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THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. ■li'iiiiiiUiiiinK of I lit* InroniiiiK *• mi nisi rail on. [Bun I\)i>y I'onM', In Atlantic Mouthly.] President Polk was nearly 50 years of age when he was inaugurated, and was. no novice in }>ul)lio life, having served for fourteen consecutive years in Con gress and for two years as Governor of the State of Tennessee. Ho was u spare man, of unpretending appearance anil middle stature, witli a rather small head; a full, angular brow; penetrating, dark gray eyes, and a firm mouth. His hair, which he wore long and brushed behind his ears, was touched with silver when ho entered the White House, and gray when he left it. He was a worthy and well-qualilled member of the fra ternity of Free Masons, and a believer in the creed of the Methodists, although, out of deference to the religious opin ions of his wife, he attended worship with her nt the Hev. Mr. Sprole’s Pres byterian Church. Calm, cold and in trepid in his moral character, he was ig norant of the beauty of moral upright ness in the conduct of public affairs— ambitious of-power, and successful in the pursuit of it. He was very method ical and remarkably industrious, always finding time to listen to the stories of those who ctirao to him ns petitioners for patronage and place. But his ardu ous labors impaired his health ami short ened his life. Before his term of office hod half expired, his friends were pained to witness his shortened, and enfeobled step and the air of languor and exhaus tion which sat upon him. Mrs. Polk was a strict Presbyterian, and she shunned what she regarded as ‘‘tlie vanities of the world” whenever it was possible for her to do so. She did not possess the queenly grace of Mrs. Madison, or the warm-liearted hospital ity of Mrs. Tyler, but she presided over tho White House with great dignity. She was of medium height and size, with very black hair, dark eyes and complex ion, and formal yet graceful deportment. At the inauguration of her husband she wore a black-silk dress, a long black velvet coat, with a deep cape, trimmed with fringe and tassels, and a purple velvet bonnet, trimmed with satin rib bon. She would not permit dancing nt tho White House, but she did all in her power to render the administration of Mr. Polk popular. One morning a lady fi mild her reading. ‘‘ I have many books presented to mo by the writers,” said she, “and I try to read them all; at present this is not possible; but this evening the author of this book dines with the President, and I could not be so unkind as to appear wholly ignorant anil unmindful of his gift.” Atone of her evening receptions a gentleman re marked: “Madam, you have a very gen teel assemblage to-night.” “Sir,” re pied Mrs. Polk, with perfect good humor, but very significantly, “I never have seen it otherwise. ” John G. Calhoun had expected to re main in tho Cabinet as Secretary of State, and lie did not hesitate to say that he was sacrificed to appease the wrath of Mr. Van Buren. Accordingly, James Buchanan became Mr. Polk’s Secretary of State, and Mr. Calhoun soon returned to the capital as a Senator from South Carolina. A Woman’s Serve. The readers of the Express will re member the delivery of Rube Boyce, tho stage robber, from the Austin Jail by his wife. Without repeating the story of the escape, and telling of tho manner in which it was 'accomplished, going on t the time that liny. 1 anil ji>s brave wife reached their home in Kimball County, another incident, equally as thrilling as that at Austin, occurred. Mrs. Boyce had determined to stick to her husband. She had released him from the cell where he had been confined by bars of hardened steel, in the center of the capital city of the great State of Texas, and in the face of tho armed guards. She loved him, no matter what crime he had committed, ami sooner than permit him to fall a victim to tho penalty of the law and be taken forever from her she would risk her life to re store him to liberty. She succeeded in her effort, but then of what avail had her efforts to release him been could she not be with him. To remain in tho country where she had lived was unsafe, both for her and her linsband, for the minions of the law would surely learn of his return, and either recapture him or take his life, and arrest her for releasing him. There was but one safe course to follow, and that was-to leave the country. So it was arranged between the man and his wife that they should leave together, and it is reported that immediately upon returning to their homo after tho escape from the Austin Jail, the highwayman and the brave partner of his bosom mounted each a horse and rode off to gether. Mrs. Boyce is said to have dolled her female attire, drawn on a pair of trousers, buckled a revolver about her waist, placed a man’s hat upon her head, anil that thus disguised followed Rube, “for better or for worse,” to some region where he may probably never bo recog nized nor known. There are few women, indeed, who have the nerve that Mrs. Boyce showed, and fewer still who would manifest the faithfulness she did for tho man she loved. Her ventures would servo as the text for a thrilling sensa tional drama or a novel of absorbing in terest that would bo read with amaze ment by thousands all over tho world. —San Antonio ( Texas' l Express. A Sad Case. The Alta Californian tells this story: “An awful case of the consequencs oi refusing a young man’s honorable love is reported on the West Side. A really nice young man fell in love with a handsome girl, the only daughter of a handsome and well-preserved widow of thirty-eight, and offered her marriage. She ridiculed him because he was twenty-six, and said he was old enough to be her father and so on, and with her taunts goaded him to such a pitch of frenzy that, he swore he would bo fearfully revenged. Accord ingly ho proposed to anil married the wretched girl's mother. Now, that wretched girl has to wear stout leather boots two sizes too large for her and go to bed at 9 p. in., and eschew the thea ter, chocolate caromels, ice-cream and in fact everything else that makes life worth living for, her stepfather’s nominal ob ject being that when she grows up she may be as splendidly matured a woman as her mother, tho compliment implied in this inducing the mother to second him enthusiastically. When a young man comes round to see that wretched girl, her stepfather bounces him down the front steps, throws his hat after him and tells the wretched gill the young man is not a fit companion for her, and that lie is as solicitous for her future as he would be for that of liis own child, and altogether, in the kindest manner possible, he makes that wretched girl even wish she were dead as many as a hundred times a day. Blondes, it seems, have gone out of fashion, and many ladies will have to switch oft 1 . WILL W. SINGLETON, Editor k Proprietor. VOL. VI. NEW&PAPIMt QUESTIONS. Jio editor sat in li* pnnrtuni, lteKdi'diiiK with mul, earnout eyes The hutfo pile of “ Questions ” liia reader* Hud Kent with rtenmutU fi>r roplJeH. “ Why, tlteso,” Haiti tho weary quiU-drlvor, “ Would till up a moderate nook. I’ll publish the whole lot together, * And let peoplo boo how they look!” u Who wuh 11 that wrote that sweot ditty UoKituiinK, 4 1 naw from ——’ Fomcwhero ?” 14 Pray tell me hoiuc certain npeoiflo For changing tho color of hair l” “ \S hat in tho name of tho author Of * No, we’ll never go homo V ” 44 Did ShakHpcaro write 4 Down in aOoalMineT’* 44 Who was tho third Pope of Homo V* 44 1)o North Polar fishes have feathers ? w 44 Wuh Wat Tyler quartered or hung ?* 4 ‘ Where wuh the lirnt man cremated V” 44 Who wan it invented the bung V* 44 Do bull'alo ever oat Hauer kraut?” ** IN here can I get mnno anal. JNiori..* /*' 44 Mhlcli of tho muHOH played abort-atop ?” 44 Did Bonaparte ever have corns ?” " 44 What was the air Nero fiddled?” 44 Do hard-shell damn ever yield pearls ?” 44 How many boilw did poor Job have?” 44 What will euro Hqufntiug in girlH ?” 44 Why are some people rod hooded ?” 44 Why don’t my young man proposo ?” 44 What was tho matter with llunuah ?” 44 Why don’t I turn out my toes?” 44 Did the Prodigal Hon use tobacco? ” 4 ‘ What do you think nils my cat? ” 44 Had Nebuchadnezzar four stomachs? ” “How Hhall I trim my now hat?” 44 Te1l me whero Moses was buried!” 44 Did Nonli take fleas in tho ark?” “ What was Eve's middle initial ? ” 44 Why is it that lions do not bark 7” 44 1 like.” said the editor, smiling, 44 1 Hue these good people who seek For knowledge, and I like to give it. I’ll answer their questions next wock. I’d like, too*to get. them together ; They’d think immortality leaked; I’d answer their questions, as promised, Though most folks would call it necks tweaked.” The Condemned Cuban. It was a fearful night on tho coast ot Cuba, for a tornado had swept along the sea and shore with relentless fury, leav ing death and destruction in its merciless path. And yet, though sheltered by the for est-elaii point of land jutting out from tho main, small vessel was getting ready to leave tho quiet inland waters and put to sea. The cause of thus daring death by the commander of this little vessel was be cause at the peak the lone star fiag of tho struggling Cubans fluttered in the breeze and sentence most severe rested upon all who served beneath its folds. The little vessel, once a New York yacht, had run in to the Cuban coast after dark, bearing arms, ammunition, stores, and a few good men and true for the patriot army of Cespedes in tho mountains. Having safely delivered her cargo into the charge of tho unfortunate Gen. Ryan,* her American commander deter mined to put to sea in tho face of the storm, for he knew that Spanish gun boats were watching for him, and that capture meant certain deatli by the gar rote or rifle. “Stand ready all to make sail. The storm will bo more merciful than tho Spaniards,” ealled out the yacht’s Cap tain ; and the crow of half a dozen men and two junior officers sprang to obey, when to their ears came the deep boom of a gun. All paused, for what could it mean ? Certainly it was not the roar of thun der, for its mutterings were heard far away to landward. Could another Cuban craft bo running in and the gun come from a Spaniard in chase ? No, it was the deep boom of a heavy gun, and those on tlie yacht looked at each other in awe as it was repeated, for they knew that the brazen throat was pleading piteously for help, and that 100 lives- --perl laps many more—hung on the answer to that appeal. “ They are minute guns, and they are calling for a pilot,” said Enrique Del monte, a handsome young Cuban, wlio was second in command