,$ THE PITTSBURG- DISPATCH, EPJDAT, DECEMBER 25. i89L ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1848 Vol. 4fi, No. S3. Entered at Pittsburg Postofflce November, 1SST, as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 78 and So Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. EAPTTTCV ATWKRTTSIJfG OFFICE. ROOM W. TRIBUNE Btin.DIXO. NKW YORK, where com Tlcte file orTHE DISPATCH can xlwaTSbe found. Foreign advertisers appreciate 111 LPTenlenee. Home advertisers and friends of THE DISPATCH, wlillc In Kew York, are also made welcome. THE DJSPA TCH U repvlnrlv on unit alBrfnttcno's. f Futon Sqvnrt. Veto lark, and 17 Jive aeVOpera. Pant, France, ictterr anyone tchn has been disap pointed at a hotel news stand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. tostace fret: va the united states. jiailt Dispatch. One Year. f 8 W Daily DisrATCH. Per Quarter. 2 00 Daily Dispatch. One Month TO Daily Dispatcti. Including Sunday, 1 year.. 10 00 Daily Dispatch, lnchtdlnE bunday, 3 m'ths. 2 SO Daily Dispatch. Including Sunday, 1 m'th.. SO Susday Dispatch. One Year 2 SO Weekly Dispatch, One Tear. 1 25 The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at IS cents per week, or. Including Sunday EdiUon, at 20 cents per "w eek. PITTSBURG. FRIDAY, DEC. 23. IS91. TWELVE PAGES A CHRISTMAS GREETING. The man who grumbles because Christ mas no lonjjer seems the glorious season that he knew when he was a boy is un reasonable. He does not complain be cause he can no longer eat candy by the pound and peanuts by the peck, or settle business disputes with his fists, or play "pustoffice" or "blindman's buff," or kiss any or all the desirable young women who cross his path within the magic circle of the mistletoe yet they are part and par cel of that good old Christmas to which he is prone w allude with the regretful declaration that it has gone never to re turn. It is indeed an unhappy truth that a man cannot be a boy again the Autocrat of the Breakfast Table illustrated the futility of such retrosjression with delight ful humor long ago. But Christmas may be still a season of abounding joy to most of us, accepted as it comes in the proces sion of toil and trouble in which every man must keep step. A very good plan for those of an elder age and the young people need no injunction or advice in the premises is to seek to make Christmas joyful for some body else. This is a -duty, associated by sacred tradition with the day, but it has the advantage from the selfish point of view of being pleasant in its discharge. The old Christmas we knew in childhood may not come back to us, but we may get a glimpse of it over the shoulders of those for w hom we re-erect it Charily needs no advocate here, but for its cousin, the habit of making Christmas gifts, a word or two may be said, for it is sometimes attacked. Of course it may be overdone, but very much more good than harm comes of the gracious interchange of tokens of goodwill at Christmas. The exaggeration of the emblem into a monu ment of opulent lavshness is not desira ble, aud it is not common, if for no other reason than that millionaires even nowa days are comparatively scarce. There is a practical and national benefit from the Christmas giving; it stimulates trade from center to circumference, sets money in circulation, gives work to thousands in the middle of the season when poverty and idleness are most cruel, and works out in deeds the grand message of Heaven to Earth. This year Christmas finds us cheerful with abundant cause, and it should leave us thankful for the blessings which Providence has showered upon the nation, and this community in particular. The dawn of another year is rosily break ing already, and The Dispatch wishes its readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy Xew Tear, with a belief as sincere as the wish that both are assured. THIS KEPUBLIC IS GRVTEFTJL. The aphorism, too often accepted as a fact, that republics are ungrateful, needs revision. The gratitude of this Republic has been and still is being exemplified in this most practical manner. A glance at the appropriations of national revenue for war pensions is all that is needed to con vince any one of this. The liberal policy of this country toward its faithful servants is thrown into strong relief every now and then by the very different behavior of monarchical governments. An example of the ingratitude of the most enlightened monarchy in the world has just come to light in New York. Two immigrants are now detained by the cus toms officers of the port because they are penniless and manifestly liable to become charges upon the country wherein they may settle. They are both veterans of the Crimean War and pensioners of the British Government, and had commuted their pensions for 5475 and $1,000 respec tively on condition that they emigrate to this country. The mojiey was to be" paid to them at the British Consulate in New York, and the objection that they are penniless is to a certain extent technical. It is plain that the objection is proper, and that the attempt of the British Gov ernment to get rid of its obligations at our expense ought to be frustrated. It is a shameless and indecent piece of meanness of which so great a nation as the British should never have been guilty. But it is not the first time that England has shown herself unwilling to take care of those who have risked life aud lost health or limbs in her defense. Recently a survivor of the famous Balaclava charge, one of the immortal Six Hundred, was discovered in a poorhouse, and it is notorious that the pensions England grants her disabled soldiers and sailors are inadequate to keep body and soul together. It does no harm to contrast this coun try's generous remembrance of her de fenders with the neglect and parsimony that characterize many of the older na tions dealings with their veterans. I1AKTINGTON MADE HARMLESS. The removal of Lord Harrington to the House of Lords is a blow to the Conserva tive majority in the lower branch of Par liament The stars in their courses seem to fight for Gladstone and the Liberal cause. Lord Hartington is not a states man of enormous magnitude, but he is a corruscating success as compared with the common run of Tory aristocrats who play at serving the people. In the House of Commons he was the most respected and potential advocate of the Unionist idea in the Tory ranks. He learnt all he knows in the Liberal camp, and was, be fore he fell a victim to his aristocratic tendencies and ties, a valued lieutenant of the Grand Old Man himself. He succeeds to political obliteration as well as his father's title, for more positive thinkers and speakers than the new Duke -of-Devonshire have succumbed to the soporific influence of the House otLords, and it is not likely that he