davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
Exchange of Bonds.
= II 3 g a@

= u g.
OFFICE CHARLoTTE, COLUMBIA & A. R. R. Co..
THHE stookholders Of the Charlotte and
Il South Carolina, and tho Colambis and Au-
gusta RAILROAD Companies In joint Convention,
July 8, 1853, having consolidated and autho.
rized the issuance by this Company Of it's First
Mortgage Seven per cent. Coupon BONDS, to
be used for the purpose OF retiring the Bonds
OF said two Companies, respectively, tho un-
dersigned hereby gives NOTICE Of his readi-
The Coupon due January I, 1870, viii be at
tached to the New Bonds. This Issue Of Bonds
for the purpose designated, will amount to
about SO, 900 per mile on this Company'e road
OF l95 miles. As security, they are Regarded
as being better than any heretofore issued BY
either OF the two Companies named, and are
vestments now offered ID the Southern States.
Nov 18 G. II. MANSON, Treasurer.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
uTAsi Naefonal hoard or Trade.

RIdEnsoND, December 6.---The Ma
tional Board OF Trade delegate from the
L.onisville Board, was received, The
Executive. Council recommended Baf-
falo, 8 Ny. as the next place Of meet
re-alected Secretary Of the Board. Gene
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
Grafton,

TVNHE "Annuel Grafton" before the Clario-
Il sophie and Euphradian Societies, will be
delivered by Col. w. B. WILSON, OF York, in
the Univereity Chapel. TUESDAY EVENING,
December 2, at half-past O'Clock. The public
are respectfully invited to attend.
E. r. DOYLE,
President Cleriosophic Society.
J. T. SRIBELs, Secretary. Nov 80 tufSs
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
Groceries, Wines, Liquors, &c.

Groceries, Wines, Liquors, &c.
R@ BAaGINa, R Q P e, IRON
u - TIES, BACON, Clear Ribbed 6sss77
Sides and Shoulders. A choice 81
article al Canyassed HAMS. Family Lard, 'zz1'
CHOICE Family Flour, in bbls. and bags, With
~ full assortment Of other grades. Liverpool
Salt, in sacks. Mackerel-Nos. /, 2 and s. in
bbls;, halves, quarters and kits. SUGAR and
GG0k1rEE, Of all grades TEAS. Of all grades.
House Syrup. Tobacco and segars. Soap; Can. ca a.
dies, il in boxes and half boxes; Cheese. Crack
e5s rlokles S Can Fruit spiced oysters Sal
Cabinet, Monongahela, Rye and Corn Whis-
Key, and variety Of other fine brands.
WOODEN WARE, Nests Iron and Brass
Bound Tubs, Pails, Churns, Buckets and Cans,
Nails, OF all sizes, Shot Of all numbers, Cast.
ing, Pots, Ovens, Spiders, skillets and Frying
Pans, Of al sizes.
All the above named with many other arti-
cles has been recently purchased and selected
with care and will be sold low for cash. Give
US call. WELLS d. CALDWELL.
Near the 8. O. and G.. and @. Railroad Depot.
next door to National Hotel. Oct fC
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07

Eoreign Meyys.

