smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

A LIGHT TO SUPERsEDE GAs.-A New York letter to the Boston Trdreler says;

 "We are in fair way of soon having a light that will supersede coal gas in every respect. refer to the magnesium light, which as an Illuminating medium, has been nearly brought to perfection. It has already been introduced here, and it's brilliancy is nightly radiant from the windows of some of our prominent stores. Beside the adjacent gas lights it looms up wonderfully rendering the ordinary lights sickly and dim by com parison. From experiments already made, it is estimated that the cost of the oxygen or magnesium light will be from thirty to forty per cent. less than the ordinary gas light. One of the great advantages of the new gas is the fact that under it's brilliancy the deli cate shades Of purple, green and blue appear as brilliant as in the full light of day. A par ty of wealthy capitalists have already com menced the necessary works for the manufac- ture of the new gas, and it will probably be brought into general use.
Year: 1869

We long for the day when this custom shall be obsolete.

 It is unbecoming the truly afflicted one. The woarer says, by the black garments, II have lost a near friend. I am in deep sorrow" But true grief does not wish to parade itself before the eye of the stranger; much less does it assert it's extent. The stricken one naturally goes apart from the world to pour out the tears. Real aifliction seeks privacy. It is no respect to the departed friend to say we are in sorrow. If we have real grief it will be discovered.

 When God has entered household in the awful chastisement of death, lit is time for religious meditation and communion with God on the part of the survivors. How sad ly out of place, then, are the mlliner and dress-maker, the trying on of dresses, and the trimming of bonnets. There is some thing profane in exciting the vanity of a young girl by fitting waist, or trying on a hat, when the corpse of fatheri is lyingin an adjoining room. It is a sscriiege to drag the widow forth from her grief, to be fitted for a gown or select veil.

 It is often terribly oppressive to the poor. The widow left desolate with a halfdozen little children, the family means already re- duced by long sickness of the father, must draw on her scanty purse to buy new ward robe throughout for herself and children, throwing away a good stock of garments al ready prepared, when she knows not where she is to get bread for those little ones. Tru- | ly may fashion be called tyrant, when it robs widow cf her last dollar

 Surely your sorrow will not be questioned, even if you should not call in the milliner to help you display it. Do not in your affliction help to uphold custom which will turn the affiictions of your poorer neighbor to deeper poverty, as we'll as sorrow.-The Central Bap fist
Year: 1869

A NEW KIND OF WHISKY RING.-Informa. ..
q on has been received at the Internal Revenue
Once TO the effect that many distiiiers through
out the country have been making overtures to
the Internal Revenue Ofheers for the purpose
o. forming associations to aid the Revenue
Officers in detecting dishonest distillers and
bringing them to Justice. The distillers express
the opinion that they can make more money
by running honestly, providing that all stills
bs so run.
Year: 1869

SOLDIERS TO BE SENT TO THE INSANE AsY-
UM.-SecTstary Sherman has directed the
Comm andIpg General OF the military Division
of the Pacific to forward under proper escort
all men now maintained in the State Asylum
OF California, who were OF are soldiers, and
who may have become insane since their entry
into the service OF the United States, to the
Government Hospital for the Insane in the
District Of Columbia, where they will be cared
for under the act of Congress of March Sd, 1859.
Year: 1869

TIE COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REvRSUE
has decided that the sale of stock goods by one
dealer 10 another, or TO a new firm at auction.
or by private sale, should be included in sllcs
subject to special license tax.
Year: 1869

AS many calculations have been based
upon the idea that the wheat crop
is comparatively failure, we note 1t as
an important statement on the part OF
the Commercial Bulletin that the wheat
crop of Europe is the best that has been
oro,cn during the past ten gears. The But
letin says that all reports OF blight and
rust with which American papers have
teemed were foundationless and set
afloat for speculative purposes In no
mart of the "Old World" has the crop
been even a partial failure. In Italy
and Algeria the yield is unprecedented
Spain, which last year had to import
wheat, has this year been blessed with
a most prolific harvest, and there VIII
be a surplus for expectation. In Hun
gary the quality OF the grain this year
is very fine. though some doubts are ez-
pressed as to the quantity. In the
greater part of Germany the crops are
tolerably good. In the south OF RUSSIA
the Weld of wheat bids fair to be excel
lent. In the south of France the har-
vest is complete, and the yield OF wheat
is good. The general tendency ofprices
all over Central and Southern Europe
ia lower. On the whole our farmers can
scarcely expect that there will be avery
large foreign demand this year for
wheat, so consumers may felicitste
themselves over the prospect of once
more h haying cheap bread.
Year: 1869

The London Daily News says: "lfany
of US look forward to being eaten by
canuibals, he may wish to be informed
how be is likely to be cooked. 1t issa
comfort to know that the savages WIZ
may devour him are by no means devoid
of refinement in their culinary disposi-
ton. Some French soldiers were lately
taken prisoners by the Kanaks, and one
of them was killed and eaten. His COM
rades describe the process. The Kanaks
first decapitate their victims; matter
of no small difficulty, considering the
bluntness of their hatchets. Ten to
fifteen blows are necessary. The body
is then hung up to tree by the feet,
and the blood allowed to run out fer
an hour. Meanwhile a hole a yard
and a half deep and yard wide is
dug in the ground. The hole is lined
with stones, and then in the midst Of
them great fire is lit. When the
weod is burned down a little and glows
with heat, it is covered over with more
stones. The man is then cleaned out
and divided into pieces about foot
long, and the hands and feet being
thrown away as worthless. The pieces
of the man are placed on the leaves of a
large rose tree peculiar to the tropics.
The meat is surrounded with cocoa nuts,
banana, and some other plants noted
for their delicate flavor. The whole Is
then tied together firmly; the fire is re-
moved from the pit; the meat is placed
in among the hot stones and carefully
covered, is left to cook an hour. Wo-
men do not partake of this warriors
feast. Men alone are permitted to en-
10y so great an honor and so rare deli
cacv"
Year: 1869

The Indianapolis Mirror gives its


opinion of what constitutes journalism


in this nineteenth century. 1t says !:
Journalism is the prostitution of the
sublime mission Of the press to the mean
and unholy uses Of getting noney and
power. Tits following public ssntiment
while appearing to lead it. It is often
to the base appetites Of the
public. 1t is low, mean, trucking to
the hydra-headed public, while pretend
ing to guide and controlit. The ability
to do this successfully makes success
full journalist. He must have an almost
intuitive perception of what will be
most agreeable to the public, and he
must give them what they want. This
is the disreputable feature of journalism
trucking with q deceptive appearance
of ofindependent reproof. There are other
features not so bad. Publishing news
at the earliest possible date after it be
comes news is en- important part of jour
nalism. And it requires an exquisite
sense to discriminate between what is
news and what is not news. Most pro-
fessed journalists are too apt to think
that what pleases them must necessa-
rily please the public"
Year: 1869

DENT and the moderate Radicals will
put Mississippi on the same track with
Virginia and Tennessee, at the coming
election. In view of all the surround
ings of the contest, the Democratic State
Executive Committee have resolved off,
cially that sit is not expedient to hold a
Democratic Convention, or to place
Democratic ticket in nomination-and
that the true interests of the people will
be consulted by supporting and electing
the candidates of the national Republi-
can party" The DENT ticket, therefore,
will receive the undivided support of all
in Mississippi, who are opposed to the
intermeddling military despotism which
now exists there. The utmost good
feeling prevails throughout Mississippi,
and the canvass now fairly opened
promises to be as cheerful and orderly
as it will be animated. Of the result
there is little doubt. The DENT ticket
will be elected by majority which will
ring the knell of carpet-baggery in that
StSta
Year: 1869

1t has long been suspected, if not pos,
itively, known, that the picturesque
story of Sir Isaac Newton having been
led to the discovery of the law Of grsvi-
tation by the fall of an apple was as
baseless as many of the other fine tradi-
tions of genius. We fear it will now
have to be finally consigned to the linn
its of slaughtered fictions. A remarka-
BILE manuscript of Newton has come to
light, in which he himself gives an ac-
count to a friend of the origin of his
great discovery, and not a word occurs
to show that the falling of al apple had
anything to do with it.
Year: 1869

