davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
| GREAT METEOROLOGICAL FEAT.
From tho Baltimore tsId.) American. Nov. asl

From tho Baltimore (sId.) American. Nov. 23.l
The New YORK HERALD publishes in parallel col
umns table showing the character Of its European
storm warnings. and the extont to which they were
verified during q year of close observation. from
which it appears that out of twenty-seven predic
tions but two proved failures. When it is remem-
bered that these warnings cabled to London
from thrce four days to q week in advance Of
the arrival of the storms. it will be seen that
this service was only great meteorological feat
but an immense benefit to shipping interests. and
all others, indeed. dependent in any way upon tho
weather. But while the British have derived great
practical benefit from these forecasts it is not
clear that wo have prohted greatly by our exten-
sive weather service in this country. 1t is true
that the daily indications inform whether
the temperature to-day will DO higher. lower
or stationary; whether it will be fair clear. and
from what quarter the wind will blow: but it
terms in which these predictions are couched the
degree to which they will be fulfilled. colder
weather. for instance, may mean fall of one or
ton or twenty degrees in the thermometer. warmer
weather" may mean rise equally indefinite.
Clearing weather may prove, to be drenching
showers Of rain or clear sky. Local rains may
not fall anywhere within one hundred miles OK
US. Computed as these predictions are for large
areas OF territory, 1t would be unreasonable.
perhaps. to expect any greater accuracy. but
it IL worth considering whether it is not within
the power OF the Weather Bureau to give them
more local application This has been done
several occasions when special request has been
made for predictions covering given point. ana:
except IN the additional amount OF time and trouble
1t would involve, there s really no reason why all
the leading cities in the country should not have
every morning their special weather forecasts,
besides those now given for the general mete-
geological departments. In this way we might DO
able to know in advance not only whether
the weather the day would be warmer or colder,
but approximately how many degrees. ana the prac-
tical value of the Information would DO greatly en-
HANGED. 1t Is also clearly within the power Of the
service to extend its prophecies over much greater
period of timo than twenty-four hours and so con-
vey timely warning to travellers of tho character Of
the weather they are likely to encounter In their
tourney. All thcse improvements, 1t may BIO urged.
will involve additional EXPENSE; but IL q meteoroog
zeal service is worth having all it ought to b
made as complete and accurate possible.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

