davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13

out Of the treaeherous bottom Of shallow
lake. Beyond this lake Of the Y there
was only wilderness of loosely -heaped
sand hills, so the banks must necessarily
be formed Of material that was not set
in movement by puff of wind or by the
plash of each passing vessel.
Finally, the North Sea harbor had to be
constructed artifcially for refuge at a
spot where, so far from there being natural
facilities, there was nothing but forbid
ding line of sandhills. Enormous break
waters of stupendous blocks Of stone and
concrete, each breakwater being nearly
mile in length, threw out their long arms
in a wide sweep into one Of the stormiest
of seas; while locks of suitable solidity
were indispensable to protect the country
behind from sudden submersion. 1t may
give some notion of the magnitude Of the
undertaking, aud Of the care and complete
ness with which it has been executed, if
We remark that four years ago we passed
through the canal in steamer, from the
locks at Schellingwoude to those near the
sea; so that even then it WIS practicable
to all intents and purposes, except for the
completion of the exterior harbor works
and some of the internal dredging.
1t is Characteristic, too, of the way in
which the habitable area Of Holland has
been extended that the formation of the
canal has been accompanied by works of
reclamation which will pay, according to
calculation, half Of the two millions ex-
pended When the Y was cut of from
the Zuyder Zee it became possible to pump
it dry, and ground which few years ago
was under water is selling now, as we are
informed, at an average Of s4OO per acre.
1t is the dream Of the Dutchman to do the
same by the Zuyder Zee as they are doing
by the Y and We should be sorry to say
decidedly that the grand fancy is imprac-
ticable 1t may be q mere question of
obtaining on faith sufficient advances of
money which can only be slowly repaid.
In any case the Amsterdam people may
point to tl.:SS an'orth Sea Canal as sufficient
reason for claiming respectful considera-
ton to any further schemes which they
may submit to capitalists. s.-L0Hdoa ISat-
urday Rericp.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
A Difficult Drill.

At the West Point military school the
cadets are taught to ride bareback, to ride
without stirrups, to jump hurdles, to use
the pistol aud saber while riding, to s'cut
heads to the right and left and other
feats, The "heads" are leather balls about
four or FIVE inches in diameter, which are
placed on posts Of various heights The
trooper moving at rapid gallop must cut
these heads riding to the right and left.
and also cut heads resting on the ground,
the last rather difficult feat when done
TO the left, compelling the rider to swing
the saber over his bride hand and to reach
down from a horse sixteen hands high.
They also cut heads with the right and
left cut at the iostant q ,pmping hurdle
The most skillful maneuser is the cutting
Of head upon the ground between two
hurdles placed about forty feet apart, the
trooper riding at full speed and cutting tc
the right aud left iD the interval between
leaping the hardles. The trooper is alsc
taught to turn his horse at full gallon in F.,
circle four yards in diameter. Most O
these feats are performed in the ridin.
hall, d room about 100 feet long by sixty
eight wide, with tanbark floor. III,
parade ground is about $50 yards long b,
100 in width. Seventy-fye horses ar
kept In use, the stables accommodation
about 100. The animals are cared for b
detachment of regular soldiers provides
for such service, the cadets being too bus,
! to perform this duty.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
The New North Sea Canal.

Rotterdam, with all the drawbacks to its
trade, has had far fewer difficulties to con-
tend with than Amsterdam. Embayed, as
it were, in the remote fecesses Of the shall
low Zuyder Zee, Amsterdam was always
most disadvantageously situated At last
the merchants began to grow impatient Of
having to tranship the cargoes Of deep
laden 1ndiamen, or to float them between
couple Of "camels' over the ugly bar of
the Pampus. They subscribed capital,
obtained Government aid, and made the
sixty miles of the Great North Holland
Canal, rather in opposition 10 the idea of
the reigning monarch, who is said to have
inclined to the alternative outlet which
has since been adopted. The North Hol-
land Canal answered its purpose but in-
differently. SO they set to work to find
the ways and means for canal by the
shortest cut TO the North Sea, which should
make their port accessible to all corners,
instead Of being place to be avoided by
freighters and insurers. 1t was a great
effort for city that had begun to decline;
nor was it easy to raise the capital. How
ever, after many bitches and some serious
delays, the Government, the municipality,
and private adventures came to an un-
derstanding aud carried out the scheme.
The length Of the canal was only sixteen
miles; but the engineering difficulties we're
very great, and the estimated outlay was
$4,000, 900 (s10,000,OOO) Nor will that
estimate seem excessive if we remember
that the best part Of the work was feat
of original engineering in one shape OF
another.
The magni6cently massive masonry Of
the locks at Sohellingwoude is laid on a
substructure Of piles, and the foundations
Of the dyke which faces the sea there are
simply bundles Of fasciues sunk in th,
mud. Repeated experiments had failed
before that simple solution Of the problem
was hit upon. The canal bed, to within !
! few miles Of the west coast, had to be dus
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
Amusements in Japan.


