The New York herald. [volume], April 05, 1878, Page 6, Image 6

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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NEW YORK HERALD
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT,
] ROVR1KTOK.
1I1E PAILY HERALD, (wMUfI retry auy itt the yrvr.
Mm*# trill per oopf (Minrtav* exeludad). Ten dollar* per
Jt?i. i* ut it rale uI onu doll.ii |i?-r nioull) >?r hujt |>? '''?<>
than alx uioulba, or live dollar a fur ais luuntka, huoday
edition Included. Ireo ol pouaite.
WEEKLY llb.UALU.-Oua dollar per jeur. tree ut port
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.?In order te luaure alien.
1K I1 Ml1 rcrlliere wiahlux ibeir uddri-it el>autf?d uiual give
II.. Ir III uk welt aa their now nd'lreaa.
/II I luiuaw. uewa leilera or telegraphic deapiUetiea muni
l< i i'i r. -hdl Nkw Youk IIkualo.
I rllw Hiid pack*).'** aliould lie properlr eealad.
I t-Jtiud couiuiuuk-alioua will nut bo returned.
I llU.AUF.LPIIlA Oh KICK* Ma 112 BOL'TII SIXTH
t T u K KT
VMxK 'office OK THE MEW YORK HERALD
NO. 4*1 PLKKT HTKKI-T.
i A His UKKI0E-4H AVENUE 1>K L'OPF.RA.
A in' i imi* exhibitor* ut the tutu milieu.i' rantotM
II ut 'rttrr* {O jiontjuiul) tulUi io tltt lareo/ our rutu
tjbi * h ** iff t\u/ur.
SAll EM OPWCK NO. 1 8TRADA PACK.
t- ul.acrlptlnua and ntlviillutme li will ,"1 received ana
lbiwurded on the tumt term* ua In New lurk.
vuli;ib xun no. 'jd
AMUSEMENTS TO-NIGHT.
FIFTH AVENUE HALL-llKH.itit'? Wo?M?
WALLACE'S THEATKf.-l>irLu?ACr
UNION SQUARE THKATKK-A CklkssaTIO Cas*.
CilLMORE'S GARDEN? Urn at Lonuo> Ciucus.
rim AVENUE THEATRE?U*?m Tom's Cami*
hew YORK AQPAEIPM- Buoscao HOttSKS.
bowery THEATRE?Liai'KT.
BOOTH'S THEATRE?Mis4 Ukllogc's BsMtriT.
MHLO'S OARDEN-Ckaioa Diioul.
BTANDARD THEATRE-KakchoX.
broadway THEATRE?Tiik^Exilks.
OERMANIA THEATRE?Hamxahx'* iokciitko.
WEST SIDE TI 1EAT 1:E l'nci.k Tu*'3 Oabik.
PARK THEAThE?Ouu Hai ii i.oks.
OltAND OPEKA HOUSE?Tiik I ohkmia.1 UlltL.
TlVoLI THEATRE-Vauibtt.
EGYPTIAN hall?VauTktt. _
9AM KRAACISC'O llINRTKf.bM?Tub Kcnxy Baiiis.
JlhW american .MUShUM? CuillOMTIKS.
academy OK DEsIHJii?Akt Exhibition.
TONY PASTOIt'S- Vaku.tv.
(UE.lTKE COMIQCE?A I'mcKUW IIauo Cask.
TBI PLOF?^
SEW YOUK. H:il>\Y. APi:iL~l8T8?
Important Notice to Advertisers.?To
insure the proper classification of udcert'minents
it it ubttolutely tucentiry that they he handed in
before eight o'clock every etcning.
The probabilities are that in A'eic York and
iU vicinity to-day it will he cool and cloudy, with
ruin and followed by clearing ireather. 'To-mor
row it n ill tte wanner and /tartly eli.itdy or fair.
Wall Street Yestkuday.?'liiu btuck iiuir
ket *n? uctivo iiml strong. (io!d wiis stoutly
lliiUM^liout tbc tlu\ ut 101. (Suvoi liiuc-ut bunds
ww lii^lior, st.iti-m Htcmly luxt l uilri u<ls strung.
NittHfj' oh call was Motive ut 7 por cout, with ox
ct!|itinits iih h'j^i us l-Ilii ol 1 per ouut per ilioin,
with iutc:out.
I'oi.iv will <lwwu to histon ?h tho lunt ol the
di'iiioi iiilic I ?oui lvct jK-ih. llu untl his ulHoo wore
uboli?hotl yostortltty.
The W moiim;, lutlon with ^outls for thol'uris
Kx|HMltioii, loromiuoiMMss hor vo\ugC this week.
Nil.- will hurtlly be in tiiae lur thu u|>oiiiug.
Md.nmoi tii 1'aiik ruce truck, whit-h hus seen
to iiiuiiy ??gui'M" in tho good ol.l tluys, will itsolt'
to tu-du^?under tlio humuier ol tho uuotioneer.
1'iik Wine and Lkjiok business seem* to bo
looking up. Tlic imports during March were
larger tliim those of January luid February put
together.
Hotel Men and bourditiK liouwt kcepert can
legally seize the baggage of their delinquent
(guests, but (bey must not touch the gland piuno
?o the colli ts decide.
Theiie Is STij.i. .Stmt IlufK tor the opponents
of steam on the Belt KuHroud. The Mayor ban
determined to bear aigunu-uts bcluro signing tho
resolution of t lie Aldermen.
