PEARLS OF THOUGHT. Too much talk on trifles is a social evil. Nothing circulates so rapidly as a secret. On slippery places take short steps and slow. No one is evor fatigued after the ex ercise of forbearance. We can do more good by tieing good than in any other way. Make not thy friend too cheap to thee, nor thyself to thy friend. We carry all onr neighbors' crimes in sight and throw all onr own over our shoulder. An artesian well has been sunk at Yitoriato the depth of 11,020 feet. It cost $30,000. Youth is the tassel and silken flower of life ; age is the full corn, ripe and solid in the ear. Kduoation begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him. No life can be utterly miserable that is heightened by the laughter and love of one little child. liashfulness may sometimes exclude pleasure, but seldom opens any avenue to sorrow or remorse. The praises of others may be of use to teaching us, not what we are, but what we ought to be. A great many people's lives are like the blnnderbuss that had a rusted loud in it. At the discharge the owner is himself kicked over. It is better to yield a littlo than quar rel a great deal. The habit of " stand ing up," as people call it, for their little rights, is one of the most disagree able and undignified in the world. How a President's Message was Stolen During the excitement over the Ala bama treaty, some few years ago, a message of President Grant got into the newspapers before it did to the Senate No one knew how it did so then, though all knew that it did. It came about in this way; W. E. Sawyer, the corre spondent of the Bcston Traveller at that time—who has since gained prominence as the inventor of a number of electric appliances, notably an electric lamp— happened to be near the state depart ment building as the message, which was prepared by Hamilton Fish, the then secretary of state, was being sent down to the executive mansion for the signature of President Grant, preparatory to being sent to the Senate, which was then in special session for the purpose of considering the ques tions arising out of the spoliation and damages done by the Alabama to American shippers. Taking it for granted that the messenger had the document which all know would be sent to the Senate that day, he spoke to him in an authoritative way, saying that President Grant was in a great hurry for it, and so great was his hurry that he would take it to him himself. His man ner of talking threw the messenger off bis guard for tho moment, and ho quietly handed the package to Hawyer, who jumped into a carriage near by and drove away without giving the messenger time to think. Instead of going to the White House Hawyer drove about we city until he eonld copy the message, and after filing it at the telegraph office he went to the White House, where ho delivered the message, as he promised he would do. President Grant occupied some time in reading it over before he would sign it. and it was an hour or so before it was sent to the Senate. By this time the message was in Boston and was being read on the streets of that city in the TrarrUir before it reached the Senate. The Senate being in executive session, even the substance of the message was not given out until Sena tor Bomner called the attention of the Senate to the fact that he bad received a telegram from Boston Mying that the message was printed there entire. In view of thin fact, the Senate allowed a copy tj be given out Sawyer took chances and won, as many do*who take chances. All sorts of stories were put in circulation as to bow it got out, the general impression being that Ben But ler had a hand in it. The true story was the above, and this is the first time that it has ever appeared in a newspa per.— Wathinglon iMlrr. I nahle to Come. A New York paper tells this good eiory : A matter-of-fact young man from New York during a recent visit in Bos ton received an invitation from a lady —an old acquaintance—who haa jost blossomed out into a typical specimen of the esthete, requesting bis presence at her house on a certain evening "to meet two minds." It happened that he had jnst accepted an inritatien to dine elsewhere on the same erening, and so he replied, expressing his regrets that he eonld not avail himself of the oppor tunity "to meet two minds" owing to a previous engagement "to meet four stomachs." CLIPPINGS FOR THE CCRIOUH. Oats came originally from Abyssinia. Bilk and spongo scarcely differ in composition. There are eighteen known species of the list inCngland. It is calculated that out of 30,000 salmon eggs, not more than five fish live to be caught. Among Swedish Laplanders a drum is kept in every family for the purpose of exorcising the evil spirits. It is reported that the Colorado beetle has obtained a foothold in Bel gium, near the French frontier. An ant town was found in the Al leghany mountains containing 17,000 neets, rising in cones to the height of two or three feet. The religious ceremonies of the Egyptians were preceded by abstinence, and tho sacriflcers were allowed neither animal food nor wine. The town of Yarmouth, by an an cient charter, was obliged to send 100 herrings baked in twenty-four pies or pasties annually to tho king. Bir John Mandeville, who wrote a book of travels, is called the first prose writer in English literature. He died in 1371 at Lcige, Belgium. There is on record a story of a young man who ate eighteen pounds of beef daily, and died at the age of twenty eight, weighing 530 pounds. In the will of the Countess of North ampton in 1350, she l>eqneathed to her daughter, Countess of Arundel, " a bed of red worsted, embroidered." Among the Greeks of the time of Homer, the Dorian tril>es were charac terized by the broad-brimmi-d hats which they wore when on a journey. In 1531 the wandering bands styled gypsies were so numerous in England that an act was passed to banish them from the realm on pain of imprisonment and confiscation of property. One of tho first modern kings who possessed the accomplishment of writing was Pedro 1., of Castile, styled Pedro the Cruel. He died in 1369- His signature is preserved on a treaty, " Yo, el Hey." I, the king. a ■ Only One New* Stand. A correspondent writing from Venice, Italy, says: There is only obe news, paper in Venice and one crier of papers in the streets, and this vender makes a noise between a yelp and a bay—a sad bnt desperate noise, as if his epiglottis had been struck by lightning and he was about to expire in mortal agony. I bought a Paris paper from him—about all he carries—but it didn't seem to do him any good. The saddest thing in Venico is the absence of newspapers. 1 have never yet seen one in the hands of anybody but a travel er. The rod-faced Venetian sits lazily under the half-drawn curtain that takes the place of door to his shop, waiting for customers, knowing nothing of the world without; the women, barefooted or in too-slippers, shnflle and gossip about; bnt no one has a newspaper or a book; the somtwr gondolier quarrels for an extra con tesimi from his passenger, but he never heard of America or of England, and has never read a word even of his own language. All are proud of Venice, even though she is but the dowerleaa bride of the Adriatic; proud that she was once conquered by Napoleon; proud of the church and square of Bt. Marks; proud of the palaco of the Doges, with its quaint Moorish-Gothic architecture; proud, for aught I know, of the Bridge of Sighs, " a prison and a palace on each hand," which we traversed yester day, and of the horrible machinery of persecution underneath, running down a hundred steps into the gloomy earth, where the early Venice developed all that was dovliah in man. But Venice is a bankrupt city, only half fed, a pan per of brass gewgaws and filigree, slowly returning, through gloomy grandeur, to the from which it sprung. The Ori vln of Regatta*. Apropos of a recent article in the Pall Mall UaMtttf, a correspondent writes, it may not lie generally known that Venice ia the home of regattas whence they were introduced into Eng land in 1775. In the appendix to the " Annnal Register " of that year will be fonnd an article entitled, "Home Ac count of the new Entertainment Called a Regatta, Introduced from Venice into England in the Conrae of the Year 1775." The event produced a universal excitement. The whole river aide waa crowded from London bridge to Mill bank, and even Weatminater ball waa desecrated by a scaffold for spectators. " Plans of the regatta were sold from a ■hilling to a penny each, and songs on the occasion sung, in which ' regatta' was the rhyme for 'Ranelagh,' and ' Royal Family' echoed to ' Liberty.''' The racing itself in dismissed with the ■canty information that "the wager boats started on the signal of firing a ■ingle piece of cannon," and that'' they were absent near fifty minutes." Of Idaho's 40,000 population, 10,000 are Mormons. UDIKff DEPARTMENT. I'reilv Ulrla In SMII I. The Mexican girl lias not the life, the vivacity, the animation of the American girl, a correspondent a**erts, but she is very lovely in her way, and I think her the best produot of the counter. Bke has the most boautiful eyes is the world, with a *oft