davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
ShaksDeare's Death-Mask.

The admirers of Shakespeare every
where will be interested to learn that
the Page bust of the bard has been COM
pleted. This bust, as is gene rally known,
is a reproduction from the German
death mask that came into the light of
criticism about thirty five years ago,
and which was only seen by Mr.. Page
last year. Toe artist is entirely ccn-
vinced, from the most assidaous investi-
cation, that the death-mask is genuine.
In 1910 Ludwig Becker, court painter
at Darmstadt, purchased at an auction
sale q small picture, by an unknown
J. lemish artist, called "The Dsath- bed
of William Shakespeare" From study
of the face, he came to the conclusion
that it must have been painted not
from the body, but from mask. So
struck was he by this inference, that he
began making inquiries in regard to the
matter. After rambling over Germany,
inspecting old portrait galleries, and
searching junk shops, at length he came
upon an old plaster mask, which, on
turning over, bore a mortuary cross and
the date A. D. 1916, the year in which
Shakespeare died. AS the picture was
dated 1857, and as there is a striking
resemblance between it and the mask,
the evidence of the genuineness of the
latter is, when other things are taken
into consideration, quite strong. When
Shakespeare died, there were but two
portraits extant, and these are now
known as the Draeshout engraving and
the ChandOs portrait. The latter rep.
resents the poet in his later years, with
a beard and mustache, and dressed IN
black, with wide, square collar turned
over, and little rings in his ears. The
former shows him as man OF about
26, his face smooth and lnclplent
mustache shading his upper lip. When
Shakespeare died, however, monu-
mental effigy was determined on, and a
plaster, cast was taken off he face. Mr..
Page, after the most careful study of
the bust at Stratford. the Draeshout
engraving and the ChandOs portrait,
and by the aid of his artist-faculty for
noting the resemblances of faces and
figures, has become firmly convinced
that the Darmstadt mask gives the i'm
preston of the features Of the poet
He has finished the bust since his re-
turn from Germany. 1t is life size. and
represents the poet in the maturity OF
his powers. The mustache is fully
worn, ard double tuft is upon the
chin. Tt is not Shakespeare at twenty
six, nor at fifty two, but only Shaks-
pesre. These facts were CLEANED by
reporter of the New York World from
conversations with Mr.. Page. A Ger
man professor has advised that, in order
to test the genuineness of the mask, the
skull of Shakespeare, which is in the
grave at Stratford, be disinterrea and
comparison instituted. This reminds
the reporter of the inscription on the
granite slab in the Stratford church:
Good Friend for Jesus sake forbeare
To digg the Dyst enclosed heare;
BIese be We Man vt spares thes stones
And curst be he vt moves my bones.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
A New Freak of Fashion.

''Better be out of the world than out
of the fashion is, and has been the
ruling doctrine of the favored few to
whom fortune has been lavish of her
gifts.
The latest freak of the aristocratic
world of London will somewhat sur
prise the time -hOnored proprieties of
human life. It is coffins A strange
fancy, no doubt, for health, wealth, and
beauty, but such it is. There has been an
exhibition of coffins at Stafford House,
the town residence of the duke of
Sutherland. and young ladies in gay
bonnets, old dOwagers in gorgeous silks,
whiskered dandies in all patterns came
TO see, and to admire. The coffin show
has been the success of the season.
There must be some element of cheer
fulness In the trappings and the suits of
woe. Otht rwise, we presume, the
countenances of persons who attend
funerals would not wear so cheerful and
even hilarious an aspect. At all events,
society would seem to have agreed to
accept the most esthetic and pleasant
view of the inevitable it possibly can.
The coffins exhibited were in accord
ance with Mr.. Haden's views of the
expedience of using wickerwork with
moss and herbs in room of closed
box and screw nails. There were about
a dozen new styles, made of osiers,
white or stained, plain and ornamental.
A double basket is provided where char
coal is required, the powdered dust be-
ing placed in the interval-Of two and
three inches-between the two baskets.
1t is proposed to fill the baskets with
ferns, lichens, mosses, shrubs, and
evergreens. It is admitted that in some
cases Innings of some imperishable ma
terial will be necessary, and in general
the wicker coffins, when filled with
foliage, will be less gloomy and repul-
sive than the wooden ones.
The fashionable world is discussing
cofins. They are the subject of COu-
versation in drawing rooms, kettle
drums, and promenades. Such remarks
as the following may doubtless be
waited from the usual lounging grounds
of wealthy idleness $50 nice !" $50
sweet |" $50 cool in summer " $50
comfortable in winter and SO
death would appear to have lost its
terrors, and the old reverential awe
which used to attend the first
dark day of notbingness to have
passed away. Still, the world moves
on, and the skeleton grins, and
the Mephistophelean laugh is doubtless
heard above the chatter and the din of
careless mockery.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
A Terrible Moment.