= NkUNs = ;NecoRD Der as1s--.N69p2fohef
fron Rome sanuSan6e that . prasynodal
confssptats wy held yesterday; when the
were .s, aaniaiassrs ' to ofiiesrs Of the Geu:
are sasufing M III III fof sns connoiI. CALI Cali.
cnnism is rampent. The Austrian and
German bieA0HA demur to the dogma
OF infslIih W. and discord is appre.
hended among ahe Italians. Antonelli
shakes hig head at a performance in
which he never felt sympathy. It will
be aqye0 Hlne before it can become clear
Whathar fk oNncil win bring to the
chusph phaep or the sword.
ES1Nz, Dgcembef 6.@The first freight
ea vesssl hicE passed through the canal,
seunSdsFed ip sis RstSea.
~ 20 iI,ssssssio SHsvvs.
7FHEI ORLEA1ts psSsmbar "A de.
sss..TsxSsssTa sss..Ts Sss Ass SsS &c es Galveston this
ts9snise, destroying four entire blocks
ah9 tire tths Of two' others. About
fikty bhsiheaS hfnis and nhop-keepers
were burned out The Merchnnts' Mu.
ttsal Insn.anes building, theatre and Me-
tropUiital Hotel were destroyed. The
loss is yariously estimated from ST, ,O0O,-
coo TO 81, 500. .000. a
CHARLESTON, December 6.-Arrived-
schooner A. II, Edwards, Philadelphia;
schooner Eloa, Nassau. Sailed-bries
Joyen Antonio, A Fomento, Ermescin-
de, Barcelona; schooner A. E. Glover.
Boston; schooner Ralph Carleton, Phila.
delphis; schooner David Wasson, Satilla,
Georgia. nrgG .
NEW QRLEANs, December 6.-Galves-
ton advices report election returns as
coming In slowly. The most reliable
information states that Hamilton carried
Bell. Wall. Mckellar and Williams
Oounfdes. His aggregate majority is es-
t1mhted ct over 1900. Davis carries
BfaZcs, Calhoun and Robertson Coun.
tieA 20 Hig aggregate majority in those
Oo1ntiesliB about GIT. Partial returns
from Harfis, Galveston, Travis and Wal
kef Counties give Davis small majority.
inqications are that Clark (Eadical) has
been! !alected to Congress from the Third
Congressional District, and Haynes ICON
seryahvel hDs been elected from the
Fourth DISTRICT. From the meagre re-
turns received, it is impossible to say
how the Stat9 has gone. .ta-
,W4sHINoToN, December GA vigor-
Gus light 10 pending over private claims.
The acontestants holding that the repudi-
aaon OF these gives clue to a repudia-
tion of the whole debt.
N is reiterated, upon the very best au-
thoMty, that the Circuit Judgeship of
the Fifth District has never been official
" rendered to Durant; he has, there
fore, never declined the position.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
Fresh Goods

Fresh Goods alG
ID EOEIVED to-day an,
III 80 Barrels Western FLOUR, super, ex.
ira and family.
1000 pounds Fine Feed. '' "-
Best Orange County Butter, Dairy and Fec
Giag ssoe, Brandy tFrS:...;;, sgssnniessssor.a5~
Canned Tomatoes Peaohss, S,.lmon, Cova
Oysters; Lobstera, $ardinee, Deacated {iod
Fish, Fulton sMsrkes Beat iRieklss,s SainsOn,
III NoS sSSts's'' g s'o' GEGrH1fsr is sIoAss<
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
!. G. Z A UF III AN,
18IooR eNo,

0A0 A0Q-04A&DA1
No. Is Broad Streeet, Charleeto,,, g., C.
SOUTHERN STOCKS, BONDS, COUPONS
~ and Uncurfent Bank Notes bought and
sold on commission.
Also, Gold and Silver Coin.
Orders solicited and promptly attended to.
Prices current issued weekly and forwarded
grstuitously on application as above.
. Refers by permission to Chas. G. Lowndes,
Esq, President Bank Of Charleston.
Oec7 = 2mo .
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
Gas Bills

Gas Bills
ENOR month Of November are now due and
l. payment required promptly at my Office.
Defauiters are respectfully requested to bear in
mind the regulations OF the Company.
JACOB LEVIN,
Dec 53 Secretary Gas Light Company.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
To the Public in General.

T HAVE better COTTON SEED than any
Il man who advertises Seed for sale. Mine
is the improved BOYD PROLIFIC. which ex-
cells any other. The price is 81. so per bushel.
An examination OF my proofs will be oonvino-
ing: refer to Jocob 81. Wells and ]. D. Hit.
Call and look at the growth, in Butcher Town.
Dec n POPE.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
City of Columbia Bonds.

