u 1 c ' BY S. J. E0. CLEARFIELD,' PA, WEDNESDAY, MAI 15, 1861. VOL. 7JT0. 37: J J i i f (4 THE STABS AND STEIPES. The Stars and Stripes! What hand shall dare To desecrate the flag we bear! The flag of stars, whose cheering light Brightened oppression's gloomy night . The flag of stripes, whose heavenly dyes flashed Freedom's day-spring through the skies! Dur flag ! The standard of the free ! Symbol of hope and liberty. ' The Stars and Stripes ! "What memories rise, Whene'er that banner greets oar eyes ! JSy patriots borne, o'er land and sea, It led the way to yictory ! "When slaughter swept the surging main When carnage strewed the crimson plain It marked the spot where heroes stood, It was baptized in heroes blood ! The Stars and Stripes! What power shall stay Immortal Freedom s onward way ! The heavens are the triumphal arch Through which she takes her mighty march! Her mighty march ! Nor shall she halt Till, like the spangled azure vault, T)'cr every land around the world The Stars and Stripes shall be unfurled ! THE TEAPPEE'S CABIN. A LEGEND OF THE PRAIRIE. "! wonder not," said she, in reply, " that it seems strange to yon. It will seem stranger still when 1 tell you that I have lived hero al ready four long years, and in all that time seen none but Indian females, and besides yourself but two white men," and she heaved a deep, long sigh. "Pardon mo," said Hugh, "for asking why you thus seclude. yourself, so far from civili zation and society ?" She hesitated a moment, then answered in a low, sad toue : "The love I cherish for aa un fortunate father," and there was an instinctive shrinking that made Hugh feel, plainer than words would have done, that the subject was a painful one. - Hugh adroitly changed the conversation, but listened eagerly while she told him of the wild adventures that had characterized their lile, and many strange and beautiful things that had bordered their pathway. She pictur ed to him the vast stretch ot prairie that sur rounded them, and discoursed most eloquent ly ot its green and flowery charms through tho, spring ami summer, of its golden hues in au t limit, when the hist light frost had crisped its "wavering grass, of its fearful magnificence nhen the crimson billows of flame surged over it, and of its sullen, sea-like grandeur when the snow was heaped in its hollows and cres ted in its ridges. Then she told him of the .glory of the woodland which lay duly a little way to the west of their cabin, and the beauty of the softly flowing Des Moines, whose waters were of crystal clearness, and whose banks were as rich in agate and pearl-like shell. Then she sketched the Indian warrior whoso linuting grounds were as yet all around them, and whose dusky bride had often tarried be side their beaith, teaching her wild-wood arts, and weaving sometimes for her hair a graceful wreath from the silver plumes of the rainbow colored birds that wero fluttering in the old tree-tops. And do you fancy such companionship 7 Have you no fear of Indian stratagems and Indian cruelties?" asked Hugh. A shudder ran over the young girl, and her fjee grew suddenly very pale, and she looked timidly around her ere she replied : "Until a month ago I had never known fear," said she, "for the Indian, if met with kindness, is as much, nay, more to be depen ded on than are our brothers. But now, I live in constant terror. My father has offended one of the young chiefs, and tho consequeuco I feel will be fatal to him or me, and perhaps both. My father has realized it too, and since then, until to-day, has not ventured out of sight of home. But though he has carefully sought traces of Indian steps, he has in all that time seen none, and so this morning, no ting by his keen eye the approach of a fearful storm, he went to his old hunting hut in the timber. The deer, you know, always rush to the woodland for shelter, and he expected to kill enough to-day to last in through the sea son. But 1 feci that be has run a fearful risk." "And you feared, knowing your red lriends were incensed against you, to stay here all a lone," exclaimed her listener. "I wonder that you consented to let me in. Did you not fear it might bo some Indian in disguise 1" "An Indian could not speak as you did, sir," she replied, "and if my own senses had misled me, these tinsty friends would have proved true;" and she pointed to the dogs. "They can scent an Indian as far as be can one of the pale faces. They are well trained, too. My father received them as a dying gift from the old trapper who lived in the cabin when he came; and he bad trained them well, for the country was much wilder then than now. Would you believe it though, they will bark in their very loudest tones when a white man conies near, but they will not breathe a sound it it be an Indian ; but