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';.".'
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