ViUuiNia is to be congratulated. A dcci>4bn
by ber Supreme Court of Appculs virtually kill** I
tbe repudiation movement and saves ber Jrom
the pitfalls of some of ber pestiferous politicians.
In THE Ol'IMON ol tbe Attorney (iencral tbe
Superintendent ol 1'ublie Works bus tbe rigbt to
niakc all eunul :ip|M?iutuicnts whicli come under
tbe pbruse ?>1' tbe law "tbe care and manage
ment of tbe omuls."
PlTCHKit s win: having beeu dis|H>sed of tbe
Long Itrancb refoiincis are preparing to make
Dome ot tin- remaining justices lU'cotiiit lor tbeir
judicial stewardship. They evidently mean to
Uiake tbeir work tboroiigb.
'1 HE Lk.i^la j I UK, notwithstanding tbu untlti
plicity of its carts mid responsibilities, tiuds
time to devote a little attention tti literature. It
bus votetl itHi-lf at tbe public e.xpolise seventeen
hundred copies of that tluilliiig volume, "The
li.til road l(t ports," nt tMoaml a half itollars a
c?10
Ir Conoiii ss, by additional linui.ciul tinker- |
lug. binders or delays tin- resumption ol specio
puj mciils it w ill not be tlic limit ot Secretary
Sherman. llis views on tbe subject were iully |
?ml Ireeiy given to olie of its committees ycstcl- '
Uu> . All Congress bus to do now is to keep it a
buitds ott ami let well enough alone.
Utu MlMftTEIt To Ouei.ck. Ocncrnl Read,
turn, wc it re iu Ion tied by cubic, reccivctl the
tbuiiks of our goveriiineut lor bis prompt and
?tticiciit protection of American citizens anil in
terests during tbe late troubles iu the little
?louurchy. It in at all times grutif) iug to know
that our representatives abroad are doing tbeir
duty ami that their effort* ure appreciated at
the home hcudqiuirtcra.
The Weather.?The depression, embracing
two centres of disturbance. bus now advanced to
the Atlantic const and extends from "New Kng
luiitl to Florida. 'I be centre of lowest
pressure moving along the western slope of the
Alleghany Mountains represents u low degree
of energy, but that one moving over the
viciuity of Cupe llattcias is developing
into a storm of considerable force.
. Heavy ruins have fallen on that section
of the roast, anil rnin to a lesser degree iu
tbe Ohio Vulley region. The peculiar
distribution of pressure* at present docs not
tuvwr tbe development of u general disturbance,
but those that are already organised may prove
lucully severe. Tbe prcvuiliug winds on the
oouat are northeasterly northward of Cape llut
teras ami westerly to southwesterly southward
of that point. West of the Alkghany range
tbe winds iu-c chiefly from the northward except
III Minnesota where they are southerly. Cloudi
ness prevails ou the coast ami in the Missouri and
Upper Mississippi valleys. Klsewhere the weather
is fair or clearing. Tbe lowest temperature is
over Maine aud New Brunswick, ami the high
est iu the West. Over the Central districts a
?very uniform temperature prevails. Iu New
York and its vicinity to day it will be cool and
cloudy, probably with rain and followed by
c learing weather. To morrow it will be warmer
41 lit I parti; cloudy or fair.
War Probabilities.
An important despatch from the Russian
capital imlicut? s tlio eff< ct produced there
by the document that is called England's
ultimatum, though *'*' inclined to re
gard tliis document as so little ultimate
that, but for the Hibernicism, we should
say England will probably issue several
more ''ultimatums" before she fights,
'there will be a great muuy moro "last
! words'* belore we get the first blow. Indeed,
this document is rather in the nature
of tho loud defiance of Chanticleer,
delivered Irom a proud position on
the top rail, at a moment when he
has reason to believe that a rival and an
enemy is within sound of his voice. And
the sequence will bo appropriate to that
resemblance. There will be defiance and
counter defiance, challenge and reply, many
times repeated before all intervening obsta
cles a*o overcome and the gallant combat
ants rush to the encounter and meet body
to body in mid air. 1'iiuce Gortschakoff is
to deliver an answer forthwith, which, it is
said, will satisfy Austria as to those points
of the treaty in regard to which she hesitates
and will be "an ultimatum lor England."
Hereaguin, perhaps, the word ultimatum is
to bo understood less in its proper sense
than as the designation of a document pre
sumed to be giave, severe, critical und more
or less unanswerable. Thus by England's ex
am pie the situation bids fair to bo discussed
in tho absence of tho congress as amply as
it would have been if that project had not
failed, with a difference in favor of publicity
and fair play. Instead oi a small circle of
titled personages chatting in a musty room
in Berlin or iu a sunshiny purlor at Baden
Baden, and settling by their personul antip
athies and misunderstandings the late of
half a million soldiers, whose lives are on
the liu/ard of the die, and the luture posses
sion of southeastern Europe, tho case is heard
in the open nir?plead in tho full day,
with the civilizal world as audience and
chorus 1 ngland utilizes the press for a
grand occasion, and appeals to it to redress
a beam that was against her, as tried by the
tests of diplomacy. She has presented her
case in her own note in downright terms,
and if the Russian answer is not less direct
und explicit the British Foreign Secretory
is at least a man who can take what comes in
that wuy without wry laces. Our news sus
tains tho opinion that Ignatieff did not fail
at Vienna, as the British correspondents re
ported he did. He has done wnat was pos
sible to clear up the case between the two
capitals, and if lull confidence may bo put
iu the stutement that the Russian Chan
cellor is not averse to war it must be sup
posed that he believes Austria will not bo
with England against Russiu, even if we re
ceive with doubt the rumor of Tchernaieffs
new mission.
As the interests come oat moro sharply in
discussion it is seen how important may be
the position of Germany. From Berlin are
given out precisely balanced opinions.
Words are printed and many of them that
lavor Russia's views ; but no sooner do these
see the light than haste is made as if to es
tablish the lost equilibrium of a diplomatic
world to put forth the same number of
words as nearly as may be in a precisely con
trary sense. So diligently und skiliully is
this done that the policy of Germany is
known merely from tho declaration that. it
will stir only in regard to German interests.
Yet as German interests will certainly be
involved if throe great Powers are at war
iii Europe, that declaration has only
whetted curiosity to know what Ger
man interests will seem to the Colossus
worthy military attention, and whose house
will be in danger when the moment conies
to which that declaration perhaps looked
forward. Is it the Germany that is within
tho artificial circlo of the Austro-Hun
gariun monarchy to which the Man of Iron
turns his eyes ? Is it the Germany that is
over the llussian frontier, an Eastern ana
logue of Alsajj-Lorraine ? Or is it that
tempting acreage on the sea?thut flat and
pleasant pathway to tho maritime world?
tlmt lies between tho groat Empire and its
commercial future ? Whose hands do they
especially wish to see tied by a great war?
Austria's, Russia's or England's? That is
the one gie.it enigma of the situation
in Europe to-lay. If that point were
known it would insure peace. Unknown
it Imvm open all tho possibilities of war.
That is the reason why it is not known.
At any moment a declaration made in lier
lin would shut up all the arsenals. Moro
than lhat, a maladroit phrase which would
give any clear indication of a German pur
pose to be pursued in the event of war?that
should point out tho prey to be swooped
u|kiu when the hands of those who might
interpose are oilierwiao engaged?would be
as effectual as a declaration. Hut neither
is the declaration made, nor can the hint be
uauglit by those who have watched
two year* to hear it. England has
stood in fear that time, and is no
wiser now than in 187<i, when she apolo
gized to Prince Bismarck for a discourteous
reference to him made by the English
Prime Minister in a bellicose bit of bun
combc over the walnuts and tho wine. Ger
many is the Sphinx of tho hour, and they
cannot guess her. They will not all be
eaten up us a conscquencc, but some of
thein must pay the penalty to her territorial
appetite. For there is but one point cer
tuin in the case, and that is that .extraor
dinary pains have been taken to so con
ceal Geiinan views that not a leather might
bo castby them as an obstaclo to war; and
that means that Germany wishes war.
Fortunately, wo aro ourselves in a posi
tion from which we can view tho possibili
ties of the great conflict that seems immi
nent without the anxious interest of na
tions likely to be involved in its slaughter
and ruin ; and, while the American people
aro not indifferent to those aspects of the
case that have regard to humanity, they are
not feeble on the side of that humanitarian
moonshine which deprecates war as the
greatest of evils. ISut the war will, with
regard to England, possess for us an inter
est special to the relations of a mari
time and commercial rival ; an interest
similar in its nature to that which Kngland
felt in so lively and practical a way in our
own desperate civil conflict. Indeed, the
speotacle of England at war and the United
States recovering in virtue of the conflict
some portion of ita maritime greatness,
while it will reverse what the world saw
fifteen years ago, will be as much less offen
sive as the recovery of one's own always is to
the seizure of that which belongs to another.
For if we are to benefit in any way by Eng
land's trouble it must be, and we believe
will be, honestly and honorably. If Russia
can equip in uny part of her dominions or
purchase elsewhere cruisers competent to
hold their own against British cruisers and
efficient to sweep the seas of British com
merce we shall contemplate that fact with
lively sympathy for Russia, and without
tears for England, who gave herself no un
necessary distress for our feelings when she
did her utmost to deprive us of the com
merce that she is now, perhaps, to lose. But
this result must be achieved by a nation
legitimately at war with her, and not
through any assistance rendered by our
shipyards' through abuse of our neutral
ity
A Test Of Popular Dramatic Taate.
We have never fallen into the belief of
those who assert that dramatic creations of
a high and pure order, however ably pre
sented on the stage, would fail of popular
support. The occasional success of out
rageously sensational, farcical or immoral
pieces has led some short sighted commen
tators on the public taste into the expres
sion of very despondent opinions. If these
Jeremiahs of the theatrical art require a
complete refutation of their gloomy fore
bodings we advise them to visit Wallack's
Theatre and witness the delight and appre
ciation with which crowded and cul
tured audiences nightly greet the pro
duction of "Diplomacy." Here is a play
utterly removed from the sensational, mor
ally pure nnd of high literary excellence,
which enchains attention by wholly legiti
mate methods and the display of emotions
which are deep but not repulsive. But
when it is also noted with what thorough
excellence the play is presented, how the
individuality of the highly trained artists is
sunk in the characters they personate, with
what richness the piece is mounted and
what close attention is paid to the smallest
detail, the secret of its triumphant succcss
will be understood. It is, in a word, a fino
play finely acted which New York demands,
and tliut is something which may be always
witnessed at Wallack's. The present play
at that theatre deserves special atten
tion because it succeeds a series of
revivals of standard English comedies,
some of the best in our literature. Although
"Diplomacy" is taken from the French it
appears stripped of those deleterious quali
ties which have made so many otherwise
fine Frcnch plays objectionable. The
power and beauty of the original drama are
preserved, and in the process of giving it a
vernacular dress it has been made a still
more perfect piece of dramatic art?some
thing very rare in adaptations. On this
point we may add that since our criticism
on the play in Tuesday's Hebaxo Mr. Wal
lack has adopted our suggestion of cutting
portions of the first and second acts, which
bore somewhat too much on English politi
cal questions, and now it is acted without a
possibility of alteration for the better.
To Mr. Wallack himself ono word of addi
tional commendation is due for his devo
tion to art in taking tho comparatively un
important pnrt of Henry Heauclerc, in order
to do which he hud to decline several lucra
tive offers to "star." If, however, he is
simply a sort of spinal column to his best
friends during tho early part of the play, in
the last act he takes the burden on his
shoulders and plays with all his grace and
comedy power to the Call of the curtain.
"Diplomacy," on the whole, is better acted
than in London, and wo advise none of our
readers to miss seeing it, even if it keeps,
as it now threatens, the actors from their
summer holidays. It will run without stop
ping to take breath to the end of tho regular
Bcason.
T?lm?g('l Troth.
We did not err in thinking that the Rev.
Thomas De Witt Taim&ge would have the
best of tho quurrol with the 'J'abernaclo
trustees. They have gone forth howling
and he remains giving vent to stentorian
chuckles. Morgan, whj played the organ,
and who was alleged to be the slave of somo
British convivial tendencies, is championed
by the sturdy pastor. Altogether the late
trustees must feel as though their voluntary
exit Iroiu tho Tabernacle was hastened as by
the concentrated kick of forty mules. 'J hoy
are now out in a cold world where the salvo
of symputhy is scarce. Mr. Talmago de
clares that ho teels himself relieved of
aehing teeth. This is in u certain senso
very satisfactory, lor something of the kind
lias of late had a terrible effect
upon the reverend gentleman's jaw. As
far as Mr. Talmago is relieved of
actual pain ho is to be personally con
gratulated, but there is something else to
bo taken into consideration. What will bo
the effect of this reliet upon his sermons ?
Will they, when the reverend gentleman
is no longer cavorting and grimacing under
the influence of the toothuche, be the same
spirited exhibitions as of yore? Were theso
aching toeth, over the loss of which he is so
joytul. tho secret of his power? Is it possi
ble that, like Samson without his hair,
Talmnge without his teeth?his aching
teeth?will prove no moro vigorous than
tho averuge mild cumto of tho Anglican
Church? Those are formidable questions,
and the future alone cun answer them.
Tho fat ot tho Strasburg goosu's liver,
which delights the epicure, is said
to bo diseased tissue. Are Talmage's
greatest, most acrobatic sermons of simi
larly diseased origin? We have seen it
hinted, but we nevor believed it until now.
This is very serious, for tho Tabernacle
congregation must, for reasons we have al
ready stated, be kept together at all hazards.
If there is found to bo any diminution in the
force of his remurks and gestures let some
thing bo done. It may be neoccssary to
give Mr. Talmage's teeth a fresh twist
every Sunday morning, but his friend Mr.
Morgan might accomplish it with an ordi
nary piano tuner's key. In this way ho
eould bo tuned up to Tabernacle pitch in a
few moments, with an extra twist lor great
occasions, and the datiger of his congrega
tion being scattered over tliu churches of
Brooklyn entirely removed.
Mr. Scott, P. R. I., a?? tit* UtrtM
W?atb?r Fr?4ietUB?i
On February 22 we laid before our readere
a detailed statement of ths results of our
undertaking in warning the coasts of Europe
of tbe approach of storms. The basis of
comparison between the predictions and
the European weather of the days to whioh
they related rested chiefly on the bulletins
and ohurts issued daily to the press and
public by the Meteorological Office, London,
and published in the Times with the utmost
regularity. Although we drew our data for
comparisons from other sources, such as
the liulitiin International of the Observatory
of Paris, the British and the French
and other Continental press, the ship
ping reports ot the Hbuald and the meteor
ological reports furnished by the captains
of oceun steamers to tho Herald Weather
Bureau, (he chief one was, lor obvious rea
sons, that which tho British public recog
nize as official. We were not awaro at the
time tho statement was being prepared that
the secretary of the Meteorological Council
in London, Mr. llobert H. Scott, F. it. 8.,
was engaged on a similar comparison of our
predictions, and which he has since pub
lished in the Nautical Jlayazine for March and
also in pamphlet form.
liecognizing from the commencement of
our undertaking that the supporters of old
views on meteorology would probably take
exception to our system and its novel fea
tures, and endeavor to discredit our claims
to success by a strictly legitimate criticism,
wo took special care to limit these claims to
what was warranted by evidence, not of
our own creation, but coming from such
unquestionable sourccs as we have already
named. On the other hand, we were pre
pared to defend our system of predictions
on tho basis of the records to which we
have referred, expecting theso only to be
used on the other side of the question ?that
is to say, we were prepared to meet criti
cism that was fortified by facts. Mr. Scott
lias, however, adopted a treatment of tho
record, for the purpose of sustaining his
views, that appears to us to bo wholly at va
riance with uny legitimate deductions which
can be diawn therefrom, if figures and plain
English count for anything. What makes
this all the more remarkuble is thut these
bulletins and charts, which are accepted as
correct enough for our purpose, have issued
irom the office of which Mr. Scott is
the chief. It is not that we read the
evidenco in ono way and Mr. fc'cott in
another, but that that gentleman actually
contradicts point blank the statements of
tho bulletins and charts which have been
issued with his authority from time to time
to the press and published as official.
In another page of to-duy's Herald we have
devoted as much space as could be spared 10
the subject und cited particular instances
of this conflict of opinion between Mr.
Soott, the Secretary of the Meteorologic il
Council, and the same gentleman as a pri
vate individual criticising tho Hekald
warnings. We should not have noticed his
effort to disparage our work but for tbe
weight his official position musk necessarily
give to his statements, and whioh are
doubly misleading coming from such a
source. We can only say that when tested
by tho published records Mr. Scott's
opinions are mainly at variance with what
might bo reasonably expected, and .when
compared with the meteorological facts re
lating to tho predictions it is impossiblo to
perceive on what ground he can entertain
them. Tho Herald, in n spirit of journal
istic enterprise, baa undertaken a work in
which all unbiassed persons recognize the
desire to lessen, if possible, the dangers of
navigation and the losses to other interests
from storms. Bo long as the predictions
provo correct so long must they be ex
tremely useful to all who receive them.
'Whether the atmospheric laws on which they
arc based meet the approval and acceptance
or otherwise of scientific men matters very
little so long as tho results are bencfioial to
those they are intended to reach. Fortu
nately, however, lor the cause of intelligent
in\ estimation and progress, the merits and
success of our predictions are freely ad
mitted by nearly every scientist who hug
taken the trouble to examine them, and we
can console ourselves with tho belief that
they will continue to be appreciated by the
public, Mr. Scott'B adverso opinions to tho
contrary notwithstanding.
Local DUtliudlim.
Our reports from tho Methodist confer
ences which convened on Wednesday in this
city and in Brooklyn will show two or three
things that will impress a stranger unfavor
ably. Whilo the process of debt paying is
going forward comuiendably in other placos,
Dr. Ciawford reported that four churches in
the New York district of his conference had
mortgaged their property lor current ex
penses. It this thing he continued a few
yours will eat up the property and*kill tho
Church. Another church is greatly embar
rassed financially, and may be lost to tho
denomination. We are glad to be assured
on such good authority that Methodism is
not declining in this city or Brooklyn; and
yet the IIkrali/s article last week lias been
substantially indorsed on all points, and
emphatically on this, by members of the
Preachers' Meeting. There are some figures
connected with its growth horo that look
very like decline, but perhaps they can be
made to Toot up an increaso by the denom
inational statisticians. If the people have
not decreased, the benevolent collections of
the churches have, and one of the ministers
stationed at Yonkers has withdrawn from
the conference. During tho year four min?
isters withdrew also from tho New York
Kant Conference. Judging by the debate
in this body it is inclinod to cut its
candle at both ends. It wants to got rid
of inefficient old men, who may have done
good work for tho Church in years past, and
of possibly inefficient young men who seek
to enter the ministry, or who, having en
tercd, have disappointed somo of their
brethren and somo churches. It is a pe
culiar position to take, and yet, under some
circumstances, it is undoubtedly better for
both classes affected that it should be done.
The federal government retires its judges
when they attain the age of seventy years
regardless of their efficiency or mental
power. 1 hero ought to be a limit of effec
tive work in tho ministry as well as in the
law. The proper method of retching that
end is the delicate point to be oonsidered.
We do not think the way proposed is the
best?to retire men arbitrarily. Aged min
isters have rights which their younger
brethren are bound to respect, and we mis
take the character of Methodism in those
two cities if it consents to the process pro
posed in the New York East Conference.
Approaching Transit of Mereory.
Scientific investigation and particularly
astronomical observation are receiving a
grand impulse and winning wonderful suc
cesses through the intelligent co-operation
of the telegraph authorities in this country.
We print to-day a notice and circular,
signed by Admiral Hodgers, Superintendent
of the Naval Observatory, Washington, and
the President of the Western Union Tele
graph Company respectively, announcing
that facilities are to bo afforded by
the latter for the transmission of
hourly time signals to all parts of the
country during tho first ten days of
Muy and for the benefit of intend
ing observers of the transit of Mer
cury May 5-6. By this means the
observations can be made synchronous
wherever they are possible throughout the
United States, and consequently important
relations can be established between them.
The Astronomical Commission sent out by
tho French government to observe the
transit of Mercury will fix its headquarters
for the purpose in Utah Territory. Consid
erable interest attaches to this astronomical
event, especially because of the improved
means of obseivation now at the disposal of
astronomers. The great relructor of tho
Naval Academy will doubtless prove of ex
traordinary value in tracing the path of the
planet Mercury across the face of the sun.
It was by means of this instrument that the
moons of Mars were discovered.
1 WAThli'di or fonr-Flflhi.
Dr. Haj*es, who ie as enterprising as a
legislator as he is as an Arctic navigator,
has amended the bill relating to the New
York city government now before the Com
mittee of tho Whole of tho Assembly by 10
quiring only a two-thirds vote of the Com
mon Council to pass resolutions or ordi
nances involving the expenditure of money
or tho incurring of debt, instead of a four
fifths vote. The return to the old Ring
system was advocated by Dr. Hayes and Mr.
Alvord on tho part of tho republicans and
by Mr. Brooks and Mr. Grady on behalf of
the democrats, on the ground that nowhere
else in the State outside New York city is a
four-fifths vote required of a Common Coun
cil beforo it can pass such resolutions
or ordinances, and that " uniform
ity of action in the matter of con
tracting indebtedness and expending
the public inonoys" in all the cities of the
State is desirable. But it is very well
known that New York has been for years
and is to-duy subjeoted to special laws and
provisions of law which do hot prevail in
other cities, and this distinction, if justifia
ble in any direction, is oertainly justifiable
in the matter of tho creation of debt and the
expenditure of public moneys. No other
cities have debts of over a hundred millions
and annual budgets of over thirty millions, I
and in no other city has the Common Coun
cil lebs of the public confidence. Wd should
regard it as a misfortune to the taxpayers
nud to the people of the city generally if
the change proposed by Dr. Hayes should
be made.
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.
Now trsuapiant croquet hoop*.
Boury Clay Dean 1* tiio landmark of temperanc*.
Mr. Ctiria'.lan K. Ros* is still prosecuting hu search
In Uoatou.
Mrs. Socretary Slierman will Tint New York with
her 010090.
Tte Vico President goes to and from tbe Capitol la
a siroet car.
Senator Kirkwood, ol lowa, does not love collar*
ana nocktlos.
Tbe new upring handkerchiefs are hsrdly large
enough to flirt wlib.
A rn.'.n m.iy uo u good Christian and yet amack so
tbut you cuii beur Imu all over tbo lee aide ol a ros
tauraut.
Senutor Anthony cln^s to hla blue coat, but bo la
growing so Senatorial that ovary yoar lie baa tbo but
tor.a let out.
William II. C. Zaller, paying toiler of tbe American
National Bank, Detroit, baa disappeared with $5,Oou
of llio bank's luuds.
Hank Mouk, ilio lamoua stage driver and piouoer, la
to liavo bli Itle wriuou. It wua Its who toon Horace
Greeley over tho mountains.
Uuuy London laCioa aro adopting portion* ol tho
luikiab coatutnc. It may also bo tnontloned that Val
entine lJakcr has arrived in London.
Tina oountry I* atllictod with ineo wbo are oallod
architects, but wbo are only wood butchers. 1'boy
lmposa upou ignorant men wbo hare suddenly grown
rich.
Vrehter's dsugbtor, wbo has ancceodod so woll a*
Marguerite lu Louuou, I* dc*crib?d a* pretty and
youug. Her Kn^iUb pronunciation Is ssid to l>e
charming and purs.
Charles Wortbinglon, Anna M. Gangewer end
Amelia Rowland bave t>ees appointed to All the vn
&.ncie* In tbe Ilourd of Visitors to ths Government
Insane Asylum In the District ol Columbls.
A coromlttos of ladies baa besn formed in St Peter*
burg under the pitironsgs ot tho Grand Duches*
Catherias Mlctiaclovna to procure artificial legs atid
arms lor solJiors who have autrsred amputation.
Dentil* Kearney, the lender of tho California Com.
muusts, rceeutly Said puolicly of a Stato Senator,
"Uo mutt not 'jo aasuaiinatcd; but II he refuse* to re
sign lis must b* hanged in public on u day appolotod."
Miss Annie Roaocmn*, ths second duugbtsr of
General llosecrsns, Is suotii to snter tho Convent or
ths t'r.uliuea, at llrown ooumy, Ohio, whsrs her
eldor ststsr u.od, s prolesssd nuo, about ons mouth
agin
Mr*. W. S. Jackson, ol Colorado, whoformsrl.v wrote
poems or "H. It." (Helen Hunt), and who bsa boon
recently named as "Saxe Holm," was once fond ol
flirtation, but baa been twico married Sho Is mors
than forty and Inclined to be atont. Sho was a Nsw
Kngland girl.
Ybo late Pius IX, discontinued the anoisnt ceremo
nles when receiving foreign ambassadors, bscsuso bo
claimed hs was s prisonsr, Tho nsw Pope nas revivsd
-these ceremonies, and when Count Psar, tho Aaatriaa
Ambassador to ths Holy See, vlaitod the Vatl?au re
cently, all tbo old forms wsrs gone through lb tho
Tbroue Room.
Senstor Lsmsr soot this sentiment to Augusts, Gs.,
on lit Patrick'* Day:?"Tbe typical Irishman?Hla
home, tho world; his Irteuds, all tbe people; his faitb,
bis own ; no clime to him so cold as will not produce
a shamrock; no soil so barron as will not grow a shtl
islsb. Foremost at s light, s frolic or alunsral; his
goneroas nsture And* a blow lor tha bad, a amilo lor
ths glad or a tear lor the tad.''
Londou W'orW.?"Who knowa that tha fatbar In lha
Scriptural parable may not bava been alak of lha
smug airs sod the wearisome self-oomplaeence of hie
Urat born, aad that tha retara of tbo loat prodigal
may havo been hailed as a blessed rslief from tha so
ciety of the model youth who sat opposite him a very
day at dianer and bored him to sxtlnotton serosa tho
walnuts and lbs wins with a recital of bis owu vir
tues T"
AMUSEMENTS.
ITALIAN OPLKA?"MABTHA." AT BOOTH**.
Miss Kellogg and Miss Gary, Mr. Karl ud Mr.
Gottscbalk toads Flotow:s tuny little oper* o<
"Martha" very agreeable to n lair andlcnce *?
Booth's luit night. There la a large class amoni
our public to whom (his sparkling production It
quit* dsar, mid they bung upou most ol the wol
kno*n melodies with (Us enjoyment of a bo?
upon a houovHuckle. It the artiau can sing tbem ai
ult (boy sutisfy, and when (baro la nnytblni
exceptional lu tho singing (bey doligbt.
Tbe choruses wera all very bad, ym
tboy wera tolerated for what was to come alter id*as
MUs Keilotg looks charming us the uiasqucraliog
Lndy Henrietta and doca lull Justlco to tho music, bei
"List Koso of Summer" being greeted last night with
tucb applause as to be redomanded, wbw aho sang
a Terse ol Moore'a soog In Uugllsh. l'erhapa In suoh
sevorely simple melody bor volou eudures ltd greatest
teat. At times there was a tbinnoas in the tone sn<
a lack of leeling in tbe expression, but Iter phrasiat
Is so Intelligent and bur mixta atloa so arllstlo that II
nlmost seems hypercritical to call attention to lauiti
thut should lie laid n( (lie door of Father Tlmu ant
Mutuer Nature. MissCary's Nancy U so well Known
as a Que pieco of robust Kinging and coquettish, not
to ?sy tkiUisn, acting that wu need not particularIxa
its exoeilonoies. Tlic Lionel ot Mr. Karl was listened
to with ko.'u pleusuie, although there was a tear at
first that bo would not coin* tbrougb witn ?<J
vantage, owing lo a slight liuikluess in the Qrsi
act. He got ov.-r it bravely, however, uud gave (bi
well-known ??M'appuri" with ili.o finish and effect
even succeeding wltb a perilous eucoro. Tin
spinning wbeel quartet was not sung witc
ttie proper concert and passed without notice,
but tlio quintot and chorus "Ah! che vol ptrdoni,'
was piven witn such oltfecl that It was necessary t?
ring up tne curtuln lor its repetition in obedieuce te
tbe enthusiastic and determined cull of the wiiolt
bousr.
Miss Kollogg's bonollt takes place tbis evening
wbon we ure to linve acta from "iravlata," "Mlguon,"
"I'hc Huguenots" and "Uainlet?" with the assistance
of tbe entire company.
THE OUAND OI'ERA HOUSE?"BOHEMIAN OIBL."
Ths ever popular "Bohemian Oin" wu sung at tb?
Grand Opora House last evening by the Rubens Eng
lish Opera Company. Tlio cast was different Irom
that of Monday night, Miss Martinez tinging
Arline uud Mr. Stoddard appearing as the
Count. Miss Marfncz, who has bad con
siderable experience in opera, sang the music
01 her part In a sweet and pure soprano voice and dia*
pliyod couslderablo execution. Her acting was
piquant and gracelul and she was well received. Mr.
Stoddard, who is well known on tho concert stage ol
this city, possesses a well modulated baritone voice,
and he nia :e soma tine cllects last evening In the well
worn "Ho.irt Bowed Dowu," which woo an encore.
For an operatic beginner Mr. Stoddard acted very woll,
although ut times it seemed as though bis arms and
legs were almost mora than ho could manage. Miss
Kundali, who sung the Gypsy Queen, has ?
pieusatit mezzo-soprano voice, which she uses with
tus:e, and liar dramatic action Is gooJ, Devils
hoot was sung by Mr. Fclde, who slugs the musio
without a voice. He wus inclined to overact, par
ticularly when lie whirled tho Gipsy Queen
off the stugo in the second act. Mr. Euueno Clark
sung Ibaudous as on Monday ntgbt. The chorus
was largo and sang with spirit. Tne costumes are all
new uud brigbt. and the opiera is liberally placed upon
the stage. The introduction ol a ballet di vorusement
by the Menxelli sisters and Adele Pagliere was one ol
the louttires of the evening. The ballet muslo Is lur
n is lied by the Meuzeliis and Is tbe same they per*
forutod in "La Juivo" at the Academy ol Music. The
dancers wero called threo times before the footlights.
UNION LEAGUE THKATBE?INVITATION SOI BE*
MAGI QUE.
A charming entortalnment wu glfen last evening
at (be above named theatre under the auspices ol the
amateur maglcluns ol New York, the ooject of which
was to Introauco to the public Slgnor Ernest Patrizio
de Castigllonc, one of their profession*! brethren
who has recently arrived In Amerioa, with
tbe view ol presenting n series of per*
lormancos lUustrativo of tbe art diabolit/ue.
Tne audience was large and fashionable and tilled
every nook and corner of the pretty bijou of n play*
house, and if one may Judge from the warmth of the
welcome accorded to the stranger and tbe very sno
ce&slul manner in which be commanded applause, his
artlstlo future is not n matter ol question. Signoi
Castlgllone performs many excellent tricks In preeti.
digliution uud, though unable to speak English with
even tolerable Uueucy, surrounds tbem with a gr?c?
and delicacy ot manipulation that makes what la old
uppt ar orlgiual.
lie is usslsted by bis lady, Mme. Rita Gall Patricio,
who g;ves an extraordinary illustration ol the power
of memory. People In the audience write torty or
fifty names in any language or name any figures wnioh
she Instantly aud correctly repeats backward, for
ward or lu any way in whloh the test may be applied.
U..e ot tho most interesting fentures ol tbe ovenlug
was a revelation of the Davenport cabinot trick,
the meihod In which the brothers tie aud
untie tbomseives, ring oells, blow herns, and do other
supposed spiritual things. The science of table tip.
ping was also explained, although in the act some ol
tbe woll kuown amateurs ol the city wno sat around
uu innocent looking board round It lull of unexpocted
electricity and any amount ot whims. Taken all is
all the p?rlortnuuce was ono of the most enjoyable ol
Its kind lual has been witnessed here tor a long tlmtt
MUSICAL AMD DRAMATIC NOTES.
Tbe alder Mrs. aeguin la living In retirement In New
York.
Another ouiburst of ' Uncle Tom" at tlie National
Yl> ?? ire.
Mr*. Louise Oliver boa withdrawn from tbe English
Opera Company, now performing at tbe Grand Opera
House.
01 Murska, after travelling 00,000 miles, turns up la
tbe ft'okiern ollles witb Brignoli, Suslul and otbel
well known artists.
Miss Tbursby and bar troupe, under tba manage*
uicut of Mr. 0. H. Dittman, ta alnglng to large ait.
duncej In lite West.
Miss Mathildo riulllps Is about to take ber farewell
ol America for a little wbllo and will be tbe roeipleal
of un ovation In Uoaton.
McKce lUnkin is saia to bave purchased one ol tbd
Thousand Islands In ino Si. Lawrence River with tbo
proceeds of tuo "Danltss."
Sothern la reported to bave made a singularly sue
cestlul trip through ihe South and West, lie is play
ing this week In Cincinnati.
Tbo aaiaries of chorus slugera average about $'J$ a
week, exceptional prices being given lor good tenors,
who sro un important element.
Julea Verne's novels have not only attraotod the at*
tontion ol dramatio adapters bat created a taste In
l'srls lor scientific footllxbt subject#.
lubal Calu, tbe typical discoverer of music, la rep*
rt'seutcd la an old palntlag as very unprepoeeeslng
in appearance. "Music' beraolf Is onlmly baautllul.
Wagner promises a representation ol bis "1'arsilal"
at Ualreutn In iboeummer of 1890. It will Im pro
duced In tbe samo manner aa tne "King ol Nibeiuu
gen."
Ur. DnlT, tbe manager ol the Broadway Theatre, hat
caused to be prepared a unique miniature ol tbe ata^e
nod one or two of the bandaomest scenes In tbo
"Kxiies," which is to be distributed to tbe ladies sa a
memento ol tbe occasion.
At tbe I'ark Theatre this evenlag unuasl Interest
will attach to tba performance, luasmuen sa It la tbo
ooeaaton ol the benefit ol tbe two popuUr actora,
Messrs. Itobsoo aud Crane, who during tbe last twe
months huve given so much ploasure to tbe tboatro
going public in their play ol "Oar Bachelor*"
Miss Maggie Mliobell will appear next week at tbo
Standard Tboatro la "Lttile Darotoot." Her compli
mentary performance ol Yanchon, on Wedaaaduy, to
wbleh she invltod ber brotbera and slatera ol tbo
dramatic profession, waa one of tbo beat aha ever had
given, and la every way Illustrated tbe character of a
charming aetreaa aad a good woman.
Those wbo eajoy natural melody should lialea te
tbe negro chorus at tbe Fifth Avenue Theatre la
"Uaclo Tom's Cabin." The aingera bave been spe
cially aeleeted by Mr. 4. Pemberton Smith, who, aa s
Southerner, knew tisetlr where to pieoe ble hands oa
Ihe beat material, aad tho plantation soanes in which
tbey appear are full ol lifelike effects. There are
momente during the potiorasance of those aimole*
hearted negroes when oue scarcely knows whether t?
laugh or cry. Tbe ublof drawback ol the play la
that K is too long. It will advantageously hear ?
rstcvlug process.
Tbe laai public rehearsal of tho Philharmonic So
oiety takes plaee this altornoon at tne Academy ol
Musia Tbe orcbeetra will oonsist of one buudred
perlormers. Tbe programme is as fotiowa:?Muslo to
Oootbe'e "Kgmont," op. 84 (Heetbovee); a, overture
orcbestrs; b, eoug, "Tbe Drums Loudly Rattle," Mm a.
Kugenle Papponhelta | a, entr'aot, No. f, larghstto,
orchestra; d, sonf, "dladaess aad Hedaees," Mme.
Kugsnle I'appenbeim. Symphony No. 3, "Ocosn,"
op. 4U, (Kublnetetn); 1, allesro maestoso; 2, adagio;
3, allegro; 4, adagio non tan to; A, scberso (presto) -t
0, adagio?allegro cou fuoco Siegfried's Death,
Onalc, "Uuiterdlmmeraug,' Wagner. The laat cou?
I csri will bsgivou to-morrow ivenlnr.