if you are awake they wi'l come and stand before you and look at you with a glance, which, if once seeu, can never be forgotten ; while if asleep, they will awaken you in the most cautious way, warn you of the danger with much eloquence. Oh, tliey are two noble, precious friends .'" she id, patting them fondly. They crouched by her feet afterwards, and bnrying her little moccasins in their shaggy sides, she bowed tar bead on ber hand, and seemed to dream. Hugh mused for a long time on his strange adventure, and then feeling very weak again, e noiselessly heaped fresh fuel on the fire and stole off to his couch of buffalo robes. His dreams were at first wild and fearful and then strangely fantastic, and then sadly beautiful ; 'or, in every variation of the shifting scenes Joe face of Eleanor, pale, yet lovely and loving, Rooked up to him with an entreating fondness. A ben a dense black cloud covered her knee ling form, and as it parted he seemed to be ly ng on a bed of roses with tho cheek of the maiden pressed close to his lips. As he reach ed onl bis arms to enshrine her in a fond em brace he awoke ; and lo, with her face close 1 018 wn was she of whom ha bad dreamed. uttered aery half or joy. In an instant a warning finger was pressed to his lips, and in "'most inaudible tones sho murmured s "For your lile breathe not a loud word ! i-isten ! There are Indians about. They sur ttok bnt 1 cannot geM their mode of at Im u ise an trm yoofelf and lDen creep not h darke8t corner. Be careful and make 1 the least noise for they are a wary foe. aid yhthlnk me ,one- Oh 1" she exclaimed a ibe pressed her heart convulsively; "they qoubtless slain my kind father, and would now bear off his daughter to the wigwam of lueir chief !" uugti was a gallant lellow. lie had won brilliant laurels on the battle-field, and felt the war-spirjf strong within him again, as he leaped np and prepared himself to encounter a new foe. He carried a brace of pistols and a double-barreled fowling piece, and with soldier's thoughtfulness, he had immediately after supper withdrawn the damp charges and dried the three before the fire. It was short work for him to reload them now, and besides these he loaded a pair of pistols which the trapper's daughter handed him. He then un sheathed his hunting-knife and felt his blade to make sure that it was keen and polished And then he looked for a spot where be could ambuscade himself and arms. A little tent bed occupied one of the recesses which the huge fire place formed on both sides, and this was draped with deer-skins dressed to a beau tiful whiteness. In that he eusconced himself, while Eleanor threw herself on the conch he left, feigning sleep but clutching nervously tier pistols. .-.... Hugh's ear was keen, but although the tern pest had lulled, and only an occasional wild sob ran round the cabiu, he could detect no sounds that told ot human foes. After a while the howl of a wolf was heard. As it died away he saw the two dogs leave tho door, beside which they stood like petrifactions, and advance cau tiously to the hearth, and then it seemed to the listener that a dull sound was heard on the roof. It instantly occurred to him that the foe would strive to make their ingress down the chimney, thinking, doubtless, to find their captive alone and asleep, and fetter her with little trouble. Through the loophole, which was a slit in tho hanging, he watched (oh, how intently !) the huge fire-place, whose brands had all burned down to embers. After a while his heart leaped up with a strange, wild thrill, as he saw a moccasincd foot appear. The dogs saw it quite as soon as he, and withdrew at ouco to the side of thoir mistress. Very cautiously did the Indian descend, but at length he landed safely and noiselessly. But no sooner had he shaken and stretched him self out to his full dimensions, ridding himself of tie cramps with which his descent had tor tured him, than the largest of the dogs, with out a single warning growl, dashed at his throat, and clenched it with such a convulsive hold that the savage fell with a dull, dead sound. The other dog fastened himself to his knees, and although he struggled violently, yet the surprise was too sudden, and f he at tack too strange and powerful for the victim to make at once a successful resistance. Hugh felt that the time for action was come, but not wishing to alarm the Indians who might be outside, ho left his retreat with on ly his knife, which was soou buried deep in the heart of the red man. There was a quiver of the muscles, a stifled groan, and he lay dead before him. Eleanor sprung from her couch and gazed earnestly at bim, then turn ing to Hugh said quickly : "It is as I suppos ed. This is Wa-wa-tn-sa, the friend of Hi-wa-see, the young chief who sought me for a bride. He