THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH TRIPLE SHEET PHILADELPHIA, , SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1800.
3
JNAUUAUfUIT THE DEACON.
Wc make tho following c tract from the new
poem by Mr. Whitticr In tbo January number of
Tin Atlantic:
HottliftupLt, the Indian deacon, who of old
Dwelt, poor but blameless, where hia narrowing
Oupe
StreWhca its shrank arm ont to all the winds
And the relentless tmiting of the waves,
Awoke one morning from a pleasant dream
Of a pood angel dropping In his hand
A fair, broad gold piece, in the name of God.
lie rose and went forth with the early day
Far inland, where the voices of the waves
Mellowed and mingled with the whippcring
leaves,
As, throne!) the tangle of the low, thick woods,
' lie searched liis traps. Therein nor beast nor
bird
He found; though meanwhile in the reedy pools
The otter plashed, and underneath the pines
The partridge drammed; and as his thoughts
went bock
To the sick wife and little child at home,
"What marvel that the poor man felt his lalth
Too weak to bear its burden like a rope
That, strand by strand uncoiling, breaks above
The hand that groups it. 'Pivcn now, O Lord !
Send mo," he prayed, "the angel of my dream!
Nauhanght is very poor; be cannot wait."
Even as he spake, he heard at his bare feet
A low, metallic clink, and, looking down,
lie saw a dainty purse with disks of gold
Crowding its silken net. Awhile he held
Tho treasure up before his eyes, alone .
With his great need, feeling the wondrous coins
Slide through his eager fingers, one by one.
So then the dream was true. The angel brought
One broad piece only; should ho take all these?
Who would be wiser, in the blind, dumb woods?
The loser, doubtless rich, would scarcely mis
This dropp'd crumb from a table always full.
Still, while he mused, he seemed to hear the cry
(f a starved child; the sick face of his wife
Tempted him. Heart and flesh in fierce revolt
Urged the wild license of his savage youth
Against his later scruples. Bitter toil,
Prayer, fasting, dread of blame, and pitiless
eyes
To watch his halting had he lost for these
The freedom of the woods the hunting-grounds
Of happy spirits for a walled-in heaven
Of everlasting psalms ? One healed the sick
Very far off thousands of moons ago;
I lad he mot prayed him night and day to come
And cure his bed-bound wile ? Was there a hell ?
Were all his fathers' people writhing there,
Like the poor shell-fish, bet to boil alive,
Forever, dying never ? If he kept
This gold, so needed, would the dreadful God
Torment him like a Mohawk's captive stuck
With slow-consuming splinters ? Up to heaven
Would the good brother deacon grown so rich
By selling rum to Indiaus laugh to see him
Burn like a pitch-pine torch ? His Christian
garb
Seemed falling from him; while the fear and
shame
Of Adam naked ut the cool of day,
He gaed around. A black snnke lay In coil
On the hot sand, a crow with sidelong eye
Watched from a dead bough. All his Indian
lore
Of evil blending with a convert's faith
In the supernal terrors of the Book,
He saw the Tempter iu the coiling snake
And ominous, black-winged bird; and all the
while
The low rebuking of the distant waves
JStole in upon him like the voice of God
Among the trees of Eden. Girding up
His soul's loins with a resolute hand, he thrust
The base thought from him. "Nauhaught, be a
man!
Starve, if need be: hut, while you live, look out
From honest eyes on all men, unashamed,
(tod help me ! I am deacon of the church.
A baptized, praying Indian ! Should I do
This secret meanness, even the barken kuots
Of the old trees would turn to eyes to sec it,
The birds would tell ofit, and all the leaves
Whisper above me, "Nauhaught is a thief !"
The sun would know it, and the stars that hide
Behind his light would watch me, and at night
Follow me with their sharp, accusing eyes.
Yea, Thou, God, seest me!" Then Nauhaught
drew
Closer his belt of leather, dulling thus
The pain of hunger, and walked bravely back
To the brown fishing-hamlet by the sea;
And, pausing at the inn-door, cheerily asked:
'Who hath lost aught to-day ?"
"I," said a voice.
"Ten golden pieces, in a silken puisc,
My daughter's handiwork." He looked, and lo!
One stood before him in a coat of frieze,
And the glazed hat of a seafaring man,
Shrew-faced, broad-shouldered, with no trace of
wings.
Marvelling, he dropped within the stranger's
hand
The silken web, and turned to go his way.