The Bein Public of Tarbes, June 30,
thus describes the destruction of the
bridge of the Adour: From daybreak
the entire length of the structure was
crowded with people, too busy in
watching the passage in the stream of
trees, gates, articles of furniture and
other things, to have any apprehension
of the danger they ran. At a quarter
before one, some workmen, noticing
the water dashing violent against the
piers of the bridge, and the food
attaining the crown of the arches, saw
the masonary begin to open. A lock
smith named Barthez was one of the
first to perceive the danger, which he
at once announced, begging the crowd
to retire at once. At first no attention
was paid to the warning; but some
men employed at the arsenal came be-
hind the store of NJ. Roes and saw the
dust fly and the mortar give way, on
which a workman called Coulinet hur-
ried away and joined Barthez in giving
the alarm. Still the idea prevailed
that the whole incident was a piece of
pleasantly. But on seeing those two
men pale, and terrified, tho people be-
gan to leave the bridge. At that mo.
ment an oscillation was felt, and the
panic reached its height few seconds
later detonation was heard like the
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
The Secretary-Bird and Snakes.

Many and various are the names ap-
piled to this extraordinary bird, by the
natives of the different countries III
which it is common. BY some it is
known as the "devil's steed," by others
as the bird of fate" We must own
that to us these fanciful appellations
are quite unintelligible, nor has any
eastern tale that we have ever read
thro WI light upon their origin never
theless our unpoetical imagination at
once recognizes the appropriateness of
its nickname of the " secretary" as the
crest upon it's head, when laid back,
looks most comically like the quill pens
which clerks or secretaries used some
times to put behind their ears. Its
common name is crane-vulture, while it
is known to men of science as the Gy-
pOQeTG9auS SeTpentdTiUs. The crane
vulture inhabits Africa, from the cape
to fifteen degrees north latitude, and
from the Red Sea to Senegal it is also
occasionally seen on the PHILIPPINE
Islands. One species is also met
with in northern Africa. Snakes of
all kinds are the objects of constant at
tack by these birds. When a serpent
sees one of these dreaded enemies ap-
preaching, it will rear itself and swell
and hiss in rage and fear but the bird
will spread his wings, forming with one
of them buckler in front of him, and
when the reptile makes a spring at him
the bird will bound about, always pre-
senting that hard, we'll protected wing
and while the serpent is vainly spend
ing it's poison on the thick bunch of
feathers, the foe is inhicting heavy
blows on the defenceless head with his
other wing, until, stunned and faint,
the venomous creature rolls on the
ground the bird then catches it and
throws and dashes it about, finally kill.
ing it with it's sharp bill. Then he
swallows his victim with great relish.
being in no way affected by the poison
II contains
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
A Heroine.