of the yacht. “ Will any go to their aid ?” asked the American commander. “ No, they are Cuban pilots, and it must be a Spanish man-of-war that needs them.” “It seems a pity to see them wrecked, even if they are our enemies. Hark I llow pleading are those guns 1” answered tlie American. “Enemies though they be, they shall not die, for I will save them !” “ You, Enrique Belmonte ?” “ Yes, my Captain ; for, as you know, my boyhood’s home is near by, and I know these waters well. Will you put me on board, for yon are going to sea ?” said tlie noble young Cuban. “It is a fearful risk for you to run, Delmonte; you are already under sen tence of death, and—” “ I will die in a good cause. Come, let us lose no time, from the sound of those guns the vessel is drifting in rap idly.” The American Captain offered no ar gument further, and the anchor was raised, the sails, reefed down, were sot. and the little yacht sped like a huge, white bird away from its safe nest to battle with tho wild waters and winds beyond. it took the united strength of the Captain and Enrique Delmonte, who acted as pilot, to hold the yacht on her course, for the seas washed over her decks in torrents, and she staggered fearfully beneath tho rude shocks of tlie waves. At longth the channel was safely passed through, and the open waters reached, when, not half a mile away, came tho vivid red flash of a gun, and the deep boom rolled across the waters. “It is a large vessel, and evidently a steamer, from tlie light rig the gun’s Hash showed,” said the Captain. “I know that vessel well, Captain; for three years of my service in the Span ish navy was passed on her deck, and I would rather lose my life than see her down. ” Enrique Delmonte spoke with great earnestness, and the American felt that lie had some deep cause for wishing to save the vessel. He knew that liis father was a Spaniard and his mother a Cuban, and that ho had been reared in tlie navy of Spain, which lie had left to serve his native land. Shaping their course so as to head the drifting vessel off, a lantern was shown to tell of coming succor, and the cheer that broke from tho crow at sight of it was heard on board tlie yacht. “ Delmonte, again 1 must remind you of the risk you run,” said the Captain. “I know all, and I will take my IMIENA VISTA, MARION COUNTY. GAfc SATURDAY, JANUARY ISBI. chances; as soon ns I hoard tho Alu mandn yon lmd better stand seaward, so ns not to bo in this neighborhood at day light.” “ And you, Dolmonto ?” "Oh! I will run the vessel into the harbor we left, and then go ashore and hasten on after Ryan, for I can overtake him, and when you again como to the island I will join you unless I can do more good ashore ; but hero we are, and I will hail.” In a ringing voice, and in Spanish, Enrique Delmonte hailed the large ves sel, which was now plainly seen to boa large steamer and war vessel, whoso light sails would not work her off shore. “Ho, the Alamanda 1 ” __ "Ay, ay, i*ro you J'*p!lot?” cainfflW answer from the vessel of war. “ Yes ; I will rim under your lee and comf) on board.” “All right, for our machinery has broken down, we have lost onr anchors, and are drifting rapidly,” said an officer, in earnest tones. “ I know that voice ; it is Capt. Vero na himself. Now good-by. Captain, and if harm befall Enrique Delmonte tell my friends how i died;” and tho young Cuban grasped tho American’s hand, and stood ready to seize the ropes ready to he thrown to him. Though plunging fearfully tho Ameri can held the yacht firmly in hand, and ran close in under the stern of the steamer, from which ropes were skillful ly thrown, and adroitly grasped by the Cuban, who, with a good-by on his lips to his shipmates, clambered over the sides of the Spanish vessel, while the yacht bounded away from the enemy those on board had so much cause to dread, and started on her return voyage to tho IV' _•(’ States. Upon reaching the deck Enrique Del monte found himself in the presence of a score of officers, while a crowd of sea men stood not far away, gazing upon the daring pilot that had come out to their aid; but, with his collar muffling his face, his hat drawn down over his eyes, he was not recognized, though he looked upon more than a dozen men who had long been his comrades in tho navy of Spain. “Are you a Cuban pilot?” asked Capt. Verona, a haughty, stern-faced man of 45. “I am a Cuban, and have como to keep you off yonder rocks,” was the quiet reply, while he pointed shoreward to the lino of breakers. “Our rig is too light for us to work off shore, and our machinery is broken down and anchors gone, so, if you can not save us, wo are doomed,” said the Spaniard. “I know that well, Senor, and I will take the helm,” was tho reply; and, going to liis post of duty, he assumed control, and, so longer struggling to beat out to sea, the steamer was put be fore the gale, and went rushing landward with fearful speed. C.Jm and firm Enrique Delmonte stood at the wheel, his eyes watching every move of the vessel, and penetrat ing the gloom ahead to catch sight of some well-known object by which he could got his course. And on rushed the Spanish vessel into the channel, and, though apparently surrounded by breakers, holding her course unswervingly, until sbo glided around the point ot land that formed the harbor, and was in safety. • ‘ You can move alongside