GIBSON PEACOCK. Editor. VOLUME XXIII.—NO. 95. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE wrrrpß fboji bohe. 'J|he Trlbntc* of St. Peter’s Eve—Account of the Ceremony and tlie Tributes—XJie Festival of St. Peter—Preparations for tlie drent Coiuicll—Firenorn*. lUuinl natlons, A-c. (Special Corrcwpcmdcnco of flic Plain.Eveninz Bnllotin.l Piazza di Rome, Italy, Tues day, July (itli, 18M).—Every year in Romo, during tlie month of June, a certain placard is placed on tlie cornel’s of the principal streets and piazzas, also on the out side of churches and public buildings. It is an edict which invites all the tributaries of the Ajiostolical Chamber to come to tlie Vatican on tlie Kve of St. Peter, and pay their annual dues; if not, they subject themselves to eccle siastical censure and other canonical punish-- ments.\ This edict is signed with the name of the Cardinal Cametlingue, of the Holy Roman Church, and sealed with the arms of the Apos tolical Chamber, which arms are the Pnvilllon (that little parasol figure), and the keys, placed cn emitoir —that is, in the form of a St. ; Andrew’s Cross. ’ 1 Cardinal I)e Angelis is the present Cardinal Camerlingue'of tho Apostolical Chamber. His position is a very responsible one; he not only over the Chamber, is Arch-Chancel-. ' lor of the Roman University, and administers the properties and revenues of the Ecclesiasti cal State* but it is lie who first declares, for mally, the death of the Pope, breaks the Fish erman’s Ring, receives the attendance of the » Swiss Guard during the vacancy of the Chair, issues money which bears the arms of the Apostolical Chamber, and shares the Gov ernment, during the interregnum, with three other Cardinals, one of whom is a Cardinal Bishop,, the other a Cardinal Priest, and the third a Cardinal Deacon. -Each'year there is published in Rome a book called the Liber Upmium. lt contains over four hundred pages in quarto; its contents are the names of all those who ought to be present, either in person or by proxy, in the Hall of. Tri bntes at the Vatican, on the 28th of June, to pay their' yearly debts.’ These names are alphabetically arranged. On the afternoon of the Eve'of St. Peter the Cardina l Camerlingue, with the officers of the Chamber, sits pro tribunalis in tlie Hall, to re ceive these tributes or rente. This year, ps Cardinal do Angelis’ could not be present, Cardinal Antonelli took ins, place. Wo were told by a prelate friend last Monday afternoon that there was a chance of our being admitted to the ceremony, but when we reached tho door the servant in livery, or doorkeeper, told, us that Indies are never allowed to be present. Our cpmi>anion, being of the stronger and ; wiser sex, cotlld have gone in, but, unfortu nately, was not in full dress. We had a peep at the, ante-chamber, however, which was i crowded with the “Jeemes Yellow-Plushes” of : the Cardinals; and afterward a good descrip : tion was giyen to us of the business performed. The ceiling of the ante-room is painted in fresco,with the arms of the Apos-toUcal Cham ber. On tlie wails are frescoed maps of allthe ' tributary fiefs, domains anti territorial posses sions of the Holy See. In this room the pre latcs of the Aiiostolical Chamber put on tbeir cappas magna— large mantles ofredsilk with red silk hoods. ■ The Tribute Hall has on its wall two pie-- tures—one the Crucifixion,the other a portrait of the Pope. On the ceiling is an' allegorical fresco representing the Church receiving the tributes of nations. In the centre of the room is a round table, covered with a cloth. At the end pf,the Hall are arm-chairs for the princi .. pal officers, the Cardinal Camerlingue, Vice Camerlingue, Auditor-General and Treasurer- Geueral of the Chamber,- -Atthe side of the room, right and left, are the seats of the pre • lates, clerKH of tbe Cbaiuber aiid civil officers. Rcfore each one is a copy of the Liber Cen j mum. Some benches are placed for the mas culinejiublie. ~ r 7~• After the officers take their seats, an invoca “ tion to the Holy Spirit is recited. Qn Mon ■i day an usher then read the power of attorney ’ from Cardinal de Angelis to Cardinal Anto <; nelli; after tills began the alphabetical roll of ' the-tributaries. Those who are present re spond AOhsum ; those who are absent have the words Aon eelvit inscribed on the register aganist their names. As the names of these tributaries .and tlieir tributes fill oyer 492 pages of the Liber Comnrm, I will not inflict them on you, although the reading of them is really interest ing-, ■ ' The tributes named in tho Liber Ucnsuum consist of chalices, ciboires, (the vases in which are preserved the Holy Eucharist), gold and silver dishes, and money. These are paid as a nominal rent for the enjoyment bf certain t titles: tlie use of houses, lands and territories which belong to tho Holy See ; water privi leges fishing .rights; passage over rivers; working of mines; the’erection of mills, fac tories, &c. These tributes are not at all in proportion.to the yalue of the rights