Without any special complaint, except grad.
ual declination of bodily strength and nervous
erergy, will find in the TONIC A FOUNTAIN
OF VITALITY ANDEVIGOR AS RE
FRESHING AND Ext HILERATING As
A POOL IN IHE DESERT TO THE SAND
annDnIKn A L
Year: 1869

objects Of commerce in times of peace, and as
we have no official information that Spain is at
war with any Power excepting Peru and
Chile, it strikes us that the interference of the
Spanish agents here with our lawful trade is
most unjustifable piece of impertinence.
The letter contains remarkable reflection
upon either Secretary Fish or Secretary Bout
well In assuming that orders will come i'm
mediately from Washington to stop the de-
parture Of the ship. Has the Secretary OF
State given any assurances to the Spanish
Minister that Spain will receive favors from
the administration prejudicial to our lawful
trade and unjust to the republican Powers
now at war with Spain? Or is Secretary
Boutwell, disposed to throw the weight of his
official position in favor of the monarchical
side in the great contest now being inaugurated
in America p?
Year: 1869

not difficult to reach en- explanation Of the late
developments of negro suffrage in Washington.
The moral suggested is that few more such
manifestations of negro suffrage will be apt to
inaugurate that conflict of races which, when
fairly begun in this country, will only cease
with the disappearance of the African. Nor
will the reckless political carpet-baggers lead
ing him in this direction escape the conse-
quences Of their folly. With Andy Johnson in the
White House these riotous proceedings of tho
Washington blacks would perhaps have re-
suited in terrible scenes of bloodshed. Tho
strong hand Of General Grant within call
maintained comparative order; but still few
more such examples of negro electioneering
may bring negro suffrage to pass beyond the
reach even Of General Grant.
Year: 1869

POLICE JUSTICES have come into more than
usual prominence recently through the preva-
lence Of the various minor offences against
good order Of which they have cognizance, and
the public verdict has been that, with the
single exception Of Justice Bowling, their
places might be much better filed. No part
OF the city government is so much a reproach
to us as this and so much neglected by the
people, and there is no point at which tho
rowdyism and violence that are such evils get
so much the encouragement of impunity. We
hope that citizens will watch closely the action
of party men in the nominations for these
places.
Year: 1869

than they have done during the whole course
OF the Emperor's reign. A war with Prussia
would rally France around him and stifie all
opposition. If by war he could restore the
boundaries Of 1914, and secure for France the
fowery banks of the Rhine, his dynasty would
be safe. From this point of view the result OF
these elections is alarming 1t makes Euro
pean war almost necessity.
Year: 1869

GENERAL GRANT GONG TO THE JUBILEE
General Grant with his family, the Secretary
Of War and others, left Washington last even
ing, On route for West Point, to attend the ap-
preaching examination at the Military Acad-
emy. Thence he win probably proceed direct
to the Boston Peace Jubilee, which will be
opened on Tuesday next, the 18th, and con-
tiDue from day to day till Saturday evening
In the programme the hymn welcoming
General Grant is arranged for Saturday; so it
may be considered that by appointment he will
then appear. After the Jubilee we expect that
the General will make tour, or at least
short excursion or two, to some Of our summer
watering places. Meantime the attention Of
the universe is supposed to be centred in ''the
| Hub"
Year: 1869

bishop of Canterbury advises the House of
Lords to pass the Irish Church bill, and
twenty-five conservative peers refuse to
pursue the policy Of rejection Of the measure.
They are wise in their generation. The cry
of "Down with the House of Lords would
be dangerous to the order.
Year: 1869