of yondei rocks, Senor, for there is depth enough,” said the Cuban, when tho cheers of the Spaniards at their rescue died away. “You are a daring and skillful pilot, Senor, and you have saved myself and crew, so name your reward,” said Capt. Verona. “The reward I ask, Senor Captain, is mercy for any poor Cubans that may fall into your hands,” was the brusque reply. “Ha! this rings like the words of a traitor to Spain ! Are you such, sir ?” “I am a Cuban patriot, Senor,” was tlie calm reply. “Ah, and seem proud of it. By Nep tune 1 but we have been saved by* a foe ; your love of gold must bo great indeed for you to risk your life aboard this ship.” ' ’ 1 told you, Senor, tho only reward I ask. I have saved you from wreck, so will now say farewell.” ' “Hold! Quartermaster, hold that battle-lantern here that I may catch a glimpse of this fine fellow’s face.” The lantern flashed upon the dark, handsome and fearless countenance and a dozen voices called his name : “Enrique Delmonte 1” “Aye, Enrique Delmonte I am ; once an Officer aboard this vessel, but now a Cuban patriot, for I would not fight against my native land.” He si ood before them unflinchingly now, and for a moment there was dead silence. Then Capt. Verona spoke : “Enrique Delmonte. your resignation of your Lieutenant’s commission was never accepted, but, on tho contrary, you were tried as a deserter and con demned to death as such, beside coming under the sentence of those who call Jiemselvsis patriots. Under these cir cumstances, notwithstanding your no blo deed this night, it is my duty to ar rest you and place you in irons.” “ What 1 would you be guilty of a deed so vile, Senor?” asked the Cuban, indig nantly. “My duty, sir, compels me. Senor, put this man in irons.” A defiant smile crossed the handsome face of Enrique Delmonte as the officer approached and ironed his wrists; but he made no resistance, and was led away-between decks and plaeed in a state-room, a guard being stationed at his door. Throwing himself down upon a seat, he murmured: “Ah 1 Senor Verona, I know well your hatred toward me; it is because your daughter was my promised wife, and you would rather have me die than see her one day marry a Cuban who was the enemy of Spain.” The door softly opened, and, looking up, by the dim light from the ward-room lamp Enrique Delmonte saw a slender form before him—a maiden with a face of exquisite beauty. “Enrique!” “ Consuelo 1” It, was all they said, and, springing Devoted to the Interests of Marion County and Adjoining Sootions forward, she threw her arms around his ueck. “Oli, Enrique, I know all, and how cruel has been my father’’ she said, after a while. “He says lie does his' duty, Con suelo." “ Rah 1 ho panders to his hate. I know you, Enrique, when I saw you como on hoard, hut I held myself aloof and I heard all that passed, .Once, four years ago, when I was a girl of 14, you sprung into tlie sea and saved my life when a wave carried me from the deck, and to-night you have saved it again— aye, and the lives of 200 m "l, von; ene mies. Now T slmjl save HjlhitafiJUuJsri' Viiieen^p^^fisked ™.r I !llhalJ,lTi Hmiirisdl “ I mean that, though your duty called you to war against Spain, I never sev ered our engagement, and, loving you still, Enrique, I will not see you die, for already you are condemned, anil tho gnrrote will end your life. No ! I have arranged my plan. Come ! ” “Rut think of your father’s auger when ho discovers—” “ What is his anger to your life? Hero, throw this cloak around yon and put on this officer’s cap,” and she picked tip a bundle she had dropped, while, with a key she held in her hand, she quickly unlocked tho irons that bound him. Ho did as sho told him, and then drew her to his heart, saying feelingly : “ Consuelo, will you bo true to me until peace shall reign between your land anil mine ?” “Forever, Enrique 1 I can live only with you. But come, I sent the guard off on a message and he will soon re turn.” She led him from the state-room, up tlie companion-way and to the deck. The wind still howled mournfully through tho trees and the roar of the sea was terrific to hear, but tho steamer was calmly resting upon tlie waters moored to a large rock, and with heavy branches overhanging the decks. Against the poop-deck au officer shrunk from the blast, and forward was tho watch on duty; but no one noticed the tall form of the Cuban, as with a nod of farewell he sprung over the side of the ship upon the foliage-clad rocks, an t disappeared from view—liis life saved by the woman he loved, aad who idolized him. Waiting until her lover had time to reach the forest, Consuelo Verona en tered the cabin where hex father sat writing letters, and, looking u; he said: “ Why, daughter, 1 thought ou had retired ’ ” “No, father, I remained up to prevent your bringing a stain upon your proud name,” she answered calmly. “ What mean you, eliild ? ” “ Simply, that had Enrique Delmonte died at your hands, aft<. his noble conduct to-night in saving his foes, it would have been a foul blot upon your honor 1” “But he is condemned to die, and—” “ And I set him free.’’ The Spaniard sprang to his feet in a rage, hissing forth : “ Girl, how dare you brave mo in this way ? Ho ! On deck, there 1” “.Hold, father, he has escaped, for this is his own land near by, and he knows it well; and, more, I alone am to ’.