smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

There has always been difficulty in
the minds of teachers, as well as in the
minds of learners, to comprehend the
theory of the tides as presented in our
textbooks. This theory fails to give sat
isfactory account of the cause of the tides
on the side of the earth most remote from
the sun and moon. According to this
theory, at that part of the earth's surface
which is turned away from the moon or
from the sun, less amount Of attraction
is felt by her water than anywhere else
on her service; and the whole earth IS,
therefore, in effect drawn away from the
waters on the far side of her, and thus,
the water being left behind, tide is pro-
duced on this side, as well as on the side
at which the force of gravity acts directly.
That so great an absurdity should have
been accepted so long by our writers of
textbooks is truly marvellous. It is, IN
deed, so contrary to all known facts and
laws of physics, that if no other influences
are felt by the waters at the far side Of
the earth than attraction, there would be
just the opposite effect produced to that
alleged by this absurd hypothesis. This
can be demonstrated by actual expert
ment, and as conclusively as any other fact
coming within the reach of experimental
philosophy. 1t has been proved expert
mentally that all bodies on the surface Of
the earth at midnight are heavier than at
any other hour of the twenty-fOur; and
when the new moon occurs at midnight
this increase of weight or gravity felt by
matter on this part of the surface of the
earth is still greater. Now, if this theory
were correct, attraction would produce
just the opposite effect; that is, matter
would weigh less at midnight than at any
other hour of the twenty-four, On the
side of the earth facing the sun and moon
the weight of bodies is diminished, as it
should be.
Year: 1878

"I shall die happy" said an expiring
husband to his wife, who was weeping
most dutifully at his bedside, eff you will
promise not to marry that object of my
unceasing jealousy, your cousin John" !"
" MAKE yourself quite easy, my love, >
said the expectant widow, l am engaged
to his brother Bill"
Year: 1878




A London newspaper correspondent de-
scribes the execution of a Bulgarian at
COnstantinople, in one of the most crowd
ed thoroughfares of the capital. The
gaIlows consisted of two upright posts,
which were hastily pitched N the ground,
and stood about ten feet from it. They
supported a rough cross-beam, from
which hung the fatal rope. The culprit
was led INCREASINGLY under the cross
beam, the moose was adjusted to his neck,
and then two or three soldiers getting a
good round turn of the rope across the
beam, pulled him off his feet. The rope
was then made fast, and he was left
dangling with his feet scarcely three inches
above the ground. 1t is needless to say
that his death did not take place quickly.
The man executed was an exceptionally
bad character, who gleefully confessed to
having violated and subsequently mur-
dered five Turkish girls; to having killed
with his own hand some fifteen or
eighteen Turkish children, and that he
and some comrades had collected the
blood of these victims in a pitcher, bro
ken into the synagogue of the village and
forced the wretched Jews who had taken
refuge in the synagogue to drink the con
tents Of the pitcher.
Year: 1878

NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-Nearly the entire
front page Of the Sun was taken up to day
with q sensational story of the tremendous
monopoly, the Standard Oil Company. It Is
said that the company, founded by poor
laboring man and q book-keeper, is now
controlling the third lnrgest export from the
United States and divides $l000,00O monthly
In profits. The Sun says the export Of
petroleum stands next in order after grain and
cotton. The idea that one corporation could
control the entire export OF grain Or cotton
from the ports Of the United States would
seem preposterous; yet this, 1t Is freely
charged and apparently with foundation, Is
what the Standard OIL Company has succeed
ed in doing in the matter OF petroleum.
desperate contest seems about at its climax
between this company and the producers,
who declare the company has them by the
throat. It is said that Pennsylvania short
time ago had O. narrow escape from q conflict
between the producers and tho company. that,
unchecked, would have resulted In the worst
features Of riot In Pittsburg and threatened
violence may not even yet be averted. Gov.
Hartranft was seriously alarmed.


The Sun goes on to say: THAT such q
monopoly as the Standard Oil Company
could arise and maintain itself in this coun-
try seems impossible; yet producers furnish
apparently indisputable proofs that it Is just
what they represent 1t to be. It seems that
the profits Of the company are enormous and
are divided among less than score Of per
sons. 1t Is very certain that it's managing
shareholders a few years ago were poor men,
and now are counted among tho wealthy Of
tho land
Year: 1878

Joy ana Bewilderment-Tbe Prapara~


tiOns for the Coming of L0rne.


