davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

At the same time there is just enough
vitality left in the Moslem to enable him to
scratch around and make at the last that
horrible sort of dog fight in which the
career ofAsiatic nations commonly closes. In
former wars with the Ottomans it has been
said, for example, that the real battle for the
possession ola great city begins after the army
that defended it has surrendered; and that
sort of nature holds on in the fanatical
people. If that Ottoman capacity to still
continue an obstinate resistance should be
vigorously supported by England it might
not eventually change the result, but it
would tax the resources of Russia far more
seriously thanthey would be taxed otherwise.
That consideration may incline the Russians
to handle England gently in the settlement.
and Engand's demonstrations are made
with view to that end.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

under the mystery of godliness Dr. Armi-
tage will take Christ in as the thought-re-
vealing child-the True One DR.. Crook will
show the relation of the incarnation to the
songs Of the redeemed Mr. Hatfield will
look at Jesus as the wonderful child and
Mr.. Abbott as the hope Of the Church Mr..
Lloyd will show that while there was no
room for Jesus Mt His advent to earth
He has made room for man in
heaven, and Mr.. Macarthur will pre-
sent Him as the remover of spiritual
blindness and the revealer of life's mys-
teries. Mr.. Pullman will welcome the
morning of great day and Mr.. Frothing-
ham will sing the new song OF Christmas
with Mr. Muir in Christmas times while
Professor Adler will review this in connec-
ton with other festivals Of the year. Mr..
Hepworth will speak Of the souls immor-
tality, and L. Alden will help him to pre-
sent the cause of missions. Mr.. Jutten
will present a cure for dependency Mr..
Rowell for temptation, and Mr.. Mccarthy for
drunkenness. DR.. Crosby's position on the
liquor question will be controverted to-day
by DR.. Fowler and the place in prophecy
Of Mohammedanism and the Ottoman EN-
pire will be fixed by DR.. Smith. And those
who cannot here find something to suit
them must be hard to please.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
News from Siberia.

1t is not great while since the knowledge
possessed of the Arctic coasts of Europe
was so vague that travel in that direction
was classed as journey to "Nova Zcmbla
and the Lord knows where" But the report
given in the dispatches of the journey of
Captain Virgins, a bold mariner Of Eng
land, definitely indicates that the i'm
mediate future will be better &c
quainted with that region. This sail
ors report shows that the mouth
OF the Jenisei River is in an open season
only fifteen days from London, and that the
whole northern shore Of Siberia is readily
navigable to ordinary craft. This. indeed,
is the theory of Professor Nordenskiold,
who had already journeyed thither, and who
proposes for next year voyage along that
coast to Behring Strait. Several Russians
have also made voyages in that sea, SO that
Captain Virgins is not precisely a dis
coverer. But his voyage has great
effects there of an open winter. Doubtless
the summer succeeding such winter will
be prominently favorable one for explor-
alton. The intercourse between China and
Siberia known to exist was hardly thought
to be 50 active as this account represents it.
But the Jenisci rises in the Altai Noun
tains--- that is, on the Chinese frontier-and
the other great rivers of Siberia have SINH
lar source. Although these rivers are never
navigablo Tor great parts Of their length
their courses present practicable caravan
routes, and tho stimulation Of that traffic
that Russia has given tends directly to turn
great Chinese commerce to the point in
Dictated as within fifteen days Of London.
There is little doubt that the most inacces-
sible side Of Siberia is by the direct land
line from Russia over the Ural Mountains,
and it may prove that the opening Of regular
communication by the Kara Sea will even
tually greatly change some lines Of Oriental
trade.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
Fire Nets.