The Japan Gazette thus relates how the
Japanese amuse themselves "A large pa
per screen hangs down at the edge Of the
platform. Suddenly flutes are blown and
drums beaten, and then FIVE or six trunks
of green pine trees appear on the paper
screen, after which man habited in CO.
remonial dress, with Yeboshi on his head
makes his appearance, holding bell in his
right hand and fan in his left. He
moves his eyes aud eyebrows about, rings
his bell, Aourishes his fan and dances so
gracefully to the accompanying music that
the spectators arc misicd into the belief
that it is real flesh and blood performing
for their qualification In moment the
shadow vanishes, and Immediately after
variety Of beautiful trees and lovely
plants make their appearance. There are
plum trees, chrysanthemums, peonies aud
lotuses, all Of which are made to produce
buds and blossoms and charming flowers,
to the astonishment Of the beholders, who
manifest their appreciation by frequent and
loud applause. The scene changes; the
garden disappears, and in its place is a
temple adorned with red and white flags,
and lighted by rows of small lanterns.
Worshippers are visible passing to and fro,
throwing in their cash and praying. The
music stops; the worshippers have all dis
appeared. 1t is night-midnight Hark
There breaks upon the ear the footman's
cry Of 'cakiyOre! (give way,) 1t is the
procession Of foxes. They proceed very
slowly; some are carrying mats; Others
lighting the procession by torches held be-
tween their teeth; more are carrying wood.
en- sticks and bamboo poles. This process
sion is that Of o lady fox who is on her
way to be married; and as soon as it has
passed through the tori all the foxes are
transformed into men, the mats into boxes,
torches to lanterns, bamboo poles to spears,
and the wooden sticks to kago or norimono.
The procession passes over the screen and
Vanishes. The ghost of Kasane "a woman
OF that name who was murdered by her
husband) is next introduced. In a room
but dimly lighted is seated, beside shelf
on which is tablet in commemoration of
the dead-the murderer YOyemon. He
strikes a bell and repeats a prayer, after
which the face of the ghost appears on the
screen, from which emanato reproachful
words. The face alternately changes from
a deadly pallor to a healthy hue, from
large to small, and so ou. Anon it is of
huge size; from the mouth bursts forth
stream of blood, while the eyes fash forth
angry glanees. At this stage of the pro.
ceedings the eminent priest, Yuten, ap-
proaches, repeats a prayer, Aourishes his
rosary, and the spirit yanishcs. Buddha
then comes down from heaven in the
clouds, aud the spirit of the murdered
woman is observed sitting on the petals of
a flower, being now Hotoke. All is
brilliantly Illuminated by the light from
heaven, aud lovely flowers are seen iu full
bloom,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13