M ONTREAL, Nov I3,-The expectation Of the
arrival on or about Tuesday next Of his Royal
Highness the Duke Of Edinburgh on board
her Majesty's ship Black Prince, at Halifax.
has entirely beWildered the good people OF
Canada as to how they are to entertain so
very much royalty. The very act Of sending
the Black Prince here from the Mediterranean
when she was ordered home to be put out Of
commission renders it quite patent that the
authorities In the Old country were actuated I'm
making the reception of The Governor-G General
and his royal spouse a. matter OF more than
ordinary interest The Duke OF Edinburgh
will be granted a leave OF absence, and In ali
probability will accompany the Marquis OF
LOrne and the Princess LOuise to Ottawa At
any rate he will remain some short time In
Canada, and many Of the officers on board
the ship under his command will be permit
ted leave Of Absence to admit Of their visit
ing places Of interest In the Dominion.


In addition to the many runOrs which are
afioat it is stated on pretty reliable authority
that one or two members Of the royal family
have expressed their Intention Of visiting
Canada some time during the Marquis OF
Lornes tenure OF office as GOvernor-Generai.


On st. Andrews day 8 ball is TO be given at
the Windsor Hotel here, where the Duke Of
Edinburgh and many Of the officers belonging
to his ship will be present, after which they
rejon their vessel, which has already been or
dered to England to pay off In December.
Year: 1878

NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-The Herald says at
Middetown, in this State, q suit was brought
in 1875 against g. landlord and tenant Of q
liquor saloon for damages, caused by loss Of
a horse which was driven to death by plain
tiff's son while intoxicated by liquors sup
piled to him at the saloon. Plaintiff obtained
q verdict in his favor which was confirmed ut
the General Term and the landlord carried
the case, so far as he was concerned, to the
Court of Appeals. The action was brought
under the law Of 1873, known as civil
damage law, which makes the own
er or lesser Of the premises on
which intoxicating liquors are sold jointly
liable with the tenant for any damage done
by an intoxicated person who has been sup
piled with liquor on such premises. The
Court OF Appeals now af1irms the Judgment
of the lower courts, thus establishing the liza
bility of owners or landlords of any premises
in the State, used in the liquor business, for
damages done by any drunken person who
may procure liquor at such place: II a man
should get intoxicated in New York saloon
and commit a murder, inflct wound Or do
any injury to person or property while in that
condition, the landlord or owner Of the
premises would, under this decision, be liable
not only for damages actually sustained by
the parties interested, but for exemplary
damages as we'll.
Year: 1878

WASHINGTON, Nov, ia letter from Sec
retary Schurz, transmitting q request to


The Attorney General that he commence suit
against the Central Pacific Railway Company
to recover f6rfeitures due from the company
on account of failure to furnish to the Auditor
Of Railroad Accounts the reports required by
act OF Congress, was forwarded to the Attor,-
ney General from the Interior Department.
to-day. The penalty fixed by law for neglect
or refusal to comply with the requirements
of the act providing for the rendering Of GER
tain reports to the Auditor is the forfeiture
OF not less than $1,000 nor more
Year: 1878

EpfsoS has perfected q foghorn that
can be heard ten miles, but when 1t
comes TO an invention for getting his
hired girl up in the morning he smiles
sadly and falls to musing ON the in
dnits.
Year: 1878

Mink sacques are again in vogue, but the
sealskin is sill the favorite. and th sc with
out borders are preferred by choice pur-
chasers The seal sacques are from thirty
three to forty inches in depth.
Year: 1878

National Associated Press to the Star.


New YORK, Nov. 21.-The death was re-
ported yesterday morning of Elizabeth
Thompson, aged one hundred and four
years She was a slave before the war; and
when freed came to this city. On October
23d she was run over BY wagon, and her
Year: 1878

The editor of The Marshall Go
way Statesman says that, after
considering the subject all winter,
he comes to the conclusion every
spring that the circus is immoral I,
but then the bill posters come a
long with the big pictures, and
his mind changes as 70 lows AS
we gaze at the lions, tigers, aud
monkeys, and think that nature
made all of them, we are not so
sure. And when we look at the
beautiful young lady, with moth
ing on but blue ribbonr round her
waist, with one leg pointing to six
o'clock and the other to high noon,
and think that nature made her,
too. Just as she was with the ex
ceptioA. of the ribbon, we begin TO
lean up to the circus. But when
the brass band begins to play and
the elephants 60 round, we rush
for a front seat to get in ahead Of
the ministers, who always wear
stove pipe hats and won't sit down
iu front.
Year: 1878

AMENITIES OF JOURNALISM IF
there is to be a horticultural ex-
hibition in Lynn this fall, we ad-
wise the editor of the. Free Press
to enter bis his bead among the
pumpkins. lie may get scme-
thing out Of it that way.-Boston
Herald.
Year: 1878

.Yes, sir" said the exaspera-
ted gentleman, Il will go and
find him. | will upbraid him
with his treachery, and then
looking him sternly in the eye
l will kick the seat of his pam
falcons out through the crown
of his hat" Difficult, but not
impossible.
Year: 1878

To WoMEN.-A sensible women should
not indulge in that feminine weakness
the love Of variety, which so frequently
displays itself by an ever-varying cos
tune. Whimsicality Of dress is neither
proofof good taste nor good sense, but
rather results from the mistake notion
that to attract attention is to gain admir-
alton. But whimsicalty, whether show
in dress, manner or opinions, permanent
admiration; it is more likely to meet the
smile Of contemptor or the sneor Of diculc.
A claim to superiority and distinction,
established on such foundation, has
nothing to secure it.
Year: 1878

THE financial article in a recent is
sue Of the London Times points ont
that the proposition to romonetizo sill
yer has nothing 10 do with the projects
for unlimited paper issue, and says
Population is word that can in no
sense strictly apply to tho United States.
Supposing it should decree silver as the
sole lawful money OF Tomorrow, we
doubt whether bondholders would lose
much by the change. AT the present
price Of silver, say 50 pence per ounce,
the loss to bondholders would be- much
smaller thnn is commonly supposed
IT paid Off Mt par in gold coin in Now
York, aone-thOusand. dollar bond would
be worth E206 Is in London, and if
paid in silver it woGld be worth GI0l
l2s-a difference Of ~ por cont. only.
IL is not for moment to be supposed
that the difference would remain so
great for n single day. Were silver
remonetized We would probably see it
at once jump fully to five shillings per
ounce, at which price the above loss
would be nearly oblitera.ed.
Year: 1878

The unlimited liability of the share
holders Of the wrecked Glasgow Bank evil
IDENTIFY made the "big fish" very careful.
Most OF them, report says, quietly drew out
over a year ago, sold their shares, and left q
great number of small shareholders in the
lurch. We have not high opinion Of these
cautious fnanciers, whose great names had
probably an important influence in induc-
ing widows, clergymen and other persons
of small means-the class called "little
people" in the slang of speculators-to buy
shares. It is creditable to the Duke of
Sutherlands honor, though not to his busi-
ness SKILL that he remained shareholder.
He probably now regrets that he did not
pay closer attention to the banks affairs.


ruined. They always are when, for the
sake of high interest, they take small
share in large enterprise promising un-
usual profits, particularly if they incur un-
limited liability. But 1t is lesson difficult
for the '.little people" to learn that high
A good many Americans seem to have
learned it OF late, as the great number of
small subscriptions to the four per cent
loan shows. Even with q strictly limited
liability, such as that which attaches to the
ownership of railroad shares, thousands
of helpless persons of small means were
victimized during the imitation period be-
fore 1873 in this country. In some parts of
New England and Pennsylvania the rail-
road wreckers managed to absorb the saw
ings Of almost every forehanded inhab-
liant.


The lesson to the 'little people" is not to
follow in the wake of the great fish. Great
names are no guarantee Of the soundness
of an enterprise. When the lean and
hungry times come the big fish remorse-
lessly swallow the little fishes. Moderate
interest and the best security make the
only safe rule Tor the investments of people
who cannot afford to lose their money
Year: 1878

for instance. That able journal would


begin with an expression of mournful
regret that anybody should have been
80 simple as to expect anything
else from people like the Ameri-
cans. or from such a condition of society as
obtains here. 1t would have clearly shown
that only in a nation given to money get
ting, and who have no sense of reverence, no
respect for anything but money, could such
a scandalous and carefully prepared be-
trayal Of trust have occurred. 1t would
have been able to give abundant reasons
why the superior social system of Great
Britain would always guard that happy
community against such gross scoundrel-
ism. 1t would have read us lofty lecture
on our various moral deficiencies, and would
have demonstrated that every detail of the
inexcusable crime was peculiarly and char
American.
Year: 1878

Tho Mapleson Troupe In New York.