A correspondent writes as follows to the
New York Journal of Commerce


Complaint is often made of losses in the
weight of cotton. To-day while looking
out of my Office window 1 cav solution
Of this whole difficulty. Opposite there is
O. cotton warehouse land there are several
others in the neighborhood) and I saw the
thieves stealing the cotton as it came from
the warehouse. The word stealing tells
the whole story All hands steal The
cartmen, the laborers, the samplers, and
women that are hanging around, all steal.
And the warehousemen themselves wink
at it, if they do not profit by this whole
sale stealing, Ii you will spend few min
utes at my Office almost any day you may
witness all that I have detailed above. At
the same time, probably, you may sec a
policeman leisurely walking by ignorant Of
all that is going On. A short time since I
called the attention of policeman to a
case Of cotton stealing, ana he told me
that he would not arrest a cotton thief ii
he saw one in the act. His excuse was
that the Police Justice would not notice
him, and that he would get nothing but
abuse for his pains and that If he persisted
in doing his duty he could not keep his
place three months. This is a dreadful
condition of things. In my neighborhood
are several places where this stolen cotton
is openly bought, and the thieves can be
seen going in and out at all times Of the
day, and their business is no secret. This
city will suffer in its business unless thi'
thing is stopped. It is not safa to send
cotton to New York for sale. I would no
do so and would advise my friends not tx
do so, unless stop could be put to tili
wholesale stealing. = k-~-
Year: 1869

In regard to the restoration of Virginia
to tho Union. the New York Tribune edi-
torially says:


"We cannot say what Congress may do
in the premises, and have not assumed to
speak in it's behalf. But this we can say
right heartily, that VIC hope Congress will
promptly and joyfuly encourage Virginia
to resume, under her organization just
effected, that place in the national councils
which she should never have relinquished.
The late vote of her people was the fullest
ever given there was perfect order and
quiet at her polls, and no one was exclu-
ded who was entitled to cast ballot. Her
free republican constitution, with all pro-
scriptions and acknowledgements stricken
out, has been ratified by the largest ma
jority ever given for any constitution OF
any State and we should esteem it grave
public misfortune that such an overture
should be repelled.


"Then you would have the members
elect to the new Legislature admitted to
their seats without taking the ironclad
oath ?"


"Most certainly. This has been allowed
in other States why not in Virginia
Every one should take the oath of fidelity
| to the government and constitution, but
not be required to swear that he nerer gave
| aid or comfort to the rebellion. 1t seems
to us strained construction of existing
laws which requires this. There is nothing
to be gained by shutting out of the reV
Legislature twO-score or so OF the foremos
men of the State, while we could not fai
to lose by it the moral effect of their voting


to ratify the fifteenth amendment. W.
need their votes for this far more thai
they need the seats to which they hav
been elected"
Year: 1869

@NH" ANbN SAAhJ IVJ lOOJ.
10 tie Editor Cfhe JForId:
SIR The New York Tribune and the
Times do me a great in ustice in their no.
tlce OF the reunion of the officers of the
Army of the Gulf, at Long Branch, New
Jersey. They assert that / insulted the as
sociation to whose banquet I was invited
by the allusion [ made to the leaders of the
Confederate army. 1 did not intend to
wound the feelings of those who had hon.
ored me with an invitation to participate
in their festivities; on the contrary, it was
compliment to our army TO speak we'll Of
those over whom our army had triumph
ed, as ''freemen worthy of our steel" Ny
intention and meaning could only have
been perverted by men who had been
taught by such heroes as Butler to relish a
different kind of steal


/ was urged to attend this meeting and
banquet, and declined to do so until fur
ther refusal would appeared churlish. I
was appointed to respond to one of the
regular toasts and refused to do so. NV
reluctance to attend or speak at the ban
quet grew out of the apprehension that
these army reunions were being used as
Radical stalking horses. The result iusti-
fed the suspicion had entertained, as an
expression which cannot DO tortured into
anything but compliment to cur gallant
soldiers was eagerly siezed by 8 portion of
those present and made tho occasion of a
gross and indecent insult to an invited
guest.


You will do me great favor by publish.
ing this note.


Very respectfully,


FRANK = RTATD
Year: 1869

Oliver Denison. of Mystic Conn.,, eighty
three years old, is living in the house.
which was built in 1923, in which his faith
er and grandfather were born and died
The covering of the north and east sides
of the house has been on ever since it was
built, one hundred and forty-six years ago,
and on the north side are shingles which
have been in use more than two hundred
years, having previously been on ahouse
which was torn down,
Year: 1869




The last dodge of the scoundrels who
plunder farmers is thus commented on by
| the Journal of Chemistry


'The need of the diffusion of moro prac-
| tical scientific information among oil
classes is clearly shown in the readiness
| with which people become victims to some
of sthe most absurd tricks and schemes
which the brains of cunning men can in
vent. The last of these tricks surpasses in
audacity all others which wo have heard
of. A patent butter company have opened
offices in this and other cities to show
people how to make q pound of good
butter out of pint Of milk, and to sell
them rights to make, and also a little
white powder, which is the agent used to
peform the magic work.


cat the office of the company they do
not ask the eager purchaser to believe their
statements but they churn the butter be
fore his eyes. A pint of milk, with half
pound of good butter, is put into little
tin churn with a spoonful of the powder
the whole is warmed, and then five minutes
churning brings out one and half pounds
of good butter Here is a demonstration
What can be more convincing No one
suggests to the enterprising company that
nearly nine-tenths of the milk used is wa
ter, and, If they perform what they allege,
they are changing water into butter. This
would, indeed, be miracle equal to that Of
the Saviour, who changed water into wine
We have teen asked several times by intel
Hgent gentlemen how this thing can be
explained. Very easily. BY this process
the whole of the pint of milk (mostly COM
posed of water) is driven into, or blended
with, the half pound Of melted butter put
into the churn.


''There is no Important increase of real
butter in the churn, although the watery
mass, which looks like inferior butter,
weighs more. Pat the mass into dish
and heat it, and the true butter will sepa-
rate from the milk or water with which it
is blended. This is the method by which
butter and lard are greatly adulterated
Nearly all the lard sold by grocers contain
from twenty-five to forty per cent. Of
water. The adulterers have not been able
until within year or two to combine with
genuine lard more than twenty-five per
cent. of water but recently, by the use of
alkaline carbonates partly saponifying the
lard, they force into association more than
forty per cent. What a shameful fraud
this is And how hard it falls upon poor
people, who mostly consume the attenuated
fat We shall wage unceasing war upon
these wicked frauds and schemes and we
ask all honest men and women to aid us in
exposing, and thus preventing the evils. "
Year: 1869

A NOBLE ACT OF A SOUTHERN HEROINE.
We give place with much pleasure to the
following communication from cores
pondent at Smithville. No one can fail to
be struck with admiration at the noble act
of Miss Stuart, therein narrated. We con-
gratulate or old friend Admiral Hunter on
the rescue of his child and the South, and
our own section especially, ON the possession
of snch a noble heroine as Miss Stuart
Year: 1869

The struggle between the people and
peers of England is the kernel OF the
Irish Church bill that has so long at
tracted attention, and has just passed
the House OF Lords. 1t passed the
Commons against the wishes OF all who
were related to the titled families, and
has absolutely been forced through the
Lords by the certainty that, If thrown
out, the nobility would be swamped by
the creation OF new peers, savoring of
and sympathizIng with the people, or
that more radical measures would be
taken, aimed at the order itself. The
bill disestablishes the state ecclesiasu-
cal establishment in Ireland-a privi-
legged corporation that has been Rus-
tanned by the government for more
than three centuries. Its fall necessari


ly affects the privileged aristocracy, by
whom it was created and has been de-
Tended, and by whom its revenues have
been principally enjoyed. The effect is
already seen in Scotland, where the
Free and Presbyterian Churches are
uniting against the establishment.
Sooner or later the English Church
itself must fall under the same power.
Those who know the relation sustained
by the State churches TO the govern
ment and people of Great Britain will
hardly need the columns that have
been devoted to the great subject to ap-
precia;e the greatness of this popular
gain. And this Is but the sequence of
another won lately, in enlarging the
number of voters by lessening the
qualifications needed for suffrage.
Thousands were added to the registry
by this act, which was a direct gain to
the people. Already new reforms OF
similar tendency begin to be urged and
will doubtless eventually succeed.