But the man said: "A tithe at least is yours;
Take It in God's name as an honest man."
And as the deacon's dusky fingers closed
Over the golden gift, "Yea. In God's name
1 take it, with a poor man s thanks," he said.
So down the street that, like a river of sand,
Kan, white in Eunshlne, to the Summer sea,
He sought his home, singing and praising God;
And when his neighbors in their careless way
Spoke of the owner of the silken purse
A Wcllfleet skipper, known iu every port
That the Cape opens in its sandy wall
lie answered, with a wise smile, to himself:
"J saw the asgel where they see a man."
CITY INTELLIGEIfCE.
(For additional City Newt tee paye 12.)
THE DECLARATION.
An Interesting Local . Question
t Where was the Declaration of
Independence "Written?
Jefferaon Appears
to Contradict
Himself.
For yeara npon years the old brick building at the
southwest corner of Seventh and Market streets has
been pointed out to the stranger and native alike as
the place wherein Thomas Jefferson, the author of
the Declaration of Independence, wrote the first
draft of the Immortal . document which was the
original framework of oar liberties and the announce
ment of our claim to a position In the sisterhood of
nations. A large sign bearing a portrait of Benjamin
Franklin seated at a desk and perusing a book deco
rated the space between the fourtlmtory wlndowa
of the Market street front until within a few months
past, and there was an accompanying Inscription In
Urge black letters designating the building ai "The
Birthplace of Liberty."
"In support of this theory, Watson, In his "Annals of
Fhlladelphla" (edition of 1860, vol. U, page 309), tells
us, in his quaint style, that "the place of writing the
Declaration has been differently stated. Borne," he
continues, "have said that It was at Jefferson's
chamber, in the Indian Oueen inn ; but Mrs. Clymer,
with whom Mr. Jefferson boarded, at the southwest
corner of Seventh and High (now Market) streets,
aid It was there, and to settle this point. Dr. Mease
wrote to Mr. Jefferson, and )ad it eonjirwud as at her
house."
In the first volnme of his "Annals'" (same edition,
page 47"), Watson touches upon the same mooted
question, in the following terras:
in the Indiau OueenTavetn. South Fourth street.
In the second story, front room, south end. Jefferson
bad bis desk and room where he wrote and studied,
and from that cause It has been a popular opinion
that he there wrote his 'Declaration of Independ
ence ' I have seen the place of the desk, bv the side
f the fire-place, west side, as pointed out by Cieaar
Rodney's m.
"But hit friend. John McAllister, told me In 1833
that be was told by the stepmother of the present
lion. JOlin nargeant mat nr. anemw nan inquireu oi
.ixffertMin himself, by letter, aud that be was in
formed by Aim that when he wrote that instrument
e lived In a large tk-ik hnns, llnnirlnir u tho
west corner of noma crossing street Mr. Rfinrnant
Midi I iii-re wati no duuiit II wu tut sinoo no wll
known as (irnt.'s store, at sotitliweM corner of
Hevei th sue! lhuli stret-t,''
'J he " Indian Vneen" Tavern, whlcn In earner iUy
was the contestant of too boose at the corner of
Seventh and Market streets for the honor of having
been the pluce wherein the Declaration was written,
was slmateil at the southeast corner of Ftinrth ami
Market streets. Ornvilon refers to the bulMlnf? ami
slates that in 1700 It was kept by the widow
Nicholls.
In the recently published first voHiroe of the "Life
of Daniel Webster," by George Ticknor Cartts, we
find some Interesting passages which revive the old
dispnte about the precise spot on which Jefferson
wrote the American Magna C'harta, and which tend
to leave the question in even greater doubt than
before. In the autumn of 1824, Daniel Webster
started on a journey to Thomas Jefferson at Monti
cello, In company with George Tick nor, one of his
most Intimate personal friends, who had been in
vited by Mr. Jefferson to assist him In
regulating the coarse of studios at
the University of Virginia. The party left Wash
ington on the nth of December. The roads were in
a terrible state, and the Journey was exceedingly
tedious, both going and returning. On the return,
when the party were stopping over night at a small
Ibu by the way, Mr. Webster and Mr. Ticknor be
gnlled the time by dictating to Mrs. Ticknor, who
acted as amanuensis, the conversations had by
them with Jefferson daring the four or five days
passed at Montlcello. The accuracy of the report of
Jefferson's sayings on this occasion, which was first
given to the public by Fletcher Webster, In the
first volume of his father's correspondence, pub
lished In 1867, has been qnestloncd on some points by
Jefferson's biographer; but Mr. Curtis puts forth a
strong argument in its support, citing the fact that It
was carefully prepared a few hours after the depar
ture of the party from MontieeUo, as a private
record of the visit, but doubtless with a view of ltd
being at some future time given to the public.