granted; •they are simply a sign of government owner ship, and if the tribute is hot paid the privi lege is supposed to be revoked. - I-will mention a few of the tributes* to give an idea of tbeir amount and the character of things held subject to tribute. The Chapter of- St. Peter’s Church obtained many years ago •the’right t 0.... use a portion of water for tho beautiful fountains which are such ‘superb or naments to.the Piazza in front of the Church. For this they pay yearly a pound of white wax. The Cistercians of the Church of St. •Cross of Jerusalem—the Basilica near St John .... -of jliftteran—pay ten- crownsa year for the use of the land oh which their conventual house is built., Many of the noble Homan families are tributaries, of St Peter. The Borghese pay many petty tributes; among them is a silver -dish yeariy ibr thO- Marqiilsate. of Month Cesi; also, one gold crown or scudofor the use of the . land on 'which they have a house at Porto d’Ahzio. ' .' Prince .Bandini, head of the. Itoman Hunt (also Dol'd Newberry of the English Peerage), pays, among other things, a pound of white •wax yearly for his Castle ot Varano. • Pfince Bonaparte pays annually a pound of ■white wax for the county of Castro JLaviano! ; Puke Cesarini, whoso palace, at Gensauo I described in my In,tiornto 2d Juno, gives t Wo pounds of white wax a year for the Duchy of Citta Nuova, and a. silver basin weighing a pound for another duchy; and sq on, 1 j ->•■ , ■ —^ . After vespers we returned to the carriage, for which our coachnian had kept a place on •the piazza from whence we could see the il lumination of the church, dome and colon nades to advantage. Itwas as splendid as it is always; and after the change from the silver to the gold lights took place, We; drove to. the Pindan Hill and enjoyed the distant view. On Tuesday, Jane 29, St. Peter’s day, I saw this One of the greatest /ties of the year from my usual position in the, balcony of San AndreaJ I think, I have mentioned in a pre vious letter the fine situation of this balcony; it is high up on one of the piers that support the dome, and commands the entire view of the imposing pontifical functions. The display of vestments, altar decorations land hangings was magnificent. The stairs and v floor of the Confession were covered with a superb carpet, worked by the Roman princesses. The balustrades and walls were hung with rich garlands of natural flowers. Large, beautifully wrought gold and silver vases were placed about in it, filled with flow ers. Pomegranates and lavender, magnolias, oleanders and eape jessamine,* carnations and amaranths,were mingled.with thick luxuriant branches oi lemon trefolia or verveine, and. the air was heavy with the fragrance. The’gratti of the Confession whs open—the picturo with, its chiseled silver frame; the pre cious stones set in it; the gold pallium box in ride—above tlie tomb of the Prince of the Apostles—and the various decorations were brilliantly lighted by tbe numerous candles in tine gold candlesticks set in front. And in the centre of all this splendor of sweet-smelling, rich-lined flowers, gold, silver, and precious stones, was the beautiful Canova kneeling statue of Pius VI. The cold white marble form completed the striking effect of this one of many fine points of attraction in that great church oh this file day of its Patron. 'ln future there is t© be a hew arrangement of the reserved places at St. Peter’s. There are to be no mere tribunes; at the great Church ceremonies, only simple.benches;,so the dis graceful scenes of last season will be prevented, it is to be hoped. The persons who are in the transversal naves will be enabled to follow the ceremonies and see the Pope at the altar with out being prevented by thoseugly green walls which, formerly inclosed the privileged, ill behaved crowd that occupied the tribunes. We had the good news given us to-day that so long as we stay in Borne we are to have our scats in the San Andrea’s balcony for all the great functions; so this change of the tri bunes into benches will not affect our comfort. Industrial societies aro treated very liberally. I see, on runningmjr eyes over'the pages, the following; ’ ■ - , “Large mill of Monte Sieuro, near. Ancona, fqr the use of water, on tlio American System, concession of 1845; tribute, a chalice to bo worth 100 crowns, yearly.” ■.■■■> A marble and alabaster factory, company- at , Civita Vecchia and otlior cities, send .10 baiques (cuitsXayear. The Ripetta boat pays three crowns a year for tho right of crossing the Tiber; and the baths on .the Tiber are taxed sixty cents or ba'ioques a year. There are two articles in the Liber Cemuum which I must mention. One concerns tho Duchy, of Farma ana Plaisance; the other, ICingVictor Emmanuel. In 1545 Paul 111. (Alessandro Farnesc) conceded the Duchy of Panna and Plaisance, under the title of fief, to the Famese family, on condition of an annual tribute of 9,00 b crowns of gold. For nearly two hundred yeaTs the Dukes of Parma fulfilled this obliga tion, until the extinction of the direct lino in .1730, when, by. the. Pragmatic Sanction, the Emperor of Austria obtained Parma and Plaisance as an indemnification for ceding Naples aqd the Two. Sicilies to that young hero, Don Carlos, son of Elizabethjof Parma and Pliilip V. of Spain, And grandson of Louis XI V. Since that date, from 1730 to 1809, the Austrian and Spanish Governments, who have by tums held this fief, have omitted to pay fheir renty but- the Holy See has never yielded "its rights. At present this debt amounts to over twoanlllions of crowns, ex clusive of interest, —a nice little sum.