and absorbing tremendous interest. Years
ago improvements" unneeded but born of
the flush times, were INDUCED in to an
alarming extent, and the owners who then
danced with gleeiul anticipation have now
the pleasure OF paying the financial piper.
The experience OF Secretary Evarts, who
after an investment is glad to shake the
entire dirt heap from his feet and leave it
all for taxes and assessments, carries with
it a suggestive moral. 1t is to be hoped
that Mr.. Kinsella's fellow townsmen are all
of his way of thought. If not Brooklyn's
jeremiad cannot much longer be postponed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The very remarkable development of the
weather this fall over large part of the
country has excited much interest and some
alarm. In the East Lake Champlain was
reported toward the close of October slower
than ever remembered for fifty years and
falling every day." The droughts in Penn
sylvania at Reading, Pittsburg, Catawissa
and along the lower Schuylkill. have been
almost unprecedented, while in the West
the railroads leading to Springfield. ILL.,,
have been obliged to run water trains, and
the Missouri Weather Service reported the
last month "the dryest October in forty
years" The current "Weather Review" of
the Signal Service states that the October
rainfall has been below the normal
in all districts excepting the South
Atlantic and East Gulf States. the Lower
Missouri Valley, northern portions of
Minnesota and Michigan and along
the Pacific coast" and adds, ''Severe
droughts are reported throughout the coun-
try generally" 1t will be remembered that
no very extensive and heavy precipitations
characterized September, and there has
been no comparative fall of rain this
month, we believe, which suffices TO restore
the soil generally to its usual humidity.
This widespread deficiency of moisture
may be supplied by the winter and equi-
noctial storms of the next four months, SO
that it would be premature to hazard any
alarming conclusions as to the prospect of
the crops in 1880. The late excessively wet
summer of Europe was followed by mod
erately dry and fine autumn, and we may
therefore hope our dry autumn will
be succeeded by a wet winter or
spring. preparing the earth for u pro-
ductive yield of harvests next year, though
as the winter rains fall on the frozen earth
in great part Of the region that has this
year suffered most this compensation
will be felt in raising the rivers rather than
in preparing the land. Grain" as an emf
nent meteorological says, sis the most ca
PRECIOUS Of all the meteorological phe-
nomena, both as regards it's frequency and
amount" Symons, the British hyetog-
rapher, has found period of twelve
consecutive years-from 1873 to 1750-in
which the mean annual British rainfall was
deficient by at least ten per cent. and sees
no reason why such a run of dry years may
not recur. But the Smithsonian data from
1885 to 1870 show s'a certain tendency to
an arrangement Of groups of years of
drought followed by unusually wet years.
natures effort to restore equilibrium in the
mighty workings of the atmospheric ma
chinery. With the return of the polar
winds which penetrate the moist Mi ssis-
sippi Valley and the still more humid Gulf
region in January we may expect the fire.
quent storms thus generated which pass
over the country depositing copious pre-
cipitation.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The act of the last Legislature reducing
the legal rate for the use or forbearance of
money from seven to six per cent is to take
effect on the LIST of January. There is o
difference of opinion among lawyers and
business men as to the correct interpfeta-
ton of this law. The mooted question
relates to its operation on contracts entered
into between the date of its passage
DUNE 20, 1879 and the date at which
to contracts entered into previous to June
20 or subsequent to January l there is no
difference of opinion. contract made
before the former date for paying seven per
cent will hold good during the life of the
contract, even if it should run five or ten
or any number of years. On the other
hand, any contract made on or after Janu-
ary / will be illegal and usurious if it
stipulates for the payment OF more than six
per cent. All the doubt arises out CT seven
per cent contracts made during the inter
mediate period.
Mr. Schoonmalxer, the Attorney General
of the State, has prepared and published
al OplulOu tuuL ull bcNeu per CcuJ COntIuCtB
entered into previous to the LIST of January
are legal and valid. Writers in the Albany
Lao Journal controvert this opinion, and
the language of the act, If strictly con-
strued, seems to give plausible color to
their dissent, owing, as we think, to
the loose and careless manner in
which our statutes are so often
drawn. The law declares that nothing
herein contained shall be so construed as to
in any way affect any contract or obligation
made before the passage of this act" Had
the language been "before this act takes
effect" instead of ''before the passage Of
this act" the Attorney Generals interpreted
ton would be unquestionably correct, but
this is not what the law says. Before the
passage" OF the act is before the goth Of
june and IL the Legislature did not intend
this it failed to express its meaning. The
ambiguity is unfortunate, since it introduces
uncertainty into great mass Of obligations.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
A Bomb from the city OF Churches.

BY remarkable interview published in
the HERALD this morning it will be seen
that the City of Churches is far on the road
to bankruptcy which can be averted only
by the exercise of care. caution and courage
in the enforcement of tax collections.
Legislative enactment has given delin-
quent taxpayers extraordinary privileges,
and, as is always the case where expenses
60 on after the income is stopped, financial
embarrassment has normally ensued.
Brooklyn also staggers under load OF
Temporary bonds" to the extent OF
fourteen million dollars, and the
great East River Bridge stares her
useless In the face, annually demanding
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

