The New York herald. [volume], May 27, 1868, Page 4, Image 4

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THE DEATH PmMT.
Barbarous and InliuinaE Murder
iu North Carolina.
Fatal Itoisiilt oF Miseegonation
iu the JSoutli.
Execution of Beuben Wright (White
Man) for the Murder of Silas Hair*
sten (Colored).
Davbekry, Stokes Co., N. C., May 21,1808.
Again has conviction followed circumstantial evidence;
again the scatrold's victim protests against
the stern decree of the law, and the terrible death
penalty was to-dnjr enforced on Reuben Wright, a
wtute man, for the murder or hilas Dairsten, a
negro. Never perhaps has there been a case so singular
and peculiar, In which tho murder was so
awfully atrocious, the victim so innocent, the perretrators
of the crime, though no adepts, so barbarus,
and the whole aiTair is possibly without an equal
tn the long list of murders that have been expiated
on tho scatrold. Here In the mountains of North
Carolina, at one extremity of an adjunct ot the Blue
llidge, the murder crcuted toe most intense excitement
among the population, by no means exempt
from the commission of crime, and where murder,
though not now rampant, has been of no unusual
occurrence.
XIIR SCENE
was on the plantation of Mrs. Ruth Halrsten, situated
in this county, on the banks of the Dan river,
ft appears that out of eleven hundred slaves held
t>rior to emancipation by this lady only about one,
Jiundred remained, mostly families, who beennse of
flucli encumbrances were pi evented from roamin? at
large over the country. Among these were Silas
Halrsten, a negro, aud his wife Minta, a handsome
mulatto girl of about twenty-one years of age.
There were also several white hands employed upon
this plantation, among whom was Rcnben
Wright, a man of about sixty years of
age. Wright had been married, but his
wife died without issue nearly one year previous
to the date of this murder, thus leaving him,
who, though an old man, was hale and hearty and
full of all the vigor of youth, alone and without a
companion in his declining years. Dally labor In the
Held brought all the plantation hands in close contact,
white and black, men and women, and here it
was that an acquaintance was first formed between
Renben Wright and Uinta Halrsten. Both were in
the flefd i6very day, and by adroit manoeuvring on
ibetr parts they managed to ?ecp close tq each other,
and thus acquaintance ripened Into an intimacy that
ruined the happiness cf a confiding husband, created
an Inveterate hatred on the part of Wright against
him and finally resulted in his assassination.
The cabins on ihe plantation are built somewhat
after the fashion of soldiers' winter quarters, care
ruliy laid otftlu btreets, and that of flight wan ad(aceut
to Silas Hulrsieu'i cabin. To this be became
a frequent visitor In the absence of the husband, and
a criminal Intimacy was carried on successfully be*
tween him and Ualrsteu's faithless wife for a nam*
ber of months, not, however, without the knowledge
of the husband, who more than once caught them
flagrante delUtu, and who by Ids watchfulness rendered
the utmost caution necessary on the part of
Wright abd his paramour. Matters progressed la
tills way until the husband was forced to the necessity
of requesting Wrig'ht to discontinue his vluiu to
his (louse, avowing at the same time that he "would
Stand suoh shameless conduct no iongef." 80 determined
Was the injured and lmllguant spouse and
to strict aa eye did ho keep on his young but frail
wire tbat for quite a length of time no opportunity
was afforded tlus pair of carrying on their unholy
amours, and to nd themselves of tnla obstacle now
beoamo their entire aim.
i. PLAN
was soon matured between them which, in their estimation,
would suceessiuily remove the cause 9! their
present embarrassment aud leave them unrestrained
in the accomplishment of their wlshe#. several attempts,
whloh from various causes proved lutlle, to
cam their purposes into execution, wqre made, and
lo DOrrible aud fout was tu? act contemplated tb?ii
Wright, though a man of exceedingly strong nerve,
lhdUcod two negro boys, one of them tlie nephew 01
SIM Hairs ten, to assist him in the perpetration 01
e crime. Ihelr uames were Green and Prior, am
under promise of some mo&of aud other prescuti
they agreed to participate in the murder of Mlas
having tfie assurance beforehand that Minta, hit
wife, oognisant of the whole, and would not onlj
afford them every facility, but would actually axsUi
In asnasslnatlqir n*r aii ho ?nu|jCiiicii(i
t>ciug loorougli and ooiupiete, tUe night of the 10U1
June, ltd?, was selected for
TUB MrttDEK.
And ftTI thAt fllflrht uhnn HI la a
work, ho was surprised to find bis wire complaining
bf being very Rick, so tuach bo that she was unable
td be op. Tne husband expressed his sorrow and
Was assiduous In his attentions to his handsome but
guilty wile, offering to do everything In his power
to alleviate her suffering, She, however, refused
whatever he suggcfted or offered, and as this was but
the flr^t act in tuQ bloody tragedy that was about to
follow, she desired him to make a pallet on the
Boor In front oMne tire to sleep on and leave her
In entire possession of the bed, as she was "so rest*
loss." This he cheerfully did and without a suspicion
as to the foul pari his wife was playing him. SUM
flairston stretched himself npon the pallet and was
sooftlocked in the arms of Morphens, Not so with
her, however. There was no sleep for her that
terrible night, and restless indeed she lay, watching
tfce expiring emoers upon the hearth as gradually
the j bocauw blacker and blacker until darkness hid
the living form of her husband irom her view. Aboni
Cpo hobr or midnight the door ot the cabin, which wee
toeroly closed, was Opened noiselessly, and three
foen stealthily entered, one of them procedlng directly
to the flioplijie. "lhese were Keubeh Wright
laid the two negro boys, Oreen and Trior, as the evidence
afterwards proved. The oue at the Are fanned
the ombers until a sufficient light was obtained to see
dlflttnotiy the lorm of Hlas, who was still in a sound
lumber. Wright ilun raised an axe and deait the
Sleeping man a pa wen ul blow on the nem, nearly
evuring the head from the body, upon which Uie
murdered man sprang to his feet with outstretched
arms and Instantly fel. back again a corpse. Wright
then demanded of the other negro, "Ain't yon going
to do the part yon said t" Whereupon Trior took the
axe and by a second blow entirety severed the head
of the murdered man from the body. Both the blow*
were so strong as to make large cuts In the floor of
the house, an.) soon tbat was deluded with gore,
which, save the murderers, no one witnessed but the
B human and treacherous wile.
TUB CORCXALMXNT OF TBI BOOT
was well managed, but not so effectually as to prevent
discovery. It was first carried to a neighboring
spring and there submerged without a chance of
being seen, and as the spring was dirty and unused
the murdeicre considered the place safe. Soon, however,
Silas was mitring, nut only by the bands on
the plantation, but by the superintendent and all the
surrounding neighbors. Inquiry resulted in obtaining
from his wile the persistent reply that be had
left on Monday night?that of the murder?to Uslt at
t neighbor's named Uentry. other reports were set
afloat that be, with a party, had gone down the river
ft a canoe to a frolic. A vigorous search was instituted,
and so alarmed Aid the murderers become that
(bey thought It prudeut to remove the body from the
goring ana place it somewhere beyond the possibility
or discovery .and accordingly on the second night after
the murder ther visaed the-spring, took The body
but ana carried ft to the Dan river, where by means
Of h roll being forced through the leg*, which were
tied together, they managed to sink iu In the meantime
several sukolcious circumstance* att?.ii??t
fclvef to the conduct of Mint*, the wife, who, not*
withrtaudlna the promotion and tutelage of Wright,
oouid not oonceal the nornble crime that tortured
her mind. On the evening of the net the bod*
waa Piwomn
by a yonnff white man n&med Black burn while croeatuB
the river. Be at once gave Information, and
help being obtained the headleds trunk of ftllae
flalrsten wan fin lied out of the river by Blackburn
and Green and trior, the two nsgroee who were acceeeorlea
to the murder. A hue and cry ?M at onoe
*at?ed, and aa the firat step Mlnta was arrested.
A ooroner'a Jury was summoned, before whom
she waa brought, and with a woman's
J* * Jhe at once accused Reuben Wright
Mthe murderer, and Ureen and Prior aa actflf0
were all arrestdd and committed to
^e rail term of Stokee' Superior Court
?hi ?rtC?3?b"tanU,k"y w ?bove waa elicited. During
ret*leJ tue following converaatlon aa
S!^rnT!? h" ,l"t*r K*ncy and neraelf the
morning after the murder:?
ton loolt 1,0 "o"? f?r r?
ft'*, ""nun* 'bout ML"
?T?fi 4tfikt.? ' "*l ague "l)Qe d0?* **
I say no. "81 killed.'*
Nanay *ay, "How yon know?"
I aay, "Kaio I seed Br. Wright km hau n
rs?,'.?i'2si?r*^ ??
r2?.%??KS."'irnW.5TTK
tie kill dm too." .
over Ifty wltaeaaea were examined, Nancv the
glnter of Minta, being the principal; and aa a 'new
trial waa accorded at the spring term of the court the
same facta were established and the death H*nt*oce
was panaed upon ttcuben Wright and Biota ilairaten
by the presiding Judge, to be carried into eirec* on
the 21st day of laay, lMttbs
IMFIIMOMftNT
of the condemned was characterised by a persistent
dVtnim of the crime on the part of the man and by
prevarication and crimination of different parties by
*he wonhs, who aa the daj of the execution approached
soartei# eat anythMf, and la now rwdueed
Je a mm ?*aiain. hseaaUvw till?IB WM how
NEW T
ever, ap^led for la her behalf, and ahe *u granted
a respite to the liia >lny of Octoboi by hL? Kvceiluucy,
lioveruor Worth. (ireen and Prior are hi ill to undergo
trial as accessories and Houiet!iln? may possibly
l>e developed at tins sutQoicntty extenuating to
spore the eomamalty horo lite bai oarou*spectacic of
a womanizing hauged.
lieuben rt'right w,n sixty years of a?o, had arar
eyes, long gray lmir and whisker* and a lace of
exactly I In- type of Damot Webster. Tiiore id nothing
la UU countcuance to denote the hardened assassin,
hut on the contrary a serene expression that would
totally banish that impression.
Minta ilalsteu, twenty-one years of age, ts a bright
mulatto, of medium height; has long, wavy black
hair, black eyes, and was quite handsome iieiose her
Imprisonment, her form being well proportioned and
well developed, ller features, formerly very attractive,
have now a pinched, careworn and
miserable expression.
THK LAST NIOITT
of the condemned man was passed In a fitful sleep;
and long ere the gray streak* of dawn came struggling
through the bars of fats window cell llcuben
Wright arose and paced alowly backwards and forwards
the extent or the narrow contlnua of his cell,
islowly the long weary hours of tliis beautiful morning
dragged their minutes, which aeemed ages to the
doomed man, to the hour of breakfast, when the
Jailer presented himself with the last meal, accompanied
by Rebecca, an elderly, but excediugly
kind colored womaa, who hnd
been the constant and faithful attendant
of Wright for the paat twelve mouths. At
thl9 time he seemed feverish, but still maintained
that dogged and stern fortitude that characterized
his whole imprisonment, lie spoko freely to both
ma vianuia, puiiuuK oi um meat, out uio very Utile,
the few mouthfuls that be dhl take seeming to be
forced down hia throat. He constantly applied a
wet handkerchief to hi* forehead and temple**, as If
to cool the fever and keep his brain clear for the
terrible ordeal that he knew well was approaching
slowly to him, but awfully fa?t. Left alone after hia
meal for a while Wright seemed to be engaged in
prayer, and shortly afterwards he was joined by his
spiritual adviser, with whom he Joined fervently,
exhibiting not a little of the peculiar demeanor of
the "ilarushell UapUst" denomination, of which he
was a member. This ended his Jailer uealn entered,
accompanied by two assistants, who proceeded
to robe the condemned in
A SPOTLESS WHITE LINKS SHROUD,
much resembling the surpllco of an Episcopal clergyman,
except that it was girded at the waist and
totally devoid of anything like a collar and not even
hemmed. Following this ceremony, wiilch was performed
with the most impressive silence, was the
adjustment of the ratal rope round the neck of the
condemned. At the sight of the horrible noose
Wii-ht's lips were convulsively pressed together, his
stem gray eye quailed, and a visible shuduer passed
through his frame, but with an almost supemuman
effort It passed off, and the same calmness as Itefore
was resumed. The rope on his neck, large drops of
perspiration oozed from his forehead, and the saturated
handkerchief was frequently called Into requisition,
but beyond this there wus.no token that tho
implacable resolution of the man hud given way in
tne least.
WHAT I1E ?Ain.
AbOlit nine o'clock A. M. tho (tondAmnml rla.
ited by your correspondent. He was seated on a low
stool and exhibited a singular appearance, in the
long, loose white robe, with tit a fatal noose round
his neck, its dangling robe reaching to the ground,
a wide leafed slouched black felt hat, and the wet
handkerchief In his hand. After the usual salutations
I remarked, "Well, Mr. Wright, I suppose you
are prepared for the sad event now soon to Happen."
"Yes, sir," very Impressively; "1 think 1 arn."
"Have you no knowledge of the crime for which
you are about to die?"
"None whatever, as I will soon stand In the presence
of my Maker," very solemnly.
"Have you any family."
"No; nouo. 1 was married, but my wife died
about one year previous to my arrest and Imprisonment
here."
"How long had you lived with Mlnta as your mistress
t"
"But a very short time, sir, and not for montlis
previous to the time the murder was committed."
Then you hail given her up entirely ?"
"Yes. Blr, I had, and never meant to visit her
again."
"Do yon think she knows anything about the
crime
certainly she does; howconld she help it, being
there whGu tnc murder was committed?"
WHAT THE WOMAN SAID.
Such were the remarks elicited from Reuben
Wright, and after hearing these I was escorted by
the jailer into a cell on the lower floor, in which was
conUned the girl Mlnta. She looked ghastly, her yellow
skin having assumed a tint that conveyed that
expression; her form was emaciated almost to that
of a mere skeleton; her dark eyes were sunken and
hollow, and her black, bushy, thick hair, not confined
by either string, hairpin or comb, stood out and
foimed a sort of hair circle that gave a weird look to
tier features and rendered her gliastiiness still more
horrible. A conversation of some length ensued, and
she became very earnest In relating her version of
the whole affair, which beyond a doubt made Wright
a culprit; she denied having been the mistress of
Wright, and stated further, aud very vehemently,
that no Intimacy of a criminal nature hau
i ever occurred between them, notwithstanding that
, be had persecuted her for months. 8ho said her husr
band and herself had lived very amicably together,
t and but (or that man (meaning Wright) would be
I llvlpg so still. When Informed site was respited for
i some mouths she scarcely seemed to appreciate that '
iici iiyvmi iiuuiii inui uci'u uvcri.c<i inui uuy, or rawier
hIic (lid not beforenand appreciate how ucar she hud
been to eternity. The woman looked as if unon the
vers* of bei?<r onuiod, and ha.i now a little of the ax'* I
pearauce of a inanlao whose malady but slumbers.
(_ TJ1K I'KKLIMINAHIES
were all complete under the supervision of Sheriff
( entry, a competent urine t guard was present in
hollow square in front of the jau, ami at ten A. M.
the condemned wasted forth between the sheriff aud
and deputy sheriff, accompanied by two guards. A
cart, or, inore properly, a wagon, drawn by two
mules, was pluccd In the centre of tho guard,
in which was the coitln designed to receive
the earthly remains of Wright. Large
crowds of eager spectators, male aud fema<e,
blacka and whiten, were assembled upon the out*
skills or the guard, and when the doomod man made
his appearauce with his long sepulchral shroud, his
fatal dangling rope, his venerable locks floating In
the mountain breeze, a thrill of horror rau through
the multitude whose morbid curiosity had drawn
them to witness the enforcement or the terrtnle
death penalty. With a tlrm step and a nerve that
was unflluching Reuben Wright took his scat tn the
cart on a uiank that was piaced athwart the sideboards,
gazing intently upon lils coflln. The Sheriff,
Deputy and a Baptist clergyman followed, seating
themselves upon the comn, and
THE SOI.KMN PIIOCKS3ION
began Its march to the scaffold, slowly over the
rugged mountain roads tolled the wagon with its
death freight, now on an tmmense mountain croineuce,
now in a ravine, through whtch ran a silvery
baubling brook, seeming to tell that life was but a
shadow uutll at length the scene of the tragedy was
readied, and here halted. On the way the condemned
spoke freely of his approaching fato with
the aiieritf aud clergyman, to tue last or whom he
expressed strong hopes, If not an actual certainty of
fotglveucHs by his Maker; siUi, however, continuing
to assert his entire innocence of the crime he was
about to expiate.
Tit* BCAFFOI.D
was an original structure, and was a combination or
gt^lows and scaffold. It was indeed unique, novel
and peculiar. A gallows comprising two poles about
ten feet apart, with a croasplec* on top, which during
the war had served to execute a negro convicted of
rape, was already stahding; and beneath this, which
was probably sixteen feet high, wvs erected a platform
supported by two stationary props In the rear
aud three movable ones in front. To the centre prop
was attached a rope, which, being suddenly jerked,
the drop fell, the other two props being previously
removed. The platform waa a structure altogether
Independent of the gallows, and the wbole was situated
in a mountain gorge, from which upon all aides
the hills shelved up to immense heights, and this has
become by common consent the place of public execution
at Danbury. A better place conld not have
been chosen for a public exhibition of an# kind, as It
formed an amphltueatre In which no spectator could
be debarred a clear view, and, as tho sequel will
ihow, the audience this time waa quite numerous.
SCBKCfl AT TBI SCAFFOLD.
During the wbole morning and under the rays of a
broiling sun crowds from all tlie mountains to the
south had been arriving In wacona, buggies, on horseback
and on foot, and these were massed on the surrounding
heights as if awalMng some curious display,
some gallant feat, or, leaving the scaffold out,
convey tug the idea that some great popular mass
meeting was in progress. With the arrival of the
condemned came large reinforoements from tue
northern section of the mountains and also large
numbers from the surrounding oountles. The Immense
number of females, which even exceeded that
ef the males, was somewhat astonishing, and the
cool and seemingly indifferent manner with which
tltey took scats upon the p?en mountain award.
" uiiiff me opening or the cereraonlee,'Talrly puxaied
many, who, though present, had a decided repugnam*
to witnessing an execution. Number* there
wen, too, who were not only, I am told, educated,
but tome of them refined ladle*, and certain II la
that among them were tome very remarkable apeelr
Kmens of female beauty, though their dreaeee were
nemlly rustic. Bo anxloua were theee people to
ff.J ^ ho/rlbl? tr?t*dy that many had been
*?15! ft. r *J'* *od night*. Camps were improvised
in the wood*, ?t which women could be tees
?T,'0?hd*d with all the paraphernalia of
the coslM department, industriously engaged cook?lLpi5ti,,.maU
^ B^ht preceding the
execution the vicinity of the ecair?ui forcibly reminded
one of the camp scenes of the late war. Sooa
after the arrl valof the condemned the ceremonlea?tar
rack I in compelled to call them?were opened by
fjf? ?- ** !*'" ""? by the Haptlet clergyman
bove meeUeoed^Mdforneeily one boar this dlvto#
entertained theassembled muiutude with a curlew
nddret? bat one that was bo doubt popular with
hie tttiM A prayer followed, and then, by InviteIM
oithe shellfl.the friends and acaualntanoes of the
condemned were admitted within the guard to take
a That farewell. Ovar one hundred came forward
an<r*hooh hearts with Wright, who all the while eat
unmoved upon one end of his coffin in the cart, and
this ctTemonf partook more of the nature of a nubile
reception than anything else. A largs number of
these were blacks, among whom came, eobbtng
blteoasly, Kebeccn, the colored woman who attended
Wright throughout hla Imprisonment in the jail. Thle
poor creature not only unnerved the crowd Immediately
around the ocnflAfc but nearly Wright himself,
whose gray ere wae ?>eerv?I to moisisa as he
gTMpeO thehand of the Mthflil old woman, with a
cenvolsive start ehe got evt the words uood bye.
"' fright; max i;od liteaeyou," and, bureting mto
fiobd Ot team mat sne onH an tender reetraii. she
OKK HERALD, WEDNESDj
left the Bcaffold. This concluded, and preparatory
u>
THE I .A ST SCKN1
the Sheriff asked the condemned if he had anytiitfig
to say to the assembled crowd, to which he repliea
that be had not, ttu-J tills was folio we J by tlie
remark Hut lie was euurely Innocent of tae murder,
:itid hart no knowled ;e of It whatever. Wrigut, as
lie said this, did not 1 ook the hardened a3sa ?in that
the circumstances would Indicate. His venerable
features wore a placid, calm and collected look: he
spoke with a clear and Bteady in'onatiou of v(?lce,
and even tils hand did not bjtray tue nervousness
aud treuior uhi?u to one of his years. The hour
being now a quarter past twelve M. the sheriff a**ed
the condemned now soon he would wish the execution
to take placo, which he answered with tno
greatest composure in these words?"Whcne er von
are ready I aju ready." In subsequent couvenation
nothing farther was developed, nor was auy change I
observable In the demeanor of the man, and at tea j
inmates to one 1'. M., the cart being bac.it) I up to |
the rude ladder leading to the scairold, Wright coyi- >
incnccd to ascend. He stumbled ou t;ie shroud 1
with which he was enveloped, when t le rthefltf, ;
mistaking tills for feebleness, offered assignee,
which was promptly declined; and with avi/iorremarkabio
for a man of his age lie reached ti; platform
and stoo<l erect. Amid a slleuce taut was ai?palling
the white cap was placed over the head oi't..o
doomed man, the rope was fastened over the gallows,
his legs and arms were pinioned, the death
sentence was read, uud at one P. M. precisely the
fatal drop fell and the large and powerful body of
lieiilieu Wright was suspended between heav-n and
earth. The women commenced to weep and many
there were who turned their heads from the horrible
sight. The fall was only two and a hall feet, the
neck was not broken, but there was only a slight
muscular tremor, scarcely observable by even tiio attending
physicians, lire. John Pepper and Win. A.
Lash, both of whom declared life extinct at twen ty11
ve minutes past ono o'clock, tuo pulae bean *g
twenty-two minutes. After hanging forty minutes
the body was out down ana oonveyed to a grave already
prepared for It in an adjacent ravine.
Thus passed Into eternity one about whose gjtlt
serious doubts are eutertulned by s vera! cUi/e is
nurts, inu wuu, 11 (fumy, tiXlllOlieu IUO most b.liguluf
and extraordinary calfotiHness, and who must nave
beeu one of the most heartless wretclics and desperate
criminals that can be found iu the onaaw of
crime.
LECTURE OX LIGHT.
An interesting lecturo on "Light," illustrate 1 will
various new and remarkable experiment), w.is <1
llvcred by Professor Henry Morton at the Academy
of Music, iu Philadelphia, ou last Saturday evening.
The lecturer is by birth and desoont a New Yorker,
grandson of General Morion, ho woll and favorably
known among the Knickerbockers of a former generation,
and now holds the position of resident
secretary of the Franklin Institute and editor of their
Journal, while at the same time occupying the chair
of chemistry and physics in the University of Pennsylvania,
an institution corresponding in Its antiquity
aud character wltli our own Columbia Collego.
ThU lecture 13 the fifth which has boon delivere 1 by
Prof. Morton in the same place, and had for it*
special subject "Sunlight." Notwithstanding the
stormy character of the night the house was densely
crowded, both in scats and standing room; all scats
bad been sold several days before the lecture.
To givo even an outline of the subject as developed
by the lecturer during the two nours for which he
riveted tho attention of his audience would require
far too much space; suiflce it to say that tho
naturo of the sun, the soarce of his heat
and the properties of his light were most
fluently and clearly explained, the various
points being illustrated by a scries of pictures
projected with wonderful brilliancy on an immense
Bcreen, forty feet ftquare, covering the front of the
stage. The thing that most impressed the audlcnce
was tho number, beanty, success and promptitude
of the numerous experimental Illustrations introduced
throughout the lecture. An able corps of assistants,
under the direction of Mi^ Coleman Sellers,
Vice President of the Franklin Institute, an eminent
American mechanical encrlnnfir. and fAmnns linf.li in
this country and Europe for his Inventions nnd productions
as an amateur photographer, planed at the
lecturer's hand or operated at hU signal everything
at the moment It was required.
Ttio lecturer placo<J himself and apparatus on a
platform secured to One of ttie stage traps, and then
was raised to a great helghtabovo the floor, at which
elevation he burned la the compound blowpipe a
pleco of thick steel wire rope. Tlic taunt alu of scintillating
aparks and drops of melted steel?which,
descending tn a broad sheet some fifteen feet In
height, poured upon the stage nnd rolled In a torrent
of fiery hall towards tho footlights?was a elg'it never
to be forgotton. A wheel flvo feet In diameter, supporting
electric tubes, was rotated, w'allo flashes of
olectrlc fire from ttio largest Induction coll In t ie
world, belonging to the University of Pennsylvania,
' were paused through, producing a dazzling star of
constantly changing Colored rays.
Tlie drop oui taln, descending for a few moments,
rose Ifilfl, displav Ing Ibrilliant palace scene, ilia*
iuinated by numerous ltme lights judlc ously placed.
There then marched lu a great number of masked
figures, In costumes representing the co.ors of tho
rainbow, and l>earliig banners with brilliant devices.
These, taking positions, formed a tableau equal lii
brilliancy and beau'y of general etrect to anything
we have ever seen upon the staie. At a signal the
TlttiU|kt wasextinguished and lis place supplied
bv pure yellow light, equally bi Ig t, w lira tverj trace
of color disappeared, and tho entire phalanx became
a ghastly company of spectres bearing banners of
white and black. The means for producing this
yellow light Is a device of Professor Morton's, entirely
new and eminently efficient?lu fact the entire
bouse was Illuminated wlMi It fro n the stage, so
that the same wonderful chaunr" was laamlt st la the
faces and costumes of the audience.
These are but a few of tho experiments sho<vn, and
rrp-ated anil MthMtastiC applause testl led tho
natural delight of the audience.
BOOK NOTICE.
Grnrual Nathamki. Lyov and Missouri tn lrfll.
A Monograph of the Oml MMUot. Bj James
Peckham, formerly Llr utouant Colonel EihIiUi mfantry,
Missouri VoluntMl*. New York: American
News Company, publishers.
This Is a small, neatly printed volnme of some 460
pages, largely made up of offlmi military correspondence
Interwoven In the genorul narrative. The
purpose of the author Is to show that the falluro of
the Missouri secessionists, Including the Governor,
Lleutensut Governor, state ctvll onicers anl militia
omcers and Legislature, to carry oIT Missouri In 1W1
Into the great rebellion aftor tho fashion of South
Carolina and her confederates, was mainly due to
General Lyou, although second only to Lyon In his
bold, sagacious and vtgoroui movements In behalf
of the Union cause stood Francis P. Blair, Jr.
The secesh Governor. C. P. Jackson, and his soeosh
Legislature bad cut out the nccusaary work In view
of the turning over of Missouri to the confederacy
at the appointed signal. Commissioner Uussell, a
rebel envoy extraonlUiary from the secede 1 etate of
Mississippi (January, ft6l) had been received tn
great state at a joint meeting of the two houses of
the Missouri Lo?l .!?turo; a bill for a acccssIon convention
w:ui next pawed, and measures for organizing
and arming the mllltla, and various schemes
were adopted for suppressing the Colon men of the
State and setting the property of the United States,
especially the arsenal at St. Louis. This arncual
embrocod military workshops and mllltarr stores, Including
fl.>,ooo s; an<t-* of arms (mostly Enllold and
Springfield rifles). 1.500,000 ball cartridgos. a number
of field pieces and sloge gnus, together with a large
amount of machluery and munitions of war In abnn
dance. In the main magazine there wore #0.000
pounds of powder. In Jsnuarv, lwn, this valuable
arsenal was so far undofendod 1 ...it a small force of
resolute men might have canturcd It day or night.
But the city of St. Louis was, by a heavy majority of
Ite people, a loyal and wide awake city. Its haavy
German element waa sound to the core, and
we may say that without these loyal and trusty
Germans General Lyon conld have done nothing, for
the balance of power would have been against
hln. In view ot the Union popular strength In the
cltv and Ita vigilance Governor Jackson ana his State
official secesh confederates had to prooeed with some
motion Ui their designs upon the arsenal. They bogan
to plot, but they were baffled by counterplots;
they began to maater their mllltla, when Lyon. In
charge of the arsenal, began to receive reinforcemeats
and to organise and arm the loyal volunteers
f the city. Then Oovernor Jackson established hi*
rebel camp la the eity, known as Camp Jackson?a
camp which (after inspecting It la the disguise of a
vmhoI aaUN) Lyoa waa convinced was intended
tm the capture of his arsenal. 110 immediately remm
te take the initiative, and having perfected
mam m ? . ? wvti? vu uiq enmnj'l WOrRB
00 OHIWI of May so adroitly u to comp?l a
surrender without 11 ring a shot, and thus Camp
Jackson, with over % thousand men and a dlsproportlonately
large supply of artllfery and munitions of
war, mm captured and the line of the Mississippi
river was made secure from St. Louis down to Cairo
and the SUM of Missouri was wrested from the confederacy.
The subsequent operations of General Lyon down
to the great bait 10 or Wilson's creek, August 10. 1801,
where he was killed, were all of this bold and decisive
chancier. From the offlclal vouchers of thia
volume we sea that but for this right man In the
right plana at the right time,^Missouri would have
been turned over as completely as was Tennessee to
the Southern confederacy, which, nnder the condition
of things in lMlt wonic have been equal to a
reinforcement of a hundred thousand men to Jeff
D*vls> I
iY, MAY" 27, 1868.?TRIPL!
THE CHINESE EMBASSY.
The Honvoliu u an Idleaynrrnt?At IMnner?
On the Pare?At the Theatre?In the Photograph
Gallery?His View* en Eastern and
Western Hjatem ef Civilt ration?What He
Thinks of Himself and of Joss Yankee?la
the Park?Visitor* and Cards.
Equally with his Caucasian convener the Mongolian
stentleraan la Idiosyncratic. lie has his likes and
dislikes. Ills temperament is not, excopt perhaps
that It has a little mors lymph in it, so very widely
separated from that of the European. What If ho
was born oa the other Bide of the Caucasus? Is he
leas a "roan and a brother!" The boasted lineage of
the Israelite is modorn compared with the men "of
far Cathay." When Mosoa was leading tho forlorn
l;o3ts of the tribes, "laden with the spoils
of tho Egyptian*," throng the wilderness, was not
he "prcjen* in his ancestors In China," as Ooufucius
writes* Of the pr>ud urUtocracy of Europe who
amons them Is worthy to loosen the lachcts to tho
siio^s of M'aicu Limhea-lieuan, body servant to
Sotjen Sun? We mean tio disrespect to those who
are of yesterday when we compare them, wearing
the round, blue eves of the European, witu tho Cathayans
of almond orbs In which arc ires of darkest
hues; but we mint etalt th03e sons of the Hun, these
descendants of the old and all but fornotteu clvill- j
zers and philosophers of that populous land which, I
frjni the day Marco Polo visited It until Padre Huo
wrote his two volumes on Its social condition, j
was "soalcl" and jealously guarded from Intrusion
of outside barbarians by the ileroost of dragons
In scaled armor of tho national color?yellow. The
educated gentleman of Peiiln is, tu we have hinted,
n being governed by Ins Intorual eductions and ex- I
tornal Impressions. The nearer wo approach him
the better we like him. lie is not snobbish?happily
for tho Empiro tho works of Thackeray have never
been translated by any enterprising publisher at the
Cathayan capital, and therefore "suo!)" forms no
part of Its written or oral language?he Is satined
with his anelont blood, and is not therefore particularly
anxious that every one ho incuts shall bo Impressed
with his dc3ocnt or his socul importance.
With him life la a serious thin?. It was not
trivt-n him to fritter away in idleness, spendlng
freely that which his economical and laborious
progenitors, with imoecunlous Intent, guthered
together "that their co i'lus might bo of sa ulul
wood." And, in life, nothing wittt him commands
so much of the tlm? ha gives to meditation and the
"moralities," as how best hl3 stomach shall be
lined," that his days may bo numbered by decades
of years in tho land given to his people?tho Central
Land of Flowers.
DRESS AST) CEREMONY.
When your soUern pays jou a visit of ceremony,
orovonouils at your chop "with speculation in his
eyes," he decorated his person with rich ami gorgeously
colored garments made from tho brocades
of his weavers; but when he approaches tho
table ho removes his cosily attire, and,
figuratively speaking, roll* np his sleeves;
f.;r with lifm dfutiig uiean3 work?of a most agreeable
character, however. When your Chinese gentle,nan
robes his person for state occasions not westei"i
bede can outvie him In tho magnldcence of the
materials he employs. But when he "retire? to tho
snades of private life," to ponder tho wise saws of the
old time gray beards of his vast country, absorbing
as it does oue-teuth of tho habitable glubo, he forgets,
in looking into the well of truth, Uiat he is aught but
a man?no better, no greater, no more exalted in tho
all-perceivin# eyea of Josh than his valet, llcrr
Clioou-chl-tiam, who has the supreme felicity of being
superior as a caltgraplust to his master, and consequently
a candidate for a inaudailnshlp.
Sociably your Tajen, no matter how groat or small
in the public estimation or in political rauk ho may
bo held, Is a tine follow, lie "puts 011 no airs." 'i lie
man of a lac, provided he is not lacking in knowledge
or politeness, is as his guest, equally honored
wiiu the groat man of a million of lacs. Iiis
Idiosyncrasy here is that brains are even mure valuab
o tuan dollars. A wise and polite gentleman,
you perceive, is the gentleman from China. But if
wo nave our way we will cuange ail this, our grand
civilizing system will teacii t.,e cathayan tli.it
money is preferable to brains, piovlde<l he is
blessed with half a dozen fasnionable daughters who
deuny love tho glitter of gold and tho scintillations
of the diamond, and three or four "boys'' who are
fond of Bourbon and "sport." And here it should bo
remarked that Chinamen, as a rule, are abstemious;
not that liquor is with thum altogether au abomination;
but th-y have uspije of inuuisltlveness about
them, aud they ask questions. Of course gentlemen
w, 10 are analytically inclined and who uro given to
making interrogatories are not particular^ anxious
to spoil their appetites by deglutition* ot beu^luo,
even if it is labeled "old Bourbon."
ON THK FAVU.
The weather being uupmpitious, our Embassy pre
fee We venicutar to tue peripatetic systeai 01 locomotlou.
They u.j not object to the occasional ubo of
tluir limbs ou tho P'Wf; but tiioy are ecotioiulcal, anil
WlU not II liiey can help U hive tnelr gorgeous
raimeut spotted l v piuv<ai siio.vors wAloh, lu the
words of AuUrew Jacks, u, in this country "un alike
??n too Just ami tlio unjust." When, however, tho
thermometer aud barometer agree to something like
permanency and tuo PiesiUcut lias acknowledged
tlieir presence iu tlio "Great iic-pubilc," you will tind
our v. si tors from I'ekin pcekin' in at the windows of
tue stores on Uroodway, uud cruicis uj with expressions
taa' at least will oe novel wuutevor In tue way
of art, be It in lace or coit/U, sliver or gold, alabaster
or bronze, is pre some j to thoirgaze. At present even
t tie sixteen servants of tue uijetui sun und Cluh prelor
the uiojo carriage or tue open baroucno.
TMB "WHITS! l'AW.x" AuA N.
On Monrt ty evening many oi these were Introduced
to the iiuo Fawn," at NiUio's uarden, una not
one of them? and they all ba.e three syllables or '
more t<> iliclr names (another ld'.osyucraa})?but. <a !
persuaded he has beaeiu witu his own ojes and ;
wiiuoiu wic employment of op.nui illusions wortny
01' I no greatest iiia^iciau. In UMtr minds lie Ml
who goi up the scen.ry in the "White l awn" isjuoio
fertile in invention iiiau even tue great Josa linnself;
uud u? for tue angels wi.o disport on tue stag*',
nyraiuig so oniiaueiugly to tho Sound of uustc, w uy
tney are, these Cniuose, cauUnt enough to acknowledge
tuai not even lu the Court oi tuo Brother oi tue
Sun wouidsuchgeuuilexious aud gestures, au.l jxmj,
mi l xpoarj bo permuted; and jei tuey acknowledge
tliiough tuo Interpreters, Tung aud l'eii, that lu an
esthetic point of v.ew, the ladies wuo snow tne;r
talr proportions la the course oi the play are wormy
to be wives even to tueir sacred master, tue ruler of
Borne huuuieUs oi niiiiious of 'tartars loyal and ui'.nose
disloyal?li being all tue saiue to him bo long as 1
the revenue Is collected.
i.0.nu an'u short namf.3.
In ons otiier tiling Is tho gcut.c.nan from the
"Flowery Kingdom*' peculiar. It ut In tins?tuo
higuer he ascends oa the ftocial ladder tlie small, r
(in name) he hilars, uud (soon) is a mandarin ol ine
second oruer; aud two consonants and a vowel
Is tiie on y verbal haudie he ouu present to the wotid
to save min from nonentity; whereas his servants
uie not to be put oif with less than from taree to
six or eight s>la>ies? Llon-lioa-heuaii, Uuug-pungJoo,
Hwcl-liau-iol; unit as for Uijtn Clilh (or kl), he
flnds It licc.ssury to expcaU breath While addressing
himself by name to ins lowly followers, suc.i as
ciioou-chl-tlain, Shaou-ehen-peau aua Leue-suo ee.
If this is a iiiio absolute In the polity of the uduesc
government, or Is a sign of social tank among ita*
subjects, what names, involving those of European
royaiy, Its cutfomnersot the capital, and even of Can
ton, must sport, And bow luiinitesuial lu ort hography
and Bound the sui names ol tue high and mighty onus!
at bllaol's and at ULU.NliY't).
Attwoo'c ocit yesterday afternoon, accompanied
by Captain Ltoinver, wn<#fcppears to take great Interest
ui the welfare 01 the members oi the Luinassy,
whether great or small, caused eight of the hui vantM.
accompanied by Tung as interpreter, to he toifveyed
to Uradj"1 fcftUery of photographs, where tliey were
taken siugl) una In groups, to their unquestioned
dedght, um Ail could see In iltelr broad lacs, which
light up admirably wheu tliey smile or laugli, 'i iio.se
photographs, some of tlicin of liuiurlnl m/.e. win of
course l?e prepared in Brady's best style, aua will bo
on exhibition possibly to-day. jtie nines of the
"subjects" for firady's cameia yoHieiuay afternoon
were:?choou-chl-.lani, Hbaou-choii-pcaii, l<eue-*heee,
Llon-lica-lieuau, llung-uui.g-j.io, liwel-dau-fol,
Chan^-hoo-fung an<l Chaug-nuH-weu.
Earlerln the day tue Bnglislt luterpre.ers (who,
by the way, speak our tongue fluently a il Witu but
a sllkbt accent), Tung and ioh, culled on Carney and
sat" for cartx* <U vitlto. 1 Heir star was of short
duration, but while there they oonvqrsed ireely with
Uioae who approachod thcin, answering without
hesitation even questions 01 a persona, character.
TllK VIEWd KNTSKTAISKO BV TUK TAJKNi.
They assured Inquirers that their chiefs were
favorably Impressed with the poopie and th?lr custotas.
lhey of course knew nomiurf of the internal
life of our citizens; but, Judging ft?m external appearaneen,
were satlsiled that our Hnolal system waa
superior to their own?suited, however, to thuee of
our grade of civilization only. It waa a question
with them whether the endrrhtened customs, or
rather manner*, of the Occident were or a
character that oould be engrafted with advantage
on the political and social systems
of the ancient polity and civilization of China. To
their com prehension each system, governmental and
intellectual, and their moral* and literatures ware
the outgrowth of the races, und were spontaneously
developed. In other words, they were 01 the decided
opinion that the Mongolians could not thrivo under
our social and political systems with any greater advantage
mentally than could the Caucasians under
their peculiar customs and policies.
A DR1VB TO TUB PARK.
At half-past three o'clock yesterdav ttio Mandarins,
with their attaches, accompanied by Captain Deliver
and Mr. On Chong, drove to the Park, where for a
brief season they enjoyed themselves by examining
the various objects of iutereet, esthetic
end otherwise, within Its confines. UelM
privileged guests they wandered whithersoever
their humor led them, and seemed never tired looking
at and criticising such works of art as are In the
bridges, statuary, nad of aculptures In the old
Arsenal building, on and near the Terrace and
wherever else tliev sought for the beautiful in nature
or design. At a later hour?at hair-past foor o'clock?
Mr. Purlingame, with hie family and a few frienda,
drove to the Park, and Jotuing, eouUnied with the
Chinese portion of the Imhasay nuttl the retain W
the city and to dinner.
V>St?wa<ABB OASDS,
Owing yesterday dtsqw tahsd oMmm oalpd M
' 7 g
B SHEET,
the Westminster?of the number were Mr. Peter
Co >per, ei-Ooi lector Raruey, Mr. Charles E. Porter,
Colonol Emmons Clark, commander of the seventh
regiment, and many others?who, finding Mr. Burlln
aino absent on business oonue.te'l w.th li.s
charge, left their cards.
cam a\d cukese.
The IJtermtire and Art of the Middle Kinsdoni?Oriental
Modea of Thought a* Compared
with Karopoan Proverbs of the
People a* Illustrative of Their Ilubitu of
Thought?How a Mandarin Curses.
The study of the manners and morals and modes
of thought common to the people of the Middle Kingdom
reveals many points of similarity to tho-ie of the
Hindoos and the raoes of Southeastern Asia In
{ general, with the exception of one or two of tht*se
, races which have heretofore proved remarkable for
mill ary prowess. Notwithstanding the fact that
: agriculture is particularly encouraged, the subjects
| of the flvo-clawcd dragon have always been a coin;
mcrclai people, and are, In fact, commercial in their
> ideas and instincts. For several centuries,
and, in fact, since tlu first attempts of
European diplomacy to open tho ports
of the E.ist to free trade, tiie great obstacle In the
way of tolerable freedom of intercourse have been the
Jealousy and extortion of the mandarins, who have
pretty well controlled tho son of the dragon In his
foreign diplomatic relations; and, though the entire
Instincts of tio peoplo have been commercial, there
has l>cea oa the part of tho government a general
disregard of these Instincts and of the true theory of
political economy as based upon the geographical
position and resources of the kingdom. The intercourse
with foreigners consequent upon trade relations
has, however, had the eiTect to disabuse
the minds of considerable of their national
prejudices, most of which may be dated
from the adyent of the Hon. Anson Burllngame as
; Minister from the United .States and of Sir Frederic
, Druce as English or British Minister at Pekln. More
accurate knowledge of the topography of tho coast
has also developed the fact that no line of seashore
| of the same length in tho world is furnished
with so many excellent harbors anl with so
many facilities for co uoieroo, aud no reason can be
assigned wiiy the Middle Kingdom should not with
proper treaties become one of the wealthiest comi
moroial nations in the world. Latterly, also, the
; government has manifested a laudable inten1
tion to be ju3t t< tho barbarians, as all
foreigners are termed, somewhat in Imitation
ol' the Qreok national egotism, and
, in one or two iustanoes, as in the esse of
tho Formosa murder, active measures have been
I tulTAn tn hrlnty tho rtornalrnfAra i t\ t? ?af Ia A /? <-? -?f
Surt or this aouling of ihe national prejudice baft, unoubtedly,
been due lo the education of numbers of
tlie higher classes abroad, some few mundar us having
graduated In institutions in !he United States,
with more or less credit to themselves. As a rule
the natives learn languages with facility, and manI
darlns are now numerous who speak the English
j language with more or les3 facility. Another cans';
I lias been the emigration of considerable numbers of
| natives to California, and their frequent return to
' bring back their wives, mothers and fathers to
this country; though no native Is permitted to
leave the impel.al domain without taking all
i these %elatl\es with him, unless it can be
j proved that the relatives in question have sufficient
property to take care of themselves, and could
in no wise become a burden to the State. This regulation
amounts, of co use, to an approximately positive
prohlb tlon of all emigration, though means
are olten found to evade It. blight as lias been this
tenure of emigration as a means for tho spread of
knowledge or the true strength and civilization of
European races among the natives at home, it has,
nevertheless, proved more effective even than all tho
diplomacies of Europe; and, In this regard, It may
be said that California has done far more to enlighten
the races of the Middle Kingdom as to the
comparative fallacy und weakness of their civilization
than have all the countries or Europe put together.
It may be said, therefore, that to an extent
tue old-time civilization of that country has been
loosened of Its hold upon the popular Imagination;
that the race U In tho inception of that transit ion
period which, in the course of a century, will be
likely to sweep away essentially the old grooves
oi thought und feeling, and tliut the day is not far
distant when this most romote of all Mongolian
races from the European civilization will have put
ou its garb and adopted Its customs. It Is a mistake
to suppose that, because the oriental civilization has
remained what It is for centuries, therefore, tiro Oriental
mind is wanting In flexibility. On the other
hand, these races ore as a rule remarkably imitative
and remarkably subtle in their perception of the
adv&utages of the Inuo-Europeau culture over their
own; and already Tartar Turkoy lingers upon
tuo brink or social revolution. In the course of a
century, therefore, material modifications of the
manners and customs or the Mongolian races may
be oxpected e\en from this limited contact with
ouier phases or civilization better adapted to develop
the resources or a country and more liberal in Its
culture and modes or thought; and out or these
must spring a new literature v\ hicit cannot but super!
node the old. or the present literature or tho Ceies,
tia.s, In fact, tho less said lu praise the better, unless
; one were to adopt the theories of Macaulay as
1 developed In his essay on Milton?vli, that dragons,
gor^ons and weird superstitions are uecesstiry
elements of poetry, and that to appreciate
imaginative literature necessarily presupposes
a ccrtuin unsoundness of mind. The elements or
Mongolian poetry are made up in a large degree of
tins class or labulous creation, though as a rule lUe
Mongolian races are far uiore material la their Imaginings
than are the Semitic racos. lu the liteiature
una romance of the former one hears very little of
fairies and geuiL though hardly less of talisman* and
amulets; lu that of tue laiter goull constitute the
principal Imaginative stock. The former deals with
grotesque distortions of the natural; the latter with
luu supernatural, which, to the imagination of tho
Arab, is forever manliest, not in the natural lt.oif,
lut as an element to control It. 'ltw
s.iu.e peculiar distinction Is inherent lu
, tue art of both stocks?that of the Se- i
initio races having a vastuess and sublimity of !
m.vsticlsiu about it, which is not partaken of in the
constitution ui the former. Weird dragons, monster '
liais ami dlsiortiotis aud exaggerations of natural
lihe.iomena iorm the materials through which the
Mongolian Imagination reflects ltseir; while the
Suiultio imagination "reates its neruylm, Ita houris
and Its ghouls, all vaguely spiritual In outline, though
Invested to a greater or less extent with human
attributes. Of the two the latter in more Ideal, and
tue lormer more grotesque. The latter has element*
of just lusight about it, embodyiug more uniquely
the distinctive Instinct of the lieautnul; tho former
constitutes the elementary basis ol a certain grotesque
humor like that which is manliested
in most of the conceptions of Uustar lx,re and
his Imitators. Both differ from the European
Imagination proper in essential icspecta?the Kuropoau
basing i:is ai t Instinct rather upon the Idealization
01 the natural than upou the realization of the
supernatural, which Is Semitic, or the realization of
the grotesque, which Is the Mongolian instinct. In
other words, both In art and literature, as well as
In logic, the European lumd Is luductlve, while that
of the oriental ts deductive: and In the whole range
of the literature and art or the form-* but three Individual
exceptions can be pointed out, vis., Foe,
iicautielalre and Dorc?the former two In literature
and the latter In art. The crcatlons of these three
approximate to the oriental In quality, being based
upon essentially tho aame Instiuct?the realization
of the grotesque and supernatural In art form.
in the drama of these races the dragons and monstor
ban and toads of theirs are mostiy disregarded
except lu their farce, which is clumsy and wanting
In couilc or satirical point. The dramas (native) in
vogue in the Middle Kingdom are almost without
exception based tipon historical incidents, and constitute
iu their body a very fair dramatic history of
the several dynasties. Th? y are mostly of allegoricontoral
purpose, aro clumsily constructed and generally
ineffective. The raoe is not, In tact, essentially
diamatlc in lts lnstincts, as It might bo supposed no
race could be, the instincts of which arc essentially
opposed to the true dramatic purpose. Farco for the
Muugoilan, spectacle and pageant lor tue Semitic,
drama lor the European. These are the natural deductions
of the mental habits of the three as distinguished
the one from the otner; aud these mental
bant:* are but the logical ro9ults of their differences
In mental constitution.
'i hat those are essential distinctions?neither dls- i
tlnctions of period of development nor of stage |
civilization, but of natural tendency?might be rendered
obvious by a more minute review and analysis
of art and literature from a cosmopolitan stand- i
point, but for this there la neither time nor apace, i
The Europcau mind la otMontially deductive and I
aciontmr; tuat of the Asiatic essentially otherwise. I
The Kurope&ii thinks and thinks cleai ly; lbs Oriental i
dreams?sometimes very well, but dreams always. I
The European 1* an astronomer: the oriental an i
astrologer. The European worka wonders with i
science; the Oriental with magic. The former ex- I
plains his processes; tbe latter must juggle, because ]
to Juggle la hlM lusMnct?aa baa beeu abundantly
demonstrated in tie perfection to which the art of
jugglery baa been carried by the Japanese and their 1
brethren of tbe MliMle Kingdom. I
la proverbial stores tbe mandarins are wealthy? I
tbe language baring been made exceedingly graphic i
in this respect; and It M to tbe proven* of a people
that the philosopher must look for his material* by
means of which to anaiyie their modea of thought,
habltital and pertaining te everyday life. For in- i
stance, the proverb "ToTeal after a pin Is the bittern
of the ocean," which la Pekinese for the attempting
of something very difficult, comparss not un favor a- 1
My for expressiveness with the Yankee "To look for
a needle In a hayloft." The former olyviously ]
springs from a people who dwell In junks, ayj are in
the babit of losing pins In tho ocean; tbe Irvtter from
armors agricultural people, who have gathered grass
Into borus, and comprehend the difflculijrof Hading I
a needie among It.
cat leading a rat to sec the feast tflanterns"? i
one bad man deceiving another by siAcious profo*- i
awns; "A tiger sating a fly," sx/ressivs of the <
ssnse of disproportion Sxpreened li^ English by "The
game's not worth the powder;" "A wooden tiger"?
metaphorical for bogtosor; "A tiger carrying a
cougar '?awkwardness sxprr,?d la English by
"lo sat with the left hand ;V "To stroke a Ugers 1
beard"?expressive gf tsm^tyi "Who enters tbe
tiger's dsn gets tue ifhal^ '-oaalvaleot la ' Mothlag
vanm* aoth^sg tarn a. semap*
in an orator shell "?to attempt sonMMnf tfread/
Impossible} '<a blind hen picking for jrorms," ex?
pressive of working without skill; "Oilk-ibing a tre*
for fish," looking for a thin* where it 1* moat uiu
likely to be found; 'To grind down a pestle for m
needle," a metaphorical expression for obatinats
perseverance; "When you talk oo the romA
there are ears in the grass," equivalent
to "Walls have ears," and "A candle In the wlnd/^
expressive of weakneaa of bodily constitution?all
these are proverbs which for graphic point are ex*
ceeded by those of no nation, not even by the Arabs,
most prolific of proverbs, or by the Italians, most
subtle in their application.
"Correct yourself before you correct others" ia so
expressive of moral sense that it is worth auotlng:'
"An ox with a ring in his nose" for a man wno con"'
trols his passions, or "A calf without a rlnir in his
nose" for an ungovernable youngster are two proverha
which have no Kuropean equivalents and express
most immediately a couple of the main principles of
tue philosophy of Confutsee; and "Aftor the pig U|
killed then speak of the price," for to take advantage
of accidental circumstances for extortion, is s?
graphic that it is a wonder that it has not ere now
been universally adopted.
A^aln, the proverb "Where there is musk there
will be odor without standing in the wind," to express
the idea *hat talent and worth will exhibit
themselves in spite of unfavorable circumstances, ia
worth romemberlng, besides convoying a useful leason
to persons a little too Intensely inclined to wind
their own bugles. "The heart of a man and th?
maw of an ox," expressive or avarice, has, on the
other hand, less merit about it; while "To mistake ?
squire for an emperor," not to discern essential differences
In things, is happy and applies elsewhere
than In Canton. "A rat and a cat to sleep together,'*
bad people to attempt to agree, is expressive enough
In Its way, though there are several better ones In
English alretidv; "A thief's mouth with pearls ia
it," for a dinsemb'ing villain, is more fclicltous;
while "The dog lords It over the cat's rice," may b?
imagined very graphic when accompanied by a real
mandarin shrug of a pair of shrivelled shoulders. Hxpressive
of commercial shrewdness and withal very
forcible is "A basket of grain to a pound of meat,''
for an unprofitable Investment; while an "Oily
mouth and a heart like a razor" is a proverb demonstrative
of the fact that villains are not particularly
scarce In that country; "A toad studying astronomy
In ft well" for A nprann with AnntV<u>tMl IdAfiJi lk
graphic onougu and grotesque enough for a mandarin
to flud no fault with it; and "To nourish a rat to
cat a hole lu one's bags" is far more subtly sarcastic
on the ingratitude of men bofrlended that even the
hackneyed "To warm a snake to be bitten by it"
which dates from the old classic fable. "Every day
four ounces of sin" is good theology according to
ConfUtsee as well as according to the West,
minster Confession, though the proverb hu
the advantage of tiio Confession in point
of terseness and vigor of expression. "The man has
grasshoppers In his head and they bite him," which
is Italian for a man with a dozen hobbles or a man
of hobbies and nothing else, though celebrated, haa
hardly any pith In comparison with the way they
express the same idoa iu Pekiu, viz:?"To have flea*
in one's head," which has never been exceeded in its
metaphorical application to the oppressive, restless
biting of a special hobby in one?? head.
The cuises of tho mandarins are less forcible and
would strike a European as rather bombastic and
boyish. "May the Ave emperors seize you;" that is,
may you be stricken with pestilence; "May you be
fried in a caldron of boiling oil;" "May your tongue
be cut off"May you be thrown on a mountain of
knives;" "May the fish devour you;" "May yoa
be devoured by the dragon;" "May yon be buried
in a white co'tln;" "May tho crows pick your eyes
out.;" and "May your corpse be eaten by dogs"?all
these are curses which would hardly Btartle a European,
though to a mandarin they are strong enough
for ordinary purposes?forming the articulate grapeshot
of conversation aud answering exceedingly well
for want of something more forcible, and as the
cursed of a nation are national the a&ove examples
will servo sufficiently to Illustrate the national
temper, though it must bo added that, for olcenity
in their curs ng, of which specimens cannot be
oflteied, the (nicer denizens of tne Middle Kingdom
and the teu-gatlierers of the earth must be permitted
to weur tho cap and bolls of the utmost proficiency.
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
?
An Inspector Charged by nu L'Jilor with
DIaklnft a "False and Fraudulent " Retnrn
to Be Tried.
The Doard of Health yesterday afternoon held ita
regular meeting, Judge BoeworthJn the chair.
The counsel to whom was referred the lettor of Mr.
Robert Bonner, complaining of an alleged untruthful
report against certain lots or his in Sixth avenue,
reported that be had written a letter to Mr. Bonnnr
asking him to make a formal charge against the inspector
If he knew that ho (the inspector) had
been "seen," as he had given it out in a forme*
letter. To this he received a reply, which he
read, In which Mr. Bonner, while reiterating that
the statements of the inspector's reports were false
concerning the unhealthy stagnant wators on his lots
In Sixth avenue, contended that he could not be ox?
pected to go about huatlng up evidence as to tht
1 nunnotnr'a hnlmr hrllitwi lkiit that it uraa nnmtntls
reported In the neighborhood tUnt the inspector had
i>con "8*en" nevertheless. In concluding Mr.
Rouner said that he had been obliped to abandon
Ills country scut tn West Morrisanla, which ha
had bought to "please his wife and left to save his
life." bemuse the Board had not acted eo a* to pnl
an end Wt the snbealthiulness of the neighborhood,
caused by a stagnant pond In the vicinity.
On motion the original papers relating to the pond
In question were referred to the Sanitary Committee
for Investigation. A motion also prevailed that
full Investigation bo made Into the charges preferred
against one of the Inspectors by Mr. Bonner,
thjit the lns[>eotor had sent to the board a**false and
fraudulent" return as to the condition of certain of
certain of his, (Mr. Bonner's) lota In this city.
The Investigation will take place on the 2d o|
June, when Mr. Bonner will be summoned before the
Board. It was resolved on motion to oommenea
suits against 180 tenement, house owners for violation
of the tenement house law?t'ae flrst suit to M
against one Burns, of Brooklyn.
A resolution that an inspection of the water clouts
of the ferry, steamboat and railroad companies In
tli? Metropolitan district he made was passed.
The following report of the Registrar of Vital Ststl
tics wan received:?
M*TRornuT*N Boarp or Hxai.th. >
Bcmcau or Vital Statistics, May 26, t?68 (
In the wcolc that ended on ftiiturdnv, the 23.1 Inft., thera
were 407 denllia in Now Y?rk. including 79 In public Instil iv
lionn. There wi re 127 deaths In I'.rnoklrn, besides 11 other*
that were returned as havlntc occurred in the county Inltltations
and street* beyond city limila.
Tlia diiTretice In Mm death rates of the two title* last
wn?k and all the (pring la worthy of remark, for It la the very
reverse of the e?i>erlenoe of toe laat two autumns. Tt?
death rates last week comoare as fol nws In t'. esp cities. omfU
tine a few laatltutlona not atrlctly belonging to themThai
of New York waa a* 2B.37 In 1,< UU Inhabitant* annual 7,
and that of Brooklyn 2J 30. But in September la<4
tba rate of mortality waa aa I52.M In I,ON
In the former, and aa In In tlia latter city. An Inapactlon
of the l?oal condition* under which occur the.ia
great fluctuatlona In the hea'thfulueta of the two ntlee and of
particular dlatrlota In each will ahow that the causae are no4
alillrult to dlaoover. Oonclaely atatert, ire may correctly aaf
thitiwUlle In New York the chief eiceaa of mortality la I nth
mately a*aoc fated with bad banning and the neglect of sanitary
cleansing among the poor, Brooklyn auffera moatlr la
hi>r undralned dlatrlota. The 8awar Commltalooera of tha
latter city, while pushing on their work through the aluma off
the sixteenth and the aaturated ground* of the Eighth and
Ninth warda, are reducing the death ratea there. But In New
York there are evil* thai no aewer commission alone cam
remove. No leaa than 70 per cent (SS) out of KM) of lit*
deathe war* found laat week to have occurred In crowded
tenementa, while only 08 peraona died In all other dwelling^
hotela, Ac., In the city.
Zymotic diseases hare ranldly Increaiad during the pad
fortnight, yet acarlatlna, which killed forty children In tba
week in the two cltlea alone, laepllemlc But the Increaaa
of Infant mortality In filthy and crowded quartern ta noticeable?
VM per cent of all the deatha In New York, and 3TJ9
per cent or all In Brooklyn were Infanta un*Jer one year of
age. It waa the rainiest week of the wetteat May In man*
yeare. The total rainfall amounted to 14 Incbea depth or
water. The mean temperature waa &! degrees Fihrenbettt
the average degree of atmoapherle humility waa * , total
aaturatlon being toil There have been nine Inohee of rainfall
In rour weeka, and the average atmoapberlc humidity baa
kept np to 7S. Whatever mav be aald of the aeaaon and ?l
sanitary want* In the metropolis, we know that even tba pooreat
claaaea fare better than In Olaagow, where the death rata
wan HI per I,nu0. and In Vienna, where It waa 43 per 1,m> tba
fourth week In April. But London tteadby leuorts a rata of
on.'y S3 per I.0CU. E. HARRIS.
NEW JERSEY.
Jeraey City.
Caittrr or an Alijaid Bt'itolar.?On Sntnrrtay
last a ninn entrred Allrn'a Hotel. In Hndann rttv.
mil taking advantage of the absence of the In ma tee
from certain rooms In the house carried off $1M
worth of clothes and articles. On the name day UM
name Individual entered the residence of Postmaster
ureene. In (irand street, Jersey City, Mrs. (ireene belug
the only member of Uie family In the house at ttom
time: so that the prowler escaped. Yesterday defective
McWiiilams pursued a suspicious character on
board a ferry l>oat and arrested nlm just as be wan
Hopping off at the f?>ot of Cortland t street, whence he
was conveyed hack to Jor-ter. Tins man, H Is alleged,
Is the thler in both instances, lie gives his name ae
Patrick McCabe.
acddxn I>katn.?A ninn named Daniel Murphy,
ivho resided at the corner of Washington and Mouth
Eighth streets, died suddenly on Monday ntuht* Thn
Yields of deceased did not notify tlio coroner, bat
lie letter will inquire into the^cau*o.
Htiim City*
Otk* ANn Termwbr Cocrt.?William Miller wu
'onnd guilty yeeterdey of being an accomplice of the
:o?iTtct Rngelhardt to the robWry at tbe weehawten
Hotel.
ATrufrTND Bcicm*?A prfsoneT named Thome*
MoUoy attempted to commit suicide by hanging
Himself In his celt on Monday night. Fortunately l?
wee discovered by n watchman before it was too
late, though he wee quite Insensible when (rut down-/
A pretty bit of romance is given In explanation or
the affair. Moihjy received a leuer from a dear on?|
a few days ago, in which the writer ttyew Mm it.
despair by renislac to receive his attentions any further,
ana le wee heard by id* f^low prisoner* t?
declare that he would pat an end '/This esisteaoe.
oixiML Wnion is put forw ard for Oncrem thin
fall. The InJustloe done Wr^ last eiectlMi by tit*
p?M ooonty (Mention l<vt the Fifth dfctrlct to tM
democracy, tad l>tt proposed to atone for thnerro#
mwk
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