The sisters and pupils of the con-
vent of the Feuillantines had n very
narrow escape from death. The build
ing was surrounded by water ere the
inmates were aware of their danger.
On seeing that there was no hope of
escape except through assistance from
outside, the superioress ordered the
sisters and the 190 pupils TO ascend
to the third story, and kneel IN
prayer for deliverance. Their ag-
onizing appeal was heard some
distance off by victims of the flood
trying to escape to places of safety.
The father of one of the girls Sc
cured the assistance of two stout-armed,
strong hearted men, who accompanied
him in an old scow, They succeeded
in reaching the convent after many
perilous escapes, and the father scaled
the walls and assembled to where his
daughter was, on her knees in prayer.
His strong arms were around her ere
she was aware of his presence. He was
soon surrounded by the terror stricken
girls, who implored him to save them.
The eni of a short rope was quickly
made fast to an iron column and the
rope thrown to the men in the boat be-
low. He descended down the rope with
his daughter, and when they reached
the boat he shouted to the superioress
to have the girls get in line and
follow in order, coming down the rope.
This instruction was promptly obeyed.
The pupils insisted that " mother, as
the superioress is called, should be the
first saved, but the brave-hearted
woman of 60 would not move. Go,
my children, God will protect us all,
and will stay here at my post of duty
till the last one of my children is safe
in the boat" When seventeen had de.
scended the men said the boat was full;
"but keep up your coinage, for we will
soon return" The boat did return,
and continued to return till the last in
mate was carried to place of security.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

gives us, in that modest, straightfor-
ward way which makes her narrative so
charming, on account of her habit of
writing.
Abstruce as were her subjects, she did
not find it necessary to seclude herself.
She had singular power of abstraction,
which made her independent of out.
ward circumstances. She rose early, she
says, and made the needful arrange
ments for her family, then wrote, sub
lect to interruptions of visitors, who
had come to spend few hours" with
her. "However, learned by habit to
leave the subject and resume it again at
once, like putting mark into book ]
might have been reading" In another
place says she:
81 had, and still have, determined
perseverance, but soon found that it
was III vain to occupy my mind beyond
a certain time. grew tired, and did
more harm than good SO, if met with
a difficult point left it, took my
work or some amusing book, and re-
sumed it when my hand was fresh"
She took up for this recreation poetry
and afterward novels.
There is something exceedingly pleas
ing in this mental healthfulness, this
systematic working of the faculties, this
sound, refreshing kind of life. It re-
minds us of the account which is given
of Scnillers manner of writing: In the
common family room, where the wife
and children could come and go at will,
giving him pleasure and contentment
rather than an annoyance by doing SO
and as fast as he finished a scene, he
would call them and read it aloud.
It is delightful to think of him in this
way, serene and cheerful, the life of
the imagination inseparable from that
of common life, so that he could turn
from writing a page of "Wallenstein, ;"
to jot down little items of accounts or
notes of his progress, in his diary. It
was very humble mode of living, so
far as the outward goes for his house
was the farthest from being grand, and
was scantiIy furnished. The room in
which he wrote had but few adorn
ments.
Very unlike indeed were his surround
ings to those ofthe author of "Lothair."
1t would seem in the case of the latter
ss if sumptuOusness could no farther
go---statues, paintings, velvet carpets,
rich and rare furniture, stained win
dows, hangings of black and gold, and
the luxurious appointments of man of
extravagant tastes. And if we are to
accept the details of authorship in
"Contarini Fleming" as actual expert
erces, or even an exaggerated statement
of them, we must arrive at the con-
clusion that Disraelis method is
forced and unhealthy one. 81 shutmy-
self up from all human beings.
wrote the first sentence while in chapel,
and under the influence of music. 1t
sounded like the organ that inspired
it" The instant it was finished, "my
mind seemed exhausted, my power
vanished. The excitement had ceased"
And every daythe young autobiographer,
who is telling personal b story In his
romance, says he warmed up his
fancy" by reading over what he had
already written before he could go on.
Undoubtedly Disraeli, in this produc-
ton of his earlier years, embodied some
of his own life, and indicated the over.
wrought mental and physical conditions
under which he wrote.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
The State of the Cotton Trade.