It is a little strange, in view Of the many
awful disasters by fire which have occurred
from time to time, that the inventive skill OF
the country has not devised some practical
continuance whereby life may be saved in
certain contingencies. Suppose, for instance,
condition Of facts which. has frequently
existed, even very recently, where the unfor-
tunate persons in burning building have
been driven to the windows as the only
means of escape. Sometimes they are saved
by the fire ladders; but in many cases they are
not, and then they are compelled to choose
between the certain death behind and the al.
most equally certain death before or beneath
them. This occurred at the st. Louis hotel
fire. large number of persons were killed
or manned for life by jumping from the
windows. A short time since very simple
arrangement-it cannot be called an inven.
tion-was suggested in London to meet an
emergency Of this kind. 1t consisted of a
large, stout netting supported by poles ten
or fifteen feet high upon which those in the
unfortunate position we have supposed
might jump and be caught. We do not
wish to be understood as saying that this is
the best means that can be devised in such
cases, but certainly it is better than the
hard sidewalks. This is o subject which
might properly engage the attention of our
inventors and Fire Department officials,
and we refer to what is doing in England in
this direction in the hope Of interesting
them in the matter
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
Will England Fight

Our cable dispatches report that active
preparations for war are on foot in England
and that enormous military stores are
raltar. 1t is proper that England should
always keep her strongholds in the Mediter-
ranean well supplied, and the fact that she
does so is not necessarily significant of bel
licose intentions. But it is possible that
the preparations reported have really
relation to a policy that contemplates
war with Russia as o probable event.
In fact, since Lord Derby rejected the
Berlin memorandum England has never
touched the subject of the relations of the
Ottoman Empire save to blunder, and as
there is no blunder left to commit except
that of launching upon conflict worse
than desperate and hopeless, it is possible
that that browning and final blunder may
come into the programme. We doubt 1t,
however. England does not mean to fight !;
but it is possible that her government
hopes by the demonstration OF hostile
preparations to make some one be-
lieve that she Intends to fight. 81
us pacem para Jellum is rule
SO long inculcated that it has grown into
the minds Of all races Of men in such a way
that the preparation and the purpose are
assumed to have an inseparable relation !;
and there is no more positive method of
declaring an intention to fight, if OCCASION
requires, ut the same time that there is
none SO diplomatic as that of getting
your guns ready. The British Premier is
not q man to lose the advantage
that an appearance of this nature
may give. Turkey is down and Rus
STA, Germany, Austria and Italy are
clearly agreed upon the terms on which
peace is to be made, and it is not within the
power Of England to change those terms
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
The National Muse u M.

The opening of the National Museum Of
Natural History yesterday is an event Of
more than mere local significance and i'm
portance. 1t marks the advance not only
OF the city but Of the whole country in the
cause OF science and education. AS the
metropolis of all the States the progress
made by the city in any direction is the
progress Of all-something in which each
and every portion of the Republic has, as
it were. an individual and personal interest.
The. building which has been placed ut the
service Of the public is only a small part OF
the immense structure which it is proposed
to erect, and which will no doubt be COM
pleted by the next if not in the present gen.
Grafton When finished it will cover space
three times as large as the present British
Museum, which was founded one hundred
and twenty-four years ago, and is the most
famous institution of the kind in the world.
The Louvre and the Museum Of the Vati-
can, begun by Pope Julius H., are
the next most important. When the foun-
dation of these great collections was laid
the New World was little more than will
disadvantages in many ways in competing
with them. But in the domain of natural
history the field is open to all, and the
treasures in this special branch now on
exhibition will compare favorably with, and
in many respects are superior to-, those to
be found in the institutions we have named.
II an educational point of view the i'm
portance of the new museum cannot be
overestimated, and the keen interest felt in
the subject is shown by the million of visi-
tors during the past year to the Arsenal, in
which narrow and i'll adapted quarters the
collections were on exhibition before their
transfer to their new and permanent home.
To the public spirited citizens who have
contributed SO much to the success of the
work too much credit cannot be given.
They have rendered very great and pa
triotic service to the city and to the whole
country.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

