smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

An uncomfortable account of tie
present condition of Vesuvius was given
by Professor Boyd Dawkins at the
meeting of the Manchester Geological
Society, recently. Professor Dawkins,
it seems, visited Vesuvius, and on ar
irving at the mouth of the crater found
that it was filled with dense vapor like
a fog. A slow roaring noise" could be
heard, and occasionally there was fash
of light, which was probably the re-
fected glare of the lava surging about
in the volcano. Undismayed by these
symptoms of internal disturbance, the
professor went down seven or eight feet
below the edge of the crater, and found
that he could light pieces of paper in
heles which he dug with his hammer in
the black ash on the inside. Every
thing, indeed, indicated tendency to
eruption, and, according to the accounts
issued by Professor Palmieri, one of the
volcanoes periodical attacks of fever
may be expected in q comparatively
short time. Professor Dawkins is of
opinion that Mount Vesuvius performs
the duty of a safety-valve to very large
portion of the earth. . f.


Professor Phillips, who has made
Vesuvius special object of attention,
has come to the conclusion that the
volcano has been far more energetic
during the present century than it has
ever been before. The first known erup-
tion was that which overwhelmed
Pompeii and the neighboring country A.
d. 79. 1t was not until the seventeenth
century that the number of eruptions in
the hundred years was as many as four.
In the eighteenth century the number
rose to twenty-three, and during the
present century twenty-six eruptions
have already occurred. How many more
may take place during the remaining
twenty three years Professor Dawkins is
unable to say. All he knows is that the
mountain is in very restless state, and
may ego off" at any moment. On the
other hand, reports made about January
of expected eruptions ought not to be
noticed so much as at other times, as the
Inhabitants of Naples make the most of
such reports at this season in order to
attract sightseers.
Year: 1877

About twelve o'clock, a few nights
since, says the New York Commercial, as
a heavy freight train was approaching
bridge over Difficult Greek, in Halifax
County, Va, on the Richmond and DAN
vile Railroad, an infuriated bull jumped
upon tine track and showed fight. The
engineer discovered the animal, put on
his brakes and blew his whistle to
frighten him off. The bull, with name
and tail erect, stood firm and waited the
approach of the iron horse. As the
train was advancing slowly the cow
catcher of the engine mounted the bull
just as it was entering the bridge, thro W
ing the engine off the track and precip-
itating it with great force on the trestle-
work, which in an instant gave way,
and the engine, tender, and six freight
cars went through with terrific crash.
By a miracle the fireman escaped with
some severe injuries. but Engineer Kid
well was nearly crushed to death,
though he still survives. The brakeman
who was on the roof of the front freight
car also miraculously escaped by rum
ming back and stepping from the rear
of the back car as it toppled over into
the abyss. In moment after the boiler
of the engine exploded, and the bridge
and cars caught fire, and soon the sur
rounding country was illuminated by the
flames from the burning wreck. The
engineer was happily rescued by the
train hands before the flames reached
him, but he is certain to die from his
terrible injuries. The bridge, which
was over one hundred and twenty feet
long, was totally consumed. The engine
was dismantled and worthless except
for old iron, and the loss in cars and
freight will stand the Company eight
thousand dollars. The scene next day
presented an appearance of ruin and
disaster quite as complete, though not so
terrible, as Ashtabula.
Year: 1877

When the mists have rolled in splendor
From the beauty of the hills,
And the sunshine, warm and tender,
Falls in kisses on the rills,
We may read loTe's shining letter
In the rainbow Of the spray;
We shall know each other better


When the mists have cleared away;
We shall know as we are known,


Never more to walk alone,
In the drawing of the morning,


When the mists have cleared away.
II we en- in human blindness,


And forget that we are dust;
II we miss the law of kindness,


When we struggle to be just
Snowy wings Of peace shall cover


All the pain that clouds our day,
When the weary watch is over,


And the mists have cleared away,
We shall know as we are known,


Never more to walk alone,
In the sunlight of the morning,


When the mists have cleared away.
When the silvery mists have yelled us
From the faces Of our own, g
Oft we deem their love has failed Us,
And we tread our path alone;
We should see them near and truly,
We would trust them day by day,
Neither love nor blame unduly,