•lame, for tho guard over him I ordered away, aud, as I often carry orders for you, ho obeyed. In the place of En rique Delmonte, father, make me your prisoner.” Capt. Verona stormed like a madman, and roused the whole ship ; blit it did no good, for the Cuban had escaped, and in safety gained the mountains, where lie joined the command of Gen. Jordan, and won distinction as a gallant officer of cavalry; and through all the weary struggle in Cuba there were two hearts longing for peace, for, though one was a soldier in the patriot ranks and the other a daughter of Spain, their hearts were bound together by ties of love which deatli alone could sever. •Executed with others of the Virginia's crew. No Need for a Draft. Just at present these is no pressing need for a draft in this country, for there were 23,767 applications to enter the regular army last year, when only 5,000 were wanted. Of the 5,000 who were accepted, 3,441 were born in Amer ica. New York furnished the most, 727, and next in order were Pennsylvania 474, Ohio 307, Maryland 255, Virginia 205, Indiana 140, and Kentucky 140. No other State furnished as many as 90. Connecticut contributed 58. Tiiese fig ures are as regards nativity, not resi dence. Massachusetts did not have a third as many as Tennessee. Of the 1,565 foreign-born enlistments, Ireland furnished 575, Germany 447, England 185, Canada 155, and no other country so many as 50. Now York State, it nmy be mentioned, gave more than any for eign country, and more than all the Southern States together. Farmers are more numerous than any other class in the new recruits, numbering 1,483, against 1,405 “laborers,” 564 soldiers, 248 clerks, and so on, including 30 school teachers, 32 druggists, 13 architects, 4 photographers, who no doubt can “take” the enemy when he keeps sufficiently quiet, one stenographer, and others of classes not suggestive of regular-army tendencies. Run away boys show up well among the rejected, for 2,568 were turned away as “minors.” Tall men are proved to be far less plenty than short ones, for, while 114 were rejected for “over lieight,” there were 1,477 rejected as ‘ ‘ under-height.” On the other hand fat men are plentier than lean, for 207 were rejected for “over-weight” and only 186 for “under-weight.” The chief of all causes for rejection was intemper ance, which caused 2,758 to be turned away from tlie recruiting station. About 600 applicants were rejected be cause they were rendered worthless for service through diseases duo to their own immorality. It is a rather tough picture. While about 2,500 were rejects ed as minors, 1,000 were turned away as over age; and thirty-two branded de serters applied for readmission. The man who sighs : “ How soon we are forgotten 1” has only to leave a hotel without paying his bill to find how sadly mistaken lie is. Morals ami Mathematics. It is each year becoming more evident that the churches all combined cannot make their schools and labors keep pace | with tho advance of population; and that, unless the State shall introduce tho morals of all humanity as it reaches from the Nile to tho Oregon, millions of tho children of this country will never know by heart a single moral sentence, either from any human or any divine lips. Tho modern Gamaliel should tencli ethics. Ethics is the science of human duty. Arithmetic tells man how to count his money, ethics liow lie should acquire it, whether by honesty or fraud. 1 Geography is a map of the world, ethics is ftboautiful map of duty. This ethics is not Ciirimfanlty, it is not even Tffiig* ion, but it is the sister of religion, be cause the path of duty is in full harmony as to quality and direction with the path of God. And in our times this ethics has greatly widened out, and has been flinging out words of praise in directions whither it once looked with ignorance or indifference. Ethics now teaches tho actual beauty of simplicity of dress aud style, and the dignity of all labor, so that all .young persons issuing from a public school-house should go forth fully persuaded that work in a shop or on a farm is not only permissible, but is both a duty and a happiness, A school which bj-eeds an intellectual vanity, and makes all the girls and boys of a town or city long to be poets, or historians, or law yers, or orators, or statesmen and mil lionaires is very narrow and false ; but broad, and just, and true is the public institution which so sets forth tlie ethics of labor that all industry at tlie desk, or in the shop, or behind the plow will seem like the acceptance of a call from God aud humanity. It must be reck oned a misfortune if as soon as a poor lad or a poor girl is tanglit at public expense to read and write, the lad must purchase a cane or hire a buggy for a Saturday af ternoon, or the girl must aspire to some sliowy jewelry and must learn the glitter of the life long before she learns its import. That our public schools do to some degree build up an intellectual vanity more rapidly than they build up wisdom must be admitted. Such an evil will continuo until tho councils which govern courses of instruction shall conclude that no lessons in arith metic or geography can ever compare with the simple lessons in human life. What tlie State wants is not the vanity of its multitude, nor is it their poetry nor their fine clothes, and gay plumage, and jewelry, but