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