will have the ambition, much less the power, .to smash the sleepy propriety of the dormitory into which the fates have beckoned him. It is a rather touching spectacle, a broad-shouldered young fellow tied up for life in the straight-jacket of his rank. The consolation is that he had chosen before the elevation came to direct his talents and energies to the holding back of the cause of liberty. The Liberal-Unionists inside the Tory lines will be more forlorn than ever without their most able leader, and the fight in the Commons is likely more than ever to end in a sweeping victory for the Liberals in the country. BEST AVAILABLE TESTIMONY. The suggestion of the lawyers, that as a body they take a hand in the nomination of future judges, is all right to the ex tent to which it may be found possible to operate it There are none in the com munity so well prepared by experience and personal knowledge to judge of the qualifications of candidates for the bench. Also, the united testimony and recom mendation of the bar would g6 farther with the public in the choice of judges than any opposing recommendation by a political convention. From another point of view recom mendations, or even nominations, by the lawyers would have agreatly-to-be-desired effect It would influence the action of the political parties so powerfully in the best direction that candidates for the bench having this testimony from their co-professionals would not need to run the gauntlet of practical politics the setting up of delegates, the solicitation of sup port and the incurring of supposed obli gations to the ward-workers and other political influences. But the difficulty in the case is the prac tical one of getting anything like unani mous recommendations from the lawyers themselves. It was Josh Billings, the laughing philosopher, who made the pro found remark that there was "a good deal of human nature in humanity." The Blackstonian brethren are not wholly and exempt from those personal preferences prejudices which operate among laymen; and the canvassing among them for and "against candidates would be quite as earnest, perhaps as hot, as outside. At the same time, if they undertook the task of naming the most desirable material for the Bench, there is no doubt they could, and, we think, would, bring to its discharge a higher sense of responsibility and a keener discernment than could be expected of an ordinary political convention. THE FARMER MAY BE MERRY. The fanner in almost every section 'of this country ought to be in good humor to celebrate Christmas. The enormous crops of the year just closing have filled his barns, his purse and his stomach, as they have not been filled in years so, too, his heart should be filled with joy and grati tude. Just look at what the harvest has been in one or two staple crops. The total wheat crop of the United States is now adjudged to be nearly 600.000,000 bushels, and that represents in money, conservatively estimated, 500,000,000, while the corn crop, amounting to over 2,000,000,000 bushels, represents in money over 5850,000,000. In these two crops alone the farmers have made nearly 5300, 000,000 more than they did last year, and there are the other cereals, oats, rye, buckwheat, barley and large yields of fruit, vegetables, etc., yet uncounted. Al together the farmer has much to be thank ful for. The .failure of Europe's crops has also operated favorably upon the prices of American farm products, and the proba bility that the new year -will bring no change but for the better is another cheer ful factor in the situation. The reduction of duties by Germany and France, to gether with the scarcity in the Old World generally, means enlargement of markets for the disposal of America's surplus corn, and consequently a maintenance of pres ent prices, if not an increase. So the farmer has a merry Christmas m ade to his order this year. A BOON TO THE SOUTHSIDE. When an architect designs a market house he commonly aims low and hits something in which utility is more promi nent than beauty. But the Southside stands a good chance of getting an excep tion to the rule. The market house Chief Bigelow has chosen contains, he says, all the modern improvements for the transac tion of market business that a tour of the principal cities brought to light, and is at the same .time, as the readers of The Dispatch can judee for themselves, a very handsome structure. It will be easily ihe finest building, public or pri vate, on the Southside, and a considerable addition to the architectural treasures of what may be termed the new Pittsburg. Another unusual feature of the plans is the moderate outlay they involve. Beauty is apt to come high when a city buys it, but the consignment in this case is uncom monly cheap, on paper, anyhow. The policy of equipping the city with build ings that are ornamental as well as useful deserves endorsement, and Mr. "Bigelow will find Southsiders appreciative, we do not doubt, in this instance. SINCERE SERMONS NEEDED. The New York Tribune rebukes and ridicules Mr. Cleveland for saying in a recent speech that "one fills a place in our citizenship unworthily who regards it solely as vantage ground where he may fill his purse and better his condition." Our esteemed cotemporary thinks that Cleve land is mistaking words for things, and dealing in cant phrases rather than real beliefs, in thus defining an ideal citizen ship. This indictment rests upon Mr. Cleveland's alliance with practical poli ticians in New York who are notoriously and confessedly using their citizenship "to fill their purses and better their condition, " and for no other purpose. If Cleveland is to be forbidden to preach political purity and the elevation of citi zenship on these grounds, such doctrines cannot be expounded by any but the remnant of statesmen who are in retire ment principally because they will not form alliances "with practical politicians. In fact, there is no conspicuous leader in either party to-day who is not disqualified for preaching in this-spirit by what the Tribune would be glad to have people be lieve is Cleveland's peculiar and besetting hypocrisy. Practice and preaching are wider apart in politics, as a rule, than in any other walk of life. More's the pity. The ante-Christmas weather has not been exactly cheering or seasonable, but Pitts- burgers, and especially the storekeepers. may congratulate themselves that we have been spared the fogs with which Londonbas been afflicted. In fact, with all the ontcry about log and smoke in this city oar atmos phere is clear and clean compared with that of the. English metropolis in winter. A fog that actually stops street traffic and forbids shopping is unknown here, bnt London was enjoying one of that character yesterday. Chicago x is about to adopt double- decked street- cars. Pittsburg needs, cars having two decks and a hold along about 5 or 6 o'clock each evening. v THE accidents on the" cable roads yester day show that more care must be taken by the public as well as by the grlpmen. The practice of leaving horses and heavy ve hicles unattended where they may readily be brQuzht Into collision with street cars is plainly too dangerous to continue in these days. The people who run theLouisianalottery $ake in $23,000,000 every year. Of this $13, 000,000 is profit. No wonder the flght waxes warm down there. :ReV, Dk. Philip Schafp says in the Forum that "heresy trials seem to be an anachronism." Other people, somehow, have obtained the Impression that they are little but farces. In this age which allows the largest religious liberty consistent with publio order and peace. The retail liquor dealer says that he doesn't mind legal and honest competition, bnt be does object to being knocked out with a club. It requires no imagination to see the chagrin the faces or the Chicago people will express when they discover, on the first map ever made of the world dated 1494, which .will be loaned them by the Pope, that Chicago is not even mentioned. The besl way to enjoy a Christmas din ner Is to fend a copy of it to some poor fam ily that has none. Every other man on the streets to-day is repeating the old adage "A green Christmas makes a" fa't graveyard." Although the country Is verdant, it does not necessarily follow that planting is to be done, especially in the cemeteries. The discussion of the kind of refresh ments to be offered to callers on New Year's is now in order. Db. Oliver Wendell Holmes says that "young blood ought to be heard." This is singular for he has been in a position to know what a racket young bloods make, especially upon occasions when they ought not to be heard. Chairman Clakkson wants Iowa peo ple to-drop prohibition, but they decline to take a drop. The preparation of the navy for possible emergencies in Chilean waters does not mean war, necessarily, but it means busi ness, and every American will applaud tho administration for transacting that business briskly. Let your Christmas greetings be as -warm as the weather, but unlike it, seasonable'! Old Santa Clans must have presented a very-ll'ty appearance when he got through his work last night. The eoot in the chim neys was thick enough to have driven him away entirely. ETCHINGS OF NOTABLES. Li Hung Chang, the Chinese Y'cery is recovering from his attack of influenza. The attack of influenza from which the King of Sweden is suffering, is of a severe type. Secretary Foster was so much better yesterday that he was allowed to take a short drive about the city. Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland are to be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke Jans in Wilmington this winter. Mrs. Henet Villaed has presented to Howard University in Washington a bust of her father, William Lloyd Garrison. It has leaked out that Senator Pefier has been beard tb snore in' a most violent and terrible manner. To reflect bow Insignifi cant he has become probably niakesghini tired. 4THEPresidenthas appointed William M. Jenkins, of Arkansas City, Kan., a special agent to make allotments of lands In sev eralty to Indians, with compensation at the rate of $8 a day. At noon yesterday Bishop Dwenger was resting comfortably at Fort Wayne, Ind. fie is conscious, but gradually growing weaker, and his physicians think he can last but a day or two more. Mr. WHnELAW Beid, the United States Minister to France, will be President Carnot's guest at a shooting party, which is to be given to the members of the foreign diplomatic corps, at Rambouillet. The office of assistant chief of the Weather Bureau has been filled by the ap pointment by Secretary Rusk ot Mr. S. S. Rockwood chief clerk of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Henry Casson, private sec retary to Secretary Busk was uppointed chief clerk. The Czarina has decided to accompany her son on his coming visit to Paris. She will be conveyed to Brest on the royal yacht, and will be escorted by several men-of-war. Thence she will go direct to Paris, where she will make a short stay prior to her visit to Nice. IMMENSE IEOJT OEE DEPOSITS. OTer Fifty Bllllion Tons of tha Ore Found Near Lake Superior. Duxuthy Mrsir., Dec. 24. Particulars of the new iron finds on the Mesaba range, are just beginning to come out and show that these latest ore discoveries exceed anything yet found in the entire Lake Superior region. The new mining territory lies from 8 to 20 miles west of the line of the Dnluth and Iron Range Railroad at Mesaba. Last August the work of development was be gun. Thirteen test pits were sunk to the depth of CO feet, and a distance of 1,136 feet north and south and that much east and West show a solid vein of rich hematite ore, measuring by the length, breadth and width of the vein at not less than 9,0D0,003 tons. Thero is one 40 acres of veiy nearly solid Iron known to be ut least 53 feet deep. The ore is of soft Bessemer, free lrom sulphur or silica, of dark color, and running 61 to 61 per cent pure lion. Specimens are shown that are so soft nr free from hard substances that they can be whittled like soap. The vein is not vertical like that of the Minne sota mine, but horizontal. From all ac counts the mines being developed indicate a body of 50,000,000 tons of ore. The dis coveries insure tho building of the Dulnth, jMesaba and Northern Kailroad from the mouth of the Artichoke river to the mines, a. distance of 64 miles, and the contract calls for its completion by Angust 1 next. AFTIJR PLUMB'S VACANT SEAT. Owe of the reasons for deploring the un timely death of Senator Plumb is the pos sible resurrecti6n of Ingalls that may result. Chicago Timet. Alkeadv the cry Is raised that Ingalls is too unpopular" to succeed Plumb. There is no evidence to substantiate this assertion. Kew York Recorder. Who will succeed Plumb In the United States Senate Ingalls or Simpson? There are boundless possibilities in a fight be tween these two picturesque statesmen Buffalo Express. v It is not likely that ex-Senator Ingalls will be returned to the Senate from Kansas to fill "the vacant place caused by the death otSenator Plumb. Such a thing might once have happened. Toledo Blade. Ingalls will not got back to the Senute as Plumb's successor. It is not so much that the Alliance is "down on him" as that he showed, signs of repentance and reformation after being chastened by the Alliance. St. Louis Republic The appointment of a successor to Senator Plumb will devolve upon Governor Humph rey. There is a possibility of the return of ex-Senator Ingalls to Washington, which would be a mighty interesting event in poli tics. ProvidaficeTimes. The Governocof Kansas declines to con sider tha merits of any of the candidates tor the late Senator Plumb's seat until after the obsequies. - They cherish rather more re spect for the dead in Kansas than they do In Washington, where the Senator's bolong Ings have already been divided up. Boston fteratd. CULTURE FOR THE MASSES. University Extension, its scope and aim, has already been outlined In The Dis patch. The purport or this paper is to call at tention to its practical application. The be ginning of tho movement in each locality must bo tho woik of those who have the elevation of their community at heart, an'l the leisure to make personal appeals to benevolent people for their Interest and support. Not only must there be a lecturer, bnt he must have a place in which to Bpeak, well located and sufficiently commodious for tho audience. The sort or audience mostly desired is not the fashionable ele ment which would patronize it only for amusement, and who have time and leisure for their self-improvement, if they desire it; the classes that the movement Is really in tended for are those or our public school teachers, who desire some incentive to get out of the rut that they so easily fall into: for men and women who feel their short comings in the mental field and would like to improve themselves, if they ohly knew how to occupy their little leisure to better advantage; in short, for all who believe that intellectual and spiritual things are higher and better than material, and want some help and direction toward acquiring them. Fnnd Must He Forthcoming. All this cannot be done without the aid of money; and therp must be a local committee to collect a 'guarantee fund, to" get the use of an appropriate hall, to adver tise the movement, not only in the press, but personalis in tho schools, the stores, the workshops. Not the least important duty of this committee is the choice of a lecturer or lecturers and the themes to be treated. In every community national history and institutions should be taught; then other topics, according to the taste and employments of the people. It cannot bo too strongly emphasized that this move ment is primarily intended for the eleva tion of the people at laige, nnd not for those who havo time and money to secure culture in the ordinary ways. Accordingly it onght not to be expected that the movement will pay ror itself: and if it is taken in hand by Pittsbnrg, as wo sincerely hope It will be, let it bo with the idea that the wealthy will pay for the instruction of the poor, not how ever, by giving the lectin es absolutely tree, but at such a price that the cost of a ticket for the course will bo within the means of all. Lot each manufacturer and each em plover of labor do something to enablo those under him to acquiie somo healthful knowl edge and receive the incentive to spend his leisure hours profitably. It will be biead cast upon the waters.' which will surely return, though it may be after many days. jur. donn money nas wen saia: "ivuai we see every day with increasing clearness is that not only tne well being of the rrnny, bnt the chances or tho exceptional genius, moral or intellectual, in the gllted few, are highest in a society where the average in terest, curiosity, capacitv. nre all highest." Let this be borne in mind by those who have any means to spare, and they will see that in helping others to Tise in the intel lectual scale they are indeed improving their own surroundin. s, Jnst as much as when they plant flowers and tend the grass plat in front of their own doors. Personal Inflnence Important. In a previous article the work of the "class" was spoken of and its importance hinted at. Here also the committee can do most important work, in using personal in fluence with men and women and thus en couraging them to study and accustom them selves to express their ideas, both in con versation during the class and by preparing written papers on some tonic connected with the course of lectures. The generality of people have no idea how much more in teresting a subject becomes when they are able to expound it to another: and the reflex action thereof is most valuable for the one attempting it. Then, too. the committee can be ot great service in getting together the best books on tho subject or the lecture conr.se, and calling attention to them, loan ing them to interested individuals, or hav ing them open for reference at stated times to all comers. In England many reading clubs have been formed in connection with University Extension, and in them the sub ject of a lecture course continued to be studied over summer and until a new course was delivered in the autumn. There is no doubt as to the value or snch work; and the local committee can, by furthering it, be come a real power lor good in tne commu nity. The American Society is now preparing a plan for the issuing of graded ceitlflcates for work done in connection with University Extension, and hope to have the recognition of leading colleges as to their value. Thero will thus he added the incentive of ambition to the desii e or gaining culture, as these cer tificates will doubtless prove an object or de sire, Just as the diploma of our High School or the Western University is an object of pride to him who has won it byhaid and honest work. The closing days of the pres ent month are expected to witness a great gathering or university men in Philadel phia, all interested in the work of Universitv Extension. Five hundred delegates from all parts or tho Union and lrom Canada will probably assemble, and the woik receive such a recognition and indorsement as to in sure a great broadening in its field of activ ity in the near future. This Is a Splendid Flol'd. Allegheny County is wealthy and energetic and has a vast working popula tion, manymembers of which would gladly embrace an opportunity for self-help In the acquisition of healthful knowledge. The Academy of Science and Art, the Carnegie Library of Allegheny, the Western Univer sity, the High Schools of both cities, all would be good centers for the spread or a higher knowledge and could become cen ters or new power and good in the com munity. The churches, with their already existing organizations for charity, could lend a helping hand and do a work that would be chnntv of the truest kind;for what charity can be better than helping men and women toward a more useful, because better life? A republic, of all forms of govern ment, has most need of intelligence in its people, aud one of the noblest fruits of pa triotism would be to help along the intel . lectual enlightenment of those about us. Every one can'do something, and by the aid of many hands tho work will be lighter for each. "What we can do," said the author above quoted, "is by diligently using our own minds and dilisently seeking to extend our own opportunities to others, to help to swell that common tide on the lorco and the set of whose currents depends the pros perous voyaging of humanity." The Dispatcu has brought this matter of Univorsity Extension Defore the com munity, and it remains for our progressive citizens to take the matter in hand and organize centers for the instruction of our people. a have able men in our midst, who havo already done much to popularize knowledge among us, and have in many cases given their timeand knowledge gratis. But tho time has come when such instruc tion should be systematized; and when the workers should receive the reward of their labors. Brainwork is paid little enough at best among us; and it is asking too much to expect men of hard work and little pay, to give the best pioduct of their brains for nothing. We trust that the community will show a decided love of progress and an appreciation of higher things, by inaugurat ing and carrying on this movement, which is capable of doing so much for the improve ment of our sister cities. Tho American Society for the Extension of University Teaching has on hand a large number of syllabi ot courses or lectin es which thev are prepared to offer. The office of the society is 1602 Chestnut street, Phila delphia; and"those desiring information can address its Secretary, Mr. George Hender son there. Chicago's Temperance Sanitarium. Chicago, Dec. 24. A sanitarium for the cure of the liquor, opium and tobacco habits was opened by the Women's Chris tian Temperance Alliance in this city to day. FISHING AT BEAVKK. One morning when spring was In her teens A morn to a poet's wishing. All tinted in delicate pinks and greens Miss Jessie and I went fishing. L, In my rough and easy clothes. With my face at the sunshine's mercy; She with her hat tipped down to hef nose, And her nose tipped vice versa. I, with my rod, my reel and my hooks, And a hamper for lunching recesses; She, with the bait of her comely looks. And the seine of her golden tresses. So we sat down on the sunny dyke. Where the white pond lilies teeter; And I went to fishing l'ke quaint, old Ike, And she like Simon Peter. AU the morn I lay In the light of her eyes. And dreamily watched and waited. But the fish were cunning and would not rise. And the baiter alone was baited. And when the time for departure came The bag was as flat as a flounder. But Jessie had neatly hooked her game A huudred-and-forty pounder. ' University CeuranU A FLOATING WINE CELIAB. Enough Liquor on a Steamer to Make a City Intoxicated. New York, Dec. 24. The big French steam ship Chateau Lafite arrived in port yester day with enough wines and brandies in her hold to make all New York- as tight as a brick and keep her in a mellow condition nntil New Year's. Her cargo was the larg est of its kind which ever reached this or any other American port. Wine merchants had been awaiting anxiously the arrival or the Chateau Laflto In order to replenish their stock for the holidays. She was due five days ago. When she was reportad yesterday all pos sible preparations were made to get her "passed" by tho customs and health ofllcers as quickly as possible. Tugs were sent down to meet her. The consignees interceded with the port officers, and by noon the Cha teau Laflte was in tow and making for her dock as quickly as the pulling tugs could move her. The work of discharging her cargo was continued all last nfcht, and a fresh gang of stevedores will be pnt to work this morning. The cargo consists of 5,000 cases of fine wines, including champagnes, 150 barrels of brandy, 40 years old: 332 barrels of claret and port wine of the vintace of 1860 nnd 1870 respectively, three immense casks of clai et wine of a later vintage, each cask containing 1.000 gallons, and 443 cases or brandies. There are, besides, hundreds or barrels or cheaper wines ana cases of French cordial. THE MEXICAN FAMINE. Not a Drop of Bain Has Fallen Since JJarly Last Spring. St. Louis, Dec. 24. Mr. L. T. Woods, form eily of this city, but who has been in busi ness in Mexico for tho past three years, is in tho citv. Ho comes from ffaltlllo, Jn the State of Coalmila, which is about the center of the drought nnd famine district The business in which he has been engaged has taken him all through the Coalmila district on hoe'iack, and he says that no idea of the suffering of the poor people can be calncd unless one were to travel through the country and sen for himself. "Little can ho learned in the cities along the railronds," said he, "for there are no newspapers of any consequenco published theie, and the tendency of -the few is rather to disguise than give the whole (acts. Be sides, they have no adequate means of gain ing accurate knowledge of tho real condition or affairs. Tho drought set in two years azo, and there has not been rain enough since to wet the ground. There has not a drop of rain fallen there since last May, and then it was hardly enough to dampen the gronnd. In consequence, two succes sive crops have failed. The cattle have nearly all died or become diseased, and are unfit for meat. Corn, which is the only other thing that the poor people can get at all, has gone up to a price almost beyond their reach, and ther condition is as bad as it can possibly be." THE NEW PACIFIC CABLE. The Completion of the Survey by the United States Steamer albatross. Honolulu, Dec. 24. The Charleston ar rived December 5 fiom, Yokohama, Japan. She experienced unusually rough weather for the first ten days of the trip. All are well. Her destination is notmade public as she is under secret orders re ceived while in Yokohama, bnt It is rumored that she goes direct to Acapulco, Mexico, to coal, and await orders, should her presence be needed further south. Tne United States Fish Commission steamer Albatross arrived here November ,24 from San Francisco, having completed a line of soundings for the new submarine cable which will connect the islands with the United States. The greatest depth ob served was 3,784 fathoms, equal to a little more than four miles, about 6u0 miles east of the island of Oahu. After coaling and tak ing on board the sounding wire Jnst arrived from San Francisco, the Albatross will re turn to the coast, running a line of sound ings from the islands to Monterey, Cal., di rect. WASHIMTW PERSONALS. Washington, J). C, Dec 24. Secre tary Elkins made a short visit to the Presi dent this morning, and then went .to the War.Department, accompanied by Secretary Blaine, where the oath of office was admin istered to him by Chief Clerk Tweedale. He spent a few hours receiving officials, and left tho city on. an afternoon train for Elkins, W. Va., where he will spend Christ mas with bis family. It is understood that he will not enter actively on the discharge of his new duties nntil after New Year's Day, although he will probably return to Washington before then. Eepresentative Wright, of Pennsyl vania, who Is confined to his residence by an attack of the grip, is reported to be slightly better to-day. Congressman Mills' health continues to improve. Speaker Crisp remained in his room to-day, and denied himself to all callers. He needs rest badly, and Is quite sick, although not dan gerously so. The delegation of Blackfoot Indians which is visiting this city was given a re ception by the President this afternoon. Theee were few signs of'life at the Capi tol to-day. Two or three Senators spent an hour or two in the forenoon in. their com mittee rooms, and seven Representatives writing at their desks barely relieved the deserted appearance of the hall of the House. As a result of Mr. Springer's thoughtfulness the employes at the Capitol received the Day for the month of December to-day, and the majority were excused from duty in order to afford them opportunity to buy their Christmas presents. Most of the Senators and Representatives have left Washington for their homes.and there is no probability that committee work will be undertaken during the holiday recess. 11K. CKISP'S COMMITTEES. Tar Speaker's committee list is ont, and now look out for squalls. Philadelphia In quirer. The committees, as a whole, are fairly well made np. The Speaker has disregarded pre cedent in making the assignments and the Hoube in its organization reflects his own ideas. New York Herald. Geographically considered, the Speaker has made a very fair distribution, and in as signing the strongest men to the most Im portant committees' he has given tho Dest possible assurance that the business of the House will be intelligently considered. Philadelphia Times. The composition of the Ways and Means Committee is a vindication of the McKinley tariff bill from Democrats and by Demo crats. The organization of the committees of Congress nndcr these circumstances is more gratifying to Republicans than to Dem ocrats. New York Press. The committees announced yesterday by Speaker Crisp will, we think, meet the ap proval of the country. They are, on the whole, composed with Judgment as well as Independence. Ifthey'nork well and turn out no mischievous legislation, who will complain of themJ Neie York Sun. The House committees as made up Dy Mr. Crisp will be on the whole fairly satisfactory to the Dcinociatic party in and out of Con gress. Theyaie icasounbly repiesentative; they are strong and well equipped for the work to be done and will approach the problemsof tho session in a'salely conserva tive spirit. New York World. Speakeb Crisp had a bad job on his hands, and has choen to get through with it as quickly as possible. Or the lesnlt it may perhaps bo truthfully said that it is no worse than was expected. Of course, there is wailing and gnashing of teeth among the Mills rorces that was inevitable. New York Tribune. Ox the jndgment or fairness of the Speaker in the distribution of the honors in volved in the appointments to committees, our readers can form their own opinion on the careful analysis of the facts given in our Washington dispatches. They will hardly regard his course as strengthening the party where it most needs strength, and where strength would be most nserul to it. New York IHmes. Lincoln Still Holds Office. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. It is again reported from London that MinisteLIncoln is soon to resign. This is his customary way of reminding the world that he still holds the office Peary's Expedition a Success. Boston1 Herald. I The Peary expedition is a pronounced success. Its appeal for a relief party has been promulgated. CHRISTMAS EVE SOCIETY. How the Gay Holiday Was Observed In the Social World Manager McOulloush. Very Kindly Kemembered Belgn of tho Violets Chatter of Society. Dubing the week Manager 35. J. McCul lough, of the Duquesne Theater, ha3 been harassed by fears of a strike or some con. spiracy against him among the employes or tho theater. Their mysterious conferences alarmed him, and he was ready for the worst when a summons reached him at 7 o'clock last night to come upon the stage, where all the employes were gathered. Harry Schwab as the ringleader broke the news to Mr. Mc Cullongh, It was not so bad after all, viz: that his subordinates in the thea'er wished to give him a gold watch as a token of theiresteem. Mr. Schwab explained the plotting humorously and handed over the watch, which is a very handsome one, and a chain of cold and platinum, to Mr. MoCulIongh, who had only words enough to say "Thank you" very heartily. Besides the Duquesne employes a number of news paper men, with whom Mr. McCullough is deservedly most popular, were present. After the show Manager McCullough gave the men a dinner at William Jacobs'. Since Miss Newport, Mrs. A. E. W. Painter's guest, praised the art of the Pitts burg florist in arranging violets, the ex tremely expensive little beauty has rushed into favor. Bunches containing 130 violets were sold yesterday at $6, or, 15 Into 60, at 4 cents apiece. But the violets were exquisite; in size jmshing a small carnation very closely. Fashionable voung women were tho recipients of hnge Boqnets or them yes terday, which, by the wav, look no longer like the snowballs in their arrangement. The florist who knows his business displays as much versatility in his manner of treat ing violets as If it were 50 varieties of flowers he had to harmonize. The novel arrangement of the rooms on the second floor of George W. Dilworth's house, the old Chambers residence, allows them to be turned into one on the occasion of any large function. This was done at the wedding reception recently after the church ceremony which transformed Miss Dilworth inWMrs.Childs. There were no archways nor folding doors to mar the view or break the continuity, and the presentment scene was magnificent enough to embarrass the pen of him who would attempt to depict it. . Aftee a custom of hers, Miss Elizabeth Tindle commissioned Gernert's Orchestra to spend the entire afternoon yesterday in the various wards of the West Penn Hospital, playing for the patients. MIsg Tindle's thoughtfulness as expressed in this particu larly pleasing way, has given her a pleas ant place in the memories of many, who, otherwise would find the hospital a dull place in the holiday time. There is no one whose arrival is more eagerly expected there than Miss Tindle's nor whoe depar ture brings more regret, as the youmr lady has as many friends in the institution as there are patients. Social Chatter. The Misses Mary and Madelalne Laughlln, who gave a party on Wednesday night with their mother, Mrs. Alex Laughlln, Jr., for cicerone, had as guest Miss Mary Fainter, Miss Rosalind Smith, Miss Rebecca Darline ton, Miss Anna Scaife, Mi's Bessie Webster, Miss Marguerite Singer. Mi's Mary E. Brown, Miss Patti and Miss Leila Rogers, Mr. Ken neth Painter, Mr. Alexander Chambers, Alex Laughlin anOAlev Byers. At Miss Arbnthnot's breakfast the other day, for Mrs. Otis H. Childs, music was in troduced, making it the first time in Pitts burg that an orchestra played at a function, which did not include a formal receotion. The breakfast was in courses, its discussion ocenpying more than two hours, nnd during the entire time a string band discoursed the most delightful music. There is no private house in Pittsburg where gupsfcs can oe accommodated with such facilities for dancing as that over which Mrs. A. E. W. Painter reigns ns mis tress. The entire lower floor alniostcanbe turned into one large apartment, the dimen sions of which are grpat enough to tax the ambitious energy of tho debutante after sev eral turns. The entire honse will be thrown open this evening at the Pittsbnrg Clnb, when it will be seen for tho first time in its renovated condition. The Rhodes ball will be all the more memorable on this account. It would have been a charming opportunity for some debutante to have immortalized herself by making her debut on such an eventful nisrht. ' A host interesting sbeetacle these days is' the sight of a small messenger boy, with a big package, listening to a oun? man as he gives minute directions tor the finding of his best girl's honse. The district messen"er office was so crowded last night that one, couldn't send a word in edgeways, to say nothing of one's self going in edgeways. The nuptials of Miss Catherine Clark, eldest daughter or Dr. H. H. Clark and sister of Dr. A.C. Clark, or the West Penn Hospital, and Mr. Charles W. Wrisrht, were celebrated in St. Lnke's Episcopal Church, last night at S o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Wright left for the South after the ceremony and will remain there for some time. Mb. Paul Blouet (Max O'Rell) has con sented to make a farewell visit to Pittsburg, which will be all the more noteworthy since he comes in the interest of the French mis sion established in Pittsbnrg by his fellow countrvman, Henri Rollin Parker. His sub ject will be "America as Seen Through French Glasses." The Glee Club of the Western University is composed of the following vonng singers: First tenors. Messrs. High Parkinson and Evans; second tenors, Messrs. Calvert, G. H. McGrew and Sapn; first bass, Messrs. Wil son, Calvert, Riddle and Dorrington; second lmss, Messrs. Rediuger, Cunningham and Hoerr. The Western University is to have an alumni association, Which will be formed at a dinner siven in a short time at the Du quesne Club by the class of '88. A general invitation will be extended to preceding and following classes to bo present at the dinner. It's a puzzle to a great many people why three large market baskets are allowed to ride out and sit, too in a street car to East Liberty, while a "mail child must stand and pay 5 cents for the privilege of doing so. Miss Alice Tisdle receives her small friends this evening, when she will be as sisted in her agreeable task as hostess by Miss Alice Haworth and her cousin. Miss Elizabeth De Pnv, of Philadelphia. The Misses Rogers, granddaughters of Mrs. Alex Chambers, were hostesses at a fancy dress ball last night at which the fashionable "younesters" of the two cities were largely represented. Amoko the Christmas entertainers is Mrs. C. B. SlcLean, of Wineblddle avenue, who has issued informal invitations for a dinner to-day. Mr. A3D Mns. C. A. Nicola give a dinner at the Duquesne Club to-dav at 3 o'clock to a number ofladies and gentlemen. Mes. FnAUK Semple, or Sewickley, gives a part- on Mondav evening for her daughter, Mis Annie.Semple. k Mb. akd Mrs. C. C. Aretsbubo, of Oak mont, will give a dinner this evening for 16 friends. To-icioht Mrs. Joshua Rhodes aud the Misses Rhodes give a Dall at the Pittsburg Club. The invitations have been issned for Miss Julia Watson's ball on New Year's eve.- Mrs. Christopher L. Maoee entertains some friends to-day to Christmas dinner. Mr. asd Mrs. H. S. A. Stewaet entertain friends this evening at dinner. THEAlhambra dances to-night attheMo nongahela House. P0BTY HEW LOCOMOTIVES. They TV111 Be Built immediately for the Baltimore and Ohio. Baltimore, Dec. 24. By the 1st of Janu ary the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com pany will give out contracts for tho con struction of a number of new locomotives, including passenger, freight and switch engines. The contract will be for not loss than 40 locomotives. Those engines will he constructed according to the Baltimore and Ohio's own designs. They will be of the most powerful and modern type, having every impiovement now known in the con--Btruction of engines. The.company now has in service 837 loco motives, some .having been in almost con tinuous service for 55 years, while others have only been in use six months. One engine that is performing regular service was built in 1835. Mr. Hazelhnrst says the company will exhibit somo of its old engines at the World's Fair, and he has already ar ranged to havo tho oriemal engineer who ran the old englnn in 1S35 on board. The en gineer is Joseph York, now living in Mead viUe. The Contest Will Be Interesting. Chicago Inter Ocean. 1 Congressman Dalzell Is the favorite of the anti-Quay Republicans for successor to Quay in the Senate. Pennsylvania promises to have almost as interesting a Senatorial contest ss Ohio. CURIOUS condensations Shad are used as money in many of-the North Sea Islands. In 12 years the city of Paris has ex. pended $270,000 on statues and $85,000 on or namental fountains. The ship canal from Paris to Kouen h to be about 114 miles in length and 2! feel in depth, and the estimated cost is $20,000,000 The Spanish children hide their shoe) or slippers in the bushes on Christmas Eva and find them filled with fruit andsugal plums on Christmas morning. The Esquimaux are a docile and bright people. They are extremely (Hrty, simply because it is so cold in their country thai washing Is very uncomfortable. First quality second growth white ash for carriages is so scarce that the probabil ity is that in a few years oat will b? used for coach poles and other purposes foi which ash is now used. In Holland the children hang np theif woolen stockings by the tiled chimney-piece, and then no soberly to bed quite sure that good St. Nicholas will visit them, provided they do not disturb him in his visit. The largest siphon, probably, is on the levee between McKinney lake and the MI sissippi river. The main pine is two feet J.n diameter and 216 feet in length, and it hat a discharging capacity of 26,000,000 gallons a day. The sacred nuts of Japan are so called because they are used in certain forms ol worship where they nre placed on the altar and burned with a hot bluish flame. The fumes are supposed to be acceptable to the gods. A curious phenomenon is the rapid de crease of the women's voto in Boston. Only three years ago 20,232 women registered, nnd all but about 800 of them voted. .Last year only 7,923 voted an d next year it is estimated that the number Will be reduced to 6,000. In Belgium the children fill their shoes with beans and carrots on Christmas Eve, and set them in the chimney place for the good Saint's horse. In the morning they ex pect to And them filled with sweetmeats and fruit in return for their good behavior. Allowing an average weight of four pounds to the brain, deducting one-fourtb for blood and vessels, and another fourth for external integument, it may be said that each grain of brain snbstance contains not less than 203,512 traces or impressions ol ideas. The majority of the Scottish Gipsies have'spreadovera vast tract of country. Here they havo graaually become losttc view as a distinctive Tace. In Enrope they are found in the greatest number to-day in Hungary and Wallacliia, where there are 500,000. In selecting strong timber weight has very little consideration. Only a man with experience can cull the good from the bad timber with almost an infallible Jndgment, and probably without the ability to tell why he makes his selection. Color has little to do with it, weight something, timber sense more. Bohemian children listen anxiously on ChriBtmas Eve for the chariot and white horses of tha "Christ-child" as he comes flying through the air with his krippe full ot presents; but the Italian children go gravely with their parents to churches and cathedrals to see tha Bambino or saint whe presents them with their Christmas gifts. Of all coineiTmnney the Maria Theresa dollar has by far the largest circulation in Africa. Its territory extends from Fez ir Morocco down to that London of the Soudan the great trade emporium. Kano, and thus comprises more1 than one-third of the whol of Arrica, about 4 COO 000 square miles, witt a population of 70,000,000, but even in thh com there are differences. It is computed by leading physiologists that, since one-tbird of a second suffices t produce -an impression upon the brain, 1 man or 100 years or age must have collectec on or in his brain matter 9,467,280,000 impres sions. Or, again, take off one-third nr tin time for sleep, and we still And 6,311,520,0CO This would eive 3,155,760,000 separate wakin; impressions on the man who lives to the agt of 50 years. In such" repute was amber in Eomeio the time of tne historian Pliny that he re marks sarcastically: '.'The price of ,a smal figure In it, however' diminutive,, exceed: that or a living, healthy slve" He ob serves also: "True ft Is that a collar of am her beads worn about the necks of younj infants is a singular preservative agains secret poison and a .counter charm fo witchcraft and sorceries." The divorce contagion has reached Kaf flrland. Not long ago a chief invoked thi assistance of the law to enable him to dis pense with a wife on the following ground of complaints: "Wife talk too much wltl neighbors: too much paint face and eye brows: too much snore In sleep: too muul loss, and too much no good." And yet th Kaffir cannot acquire the graces of clviliza tion. Games of chance were prohibited bj Mohammed, and in the Koran'were placcc as sins in the same category as wine drink ing. Herodotus tells us that the Egyptian were dicers, but whether they were gam Diersisnot siaieu. xneiriavontegame wa one played witn draughtsmen, and there b good evidence to believe that this is, if no the most ancient game, at least one oftht most ancient. Algol, the variable star in Pereus, has long been a mystery. Its light remains con stant for two and a half days. It then be gins to fade, and in less than four hour diminishes to an insignificant star, remain ing thus for abont 20 minutes, when it re gains its former brilliancy. It has Ionj been suspected that a dark body revolvei about Algol, and which, coming between u and that star, intercepted more or less of it light. The United States uses 2,400,000,00( cigarettes per year, or about 63 ror each o the adult population, or 100 for each male Russia consumes 2,593,000,000; Austria, 1,960, 000,000. French smokers consume 10,000,00 francs' worth of cigarettes every year. Ii one term of 53 days no fewer than 80 00 cigarettes of a certain brand were sold b; one tobacconist in Cambridge, while th" total number smoked therein the ac-adem-cal year of 16S days ts estimated at 3,360,000. Of other metals which are used" ii coinage in civilized lands copper Is used t quite an extent in Africa. The cannibal istic Niam-Niani especially like the Engllsl bar copper of one Inch diameter. Expedl tlons to the territory of the Niam-Niatc therefore, have generally been forced t Include several coppersmiths, and thes. men, as soon as the Nium-Niam land i reached, applied themselves to transform ing the bars of copper into rings ot size varying from that of a bracelet to that of: tiny finger-ring. And so great is the love o the Niam-Niam for these baubles that evei one of the small copper, finger-rings (valu less than a cent) would purchase a fa chicken of them. PICKINGS FROM PCCBL Johnny Boy Mama, is the Queen of Eag land 1.9C0 years old? Mrs. Boy Of course not, Johnny. Johnny Bov Bnt I saw in the paper something about "Victoria, B. C." 'Twos the night after Christmas, And all throneh the honse Not a creature was sleeping Not eveu amousc. Mince-pie. cheese and coffee Had got in a llct. And at 4 In the morning Were ralslilg Old Nick. Philanthropist Take whichever you lik the drum or the whistle. Small Boy Which makes the most noise? Mrs. Pugh There was a great deal o breadth to Dr. Tect's sermon this morning. Pugh But still It wasn't as broad as it was locj The Christmas papers now appear, The most of them comprising A page or two of Christmas cheer And stacks of advertising. Katy Didd It isn't proper for girls t climb trees, is it mama? Mrs. Didd Not this season, dear; bnt you ca ride yonr safety bicycle. Officer O'Toole Let me sell yon a ticks to the grand ball of the Sons of St. Patrick. "William Mann Any special Inducement? Officer O'Toole-Yes; you needn't attend If yoi dontwant to. A chemical change to some seems strange, But 'tis not strange to me, ' ' For turns my thought to changes wrought , More wonderful to see. How does it chance that Ignorance : . In homely girls may be Converted, lu the prettier ones To sweet simplicity Satan Who 's that out there? J Doorman A fellow calling himself Ochiltree. Sitan-Jh, ho! Well, detain him a moment tilr can break the news genUy to Annua,- -'
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers