davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Chicago Market.

CHICAGO, December S.-Flonr--Quict
and unchanged. Whent-ln fair de-
mand at lower rates; No. spring Chi
cago Gle; No. . spring soc cash or seller
December; 4ICd SOC seller January; No.
8 s3ic; rejected 79!. Corn-DulI and
shade lower; No. mixed 15tc cash or
seller December; new &c; GSc seller Jan
uary; elected G2Ic. Oats-Stcady and
in moderate demand; No. 2 Jilc spot or
seller January. Rye-Dull but unchang-
ed. Barley-Quiet and weak; No. =
$i25 cash; 81 81 seller January; No. ,
81 0Slal ~. Dressed llogs-Srarcc;
good lots wanted; sales at ~ 7jta = %.
Pork In fair demand at lower mites;
closing steady at SO - spot 40 "a
seller February; $40 80 seller March
Lard-In fair demand nt lower rates:
closing weak Mt Sl2 81! -pot; sl3 10
seller February. Bulk Meats Dull md
declined. shoulders GImGic; short rib
middle. 9lc; short clear 92C@ 9lc, all part
lp cured spot; green hams sItgl0c.
Wbnky-Strady and in moderate de-
mand at g7c. On the call of ia" board
in the afternoon Brcadstufs closed steady
and unchanged. Pmk--SoId ut sl9 ~
seller February; 80 l5t(a2 ~ 10 seller
March. LaTd-Sl2 81! cwhi Sl1 %
seller February.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
New York Market.

New YORK. December S.-CottOn-
Quiet at l4IGml4lc. Flour-Dull and
unchanged; receipts $1,000 barrels. Rye
FIuur-Unchangcd. Corn Moal-Quict.
Whcnt-Quiet, firm and unchanged, ex-
cept Milwaukee, which is unsettled and
irregular; receipts 1900 bushels; No. >
Milwaukee 81 l4rfl 10. Ryc-Quict at
95M9sc. Barlcy--Decidedly frmsr;
Canada western 81 60. Malt Quiet and
steady. Corn-Dull and unchanged; re-
cciptS 90 600 bushels. Oa,s-Lrss active
and lc lower; receipts e, 900 bush mixed
western GS(G GG9ic; white do G9m7lc.
Hay-Quict and unchanged. Hops
Firm and unchanged. Cotlec-Quiet,
firm and unchanged. Sugar--Quiet and
steady; fair to good refining sta SIC; re-
fined l0t@l0Ic. Molasses-Now Or
leans 59ld 65c. Rice-Quict and steady.
Petroleum-Quict and llrmcri crude 6.c;
refined at lliGllsc. Rcsin-lleavy at
- 2oM,22j for strained. Turpcntinc,-
33Ic for spirits. Eggs-unchang"d.
POrk-Dull and nominal at s2l OO. Beef
Unchanged. Cut Mcats-Quirt; mid
dies lower; city long clear l0.c; western
do lOJc; short clear l0.c. Lard--Firm;
prime steam l8tGIl3sc. Buttcr--West-
crn Zoe. Checse--U nchanged.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09

and some description of the personal
pleasures enjoyed by the representatives
OF West sVirginiss and the sights they
saw and the hospitalities they enjoyed
during their sojourn in the Crescent City
must be deferred for another letter.
l cannot close this, however,
without some expression of thanks to
Mr.. w. II. McNeely, former Wheeling
man., for many courtesies and favors,
which gave US handsome advantage
over delegations that happened to be less
favorably introduced.
Permit me to add to my letter the
stereotyped line, "To be continued in our
next" . T,
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
HOUSE.

