davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
Tho Isthmian Waterway.

The fact that SURPRISES all others in the
report OF the Walker Commission, recently
made to the President, is that the Nicara-
qua Canal project appears to be feasible.
both on its engineering and its financial
side.
Two OF the members, Admiral WALLER
and Mr.. HAUPT, put the cost Of completing
it at $11S,113,79O and the third, Col.
HAMS, at $134, s1S, 3OS. There Is q strik-
ing similarity between this last estimate
and that OF the Ludlow Board, which was
Sl33, APP, 500. The earlier board consisted
of three professional engineers Col LUD-
Low, Civil Engineer ESDICoTr, now Ad-
miral and Mr.. NOBLE. The practical con-
sensus of these three and Of Col. HAMS
therefore makes the outside cost less than
$l35, 900, 900, while the estimate OF Ad-
miral WALKER and Mr.. HAUPT, the latter
also professional engineer, brings the in
side cost down TO about Sis, 100000
Unless the friends OF the enterprise
therefore, are wholly wrong in their esti-
mates of probable receipts from tolls and
OF running expenses, the foregoing figures
show it to DO n project which tho Govern
ment can and.should undertake. For, apart
from the canals strategic value for the
Government. its proposed construction
from the proceeds Of the sale OF bonds
bearing only per cent interest would en-
tail small fixed charges on that score, while
its receipts must inevitably increase with
the growth OF tho worlds commerce. One
more investigation is to be made by third
commission, but meanwhile the results
reached by the Walker board are certainly
promising. OF course the old estimates Of
about 500 900, 900, as the cost, made when
the desire for subscriptions toit as private
enterprise was urgent, will now perma-
ncnty disappear. yet they have done no prac-
tical harm. A careful and sound estimate
OF probable receipts is needed now, and to
this, among other things, the new commits
sion may well address itself.
As to the engineering side Of the prob
lem, the first notable point In the report
is that better physical conditions have
been found than were supposed to exist,
especially as regards the amount OF rock in
| the upper river. Next we find that the
Walker Commission has adopted the old
Chids route from Brito, on the Pacific, to
| Lake Nicaragua and the old Lull route from
tho lake to Grcytown on the Atlantic side.
This last stretch requires but u single dam,
with regulating works at both ends of the
summit level; and while it is dam that
will wall in a tremendous mass OF water,
requiring careful and costly construction
in order to avoid disaster, yet In one re-
spect it slmplincs the project. inasmuch
as the original Lull plan, If we do not mis-
take, called for four dams. The Walker
Commission has in fact successfully fol-
lowed out the suggestion OF its predecessor.
the Ludlow Commission. as to the study~ot
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
Pins Ix..Art Collection for Sale.

1t was announced yesterday that the palace.
with It's entire art collection. belonging to the
Countess do BeHegarde. born Mastai Feretti
in Sinigagla Italy, was for sale. The Countess
is niece OF Pope Plus TX, and the collection
consists mainly Of the Pope's gifts to her. In
Guiding gifts to the Pope from royalties and
prominent people all over the world.
The collection is rich with paintings on can
vas. on panels. on stone. on copper and leather.
by Giorglone. Guercino, Caraccl. Bronzino.
Baroccio. Innocence dImola. Pordenone
Filippo Lippi. Perln del Vaga. Jacopo da Bas-
sAno. Fra Bartoomeo Francia. Bagnacavallo.
Ribera. Guido REM. Tintoretto. Andrea
del Sarto. Titan and other old masters
as we'll as in modern paintings 1t has also
many autographs OF prominent personaGes.
diplomats. ecclesiastics and others; water
colors Sevres vases, Italian pottery rings en-
graved by celebrated artists. chalices. cruel
fixes in silver and ivory, candelabra. replica,
statuary In marble and bronze. old tapestry
and engravngs OF famous works by Bonaiuti.
Balestra. Ferreri. GuadaRnni. Lauro. RosaS-
pima. Scacciatl. Calamotta. Vanvitelli and
others.
The commences and origin OF the articles
forming the collection are authenticated by
documentary evidence and certificates from
the Italian Government, Explanations and In
formation can be had at the Roman Bronze
Works. 2l1 Forsyth street. New York.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