If the mists were cleared away,
We shall know as we are known;


Never more to walk alone,
In the dawniDg of the morning,


When the mists have cleared away.
When the mists haYe risen above US,
As our father knows his own,
Face to face with those that love Us,
We shall know as we are known;
Love beyond the orient meadows,


Floats the golden fringe of day;
Heart to heart we bind the shadows,
Till the mists have cleared away;
We shall know as we are known,


Never more to walk alone,
When the day of night is dawning,


And the mise have cleared away.
Year: 1877

LACE mits will be more generally
worn this summer than they were last,
and white ones will be chosen quite as
frequently as black. The newest have
long fingers closed at tie ends. They
range in price from fifty cents to seven
dollars.
Year: 1877

THE Health Officer of San Francisco has recently made an annual report showing 1858 deaths occurred within a year Tn that city, from smallpox and and that the latter was more fatal than the former, and attributes the prevalence of both to the impertec- tions of the general sanitary system. He is very explicit on this point.
Year: 1877

In most parts of the United Kingdom,
It is deemed unlucky to kill robin,
tbe red breast of the bird being attr-
buted TO its having been Sprlnkled
with the blood of our Lord as he hung
upon the cross; even as the cross on the
hack of the ass is connected IN the rus
nc mind with our Lords entry into Je-
rusalem riding upon an ass. Accord
ing TO a paper in the Book of Days, a
common saying in Suffolk is, " You
must not take robins eggs; if you do
YOU will get your legs broken" The
writer of it also relates the following
anecdote: How badly you write! y
1 said one day to boy in our parish
school; your hand shakes so that you
can't hold the pen steady. Have you
been running hard or anything of that
sort?" "No," replied the lad, 1t al
ways shakes; once had a robin die in
nv hand, and they say that if robin
dies in your hand it will always shake. >"
In some parts of England it is consid-
cred very unlucky to have no money in
your pocket when you hear the cuckoo
for the first time in the season. So pei
haps it is, when it indicates the usual
condition of the pocket.


Some insects, as well as birds, are
deemed ominous of evil. There are
many, even among educated people,
who cannot hear the ticking of the little
beetle called the death-watch without a
feeling of fear; and among the vulgar,
the belief is universal that it presages
death in the house And yet it is only
the male insect knocking his head
against the woodwork as a signal to his
mate. In some parts of England the
elephant hawk-moth is regarded not on
lv as presaging, but as producing muir
rain. The death's-bead moth is regard
ed with even greater aversion. This
large moth, nowhere very common, has
markings on the back and thorax some
what resembling the skull and cross
bones; hence it inspires a superstitious
terror, and its appearance IS believed to
be the harbinger of pestilence and woe.
The ghost-moth inspires similar alarm.
The female is of a dull brown color;
the upper surface of the male is silvery
whiteness. In the evening the male
makes his appearance, lowering over
the grass in which the female turks, Of
ten in the church yards where the grass
is green and luxuriant. If alarmed,
the insect disappears in an instant, set
ting on the ground; but by and by ap-
pears again lowering over the same
spot. The ignorant rustic imagines it
to be a ghost; and even if it were
caught and shown to him, he would be
hard to be persuaded that it was no oc-
cult relation to the dead, or that its ap-
pearance is not ominous of evil to the
living.
Year: 1877

GoRNER POST AND KEARNY STREETS.
~ San FPanciscO.-SuhscrlptiOns for a portion Of
the reserved shares Of the Collateral Loan and saw
lngs Bank will be received until further notice at
the Bank at SI5 per share The shares Of this Bank
PER MONTH payable the 5th Of each and every
month and on or before the lst OF May the price
for the remaining shares will be advanced to S25 per
share and the stock Withdrawn for sale. The Bank
has already declared seven monthly dividends OF
two per cent each and an extra dividend OF FIVE
PER CENT in january on all stock subscribed. All
further information can be obtained by parties
wishing a safe Investment for their money by ap-
plying at the Collateral Loan and Savings Bank,
corner Post and KeRT y streets San Francisco.


F. y, CARTER, Secy
Year: 1877

Hrs INooME.-Some of the English
papers are urging that the income of
the Prince of Wales should be increased
by an addition of e30, 900, or $3.50, 900
a year. His debts amount to $3.50, 900,
and it is thought that it would be more
profitable to the nation to pay them than
to have him go into comparative retire
ment for the purpose of doing so. Sir
W. Knollys, his treasurer, states that
his personal expenses are very small,
and that no gentleman of social posi-
ton spends SO little for pocket money.
He has not only to keep up costly es-
adjustments, but to maintain an ex-
pensive position as leader of society.
His income is not equal to that Of a
number of his friends. When asked
lately if the report of his intending to
visit Australia was true, the Prince re-
piled that he hoped so, because he
greatly desired to see that region, and
also because he would get a free passage
there and back, and reduce his home
expenditure.
Year: 1877

EXTINCT NEW ENGLAND INDUSTRIES.
Half century ago, bellows making
was thriving trade. Every house had
its pair of bellows, and in every we'll
furnished mansion there was hung
pair by the side of every fireplace.
Ipswich, in Massachusetts,, acquired
quite notoriety all over New England
for the elegant, and substantial articles
of the kind it produced. But as stoves
and CRATES took the places of open fire.
places, and as coal was substituted for
wood, the demand for bellows dimin-
ished until the business as separate
trade quite died out. The same is true
of flint cutting. Flints were once nee
essary, not only for firearms, but for
tinder boxes, and finder box was as
necessary for every house as a gridiron
or skillet. Every one who looks to
childhood of forty odd years ago must
remember the cold Winter mornings,
the persistent crack of the flint against
the hard steel sent up from the kitchen
an odor Of igniting sulphur and tinder
which pervaded the house. 1 have no
more idea what became Of the flint pro-
ducers than the old man of sorrowful
memories, who, three or four times q
week, called at our door with birthstone
matches, for sale at one cent half
dozen punches. Both have been as
completely banished from England and
New England as have the red Indians
and the Druids.-IoLeOlo Blade.
Year: 1877




One Of the most useful and magnifi-
cent productions of the vegetable king
dom that enriches China, and more par
ticularly the provinces of Kiang-si and
Canton is the camphor tree. This stu
pendous laurel which adorns the banks
Of the rivers, was in several places
found by Lord Amherst's embassy
above fifty feet high, with its stem twen-
ty feet in circumference. The Chinese
themselves affirm that it sometimes at
tains the hight of more than three hun
dred feet, and q circumference greater
than the extended arms of twenty men
could embrace. CampAof is obtained
from the branches, by stepping them,
while fresh cut, in water for two or
three days, and then boiling them till
the gum, in the form Of a white Jelly,
adheres to stick which is kept CON
stantly stirring the branches. The fluid
: is then poured into glazed vessel,
where it concretes in few hours. To
purify it the Chinese take quantity of
finely powdered earth, which they Law
at the bottom Of copper basin; over
this they place layer Of camphor, and
then another layer of earth, and SO on
until the vessel is nearly filed, the last
or topmost layer being Of earth. They
cover this last layer with the leaves of q
plant called poho, which seems to be a
species Of mentha (mint). They now
inyert a second basin over the first, and
make it air-tight by luting. The whole
is then submitted to the action of re-
gulated fire for certain time, and then
left to cool gradually. On separating
the vessels the camphor is found to
have sublimed, and to have adhered to
the upper basin. Repetitons of the
same process complete its refinement.
Besides yielding this invaluable ingre.
dent, the camphor tree is one Of the
principal timber trees of China, and is
used not only in building but in most
articles Of furniture. The wood is dry
and of Light color, and although light
and easy to work, is durable and not
likely to be injured by insects.
Year: 1877

eoguc who chooses to use him and


will promise him some petty Office as
a reward for the use of his valuable
name on a "Citizensn or "People's"
ticket. When he is elected no man,
no association or party of men will
acknowledge responsibility for his
election or his acts. Established
parties are more careful in the choice
of men, and must necessarily be so,
as they must carry responsibility for
the acts of the officials whom they
elect. They are credited with the
selection of worthy men, and blam-
ed if their selections prove dama-
ging to the people.
Year: 1877