In the House, Mr.. Poland, from the
special committee on the Arkansas troub-
les, presented report of the testimony
taken during the vacation. Ordered
printed.
Mr.. Durham. from the Committee on
Banking and Currency, reported bIi!
reducing all advances to bank exam
incrs. and fixing the rates. After an
explanation by Mr.. Durham, the bill WAS
pasred.
Mr.. Maynard, Chairman Of the Com
mttee on Banking and Currency, re-
ported bill TO amend the National
Banking act, in the matter of the pro
ceedings in liquidati"n.
-. In response to the question, where a
bill was to make shareholders liable for
the banks Indebtedness, Mr.. Maynard
said that the bill went no farther in that
direction than the original act, holding
shareholders liable to an extent equal to
the amount of their shares. After some
discussion the bill was, at the suggestion
of Mr.. Niblack, recommitted. with leave
to report at any time.
Mr.. Houghton, from the Committee on
Pacific Railroad, reported a bill providing
that the Railroad bridge at Omaha, and
approaches on each side Of the river,
shall be operated as continuous line Of
the Pacific Railroad and requiring a
half yearly report TO be made of the
monthly receipts ofthe tolls and charges
for the use of the bridge. The morning
hour having expired, the bill went over
without any action.
The following bills were introduced
and referred 10 committees:
Bv Mr.. McCrary-A bill for the ex-
tinguishment of the Indian title to the
Black Hills Reservation, Dakota.
By Mr.. Wood-A bill fixing the rates
of duties on imported merchandise. He
moved its reference to the Committee On
WAYS and Means.
Rssotred. That no higher or other rates
of duty shall be levied on any goods,
wears, or merchandise imported into the
United States, from and after the passage
Of this act, than would have been levied
thereon under the suhsisting decisions
and practice of the Secretary Of the
Treasury interpreting and enforcing
laws in force on the lst day of December,
1878, had the same been imported on said
lst day Of December.
By Mr.. Holman-To substitute United
States notes for issues Of national banks.
By Mr.. Ioung-For the payment of
all accounts Tor services rendered to the
government in the postal service prior Ia
April, 1861.
By Mr.. Beck-To prohibi, senators,
representatives and delegates in Congress
from acting Us counsel or otherwise, In
suits or proceedings.
Mr.. Butler, Of Massachusetts,, suggest
cd that the Judiciary Committee was the
proper reference.
Mr.. Beck said that the bill pertained
to revenue cases, and he instAnced The
employment Of New York Senator ir
! the tax case Of the New York Contra
! Railroad Company.
Mr.. Randall move that the House
now proceed 10 the consideration Of tha
! bill
! Mr.. Speaker-That requires unani.
I NOUS consent.
There was no objection, and the bill
having been amended at the Suggestion
of G. T. Hoar, by onnitting from tn
penalty q provision for disqualification
ior holding Office, was passed without cb
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Cincinnati Market.

CISCISSATI, December S.--Co.ton--
Dull and prices shadc lower at l3ic.
FIour-Dcmand fair aud market FIRM.
Whrat-Scarce and hrIn; rcdsl ~. Corn
Demand fair and market Grm at ia
7jc. Oats-DemaDd fair ard market
hrrn at 5Srd G2c. Rye-Dcmand fair and
market firm at 81 10 Barley-D"mand
fair and mrrket firm; spring III SOCo ~.
Bulk Mests--SIcady
and in moderate demand. Butter
Dull but unchanged. Checsc-siendy
and in moderate demand. Pork--DuIl
and dropping at so %; sales at $50 70
seller February; no buyers. Lard
Dull and a shade lower; steam l2lE, l3c.
Bacon-Lower; shoulders 9'c; clear rib
sides l2c clear side- l3Ic Green Meats
Easier; sides 9i@gl0ic; hams l0.Ggliei
market closing weak. Waisky--H7r.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
baltimore Market.