this withdrawal from Trenton, had been
severe one. As the Americans neared
Princeton, three hundred men, under
Mercer were detached TO destroy the
bridge over Stony Brook They encoun-
tered an advance party Of British, on their
way to Trenton, and n spirited action
commenced The parties were, in mum
bers, nearly equal, and the encounter was
spirited and gallant on both sides. But,
wearicd aud worn with the nights march,
and, unproyided with bayonets the Amer
leans wayered before the charge of the
British veterans, The officers stroVe
to rally them but the day would have
been lost had it not been for the prompt
return of Washington with the main body
of his forces. He not only supported the
Americans against the troops with which
they were engaged, but intercepted the
fresh troops from Princeton. The superb
or drill and discipline of the British troops
caused the first line Of ,Washington's mill
tia to hesitate. Washington rode TO the
front within short distance of the British
line, facing the foe. While thus situated
both sides fired their volleys, and when
the smoke cleared away, to the wonder of
all who had seen his peril, he sat unharm-
ed in his saddle, Never guilty Of brava-
do, he had the noble courage to expose
his life without fear when necessity war
ranted the danger. Other portions of the
American army now came up the British
retreated aud left the field to the Americans.
While the main body of the American
army was thus engaged, the residue drove
back the British troops which had not
reached the scene Of the engagement.
The first attempt of the British troops
was to make citadel of the college build
ings but, finding this post untenable, they
broke and fled. And thus was finished
the days work which turned the tide of
events, and resulted in relieving the State
of New Jersey from the occupation of the
British except one or two posts only, and
in the recapture of the State they fancied
conquered The loss of the British in
killed and wounded was two hundred in
prisoners, two hundred and thirty, The
American loss in men was small, but
among the officers killed were General
Hugh Mercer, Haslet, Neal and Fleming.
Thus Washington's two boldly conceived
trips across the Delaware in mid-winter
of l776.77 turned the tide of the Revolu.
tionary war, by the iuspiriting influences
of the success at Trenton and Princeton.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
Insults.

It is always better TO pass a dozen in
tended insults without recognition, than
to take offense at single unintentional
neglect or reelection. Misundentandings
are fruitful of more unkindly feeling than
ever result from deliberate ill-nature
Hundreds Of friendships have been sun
dered by that egotistical sensitiveness
which is ever looking for offense. We all
point to certain persons who are thus
morbidly sensitive to painful degree
They afe disagreeablc companions. We
need not spend our precious time in point
ing to them however. We have each
something to guard in our own character
We are inclined to take oifense too easily
If we could remove this eyer-ieaIou.
watchfulness, society would gain new
charm, or rather it would be relieved Of ,
very disagreeable feature. Pass ueglect
then, and personal reflections, as GRACEFUL,
as possible, instead Of taking the risk .
being offended when no oifense is intended
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13

The year 1876 will always be remem.
bered for the deaths of great men and
women which occurred during the twelve
months. OF preachers and priests were
Cardinals Antonelli and Tarnoczy, the
Rev. Henry Boehm, (who had lived and
done good works for century, the Rev.
DIR. Bushnell, Protestant Episcopal Bishop
Johns, the Rev. DIR. Sprague, the Rev.
George Peck, President Stearns, of Am
herst College, Bishop james, of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, and the Rev. DR..
Durbin are amongthe many who have died.
Among notable statesmen and jurists
the deaths are recorded of Francis Deak,
Reverdy johnson, President Roberts, of
Liberia Chief Justice Gilpin, of Della
ware; Ex-Governor Halle, Of New Hamp-
shire, and Ex-Gov. Wise, of Virginia,
together with those of Speaker Michael
G. Kerr, II. II. Starkweather, Trusten
Polk, ii. G. Blake, John A. Soaring,
Allen I. Caperton, Francis p. Blair, Sr.,
and James w. Nye, all Of whom were or
had been members Of the United States
Congress. Turkey has lost two Sultans;
Portugal has lost Princess, OF soldiers,
Santa Anna, the American Gems. Custer,
Bragg, G. A. Smith, Gordon Granger are
few of those who have died. The
American Navy has lost Commodore Ste.
phcn Decatur, John Pope and Admiral
Striugham. George Sand, Harriet Marti
neau, Henry Kingsley, Francis Palacky
Alexander Russell, John Foster, 0reste.
A. Brownson, g. NJ. D. Bloss, Charlie,
0. Chesney, aud George Alfred Lawrence
have ended forever their literary labors
The stage has lost Charlotte Cushman ant
Frederick Lemaitre New York lost Alex
ander 1. Stewart; Boston its noblest phi
lanthropist, Dr. Samuel G. Howe, and tn,
! list is still incomplete.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
9isturiral.
January Third, l777-ls77.

