The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-18
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
-FRoM OLE REauLAR coRREsPoNpENT. I

LII In L MN ~ - LNAAs
! TFRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT ]
NEW YORK, February so, 1850.
To THE EDITOR or THE NEW NORTHWEST:
The leading topic Of the week in this
city, as well as in most other parts of
the world, has been the Irish famine, Of
which there apparently is no abatement.
Meetings have been held in almost all
large American towns, but in no case
has the political side been permitted TO
come TO the front, the purpose being
evidently to help the sufferers in a prac-
tical way and at once Many Of the
contributions, especially those from
Western towns, have been sent direct
to the afflicted districts, to be distrib-
uted through local church channels.
The death from consumption, in
Brooklyn, in great poverty, Of Mrs.
Jennie Herndon Tyler Collins. the wife
Of workman in the Brooklyn gas
works, daughter Of Col. w. w. Tyler
aud graudniece of the late President
Tyler, has caused considerable comment.
The story Of Mrs. Collins life is a sim
gularly sad one. She was born in Rich
mind la lSiS; her girlhood was passed
on her fathers plantation in Mississippi;
she was educated in convent; and in
1872, when her cousin, John w. Steven
son, was L. 5. Senator from Kentucky,
she was introduced into Washington
society. 1t was soon after the last event
that she msde the acquaintance OF Jen-
uiugs and married him A few mouths
wrought the misery and downfall Of the
bright, vivaeious aud intelligent young
girl. She married Mr.. Collins in Octo-
ber, 1870, and has not since been recog-
nized, it is said, by her family, because
she married below her station, though
Collins IS quoted as saying that he was
not always poor. The room in which
she died was nucarpeted, aud The bare
walls spoke Of poverty ard almost
squalor.
With lengthening days aud warmer
sunshine, equestriennes bloom again.
Central Park aud Fifth avenue are
dotted with ladies mounted on steeds
more or less innocent Of aspect, aud
equipped in the usual well-kuOwn cos
tuu'e Of iight-fitting broad-cloth habit,
with tiuiest Of linen collar, small stove
pipe hat, aud veil according to discre-
tion. Il is an open question whether
horseback riding is to be considered
especially conducive to the health Of
women. Exercise IN open air, that is
neither too cold nor too hot. as it fre-
queutly is in America, Of course pro-
NOTES strength. But equestrianism,
skating, dancing aud walking, carried
into excess, as they are likely to be by
those most devoted 10 athletic pursuits,
doubtless entail more maladies on
women than are brought about by an
absence Of exercise. Still, the danger Of
pedestrianism's resulting in accidents is
much lessened by early familiarity with
its perils; and the aptitude Of the pupil
for the diversion in question is
more easily determined in youth than
later in life. There is almost the same
difference between a natural and an ar
tificial rider that there is between q
natural and a mechanical musician.
The ease and security Of a riders seat
are largely gifts Of nature, and skill as
horseman depends much on intuitive
knowledge Of horse aud great liking
for the animal.
We are now advanced in the Lenten
season, which, however, is by no means
exclusively devoted by the great major
ity Of Gothamites to the usual religious
observauees during the forty days set
apart for mortifying the spirit, resting
the body, and building up the brain by
phosphoric diet, with the much abused
feminine recreation Of preparing Easter
toilettes. Last week numerous and
sundry were the organizations OF skat-
ing clubs and walking aud riding par
ties among the elite Of this most staid
aud decorous cosmopolitan city; aud
rest assured that these are to be no one
horse affairs, but regular approved social
events, smiled upon alike by clergy and
heads OF households, and will besr close
investigation as to the nature Of amuse-
ment, the character Of the menu, and
the style Of costume. AUGUST.