While the wheat market is "boom-
ing" cotton maniiests more depression
than at any time within the past two
months. Notwithstanding the fact that
our crop for the year just ending has
been fully 800, 600 bales less than the
preceding one, the stock of American
cotton at Liverpool is 100000 bales
larger than it was year ago, and the
Liverpool price on the 22d was 10
lGd., against Sd in 1874. The Liver
pool Economist says that the market
al Manchester is fiat, that stocks are
accommodating and that the raw material
is i'll but little demand at Liverpool.
England wants our wheat, for, however
dull trade may become, her people
must have bread to eat but as
to cotton the case is quite different.
India is competing with her cotton
manufacturers on so formidable a scale
as to drive them almost altogether out
of the market there and in China.
This was the prime cause Of the recent
heavy failures In London, Liverpool and
Manchester.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

firing of several pieces of artillery it
was the bridge which had given away,
precipitating with it several unfortunate
persons into the river. They are said
to have four in number, and to have
succeeded in saving themselves, and
we sincerely trust that such is the case.
The crash was followed by the cries
and lamentations of the populace one
calling out for his brother, another his
son this one seeking his wife and that
other her husband. After the first
moment of terror had passed crowds
hurried to cross by the railway bridge,
still intact, in order to reassure their
families and friends.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
Love and Insanity.

We obtained an idea Of love diffeTen-
TALLY as it exists in the sexes 10y observ
ing the degree to which it affects men
aud women as q probable cause of insan-
ity. In the same manner / think we
can gain a knowledge OF the compare
tive intensity with which emotion and
states of consciousness, common TO both
sexes, exist in intellection, by observing
the extent to which they react as prob
able cause of mental alienation. For
my purpose | shall use DIR. Kirkbridge's
report for the Pennsylvania Hospital Tor
the Insane. The analysis is based upon
the supposed causes of insanity IN ., ,Sy9
cases. Domestic difficulties are the
plobable causes of mental disease in AZ
men and sc women. Nearly two to one
expresses the difference in intensity IN
the action of this cause. Fright resulted
in insanity in 1G men and 36 women (;
grief affected n men and $50 women,
difference Of more than three to one (;
religious excitement acts as the cause in
70 men and 127 women, difference OF
81 per cent. nostalgia, women and no
men from mental anxiety there are l6l
men and 26l women insane. These
causes, which present such dlsslmllarl-
ty, have one bond of union; they affect
the emotional part of the Physical ma
ture. From this / would not conclude
that women are less able to bear the
operation of these exciting causes than
men but that the emotional nature OF
woman is more largely developed, and
thus more exposed to the action Of such
causes as directly affect it. If am
riobE in this we wOuld cXpect to see in
women the emotional forms of insanity
developed in excess Of the same IN men;
and this is just what we find. Coptinu-
ing to analy re the tables Of DIR. Kirk
bridge relating to thesame cases asabove,
we find the number of women to be B.
900, the number of men exceeding them
bv 459 aud yet there are l, ,032 cases of
melancholia among the women to S32 in
men. Prof Maudsley defines this form
of insanity as "great oppression of the
self feeling, with corresponding gloomy,
morbid idea. -, POp1iar Science MONTH";
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
Female Society.

All men who avoid female society
have dull perceptions, and are stupid,
and have gross tastes, and revolt against
what is pure. Your club swaggerers,
who are sucking the butts of billiard
cues all night, call female society in
sipid. Poetry is uninspiring to yokel;
beauty has no charms for blind man !;
music does not please poor beast, who
does not know one tune from another,
but, as a true epicure is hardly ever
tired of water, sauce and brown bread
and butter, l protest / can sit for a
whole night talking to a wellregulated,
kindly woman about her daughter Fanny
or her boy Frank, and like the evenings
entertainment.
One of the greatest benefits a man
can derive from woman's society is that
he is bound to be respectful to her.
The habit is of great good to your NOR
ais, men, depend upon it. Our educa-
ton makes us the most eminently sell
fish men in the world, and the greatest
benefit that he has is to think OF some
BODY to whom he is bound to be con-
stantly attentive and respectful.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
TIE FAINT FLOWER.


