smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

AT Clinton pall Astor place, IN the rooms OF
Leavitt, Strebeigh Co., there opens today OF
the most remarkable collections OF curiosities
exhibited In this city. IL Is made up OF objects OIL
interest obtained In new Territory OF Alaska by
MIR. Edward g. Fast, during residence there OF a
year, while upon stan duty as an engineer with
Major General JET &. Davis. The museums hitherto
known to New Workers have had from almost every
locality the world something Of interest for its an
tiqulty for its suggestions Of the habits of conte.
porary people; but In none have been found aught
to tell us what the people Of Alaska have been or
what they now are. Let one take the trouble TO 90
through the rooms where Mr.. Fast has his collection
exhibition and he Will have pretty fair idea the
land itself left out OF the question, OF what have
gained by the annexation OF Alaska. What the
people have been Mr.. Fast has rifed the grave to
show us-a hazardous piece OF business IN that
region, as IN most Others. but having won the favor
Of some OF the natives ne was remarkably success
from various tribes Of nation occupying
tine country country south ,oSa,on Si Noun, Sc Elias,
rellcs are weapons Of offensive and defensive war


ware ornaments, utensils Of domestic life and inn
plements OF the different crafts known to these
people. There are helmets and masks taken from
graves that show q Workmanship that must have
been the outgrowth Of much higher degree OF CIV
ilization than exists there now. The carvings In
ivory, wood and stone, so far as the workmanship
goes, are not unlike the work OF any rude people, at
TO be conveyed and the characters given to their
deites are peculiar TO them. In the working OF





would lead one TO suspect q much higher
degree Of attainment In the other arts.
Some OF the swords, or large daggers they might
more properly be called and spears have blades IN
datnask OF such workmanship as to induce the be-
lief OF their Oriental origin In the carving OF artl-
clcs OF domestic use there is the nearest approach
TO beauty. according TO modern canoDs o taste, to
be found IN the entire collection The personal
adornmcnts were not such would be styled orna-
mental hereabouts. Necklaces OF walrus teeth, OF


lengths varying f0m four to ten inches, would
scarcely be to the taste OF q Broadway belle. There


IA N
Alaska now show real skill, and that IL
IN making hats, OF a style closely resembling our
Panamas The bradng is equally as good as the
Panama, but the material is inferior. Probably the
object OF the greatest importance s little charmed
slate, about two and q half inches IN length by one
and half wide, and having upon both sides OF 1t
pair OF human eyes and underneath inscription in
what is supposed to he the Rune character. This
inscription II exciting much interest among Ameri-
can antlquarans and copy OF the stone has been
sent TO Copenhagen and Upsala to be submitted TO
those learned IN Runic lore. The stone In question
was obtained from ChilEat one of the koloshlan
tripes, and II was not until MIR. Fast had been IN
New yVTk several months that he was aware that u
Year: 1869

was Of more value Than any other article the COL


lection. His attention was then called to 1t Dy the


librarian OF the Historical Society who thought the
character to be Runic. This little stone may yet
unlock many secrets that have hitherto been an mex
pcable puzzle to the historian and the ethnOlogist.
Year: 1869

The running meeting of the Prospect Park Fair
vision OF the American Jockey Cnb. The at
tendance viii no doubt be large, fashionable ard
brilliant the attractions OF fine weather, healthful
ride to the course with the enjoyment OF invgoratng
breezes from the ocean, being added to the certainty
OF good sport. The programme includes five con-
ests-a hurdle race two races for sweepstakes, with
two dashes for purses. The marked success Of the
Jerome Park meeting during the present season, in
turnout" Of style, representation OF the middle
classes, spirit of the riders and performances
OF the horses notwithstanding the discouraglng
influences OF most unfavorable weather. afforded
substantial evidence that love of the healthful
creation of the sports OF the turf has taken fast hold
among u.s. and that horse racing, conducted with
intelligence and in o proper spirit, has become
"nxed fact on American soil, and is likely to affoId
essential aid to the progress OF that grand ply
sica development Of our people which is now going
on in such q remarkable manner. The Prospect
Park meeting promises an amount OF enjoyment
equal to that at Jerome Park, and with somewhat
more OF certainty on account Of the advanced days
of the season. and the probability, perhaps more, Of
continued sunshine. The course, is known, is
easy Of access both by horse railroad ana fine
route for equipages. The refreshment OF the .nner
MANI will be duly attended to, so that every one
who will be present is likely to return home de-
lighted, and resolved to 'be there" next Wednes-
day and Saturday also.
Year: 1869

1T is gratifying to learn that our
distinguished Minister in Mexico is
winning the good opinion of all in that
government with whom be comes in
contact. During a recent railroad
celebration, on the occasion of the
completion of a road from the City Of
Mexico to Puebla, Minister NELSON
made a speech which was highly ap


plauded. The TtCo Republics, a pa


per published in the City of Mexico,
says our Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary, at the con-
clusion Of his remarks, was greeted
with greater applause than had ever
before been heard IN the Halls of the
Montezumas. The friends of Mr.
NELSON in this city will not be sur
prised to learn Of his success as a
speaker, because they have had several
opportunities Of hearing him, aud are
familiar with his elegant diction and
grace of manner. ...sae
Year: 1869

THE GOLD SALE.-General GRANT
declares over his own signature that
he ordered the sale of gold to break
the ring engaged, as he thought, in a
most disreputable transaction" IF
Mr.. CoRBIN was, or was supposed to
be, party to that transaction, this
language sufficiently proves how
it was regarded By the President.
And it is still not impossible that be
was the more strongly moved to order
the sale by the rumor that Mr.. Con-
BIN was concerned in the operati On.
His first thought would then have
been to prove, by decisive act, that
the rumor was either false, or that
the brother in-law did not influence
the President.
Year: 1869

< WASHINGTON, October 19.-The
Montgomery Gala } Journal says that
complete arrangements have been
made for paying all the interest on
the State debt, which falls due on the
first of next month. The requisite
amount of money for that purpose was
drawn from the State Treasury yes
terday to be placed in the proper
banks In New York City where the
interest is payable. This information
is derived from an authoritative
source, accompanied by the assurance
that the financial condition of the
State Government Is perfectly health
full.


In reference to published state
ments that the Government has lost
1000 or 5000 BY the error Of the
Government printing Office In print
ing a public document known as
" Commercial Relations" on inquiry
in the proper quarter, shows that the
loss, which amounts to only a few
hundred dollars, was promptly as
sumed by the employees in fault, and
consequently the Government will
lose nothing by the error.
Year: 1869

Lecture Dy Drs Fcagiecs


The lecture room Of the Christian Young Mems As
sociation Fifth avenue, was crowded last night by
highly intelligent audience, mostly OF the
association who had assembled to hear the last OF
Dr. Peasees lectures the laws OF health The sec
rotary OF the association in introducing the doctor
stated that the lecture would be In the form OF ques
ton ana answer The first question had reference to
the number OF marriages OF persons over fifty years
OF age, and 10 this statistical gwen in
rather . humorous vein, but 1t contained moth
ing new. The next question was rather sngu-
lar IN ITS nature and cannot be reported.
The doctor dwelt at length upon this question
ard returned general answer, which appeared TO
As physoIigist he would saw that Tie thing should
never lie done. As man he would say that he
hoped 10 fall In love with his cousin. II both
cousins were In perfect health and opposite In tem
permanent no bad consequences might follow, but as
4 RUE very evil results followed such marriages.
question a. 10 the amount OF sleep required by
Young man was next answered at some length.
Eight hours sleep was necessary TO every man who
had 10 be awake until q late hour. Taking
up a paper before him the doctor read "Shoud
minerals be Used I'm the composition OF mediclnesr
In reply 10 that he would say that remedy could
not be given that had not q mineral In IL. There
were minerals In plants. The question was there
fore nonsenslcaL The objection 70 the use OF sucn
minerals ~ arsenic and caoinel was that portions
OF the poison often remain In the system. That IN
mere humbug; they can both be thoroughly erad-
Gated In short time; but the effects Of taking such
minerals offen remain for considerable time Lead
remains In the system much longer than other
minerals. The prescription Of minerals is merely
a matter of experimentation, and there ~
no use IN theorizing ABOUT them. People are often
fooled BY theories on health. The next question
read was, "why n t that laborer VINO works ten
hours q day and eats heartily enjoys better health
than n man who works and eats moderately" The
doctor thought that q leading question. lie did not
know that 9 moderate eater and worker was worse
on In the matter Of nealth than the brcklaycr who
worked hard and ate heartily. II man had great
physical labor 10 perform he was compelled 20 eat
more heartily than q man engaged IN sedentary
labor Questions ~ To gravy butter and condiments
Of dincrcnt sorts were next read out and scyeraly
disposed Of II appearing that nearly every young
man in the audience had questions 20 ask. on sub
iectp ranging from the composition Of blood 10 tho
labors 10 a close.
Year: 1869

The Saturday Review has an ar


ticle on young people entitled


Beauty and Brains in which the


questions involved, as relating to


matches matrim onial, are discussed


at length. 1t starts out with the


proposition that


When we are young, the beauty
of woman has supreme attraction


beyond all other possessions or
qualities, and there are self evident


reasons why it should be so. 1t is


only as we grow older that we


know the value of brains, and while
still admiring beauty-as, indeed,


who does not?-admire it as one


passing by on the other side; as a
grace to look at, but not to hold,


unless accompanied by something


more lasting. This is in the middle
term of q mans life. Old age, per-
haps with the unconcious ,yoarniig
of regret, goes back to tho love of
youth and beauty for their own
sake; extremes meeting hero as in
almost all other circumstances. The
danger is when young man, obey
ing the impulses of his nature and
state, marries beauty only, with
nothing of more durable wear be


meath. The mind secs what it
brings, and we love the ideal we
create rather than tho reality that
exists. A pretty face, the unworn
nerves of youth, the freshness of
hope that has not yet been sourcd
by disappointment or chilled by
experience, neat stroke of croquct,
and a merry laugh easily excited,
make n girl goddess to boy who
is what he himself calls in love and
his friends call spoony. She may
be narrow, selfish, unfit to bear the
burdens of life and unable to meet
her trials patiently; she may be
silly-one of those who never ma
turc, but grow old, and remain
great ovcrgrown children to the
cnd-without judgment, fore
thought, common sense or courage;
but he sees nothing of this. The
young creature he regards as per-
feet; but it is only when she has
stepped down from her pedestal to
the level of the nursery floor that
he finds out she is but woman after
all, and perhaps an exceptionally
weak and pccvish one. Then he
knows he would have done better
for himself had ho married that
plain, bravo-heartod girl, who would
have had him to dead moral GER
tainty if he had asked her, but
whom he so morcilcssly laughed at
and disregarded when hO was max
ing love TO his fascinating charmer.
4 4 x If he had but looked to
the future and been able TO wait
But in those days he wanted beauty,
that docs not last, and cared moth |
ing for brains, that do. And so,
having mado his election, must |
abide by it, and eat bitter bread |
from yeast of his own brewing. |
Many q man has cursed his whole
life long, the youthful infatuation |
that made him marry pretty fool.


X 4 4 \


Each woman may have been |
in her youth, and each .
man may have loved his own very .
passionately; but if she has nothing
to supplement her beauty, if she
has no brains to fall back upon, and
by which she can be educated up 10
bis present social position as the
wife of bis successful maturity, she
is a mistake. Mr.. Dickens was
quite right to kill of pretty Dora in
David Copper6eld. If she had
lived she would have been like Flora
in Bleak House, who indeed was
Dora grown old but matured, with
Year: 1869

the sound things IT life, For adj
miration and personal love, and
youthful enjoyment, beauty OF
course 10 supreme, but as Nc cannot
bo always young OF always apt for
pleasure, il is we'll to provide for
the days when tho daughters oi
music shall be brought low, and tho
years draw nigh which have no
pleasure in them.
Year: 1869

