davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
PERSONAL.


Miss Annie Longfellow. at her home in Cambridge, is
slowly but steadily recovering from her proractedstack
of typhoid fever, Her marriage with Mr.. Thorpe
brother OF Mrs Ole Bull, will take place late IN the
spring
Mr. Thomas b. Ticknor. Of the house OF j. X Osgo0d
& Co. sailed yesterday business visit to London
and Paris.
Mr. Francis Parkman left Boston on Thursday for an
extended pleasure trip through the South.
Professor Packard of Brown University has gone on
six weeks tour in Mexico and Central America for pur
poses OF research regard matters connected with
his department
Ex-President Arthur will return TO New-York about
April /.
Mr. Frank Leslie has been visiting her niece and only
relative I'm Cincinnati where she told reporter she was
too busy "a woman To get married
Ex-Congressman Tom ochitree, of Texas, is in New
York.
By the death OF Sir Robert Phimore, says Ihe Horfd
Uondonl Mr. Gladstone loses Of his oldest ani best
beloved friends The Premier was the younger Of the
two by four or live only and the identity OF their
years was reflected In their tastes their habits aud their
ways Of tn ought both religious and political matters
will remembered that when Lord Beaconsneid
resigned In April 1850. and eyerybodys eyes were upon
would be sent for" the person most concerned MAS
speLding "A quiet day with his friend taking sweet
counsel and going three times 10 cunfch win
him. The friendship severed began NJ Christ
Church. aud has continued and Increased without inter
mission for more than lfy years The baronetcy was
tt.. coal nf
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
UH1T Our NAVY NEEDS.

successful pngilist once said TO novice: il
You want to be good fighter you must learn how
to take blow, sometimes, instead of trying to stop
itp
This is the idea embodied in the latest design Tor
a 'cruiser which has been submitted to the British
Admiralty In her the vain attempt to keep out
shot altogether is abandoned. Instead of depending
upon heavy armorplating for protection, her hull
is to be divided into l22 watertight compartments
so that she can stand a great deal of perforaton
without sinking. Her perhaps too sancuine de-
signer estimates that she might be pierced by 100
shots and still be able to work her guns or run
away at a high rate of speed. The weight saved In
ar1norplating is to be utilized by giving her
engines of extraordinary power. capable OF driving
her twenty-five miles an hour; sufficient coal ca
pacity TO enable her to steam TO the West Indies
and back at high speed; and guns Of the most pow
erful calibrc able to knock hole in the stontest
arnlor plate that q ship can carry.
Such a vessel gives promise Of being n most dan
gerous customer. She could give rs hard knocks rs
the best and would be uneXcelled at running away
when lovcrna,ched. and thereby her fighting career
nigh, bc indefinitely prolonged.
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
4 BEUILDRRING HOUSE.


The mystery Of the Soncy Hat explosions is deep
ened by the report Of the Examiner Of Buildings
TO the effect that the structure il perfectly sornd
and safe and that 1t has not settled. and Is not
settling moro than some fractions OF an
inch.
The owner Of the building insists
that the explosions have been caused by
a discharged cmploye. but as the most vigilant
watching has failed TO detect any human action in
the case this theory seems to have no foundation
Another hypothesis is that the building stands on
a stratum of rock which conveys vibra-
tions from distant blasting operations.
This does not appear 20 have much
support in probability. but il would be easy to put
II to tho test by tracing the ledge Of rock on
which the flats stand to where blasting is going
on. and then stationing observers at each end TO
note the time of the blasts and the result II any.
In the building. The examiner appears to think
the steam pipes are responsible for the noises, but
sounds in steam pipes capable of throwing things Oft
shelves and shaking furniture sensibly would
be sufficiently out of the common TO deserve IN
vestigation.
The case Is certainly curious. but it does not
seem that any thorough attempt to eluci-
date II has yet been made and this is the more sin
gular as the tenants being frightened away by
the explosions. Now that they know the building
is safe, however. perhaps they will return.
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
MOTHER OLD LANDMARK GONE.

