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Idiots—How they are Educa ted. BT ANNA RANDALL DIEHL. It was odg of tbe injunctions of Mohammed to treat with kindness those on whom God had forgotten to smile, end this is religionsly car ried ont by thefollowers of the Prophet. But it is not in Mohammedan countries alone that the unfortunate clats we call idiots are are treated with humane consideration. In those S ortions of of the world wheie the greatest num- er of idiots are found, popular sympathy, in their behalf is most keenly developed. In France, the word which applies to the largest class is the cretins, a common corrup tion of Chretien (Christian), the word itself be ing a key to the kindness 6hown these unfor tunates. In sympathetic Ireland, the child devoid of Bense is called a poor innocent. It is only during this century that any sym pathetic iflorts have been made to ameliorate the condition of these creatures. Once, smitten with the terrible name of idiot, the child inspired only disgust and horror, and deprived of all assistance, sequestered from all society, he remained eternally plunged in the darkness of his infirmity. About fifty years ago, in France, Germany, and some other portions of Europe, medical men began to turn their attention to tbe causes of idiocy, and the classification or gradation of those coming under the list; and aided by philanthropic and scientific teachers, the work began of litting to a higher plane those who were, in a majority of cases, provided with little less than brute intelligence. Gall measured heads with his callipers, and doomed to perpetual imbecility those whose volume of brain fell below his figures; but alas for Gall and happily for the poor idiot, the in terdict against him has been revoked. In 1800 the first known systematic attempt to train idiots was begun by Itard, who prac ticed upon an individual case, that of a boy found wild in the forest in the centre of France; other efforts were made by Dr. Ferrus and Dr. Voisin: but the first attempt to bring together in school this class of children and successful ly improve their condition was made by M. Se- guin, ol Paris. 1 make a single quotation from a French writer who has reportod the work of this humaniatarian teacher. He says : “I have seen, with no less gratification than astonish ment, nearly one hundred human beings, who but a short time since were shut out from all communion with mankind, who were objects of loathing and disgust, many of whom rejected every article of clothing, others of whom were unable to stand erect, crouched themselves into corners, and gave signs of life only by piteous howls; others in whom the faculty of speech had never been developed; and many whose voracious and indiscriminate gluttony satisfied itself with whatever they could lay their hands upon, even the garbage thrown to swine— these beings, rejected by humanity, I have seen properly ciad, standing erect, walking, speak ing, eating in an orderly manner at a common table, working quietly as carpenters and farm- 1 ers; gaining by their own exertions the means of subsistence; storing their awakened intelli gence by reading to each other; exercising to ward their teachers and among themselves the generous feelings of man s nature, and singing in unison songs of thanksgiving. ‘It is a miracle—a miiacle of intelligence, of patience, and ol love.’ The work begar in this country in 1939, when an idiotic blind child was received at the insti tution for the blind in Boston. He was unable to walk, and nearly paralytic, but the great and good Dr. Howe determined to try the experi ment of improving the child, and a course of treatment based upon the rules of physiology and hygiene was followed with considerable success. Two other children blind and idiotic were treated by Dr. Howe, and he became con vinced that if so much could be done for blind idiots, still more could be accomplished lor those who had sight. In the report ol this work he said: •My sympathy for them grew stronger and stronger every dsy, and my energies were en listed in their cause. The amelioration of their condition became the object of my study, and I was convinced beyond doubt that they were capable of beiDg improved in their bodily hab its in their mental capacities, and even in their spritual natures.’ In the winter of 184G, by a curious coinci dence, committees were appointed by tbe Sen ates of Massachusetts and New Pork, each inde pendent of the other, and propably each ignor ant of the existence of the other, and actually making their reports upon the same day. From these beginnings, institution are now in operation in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. It has been tbe pleasure of the writer to visit many of these schools and to witness the wonderful work performed. The education of defective children is a task of more than ordinary responsibility, and the teacher must be endowed with more than com mon character and ability. The physical conditions must in nearly all cases be scientifically considered and treated. The feeblest sparks ol mentality must be enkin dled, and in many cases almost created. The training of the leeble-minded furnishes the best proof that the lower the mental calibre of the pupil, the higher should be the capacity of the instructor. The institution for the State of New York, so cruelly called ‘An Asylum lor Idiots,’ is located at Syracuse. It is managed by Dr. Wilbur, a scientific phy sician of large culture and pbilan- thiopic heart, and has been eminently success ful. •The State Asylum for Idiots and Imbecile Children,’ at Columbus, Ohio, is soon to be humanely re-christened the ‘Ohio Home for Feeble-minded Youth.’ Ibis is in charge of Dr. and Mrs. Doren, and it would interest any sympathetic and intelli gent person to visit this institution. You find the school-room resembling a play room. The toys of the desks are flat, and each child has something on the desk lor his amuse ment. A little girl may be seen playing with her doll and putting it to bed, a boy making a lence ot slicks, a class who are engaged in stringing buttons, others learning foirn and col or by means ol blocks, and cups, and balls. A good plea for the word system ol teaching reaomg, is that it is invariably found to be the best means ol teaching those with a low order ot intellect, and an argument tor the introduction ot diawing into primary schools is the success which it meets in these schools. At least fifteen years ago the writer said to Dr. Wilbur: •If these methods are so successful in devel oping the feeblest intellects, why may they not he made serviceable in all our primary grades ?' A late visitor at the school at Columbus say6: ■The two boys who were exhibited by Barnum in Cleveland and throughout the whole coun try, as wild cbiiditn from Australia, stein this institution. They are ol the very lowest type of the feeble-minded, have small retreating heads high cheek bones, big ears, grinning mouth, and the characteristic shuffling gait ol the idiot ic. The visitor invariably remarks: ‘You can not possibly teach those poor creatures anything.' Having seen them when on exhibition, 1 felt a curiosity to know how much they had learned in the two monthB they had been inmates of the school. The older brother, who was known by the stage name of ‘Zip,’ is quite unpleaamg in appearance, suggesting to one that he may be the missing link so long sought for. He is about fourteen years old, and of a good height. When I entered the class-room, he was at the black board writing the word ‘cow.’ He had progress ed as far as the middle of the letter ‘w, and was learning to make one-half of the letter at a time. This method his teacher informed me, is neces sary in the case of many lower grade children. At first his attention could not be held for more than an instant. He soon learned to string but tons, his attention receiving its first training in the effort to find the hole in the middle of each button. He then learned to manage the peg- board, and to do a little with building blocks and it was quite an achievement wheD he built his first pen of sticks. Now he can tell the words on the cards at sight, ©Ten such large words as ‘blackboard/ ‘register/ and can point to the objects they represent, thus showing he un- derstands what he learns. I believe his teacher expects to have him reading before long. When shown a picture-book of animals, he recognized many animals made familiar to him by Barnum s Bhow, and seemed as much delighted as he would have been to meet an old friend. He loves his teacher dearly, and cannot be prevailed upon to do any thing she has forbidden him. And what seems strange, she is fond of the poor child,and is prouder of his progress than a teacher usual ly is of her brighter pupil. And why not ? What skill, what ingenuity, what patience is not re quired to awaken the small mind in such a body, and to develop in it anything like intelligence! These two boys have a sister in this asylum about the same grade as themselves.* In the Pensylvania Training-school for Feeble- nhiiSvan ia fonnd a bov named Asher. who is thus described: ‘He is exceedingly repulsive; in appearance and actions more like a gorilla than a human be ing; he is kept in a yard or a pen,where he runs about in a naked condition ;every article of cloth ing he tears and throws to the hogs. His men tal condition seems almost a blank; he has nev er spoken a word, and his temper is sudden and violent.’ .... We admitted Asher, and, believing him to be human, endeavored to make him realize it also; swings, ladders, etc., were used in various ways, as means of diversion and employment. At first the tearing of clothes was of daily occurrence; in the course of time he would let a week or two go by without such destruction. Now he sel dom tears any thing, and almost never if it. be in a good condition, but woe to a garment if a button be found off or a seem ripped. He can talk well enough to be perfectly understood by any one who is accustomed to him, and will never go to bed without kneeling beside his at tendant and going through his lorm of prayer, the language of which is incomprehensible to / the bystander, but his devotion nevertheless is touching. He is very ;helpful in the morning, dressing the smaller and weaker boys of the Asylum with surprising rapidity and dexterity, and is as particular about their garments as about his own; he will never dress a boy in any hing that has not all the buttons properly sewed on. He particularly eDjoys braiding several strands of maDilla rope for mats, an exercise re- cenlly introduced for the benefit of the lower grade or Asylum inmates. To snow in brief what is done in these schools we quote from the report of one institution, the Pennsylvania School for Feeble-minded Chil dren, which is a sample of the others. There has been admitted in all 701 inmates. Improvement ranges as follows: taught to speak, 53; articulation improved, 253; taught to read, 254; taught to write 146; to feed themselves, 61; taught to dress themtelves, 94: taught to walk, ; 5; ga't improved, 286; reformed from bad habits, 164; reformed from destructive habits, 302; ac customed to some employment,241;epilepsy im proved, 78. The Superintendent says: •The condition of this diverse family is the same throughout; it is that of mental enfeeble- ment, the result in all cases of a disordered or faulty brain structure which lies at the bottom of all perversion of sense, the uncertainty of judgement, the errors and eccentricities of the moral nature, the deafness, mutism and all the other anomalies so continually seen by us. As to the prevalence of imbecility, there are in England and Wales fifty thousand idiots, im becile and harmless lunatics, and even in Mas sachusetts, proud in her intellectual wealth and power, the last census reported 1300 idiots and imbeciles. All honor to those who with their benevolent hearts and scientific culture go down amid the groveling blackness of night, to lift even a lit tle way up to the light these, the most pitiable of God’s creatures. The Most Remarkable Lady Scientist in the Country, The most remarkable lady scientist in this country at the present time is Mrs. Simeon H. Smith, the wile of a gentleman residing in Jersey City. She was educated at Mrs. Willard’s famous Troy Seminary, and alter her marriage resided some years in Chicago. Her taste for abstruse studies early found expression iD a collection of shells and minerals, which was tbe germ of what is now one of the finest private collections in the United States, and valued at $25,060 or more. It comprises, among other treasures, over 1,000 choice minerals, as many fossils, and about 100 precious gems. Mrs. Smith was nearly two years in the School of Mines at Freiburg, Saxony, the most celebrated institution of the kind in Europe, where she as sociated with many of the learned scientists of the day. In that vicinity she procured numer ous and rare valuable specimens of silver ores, of arsenic, spars, etc. Into some of the mines of Europe she descended over 1,800 feet—in one instance went down in a bucket. She ob tained very rare specimens from the Hartz mountains, not the least of which is a beautiful fish-lizard—the Ichthyosaurus—some three feet long. She has also a large number ol fossil fishes, collected from various localities. Her suit ot coppers is very complete; cobalt and all metallic ores; agates of every variety, one spe cimen is a foot in circumference; onyx, mala chite, lapis lazuli and rhodenite in exquisite forms. One curiosity is a perfect lizard in am ber. Mrs. Smith is perfectly familiar with every feature of her vast cabinet, and imparts infor mation in a clear and comprehensive manner. She possesses a remarkable memory, and is highly cultivated on all general topics. She has contributed maDy valuable articles to scien tific publications. She is a fine linguist,_ has been exceptionally successful in translations from the Frenoh and German, and is at present engaged on the translation of a work from the French. She is a member of the American As sociation for the Advancement of Science, and she was the first lady member of the Academy of Sciences of New York. She entertains gen erously in her pleasant home on Pacific avenue in Jersey City. During the past winter she has given a series of literary and musical entertain ments which have drawn many celebrities from New York as weil as New Jersey, her guests often numbering as many as 200 or 300. She haB tour promising sons, one of whom is at present in Columbia College. She is a lady in middle life, a little above the average height ( with a pleasant open oount enance, agreable manners, and is one of the most noble-hearted and benevolent of women. The Stage. Mary Anderson has sent $100 to the yellow fever sufferers. Maud Grubbs iB the name of a rising young actress in Sherman, Texas. Crane and Robson are to play the two Dro- mios in Shakspeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors.’ Maggie Mitchell opens her season at the Grand Opera House, New York, in ‘Fanohon.’ The children in Fanny Davenport’s ‘Olivia’ are to be Mable Leonard and Eva French. Miss Gabrielle Greeley has thirteen photo graphs of the late Montague, all taken in differ ent positions. Louise Pomeroy ought to be excellent as Mamille and Olivia, both of which roles she will play next season* Mile. Josephine De Rosa, the finest premier danseuse in the country, resides at 1340 Cathe rine street, Philadelphia. Miss May Bowers engaged at the Boston The atre for this season, is a daughter of Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Baltimore’s favorite. It is stated upon good authority that there are to be no less than fifty-four female minstrel shows on the road this season. Louise Pomeroy writes from Saratoga that there is but one pretty girl there. Lou knows, because she is herself so pretty. W. T. Melville, the comedian, and Nell Bry ant, had a personal encounter in New York city on the 5th inst., in which the latter had rather the best of it. Little Lotta alias Crabtree, accompanied by Old Mrs. Crabtree, is in La Porte, Sierra county, California, where she made her first appearance on any stage, The Boston Theatre will open with a new emotional drama called ‘Two Mothers.’ Louis James will be the leading man and Mrs. Thomas Barry the leading lady. Alice Harrison, has captured the ‘Hub’ in burlesque. A few nightB since in ‘Hiawatha’ she was presented with a bouquet containing an elegant moonstone ring. And yet another great actress from the Em peror William’s domains. Tettenborn, a superb German-American actress, is to open the season at the Grand Opera House, Cincinnati. A Vicksburg (Miss.) journal contains the fol lowing: Miss Annie M. Reed, a Baltimore soci ety belle, who gave several readings lust fall, will make her debut during the approaching season upon the stage. Mary Anderson is to play four weeks at the Fifth Avenue, New York. Then she fulfills a few starring engagements, and goes with John W. Norton’s company for the balance of the season, visiting, almost every section of the coun try- During her engagement at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Mary Anderson will appear, for the first time in New York, as Julia in ‘The Hunch back.’ New costumes have been provided for all her plays, by the costumer of the Theatre Francais, Paris. Booth’s Theatre. Jarretand Palmer managers, opened last Monday, with Miss Genevieve Ward as Jane Shore, in Mr. Wills’ play of that name, produced for the first time in America. Shaks- pere’s ‘Henry VIII.’ will follow later in the sea son, with Miss Ward as Queen Katherine. Messrs. George Vandenhoff, James H. Taylor, and Milnes Levick, will support Miss Ward in her impersonations. The stars at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, N. Y., will become apparent in the following order: — Thursday, August "ty Mary Anderson—visible nightly till Beptemder 28. Madam Mojeska will shine from September 30to November 9. Edwin Booth will rise November 11, and emit a weird, j lurid light till Decemcer 14. On December 16 j Joseph Jefferson will beam upon us, the harbin ger of a merry ne\r year. Miss Kellogg is still in Paris and is having a magnificent set of costumes made by Worth, which announcement is the accepted form of advertisement for a prima donna. If Clara can get Worth to furnish her a voice to sing that Polonaise in Mignon, on which she always slips up, it will do n ore than the dresses. Filina is too much for Kellogg, and the bills won’t any longer be accepted as certificates. Mrs. Croly, (Jennie June) gave a grand recep tion to artists and literary people last week. Miss Clara Morris came down from her retreat, •The Pines, ‘ at Riverside-on-Hudson, ‘to meet Miss Genevieve Ward informally,’ as read the invitations; and there was altogether a galaxy of clever people. Miss Ward, who is advertised to emerge at Booth’s Theatre presently, came late in a gorgeous dress, invented doubtless by Worth, and so combined of white and black striped silk and bronze-colored satin and garnet beads as to defy analysis or description. Or naments of gold accompanied the costume. Years ago she appeared on the operatic stage under the nom du theatre of Mme. Gnerrabella; but I never had the pleasure of listening to her, and therefore know nothing of her artistic cali bre. She certainly looks like a tragedy queen, and seems a well-schooled woman of society. Monday night will settle the vital point as to whether she can ‘act out onto the stage.’ She makes her debut in Jane Shore—not the old tragedy of that name, but Mr. Wills’ drama. It has been presented in London, with an actress named Miss Heath in the leading role, and is said to be not only full of beautiful language, but an exceedingly powerlul acting play. Clara Morris was in admirable spirits, and held quite a levee. She was superbly dressed in white satin, made simply but elegantly, and wore, besides ornaments of diamonds, a cluster of scarlet flowers at the corsage. She does not go to St. Louis on acount of the prevalence of yellow fever, but will fulfill an engagement in Philadelphia next month, and later proceed to San Francisco. The managers here are very de sirous of making an engagement with her, and the Broadway and Lyceum offer particularly strong inducements. I believe, however, that she has not yet determined upon her move ments in that regard. At Mrs. Croly’s she was, as I have said, a center of attraction—a lionne of the hour, and to all the complimentary things that were said she seemed to find a ready ans wer. Miss Rose Eytinge is resting at her house on the summit of Orange Mountain, a little way back from ‘The Brow,’ where Governor McClel lan and other celebrities have their residences. She is in radiant health and spirits, and touch es in glowing style upon the incidents of her stay in London, where her reception was un equivocally warm. She was often at the house ot Charles Reade, on the Albert road, and re ceived from him flattering assurances of consid eration. She does not regret her choice of Nan cy in Oliver Twist as an opening part, although a recent biographer of Charlotte Cushman chronicles the elder Booth as cnunceling that actress against playing the character in London, saying it would give her a ‘vulgar’ tone. No less an authority than Robert Buchanan wrote of Miss Eytinge, after seeing her as Nancy: “If the art of ordinary tragediennes and cham pion leading ladies is ‘high,' what epithet are we to apply to the art of Miss Rose Eytinge ? Shall we call it ‘low’ art because the theme is low and uninviting,the surroundings so humble and so base? Shall we, with the minor critics, hold our pocket-handkerchiefs to our noses and murmer references to the Victoria and the old Coburg ? Or shall we rather affirm, as we fear lessly feel inclined to do, that this same low art' w |th its magic humanizing touches and its splendid indifference to mouthing and millin- ery—is, by virtue of its very lowness and sim plicity, worth two-thirds of all the high art to be seen at this moment on our national stage ? Be that as it may, and be the critioal judgement what it will, here, in Miss Rose Eytinge we have a woman who, even physically, possesses us with a peculiar sense of grandeur and repose; a woman whom Walt Whitman would delight in and recognize as the ‘justified mother of men; a large-minded, vigorous, erect and noble ani mal; over and above the animalism, so necessary to this character, a conseorated maternal soul. Observe her closely as she recklessly flings her limbs about, as she reproduces with wonderful truth, the loose and wild gestures of the class she is depicting, and yet, never for one moment passes the absolute line of beauty. The gran deur of physical movement could ‘no further go-’ ’ A LETTER. Col. John H Seals:—The following letter ex plains itself. Coming, as it does entirely unso licited by you or any one connected with your paper, I am proud of the privilege I have ob tained to offer it to you for publication in the in terest of Southern literature. The fair writer, being herself a bright star in the galaxy • of Southern talent, the praise from her ingenuous heart is a meed which you and Mrs. Bryan have nobly won, and richly deserve and therefore may accept without any other feelings than those of pride and pleasure B. Salem, Ala., Aug., 8th, 1878. Mabcus A. Bell, Esq. Dear Sir:—Your letter soliciting my ‘candid opinion of the Sunny South and Mrs. Mary E. Bryan as a writer’ is received. Having been so long a constant reader of the Sunny South, I feel prepared to answer your inquiry; and the opinion I entertain being favor able, it is readily given and with great pleasure. In my judgment the Sunny South ranks- with the best periodicals of the times. Its very name has for me a peouliar charm, and I am, indeed, truly proud of the High position this beautiful journal has taken and maintains in the literary world. All honor and praise are due to Col. Seals and Mrs Bryan for establish ing suoh a paper in our midst. The South had long felt a want for suoh an enterprise; and it affords me a real gratification to say, that the appreciation that has helped to build up and sustain it speaks well for our proud-hearted and patriotic southerners. As to Mrs. Bryan, her fame is so firmly as sured in the admiration ot the publio, that I dare not, even if I would, express an opinion adverse to her great genius and ability. Hap pily, all that I can or desire to say of this won derful woman is in heir praise. I regard her as one of the most gifted women of the nine teenth century. Her writings are so clear in diction, so deep, thoughtful, and philosophical, and. withall, so artistically graceful, they can not fail to please all persons of taste in literary matters. In depth and novelty of plot, her ro mances compare favorably with the first writers of any age. George Eliot, who is so celebra ted for modelling character, might study with profit the lovely and life-like portraitures of Esther in ‘Fighting Against Fate,’or, of Melli- cent in ‘Twice Condemned.’ Mrsa Bryan, by some masterly strokes which she {(lone knows how to give, makes even her ideal characters appear as actual men and women who are bound to us by all the tender and sympathetic emo tions of our own nature. There are a multitude of novelists all eager for mere distinction, but Mrs. Bryan is one of the few who write for pos terity. Knowing this talented authoress to possess so great thought, power and energy, it has long been a matter of wonderment to me why she has never had any of her productions bound in book form. By not having her noble works put up in a form to be preserved ani constantly re ferred to in every household, she is doing her self, her friends aDd her country a great injus tice. I did not design to say so much, but you will excuse me when I say, I am almost a worshipful admirer of Mrs. Bryan; and it is my earnest and heart-felt wish that she will, at an early day, make thousands of Southern hearts glad by giv ing to the world some, at least, of her more val uable works in book form, that they may be preserved among our household treasures and become our daily companions. * * * * m * * • * • Yours truly, Nettie Loveless Kiekulff. More Evidence. IRREFUTABLE. REMARKABLE! Astonishing Facts—The Testimo ny of an Intelligent Physician, Cured by Woolley’s Opium Anti- dote--He Used as High as 60 Grains, One Bottle, Morphine in 24 Hours—Is Now Cured--Has Abandoned the Remedy as Well as the Morphine, and Has no De sire lor Either—Read, He Gives His Name and Address--Can sensibility and produoe partial if not complete anesthesia, as shown by the great Nelaton in the asphixia produced by the inhalation of olilori- form. The result is always a quieting and ano dyne one. I further believe that this is the dem- onstratable physiological fact in the opium hab it The subject, by continual use of the drug produces a chronic contraction of the oerebral vessels, to which condition the brain (through habit) accommodates itself, and when the drug is left off, the cause of this contraction of the ce rebral vessels (which has now become a second nature) being removed, the vessels are dilated, resulting in congestion or engorgement of the brain, with all its peculiar sufferings, as is shewn by hyperesthesia irritability of the stom ach, or cerebral vomiting mania, and in many instances even death, this congestion being pe culiar on account of its peculiar cause. Now, if this theory be correct, and I believe after care ful study that it is, we can comprehend why it is that a person after becoming addicted to the use of opium, or its alkaloids, which have the same physiological effect, is so utterly powerless to remedy this wretched condition by a discon tinuance of its use, and we can also conceive how unscientific it is to expect him to abandon the habit without aid. Now, tbe question arises, how would we intelligently prescribe for this pathological condition ? If we can find a drug that would prevent the congestion of the brain, consequent upon the abandoning of the opium habit, and also relieve the unique symptons at tending this congestion, scientifically speaking, the end is attained, and we might expect that the cerebral vessels would,after a long time, re gain their normal condition, and a cure result. The sequel of this communication will show that in the remedy you propose, be it what it may, we have a specific in this disease. But another question is, whether or not this evil is one that threatens the interest of this peo ple? We contemplate in an enlightened way, what man is—that he is the image of his Maker, like a god, dwells among the stars—else how does he view yon world,that rides through space with lightning speed,through his own invention —the telescope—that he catches the light and unfolds it to an admiring world into spectres of beauty—that even the remembrance of his grandeur after his death, is a joy forever to the living—and that his dignity is yet more clearly demonstrated when we contemplate the nature of the soul. In the language of Prof. Armick, •Even in thought it stands in the ashes of a cin dered world, exultant in a destiny that has just begun,when worlds have ceased to be.’ And then woman—the greatest and best gift of God to man. —who, when ‘Pain and anguish wring t fie brow, A ministering angel thou,' or who in the shock of battle exclaims: ‘I know t'was a trumpet’s note, And I see my brothers’ lances gleam. And their pinions wave by the mountain stream, And their plumes on the glad winds float;’ or who in her beautiful resignation and pride of faithfulness, still clings to the drunken footsteps of her husband until death breaks the bond,and then goes and weeps over his discreditable grave and forgives him ali. But all this seems as a gem set in clay—this living temple. Yet tbis soul even that of a Daciere, whose eloquence was almost superhuman among the oraters of antiquity, or some ot our more modern Senators whose names I forbear to mention, so honored is their memory,and that of wives, sisters,moth ers and husbands, fathers, brothers and sons— is to-day prostrate and trailing in the dust,shad owed by the broken lamps, whose rich clouds of brilliant light have been exchanged for poisoned vapors, a sad and dismal monument of former greatness, this too, the fruits and work of that incubus, opium, which has fastened with such dreaded terror, his poisoned fangs upon the vi tals of this generation, an evil that stops not un til the house of the soul shakes under the tem pest, the rafters rot and give way, the roof sinks in, and the building falls to the ground like a palace all in ruins,with light and love vanished and gone before. There comes up from every city, town and hamlet in this broad land, a wild refrain and cry for help from tLis opium fiend. It is the most terrible disease of which I have any knowledge; yet you have a certain, painlesE and radical cure, demonstrated to me by an act ual personal test. I contracted the habit of tak ing sulphate of morphia, hypodormetically, du ring a spell of sickness. I could see no rescue, and had abandoned all hope of relief. I had used as high as sixty grains of morphine in twenty- four hours—yet your remedy has effected a com plete cure. I no longer take the Antidote and am now in as good health as I ever was in my life. This I cheerfully state and with the deep est gratitude to you, sincerely hope that my ex perience with your invaluable remedy may lead others in my deplorable condition to tbe same rescue and renewed happiness. Very respectfully your friend, It. B. Stover, M. D. In a letter dated April 22d, 1878, addressed to B. M. Woolley, Dr. Stover writes as follows: •My health has been perfect since you heard from me. The cure in my case is a permanent one; I have bad no occasion to use any ot the Antidote for nearly four months, nor have I had the least desire or call to take morphine or any preparation of opium. Myself and wife often, speak of you, and you may be assured of the- very great friendship we feel for you. If you ever meet with mislortune or trial, wheie we can serve you in any capacity, do us the favor to allow us to be of assistance to you. With kindest regards of myself and wife, very respect fully, R. B. Stover. DOES THE WORLD MOVE 1 Any Yet Doubt ? Moscow, Fayette Co., Tenn. I January 21, 1878. j C&pt. B. M. Woolley, Atlanta, Ga. My Dear Sir: This age in which we live is eminently a practical one. Yet it is impossible for any system of science or art to stand betore the intelligence of this people, flooded as they are with intellectual light, if not sustained by real claims of merit, confidence and respect. These reflections are called forth by a paragraph in yonr last leiter to me, wherein you state that some are incredulous of the power of your opium cure to eradicate the disease for which you rec ommend it. To investigate this matter, and give you the benefit of my experience and careful study, is the object of this communication, and more especially, as I hope that it may lead oth ers to as complete relief as I myself have had. I can conveive of no condition in life so de structive to everything that makes life desirable as the opinm habit. To begin then, we might enquire in what way this substance exercises its physiological action? There are conflicting opinions, but the one that best accords with my own views, is that of Mo- liere and Hammond—that anemia of the brain is present, opium producing contraction of the cerebral vessels. A toxic dose of opinm pro duces narcosis at once; in a small dose, the nar cosis, is preceded by excitation. I apprehend that in the firBt instance the stage oi excitement is so short that it is not appreciable, the dose overpowering the system at once—its physiolog ical aotion being similar to that of congestion. At first the oapilary vessels are dilated by the stimnlns sent through the nerves supplying the part and afterward contracted. It has been demonstrated by Moliere that in sleep we have cerebral anemia, and also by producing anemia, or, in other words, that by withdrawing blood from any part, by whatever means we lessen the The Rev. John Jasper, of Virginia, say*. “lie sun do move, for in de morniu’ it shines on dls side ob de hous, whil in deelienin,on hat side ob de hous. Now, ef he don’t move, how come he dur?” Notwithstanding Mr. Jasper’s logic, we yet believe the world moves. When Mr. Jasper's ideas constituted the popular belief, people- thought that to die of small-pox or cholera, was simply fulfilling one’s of nature's laws. 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