their wise and attract ive lives ; and if this be the need of tlie nation, then the school-house should make every young heart that enters its doors commit to memory all the pre cious maxims of duty that lie like pearls all along the way from Zoroaster to Ben jamin Franklin. The free schools are founded upon tho assumption that the heart of a child is easily molded into a goodly shape. It is assumed that if taught to read it will read good books and will encounter and love those vast truths which have become imbedded in the literature of the world. Thus all our school-buildings are based upon the assumption that the eyes which pore over the alphabet and readers in the heart’s young days will sooner or later shed tears of appreciation over tlie di v'ne lesson of labor and duty and char ity and temperance which will sparkle before them upon tho open pages of let ters. To the majority of children the moral works and possibilities of society ; must be pointed out with care, and memories at first unwilling must be loaded by force persuasive and kind with the undeniable propositions of eth ics. Au Auerbach and a Carlyle and a Franklin may easily discern the best paths through this world, but there are not enough of these quick souls to make up a nation, not even a village. The multitude of youths must be patiently taught morals, just as they arc taught the multiplication-table, and must be aided toward tlie feeling that society de pends more for its happiness upon the truths of character and being than it de pends upon arithmetic.— Prof. David Swing. Changes of Life. Change is the common feature of so ciety—of all life. The world is like a magic lantern, or the shifting scenes of a panorama. Ten years convert the population of schools into men and women, tho young into fathers anil matrons, make and mar for tunes, and bury the last generation but one. Twenty years convert infants into lovers, fathers and mothers, decide men’s fortunes and distictions, convert active men and women into crawling drivelers, aurl bury all preceding generations. Thirty years raise an active generation from nonentity, change fascinating beau ties into bearable old women, convert lovers into grandfathers and grand mothers, and bury the active generation, or reduce them to decrepitude and imh<- cility. Forty years, alas 1 change the face of all society. Infants are growing old. the bloom of youth aud beauty lias passed away, two active generations have been swept from tho stage of life, names once cherished are forgotten, unsuspected can didates for fame have started from the exhaustleSb womb of nature. And in fifty years-—mature, ripe fifty years—a half century—what tremendous changes occur. How Time writes her sublime wrinkles everywhere, in rock, river, forest, cities, hamlets, villages, in the nature of man and the destinies aud aspects of all civilized society. Let us pass on to eighty years—and w liat do we desire anil see to comfort us in the world ? Our parents are gone, our children have passed away from us into all parts of the world to fight the grim and desperate battle of life. Our old friends—where are they? We behold a world-of which we know nothing and to which we are unknown. We weep for the generations long since gone by- -for lovers, for parents, for children, for friends in the grave. Wo see everything turned upside down by the fickle hand of fortune and the absolute despotism of time. In a word, wo behold the vanity of life, and are quite ready to lay down the poor burden and be gtme. Thomas Carlyle is 86 years old, and gets crabbeder and savagor as he grows older. AiICUNT OF SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. Swnrd-Wenrlng In Japan. Tn Japan, tlio sword, until a recent date, lias been considered a badge of the aristocracy. Tlio etiquette which regu lated the wearing of the long and short sword was expressed in a number of min ute rules. Since the contact of the Jap | atiese with Europeans and Americans, these weapons are not so generally worn, and the rules have fallen into disuse. But the following-narrative shows what was their character: The most trivial breach of these min ute observances was often the cause of murderous brawls and dreadful reprisals. To touch another's weapon, or to come into collision with the sheath, was a dire offence, mi to enter a friend's house rßhout’ W-HA'gsWtwiword outside, waa a breach of friendship. Those whose position justified the no companiment of an attendant invariably left the sword in his charge at the en trance, or, if alone, it was usually laid down at the entrance. If removed inside it was invariably done by the host’s servants, and then not touched by the bare hand, hut with a silk napkin kept for the purpose. The sword was placed upon a sword rack in the place of honor near the guest, and treated with all the politeness due to an honored visitor who would resent a discourtesy. To exhibit a naked weapon was a gross insult, unless when a gentleman wished to show his friends his collection. To express a wish to see a sword was not usual, unless when a blade of great value was in question, when a request to be shown it would be a compliment the happy possessor appreciated. The sword would then be handed with the hack towards the guest, the edge turned towards the owner and the hilt to to the left, the guest wrapping the hilt either in the little silk napkin always carried by gentlemen in their pocket books, or in a sheet of clean paper. The weapon was drawn from the scab bard and admired inch by inch, but not to the full length unless theowner pressed his guest to do so, when with much apol ogy, the sword was entirely drawn and held away from the other persons pres ent. After being admired, it would, if appar ently necessary, be carefully wiped with a special cloth, sheathed and returned to the owner as before. The short sword was retained in the girdle, but at a long visit both host and guest laid it aside. The Schoolmaster in Germany. The reports of our school inspectors often reveal a very remarkable state of things in our schools and among our teachers, hut, thank Heaven, they show nothing so bad as the report of an ex amination of German candidates for the schoolmaster’s certificate, which we have just read. Oue candidate, on being asked what countryman Jesus was, re plied that he was an Italian. Another, on being shown a stuffed squirrel and asked to name it, succeeded in doing so, but on being further asked wliat sort of a squirrel it was, guessed that it was a stuffed one. “Where,” continued the' examiner, “is this species of squirrel to be found?" “In the dealer’s window,” was the reply. “ What is this ?” asked the professor, showing another candi date a butterfly. “That is a butterfly, sir.” “No doubt, but what kind of butterfly ?” “ Mein Gott!” was the answer, “-we have so many of them in our parts that we never pay any | attention to them. ” “It is now 1 o’clock here,” remarked the examiner to a can didate for honors in geography, “what time is it in London ?” “Well, it must be quite as late there,” was the reply. “ How many square miles does the north pole cover?” was another question, to which came the answer: “No one knows. A great number of people have tried to go there, but not one lias suc ceeded in the attempt.” “ How do you teach children the difference between the right and left bank of a river?” “I don’t teach them that, because there is no river in our parts.” Another can didate was shown a skeleton map and asked to name a particular mountain, but he observed the map was a bad one, as the names were not marked on it like the one at home, 'which was far superior. “Why did tins companions of Columbus refuse to go further ?” was another ques tion. “Because,” replied the candidate, “ they hail come to the spot where the ship would have tipped over, for you know, sir, the earth is round.” These examples will suiliee to prove that, if the schoolmaster is generally abroad in Ger many, the candidates for that title are not seldom at sea. — Manchester (Eng.) Post. Iron and Bronze. Prof. Huntington, of Kings College, London, is not convinced that the belie! that mankind employed bronze before iron is well founded. It is true, indeed, that more bronze than iron implements have come down to us from prehistoric times; but the force of that fact is weak ened considerably by the very important consideration, frequently disregarded, that iron oxidizes very rapidly—is soon reduced to l ist; while bronze, on the other hand, decays very slowly. At a very remote period the inhabitants of In dia were well acquainted with the work ing of iron, and there is every reason to believe that the ancient Egyptians could also manufacture it. Man, in a very savage state, may have a practical knowledge of the nature and use of iron, as lias been proved by the finding ol iron assegais of native workmanship, in Zululand. The hard and fast lines us ually drawn to indicate human progress first from the stone, then to the bronze, and lastly to the iron age, need to be IS* laxed, to say the les.s4, French Politeness. Mile. X. waits one morning in vain for the arrival of her old music teacher. At last His little daughter makes her appear ance in his stead, and says, “Mamma sends mo to say that she hopes you will i xOuse papa from coming to give his ’esfen this morning, because he is dead.' s *Mend your ways, my son,” said the gooaLDeacon Sippleson, “before it is too Tate/l “Time enough for that, dad,” ex claimed tlio graceless rascal, lighting a fresh fcgar; “’tis never too later to mend vou k&ow. dad. ” NO. ”0. FACTS FOR THE CURIOUS. Durinh tho famines in India, of which there have been about one every five years for the past century, a quarter of a pound of rec per day has been found sufficient to keep grown persons in fair condition when not engaged in active lu- Inir. Laborers require a pound and u half. Thesis are only 15,000 real-estate holders in New York city in a popula tion of 1,000,000, T4o tenement-house system is the only resort of the musses, mid about 600,000 of tho population live in this manner. Tho entire Filth ave nue, three miles long, contains u smaller number than some of the more densely populated squares. Twinkmno of stars is generally con ceded to he duo to moisture in the up per air. M. Montigliy, in a paper pub lished in Les Modes, holds that very prouounoed twinkling of the stars indi cates either commotion in the upper re gions of tho atmosphere or a sudden fall of temperature there, thus denoting tho conditions of an early appearance of had weather. Statistics show that there has been a gradual and steady increase in the aver age length of life since tho sixteenth century. Much of this increased lon gevity has been due to the improved conditions of living among all classes ; and the influence of good living, homo comforts, etc., is shown at the present time by the fact that the wealthy aver age twelve more years of life than tho poor. Tin? greatest amount of cold ever known to he endured by white men overtook Lieut. Schwatka’s party in search of information about Sir John Franklin's party. They were over eleven months in sleds and journeyed about 3,000 miles. On Jan. 3, 1880, the ther mometer sunk Iff! degrees below the freezing point. The highest tempera ture that day was 60 degrees below freezing point. For twenty-seven lays the average temperature was 02 degrees below the freezing point. The Norwegian fishermen always car ry with them on their expeditions a kind of telescope called a water tele scope. This is a tube three or four feet long, with an eye-piece at one end. Tho other end, which is open, is placed in the water over the edge of the boat, and a little practice easily enables the ob server to distinguish objects at a depth of from ten to fifteen futlioms. Tlio fishermen are thus enabled to discover shoals which would otherwise go un noticed. They then give the signal, their comrades surround them with seines, and they frequently make won derful hauls in places and under cir cumstances that would never have been suspected but for the use of the tele bcope. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the Fourth of J uly, 1826. John Adams died in his 91st year, and was eight years older than Thomas Jef ferson ; Thomas Jefferson xvas eight years older than James Monroe ; James Monroe was eight years older than John Quincy Adams. The first five of our Presidents—all Revolutionary men— ended their terms of service in the 66th year of their age. Washington, born Feb. 22, 1732 ; inaugurated, 1789 ; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age. John Adams, bom Oct. 19, 1735 ; inaugurated, 1797; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age. Thomas Jefferson, born April 21, 1743; inaugurated, 1801; term of service ex pired in the 66th year of his age. James Madison, born March 4, 1751; inaugu rated, 1809; term of service expired in the 66tli year of his age. James Mon roe, born April 2, 1759; inaugurated, 1817; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age. Beer Stalking. I have had an opportunity recently to witness this interesting and exciting sort of hunting. The party of hunters, say three or tour in number, separate from each other at about dawn or sun rise, and, being furnished with a com pass, they direct you to proceed forward a certain distance, and then hide in the fallen tree tops and wait an hour or more, and then again choose another spot for operation. At oue time, after leaving m\' companions, I did not meet them again in six hours. To be alone in these wide forests and suddenly come on a pair of these animals, and witness the rush they make at first to escape from your close proximity is somewhat exciting, and not regarded favorable to the self-possession and coolness required to make a good shot. On two occasions I have seen this, and have not been able to get in the neces sary work to secure my game. Am oc casional wold-turkey flock gives variety to the sport. But there is a serious drawback to a perfectly-contented state of mind in this style of hunting. Now and then some inexperienced hunter, seeing in the distance a moving object, draws a sight on it, and brings down a man. Four have thus been hit in this vicinity quite recently. For all this al most ail the railroad stations show the success, more or less, of the deer hunt ers. Letter from Defiance county, Ohio. Shakespeare’s Mother. Both young men belonged to the sa cred jeunesse doree of Harvard, but even their brilliant intellects hail suc cumbed to the power of wine. They stood upon the step of a Cambridge car, and talked loudly, wholly unconscious that Miss X., the young lady upon whom they were to call the following evening, sat just inside the car door. Theatrical topics were the subject of their conver sation, and one remarked, loftily, that for his part he never cared for Shakes peare. “O, dash Shakespeare!” the other returned; “he’s nobody. I knew his mother. She was nothing but an old nigger washwoman down on Joy street!” On the following evening the two youths, in faultless attire, were sun ning themselves in the smiles of Miss X., when Shakespeare was casually men tioned. “I am always smashed on Shakespeare,” the second youth remark ed. What was his horror when Miss X. returned, coldly, “That is very natural; i believe you are acquainted with his mother. ” — Boston Courier. - 1 A curious mode of conducting contra band trade has just been put in practice in Switzerland. Tho proprietor of a watch manufactory at Lugano has a large and well trained stock of carrier pigeons which keep journeying continu ally to Italy and back again. Each pigeon, on its flight to the south, bears a small watch attached to its feet. The owner thus hopes to import daily fifty watches into Italy without running any danger of paying any duty. Acting upon this information the Custom-House authorities at New York have instructed all officers of steamships to refuse pas sengers the liberty of taking pigeons on board. But “stool pigeons” are not easily discovered.