men and afforded support to hundreds
of families who would, but for this
fortunate chance, have been compelled to
depend on charity for subsistence. If the
weather should continue as favorable as IL
has recently been the digging of the founda-
tons will 60 steadily forward during the
winter months, and, should that work be
stopped, enough has now been done to
enable the companies to proceed with the
construction of portions OF the roads. The
certainty Of the speedy completion OF rapid
transit has already given an impetus to
real estate in the upper part Of the
island and the new wards which will
become more marked as spring approaches
and building enterprises can be COM
menced. All this tends to circulate money,
to make people easier in their circum-
stances and 10 benefit the entire trade OF
the city. The advertising columns OF the
HERALD from day to day afford good indi-
cation that business is improving, and
although we have had our local difficulties
growing out Of the excise middle and the
bad administration Of some OF the public
departments we may safely look for speedy
relief on the one hand from the Legislature
and on the other from the Mayor and the
Governor.
Our prospects from these standpoints are
encouraging and tolerably secure. But be-
yond them stretches the probability OF an
extension of the area Of the European war.
Should England enlist in the war, New
York will become the great neutral port OF
the world, our docks will be lined
with shipping and the commerce Of
the world will pour it's treasures
at our feet, building up our ship
ping interests, our railroads and all our
industries. We should in that event not
only feed England, but do our own carry
ing trade instead of allowing others to do it
for us. 1t is no extravagant speculation to
calculate on such eventualities. Indeed, at
the present moment, and viewing the situa-
ton in Europe calmly and intelligently,
there is more likelihood of an extension of
the existing war than OF its speedy termina-
1.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
MAJOR FRANCISCO IA RuA.

mayor francisco La Rua, distinguished cavalry
oicer OF the Cuban revolutionary iorcos, recently
met his death by his own hand. 1t appears That he
was surrounded by tho Spanish soldiers on tho Anton
grazing farm, but sooner than allow himself to fall
into their hands hc drew revolver and shot himself
La Rua was formerly aide.de-camp Of tho celebrated
insurgent chiottain Maxine Gomez At tho battle or
uuasnas he received bullet wound In tho lett hand,
which rendered IL useless Ho was also assstnn nj
secretary OF the Minister OF Foreign Relations under
the Cisneros administrator. He acted Tor some time
as aidede camp OF the ato Henry Reeves formerly OF
ms city. Under President Estrada ho served a.
secretary oil War; When he met his death he was II.
charge OF the Agramonte regiment
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
short Days, Astronomical and Other

The days about the 21st of the present
month are what are popularity called the
shortest days OF the year, in contradistinc-
ton to the longest days of the year about the
same time in the month of June. In other
words, and in the language of science, this is
what is known as the winter solstice, when
the sun arrives at that point in the elliptic in
and then slowly returns northward. If
this astronomical event--the standing Of the
sun in the tropic Of Capricorn-had any,
thing to do with the present beautiful
weather we should be tempted to petition
him to keep still until after Christmas, if
not New Years; but of course it has not,
and the sooner he begins to return the
better His movements in this respect are
exceedingly important, as we shall see if
we stop TO think about it. Indeed,
during the next three or four months
few guests will touch our shores
and disappear behind the Jersey hills
whose coming and departure will affect
Us more deeply. To say nothing about the
flowers Of spring and the delicacies he will
deposit in our markets, what an influence
lie will exert over our gas bills Short days
mean long gas bills and long faces at the
end of the month, and if the purses are not
pretty long no gas of all. These bloated
monopolists are the last to find out the in
creased length OF the days, and it will be
no harm to remind them Of it in every way
possible. 1t is something which their meters
never record and were never intended to
record.
In political way our disconnected re-
publican friends, who have been for so
many months chattering and shivering under
the leaden political Northern skies while
the Presidential sun was frightening and
warming the Southern heavens, may be able
to see in the event an omen to comfort and
console them. Events at Washington dur.
ing the past two or three weeks seem to in
dictate that we are in sort of political
solstice. The President since last June hns
been gayly dancing through the Southern po-
litical consultations, in tender conjunction
with the sign OF Gordon in Georgia and
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
Bumglinx Exec tions.

