smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

"When ought | 10 begin to use spcctaelcs?"
is the inquiry of all who, having passed the up
bill of life, are making their way downward on
the other side. The necessity of glasses comes
sooner to some than others, according to the
variety Of circumstances and conditions which
are allotted 10 human kind; hence it would be
unwisG 10 nape any particular age. The sad
necessity. however. comes with timely warning.
each successive one becoming more and more
decisive. TO the hearty, healthy, temperate.
and strong, the symptoms of needed spcctaclcs
begin to make their unwelcome appearance
about the age of fifty years. TO our wives, so
unwisely industrious as to stitch, stitch, stitch,
until the bell strikes midnight, under the un-
answerable plea, u have 10 do it," the ndica-
tions Of failing eyesight are ten years earlier,
but whether at fifty or forty, they are the
same,


Among the vory FIRST is an instructive pref
erenee for the larger print; next, and before
we are aware of it, ii is found that habit has
been formed Of selecting the lightest spot in
tie room for reading or fine sewing; afcr a
while, year or two more, there is either a dis
position TO put the newspaper farther from the
eye, or there is some little adjustment of it
necessary 10 enable one to read with entire
comfort; after while there is a disposition to
stop reading for 4 second or two, and wink the
eyes several times, or to rest them by looking
at something at distance, as if to gain NOR.
strength to see distinctly the lines and letters
read; then comes the feeling of aid given to
the eye by placing the finger near ihe line read,
as II to steady the paper, or as ifto enable the
eye to get at the line more readily.


Reader, when you find yourself reading by
the aid of your finger, thus, you are beginning
to be an old map-"gray hairs are upon you :
your sight has begun to fail you, and you should
at ONCE purchase glasses. Those made of
Brazilian pebble, being natural glass, are the
best, because they are not so easily broken.
are not readily scratched, and do not gather
moisture so soon, hence do not need to be 50
often wiped. They are more expensive than
the common kind. Common glasses, in blue
steel frames, cost from one to three dollars;
pebble glasses, six dollars.


1t is very bad practice to keep the spec
tacles on all the time, ip order TO save trouble,
for the eyesight fails much moro rapidly under
spch circumstances, } and those Of greater power
must be more speedily used. When the sight
is beginning TO fail, the eyes should be favored
as much as possible. This can be dope:-


lst. BY sitting in such position as will
allow the light to fall upon the page or sewing
obliquey over the shoulder.
Year: 1861

ID by not using the eyes for such purposes
/ by any artifcizl light, or before sunrise, or af
/ ter sunset.


3D. By avoiding the special use of the eyes


in the morning before breakfas'.


4th- BY resting them for a half minute
or SO, while reading or Sewing, or looking at
! small o6ieets;sby looking at things at a dis
tanee or up to the sky. relief is Immediately
felt by doing so.


5tb. Never pick any collected matter from
the eye-lashes or corners of the eyes with the
finger nails; rather moisten it with the saliva,
and rub it away with the ball of the finger


9th. Frequently pass the balls of the fin
gers over The closen eyelids towards the nose.
This carries off aLy excess of water into the
nose itself by means of the little canal which
leads into the nostril from each inner corner of
the eye, which canal tends to close up in CON
sequence Of slight inflammation which attends
weakness of eyes.


7th. Keep the feet always dry and warm,
so as to draw any excess of blood from the
other end of the body.


8th. Use eye glasses at first, carried in the
vest pocket. attached to a guard, for they are
instantly adjusted to the eye with very little
trouble; whereas, if common spectacIes are
used. such process is required to get them
ready, that TO save trouble, the eyes are often
strained to answer purpose. ..-.. .-.


9th. Wash The eyes abundantIy every morn
ing. If cold water is used, let it be tapped
against the closed eye with the finger of the
hand, not striking bard against the balls of the
eyes. But it would seem a better plan to
open the eyes in pure warm wafer, because
warm water is more penetrating than cold
1t dissolves much more readily and rapidly any
hardened matter that may be about the lids,
aud is more soothing and more natural


10th. The moment the eyes feel tired. the
very moment you are conscious of an effort 10
read or sew, lay aside the book needle and
take a walk for an hour, employ yourself in
some active exercise not requiring the close
use of the eyes.-HuPs Journal Of Health.
Year: 1861

rulers decidedly warke breeze has been blowing from
the White House for the last twenty four hours Unmis
tAkeabe symptoms are visible on all sides that
decisive action bearing upon the Southern question is
about being taken by the administration. Cabinet
officer avowed today to friend that a storm was
coming.


The Cabinet meetings yesterday and oday known
70 have been almost exclusively devoted TO
the consideration Of Southern affairs Military
ments and preparations going in every direction,
In hne but too plain that the passive attitude of the
administration during the last four weeks was but
stroke Of political cunning taken and preserve y
with view to the spring elections and the loan.
The former now being over, and the latter negotiated
the true intentions Of the Executive regard to the prac
tcan part Of the disunon about being revealed.
THE EIGHT MILLION GOVERNMENT LOAN.


WASHINGTON, April 8, 1861.


Contrary to the expectation of bidders the Secretary
of the Treasury has decided to-day to accept offer be-
low ninety four for the eight million loan The amount
therefore, determined upon only about three millions
hundred thousand


bid made this morning for the uuawarded por
tion Of the United States loan, amounting to six
million dollars by party of New York bankers nciud
ing Messrs Clarke, Dodge 4 Co, Messrs. Morr
son. Son Morrison, Messrs Livermore Clews Co., and
Others through H. Fl. Goodman of Wall street. at fac
tion o. Secretary Chase upon careful consdera
tion Of the law authorizing the loan decided accept
private bids after the award made In this he has
similar occasion when he gave the Bank of Commerce
and others their bid the of government
which bid for as high as the limit accepted


Secretary Chase thinks it is his duty, under the law,
to advertise, and will do 80 forthwith The warlike
movements and rumors of to day, however, lead many
bidders to express themselves gratded that their bids
were not accepted.


This decision of Mr. Chase has given great dissatisac
tion, and is regarded a financial trick which must
damage the government in selling future loans, mas
much as if any bid accepted it is regarded vio
bid unless unreasonable. Had the whole amount been
accepted, would not have made difference of
half per cent to the government.


Secretary Chase and assistants yesterday continued
their abors in connection with the loan until after
midnight and they progressed far render the
issue Of stock to successful bidders the of
day possible Such prompsness and industry is unpa-
ralelcd in the annals of the Treasury department.
Year: 1861

EARLY BREAKFAST Breakfast should
be eaten in the morning, before leaving
the house for exercise, or labor of any
description those who do it will be ablc
to perform more work, and with greater
comfort and alacrity. Beside this the
average duration of the life of those who
take breakfast before exercise or work,
will be number Of years greater than
of those who do otherwise. Most per-
sons begin to feel weak after having been
engaged five or six hours in their ordina-
ry avocations; good meal reinvigorates,
but from the last meal of the day until
next morning, there is an interval of
some twelve hours; hence the body, in q
sense, is weak, the stomach is weak, and
in proportion cannot resist deletericus.
agencies whether Of the fierce cold mid
winter, or of the poisonous miasm which
rests upon the surface of the earth,
wherever the sun shines on blade of
vegetation or heap of oiial.


This miasm is more solid, more con-
centrated, and hence more malignant,
about sunrise aud sunset, than at any
other hour of the twenty-lour, because
the cold Of the night comdenses it, and it
is on the first few inches above the soil in
its most solid form; but as the sun rises,
it warns and expands and ascends to
point high enough to be brcathed, and
being taken into the lungs with the air,
and swallowed with the saliva into the
stomach, all weak and empty as it is, it
is greedly drank in, thrown immediately
into the circulation of the blood, and
carried directly to every part of the body,
depositing its poisonous influences at the
very fountain-hcad of life.


When in Cuba, many years ago, We
observed that the favoritc time for travel
was midnight; and the older merchats Of
Charleston may remember that when
deadly fevers prevailed in bot weather,
they dared not ride into town in the cool
of the morning or evening, but mid day
was accounted the safest. We know,
from many years living in New Orleans,
that it was when the evenings and the
mornings were unusually cool, balmy and
delightful, the citizens prepared them.
selves for still greater ravages of the
deadly epidemic for the first two days
following


If early breakfast was taken, in re-
gions where chill and fever, and fever
and ague prevail, and if in addition, a
brisk FIRE was kindlcd in the family-room
for the hour including sunset and sunrise,
these troublesome madadies would dimin-
ish in any one year, not tenfold, but
thousaud-fold, because the heat of the
fire would rarity the mlasmatic air in
stautly, and send it above the breathing
point. But it is troublesome to be
building fires night and morning all
summer, and not one in a thousand who
reads this will put the suggestion into
practice, it being no "trouble," requiring
no effort, to shiver and shake by tho
hour, daily, for weeks and months to-
gcther; such is the stupidity of the aui-
mai, man.-HaVs Journal Of Health. .
Year: 1861

This is a very pleasant world and
very pleasantly made; curiously contrivcd
indeed, to keep life wide awake, until we
round il with a sleep


There is an arrangement effected in
the last way in the world we mortals
should have thought of--just by rolling
the globe over and over OF course we
mean day and night-the lights and
shadows Of life's fair perspective. Aside
from the necessity we feel, of that al
most dying now and then, we christen
sleep, what could possibly afford grand
or series Of surprises than the alterna-
tions Of day and night.


Day: nothing but little lighted YES
tibule to something, we know not what.
Night: short, dim hall that leads us to
another. And on we 60 through this
grand suite of brilliant chambers with
shadewy passage.ways between, until we
have explored this wonderous castle ol
our mortal being.


What ifit were one great, unbroaken
day. how dull 'twould grow in life's long
afternoon! How like Monday would
existence bel Nothing made over new
no twilight to muse in; no dawning to
await; no tomorrow to dream Of, or TO
hope for; no surprise to quicken thought
and heart, but just steady blaze OF day
aud Arabia the Rocky, without any
'Araby tho best


For our part we arc glad we are ig
norant; glad we arc not ubiquitous We
would not have 'the wings of the morn
ing if we coald. This opening. ant
shutting Of doors all throug the World
pleases as. 1t is a pome without a pre-
iatory argument play without pro
CRANE. Were life and action laid out,
then life aud action would be corpse
and all we mourners should go about TIN
streets.' 4lI 50
Year: 1861

WE BEG TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT


w the we'll known reputation of these Machines
Tor RELIABILITY will be fully sustained and
in our rapidly increasing business the same care
will be faithfully exercised in every department
o. their manufacture Every Machine sold by us
is WARRANTED IN EVERY RESPECT.
Year: 1861

From the Boston Medical JourraI.


Although we are opposed to the system of ad
vertisng for good and sufficient reasons, still We
deem it but justice to say that DR.. Young is one
of the mOstiudustrous and ndefatigable votar
les of the medical science in the United States
Year: 1861

member OF the National Guard Of this city Ccici
Engineer, with the rank OF captain and through b.s
instrumcataiiy organized tho present eneiaefr anl
artillery corps. lie served with distinction with his
regiment while was In Washington and the
south- side OF the fooinac last spring. and while
there displayed commcndabc talent q military en-.
gncer Last spring General vioio delivered lecture IN
Irving Hail, in this city, ncli and permanent for
tifcatons, which elected tho oommendation OF many
military men then proson As member of the Council
OF tho American Geographical Society," Captain ycc DO
cano warmly interested in tho Arctic expedition Of
DR. Hayes and as chairman OF the Arctic Committee,
submitted several reports TO that body urging the i'm
portance OF tho expedition, both in scientific and


ona point Of vcw In the fore part OF tho present year
he appointed EngineernChio Of tho Central Park
In Brooklyn. His we'll known Handbook needs no com
ment here II Is in tho hand Of every volunteer


At the time the capital was In peril Captain Velo or
ganized q body OF two hundred men, who were armed
and equipped in thrco days and sailed IN steamer char
tered by private subscription for tho relief OF the Seventh
regiment On reaching Fortress Monroe no learned that
the Seventh had already moved TO Washington when
he opened he dangerous pa Of tho Potomac Among
military Goncrsi yiec has also been wcll known as
the author Of several meritorious works on military
acionc0 sssx s,
Year: 1861

An USKsowN MAs KIJxp.--The body Of unkpoNp n
man about forty years of age, and Ave feet ten inches
high found dead in the cellar Of the now building
No. 3I6 Third avenue, yesterday morning. Dr. Bouton
made post mortem examination Of the body and found
the cause cf DEATH also congestion OF both lungs il
was the opinion OF the physician that deceased while la
boring under this congestion OF tho lungs accidentally
fell into the cellar way, and killed himself Coroner
schirmcr will hold inquest upon the body to-day at
Bellevue Hospital Deceased dressed in a lead color
cd Overcoat light vest white Shirt two under shirts
aud black ribbed pants


FATAL ACcnEsI on riR MIMI AvgNus RAnaoAp.--Coro-
schirmer hold inquest yesterday at No 272 West
Twenty sixth street upon the body Of Thomas Nallen
native Of Ireland aged Atty years who died from the
effects Of injuries accidentally received by being knock
oil down by one OF the cars the Ninth Avenue Rail
road the evening OF the 9th inst The evidence chow
oil that it quite dark at the te and that the driver
Of the could not possibly have avertcd the casualty
tho Jury rendered verdict OF 90 Accidental death.
Year: 1861

AS number of strangers are in town
at this present time, it will not be out of
place to give them a few golden rules to
be observed at all hotel dining tables.


]. AS soon as the gong or bell sounds
for dinner run as fast as you can, and
secure the best seat at the table,, ..t


2. Call in as loud voice as possible,
for what you want. If the waiter be
not quick enough in his movements to
please you, swear at him audlbly, so that
all the ladies sitting at the table may
hear you. If the waiter objects to your
speaking to him in such a manner, i'm
mediately inform his master that he is
impertinent These men must be taught
their places ''''


8. However, it is useless to trouble
the waiter too much, 50 if you see any,
thing that you want nearly in your reach,
don't hesitate for moment to stretch
yourself across the table to get it. By
SO doing you may certainly upset few
things into your neighbor's lap, but what
Of that, he aught to have known better
than to leave them 50 near the edge.


4. Pick your teeth at table; it is a
mark of good breeding a 4 '"'oAA''A


s. Ii a rare delicacy is put upon the
table, help yourself to the whole Of it.
1t will show your good sense in being,
able to appreciate what's good.


6. If lady sits opposite to you, stare
at her the whole time; it may make her
feel uncomfortable, and spoil her dinner
but what of that? You have shown your
admiration for the beautiful by not keep
ing your eyes off it. E'"aes


There by following the above rules
you may become happy and useful mem.
bers of society. 10 ao ara ehj 7rl
Year: 1861

PLANTATION EcoNoNY.-True plantation ecomy IS a
matter which the agricultural interests Of the south seem
to have ignored TO great extent and most probably to
their loss and disappointment 1t has been to great
degree the ruling obeetof onl planters odeYote theH
whole energy the progress of branch TO the eX-
elusion of the others Hench, IN this region the great
design is count up high in the range Of figures as
possible iii the number of bales Of cotton produced;
and the success OF planter is toomueh based upon the


amount of his production Of the staple without injury
as to.the method or policy pursued. plantations as
well county, town, community, IS the most happy
and thriving when it can administer to its every want
and requirement and proportionaely independent But


the established and continued practice has been to raise
the largest amount Of cotton and depend upon foreign
sources for the necessities required tokeep upthe plan
tation.


The corn pork and various other essential articles OF
sustenance well large proportion of articles for
clothing, are broagh down rivers through other
conveyances from the storehouses of the north How
much better would it be, could the fountain of such
supplies be brought home rather than to feel oblgedo
depend upon the caprice, and at times extortion Of
people whose favor with Us exists apparently only
through the meuo Of the dollars and cents they obtain


The Indifference which many affect in regard to the
raising Of corn seems singular, when we look at the
matter in calculating manner Did the net proceeds
cotton amount to than corn, then there woulG
be strong argument in favor of attending to hC
exclusion OF the latter.


But we have heard i affirmed again end again BY e1
perencei planters, that acre Of corn e4aal GI
ralue to cotton not superior, an of cot5ei
would not furnish the amount of that could be pro
dueed on acre of ground; and ifsleh be the case
how improyijlenJ to slight he corn, and be at the tro
bic and expense Of preparing and freighting omarke
cotton and frcigng back cornto take the place OF coI
that should nave been Standing in thefied. How muei
more economical and pruden have raised asufcieney
Of the latter and little to spare to be prepared
for an unpropidous season like the present.