- , In 1741, by a hull of Benedict XIV. (Pros pero Lnmbertini), the administrations of the Principality of Masseran, the County of Creve co;ur and s everal other pout ifi cal domains were conceded to the King of Piedmont for the an nual tribute of a chalice of gold, worth 2,000 crowns. This tribute has always been paid on the Eve of St. Peter, punctually, by the King of Piedmont. Victor Emmanuel is the first King who has omitted the perforniance of this obligation. , Hid.wiiole'iimount of tlie.tribute of the Eve of St-. Peter is comparatively small. Leaving out the tributes of Parma and Plaisance,and Piedmont, it does .not amount .annually to more than >112,000. It consists of twelve chalices, twenty-five ciboires, nine basins of gold and silver, four hundred pounds of white wax and 9,000 crowns in current money. After our ineffectual attempt to; see the tribute ceremony, on Monday afternoon, we went to hear vespers at St: Peter’s, and en joyed the fine procession and grand old music. 'Hie blessing of Palliums concluded the service. In front of the Confession staircase anew altar was erected, which is to remain there for a while, and after the Council transept is ar ranged, it is to be placed in the middle of the Assembly, in front of the Pope’s throne. Its decorations are very splendid; the gold em broidery on the tiangings—or pulliotti, as the Italians call them—is so thick that it looks like embossing and chiseling on metal, Onthe altar-table is a magnificent gold cross, and six gold candlesticks, unequal in height, as the Roman ceremonial requires. These candle sticks rank next in beauty and value to the celebrated ones of Michael Angelo, which always ornament the High Altar at Pontifical Mass. They were presented to,tho Church of JSt. Peter by Gregory XIII. (Buoncoinpagni, 1572-1085.) ■■■' v; ; The beautiful and interesting services in the Sistine Chapel arb to be suspended during the session of the Council, and all Papal Chapels, as these sort of functions are called, are-to be celebrated at the High Altar of St. Peter’s. The largo number of Bishops who must bo present at these ceremonies renders this change necessary. This new arrangement will be grand, undoubtedly; and to, hear the fa mous misereres without crush and crowd will be satisfactory, of course. But, aftetall, I can not help regretting the’guiet Sistiue, with all PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, JULY 30,1869. its famous artistic associations, anil I am very thankful that I heard the Vespers and night mass of last Christmas in tlio beautiful old Chapel. I shall never forget the mysterious ef fect of Michael Angelo’s superhuman forms of prophets and sibyls on the Sistinc ceiling as the dayliglitfadcd. That grand old Jonas—how boldly he stood out ‘ And as the lmzy light of the : candles around the edge of the ceiling floated over the marvelously painted architec ture, all the perspective illusion (the imagi nary marble walls, the airy perforated arches that seemed to stretch from one marble breast work to another) was complete. Tho space above seemed roofless and opening into some unknown heaven of glory; while the mighty figures of slaves on the r cornices, and the twelve prophets and sibyls seated around the interior of this imaginary ceiling temple, seemed like some strange beings lost in an eestacy of the highest rapture while beholding the very essence of Truth. ' About six fthndred bishops out of the nino hundred and twenty-two are expected to ho presentat the Council. 'Prom two hundred and fifty to three hundred will he the guests of the Pope. Tho others who have means will pro vide for themselves. Bishop Hailey, it is sup posed, will have apartments in the American' College. . , On the evening of St. Peter's day the fire works on the Jariiculum were very eflective. I had afront seat in Count Vespignani’s loggia, in the iiiclosuro belonging to the Convent of St. Oalisto, opposite the Hill. The designs of •the main piece were made by the Pope’s chief architect, Count Vespignani. It represented the Maiisolouiri qf Augustus as Strabo describes it. This tomb, according to Strabo, was a hijl covered with cypresses to its snriunit; at its base was a superb marble building;in front were two obelisks, and bn the summit pf the hill was a colossal statue of Augustus Caesar. This design of Count' Vespignani was 180 feet long and 100 feet liigli. The marble build ing and obelisks were made of white lights, the