davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
HONORARY DEGREES.

At recent college dinner one of the guests
told the old, but always delightful, story of
celebrated mathematician who received the de-
gree of LII. ID. twice during one year. AT
first" so the story goes, the professor was
disposed to wear double LII. ID. strung out
like tandem after his name. But on second
thought he accomplished a feat in reduction so
that his degree read Ii DEL fourth power, d
square" II is just possible that this professor
did not take an altogether serious view of hon
orary degrees. Certain it is that for a good
many years not few acute observers have
held that it was a distinction not to be dec
Grated with DID,, or LII. d., or Phi. ID. This
contention has its origin in condition OF things
in our American colleges in no wise credtable
Not ALL by any means, but too many OF these
institutions are directly responsible for the in
difference with which scores of leyel-headed
people regard such honors. They have bestowed
them, if not upon all applicants, certainly with
out decent respect for the rule of the survival
OF the littcst. Placing the badges that attest
high scholarship or brilliant achievement upon
The breasts, not only Of the worthy, but of
charlatans and ounces. these seats of learning
have done no end OF mischief. In our age pre-
eminent for material progress, folks are always
to be found who Sneer at book learning and
underrate the value of the higher education
Such bgots would be fewer in number, and less
radical in spirit, if honorary degrees were not
so frequently gained by comparatively no.
account men.
AT the last annual meeting of the National
Educational Association Professor Smith, of
Vanderbilt University, as many of our readers
remember, presented timely and valuable
paper on this subject. 1t is the general i'm
preston we believe, that of late these hon
orary degrees have been distributed less freely
submitted statistics which show that though
there is some iluctuaton from year to year, the
number of degrees conferred, especially doc
toratcs OF divinity and philosophy, on the whole
is growing In connection with this exhibit
he presented the following suggestive facts:
The whole number Of separate colleges that CON
ferred honorary doctorates between 1872 and 1885
was $50 distributed thlry-sX states, two Terri.
tories and the District Of Columbia Ohio heads the
list, by right. a. having more colleges and universe.
ties than any other State with twenty four followed
by Pennsylvania with twenty three, Illinois with
eighteen, Tennessee and New. York with seventeen
each. Iowa with twelve Indiana eleven, the remainder
from eight 10 one. In the six New England States
were conferred from 1872 10 1855 d. D. 2G4, L. ID.
272 In the four Middle states. D. d. $40. LII. d. 282
In thirteen southern states Including Missouri and
West Virginia., ID. ID. $685. Ii. u. 3i3, In twelve
Western States and two Territories, d. d. 737 L. d.
27s: in the District Of Columbia ID. u. II, IL. d. 81
IL Will be observed that In New England the two de-
grees are conferred In nearly equal numbers. while
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
ELECTRIC INTENTION IN HARLEM.

The new and novel uses to which electricity
is being daily put would he constant source of
establishment were il not for the fact that so
many marvels have been accomplished with this
subtle fluid in the past that we have almost
ceased TO be surprised at anything The use OF
electricity in the household is increasing rapidly
The Tribune is in receipt of a long communication
from gentleman residing in Harlem which well
illustrates this latter statement.
Our correspondent, who desires that his name
be withheld though not professional electrician,
has given much time to the study of electricity
espccialy in its domestic application, and the
result has been number Of curious Inventions
Passing over the apparatus with which he locks
all his doors and windows simultaneously, regu-
latcs his furnace, frightenS superfuous cats from
the rear fence and awallens at early hour
naturally torpid domestic, we will take passing
glance at q series of appliances on which he
evidently greatly prdes himself.
II appears from our valued correspondents let
fer that he has daughter who is the recipient
OF the attentions Of a young man. This young
man. though estimable in most ways. is much
inclined TO keep late hours when calling on the
object of his affections Catching the hint. per-
hans. from his highly successful ex-
periments with the cats our CORE
spondent determined to resort to his pet
Observation-Disclosures make the young man go
away earlier. He accordingly spent a week in
surreptitiously arranging electric apparatus in
the parlor. which he connected by wires with his
own room the second floor.
Last Sunday night the young man in question
was calling as usual our correspondents
daughter 1t was growing late and the young
people were discussing some extremely important
question with great earncstness 1.-THE gas let was
turned low) when there was sudden flash from
the other end of the room. and they turned and
saw ON the wall in glowing letters foot high.
made with incandescent wires. these words:
Young man. il is bedtime!" The young gentle
man thus admonished moved about uncasily in
his chair a moment, and then settled back calmly,
while the lady blushed and said she supposed
Il was one Of papas jokes. They resumed their
conversation where they had dropped il on the
anpearance Of the handwriting on the wall and
maid no further attention to il except casually TO
read the new ones. such as Good nightl' or
AGO home young man; 20 hOmci" and similar
little pleasantres which occasionally flashed out
on various parts of the wall. After half an hour
the conversation had Jagged and the last pyro-
technical display had disappeared. when suddenly
a phonograph on the mantel which had not been
noticed before. coughed depreciatively couple OF
times and said
The morn. I'm russell mantle clad.
Walks DER the dew OF yOn high eastern HILL
The young man started at the unexpected voice,
hut soon leaned back and listened to the machine
make various poetical remarks, such as The
early village cock hath twice done sAlatation to
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

