smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

A BLIND Swiss girl, who is an adept at
fine needlework, recently sent to the en-
Feror of Germany table-cOver exquis-
itely worked with her own hands, and
to avoid the appearance of having sent
the present in expectation of getting
something in return, she omitted her ad-
dress, and simply signed herself, GA
Blind Girl in Switzerland" The old
monarch was 50 pleased with the gift
and the manner of sending it, that he
he caused the German minister in Swift
zerland to ascertain the girls name and
address, whereupon he sent her a valua-
BILE brooch and an autograph letter of
thanks
Year: 1876

VANDALISM AT THE CAPITOL-MALICIoUs
PERSONS DEFACISG THE SENATE WING
The officers in charge OF the Senate wing
oi the capitol arc much troubled by the
evidence that some malicious person or per-
sons have deliberately gone to work to de-
face that wing. A short time ago nearly 4
Gallon OF oil, which must have been brought
INTO the building for the purpose, was
spilled on one OF the inner flights of marble
stairs. Tuesday it was discovered that a
large quantity OF blue ink had been poured
over the outer baluStrade OF the corridor
connecting the Senate wing with the main
building. The ink was poured in two or
three places. and splashed about so as to do
as much injury as possible. 1t cannot be
removed without cutting into the marble.
So many people are now at the capitol every
day. the number OF visitors averaging more
than a thousand, that it is impossible to keep
watch Of them all. 1t may be said, further
more, that the management Of this body o,
police is not efficient. The lieutenant de-
votes his time to the sale OF cake and lemon
ade in the dome, and the organization mlghl
as we'll be abolished as remain in its present
condition. Ii the efforts to deface the build
ing continue it is probable that large re-
ward will be offered for the detection OF the
otienderS.-PreSS dispatch.
Year: 1876

b The Case of the Richmond and Denville
Railroad Company.- the case OF the
Danyille railroad Judge Clopton yesterday


confirmed the decision Of the Mayors Court
in assessing line against this company OF


a hundred dollars for obstructing the streets


of the city with their freight cars. The


Court held that when the charter was grant
ed the company the term sof right OF


way . meant simply sufficient grounds for q


railroad to run their cars on, whether it be


a, double or single track. Owing. TO un-
iavoidabfe detention Judge Hunter Marshall,
the company q counsel, was not able TO be
present at the time the opinion was tarl-


nounced. Thirty days were allowed by the
Year: 1876

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE FROM GRIEF.-Mon
day afternoon Louis Salvatore was found in
his house suffering from the effects OF an
overdose Of laudanum, which he had taken
in fit of grief occasioned by the death OF
his wife from the prevailing epidemic: a
friend of his by the name of Founder hap
pened to call in, and found the wife dead
and the husband suffering from the effects
Of the dose he had taken. DR.. DeGratten-
reid was called upon Immediately, who sue
ceeded in relieving the man, and at this
writing he was considered out OF danger.
Salvatore is a paper-hanger. and formerly
worked at the establishment OF Mr-Lathrcp.
Savannah NearS.
Year: 1876

MAIL COMMUNICATION WITH BRAZIL
There is now no direct communication with
Brazil, and all letters, must be paid: by Brl-
tish maiLrates for Brazil and the Argentine
Confederation. For postage, see table OF
foreign postage in Postal Guide.
Year: 1876

A grand free exhibition of scenes in
the Black Hills will be given tomorrow
evening from the front of the Western
Union telegraph office. The views will
be thrown upon canvass by the power
full rays Of a magic lantern, and the ex-
hibition will be unusually interesting.
Mr.. Ford authorizes us to state that
the parlors and chambers Of his hotel
will be given up to ladies and their at
tendants who desire to witness the
affair and do not wish to be jostled by
the crowd which is certain to gather on
the walk and the streets.
Year: 1876

How meekly beautiful, like some iair blossom,
Waited from gardens Of purer air,
The infant sleeps upon It's mothers bosom,
Beneath the golden foliage OF her hair.
Across the fine transparent pearl-inIaying


or lis most delicately tinted cheek,
Bright roseate hues of heavenly birth are playing
As though TO it sweet thoughts the Angels


speak;


Or. from the store of their celestial treasure,
Inibue its tender mind With love supreme
Or still perhaps. some scene Of future pleasure
Now casts its heightened shadow o'er It's dream.
While yet the soul is free from sin and error,
1t holds communion with ils native skies,
And angels watch it till the tcnd OF terror


Iniects its cup of bliss with baneiul hes
Sleep on, sweet innocent! The waking hour
OF that enchanting spell may thee beguile;
For earth, with all its glittering pomp ana power
Hath but few joys to make the spirit smile
Year: 1876

Yesterday tho Supreme Court, General Term sitting
in Kings county, rendered decision In the matter OF
appeal taken by counsel for the reservoir contractors
from the decision Of tho Special Term In March last


motion for preliminary injunction restraining the
city of Brooklyn from withholding the control of tho
reservoir from the plaintiffs was denied. Tho
tractors held that the reservoir had not been
peted they responsible for the work. and should
not be Intcrfered with by the city authorities tll tho
contract had been fully complied with Tho application
denied the contract being ~ an end BY the exhsus
tion Of the amount appropriated therefor.
Year: 1876

ditions that affect Europe GROSS the Allan
tic from our shores. and consequently we
experience them week or more before they
reach that continent. We have already sent
to the British Isles two remarkably severe
storms, but the HERALD gave notice in each
case OF their progress in that direction fully
seven days in advance of their arrival on the
Irish coast. Now, it being clear that our
American weather largely governs that of
Europe, and when we look forward 10 a
severe winter in the United States we also
regard it as equally probable that Europe
will experience a similar season, it is, there
fore, our duty to warn the authorities OF
France, Germany, Austria and England that
a timely preparation for great spring floods
can alone avert disasters, and we do SO with
the hope that our warning will be needed.
Year: 1876

AS more intimate knowledge of the
science of meteorology is obtained by a
study of the phenomena it presents to our
notice, many calamties can be ayerted


by timely preparation to meet and neu-
tralize the causes that have hitherto. pro-
duced them. We have had to record year
after year the dreadful destruction of life
and property along the valleys of the great
rivers of Europe by sudden inundations
caused by the rapid melting of immense ac-
cumulations of snow at their mountain
sources and over the watersheds which
they drain. The distressing scenes
in the valleys of the Rhone and
tho Danube in the early part of the
present year created profound impression
by the scale on which they were enacted
and the widespread devastation that accom-
panied them. Whole villages were sud-
denly swallowed by the angry floods and
the results of the patient labor of years
effaced in a moment by the overwhelming,
rushing waters. 1t is therefore, matter of
the gravcst moment that the recurrence OF
such terrible calamities should be- if possi-
bic, prevented. To this end we desire to
call the attention of the governments Of the
countries liable to be involved in these dan
gers to the fact that winter of unusual Sc
verify is before them, and that an extraordi-
nary snowfall is probable in Central Europe
As we have recently stated. the weather con-
Year: 1876

civil disturbance under any pretext what
ever. In a free government, and with peace
and order, all wrongs and evils can be reme-
of o free people, and those who have it not
are not fit for liberty and cannot maintain
it. No matter in which way our present
political dispute is decided there will be
dissatisfaction among part of the people,
and perhaps distrust of the justice OF the
settlement. What then? Are the dissatis-
fed and suspicious to take to violence !?
What good will that do? Is it the patriots
part TO plunge into irretrievable ruin
and disgrace those free institutions which
every man among us must wish to see
handed down securely to his children? 1t
Presidential dispute may be SO decided as to
satisfy all reasonable men that justice has
been done. But this may prove impossible.
The interference and the schemes of polti-
clans may result in leaving the final decision
open to just suspicion. Suppose this
proves SO. Will men be excusable if,
even in that case, they seek by vio-
lence to overturn or resist that which
shall be established? Are we not, rather, as
freemen, to whom our free institutions arc
precious, to remember that in two years
there will be another election ?-that there
are constitutionally appointed ways in
which we can right all wrongs or suspected
wrongs? BLESSED are the peacemakers !"
that is the lesson of to-day. We celebrate the
birth Of One who came to bring peace on
earth and good will to men," 1t is fit that we
shall conduct ourselves as q Christian people;
as nation determined upon peace and order
as the necessary basis of all our prosperity,
and of our continuance rs free people.


We bail it as good omen that this Christ
mas is Immediately preceded by cogent
appeal to Congress in behalf of peace,
signed by the most eminent citizens Of
Philadelphia without distinction of party.
This appeal comes appropriately from the
City Of Brotherly Love, the birthplace OF
American independence; but Christians and
patriots have no duties there which are not
equally binding everywhere. Those emf
nent Philadelphia citizens say that Gin
their belief the citizens of the United
States are almost unanimous in their de-
mand that the questions arising from the
late Presidential election shall be dealt with
in spirit predetermined to harmonize con-
ficting views irrespective of the success or
defeat Of individual candidates" We have
no doubt that this language expresses the
real sentiments of the great body of the
American people who have not become
heated by political strife and we trust that
such truly Christian sentiments will be
strengthened by the interesting festival by
which we celebrate the birth Of the Prince
of Peace
Year: 1876

THE WEATHER. As predicted in yester-
days HERALD the storm in the Gulf has
reached the coast and is now central west Of
Florida. The gale at Galveston yesterday
morning was very severe, and high winds
may be expected along the Atlantic coast
during to-day, as the storm centre advances
northeastward. Owing to the influence of
the high pressure and low temperature in
the North snow fell last evening in the
Mississippi Valley at Cairo, in tho Missouri
Northwest. A low pressure still prevails
over Nova Scotia The weather in New
York to-day will be cold and partly cloudy
or einudy. possibly with light snow or rain.
Year: 1876

The lactometer is an adaptation to special
fluid of the hydrometer, an instrument con-
trived to show the proportion Of solid sub
stances to water in any given solution. In
wine, for instance, or in milk, or in the
apothecaries' tinctures, or in sea water, or in
the common mineral waters, or in spring OF
river water, there is always present certain
proportion of vegetable mineral or animal
substances held in solution by the water,
and the combination Of which with the
water gives tho fluid its particular character,
its color and, in the larger number Of
cases, its taste. This little instrument is
a glass tube, with q bulb SO filed
with air as to bo buoyant and SO
weighted that the tube is maintained
in perpendicular position. On the tube
that is thus held upright in the water are
marked the numbers Of a scale as the num-
bers are marked on an ordinary ther-
mometer. If this tube is placed in q fluid
it will stand further out of the water or
deeper in it, according to the proportion Of
solid substances held in solution in that
fluid. Placed in specimen of good milk it
will stand, say at the number 100. Any
number may be taken for illustration. Sup
pose the given number to stand at the sur
face. Add water to the milk. the fluid be.
comes less dense and down goes the tube to
ninety eighty, or proportionately as the
quantity OF water poured in is greater. On
the other hand. add chalk, or -four, or
arrowroot, and the tube rises again up to the
point that indicates good milk add more,
and it will indicate superior milk and you
may thus make q mixture Of -four and water
that the lactometer will practically inform
you is 'richer" and 'purer" than any milk
that ever came to this market. It is the
wonderful genius Of the Board of Health
doctors, however, that foists these words.
The lactometer knows nothing of richer OF
purer. 1t only knows ''density" and


'tenuity' 1t does not perceive the nature
of substances except as to their auidity it
indicates the precise degree of that charac-
teristic. 1t is evident, therefore, that if
milk is freely watered and not otherwise
tampered with the lactometer will tell the
story; but if the milk is adulterated by the
addition of substances equivalent to the
volume of water, then the instrument ceases
to be guide, and we are of opinion that
the use Of the lactometer as an official guide
to the quality of milk will lead to this viler
adulteration-the addition of substances to
meet the difficulty made by the water.
Year: 1876

Recently one uncertainty as to the Presi-
Dental election in Mexico was terminated
by battle which decided that Lerdo was
not the mar. Then the troubles were all
over for a day or two; the new government
provided new constitution, or one good
as new; gave m evidence of the sincerity
of its purpose by collecting new taxes, and
was enthusiastically received by the peo-
pie. 1t may strike the Indifferent observer
can people should be enthusiastic in regard
to new government; but it should never
be forgotten that in welcoming q new gov
ernment there is involved the happiness
that at least they are rid of the one that
preceded it. There was no Marcellus in
the fact that they were shouting over julius
Caesar Diaz as formerly they shouted over
Pompey Lerdo; but if there had been the
people might have responded that at least
the event afforded them a new show-was
equivalent to putting new slide into the
magic lantern OF their politics-and that the
existence of one government rather than
another was of little further consequence
than that to them. 1t appears by the chron-
icle that now another uncertainty requires
to be terminated by the same process, and
therefore another battle is imminent. This
time the count is between Diaz and Iglesias,
and Diaz will doubtless be counted in, for
he has got the best artillery. This expert
ment in republican politics is worthy the
public interest
Year: 1876

GENERAL GRANT said yesterday thnt he
had no knowledge of any democratic armed
conspiracy. There were organized rifle
companies in the Southern States outside of
the militia, but he had no fears of colli-
sion. The reports of the committees would
show the real result of the electoral vote
and he thought the people worhd be made
satisfied by n fair count. He expressed
tho opinion that the President elect might
take the oath of Office Immediately after the
declaration of the electors though, of course
he could not enter upon his duties until the
4th Of March. A message will be sent to
Congress shortly in regard to sending troops
Kouth
Year: 1876

The romantic story of Bonfantis marriage
will be read with tender interest by every
one whose heart is in the right place. No
possible blame can be attached to the fasci-
mating woman who neglected cities full of
admirers to give her whole heart and life to
the man in whose affection she found them
again. But after the heartiest admiration is
accorded to woman's love and faithfulness
there is still something in the story for
Mt least one class of readers to think
over Had the sentiment Of the devoted
husband been guided by other feelings
be woman's Joy instead of a tenderly sor-
rowful memory. The anxiety and trouble
brought on by an unfortunate secret did the
principal work in sending George Hoffman
to en- early grave. Welded love is some
thing more than q mere amusement to which
everything else is to be sacrificed. It's
influences last as long as life itself,
and nothing that hampers it with
burdens and sorrows which straight
forward course can prevent is consistent
with the affection which every true woman
deserves. There are thousands of young
men who need to learn this lesson so thor
oughly that no spirit of romance nor any
intensity of feeling can make them forget it,


No amount of patience, hindrance OF separa-
ton could ever have been so CALLING to the
hero of this sorrowful romance as the neces-
sity of writing as he did to Mr.. Puleston.
Year: 1876

It is pleasant to discern among the straws
that drift down the tide of our hundredth
year some hopeful signs of real aesthetic
progress. A popular lecture like that de-
livered by Mr.. Goodyear at Cooper Institute,
last Saturday evening, upon reform in
household art, deserves more than passing
notice. GeHerally speaking the era now
closing has been one of mechanical rather
than artistic Advancement We have con-
implements of war. of agriculture, of loco
motion, and even in the utensils of domestic
convenience, our workmen have left little
to desire; but in the quiet arts Of household
architecture and decoration we are greatly
lacking. Up to a very recent period the in
ing was strained and ungnceful. There is
even yet general prevalence of square
comfortlessness of architecture and mathe-
matical precision in the disposal of fur
niture. A lingering tradition Of Puritan
rigidity may have something to do with
this, or it may be merely the expedient of
people to whom life is business and the
art of living an idle and undesirable pas
time. In almost every European country
art is familiar household dweller. 1t is
visible in neat and cosey architecture, in
tasteful furniture and decoration and in
simplicity and grace of arrangement. We
are glad to observe an increasing tendency
toward these effects here The liberal
patronage of the recent art sale was
evidence Of the growth of this tendency
among the wealthier classes, and there are
equally plain indications of similar gen.
eral disposition. The closing of the Phila-
delphia Exhibition threw into the market
number of collections of artistic pottery,
lacquer work and various other articles of a
like nature, and in every instance they have
found a ready and even eager sale. The in
fluence Of the Exhibition itself was very
powerful in this respect Thousands of
people were unconsciously made acquainted
with the desirability of art in household
decoration who had never even suspected
it's existence. That the influence of this
single event will be made manifest and bear
fruit throughout the country cannot be
doubted. And as valuable auxiliary to
the development of artistic ideas we hope
to see more such popular teaching as that
of MIR. Goodyear.
Year: 1876

WE UNDERSTAND that new gas company
has been organized up town, and we hope
1t will relieve the people of the broken
roads, bad light and exorbitant prices
which have been endured for year or
more. Competition is as necessary in gas
as in ocean kilograms.
Year: 1876

REINDEER SLEIcHs are not on hire at che
livery stables, but anybody who wants to
play Santa Claus to the people who need
gifts will find we'll filled coal cart equally
useful and far more appropriate.
Year: 1876

The Insurance Department at Albany
seems to be fully MS remiss as the Bank
Department in the discharge of its official
duties. 1t is evident that the supervision
over the affairs of life insurance companies
required of the department by the laws for
the protection of the insured has long been a
mere farce. Any man of ordinary sense and
experience could discover, from the reports
Of some of the companies which have re-
Gently gone into tho hands of receivers, that
bankruptcy was inevitable. Yet the officers
whose especial business it. is to scrutinize
the reports, and whose duty requires them
to make thorough investigation into the af-
fairs Of company whenever there is reason
to doubt its solvency, have allowed these
suspicious exhibits to pass unnoticed,
and have suffered the tottering institu-
got ready to close their doors. A sudden
movement toward an examination has been
made since the press commenced the agita-
ton Of the matter, but under an efficient
department it should have taken place long
since. Taking the Continental company's
report, showing its condition on the 3lst
Of last December, we find that the total
premium income for 1875 was two million
one hundred and forty thousand dollars, in
round numbers including notes, dividends,
reconverted additions and surrendered
policies. Out of this the net amount
of uncollected and deferred premiums
was seven hundred thousand dollars. The
Mutual company had in the same year a
total premium income, wholly in cash, of
fifteen million seven hundred thousand
dollars, with net amount of uncollected
and deferred premiums only ono hundred
and fifty thousand dollars larger than the
Continental. Among the years disburse-
ments of the Continental appear the follow
Year: 1876

A hen at West Aldin, New York,
recently laid an egg which was SO
extraordinarily large that it was
opened, when another egg, shell and
all, was discovered inside the big one.
1t is supposed that the hen had been
reading the 'Life of Samuel Tilden,
and was trying to evade the payment
of her tax on the small egg.
Year: 1876

As the campaign progresses, it is
wonderful how the issues which both
parties deprecated come to the front
The questions of civil service reform,
a tariff for revenue, the currency, and
all other issues of real Importance,
give way to the more serious one Of
turning over the control of the Gov
ernment to a party that will be man
aged by the men who sought by force
to destroy the Union. The depen-
denee of the Democratic party on the
South, before the war, It's helpless
ness while the war was in progress,
because its Southern wing was cut
off aud engaged in fighting to destroy
the Union, and its growing conf
dence and arrogance, now that it
feels that it has solid South as a
basis of operations, all contribute to
excite distrust, and intensity the con-
viction that the time is not yet ar
rived to restore the Democratic par
ty to power Commercial.
Year: 1876

One of the best practices is to keep q
record of such facts concerning farm
matters as may have cone within the
limit of ones observations. One Of the
best ways To get at the truth is to meet
with ones neighbors and compare
notes. This is the proper season Of the
year for doing this, and we hope it will
not be allowed to pass by unimprOved.
A neighbor may have grown an unus-
ually fine crop OF grass or grain. If so
inasmuch as the soil on which they
were grown is similar to that on your
own farm, it will pay to inquire into
the causes that have produced so de-
sirable a result. Was it owing to a
previous judicious rotation of crops :?
Was it the application of barn-yard
manure? or what was the cause? Per-
haps ii may have been early fall, late
fall or winter plowing the land. lfso,
what were the conditions OF the soil at
the time Of blowing?


1t is great point gained when one
sets himself about the task of observing
closely and makes careful record of
such observations. 1t is by observation
that we learn and that progress is made.
We should not only read and observe,
but we should take advantage of what
we these learn, and at once ruake such
knowledge available for it is in this
way that success in farming orr any other
pursuit is assured.- Rural World.