The brief review of the Battle of Tren.
ton, December 26, l776, given in these
columns last week on the Centennial an
plgersary Of its occurrence, makes it
reasonabe to supplement- that review by
mother of the Battle Of Princeton the
Contennial anniversary of which occurred
january 3D.. After the removal of his
prisoners across the Delaware, on the 26th
Washington returned TO New jersey, and
was in Trenton on the first day of the
year with n detachment of between six
and seven hundred troops Cadwaader
was at Crosswicks with eighteen hundred
men, and Miffiin at Bordentown with u
force of about eighteen hundred more, all
volunteers. Washington had determined
70 concentrate these forces at Trenton
Oh the first day of this month Washington
vas reinforced by portion Of the troops
whom he had ordered to join him. On
The second more came in, and the force
At his command was increased to between
four aud five thousand men largely volun-
teers and Of course inexperienced All
honor to the courage which could lead
them to face the rigors Of winter under
circumstances of such peril and suffering.
The British commander, CORVALLIS,
tastened to attempt the repair Of the Tren-
toh disaster On the second Of January
hc moved from Princeton with the main
body Of his army--more than five thous-
and men, well proyisioned and equipped.
The roads were heavy, aud nearly every
nile Of his progress was disputed by skir.
mishers and detaehments in ambush.
There were losses ON both sides during
The day, but the number is not ascertained.
A. four in the afternoon, on tho approach
Of the British, Washington withdrew over
sho Assaupink creek, which then bounded
Trenton, and now divides the town into
two PORTIONS An attempt to force the
bridge by the British was repulsed by the
Americans. Night came on, and the two
ermies bivouaeked with the creek between
them. The British rested after their hard
days work, counting on victory, with their
shperior force, in the morning. Washing
ton kept the Americans campfire blazing
through the night in order to mislead the
British commander, but the morning re-
sealed the fact that only the sentries and
the squads detailed to replenish the fires
had remained on the ground, and they,
ioo disappeared with the dawn. 1t was
easy enough to pass the Assanpink now,
bat no motive remained The noise Of
the artillery at Princeton revealed the
faet that Washington, had removed with
his force in the night and swift pursuit
wss at once made by the British forces
Ihe British advance reached Princeton
iast as the American rear left the place
And on the night Of the third Of January
fhe American troops, unpursued, biyou.
eeked in the woods near Somerset Court
Hpuse
The days work which had preceded
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
Our Presidents.

The recent presidential election calls our
attention to some facts of an historical
nature. The first idea of President for
the United Colonies was originated by
Benjamin Franklin at the Albany conven.
ton in l75l. That convention was held
for the purpose of consolidating the colo.
mics under the British flag, but the Crown
authorities opposed the scheme, and it
was abandoned. The presidential office
was at once created when Congress was
held, but the incumbents were called
Presidents Of Congress- This office
continued until the constitution provided
President to be elected from the people.
The first Of these was George Washington,
who was fity-seven at the time of his in.
auguration. John Adams, the next, was
q native of Massachusetts,, and was sixty
two at the time Of Inauguration. JeiTer-
son, who succeeded him, was Virginau
Of iity-eight, aud was sixty-six when he
retired from the presidential chair Madi-
son, likewise a Virginiau, was ffty.seyen
when elected, and retired after eight
years service, ranging from 1909 to 1917.
Monroe, also Virginian, was naugurated
at the age Of tifty-nine and was sixty
seven when he retired from office, period
extending from 1877 to 1926. John
Quincy Adams, Massachusetts, man, was
elected at the age of 81, and retired at 81
having served but one term, which closed
March 4, 1925. jackson, a native Of
North Carolina, was G2 when elected, and
retired at 10, having served eight years,
from 1929 to 1897, Van Buren was the
first native Of New York state to enter
the presidential office he was 81 when
elected, and served but one term, which
lasted from 1887 to 1871. Harrison was
native of Virginia, and was 67 when
elected. He died after a month service,
and Tyler, also Virginian, was raised
from the vice presidency to take the office
thus vacated This was the first instance
Of such an exigency, and therefore was an
important experiment The election OF
Harrison closed the half century OF
national existence under the convention
fifty-two years having elapsed since Wash
ington's Inauguration. Polk, the next
President, was of North Carolina birth,
and was fifty when elected. lie retired
after one term, which closed in 1s49.
His successor was General Taylor, native
of Virginia, who was in the 65th year
when inaugurated, His term was closed
by death in 1850, and Fillmore was raised
from the vice presidency, He was Buff
ialo lawyer, aud was at that time in his
fifty year. Frank Pierce, the next
President, a native of New Hampshire,
was forty-eight when elected, and served
but one term, which closed in 1857. His
successor James Buchanan, native of
Pennsylvania, was the first bachelor in
Quoted to this Office, which occurred in
his sixty-fourth year. His term closed
in 1861, when Abraham Lincoln, Ken.
tuckian, aged ffty-one, was inaugurated
of his successors, johnson and Grant, we
need not speak.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
Original poetrp.
MEMORIES.
Wriiten for he Democratic AdoOcdte
~ RRv. JOHN n. HALL.