We sometimes hear men advocate
a theory that the only way to secure
the election Of honest and efficient
men to Office Is through the channel
Of non. partizan nominations. They
want men who have no political
opinions nor associations and argue
that such men are more likely to be
honest and otherwise worthy than
partizans, elected upon a strictly
partizan ticket. There is An anus.
ing absurdity in this theory. In
this county the fallacy Of the argu-
ment has surely been effectively
shown by tho experience OF the past
few years. The fact that a man has
no political opinions may usually be
taken as pretty good indication either
that he has little capacity or that le
Ii man OF such plastic character
that he may DO moulded 10 suit the
! views or wishes or the first dema.
Year: 1877

they had discovered very large
mares nest" in the electoral vote
of Illinois, and it was asserted that
one Hayes vote from this State would
he thrown out. But when the time
came for objection to be made to the
count tho Democrats courage had
vanished and the entire vote of Him
ois was recorded for the Republican
candidate without protest.
Year: 1877

Inter- OccmE If that copper had
come down tails up we might to-day
be in the gulf Of despair and tho
valley Of dependency, while the
Democrats occupied the mountain
tops Of gladness. The luck seems to
he on our eide.
Year: 1877

The Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern Railroad Company has set
tied with the widow of one Of the
victims of the Ashtabula disaster for
s5,l75. The statement that the COM
pany would refuse to pay any claims
for damages appears to have been
premature.
Year: 1877

railroad wrecker, and the conscience
Of a Tammany thief He has so long
lived by saving knaves from prison
for a moiety of their plumber that he
has come to share their ethics rs well
as their spoliations."
Year: 1877

We are coming, Henry WatterOn,
One hundred thousand more,
We are thirsty like the raven
For some abolition gore.
We are ranged along before the bar,
And when yon pay the score
You'll wish you died before You called
That hundred thousand more.
We are coming, Henry wnttcron,
You hear our little horni
Tho thirstiekt lot of warrior mcn
That cried for liquid corn.
We are waiting Henry Hatterson,
Your hundred thOuzand more;
And if your going back Oh rs.
What did you call us f0r7
Year: 1877

ALEXANDER 81. STEPHENS has suggested
to the House committee on rules very impor-
tant parliamentary change. He would estab-
lish an order of business known as ''the
question" which shall be subordinate to ssthe
previous question:, but which, when ordered
by majority of the House, shall make an
immediate vote necessary upon any pending
amendent to bill or resolution. The rules
now in force give the mover of a measure its
entire control. He can use up the first hour
and then call the previous question, thus shut
ting off amendments. Under the new rule
amendments may easily be submitted, and
the House can insist upon vote upon them
at once, if it chooses, without voting upon
the main question. Mr.. Stephens thinks this
rule will expedite business, but it would seem
to still further cripple the minority already
lamed by the operation of the previous ques-
ton.
Year: 1877

The indignation which the accession of
Trockmorton Of Texas to the chairmanship
of the Pacific Railroads committee, left va
cant by the declination of Clarkson Potter,
has caused frightens Speaker Randall, and he
asks for the passing of new rule by which
he may appoint the chairman of
a committee in a case of decli-
nation. He thinks he can soothe the
public by the selection of man holding views
like Potter's, and as the majority of the COM
mittee will still be in favor of the Texas Pa
cific no harm will be done to the pet scheme
of the Southern Democrats. The plan is in
genious, but the public will not be deceived.
Year: 1877

THE best sentiment of the country hopes
to find one thing in President Hayes's forth,
coming message; it looks to see sturdy dec
laration for the enforcement OF the resump-
ton act and the discharge of our Indebtedness
in the money of the world. The honor OF
the country demands that its chief magistrate
shall speak out for the right in no uncertain
tones.
Year: 1877

THERE is talk in Democratic circles about
declaring Iilden President If the Democrats
get possession of the Senate. But thai
scheme can never work. The country will
bear to he fooled with, but it will never con.
sent to submit to usurpation.
Year: 1877

We have just purchased another large
Bob Lot of Boots and Shoes which we now of.
fer to the public at prices never before
Manufacturers samples You can rely upon
getting the best goods at prices below the
manufacturer's cost.


