Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-08-15

here since early in the Spring. For day and
night the rain fall was continuous, and for por
| tions of the time in perfect torrents Low neigh
Dorhoods were overfowed, sewers were broken,
and much loss OF property ensued. At German
| town bridge was washed away and two men
were drowned. The streets have not been as
| clean for months as ythey are now-but through
no vigilance Of the cleaning contractors These
natural washings suggest the doubt whether the
too-shsrp contractor may not purposely delay
the work he engages to perform, knowing that
sooner or later the clouds will do it for him
OF course II he waits long enough the desired
ence how impatient the people may grow in the
| meantime, II the authorities sustain him in his
ascaiity. fr1r- 11l
A singular case OF recovery of stolen property
was reported this week. jeweller named
Brennan, doing business on Eighth Street, below
NJ arket, had his establishment robbed in Febru-
airy last, Of diamonds and other vauables to the
amount OF S22, 900. So heavy theft attracted
much attention and the detectives, of course,
we're on the abort, but nothing ever came of the
search Mr. Brennan long since gave up all idea
OF recovering his stolen property, and further,
suffered from the imputation that he had robbed
himself-just as some people imagine Mr.. Ross
to have done. 1t has transpired, however, that
such reports were wicked ISLANDERS, for the jew
elry has been finally traced to certain pawnshops
and "receivers" offices in New York
The Scottish Games were played this week, at
Oakdale Park, drawing an increased attendance
and being contested with much spirit No
"star" athletes were present as on some former
occasions and the general result WAS in conse-
quencss more satisfactory. 1t is poor sport to
see some professional athlete, like Donald Din
nie--who is in constant training, and who makes
living by winning the stakes at such Matches
cooly carry of the whole list OF prizes. No suoh
misfortune befel this year in the Scottish Games.
The prizes were widely scattered and there wae
much honest sport The '.putting the stone"
tossing the eaber," the running and leaping
| matches, the dancing, broad sword exercises and
the rest were heartily enjoyed by great and
orderly, throng.
| The "Infernal Machine" case came to rather
| unexpected end yesterday. A commendable en-
ergy was shown in getting the case to trial. The
offence was committed less than month ago,
and Col Mann probably had his eye on the cleo
ton in this hurrying up of an important case in
| the dog-days. Az ii was the trial occupied but a
| single day. Edward Wagner entered the dock in
| the morning charged with one OF the most helm
ous of crimes he left it in the evening adjudged
mot guilty" and his freedom emphasized with
such applause as the court officers found it Inn
possible to check. Such an experience comes to
few, but 1t muet almost be worth while knowing
what that sense Of relief can be like. Wagner,
| you may remember, is the son-in-law of Herring
the man at whom this gun-powder plot WAS di-
rected The evidence against Wagner was alto
| gether circumstantial, and consisted mainly of
the knowledge of threats he had made against
his father-in-law. But there was nothing to con-
n
good character, while Herring was not equally
fortunate. But who is the criminal? 1t is most
| important that such an outrage should not go
unpunished Or can it be (adopting the present
| suspicious theory that Herring sent the box to
himself, hopiug to fasten the guilt upon some
enemy, and being first sure that it would not 'go
off ~"
A notable addition has been made to the 70
| illogical Garden in the Park in the shape of a
consignment of giraffeH, Just safely arrived
4 IDpy n
time In the United States, and there have never
been at one time more than two Of these ami
mails in any American collection. This item will
show the character OF the additions being made
to our "Zoo," and that it ia an institution which
deserves the support it receives. 1t ia stand
ard attraction Of the town already, and slran-
gers in the city always include it IN the "erand
tour" Of Independence Hall, Girard College, the
| Wissahickon, &c. We are not 80 well off fol
wild animals yet as we might be, but several
consignments are on the road 400" is not
built in day.
1t is to the interest of everybody, of course, to
make much of the progress done in a Centennial
way but the criticism is often heard that more
might be doing for the main building and not &c
much for Memorial Hail." The latter is not a
necessity as the former is, yet all the care seems
to be given the Hall-as if the feeling were
1--WE will have that anyway, and il the Centen.
nial fails will still have stately city improve
ment." Meanwhile, although there is an occa.
sionsl record OF the number of carts employed
on the excavations nobody can say where the
balance of funds admittedly needed is to come
from Nobody knows and nobody seems to care
The death Is reported today of John Collins
the Irish comedian and vocalist. 1t is the GUS
tom to dub all actors who have become familiar
to the people with the title veteran, but Col
Inns was veteran of the real sort. The "Ol6
School" is another term which has become very
vague of late, but Collins undoubtedly belongei
to It. He WAS not an extremely old man--his age
was 64-put he has been on the stage from boy
hood and was the cotemporary of many famous
men and women long since passed away. His
line was light Irish comedy. He did not offer
assume broad comedy parts and was not very
happy in them but in "genteer or &C.
centric characters such as "McShane'
in The Nerpous Man, or, as The knight of Ard
he stood quite alone. Perhaps one reason ht
did 30 was that there was no one disposed te
contest the field with him-the line OF business
not being thought particularly attractive to the
public which for the most part likes its fur
broad and plenty OF it. Once in generation il
fancies Jefferson, but ''school" Of that kind
is not practicable. Collins had gentlemanly,
| vivacious style, and could sing the best Irist
song of anybody in the ''profession." Perhaps,
he owed more to his singing ability than to his
scting talents althoughin some parts, especial,
in The Nervous Man he was very pleasing. HI
was a strong instance of what mediocrity com
every part Of the world and always made
money, not a great deal at time, but always
some, and what he made he kept He had made
his home for many years in this city
There are numerous intimations OF the ap
proaching Theatrical Season. In fact if Woodi
. Museum is to be ranked amcng the regula
: theatre sand 1t makes pretension that way-th
, season has already commenced. The Museum
however has been open, as Fox's Theatre hal
| heen ali suuamer but much of the entertain