though years have past like silent foods
mai waste the walls OF time,
AID chang'd the rocky mountain woods
Ofboyhood's distant cline;
Ytloft my thocghts by memory led
on spreading plnlons soar,
And In the paths of youth tread
Amid their scenes ofyore.
Beneath their shades, | solace find
That calms the troubrd breast
And cheers the weary burden'd mind
~ present care oppressd
Tuillfe anew from fountains gnsh,-
Me without an ILL.,
Thai bids the heart lts meanings hush
And all the storms be still
TO tiand beside their gurgling rills,
Thai Cow 80 swiftly on;
Urshslc their heights and rugged hills
Grille upon the lawn
nIinns back tho years, In waking dreams
Eft fhte It's victry won
1last shod their light in cloudless CLEANS
iAke early morning sun.
4 pi1en on their submits stand,
where mountain brOezes blow
and gaze upon the meadow laI.d
far down the sleeps below;
And there see the hallowed spot
Where mem'ry llngcrs still
Itp ancient homestead house and lot
Hpon the little hlll.
But soon start, my way to wend,
And seek fairer sight
Asaown the slopes my steps descend
With swim aud steady flight;
And there ilnd that sacred shrine
ofall, the dearest place
Where frst 1 found the Saviour mine
And drank his saving grace.
.. hallow'd mount Of bliss divine
That rises 10 my view,
1s thee I'll go when years decline
And there my VOWS renew;
Iill DER such scenes, the curtain falls.
That shrouds our peaceful graves.
And Chris, my ransom d spirit calls
70 rest beyond the waves.
H'intpstead, Nd, December 81, 1870.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
For the Democratic Adsocate.
Westminster at Midnight, as Sem from
College Hill
ny JAMES II. DrrEESBrron

Midnight dtoops DER the lovely dale
II which our city. hush'd reposes
mo moonlit mist, u silver veil,
Her beauty hides, yet half diseloses,
Nkhts quickend ear is lowly bent
h vain to hear uneasy motion,
Tor Trafics feyeFd pulse Is spent,
And calm is Daylights noisy ocean,
WhAt Is this calm, my city, say7
Hath Death in chains of silence bound thee
6loien thy laughing life away
And thrown his shroud of,iarkness round the
All no thy gently heaying breast
forbids our Joy in thee bc clouded:
Thy life is only gone to rest
IT'S In the mists Of slumber shroudcd
Aud thro' the darkness round thee put
The lustrous patches shifting, creeping,
Prove that Altho Lights eyes arc shut,
II is not dead-tls only sleeping,
Sleep sweetly, city ofmy love!
Sleep and forget Cares angry billow
The sleeploss eyes of heaven above
The gentle stars, watch DER thy pillow.
And deep within nay tired heart
Hath sunk tho holy peace thou knowest;
Nor ever from me shall depart
The goodly lesson which thou showcst.
That when. by wearlneSs oppressed
The downy breast Of sleep hath won US,
10 watch and guard US while We rest
A sleopleSs Eye Is bent upon us.
4 when sorrows darkness dlms our sight
Oh blessed thought amid our weepingl-
Thc light Is there tho for night,
Its eyes arc shnt--'tis only sleeping
And howsoever dense and chill
The cloud between us and the shining,
We may ascend Hopes rugged hill,
And look down on is silver lining.
o., ifnot this. when torturing fears,
Tremblings and doubts TO us are given,
Dur Faith may. like thy spires, pierce
The gloom and point the way to Heaven.
f,Fn Rock, Nd, Augus, 1870.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13

another third not wholly useless, while the
fisheries add greatly to their value.--Har-
per's Magazine.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13

The men who were arrested some weeks
since for an attempt to steal the remains
Of President Lincoln from their tomb are
now on trial at Springfield, H., aud it
seems doubtful whether they will be con-
yicted. The opinion is gaining ground
that the whole thing was plot to bring
the Importance Of national detective
force before the minds Of the people. q