10

THE MUSIC WORLD.

Timely Discussion of the Relationsof Choir and Congregation.

HARCHESI TO TEACH HI BOSTON.

Advent In Pittsbnrg of Two of the Coun-

try's Famous Pianists.

A BUDGET OP GENERAL K1WS ITEMS

Easter is the great musical day In thechurches. It is the chief church festivalfalling on Sunday and thus shared morefully by the denominations.It comes, moreover, at the season whenchanges in the personnel of the choir-lo- ft

mostly take place. The congregational eyeis fixed upon the choir to welcome the com-

ing or speed the parting guest, shouldone say?

It would, indeed, be pleasant if in allcases one could speak of the relation betweenchoir and congregation as like that betweenguest and host Better still would it be tobe able to say that the good people in thepews invariably take their musical helpersin and make them feel like members of thefamily.

"Why shouldn't they?"Oh," they say, "the singers andorcanist

Just come here because they're paid to. " "Well

whatot that? Sodoestbe pastor, as oneofthebest of our pastors pointed oat, apropos ofthis very question, in his parish paper theother dar.

And while treating their relation to thesingers as one of business merely, it is acurious iact that oftentimes church officerswill use toward them business methods thatthey would Ecorn to employ in their dailylife" Such instances have come within thewriter's knowledje not once or twice, 'butmany times. It is not a pleasant thing toenlarge uoon.

It the pood folk only knew it, thev couldlarcelv increase the efficiency of the choirby a constant spirit of encouragement, offellowship, appreciation a spirit mucnmore in place in the sanctuary than thecarping, fault-findin- g,

sentiment with which the choir is toooften barely tolerated.

But then maybe the singers and organistwould get more encouragement if they de-

served it better. There is too much'slip-sho- d,

crude musical performance in thechurches; the work grows perfunctory loooften. If each singer and player, no mat-ter how salaried or treated, will do his andher very best to deliver music's divinemessace to the listening congregation, thedesired result is much more likely to ensue.

Here endeth the Easter sermon.

A Teacher Who lias Succeeded.A deal of discussion, pro and con, as to

the merits of Mrs. Marchesi, the famousParisian tinging teacher, has been going onlaely in the Eastern musical journals.Those who have been so vigorously assail-ing her at long range may or may not relishthe news that they will soon have a chanceto meet her face to face.

Mrs. Marchesi intends to spend the sum-mer teaching in Boston. This informationis authoritative, coming directly from her-self through Mr. "William David Holmes,who has been in this citv, his original home,for a few days between Paris and New York,his late and future places of residence. Mrs.Holmes has for some vears been one ofMarchesi's favorite pupils. Mrs. Marchesihad made her decision to come to Americathis summer just before Mr. Holmes leftParis, and she gave him leave to announcethe fact on this side, though it had notthen been made public It is probable thatwith her will come Mr. Raphael Panrani,her best accompanist, who thoroughlyunderstands her method, and is said to be agood musician to boot.

However experts may differ as to Mrs.Marchesi's methods, her professional suc-cess has been extraordinary. For this fa-

mous teacher, who has produced a consider-able number of the foremost artists of theday, to plan to spend part of her timeteaching over here, is a most significant ele-ment in the attitude that musical Europe isnowadays assuming toward the wild "Wes-tern Continent.

.Another Treat for Flttitrars.

Two of our own country's foremostpianists, both much admired in Pittsburg,though not heard here for several seasonspast, are to be here .again within the nextfttr days. And it is two of our leadingmusic schools that are doing themselvescredit by bringing hither such artists amethod of attracting public attention vastlyto be preferred to the much too commonpublic pupil concerts, which often injurethe participants and neter benefit the lis-teners.

Mr. Edward Baiter Perry, of Boston,will ghe one ol his delightful lecture-recita- ls

at the Duquesne Conservatory ofMusic (Monday) evening. Mr.Perry, though deprived of sight, isa pianistof ample technique and of rare refinement.His verbal comments upon the composersand their works are models of their kind,as well for their instructs e content as forthe fine diction and engaging manner inwhich they are delivered. Few persons inthis line of work know so well how to com-bine information and entertainment.

Mr. "William H. Sherwood, ho has someright to be called the foremost of our na-tive pianists, is the other one alluded to.He will be heard at Curry Conservatory ofMusic on Tuesday evening, the 2Gth instAs another Sunday intervenes, when morecan be said of Mr. "Sherwood, it must sufficenow to allude to the marked ovation re-

cently accorded him by the most critical ofaudiences on his reappearance in Boston atone of the regular Symphony Concerts, giv-ing sufficient proof that the wild andwoolly "West has not impaired the brillianceof Mr. Sherwood's virtuosity.

.Rnbenstein at Home.

Prom a lengthy letter from St Peters-burg to Tnn Dispatch, describing thehome of Anton Itubinstein and narrating arecent intervie w with him, the followingparagraphs are extracted :

The room where he sat, was most com-fortable, yet artistic in Its decorations andarrangement lliere was something in thovery atmosphere that would have made astranger, not knowing in what room he was,feel that he w as in the presence or a genius.Bubtnstein is a very approachable man. Hewheeled around in his chair, deftly lighteda cigarette, offered his visitor another andsettled himself back lor a talk. He first ofail inquired eagerly about the news of theday and then when reference was made tohis probable visit to America, candidly re-plied: "I do not know yet My health isvery good and I may decide to go. I cannotsay."

ihe conversation turned at once to mu-sical matters, and somehow hereditarygenius came to be discussed. I asked Itu-binstein if lie considered his genius an in-

heritance. Unequivocally he replied no.except as a certain musical instinct may hesaid to bo the common heritage or the entireHebiewrace.

Knbiiibtem then went on to tell me thathis father had no taste or talent for musicof any kind and had marked out for hisson, tha career of a provincial merchantHis mother, however, loved musio andwas a clever amateur pianist It wasfiom her that Kubinstein received his firstinstruction and this when he was about 6j eai s of age

At this point Kubinstein lighted anothercigarette and seemed to enjoy it most hear-tilywhich caused mo to ask if he smoKcdmuch.

"Yes," ho replied, "I smoke a great deal.Peihtps too much. I smoke at least 30 strongcigarettes n day. I never compose without(smoking. In fact, I can't get along withoutthem."

"There is scarcely a country on the face ofthe globe that I have not visited," he said tomc, "and scarcely an important cits-- that Ihave not played in. I recall with pleasuremy visit to America in '72. I shall neverforget my trip across the Atlantic. It was amemorable Journey. First, because I had

many charming companlons.inclndlng Paul-ine Lucca, and second, because I never suf-fered so much in all my life, beforefrom Should I go to America,he continued, "I hope I may escape such asickness," and he shrugged hi shoulders asa look of disjust came over His expressiverace.

Eubinstcin is not very hopeful for thefuture of music: he is a pessimist of thepesfmists. lie frankly says that it is hisopinion the world will for many years tocome lack both great composers and greatperformers. ,

"It is a very bad time for art," ho said,"and, as regaids music, we are in a melan-choly state. It is with us now as it was inthe eighteenth century with painting anabsolute standstill. As he said this he rosefrom his chair, walked about the loom nerv-ousl- y

for a moment looked out of the win-dow apparently deep in thought, and cameback to his chair to answer my question,"butbowt"

"Easy enough," he began In a fretfulvoice, "becaue there are no geniuses, abso-lutely none. If Tie have a new composition,what is It either popular airs arranged assymphonic, or anything you wish, or a dryas dust musical exercise and counterpoint,without melody, passion or beauty. All. ofcourse, if you argue over it, correct, butwearisome enough to make one bite one'stongue away ith impatience." And he re-seated himself with the air of a man whohad had something on his mind lor a longtime and ms glad the explosion was over.

Then he turned to me and asked, "do youknow what the reason of it Isf" He had re-covered his good humor and a smile playedover his face. "The women, the women,"lie, answered. "They are neither naive oringenious, out learncu, questioning, reason-ins- ,

m fact To-da- y we have no Ophelias,no Juliettes, no Gretchens, for every girl isa counterpart and every married w oman afugue."

"In other words, you mean that this is npractical age and music does not flourish init"

"Yes, yes, that's it exactly.""Then theie is no future!" I asked."Xothlng veiy brilliant," was the calm re-

joinder. "Musical creation is at an end. Itdied with Chopin, for how long I cannot say;all that n c prize and love in music died withChopin."

Crotchets and Quavers.Joseph Bamvbt has been elected principal

of the Guildhall School of Music, London,after a strong competition for the place,which, though paying but $4,000, is one ofsuch musical Importance as to induce Mr.Bainoy to give up for it his precentorshipat Eton College, worth from $7,500 to $10,000a year and a much easier position. After allthere is such a thing as a high ai time ambi-tion untainted by pecuniary considerations.

Mr. Charles W. Flemio's unique concert,bringing out a sort of an orchestra of some60 mandolins, guitars and other instruments,will come off next Friday evening at Car-negie Hall, Allegheny. Mr. Fldelis Zitter-bart, pianist; Mr. E. A. Wall, clarinetist: Mr.Charles F. Cooper, 'cellist; Miss Ella Van-kii-

violinist; Miss Helen Zitterbart, so-prano, and Mr. Charles C Corcoran, bari-tone, will assist

Mr. Morris Stephens has resuscitated theMonongahela City Choral Club, which Mr.Charles Davis Carter founded some yearsago, and will conduct its first concert of thenew series at the local Opera House to-morrow evening. The club will sing Schu-mann's "Gipsy Lire," Faning's "Song of theVikings"-an- choruses by Handel and Dr.Whit&eld. Miss Blanche Xen combe, vio-linist, and Miss M. Lenore Taylor, pianist,win asssec. i;norai activity in tne surround-ing towns is a frnitlnl a'nd valuable fieldthat our musicians ought "to cultivate moreand more.

For the seventh of the series of organ re-citals at the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church,to occur next Tuesday evening, Mr. H. G.Archer will ne the organist The vocal por-tion of the programme seems this time topredominate and make a concert ratherthan a. recital. It will be supplied by theKlngwalt Choir ot 80 voices, assisted by MissAgnes C. Vogel and Miss Sarah Vogel, so-pranos and Mr. 11. B. Brockett, Jr., tenor.A small orchestra will also assist Mendels-sohn's 95th Psalm will be given by thechorus.

Kvu CRnfKLE writes of Pattl: I never heardso perfect a vocalist I never saw so care-less an impersonator. She seemed to havegiven all her life and faculties to the preservation of her voice and appearance. Shenever grew careless in her singing. But shooutgrew all desire to be the peison repre-sented. Time never succeeded in betraj ingthe worn timber of her upper tones. 6hehad acquired the art of concealment andlost the art of portrayal. I never anywheresaw n, performance in which the composerand his work were so inimitably shoved intothe background by tuo personality of asinger.

Miss Elise Warreit, whose home addressIs Sharon, Fa., and who will sing the lead-ing role of Queen Hitocris in the charity per-formance of "Belshazzar" at the Alvin The-ater next month, won this praise from theNew York Timet on her debut in that cityJunes, 1891: "Miss Elise Warren made herdebut in New York last night with a markeddegree or approval. She is young, of pleas-ing appearance, and has an exceptionallysweet and pbwerful voice. It has tout raretimbre that charms the ear with its sympa-thetic quality, and is yet able to rise abovethe concerted numbers, and ring out clear'and strong."

Sir Augustus Harris, the London lmpres-sano- ,is said to he considering a suggestion

from the London Wagner Society to giveperformances of Wagner's later mnsic-dram-

in the English language next fall.Good for that societyl It is a matter of sur-prise that Wagner's English-sneakin- g ad- -

mirers have not long stuce made strong de-mand to hear his works in their own tongue.With Wagner "the play's the thing;" thedramatic idea, expressed definitely in thewords alone, dominates everything. To un-derstand the words is the "open sesame" tothe Master's music The vernacular oughtto be used wherever that can possibly bedone.

Dr. Hauslick, the great Vienna critic, thussums up his impressions of Massenet's operacomiqne, "Werther," lately produced at theAustrian capital: "Many things combine tomake Massenet's 'Werther' a thoroughly in-teresting work, aristocratic in spirit, tenderin feeling, with the hearty sympathy of itsheaters rather than their applause as its ob-ject, and atoning lor many a tedious stretchby moments ot marked beauty. Manonoffers more vaiiety in music and action,more color and life, and will probably holdthe favor of the public,. ,ruther than'Werther.' But both these woiks, whichwithout doubt surpass in musical woithMassenet's grand operas, illustrate the stylolor which his talent is best fitted the con-versational opera, in part merry in paittouching, the opera with music of theheart"

Mr. William J. HEXDEitsoy, musical criticor the New York Timet anl the associateeditor of the Boston JUusical Herald, incharge during Mr. Wilson's absence, ib giv-ing a course of six lectures at Columbia Col-

lege, New Yoik, under the auspices of theUniversity Faculty of Philosophy. Sub-jects: "The Elementary Period," "Thespirit or Music," "The Evolution of Form,""The Evolution or htyle," "The LvrioDrama," "Kerormcrs and Music Dramas."This successful course of musical lecturesunder such auspices will hasten the timewhen the cliairof music will be as essentiala piece of lurniture in our college tacnltlesas the chair of belles lettres, v. hica it oughtto be.

The Art Society's next three receptions,set for next Friday afternoon, Monday after-noon, the Mill, and Thursday evening,the S8th, at the Academy of Science andArt building, are to be devoted to a series oflecture-recital- s on Wagner's "Die Meister-slnge-

by Mrs. Constance Howard, or NewYork. In words and pianoforte tones Mrs.Howard takes her audience with her rightthrough the famous comedy-oper- a, one actat each sitting. She is said to be an excel-lent pianist, a brilliant talker and a charm-ing woman socially. Mrs. Howard has ap-peared lately with great success in a similarseries given in Washington under thepationage of Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Mrs. Ice-

land Stanford and others of the "first ladiesof the land."

The fifth and last concert of the AlleghenyMusical Association's season will bo givennext Tuesday evening at Carnegie HalL Thechorus, directed by Mr. W. A. Lafferty, willsing three part-song- s by Watson, Lolir andGaul. A bewildering profusion of miscel-laneous numbers is ptogrammed. MissBertha M. Knderly will sing Beethoven'svery rarely heard "Scotch songs," with vio-lin and 'cello obligato by Mr. Fidelis Zitter-bart and Mr. Charles F.Cooper. These twogentlemen, with Mr. Hany F. Hetzel andJacob Coblens, will play Ilubenstein's StringQuarter, Op 17. Mr. Homer Moore will con-tribute .Raff's song "Ever 'With Thee." TheAlpine Quartet, composed of Messia.D.'H.ituttnaii, a. s. xnompson, iv. a. weeuenand John A. Strauss, are down for two part-fong- s.

Miss Carrie M. Augell, Miss HelenZitterbart, Mr. E. --M. Austin, Mr. Weedenuud Mr." Thompson, as soloists, with MissAdele Kaehara and Mr. C. M. Couch, as ac-companists, fill out the programme to alength that amply justifies its notice, "NoEncores Allow ed."

This synopsis has been made of the plansfor Cincinnati's Tenth Biennial May Fes-tival, May 24-2- under the direction of Mr.

Theodore Thomas: The choral works andsoloists: "Saint Paul," Mendelssohn, Mrs.Lawson, Miss Smith, of Cincinnati, MlLloyd, Mr. Ludwig. Christmas Oratorio,Bach, Mrs. Bitter-Goetz- Mr. Lloyd, Mr. G.E. Holmes. Scenes from "Alceste," Gluck,Mrs. Antonla Mielke; Miss' Smith: MKDlppel, Mr. Ludwlg, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Malsh.Selections from "Euryanthe," Weber, Mrs.Mielke, Miss De Vere, Mr. Dippel, Mr. Lud-wi-

Mr. Lloyd. Mr. Holmes. Cantata, op.80, A. Becker. Mrs Mielke, Miss Smith, Mr.Dlppel, Mr. Holmes. Requiem mass.Dvotak,Miss De Vere, Mi s. Rltter-Goetz- Mr. Lloyd,Mr. Holmes. Te Deum, Bruokner,, Mrs.ltittei-Goatz- Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Holmes. Moreimportant instrumental selections: Sym-phony, No. 1, Brahms; "Herold," Berlioz;"Heroic," Beethoven; No. 1, B flat Schu-mann: No. 8, Tochalkowsky: and plentifullyfrom the music or Klcharo Wagner. ,

Tbk fiftieth anniversary of the organiza-tion of the Philharmonio Society of NewYork, April 2, UH2. will be celebrated bythree festival concerts at the MetropolitanOpera House on the last days of this week.The opening concert will reproduce the firstprogramme ever given by the society,December 7, 1842, the chier work oeing Bee-

thoven's Fifth Svmphony. The orchestra,now conducted by Mr. Anton Seidl', will beassisted by Mrs. Antonla Mielke. MissClementine de Vere, Mrs. Carl Aires, An-dreas Dippel, Emil Fischer, Itichard Hoff-ma-

Franz Hummel (all but two or whomwere heard here last May), and a chorus ormixed voices. The Philharmonio Society isone or America's most valued as well asmost ged musical institutions; its historylor many j pars past is inseparably bound upwitli the career of Theodore Thomas, whothrough and with this society accomplishedso much for the art in this country. Hatsoff, gentlemen!

SEVERAL MILLIONS SHORT.

Not Nearly Enough Money Appropriatedby the Hoots Committee to Pay Pen-

sions the Coming Tear The Senate -rt

to Insist on the Shorta; BeingHad p.

"Washington, April 16. The beliefprevails among many Senators that theHouse has cut the appropriations for pen-sions below the absolute requirements ofthe law, and It is probable the total ap-

propriation carried by the pension appro-priation bill will be swelled by .severalmillion dollars when it is returned to theHouse by the Senate. The 'Commissioner,

in submitting estimates to Congress of theamount of money that would be required topav pensions during the next fiscal year,placed the sum at $H7,OOO,OO0l

The House Appropriations Committee, Infixing the appropriation, cut $13,000,000from this estimate, leaving the total appro-priation $134,000,000. The reason assignedfor this reduction was the belief of the com-

mittee, founded upon a careful scrutiny ofthe workings of the Pension Office, that atthe end of the present fiscal year therewould remain unexpended from the generalappropriations the sum of $15,000,000. Asthis sum would be Available to supplementthe pensions next year, it was held thatthese appropriations could well be reducedby an amount nearly corresponding to thesurplus.

But that action was taken by the Housecommittee manv weeks ago, and meantimethe Pension Office has been working alongwith much diligence, and has paid so manypensions that the Senators have come to theconclusion that the surplus which will beleft at the end of the present fiscal year willbe near $5,000,000, which, if true, wouldoblige the Senate to add nearly $10,000,000to the total of the appropriation bill as itcame from the House.

It is probable that with a view to fixingthe appropriation asnearly as possibleat therequirements of the Pension Bureau, thepension appropriation bill will be allowedto remain unacted on in the Senate Commit-tee on Appropriations until the end of thefiscal year is close at hand, or at least untilthere is attainable more definite informationthan is now at hand with" reference to theamount of the surplus.

HOVEL FBESH AIB SUPPLY.

A. Physician's Device for Getting; OxygenInto a Consumptive's Langs.

A new idea has been practiced by a NewYork physician in the treatment of weakconsumptives. His patients were unable togo out of doors during the greater part of

e year on account ot catching colds, andyet they required the oxygen of the outsideair. To overcome this difficulty he had ahole bored in the side of the house intowhich he put a tin tube. This tube couldbe stopped up at any time by a rubber stop-per. A long rubber tube was screwed uponthe head of this one in the wall, and themouthpiece conducted to the consumptive'schair or couch. By breathing into thismouthpiece the patient could take in theoutside fresh air all day long.

It proved a great success, and not onlyhelped the lungs of the consumptive, butimproved her general health. Such a de-vice as this could be adopted by 'many otherinvalids who need outdoor air, but who areunable to go out and get it

HO "WALK-- O VEE FOB THE TBTJSL

Tiro Mammoth Independent DistilleriesGoing TJp in Peoria.

Chicago, April 1G. Samuel "Woolner, aPeoria distiller, left for New York this af-

ternoon to.purchase from the Gotham own-

ers two pieces of Peoria .real estate uponwhich he and other capitalists propose tobuild two anti-tru- st distilleries. He de-

clares he has an option on the property, andwill begin building Hay 1, the plants to bein fnll operation November 1. An agentwill be sent to Europe to purchase fromProf. Estetart a patent process rivaling thetrust's takatnine method.

"No proposition has been made looking tothe formation of a second trust," said Mr."Woolner, "but I would not be surprised ifall the anti-tru- st distillers worked in har-mony."

Strength of Insects.Many members of the lower order of crea-

tion are far stronger in comparison to theirsize and weight than the strongest ot thehuman race. An ordinary black beetleweighing a quarter of an ounce will scram-ble off easily with a weight of 1J poundson its back, which is about the same as fora man to carry a load of coal with thehorses and wagon. A grasshopper has beenknown to jump 200 or 300 times its ownlength, while a man bumps himself to leaponce his length.

Detroit's 810,000 Embezzler.Detroit, April 16. Another effort is be-

ing made to secure the return of RalphChandler, the embezzler of $10,000 from theLake Shore Bailroad. Additional evidencehas been sent to the United States Minis-ter Byan, which will be submitted to theMexican Court DetectiveNoble is still waiting there, and should afavorable decision be rendered he will im-mediately start ftr Detroit with his pris-oner.

A Japanese Girl on the Mash.Detroit Free Press.

"When a Japanese belle gets herself up toslaughter hearts she stains her teeth blackjet black. Now this doesn't sound verypretty, but to offset the blackness she puts adash of red pomade right upon the front ofher mouth, making such a tempting beautyspot that no man at all, even though he bemarried and is the head of a family, can re-

sist admiring the lovely bit of beauty.

Grand Excnrlon to Norfolk, VaLeaves Pittsburg Tuesday, April 23, 8 a. x.Further particulars call on Sloan & Co., No.127 Fourth avenue.

The Most for the Money.Men's all-wo- suits, $10; children's all-wo-ol

units $2 60 this week, at Sailer & Co.'s,corner Smlthfleld and Diamond streets.

TTSSO

Mxthozh Awsnros Saga green, warrantednot to run, & Son's, 639. Fennavenue. TeL, 1973.

THE?' PITTSBURG DISPATCH,' SUNDAY, - APRIL 17. 1892.

THE MONGOL'S. QUEUE.

Consul Bedloe Gives a Clever Sketchof lis Origin and Meaning.

TONSURE SAID T(K BE IGYPTIAK.

The Long PigrTallEerves the ''CelestialPolicemen a Good Turn.

WEARING A WIG UfOS THlT CHIN

CTHOM A STAFF COBBESPONTJttfT.J

Washington, April 16. One of themost popular gentlemen now in "Washing-ton is Dr. Edward Bedloe, Consul at Omay,China, home on leave of absence. He is oneof the most charming of after-dinn- er orators,.and on select social occasions no face at thecapital is more familiar than his. His qual-ities are of a sort that get him. friends with-out effort of his, and his successes in andout of public life have been less things ofbis seeking than those that have been givenhim as a compliment so well deserved thatthey were a higher compliment to the giver.

At the risk of telling too much, I maysay that his innumerable friends, withouthis desire or knowledge, are now urging hisappointment to the vacant mission to Japan,and certainly no one could be better fittedfor that position than the genial doctor,whose knowledge of the affairs and peopleof that farthest Orient is inexhaustable.

Sitting the other evening with acircle ofwhich he was, of course, the center, andwhen he was regaling his auditors withpictures of strange things in that mysteri-ous country, someone asked the doctor ifhe could give the history ot the queue. Heimmediately launched out upon this topic,and his close knowledge of Chinese customsis shown by the story of the pig-tai- l.

The History or the Quens."why some people wear a queue and

others shave the head bare," begin thedoctor, "was as great a puzzle 1,200 yearsago as It is at the present time. In acuriousChinese book, written about 601 A D., theauthor, a priest of greatlearning, says: 'In Djambudwipa (that isAsia) the clothing of the inhabitants variesto a large extent, and the custom of shavingofl the hair and beard exists in some re-

gions, while elsewhere bair is worn dividedinto two' pendant tails. There are alsocountries where all the hair is shaved offexcept that at the crown, which is tied intoone queue.' This author also mentions thatsome nations pluck out the hair entirely,while others cut it short Some people, liesays, let the hair flow loose down on theshoulders, while others prefer to plait it.In some instances the front hair is plaitedana tne hack hair left loose.

"It is difficult to locate with exactness theplaces he names, for 12 centuries aeo. theAsiatic peoples were more migratory than"at present ana named the lands they livedin from themselves no matter how oftenthey changed their residence. It is easy todetermine that the people who shaved thehead and beard were the Buddhist monksand nuns in India, Ceylon. Siam and China;that the people with two tails were theJapanese, Coreans and some of the tribesnow called the, 'Independent Tartars' (be-cause probibly they.are owned body andboots by Russia), and that the race whichshaved all but the crown and tied the hairat that spot into one queue were theManchu-Tarta- rs or nomad dwellers of Man-churia.

A Crown Woven From Bis Hair."The Chinesej peoples, for .at that time

what is now a single empire was a largenumber of pettv kingdoms, wore their hairaccording to their pleasure. The poorerclasses kept it cut short; the wealthy al-

lowed it to erow long, and, like the Romannobility in the reign of Nero, spent ex-traordinary amounts of time, trouble andmoney upon its cultivation. A prince ofShen-s- f, about 700 A D., is described aswearing a crown braided from 18 plaits ofhis hair, and ornamented with silver jewels.A thousand years passed away and the Tar-tar custom, which this author described asan outlandish novelty, became the customof all China The crown was left, but allthe rest of the hair was shaven. This be-

came the national custom at the Manchuconquest about 1. D. 1644. It did not be-

come the rule in China to shave off the hairall round the crown from any religious mo-tive, but simply by military compulsion.You have to o&ey orders," said the con-

querors, sword in hand; 'if you refnse toshave according to our Tartar custom youmust die, for refusal will constitute .you arebel.' So the change was made from thenortheast province, as the conquest pro-ceeded till the whole nation had their headsshaved except the crown. And they havekept it up ever since.

A Chinaman Without a Queue."Of the 200,000,000 male citizens of the

Celestial Kingdom 199,500,000 sport thequeue. There is a belief current in theUnited States that a Chinaman who loseshis pigtail is not allowed to return to hisnative land. This is arrant nonsense. AChinaman "who cuts off his capillary ap-pendage and' appears in public in short hairis viewed exactly as an American would bewho presented himself in the streets fullydressetrwith the omission of trousersl

"A qutue is wearing apparel! A Mon-golian with scant hair braids in artificialhair or adds silk threads. A bald man em-ploys a false queue that is fastened to theinside of his cap. A Coolie regards himself well attired when he wears bathingtrunks and has his pigtail nicely combedand oiled.

"The Manchus, when they began theirwonderful career ot conquest in thethirteenth century, did not at first insistupon their conquered foes adopting the ton-seri- al

style as a mark of subjection. Onlvwhen they had overrun so many lands andpeoples that it became difficult to dis-tinguish vassal and Ferf from open for, didthey ado.t svstem. The queuewas forced upon Kufdja tribes in thefifteenth century, upon the people of Mongolia in the sixteenth, on Shantung at thebeginning ot the seventeenth, and on theremainder of China in the next 50 years.

Shaving the Entire Heart."If it be asked why did the Tartars

shave, the reply will probably be correctthat the custom began in religion, and wascontinued for cleanliness, for fashion's sakeand for the comfort of the skin. That re-

ligion was the originating cause is likely,because ia India, with the spread ofBuddhism, the shaving of the entire headbecame very common. This was in pursu-ance of a vow to forsake the world. Themonastic vow of the Buddhists requiresabandonment of worldly enjoyments andluxuries. To drink wine and eat flesh arebth forbidden. Fepple prided themselveson their hair end, therefore that must goalse. The monk and nun must truly for-sake the world. In the case of every Budd-hist, the shaving of the entire hair is thefruit of a religious vow, professedly madewith the most serious ' and desired act ofwill to forsake the world. It is only dis-pensed with when he takes a greater vow,that of ascetic Buddhismopens the way to a succession of stages inthe religious life, and he who wears hishair unshorn has reached a higher gradethan the shaven crowd ot monks who chanttheir prayers together in praise of Buddhain the sacred hall oftheir temple! ,

The Tonsure Began In Egypt.

"In the josshouses at Anroy, you cangrade the priests according to their pelts.The greenhorn is undistinguishable fromthe everyday citizen; but the boss hieroph-an- t,

the full incarnation. of sauctity, has acranium as smooth as a billiard ball. Batthe tonsure did not begin wtth the Bud-dhist. It began in Southwestern Asia, thatwonderful center of the world's greatmovements of thought, or in xEgypt, earlydistinguished for its civilization. TheEgyptian priests were completely shorn and

from them the habit of shaving off bair andbeard extended to the laity.

"Only the women, who, apparently, In allthe ancient civilizations were regarded andtreated as property or as domestic animals,always wore'tneir own hair, and they werenot shaved, evenln mourning or after death.Shaving was universal among .the men, butthe hair and beard were allowed to grow intimes of mourning.,. They wore wigs in-stead of their natural hair, and they had awig for the chin, which could be put on andtaken off at pleasure, like the- wigs theywore on the head. Shaving 'began with

and ended with its being adopted asnecessary to, cleanliness and civilization.Yet there may be a religious element inshaving the head for the queue.

Shavln; the Boy Baby."The first shaving of a Chinese boy baby

is as important an event in the East as thechristening of a young Calvinist, or the firstcommunion of a Catholic. Invitations arecent out to relations and friends and a colla-tion provided. The child washed, per-fumed and beautifully dressed is presentedby the father to all present, who in returnmake some present in money to the youth-ful heir. The father, grandfather or apriest then employs the razor and theyounester is well started for both this worldand the next. In most cases the shaving ispreceded by prayer.

"One thing should be said in favor of thequeue. It is an admirable police force. Asingle officer can tie a dozen criminals to-

gether and haul them to the prison.prefer incarceration arid

many stripes to losing their pigtails. Thisfact "may have been recognized by theManchu conquerors and Induced them toadopt their system as a convenience in sup-pressing insurrection and preserving lawand order." E. M. L.

A TAX ON BACHELORS.

HAKTMANN, THE OETtrHAK rHILOSO-PHEK.O- U

WOMEN'S BIGHTS.

Men's Duty to Support Women He WouldMake Those Who Never Wed Pay forPensions to the Spinsters The PresentTendency a Disease.

CORRISFOSDENCB Ot THS DISrATCH.J

Berlin, April fi, During toy limitedstay in Berlin I could not resist seeking aninterview with Edward von. Hartminn,who .is undoubtedly the greatest modernphilosopher of Germany, the author of the"Philosophy of the Unconscious," the sys-

tem of which is based on the materialism ofDarwin and the pessimism of Schopen-hauer. The leading'ideaof this voluminouswork is easily enough explained in quotinghis own words: "Have you never had ideasof which you were unconscious until theywere called forth by a suggestion?"

To find out how far the influence of theunconscious can be traced in will, idea, in-

stinct, nature, etc, is the task he puthimself.

As it is always wise before meeting suchmen to prepare oneself with some topic ofconversation I chose his idea on woman'srights. A friend had advised me to meethim at Cafe Bauer, where he often came toglance through the papers in the afternoon.From the details the amiable waiter gaveme I came to the following conclusion: Thathe was neither an cccentrio like Schopen-hauer nor a solitary student like Kant. Heis known for his regular, reasonable modeof living, only working in the morning,taking plenty of exercise and enjoying longhours of sleep at night.

Doesn't Live From Pen Alone.Though his philosophical writings have

found a ready market and have been trans-lated into many languages, it would havehardly sufficed to secure him the comfort-

able, Independent living he enjoys if hedid not belong to a wealthy and aristocraticfamily. It struck 2, and shortly after a tall,robust, solid-heade- d man, with alone1 flow-

ing beard, entered and revealed in his eaitthat he had in his youth served as an officerin the German army. As soon as he wasseated I approached him and begged thefavor of a canversation with him on themuch discussed subject ot "women's rights. "

He shrugged his shoulders. "For cen-

turies women have submitted with martyr-like resignation to the brutality of men.Who can blame them then that they nowstruggle to free themselves from the cruelbondage and want, moreover, to practice allhuman privileges; this results naturally ina certain fear of merely domestic and ma-

ternal duties. And yet it is to be regretted,because women are jet to lose their tradi-tional female qualities and adopt the ego- -

'tism and, I tear, even the brutality ofmen.

"And have you really observed thesechanges in women?"

"Eveiywhere!" he called out emphat-ically, "you can nowadays find the womanwho does not care to be loved and takencare ot ana even aemanas periect inde-pendence in married life. The increasinginfluence of woman is based on their superiormorality and desire for knowledge ot lifeThe Noras of Ibsen, who leave their hus-

band and children to find ont in what thetrue happiness of life consists, are more fre-

quent than most people imagine. Shewanted to become man's equal and nowtries to become his master. She employsall means within her reach, as coquetry,gentle persuasion,'patience and will power,and in many particulars she is man'ssuperior."

"I am afraid that few men would be will-ing to acknowledge it," I remarked.

He had a hearty laugh which shook hisgigantic frame. "I believe thathe ma-

jority of men still adhere to the'Essay on "Woman' ot poor

Schopenhauer, who was unfortunate inhaving an unsympathetic mother. Eventhose who literally give in to women'srights in public have remained tyrants athome, while womtn of late are also verybitter in their judgment of men."

"What do you advise to ameliorate thestate of things ?"

He Woald Tax the .Bachelors.Again he shrugged his shoulders. "To

establish a reconciliation between the twosexes should be an earnest endeavor. It isa temporary disease of our social life. Itwill outgrow itself, but one thing is cer-

tain, that as long as nature endows men andwomen with diflerent qualities and abilitiesequality is impossible. Bat I do not seewhy everything should not remain as it wasin former times, the man attending to hisbusiness, the woman to her household dutiesonly", with the difference that equity existsin regard to their social and humane posi-tion."

"But do not people argue that it is impos-sible for all women to get married?" I in-

quired. '"Of course," he laughed "There's the

rub. But seriously, I could suggest an ex-

cellent remedy. Men should marry as soonas they have the necessary means and pros-pect of advancing in their position. And ifwomen were kept by their parents, theirbrothers or other relatives and not go towork to become mens rivals the young menwould succeed sooner. No, no, there is nouse in talking. "Women should be shieldedso far as possible from all the rough influ-ences of life and be restrained' within thesweet, natural 'bonds of family life. Andall old bachelors over a certain age shouldbe taxed by the Governmentj'that wouldsoon induce them to enter the matrimonialbonds. "- -

"But if it is true that there are more women;than men they all could. not be provided torin this way?"

"Old maids should get a pension fromthe State as long as they need protection;only give them the right sort of protection.The tax on bachelors would go to theirmaintenance" .

Then he "rose, tipped the waiter, lit anewcigar and took my hand in a warm farewell.

. Rudolph BArmAKir.

Call and SeeHow cheaply wall paper la sold by W. H.Barker, 60S Market street. He Is going toretire from business, and doesn't want anystock lpft on bishanda,

PEOPLING A PLANET.

Astronomers Are Undertaking a Haz-

ardous Job, at Least as to Mars.

THAT 0EB IS TOO LIVELY 1ST.

Frequent Rlppln-- f Up of ContlnenU Isn'tConducive to Health.

FLAHHABI0N 0PP ON AKTHE0P0L0GI

rwnrrrr vob tiis dispatch.1It is considered as altogether probable by

physicists, that stellar space has innumer-able worlds that are habitable and' inhab-ited, the latter condition beingnecessarily acorollary of the former. The entire basis otthe assumption may be compactly stated inthe following simple postulate:

Eternal time, preceding any stated periodof time, must be sufficient time to developin that time, whatever exists at the presenttime.

Consequently, when we see and know ofanother world, this world, among an infin-ity.-

worlds, having passed definite rudi-mentary stages in successive cycles of devel-opment, which development finally resultedin the production of a creature known asradiate and then, throneh a series ofevolutionary processes, finallv eventuatedor culminated in a higher creature knownas man, it is in every way consistent withanalogy to premise that similar processeshave been transpiring upon it, that wouldnecessarily produce the same result. Evenif we cannot agree on the modus operandiby which the apparition of man waswrought, this does not bar the faot that,however it was that he came, he would, un-der similar conditions, similarly presenthimself elsewhere. Then, whatever wemay know as to the existence of man on anyother particular world, must necessarily de-

pend on what we absolutely know concern-ing the essential conditions that producedhim on this world.

Universality of laws Conceded.If he came at the behest of an agency that

acts capriciously and whose work is donearbitrarily and not within the lines ofeternal and unchanging law, then, all scien-tific dednctions are valueless; but, it is inthe recognition of a "fixed method, an un-changing system and a synthetical procedurein all similarly analogous processes, that allscience finds its basis.

It will therefore be insisted 'on, that acomprehensive grasp of terrestrial geologyand anthropology, in their

is as absolutely and imperativelynecessary in this consideration, as it is im-perative for the learner to make a righteousmastery of fundamental principles, ere hecan enter the domain of higher mathematics.

A woful mess is his, who spurns to rearon this foundation, but who would vanlt tothe summit, after the manner of an acrobat.

"With something of this in view, let usnow consider the probability of the humanhabitability of the planet Mars. Astrono-mers generally favor the idea that man isthere and already there is some speculation

a sort of mental legal tender in astrono-mical thought on its round, as to waysand means of

The Evidence or Mars' Canals.It is no evidence of the existence of the

human creature on the planet under consideration in that we can detect the successionof the seasons; the vernal hue of spring, theshimmer of autumn and the snow of winter.Our world, during the rank growth of ear-lier ages, would have presented the samespectacle, but eons of time had yet to passere man appeared. Those puzzles in Mar-sia- n

physics, which are known as canals,but which are not any more likely to besuch, in the sense of being human creations,than they are likely to be Chinese walls,afford no warrant whatever of any humanagency.

There could be no motive on a sphere,still much smaller than the earth, to con-struct waterways from SO to 800 miles wideand from 600 "to 3,300 miles long, to havethem cross and intersect each other at allangles; such a thing is simply preposterous,impossible to any human capacity, and if itwere possible and it should appear to be theresult of human endeavor, the case would beone of such misdirected energy as would atonce place our celestial neighbors in thecategory of planetary lunatics. For whereunder the sun could the commerce of therestricted laud surface of such an inferiorplanet come from, to call for this gigantiosystem, this colossal aggregation of oceaniocanals? Our Chinese "Wall, EgyptianPyramids and sundry minor architecturaland excavating exploits are about the sizeof our visible misdirected effort on materialsubstances, but this would still remain as amere nothing in comparison.

Activity on the Surface.But significantly related to this remark-

able order of things is the changing physical configuration ot surface. Here iswhere these astronomers should, for a time,lay aside their glasses and retire withintheir mentality and endeavor to applythemselves to a comprehensive analysis.Something like cataclysmic waves seem toroll over, submerge and wash, and frequent-ly the wide dykes, embansments,towpaths, or whatever, are completelyblotted, out. Then, aga'n, the "canals," asif tiring of a single condition, reveal them-selves as double, they and the lakes andsome considerable seas appearing in dupli-cate.' ,"

Such at least is the fact if we are to creditthe testimony of such eminent astronomicalobservers as ElammaVjon, Dawes, Lockyer,Keaiser and Schierparilli.

Such a physical situation must mean in-

tense Commotion and it such, must be phe-nomenal; and some of this commotion mustbe manifest on and well nigh all over theland and hence, cannot be otherwise thaninimical to the higher forms of life; thatdelicate plant known as man, being espe-cially a product of many ages of compara-tive physical quiescence. Now, it is notmaintained that the curious phenomenamentioned, cannot and do not take place;the intention is only to contend with mildemphasis, that all this cannot occur ly

with the construction andoperation of hemispherical systems of con-tinental canals, without putting into mostserious jeopardy the dividends of thestockholders!

Earth Had Her Cataclysms.Such commotion, resulting in great

changes of outline, has, oo-- numerous occa-sions, taken place on the earth, but inva-riably resulted in establishing a geologicalcemetery. On the great slabs that overliewe may read the epitaphs of former worldsin a script that permits no imitation, innature's own inimitable recording.

No .trace or intimation of man can befound on any of the pages of the creativevolume prior to the present. Nowheredown in all the depths can fossils of anysuch mammal be found. The intervals fromone leaf to another, nay. all the intervalsof all the leaves, from the azoic or inorg aniccycle up and beyond the mesozoic, were notlong enough to develop th? creature thatalone can say, "I am." We may beginbelow, and in the ascending scalecommence with the eozoic, with therudimentary forms ot animal life, we mayobserve the radiates evolve into the articu-lates, these into the mollusks, then in pale-ozoic time into the pisces, proceeding on up-ward through the lines ot the reptilia to themesozoic, through the winged and featheredforms to the cenezoic, we arrive at lengthat the mammalia and now, on the'erude an-imal horizon, faint and almost undistin-guishable in the distance, appears In savageoutline the coarse apparition, the mere con-tour, of coqing man I

Man In His First Estate.Not man as we now understand him; not

as a reader, not as a canal digger, not as anavigator even, not as a telegrapher norrailroader, not . as a builder of refined andopulent homes, but man as a cave dweller,

elad in the skins of beasts, his brain behindhis ears, his bands like claws, hairy as achimpanzee, his language but a few removesfrom that of the guttural gorilla, his jawswith scarce concealed fangs all this, yetdestined in 200,000 years or so, to wear ahat and stylish pantaloons, twirl a cane,talk of lineage, boast of genealogy, speak ofreligion; ot art, of government, to .have aformulated record of hit pranks dignifiedby the name of history; always and ever aterror to his kind and making the earthgroan with weariness in recounting hisexploits, which he facetiously denominatesas "news."

This is no fanciful picture, and some ofthe stronger colors are left undrawn. Yet,it required very stable terrestrial conditions,for at best a quarter of a million years, withnothing more serious than occasional jarsand local the slow surfaceerosions and imperceptible lifting and lower-ing of coast lines, to develop the hnmanand lift him to an intellectual horizoncapable of grappling with so simple andharmless a thing as a decimal fraction. "Wecan conceive of the consternation of the

gentleman had he been con-fronted in some lonely place with an aggra-vating problem in long division. Yet to-

day, there is still a sufficient stock of speci-mens of this tribe on the earth to fill up agreat many cabinets of natural curiosities.

If Earth Were as CrazV as Mars.But if the continent of North America

werroval one year, triangular the next,then round or square; if the Atlantic Oceanshould once in a while display bisectinglines 75 miles wide.cutting north and south,east ana west; it the Ohio and 31ississippi

i rivers should, about sexenniallv. in a nlav- -jui way uupncate their channels to theGulf, and other rivers make crosscuts fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific coasts, crossingthe Mississippi and all other interveningrivers "ou grade" what about, as near aswe can figure, would be the average mentalcondition of the average human that wouldbe compelled to bear witness to all this?' Whatevy he might be, he would not beapt to be hilariously commercial. He michtgaze at the watered stock and grieve at hisinability to, unload, but the chances arethat be would sadly sit by the solemn wavesand wail himself away.

Yet such is about the menu to whichastronomers would treat the luckless sup-posed inhabitants of the kaleidoscopicalMara It is not surprising that man, hav-ing descended from progenitors that shookand quaked in mortal terror when continentswere swept in wide-reachi- catastrophesit is not to be wondered at that he has stillthat inbred, instinctive, hereditarily trans-mitted and well-nig- h ineradicable fear, andthat his conception of the acme of all thehorrible, is associated with the collapse ofthe terra firma on which he treadsl

Here lies the foundation ot all the end ofthe world panics and crazes, on which theMillers, the,Tottens and others play. It isnot facts now, but transmitted fears thatare hurting him, and this is true in everydepartment ot his mentality. And this,under like conditions, must be just as trueon any other world as on this.

No, Messrs. Astronomers, with all defer-ence to your noble and interesting science,with all respect to yourselves for the celes-tial phenomena you reveal to us, yet, whenit comes to deducing from the observationsa series of logical consequences, it will befound to be an anthropological and not anastronomical problem that await solntion.There is an intimate relationship betweenlife and physical environment; there is acorrespondence between either and theother, and the conditions which are deduci-bl- e

from the phenomena you aver as exist-ing on the planet that has" been considered,carry no warrant of the association withthem of any high order of animal develop-ment.

As to considering anyproposed method ofinter-stell- communication, this would fallinto an entirely different domain of physicsand would require a separate examina-tion. N.

POINTS ABOUT BT2QLAEY.

The Enclish Bale That It Cannot Be Com-jnltt- ed

Except Alter Snnset.Burglary cannot be committed in the

daytime. The English rule is that if thereis light enough to see the face of the in-

truder there is no burglary. This, how-

ever, does not include moonlight, tor ahouse-break- er entering after nightfall, how-ev- er

brightly the moon may be shining, islegally a burglar, that is ifut is reasonablycertain that he has entered with the intent

I to commit felony, for while a tramp break- -jug juiu u iiuuac bu Bleep may uc a, lltiusc- -breaker, he is not in the proper sense of theword a burglar.

Burglary, however, majr consist in break-ing out as well as breaking in, for one whohides in a house before nightfall to steal,and after stealing breaker out to get away,is just as mnch a burglar as he who toeffect his purpose breaks in.

The Old Quassia Caps.Many old people will remember the quaj-si-a

cups formerly used for tonio purposes.They were made of quassia wood and usedfor drinking. "Water or ny other liquidpoured into them in a few minutes acquireda bitter taste like quinine. Many personsused these cups habitually for the tonioproperties supposed to be contained in thequassia. It was a rather unpleasant way oftaking your medicine, though, which wasprobably the reason of their use being dis-continued.

The Wedding Flncer.How many women who fondly love the

golden symbol of their wedding vow knowwhy they wear it on the third finger of theleft hand? That particular digit was chosenbecause it was believed by the Egyptians tobe connected by a slender nerve with theheart itself. And these ancient worshipersof Isis held this finger sacred to Apollo andthe sun, and therefore gold was the metalchosen lor the ring.

Another Vacancy to Be Filled.Washisgton, April ia Hugh S.

Thompson called on the President thismorning, and formally tendered his resigna-tion as a member of the Civil Service Com-

mission, to take effect May 15. He has beenappointed comptroller ot the New YorkLife Insurance Company.

SPECIAL VALUES IN MEN'S SUITS

That Can Be Found in Our Well-Light-

Basement P. C. C. C, Clothiers.Here are two big drives in men's business

suits. They. are placed in our basementbargain department,lien's new wood-brow- n suits,

plain color or stvlish blocks,round corners, straight cutsor double breasted styles,regular $11 and S15 garments;our price is $6 SO and 17 SO

About too men's cutaway andsack suits made of all woolcassimere, mixed chevoitxnd plain black clievolt,at....$5 00 and 6 20

J These special men's suit bargains are forMonday only. P. C.C. C, Clothlers.cor. Grantand Diamond streets.

Lace Curtains 1 Laca Certain !

beginning Ve offer prices forlace curtains never quoted for like qualitiesbefore. 3yd. lont; lace curtain, worthSi's) for$l iO: lace curtains worth usually $2at SI 33; ;2 50 curtains at $1 75: $4 curtains at$i g; $5 lace curtains at 53 50; curtains usuallytold at $7 for $5 50. Curtain poles, completewith all trimmings, usually 25c and 3uc, at12ceach." Thousands of short curtains onsale at 19c and 25c.

J. II. Kuickxl Bro.,137-131- 9 Penn avenue, cor. Fourteenth street.

'The Iron City Brewing Company uses

nothing bnt the choicest qualities of maltand hopa in the manufacture of Its favoritebrands of lager and Pilsner beer. This beeris guaranteed to 'be four months old, un-adulterated and a most delicious beverage.Flity thousand barrels of it on hand in thevaults of the Iron City Brewing Company.Purity, age and quality combined.

To whom it may concern: Harry A, whogotareoordof2 35 at Eden burg, Pa., lasttall, will be sold at auction April 21 and 22at Iron City Sale-Stabl- rear 623 and 625Penn avenue, Pittsburg, Pa.

Mxruuia Awimtos Sage green, warrantednot to ran, at Mamaux & Son's, 539 Pennavenue. TeL UTS. .

REMOVAL BY POISON.

Curious Facts About a Subject-Agitatin-g

Pittsburg Just Nott.

THIS SORT OF MURDER IS CQHMOff.

Difficult for the Analysts When Mow ThanOne Kind Is Used.

SMALL QUANTITIES GITEIT OPTUS

A few years ago a French scientist calledattention to the curious fact that the prevailing types of crime have varied withevery phase in the progress of civilization.Thus piracy and infanticide have steadilydecreased since the beginning of our chrono-logical era. Highway robbery, too, has de-clined, while theft has considerably in-

creased and certain stealthy forms of mur-der have thus far successfully bafSsd theexorcism of law.

The poison-monger- 's art, for instance, hascontrived to defy the progress of scienos byconstant improvements of its ownsays the San Francisco Chronicle. Only afew weeks ago one of the experts consultedin the trial of the New York student accusedof causing the death of his wife quoted theopinion of several eminent specialists to theeffect that "no chemical analysis can pre-

tend to trace the vestiges of certain poisonsas modified by the subsequent administra-tion of other drugs." In other words, poi-

soners have learned to cover the traces oftheir crime by taking the precaution to usemore than one drug. Arsenic and strych-nine occasionally betray their presence,even if the stomach of the victim shouldhave retained only the hundredth part of agrain, but the tests of the analyists are sodelicate and so far from beinz unequivocalthat their reliability depends upon condi-tions which adepts have often managed tomodify.

Protests ot the Hnman Palate.The poisoners of antiquity had, indeed, to

contend with a far more serious difficulty,viz., the circumstance that the injuriousnessof many virulent substances betrays itselfby their repulsiveness. Strychnine andopium are intensely bitter, so much so infact that in some of their powdered formsan invisible trace can be tasted in the air onshaking a small quantity from one paperinto another. Belladona, digitalis, stra-monium, hemlock and colchicum are eitheracrid or so nauseous that a deadly dosecan be swallowed only with difficuly.evenby suicides. In an admixture with mostarticles of food vegetable poisons can gener-ally be detected by the protest of the humanpalate.

Certain mineral poisons, however, makea remarkable exception from that rule. It.would almost seem as if nature had notthought it worth her while to warn our

against such sub-stances as sugar of lead or arsenious acid.Common white arsenic is odorless and al-

most tasteless, deceiving even the visilanceof such cautious creatures as rats and foxes.In small doses its taste is as difficult todetect a3 that of a tev particles of whitechalk or powdered alum, but being a ratherinsoluble substance the deadly drug mightbetray itself to the eye.

About 300 years a;o the latter difficultywas obviated by the discovery of an Italiancrone, who found by experiments that longcontinued boiling will communicate theproperties of arsenic to soft water. Thefluid thus obtained is colorless as well astasteless and odorless, yet withal potentenough to surpass the virulence of hemlockjuice. Thinkine her secret absolutely dis-covery proof, the old hat: sold it to numer-ous customer", most ot them young wivesencumbered with undesirable husbands.

Admlnitrins Water or Divorce.''Aqua toffana," as the initiated called

the fatal solution, would have baffled theingenuity of the shrewdest chemical detect-ives of that time, but before long.caused sophenomenal a mortality of male adult?,nearly all of them old, ugly and married,that the theory of an accidental coincidencebecame untenable, and the secret leaked outafter the arrest of half a hundred suspectedwidows.

But the recipe of the Inventor, too, wasthen divulged, and her successor soonlearned to observe the additional precautionof administering the "water of divorce" inminute doses. Instead of the naturallysuspicious result of a sudden death, theeffect, thus modified, was a gradual declineof health and vigor. The victim wouldcomplain ot languor, nanea and digestiveailments closely resembling the effects ofcertain atmospheric conditions incident tothe climate of Northern Europe. "Thesultry weather" would be the plausible ex-planation, and the aggravation of symptomscould be as easily attributed to choleramorbus or congestive chills.

Prof. Pietro Longinoti, an eminent jur-ist of the eighteenth century, states his rea-sons for the estimate that half a millioi hu-man beings husbands, wives, superfluousinfants or otherwise undesirable relativesand acquaintances were thus discreetly"removed." Medical jurisprudence, inthe meantime, had enlisted the " aid ofanalytical chemistry, and Longinotti sug-gests that, as a rule, a thorough autopsyshould precede a coroner's burial permit.

The Trouble About Overdoses.The facility of divorces might seem to

modified the necessity of such pre-

cautions, still there is no doubt that thesecret adoption of Longinotti's plan wouldlead to surprisins revelations in certainoverpopulated districts of Ihe Eastern Con-

tinent, and perhaps, also, of the New"World, nhere poisons of all sorts are oftenas freely sold as ginger and quinine.

"If I should see fit to take a short-lin- o

trip to the other world." said the Swissphilosopher Haller, "I would no morethink of shooting mvself than a man woulddream of getting himself fired across a riverfrom the mouth of a cannon if he could instead use a commodious ferry." He alludeto the euthanasia of narcotic poisons, andhis view would have been confirmed if hehad lived to witness the experiments thathave made prussic acid and cvanide of pot-assium the favorite drugs of suicides. Asingle drop ot the acid, applied to thetongue of a full-grow- n l abb it, has beenknown to produce instant death, and thefailure of suicidal attempts with drugs ofthat sort can be often explained by the factthat amateur chemists are apt to use absurdoverdoses.

A young druggist of my acqualntanoecame near getting himself into serioustrouble by accommodating a friend whopretended to need a lot of cyanide for pho-tographic purposes.--- . This customer in-

tended to take a peep through the cameraobscura of Davy's locker, but missed hischance by swallowing the whole of his purchase, a sufficient quantity to kill a regi-ment of soldiers. Under the circumstancesof the case in question it merely produced avomiting fit, and a few honrs' work with thestomach pump put the repentant sinner onhis legs again.

By good luck prussic acid and its deriva-tions lose their portentous properties by afew days' exposure to air and even to sun-light, but the criminal history of the twolast decades seems to prove tnat criminalsbegin to master the difficulties of such cir-

cumstances in a way which threatens tomake discovery'next to impossible.

A Man.There is occasionally a man whose word is

as good as hit bond, and whose bond is as

food as gold. Such a one is W. L.a prominent citizen and business man

of Orrsburg, Ma Mr. Needham has beenselling Chamberlain's Cough Remedy forseveral years and recommends it to his cus-tomers because in his experience it hat

aproven to be the best for colds, croup andwhooping cough. He says it is the mostpopular medicine that he handles, and givethe best satisfaction of any. Fifty centDottles lor sale by druggists.