davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
MARS In PERIHELION.
The Great Astronomical Event Of This
Year.
The Planet Win Approach Almost as Close to
the Earth as in 1877-A Chance for
the Lick Telescope.

Three years ago, on New Years day, the
eyes OF the world were turned on California
In connection with the total eclipse of the
sun. which was well observed at Clover
dale, willows, Norman, Bartletts Springs
ana many other points along the narrow
line OF totalty. This year California will
have another chance, but in different
way.
There are only two telescopes in the world
az all comparable in power with the Lick
instrument at Mount Ii ilton, and for the
purposee required at the coming favorable
opposition OF the planet Mars they are ruled
OUT oy climatic and geographical conditions.
The favorable oppositions of Mars occur
On an average once in fifteen years, more
exactly In alternate periods of thirty-twO
and forty-seven years. 1t will be seen that
the sum of 81 and AZ is 20, and that IS is
multiple OF Is. Thus favorable oppOsitions
occurred in 1880, 1916, 1860 and 1877. Aud
as the present year is fifteen years from
1877 and forty-seven years from 1S45 il is
evidently on the favored list.
The nearer an opposition of Mars cOncurs
with the date August 70 the more favorable
1t is, and the nearer the date conceded with
February % the worse il is. The reason is
that the perihelion or nearest approach of
Mars to the sun is reached ON August &c,
and II the earth happens to be at that time
on tnSf line the distance separating the two
planets is about SO, 100000 miles, as against
o.. 100000 miles in the typically unfavorabe
opposition OF February Is, 1869. In the op-
position OF August IS, 1916. the distance be-
tween Mars and tile earth was only 81, 800, 900
miles. In that of July .. 1862, the distance
was 36.000OO0 miles. In the more favorable
opposition Of 1877, made memorable by the
discovery OF the Marian satellites, the dis
lance was 81, 100000 miles, a near approach
to the lowest limit. In the opposition of
1890. which occurred in May tie distance
was 45,OO0.000 miles. This year it will be
81, 0O0.O 900, another very near approach.
Unfortunately, however, the near ap-
pruaches or favorable oppositions Of Mars
always coincide with the worst possible
conditions Tor observation from points in
the northern hemisphere of the earth,
where all the great telescopes are located.
At best during the coming opposition the
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

At the present time Mars shines as a small
reddish star In tile constellation Sagittarius,
rising about an hour after midnight BY
the end OF Nav great change will take
place. The planet will bs speeding on the
homestretcb, directly toward the earth
Whereas it now shines with a luster not
distinguishing 1t from score of "the lamps
OF heaven" it will in June July and Au-
gust glow brighter and brighter still, till
foolish pens will begin to write of a new
star. and the ignorant disciples of astrology
Will predict dire troubles as the result of
the blazing forth of the ill-omened star in
the south.
There is just one justification for the
astrological craze. Fair play demands that
1t lie stated. In 1915, when Mars thus
blaZed forth, the world was convulsed by
wars. and New Orleans and Waterloo told
their tale 10 the world. In 1880 there was
g eat French revolution. Ia 1916 Texas
was annexed, and the Mexican war inaugu-
rated. In 1860 Lincoin's election inaugu-
rated the civil war in America. In 1877 the
bloody conflict between Russia and Turkey
was In full blast. What will be the story
OF 1892? What will be the story OF 1909,
which Is also Marian epoch.
The maps OF the surface of Mars made
since 1886 leave no doubt of the existence
of permanent features. Such observations
as could be made in the old style telescopes
agree wonderfully. They have differed
chiefly in detail as might be expected but
lneS are AT ACCORD as 10 the main outlines.
Such drawings have been made by Hooke
and Cassini in 1865, by Huyghens in 1872,
by Maraldi in the rarely favorable opposi-
ton of 49, by Hersche in 1888 by Ka-
nOwski in 1922. by Nader in the near ap-
proach OF 1880, by L0ckyer and Kaiser in
1866 and 1862 by \. +. Green in 1877, and
by Schiaparelli as the result Of several
observations OF succeeding favorable and
unfavorable observations, in which both
the northern and southern hemls pheres of
Mars were EXPOSED to view. The canals"
of Schiaparelli have since been imperfectly
seen by tie Lick telescope. This year they
cannot escape notice. They are apparently
about sixty miles across and connect sea
and sea. The termination or doubling 4"
of the canals. making them look like
parallel railroad tracks, as claimed by
Schiaparelli, has yet TO be fully confirmed
No observatory on earth is better fitted
for settling ali disputes about Mars, his
satellites, canals, continents and seas than
the Lick on Mount Hamilton, California. A
big telescope is nothing without fine atmo-
sphere surrounding it. Nowhere else are
the two conditions joined. While a telescope
of three or fOur inches aperture will show
markings on the disk of Mars at the comiG g
opposition, and even the snow caps al the
poles, the big Lick refractor ought TO tell a
story that may make US feel that there are
''other worlds than ours" and ma yelously
akin 10 our own.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