BALTIMORE, Decemb3r s.--Flogr-
Steady and quiet; demand light and
holders firm. Wheat-Dull and heavy;
amber we,tsrn 81 20fo ] 20; No. ] fed
western Sl 2Jfo,l 70; No. 2 81 ~; 40. 2
81 08; rejected u Is. Corn--Dull, weak
and lower; mixed western 80c. Oa;s-
Pirmer: mixed western $50, Sc; white do
e2c. Ryo-QUis: at 81 OOfgI 02. Hay
-Unchanged. Proyisions-Quiet. Pork
-SominAlly unchanged. Bacon and
Hams-U nchanged Buiter-Westefn
quiet and steady; tub zOc; rolls Sor.
Coffee. Unsettled PstrSlsDA--Tn-
changed. Whisky-sl 0ZlGgyl %.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Toledo Market.

ToLEDo, December S.-Flour-Dnll
and prices hdminslly unchanged. Wheat
-DaIi and shade lowcr; No white
Michigan 81 lit; extra dosl Is; amber
Michigan 81 Osl No. 2 red 81 07l; No.
3 do 81 or Corn-Steady and ia mod
era:e demand; hign mixed lie; seller De-
cember 7Oic; seller January 5lic; seller
May low mixed I0c; 90 grade 694c. Oats
dull and prices .hsds lower; No. 2
Michigan 55lei white BE. CI1Ser Seed
Dull and nominal. Y'sI
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
philadelphia wool Market.

.-PHILADELPBIA, December s,-Wool
Dull and steady; Ohio, Pennsyiysnia
and West Virginia double extra
and above 55tg,56c; extra 5fa 5Ici
medium 55la5sc; ooarse 1oso,j2!c;
Michigan. Indiana and Western fine ~
CaJOc; medium 55t9SSc; eosrse 5oNg5lci
c0mbing washed 600 sc; do uDwa-h-
ed 43lS,45c; fine unwAshed 35c; cdsrse
and meiium washed 40fa32e; tnb wash
ed 55ta 6Oc; extra and merino pulled 10
M47Gc; No. / and superfne pulled 4dtS
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Match Game Of Billiards.

New YORK, December s.-A match
game of billiards, three ball caron, 800
points, for purse Of $1,000, between
Vigmaux and Cyrille Dion, was played
tonight, and resulted in the defeat Of
Dion by II score of 500 to ~;
winners average, ll:G 3-G7. Dion made
a run Of III.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Eas, Liberty Cattle Market.

EasT LIBEHTY, Decefnt,er o.---Sstilr--
Receipt. for To- day l,0sS head. supply
light and mostly all common 70 Enediunn.
Slow market and not many buyers ON
hand. Best none offered; good 90 500
6 90; common 10 medium ~ 25ts5 Co.,
stscksrs "A Oola3 80; bulls 81 o0lsS %.
Hog Reeeipfs for to-day S,l0J bead;
best Phil.aelphiss 81 40ts7 co. Yorksrs
Ss 5Ot9s IS. Shesp-Reeeipts for to-day
$500 head; best ~ 5ote5 90; medium
So 75s4 rs. HJ 4FIp a,osisesi
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
PHILADELPHIA Market.

PHILADELPHIA, December t.-fIou
Quiet and firm; Indiana md
Ohio family extra IS 81; high grades
So 101S7 80. Wheat-Quie; and steady;
red 81 Y; white 81 90 Rye-s8c. Corn
Dull: old yellow gzc; uev do 5Oss4c;
white sc. Oats-Firm; white G7e. Pc
tsoleum-Reined lIiSllle; crude SIC
in barrel.; &c in bulk. Clover Seec--
9IGalOc for western.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
THE WEATHER.
WAR DEPARTMENT., I
OFFICE OF CHIEr SIGNAL OFFICER
WASHINGTON, December s, sP. NJ. }