The sun is said to appear now
through the telescope as if it had the
smallpox, so large and numerous are
the spots on it, one Of which is about
as long as One-twenty-eighth of the
solar diameter, although astronomers
give no hint OF its area. This spot is
black at the center, and has serrated
edges, while its penumbra is wavy at
the edge, and stretches in a curve to
the right, preserving the general shape
of the umbra. There are several in
distinct spots to the left, and the whole
system of them is rapidly undergoing
change. Another group, about an
eighth of the SUMS diameter, followed
the one just spoken of, coming from
the eastern limb in the northern hem
isphere. The penumbTa of this con-
tained several separate umbrae, which
were all intensely black.
Year: 1869

A few evenings since ball was held
in one of the halls of the city, at which
a large number of the young folks were
in attendance. Among the attractions
Of the evening was prize, a gold ring,
offered to the lady who should out
waltz all competitors. At II o'clock
the band struck up ''IP Bacehio,n and
a full dozen competitors took their
places on the floor, entering for the
contest. At the expiration of twenty
minutes, four Of the couples gave way
and took their seats, leaving the rest
twirling and whirling in the giddy
and intoxicating dance. One hOur
more, there were but three couples ON
the floor, and the dance went on till
after another hour had passed, when
from sheer exhaustion another couple
gave away, leaving the floor to the re-
naming two pair Of terpisehorean de-
vOtees. The band ofn.usie played and
played and played, and the four fast
failing dancers danced and danced and
danced, till even those who looked
upon them grew sick and dizzy. At
the end of the fourth hour, the musi-
clans grew feeble, and from the finger
ends of the viOlinists the blood trickled
to the floor, but still they supplied the
moving power to keep the dancers
agoing. The excitement grew intense
as the fifth hour of the dance came on,
and there were those present who in
sisted on putting an end to the merry,
though reckless quartette suicide
However, no interference was permit
ted, and the prize dance, over the jaws
of death, went on. After five hours
and three minutes had elapsed, one of
the ladies tainted and her partner
quickly followed her example, and
amid cheers the prize was awarded to
the other couple who kept the floor.
Then came summing up Of damages.
The two eontesting girls were higher
death than life, and had to be convey
ed to their hOmes-tOgether with their
partners, who were as badly used up
in carriages, and all have since been in
a very preeariOus condition and under
medical treatment. The girls had to
have their shoes cut from their feet,
and their limbs were swollen next day
to an enormous size. The young men
will hardly recover, and the musicians
suffered terribly and will never again
play at a terpsiehOrean contest. So
much for fOolishness.
Year: 1869

There is a pretty story told of one
of the ancestors of the Empress Euge-
ME, of the French, which is probably
new to many of our readers. 1t
seems that many years ago there lived
in an Andalusian town a German toy
maker, who had a charming daughter.
This young maiden was famous for
her beauty and virtue, both of which
attracted the attention, and eventual
ly won the love of the yOAng son of
the Count MontijO. She met his ad-
Vances with the cry, marriage before
love" His affection for her was an
honest one, and in spite of his fathers
obstinate refusal, he married her.
The old Count refused the young pair
any assistance, so that their sufferings
promised to be very great. But the
two eldest brothers of the young hus-
band dying, the old Count had but
the prodigal child, whom he took back
to his heart and purse. This Countess
of Montijo was the mother of Euge-
ME of France.
Year: 1869

'What is becoming of converse
tion ?" inquiring minds are beginning
to ask. Is it to be classed among the
lost arts of which Wendell Philips
discourses? Certainly, society is ev-
cry day growing less and less capable
of conversation, more and more weari-
some to itself. Now, the strange thing
about this is that almost all Americans
are fluent takers; American women
are generally gifted with a fiuency far
whom they equally surpass in infor-
nation and intelligence. Why, then,
have we no conversational society
at least? Well, for one reason, because
society 1--WE are speaking now of New
York. is afflicted with a tetC q tete
practice, which seems absolutely to
prohibit general conversation. Take
social gathering of New Workers, at
which there are only six persons pres
ent, and what do you observe? Not
six persons engaged in conversation,
but three couples, distinct and sepa-
rate, each couple occupied in a tete q
tete. OF course, if the six people were
always three couples of lovers, this
would be delightful and if general
conversation suffered the lovers would
not much care. But these things do
not usually thus arrange themselves;
and there are very few people who can
carry on a long talk, tete q tete, with
out firing each other. Moreover, such
dialogue makes it necessary that
there shall be no pause. You know
that the moment your partner stops
you must go on; and an iron necessity
of this kind is the death of all true
conversation. But let the six people
talk together, one throwing the ball
to his neighbOr, who filings it on in
his turn, and it is marvellous how
bright and animated becomes the con-
versation of even very ordinary per-
sons. No one feels that he must speak
at a certain moment whether he likes
it or not; and he must be very dull
indeed if the ideas flasbingaround him
do not fire him with some ideas of his
own.