Up where the meadow-erass
Leans toward the river,
Stood little BlueSell
All in a shiver.
River oh, River!
Where are you going2
Stay just moment
In your swift howin
"Ob, little Bluebeu!
How can l wait?
The miller will chide me,
The boats will be late.
" Rain-cloudsi oh, Rain-clouds
Where are you flying?
sm 80 Thirsty,
Painting and dyingr
" Oh, little BluebeH!
Afar in the air
The storm-king is calling,
And we must be there"
Robin, dear Robin!
am SO ~,
Aud you're at the river-5rink,
Drinking your fil."
Oh, little BIuebcu!
Do, then, look mp;
Some kind clOud will give you
drop in your cup"
Here little BluebeIr
Ceased her complaint,
Dropping still lower,
Hopeless and faint.
But down fen ihe twilight,
And up came the Dew.
whispering, " Dear BluebeIl,
We're sorry for you
" We are not strong,
Like the Rain or the River,
But never a flower fains
For hep We can give her"
by thousands and thousands,
The Summer night through,
Silently gathered
The hosts Of the Dew.
At dawn, little Bluebeu
Held gratefully up,
Her silent thank-ofFeTing-
The Dew in her cup.
-MdFV A. LGthBurl
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

IT was at the house of a well.known
doctor Of divinity, and the little tod
ding girl, who did not like TO rec her
aunt trim lighted kerosene lamp, had
come honestly by somewhat modified
theory Of predestination. "Take care
take care or we'll get blown up into
the sky and then God'll say: Girls,
what are you in such a hurry for q"
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

DYNAMITE or giant powder may b
transported by all ordinary means with
no danger of explosion. In contact
with fire it burns to ashes like saltpeter
paper. 1t may be poured upon a red
hot plate, it may be dashed down upon
rocks from any height, it may be beatt n
with a sledge hammer, and yet will not
get mad but apply a large percussion
cap. and the explosion is terrible, the
lightest charge bursting the heaviest
cannon
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

The Kansas people have tested the
qualities of grasshoppers as an article
of food and pronounce them, after being
boiled in water to clean them, and fried
in butter, to be quite palatable, and
even good eating, like small fab,
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

LATELY they had tremendous thunder
storms in France, and it was noticed
that the wild animals on exhibition were
uncommonly iptractable and dangerous.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06
Women IN India.

According to the Hindoo law.giver,
woman has no god on earth but her
husband, and no religion except TO
crafty, obey and serve him. Let her
husband be crooked, old, inGrm, ofien-
sive let him be irascible, irregular, n
drunkard, a gambler, a debauchee let
him be reckless Of his domestic affairs,
as il possessed by devil though he
live in the world without honor though
he be deaf or blind, and wholly weighed
down by crime aud indrmity-still shall
his wife regard him as her God. With
all her might shall she serve him, in all
things obey him, see no defects IN his
character, and give him no cause OF un-
easiDe5s. Nay, moro; in every stage OF
her existence, woman lives but 10 obey
at first her parents, next her husband
and his parents, and in her old age she
she must be ruled by her children.
Never. during her whole life, can she
be under her own control. These are
the general principles upon which the
life of women in India is 10 be con-
Quoted.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

How TO HAVE Coon Zoos. There is
n vast difference IN the flavor Of eggts
Hens fed on clear, sound grain and KEEP.
on a clean grass run, give much liner
favored eggs than hens that have access
TO stable and manure heaps and eat oil
kinds Of filthy food Hens feeding On
fish and onions flavor their eggs accord
ingly, the same as COWS eating onions
or cabbage, OF drinking offensive water,
imparts n bad aste to the milk and
butter. The richer the food the higher
the color Of the eggs. Wheat and corn
give eggs the best color, while feeding
on buckwheat makes them colorless,
rendering them unfit for some confec,
tlonary purposes,
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-06

COMMON sense is only a modification
of talent-genius is an exaltstion Of it,