trees and terraces of green, and the statue on the summit of gold lights. It was a bril liant, dazzling sight. Unfortunately, the west wind blew the smoke over the design, and in terfered with its general effect, hut it was wonderfully beautiful. After it was over the various fireworks, called the yirtmdolaf, fol lowed; brilliant'sheals of fight rjose up anil burst into every imagihahle hue; they repre seetedby turns gigantic flowers, waterfalls, darting serpents,.and brilliant showers of gold and silver rain. The weather is a little wanner, hut we are having frequent showers.of rain, which make the drives delightful. Yesterday afternoon we drove out of the old Flaminian Gate, at the Piazza del Popolo, and went around the wails to (lie Porto San Giovanni,-the Lateran. en trance. The . walls Were brilliant with blos soms, scarlet and pink, and the starry white blossom of the • Caper vine, with its beautiful violet stamens, was scattered in the greatest profusion over the grim old stones., The Al ban and Sabine hills and Appenines were draped in every celestial shade, and the Cam pagna was fresh and .luxuriant. The hay and wheat harvest is nearly gatheTCii in, and.is re ported to tie of the best quality. On Sunday the crypt of St Peter’s was opeia to women and illuminated; tbe only day in all the year my sex are allowed to enter it! If we go on any other day we arc excomiriuni-. cated ! Our masters, the men, can go any time! I spent six hours studying, in the eurious.vaulted old aisles, among the tombs of the Popes; but .my letter is already too long forme to give an account of this interesting day’s work. I have only room for one hit of art news. Miss Foley has finished her group of the Hoy and Goat; it will now go into the marble, and be ready for next season. Lnc cardi, whose group oftheriDclugetookthe jirize at the Jast French Exposition, says -of this group of Fplojfs..that-it,is the. prettiest and most original work of the kind t hat has boenmade this last season in Home.” Of Miss Foley’s beautiful fountain I must speak another time. Asxs Bkewstkk. Death on tbe Railroad. [ From the Commercial of July Zflth.J Yesterday morning, an old gentleman named John A. McAlpiu, formerly a resident of this city, and ten or twelve years ago a member of the firm of Leech, McAlpin & Co., wholesale grocers, was killed near Sewickl'ey by a train of ears onthe Cleveland aud Pittsburgh Railroad. Tlie circumstances connected with his death are thus stated: On Tuesday the deceased got on a'train of cars on the Pittsburgh, Port Wayneand Chi cago Railway,arid came to this city. His con duct, on tlie way up, was remarked as un usual, and passengers who observed him con cluded he was insane. He got oft" the train at the Union Depot, and while there attracted tlio attention of Lieutenant Woolridge, who asked him. where lie was going. His reply was: .“ To Heaven.” To others whoaskea a similar question, he answered, ‘‘To the lower regions. He was taken to the office of the Union Depot Hotel, when he re quested tlie clerk to- register him as .lohnMeAlpin, from.lllinois. He then went to his room, hut at two o’clock: in tiro morning was again seen on the platform, when he at tempted to throw hiinself under a locomotive, which was about leaving the depot. Mr. Keagy, the night despateher on the Pennsyl vania Bailroad, prevented him from executing his rash intention/ and he was again sent to his room. At ab* ut six o’elock: yesterday morning he was seen making an attempt to get on the Cleveland and "Wheeling passenger train, alter it. had commenced to move off, and was helped aboard by one of the hiake men,, .As the train approached Be wickley, ,ho went to the door of the car in vhlch he had been; seated, and either fell .or threw himself between the two cars. His body was dracgedjlongthejractfor.a.considerable dis tanfe ' and terribly mangled—the ties, for several yards, being marked with his blood. The.remains were conveyed to Bewickley,and ih the afternoon Coroner Clawson wont down to hold the inquest. Mr. McAlpin was a good 'business man, anil was well and favorably known to many of our merchants and others, having resided here , for a number of years. Qn retiring from the business, he went west to Kansas and Invested- largely in real estate. He subsequently mode several visits ,to - this; city. His previous con duct leads to the belief that he committed sui cide. Some of his clothing was marked with his name. He left a small satchel at the Union Depot. The Coroner’s ; jury merely viewed the body and adjourned to meet to-day. The remains of tlio deceased were planed aboard a train and brought to Devore’s undertaking establishment, on Grant street, last evening. We have been informed that the Coroner and his jury were charged faro, surd also that the conductor of the train on which the re mains were brought-up charged for the body, OUH WHOLE COUNTRY. . Mountain House, Ckessox Smunos, 28th July, 1809.