PROBABILITIES.
For the Cult States Tennessee and the
Ohio Valley, generally clear weather,
rising Temperatures, southeast to south
west winds and stationary or falling
barometer. For New England and the
Middle States, continued cold and clear
or clearing weather, with northwesteriy
winds and rising barometer during the
night. For the Lake region, generally
cloudy weather, southwest to northwest
winds, low but rising temperature east OF
lake Michigan. and falling temperature
in Wisconsin, and near Lake Superior
falling followed by rising barometer, ana
irht Snow in Wisconsin and Michigan.
For the Northwest, colder and partly
cloudy weather with north to west winds,
rising barometer and light snow IN
Minnesota. For the Canal regions ot
New York, Pennsylvania and OHIO, the
tamnerature will rise slowly during
"wednesday. Cautionary signals con,
t;nue at Chicago Milwaukee, Grand
Haven. Escsnaba, Marquettssnd Alpena.
a L. L.. hE
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Cleveland Market

CLEVELAND, December s.-Wheat-
Weak and unchanged. Corn--Stesdy
and unchanged. Petroleum-Pirm and
unchanged.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
FOREIGN.


LONDON, December S.-Thc Mark
Lane Etprcss, in its review of the bread
stuff market, says; Many Of the Russian
ports are closed, and will remain So till
spring. European wheat markets hay"
been firm. and fluctuations generally
small. In some places rise of one shill-
ing j. reported. 1t is thought the lowest
rates for wheat have been passed.
The weather everywhere Is favorable
e =, ,,,,. ,rnrl
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09

Thos. A. Scott was last night elected
President Of the Northern Central nail
rord.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
STATE BoNDs-Dull.
RAILROAD BoNps-Dull.


SrocKs-Irregular at the opening and
prices fell of sC2! per cent, but after.
wards recovered the decline and was
strong for time. Wabash was an eX-
ceptiOn to the decline, and advanced I
per cent. On the second call prices de
clined iGl! per cent with the greatest
decline in Pacific Mail. In the last hour
of business the market in the main WAS
weak and the general list showed de-
cline of t@ II per cent from the highest
point of the day. The lowest prices were
made in the final dealings in Lake Shore,
Northwestern. Rock Island, st. Paul,
Erie, Ohios and Wabash. The trans
actions aggregated 10000 shares, of
which 1900 were Pacific Mail, 10000
Western Union, $4,000 Northwestern,
$500 Erie, 22,O00 Lake Shore, 5000
Ohio * Mississippi, 1900 Wabash and
1000 Union Pacific.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09

From our report. this morning the
,h.b;li,i.. are that the weather ts-day
~ h. clear and cold, with westerly
.-A.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
yioIcnfs,orm In 80. Pctersburgh.

ST. PETEEsBURGH, December s.-A
violent storm occurred here last night
causing much damage. The tide rose
nine feet above high water mark, par
TALLY inundating the lower portion OF
the city. A large number Of families OF
the poorer class were driven from their
houses. Over 1900 persons were shelter
ed by the police, and public kitchens were
opened 10 supply the sufferers with food.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Fatal Railroad Collision.

TRuCKEH, December S.-This morn
ing as a west bound freight train WAS
idetracking for west-bound passenger
train, at Boca, the freight train broke
in two. and collided with the passenger
train, completely demolishing the ca
boose and one emigrant car, killing two
passengers instantly and badly wound
ing three Others, who are not expected to
live. also seriously injuring conductor
Bennett, who was passenger at the
time. He was thrown sixty feet down
an embapkment- Quite number are
still missing, supposed to be in the river,
a. an emigrant car was thrown down the
embankment. There was one man killed,
named Lichenstein, Of this city. No
one on the western passenger train was
hurt. .......
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09

Commander WIN. B. Gushing, L. 5.
Navy, was last night removed TO the
Government Hospital for the Insane.
The body Of Bernard Mahon, the de-
tective who has been missing since Nov.
%. was found in the river at Toledo,
yesterday. The only external mark Of
violence is cut two inches in length on
the forehead. The post motem eTanlina-
tion takes place this afternoon.
The minister Of foreign affairs handed
to Mr.. Cushing, United States aInbassa-
dor to Spain, note in regard TO the Viz
rinus question, on Friday. An amicsble
settlement l. expected
The specie shipments yesterday, from
New York, was S30j, 900, of which S2OO,-
900 was gold coin, and the remainder IN
silver bars
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09

The banking house of Rotchschild has
advanced 30 OOO. 900 reals to Spain.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Af'heeling &egister.