In spite Of croakers, home attractions and
sea frights the whole of Colonel Mapleson's
Incompatible troupe of operate artists
arrived yesterday by the City of Chester.
They were welcomed by bright blue sky
above and thousands Of CHEEKY faces ashore,
SO that they already seem to feel as much at
ease as if they were at home in
London. They did not wait until
can ear, for while on the ocean
they gave concert for the benefit Of the
yellow fever sufferers at the South, scoring
a handsome success for themselves besides
sending cheer to sufferers Of whom they
knew only through the human sympathy
which is peculiar to no land. The steamer
audience, which was competent to be ex-
tremely critical, was not only delighted
with the efforts Of the leading artists, but as
sure us in advance of the extreme excellence
of the chorus-a feature Of opera troupes
which has heretofore in this country been
conspicuous only by its weakness. To the
conditions of success which are found in
the personnel of the company, the extern
sive repertoire and the experience of the
manager, is now to be added the important
one Of the sanguine belief of manager and
artists alike in their ability to please the
music-loving public. All that now remains
to make Mr.. Mapleson's venture a success
and establish the opera as a permanent
entertainment in New York rests with the
cultured denizens of the city and its vicin-
ity, and it is impossible to believe that
these will fail when every one else con-
cerned has done so we'll.
Year: 1878

WE PUBLISH . suggestive letter from Mr..
Rigby, the crack shot who came over with the
Irish team in 1874. There is considerable
reason in his argument, and there are plenty
of American ri1emen who will be glad of a
good excuse to shoot match on the other side
of the Atlantic
Year: 1878

The WEATHER.-Very little change has taken
place in the barometrio conditions since Thurs
day. The low is gradually moving into
the ocean over Nova Scotia, and the pressure
is increasing over the Middle Atlantic aud New
England districts. In the West and Northwest
the barometer is rising, but 1t is likely to fall
again rapidly in the latter district on account of
the approach Of depression, which Is evidently
forming in the extreme Northwest. The
barometer continues high in the South Atlantic
and Gulf districts, but IT is only relatively so,
there being q depression over the West Indian
Islands and the Southern Gulf Rain has
fallen over the lake regions and the West, but
tho qusntity is hardly perceptible. Clear or
hany weather has prevailed in all the districts
except tho Missouri Valley, where it has been
cloudy. The temperature has fallen every
whore except in some sections of the Northern
lake regions, where il has been variable. The
winds have been from fresh to brisk in the
Northern lake regions and the Eastern Gulf
coast. They have been generally fresh else
where The weather in New York and it's
vicinity to-day will be cooler and fair. To-mor-
row it will be cool aud clear.
Year: 1878

TIE EARTHQUAKES rep orted to have agitated
the west bank of the Hudson yesterday morn
Ing seems to have been genuine internal COM
motion of the earth, for not only was the rum
bling plainly heard and the shock distinctly felt,
but an immediate and unusual increase of
humidity was indicated by hygrometric obser-
yations on tho line of the disturbance.
Year: 1878

"This K Establishments Docs Not Ad-


vertise In the New York Herald"


And now another newspaper is under the
ban Of managerial displeasure. The
opinions of the Ecening Post have proved
unsatisfactory to the conductors of Booths
Theatre, and they have, therefore, de-
termined, precipitately and cruelty, to
evitable ruin by Withdrawing their adver-
tisement from its columns We know how
this is ourselves. In the past we also have
sometimes found ourselves unable to satisfy
theatrical notions of propriety and on one
occasion-as the public will doubtless re-
member-the managers formed an associa-
ton the object Of which was to ruin the
HERALD by depriving it Of the enormous in
come that it was supposed to derive
from tho advertisements of the theatres.
But the result disappointed the managers.
In fact, the announcement at the door of
every theatre in the city that 'This estab-
lishment does not advertise in the NEW
YORK HERAID"-with the known animus be-
hind twas an advertisement that we could
not have obtained by any given outlay of
money ; for the people comprehended that
journal which had offended all the theatres
by its resolute independence of action was
the one that would give them independent
opinions. One theatre now proposes to
crush the Post as six or seven then proposed
to crush the HERALD. and though we shall
not undertake to make any comparisons as
to the resistance in the two cases we do not
believe the theatre will succeed. Indeed,
we congratu late the Post upon the incident.
Few subjects are more difficult to deal
with in journalism or more trouble
some than the theatre Readers OF news
papers want to have a rational account of
the dramatic activities of the time and to
read fair and honest judgments Of the plays
presented but woe to the writer or the pa
per whenever this honest account happens
to be in the slightest degree unpalatable in
the theatre. Only fulsome adulation is
palatable there, and if observation takes
any form but that the little contrivance
now tried on the Post is practised on the
paper, while the critic is assailed with
OOaAoC vAeAPSA0"AOA OoAAhAoAAy VIZ tACot-
rical world is a pleasant one to the pro-
fessional critic, and it is not easy for him
to say harsh word of any of his dear
friends on the stage In order that no gen.
tleman may be put to such painful ex-
tremity aud that the kindly graces of
friendship may not prejudice our inde-
pendence we have no recognized theatrical
critic. There may be fifty recognized
HERALD critics known to the public, but
none are known to us. Any gentleman on
the paper is competent to write OF any play
what the public wants to know about it, and
that is what we want to print Perhaps we
sacrifice to this the dainty points of critical
art but the people will always appreciate
more highly the plain opinion of man who
has paid for his ticket than of any critic
whatever and we are Indifferent to points
in critical style that are beyond the reach
of common sense, especially if they are to be
gained by o system that casts a shadow Of
doubt upon the complete independence and
truth Of what is said.
Year: 1878

The PHILADELPHIA CRIcKETERs are ahead of
the Australians, but the peculiar tactics of the
latter will make many observers assume that
the difference is not entirely due the skill Of
the piucky Philadelphians.
Year: 1878

"ABsoLUTE DEsrrrUTIos is the great disease
we are fighting now" said officer of the
Howard Association to u HERALD correspond
cnt in New Orleans yesterday, and the cor
respondent explains this morning how and why
this is the case. The facts stated should have
the effect Of quickening at once the benevolent
spirit OF the North.
Year: 1878

duct of banking institution is capable.
How far the distress will extend beyond
the large circle of those having connections
with the bank is not yet known and cannot be
safely conjectured. Several heavy mercantile
failures are already announced and others
are certain to follow. The debts of the in
stitution in excess of its assets are abso-
lutely enormous There is some discrep-
ancy in the statements, but the lowest
figures given are quite bad enough. There
are four houses whose liabilities to the
bank are reported to reach thirty million
dollars. This fact alone would suffice
to establish the reckless criminality of the
management. The general impression is
that this heavy and widely distributed ca
lamity, although it brings utter ruin upon
innocent thousands, will not lead to gen.
eral panic. Let MS hope that this conjec-
ture may prove to be correct but it is too
soon to accept it as anything more than a
soothing and perhaps plausible guess.
Year: 1878

New NATIONAL BANKRUPT ACT is already
projected, and by body of business men-the
Commercial Law Committee Of the United
States Board OF Trade-who will undoubtedly
endeavor to avoid the faults of the old law.
Year: 1878

II EVERY OFFICER in the late civil war took
notes frequently and minutely as General
Heintzelman proved yesterday to have done
the Fitz John Porter case would have been per-
mancntly settled upon its first appearance.
Year: 1878

Our God made Adam out OF dust,


But in his wisdom made me first;
My body though He made complete,


Had neither arms, nor legs, nor feet.
My ways and acts he did control,


And fashioned me without soul;
A liv ng being became,


And Adam first gave me my name.
Then from his presence withdrew,


No more of Adam ever knew;
But God, whose purpose none can see,


Then put living soul in me.
And soon that soul he did reclaim,


(Tho' changed in this, not changed in name)
And when from me th4t soul had fled,


was the same as when first made
And without arms or feet or soul,


travel now from role to pole,
And when / travel DER our sphere,


seldom on the earth appear.
l labor hard both night and day,


For fallen man much light display;
Thousands of people young and old,


Shall at my death more light behold.
To heaven / shall never go,


Nor to the grave, nor hell below.