tm feib lira.
PHILADELPHIA, JUNK 11, 1804.
OPEN AGAIN.
"I T is really wonderful liow a Fair grows on
one. We hardly were conscious of it, until
it closed upon us so unexpectedly for a few
hours on Wednesday. We were just getting into
the spirit of it, and were looking forward to
an uninterrupted stretch of enjoyment, when
we had an afternoon and evening thrown upon
our hands. But like a great many of the dis
appointments of life, it was a fortunate circum
stance for us, and we have no doubt for all of
those engaged about the Fair. The labor of
preparation had been very great, and most
people had got very much behindhand in sleep
ing and eating when the Fair opened. The
excitement kept us all up, and no one realized
how tired he or she was, until an opportunity
of repose presented itself. The break has, in
nautical language, enabled us to make up our
“ lee way,” and we start anew, fresh and
vigorous. The tables are all dressed, the goods
all arranged, the prices all marked, so that the
business of life is now literally to buy or to
sell. Therefore, in the words of lago, “ Put
money in thy purse.”
We would suggest, for the benefit of stran
gers, that they had better proceed with a little
method in this business. Probably it would
be as well to begin the day as they do
at home, by eating a very hearty breakfast at
the restaurant, upon all the delicacies of the
season. They then might get their letters
from the Post-Office, and read the newspaper.
This supposes that they have subscribed for
the newspaper, which is of course essential.
Then, as in every day life, they would proba
bly desire to express their opinions about the
Generals and the politicians of the day, which
they could do by going to several stands
where their opinion would not only be received,
but recorded for the moderate sum of one dol
lar. They could give their favorite, swords,
daggers, dressing gowns and other things too
numerous to mention. Not being anxious to be
troubled with too many heavy things to take
home, this subscribing for other people is an
immense saving of freight, the charges on
which are now very high.
These are the things which everybody does.
We now come down to individual tastes, and
where advice is more difficult. If you have a
wife, let her buy for you; if you have not, go
to the table of any beautiful young girl and she
will give you the most disinterested advice on
the subject. Don’t go about looking for some
thing that you want. You should have but
one want at a Fair, the want of spending your
money, and if you don’t satisfy that in your
first visit, —call again.
Oue Daily ZEr^A-Tare:
WHAT “ SPECIAL BELIEF” MEANS.
A city correspondent, evidently gifted with
a talent for investigation, wants to know what
the “ Sanitary people” mean by “ special re
lief.” He shrewdly observes that a great deal
of money is devoted to this branch of the ser
vice, and he would like to have it made plain to
his understanding who or what the objects are,
that are so particularly cared for under this
peculiar head. What may be the nature of his
speculations or suspicions in the premises we
can only conjecture. He may regard this re
lief as spirituous rather than spiritual, more
in the nature of enjoyment for the Commis
sioners than for the comfort of the soldiers.
Not to put too fine a point upon the matter, it
may mean brandy and water, and cigars and
things. He is clearly in the state of mind of
that fine figurative orator who “ smells a rat,
hears it brewing in the storm, and is resolved
to nip it in the bud.”
Of course we feel it incumbent on our edi
torial staff to answer the question. This, then,
is the nature of “special relief.” It often
happens that a soldier, on his way to the field,
arrives in Washington who is not so sick as to
have a claim on a General Hospital, but who
may get seriously ill unless he receives prompt
and generous attention. That man is the sub
ject of “special relief.” He is conveyed at
once to a snug and liome-like establishment,
in the vicinity of the depot, under the care of
the Sanitary Commission. In a few days he
is made strong again, and sent away physi
cally capable to do service at the front.
Again: here comes a soldier from the field,
honorably discharged for disability. He gets
to Washington without mouey, and may have
to wait there a day or two, or perhaps many
days, if his papers are blundered, before he
can get his pay. Now what is he to do in the
meantime; he has no further claim on the
Government, and is penniless, and in a strange
place? Is he to be left to starve or to beg?
Such a man is taken in hand for “ special re
lief” by the agents of the Sanitary Commission.
He is provided with food and lodgings, and, as
soon as he is paid, is sent, on his way rejoicing.
On other occasions, and almost hourly some
times, soldiers, honorably discharged, reach
the city with their clothes all soiled and tat
tered from unavoidable hard usage. They are
not only unclean and unsightly to the eye, but
so unwholesome as to put the soldier’s health in
peril. Would any one see an American sol
dier, in this war, parading the streets in such
a guise? Of course not, and such men are
therefore subjects of “special relief,” being
made clean and decent in their apparel before
they are forwarded to their homeß.
Cases of the kind specified are multitudi
nous. But they are only examples. “ Special
relief” takes care of all discharged invalids
while they are waiting for their papers ; acts
as their agent when too feeble to attend at the
paymaster’s office in person; secures their
railroad tickets at reduced rates; protects
them against the sharpers who haunt the rail
way depots ; rescues them from dens of dissi
pation when they are induced to remain in
Washington by evil companions, and sends
them to their homes ; and is, in short, the
Good Samaritan of the cause.
THE BIGHT VIEW OF THE CASE.
Soon after the commencement of the Revo
lutionary War a farmer, residing near Phila
delphia, addressed his neighbors as follows:
“ I have observed that some of you are sur
prised that, with so many inducements as I
have to remain at home, I should quit my family
for the fatigues and dangers of war. lam an
American, and determined to be free. I was
born free ; I have never forfeited my birth
right, nor will I ever—like Esau—sell it for a
mess of pottage I will part with my life
sooner than my liberty. God Almighty gave
me my life and my property, and as a neces
sary means among others, that of preserving
and enjoying it; and it is only lie that hath
an absolute right and power to take it away.
Let no one, therefore, wonder if of all earthly
comforts my Creator has bestowed on me, I do
most esteem my liberti/.”
AN APPBOPBIATE TRIBUTE
A number of our fellow-citizens desirous of
expressing, in some manner, their gratitude to
General Meade, who, with his brave army at
Gettysburg, saved our city from violation and
outrage, presented to his wife, on the day of
the opening of our Fair, a handsome resi
dence completely furnished. It was fit that
there should be some lasting memorial of such
services, and it was highly appropriate that
he, who had been so instrumental in preserving
the homes and firesides of us all, should be
provided by his fellow-citizens with a home
and fireside of his own.
The General has earned new laurels upon
every field in which his heroic army has since
been engaged. He adds to the obligations
more rapidly than we can acknowledge them.
And though we cannot adequately requite his
services, it will cheer him, in his high career
of honor and duty, to feel that at least we are
not unmindful of them.
OBNITHOLOGICAL.
England is justly proud of her Nightin
gale, the music of whose good deeds rang
world wide but what should our pride be
who have seen, in this land, since the war be
gun, scores of thousands of suffering soldiers
relieved by a countless choir of “Nightin
gales,” each not inferior to her whose surname
is Florence —truly the beautiful.