has thought to enter this way and open the door for him and his other braves. Get back for they will soon suspect some foul play." It was as she said. The door was cautious ly handled, and then the notes of a bird went whistling around the cabin, and then all whs still. But tho soldier's ear, keener by dis trust, soon noted the same dull sound on the roof, and as it continued longer than before, he judged correctly that the remaining sava ges, thinking that something had befallen their spy, were coming in their whole strength up on them. With one of his pistols cocked and pointed through the loop-hole, he watched intently. It was not long ere a second foe bad descended and bent with an amazed look over his prostrate friend. As he lifted up his head tie gave a tremendous whoop ; but it was the last sound that ever burst from his lips a shot from the soldier's pistol entered his heart. Then rushing from his conceal ment, Hugh stationed himself before the couch of Eleanor, handing her his pistol, bade her reload at once. Ho had scarcely reached her when a third Indian sprang rather than crept down the ori fice; but is he straightened himself after his leap, a full charge from the fowling-piece threw him upon the other rwo, a heavy and soon cold burden. The fourth warrior that descended was not so easily overcome. It i was Ili-wa-see himself, and burning with love for the white girl, and rage toward her defend er, who had slain his best braves, he sprang so suddenly on Hugh thzi his gun was knocked from bis hand, and in an instant he was wrest ling with the brawny Indian. The dogs fas tened themselves on their intruder's legs, but their bite, fierce and intent as it was seemed not to annoy him in the least, and Hugh was fast yielding to the superior physical form of his foe when a pistol shot echoed through the cabin, and he felt his enemy's grasp relax and the warm blood oozing from his breast and dripping over his own bands. "You have played a brave part," said Hugh, and releasing- himself he beheld the Indian reel and finally to fall to the floor. "Your Indian lover will never again throw bis toma hawk, or swing to his belt the gory scalp. Good heavens, but it is a fearful sight !" There came a faint whisper from Hi-wa-see. Eleanor went and knelt beside him, and wiped away the death-dews which her cvvn hand had started. "Proud white father," breathed be, "think Indian no good no fit to have his pale child in wigwan of chiefs son. Hi-wa-see say she shall. He make one skiu, white as ber face soft as ber cheek white buffalo robe to sleep on. He love her he carry her all the days here on his big heart like white squaw carry little pappoose. Proud white father say no be call Indian dog, and say bad things. Hi-wa-see remember he wait till good he kill old white father then came for white squaw she kill him but he love her hate her white brave though hate bim, love her." The words were breathed in such broken English that only one used to the Indian could have nnderstood him, and as the last word fell from his lips, be gasped, and the fatal spasm finished all. "My poor father, my unhappy father!" cried the orphaned girl. "To this an un timely death in the forest did tby prond pas sions bring thee. Aias ! I feared thee while living, more than I loved thee ; yet now that thou art gone, what will become of me moth erless, fatherless, friendless!" "Nay," said Hugh, , earnestly, leading her to a seat, for sho was almost fainting, "not Iriendless. In the far and beautiful East have a father, mother, sisters, and in memory ot your saving, and kindness to me, they will cherish yon as one of their dear household.' He sat down beside her, and after he had learned her story, they planned their work for tne morrow. There was no time to lose, for Hi-wa-see was the son of a powerful Dacotah chief, and a leartul revenge would be taken on them should they be discovered. As soon as it was light enough to see, the horses were saddled and brought by Hugh to the door. A large flat stone, which served as a hearth, was lifted alter many efforts, and from a deep hole un aerneatn Eleanor took a couple of money- belts, heavy with gold, and a small casket Concealing them as well as she could, she took from a packing-box a robe of fur, and enveloping herself in it, told with a quivering voice tuat she was ready. , said the young girl. "There, are many solid silver articles in these two boxes; and fine linen with rich clothing; but if I save life, let them go. Alas, they were but little com fort to me when I owned them !" Wildly did they gallop away from the cab in, the maiden leading the way through the tinrber to the Des Moines, for although the prairie track was familliar to her in summer time, she dare not attempt to find it after so fierce a storm. The ice on the river was thick and strong, and, like frightened deer, thej sped down it till they had passed ten miles. There is old Ben's cabin," said the mai den, as a thin wreath of smoke was seen lazily curling lip through a thicket of wild plum trees. ."Hois one of the two old trappers to wnom my father s strange liking introduced me. He will be faithful, I know." "I was 'fraid I knowed it most," said Ben, when they had related the tragedy of the night; "but your father was a orful proud one he brought it all on him. With fair words he might have kept the red skins off and got out of their way. But it's no use crying what's done can'i be undone." And the old man busied himself with preparing a woodland breakfast for the couple, saying as he did so "Reckon you bad no appetite this mornine Them red skins made tarnal bad, mean corp ses." lhen guiding them to the road, he went with them to a cabin ten' miles below, and having engaged the trapper who owned it to go with them to the garrison at Fort Des Moines, he hastened back to save, as he said. au tno "pretties" that were owned bv Elea nor assuring her that the tarnal red skins should never have the fingeriug of them. By hard riding they reached the fort that night, and Hugh had little difficulty in ob taiuing fiomiiis commander both leave of ab sence and an escort to the Mississippi. . There was much surprise in the old home stead when the son so suddenly returned and brought too, such a beauteous stranger. But when the talo was told, the trapper's daughter was taken at once to the hearts of father, mother and sisters, and the love Hugh said should he given to her, flowed forth so freely that her young life, so long blighted and sad. became again fresh, joyous and gay. And that its summer was as golden and rich as its spring had been cheerless and poor, you may imagine from the fact that the first robe sho put on, when she laid aside the black she wore for the dead, was one of the purest white sat in, and the first festive gathering she met with, the bright, joyous one that assembled in the old family home to greet her as a bride of her own Hugh. How West Point was Saved. A short time before the expiration of the lato Administra tion, Major Dolafield resigned his post as com mandant at West Point, and through the in fluence of Mr. Slidell, Gen Beauregard was appointed in his stead. Fortunatelv, howev er, before the latter had assumed his position, tne Administration learned that there was a plot in existence the fulfilment of which wpuld have been to place est Point in the hands of Secessionists, and at the same time, through the complicity of traitors in New York, a movement was to bo made for separating the city from the State. The confusion that would follow, it was hoped, would prove highly ad vantageous to the traitors. Major Delafield was telegraphed immediately not to resign ; he replied that he had sent his resignation just three hours before. He was then directed to resume his command, which he immediately did, thus thoroughly "scotching" the traitors. Po5iriONoF Virginia. As the injunction of secrecy has not been removed in relation to the doings of the recent Virginia Conven tion, we are at a loss to understand the pre cise attitude in which it has placed the State. The Whig sums up the result of their deliber ations thus: "They have organized an army, and placed at its head the ablest officers of the late United States. They have taken the in itiatory steps for the creation of a navy, and entrusted its infancy to the brightest names on the roll of the American navy. They have established a system of equal taxation, which will reracve every murmur of dissatisfaction throughout the confines of the Commonwealth. They have negotiated an alliance, oQensive and defensive, with our Southern sisters, which makes us one people, and insures as invincibility and independence. Andrew Johnson or Tennessee. The Lou isville Journal has the following : "It has been stated that while the crowd at Lynchburg, Va., was groaning at Andy Johnson, and of fering him various indignities, one man pul led bis nose. A Louisville gentleman, who was there at the time, says that Andy's nose was not pulled. A fellow attempted it, but Andy drew a pistol and would have shot him on the instant if the men present had not in terposed. Our informant was on the same train with Andy for a considerable distance, this side of Lynchburg, and he says that the sturdy old gentleman, although insulted by the populace at every stopping point, showed a nerve that Napoleon or Cajsar might have admired. All honor to the brave and the true." Agreeable Prospects for Secessionists. The Louisville Journal sums up in a few words the results already obtained and those which will soon loom up in the prospective, as neces sary sequences. The contemplation to a hu mane mind is not very agreeable : "We now see the first results of secession bankruptcy, ruin, want, hunger. These are but the begin ning. Next in order will come burning bouses, sacked cities, and fields and streets wet and red with the blood of bnroan victims OuE FOEEIGN RELATIONS. If any citizen of this Republic entertains a uouot as to the position of the Administration and the policy it intends to pursue in refer euce to the Secession troubles, that doubt iu oe removed by a perusal of Secretary oewara's letter ot iistrnctions to Mr. Dayton tne newly-appointed minister to France. As a State paper it justifies every expectation we may have entertained of the distinguished Secretary, and &3 an exposition of the views or tne Administration it will be gladly hailed Dy every rnend of the Union and the Const! tution. The letter of Mr. Faulkner, our late minis ter at the Court of France, detailing his official interview with M. Trouvenel the French Min ister of Foreign Affairs, to which the Secreta ry of State replies, is an insidious and cun ning production, and compels us to express a feeling of gratification that his mission is at an end. He volunteers his opinions on mat ters ot domestic policy in a manner which must have exceedingly astonished the French diplomatist. "The new tariff," he tells the Minister, "was adopted with a view, althouzh probably a mistaken one, of sustaining the cred it oi tne ireasury, as much as of reviving the protective policy;" and on account of the dis content which bad been manifested in com mercial circles, he had no doubt but that next Congress would modify it. Again, he informs tne Minister, when speaking of the seceded Mates, that "so great is the respect for the ac tion of the people when adopted under thetm posing forms of State organization and Stale sovereignly, that ho did not think the employ ment ot lorce would be tolerated for a mo ment," and that our Government, in 'defer ence to public opinion," would either be com pelled to bribe the South to remain in the U- nion, or permit it to dissolve its relation of al legiance, and assume the powers of a sepa rate Government. We do not wonder that, af ter listening to this view of the case, present ed in a manner which would have done credit to Mr. Yancy himself, M. Thouvenel should have expressed the opinion that the employ ment of force would be unwise, as tending to a further rupture of the Confederacy, and leading to luture complications in American affairs. The Secretary of State answers these perni cious arguments of Minister Faulkner ic a masterly manner. Among other things, he impresses on the mind of the Imperial Gov ernment the fact that the Administration is u nited, and that in the breasts of the President and his advisers every emotion has been ex tingmshed but those of loyaltv and patriot ism. As to "coercion," the Secretary says that the insurgents have instituted open, fla grant, and deadly war, and that the "United States have accepted this civil war as an inevi table necessity." The Administration of Mr. Lincoln has not the least idea of "suffering a dissolution or this Union to take place in any way whatever :" and the Secretary concludes by declaring with emphasis that the thought of such a dissolution, peaceable or by torce, nas never entered mto the mind of any can did statesman here, and it is high time that it be dismissed by statesmen in Europe." In thus removing from the minds of Euro pean Powers any fear they may have enter tained of the fidelity of the Government to the Constitution, the Administration accepts the confidence, which the nation bestows, and proceeds rapidly to meet the inevitable neces sity which treason has forcod upon it. We feel proud of the position which our country as sumes among the nations of the world, and we feel sure that every citizen will echo the elo quent words of the Secretary, when he says: "There will be here only one nation and one Government, and there will be the same Re public, and the same constitutional Union that have already survived a dozen national changes, and changes of government in almost every other country. These will stand here after, as they are now objects of human won der and human affection." The Position of John Bell. We learn that Hon. John Bell complains that his recent speech at Nashville, Tennessee, on which we had occasion to comment as a treasonable dec laration of Secession, was incorrectly report ed, and calculated to do him injustice. Mr. Bell intends to prepare his remarks for publi cation, but in the meantime, he desires his Nashville speech to be considered as a Union effort, and wishes himself to be regarded as sincerely loyal to the Union. The Louisvillo Journal, which is our authority for this state ment, thus comments upon it: "Certainly in all the course of national vicissitudes a-more unfortunate choice of means was never made by a patriot and a statesman. John Bell, be yond rational-dispute, committed, in this in explicable effort, a blunder which must have the public effect of a crime; but we are bound to believe, and we do believe, that he commit ted the blunder honestly. He is unquestion ably guilty of a terrible mistake; but not, as we were at first driven by a sense of impera tive duty to say, of defection." Mr. Bell is welcome to whatever benefit this statement may afford him. This is no time, however, for "inexplicable efforts," or "terrible mis takes." It gave us pain to see him among the traitors to bur country; but, unless he is tor the Union without conditions, and for sus taining the Government in the performance of its duty, he is practically no better than a traitor. This contest will not admit of dotibt ful positions, and no stateman will promul gate opinions capable of a double meaning. The Shibboleth of Union is easily spoken, and if Mr. Bell hesitates or stammers he must not complain at being considered one of the men ofEphraim. Press. Camp Cameron. The New York Seventh did not go into camp in Georgetown, but se eded an elevated position near Columbia College, in the northern suburbs. They have been oat three nights, in one hundred and filty tents.- Strict military discipline and camp rule is enforced, and all orders are roost respectfully obeyed. The reports of their disaffection and refusals to take the oath, which yoa have probably observed in the Vir ginia and Southern papers, are without the slightest foundation in truth. They have all taken the oath, and are ready for duty in any place or capacity required of them. Persons from Richmond states that Presi dent Davis bad notified the Governors of all the Border Slave States who are acting with the Confederate Government, to repair im mediately to Montgomery, to consult upon the momentous issue before thorn. GEOEGE WILSON. A few years since, as Mr. Gallandet was waiting m the streets of Hartford, there came running up to him a poor boy, ot very ordina ry appearance, but whose fine intelligent eye uxed the attention of the gentleman as the boy inquired "Sir, can you tell me of a man who would like a boy to work for him and learn him to read?" "Whoso boy are you, and where do you live?" "I have no parents," was the reply, "and have just run away from the workhouse, be cause they would not teach me to read." The gentleman made arrangements with the authorities of the town, and took the boy into his own family. There he learned to read. Nor was this all. He soon acquired the con fidence of his new associates by faithfulness and honesty. He was allowed to use his friends library, and made rapid progress in the acquisition of knowledge. It became necessary after a while that George should leave Mr. Gallaudet, and he became appren tice to a cabinet-maker in the neighborhood. There the same integrity won for him the fa vor of his new associates. To gratify his in clination for study, his master had a little room furnished for him in the upper part of the shop, where he devoted his leisure time to his favorite pursuits. Here he made large attainments in mathematics in the French lan gage, and other branches. And being in this situation a few years, sitting at tea with the family one evening, he at once remarked that he wanted to go to France. "Go to France I" said his master ; surprised that the apparent contented and happy boy should thus suddenly become dissatisfied with bis situation ; "for what ?" "Ask Mr. Gallaudet to tea to-morrow eve ning," continued George, "and I w ill explain." His kind friend was invited accordingly. At tea time the apprentice presented himself with his manuscripts, in English and French, and explained his singular intention to go to France. "In the time of Napoleon," said he, "a prize was offered by the French government for the simplest rule of measuring plane sur faces, of whatever outline. The prize has never been awarded, and that method I have discovered." He then demonstrated his pioblem, to the surprise and gratification of his frieuds, who immediately furnished him with the means of defraying his expences, and with the letters cf introduction to Hon. Lewis Cass, then our minister to the court of France. He was in troduced to Louis Philippe, and in the pres ence of the king, nobles, and plenipotentiaries. this American youth demonstrated his prob lem, and received the plaudits in the court. He received the prize, which he had clearlv won,, besides several presents from the king. lie then took letters of introduction, and pro ceeded to the Court of St. James and took up a similar prize, offered by the Royal Society, and returned to the United States. He was preparing to secure the benefits of his discov ery by patent, when he received a letter from the Lniperor Nicholas himself, one of whose ministers had witnessed his demonstrations at London, inviting him to make his residence at the Russian Court, and furnishing him with ample means for his outfit. He complied with the invitation, repaired to St. Petersburg, and is now Professor of Mathematics in the Royal College, under the special protection of the autocrat of all the Russias. Peru. Peru is an excfcdinglv nnsettled and disorganized State, with the hourly pros pect of another revolution breaking out. Ecbenique is still kept a close prisoner at the island of San Lorenzo, without any apparent charge against him, and the treatment he has met with in being refused a trial, has created very ill feeling against the government. President Castilla spends the greater part of his time gambling at Chorillas, and it is rarely a chance can be had to see hiin except at the card table. As he is the government in toto, and the tribunals of justice, the treasury and everything else are dependant on his nod, an idea may be formed of the dreadful misman agement to which every branch of tho govern ment is subjected. It is safe to say that in no country In the world, pretending to civiliza tion, does anything like sucli corruption exist as is to be met with among tbe government officials of Peru. The President, a uotorious dissipated gambler, who squanders tho public money most recklessly without a solitary cent ever going toward the public good, burdens the country with an enormous standing army, merely to keep himself forcibly in power a- gainst the will of the population. The Minis ters of State, Judges, and all under them fol low in tbe footsteps of their illustrious leader, and are controlled by bribery and dishonesty in every act they commit. To such an extent are their frauds and swindles carried that they become a bye word in the streets. Valparaiso. The people of this city have been startled by the news newly come from he Eastern side of the Andes. The Argen- ine town of Medonza has been completely de stroyed. Five thousand persons are said to have fallen victims in an earthquake which happened on Wednesday of last week, the 20th of March, a little after half-past eight in the evening. Scarcely a building remains stand ing. Some reports say, not a single house remains that the place has disappeared, and is nothing but an extensive plain of ruins. Eye witnesses give most heart-rending de scription of the events with which they were personally and painfully cognizant. A writer says, as he walked through tbe town he heard cries from subterranean voices, meaning from those buried under the ruins of houses, beg ging to be extricated from their dismal im prisonment. Here were parents in frantic search for their children. And here children trying to discover or extricate their parents. Flight of Secessionists. On the arrival of the New York Zouaves in Washington, and impressed probably by a sense of safety from the general gathering of forces here, tbe Se cession troops have suddenly evacuated the city of Alexandria. That city has made large Secession demonstrations during tbe three weeks just closed. Prudence would dictate a different policy for the future. i A petition has been privately circulated in hiladelphia, praying President Lincoln for a cessation of hostilities, with tbe intention of negotiating a peaee with the rebel, murderer and traitor, Davis. We rejoice- to bear, that it obtains but little favor among tbe people. AEOTJT DANCING. Dancing is a very ancient and likewise a very universal "institution." It is practised by barbarous and civilized nations by religi ous societies and in society to which religion is a stranger. It is the recreation and amuse ment of the Fejee Islander and Guinea negro, as well as of tbe most cultivated and refined nation. David, we are told, danced before tho Tabernacle, and Socrates delighted in tho dance. France, however, was the birthplace of modern dances and balls, and Catharine of Medicis was distinguished above all the Queens of France, for the gorgeousness and originality ot her festivals and court balls. Once, while on a visit to Bayonne, her court was composed of her daughter, the Queen of Spain, the Dukes of Saxony, and Lorraine, and other princes. Balls, festivals, and plays tollowed each other in rapid succession; but the most brilliant cf these entertainments was given upon a beautifully wooded island in tbe Bayonne river. Here was erected a large cir cular saloon, handsomely decorated nd sur rounded by twelve arbors. Festooned chan deliers depended from the trees, and within each arbor was a table that would seat twelve persons. In the