New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-09

The first robins of tho season made their appear
ance Yesterday Now and then an adventurous bird
Of THIS species concludes to take the chances of
Northern climate and If he escapes death By freez-
ing can be seen any sunny winter day engaged
III lonesome struggle for existence. But these
pioneers were plainly from the South. For, In
the first place. our recent zero weather would
have killed hem if they had ventured
To brave It, aut in the second place; It was not
single bird. or pair but flock of twenty. who were
congreQatod the bare spots aud in the trees of
old orchard across the river in about the latitude of
the CITY Hall. And Yet 1t would be unsafe to base
any prophecy of spring upon their appearance. They
evidently had DO desire to express their
contempt for the forebodngs of tho ground-hog.
or any other of the wise animals who have
warned us Of more winter to come. They did not
act as if they had come to stay. They mad none of
those free aud easy democratic ways, none of that
exuberance OF rOllicking life. and more than all,
they uttered none Of those full-thrOated honest
notes which are SO characteristic of them when they
first come up TO possess the land mute ROBIN
in the early year has come from the South
ON other business than hunting up
mate and place to build a nest And yet they were
here and here ahead of the bluebrds which is quite
out of the natural order of the procession 1t would
he interesting 70 know what wild impulse stirred
been discouraged by tho unwonted severity
of the season IN South Carolina, and therefore
determined to come North to enjoy the thsw."
Unless they are ~ ignorant Us Mr.. Vennor this
strange movement is a sign" of something, and
every body is at liberty to make his private guess
at the meaning of the phenomenon.
Tho enterprise of the Press Is Just now finding
cOmical illustration In the person of an interview
~.
house near that of General Garfield at Mentor and
flom that point of vantage and inquiry writes to
nineteen different newspapapers with commendable
industry but doubtful taste. He watches the depot
at Mentor and the house of the Presdent-elect with
equal vigilance and ardor and alternately bores
the distinguished arrivals at the one and torments
the visitors and servants at the other Neither sex
is sacred TO him; and his inquiries are Indferently
upon public OF private affairs. The menu of the
DAYS dinner ut the Presidents home takes equal
prominence in his inqulsitye eyes with the latest
imagined selection tor the Cabinet. He Is said to
have imposed his acquaintance upon every visitor.
neighbor, friend servant in fact, everything at
Mentor except the toe of the Generals boot and it
might be well II, before putting on the new dgni-
ties of tho Presidency the farmerst atesman should
insist on his making that casual acquaintance at
least once. 1t may interest those who have so
RraVely and perSStently commented upon treaties
at Mentor Cabinet selections, nterferences in
Senatorial contests and Mr.. Hayes's later nomina-
tons, to know that this enterprsing hanger-on at
Mentor IS tho authority for most of the absurd ru-
mors put afloat that the White House has inspira-
ton from Mentor. 1t is entirely within bounds to
say that General Garfield has taken lttlo interest
and no part in any OF the recent changes at Wash
ington outside the military promotions and retire
monts.
1t Is evident that the settlers the lands of Mr.
Thomas Hughes's Tennessee colony are not. as has
been intimated in Of the newspapers, behaving
"a if life were all beer and skttles. They have not
been In their homes long enough to raise CROP
but they have already discovered resources for
profitable il dustry to which the easy-going natives
never paid any attention. The last number OF their
paper The Rn0beGn shows by its advertisements that
they have brick and terra Gotta works. stone quarry
| a friedrich kiln, coal mine aud steam saw mill
| already in operation. This Is certainly doing we'll
for a settlement no six months old. The value Of
| tina onlonv landa urlcuture will not be demons