IN .bo Middle and southern states about twice as
many u MS are bestowed as LII. DIS. and In the
Western states proportion is nearly three 10 one
We take it that the present is good tune
10 recur to this subject since the season OF
college and college fraternity dinners has ar
rived. speaker at these festivals VINO Is III
search of live topic calculated to interest MS
educated brethren can scarcely do better than
protest against the evil in question, and pro-
woke discussion in regard to the best way OF
curing it, Shall A. NJ. go to graduates of three
wears standing as a matter of course, or shall
il be reserved for those who can establish their
right to it by examination? Shall Phi. ID. be
an examination or an honorary degree? shall
the awarding of honorary degrees be entirely
abandoned? Shall the colleges, as President
Gilman once suggested, " declare their purpose
10 advance their own graduates to honorary
distinctions on certain recognized principles OF
promotion-the publication of some scholarly
work. the accomplishment of some literary task
or the attainment of some high position"
All these questions are raised in Professor
Smiths paper, and all are certainly worthy OF
careful consideration. Ii would seem feasible
for all the colleges, big ones and little ones,
the saltwater ones and the fresh-water ones to
have a sound policy in common touching de-
grees. Obviously their awards should be be-
slowed for reasons which give them weight
and dignity or they ought not to be bestowed
at all A conscientious householder does not
write recommendation for an emplOye unless
he has satisfied himself that the'applicant merits
the certificate. Why should the goddess of
wisdom who presdes over our higher institu-
tons of learning be less conscientious when the
children of men come asking her for creden-
tials? Why should she ever allow decent
dulness or brazen pretcnce to place the initials
that suit them after their names?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
PERSONAL.

1t Ia doubtful II there is q living man more hated
by Southern Democratic politicians than Mr. George
W. Cable "The Mobile Register" says that he made
tue great mistake OF his life when he began paying
attention to social and political affairs, and the
Democratic press OF Nashville declares that he Is
guilty Of crime In treating negroes as social equals.
Governor Ladd. Of Rhode Island. will make Mr..
Charles H. Rowland OF The Providence Journal" his
private secretary.
Mr.. French, the sculptor, is making statue of
Louisa NJ. Alcott for the Fine Arts Museum of New
Orleans II will represent her seated In rustic chair
girl and boy near by.
Cardinal Newman has all his life been a vigorous
worker, but he rarely breaches. and writes ltte
lie stlll rises early as he has always done and his
mornings are given TO devotions and To looking after
the affairs the Oratory that he loves well. and
which he established some years ago. The love that
the students and priests at the oraory bear for the
aged Cardinal Is touching. Between all OF them aud
the Cardinal the warmest friendship exists The
youngest as well as the Oldest OF them finds in the
old one who is always ready to sympathize with
and assist them when called upon. The Same gentle
character which made him popular at oxford has
not been changed by age The Cardinal cannot receive
so many visitors AS he once did. The task would be
too great. All kinds of persons seek TO see him on
all sorts Of devices. most OF them through curiosity,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