city, and it is happy idea of Mrs. Harri-
sons to make some pleasant use of the
charming grounds at her disposal. Society
will look forward to it and get its gowns
with q view of wearing them at such fuDc-
tons. for if there is garden party at the
White House the whole town will turn to
al fresco entertainments, and suburban
places and country lawns will be made gay
with marques and music in the most de-
lightful weeks of the year.
Society has just now taken to French
whist, bowling, riding. sewing, reading and
musical clubs and classes, and finds rest in
change OF occupation only. There is as
much going on as ever and people meet as
frequently, but under different excuses.
The bowling club is composed of the very
smart set and it meets in the bowling alley
adjoining Henrieh's Brewery, where the
sons of the Fatherland roll balls on other
nights. The supper consists of sandwiches
and beer, and the ybarites who have been
living on rose leaves. terrapin and champagne
all season purpose to enjoy it hugely. N.
Washington, March 7.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

Ter. with but 60OIknights and 800 Maltese
militia, for four months sustained with
unparalleled heroism the most savage and
persistent Siege since the siege Of Troy. 1t
has been fifty said that only Homer was
lacking to render this historic event as
memorable and its heroes. Christian and
MOSlem, as immortal.
The decline of MOslem power really dates
from this great Turkish defeat at Malta.
All the Christian powers, though falling to
aid the Knights in their extremity, how
that they were victorious, INDUCED in dellr-
iUus rejUicings, and royal, princely and
private gifts poured in upon Malta's heroic
defenders. The city and Notifications,
named Ealetta in honor Of the glorious de-
fender. were entirely rebuilt as you VIII ind
them now. The great church of ST. John,
the Westminster Abbey Of Malta, was
erected. Palaces termed "auberges" for
the entertainment of visiting 'iangua ges"
arose on every hand, aud it seemed that a
new and more lnStrGus era Of splendor and
power had begun.
But the success Of the French Revolution
was the eath-blow to the Knights of Malta.
All their property IN France was annexed
TO the republics demesnes, and French
members of the order were deprived of citi-
Zonship. BOnaparte on his way to Egypt
seized the islands through treacheTy, pill
LACED Naletta's treasures, and garri soned
the fortress with 1900 men. These finally
surrendered to the Maltese and their Eng
lish allies, having been literally starved out,
on SeptemD Der 4, 1900 BY this time the famous
order was distracted aud almost Destroyed.
1t was proposed to restore it at Malta by the
treaty of Amiens. The Maltese people
stTenuOusly opposed this. The order was
never re-establlshed; and thus faded from
existence the most heroic band of knight
hood. bulwark Of Christianity to the limit
of its need, that ever made resplendent the
most glorious days of chiyalry. The sew
enth article of the treaty Of Paris, signed
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

barians. among whom be healed Paulus,
1.-The chief man of the island" aud many
others that were sick. and finally proceed ed
in ship of Alexandria" via Syracuse, On
his way 10 Rome.
The Arab races gained dominion of Malta
in 633. About 200 years later the Siclians
drove out the Saracen rulers and annexed
the islands TO Sicily, under the government
Of Roger, The youngest son Of Tancred.
hero of the Crusades. Then. in 1904, France
took both Malta and Sicily from the Nor
mans; at the massacre Of the Sicilian
Vespers in 1888, French supremacy in these
islands was at an end. They were seized
by Pedro of ATragOn and made depend
ency Of Spain for nearly go years. The
only career Of real glory and Independence
which ever came TO the Maltese island
opened in $780,
After the famous siege Of Rhodes by
Sulieman the Magnificent, in 1922, when the
Knights Hospitallers were expelled from
their shattered towers, though with fade
less honor and glory, they retired first TO
Crete, and then to Sicily. The Emperor
Charles Y, moved by their renown and
hOmelessness, as well as by strategic con-
siderations, finally coded to them Malta
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
A SKIRT-DANCER'S HUSBAND.
A Miilionaire's Son Marries an Actress,
and Ia Now In a Dime Museum.