A passion for reversing the judgments of history.
and especially for rehabiltating damaged reputa-
tions, has for some time prevailed with the most
disturbing and subversive results. The Past as seen
by our children, will bc Past which we should
hardly recognize. All the estimates we have ac
ccptod of the worlds famous infamous person
ages are being upset. and the names by which We
have conjurcd and which have become familiar in
our mouths as household words, have been meta
morphosed beyond recognition. Modern scholarship
has upset all our old beliefs Nero is shown to have
been not half q bad fellow. Cesar was little better
than ward politician. or a" "bOss" of the Tweed
stripe. Henry VIII. was good husband. though
somewhat hasty The "sea-green mcorruptible" Z"
Robesperre was anything but incorruptible. Philip
H. of Spain and the Duke of Alva were tender
hearted princes. Tho Marehioness Of Brinyilllers
was more sinned against than SHINING Sir Thomas
Overbury was not poisoned by the Countess OF
Somerset. Amy Robsart was not Lcicester's victim
The Man in the Iron Mask mere nobody. And
now comes Signor Luigi Monti and maintains that
Lucretia Borgia Vas model wife and parent, and
that history has s!andered her shameiuily.
We have given up William Tell. and Bluebeard,
and the Wandering Jew. and Pope Joan. and tss
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08

MANY other dear and delightful legends and tradi-
tions It the behest Of the historians and mythoio
qists We have suffered the Pied Piper OF Hamenn
70 he boldly discredited, aud suspicion to be cast
on the Mouse Tower of Bishop Hatto. Science has
stripped the Brocken of its charms, and the terrors
of Walpurgs Night no longer excite even tne
nursery But for the incontr0vertible fact that the
people died by scores, and OF poison, the Aqua
Tofania would long since have been explained
away as prosily the liquefacton OF the blood OF
~. ,Januarius The venerable tradition of the noble
pocahontas has been shattered, and sacrilegious
hands have been laid upon the touching story OF
Evanoeline. All this we could have borne; but
when we are called upon To surrender our concep
t,on of Lucretia BorSia the limit of forbearance is
passed 1t is indeed too much. No character IN
history has been of greater and constant SER
vice TO literature and to ourn How many thou-
sands of our fedgling reporters have employer her
hitherto cassically disreputable name IN head
lines to point moral, If not to adorn taie. no"
many essaysts has she not been boon to. Wheh u
shocking example in the feminine line was required
who has so unfalingly come to the scratch to use
n colloauialism. What known parsonage has so con-
yeniently combined all the worst vices and crimes
of which poor humanity is capable. None but herself
can be her parallel truly, and now Slgnor Montl
calmly asserts that she not that KIND OF DofSia
at ALL but that on the contrary she deser'es to 'o
been canonized great deal more than some saints
who have got on the calendar.
Signor Monti must pardon us. but this Is LOO
strong an order" We are willing to give up aimoSt
anybody else in history say Ca!igula, lorquenaaa'
william Rufus whom. by the way, Mr. Freeman has
not whitewashed), Charles lX., Louis NJ, Marat,
the Council of Ten, the Vehmgericht but Lucretia
Borgia with her beauty and her total depravity,
her sweet manners and her secret poisonings, her
banquets with coffin accompanments, and oil her
inimtable and unique iniquities We cannot part
with so easily There are some moderns who' moi
satisfied with eliminating He'll and the Deyil, seek
to oiace every trace of either from the history oi
mankind.
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
MAKING PROGRESS BACKUARD.

The latest Treasury statement illustrates the
steady progress of the Government toward
monetary system worthy OF China. In spite of
all the efforts of Mr.. McCulloch, and no one will
doubt that in regard to the protection OF the
nubIc credit he has lsbcred both sincerely and
wisely the proportion of gold held for the
redemption of outstanding notes is less than 1t
was February l. More gold is held in the
Treasury, but the outstanding transfer checks
and other obligations payable on demand have
increased during the past month about
SIG. 400, 900, while the increase in the amount
of gold not covered by outstanding certificates
has been less than Si2,2OO,oOO.
The reported" balance including bullion fund
Is now S152,919,7G2 81. From this must be
deducted, first, $lS,726.S2l 80, held by the
Treasury in its own notes. Properly these
should be deducted from the amount of notes
technically outstanding, and the remainder
which have yet to be redeemed, amount to
1927. 7.954.l04 AZ. The bullion fund, less the
notes deducted, amounts to $134, 192,9Il ii.
but of this sum $i2 100000 Is in standard
dollars held in excess of silver certificates out
standing $50, 900, 900 in fractional silver coin
of no use to anybody, $4,OOO,OO0 is in silver
bullion useful only to DO coined into useless
silver dollars, and as usual 100000 more in
q Unavailable funds" is included. and also
1888, 900 in the balance of minor coin and frac-
tional currency accounts.
Thus it happens that there remain, out
of Sl34, ,OOO. 900 . so-called "bulliOn fund.-"
about 56,4OO, 900 in gold for the redemption
of nearly $329, 100000 notes. or 17.2 per cent.
The entire so-called reserve amounts to 400
DER cent of the notes outstanding, but 1913 per
cent is in silver. The proportion of silver
during the past month has increased nearly 2
per cent, while the proportion of gold has
decreased per cent. That is, reserve of 40
per cent against notes outstanding was held
February 1, of which Ola per cent was in
silver. A reserve of 400 per cent is now held,
of which 1913 per cent is in silver. 1t is after
this fashion that the Government must continue
TO advance, to all appearance for some months
Tn eome
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
TWELVE PAGES.
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FoprIGy.-General Wolseley has issued an ad-
dress TO the British soldiers. - One hunureu
and twenty-three bodies have been taken from the
ooll,erv at Karwin - Farewell appearance OF
Mar,e Van Zandt in St Petersburg.
DoMEsTIC.-Captain Couch, the leader Oh tne
Oklahoma colonists, has made an affidavit against
the large ranch-owners in the territory. - Johh
L. Sullivan has agreed to fight Ryan. =
"Camp Meeting" John Allen celebrated his nlne-
tieth birthday in Boston. - MASSACHUSETTS,
Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with the CAP
met - The Fall River spinners issued clrcu-
lar predicting better times.
Cry AND SUBURBAN.-General Grant somewhat
depressed by the bad weather. - Scores OF
more than 900 miles in the roller skating contest
- sharp letter from Commissioner Squire 10
steam-heating company. - Regret at tne
failure of the Barhodi Pedestal Dill
- Meeting of the National Baseball League.
- Park Commissioner Olliffes con-
ditiou unchanged - Gold value OF the legal
tender silver dollar t412l2 grains), 1920 cents
g Stocks irregular and erratic but closed
higher and strong in figures.
. The WEATHKR.-TRIBUNE local observations IN
dicate warmer, partly cloudy weather and CHANCES
of snow or rain, followed by fair weather
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
THE GAS PUZZLE.

The Senate committee which is wrestling
with the mysteries of gas production, distriDu-
tion and consumption, has already developed
several remarkable facts The complaint that
since the ostensible reduction in the price OF gas
the cost 70 the consumer, as represented by the
monthly bills, has increased, has been con-
firmed by number of witnesses who have put
in their tills as evidence. But it has also been
developed that many OF the larger consumers
admit a reduction in their bills, and OF the
reality of this reduction they, too, produce
proofs. And it has been conceded by the cor
porations that the machine will lie at tiines |;
that the boasted infalliblity OF the meter Is IA
myth, in fact, and that it may vary either way
as much as 33 per cent. The instances IN which
il errs to the disadvantage of the company are,
II Is true rare. slow meters being, il is believed,
discouraged by the gas people. But the ques-
ton arises if, as now appears, cheaper gas may
cost more money. and if there Is marked
tendency for this increase OF cost 10 appear Ill
TIE bills of the large mass OF small consumers
and if there is a coincdent tendency III the
bills of large consumers TO show redcctioh,
what becomes of the venerable theory that the
registration of consumption is automatic, and
beyond the reach of tampernG.
There is certainly no known law OF nature
which operates to raise the general consumption
of gas so as TO offset nominal reductions In the
price, and to prevent the watering OF the stock
from bringing down the annual dividends.
And il must be admitted that meters which
respond with such very human sympathy ana
promptness to the wishes of directors are open
to well-founded suspicion. The truth Is that
the gas meter has for many years been obtaining
credit under false pretences, and that the time
has come to challenge its assumptions oil
probity. The companies themselves assert that
the gas they are now furnishing is better and
of more specific gravity than the old gas. lhey
cannot therefore pretend that it passes more
rapidly through the meters. But the bills OF the
consumers are stubborn facts, and If the cor
porations take the position that the gas is better
than ever, and the meters are correct and trust
worthy, there will apparently remain no possible
exclamation of the actual and incontestable in
crease of the bills of the small consumers but by
assuming an element of fraud in the reading
| of the meters. The fact of the increase OF cost
| in the face of a nominal reduction cannot be
got ever. and the Senate Committee will nc
doubt insist on an explanation which accounts
/ -
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE NOVELTY CONCERTS.

1t is pleasant to observe that Mr.. Van dsy
stuckens Novelty Concerts In the first their a.
istence have become influences Of real potency in ~
musical life Of the country. cleareyed purpoAc hss
been consistently adhered TO In then and though 49,
have not been financially successful In the sense tss
they have brought profit to their protector and dectr
they have won high regard from the musicians pro.e
sional well amateur in the city. and have bce,
heard by largo audiences. They have wdened tho pub
knowledge Of the productions OF the younger compose
upon whom we will soon be dependent for nsv
works, and have encouraged American mus.eiase
to try their talents in locr flights than they have ye
tured heretofore.
In this aspect of their usefulness the next concc,4
which will be the last of this years series, win also l.
interesting Of the entire series II is to give,
up wholly to the compositions Of native composes Pm
fessor Paines introduction Oedipns Tyrannus v,u
open the evening and is to be followed by sceaS
from George f. Writings Tale of the Viking" for ~
prano voice and orchestra Dudley Bucks oyerturc a
Scotts" Marmion" American legend for violin soo
by Mr. +. c. Phelps, OF Brooklyn, and several othev
Van, tine latest addition to the ranks OF cocerf
singers; the viOlinist, Mr.. Divide Musin.
While Mr. Van der stucken is laboring 4
give "a hearing to the young composers OF this and
other countries It is appropriate to note that he himself
is not being neglected. He has accepted invitation
from Mr. Benjamin GODDARD, director Of the socIets "a
Concerts M0derns OF Paris to conduct half programme
French society. The products of his fancy which
he has brought out here have been exceedingly well ~
ccved and there Is doubt that the Paris enerprso
will extend his fame here well as In Europe.
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
PLANS FOR GIVING AMERICAN OPERA.

The Academy of Music has been leased ~.
term beginning early in January next and ending ~
fore the regular OF Italian opera II Is
to give during this fifty representations OF opera
shall bs sung by Americans only. The musical aress
will be placed in the hands Of Theodore Thomas 80.
pronouncss the plan educational one OF the Dig"
merit and will accept no remuneration for his sefss
The scheme originated with wellknown maalesi -
teur who has enlisted enough interest In II 70 p's
upon sure foundation. ...i "a
In order to sin further encourage native muscaa
prizes will be offered for the best opera and
American compo sition. An American manager has ~
selected In whose hands viii be placed the n
details OF the organization. Neg0tiations arc aifc
progress with weknown American artists and tess1
will bc asked to recommend pupils who VIII oe P''~
under masters IN vOcalism and dramatic oetion
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
A DISPLAY OF POWER.
for it,.

The Gladstone Ministry have been favored
with an unexpected crisis in foreign affairs.
The complications respecting the Afghan
frontier have given them an opportunity OF re-
gaining prestige with the English people. Their
action has been prompt, resolute and decisive.
There was not trace of the hesitation and in
canacjty shown in the SOudan. Sir Peter
Iumsden's advice sent from the Afghan Outposts
was Immediately followed, and the Ameer was
assured in unequivocal terms that England
would fulfil its treaty obligations. At the
same time extensive military and naval prepara-
tions were ordered and Europe was fOrcibly re-
minded of the resources of the Empire. The
Governments frmness and self-possession have
silenced critics on the Tory side and produced
favorable impression upon the Continent Ger
MANY is now exerting its influence strongly in
favor of peace and Russia will find it prudent
to suspend its advance in Central Asia.
There is one curious feature of the military
nreparations. This is the use which is made OF
the Colonial dependencies as means OF Illus
trating the resources of the Empire. Our special
cable dispatches announce that the sailing OF
the military contingent from Sydney for
Suallim has created asprofound impression both
in England and on the Continent; and that tho
Secretary for the Colonies has published oppor-
tunely a series of dispatches showing that offers
of military aid have been accepted from all
quarters of the world. Canada, New South
Wales, Victoria and South Australia have
agreed to furnish and equip strong bodies OF
troops, and from Sydney, the capital of colony
whose population is one-thrd Irish, the soldiers
have embarked for campaign In the Nile
deserts amid the most cordial manifestations OF
provincial loyalty and enthusiasm. Englands
standing army looks so small on paper that the
military resources of the Empire are systemat-
ically underestimated on the Continent. The
present dis play of colonial reinforcements is
timely and effective.
But the expedient Is not by any means novel
one. 1t is only repetition Of the tactics
adoptcd by the Beaconsfield Government after
the conquest of the Balkan by Russia. When
the victorious army was at the gates OF Con-
stantinople and General Ignatieff was debating
the Peace of San Stefano, seven thousand Sepoy
soldiers were suddenly transported from bom-
bay to Malta for the sake OF reminding Russia
that England could employ Indian troops In a
European campaign. The Liberals. who were
then in opposition, charged the Government
with exceeding its authority and subjected It TO
New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
MUSICAL NOTES.