—Come up to the Mountain! I.ivvl tationto the readers of the Bixpetin is almost synonymous with invitation to tlie universal city. There is room fpr. everybodyhcre, = anrt> for a select few beside! And yet l a world inr miniature is in actual occupancy of the Moun- tain, and “brave men and fair women,” —men of mark, of clmracter, of deed; and' woman, in all tier loveliness and grace—give super added attraction to the peculiar beauties and impressive sublimities of our Alleghanian surroundings. Apart from tho grandeur of this magnificent altitude, which challenges comparison, in character- and salubrity, with any of tbe summer resorts of the country, the approach over a region that abounds with prospects bewildering to an artist in attempt at choice, far more than repays the “toil of the ascent of high Parnassus,” if thgt'inav be termed “ toil ” which consists in sitting,home fashion, in luxuriously furnished cars for a few hours, and looking thence abroad upon scenes,, as they fly swiftly by, that defy descrip tion and fill tlie heart and mind with adora tion and awe. I am writing thus without the knowledge of any of the parties in interest here, and I give in my name a sufficient guarantee of disin terestedness and candor. , As Pennsylvania journalists you will recog nize and discharge the duty of informing Pennsylvanians that it is Whim, rather than necessity, that tempts them bfeypnd their own' borders in search; for the jewel health! and 'summer relaxation. None .to whom pure mountain air can minister in such case would fail to find here, for their ex tremest needs, all that any section can afford. Accommodations are. ample and complete in all appointments, both at the principal “Moun tain Bouse” and in the numerous beautiful “Cdttages” connected therewith—all under a management so competent and admirable as to.preclpde all further requirement, and which has secured for Mr. Million the well-earned and -universally-accorded' title of the prince of hosts. Ampng the brilliant company we have, as I have said,' a fair quota of men who are men of tbe highest type of social and public char acter—of all political parties—whose gentle breeding insures, freedom from all disturbing elements in genial, intellectual intercourse, judge Read, of Philadelphia, known td all— distinguished alike for professional eminence and social status—is here; and Judges Hamp ton and Sterretr; of our sister city .of Pitts burgh, no less distinguished for high attain nlfe -i ts and engaging qualities of ini ml and heart, lor professional learning and parity of etiaiater,: favorite and trusted sfJh.sof i'enii sylvfinja; arid Senator Morton, of Indiana, one of tier political gladiators—foe worthy of the steel other Hendricks and Hanuegans—in the manliness of Western mental vigor and physique; and our own Colonel Scott, late Assistant Secretary of War, and latterly of the . Pennsylvania o. Railway Power,” reaping, through perfect kindliness, win ning urbanity, and graceful thought fulness, golden opinions from all sorts of men; and Treasurer Firth, with whom is. inevitably associated blissful anticipation of liberal dividends, '’paid promptly oridemand!',’ A befitting chapel, erected-by+hO company. - is always open for religious servi'ces, always well attended and devoutly conducted. The general air and character of the guests indi cate intelligence, refinement and substantive respectability; and they are here from every section of our broad and once, again happy land, representing its culture, refinement, in domitable energy of enterprise,arid abounding prosperity. And there is no lack of healthfu amusement. • ! Croquet parties spattfae lawn.s;'teii-pins aud billiards, and-the-certain dance; - excursion ' parties, reading parties in the forests, parties •to the iron, alum and ihagnesiarsprings, and to coal mine, tbree-quarters of a mile, tunnel-. wise,.into the mountain-hill. .The “hops,” as tliey must tie called, it seems, when gt seaside or upon the mountain,. are of nightly occur rence ; and the hand, ever on hand, does cer tain credit to its specialty. We sent you a telegraphic'greeting on occa sion of the statue-ceremonies of the Fourth of. July, in front of Independence Hall, and re ceived with enthusiasm the Irnppy response of His Honor, - the Mayor. AVo thought you would appreciate duly, and thrill, perhaps, at hearing voice, per lightning, from the clouds, in approbation of a Washington’s statue in Philadelphia, al beit in Chestnut street, and not. upon the ancient foundation laid by Lafayette, before tlie flood, in Washington Park! Sic itur ad antra! Come up to the Mountain and see for. yourselves 1 Professor Jackson made Tuesday night more glorious still, and eclipsed the heavens, for the nonce, withi the wonders of his art, surpassing any of his of which we have read, who , presides, with, his captives, over tlio pyrotechnics below. The success and, gratification were complete, while to the accomplished who surpassed, himself, over all other possibl® competitors. Come up tp tho stars and drink in stores of health and mental vim from tho life-restoring fountains of this mountain porch, and when, you shall return to the strife and struggles— doom of all who. dwell npon the “care w ash’d isles of life”—ypu will do so with reno vated spirit to jvork, to the end, hi the cherished interests of those for whom.it is yom - life tiriPJ)lri«KS to, toil, ' X. Bebawajik Citv and Pabkesbuim; Raib -ISOAD — CONTRACT ■ VOB ITS CONSTRUCTION.