As it is with regard to corn it Is with raising pork
aud with providing many Of the ohernccessities ghci
are sought for abroad with much regularity
that theY could not be secured by home industry. BY


modification Ct the old routine Of duties and proper
division Of labor decided economy can be brough
into play still larger profit dciiyed from tie soil, al


impetus given to home industry, and ouI domestic in
dustry and domestic Institutions rendered more
beneficial and more permanent.
Year: 1861

courtesy of daily meeting. Summon me
virtue of your people. There are thou
sands who have heart single to oil toa'
may be demanded in the sore needs of the aHd'
There will be readiness and alacrity 10 response
to your call; but do not repel them by giving
the truDcheons of authority to such as they VIII
turn from in disgust. From your cfo~dea ra"hs
take the best. DO not ask the advice OF meH-
bers of Congress- who would advise the appoint
ment of Colonel because he brougns I'D 'eu
voters just before the polls closed hquoroo' ana
led them to the balIot-box, and gsye him the GER
tiEcate of election; nor the Senator, whose friend
is lust the man" TO be Brigadler because he
maze clever combination which took two can
diates out of the field, and gave him the con-
soldated vote. Let us have mon, because they
are men, and the men; and for this aud this only
Just now-as in duty bound, your petitioner
will ever pray.
Year: 1861

In obedience to the fourteenth resolution Of the
Convention which met in this city the 18th instant
we earnestly conjure you TO enter actively and imme
diaely upon the great work Of preparing your neigh
boTs and friends, well yourselves for the frm
storm and decided stand necessary to be taken and
adhered to at all hazards and maintained at any anu
every cost, If we would preserve to ourselves and
transmit to our pcsterity that unity Of government
which constitutes MS one people, which we Justly
regard as the palladium of liberties and the main
pillar in the ediace Of our independence In this way
and this way alone, we can save ourselves from tie
innumorble evils consequent upon fecosion aud all
the horrors Of civil war.


Why should the people Of Northwestern Virginia
allow themselves 10 Ia dragged into the rebellion in
suguraied by ambitious and heartless men, who have
banded themselves together TO destroy government
formed for you by your patriot fathers and which has
secured to you I'll the liberties consistent with the
nature Of man, and has, for near three-iourtis of
century, sheltered you in sunsbue ana in storm, made
"a lle admiration OF the civilized world, aud oon-
ierred upon you tile more honored respected aud
reveied, than that of king potentae-the title Of
sE American citizen. Will you passivey surrender IL,
Year: 1861

/ again invite your attention 10 our
Public Works. During the past year The
expenses Of that department. have consid.
erably exceeded the receipts. This, it is
said, is mainly owing 10 the extraordinary
foods Of April, which caused much dam
age TO a portion Of the works. The fact
that Tor the last five years the result has
been the same, has induced the opinion
that they will continue permanent tax SO
long as they are controlled by the State
and feeling prevails TO considerable
exlen! that The entire interest Of the State
10 them should be disposed Of There
are grave considerations connected with
this subject, which will, doubtless, receive
your careful attention. That the people
Of the State will demand the sale OF these
works, when they become eatsfed that
they cannot be made selr.suslaining, !
think admits OF little doubt.


! am not inscnsible to the great advan.
tages these works have been 10 Tie State,
IN developing its resources aud increasing
its wealth. They have created far more
capital than they have cost. But the
counties not lying upon the works and
which receive but little, if any, advantage
fiom them, object 10 taxes to keep them
in repair for the benefit Of others. They
have built their own railroads and means
Of communication without the aid OF the
State, and sustain them at their own cost,
no matter how expensive that may be,and
they contend that it is just as fair and
proper for The rest Of the State to be taxed
to pay the expenses Of keeping their rail-
roads in repair, as it is to compel them 10
pay taxes TO keep up the canals. The &C.
tive carrying competition Of the railroads,
it is said, not only dininishes the business
on The canals, but will in all time 10 come,
prevent them from transacting enough
business TO make them self-sustaining.
The following table compiled from the


report OF the Board Of Pubic Works, is


pertinent 10 this view of the case:
Year: 1861

vide for the payment, at lis maturity. Of
the principal OF the remaining four millions
Of the public debt.


append tables to this communication
showing the practical workings of the
plans.


The following statement exhibits the
amount and description Of the entire debt
OF the State