Some words are reported as the utter
ances of the baker, who, it is possible. sold
the delicacy to which the death of Mr..
Wheeler is attributed, which, if they shall
prove to have no special relation to the
Coroner's inquiry into the facts of that
case, may at least be regarded as of some
interest to pie eaters at large, and if the
Saturday Rerieao and other equally we'll in
formed authorities are right ''pie eaters at
large" may well be taken as short descrip-
ton of the American public. These are
the words to which we refer, quoted from
the Sum-
MIR. Schinkel says that months ago he saw little
cream that had been left standing in the bottom Of
q copper kettle, and upon tasting it, it puckered up
his mouth. He supposes that verdigris had formed
and had tainted the cream. He cautioned his fore
man to keep the kettles clean on this account. He
told him that if sugar was used the poisonous sub
stance would not form in the kettle The men pre-
ferred not to use sugar. because whatever it was
used in required constant attention. II told him it
was serious matter. Mr.. Schinkel continued. "and
that they must expect to watch the kettles. My
foreman has been with me four years and have
thorough confidence in him."
Now what happened in that bakery
''months ago" may happen months hence,
and it may have happened yesterday or
the lookout; and it may happen any time.
whether he does or does not take pre-
cautions against It, "He supposes ver-
digris had formed" in O mixture which was
a part of what had been put in some pies.
He knows, consequently, that the constit-
uent parts of verdigris are present when
this mixture is made in copper kettles, and
that all that is necessary for the formation
| of this irritant poison is that the mixture
should stand little longer than usual be-
fore it is put into the pies, or that the
kettles should not be scrupulously clean
when the mixture is made. Only little
carelessness on the part of his men, he is
aware. may convert the toothsome mixture
of lemon and cream into deadly poison.
And who can be sure that his workmen
will be always excessively careful? Mr..
Schinkel evidently cannot, because he
found in the instance referred to that they
had not been, and he admonished them that
ait was q serious matter"
He has other reason than this to know
that they may not always be careful. He
urged the use of sugar, but the men prefer
not to use it. Why? Because ''whatever it
is used in requires constant attention. -
They prefer for their own convenience not
to give constant attention" to what they
are making. even though that is the condi-
ton of preventing their delicacies from be-
coming deadly poisons. There is another
point as to which Mr.. Schinkel probably
has some information, though it does not
appear in the report of his remarks. Per.
haps he knows that the supposed lemon
juice in mixtures of this kind is very likely
to have no relation whatever to lemons, but
to be base counterfeit made Of mineral
acids, or at least of oxalic acid.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
POSTMASTER JAMES TO BE SUED.

independent of the action taken in tho matter of
stopping the malls addressed to the lottery dealers,
in the courts, meeting OF tho parties Interested
was held yesterday afternoon in tho room Of Post
master James for the purpose of coming to an un-
derstandinS. IT was finally agreed tos commence
n friendly suit in the United States District Court
against Postmaster James and hurry 1t through In
the shortest possible time.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
How Old Is the Friday Superstition


In Mr.. Proctor's Sunday evening lecture
on the '.Religion of Astronomy" he alluded
to the prevalent superstition about the i'll
luck of beginning journeys on Friday, and
cited in illustration the delay of troop
ship by order of the British Admiralty
some years ago out of consideration for the
terrors of the sailors An apter illustration
lay close at his hand in the fact that Friday
is avoided as the day of departure by all
the Atlantic steamers which ply from this
port. But Mr.. Proctor ventured an
assertion about this superstition which
admits of doubt. He said that it dates
back ''four or five thousand years." So
erudite writer as Robert Southey, on the
contrary, regards it as Christian and as
arising from the crucifxion. If Mr.. Proctor
has facts to controvert this opinion of the
author of "The Doctor" they would lie
very interesting to the public. The his
torian Buckle, who delighted in that kind
of research, seems to rest content with
Southey's assertion. In consider
able mass of material he accumulated
about the ill luck of Friday we
find no examples cited outside Of Christen-
dom save from the west coast of Africa.
The fact that Columbus sailed on Friday
upon his first grand voyage of discovery
implies also that it is superstition OF COM
paratively modern origin. If it had been
widely diffused among sailors in his time
surely he would himself have avoided add
ing such terror wantonly to the expedi-
ton. Still further, had such SUPER
stition been known at the Spanish
court it is scarcely possible that an
express prohibition would not have been
laid on him by Queen Isabella against de-
flying it. illusions to the common exist
ence of it are made by Shakespeare and
Montaigne century later which indicate
the sixteenth century as the period of its
rise and diffusion. In 'srroilus and Cres-
sida" Shakespeare makes Pandarus say of
Cressida, 'And she were not kin to me,
she would be as fair on Friday MS Helen is
Oh Sunday" but we scarcely think this
would justify Mr.. Proctor IN dating
back the superstition TO the time of
the Trojan war. 1t is one of Shakespeare
immense anachronisms, like the introduce
ton of firearms in Julius Cmsar," and
proves only that Friday was deemed un-
lucky in his own age. The allusion by Mon
taigne is contained in his Essays" where
he says that sooner than fall into the vice of
obstinacy to avoid that of superstition he
thinks himself excusable if he should
''rather choose the odd number Thursday
than Friday" There are plenty OF eminent
men in modern times who have been DOM
mated by the Friday superstition-for i'm
stance, Lord Byron and Prince Bismarck
but can Mr.. Proctor cite ON example from
the times prior to Columbus?
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
DIR. QUACKENBos' CONDITION.