But those who do gain an entrance are amply ,.,,,.
for their trouble. 1t is hard ID believe that this ~.
voiced old man. with thin and silvery hair r,,hs
bent slender FORM face out OF which intellect shine
and gentle manner, the fierce warrior in ~
famed oxford movement The Cardinal receives an
his visitors, whether Protestant Catholic win ~
same kind courtesy. lie is not given to talk and ~
ne Is rather feeble audiences necessarily sbos.
But no one leaves without feeling that he has csiDsS
something BY his visit. The time not given up q
affairs OF the beloved Oratory. Often during Tho d.
the old man may be seen moving through the bujld
ing stopping here and there 10 answer some question.
to encourage some weary one, and 10 give sdycs,
where IL may be needed
IT IS reported that the Rev. DR.. J. 7. Duryea n,
Omaha-formerly Of Brooklyn and Of Boston-ls about
10 be married again.
u + interesting 10 note how the Empresses and prn
cesses of Germany confer with their dressmakers yot
one of the latter ever her august patron face IN
face hut whenever an order Is 10 be given a adyIn.
waiting instructs business establishment as TO tina
exact requirements Of the royalties. samples and
models are then sent TO the palace where they arc
received by the ladyin waiting, and by her submitted
10 the Royal ladies' II happens only on very oc-
casions that Is fitted" by the drcssmaker the
Iady maid at the palace undertaking TO look TO that
important detail. Nor is any measure taken In tho
usual way, but well fitting bodice Is handed TO the
artist I'm dress. and she has b. De guided by that
alone. Years ago the old Empress Augusta had
model OF her figure made, on which all ser dresses
fitted In ordering ne" Se 1me EGys and
model TO which they take fancy has already been
copled for any other Court, they object to wearing
he same costume as another august lady, should they
perchance meet I'm public or In society.
During the Christmas vacation Professor Dana. Of
Vale has been hunting the country for botNica
and geological specimens. and 1t is reported that no
has succeeded in discovering some most rare and
valuable ones Although nearly seventy years DID,
Professor Dana Is In full physical vigor aud Is able
- endure longer walks than the majority OF his pupils
Mr. Austen Chamberlain is verftabie chip Of the
old block Speaking of recent municipal meeting,
birmingham gossip says IL almost impossible TO
tell If one shut his eyes for a second, whether 1t
the father or son who speaking. The voice, the
Infection the emphasis, were all those OF the great
j." So was tie style Of his logic and the fuency Of
his language And even when reopened his eyes
there was the Inevitable cyegass, the characteristics
air Of a sphinx and that identical movement Of
the right arm which naturally TO the member
for West Birmingham. Besides, there was also the
likeness in features. Austen looks at times, especially
when he is publicly talking, If he were his father
grown young again, with fresh complexion, breezy
manner, and an autOcratic smile. II Is II natural
resemblance artihcially accentuated.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

the morn; or Nights candles are purho ouV'
and iocund day stands tptoe on the misty noun
tain topsn; or Hank, bark the lark al i&aNen
gate sings" etc After some little time the pnono
oraph began to grow hoarse and stopped, ana oiic
vonnp pcople resumed their conversation An
other half-hour wore away, when suddenly .he
vouno man shot half way to the ceiling and came
down in the middle Of the floor in heap "hiie
his chair emitted stream of sparks our valueu
correspondent had turned the full force Oh Vhe
current on him. A moment later our correspond
ent heard the front door open and shut ana oneh
all was still and he congratulated hlnseh 'H's
his last plan had worked, and turned over anu
composed himself for sleep He had Just dropped
into a doze when he heard the door again, ana
little later the same low hum of voices from the
parlor which had distur ed him all night lie
touched lever which turned on the full force OF
the current to all the flashlights, the phonoSraph
and the chair. The low conversation continued
undisturbed. Our correspondent arose, steppcG
cautiously into the hall and peered over the ran
ing of the stairs The young man had been ou'
to the police station, borrowed pair OF rupoer
gloves, climbed the harack, cut the connecting
wires and then settled down to finish his WISH
Our able correspondent returned 10 bed
Electricity was, Of course, failure In this case
but our correspondent adds that he is working on
a plan to conceal the wires, and hopes to make
success of it yet. This is indeed an age OF won
derful invention
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
HOSPITAL SUNDAY

Of the manifold appeals to human sympathy
which are made in the name of charity and
which are multiplying so fast that a single in
dividual can respond to only few of them
none are better justified than that of the Satur-
day and Sunday Hospital Association. During
the ten years since this work was organized it
has achieved results the full significance of
which cannot be expressed in any formal re-
port, but yet its records tell to the most imag-
NATIVE minds an impressive story of benefcent
accomplishment 1t has taken its place among
the activities which no intelligent person in the
community would be willing to dispense with
and its hold upon popular appreciation becomes
hrmer every year.
IL would be surprising if this were not the
case, for its purposes can be comprehended in
a moment, and are seen at a glance to be per-
fectly unselfsh and as practical as they are
direct. No sectarian considerations complicate
the work and there is no elaborate machinery
to be kept in motion at the expense of con-
tributors and benelcaries. The yearly offer
ings flow without waste through established
channels to the points for which they were in
tended and where they will certainly accom-
plish the entire work of which they are ca
pable. A single sentence is sufficient to indl-
cate the motive and method of this associa-
ton. 1t exists for the purpose of promoting
collections in synagogues on the last Saturday
in the year and in evangelical churches on the
last Sunday, and contributions for the same
object from other sources of receiving the
total sum thus gathered and of distributing it
among the hospitals in proportion to the
amount of free treatment bestowed by each.
The hospitals have taken no selfish advantage
of the public lberality, for their records show
that they annually return in free treatment. If
il may be reduced to a financial basis, more
than twice the aggregate amount which they
receive through these collections and the i'm
petus thus given to unrewarded activity is re-
vealed in a constantly increasing sum of SER
vices gratuitouSy rendered.
There is no more encouraging evidence OF
the development of civilization than that which
is supplied by comparison between the pres
ent and the past as respects the care of every
community for It's unfortunate members. The
hospitals of this city, with few exceptions, have
n noble record for humanity and usefulness.
They ought to have, for they are nobly sus-
tainpd.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
TWENTY PAGES.
THE NEVIS THIS MORNING.

Foreign.-The cx-Empress of Brazil died sud
denly at Oporto. - Carlos l was proclaimed
King of Portugal, at Lisbon. - The influenza
epidemic is believed 70 be on the in Paris
and Berlin it is spreading in Germany in Madrid
and elsewhere the Continent. == Mr.. Panell
is named as correspondent in a suit for divorce
brought by Captain O'Shca. - \ revolution
has broken out in San Salvador. - Emperor
William will make pacific speech at his New
Years reception go The Republican prOpa-
randa in Portugal is temporarily par0lyzed. -
Prince Bismarck is unwcll
Domestic.-Eight negroes were taken from Jail
in Barrwell. :. c., ana shot by masked mob.
----- The influenza was reported to be spreading
throughout tie country. 60 Susan l.. Stan
wood. sister of Mrs. Blaine. died in Augusta, Me.
- Ten persons were killed and several in
iured in the wreck OF o train on the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad. near White Sulphur Springs.
Va - The annual meeting of the American
Historical Association began in Washington. -
The Governor Of New-llampshire issued proca-
nation against the liquor traffic
City and Suburban.-A barber shot and killed
his mother. and then failed in an attempt at sui
eide - \ silver service worth $4,000 was
was presented 10 J. Ficrpont Morgan by the New
York Central Railroad directors for his aid in
reoreaniZnS Inc west Shore - hoOeru carter
died. - At the meeting of the Board of
Estimate Mayor Grant said that he
should ask for the removal Of
Street Commissioner Coleman. 80 Company
X, of the 18th Regiment, held successful ath-
letic meeting. -= The dcath-rate consider
ably larger last week than the week before owing
to the effect of The influenza on cases OF con-
sumption, pneumonia and similar diseases. -
negro who believed himself a murderer
shot himself in Newark in the presence Of the
officer Who came to arrest him. - Stocks lower
because Of scare about money early in the week,
closing steady.
The Weather.-FOrecast for to-day: Clear and
fair weather, with higher temperatures. followed
late in the day by cloudy weather and light rain
Temperature yesterday Highest, As degrees low
est SO average, al So.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
LIVE THE KING -