True brotherhood Lodge No. 81. a.F.M.
A A REGULAR COMMUNICATION of
XSTTrue brotherhood Lodge No. 81, A. F.
O'Clock, at Masonic Hall
This being the last regular communication
before st. Johns Day, the election will be held
FOR officers to servo for the ensuing Masonic
year. BY order Of the W. II.
Deo71 8. L. LEAPHART, Secretary.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07

Razors and Razor Straps.
WADE 4 BUTCHER, Rodgers and Wos-
Lecoultre French Razors, with two blades:
aud large variety OF elegant Rodgers, Emer.
sons and Saunders Razor STRAPS, lust re-
oeived at e. POTJHRN,a
Dec4 strHr
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07
DENTISTRY,

DR.. D. L. BOozER, grateful for the
70 i!iibersl patronage he haa received from
Ine oitlzens OF this city and tho surrounding
District, during the past year, respectfully an.
nounces that he now permanently establfshes
himself himself in Colurnbia. An operations on the
nat1ral naGI teeth faithfully performed. ARTI-
FlCiAn GASES, in every approved method,
carefully and satisfactorily exeouted-amone
which he would can speeial attention TO thaf
known as Reynolds Patent; and OF HE suo-
beautiful and durable process, he Ia enabled.
with confidence, to refer to hia patients and to
the patentee. Ofiee on Main street, over First
National Bepk, lat.1 -iI3I7.n -i,:lsysn a. J
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07

Fresh Norfolk Oysters,
Deceived EVERY DAY. and families can
lN be supplied in any quantity, at
Nov "a J. e. HEfSE'S RESTAURANT
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-07

Dissolution of Copartnership.
NNHE Firm Of FISHER. LOWRANCE &
senior partner.
All those indebted to this concern are ear
nestly requested to come forward and settle
their accounts withount delay.
r. n. LOWRANCE, o,,
J. FISHER, SURVIVORS,.
CoLUaiBIA, 8. c., December i, 1863
New Firm.
ID N. LOWRANCE, W. B. LOWRANCE AND
I've T; G; LORICK having purchased the
united under the firm Of LOWRANCE & CO.,
and beg leave to offer their services to. and
ask continuance Of, the fayors OF the friends
from all parties indebted to Fisher, Lowrance
S Fisher; and those having elaine against the
same, will present them for liquidation.
Dec z LOWkANOE d 90.
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20
VOLUME XIV.
j)oetrp.
BABY PAUL.
Ey MRS. BISHOP THOMPSON.

lip in the early morning,
Just az the peep OF day,
Driving the sleep from my eyelids,
Pulling the quilts away,
Pinching my cheeks and my forehead,
With his white fingers small.
This is nv bright-eyed darling,
This is my Baby Paul.
Down on the fl Dor in the parlor,
Creeping with laugn and shout,
Or, out in the kitchen and pantry,
Tossing the things about;
Rattlino the pans and the kettles,
Scratching the table and wall,
This is my rougish darling,
This is my Baby Paul.
Riding onI )a's shoulder,
Trotting on grandpas knee,
Pulling his hair and whiskers.
Laughing in widest glee;
Reaching for grsndma's knitting,
Snatching her Ihimble and ball,
This is our household idol,
This is our Baby Paul.
PLAYING bo-peep with his brother,
Kissing the little girls,
Romping with aunt and uncles,
Clutching his sisters curls;
Teasing old puss from his slumbers,
Pattering DER porch and hall,
This is our bonny wee darling,
This is my Baby Paul.
Nesting up close to my bosom,
Laying his cheek to mine,
Covering my mouth with his kisses,
Sweeter than golden wine,
Flinging his white arms about me,
Soft a. the snow-fakes fall,
This is my cherished darHng,
This is my Baby Paul.
Fair il his face as the lilies,
Black are his eyes "a the crows,
Sweet Is his voice As the robins,
Red are his lips ~ the rose:
Bright is hi- smile as the sunbeams,
Beaming WIENER l call,
Tais is my beautiful darling,
This IL my Baby Paul.
Dearer, thousand times Gearer,
The wealth in my darling hold,
Than all this earth's glIttering treasure;
Its glory. and hOnors, and gold;
If these at my feet were now lying,
I'd gladly renOunce them all,
For the sake of my bright-eyed darling,
MY dear little Baby Paul.
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20
A Live Man I'm a Dead Mans Coffin.