There never before was such bargains of.
fered i'm this city and those who come earli-
est will secure tine best. DO not delay, but
come at once and realize what bargains we
are Offering you.


We quote DriCess
Year: 1877

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-Some of the colored
people OF Virginia are making new Departure IN
noitcs At recent celebration OF colored people in
vipo Georee's County they refused 10 hear political
sneeches and declared that they favored the election OF
good men for office irrespective OF party
Year: 1877

Assistant weigher, from which the Assistant weghef
makes up bis dock book which forms the basis OF tue


turn OF weight made to the Custom House In such as
this the United States aborers used by the city
weighers In weighing the merchandise and tho United
States wegher or his foreman collects from the city
weigher onehaf what the expense amounts to at the
rate OF forty cents hour for each aborer engaged In
the work and appropriates IL to his own use !
that part OF the VEGETABLE merchandise imported at
this port and which ought to be weighed is not weighed
at all, but the foreign marks OF weight the package
are copied of. and these memoran "a OF supposed
weights are then put into the Dock Book; that one OF
the Weghers testified that schedule (Appendix m OF
Irregular ices had been adopted by the Board OF Weigh
ers 10 make these charges uniform which they Illegal


~ collect from merchants shipowners or agents, and
City Weighers Tor special returns certified copies OF
turns and other cercates that the Weighers frequent


y delay to make returns OF weight the Custom House
until the importer them these irregular charges for
copy OF their return OF weight.
Year: 1877

TRIBUNE OFFICE, Aug. 22-1 a m.-There was a
further rise OF aiTpressure yesterday, which continued
after brief depression that occurred while the sky was
heavily couded I'm tie afternoon The temperature did
not vary largely The moisture Of the Is decidedly
in excess.


Partial and gradually increasing coudness may be
eYrced in this city and vicinity to-day possibly threat
euing light but this condition IL not likely 10 last
through tomorrow, as cooler and iarer weather j. IN
prospect.
Year: 1877

The quiet girl can flirt, on occasion. in n


way no frivolous girl dare to attempt. but
she never writes compromising letter, and


mas most convenient want of memory.
She accepts presents which her sisters


would have to refuse, and keeps them laid
by III cotton wool to look at during the
hour she is doing her back hair and saving


her prayers. She retires gracefully in favor
OF the other girls, as if willing to let them
SHINE, and gets her reward in the approba-


ton of the old people of the party. Quiet
men find her agreeable, and wonder why
she Is said to be silent; but this is chiefly


because she does not bore them bv insist.
ing on answers to her questions. When
she develOpes into wife-for she always


marrles at least once-she gets her own way


IN everything. Her husband probably
chose her because he thought it would turn
out differently, and finds when too late that


he could not possibly have made a more
| complete mistake. Children are ALWAYS
fond of her, sons respect, if they do not
greatly love, quiet mothers, for they have
never heard them talk nonsense. Servants
never give them short answers. as their
words are few and decisive. and the poor
people think them d dignifed and mines of
hidden wisdom.


Quietness is sometimes a sign of bodily
health. The nervous man who is ALWAYS
stirring, Is seldom strong. But when a
man is thoroughly wrapped up in himself
ana ms own Importance, perfectly satisfied
with his position and prospects, the cut of
his clothes, the length of his whiskcrs, the
attenuation of his umbrella, and the lustre
OF MS hat, the chances are that he is very
quiet. Such men are habituallv well
dressed but as they get on in life they
cling to old fashions They are not con-
siderate for others, yet they give very little
trouble. They exact the utmost service
but make no fuss about it. They are pain |
fully regular and punctual, but never seem
put out by other peoples want Of order. |
They are bores at a dinner party. wet
blankets at picnic, mere sticks at a ball;
but excellent as officers, admirable parsons |
and much sought after by matchmaking
mothers. 1t is they who carry Off the |
helresses who always save money; who are |
never in debt or difficulty, as other men are
who are regular in their devotions. and |
invaluable on committees, where they always |
get their own way without trouble or fuss. |
They habitually wait till every one else ha.
spoken, and then make the single remark
which concludes the matter. and which
seems as if it had risen to the surface. like
cream, of itself