Miilionafre's Son Marries Actress,
and Is Now in Dime Museum.
A Denver special says: sensational out
come OF the marriage of Mile Price, the
blonde skiTt-dancer, and Clarence Merrill
Dow, son of the millionaire bank President
OF this city, was developed here last week,
when young Dow appeared at a local dime
museum as cornet soioist. He is not yet
20, and bis action has caused a eommotion
in Denver social circles. His friends de-
clare that he intends to make tour Of the
dime museums, relying upon the notorlety
he has gained to make him an " attraction"
His relatives are shocked by lis eccentric
behavior. Mile Price, meanwhile, has
separated from him and Is playing in the
variety theateTs on her own hook.
The marriage of young Dow and the tow
headed dancer was remarkable occurrence.
While Miss Price was playing with the
Natural Gas troupe in Denver year ago
last January she became acquainted with
Dow, whose father is President of the CON-
mercial National Bank of this city. They
met on Wednesday. On Friday they
were married by secret ceremony. Dow's
father was enraged when he learned OF
charged his son from the bank, where
young Dow had been employed as
a clerk. Miss Prices affection seemed
TO cool when the husband was cast off by
his family, and on Sunday night, two days
after tho wedding. the young couple had a
utISc iuaiicis uuiiiiS WHICH DUW dlttlDpttu
10 shoot the girl. They subsequently,
kissed and made up, bat later again quar-
relied and parted for good. Dow returning to
Denver, where he secured employment as
clerk in dry goods store. Miss Price went
on to New York. and for a long time sang
and danced at Roster & Biars.
Some weeks ago she came to this city,
announcing that she was prepared to sue
her husbands parents for alternating his af-
fections: While here she played at the
same dime museum where her husband
toyed with the cornet last week, and, as she
appeared under her married name, her en-
Gagement caused no little comment. She
suddenly left here for the East, and it was
reported that she had compromised with
BOWS father. The appearance on the stage
OF the discarded son and husband is the
latest and most extraordinary aspect of an
affair which has excited Denver to an I'M
usral Mitch
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
BOOTS SHINED TO MUSIC.
How Captain ReiIIy's singing Cops En-
liven Their Leisure.
New York sun.

lfven Their Leisure.
New York sun
The police of the Tenderloin Precinct,
who are all the time devising quaint aud
astonishlngly original methods of extracting
enjoyment out of the lot which is popularity
supposed not to be happy one. have dis
covered an entirely new way of amusing
themselves. They get their latest kind of
fun while having their boots sbined, and
the Commissioners and inspectors who have
watched the proceedings have declared that
nowhere IN the town is the process of
putting polish TO footgear the occasion of so
much merriment as in the Thirtiet h. street
Station-hOuSe.
There are generally fifty pairs of police
shoes to be polished every clear morning,
and as police shoes are bigger than any
other kind of footwear, in conformity with
the rules Of the department, which call for
fOotgear at least size too large for the
wearer, the work dragged on tediously until
the wideawake coppers thought out clever
way of varying its monotony.
whats the matter with singing while
George Reed one day as Sam Price, tine
bootblack of the station was bending over
Ginger" Reily's feet and rubbing away
for dear life. Reilly had extra large shoes,
because it is more comforting to the feet to
tramp the pavement ON beat with large
shoes than with ones that fit exactly.
The bright suggestion was caught up in
stantly by the other cops, and now the
Fenderloin Precinct has an organization
that is known through the force as Captain
Reilly's Bootblacking Quartet" The
quartet sings glees while little Sam is put
ting mirror-like shine to the acre of
leather presented to him at morning rnlcall.
1t is a rafting quartet, too, and as the
voices, timed to the movements of Sans
artistic brush, ring out In the swelling
chorus of " Larboard Watch" or MARY and
john" men and women who turn out early
to go TO work crowd around the station
steps. and hearken admiringly to the pleas
ing echoes that float out upon the morning
air. The "oootblack glees" are sung reg
ularly at o'clock In the morning, but the
singing is not confined rigidly to that hour.
Often the men start the choruses at night,
before turning in from the night tour.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