For the performances to begin this month in
London OF the great Bmnor Mass In celebration OF the
bcentenary OF Bach pair OF o6r di have been
made. They tested recently in performance Of
the Pastoral symphony from the Christmas Oratoria
The Times in commenting the fact said The tone d
the is exceedingly pleasing In the lower
register but somewhat untuneful in the higher There
little that is lost In the tone Of the instrument tha
be represented by others available in the
orchestra. Still the revival 81 disused tone Is an in
teresting event and will probably he better appreciated
when the performers have mastered the mechanism by
which IL is produced. 10 do the instruments ana
their own ability justice"
At Casino concert this evening the solo performers
will be NJ. Divide Musln, Miss Christine Rosswog Mr
whitney Mockridge and Master Leopold Godowski
There will he special activity in the matter OF
operettas this week Gasparone will be heard at the
Standard The Pirates OF Pcbzsnce at the Casino and
The Musketeers" " at the Fifth Avenue.
The remaining concerts OF the Oratorio Society
will be conducted by Mr. Walter Damrosch. Mr.. Rein
hold L. Herman directing the rehearsals in the absence
OF Mr. Damrosch but we told that he has only con-
sente at the solicitation Of the president Of the society,"
To occupy Mr.. Damroschs place until ne can assume
the responsibilities OF his position as permanent di
rector.
Mile. Clara Bcrnctta will give a concert at stenway
Hall on March 23. at which the following programms
will be performed:
/. Coronation March 8. Svendsen
2. scena ed Aria-oberon Ocean du u.s..
'hssH0"e'' Mile Clara Berncita '' '''
g. Fourth Concerto Tor Pianoiorte, In d. MINOR lnrst
ho'0HeH' Mr. Alexander Lambert '''''''
4. Two melodies ior string Orchostra.}
"Heartgrief," Ed GrIeg
b, "Spring."
l. Romanza-" La Juve.""I ii venir. f.. Haovy
Mile. Cia.a Bernetta
a., Gav0tte Niemnn
b. Tarentee. e.........................M. NJ. MVszkogsh
Mr. Alexander Lambert.
z. Overture" Euryan; he" C. M. Won Weber
Orchestra. :.
R''i'''v' ed ms &si9 Clara sTssass Bslas,a V''a
Q. Three spanish Dances M Mos1koSsn
Instrument alton by Frank Van Der stucken
At the hfth matinee of popular music by the Brook1
Philharmonic Society Wednesday afternoon OF !hn
week the programme will be as follows
overture Ruler Of the Spirits ".............w Weber
Symphony No y, Is minor uDnnishodl schupsrs
HUNGARIAN dances pIAu...
Mr. Otto Oestere.
Norwegian rhadsoiv tnewl. syendson
Ballet music, The Demon Rubnstc,a
Tho Nations op 23..-.--.. MVszko"sA
Miss Henrietta Beebe, who Is heard ali too seldom
our concertrooms, will sing two songs by Msndeissom
aud Clays ballad, The Sands o. Dee" at Mr.. Arcnefs
organ recital at Chickering Hall to morrow sternoo
She has been engaged to sing the soprano soios
the next concert OF the C9cian 49,
ETY. of Philadelphia, when Bach's st Mat'nes
Passion will be performed. Miss Beebes annua w"
cert will take place on April lS.