We have thus detailed at length the circumstances
under which the paragraph given below was written,
in order to glve-it Its full weight as tending to settle,
althongh In an unsatisfactory manner, a question
which is not oaly of local importance, but of general
Interest. Among the memoranda of Jcilerson's
conversation as written down by Mrs. Ticknor are
the following words, spoken by Jcfl'erson In direct
response to a question by Webster;
"The Declaration of Independence was written In
a house on the north slilu of Chesuut street, between
Third and Fourth not a corwr houxr. Ileiskcll's
Tavern, in Fourth street, has been shown for It (to
Mr. Webster) but this is not the house."
Iu asserting that the place was not a corner lunise,
Jefferson at one word disposed of the claims of the
only two buildings which have generally been cre
dited with the disputed honor, the Indian Queen Inn
and the house at Seventh and Market streets. Dy
IIciskell'B Tavern he probably referred to the first
named, which, as stuted by WatAon, was at one time
popularly supposed to have been the place. But,
while the exact location still remains a mystery, and
will doubtless so remain for all time to come, we are
able to get near the true site, and especially to dis
pose of the rival claims of the two buildings to which
the credit was formerly awarded. Wherever the
building was located within the limits described by
Jefferson, It has long since disappeared, and as such
is the case, perhaps the solutionof the question is as
satisfactory as could be desired.
THE FASHIONS.
N(w Styles of Fancy tJooil lor Present.
The holiday season being now upon us, everybody
Is Inquiring what is new In the way of presents. It
is something of an undertaking to remember all
one's friends with a suitable gift; that is, all the
friends one cares to so remember. If nseful articles
are selected, the probability is that he or she on whom
they may be bestowed will be already supplied.
Useful articles, when needed, are no donbt the most
welcome presents to a comparatively poor friend,
to allnthers, fancy goods are more suitable. They
are regarded In the light of Indulgences which
come only at Christ mus time, and which no one
would think of getting for oneself. Such arc the
fancy goods which are now being displayed in great
profusion In all the stores, also the plainer articles
of home manufacture. Many articles partially
completed may be bought, which when finished
will bear the additional charm of the manipu
lation by home fingers. The embroidery stores
are full of designs for the fair buyer to perfect and
present to whom she will. The favorite gift is a
screen, of any shape or size. Light rosewood, gilt,
er walnut frames come for thosq which are to stand
on a table before a lamp. The centre-piece is usually
Java canvas, or tinsel leather, with large perfora
tions, on which the design is quickly worked In floss.
The tinsel leather is 11 "60 a sheet, which will make
four cornucopias, six sbavlng-papcr cases, or two
screens. Shield-shaped screens and guidons are fan
cied to hold In the hand or place in a window. Those
frames are also filled with hanging portfolios or
baskets In card-board, bound deeply with velvet
and rushes of satin ribbon, a painted design, or
one on perforated paper or canvas Oiling the centre.
These are the prettiest things for school girls to
make, as few designs show more for the work they
cost. Small ottomans and footstools In Berlin work.
are not much larger than pin-cushions. They; ore
perfectly round, light bine or crimson usually chosen
for the color, and shaded Greek designs In neutral
tint wrought as a border, the centre plain, and the
whole finished by a deep worsted fringe of the
colors.
Slippers are now worked in Chinese fashion, with
a spray of flowers thickly done In silk directly on the
Instep. This Is so highly raised as to seem cm
bossed. Men's slippers come prepared In fine mo
rocco, russet, or mode color, with applique of velvet
stamped on them, and a pattern ready drawn to be
filled with gold braiding and very little embroidery
In silk. The price Is $10 a pair. Cushions and slip
pers are worked In Hobs designs, and filled with
worsted. Braces are wrought in silk on the per
forated leather, or on fine morocco straps for the
purpose. Pin-cushions have wide velvet borders,
wltn white lace centres. An eight-inch cushion of
sky bine velvet, with applique centre laid on light
blue silk, finished by blue and tinsel cord and lace
quilling, Is a present for a duchess. Velvet frames
and portfolios are pretty for parlor tables, and not
difficult to make. The velvet may be gummed at
the edges on passe partout frames, and carved Ivory
ornaments fastened at each corner.
The most elegant style of book cover now Is Ivory
or carved wood. Small prayer-books, minute 12mos
of Oxford edition, are bound In plain leaves of white
ivory with solid silver edges an i clasps, a cross or
monogram In silver raised on the cover. The bijou
has a case of Turkey leather In which to carry It.
These are fancied especially for wedding presents.
Price, lis. Large photograph albums are imported
with sides of carved oak In beautiful foliage designs
holly, Ivy, and tendril entwining, like sumptuously
embossed leather, the back and edges being of crim
son velvet In white holly these bosks are more
beautiful than carved Ivory.
Music rolls, to protect sheet musio when car
ried in the hand, are prepared in Russia leather,
russet, green, or purple, with gilt cord and tassol,
and lining of crimson moire. I'rice, $0 to f 13.
Silk fans are the novelty of the season. The sticks
are the same shape as those of the enamelled wood
fans, but covered entirely with tafeta in soft colors,
violet, apple green, white, or blue. There la no or
nament beside the monogram in the centre, rial a
gold fans are admired because they suit all colors of
dress. The painted satin fans are pretty for white
dress. Glove and moucuolr cases In fine green
leather are fitted with extension, and complete Beta
of minor toilet Implements In the cover. Purses and
wallets of seal skin are homely caprices of fashion,
and very cheap (9 to f. Portfolios and writing
cases of carved wood and velvet are among the
handsomest gifts fur a lady.
I Bohemian glass la put to every use that can be
made or It lamp-globes, window-screens, aud vases.
Ice-crystal In tints, ultra-marine blue, pink or light
green is fancied for toilet set ; gold bronae la ad
mired now rather than the darker shades for mantel
mimMit. Knararl stands, with oval cameo me
aiiloM Us v, vjMMiu wiiu a aprmg to
show the photograph insMe, are $l to tw.
Hook racks are very rkiily Inlaid with go1
tracery on polished olive and ortk. lVrco-
lain pointings AJ tho ends of ebony racks,
and extremely fine medallions aro of mala
chite or agate. Price for the latter, t-1J. Hacks
of green leather are provkled to boW writing paper
of different nines. Vb-jinese counters for whist are
tG a set. Fur mnn'-bags vary from the ordinary
satchel-shape In looking more like a wallet than a
muff. They are of white and red fox, or seal akin.
Price, 118 to fpa. Large, thin casea of tuya-wood
have slides of sterling sirver inside, to secure visiting
cards, and an Ivory rcaf for tablets, ttfi Tortoise-
shell cord-caaes are of two leaves, held by a silver
chain, to which a pencil la fastened, and an ivory
leaf Is added inside. These are evidently designed
to suit the large French cords which another season
will see used here. A fine present for an elderly
lady Is a camp-kettle of silver; a small tea-kettle or
Antique shape, swung from crossing silver uprights,
over a spirit lamp.
MUD.
A Pew Hints ami Rome Ait vice-The Condition
or iur mreein.
Man Is but a formation of dust moulded Into shape
by the marvellous power of the Divine Creator of
the universe, and althongh some few soft specimens
are occasionally to be met with on this bustling
planet styled the earth, yet we have never, as yet,
heard of one turning Into mnd. Petrifaction, of late
years, has claimed the attention of scientific men
and discoveries Innumerable have been made ; hut a
careful research has failed to disclose the fact o
the finding of any clayey form or human resem
blance. For the past week we have been wasting
onr energy and strength, poring over works or
ancient authority by the dim, defective, dismal Ugh:
furnished by the city of Phlladelphla,ln vain research
for some substantial reasoning as to the cause o
human dust always retaining its volatlleness and
particles, and have at length come to the phllosophl
cal conclusion that the sole, simple, argumentativ
deduction Is cleanliness. Cleanliness, we are told
is next to godliness. Would that some f our street
contractors might be led to so believe ; would that
some zealous worker might set about the conversion
of these creatures. The soles of thousands wonld then
dally creak hosannahs in his name, and the purity of
hosiery would form a lasting monument to perpetuate
his memory. "Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust; If
heaven won't have you, perdition must," Is an old
Bucks county consigning phrase.
Do our street cleaning contractors ever recall rtf
Mob, no! for It they did, they would soon clear their
conscience by cleansing their iru.it. It may not be
considered sinful by them to neglect the fulfilment
of their pledges, but they should remember that the
prayers of the righteouH avail much, aud out of the
numerous pleas that dally ascend, from the lips of
mud-bespattered "angels" In feminine shape, some
surely will meet with response. Down with your
army of sweepers and scrapers then, ye contractors;
resolve to at once do all that within you lies; to
avert the Impending fates cull to your aid that
purest of all assistants, water, aud make your re
spective fields to serve as lastiug mementos
to your skill in the art or cleansing.
Remember that as men are judged by
the work they perform, so willye be judged. Labor
Is plentiful, the noble Schuylkill is overflowing, and
brooms are cheap. Think of the beatific smiles that
will daily gladden yonr hearts, if woman, lovely
woman, be but once more allowed to drag her fourteen-foot
trail along our thorougliXares without;drag
glng with It enough clayey matter to start a brick
yard ! Think of the counteracting prayers, numerous
and fervent, that will then ascend in your behalf
from the lips of the Kates, the Chloes, and the men
women who are now daily compelled to toll and
scrub onr mud-stained steps!
Think of the many words of praise that will be
spoken of you by the men who are now compelled
to work an hour or two in hruxhlng their mud
stained clothing ; and oh 1 picture to yourselves the
delights of once more seeing the surfaces of the
bricks and cobble-stones. Marc Antony has been
made to say, "The good that men do is often in
terred with their bones." This is not an axiom, by
any means. A little good on your part now will last
a very, very long while, and besides, the chances
are that your names may perhaps be Interred In tho
ever Increasing coating now covering onr streets.
An old proverb says "A new broom sweeps clean."
Then, by all means, purchase a good supply, for a
clean sweep Is now the thing most needed. Let
there be a large sweep, a strong sweep, and a sweep
all together ; and let the result be the sweeping or all
the dirt into one common pile, and the cleaning of
your characters from their decidedly dirty surround
ings. That the prevailing public sentiment is
opposition to dirty work Is well known, but this
need not deter you ; our streets are not dirty, oh no !
only muddy ; therefore you Jneed fear nothing from
the public, provided you make things once more
clear and cleanly (understand, not as clear as mnd).
Hut If not, then prepare to have all your future fame
buried In oblivion, us deep as are the pavements now
in mud.
OUK SEW WANT COLUMN.
WAX'S THE Sh'COSD.
Wunlcd A Distinctive CharnetcrlMtle.
The following letter which.has lately been received,
explains itself:
Dear Mr. Want-Editor: I take the Hlerty of send
ing to you for advice. If you will excuse me, and If
you are able and willing to give it, I shall be thank
ful. You must know that I am a distinguished man ;
that Is, I expect to be some day. Being distin
guished, it Decomes necessary for me to have what
may be called a distinctive characteristic. The pos
session of this article is not only an accompaniment
of greatness, but it is absolutely one of the means by
which greatness is attained. What great man Is
there who Is without such a characteristic ? I am
determined to be great, and therefore must have the
article at all hazards.
Great men have to be noticed in the papers. They
have to be spoken of In familiar conversation. Their
names must be engraved on the memories of the
people, and how can this be done without a pecu
liarity ? If a name as yet unknown to fame, at, for
instance, John Smith, la mentioned in a newspaper,
who will notice it ? There might as well be a blank
In place of the letters which form the word. Though
you yourself may be the Smith who has, for Instance,
met with an accident, to a stranger the paragraph
conveys only the Impression of an aocident having
happened to some Impersonal creature ; It might as
well be a block of woDd. To yourself and friends
the effect 1b quite different. The name then stands
for some definite idea, ir your circle of friends la
small, the influence of the paragraph is small, and
consequently the Impression which It has made on
the minds of the people In general.
If your name Is afterwards mentioned as a promi
nent speaker before a political meeting or something
of that sort, who of all the various Individuals who
are strangers to yourself would remember that they
had seen the name before In a notice of your acci
dent? One who knew something of you would call to
mind, when he reads the accident paragraph, your
particular appearance or peculiarity, no matter how
Insignificant It may be, aud by so doing the words
make an impression upon his mind. When you are
afterwards the political speaker, your friend calls to
mind that you are the same Smith who was so badly
iBjured at such a time, which strengthens the Im
pression. If yon afterwards become an alderman,
member of the Legislature, or Congressman, or even
Governor of your State, or President of the United
States, your friend would still remember you, simply
because he knew something of your distinctive char
acteristic In the first place. By the way, should you
happen to be President of the United States, your
friend would probably use hla remembrance for his
own private advantage; but that la foreign to the
subject. You need not worry yourself about that
point, for we never had a President of tho name of
Smith, and the probability Is we never shall. It
wonld be funny If we did, now, wouldn't It?
Should you, however, aspire to that situation, it
mav be well to state that, on considering the mihiwt,
J 1 tYt WW t? UM coBCloslei thtt tM chute! w4
be In yonr favor. The RmKha are eneh a icry large
f imliy that the odds are one hundred to one that one
of its members may be onr next President. So take
hi art, old boy ; go in and win. If you are elected
111 vote for yon; that Is, 1 mean If you're nomi
nated. I snppose yon do not want to be President,
however. I have maile somewhat of a digreselon
from the Bnbjrct, bnt I am very much Interested in
It. The fact is, I was thinking that my own name
was HmHh.
As was being remarked, H Is necessary that a man
should have some peculiarity or handle to himecll, as
it were ; something by which be may be known beebk)
his name, for that Is not sufficient to create an Im
pression. It must be something, too. which can be
spoken of easily, and If it can be ridiculed, or Is very
funny, so much the better. If, In private conversa
tion, yon aay Mr. Smith was knocked down in the
street lost night, the hearer naturaMy asks which
Mr. SmHh. Then yon are obliged to explain, and
give hla characteristic, and then be la known. Yoa
say, Why, don't you know? Smith. . Tae fellow with
the long red hair, or the crooked nose, or the fellow
that swears so terribly, if in the newspaper para
graph yon say John Smith, the man who bites hia
finger nails so much, met with a serious aoclHent, it
is probable that all who read it will take particular
notice of the fact. They may have seen the man
before, remarked hia peculiarity, and know htm by it.
When attention la called to his accident they know
who it is. It la much easier to remember men by
this method than by their names only.
Afterwards, should this Smith turn out a public
character, his name becomes a byword, on account
of the finger-nail characteristic, ami once generally
known, his fortune la sure. lie can become Con
gressman, Councilman, President of an engine com
pany or of the United States, as he will.
1 do not wish you to confound this word charac
teristic with the word bobby. A bobby la aiflo neces
sary for a great man, bat that It la very easy to get.
I want no advice on that subject. I have that arti
cle already selected, and will fell you what It is be
fore closing.
It Is a very easy thing for a man to devote his
spare time, or perhaps some which is not spare, to
an exclusive pursuit or pleasure. lie can pretend to
le very much Interested ; he can create an Impres
sion that he cares for and Is good for nothing else ;
he can bore everybody with it, and can bring It np
as a subject of conversation atevery inopportune
moment, it is very easy to collect postage Btompa
or old coins, to the disadvantage of yonr pocket, if
you only make up yonr mind to do so; it la compa
ratively easy to collect such curious tellcs as old
street door-knockers or bell-handles; It is easy to
pretend that there Is nothing In the world like his
tory or chemistry or photography; but it is not of
this sort or thing of which I am sneaking. What 1
refer to Is a distinctive personal characteristic, or
something about the individual himself which is
peculiar, and by which he may be known.
These personal characteristics may be divided into
two classes, natural and acquired. A natural char
acteristic is one which hat been bestowed npon the
person by nature, and which he cannot well avoid.
Ked hair or a squint to the eyes would be among this
class. An acquired peculiarity is something which
has come from the possessor's own efforts, whether
Intentionally or otherwise. All peculiar habits be
long to this class. One man has a habit of standing
with his arms a-klmbo; another has a habit of
scratching his head when excited. One man dreseeti
in certain outlandish styles ; another wears a very
queerly shaped beard or moustache. Some men's
minds are so arranged that their actions show tbem
to be very pecnliar.
George Washington the Great had aeharavterirtic
It showed itself when he was a young man, in hs
tendency to chop down fruit trees and then go and
tell on himself. Horace Greeley's characteristic h
bad writing; General Grant's Is smoke; Henry Ward
Beechert Is peculiarity Itself.
I myself am withont any natural charactenstic,
It follows that If I wish to become great 1 must
acquire one. I have experimented so far with every
variety and species which has ever been noticed, tat
without success. I want something which has no!
been remarked of any other person. It mnt be
novel, or at least not well known, or else if It can
not be distinctive, I have tried bad writing, bat i
find that with this accomplishment it is really im
possible to get along in the world. I have tried the
truthfulness of George Washington, and have found
that also to be Impossible, with onr present ways of
doing things. I have endeavored to acquire an arti
ficial squint, and have also gnawed my finger-ends
vf ry industriously, and find that Doth processes hurt
too much for general use. I find that other men
surpass the most outrageous swearing that 1 can do.
I have ordered the most peculiar garments which
were ever constructed, but the result was only
to get me Into the police station, when there was no
reporter in the neighborhood. 1 have thought of
getting some person to twist my nose, or other part
of my countenance, into a new shape, so as to give
me a peculiar expression ; but this is too painful a
subject for discussion.
To put It in small compass, I have tried everything,
and find that nothing will work. Cannot you edi
tors, you men with the big brains, set yourselves to
work and give me an idea which I can work out for
myself; I will pay any one well who will do It. And
besides (I almost forgot that) I will tell you what my
hobby Is to be. You see I have determined to be an
author. Every spare moment of time I intend to de
vote to writing. I shall write, write, all the time,
until people begin to Bay, "What a writer he is !"
But the best part of It Is that no editor, or publisher,
or, In fact, any ona la ever to see what I write. You
need not suppose that I am ever going to trouble
you with my productions. I am only going to write
for the sake of being called a writer. I will work
and work and store away, until my name is well
known, but no one will ever know If my writings are
good or bad. Some may possibly suppose that these
writings may consist of copy-books filled np, but
they may also be mistaken. 1 can afford to bear
their ridicule, for they will take it all back when they
find that I have become the -. I beg yonr pardon,
but I again supposed that my name was .Smith.
Now give us your candid opinion, is not this a good
plan?
Jtote hy Want-EMtor. This closing paragraph
shows so much good judgment and sound common
sense, that we have been Induced to print the entire
letter.
FURS.
1107 CHESNUT STREET.
MUFFS CIVEN AWAY!
We re Rivinc sua;
Fine Black Astrachan Muffs
FREE OF COST, and rauiKnf the finest
FURS AND ROBES
In tbe citj at WBOLKSALE PRICKS.
M. MAIiTIN & CO.,
13 11 Imrp No. 1107 CHESNUT Street
TO RENT.
1" O R,
KEN
A Large Store
In spleiidid order, centrally located,
on South Side of Chesnut St
Addr L. 8. H.,
13 13 t Teleeraph OBca.
MTO LET THE STORE PROPERTY NO.
733 (.'beraut street, twenty five feet front, one ban
and forty-live feel deep to Bennett tweet, buck.
building fit atoriM bh. Puwesnon Miv 1, 170. Ad-
iuujuag a. riiKTUtiKK,
Iulanoo, N. J.
D
EAPNE88. EVERY INSTRUMENT THAT
eeience and aktil nave invented to aeuat the hunu
In every aerree Of aeameae ; kieo, neepireuire ; aieo A"n
lUU'l ratent Urntcnee, npenor to r cuutre im tee. e
m MAoiaiuij. tlik IU B. TO tvMMf
tAtfMB
mmm
ll a l?IL
IMMENSE WINTER STOCK
OW
OFF! Oil! Off! Off!
ROCKHILL & WILSON have
The Largest Stock,
Tho Finest Materials,
Tho Choicest Patterns,
Tho Most Elegant Fits,
The Most Varied Styles,
THE LOWEST PRICSSX
ROCK HILL & WILSON have
The Oldest House,
The Longest Experience,
Tho Most Skilful Cutters,
The Most Courteous Salesmen,
Tho Best Satisfied Customers,
THE LOWEST PRICES
ROCKHILL a WILSON have
The Stoutest Overcoats,
The Most Elegant Dress Coats,
Ths Most Exquisite Business Coats,
The Most Superb Waistcoats,
Tho Most Tasteful Pantaloons,
THE LOWEST PRICESI
AND NOW
The Whole of the WINTER STOCK
Is Coine;. Colng! Coins;!
'Going! Going! Going!
And Soon Will De Cone!
Cono ! Gone! Gone! Cone!
At Such Prices as Will
ASTONISH Youl
Every Garment in the Great Brown Hall
Was Made to be Sold,
And is
NOW OFFERED FOR SALE!
Great Reduction in Price on our Whole Stoclf1
Come and buy before it is all gone!
E0CKHILL
Great Brown
Nos. 603 and 605
WATCHES, JEWELRY, ETO.
ESTABLISHED 1828.
WATCHES, JEWELHY,
CLOCK, tOLYEHWAHB, and
FANCY GOODS,
HO. W N. SIXTH BTKKET. PHILAD3LPHIA.
WILLIAM B. WARNE & CO.,
Wholesale Pealere in
WAT! HI'S AND JKWKLTIY.
miner 8KVKNTH and CHKH.VTJT Street.
S Kl Ixicund Boor, and late of No. Bo tt. TUIBD Mt.
JEWELRY AND SILVERWARE.
p L A T E D
GOODS
op rn
FITTEST QUALITY
AT THE LOWEST ItAXIIS,
AT
No. S04 CHESNUT ST., SECOND FLO Oil,
BY
Jl. II. ROGERS.
We are daily receiving from oar Faotory, la Oonnao
Kient, toe lateat atylee of Wood, of all pattern, from
Koeen firotiiert, and "Menden iiriUnnla Co.'" maon.
fac tehee.
Triple-Plated Silverware,
(Suitable for
BRIDAL GIFTS AND HOU0AT FBK8ENT1.
No. M OUESNUT 8TKKUT, Second Floor.
11 an 1m A. H. KOGKHS.
LE CAL NOTIOE8.
IN THE ORPHANS' COURT KOR THE CITY
AND COUNTY OK PHII.ADKI.PHIA.
Ktteof CiKOKuK F. HANDOLPH, deeeaaeol
Tbe Anditer appointed by tbe Oourt to audit, nettle, ead
adiuxt the brat account of CHAKLKS h. WOOD ead
HANNAH V. RANDOLPH, KxeouUre of tbe lent will
and teatament of George F. Randolph, deoeaaed, and to
report diatribation of the balance in tbe uauda of lb
accountant, will meet tbe partiee tntereoted, tor tbe nor
uoreof bte appointmont, on W KDNKhDAY, theSknti day
of iMulr. A D. at three (3) o'clock P. M., tbe
rfl.irrf .IOHFPH U TOWNHKND, Beq., No. H1H A ROH
fcyatWUeMfAWtf i'"Mir'ua AaiaaWUH"
GOING
Off! Off! Off! Off! Off!
& WILSON,
Stone Hall,
CHESNUT Street.
OARPtTINOS, ETO.
f J E W CARPETS.
AXMINSTEBS,
W1LTOXS.
VELVETS,
BRUSSELS,
3-PLYS AND INGRAINS,
Venetian, Druggets, Oil Cloths, Ete.
LEEDOM & SHAW.
No. 910 ARCH STREET,
I WSmrp FUTL A DELPHI A.
HOSIERY, ETC. '
NOW OPECJ A7
1I0FMANN S HOSIERY STORE,
No. 9 NORTH EIGHTH STREET,
GENTS' WHITE WOOL 8H1IITS,
GENTS' v H TE WOOL DRAWERS,
GENTS' SCARLET WOOL SHIRTS,
GENTS BCARLET WOOL DRAWERS,
GENTS' MERINO SHIRTS AND DRAWERS,
LADIES' MEB1NO VESTS,
LADIES' MERINO BRAWBRS,
LADIES' CA8BMERE VESTS.
CHILDREN'S MERINO UNDERWEAR,
GENTS' COTTON SHIRTS AND DRAWERS,
LADIES' COTTON VEbTS AND DRAWERS.
Also, a vcrj large assortment of T waiy
COTTON WOOL, AND MERINO HOSIERY.
STOVES. RANGE B, E T 6.
THOMSON'S LONDON KITCHEN El
orKUROPKAN RA NO K, for families, hotels, r
(miMio inntitutiona, in TWENTY DIKKKUttrf
frl.KS. AUto. PbUadolubia Huik Hut a.. w
nacee. Portable Heater. Low-down Urates, eSreboaru
Ktoves, Bath Boilers, Htew hole Plates, UotlSrs, Uouktsal
b loves, etc, wholesale and retail, by the mauuf aotorersT
, . BHiKf-R t THOMWN?
US! Biuk SB.tt&sJ.TJJtSSI