The Baltimore County union., 1882-12-09
Correspondents Baifinors CoHHiy Ua on.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Transit Of vonus--suicides- The Ap-
preaching Holiday Golden We'd
ding-Business, Etc, Etc.
BALrrwonr. Deccmbsr e,h. i,

BALTIMORE, December 9th, 1889.
The transit Of Venus attracted much attention
fr0m Thousands Of star-gaTeFs o.day in our city
and elsewhere There were several very satisfac.
tory observations made ofthe celestial phenomenon
by those who bad suitable positions and instru-
ments. The beautiful planet, 90 modest, yet
bright and sparkling, was on time, not delaying
scarcely second from that predicted long years
ago for her coming. In this latitude, thonRh the
atmosphere was not quite 80 clear rs desired, yet
the transit was TO be seen accurately from the mo.
ment Of Its beginning q its ending. The haze
was occasionally rather thick yet the sun and We
nus were constantly In View by the aid of smoked
glass with the naked eye, aud much more plainly
when looking through m e.glass or larger tee.
scope, many Of which were brought into use Ia
various parts Of the city. The observations taken
At the Johns Hopkins College were, I learn, very
hno and satisfactory, showing results correspond
ing very nearly 90 those hitherto set forth by
astronomers. The calculations came out with
wonderful exactness. As this was the last oppor.
tunity In over one hundred and twenty two years
TO come that another transit Of the kind can be
seen, the anxiety TO witness this one was conse.
quently the greater No human being now upon
our globe will then be alive. The whole world
will then be populated with new people not nov
in existence. The occasion. therefore is one cal.
eulatcd TO begct amazing specula,ions aud curious
thoughts.
A tidal wave Of suicidal mania appears to have
struck our city Of late. not less than i've Of these
sell. murders occurred here during the past few
days. Most OF the victims were quite we'll known
aud respected. One was old man close on a.
ninety years, who at best could have had but a
short time 90 buffet against the Ills Of life The
others were aged from % up TO Is years. The
latest case Is that Of John McGarrigle well known
for his connection with the public press rs re.
porter. editor, 1e., for many years In Baltimore
and other places. whisky, disappointed love. 70.
dueed circumstances in life misfortunes. domestic
troubles, semi fermentation, etc, may be put doan
as direct or remote causes.
With the coming of each new day the evidences
Of Christmas rapidly approaching grow more aud
more numerous In all parts of our city. Many
very unique. costly aud attractive holiday notion.
arc now visible In stores, show windows. etc. The
appearances lead TO a strong probability that the
coming will be among the gay est holidays seen in
Baltimore for many years. The articles for pres.
enis, souyenicrs and kccpsakcs are very rich.
pretty and costly, suitable to all ages. sex aud
conditions. As the times are better aud money
more plentiful than hitherto In many years past.
pleasures of Christmas therefore become more
facinaitng. Our fancy stores. toy establishments
aud variety places are anticipating n thriving
holiday trade from both country aud city. Al
places of amusemcnts are already IN active prcpa
ration for the holiday week.
There some ice formed here during two or
,hrcc days of the late cold spell, but none VI IL
thick enough for housing.
| notice that Mr.. Il. q. Taylor. the celebrated
haiter has at hts store the latest winter styles ms,
only Of hats aud other apparel for gentlemen, bu,
also rich costly and beautiful furs. etc.. for ladies
No one can go amiss ai Taylor's for substantial
and suitable Christmas presents.
The new Chamber of Commerce building has
become very popular place for mercantile count
ing rooms and oihces in IT, various apartments. -
II now. a. learn, yields 10 the Stockholders u
yearly rental of over iity thousand dollars. thus
securing n handsome percentage of the original
cost Of nearly half million dollars.
very ia;efcsting oecurrancc Of to-day Was the
celebration by Mr.. John II. u. La,robc and wife
of the anniversary of their golden wedding. Only
the immediate family participated In these golden
entertainments, which must have proved most in
teresting aud pleasuTsble. Mr.. ia,robc is in his
SO;h year.
Business Is rather quiet in our city just now aud
likely 60 continue until after the holidays. -
There IL no very urgent demand for either grain
or hour beyond actual wants both at home and
abroad. Prices vary but little. Money 1. plenty
and easy in loan rates. NEsror.