THE latest attempt of a convict to es-
cape from prison occurred at the Joliet
Penitentiary last Tuesday morning. On
the evening previous colored convict
had died, and his dead body WAS placed in
a rough coffin for burial. On Tuesday
morning, when the remains were about
to be conveyed to the burying ground,
which is short distance from the premi-
ses, one of the officers perceived slight
movement of the coffin lid, which had not
yet been screwed down. The lid being
raised, 10 and behold, instead Of dead
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20
An Age or Wonders.

WE often declare this an age of won
ders, but so rapidly do events crowd upon
us, so dazzling is their splendor, so mar
velOus their character, that our finite
minds, in attempting to grasp them and
comprehend their relations to each other,
to the past and to the future, grow wearied
and confused. Think of il Hats off !;
prayer now to be offered" said the opera
tor at Promontory Summit, on Monday
noon, and instantaneously off came the
hats, and serious grew the faces in hum
dred telegraph offices. In Washington
City, in San Francisco, in New Orleans,
the voice of the desert operator was heard
and simultaneously Obeyed. Then came
short silence-then tap, tap, tap-it
was the hammer driving the last spike
Chicago heard it, Washington City heard
it; New Orleans heard it Bang lit was
the gun actually touched off on the Pa
cific shore by the last blow! When the
Erie Canal was completed, relay of can
mons, stationed so that the gunners stand
ing with lighted matches could fire them
in succession as the sound of the preced-
ing discharge reached their ears, an
nOunced the fact In this way, sound
moving only LOO feet per second, the
news was communicated but slowly when
contrasted with the literally lightning
rapidity at which the news of the compile
ton of the Pacific Railroad was sent all
over the world. Age of wonders, indeed !
Chicago Post, Nay 18Th.
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20

A DIsCONsOLATE husband of LYONS.
France. whose wife had deserted him, sent
ten barrels of flour to the pious poor of the
city, soliciting their prayers that the tru-
ant might not return.
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20

DEEP sea soundings have demonstrated,
ii is stated, that the bottom of the sea, at
great depths, is covered by continuous
mass, extending over miles in extent, of
what may be considered as one single ami
NAL. 1t is thought to form the lowest
stage of animal life on the globe, and is
supposed to derive its nourishment di-
rectly from the mineral world, as in the
case of plants The new animal has been
baptized by the euphonious name of
Bath1bius
The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-20

A SPECIAL mission has in charge. the
work of planting Young Mems Christian
Association at every important station on
the Pacific Railroad
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17
foFFIcIAL.
Laws Of the United States.
j. w. MACK,
Co. School Supt.


PASSED AT TUE FIRST SESSION OF THE FORTY
FIRST CONGRESS-.
No. IAN Act to strengthen the public credit.
BE it enacted ty the Senate and House of Repre-
sentafires of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
That in order to remove any doubt rs to the
purpose Of the government to discharge all just
obligations to the public creditors, and to settle
conflicting questions and interpretations of the
laws by virtue of which such oblig itions have
been contracted, it j. hereby provided and dcclar-
ed that the faith of the United States is soemnly
pledged to tho payment in coin its equivalent
Of all the obligations of the United States not
bearing interest," known United States notes.
and of all the ntercst-bearing obligations of the
United States. except in cases where the law au-
prcssly provided that the same may be paid in
lawful money or other currency than gold or sill
ver. Butnone of said interest-bearing obligations
not already due shall be redeemed or paid before
maturity unless at such time United States notes
shall be convertible into coin ut the option of the
holder or unless at such time bonds of the United
States bearing lower rate of interest than the
bonds to be redeemed can be sold at par in coin.
And the United States also soemnly pledges its
faith to make provision at the earliest practicable
period for the redemption of the United States
notes in coin. j. Il. BLAINE,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SCHUYLER COLFAX,
Vice President of the United States and
President of tho Senate.
Approved, March Is, 1869.
u g.. GRANT.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17
Teachers Institute.

