The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-02-07

The Virginia House of Delegates has decided Il
favor of an immediate re-spportionment of the sen
stors and delegates. to take effect at the genera
election in November next The reduction will b
between 80 and AZ delegates, and 3 and Is sens
tors.
On Tuesday night last the fine residence Of Rev
/ Thomas NJ. NeWsom, in Southampton county, wa
| burned to the ground with all its contents. Ih
/ family barely escaped with their clothes. Mr. New
SONS loss viii be fully So, 0O0.-Ladec- Appeal "a
Mrs. M. A. Doyle, widow of the late Col. Rober
| L. Doyle who was for many years we'll know
lawyer of Stanton, died on the 2Sth ult., at the
residence Of her father, Mr. John Merritt, neal
Greenvile, in the 62i year of her age.
Mr.. W. T. Campbell, of Liberty, Bedford county
died on the 3Ist He was highly esteemed, and
tor years had been identified with the business In
terests OF that community as merchant and 10
bacco manufacturer.
An important literary transaction is the recent
renewal, By Messrs. Iyisou, B.skemaR, Taylor 4
Co, of New York, of their contract with u. 4 T.
Merriam Of Springfield, to publish the abridged
editions of Webster's dictionary. By this renewal
Ivison. Brakeman, Taylor & Co., become the ex-
elusive publishers OF these editions tor ten years
The editions are six in all-the Pocket" the
Primary" the Common School, the High
School," the Academic" aud the Counting
house and Family" Each is, in Its way, no less
valuable than the unabridged work, aud each has
circulation so immense that the figures could
they be accurately presented, would surprise our
readers.
Catholic schoOls-A Warning to Parents.-A LADY
writes TO Us In the convent of which you speak
are now two of our most lovely young ladies, sd.
mItted as postulants, who we're sent there three
years ago By their Protestant parents TO learn the
a Ian n OF N
that arc not examined by officials; so how can any
poor girl caught in their tolls eXtrloate herSefE-
These young ladies have hosts of friends with
aged, 6Fokep-hesrted parents, to mourn their loss
We can repeat such facts again aud again. They
are OF constant occurrence, and sre within the
knowledge OF Christian parents, who nevertheless
send their daughters into the very jaws OF the de-
strOyer. There is not the slightest possible neoes
sIty ioC sny parent 20 send daughter to a convent
school, The education there obtained is always SUI
per6cisl and often exceedingly detective aud ipjl
riOus. Every nunnery or convent or school taught
0y the.Romlsh sisters, or others OF that faith,
is designed to bring the pupils into the Romish
Church, s1d in many cases the design is carried
oct. Therefore the only safety is in keeping out
Of them. Never send child to one Of these schools
under any Enthusiastically 7. Observer.
Col Travis H Epss, of NOtsoway county, Va,
dice January S0th. Col. Epes was in his seven
tieth year, and had led lite Of honor and useful
ness that made his name q household word in his
uatiye county, and caused 1t to De we'll known be-
ycnd the limits of his State. He was the son Of
Major John Epes and Fannie Campbell, his wife,
who was q sister of DR.. Archibald Campbell, and
vas raised in the teachings of that high school of
Virginia honor, ehiyalry and courtesy that to-day
distinguishes those who were Its privileged men,
bers. In 1884 he represented his county in the
Virginia Legislature, being elected on the Wing
ticket and was SUCCESSFULLY returned for several
terms. 10 1860 be was State elector on the Bell
and Everett ticket, and cast his vote for them
Since the war he has not figured In the political
arena, but set eommendabe example to the men
of his county By striving noby to repair his broken
fortunes, and build up the interest OF his county
Col. Eoes had been member Of the church since
1888, and no msn in all the county Of NOttowsy
went in and out before his people with better re-
port than ne, and in the death that ended the tolls
and human agita;iOns OF this life, he left his hon
ored name aud example to his friends, and lay
down 10 peaceful sleep.-PsterSb1rg Post, SlSt.
Russian Leather. While General Jewell was our
Minister to Russia be visited the tsnneries of that
country, ana found out the secret Of the Russia
leather, beloved of book devotees. The secret is
che result of the use Of birohbark tar, with which
the SKINS are dressed in place OF talloW and grease
the latter substances being so largely used as
oOd among the lower classes. This tar, which is
carefully saved as it exudes from the wood when
burned, vas first used as a substitute for wheel
grease in Russia as it is to this day, and then tor
he filing and dressing of skins. By system OF
careful inquiry, and literally following his nose dur
ing his visits to some of the great Russian tame
ries and curriers' shops. Mr.. Jewell found this
compound in great kettle ready Tor use, and thus
che mystery was solved. Ii is not expensive, cost
ing about ten dollars barrel, and ne Immediately
ordered ten barrels and sent them to various lead
ing leather manufacturers in this country with in
struetlons, and the result is that genuine Russia
leather goods are now made in America, and
doubtless will soon be sold at nearly fifty per cent
below former prices.