The young man who became the King Of
Portugal yesterday will probably find the
preservation of his royal rights to be the most
exacting Of his royal duties Personally the
heir of the late King Luis is looked upon as
an estimable young gentleman with many
amabe qualities and none that age and re-
sponsbility will not be sure to correct. lie
succeeds a Prince who did almost nothing to
embarrass the march of progress and liberty,
and who has left reputation much more stable
than his throne. During King LuisS long
reign Portugal took several strides toward
equality and fraternity, the last Of which was
a law passed in 1885 abolishing hereditary
peerages The Upper House of the Portuguese
Legislature is placed, therefore, if not upon the
high plane of merit, at least upon a plane much
more defenSble than that which any one may
enter, no matter what may be his habits opin-
ions and character who happens to be the eld-
est son of somebody else.
To state the accomplishment of this great
reform is to prove the growth in Portugal of
republican ideas. Indeed they have become
the animating spirit of the country, and their
influence is felt powerfully in all affairs In
which render government safe, equitable and
honest more conspicuously found than in the
Portuguese and their reigning family, especial
y since the disastrous events early in the pres
ent century, which left its male line to reign
in Brazil and returned its female branch to the
throne of Portugal, has seemed almost to wei
come the changes begotten of democracy. Il
can hardly be considered probable that King
Carlos will care to advance much further along
the road so dangerous to royal pretensions. His
wife's father, the Count of Paris can show him
many pages of Orleans history telling how UNI
compromising and logical is the genius of de-
mocracy. His elderly uncle of Brazil, who,
crowness and forlorn, has come mournful
guest at his gay coronation, can read him a
lesson on the vanity of royal wishes too fresh
in memory to lack any of its startling realities.
Nor can his own ears have failed to hear muir
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

The sudden death of the exEmpress of Bra
iii at Oporto which place she was visiting in
company with the exiled Dom Pedro forms a
sad climax to the series of msfortunes which
have lately overtaken the aged monarch Peo-
pie of all political views have entertained for
him personally none but the kindliest feelings
and sympathy with the republican spirit which
has manifested itself in his former empire has
not interfered with genuine solicitude for his
own welfare: His late consort though woman
of no extraordinary virtues, in measure
shared his popularity, and while she lacked the
philosophic spirit which has sustained HIM
throughout the recent crisis, she displayed
measure of fortitude that elected general ad-
miration. 1t is curious irony of fate that her
death should have occurred almost simultane-
ously with the proclamation of King Carlos as
ruler of Portugal
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

murs of sentiment which, once developed Is
fatal to tie kingly trade.
His crown is safely on his head, however
and the conservatism which so strongly influ-
ences opinion in Europe will work to keep 1t
there Ii is eminently respectable emblem
as such embems go, and if he preserves It's
purity he may preserve its place. In any
event, the world may well pause brief mo-
ment to cry him " Hail ~
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

The Brooklyn Aldermen are rivalling the bright
particular stars of our own City Hall in the matter
of changing street names. The latest piece OF
folly across the East River is to give new
designation to two or three blocks of one of the
old-established thoroughfares, Navy-st, so called
because it takes its beginning alongside OF the
Navy Yard There is no good reason for the
change, but there are hundred reasons for
letting well enough alone
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29

The crisis OF the London strike season has
been postponed for week. and it will not be
known until next Friday whether or not the
leaders Of the Gas Union will execute their
threat to plunge the principal portion of the
metropolis into darkness. Should they do So
as seems probable, a reign of terror might
ensue. The absence of lights throughout the
city will afford the criminal classes opportunity
for almost unlimited loot and outrage, and the
police will have their hands full to keep the
eight or nine thousand strikers from following
to some extent the ill-advised counsel of the
Socialist leaders who are melting them to all
manner OF violence