The Linn County Teachers Institute
will hold its semi-annual session on the
4th, 9Th and 9th days of May next. All
friends Of education and teachers OF Linn
county especially, are urgently solicited
to attend. Teachers from other counties
are cordially invited. Preparations viii
be made for the accommodation Of all.
Lectures, essays and music are expect
ed, and every effort practicable will be
used to make the session pleasant and
profitable to all who may be present.
A public examination of applicants for
teachers certificates will be held at the
close of the session, free to all who may
apply. Free examinations will be held
only at each session of the Institute.
S. G. IRVINE,
J. Z. Mccoy,
j. w. MACK,
Ex. Com.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17
STATE ITEMS.

Messrs. Page & johnson will continue
the publication of the Polk County Signal.
From the Salem papers we learn that
in the case of Morgan vs. Huntington,
involving the title to the Unionist office,
the referee rendered verdict in favor Of
Morgan for $1,000.
A brick Court House, to cost $40 1855,
is to be erected in Douglas county.
A few days since, miner was found
burn, dead, with bullet hole through
his brain, and ON table was found note
stating that deceaseds name was Dono-
hue, and that the murder was committed
by himself. No cause ASST gned.
The new Court House at Pendlcton,
Umatilla county, is approaching compile
ton. The building is 40x50 feet, two
stories high.
The Corvallis Ga-enc says that appro-
priations have been made, and that a
lighthouse will be constructcda at Yaquina
Bay during the coming summer, and that
from 1000 to 1000 Snake Indians will
soon be transferred to the reservation at
Siletz
The following panther story is from
the Eugene Guard: We are informed
that Messrs. Cannon and Cul. Kizer, of
Coast Fork, had an encounter with two
panthers, one day last week, and with no
weapon except a pocket knife, succeeded
in killing both the critterst The first
panther sprang upon Mr.. Cannon, who
grappled with it, while Mr.. kizer caught
it by the hind legs, to. prevent it from
paving, and stretched it, and finally they
succeeded in throwing the animal, while
Mr.. Kizer worked with a po:ket knife
behind its shoulders until he killed it.
The second one made an attack in the
same way, ana was disposed of in the
same manner as his companion had been.
The panthers were full grown animals.
We defy any other locality to beat Coast
Fork boys on a painter fight.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17

GALA JoB.-The Rev 7. Y. Nasby
received three votes in the Massachusetts,
Legislature, az preacher Of the next cleo
ton sermon. This election sermon cere-
mony is quaint relic Of bygone days.
The members of the Legislature ali form
in procession on foot, behind his excel
iency, the Governor, and his staff, in
full regimentals, the Sergeant-at-Arms,
with maccs aloft, and other legislative
pomp and circumstance, and all march
down to the Old South Church, where
they listen devoutly to truths divine
which come mendcd from the tongue
Of some chosen elder. This year, the
ceremony was scandalizcd by the total
depravity Of the band master, who caused
his blowers of trumpets to play Captain
Jinks of the Horse Marines" as the
pageant went marching on.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17

