smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

UMBmIcAL.-Au interesting discussion oc-
CURED, the other day, in this city in circle
of ladies and gentlemen, which we have
heard of and feel bound to report 1t was in
reference to the following portion of an arti-
Gle which appeared originally in the London
Lancet, and which has been frequently quo
ted under the head of "a dig against Spiritu-
alism;' "Can they who can read acith the
Na61ic1ts, see through mahogany door, and
converse with spirits, tell who is the murder.
er of that poor child at Road ?" Various
very wise remarks had been made back and
forth, when one of tiff gentlemen eontended
that the unbileus, in connection with "the
poor child at Road" would undoubtedly
prove the truth of spirtualism, by demon
strating that the child in question would
never have had spiritual existence, had it
not been for this umbilicus. This proposition
was acquieseed in by the majority, who
didn't exactly comprehend what the umbili-
Gus was, until very grave looking gentle
man observed, that the umbilcns was alto
gether physical affair. lie said this and
subsided. The ladies, for the most part,
looked mystified. Another gentleman, with
sort of laugh, the cause of which didn't
seem to be apparent, declared that it was a
naval instrument which had been in use
almost from time immemoral, and he subsi-
ded. Nothing of the kind, replied a very
llycose-loolung but really genial-hearted
as well as earnest and sincere gentleman,
nothing of the kind. Eve been in the naval
service myself and l never heard of such a
thing as an umbieus"


"An umbilicus," thus put in yonth, with
speculative turn of mind, "m,tst be an in
vention of strictly modern discovery-proba-
bly, invented by the renowned Spiritualist,
Dr. Hare-into which any one spiritually
gifted, may look and see or think he sees
spirits. ut must be a bottle of whisky,
then" maliciously remarked pert dame,
looking at her masculine neighbor, on
the right A printer was in company
and suggested, with a knowing look at
one Of his friends, that probably the
word umbilicus was Typographical error
and stood for bilious cuss


The thing began to be decidedly interest
ing when handsome and spirited female,
who had been quiet listener, observed,
with sly twinkle in her eye, that the best
mode of settling the difficulty would be to
examine a dictionary. eyes, Latin one,
replied the grave looking gentleman above
alluded to, and so the discussion ended


We here leave the subject also, until the
result of the reference to the dictionary is
reported
Year: 1861

The intelligence published in our tele.
graphic dispatch in another column, shows
that the seeessionists are still carrying things
with high hand not waiting to see the re-
suit ofthe efforts at compromise in Congress,
but seemingly afraid that something will lie
done in the way of peace and tranquility
The seizure of the public property of the
United States is an act of defiance and insult
to the Federal Government, which no Presi-
dent, with the blood of a man in his veins,
would allow to 90 unrebuked on the instant.
There is now no longer any excuse for non
action on the part of the Federal Admins


ration.


There is some faint prospect of Buchauan's
doing something worthy of his position
There are those who have hopes Of him.
The changes in his Cabinet, it is thought in
dieate possible coercion, especially the ap-
pointment of Holt to the Acting Secretary
ship of War But, we must say, that it will
greatly surprise us. if the old man lifts fin
ger to prevent the ruin to which things are
drifting. He appears to have no earthly
conception of his duty. or is afraid to per-
form it.


We are inclined to think that ho has made
up his mind that, as the close of his Admins
tration is so near at hand, he will just shirk
all responsibility in the premises and go out
of Office without any danger of detriment to
his very dignided person or jeopardy of his
valuable life We are afraid there is not
much Of the hero about old Buck.
Year: 1861

IN esterday afternoon nigh t
have been seen near the United States Hotel
a man in a tremendous state of excitement
Whether he was intoxicated or whether he
was only overcome by his "feelinks' about
something, we cannot take upon oursele to
state on our own responsibility. lie was
put INTO wagon, however, and driven off
in the direction of D street screaming,
"Hurrah for bar-keep" His captor seemed
to be driving him off for the country.
Year: 1861