— Information from the gentlemen at the head of the proposed railroad from Parkeshurg,Pa., ■to. Deiawaro City, states that a contract was made on Monday for the construction of the road, The amount of cash subscription re quired to be first made, $300,000, nad been raised) and the Pennsylvania Central Com pany then assumed the work.. The contract embraces everything necessary: to place tho. road in complete running order, and we have no doubt' the. enterprise wifi now be rapidly J mshed foTwaxd, Ono of the directors in, a etter says;. “Push on tho "Wilmington and Western road, so that we relay make connec tion with Wilmington.- Wih’ningtonComffieraio.l. —A boy who heard the quotation; “A little learning is a dangerous thing,” wished to stop going to school, because he was afraid ho should not live long enough to get past tho dangerous point, . . FROM cniSSOlf, PA. rCorrenpomlence of tlie Plflla. Evcnlmr Bulleti».l ‘ ‘ Scores of ladies whose briuht eyes Itulued influence, uml udjlulgsUiilie prize” SCfEKTIFIC. The Philadelphia Expedition to Photo graph the (Eclipse of Next Angnst. Most of our readers are no doubt, aware that on the. 7th of August will occur an eclipse of the mn, which will he total along a line some 140 miles broad, and reaching in this continent from Alaska obliquely across to North Caro lina. It willbcsides stretch across the north ern part of Siberia. The actual time occupied by tile centre of the shadow in traveling over our continent will be about one hour and' three i quarters ; but since in apparent time the same i instant, which sunset sees on the coast will cor respond w'fth a much carlie,r hour at the far west,wo find that while the centro of the eclipse will come at about 11 o’clock A. M. on the western extremity of Alaska, it will be seen on our- eastern coast, at Newbern, N. C., at about 0 o’clock P. M., or near sunset. With reference to the duration of the total phase, i there will be a maximum of about three i minutes and forty-seven seconds at a point north of Now Archangel, in Alaska, to a minimum of two- minutes and twenty-eight seconds oil our coast: . The duration of the entire phenomenon, from first to last contact— i.e., from the moment, when the bright,disk of the sun is first indented by the advancing moo.n until the last dark trace glides off from,liis 'disk—will.be about two hours for all places. The reason of tlie variation in time of the total phase is evident. The shadow of, the moon is traveling in a general direction from west to east; so is the- surface of the earth. At nooii these motions are in-the same direction, and thus the earth’s surface, running forward with the shadow, keeps longer in it that if it stood! still. In those ( places where it is near sunrise orsunset at the time; of encountering the, shadow, however, the-motion of the earth does not, coincide with that of the-shadow, hut .only moves at right angles to it, simply carry ing any point away from.or towards the moon pr sun, and thus not prolonging its immersion . in the darkness. - • It is therefore evident tliat the most desirable place for observation, especially for photo graphy, would be Alaska* where the duration of the total phase is longest, and occurs when the sun is highest in the heavens, and rpost likely to he free from haze and cioiid. Conditions of transportation, and .of time must, however, alsq be considered; and it has accordingly t een determined in the case of the large party of fifteen photographers, with three fine telescopes, organized in this city by Prof. Henry Horton, under the authority of Prof. J..H. C. Coftin, of the ; Nautical Almanac office, and with the government appropriation for the purpose, to establish, their points of. ob servation at Burlington, lowa, and its vicinity. The telescopes employed, for this purpose are the High School Equatorial, of six inches aperture, and nine feet focal length; the Get" tyshurg' Equatorial, ■ from the' Pennsylvania College of that place, also of six-inch aperture, and eight and a half feet focal length* and a smaller but very fineinstrumehtoi fourinches aperture,, from the University of Pennsyl vania, These instruments have been erected in a temporary building put up lor the pur pose in. "West Philadelphia,, on ground kindly placed at the disposal of the expedition , by Mr. JohnSellors. Here, during the last two weeks, active op erations have keen in progress, day and night, _in the adjustment of the - instruments and practicing of operators. Thß method of ope ration in the case of the sun is as follows : The telescope is directed towards the sun, and . its clock-work is set in motion so that it may follow that body inits apparent