center of the saloon was pla ced the table for the King, the two Queens, and the higher dignitaries of the court. Th musicians wore hid among the trees, so as to be heard and not seen. The royal table was served by the Queen's maids of honor, dressed as wood nymphs and naiads, while the edibles and liquors were brought in by servants in the guise of satyrs. Whilst supper was in pro gress numerous groups of dancers appeared in the saloon, attired in their national costumes, accompanied by musicians pcrforrni rig charac teristic airs and executing national dances. As the royal party and the guests arose from the table, the saloon, arbors, tables, and dan cers, disappeared as if by magic, and the as tonished guests found themselves within a see mingly natural amphitheatre. A series ot tho stately dances of that period concluded tho affair. At court balls in the sixteenth century it was the practice for the ladies to sit in rows, with their cavaliers behind them. When tho signal for dancing was given the King or Prince rose from his seat, whereupon the en tire assemblage also rose. The King then opened th dance withthe Queen or a princess royal. 1 he rest followed the roral couple m order of their ran', tha ladies on the right and their partners on the left. While the roy al party was on the floor it was considered a breach of good manners for any one to be sea ted. Persons of the highest rank usually danced only the minuet. At these balls the ladies usually appeared in full gala costume, stiff' whalebone skirts, and richly embroidered heavy robes, with long trails; uncommonly tight corsets ; the dresses low in tbe neck, and exposing the shonlders ; a coiffure of immense height; the head and neck overloaded with jewelry ; and exceedingly tight shoes, with high pointed heels. All this would havo made any of the fascinating dances of tho present day impossible, and rendered even the slow and dignified steps of that age a wea risome task instead of a pleasure. A dancer who excelled in the minuet secured a Europe an reputation, and Don John, of Austria, Vice roy of the Netherlands, once journeyed incognito from Brussels to Paris in order to see himself, unrecognized, the best dancer of the Continent Margaret of Valois go through a minuet at a Court ball. "The Stabs asd Stripes." It is related in Baltimore, that one of the wounded Massa chusetts men a mere youth alter the fight with the mob, crept into a shop and was kindly sheltered b' the owner, and on being question ed why so young a man as he came so far with arms, he murmured laintly, but "with a simple affection," the account says, with dying breath, "The Stats and the Stripes'. Navy Yard. The New York Seventy-first have relieved the Reading (Pa.) Ringgold Light Artillery at the navy yard. The Read ind Artillery won the favor of the commander at the yard for their faithfnl attention to duty, and received from him a letter of appreciation on their return from the navy yard to the Cap itol building, where they are now quartered. The Charleston Mercury makes this state ment : "Major Robert Anderson has made it a point at every stopping tdacc at the North to complain of our 'inhuman treatment' in firing on Sumter after the bariacks were enveloped in flames. Did anybody prevent him frotn pul ling down his dirty stripes." Gov. Sprague, of Rhode Island, who had made arrangements for a temporary absence from his forces, bearing that they would soon move Southward, at once gave up his contem plated trip, and has resumed command of his regiment, holding himself ready to march at a moment's warning. The Richmond Whig publishes this ominons notice in large type under its editorial head : "We beg to suggest to all the Southern papers the propriety of omitting all mention of the movements of troops within our borders. A word to the wise !" A negro panic has seized the people of New Orleans. The negro churches have been clos ed by order of the Mayor, and all assemblages of negroes, slave or free, have been forbidden. The Nashville (Tenn.) papers contain a speech made by John Bell, yesterday, advoca ting a strong military league of all the South ern States against a common invading foe. The Manchester Print Works are now filling an order for our national flag, for 4,000 dozen, of different sizes. The emotions (says Rarey) of fear and an ger, a true horseman should never leel. There is no mind that cannot furnish somo scraps of intellectual euteitainment. It is supposed the fellow who left the honso was not able to take it with him. When you dispute with a fool, ho Is very certain to be similarly employed. .. Why is life the riddle of riddles ? Because we must all give it np. The cheapest of lawyers keepin; ose'S own counsel. i : TT ir
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers