ESTABLISHED lBOO. Volume LXXXVII. Written for the Gaza'rrlr. Til E PRIVATE SOLDIER. It is just prior to the second battle of fifllll Run. The North has awakened to a realizing sense of the magnitude of the struggle. McClellan has met with serious reverses, and the cry of “On to Rich; mood," is no longer heard. In- the west no decisive advantage has been gained, ' and Lee with superior numbers is con- fronting the much smaller army of Pope. War meetings are being held all over the North to stimulate enlistments and to gather the young men in. Earnest ap- peala are made by patriotic men and wo- men, while such of the male persuasion as cannot enlist because of their large property interests, which require their close attention, with eagerness warmly clasp the hand of the volunteer as he pro- ceeds to the platform to enroll his name, and tell him he is a brave boy, and will surely return with the rank of captain at least. The recruit is too full for utter-. ance, and so much flattery is quite over- powering. ' He is soon enlisted and decked out in army clothing, which is indeed uniform in appearance, in that when placed upon a small man, not even the ends of ‘ his fin- gers can be seen, while the overcoat de- scends to his ankles. When the coat collar is elevated a small portion of the face is dimly seed. But the army cap of grotesque design. Its shape cannot be described, for it has none. Suffice it‘ to say that it is.rakish and upright behind, and meek and lowly in front, with a strong inclination to recline upon the face. Let us not forget the full and flowing pantaloons, and the army shoes, short and broad with not a single curve. lie, of course, feels perfectly easy and com- fortable in his new rig, but is somewhat unbending, caused, no doubt, by a sense of pride. In a few days he goes into camp and there findsalarge number on the same business, gathered from city and village. Muskets are issued, sergeants and cor. porals are appointed, commissioned om- core are present, and drilling commences. The guns wabble terribly at first and the toes will turn in. The A tents seem small and uncomfortable, but the time will come when the shelter tent will be commodlous. The private brings from his home a goodly supply of underwear, a bible and album, and probably a plated service, consisting of knife, fork, spoon and drinking cup. But alas, if the ser- vice is not stolen the first night in camp, it will be‘surely be missed the next. The chaplain puts in an appearance, and so does the antler, and both look after the inner man. The private rooms and boards with three of his townsmcn, and with them wonders whether the war will last three monthsatterthe gathering hosts shall have arrived in the field. The evening dress parade is largely patronized by the good people of the surrounding country, for the long line of soldiers with elegant colors. the bright uniforms of the officers, to say nothing of the stylish dress of the rank and file, together with a full drum corps, present a line appearance; and best of all the surroundings are safe. In a few Weeks the-men can go through the manual of arms'and other simple evolutions with- out falling down and tripping each other, and somehow feel taller and straighter than when they enlisted. A mastering ofilcer comes and masters the troops into the United States service. The day arrives for breaking camp, and departing for the south. A bloody battle has been fought, and heavy rein- forcements are required. ,. Ten companies, each numbering 100 men, march through the city, while the people cheer and wave handkerchiefs. The private feels that this is the proudest moment of his life. He is soon speeding away toward Mason‘s and Dixon’s line. In due course of time he arrives at Philadelphia and there receives a grand reception. That city is noted for its gen- erous hospitality to the soldier. He is welcomed with open arms, and is treated I like a prince. Hefinds tables loaded with palatable food, and is waited on by refined ladies whose patriotism equals their kind- ness of heart. A few hours later he reaches Baltimore, the scene changes. He is met'with scowl- ing faces, and understands that he is in the midst of enemies who, if they dared. would creates riot. The private is or. dered to load with ball cartridge, and has a few rounds additional in his box for any exigency that may arise while crossing the city._ He speedily leaves that section of country, having with great consider- ation been placed in cattle cars with no seats. After .many maledictions,and a. ride as comfortable as circumstances. will permit, the cars pass .a few-.hovels that ook as thoughthey had been disturbed by a full fledged tornado, and the private is informed “this is Washington." He naturally‘askawhcre is it, but fails to, discoverthe city until some hours after-, wards. He is taken to the Soldiers‘ Rest, and therefindsno rest but plenty, of din and disconifort, while the food is in keep- ing with the surroundings. He leaves the place without a_ a single regret,yand takesup the line of-march with a full knapsack, forthe soil of .old Virginia, via. Chain bridge. The day is warm and his accoutrements heavy, and when the regi- ments halts for.a.fcw. minutes he begins to go through his. knapsack, and gently depositsa few articles by the road side. Bible, aIbUm and keepsakes . of every description.are thrown to the four winds, and by the time- the Potomac is crossed he is almostinlight marching order. He is beginning. to learn unimportant lesson I which will-never be forgotten. The regiments encamp for the night on ahilloverlooking the river, and, as no camp equipage has arrived, he deposits his corpus upon the ground; but soon awakens to find that the rain is pouring in torrents, and that he is lying in a pool of Water. There is no help for it, and tired and weary he again slumbers. The pri- vate again ascertains that a hill is far more comfortable than an old corn field with its furrows. When the morning dawns he rises in sections, being stifi in every joint, and wants to go home, but cannot do so con- veniently. The clouds disappear, the tents are pitched, and soon the routine of camp life is entered upon. He finds that he is required to stand guard, go on picket, perform fatigue duty, (the most disagree- able of work) and drill most of the day when in camp. In due time he prescribes himself an additional duty. to grumble and to collect and circulate all the rumors he can. He is informed that sand paper is to play an important part in the effort to suppressthe rebellion; that he must. keep the barrel of his musket perfectly bright. and if a speck of dirt shall be found in its interior thereof at inspection, either the guard house or some very un- pleasant work', well-known to the soldier, will be his doom. He must attend roll call. keep his buttons bright and shoes polished in readiness for dress parade, salute the commissioned officers, and blow out his candle at a specified time ill the evening. But he often finds a way to .evade the latter requirement by conceal- ing the light. His military education, however, is deficient llntil he shall learn to hold his tongue, even though he be grossly ill treated by his superiors. Dis. ciplinc you know must be maintained. In a few months the regiment penc- trates the state of Virginia some ten or fifteen miles, and goes into winters quar- ters. The private must cut logs and carry them on his shoulders to camp in order to construct his but and the neces- sary bunks therein. Clay will do admir- ably for mortar, and the canvass tent for a roof to shelter four men with their guns and accoutrements. A trench is dug around his abode,nud he is now ready to defy the elements. Each tent is on the building line, and ten broad avenues run through the camp, while the officers live in larger tents a few rods to the front in order that the enemy may know whom, to address. The private begins to have a good appe- tite for strong ccflee, hard tack, salt beef, fried beefsteak, and water flavored with beans, which are seldom found. The lat- ter dish, merely from courtesy, is termed “bean soup." Sometimes stewed beans are furnished, and the private has been known to eat baked beans prepared in the in the orthodox form, except that the beans are baked in black camp kettles, instead of earthen jars commonly known as “bean pots" by the people of Boston. If perchance he is traubled at this time with jaundice attended by home-sickness he is for a time indifferent to all worldly affairs. His grumbling thus far principally re- lates to battalion and skirmish drill, and preparing his musket for inspection. Per. haps he may occasionally growl at one of his officers when the coast is clear, but he must be careful'or he will he landed in the guard house or ordered. to perform ' disagreeable fatigue duty. While on picket he enjoys more freedom. and some. times he can forage in a mild way, but has not learned the art of forging. Thus the routine incident of camp life continues. The private in his leisure moments indulges in athletic sports, sings a little, argues a great deal as to tilt- plau for the spring campaign and the future destination of the regiment, won- dcrs what the folks are doing at home and thinks it strange that they do not write. Sometimes he varies the programme by corresponding with some fair reader of the Waverley magazine. The male: comes in for his share of attention. If in- be pleasant and his charges reasonable. he can count upon doing a good business. Should he become unpopular by reason of excessive rates, and want of courtes} his doom is sealed. The men held a con- sultation, and a campaign, in which he i.~ in be the victim, is decided upon. Thu shades of night gather and the sutler, al. unsuspecting, is busily engaged in selling tobacco, canned meats and fruit, and a large supply of leathery pies. Soldiers or difierent companies gather around tln tent. He is fully occupied at the front. and the rear is left unprotected. In thc twinkling of an eye the scene changes. A signal is given, with one pull all to gather the stakes are drawn from ill-.- groulld, down falls the tent, and the sat- ler skips for safer quarters. Then th- havoc begins, and in about three minutes his possession have disappeared. Be- fore the ofiicers can put in an appearance the men are in their quarters, and "it company streets present a deserted appearance. The colonel grants the victim permission to reclaim his property provided he can find it, and will punish the wrong doers if they can be identified as such. Alas! all are innocent, and no portion of the stolen trash is found. In passing it should be stated that food fur- nished by antlers was a fruitful source of sickness and death, and wise is the pri- vate who strictly adheres to army diet. However, the boxes from home contain many articles of utility and are received with gladness. The chances are that be- fore the private can remove the contents, the heads of at least half a dozen of his’ comrades will appear at the opening of the tents. The owners of those heads have merely called, so it is said, to con- gratulate the happy recipient. How their eyes glisten as the large boiled ham and other good things emerge from the box. It is not probable that the callers will re- tire with empty hands, for the private is not apt to be a selfish mortal. You are now fortunate. Wait until you enter upon active service in the field, and then if a box shallbe received two months after it is sent on its winding way, you will probably be required to march in half an hour afterwards, first throwing away the estabies that have perished en transitu. If the private has received two or four month-Y myrtleoccasionally-.lesressamp to obtain. _a square meal ‘outside of the lines. He can 'thensi't at. table and eat like other people. As a .rule-hewill pay a liberal price, forbisdinnerg provided he heirestedcourteously, It may be that his proximity to the houseds announced by the blowing of horns, while the lady of the house saluteshlm with the. epithet of “Lincoln hireling." .In anch51event he is liable to appropriate whatever-food he can find, cooked or.»-othorwise,' although the appearancepf three. or_ four savage dogs =may’hurry'his movements somewhat. It is not wall "to make. an engagement to dinevtoo far ahead, as lie-may find himself a prisoner instead-cf a guest. It is an open secret that thiscravingfor the good things of life has resulted in the capture of many ofilcers as well semen.- . He is’sometimes ordered out with his regimentto head of! and crush two or three regiments, with a:_ligl_it.battcry. of Stuart's cavalry, but always arrives at the objective point about four hou;s after the enemy. have . passed that way, which is indeed a lucky escape for the infantry. j A mania suddenly seizes him_to dispose of his revolver, purchased before leaving the state for use in closing with thv enemy, and which is principally dangen s to the owner, and obtain in lieu thereof a silver watch, well-knowing that it wil )be usefcl on picket where he is requlfd to keep watch. , But spring is at hand. The roads are no longer in a liquid state, and the private must be ready for active duty. Rumors being circulated. This one hears the colonel’s orderly say that he heard the ofi‘lcer say that he was informed by the general commanding brigade that orders were momentarily expected to break camp, while another states with an impressive air that a mounted messenger has just dashed up from headquarters and the commanding oficers of companies are now receiving their orders to marchin the morning. It is needless to state that these statements have no foundation upon which to rest. :, -- - At length one night, when all except. the guard are'in their hunks, the order comes to break campand be in readiness to march on the morrow. All is bustle. Three days' rations are tons cooked and served to the men, while a winter’s accu- mulation of unnecessary articles is to be cast aside. The morning dawns, and soon tllc regi- ment is marched to Alexandria, leaving but a wreck behind. The troops -embark in. a warm eaten and fies abiding steamer in the midst of a drenching storm. Some of the soldiers of an early movement to the front are. are located in the hold to serve as ballast, and the rest lie about on the _upper deck exposed to the rain. Nolfolk is reached, and the private pulls himself together, accepts the invita— tion to mount aplatform car, and is jerked through the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp, with its black water, overhang- ing trees and vines, and numerous insects and reptiles. In about an hour he arrives at Suffolk, and is now at the front. A large number of Union troops are pouring into the town, which is besieged by a force of 30.» 000. confederates, under the command of one of their best Generals. . When that army approached the town, there were but two regiments to guard the place and protect government proper- ty worth upwards of halfa million dol- lars. But the enemy wore not a are of our defenseless condition, and soon a force of 25,000 men under Gen. Peck is concentrated, and eight forts, forming a half circle, have been constructed to guard the approaches. N umerous'attacks are made from time to time on some por- tion of the line, and our forces sustain a severe loss outside the entrenchments, by being drawn into an ambuscade. Mean- while a tiny steamer with one large gun patrols the narrow Nauscmond river, and cannonades the woods to prevent a cross- ing. The enemy's pickets and camp fires are plainly visible, but their main force is screened by the woods, and can only be seen from a lofty signal tower. I The Southern air of “Dim" is waited across the river every afternoon, and our hands retaliate with patriotic airs. The private occasionally steals away with an extra supply 'of coffee, for the purpose of meeting the enemy on neutral ground and exchanging his stock in trade for tobacco, and at the some time have a social chat. Coffee, of which the private has an abundant supply, is in great de- mand on theother side. The Confederates seek to destroy our communication with Norfolk, by con- structing a corduroy road ‘ through the edge of the swamp. but. are bafiled. At length on a bright Sunday morning, a long skirmish line, strongly supported, crosses the river and advances upon the enemy. Tao private is not particularly happy. for he is of the opinion that some- body is about to be hurt. . A smart skirmish ensues, and both sides suffer some loss. The enemy’s rifle pits are occupied, and it is then ascertained that their army has vanished, leaving only] rear guard behind. The siege is raised, the enemy is on the way to Rich- mond, and the private n ust be up and away. He soon arrives at Yorktown and enters upon a mild Peninsula Campaign in light. marching order. For the present he must be his own cook. The raw material is deal to him it the rate of tWelve hard tack each day, with pork, coffee and'sugar. With these articles he will prepare a meal ins vari. ety of ways. If in a hurry, he will place thin slice of raw pork between two hard tuck. That is an army sandwich. But the pork is chiefly valuable to him for the lat in which he fries the army cracker. If he be hungry, and he usually is, he will allow the hot fat to thoroughly per- meate the remarkably hard substance, and after eating about four of them and drink- mg a quart of strong coffee, he is at peace with all mankind and the rest of the world. It dainty and desirous of some- lhing that will tempt his palate, he makes a stew composed of hard tack 'well soaked, bits of pork, and water to suit. [1 he can obtain a potato and onion to flavor the stew, his happiness is complete. It is a dish worthy of Sam Ward, when properly cooked and that private who does‘mot relish it, is “no good" as a sol dier. To cook his rations without incur ring any mishap, requires skill in handl- ing two pail or cup, and constant watch- fulness. There are a dozen or more men about the fire, the orifice is doing nicely, but all the space is occupied, and some late comer is sure to seek a place wherein to cook his supper. Young man beware, for you are placing yourself in a position to obtain a black eye. He has a stick with which he commences mining. opera- tions by scraping the cards from beneath his neighbor’s cup, to form a foundation for his own. He pays no attention to the black looks and warning voice of the aggrieved one when presto, the pull topples and over it goes, spilling the pre- cious contents, No apology can be ac- cepted for such a trespass, and a rough and tumble fight ensues, over which we' will let the curtain drop 0a the march the privats's haversack usually contains a conglomerate mass of raw pork, broken crackers, strong soap. coflee and sugar, interspersed with needles and thread. The constant jolting process on the march, having caused the mixed condition. . In a few, days the private. after a few false alarms, reaches White House Land- ing, where he finds an army of 80,000 men. Newuniforms are issued, and the cry is. on to Richmond! Lee's army is in - Pennsylvania, and but one small Division, unders Generallnot considered very for- midable, with a few homo guards, are de- fending Richmond. In less than a week 'he learns with great chagrin, that the movement is merely a “demonstration." A part of the armyadvances towards Bottom Bridge. About dark the enemy is struck some five miles from- the bridge and near Baltimore Cross Roads. A light battery is planted within a few paces of a house, while the enemy-is throwing pieces of railroad iron instead of shells. Harmless but noisy. , .Women and children rush shrieking from the house and are sent to a safe place. The Union force at the extreme front, one regiment only, is closely pressed and slowly retires to the main line of battle, narrowly escaping capture. Afters few volleys, of musketry, the night being too dark for serious damage, the firing ceases. The private-feels some- what shaky, as be closely hugs the ground, for he is sure that a battle will be fought etrly in the morning, and he wonders whether he will come out of it all right. ~ The enemy attempts a fiank movement, which tails, and when the morning dawns it is found that he has retired. A detail is now made for picket duty in the woods abouts mile from the main body. The picket line‘ is supposed to be straight, but it II as crooked as the Chick- ahominy river, and that is saying a great deal. During the day, the private and one comrade (the posts being about fifty yards apart) get along very well. Their eyes appear to have a double magnifying power and they momentarily expect to see the Confederate skirmishers gliding among the trees. But darkness arrives, and with it a rain storm such as the Pen- insula can alone aflord. He has no protection, and must grin and bear it. Ever and anon branches of trees fall- with a loud crash, and he is certain that something is wrong, for- getting that the enemy is apt to keep close on sucha night. How glad heis when daylight appears, for he expects to. be relieved in two or three hours. He soon learns however that he must remain twenty-four hours longer. Sleepy and thoroughly drenched, he passes the day as best he can, but when the second night l‘hese ingredients he mixes in his tin pail. . approaches, then comes the tug ofwar if the private be a very young man, and his companion 'a soldier of mature years, with a kind and fatherly disposition, he will probably be told "boy curl yourself up under that tree and go to sleep; I will stand guard." In such event the young. atcr falls asleep in one minute, and slumbers soundly until day break. Never is the relief more welcome than under such circumstances. Picket duty when not in close prox- imity to an opposing army, is often pleas. ant. For example, a detail'is made from several regiments for picket duty at the edge of a dense forest The division is located about a mile to the rear. having dug strong rifle pits. The pickets num- bering one or two hundred men, are expected to remainou that duty as long as the troops remain in the vicinity, and rations will be sent to them from time to time. Their tents are pitched a few feet back from the opening in the woods, and three or four men are assigned to a' post, each of which is about onewhundred yards distant from the other. In their front is a broad clearing a mile or more in extent. During the day but little duty is required, and some of the men have an opportunity to forage, and can thus, with the aid of frying pans, relieve the monot- ony of their diet. They-can play'at old sledge, talk of home, sleep, and have a good time generally, comparatively free from the restrictions of camp. When night comes, all is changed. -‘ They must now be on the alert, for the safety of thousands of men depend upon their care and vigilance. Two soldiers of each post remain on guard four hours, and at the expiration of that time they succeed, after much shaking, in arousing their comrades for the same duty. The orders are to have no fire nor light, and‘to fire upon any one approaching from the front, for the enemy alone is in that direction. All seems quiet, and only the dim out- lines of stumps of trees, are seen. After a while they see a moving object in the clearing. It appears to be a man crawl- ing towards them on all fours. They place their heads close to the ground, and now feel sure of it. It may be dangerous to delay action, so they blaze away, and out tumble the sleepers all along the line, while the shots are likely to cause a gen- eral alarm. ;A few minutes suffice to show that no object has been shot, more dangerous than a skulking dog from some plantation. The chances are that for the next month the associates of the men who have thus distinguished themselves, will bark whenever they approach. About mid ight the command Halt, is heard. The grand rounds are coming down the line. Our pickets who have been thinking of home are thoroughly aroused, and prepare to receive their guests. Presently a small party of horse- men consisting of two or more ofilcers and an orderly, are seen slowly advanc- ing. The picket at a safe distance, cries Halt! The riders at once obey. “Who comes there," is the next animation. The reply is “Grand Rounds." “Dismount one and advance 'with the countersigu." ‘One of the horsemen accordingly dis- mounts, and when he arlivr's within four or five feet of the guard“ gives the coun- tersign in a low toxic, a‘ musket with bayonet attached, being presented to his breast. The, ofiicers then present then- selves to ascertain whether everything is in proper. condition, and make such en- quiries as they may deem proper. They then depart for the next post. Should the guard allow ”grand rounds" to ride up to the Post before the counter- sign shall have been given, he will speedily find himself in an unpleasant predicament. hewill at once be deprived of his musket and sent to the guard house as a punishment for his negligence or stupidity. The reason for this is obvious. The alleged grand rounds may be? en- cmies' instead of our own people. We will now return to our private on the Peninsula. He is relieved from picket duty, and soon learns that a great battle > has been fought‘at Gettysburg; that Gen Lee has been killed, and his army'totally defeated with a loss of 40,000 men. The welcome news spreads like wildfire, and there is tremendous cheering along the line. Orders are speedily-promulgated to evacuate, for the purpose of re-enforcing Gen. Meade. and the grand demonstration on Richmond is voted as complete fiasco. Some of the troops take transports at White House Landing, while the balance take up the‘line of march for Yorktown, ' on-routc for Pennsylvania. The private, laden with-musket, forty rounds of cartridges, overcoat, half a shelter tent, and a rubber and woollen blanket, marches through the customary Virginian rain and mud, with a light heart. He embarks at Yorktown, in due time reaches Washington, and. a .few hours later is in Frederick City. "From thence he proceeds to Boon’snoro, and there learns with deep' regret that‘Lee's army has succeeded in re-cro'ssiti‘g' the Potomac. The private now. finds that he must participate in trace Lee is on one side of the Mountains, and Meade on the other, striving to cut 01 his retreat. Such marching! None who were near the rear of the-long column- will never forget it. Intense heat, cicada of dust, springs wherein no water could be found, ‘ and some days a distance of thirty miles ' accomplished. -' capes. In spite of all, Lee cs- About midnight the private arrives at Warrenton Junction, and throws himself on the ground completely ex- hausted. But there is no rest‘for the weary. In about an hour he is detailed for picket duty two miles from camp, and ; remains on said duty twenty-four hours, with nothing to out except berries-J The hardships of s' soldier's life can never be adequately described. To dwell upon the service of the typical private, during the entire period of his enlistment: would require more space than the limits of this hasty sketch will permit. As the war progresses, whether serving with the army of the Potomac, on the islands near Charleston, amid the forests of Florida, or the Army of the \\ est, death from bullet or disease, is ever present. He may be crippled for life, or contract dis- ease which renders the remaining period of his existence a lingering torture. Per- chance he dies, after unspeakable. sufleré ing, _'in a southern prison. .W batever his fate, his sacrifices. have not beeuiin vain. Through; 'hisfuhselfishlefforts',~..a;grc;at na- ‘tion has been preserved, and united, - and its rapid progress in all that tends to pro thc' marvel of the world; while the great and disturbing element of slavery no longer'e'xist's. - .' ' ' ‘It is true many who enlisted in 1863 and 1804, did so from mercenary motives, and dishonored the uniform they wore, but our army as a whole, numbering 2,750,000 men, was composed of intelligent; ~brave . .and'unselfisli soldiers, the flower of the country. ,' ' ungrateful)! .ZThi'sEnatIOn has not been not restore" life“, but 'it» can and “does alleviate the suffering of the crippled and diseased soldier, and in a measure places him above want. It does relieve the more pressing needs of families bereft of their husbands, fathers and sons, and pension laws are yearly becoming more liberal. . Much however, remains to be done, es- mote the true interests'of the people, is- Enterprising Republican Journal, especially devoted to Local News and Interests. NORWALK, CONN, WEQN-ESI)AY,;FEBRUARY 23, I887. It is oftenlsaiddthat “Republics-Zara - ungrateful‘to‘it’s defenders. Money. will ' » brought down-the houses ‘- pccially as we find that"some 9,700 ex- soldiers are now dependent on private or public charity. , , It is to be hoped that the young us... of the land, who have grown to manhood since the close of the war, will never be unmindfui of the sacred obligationsthey are under to the soldier, who sacrificed health, and life itself, that succeeding I generations might live peacefully in a free, united and prosperous country. ' Vanna. THE STAGE “BACK FALL.”- A BUSINESS WHICH FEW ACTORS CARE TO UNDERTAKE. The Terror of tho Profession—A Genius Whom no Fear of Broken Bones Could Traininef-Excitlng Incident—An Awful Fall. “The business of the stage known to actors as the ‘back fall,‘ " said a well known member of the theatrical profusion, “has more terror to the actor and is attempted With more apprehension than anyother mechanical necessity of the art. There are few persons on the stage, no matter how long and ardu- ous their experience has bean, who can do it, or who will attempt; it. 131ch Will Stuart say once that ,a famous stun actress had told him that she would give lloi" month’s receipts, and they were then among the thousands, if she was able todo the‘back fall successfully, as its effect on an audience, is tremendous. But the apparent certainty that to attempt it would result; in a broken neck or backalways ' deterred her, nsit has every other actre'i, from making any effort to master the accom- plishment—and not; only every actress, but actor as 'well. .- . . '5, - “I never saw but one man on the stago'who could do the Lock fall‘to perfection, and who wasn’t afraid to do it, and that was Joe Nagle I guess every old actor remembers “Back Fall J oel’ His stamping ground was the untamed west, but he has played in this city, in the heaviest .of heavy parts, at the old Bowery theatre and later at Wood’s museum. I can’t say whether Joe is alive yet or not, but I never heard of his dcath,.ar‘id dare say that he is delighting his particularly appreciative audiences somewhere in the west, 'where he was always an immense favorite in the lurid. drama. He W3!:’Wll_V above tho average melodramatic performers, and with the cfl'ective back full to help him he always ..srrnxsxru.i.'r‘no’rm. “Joe Nazis was a man over six feet high, and his gigantic frame was splendidly filled out. He was as straight as an Indian, and to see that great form of his toppling over and 'falling backward, as stiff as a falling tree, and With no more apparent power of resist- ance to or consciousness of the fall than atree' would have, was something so startlingly realistic that it never failed to drive even the coldest audience frantic. He would come down with "a thud that , shOWed plainly there was no nonsense about the fall, but at the same time he caught all his weight on his hands, the same as an actor does in‘ the or. dinary every day fall on the stage. “Whenever Naglo was to play in a-strango company he always rehearsed this back full ‘ to the members, so that they might become ussdtoit,uhsknsw If he sprangiton’en without warning it would break them up to the whole performance. But even after thr perilous acrobatic feat had - been done, before the company than and time "again, actors on the stage with Nagls during the performance . wore still so frequently‘ncrvous and rattled ' when be mine to do his fall that they would involuntarily start forward with outstretched hands as if to catch him,sorcalnnd‘un- stagy’ was the act, even to men and women used to all the gymnastic and acrobatic busi- ness of their art. Poor Frank Murdock, who, ' although a good actor, found his best road to fame as the author of ‘Davy Crockett,’ the piece that made Frank Mayo rich and cele- brated, came near givingNagla his last back fall ones, through this nervousness and in- voluntary interference in the performance of the am. Naglc had noticed Frank’s great nervousne- on ssveraldccaaions. and had warnsdhim to control himself. .‘For,’ said Joe, ‘if my mind is taken of! of this fall for a second I wouldn't give much for my neck.’ nxnxa xxcmxo craclms'raxcns. “One night Joe stiflenod himself for the fall under particularly exciting circumstances. Murdock stood near him,nnd,as he after- ward said, when he saw that big form of Nagle's begin to tumble over backward, like the toppling of some great column, the sight wasso rsal'fiiat he could not control himself I and he stepped quickly forward and stretched his am out under the falling actor before he regained his composure. The arm touched Nagle, and, instead of coming down on the Wrixidnnd straight, hefellall inaheap, andwassobadlyhurt thathc hadtobecar- ried of! the stage. He was proatrated for a long time and suffered intensely. But he got well, and I saw him do the back fall with all his realism several times after that. “They tell a. story about Joe and his back fall during a star -engagement at the Cleve- land theatre while Clara Morria was playing minor parts in the company there. I don’t remember‘thc play, but whatever it was Miss Morris: was cast as the daughter of. the hero, which was Nagls’is part. There came" a crisis in his part where it was incumbent on him to Introduce his great back fall, and although his hands were an important adjunct in the fast, he'- was seized by some strange whim, and as Miss Morris, as his daughter, was about totako leave of him, according to the stage directions, he caught her hands and took her down with him in his awful full. Miss Morris afterward said that it seemed to her as if she were falling from some great height, as she went down in one grand sweep with the gigantic form of the actor. Naglo had not the support of his hands in this fall, but be spread his length out on the stage without the relaxation of a muscle, and as the astonished and frightened daughter disen- tangled herself, safe and unhurt, from the awful wreck of her father, the audience went wild with enthusiasm, and Back Fall Nagla never before received such a recognition of his overtopping genina”—Ncw York Sun. Aflpectfio Against Hunger. Talking about fasting men; the following recipe, acmrding to' the philosopher, Epi- menides, who lived for fifty years in a cavern, with no apparent means of sustenance, is a specific against hunger: Cooked squills. or else onions, to be finely chopped up and mixed with a fifth part of oily grain sesamums and afifteenth part of poppyhesds. This com- poundtobeground up together with some ' honey and shaped into balls of about the size of a. large olive, which is about equal to that of a small walnut. People cannot starve if they eat one ball at about .8 o'clock and an- other at about4. It may be added in this connection that a Paris comic paper learns that the government, in view of its financial straits, instead of, as usual, giving a sum of money on New Year’s day to small; oflicials, clerks and menials. should present them as a New Year’s gift several flasks of Succi’s won- derful beverage—Paris Cor. London Times. His Mistake Paid nun Well. Sports in flowers sometimes bring their- owner in good round prices; in photography an amateur of Hartford, Ct. has made a , lucky ~mistake. He was taking the new mo- morinl arch erected in honor of the soldiers of thscivilwarwhenthogslatinc filmsfippeda little over the glass. The arch looks as if it were bulging out ontho aides and coming ’ down. Labeling sprint “The Arch During Wiggins’ Great Earthquake," he oflered it for sale. and because of its curious look and in- explicableness, the public has bought so many that be In made a null firmn- clal hit—Philadelp' his Call. In Erase Gross. Spots» . A mixture to cram’ grease, spots: Equal partaof strong ammonia water,_ other and alcohol form a valuable cleauiagcompound. Pass apiece of blotting papsr‘under‘ths grease spot, moisten aspongc, first with water, .toi-ender, .it“gruedy."fllenlith,th.° mixtnr .. 9. :andrnbwlth-ftrtbo spotw-In avmoms'nt it will be dissolved. 9min. , . . ed and absorbed by thaws-end Men-Km» City Tunes. Dalntycards anaconda: now arrivals in (untenable families sronowssntoat to thus supposedto be fasuuattsdin the even hand fromwhom a silvsr cap, cordrbesda‘spoon, or an" amber tnscklses- may be expected, Willi”- ' ' '8‘ Chicago girls organised a co-opsrs- tivclgtyablishmeut for making men’s clothing for wholesale dealers. They have a good plant fol-their establishment and the promise of plenty of war ' ' ' ' ‘ ' . a Popular an. The most popular man in Berlin, Germany, is enowbo'jumns from one horse to another as they go at full speed in opposite directions in one of the royal circus rings. Sprays of grammay be beautifully frosted by dam than in! ”has! 9!. sum mbio and sprinkling theirnrltb' powdered glass. - eel-yum consist-lac h considered a in rule °" 'rnanz- ' “"1“" M AFI K WRAPPER. GIYCE RI NE is a nearly white. semi-transparent [Ants WHITE that win penetrate the skin WITHOUT .- INJURY. fore ll - ls using. . Bea titles the Complexion, Patches, Baal arms, lmpfitiSs-Iall’irgib-h colorationsof evcr‘ khd.eitherwlthinor s23. It rsadm t a skin pure. clear, Inca th- the (III a brilliant. creating a complexion which is neither cutlets! or temporary .but at once beau- I! e.» I . . vn iaawon- an. gaunt-ll: tan-aim. ..... .. Infant]. it. (Al-sat Instantly) Sunburn. Prisklyflsat, Char pod, Bough anchored Skin; in fact it! tolultl uponilldtssases’ ‘oftbcsklnsr’awonderfah‘ . 'ti naive. m. ”@0750. whims Ilsa Also a EARL’ s White Glycerine SOAP, ,- Rm tho skin so loft and white. . . ' Ask Your Drngglst For It. After (Isl-g. mars VIII?! IllYIIEIIIE OI. . PIOPS..IIE' "AWL”: M.- son-AB, OPTICIAN and OCULIST, won. in: AT ivo'RWALk. February- 23 and 21,1887, A t Nurwalk Hotel. Having qualified myself by years of hard study in the best institutions in Europe, and having had a ram. lcal experience of twenty-five years in mi country, I am enabled at first a gut to adapt lensc most appropriate to restore the vision to its orlglna vi or and care all the various diseases of the eye I ve therefore combined my (practice of an Ocnllst with that of an Optician, and am now en- abled to furnished all kinds of lenses and styles of Spectacles and .Eye.Glasses which are made to omers’ visionary ailments. Consultation Free. ex~Depnty Sherlfi' Charles Adams, Mr. Clarence .Nash with J. F. Bonnet, Gen. D. N. Couch, Mrs. 'W. K. James. Dr. E. C. Clarke. The Best in the World. ' Sperry &Ba.rnes’ ' l Hams, Shoulders, Breakfast Bacon, ———AND— _ Sausage. ARE GUARANTEED THE BEST IN THE MARKET Our KETTLE LARD is Stricly Pure and Free from all Adulteratlon. Look Carefully for the Brand. We manufacture all goods bearing our brand at our packing house in New Haven. trss ' stern-8: Barnes, New Havel, Coll. Geo. S. Gregory. Livery. Boarding,- Sale, Feed and Exchange 1 s t crib-‘1 es . .1- No. 14 1111155111: 81.. (.n rear of Horse Car Depot), NORWALK, CONN. Carriages furnished 'tll hours. Coartso ttentlon and gentlemanly drivers. 1 y» r. W.. JAQUI, JIL, DEALER ’m' Stoves. Portable tBlill-Sel Rallies, Furnaces and Steam Heaters, Tin, Sheet Iron, Copper, Wooden. Glass and Crockery Ware. Generally. A Full line of CHILDREN‘S CARRIAGES. Plumbing. Gas and steam Fitting. and Hot Air Engineering. Agent. for the Richardson la Boynton Co’s. Furnaces and Ranges, Also agent for the Economy STEAM & WARM Ala COMBINATION Hanan- All kinds of Ornamental and Plain Slatelng, Tln and 'l‘ln Shingle Roofing. Repairing Done by Experlenced Workmen at Short Notice. 53 WALL STREET, NORWALK. CONN Ems UNABLE To EAMAWE A R N E S S ‘ Tocomnmc w =‘unrge mne'eras,l have taken th agenev -.r- of the oldest and largest estab- ll. . air in the state for the sale of Harness . Saddles, Halters, su- cingles, Collars, 86c. I shall also Make Fine Harness to Order as usual, at the old stand, No. 7 WATER STREET. where I will keep a regular line of Whips, Sponges . Chamois, Blankets, Robes, Feed Bags, . Traveling Bags, be, .1. F. Beckwell. F. III PEC’K WELL, ' ARCHITECT - l... 7 - WATER STREET, Gill‘ert Lock Company. Dibble Manufacturing Company’s door knobs. _ . New York Wood Turning Company. Corner Blocks for window casings. Round and Square Turned Balusters. H H _ (A If NCWels. Plain and Double Moulded Stair Rails. Also Flat Moulded Door and Window Casings furnished at short notice. Money to Loan. En sire of 0. E. WILSON,No. s Gazette ng. orwaik. Conn.- Bulld- tfifi ' TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. Number 8. orderunder myown supervision, to suit my cus- . References—Geo. G: Bishop. Charles Olmstead ‘ REFRIGERATORS & HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS 4 J. G. Gregory 85 Go. Desire to state that in alldltlon to a full line of Drugs, Proprietary Medicines and Drngglsts’ nndrles they are prepared to receive orders for Silk, Cotton or Linen EL ASTIC HOSE For varicose or enlarged veins. Warranted to fit, and at. reduced rates. They also desire to state that they have accepted the agency of the New York Vaccine 00., and will keep a supply of PURE BOVINE VACCINE VIRUS Constantly on hand. They have in stock Electric Batteries, which will be sold at close figures. They carry also a full assortment of Keystone Writing Paper Packets. Buss Bros., Restaurant, Cafe and inking Roam, Grand Central Station, 42D STREET AND 4TH Amen, N aw Your: Entrance from waiting room, New York. New Haven and Hartford railrgad, “32 . .41“.- l... ; Ball to MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN [Luann TIMBER, Shingles, Lath, Doors, Sash, Blinds, .Moulding‘, Window Frames, Piclcets, gin. Veneered Hard Wood WOIII. Hard Wood Ceiling and Flaming. South. Norwalk, Colin. CHOICE Building Lots F‘OR SALE 0n Wilton Avenue Apply to B. J. STURGES. ol' 0. E. \VILSON, GAZETTE BUILDING It! The Best and Most Dcsir—_ able Assortment ever shown in N orwalk of Hot Air Furnaces, Steam Heaters, 1 . Cooking Stoves, Laundry Stoves, Cooking Ranges, Double Heaters, Parlor Stoves, Hall Stoves, Dining Room Stores, Store Stoves, Ofiice Stoves, Shop Stoves, And everything appertain- ing to cooking and heat- ing at the Lawn Possible Price lul'flalll. E. "K. Lockwood & (lo. For Sale. DOUBLE BARRELLED RIFLE madeby John Bhssett, London. Will he sold cheap to cash Enquire at this office. 7- _ VAL rant: 0 —-~¢ "More!!! .: P Absolutely Pure. This Powder never varies. A marvel of pure strength and wholesomeness. More economic than the ordinary klnds, and cannot be sold in com- petition with the multitude of low test, sh‘ort welght, allum or phosphate powders. ROYAL BAKING l’ownsa 00.,106 Wall St., N. Y. It. B. CRAUFURD, ravns'rsmlv'r SECURITIES, moan ESTATE AND INSURANCE, 31 MAIN" STREET, - - sonwanx. GEO .WARD BEL-DECK, usansasaoox's BLOCK. WALL STREET, FAMILY CROCERIES, J. BELDEN-HURL BUTT, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Room No. 4, Up Stairs, GAZETTE BUILDING, NORWALK, CONN. JAMES '1'. EUBBELL, Attorney and Counselor at Law a Gazette gaining, NORWALK, - CONN. ALEX. s. GIBSON. Organist of lst Congregational Church, Waterbury, Teacher of Pianoforte, Organ and Musical . . Composition, ' Lock Box 39 P. 0., NORWALK, CONN. PENSIONS --—-:AND:— Government Claims. .MY sole business; Thousands have Rights Negected. Address, free of charge, or visit, GEN. W. E. NOBLE, 91 Stratford Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn O. E. WILSON, General Insurance ill Real Estate Agent Money to L_oan. Room No. 3 Gazette Building. Norwalk, Conn. ‘TNA INSURANCE Co., of HARTFORD. Incorporated 1812. Charter Perpetual. CAPITAL AND ASSETS, $3,902,272.64. Insures against loss and damage by Fire. on terms adopted to the hazard and consistent with the laws of compensation. COWLES .t'. MERRILL, bole Agents for Norwalk and vicinity. THE Norwalk Fire. Insurance Co. Has now completed its ' 18th SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS YEAR And has not outstanding a dollar of unpaid losses 331?ng for losses. No sound. company insures ' as. W. C. SmnsT,_Pres., S. E. mus-run. Tress, Geo. R. Cowman Secretary. L. E. QUINTARD , Successor to W. E. QUINTARD, UNDERTAKER & EMBALIIIER, OPPOSITE HORSE RAILROAD DEPOT. Residence 143 Main Street. Telephone communi- cation with office and residence, W. 11. MEEKEH, Plumbing, Steam and Gas Filling, SOUTH NORWALK. CONN. Sanitary Plumbing, and Ventilation, and Low Pressure Steam Healing, a Specialty. PLUMBERS’ SUPPLIES. Pipe and Fitting for Water, Steam and Gas. Agent for the Florida Low Pressure Boiler. Facillties fo Cutting and Threading all Sizes of lpe. 50tf PETER L. GUIGUE, FLORIST Illlll 3+ IIIIII, UNION AVENUE, North of Norwalk Cemetery, mouvvanxs, - CONN. Dealerin In Green House and Hot House and Bedding and Vegetable Plants, Fruit and Ornamen tal Trees Sllrnbbery, Vines. Cut Flowers alway on hand and all sorts of designsln Flowers arranged to order. 41 y2 Grading and Re-filling Cemetery Plots promptly attended to. FOR SALE. A STYLISH VICTORIA. Newly Trimmed and Painted. A Fine Family Carriage. Will be sold at a very low price. HENRY TILLY, CARRIAGE MAKER. SOUTH NOR WALK. For Sale Cheap. Ten Horse Power Boiler and six Horse Power Engine for sale very cheap. Enquire at: 11", GAZETTE OFFICE. "43 Far Sale Cheap. 1L1. be sold at a Bargain,“ applied for soo asmall. neat Cottage, of six: coma, in goo n-ignborhood, and three minutes’ walk or the biz-due. Apply at GAZETTE OFFICE For Sale Cheap. Alamo Sized Hot Air Furnace. used but little, will be sold at less than half its cost it up plied for at once. Enquire at Gaza'l'ra Orricn.‘ Factory to Let. A24 Dozen Hat Factory, with 25 Horse Power Boiler, will be let on reasonable terms. Can ~ be used and is suitable for other purposes. Apply or address, ESTATE or J osaru Snnruaan, Norwalk, Conn. Notice to Builders. FIRST-QUALITY BUILDING STONE for sale cheap. App" to IANES K. SELLECK, ifs P. O. Box 23. Norwalk. “‘3 Eligible Business Parlor For Rent. ' TEE Largest and Most Ellglble Front Room on first floor of Gszma Building, suitable for almost any trade or business For Sale. NE Pair “Acme" Club Skates for ice skating.. Will be sold very cheap. But little used. Will fit number seven shoe. Also one pair Elegant Nickel-Plated Club Roller Skates. Used but twice. will fit a seven shoe. ms Apply at GAZETTE Orr-‘10s. GENERAL MARKET. ". Meat. Fish, Vegetables, &c. LOCKWOOI) & ANDREWS. MAIN STREET. All kinds of the best qualities of Meats, Fish, Clams, Vegetables, etc., are kept constantly on hand. and will be sold by us as low as can be pro- cured at any market in Norwalk. We intend to prove to our customers that we deserve their patronage by fair and generous dealing. ly40 LOCKWOOD Jr ANDREWS. .I. Be m e m b e r t The Best Meats ill Norwalk -—ARE SOLD AT— WIXSON’S MARKET, ON THE BRIDGE, —-AND FOR. THE-— Lowest Prices for Cash. PLATES 0F BEEF 5 cents per in ' CORNED BEEF, from 5 to In c'ents per lb. I will not be undersolll for the Best Qua.lties of Meat. Poultry Drawn to Order. lyl James E. W'iwson. 27 Wall Street. file at Geo. J’- mls PAPER Rowan. a Co‘s News or Advertising Bureau (to Spruce new rear. may be found on Street) ,wllerc adver- tlsingcoutmctsmny be made for‘ it. in THE HERMIT KINGDOM. ROYALTY’S LIFE IN THE CAPITAL 0F COREA. How the King is Guarded—A Strange Mixture of Barbarlsm and Civilization. Description of the Palace and Govern- ment Buildings. It is not so easy to get a. glimpse of royalty in Corea. as it is in countries partaking more of the western, nature of civilization The king does not; occupy the place of a. God to the Coreans exactly, as some have stated, but he does not as a. very exalted high priest, and in that capacity he sacrifices to heaven for his people in times of distress, as during the recent cholera epidemic. He is never seen by his common subjects excepting on certain occasions, when he goes to worship at the shrines of his ancestors. On these occasions the streets are cleared of the merchant booths and all other obstructions; fresh yellow clay is spread over tho road, mounted and foot police keep the crowd in order, and the king passes by in a procession of near a mile in length. The procession is one of the most; gorgeous spectacles to be seen in the east, and as modern civilization will be apt soon to modify it, ibis certainly well worth seeing. Already foreign uniforms And guns are be- ginning to rob it of some of its barbaric splendor. The king rides in a. gorgeous red throne supported on the shoulders of thirty-two men. The carriage is open and his majesty can be seen by all. Usually the crown prince follows in a. similar chair, 'and very rare] y the queen is borne along in a closed chair so arranged that she can see out but cannot be seen herself. The king‘s conveyance is pre- ceded by large bodies of soldiers in brass hel- mets and red armor made of thickly padded cloth covered with metal plates. Bodies of these gorgeous warriors are broken by com-' ponies of. officers from the palace and eunuchs. These men wear the peculiar court dress, which is a. dark green robe of gauge or figured silk, according to rank and season, with an embroidered shield upon the back and breast, denoting, by the figures worked upon it, the rank of the wearer. These flOWv mg garments are held in place by a. large belt of fancily carved wood, tortoise shell or gold set; with costly stones. The bat: is pc- culi'ar and hard to describe. It is like a. trun- cated cone with a. piece taken out of the front, and two wings projecting from the back. It is woven of silk and horse hair and is quite open and light. A PICTURESQE SIGHT. The king’s conveyance in this procession is immediately surrounded by the modern sol- diers with foreign rifles, and clothes made something after the foreign cut, of purple, dark red and black calico. They luunlly have numbers of flaming red banners and pl'csentn most picturesque sight,.while another body of men make a deafening noise by shaking-poles supporting small cymbals. Following the royal conveyances are other bands of ancient and modern military ofiicers and other repre. senntives from the palace, with occasionally a gatling gun. The ancient soldiers have their own bands, which pour. out the weird monotonous music from flutes, violins and hourglass shaped drums. But: this music seems rather subdued in the presence of the foreign trumpet, which is most faithfully “rooted” by the representatives of the modern battalion. At first it; seems pleasant to hear our own bugle calls in such a. strange place, but a we try to catch the notes of the strange music beyond, the shrill, unsupported and constant “footing” of our own bugle seems in- solent, and we feel compassion, for the old time strains that are surely stepping aside for this modcrn upstart. Seoul, the capital of Cored, is really looked upon as a. part of the king’s household. The, palace inclosures occupy about one-fourth of the whole space within the ten miles or more of city wall, and the streets leading to the two palaces are fine, broad, well rounded avenues. There are five main gates to the palace inclosure which is made by high, thick, well-built stone some twenty feet high ‘ by eight feet in thickness. The corners of the wall project, and are built of huge masses of finely cut: stone and are surmounted by pagoda. shaped towers for the guard. The main gate faces the south and opens upon the broad street leading into the city and lined on either side by the extensive compounds containing the various department oflices. Passing this gate one enters a court of some six or eight acres. A wide stone pavement leads to a similar though somewhat smaller gate on the opposite side, passing which nn~ other court is entered surrounded by build lugs and traversed diagonally by a little stream with stone embankments and a stone bridge spanning it. Near the bridge stone water animals are carved on huge blocks of stone so that they seem just ready to pounce upon some prey in the wafer. The stone railing of the bridge is supported by blocks of stone carved to represent a budding lotus flower. THE KING’S 'rimoxs. Passing through another gate, similar to the two previous ones, and we are in a. large court paved all over with stone, A very large building arises at the further side from a. base of stone some 6 feet high, and sur- mounted by a. balustrade of stone supported by stone pillars carved to represent; sheaves of grain. This building is the reception hall and contains a. finely carved throne. The roof is supported by masts some 80 feet in length. The ceiling is made of panels, upon which are painted lotus and other flow- ers; in the centre a space is let into the ceil- ing, containing the royal dragon in gilt. The steps_leading up to the platform, around this edifice have a. stone dragon in the middle, so that no one may approach the king in a. straight line. The fine painting under the very extensive eaves is protected from birds by a huge wire netting that looks like a gigan- ticspicler web. To the left of the reception hall is the sum- mer pavilion, a finely carved and painted structure of two stories, situated in a large lake of lotus flowers. The lake or pondis surrounded by a stone embankment and a well. There are two islands rising out of the water and supporting some ornamental dwarf pines. The pavilion, some 70 feet by 50, is reached by stone bridges made like the bridge before described, over the stream which drains this pond. The second story is supported on 40 stone pillars set at intervals of 8 feet. These pillars are all of one piece, rectangular, about 10 feet long and 18 inches at; the base, tapering to about 1 foot at; the , top. Banquets are given in the upper room of this beautiful house. Back of these build- ings are the houses where the business of the palace is conducted and where the royal fam- ily sometimes live. Deliciousuess of the Lnngi Nut. Did you ever eat a Longi nut! I want to give a. hint to the fancy grocery dealers, who, all of them, read the newspapers every day. Let them invest in Lnngi nuts. Probably there is not one person out; of 5,000 in New York who knows what a Langi nut is. A mild eyed young friend of mine, who has a. weakness for wandering around the Chinese quarter in Mott street, gave me something one day which resembled a. dried specimen of the pictures of bread fruit which appeal-iii the illustrated geographies. It was almost as light as a feather, and as I turned it. in my hand I asked him What I should do with it. “Break it open,” he answered. I did so. The shell was as slight as that of a. paper :11- mond; and gave to the easiest pressure. Within was something that looked like a cross between a prune and o. Malaga raisin. “Eat,” said the mild eyed young man. I ate my first Langi nut.‘ \Vell, it resem- bled in taste the most delicate preserve. You have eaten min-Tons glaces and have dallied with candied apricots, but; for the king, queen, prince and whole royal family of sweets, you \vant'to eat a Langi nut to fully realize the orientall‘sm of saccharine bliss.— Nciv York Star. One Lingering Relic Abolislied. The year ISSG marked the abolition in Eng- land of one long lingering relic of the semi- bnrbaric Roman law, the “putrid. potcstas" principle. Up to the last; year an English mother did not become the guardian of her children at their father’s death, nor did she have any voice in selecting one. _ The father in life was sole guardizul of the children, and dyiuglie could delegate that. office to whom be pleased, to the entire exclusion of the mother. Even now the paternal authority ill life re- mains almost; absolute. But by tho lawpnsscd . by Mr. Gladstone’s government every widow has been made, either alone or jointly inbll an appointee of her deceased husband or ' the court, the guardian of her children while she lives, and she may appoint a. person to take her place in that; capacity after her death. That such a. rational measure should have been delayed until within the last twelve months is a striking illustration of John Bull’s conservatism.-—-London Letter. The Gum Chewing Mania... , , The gum chewing mania should be frowned upon for several reasons. It excites the en- tire glandular system connected with ali- mcnntion. The purpose of the glands is clearly established. Their products cannot be wasted or diverted to other uses without damage. The human being is not a ruminant—a cud cbcwer. One class of animals cannot adopt; the natural habits of another without suficr- ing from so doing—Dental Herald.
Norwalk Chronicler