diurnal path. Any error in this motion is - immediately de tected by means of the “finder,” or small tele scope, mounted on the hack, of. the large one, like a little dog riding on a horse, which is provided:with a small' sercen, on which the •sun’s image-is-projeoted, aud it is at oneo cor-- rected by an assistant; who has charge Of this special work. --- ---- . ““In a-“dark room”uit bne=sidejrpjates=are=be i? ing prepared, and are inserted one after an other in the camera which is. attached to the telescope., and then the exposure is made by allowing a plate of brass, with an,. opening in it but one-fortiqth of an inch wide, to be drawn by a stout spring across the tube. Notwithstanding the exceeding_shortness of the time during which this minute opening is 'flying across and allowing the light to pass to the plate, so sensitive is this last that it was found necessary in addition to shut off all but one-sixteenth of the lens with a diaphragm or cap. 1 After tins truly “instantaneous” exposure, the plate is removed to another dark robin, where it is developed, and.then appears as a negative likeness of the jolly sun, with every “spot” on his face faithfully if, not 1 flatteringly depicted. ' ° ‘ With the moon longer exposures are re quired, and are secured, hy a . very ingenious device, which,' like the instantaneous one above-mentioned, is the device and construc tion of Mr. Joseph Tentmayer, our able opti cian, so favorably known both in this country and abroad for -his microscopes and photo graphic lenses. Several good pictures of the moon luwebeen taken with exposures of one niimitepawt since Dela Hue’s experience indicates that the lu minous prominences seen during the total, phase hav.e an actinic force 180 times greater than the full moon, itseems that one-third of a second would prove a sufficient exposuro, for this part of the work. Though the appropriation nuulo by onr Gov ernment was the starting point off this expe dition, it owes much of its completeness to Mr, Thomas Scott, of- the Pennsylvs!ipia_(Jentjal Raiinoad, who,' J by Securing fceo transporta tion for the party and their instruments, has in effect doublet! .the efficiency off that grant, and made it possible to secure the highest degree of perfection in all- the arrangements. . Similar acknowledgments are duo to J3)r. Robert Harris, General Superintendent of the. Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad,.for his generous response to the request madia to him for transportation off. this large party and theii valuable freight Over the road which ho represents. • ' — l The preeiso title of tho Vicoroy of Egypt has excited some curiosity. Thei exact desig nation is Khidivi Missr. ThoGofhu Alma nac, for 18G0,gives the incorrect orthography; Ketlervi-el Masr. Khidivi, is a Persian word., sicnifviuKSovcreign; Missr is the Arabioword for Egypt. The title Kliidiyi Hind,dr King; of India, was also formerly in vvs(,\ ” ’.I F. L. EETHERSTOJT Palilfelier. PRICE THREE CENW Fleets Am* wxsret&f; - J (. From tliceQ-rorlnnd Monthly for f Aaguii#.j' ■■■rVtttMWmtMim*:'-.' Pious Portala, jwarneymg by land; .; • r Reared liigli a cross upon the heathen strahd r • Thetv far away Dragged liis slow caravan to Montfevey. • The mountains whispered ter • ttiw valleys, “good!” ' The sun, slow.sinkimrfntlie wcstef^ft^l<K>fl,<; , - V,,.. Baptized!* Mood • The lioly standard of the Brotherhoods The timid fog crept in'across the sea,. ’ Drew near, embraced tty, and streamed'f aw aid ■ free, . : ,V:, Saying: “O ve- Gentiles and Heathen, this is truly He!?' ' All this the Heathen saw; awl when onceimore The holy JPatliers touched the lonely shores- Then covered o'er With shells and gifts—the cross their withlss .. bore. ■ —Queen Victoria goes to Bee-land next year-. —Tlio favorite tunc of Packer's supporters— libs for-tune. ■ i. —Eight hundred-visitors are- at the White* Suiphttr Springs. ■ - : —The Queen of Portugal, vrii©> is at has the most, pronounced red:-hair of tlier .season. -' ,; r ■-- - . —A large portrait of-liongfellow'appear.vin' the last London J/luslrated Ask'S) and a wliefo page is devoted to him and his wduks.. . —Auber’snew opera is. to-be called Un Live d’Amour; His last one Was Le Premier Gourde - Bonheur. Gay subjects for a yoirtttiof 88 sum“- mers. —A. Democratic paper says thaVAsa Pack er's “great heart beats in umsbn with the toii-* ing millions.” Who everknew betibve’that hi** twenty-five millions were toiling? .