smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The mystery of deep sea life lies in thu
fact that here are multitudes of representa-.
tlves of the animal world, which, in virtue
; OF their animality, are incapable of nourish-
ing themselves upon inorganic matter, yet
which are living miles below the limit at
which vegetable life ceases. Some of the
organism found in deep sea soundings are
undoubtedly of vegetable nature; but
these are surface-living diatoms, on other
forms, which sink when they die. This
animal life at the sea bottom is capable of
appropriating as food the organic matter
held dissolved in the ocean water, as well
as the inorganic substances necessary for
The formation of its skeleton and the gases
required for respiration. For life at the
lotion OF the sea is essentially like al.
other animal life; it requires food to eat,
air to breathe, and minerals from which to
elaborate its frame work. Careful expert
laent has solved the difficulty; the surface.
living nutriment descends after death: slow
y and laboriously the life-sustsining oxygen
makes its way from the surface where cold
and darkness reign, and as slowly the poi
sonous carbolc acid-the result alike Of
life and death-makes its way to the sur.
face. Thus, just such life as can exist un
der the difficult. conditions there present,
.oes exist in enormous extent
Year: 1877

know it is palatable, as very fewf feopl.
dislike it; but many eschew it on account
Of its deleterious effects. Its odor in pre-.
pairing is delicious, far more 80 than the
actual drinking of It. Il am as fond of it as
any one, but have not taken cup in twen-
ty-fve years. It is more productive of
bile, especially to people of sedentary
habits, than any other thing that can be
drank or eaten. Indeed, the most note d
physicians protest against its use beyond q
single cup at breakfast il which proper
ton it can be taken with safety. But
where it is profusely indulged in, 1t is as in
furious to health as an alcoholic stimulant.
If one pound Of coffee should be used as to
last family of ten person for week, see
it stated, no hurtful result would ensue
But here it should stop. should think,
however, that by persons accustomed to
severe outdoor exercise or labor of anykind,
it could, to a4arger extent, be taken with
safety. Children should never touch it, or
tea either, except the latter be very weak. |
The old-fashioned way of making coffee il
undoubtedly the best, which is to buy the
coffee in the grain, scorch it until it is
Light brown, and grind it as it is wanted.
The watersshould be boiling when poured
over the coffee, the pot of course closed
tightly, land then give it another boil for
minute OR two, and it will soon be sufi.
ciently clear to use.
Year: 1877

An sleeping-rooms thoroughly every
morning and, if possible, let in the sun to
shine on the beds and bedclothes. Often
at night, when the night is well-nigh un.
bearable, wet cloth hung in the window
over the blind will cool the room as if q
shower had fallen, and every one knows
how water poured on the pavement in front
of the door will refresh the hot, dry air.
This principle of the reduction of tempera-
ture by evaporation is capable of much
practical application. In India and other
tropical countries, where ice is almost un.
known, the natives cool their drinking.
water by suspending earthen jars filled with
it in brisk current. of air, which process is
said to cool it thoroughly and rapidly. So,
also, when ice is unattainable, butter may
be kept firm and sweet by setting the bowl
containing it in shallow Vessel of water
and covering it with napkin, the ends of
which are well immersed in the water in
the bottom dish. A wet handkerchief or
sponge worn in the hat when exposed to
the sun, as in the harvest-feld, will pre-
vent sunstroke under the most intense heat


known to our climate, and will often re-.
Ieve headache arising from heat and exhaus-
ton combined,
Year: 1877

The nickel-seat rop safety valve is pro
nounced by Victor Novelty one of the mos.
curious contrivanceu in modern engineering
mechanisms. The seat, which is made Of
nickel, is said to be as hard as steel and as
unoxidizable as gold, so that all corrosien
Is prevented. But the popularity of this
safety valve consists in its having hollow
semicircular ring on the conical part. The
lower seat of the valve has correspond.
ing annulus at the top, which is however,
somewhat larger than the one ON the valve
proper when the valve drops into its seat,
these annuH fit into each other. II the
valve ls lifted to slight extent, the steam
Is momentarily arrested in this space thus
producing a greater pressure and lifting
the valve to greater height-a great ad-
vantage, especially in case of sudden
production Of quantities of steam. In ad-
diton to this, the face Of the valve is thus
reduced greatly, and more efficient pack
ing is possible. The valve is kept on its
seat by spiral spring of square section,
aid can only be raised easily with the
hand by means Of lever. Thus, in all re.
spects, the adoption of this curious con.
trlvance to the purpose in viev is admir-.
able.


The improved Gattling gun can fire I, 600
shots per minute, and one man can feed and
fire COO shots per minute. In an official
trial Cd, 900 rounds were fred from single
gun in rapid succession, and without stop
ping 10 clean tho barrels.
Year: 1877

he have the impoverished International
Railway extended, that we may exer-
C Sc the offices of quasi protectorate
over defunct order and government in
Mexico; if he give Southern Offices to
proper Southern men, the partisan rev.
olution said to be contemplated by the
President and former adherents of Sam
Houston, Throckmorton, John Bell
and Stephen A. Douglas is not wholly
impossible of consummation. Hayes
drags old Wings into his cabinet and
converts Radicalism into conservative
Republicanism in the North, and to
this force he would add those old TO-
gies of the South who have torn off the
word Democratic" from every ticket
they have placed in ballot-boxes since
1860. 1t is impossible, as yet, to an
ticipate the success of such possible
movement on the part of the Presi-
dent. But the tendency of the popu-
lar mind and heart North and South is
towards conservatism, and moderation
and wisdom will at length supplant
red-mouthed, violent rant and fustian
and terrible partisan fury.
Year: 1877

CoNNECTICU Ut has taken a step in ad-
vance of all other States in its legIsla-
tIon for women. The acts of this
years legislation place the wife on an
equality with the husband. She is
secured the absolute control of her
own property during life, and on the
death of either party to the marriage
contract the survivor inherits one-third
of the real and personal estate of the
deceased. Mississippi and Texas have
heretofore stood first in legislation de
signed to make woman an integer in
social and political life, and now Con-
nscticut makes a leap forward In the
right direction. Soon we shall heaI
men saying, if the women must pay
taxes and have heads capable Of think.
ing and be imbued with honest, ear
nest, patriotic purposes why not, when
every idiot and every tramp and rough
and hired ballot-box stuffer and re
peater - when all these vote, why not
the blessed women? They might now
and then constitute an invaluable OF
set TO incalculable vice and stupidity
thrust so voluminously into ballot
boxes that decent people refuse tt
vote. But lawgIvers are brave and
good and honest and patriotic and
never demagogues, never! never!
Year: 1877

THE commission sent to Louisiana
is unpaid, aud merely advisory. Its
man business will be to define mode
of adjusting the alleged rights of Pack
ard. He must have, il possible, a de-
cent pretext for the abandonment OF
office. If the commission report in
favor of his legal night and against his
equitable right to the Office he may
find reason to retire voluntarily rather
than meet the sure fate that awaits his
expulsion by violence. Go he must,
sooner or later, and the President is
only man of peace. He cannot afford
to keep the troops in Louisiana through
out his term of Office, and by no other
means can Packard's power be main
tanned. Packard and the army must
march. This fact is fixed, and there is
no need for that impatience which the
Presidents enemies indulge when they
assail him for tardiness and timidity.
The Congress meets in June. A ma
jority of the House is Democratic. II
the troops remain in New Orleans not
one dollar viii the House supply to be
expended in the maintenance Of the
army and navy till Louisiana is iber.
ated. The real purpose of the com
mission is to give Packard proper
opportunity to retire gracefully. In
fact, Packard knows that If the army
and navy bill do not pass the President
cannot keep the adventurer in ofice,
and very certainly Packard csnno'
keep himself in power. The end is in.
evitable, and it comes befors the idel
of June
Year: 1877

a THE London Telegraph doubtless
reaches the proper conclusion that the
last will always be the last victory of
the party that made BIr. Hayes Presi-
dent. Ii it die its counterpart alsO
dies, and there will be few mourners at
the grave of either. II it live it will
give immortal life to Its mortal enemy,
and the people must ever choose be-
tween them, and the South must ever
go down on the field of glory, always
beaten but always rampant, and always
eager for the fray. 1t is fine for the
r.~~~--IS", ~" s~..ISAN AOa
the people and for those who do the
fighting and bowling and voting and
ditch digging and shooting and being
shot.
Year: 1877

Those newspapers and party-leaderI
who do not dare to tell the truth oi
the President or even TO do him jus
tice, are moral towards daring not &C
speak the truth. OF course, they de-
serve neither the respect nor eophdence
Of the people, and can have neither.
Year: 1877

lNrELIcITms IN HIGH L1FE The New York
correspondent of the Hartford Times says
The upper social circles have their share of
domestic misery as well as the lower ones
There are not many families even on Murray
Hill, without the provcrb.al * leton. Police
court records do not tell much of life in the
palatial brown stone fronts. but there. as well
as in the reeking tencmeIts. the spirit of dis
cord too often prevails. Take, for instance


a single case for illustration. About three
years ago, wealthy young merchant, who
was still bachelor, was oaptiyated at New
port by one OF the New York bellies who make
that place the scene of their summer CAM
paigns. Being belle, she was also, of course,
handsome. Moreover, her mother, widow,
was wealthy, and she would inherit fortune


In a few weeks the young merchant and the
charming belle We're engaged. A fashionable
New York marriage soon followed, and after a
ten days bridal tour the couple settled down
in a stylish Fifth avenue boarding house


Courtship, marriage and all did not occupy
more than three months. Matters went
smoothly enough for n year or so, with the
exception of the occasional inevitable tiff At
the Close Of the year the husband grew tired
of boarding, and proposed to take up house
keeping The wife reluctantly consented. A
house was hired and furnished, and the wife
soon discovered that home duties would de-
nand II considerable part OF her time. Hith-
erto she had done nothing but dress, shop,
visit aud read novels and household employ
ment, even of a nominal kind soon grew irk-
some. Ii was not long before the husband
observed u change in his wife's manner. She
was often either petulant or sullen when he
came home to dinner, and would not speak n
pleasant word. His own manner changed, too.
and an estrangement quickly began. Fre-
quently the husband left home in the morn
ing without seeing his wife at all Often
when he returned in the evening he learned
that she was still out visiting. When she re-
turned and he asked where she had been, he
received stare and toss of the head for an
answer. He sat down alone to breakfast and
often the same way to dinner Then he fell
into habit of dining at his club or at a res
taurant, and staying out till midnight The
wife adopted "A regular system of spending her
afternoons away from home, either shopping
or visiting or attending matinees with some
sympathizing friends of her own sex. Those
of the other sex she usually dismissed with a
smile and bow in the street 1t went on
that way for eighteen months till husband
and wife finally ceased speaking to each other
at all. Of course the next thing was Il separ-
alton, and the wife is now waiting for enough
time to pass TO enable her to sue for divorce
on the ground of abandonment and failure to
support. This is simply one case of the hun
dreds that might be cited to illustrate infelici-
ties III the upper social circles
Year: 1877

When we review the caamities which afIlict
so many other nations, the present condition
of the United States affords much matter Of
consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption
hitherto from foreign war an increasing
prospect of the continuance of that exemption
the great degree of internal tranquility we
have enioyed-thc recent confirmation of that
tranquility by the suppression of an insurrec-
tion which so wantonly threatened 1.-THE
happy course of our public affairs in general
the unexampled prosperity of all classes of
our citizens-are circumstances which pecul-
iarly mark our situation with indication of the
Divine benefcence toward us. In such
state of things it is in an especial manner our
duty rs n people, with dcvout reverence and
aifectionate gratitude, TO acknowledge our
many and great obligations TO Almighty God,
and to implore Him to continue and confirm
the blessings we experience.


Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, /,
George Washington, president of the United
States, do recommend to all religious societies
and denominations, and to all persons whom
soevcr, within the United States, to set apart
and observe Thursday, the 10Th day of Febru-
ary next, as a day of public thanksgiving and
prayer, and on that day TO meet together and
render sincere and hearty thanks to the Great
Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal
merces which distinguish our lot as q nation
particularly for the possession of constitu-
tions of government which unite, and by their
union establish, liberty with order for the
preservation of our peace foreign and domes-
tic for the reasonable control which has been
given to a spirit of disorder in the suppression
of the late insurrection, and generally for the
prosperous condition of our affairs, public
and private and at the same time humbly
and reverently to beseech the kind Author of
these blessings graciously to prolong them to
us to imprint on our hearts a deep and SOL
cmn sense of our obligations to Him for them,
to teach us rightly to estimate their immense
value to preserve us from the arrogance of
prosperity and from hazarding the advant-
ages we enjoy by delusive pursuits TO dispose
us to merit the continuance of His favors by
not abusing them by our gratitude for them,
and by corresponding conduct as citizens
and men; 10 render this country more and
more safe and propitious asylum for the un-
fortunate of other countries, to extend among
us true and useful knowledge to diffuse and
establish habits of sobriety, order, morality
and piety, and finally to impart all the bless
ings we possess or ask for ourselves to the
whole family of mankind


In testimony whereof, l have caused the
seal of the United States of America to be af-
fixed to these presents, and signed the same
with my hand. Done at the city of Philadel-
phia the first day of January 1T95


GEORGE WASHINGTON.


By the President, Edm. Randolph.
Year: 1877

First As to sewing-clubs the work should
be carefully restricted to such embroidery
etc, as cannot be done by women who earn
their living by their needle. The justice of
this ought to be at once apparent; but it is
us n rule, overlooked. We have known the
plain sewing taken from the sempstresses of
a village, and given to church clubs, for a
winter the consequence of which was hun
cry women asking parish help, and stained
glass window back of the pulpit.


Secondly In reading-clubs, let the time for
each reader be limited by inhexible rule. If
this is not done, there will be found in every
such club, at least one dogmatic. selfish read
er who will force his author and his voice up
on the club, until in disgust and weariness the
members fall off and the experiment fails.


Thirdly If we may trench upon a most
delicate topic, we would suggest that in mere
ly social combinations, for the purpose of mu-
sic dancing or conversation, the old caste
lines of the town be disregarded. There is
no despotism more narrow or cruel than the
aristOcracy of a village. New blood and new
ideas would generally reyivify it; ourside of
the so-called good society of such place
which has been fenced in for two or three
generations, is frequently found the larger
proportion of intelligence, culture, and
breadth of thought


Fourthly The great want experienced by
cultured men and women IN small town is
of books, periodicals. etc, which, individual
ly they are not able to buy. There are very
few circulating libraries in American towns of
population less than ten thousand. This
want can be obviated in measure, by friend
ly combination between certain families or in
dividuals, in which each contributes given
number of books to a common stock these
books are loaned to the members in turn.


A more formal and much better way is the
formation of book-club, such as were COM
mon in England before the establishment OF
Nude, in which each member pays at the be-
ginning a certain sum, with which as many
books are purchased as there are members,
each one choosing book; these pass in reg
ular rotation from hand to hand, remaining a
fortnight with each reader; twenty books
may thus be read for the cost of one When
the books have passed around the circle they
are sold to members for the benefit of the
club. Fines for detention and abuse of books
also keep up the funds. No officer is requir,
ed in this association but treasurer. Anoth'
er advantage in the plan is that books can be
bought by the quantity at lower rates than
singly. The same rule applies to subscrp'
tions for magazines, newspapers, ETC.
''HOme and Society,"" Scri6ner for Dee.
Year: 1877

AN EDUCATED ESGLIsH TRAVELLERS DOES Us
JUSTICE An English traveller who is giving
his first impressions of the United States in n
series of letters to the Manchester Courier,
says it is a mistake to suppose that Americans
are inquisitive. They do not kick their heels
at a railway station; they often 60 through
q meal without saying a word n buzz of con-
versation is seldom heard their silence is
really oppressive they are the quietest and
most orderly people on the face of the earth.
For instance, the traveller entered large
shaving establishment in Boston, where there
were a dozen BARRIERS, and several customers
waiting for their turn. When a chair became
vacant the foreman pointed to the man whose
turn came next, but not word was said. Af-
ter being there for some time the Englishman
looked at the clock to see how long they would
go on without speaking, and for nine minutes
the only sounds were a sneeze and an inquiry.
How much! Z" He fancies that he has dis
covered the origin of this quiet, patient order
of behavior. 1t is the discipline of the public
schools which produces such marvellous re-
suits. When the pupils go from one room to
another they march to the sound of the piano,
and the slightest tendency to disorder, if it
arise is corrected not by words, but by signs.
From years old till - to II every Ameri-
can is subjected TO this constant drilling.
The school-master is the drill-sergeant, and
his operations are universal" The critic had
been here three weeks when he formulated
this theory and discovered the Silent Hand.
Year: 1877

PRoGREss IN TELEPHONY is all the the while
being made. A recent improvement in an
important accessory in its use is n new bell
signal operated without electricity and the
hand telephone, by which all disturbing in
huences are cut off and conversation can be
carried on amid din and commotion with per-
feet facility. The uses to which the instru


ment can be placed are numerous. 1t has
been tested successfully in the mine of Corn
wall England, where telegraphic instruments
cannot be used on account of the exposure of
the metal to dampness; and it is also being
used by submarine divers to communicate
with assistants above water. 1t is thought
from recent experiments that the supposed
obstacles to its use on submarine cables have
been overcome, and that it will be possible to
talk with our transatlantic friends before
many months. There are already over 2600
of Prof Bells telephones in practical use in
various parts of the country. Boston has 800,
New York about the same number, Cleveland
200, and Cincinnati 100. They are. indeed,
scattered through the country, from Calves
ton in Texas to Montreal in Canada, doing
practical work Mr.. Holmes of Boston has
about 200 working in connection with the va
rious express offices, aud with great satisfac-
ton. A merchant in any part of the city is
by the use of the telephone brought into in
slant communication with any of the express
flies, and all messengers are dispensed with
Year: 1877

The CONDITIONS OF LIVING ABROAD have
changed materially within the past five years,
and it is more in theory based upon past rep
utation than it is in fact that Europe is n
cheap place to live in and make a small for
tune go a great way. We hear much more
about poor Americans in London, Paris and
other foreign cities than we used to. Amer
leans and millionaires are no longer synony-
nous terms among the inhabitants of Europe,
for many of our countrymen have become
stranded since the hard times came on, and
being abroad, unused to the practical customs
of the people around them, they are not only
without money. but also without resources,
for the most helpless of all beings is an Amer
lean without money in foreign country. If
Our countrymen and countrywomen have an
itching for foreign travel and wish to conduct
their wanderings upon an inexpensive plan,
let them depart from their cosmopolitan pre-
dilections and steer clear of the large cities for
more than flying visits. The small and COM
paratively obscure towns in Europe have n
charm about them which is not possessed by
corresponding towns in this country Ere
quently they are richer in unpublished legend
and tradition than the large cities, for the
rake of the antiquarian, the historian and the
romancer has not been SO exhaustively drag
ged through them. 1t is here that the dream
of cheaper living may be realized, and it is
here that the genuine flavor of the Old World
can be best enjoyed. If Americans would
cease travelling like Americans and go like
sensible people, the hard times would have
taught them n useful lesson.
Year: 1877

Editors Dispatch: Will you be kind
enough to give me space in your valuable
paper to make request OF the businessmen
of this city, AS the regiment has decided
to go to the White Sulphur, will not all those
who have members of it iu their employ Of
fer them a leave Of absence for week to en-
able them to get some rest from their con-
fined labors There are great many who
are anxious to go, but are afraid to ask their
" boss" for fear Of being refused. Do those
who give leave lose anything pecuni-
arily by it2 I think they do not:
When a clerk is given this kind OF
indulgence he will try to reciprocate by
working with double zeal on his return,
and I believe fully repays his employers. 1t
is useless to attempt to show the people OF
this city the Importance OF military to city
in time of riots, &C., and / hope they
know that the First Virginia will not be
found wanting in time of need. So let the
citizens OF Richmond show some interest
in their military; especially now, when
they need it so much, since it has been so
long since they have received any encourage
ment at their bands. Respectfully, E


A HOLIDAY SOLDIER.