The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-22
THE APRIL MAGAZINES.
SSHarner's.O


The April number of Hdrper'S is an attrao-
tive issue, profusely illustrated, and with the
following table of contents:-"The Freaks OF
Lightning" by Jacob Abbott, with eighteen
illustrations; "An Artist in Alaska" by A. II.
Guernsey, with twelve illustrations; "The Great
South American Earthquake of 1865,
by E. G. squier, with thirteen illustrations;
TCatharine II of Russia, by Eugene Lawrence;
"My Chum's Story" by Austin Abbott
"song of the Wind" by Mary N. Prescott;
HAbout Cold" by Robert Tones; "False and
True.n by Elizabeth Akers Allen; ''The Ro-
nance of the Nlaidens," by Amelia Jones;
"Women's Work and Wages" by Hettie NJ
Cannon; "To Maiorica," by Robert Tomes
with two illustrations; 'My Enemys Daugh-
4er - ohapters twelve and thirteen, by Justin
mccarthy, with two illustrations; "Not
Enough Money" by Katharine G.. Ware;
"The Secretary with Secret" by Justin
Mccarthy; "Homeward," by Carl Spencer;
'tRditor's Easy Chair;'' "Editor's Book
Table," "EditOr's Record OF Current EVENTS"
and "Editor's Drawer"
1t is announced that in the May number
new novel, by Mrs. Dinah Muloch Craik, en-
titled ga Brave Lady," will be commenced.
From Jacob Abbott's article on the "Freaks
of Lightning we quote as follows:-
Sometimes the sudden and violent discharges
of great accumulations Of electricity are accom-
panied at the time by continual flow, affect
ing, especially, all the salient and projecting
points III the vicinity, and even also extended
surfaces, in many cases, where such surfaces
are broken by minute projections. very vio-
lent thunder storm broke over the city of Paris
on the night of the 10th of July, 1865, of which
papers OF the following day. The clouds that
were formed were enormous in mass aud in
density, and so rapid was the condensation of
Yapor that electricity was developed in immense
quantities, and 1t passed to and fro between the
clouds and the earth in every conceivable way.
The consequence was q continual succession of
the most vivid flashes of lightning, and an in
cessant crashing and rolling of thunder. The
lightning struck and did serious damage in many
places. In one instance 1t fell upon one OF the
gas tubes IN the street. 1t fused portion of
the tube, and set the gas on fire, which, in its
burning, illuminated the whole surrounding
reg ion and produced universal alarm. While
these effects were produced by the violent dis
charges coming in rapid succession from the
accommodations of electric force, there seems TO
have been also flow Of more gentle and quiet
character, directing itself upon all conducting
surfaces and masses, and especially upon every
projecting point. Most extraordinary accounts
were given in the papers the next day of the
lambent flames seen aughung upon every pro-
minent point in the streets, or gliding along the
OF the sewers. Some people saw the street in
certain places, as they said, tull OF fire. These
accounts were, no doubt greatly eXaggerated, /,
the minds of the observers beng much disturbed
by their excitement and their alarm There is,
however, every reason TO believe that there
was great deal Of reality in the foundation of
the stories.
IN the eastern part of Paris, at the place
formerly occupied by the Bastile, there stands
tall column called ''The Column OF july
being so named from certain great events which
occurred during that month on certain year.
and which the column was intended to com
memorate. Upon the top of this column Is 8
statue of Liberty standing on tiptoe, and with
symbolic wings at her back, extended as in the
act of commencing to fly. This column was
observed carefully during the storm by re-
sponsible witness, who states that electric light
emanated in brilliant CoruscatioIs from all the
salient points OF the figure above, and passed in
luminous stream from the upraised foot to the
ball below on which the figure was poised.
Other witnesses testify to a similar illumina.
tion of the summit of the spire of Eotre Dame,
q tall and slender spire which forms a very
striking and most beautiful contrast TO the mas
sive towers which form so conspicuous feature
III the facade OF that building, This spire rises
to height of nearly three hundred and fifty
feet into the air, and the electrical effect OBJ.
served on this occasion may have been increased
by the enormous quantity of lead used in the
structure, and especially in the statue ana other
ornaments pertaining to 1t.
From the sketch of Catherine II of Russia,
by Eugene Lawrence, we make this quota
tion:-
In the year 1862 Catherine became empress.
Around her were gathered the chief consplra.
tors, men coarse, ill-educated, and risen from
the lowest ranks of the people, in whose society
she complained that she could find no pleasure,
vet to whose aid she was indebted for all she
was. Her subjects were discontented and re-
bellious. She visited Moscow the ancient seat
of the CZars; but her life was threatened aud
ehe hastily returned to st. Petersburg. Even
there she found herself surrounded by cons oira,
cies against her power and her person. The
European monarchs looked coldly upon tue
parvenu empress who now welded the uncer.
tain sceptre which she was believed to have
won by barbarous aud dreadful crime; and
from her dangerous eminence, Catherine oeheld
herself everywhere surrounded by thousand
terrors which might have appalled, any nature
less resolute than her own.
Danger, however, seemed only to draw out her
wonderful genius tor command and her fierce
unhallowed ambition guided her to a course OF
policy mat made her the most potent monarch
OF her time. She crushed discomfort at home
with unparalleled vigor. The ancient NOBILITY
OF Russia, who hated aud despised the German
usurper and her loW-born cOurtiers at len pth
became her WillingSlaves. The countless legions
OF bishops and monks, whom she had otFended
and treated with ignominy when thew baG
ceased to be useful to her, hid themselves over
2Wed and helpless in their cells. Her splendic
victories and couquests won for her POPULARITY
among her subjects such as none of her prede
cessors but Peter the Great had possessed
Abroad, the monarcns of Europe were soon over
mastered by her lmperlous VIII. Frederick thu
Great courted her favor. Joseph / |, of Austria
became willing instrument IN accomplishing
her most unscIupulous designs. George III o
England sank into her ally. And dissolut
Louis XIV vainly strOve by feeble diplomacy Il
check the stately progress OF the new Semiramis