advised by his ply
stefan, an estimabe man, on the plea OF his having
overworKed his brain, needed relaXaJlon recupera-
ton and the waters, fatty refused to leave the city,
He was, however, not sufficiently explicit in his
declination to his medical friend, and it soon be-
ifaa tl,ath o,aly tn
Saratoga, but to England to Russia, TO the Mediter
ranaan, and, finally. to China. Mr. De Cordova,
however, was not to be moved by the rumors which
his quondam associates put anoat. 1t was matter
Of doubt whatever in his mind as to the place OF
ais abode during the fashionable season.
Unfortunately, while in this frame OF mind, and
while taking his usual afternoon saunter in Broad
way, he met the dearest, sweetest prettiest little
woman, with deep entreatlng lovable blue eyes, 1t
had ever been his good fortune to know. This
little Woman-who, by the way, was OF Ger
man extraction and could ''sbeaks der Englis
goots," on perceiving Mr.. De Cordova was SO re-
joiced that she casped her hands in ecstacy looked
mildly at the heavens and then magnetically at her
friend, which last act set his heart humping at o
terrible rate against his wastcoat. The little lady,
when their greetings were over stated that she had
been married for six months or thereabout to very
nice mana very good man, one John Spratt but
that he was absent from his home in Forty-sixth
street nearly all the time, ut the water cures and
other places noted for the reception OF the sick; and
she was so glad that he, Mr.. De Cordova, was about
to start for Saratoga Her poor, sick husband was
there, and she desired to go to and nurse him; and
therefore begged Lnab De COrd0Va, would
escort her to the boat, and 50 on to Saratoga.
Mr.. De Cordova being human and Mrs. Spratt's
eyes being OF heavenly blue and so full of entreaty
that his stern resolution, IN defiance Of the Doctors
advice and the Olcous gossip OF his friends, melted
evanished His cagerness was now to see, to accom-
pany the dsconsolate one to the side Of her sick
husband. He purchased tickets for staterooms on
the St. John steamer for the next night. On the day
succeeding the interview on Broadway Mr.. De Cor
d0va obtained carriage and fastened to the resi-
dence Of Mrs. Spratt, at which place he arrived at
precisely halfpast four O'Clock P. NJ, in good time
tile hall filed with trunks ana boxes and Mrs spratt
at the head Of the stairs talking in voice and with
totally changed from mo a. tine street
not to leave town.
on perceiving Mr.. De Cordova the lady called on
him to come up and help her pack large trunk,
demanding that he should stand upon 1t ana so
compel the refractory lid-between which and the
such boxes-to meet the body and thus enable the
maid to lock 1t. With much humor the lecturer
described the tribuaton In which by thus bindly
punging into chaos he placed himself At length
with o back almost broken, caused by his assist
ing the carman to place the cumbrous con-
which procured for him scoiding from the
and found themselves at the foot Of Canal street
in time to see the magnificent steamer pass the
the cause Of their disappointment lay entirely with
Mr.. De Cordova, because he did not call for them Mt
three instead OF halfpast four 7. M twas arranged
however, that they should start by the next after
moons boat-the Daniel Drew. In the meantime
Mrs. Spratt ascertaned or was told that
her husband was at Passamaquoddy, and
however, to proceed to Saratoga, and II her
husband should be there to telegraph her
without delay; and further, that there might be no
difficulty in his finding him. enclosed carte de Utste
Of large, heavy, dark skinned, black haired and
ON MS way up De Cordova becomes acquainted
vita red haired and red whiskered parsonage, who
succeeds in swindling him, under the pretence OF
great fatigue, out OF his staeroOm This individual
ultimately turns out to be John Spratt although on
arriving ut the Union Hotel, Saratoga he registers
himself John Smith. Subsequently friend OF Mrs.
Spratt writes to her that her husband Is stopping at
tile Union, at room 1877, which apartment had been
exchanged for certain laughabe reasons, for Mr.. De
Cord0vas, whose number was 506 subsequent TO this
exchange Mrs. Spratt arrives and In the absence OF
De Cordova takes possession OF his premises, under
the impression that 1t was her husband's-a r0t0us,
good fellow, who, pretending indispositon, c0ntin-
DE Cordova is HORNED 10 ind Mrs. S. in his room
and endeavors To explain to her the situation OF
affairs. He hears Spratt's step In the corridor,
rapidly approaching his apartment, where he had
proposed calling and smoking q cigar Mrs. s. at
length Is prevailed upon, while the door is closed
and locked, to enter wardrobe. Spratt and his
friend Chippin enter The wardrobe Is exceedingly
dusty, Mrs. s. sneezes, bursts open the door, and
then comes the denoument.
Mr.. DE Cord0va kept his listeners in good humor
during the delivery OF the lecture. and not unfre-
quently were there roars OF laughter at the odd stu
at0ris In which the lecturer, IN relating his story,
placed himself both on land and water in his pro-
Of acquiring the Grecian bend was admirable.
THE NATIONAL GAME.