The relation between tho thermometer
and the nerves will bring to this office this
summer many letters breathing complaints
like these:
TO THE EprroR or THE suS-Sir: Why is i. that
when your lady friends call the latest will always
insist sitting on the fralest char-a chair moro
for ornament than for user And why II that ladies'
with bead trimmings and wearing bracelets with
teeth will invariably sit on ones highly polished
furniture, to the ruinaton OF the samef
NEW YORK. Junel ANXIOUS.
There are sensitive natures that shuddor
at the term lady friends but If 1t failed
to crate on such an exquisite Judge OF
propriety and beauty OF language as Ten
NYsON, it may get a license from easy
judges. AT any rate shuddering should be
reserved for really dreadful objects like
Octopuses and plutocrats. So let the
ladies or LADY friends" be admitted.
Be it observed, however, that outside OF
the technical descriptions, too often deccp-
tive, OF the museum and the circus, fat
ladies are not supposed to exist. Ladies
may be of a pleasing plumpness and Of
well-roundcd figure, but fat they can never
be, at least to their friends. To describe
Gladly friend" as fiat" or --latest" takes
her out Of her category at once and regis
tors her among the lady foes. II it be
asked why woman Of a pleasing plump
ness chooses to plump down into the most
ornamental and structurally weakest chair
in the room, we must ask you to establish
tho fact that such is the habit OF the
pleasingly plump great law can't
be based upon single observation, and the
impressions Of single observer must be
received with caution. OF the pretended
fat women OF the world nothing can be
known, on account OF the shyness Of the
museum managers and their notorious re-
luctance to reveal to the public the secrets
OF their repositories OF marvels. The fat
men OF the world seem to show caution in
sitting down. They have studied gravity /;
they know their dangers, and they usually
take n careful view OF the situation before
they begin to descend.
If ladies OF pleasing plumpness are less
deliberate and sit down in the most fragile
chair in their lady friends" room, tho
| custom is of high Importance. An ample
woman in fairy chair is nothing more or
less than wit and humor in the act The
acuteness of the feminine sense Of wit and
humor has been fooishly denied. In this
| quick perception of unrelated contraries the
| commanding womtn in the weak chair
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
English Honors to a New York Surgeon

From the Lancet. Nay IS. 1899.
Tho admission by election Of an American surgeon
to the Fellowship OF the Royal College OF Surgeons
OF England at any time would be interesting
event. 1t is especially SO at the present period
IL being given everywhere to the essential alliance
between England and the United States. In no
sphere is this ore important more seemly than
in the serene atmosphere of science. and in no
branch OF science more than in that Of medicine
The professors of this branch on both sides Of
the Atlantic have long We'd with each other in
every demonstration OF friendship AMI hos
pitality. We offer our congratulations to Fred.
eric shepard Dennis, NJ, D.. Professor Of tho
Principles and Practice of Surgery in the Bellevue
Hospital Medical College &c. TO whom tho un.
precedented honor. as an American member OF tho
college Of twenty yeArs standing OF election to tho
Fellowship has fallen. Tie election ID not more
honorable to Prof. Dennis than is credtabe to the
college. Few men combine the qualities and the
merits OF an elected Fellow more than he does HIS
personal devotion to surgery both as a teacher and
practitioner and the embodiment in him of all that
completes our conception OF genial American gen.
tlemsn point him out as worthy to receive tho com
pliment paid to him by his college. 1t is to this
genial quality OF his nature that he owes not only
his large circle Of friends in Great Britain and other
European countries, but the fact that he has been
able 10 associate with himself editor many dis
tinguished compatriotA in the compilation OF his
splendid System Of Surgery" written throughout
By American surgeons.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

lem, which the Germans may be able to
solve, is the history Of the striking mass
OF ruins in the centre Of the island OF
Ponape in the Caroline archipelago.
Having sold to Germany the last rem
nant of her former insular domains In the
Pacific, Spain still has an outlying asset,
for which she could readily find purchaser
in Great Britain. We refer Of course, to
the Canaries, which, In the hands OF France,
Russia or Germany, might seriously OBJ
struct the route to India round the Cape OF
Good Hope. The Canares are worth more
to England than they are to any other Eu-
ropean power, and they have become, prac-
tically, useless to Spain since the loss OF
all her former possessions in Asia and in
the New World
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

parent to the police as peculiar and sus-
plcious, and the general analogy OF It's
methods to those employed and exhibited
by criminal newspapers struck everybody
at all acquainted with their tricks.
The inquiry into this crime OF baby steal
ing must go on until it reaches and reveals
the agents who plotted it and the motives
by which they were impelled. There must
be no concealment Any public officer who
seeks in any way to save from exposure
those whose safety requires that the In
vestigation shall stop short Of the discov-
cradle principals will bring down condem-
nation on himself. Let US have the whole
story, from first to last, Who planned the
kidnapping, for what purpose was the
crime committed and who furnished the
money with which the agents were 30
abundantly supplied
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
In tho Pacific.

When the overwhelming superiority Of
American arms brought US within sight Of
peace with Spain, THE Sun pointed to
SPANS cession OF her entire Oriental pos
sessions, the Philippines, the Carolines and
everything she had in the Pacific Ocean, as
the first condition OF peace to be insisted
upon by the United States. The clearer
our road to Asia tho easier 1t would be to
travel. The proposition was self-evident.
that all the islands lying on the American
track to the Philippines. which DEWEY had
won in the preceding May. should be ours.
There can be but one explanation OF the
Administration failure to insist upon their
transfer On the same principle that the
American Peace Commission offered to
Spain the alluring gratuity OF 100000
and thereby, doubtless. fastened the ter
mination OF the war, the President thought
1t to be tho better part OF wisdom to confne
our demands in the East to the Philippines,
already conquered. in order to get the
treaty past the Democratic and crank op-
position to expansion in any shape.
Now Germany, tho nation Of Europe in
which the progress Of the United States
rouses the sharpest hostility, has the Span
ish Pacific Islands between Honolulu and
Manila.
The anti-expansionists see suddenly re-
vealed to them the triumph OF having
barred the United States from a great
strengthening Of its influence In the Pacific,
and Of having subjected their country to
needless vexation and dangers. Let us
leave them to their miserable success.
The milk aforesaid having been split in
the East, we must be 30 much the more
careful Of the COW we have.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
roo HICCOUGHs."
Explanation of the Sound of Cannon Heard
on Names Coast When the War Started.

Explanation of the Sound of Cannon Heard
on Maino'A Coast when the War Started.
BAR HARBoR Me-. June "a year ago. when
the Spanish warshps were supposed to he OF
the coast Of Maine. hundreds OF truthful and
nnlmaginative residents Of the shore towns
heard strange sounds which they mistook tor
the firing OF cannon. At tho time the Minne-
spolis and Columbia were patrollinG the New
England coast from Cape Cod to Quuddy Head
the people o. MibridGe. Jonesport. Lubec and
Seal Cove were startled as often as once u week
by hearing dull booming note. like the firing
OF distant guns. come rolling in from the sea
Though the Spanish war vessels were then or
the north coast OF South America headed for
Santiago hurbor. nobody could convince the
Maine fishermen that the sounds which they
heard were not the reports OF cannon fired
with deadly aim at some OF the coastinR fost
Few persons were able to give any definite
account 81 the noises. WHICH came at uncertain
noon and which were most frequent and pro-
nounced 10 times Of dense fog. AS a result Of
this scare Par Harbor's charms as O summer
resort fell Off greatly and a good number Of
desirable cottages were deprived of tenants
Among the men who heard the boom of tho
Rhostly cannOns was DR., q. II. Hay OF PhiI-
pelphla. who was Passing his vacation on Gram
knowG cannon when he hears It's talk. He
was firmly convinced that the sounds ware
SauNch Wy lOIul vi tNplOblCn, eltneT from
blasting OF lodges or uuarrcs or from signal
guns on board yachts. As the explosions
were kept up long after the Spanish ships had
been wrecked on the shores Of Cuba, he made
record OF weather conditions in order to
solve, tho mystery. The reports were never
heard eNcep in foggy weather, and were loud.
est and most pronounced on hot muGgy days
when the log was lifting to let in bars OF sum
light. Meantime he had hunted UP some
French and German books and read accounts
Of similar sounds which have been heard near
the North Soa and near Antwerp
These noises were caused by foe rum blInRa
which were common on warm days. The na-
tyes called them "miatpoefiers." which liter
ally translated means fog hccoughs Alter
comparing the two phenonisna Dr.. Hay was
certain that The mistpoeiler OF the Old World
Is found on the coast Of Maine, The sounds
have been heard again this year when there
wa1 no Spanish ship within 5000 miles Of
Maine. but nobody cares for them now that
the war is over. and the louder and ofteLer
they come the higher goes the price OF cottage
rent.
Since announcing his discovery OF tho mist
p2cner Dr. Hay has been asked 10 visit
Gloucester aud Newburyport and account for
the phantom feet that was seen of the coast
Of MASSACHUSETTS, last Nav but has declined.
He says he believes there are many things
Seen and heard in Massachusetts that are DO.
yOnd tho reach OF science.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

the section east Of 0choa. It's estimates OF
cost are higher than those which Comman-
der LULL made.
However, in recommending q single very
high dam near Ochoa, just above the mouth
OF the San Carlos, so as to avoid the extra
amount Of water carried by the latter river
into the San Juan, the Walker Commission
says that another possible plan would be to
construct two additional dams, one at Ma
chuca Rapids and the other half way be
tween that point and the San Carlos dam.
In that case the height of these dams, 1t Is
said, would be / 8 feet. There will be six
locks, each 80 feet wide, between the San
Carlos dam and the Atlantic, besides four
between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific.
There are also alternative routes In the
lower section Of the country, between the
San Juanillo River and the Atlantic, one
involving a new terminal harbor. 1t Ia
obvious that work will be left for the new
commission in reviewing the alternative
proposals OF It's predecessor, as we'll as in
other matters
But in general the Walker Commission
clears the way for its successor, just as its
own path had been cleared by tho Ludlow
Commission The new commission, made
up chiefly from the other two, but REIN
forced by a fresh engineering element, will
be able to profit by their experience and
labors. While the problem OF tho great
dam near Ochoa and the San Carlos Is ono
Of much magnitude. in general the report
OF the Walker Board leaves an impression
favorable to the canal project. When Con-
gress reassembles it should be in posses
sion OF the main facts on which to base its
Legislative work upon tho canal, although
it will wait. Of course to hear the results
reached by the new Canal Commission
which it has created.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
The Bicycle Squad, Past and Present

Two years ago the bicycle policemen OF
New York, because Of the splendid service
they rendered in the performance of their
duties, were the pride OF the city. Their
numerous feats OF bravery, executed always
with the modesty characteristic Of genuine
heroes elected tributes Of praise in every
part OF the country. Some OF the great
centres of Europe yearned to know tho
secret OF the phenomenal success which
had crowned the Efforts Of the bicycle squad
in the great metropolis OF America. Indeed,
from all parts Of the world came inquiries
concerning the squads organization and
the preservation OF the high standard OF ex-
cellence maintained in it up to that time.
The only secret Of its admirable EN-
cheney was to be found in the fact that the
men who composed the squad had been Sc
lected and had been instructed and drilled
by an official who understood his business.
Commissioner ANDREWS, who conceived its
formation, allowed no man to be admit
ted into its ranks who was unable to
demonstrate clearly his title to admission.
No applicant found wanting in the quail
ties which mark good policeman, in the
agility necessary to an expert bicyclst, was
in racing were held for the purpose OF Civ
ing the members Of the squad llvelier in
terest in cycling and at the same time in
spring in them a spirit Of rivalry which
would bring applause to the contestants and,
indirectly. material benefit to the public.
AS result OF these efforts reckless wheel
men became few. careless and ruffianly
drivers were reformed, burglars and pick
pockets were apprehended and Migrants
and drunkards were placed where they
could do the least harm.
But how do the bicycle policemen OF to-
day, taken as whole, rank with the men
chosen with such great care by Mr.. AN
DREws2 Sean the daily papers in search
OF any report of the officers flying leaps
from their wheels to catch sneak thieves
and Of their dexterity and courage In stop
ping runaways Better still, try to find one
on the avenues and boulevards.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
NoTRE DAME. Ind. Ne
Which Is IsiEht1

To THE EDITOR THE sUN-Sir: Tho Rev
Joseph T. sheahan. Catholic priest OF Pocantco
Hills argues that Christ did not command any ono
to search the Scriptures" but made statement OF
In THE Sun Of Sunday. May 20. the Rev. James
Conway OF tho Roman Catholic Society OF Jesus,
writing on Catholics AMI the Bible" says; This
constant tradition of the Jews sanctioned by
Christ Himself and the Apostles. Thus our Lord
eIhortS the Jews, Search tho Scriptures. for you
think in them TO have life everlasting" &c.
Which OF the two Catholic scholars Is correctf
WHEELING. W. Va. May 20. W II. RINEHAlr.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
A Matter of ParaGraphing.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-.Sir: The man
who first subdivided the chapters OF the New
Testament into verses was Robert Estennes
OF the family OF famous French publishers He
made bad Job OF 1t. He is said to have per-
formed large part OF his labor while Journey
ing on horseback. I think tho animal must
have been given to shying. The work Of Esti-
ennes ought to be done over again by some
one having a clear idea OF the paragraph and
realizing Its Importance. The Bible certainly
needed revision on this score. The meaning
OF the text Search the Scriptures" over which
some OF your correspondents are contending
would be perfectly clear to every one IL the two
verses OF st. Johns Gospel. chapter ". 80. 40
were ono paragraph thus:
tYel search the Scriptures for 70 think In them to
have life everlasting and the same they tina,
give testimony Of NE. And ye will not come to Me
that may have life.
1t ia not necessary to say that many Of the
most worthy commentators, ancient and mod
ern. express the verb search in tho indicative
these words were addressed to tie Pharisee ICES.
who were er-oficiO the expounders OF tho law.
0SHserys to- the force OF The word word nink
The sense Of the passage is made clear by sup
plying the following verse as ls done above.
ew Of eagerly
mhracinG the truth and for searching the
Scriptures to find out the texts touching ths
divinity Of Christ alleged by the Apostle. who
reasoned with them out OF the Scriptures i
They searched the sacred writings to ascertain
10 these things were So"
For another illustration OF the importance ot
pnragraphlng. take the verses mhered 20.
y. 22. % in chapter xvii. OF the Cos
pei according to st. John. They constitute n
paragraph. and their full force apd exact sig
nifcnnre are lost unless read as tuch. There
f. not conpositor in THE Sun Office ! venture
to assert. that would not include in ono para
graph the four verses to which have referred.
PHILIP FREELANCE.
NoTRE DAME. Ind. May %
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

The interview OF Col. BRYAN and tho
Mammoth Cave last week has not been reported.
but it is not doubted that they parted with
mutual respect. Yet the Colonel had the adj
vantage OF the Cave in experience and was en-
titled to pride himself on his superiority to his
rival. The Mammoth is n hole not to be
sneezed at. but the Colonel has been in bigger
one. and will be there again in 1900.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

from ne MtllcdI record
Cleanliness Ia an excellent habit. II is not how
ever an absolute essential nor essential at all TO
good health aud mental activity.
The heHlthlest man the wherever saw ia alive and
we'll to-day at -, ana he tookG bath only OCCASION
Ally-on"c IN the Mersey at Liverpool in 1888 and
again In the North River in 1878, both Of which
were accidental the gentleman bciIg slightly in.
toIicAted when he fell. Almost all people who live
to AL extreme old age found TO be those who are
not overload of Ablutions. but who otherwise ara
careful In their manner OF living.
TH0AlAs J. HuIu Il n
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
Rebuke to an Adviser of tho Man Married
to Bad Stepmother.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUS-Sr: In reply to
"a Father" in to.day's Sun. In regard to Hard
Case" / would like to ask what sort Of man you
are to give such advice to another in such trouble
Have you placed a stepmother over your children !
Hso you chose her and II she doesn't roach your
expectations, whose fault Is Hi Surely not your
Wife's
Read the advice given below yours by sun
Reader" compare tho two. and would advise J. Il.
s. to follow the latter. I don't uphold this woman
but is it not her husbands duty to lift her up to
noble life
My wife is good woman as lives. and typical
stepmother. Would like to hear opinion from
JR.>. ANoTHIl YAIHEA.
JUKLG.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

The Hon. ALADDIN ATKINSON seems to
have deserted his friends in the Philippines for
a moment and is writing essays on bread
making. II he can induce the Anti-Imperialist
League to eat a batch OF his bread. the dissolu-
ton OF the league will follow that eating.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

How unquestionably JOHANN STRAUSS
possessed the quality OF genius can be proved
by listening to his most hackneyed air. The
Blue Danube" is as beautiful OF It's kind "a the
Tower song In "Trovatore." or Itch grolle
ncht." or Adelaide"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04

Dr. ELISHA BENJAMIN ANDREWS OF Chi
cago has the flckleness OF the poetic temper
ment. He has given up bad money and taken
to bad spelling.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
The Great Mystery of sle.p.

From the Medical Record.
That little 10 definitely known IS to the cause of
sleep 10 decidedly curious. slssp-psThAps tho
most marvellous phsnomsnon In the vsrld-mAy
AShtly be termed mystsxN