MIXED CRowD.-As We passed the quadru-
pedal golgotha on the Plain, half mile from
the city, the other day, we observed GER
tain convocation of most polite feeders, all
around the carcass of dead COW. There
were about twelve dogs five hogs, and fifty
or sixty ravens. The dogs, hogs and ravens
all mixed together in a spirit of great frater-
nization, intent only on seeing how much
each one could eat and pack away. Occa
sionally hog would root away raven
from choice spot, but that was all. The
raven would make allowance for the swinish
instinct and seek another point of attack, or
perch upon the hip joint Of the dead beast
and cock his eye at the crowd below, with a
highly complacent expression, as if he would
say, you are enjoying yourselves and dont
blame you. can appreciate your epicurian
ism"


We tried to moralize on the scene, though
we didn't tarry for a long view, but we
couldn't think ofanything more original than
this-7here as no accounting for tastes, in
eth er hogs, dogs, ravens or men.
Year: 1861

day mig ght about two thousand cattle left this city
for Washington for the use OF the army In that
vicinity. Generally they Were Of very ordinary
quality, and amongst them below the usual age
OF cattle brought to market. so great has become
the demand for beef cattle, and the difficulty OF
getting them from the West by railroad, that
there are some apprehensions Of short supply
for the city markets. Already an association Of
butchers TO guard against such probability have
sent and purchased their stock from Philadelp phla
where they haYe been obliged TO take cattle
brought from the State OF New York. The cattle
from those parts Of the West from which the city
markets were formerly supplied are nearly all
taken up by the army contractors. Large numbers
Of fat cows, which was rarely the case before are
now brought to the city.-BdItin1ors SHH.
Year: 1861




The present year is undoubtedly the most event
ful In the political history OF this country and the
record OF occurrences transpiring al the Fed
sral Metropolis is naturally OF striking and re-
markable interest The public desire to receive
prompt, f'@! and reliable accounts Of all tAat
passes acre b most intense, and we have
consequently made alterations and improvements
In the weekly issue OF the Washington Star 10
meet this want most satisfactorily In compli-
ance with the wish Of the public the aoer has
been cbaDged from Z quarto TO the more conve.
nient folio shape, and now appears handsome
sheet Of thfTty-tIcO columns, filed with choice
and carefully prepared Reading Matter, and bear
ing the name Of the


"Washington Dollar Weekly Star"


As indicated by the title, we now furnish the
paper at the unprecedented low price Of


ONE DOLLAR PER TEARu
Or barely more than the price Of the paper upon
which II is printed. 1t Is our determination to
make the WEEKLY STAR not only the largest
and hGndSOmsst Dollar Newspaper In the United
States, but that It shall absolutely be


The BEST FAMILY WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN THE


WORLD!!!


II contains the very fullest, freshest, and most
important details Of all that transpires at the
Seat OF Government editorials on all the impor
tant topics Of the times; the news OF the week;
interesting correspondence from all parts Of the
world; capital stories; humorous and graphic
sketches, and the pick of the floating miscellany
Of literature and gossip.


The DOLLAR STAR has as permanent feature
q carefully prepared


AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT,
embodying whatever may be Of interest to farm-
ers In the transactions Of the Interior Department
the Smithsonian Institution, and the u s. Agri-
cultural Society. Gardening and Horticulture
also receive due attention in this department
Of the paper, and also give each week
choice budget Of Household Recipes for our lady
readers also, Recipes for the Workshop, together
with an official list Of all the new inventions
issued from the Patent Office each week.


In short, 1t is our purpose to give our reader,
a varied, rich, and sparkling variety of the
reading that at once instEucts and entersaIns
but aiming to make WAsHINGTON News AND
GOSSIP our speciality, In accordance with tie
views set forth above
Believing II to be better TO sell many papers D:
low price than few at high price, we hare
determined 20 offer the following


Er1raordtnaTy Inducements to Clubs.
Year: 1861

PATRIOT HERoINE.-An officer of the Nj
agara, writing from Pensacola, tells US the
following, which is well worthy Of being told (:


cit appears that, when Capt. Armstrong
was about to surrender the yard, his daughter,
alter a vain endeavor to persuade him not so to
act, demanded of him a dozen men and she
would protect the place nntil aid came; but
no, he was traitor in heart, and must so act
the dear old flag was hauled down from where
it had so long waved, and the renegade Ran
shaw run his sword through it, venting his
spleen upon the flag which had SO long kept
him from starvation. Human nature could
not stand it, and the brave woman. seizing
the flag, took her scissors and cut from it the
Union, telling them that the time was not far
distant when she would replace it unsullied,
but tor the stripes, she left them as their leg
acy, being their just deserts"
Year: 1861

BY GEORGE p. NORRIS
glory in the sages


Who, in the days of yore,
In combat met the foemen,


And drove them from our shore.
Who flung our banners starry field
In triumph to the breeze,
And spread broad maps of cities where
Once waved the forest-trees.
glory in the spirit


Which goaded them to rise,
And found mighty nation
Beneath the western skies.
No CLINE so bright and beautiful
AS that where sets the sun
No land SO fertile, fair, and free,
As that of WASHINGTON.
Year: 1861

ment was not an amendment, but substitute for


his substitute. The Chair decided that it was not a
substitute. Mr. Elgee appealed from the decision
IF tho Chair Tho danioop IF tha rhoir
Year: 1861

Mr.. VIM. Cook celebrated yesterday by getting
boozy, early in the day, and by visiting the African
Baptist Church. at the corner of Cedar and Cypress
streets, First District Mr. Cook had probably been
reading the reports of the snake-and-nigger con
troversy between Dr. Cartwright ana Lawyer
NAPLES, before the Academy of Sciences.


The lawyers argument, in reference to the mag
netic relation between the white man and the Mig
ger is, that whilst the white is not always posi-
tive to the niger or the ngger negative to the
white man, the white man and the whip together
always have positive magnetic influence to which
the Niger never fails to succumb


1t was probably for the purpose of testing this
theory of q the white man and the whip" that MIR.
Cook yesterday visited the colored church afore-
mentioned, where he, with his cowhide, being
minority of one, might chivalrousy test the thing
with an African maj jority of several hundred, old
and young, male and female. Mr.. CooE entered
the church in violent and audacious manner,
switching cowhidc in the air, tickling the shins
of some Of the colored brethren, and kicking up
the mischief generally. He ordered the preacher
to leave the pulpit, took his station the female
side of the house, and began preaching sermon
of his own, accompanying his oratory with brisk
decorations of the atmosphere by his cowhde.
How far GO the white man and the whip would
have verified Lawyer Waples' theory, in face of
| the pious and somewhat infurated majority against
him, it is impossible to surmise for, under that
wholesome municipal wisdom which provides the
city with an institution known as % the police
and wisely distributes the same, officer Penuel was
in front of the church to that all things went
right.


The uproar of the darkeys in the church salts
flying Penuel that something was wrong, he went
in, and proved one thing beyond what Mr.. NAPLES
has as yet argued, namely, that if white man and
whip be positive to the niger, policeman with
out whip can sometimes be positive to white
man with q whip. Mr.. Cook, we have only to state
was calaboosed. Mr.. Cook got sober in the after
noon, and laughed to think what a stew he had
cooked up for himself.
Year: 1861

A Columbad Is heavy Gun, capable of
projecting solid shot ol she'll. with large
charge of powder, and at An angle of pro
lection from five degrees below to thirty
above the horizon. Ii may be said, there
fore, t" combine the essential quail les OF
thu gur, howizpr. and mortar, aud may be
used in place Of either one or the other of
these pieces in sea coast defence. 1t does
nc, differ in its external shape from ordinary
sea coast cannon
Year: 1861

The following are selected from d voIumnious
accumulation Of testimonials Of the Press Of the
United States. and from eminent Professors OF
our institutions where the practice Of medicine
is tau ght:
Year: 1861

From The Boston Medical Journal


Although we are opposed to the system of ad-
vertising for good and sufficient reasons, still We
deem it but justice to say that Dr.. Young is one
of the most stiudustriousand indefntigable votor-
les OF the medical science in The United States.
Year: 1861

The Secretary of the Interior does not favor
the issuing of bounty land warrants to the
volunteers engaged in the present war, on the
ground that warrant for one hundred and
sixty acres to each volunteer would absorb
over one hundred millions of acres, which
would deprive the Government Of all income
from this source, and would afford but little
benefit to the volunteers. The warrants are
now sold in the market at about fifty cents per
acre, and if this large additional quantity was
thrown in the market the prices would be re
duced to a merely nominal sum. The bounty
of the Government, dispensed to the volunteers
In this form, would fail to realize to them the
advantages intended. All the best lands would
fall into the bands Of spectators, who would
be enabled to purchase them at a nominal
price and sell them to settlers at full prices as
fast as emigration to the West would require
them for settlement. If additional compsnsa-
ton to the volunteers, beyo ond the amount now
authorized by law, shall be deemed just and
proper, the Secretary suggests that it will be
better both for the Government and the volun-
teers to make such compensation by direc
appropriation of money, or of Government Sc
euriries. This would give them the full benefit
of the appropriations made, while the Govern
ment would, by keeping the lands until they
shall be demanded for settlement, realize theil
full value.
Year: 1861

nASHINGTON, UecemDer b, Ol.


1t is announced, in the Charleston papers
of the Both inst, that the patriotic planters
on the sesboard are daily applying the torch
to their crops, and that there is one sheet OF
smoke and flame along the whole coast"
From these two sentences, most instruct.
i've admonition can be drawn. When the
war broke out, the Southern people were
happy beyond all precedent. Their rich men
were never richer: their middle classes never
more comfortable; their slaves never more
contented. They had, indeed, lost the con-
troll of the Government; but every body was
so anxious to conciliate them, that if they
bad patiently submitted to an election, de-
Cided more by the ambition of their own
politicians than by the votes of the free
States, they would soon have recovered their
vantage ground as the masters and managers
of the political situation.


First, let us recolect that the war in which
we are now engaged was not only provoked
and precipitated by the Southern leaders,
but was brought on by them with deliber-
alton and preparation exhibited through
many years. As Judge Douglas expressed it
Immediately before his death, "there never
was time from the day Washington was
iuaugurated when the rights of the South
stood hrmer under the laws of the land than
they do now" and again: there never was
a time when the South had not as good a
cause Ior Dlsunlon as II mas today" But
the traitors filed the Southern mind with the
falsehood that it was right to attack the Fed
eral Government, and that the consequence
of that attack would confer upon the South :;
ern people certain innumerable and inde.
scIibable blessings. The two sentences at the
head of this letter give US but faint idea of
portion of the sutferiDgs Of the Southern
people in consequence of this war, and of the
utter failure of the promises of their leaders.


II has conferred no single real advantage
upon their character or their condition.
They have lost political power, moral power
and commercial power. The red heof of
war has mangled the bosom of the South
alone. 1t is not the Northern fields that
have been blasted by conhsgration, drained
by hungry armies desolated in the battle
storm, or turned into grayeyards. Northern
ports have not been closed to foreign trade,
Northern manufactures have not been de.
serted, Northern mechanics and laborers are
not starving-amidst the almost universal
scarcity of the necessares of life. But all
these things may be said of the South. u is
there that all the calamities of the conflict
have concentrated How long can rebel
lien maintain itself that stands upon lie
snd is surrounded by the just censures of the
civilized world and the complaints of a starv-
ing and betrayed people?


OCCASIONAL
Year: 1861

Though not generally of serious charac-
ter, there is a good deal of sickness in the
army, in Virginia. 1t arises from the differ
ence in the habits of the soldiers from that
to which they have been accustomed, and
with care to diet and cleanliness soon dis
appesrs.


A CHURCH CONVERTED INTO THEATER.


The Baptist Church on Tenth street is to
be converted into theater, under the super
intendence of Mr.. Ford. This movement is
not saying much for the morals of Washing
ton. The church is, however, old and nearly
out of use for religious purposes.


NEWSPAPERS AMONG THE SOLDIERS.


The soldiers in the Army of the Potomtc
are inveterate newspaper readers. There is
not regiment, probably, that does not buy
from two TO three hundred papers daily.
The pictorials are eagerly sought for.
LITERARY EXERCISES AND ADJUSTMENTS IN THE
Year: 1861

The Secession atmosphere Of Washing
ton is fast changing into Union element.
To what extent this change comes from the
heart it would be difficult to determine; we
are disposed to believe that it is not true
that, in Washington, "from the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh," but from
the demands of the pocket the mouth speak
eth. Last evening, an Illinoisan, with rath-
er more courage than judgement, ap-
preached Mr.. Wigfall from Texas, in Will
iard's Hotel, and said to that Sccessionist
thatit was generally understood he (WigfalD
was a member oftwo Congresses, ,-one at
Washington and another at Montgomery;
and the speaker would take infinite delight
in being that gentleman's hangman. Wig
fall said that if he had any particular bust
ness with him, any friend of tho Illinoisan
could find him whenever the gentleman
from the West wished to seek satisfaction.
The "Sucker" replied that dueling was not
his speciality, but he was ready for Mr.. w.
or any other Secessiouist there and them
At this juncture q policeman stepped up
and told tho Illinoisan that he must cease,
and must leave. Passing out of the hotel
a large crowd of Western men rallied around
the Illinois man, and another Secessionist
coming up took up the quarrel, and after
much speaking by the two, using epithets
not well selected, the Secessionist spat in
opponents face. Thereupon the Illinoisan
drew back and planted a "stunner," and a
fight was apparently just at hand, when
the aforesaid policeman stepped up and was
about exercising his authority again, when
another Western man said to the police
officer that if he interfered again it would


be one time too many, and that even the


officers of Washington had to learn that


the town was made for Northern men as


we'll as Southern men. Tho officer, on ex


planation of the oAeuse of tho Secessionist


said the blow was we'll planted, and left fol


other duties. Meanwhile the Secossionis


had retired to wash his face and apply raw


beef steak to his bruised countenance.-


Cor. Cleveland Herald.
Year: 1861

THREE ROSES.
just when the red June roses blow
She gave me one-a year ago.
A rose whose crimson blush revealed
The secret that its heart concealed.
And whose half shy, half tender grace
Blushed back upon the giver's face.
year agO-a year ago


To hope was not to know.
just when the red June roses blow
plucked her one-a month ago.
Its half-blown crimson to eclipse,
laid II on her smiling lips
The balmy fragrance of the South
Drew sweetness from her sweeter mouth.
Swiftly do golden hours creep
To hold is not to keep.
The red Juue roses now are past,
This very day broke the last
And now its perfumed breath is hid,
With her, beneath cofin-lid;
There will its petals fall apart,
And wither on her icy heart -
At three red roses cost


My world was gained and lost.
Year: 1861

A Baltimore letter says that "about 600 young
men have left this city during the past two
months as enlisted soldierso of the Southern Con-
federate Army Nothing could be more agree
able or beneficial TO society. They are excel
lent radiance. We could conveniently, and
without regret, spare thousand more. Our
Southern friends are welcome to them forever "
Year: 1861

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,


Determined devote hereafter the whole q" his time to his
always be found ut his office in the Brick
Row Fayetteville Sree-unless absent the Circuit
March lSaq 24-lY.
Year: 1861

1t is stated that the War Department
will probably accept the proposition of the
proprietor of the St. Nicholas Hotel, N. Y,
to supply the army with bread. His offer
is, to erect large ovens, and bake all the
bread for the troops while they remain in
Washington-the government tosupply him
with -four and give him a site for the ovens,
in or near the city, and he will bear all the
expenses of baking during the War.
Year: 1861

TAXING THE RESPONSIBILITY NoBLY.-Capt
Lee, of the United States Navy, in command of
the Vandalia, ordered to the East Indies, learn
ing at the Cape of Good Hope that rebel war
had broken out promptly decided to return
home with his ship, where her and his services
are wanted. There are times when Gas in the
case of Colonel Croghan in 1917 it is the duty
of an officer to disObey his orders. This was
one of those occasions. The Vandala is at the
navy yard, ready for her work Captain Lee 8
orders were honored in the breach He de-
serves the thanks of the Government and the
peOple.-N Y. Post.
Year: 1861

The Richmond papers swear fiercely that all
the adherents of Western Virginia to the old
Union are traitors, and must be promptly pun
ished as such. We will try to let our readers
know when the hanging is going to Begin
Louisville Journal.