The splitting up of society into
couples is a peculiarity which must
strike a stranger very much in New
York. People absolutely will not talk
except in twos. A French lady, her.
self a mistress and lover of good con-
I NCAoetAOA- anu 1OA uAdug years q ACoA-
dent of New York, has assured US that
/ all her most strenuous and resolute
efforts to introduce the system of gen.
eral conversation in her own drawing
room, when only social few are pres
ent, have proved an absolute failure.
Even the experiment of gathering her
guests round circular table was un-
successful. They would remain silent,
or discourse in isolated couples. So
she gave up the effort at reform. In
the salon of her TcOuntry-woman, Mad
anne Recamier, the rule was rigid that
conversation must be general. Once,
young lady ventured on a remark in
low tone to a neighbor. Madame
Recamier, gently, but decisively, re-
buked the offender. Some pitying
friend came to the rescue, and pleaded
that Mademoiselle was probably too
modest to speak aloud in so distin-
guished a company. 'But surely she
is not too modest to listen, ;" the hostess
calmly replied. Now, we don't want
all the rigor of the beautiful Recamier's
rule; but q mild and modified ap-
plication of it would be great boon
to New YOrk.-NebulCE, ia January
! GALAXY.
Year: 1869

Mark Twain tells a capital story
( Here is one of his best:


Zone day when I and my brother
went into the woods, he shot a chick
en-hawk and a crow, and while we
were lOlling in the shade under tree
I he pulled the tails out of the birds,
and then, fOoling round and talking,
he finally put the crows tail into the
chicken-hawk's transum. When we
saw what neat job it was, we thought
we would keep it. When we got
home we were late for supper, and We
just dropped it on the porch and rush.
ed in. We had a sort of sneaking
hope that the old man and our uncle
would get bit with it anyway, because
they were always puttering over geo
logy or natural history, or something
they didn't know anything about
While we were Mt supper they came
along and found the bird; and we
heard them discussing it and talking
all sorts of astonishment. Directly
the old man came in, having the bird
by the leg, and says:


"Boys, where did you get this bird!''


"Shot it in the woods, SIR"


"Did you ever come across any 9TH
er bird like this around here?n


''No, sir, this is the first"


"Boys, do you know what you have?
You have discovered something that
will make you know everywhere
The bird is of q new Species


"And then he walked out and we
heard him and uncle conclude that
they would label it with their own
own names and send it to Professor
Hagenbaum, at Albany. Pretty soon,
though, the old man took hold of the
tail and it pulled out, and we heard
both of them swear little. When
we came out the bird was lying on
one side Of the fence and the tail on
the other. We did not dare to laugh
nor to let on about Ovefhearing their
talk either"


But about a month after this there
came along one of the rattiest speci-
mems of a boy you ever saw; and
wanted to stop with US. He was all
rags and tatters, and tired out with
running away from his master some
where. His shirt was hanging at half
mast through his trOwsers and two
thirds Of the tail of it was q piece of
blue flannel that had been sewed on.
While the poor devil was eating his
dinner. uncle and the old man were
studying up what they had better do
with him. And finally they said,
"By George? they didn't know what
to do with him." Just then the boy
rose and swung his eoIors into view,
and brother Bob says:


Father, you might send him to
Professor Hagenbaum, at Albany"


"It was the first that the old man
knew we had overheard the bird talk
and so he whaled US both. He says
"I'll learn you to play jokes on your
old father"