—Engonie wanted a homoeopathic physi cian, and she wanted him to dome upithe back. stairs to spare ,the feelings of the regular allor: patli. He refused, and Eugepie bu aghast-at such bold liberalism. ; . . —An afmed Eenian body.called this-“ Legion of St. Patrick,” which - lias longtheldl a secret existence, is now organizing' more publicly.its members are pledged to go to Irelarai}.arihs in hand, and fight for freedom. —ln buying eggs by the dozen we- have- to*- pay as much for small as for large ones. -An. elderly lady avoids being cheated inuids way by carrying to market a board, witha care fully measured bole in it, and will buy- no egff tliat passes through it. , ' —A valuable bed of bloodstone has discovered by Professor Shepherd, oiie • mile from St.'Mary, St. Genevieve county,' Mo. There is only one other place in thU'Chited States (a small deposit in Ohio) where-it! lias been fdund. ■ '■ —Pour.villages in Maine make two-thirds of the spools for the whole country, The spools are made fromthe white birchf-so com- " ruonin New England, and the “searfsVofthe trees are used extensively in cities for kindlimr wood: ; . ... : -rAn Albany paper, says: “The sky-rocket salute is a hew idea, introduced lb this-citehy the Seventh Regiment at their collation. 1 it is very effective ; far ahead of the lias been Upon the stage so long. ; .Plnz—bang —a—ha.’* ... c : ' —A woman at a dispensary appli.ed fo? medi cal aid, stating her disease to ho tlio 'flirtation of the heart. “Not an uncommon ailmentvrith your sex, ma’am,” said the' doctor,- }■with a, twinkle of, the eye, “but it is not dangejons. if the proper remedy is applied.” —The gradual disappearance of a strip, of land, about;2sxloo feet, covered with.trees,&e.» near Fort Wayne, Indiana, is causing; con siderable comment. There is' supposeiif tb : ba an underground river or lake causicgits- slow washing away. ; —A great many members of that extraordi nary Russian sect, the Skopzians, who- muti late themselves “for the kingdom, of Heaven’s sake,” have been brought to trial at. ifambowr and found, guilty—Their, sentence consists, iit. the loss of all civil rights and banishment for life to Siberia., 1 ' A'he Czar of Russia lias decreed) that.all; parents forcingtheir children : to t amury or to- ■ enter monasteries or conventsshaUbiyliable to-* a punishment of i from four months’: to. one.- year’sdmprisonment,"besides any tjuniSsliinenfci dieted ties' ' ' ..... . —A rumor was current, and belle vejlbsr many,in Quebec,Jast Saturda&Qial&4ig|it Bail s taken"plac6‘bßt\veßii _ ar s ßrit]Sli antfaa, can frigate In the Mediterranean, niui that am American war was imminent. ’V/e itanassMTe the credulous “KamiclM’Mhat tliero w-no tnuth. in the report. —A Saratoga belle treated a member of the Seventh Regiment very shabbilyuHer-mc ther reproved her for her eonduet, ; “fbp he isi worth two millions.” The girl,started,btt' ih gyeab • , trepidation, to apologize for he-roaadenesij.and. spread the net ot her golden hapi for tlimglit tering prize. " , —Governor Weller of SalSforhia. was wrecked oil the Golden Rule;,arid onamiMng at San Francisco he remarhad to a fitiehd: “ Lost everything, sir f eveuything hut Iny reputation,” “ Governor,” replied ius ;firi.oiid, • 1 you travel with Jess baggage- than’ one I ever saw.” .. —Atthe milage pf.Coomb'S |ho!in liabitants recently pbservedl, withinpgrbpriato ceremonies', the hundredth anniversary of the birthday of Mine. Mourner, a : wi(3i>w;‘bom there on J une 28, .17fi!i. This old ladyaetually saw Louis XV., and. speaks ■ of hiJm with a very, clear and distinct memory. Luuis died in 1774. She . muso have been a pre cocious child. —Cats aud dogs.are now prohibited at Wes leyan Grove, . Vineyard., A : .corre spondent pf the Hew. Ttedfom Standard, sug gests that one more rule would raise the>n campmeat a little Heaven, and that is, to prohibit the ; eternal' putting Of tohaecd by saint and sinner, within the sacred in/dosiire. By all means, let cigars go with the eats and; dogs and lager. —AiSaratoga exquisite is profoundly onam ored of {he malp typo of theTbeautifnl, blonde, and sets himself up as a model, thereof., ;He . duly elaborates llis hair and parts it, exactly in. the iniddlc, carrying his hasm his hand from,, fear of disarranging tho' -work of the' barber, andgoes through the formula ofthe glovo/ex erpise and dress-parade on Hajor ~Leland'a piazza with netcmislung-precision. A' fearful suspicion as to tho identity of sex is. tho. Only drawback tos?*'P amussinentofspectators;.; - —A’sheet bully in San irrancisco,’ who. - thought ifcsafo sport to knack John, ClptUamatu down, tried it tho' other day, on agelgstiaimaxs. ket man without tha customary effect. . instead of lieeing, knocked tho coward dowm • and beat him tilt he cried lustily Ibr quaater, When the fellow 'regained his : feet- anoTwas about to sneak away, “John” said,; •, “Yon, speakeo Cbinamanlietoomucheo. You wapteo knock Chinaman down, you e«neo sap. mov me like fight; you sake?" ‘ ,V, —A young enthusiast was taUdpgtQlhiuiu.-. tended, a few evenings since,, urging:upom her speedy marriage, and a start to spend’tha honeymoon, in Cahforma. <*l tell youi,” ‘ said, he, Ids faro glowing with enthustesni, “Cali-. fornia is the paradiso of this earth. There'S no use talking.” “Ho usetalking L” exclaimed the lady, with a look of some surprise. “No use talking l” ho repeated. “Well, if there's no use, talking,” said the lady, “what ilk tha namo of sense do you, want or wbmea tfiiere? X won 16® *■■■■■ ■■i ■ ■ '■ 1 i PvP/p';.".' ' , . ‘ h l r T "
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers