smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

There is scarcely single variety of grape
Of good quality in cultivation, where the
thermometer falls beyond 12o below zero,
that can withstand our winters without
protection. An easy method of protecting
them is (after the vines are pruued) to tie
them in compact manner with twine,
then lay them down upon the ground, and
by means of stakes secure them in position
and then cover them about two inches
deep with earth. Refuse hay or straw will
do very we'll for this purpose, but some
times mice get into such covering and
gnaw the bark off the vines. In clayey
soils, and where but little snow falls, straw
or hay would be the best covering, because
the rains of Winter, upon soil tenacious
of moisture, often kill the buds, by keep
ing them too wet.


The question may arise, In what lati-
tude would it be safe to leave the vines
upon the trellises during Winter" They
may generally be left with safety in the
latitude of New Jersey and further south;
but even in parts of that State the Con-
cords were all killed in the Winter of 1872.


We advise such of our grape. growing
readers who have omitted to prune their
vines to do SO without delay. If you de-
sire to propagate vines from cuttings, cut
them in lengths Of from two to four buds,
according to the length of the joints of the
cane. They ought to be sunk to the depth
of from six to ten inches into the soil when
set out. Select good, we'll matured wood
of this years growth, cut off close to the
lower bud and an inch or two above the
upper one; and they may be preserved dur
ing the Winter by placing them in the
ground, closely packed, with the upper
buds just above the surface; then lightly
cover them with straw and set them out in
the Spring.
Year: 1876

The Republican of last evening has
the following pungent squib:


THE candidates for positions on the
Board of Public Works are increasing.
Of the 276 candidates for appointment
as members of our Board 273 of them
think the law an insult to the cOmmu-
nifty, which means that it is an out
rage if they are not appointed. There
are also 70 candidates for the position
of surveyor under the Board, and 311
for clerk. Most of these latter think
the law an outrage but are willing to
sacrifice themselves to the public good
by taking lucrative position on or
under the obnoxious Board.
Year: 1876

SHADE TREES. "A large number OF fine
maple trees have been set out during the
past week on the hill; most Of them came
from Scow Bay. Before these improve
ments go further our City Council should
adopt some rule as to width of sidewalk.
About 90 feet is all that is needed for We
hicles, and even less Is sufiicient-but uni
form system should be adopted soon.
Those lately set out have all been put II
feet from the lines, which is the proper
space. Now is the time to beautify
your property and no better or cheaper
plan can be found than setting out good
shade trees.
Year: 1876

CAPT. BUTLER has fenced in and is now
cultiVating his fine square in Captain
Morgan's addition. The view from the
hill at that point will well repay visit.
Good water, in abundance, is on the place
furnished from a spring.
Year: 1876

THIS is a sample of the "hazing" for
which number of silly young fellows
have just been expelled from the naval
academy at Annapolis: A third-class
cadet, backed by several of his mates,
would enter the room of "plebe" and
address him thus: 81 am an ugly fel-
low; don't you think so?" OF course
the plebe would declare that he thought
him very handsome fellow. "Then,"
says the third-class man, "you mean
to call me liar" The trembling boy
would humbly assert he meant nothing
of that kind, but the fellow would grab
him by the neck and heels, declaring
he would throw him out OF the third
story window. Dragging him to the
window, he would thrust the fright
ened plebe just far enough ont to
make him believe that the least jar or
movement would precipitate him to
the pavement below. After being
hauled in he is placed between two
mattresses and an Indian war dance
is had upon the upper one, the whole
scene concluding with a dose of wri-
ting fluid.
Year: 1876

EYEs1GHr.-The late DR.. w. H. Hall,
in all article about taking care of the
eyes, said:


Millions blindness was the result of
overwork and dyspepsia.


One of the most eminent American
divines (the late. Albert Barnes) hav-
ing for some time been compelled to
forego the pleasure of reading, spent
thousands Of dollars ilI value, and lost
years of time in consequence of get
ting up several hours before day and
studying by artificial Eight. His eyes
never got well.


Multitudes of men and women have
made their eyes weak for life by the
too free use of the eyesight. reading
small print and doing fine sewing
In view of these things, it is we'll to
observe the following rules in the use
of the eyes:


Avoid all sudden changes between
light and darkness.


Never begin to read, or write, or
sew, for several minutes after coming
from darkness to bright light.



Never read by twilight, or moon.
light, or of a very cloudy day.


Never read or sew directly in front
of the light, window or door.
1t is best to have the light fall from
above, obliquely over the left shoul
der.


Never sleep so that, on the first
waking the eyes shall open on the
light of window.


Do not use the eyesight by light sc
scant that it requires an effort to dis
criminate.
Too much light creates glare, anc
pains and confuses the sight. The
moment you are sensible of an effort
to distinguish, that moment cease, ano
take a walk or ride.


AS the sky is blue and the eartl
green, it would seem that the ceiling
should be blush tinge, and the car
pet green, and the walls of some mel
low tint.
The moment you are prompted t.
rub the eyes, that moment cease using
them.
Year: 1876

1t is pity that an attempt to enforce laws
made to prevent the adulteration of articles
of food should end in the infiction of a
punishment that must appear unjust to any
rational observer for such result defeats
the operation of the law by dlscouraging
prosecutions, and thus directly furthers the
villany of the people who thrive by the
adulteration of food. In one case the jury
was satisfied that the milk examined was
adulterated with water. They did not find
that it was adulterated by the defendant.
They did not even find that he knew it was
adulterated and. in view Of the testimony
impeaching the tests made by the authori-
ties, it is evident that q man might fairly
have doubts on this point The culprit sold
the milk as he bought it-unaware that it
was not good and pure milk-and he is sem
fenced to incarceration and to pay o fine
that is heavy for one engaged in small
milk traffic. This is certainly unjust, as it
imposes upon one man the penalty for the
offences of another, without even the pre-
tence of completely; and much as the people
desire to have pure milk we believe they
would rather not have it if it cannot be OBJ
tained without incidents like this.
Year: 1876

The proposal to lay another Atlantic cable
by popular subscription is regarded with
such favor that the amalgamation of the pres
ent cable companies would inevitably result
in the formation of new company and the
establishment of new cable The scheme is
not only feasible, but attractive. The two
millions necessary to the accomplishment Of
the project, or even four millions for two
lines of cable, could be promptly raised
without great difficulty. The newspapers
and mercantile establishments most in
terested in the establishment of sharp
competition and low rates are generally
wealthy and would subscribe literally for
an independent cable. We would gladly sub
scribe toward this object, and we are pretty
we'll assured ofa similar disposition in other
quarters. The shares in an independent CO
operative company would find a ready mar
ket. Shares of one hundred dollars each,
bearing four or fivep per cent interest, with the
prospect of the accruing dividends, ought to
bepopular and profitable investments. Let
the friends Of this project call meeting
and take measures for securing permanent
cheap rates and putting an end to monopoly
and o high tariff
Year: 1876

only opposition comes from few property
owners who enormously suppose that they
are to be injured by the improvement, and
from the interested horse car companies,
which desire to continue to make enormous
dividends out of their inconvenient, unac-
commodating lines. The proposed struc-
ture can now be seen on some portion OF
the route, and the people can judge for
themselves Of the comfort and advantages it
will afford them when completed. There
may be individual sufferers from the
improvement, but this is always
the case in great public works
Private interests must give way to the
public good. Judge Brady says:-"Rapid
transit is one of the objects of our
municipal life which our people regard as
of great importance. 1t involves public
improvement, and public Improvements al
ways involve sacrifice. The greatest good of
the greatest number is justly the grand pur-
pose of good government. and the compara-
lively few who are injured are required to
submit to the laws of their rulers" Judge
Brady's common sense is as sound rs his
law. The decision enables the work to be
pushed forward, and it is to be hoped that
no further technical distractions will be
countenanced by the courts.
Year: 1876

We print in our cable dispatches to-day
some further particulars of the attempt to
locate and survey the extensive coral reef
recently discovered in the Atlantic and
about one hundred and twenty-five miles
west of Cape st. Vincent, Portugal, by the
United States ship Gettysburg. 1t is very
remarkable fact that this danger to naviga-
ton was not found before, especially as it lies,
as it were, right in the course of vessels
bound south from English and French ports
to the Mediterranean via the Straits Of Glib
raltar, and Of ships making the Cape
passage or trading between Southern Eu-
rope and ports in North and South America.
That thousands of sailing vessels and
steamers should have passed this reef with
out observing any breakers favors the
theory that it may be of recent
origin and due to submarine up
heaval, the result of volcanic ac-
ton. The statement that breakers were
observed near the present site of the reef by
Spanish captain half century ago is not
inconsistent with the volcanic hypothesis
Submarine mountains are known to form
suddenly, and as suddenly to subside, only
to be again upheaved, and these changes
have been noted as occurring from time to
time in about the same locality. tits prob
able that within the area of tbe reef n GEN.
tral depression will be found representing
crater. In any case immediate steps
should be taken to obtain the fullest infor-
nation regarding this danger to interna-
tional commerce.
Year: 1876

ardent admirers may well regret that he has
ventured in path where even great excel


lence might be forced to unfortunate COM
PARSONS, and where it is dangerously easy to
be turgid and commonplace without know


ing 1t. He has demonstrated fellowship
with Tupper in the fact now evident that
they can both write bad plays; and has
proved that the quality of good dramatic
poetry cannot be supplied by the lyric spirit


with it's polish and form-is as widely diff.
ferent from it, in fact. as is the Numbering
Year: 1876

and in the Senate, Mr.. King, of New York,
wished to provide beforehand for any ques-
ton which might arise in joint meeting.
Several gentlemen agreed with him; others
holding that the question could only be de-
cided after the votes from Missouri were
legally known to the joint meeting. But no
Senator objected on the ground that the
houses had no power to exclude or to 'exam-
ine' the vote, or that the Vice President had
this power. In the House the same question
came up and Mr.. Randolph, as on previ-
Gus occasion, asserted that Congress had
no power to consider the vote of State.
Mr. Clay said the constitution required of the
two houses to assemble and perform the
highest duty that could devolve on public
body-to ascertain who had been elected by
the pesple to administer their national con-
Germs. In case of votes coming forward
which could not be counted the constitu-
ton was silent but, fortunately, the end in
that case carried with it the means.
The two houses were called on to
enumerate the votes for President and Vice
President OF course they were called on
to decide what are votes. Mr.. Clay said,
the committee, being morally certain that
the question would arise on the votes,
in joint meeting, thought it best, ito
give it the go-by in this way. Suppose
this resolution not adopted, the Presi-
dent of the Senate will proceed to open
and count the votes; and would the House
allow that officer singly and alone thus vir-
tually to decide the question of the legality
of the votes If not, how, then, were theyto
proceed2 Was it to be settled by the
decision of the two houses conformity, or of
the two houses separately? One house
would say the votes ought to be counted,
the other that they ought not; and then the
votes would be lost altogether" The resolu-
ton was adopted.


Here we must rest for to-day, but we
shall pursue the subject further on another
occasion. We do not doubt that Senator
Morton has oil these authorities by heart,
and that upon them and others like them
he founded his bill of the last session.
Year: 1876

lnAsmuoh 80 un4er al laws there is
prartical nr- -anIty for such offences as that


united by Mr.. Swan, it is not easy. to see
why the gentleman has given himself the
trouble to leave for parts unknown, unless
it be that, giving to selfish villany the last
conceivable indulgence, he desired to save
himself the pain of seeing in familiar faces
the knowledge of his shame. Here is q man
who can rob his brother and his sister Of
the fortune left them by his father; who
can betray the trust reposed in him
BY that father--the most sacred, perhaps,
that ever issues from human relations-and
who yet seems to fancy that he has q sense
of shame, who would like to associate him
self by at least some filmy fancy with men
who are justly sensitive as to the opinions
of others. Fortunately for them the sew
eral societies of which this person was On
officer had their operations so systematized
that they had very little occasion to trust
any one. Had it been otherwise they
would certainly have become victims
to their confidence; for there was no
limit to the opinion entertained of Mr..
Swans honesty, and he seems not to have
overlooked single dollar that it was posi-
BILE for him to appropriate. He was able to
injure in very great degree only those i'm
mediate relatives whose affection and conf
dence prevented their taking any guarantee
against dishonesty. This case exhibits
again very forcibly, as did the case of Bar
rett and Nicoll, how utterly helpless are per-
sons whose property is in the hands of trus-
tees. Their case is certainly very hard, since
the law affords them no protection
and prevents them from protecting
themselves 1t might be no immediate sat-
isfaction to Mr.. Swans brother and sister to
have statute in existence providing for
rigorous punishment Of his crime, since it
would not restore their property and might
add poignant pang to what they already
feel yet tho presence of two or three dis
honest trustees in the State Prison would
perhaps not be without effect on the conduct
of other trustees.
Year: 1876

We notice with pleasure the interest m an
ifested by our enterprising contemporary,
the World in the Strakosch opera house
project The suggestion for an uptown
site seems good one Either the large
open space opposite the Grand Central de-
pot, or Gilmore's Garden, or the lot at the
corner of Forty fourth street and Fifth ave-
posed opera house, the desiderata being con-
venience of access and central neighbor-
hood, both considered with reference to the
growth of the upper portion of the island.
With the interest and active aid of such
men as Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt the
project can hardly fail to be successful. We
trust, however. that they will not repeat the
mistake which has made the Academy of Mu-
sic so unpopular. hestockholders should not
monopolize the good seats to the exclusion Of
in this way it will be as little likely to get
public favor as the present one. We do not
coincide with the suggestion that the pro-
posed building should be of gigantic pro-
portions. Experience has proved that there
is a limit in building theatres, as in other
things, beyond which it is Improbable to
go. We might instance several theatres and
opera houses, in this country and abroad,
which are like the mammoth steamship
Great Eastern-too big to answer the pur-
pose. The most successful places Of amuse-
ment are not of exaggerated proportions.
but moderate in dimension. With suit
able location, far enough up town to be GEN.
trail when the growth of the upper part of
the island is completed; with well con-
structed building, not too large, and con-
trived with strict regard for acoustic
effect, and with a judicious arrangement per-
mitting the public to have a fair choice of
seats unrestricted by the reserved rights Of
directors. the proposed opera house ought
to be as great a success as the most sanguine
of its friends could wish.
Year: 1876

The regular edition OF the HERALD will be sont here
after as far West as Harrisburg and tar South
Washington by special newspaper train, by Adams
Express Company, at the usual rates.
Year: 1876

The NEW Gas BIDS indicate sundry spasms
of sense on the part of the companies, but it
is only by the light of the kerosene lamp
that the gas vendors can SEQ themselves as
they are seen.
Year: 1876

JUDGE LAWRENCE yesterday decided that
the employees of the City Auditors Office
might be compelled by law to earn their
salaries and host of the city's creditors
are joyfully preparing to put this principle
into practice.
Year: 1876

A TEMPERANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BLACK


MAIL ALLEGED-FIRE ALARM SIGNALS


NEEDED-BADEAU DEFALcATIoN.


The Brooklyn Common Council met yesterday
afternoon President French In the chair com-
munication was received from Mayor Schroeder in rea
tion TO the abuses practiscd by temperance men who
obtain revocation of licenses evidence furnished
TO the Excise Board. The Mayor says:"These agents.
who permitted to withdraw the charges made by
them at their pleasure, have changed honest effort
TO enforce the laws into system Of blackmailing.
Complaints have been withdrawn after the payment OF
certain sums Of money to various individuals by tho
accused persons. l recommend that committee ex-
anime into the matter with view to the prevention of
these corrupt practices" For upward of year past
the Temperance Brotherhood OF Christian Churches
through their agents, marshaed by Captain Cotcr
have been buying samples OF liquor Sundays and
prosecuting the dealers on Mondays before the Ex-
else Board These agents have been commended
for the great and noble work they have been doing.
The communication OF Mayor Schroeder falls on sthe
causeV like thunderbot IL is stated that OF the 420
complaints made by Captain Cotter to the Excise
Board only 40 persons had their licenses revoked I6O
cases were postponed indefinitely and the number of
dismissed or Withdrawn was go


The Board resolved unanimously to investigate the
matter complained of by the Mayor and a committee
OF five was appointed for that purpose.


In elaborate communication from the Board OF
Fire Commissioners, II stated that system of Ere
alarm signals should be established in Brooklyn simi
lar TO that In in New York IL stated that the
eighteen lives which recently lost the Home for
the Aged might have been saved had there been
proper signal by which to communicate the alarm
Twenty and even thirty minutes time had frequently
been lost through want OF the fire alarm Loxes The
communication referred to tho proper committee


The various departments were instructed to notify
the Board OF the amount required TO pay the salaries
employees at the reduced schedule rates. from April
/ 10 December 81, 1876


From cx-Tax Collector Baieau, against whom judg-
ment was recently obtained by the city, communica-
ton received offering to surrender all his personal
and real property and that or mis- wife, with the excep
ton OF S. 000 which she possessed previous their
marriage. The offer referred TO the Law Commit
tee


1t was resolved that the Aldermen should visit the
sources OF the watershed from which tho Burden Hy
drsulic Company propose TO furnish cheap water TO
Brooklyn


II was reported that the act OF the Legislature which
provided for the alteration OF the grade between Thirty
sixth and Sxtieh Streets and Fourth and the
adopted by the Board
Year: 1876

From the Times Washington correspondence.l


Senator Boutwell, says in relation TO the letter
reported to have been written by him to Henry Clews
asking the of 500 900 for political purposes
and promising to give private adviccs to be used in
speculation, that he any letter to Henry
Clews that subject, any subject whatever OF
which there is not a copy on file in the Treasury
Department He charges anybody who processes TO
have sucn letter make 1t public without delay. 1t
rumorcd here that such letter written, not by
Secretary Boutwell,, but by gentleman prominent in
conducting the republican canvass. who asked the
advance OF money, and gave assurances, that might
have been supposed be authorized that CIews h Co.
should have the opportunity OF making up the amount
in speculations II seems from tho amount Of the
smoke that has filed the that there be
letter regarded important, and, If the rumor is
rect the is made public the better for all
cerncd except the writer OF H. In the absence OF any
proof except rumor OF the existence OF such letter, It
would not be just, however, to give the name of the
reputed author
Year: 1876

curing the ensuing for Mr.. Sanford. II Mr..
SANFORD has made this arrangement ! congratulate
bni as Ioater Is steady, honest fellow and most
SSonsuhmate horseman In fact, he Is known as 'tho
Master OF the Horse" The price said 10 have been
paid Tor Petrarch Is fS 500 but my information which
Is most reliable, Is that the price was upward OF
5lOOOO with an additional should he win the
Two Thousand Gdineas Derby. or both. Lord Dun
pin, who has bought him. is a Young man the son of
Scotch earl He has been on the turf only about two
years, and when he made his debut the betting men
took him for a rank fiat He Is brilliant whist player


and have no doubt that the "booksi' have got him
the money 10 pay for the horse for other sup
position can | account for him having much more
than half dollar, the family being poor He
is now in position to play rare havoc
with the betting He has a horse
In the Two Thousand Guneas called Kaleidoscope
that he has backed TO win very large of money,
and he has also heavy double event bets that his
horse will win the Two Thousand Guneas and Fetrarch
the Derby. With Petrarch out OF the way IN the Tor
mer race Kaleidoscope would very probably win, aud
something like $40 600 would go into the pocket OF the
winner. Then would come Petrarch's turn Tor the
Derby a race in which Kaleidoscope Is not engaged,
and IN which many people think Petrarch cannot DC
beaten II seems very likely therefore, that large as
is the sum that has been paid for Petrarch, the bust
ness is very smart and the Sporting Times, comment
ing the matter thinks that the genius quite
great that Dizzy displayed in buying up the
Suez Canal shares The professional betting men do
not know what make OF the matter and they rather
fear that in the long they will have TO pay for the
horse The last time that the first favorite for the
Derby changed hands when Lord St Vincent,
about fourteen years ago, gave 5000 guineas for Pc
trarch sire, Lord Clden, who was beaten by only
head most people say not beaten at ALL and that the
judge made mistake. Fordham, who rode Lord Gill
den on the occasion, is gradually retiring from the
saddle and should not be surprised II he were not TO
have mount in the next Derby. l am informed that
a noble lord has offered the enormous sum Of $4,000
for the first call his services for the and that
the offer has been declined Fordham is the only man
who has been paid even half this figure.