At eight O'Clock last night DR.. Quackenbos was In
comparatively tranquil slumber. from which he
awoke about ten. Within few minutes of mid.
night he awake and restless. The pulse
very low, one time showing an acceleration Of
not over thirty pulsations per minute and at otherS
indicating high as forty. His condition at til
hour last named very precarious
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-There was much
less activity in the stock market and prices de
clined steadily, closing at the lowest points Of
the day. Money on call was plentiful ut and
later at 6 per cent upon good stock collaterals
Governments were very quiet and steady,
State securities very dull and railway
bonds were fairly active but weak. Exchange
was duh ut unchanged rates.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

YESTERDAY was great day at the Seventh
Regiment Fair, distinguished visitors from the
regular army and navy having honored the oc-
casion by their presence and pockets These
brave fellows do not forget that it was citizen
soldicry who composed the armies which regu-
lar officers have led to victory in the past fifty
years or more.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The CANADIAN SOLDIERS are not coming after
all, which is pity, for National Guard
would be delighted to do them honor. But as
the Sixty-ninth all ferocious Fenians ~ the
red cross of England will not be unfurled in
Broadway. Blood an ouns Faugh bal
laVhl
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
MIR. wHITCHURcHs EXPULSION.

At meeting of the Taxpayers Central Committee
last night at its headquarters. No. $40 Third avcnue
Samuel whitchurch was expelled from the position
OF recording secretary aud ~ . delegate to the
body.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

TIE WEATuER.-The centre of disturbance
has passed into the ocean and is now moving
northcastward. The pressure is decreasing
steadily within it, and there indications that
it will develop energy while crossing the ocean.
The barometer is highest over the Middle and
South Atlantic States. In the Northwest it fell
very rapidly during the early part Of the day.
and as predicted another centre of disturbance
advanced toward the upper lake regions. Storm
energy viii be developed in the Western dis
turbancc during to-day over the lakes, the
winds increasing considerably in force and
blowing from the south and west.
Snow fell in the upper lake regions
and the Northwest. Elsewhere the weather was
clear. The temperature rose decidedly In the
West and central valley districts, remained
nearly stationary in the Middle Atlantic States
and fell in the other sections of the country
The winds have been brisk in the lake regions
central valley districts and the New Eng
land coast IN the other districts they were
fresh. The weather Ia New York and it's vicin-
It's today Viii be warmer and partly cloudy,
possibly with shows turning 20 rains. Tonor-
row Il will be warm and fair, followed by lower
temperature.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

TIE RECURRENCE OF EVACUATION DAY COM
pels some comparisons so gratifying that New
Yorker may be forgiven for temporarily for
getting the debts, dirty streets and dirticr
political condition of his city. The scant hun
dred years that have elapsed since the British
embarked from this feeble metropolis of a
fccbler nation have made MS one of the great
cities of the world and the centre of that most in
dispcnsablc of all trades the feeding of Europe,
while our Sub-rreasury building encloses more
bullion than any other four walls in the world.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

THE BApTIsTs should look to the manners of
some of their teachers. Portions of the discus
sion at yesterdays conference over the proposed
congratulations TO Bishop Potter would have
been discreditable iir any body processing evan
gclical religion.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
The Sligo Trials.

The trial of the three Irish agitators, Daily,
Davitt and Killen, was commenced at Sligo
yesterday. The excitement seems to have
been considerable, but the presence Of
armed constables marching to and fro all
day long may have had the effect of check
ing any attempt at fiery demonstrations
in favor of the prisoners DAILY, as we learn
from our special cable despatch, was re-
leased on bail, and Davitt will probably be
similarly dealt with to-day. Killen's case
may last longer if the eccentric Mr. Rea
can carry out his intentions. The latter
gentleman may succeed in amusing the
spectators if he does nothing else. The
arrests have already had a good effect in
calling the attention Of Lord Beaconsfeld
seriously to the present condition Of Ire
land. But the English Premier's idea
of relieving the distress by furnishing Ire
land with coal at 'cost price" is but q
sorry way to meet the demands of the Irish
poor. 1t is kind of generosity that costs
nothing, and for this very reason probably
commends itself to Disraelis mind. But
this is certainly not the way great states
man should meet great national calamity.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

Is 1T POSSIBLE that Oh any railroad q single
timepece may decide the fate of many lives 2
The collision in Massachusetts yesterday morn
ing seems to indicate that it is.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The ELEVATED RAILROAD employees want to
share in the enormous profits of their COM
panies, but the chance of success is very slender.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT.


LENTs NEW YORK CIRCUS.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE-DAxE TRor
AMERICAN observation-disclosures
UNION SQUARE THEATRE-FRKScH FLATS.
STANDARD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
GERMANIA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FRAUEN.
ABBEY'S PARK THEATRE-FRIrz IN IRELAND.
DALY'S THEATRE-wIvEs.
GRAND OPERA HOUsE-orHELLo.
ITALIA THEATRE-DIE RAUBER
HAyERLY's THEATRE-THg OcroRooS.
BROADWAY OPERA HOUSE-PINAFoRE.
ABEILE'S THEATRE-TnE FRENCH SPY.
BOOTHS THEATRE-LEs CLocnEs CoRNEvILLK.
NI3LOS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
WALLACK'S-OUR GIRLS.
SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS
TONY PASTORS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Matinee.
THEATRE COMIQUE-MuLLIGAN GUARDS CHRISTMAS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANNALS Matinee
ROSTER q Balls CONCERT HALL
TAMMANY HALI.-BILLIARD TOURNAMENT
SEVENTH REGIMENT FAIR-NEw JERSEY DAY.
STEINWAY HALL-GRASD CoscERT-Matinee.
NEWARK OPERA HoUsE-MuoH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The PERIIs OF THE SEA are again related in
our columns to-day, showing that the life Of
sailor is by no means a fair weather one.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

POLITICAL BoMBsHELLs AND MINE EXPLOSIONS
are now the order of the day.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The probabilities are that lie heather in Ne,c
York and lis uiciaiy to-day aciu be ,carmer and
partly cloudy, possibly DiM sno,cs turning to rains
Tomorrow IL ,ciH be pa,m and fair, tollowed by
lorer temperature
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

ANOTHER COLLISION, fortunately unattended
with loss of life or limb, occurred on the river
yesterday. little more care would prevent
these accidents.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

ALEXANDER Ii. STEPHENS is not a supporte,
of Grant for President
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

A NEWFOUNDLAND DOG has been buried in
Greenwood Cemetery by his affectionate owner.
What next!
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

SAD STORY of misspent life is told in
another column. See identified in the Morgue"
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

The PILOT WAR has reached the courts.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25

We suppose that nothing short of judicial
decision can settle the construction OF the
law
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
Il r. PLE SH u e II .

NEW YoRx. TUESDAY. NOVEMBER s5. 1879.