The enforcement Of the death penalty for
the crime OF deliberate murder is consid-
cred by most people to be the proper punish
ment for wilfully taking human life, while,
on the other hand, there is a large class which
believes that life imprisonment, sternly
enforced, would be more effectual in pre-
venting an increase Of this most terrible Of
all offences against civilized law. With this
dispute we do not propose now to deal, for
there is much to be said on both sides of the
question; but we wish to call especial atten-
ton to the bungling way in which con-
victed murderers are frequently put
to death. From time to time an
unfortunate wretch condemned to die
on the gallows is compelled to undergo
agonizing physical pain, in addition to the
mental sufferings that naturally attend an
ignominious and shameful death. 1t has
been said that to hang man at the end of a
rope is one of the worst possible uses TO put
him to, but rs the law prescribes that
method of killing murderers sheriffs have
no option in the premises. They have no
right, however, to prolong the sufferings Of
the poor wretches who are to feel the cord
tighten round their necks. Only yesterday
we again recorded the fact that
man was slowly strangulated because
the moose was not properly adjusted,
and it is not long since rope broke after
the drop fell, and the terrified culprit had
actually to be hanged over again. These
instances of culpable negligence are be-
coming too frequent, and legislative action
should be taken to prevent such scenes.
If penalty were prescribed for the punish
ment of sheriff who thus bungled in car
rying out the dread sentence Of the law it
would render these officials more careful in
the discharge of their disagreeable duties;
but better way would be to adopt the
European system and employ professional
hangmen. When O man is to die for
his crime it is better that he be ex-
ecuted with neatness and despatch, than
that nervous and trembling sheriff should
add to the horror of the scene by his igno-
rance and lack Of nerve. At one time in
New York city We had an executioner
who became an adept in the business, and
the unhappy men who expiated their Of
fences under his hands went through the
ordeal with that swift precision contem-
plated by the law. So long as the capital
penalty remains part of our statutes it
should be carried out in manner to insure
speedy and certain death to those
condemned to suffer it. If we had Mar
wood in America these terrible and
rcpulsive scenes would be avoided and the
community no longer shocked by their repe-
tition. AS with everything else in this world,
practice makes perfect and as long as we
insist that our murderers shall die by the
cord let us do it as decently as the horrid
method will permit The sheriffs should
exert themselves, and induce their Legisla-
lures to frame law instituting the Office of
executioner. There might be one to act in
that capacity for the Middle States, another
for New England. third for the Western,
and fourth for tho Southern tier. Then
we should hear no more of these bunging
executions.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
ADJUSTMENTS TOMORROW.

wALLAcK,s THEATRE-woS AT LAST.
BROADWAY rHEATEE-MoSTE cnisTo
GRAND OPERA HoUsE-Kir
F.rrH AVENUE observation-disclosures.
KEW YORK AQCARIUM--RAaf FisnKs AND SNAKES
PARK THEATRE -orR AMERICAN Cousin
FIFTH AVENUE uALL-PRESIIDclrirIoS.
NIBI,O,S GARDEN-BLAcK EYED SUSAN. &C.
THEATRE FRANCAIS-toaEo AND JULIET.
ACADEMY OF DEslGN-LoAS EXHIBITION
BOwERy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. III.
UNION SQUARE THEA1aE-Tnk MOTHERS SECRET
EAGLE TIlEATgE-BAsEs ~ rns WOOD.
BOOTHS THEATRE-As YOU LAKE, H.
TIvoLI THEATRE-yAGlfrY.
EGYPTIAN HALL-vAaiGrY.
GILMoEE's GARDEN-cmcus
SAN FRANCISCO IiNsTREls
THEATRE CoMlQUk-y ARiErr
COLUMBIA OPERA uoUsE-yAnIErY.
THE NEW AMERICAN MUSEUM -cuaiosiliKs
OLYMPIC TiiEATRE-vAGrrr
TONY PASr02'S-VARiaTy.
NEW PARK THEATRE. BnooKLYN-yARIEry.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
OBITUARY.

EDUARDO MAcHADo, Woe PRESIDENT or ,rup
CUBAN CONGRESS.
Official news received in this city at Cuban Head.
quarters brings details OF the recent death OF Eduardo
Machado Vice President Of the Congress- OF the Cuban
Republic. He died IRON a wound received from ,bs
sword of Spanish soldier in an engagement a. The
San Pedro Rancho lie in command or dotacb..
ment OF the patriot regiment Agramonto The d.
ceased was the only surviving member oil tho Rcyolu
tonary League OF Villa Clara He was formerly pres.
dcnt Of Congress, and was highly esteemed Tor ~
many brilliant and good qualities
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
puluit Top:cs To-day.

The nearness of tho Christmas festival
has induced many Of our city pastors to de-
vote ct least one Of their Sabbath dis
courses to the event Herewith commence
rated. DR.. King will refer to it under the
gospel Of kindness Mr.. Hull as the gift Of
God by which the divine grasp is fastened
on human hearts Mr.. Burch will present it
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

THE ELEVATED RAILROAD OFFICIALS appear
TO have been considerably surprised ut the an
nounccment in our cable dispatches yesterday
that some English capitalists have determined
to give the city another rapid transit line on the
underground plan. Some OF them believe it
would not pay; others that there is no charter
Mr.. Nandcnburgh, who has bccu conducting the
negotiations, has entirely different views on the
subiact
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

THE ACTfOS OF THE MAYOR III the case of
thc Police Commissioners will be commended
by the great majority OF, onr citizens. who are
weary Of the gross misnanagemcnt that has
characterized that branch Of the public service
for some time past. He has very properly re-
fused to allow himself to he ''bulldozcd' by the
lawyers. so that we shall probably have an end
OF the whole difficulty this week.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

TIE WATER SUPPLY OF London is exciting
MS much, il not more, attention among the
inhabitants Of That city rs the same question
is among rs. Our correspondence on the sub
jcct contains a. good deal Of information not
generally know, and will be found interesting
and valuable.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

TIE KEYNOTE Of Mr.. Evarts' speech at the
New England dinner last evening was that we
have come to a point when Cancellation and the
equal rights Of al before the law must prevail
In regard TO civil service reform he said we have
gone too far to 90 back. and We have Presi-
dent VINO will rcsoutcly enforce it. But when
is the President going 10 begin.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

TIE LIFE SAVING SERVICE on the Long
Island shore, which is perhaps the most mpor-
tant on the coast is, it will be seen BY our COR
respondcncc. in a pretty fair condition OF efii-
cheney. but If cut loose from politics it could be
very much improved. Who are the politicians
who insist upon putting incompetent persons in
the service
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

Lamar in Mississippi. But is he not return
ing into the Northern political tropic OF
Cancer, and has he not already appeared in
the constellation of the Union League?
Perhaps the short and cold and dreary days
of the republican political year are all past,
and the new days have begun to grow
brighter and warmer and longer in all the
post offices and custom houses north Of the
Mason and Dixon political equator.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

ALL Is QUIET in San Elizario. A couple OF
companies of cavalry and small howitzer have
scattered the Mexican war cloud, to the intense
disgust Of the patriotic Texans.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.--i ester,lay was
perhaps the dullcst Of the whole year, but
stocks were remarkably steady, showing great
signs Of strength Gold rose from 1G2bs to
1924 Government bonds were weak, States
dull and railroads irregular. Money on call
continues easy at > Il per cent
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

THE BARCLAY STREET FIRE IL still nm unex-
planned mystery, but some curious theories on
the subject will be found in other columns
Only ono body was found yesterday, and
from the list Of missing it is to be
feared that many are still in the ruins. The
timely efforts Of the Fire Department prevented
large loss Of property and, perhaps, life 10y
the contagration in the distillery in Nineteenth
street. Philadelphia barely escaped a calamity
similar 70 that which has just taken place here
by the burning OF factory employing two hun
dred and fifty persons who almost miraculously
found their way ont OF the building
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23

THE DoMHIoN PARLIAMENT has been called
to meet on the 10th Of January, two days before
the British Parliament. Are our ncghbors go
ing TO dip into the Eastern question
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
GU ADRUPL E SH 4 Ell
NEW YoEE, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30. 1877.

IMPORTANT NoucE TO ADvERTIsERs.-1o
insure he proper classification Of advertisements
il is absolutely necessary Mat Mcy be handed I"
before eight O'Clock ercry ercniay