Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-12-31
PERSONAL.

According 10 kalc Field there IS but one
portrait Of the late George Eliot in existence,
and that one crayon, which is in the pos
session of the Blackwoods in Ednburg. Miss
Fed believes George Eliot is the only woman
in the civilized world who has never been
photographed.
A special to the Boston Transcript says
The statement that Senator Edmunds does
not desire 4 seat on the bench of the Supreme
Court is made without his authority. Should
Judge Hunt be retired, he would und0ubtcd-
" be named for that position.
General Grant has turned author and writ
tea an article for the February North liner
icaA Rccier, in which he will favor the
scheme for Nicaragua ship canal. Apro-
pos of this the New York 7ri5une says
lie is showing so much versatility in practis-
ing the arts of peace that the cou ntry would
not be overwhelmed with surprise il some
day he should maize flank movement on
Parnassus itself.
George Eliot wrote with u gnlden pen.
For her 'NIddlcmarch" she is said to have
received $40, 900 on the delivery of the manu-
script, and for Daniel Deronda' SEQ, 900,
besides a percentage which probably yielded
her SEQ, 900 more She was hard worker,
spending seven or eight hours day at her
desk, though from 40 TO 60 lines day she
considered an ample output She was
slow and metholical in working, always
preparing her plots and even her narratives
in her mind 50 that putting them on paper
was merely transcription. When she had
completed a book size invariably suffered
from fits of nervous depression, which were
only relieved by travel and change of scene.
Mr.. Croker, Tie san Francisco million
are, had to pay 100000 taxes this year
under the new California constitution 50
hc has decided TO bring his millions East and
will build a palace on Fifth avenue, New
York
The death of Thomas Carlyle may be an
nounced at any day. The prevailing trouble
of his life has been dyspepsia, from which
he has been a sufferer In his last years it
is said that he has dictated his biography
James Keenc, the Spectator, is said to be
in wrc,ched health, and often troubled with
sceplessncss. He has been burnt along the
spine by the doctors.
Bancroft, the historian, is thin and straight,
but he walks sturdily every afternoon. He
wears a tall silk hat and carries Il stout walk
ing stick lie walks on the roadway near
the curbstonc. 50 that he may not he iostled
by the crowd on the sidewalk.
When Senator Edmunds speaks, says Il
Washington letter, 'he usually begins hy
putting the knucklcs of his right hand down
upon his desk in n manner which seems 10
say that he has not only cliuched the argu-
mcnt but that he has done all his hammcring
beforehand.
The youngest soldier in the Union service
during the war Of the rebellion was doubt
less the only sou OF Jacob W Mcssick, row
amemhcr of the Legislature of Indiana. lie
enlisted as sergeant IN Company \, Forty
second Indiana, and took with him his son,
Johnnie, then hut years Of age as drummer
boy. The lad was present al every action in
which the regiment was engaged, and WAS at
last duly mustered out nj the mature asc of
twelve.
Last Friday Mr. and Mrs. DutlIan Rcnia-
min of Whitehall, y Y, celebrated the
NxtjtN anniversary OF their marriage, an
event it is given very few persons the priv
lcge Of observing Mr. Benjamin has never
lived over three miles from his birth place.
Mrs. Benjamin, nee Belinda Alien, was born
at Pawlet, Vt, October IL, 1903, and is, as
it is said, hiuswoman of Ethan Allen.
Eleven children were born 10 Mr. and Mrs,
Benjamin, five OF whom survive, and there
are now living II grandchildren and l. great
grandchildren, all Of whom were present nj
the celebration ON Friday. Mr. Ecnjnmin
has been Il hunter aud tmppcr all ms HE
and three years ago shot his last deer ON the
Dresden n. y, mountain. lie is still erect
and vigorous and SAYS lac can sishl Il gun as
well rs ever. Mrs Benjamin also enjoys
excellent health, aud the AGED couple bid
fair To survive many years
The DcsMoincs Iowa. Register publishes
an extract from n letter from Hon. John \,
Kasson, United States Minister to Austria,
written ut Liverpool, IN his way to Vienna
in which Mi kassOu says
We had dreadlully rough passage, bad
storm, and several accidents 10 passengers.