Cold closed in New York Saturday
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Another Negro Attack OH Nicksburg
Expected.

New ORLEANS. December SIT was
reported at Vicksburg this morning that
the negroes will renew the attack on the
city to-day. The citizens are all under
arms and have been largely reinforced
from adjoining towns. Companies have
been sent to the country well armed and
equipped. The prisoners captured yes.
tcrday arc closely watched to prevent
their being lynched. The negro loss
Yesterday is estimated at about 70 one
white man was killed and two wounded.
Crosby is still under guard. The whites
hold the entire city.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
New Railroad.

INpIANAPoLIs, December S.--The arti-
cles of association of the Frankfort and
State line of railroad, were filed at the
Secretary of States office to-day. The
proposed road will extend from Frank
tort through Clinton, Tippecanoe, Mont
gomery, Fountain and Vermilhan coun-
ties to Ridge Farm, on Illinois State line.
Capital stock, $1,000, 900.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Trial Of Coroner CrOker-The King
Of Hawaii.

New YORK, December S.-Contrary
to general expectation, jury was readily
obtained for the trial Of Coroner Croker,
under an indictment for the murder OF
James McDrunc on election day, and
there is prospects of the prompt trial %!
this important criminal suit.
One branch of the city Council has re-
Uucstcd Mayor Vance TO tender the
hospitalitics ofthe city to King kalakane.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Hours of Reception.

WAsHINGToN, December S.-The Pres
ident will devote the mornings from 10
to II o'clock to Senators and Representa-
tiyes, and receive by card from II 10 =
o'clock each afternoon, excepting cabinet
days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-09
Beecher-TiItOn Case Postponed.

BROOKLYN, December 8.-Thc case of
Theodore Tilton, against Henry Ward
Beecher, has been postponed by Judge
Wilson, till Monday morning next.
The counsel for Mr.. Beecher have OBJ
tanned an order from Judge McCuc, to
make it returnablc Thursday next, that
the plaintiff show cause why bill OF
particulars should not be furnished the
defendant. The same Judge at the
same time also granted stay of pro-
ceedingS.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-21
The New Post-Omce Law.

While the new post-office law pro-
vides that after the lst. of Janua-
ry, 1879, the postage must be prepaid
or all newspapers sent in the mails be-
yond the boundaries of the county in
which they are printed, it also con-
tains a section which went into Ope-
ration on the 1st of July, authorizing
the free transmission of daily as well
as weekly newspapers to actual sub
scribers residing within the limits of
the counties in which they are pub
lished. The section is as follows =
Section Z. That newspapers one copy
to each actual subscriber residing with
in the country where the same are
printed, in whole or in part, and pub
lished, shall go free through the mails !;
but the same shall not be delivered at
the letter-carrier offices or distributed
by carriers unless postage is paid there
on as provided by law" This is vir-
tual repeal of the law framed at the
time the franking privilege was abol-
ished.
Another clause of the new law in
creases the amount of merchandise,
samples, etc.. which can be sent in
single packages through the mails
from twelve ounces TO four pounds,
and reduces the postage on such arti-
cles from two cents for four ounces to
one cent for the same weight. The
list of articles that can be mailed at
these low rates has also been leEgthen-
ed to such an extent that few things,
except fluids, sharp instruments, and
glass, are excluded.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-21
TILTON AGAIN.
HE ACCEPTS BEECHER'S
CHALLENGE AND WILL
MAKE A SWORN STATE
MENT.
Another WeN-Written Evasion
of the Leading Question.

NEW YORK, July I3.-Mr. Beech.
er's letter to the committee of six
church members, requesting them tC
investigate his character against Mr.
TiltOn's allusiOn to an offense and al
apology in his Beacon letter, has elici
ted the following reply by Mr., Tiiton
II is addressed as Mr.. Beecher's to the
committee:
BROOKLYN, July IS, 1874.
To the Investigating Committee
GENTS. when. on Friday last,
met you, at your invitation, the ap-
pOiD tment of your committee had not
then beeI made known to the public
You sat in a private capacity.
Moreover, one of your legal advisers
had previously given me a hope that
if OH my appearance before you ]
would preserve a judIcious reticence
concerning the worst aspects of the
case, | might thereby facilitate through
you such moderate public presenta-
ton of Mr.. Beecher's offence and apol-
Ogy as would close rather than pro-
long the existing scandal. l rejoiced
in this hope and promptly reciprocal
ted the kindly feeling which was re-
ported to me as shared by you all to-
ward myself and family. According
ly when / met you in conference my
brief statement was in substance of the
two following points:
First. That my letter to DIR, Bacon
was written, not as an act of aggres-
sion, but of self-defense, arising as
therein set forth from great and griev-
Gus provocatiOn by your pastor of your
church, the Brooklyn Council ami the
ex-nOderatnrs' criticisms on my sup
posed conduct all uniting 20 defame
me before the world, and to infiict up
on me an unjust punishment for acts
done by another; and second, that
having by that letter defended myself
SO far as | thought the occasion re-
quired me to carry my reply, felt un-
willing to proceed further against Mr..
Beecher without farther public provo
cation or necessity. Such a necessity
is now laid upon me by Mr.. Beecher
himself, in the publication of direct
request by him to you to inquire Off
cially into his character, as affected by
his Offense and the apology to which /
referred. He thus offered me direct
not only before your COM
mittee, but before the public. which 1
hereby accept. L therefore give you
notice that [ shall prepare a full and
detailed statement, il accordance with
the terms of your committees invita-
ton TO rle to furnish such facts as are
within my knowledge. touching mat
ters which compromise the character
Of Henry Ward Beecher, l shall be
ready 10 lay this before you within
week Or ten days, or as soon thereafter
as l shall find myself able to set nu-
merOus facts and evidences in such
strict array as that / can cover them
zach and all with my oath to their ex-
act truth, sworn before a magistrate.
[ await the appointment by you of
day mutually convenient for my pre-
of this statement in person
before your committee. Meanwhile l
shall make public my present note to
you, because Mr.. BeecheT's letter, to
which this is preliminary response,
has been made public by him. With
great respect, am truly. yours,
THEODORE TILTON.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-21
Oxygen.

The discovery of oxygen may well
be considered as the birth OF modern
chemistry. What the discovery by
NEWTON, sitting under his apple
tree in the garden at Woolsthorpe in
1868, was to the astronomers, the
result of PRIEsTLEY' simple expert
ments with mercury, in l774. was. to
the chemists. 1t brought cropping
world from darkness into light. 1t
seems incredible that a substance
which constitutes tbree-lourths of the
whole known terraqueous globe should
remain undiscovered" till within a
century of our time. All the oceans
seas, lakes, and rivers are eight-ninths
in Dulk nothing but oxygen, the
vegetable world is four-fifths oxygen,
the animal kingdom three-iourths,
and the crust of the earth itself is
about one-third composed OF this
all-perYading substance. Without
it all animal and vegetable life on
the globe would perish, and yet when
unrestrained by the checks which
nature has provided it becomes the
most destructive agent known. Il
freed for a single hour it would first
poison all life on the face of the
earth and then consume the whole
globe with fire. For centuries the
alchemists of the Old World were
puzzled, defeated. and awed by the
mysterious workings of this substance,
which in itself is invisible, odorless.
While they were experimenting ex-
plosiops frequently occurred, some
times killing or manning the expert
mentor, and it was only natural that
they should come toregard it as a real
but invisible spirit that took this way
of avenging itself on its tcrmentors.
The devOut alchemists, therefore, it
is said, commenced their experiments
with prayer. and stamped upon their
vessels the mark of the holy crOs.-
N, Y. WOrld.