Favorable and Unfavorable Opposition of Mars.
planet can only be seen at low altitude in
the midnight sky for week Or two before
and after August 4, and even then the use
of high powers will DE difficult except in
clear sky like that of Mount Hamilton and
with well-dehning telescope like the Lick
instrument. Probably all that can be seen
with less powerful instruments has been
seen in the memorable opposition of 1877.
1t remains for the Lick instrument alone To
confirm these discoveries, dispel doubts and
illusions, and make fresh advances.
FeThe questions to bel settled are twofold.
The satellites or moons of Mars are so
small and so near the planet that they can
only be seen during a rarely fine night,
through a rarely fine telescope. and on rare
conditions. In 1880 lady visitor 10 the
Lick Observatory. during the opposition of
Mars, in May Of that year, perceived both
the satellites without being told of their
whereabouts or existence. But it may be
said, without fear of contradiction. that
although botn satellites have been. claimed
as visible in telescopes of even nine inches
aperture when Mars is lear an ordinary
opposition. it is fact that in the Opposi-
ton of 1877 they were only glimpsed by a
perfect telescope Of twenly-six inches aper-
ture. a close observer Ike \. f. Green.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
SfrnY LeaYea.
All the Difference TN Pronunciation.
Peargon's Weakly

Twenty years ago the energetic Professor
SchwarZ was conducting a musical society.
They were studying Memberships ''Elijah"
and had reached the chorus, Hear US,
Baal; hear, mighty god"
The mems voices were booming out sonor-
ously, when the conductor cried out mol
mol de dreadful vowell Don't say Bale
soften ieetle-give de more musical sound,
Bal"
Whereupon the chorus took up the strain
again: ''Hear US Bawl-hear us bawi,"
but they quickly realized the peculiar fl
ness OF the sentiment, and broke down in
laughter, to the great amazement Of the
little German, who never saw the joke. but
who returned reluctantly to the old pronun-
cialiOu.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
A Broken Hip.
Hartford Couranr.

Last Sunday lady living In the southern
part OF the city came home from church and
sat down in chair to rest. She is not q
small body and did not have any more room
kindly started TO take off her rubbers for
her. The first one came Off easily, but the
second one stuck. He gave sudden jerk
at IL, bat instead of the rubber coming off
his wife came out Of the chair and landed
on the floor. Yesterday afternoon she was
taken to the hospital to be treated for a
broken hin, the result of the attempt to take
off the rubber.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
WAKBMAN'S WANDERINGS.
Some Of The Beauties Of Malta De-
SCribGd.
Grcwth, Power, Heroism and Final Decay of
the Knights - Valetta and Its
Mighty Fortihcatlons.
Special Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL

The scholastic, that superior being who
moves forward in the world with his shabby
back toward progress, sneering at the pau
city Of dead-age lore on the part of those
who are occupied in making the glorious
present glow, has no patience with lis COM
men folk who wish 10 know, when we read
or write of ancient places. bit about what
gave them their olden fame and present
interest,
Being all the way through a commoner
myself. and rather liking to be disliked by
the self-apponted bashaws of didactic
knowledge. / often find and perhaps give
some profit and pleasure in beginning a
theme. as it were. at ''the beginning of the
world" as did dear old Kncke rbocker in
his wonderful History of New York." and
by pleasant and by no means dreary stages
reaching the thing to be considered or be
described in that comprehensive way which
VIII leave il all distinct and com pact entity
in the recollection. That is at least my
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
A Platform Nuisance Squelched.


One OF those familiar nuisances, the fat
man on the street-car platform, was shut
ting off the steps as the car passed up
Washington street. when q large bay horse,
drawing parcel wagon. pressed UP behind,
and the horse wiped his nose on His
Thickness" back
The man stepped forward the few inches
he did not already fill and turned an un-
easy look behind. as. from slight move
ment of the rein by the grinning driver, the
horse snapped vieiously at him.
''Guess there's an empty seat" was the
remark he made as he wobbled inside, but
even the horse seemed to join in the smile
that followed.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

II. Y. Frost. Burr Rowe. Pasco Dolly Frost.
Miss b.. Gettle Frost, Mabel Fisher Chic Sally,
Capt n. Frank. Marguerite, Scar. Scott, NJ. A.
Nolan, u 10. l.. III. j., L. l.. B., Hannah Ii. Gage,
CSlITop Gen. T.. NoTre, harma, LyHecu,, Law
renee T., Sir ORACLE.
Blossoms.
Ali NUMERICAL
The /, 2, 3. is a thicket.
The 3. q, Z, s is d bird.
Uhois Is Tie Image OF fowl 10 shoot at.
Gibson, Pa. ODoACER.
412. DIAMOND
IA letter. PA step. Sounds Am
omen. "a plant. Can agent TO snore
(raIel S-A bush. "a letter. RRNGAw.
Philadelphia.
Alb. CHARADE
Old t1co was King Of a vast domain
Who bound his realm In a ruthless chain,
Aud in the misht OF his cruel sway
Counted upon 30 end. for aye
Bat one the days OF his fen career
stranger filled his heart with fear
I'M his totteT1ng throne was the direst bane
hat humbied the tyranI ia dread ana shame.
And this is came about
n stray sunbeam put the wretch to rout,
And lac nleltii mood. begu meet,
MARKED his waning power at Just complete
Mili valley, Cal. LYNCEUs.
Ala. DIAMOND.
IA eOnsonanf. 2-The grave. $50 pre-.
vent by prohibition OF danger. 3 Later than the
proper time. "a change of remedy (Worcl.
6-To dislike (Nore. obs-l 7-IDdispOs to ex-
toftton (obs.). S-Any cubic body. "a con-
sonant WILLIAM LAMBERT
San Francisco.
Alb. rxNrEuT,S
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

May 30. 1911. was as follows: 1.-THE island
of Malta, with its dependencies, will apper-
tain in full authority and sovereignty to
his Britannia Majesty; and Sir Thomas
ernor.
The three islands contain a population
OF about 49, 600 souls, of which fully 100000
are found in the city and suburbs of Valetta.
Alphabetically Naletta is place of ex-
traOrdinary interest. The shore f0rtifica-
tons and landward lines are in themselves
worthy of a months study. Their tremen-
dousness, intricacy and even beauty con-
stantly provide new aud impressive sur
Drises. Nothing approaching their rem arka-
bic proportions can be found in Christendom.
Then the old palaces, or auDerges, and the
great church OF St. John, with countless
public and private structures OF minor i'm
portance, are massive and prncely IN char
acter. The treasures of medieval Europe
were open to their knightly builders. And
/ donbt if there is another spot accessible to
civilized man where there is maSsed within
the same area an equal evidence of outlay OF
labor and treasure. In contemplating the
proportions, extent, massiyeness and rich
ness If this single stone monument to the
ambitions OF regal chivalry, the mind con-
stantly gropes for equal examples of lavish
utilization OF wealth and labor, and as con-
stantly recalls the great pyramid of Gizeh.
Eight splendid streets. the chief OF which
IS Strada Reaie at the summit, extend the
whole length from st. Elmo to the inner
lines to the great Royal Gate. The eleven
shorter streets intersect these, reaching the
waterside at The east and west beneath
tremendous fortified archways. All these
streets comprise series of siairways ascend.
ing and descending to and from the highest
level OF Strada Reale, hewn out OF the
solid rock; and it was these massive and
beautiful adjunets TO the pieuresqueness Of
Valetta which secured from Byron, to
whose unfortunate crippled feet many other
of his bitter lines may be attributed, the
parjonabie profanity Of
Adieu ye joys OF La Vaettc.
Adieu, siroeco. sun and sweat:
~ Adieu. ye cursed streets of stairs.
Sure every one WHO mounts you swears
Splendid rows Of buildings face the works
along the entire shore of Vaetta, with q
carriage-way between, forming one OF the
ninst characferful and IN q 81 NO III nrnnnh-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13

fares of the city; while the views from the
countless angles of the bastions-over the
city with its huge fat roofs and domes
over the shipping Of the harbors beneath,
where the flags Of all nations are seen and
the waterside folk with boats of high
peaked stern and PROV provide as quaint
groupings as can be found at Venice; uron
the fair villas of distant Sliema. where the
rich Of Europe pass their winters in ORR
entail luxurianee; or over the blue Mediter-
ranean toward Sicily. where often old
Etna's glittering crests may be seen-stir
aud thrill the stranger wondronsly.
EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN
ysletta, Malta. Feb. 20.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-13
hCORNS.

Original contributions and solutions are re-
quested from all the leaders. Contributions
must be written IN ink, on one side Of HE paper.
ana separate from communications. The name
ana address must accompany them a guAran-
lee OF good faith. Address Puzzle Editor DAILY
MORNING CALL, 500 Clay street, San Fran
cisco. Cal