languishing expres sion in them for those who like that sort of thing; a good complexion, not rosy but colorless, a magnificent head of hair, aud a very shapely head to wear it on, a slim waist, and a graceful walk. Sho is jierfectly modest, in fact rather timid, pretty well bred, and doe* not seem to find it dull to have the old folks along; it would be hard with her if she did, for the old folk* would a* soon think of letting her go up in a bal loon as of letting her go out of their sight. I figured up that there must have been at least 500 pretty girl* in the crowd, and it was pleasant to pass two hours between !and midnight admiring them. Walking Flaaasls. ( np up what soap may be needed and dissolve in a skillet of boiling water. Let it stand on the stove and simmer till every particle is dissolved. Never rnb soap on the flannels, or allow a bit to settle on them. Nothing " falls" flannel so bally as rubbing soap on it, or letting bits of it settle on the cloth. A place on which a bit of *oap ha* been nibbed will have a different shade from tho rest when dried, making the whole garment look *|>otted. Take a small tab not quite half full of scalding hot or boiling water. Into this ponr enough of the dissolved soap to make a rich suds, also some am monia, a tablespoonfnl -and a half to ten or twelve quarts of suds is a fair proportion. Stir this and the soap into the hot water till it ia all thoroughly incorporated. Then put in the flannels. Two or three articles are enough to oak at one time. Proas them well under the water, but turn them over in tho suds occasionally while soaking. Lot them remain in the water till it is cool enough to put the hands in with out discomfort. Whilo washing keep a good quantity of water at boiling heat on the rango for rinsing purposes, and to keep the anda as hot as it can be tised. Before one piece is wished and ready to be wrung out fill a small tub half full of clear hot water. Into this stir a little more " blning " than would be used for cotton or linen. Bkake out each piece as soon as washed, quickly, and throw at onoe into the hot rinsing water. Rub the flannel as.little as possible, hut draw it repeatedly through the hand*, squeezing rather than rubbing. Harsh rubbing thickens and injures the fabric. Never wring with a wringer, as the pressure mats the nap down so closely as to destroy all the soft, look of good flannel. Wring with tho k ads as dry as possible, then rinse and wring out again ; and when as dry as it can be made by band, snap out, stretch and pull ont into the true shape ; dry in the open air, if possible. Bring in when not quite dry, roll np a abort time, and iron whilo still a little damp, so that each |>art can be more readily brought into shape. Fressing, when ironing, ia better for the flannel than rubbing. It docs not make the fabric f eel so hard and wiry. Boarlet flannel ia poisonous to some skins if UMXI before washing, and aa one ia not sure how one may be affected tffjli it is safer to givo it a scald in hofVater with a little soap— not enough to make a strong sn la. Let it stand and *oak a few minntea, then wring out ank treat'liko other flannels. —Chri ii i ion. Fashion Vales. Shirring is out of order. Fans arc of medium size. Veils are not worn with pokes. Brown furs are restored to favor. The word chuddab means shawls. Opera cloaks are madeof moire plush. Polonaises much bunched up are parts of new costumes. New York women are fsvoring black costumes for stroet wear. Nickel chntelsine watches for shop ping are chosen by New York ladies. Little tufts of black silk, watered rib bon and Spanish laco are used to trim heavy black satin gowns. Link necklaces of bright gold cable chains, Etruscan wire work, or heavy gold ornaments of any description are, for the moment, considered ont of atyle in the fashionable world. Diadem wreaths of scarlet piootees and holly-berry leave* for the hair ate worn with fall evening dress, and pink plash roses and white clover blossoms are favorite bind and corsage bouquets for bridemtids. New and beautiful semMong visits* of black velvet, brocaded with fine gold leaves, are imported. They are lined with gold-colored aatin sublime, snd trimmed with broad bands of black ziblinetU', sprinkled with tiny flecks of gold. The dress goods made ty stitching designs in cloth npon a silk or satin ground are now succeeded by those witli plush figures stitched with gold thread. Plush gowns are trimmed with bands of plush figure* on a cloth foun dation. Long row* of Romau i*>arls Hro used upon dresses of white surah, satin or brocade, as a heading to ruffle* of lace or plaited frills of tho dress material. Short pearl sleeves and high medics fraises made of tho bead* are added to tho corsage when thi* heading i* used upon the *kirt. The nhort-pile plush being found the most durable is in tho greatest favor. It form* a decided feature in all mil linery decoration*, and a band of it fulled around tho edge of a bonnet makes a soft, becoming framo to the face—even tho severest features coming under its pleasing and sub*iding influ ence. Exquisitely tine all-wool fabrics in delicate shadea are shown, designed for evening drcHsea for yonng girls. The skirts of those materials aro trimmed with lace, and the bodices to be of plnah or satin, matching the color of the skirt. Tho lace* used with these dresses aro generally white Spanish, rcse point, polanza, or Aurillac. Very pretty walking costumes are made of dark Prussian blue vigogne, the only trimming being a wide Moorish scarf of rich Oriental striped silk,which is caught under the panicra on each side, and brought around and tied in front. Handsome enameled buttons, in bright Pemian colors to match, fasten the bodice and the ontside coat. A SuccesNful Stratagem. MisM Rebecca Bates, who died re cently at Bcituate, Ma**., aged eighty eight, was with her sister Abigail the heroine of a stratagem which drove a British vessel ont of Massachusetts tray during tho war of 1812. Bbo was then eighteen and her sister fonrteen. The residents npon the shore had been frequently visited by the crewa of British ships and robbgfl of their pro visions and other articles, and when the girls saw tbo vessels Waring down they knew it Itodod no good to the family larder. Rebecca's quick mind decided to repel the enemy by a strata gem. The mnsieal instruments of the home guard were stored in the house. She could play four tunes on the fife, and kor sister Abigail could beat the drum in an exceedingly wild manner. " Yankee Doodle" was their master piece. The idea thus conceived was quickly put through. Rebecca and Abigail, with the drum and fife, ran down lichind the cedar wood, and in a moment the quiet >eptember evening was startled by the most remarkable irartial outburst that ever was beard. " I looked," aaya Misa Rates, "and I could see the men in the barges resting on their oar* and listening. Then I ssw a flag flying from tho masthead of the ship recalling them. My sister began to make a speech, and I said: 'Don't make me langh, for I can't pucker my month.' When the men in the barge saw the flag they went about so quick that one fell overboard, and they pieked him up by tbo back of his neck and hanled him in." A quarter of an hour later the LA Hoguo sailed away, the strains of "Yankee Doodle" panning her. Too Fast to Hft On. It WM at away station on the Wa bash. An old man and woman with bundle* and package* arrirod from ont in the country. They expected to get on the train for Detroit. The station agent told them that the train always stopped. "Jnst pnt yonr things where yon can get them quick," said the agent, "and when it come* along jest get on." There was an "extra' on the road, as j it happened, in advance of the "regn . lar." In a few minute* they heard the I Honnd of the approaching extra. The baggage was all secured, and the two waitinr passenger* stood dose to the edge of the platform. The train went by at the rate of forty miles an hour. When it had passed the old woman dropped her bundle, and rushed to the door of the office shaking her flat She screamed out, "Ton big-headed fool, did you say get aw-en f" The old man rushed aronnd the plat form calling for the agent to come ont The agent came to the door. There was a smile on his face. " Don't come out a smiling at me I By the living jingo," said the old gen tleman, "we've a notion to pace yon around this platform six times 'aster than them keers went I Too blasted fool, did you say get on 1 Did you think a man of my age oould get on a streak of greased lightning? Ton may play tricks on some folks, but don't yon try any game on me t Because a man lives on a railroad he doesn't have to know it all. I'm feeling hungry, and some body is liable to get chawed up afore I leavel" Before anything serious happened the regular train arrived, and the couple boarded it all right. The railroad agent felt relieved. He doesn't like the bys to hallo, "Did you say git on P at him.— Frt* Prm. Itusliiiiir to Their Heath*. " Howard," tbo New York corre spondent of tbo Philadelphia Time*, [ write*: Our " flrat citizen* " are going i off like hot cake*. It'* a* much as a fellow can do to attend to hi* bniioem ' and psy the la*t *ad tribnte to departed ; friend*. First-class funeral* are of daily occurrence, and there are more mourner* in the street* than ever before. Other thing* are happening, too, and among them aoftening of the brain. For year* Printing House square, the Aator house rotunda, Delmonico'* and the Brans wick have been frequented by a hand some-faced, big blue-eyed, frank-man nered, open-handed paper dealer, known to every one, and a jolly good fellow all the time. He was a fast liver, a hard drinker and a very light sleeper. He made money easily, npent it like water and was the personification generous recklessnes*. Itesult? Boftening of the brain. About three week* ago he was taken to an insane asylum, where he is of course abundantly cared for, but the doctors say he is hopelessly idiotic. A friend of mine, one of these self-sacri ficing chape, went to see him. The poor fellow is poisoned by tobacco. He smoked cigarettes incessantly, so much so that his forefinger and thumb were yellow stained. This complicates mat ters. If he were devitalized by loss of sleep only, rest and regular hours might recuperate him. If bis interior was simply overcharged with alcohol, proper medicaments and total abstinence from intoxicating drink might bring him up again. Hut on top, through, under and all about every muscle, fiber and tissue of his mental, moral and physical nature is that ineffacable stain that nicotine alonecan give and omnipo tence alone remove. Anybody else ? Yea, indeed. They may not l>e lit erally in insane asylum*, lmt they are the merest wrecks of old time glory. Come with me to that great exchange of down-town workers, the rotunda of the As tor house, and stand near the cashier. The place is packed from noon until three, and tolerably full all the rest of the day. Thousands eat and thou sands drink and thousands smoke there every day. The monthly profits are said to be sl6,ooo—a great deal of money. Is it the same crowd ? Are they the name thousands? Not by a jug full. Within the past five years two generations have come and gone, and the third is rushing along a* fast a* it can go. How? By eating fast, drinking faster, and puff, puff, puffing with the eagerness of a race horse, bound to win and lose no time. There they stand or sit, as the case may be. If they eat they throw their victuals down at a gulp. If they drink, it's one, two, three, " give me a check," and off they go. And then? Well they work till night, take their dinner and repeat the dose in some up town bouse, according to their means. The chief places are Delmonioo's, the Brunswick, the Fifth Avenue, the St. James and the Hoffman. Accustomed though yon may be to the gay and festive developments of Phila delphia, I can show you sights here in the gastronomic line that would open your eyes with wonder and shut 'em up again in disgust Weil? But it isn't well, it's fearful, and the few temperate old chape who witness this social breakup, who see friend after ; friend depart—who has not lost a friend?—are paralyzed with fear lost some dsy we be left alone in our glory. How qneea Victoria Travel*. A late number of the London TSme gives an account of a recent trip made by Queen Victoria to Balmoral, etc., in the royal saloons provided for such oc casions. Superintendent* of the rail roads always take charge of the train whenever the queen travels, and npon the oooaaion referred to "the utmost precautions were taken for the safety of her majesty during the journey, very detailed instructions being issued to the various railroad officials for the purpose, and it was distinctly stated that on the oocasion none of the public was to be admitted, under any circum stances, to the stations between Ban bury and Edinburgh; that the com pany's servant* were to perform the necessary work on the platform without noise; and that no cheering or other demonstrations was to be permitted, the object being that the queen might not be disturbed daring the night joarney. The royal train was provided with a complement of fitters, lampmen and greater*, and was preceded by a pilot engine; it waa furnished with con tinuous brakes and electric communi cators. A • lookout man * was placed on the tender of the engine with instruc tions to keep his face turned toward the rear of the train for the purpose of observing signals, and similar orders were given to the guard on the front van." It matters not bow oarsfnl the cook maybe, he can't make a rabb t hash without getting some kind o! hair in it How the Express BSIIMM Started. Josiali Quincy write* a* follow* in the ln]>en