only few buildings being left. Fifteen
acres, comprising six blocks, were burned
over, containing one hundred and ten
houses, besides barns and out buildings
The total loss is about half million
| INDIANAPOLIS, April 12-The boiling
members of the House have appeared and
qualified. A resolution was adopted post
ponlng actions on the Fifteenth Amend
ment bill till May 18th.
| WASHINGTON, April 13-The follow
ing nominations were sent to the Sen
ate to-day: Thomas III. Nelson of
Indiana, Minister to Mexico; Henry
Sanford, as Minister to Spain, Horace
Rublee of Wisconsin, as Consul to Switz-
erland; William A. Pile of Missouri, as
Minister to Brazil; Freeman III Morse of
Maine, as Consul General at London.
The Senate after debate rejected the
Alabama treaty with only one dissenting
VOTE
William A. Howard of Michigan. is
nominated as Minister to China, vice j.
Ross Browne; Lcumuel of Oregon, as
Consul to kanagawa; E. e.. Parker as
/ Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Only two nominations were seonfrmed
by the Senate to-day-John Lothrop
Motley as Minister to England, and John
Jay as Minister to Austria.
The only speech made in the Senate
to-day on the Alabama claims was Sum
ner's, occupying nearly two hours. He
TOOK the ground that the treaty could not
be considered settlement of the pending
question between the two countries 1t
was merely settlement Of individual
claims on both sides. The case against
England was elaborately presented, in
cluding the British proclamation of ncu-
trality, and the permitting Of the build
ing and equipment Of privateers in British
ports, which had the effect Of prolonging
the war two years. He claimed that the
British Government should be made to re-
spond in damages not only to individuals,
but also to the national government. He
estimates our losses at one hundred mill
| ion. On the conclusion of Sumner S
speech several Senators briefly endorsed
| it, and expressed satisfaction at the tenn
perate and instructive views presented.
| HAVANA, April 13.-The journals
praise the course Of the American Gov
ernmenr in reference to Cuba.
A Spanish war steamer was captured
by the insurgents on the south side of
the Island.
The crew of the Mary Lowell have
| been released. The authorities arc we'll
aware Of movements of the reported ex-
| pedition under Steadam.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17

RELIaIoUs.--Our eastern exchanges
are filled with reports of protracted meet
ings and the number Of converts is aston
ishing. The result Of Els sermons at a
place Of about 5000 population was 2l0
new recruits to the Army Of the Lord.
Whether people in the eastern cities are
more religiously inclined than those of
this slope we dare not say, but from the
apparent inclination of our citizens to abb
sent themselves from the houses of wor-
ship in our city, it would seem that all
were prepared for the millennium, and
ready to come before their Creator, or
else they know God, and do not believe
in a hereafter. Alas, we fear the latter
has precedence or our churches would be
crowded every Sunday.-Boise Demo-
crat.
The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-04-17

AN AsroNIsHER IN EAST TENNESSEE.
On Saturday morning, the 18th instant,
as Mr.. Glenn of New Market, Jefferson
County, Tenn, was engaged in plowing
on a side hill of the farm of Mr.. Hill,
half mile from New Market, he suddenly
perceived his team of horses disappear
into the ground beneath, leaving the
plow and harness on terra frma. Upon
examination he discovered that the
ground had first given way under the
hind feet of the horses, thus ''skinning"
the harness over their heads as the dumb
beasts sank into the bowels of the earth
One of the horses was buried some Is
or 20 feet deep, and of coure died in
mained in sight about II feet below the
surface. Mr.. Glenn and his son, who
also witnessed the occurrence, to save the
living animal descended into the cavity,
but the earth kept giving way beneath
them, and they were soon unable to save
themselves, and were rescued from their
perilous position by neighbors whom their
cries brought to the scene Both the
horses were lost.
The cavity is circular and 20 feet in
diameter. The dirt and horses fll the
centre, while on each side is a large
assure, into which logs have been thrown,
disappearing from view, and it has been
found impossible to fill the cavities.
There are no rocks or stones toabe seen,
yet the whole side seems to be mere
crust, beneath which is an apparently
unfathomablc abyss.