Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-15

missed my coveted sight Of Stromboli, whose
crater rises nearly three thousand feet sheer
cut OF the sea, and whose constantly issuing
flames are said to serve as a natural lighthouse
for circumference of over one hundred and
nifty miles.
The morning was not without its attractions.
however. When came upon deck we were
making the passage between famed Scylla and
Chary bdis, which in ancient times used to be
considered such perilous undertaking. But,
with this old time bug bear shows what mar
velOuS story tellerS the ancient writer's and
@ on rhe ss DE
steepness, and the whirlpool On the other is
nothing to speak Of The Straits OF Messin
are, however, quite narrow at that point, an
when the tide is running strongly through ther
are cross currents and eddies which might max
the passage little troublesome, but hardly
dangerous. even to small craft. Certainly, un
less the natural conditions have changed great
~ sir ce then, which is scarcely probable, ther
is nothing In the locality TO entitle it to tn
reputation it once seemed to enjoy as one
halr-ra1slng and blood-curdling peril.
ETNA
But II We failed to see Stromboli. we had th
full benefit Of Mt. Etna; and this made up for
much that might have been lost In the night.
The snow-clad summit OF this magnificent mass
was In plain view and apparently close at hand
long before we came abreast OF its mighty but
tresses reaching down to the shores OF the sea.
foot hills to break the effect of height and tow.
ering upward until an altitude of eleven thou
sand feet is reached, this mountain presents one
OF the finest spectacles of the kind to be found
anywhere in the world. To give an idea OF her
vastness let me say that her base covers an
area OF some seventy miles In circumference,
yet so symmetrical is her shape and so great
the elevation, that the crater which is said to
be mile In diameter, seems but like the natural
sharp point OF perfect cone: Not only by her
Size and height, however, does ECna impress
one, but equally also by her fine form and the
picturesque effect presented by the graceful
wreath OF smoke which floats away like feath-
cry plume from her glttering helmet of snow.
Altogether, the picture unfolded to view that
calm, beautiful Sunday morning was one upon
mear waen memory r may dwe With emotions OF
straits famous In fable and poetry; on our right
rose this majestic pile; on the left ran the low
reaches mes OF the Gaianran coast fianked by bar
tains beyond, and before us stretched the dark
blue waters OF the Mediterrean, dotted here and
there with odd-looking and odd-colored sails.
some close at hand and others far away toward
the horizon line.
After passing Cape Spartaviento and heading
straight away for Alexandra, no more land was
seen until we sighted the low coast of Egypt.
1t was long time, however, before Etna was
entirely lost to view, and the eyes of all on
ooaua were tnanea n tnat ,S Seon until her
low along the distant Sky. Crete lies In view,
at distance, from the course vessels usually
take In this passage; but we passed over that
portion OF the route in the night. Ii so hap
peLed, therefore, that we saw neither the shores
of that island nor her lofty, beautiful and ro-
mantle Mount Ida.
DESERTED SEA.
But not only did we see no land between the
Italian peninsula and Egypt, but for good part
0: the way neither vessels of any kind nor
any living thing, save an occasional sea fowl
This greatly surprised me. / had supposed
that, between the steam and sailing vessels
heading for or from the Suez canal and the fleet
OF smaller craft plying between the shores and
islands of the great Mediterranean BASIN we
Should never be out Of sight of a vessel OF some
even the most powerful marine glass could bring
sail OF any kind within range OF vision. X.
Mr.. STEPHENS AND Mr.. BLACKBURN-State-
'nent Of Mr.. q. Fl. Graat.-EditOr Star: In this
mornings Post, see minute OF an Interview
had with the Hon. A. ii. stephens, in reference
was unfortunate that could not have been an
prised at an earlier moment of this fabrication
because the correction would have come wfths
stephens. Tdesire to state to YOU as did thi;
morning to Mr.. Stephens that on no occasion
nave nav ever SAID to any one that Mr.. Stephen
have never heard him express himself AT ali
en- that subject. have invariably, when asked
the question, (and especially when asked by the
gentienen who originated this misstatement,,
wnether knew of bis expressing any prefer
ence for one or the other OF the candidates
FOR Ior the speakership, answered that not only
ba hst na' 1tSer n a no any % 4Ss
Of his views, the example set by Mr Tilden
In, IN his celebrated letter on the subject OF
southern claims. The first and only expression
OF opinion coming from Mr.. stephens, within
my knowledge, is his statement In the Post Of
,his this morning; But while have always made
Inls statement, have given, and In the same
connection, my personal opinion, founded, NOT
upon any personal acquaintance between my. n.y.
OF his public record and that opinion was-and
l have so stated-that Mr. stephens would not
support the policy which was involved in the
declaration that 1.-The democratic party could
not aEord to elect southern man as Speaker"
| kave also said, from my personal knowledge
OF MI; stephens views with regard to Mr.. TIL
the steps looking forward to Mr.. Tilden's re-
nom nomination, that he would not be party to
AS to the question OF the private secretary
snip, 10 Is too small matter for me to refer to.
me man who coined the original falsehood.
1t, or sought to do so, the denial of it as fact
was glatu1touS. Still, l certainly feel called
upon 70 say that Mr.; stephens has, until within
the past few weeks, during which time INV labors
at the House as stenographer have preyenfed
my giving him the attention which it has ALWAYS
my pressure to gye generally during the
rapher, much work which is commonly pef
formed by seess<aries. This has been done nv
nun; doubt not, through desire to aid me- he
the same time avail himself of nv skilled iShcr ~
am OF the opinion still, for the reasons have
sast se1 3or rnar ne vote OF Mr. stephens will not be
cser roa as Mr handa express the opinion pre-
seeing ''"" n I''G y npieasure or
I~|7=-ESs-==7=s----
EVERY DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES. ro M
on HAND MONDAY NIGHr-A Joint meeting Of
the executive committee OF the national demo-
cratic campaign committee, and of the Congress.
slonal campaign committee, was held TO-DAY at
M1llaro's Hotel. Some days ago it was made
there was full attendance of democratic mem.
bers present in Washington to attend the
caucus saaea 10 ne held on Monday night next To-
Gays meetlng was to receive q report on the
subject, and It was announced that every demo
Monday night. ~
PERsoNAL.-Mrs. Mitchell, widow or the late
Irish patriot, John Mitchell, is on visit OF few
days at DR.. Antisell's residence. ON @ St NV