Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 1

I XV, i QAKLAJND, UAXiliT OKJN 1A SATUKUA1C JiJN -LJN ijr. JN ViflAUilfllt loou. -1 1 i HO. sawMMwowosssssssssss TEACHERS' CONFERENCE. DOUBLE STABS.

THE CHURCHES. REMINISCENCES. build a bridge from the foot of Market street to Goat Island was proposed, and one morniof newspaper was in favor of building, the bridge at Kavenswood, the narrowest portion of the bay. then a nice little land speculation took root aad flourished. A well-known capitalist, of this city bought up all the Raveaswoed property.

He decided that the bridge shoutd" be built at RavsDSWood, and his friends having the most exalted faith in his indiririent. dinned frealv into the Rav- afternoon game of twn fall when Frank Bonton and Jhn Watson and: George Cbass and others came in and helped us enjoy some of the happiest hours of cur boyhood life. It seems to me that our sports were broader, freer, more energetic than thst of to-day. We were confined within a fence to play. We baa lots of room, and our games required room.

Prisoners' base, double goa1, red lion, and ball were the favorites, and how we did play when we played! Large and small, old and young, rich 'and poor. I was abont to say, but thank God we knew no distinction of riches er poverty in those days. We mingled in tbat happy democracy of 1 childhood, and tbe school bell always -rang toe coon for us, and the dinner bell' never rang enough to please us. I reii.ember the noontime when Jim Webster gave Jimmy Knapp ten cents to let him take a peg at his toe, and the aim was all too straight and the boot was all too thin and the inevitable result fallowed, and the front steps were watered bv the teat of one unfortunate James, to the inteusei delight of the other James. We all rerrieuiher one of our schoolmates who left this wond all Matters Occurring in Local Religious Circles.

A Week of Prayer CongreeationaJ Uniea Fuids The Msnday Club Pulpit Themes Notes-' To-morrow will be the Day of Prayer and the week follow inp the Week of Prayer for young men in all lands. This day was set apart by the Teeth World's Conference of the Young Men's Christian Association; beld in Berlin, Germany, -August, 1S8 The day will be generally observed in this city and throughout the Stite. Nearly all of tbe Protestant pas- tors will preach Bertr.oEs appropriate to the day, either morning or evening, and special services for young men will be beld at tbe Association every: evening next week. i i iTHI PBESBTTKR1AS CHl'BCH. Important changes are contemplatsd ia the First Presbyterian Church.

It is proposed to lower the organ five feet and bring it forward f-everal Net. This will necetsitats the removal of the first row of pews to make room for the pulpit platform which will also be extended several feet. The tchurch is also to undergo thorough repairs, and it is estimated that the cost of the werk will reach tbe. sum of 15,000. The cracks in the ceiling' have been tiled up and part of tbe repairing will be the painting and frescoing of the entire ceiling.

In the parlors of the church repairs have already been made. The walls and ceiling have been painted and the floors rcctrpeted. THK CONGREGATIONAL CLUB. The Congregational Monday Club will meet next Monday at 1:30 r. in the parlors of the Baldwin Hitel, Market street.

A laree number of persons attended the r.ius CLE. Isrnoto Discburses on the 4 Attractions if Strength. John L. Sullivan, Chimpion Hippodrom- ing Watching Bridging forthe Death the Bay. I met John L- Sullivan in a newspaper office one day this wi ek.

The champion assured me that the bout between Mr. Kyan andVhimself wa to be a bona-fide logging Jjstch. I prised Mr Sullivan hink I rattier sul ky assuring him that so far as I was iridivl ua'ly concerned, so long as tbe exhibitiuij thowed science and piucic, uia uoc care atuuut its geiiiuueuesa. When the good publi be admitted to the an pays its money to na, its expectations are worked up to the liwhest pitch. Like the audience that rillei tbe old Colliseum in the days of the ers, the people want blood.

Their appetil es is for something intense. All the sava ia their nature is on the surface, and tnts for gore, either literal or rnetaphoricsf Therefore, when tbere is no gore, wbe the gladiator fail to bruise and bang aad maul each other up to the standard til ausieirce has men tally pre-arranged, shout of bippo- droming is heard, and This is the public bile fche people get mad. ot the Mow for this modern charge hippodr lining irom the ataodpoiat Is. These wen of our times. of the profession are the gladiaoral and the public believe tbey should 1 as honest 10 tnoeavoit injury as the broth to inflict bodily rliond of ueparteJ da vs.

The claantoi think otherwise, deal of wisdom ia nsider that if: they and there is great tneir choice. ihev give' the public an xhibition of manly strength, skill and epi iurance, eitaer in boxing or wrestling. the latter should be form of the satisfied. It is but drama, and tbey are the actors. When tbe injure nero orl the stage knocks is careful that he down the villain he strikes short, and the! villain is careful to fall before the hero's nst touches bis body.

The pugilist goes turd her than this. He delivers his blow, ajsparently a powerful one, and his man effects of the blow, bu Us. not from tbe because it is a part of the programme. And the audience is quite as ell entertain ed as if the fall was an actual ana unav hilable. consequence of the stroke.

Of cofcrse there are con tests where the men aie in earnest. But prize fights of tbe real! order do not take place before large audiences, where an ad mission fee is chargi it. and therefore do not come into this'di cussion. Tbe ath lete, whose business -ft--- wrestling or box- ing, comes to regard as matter -of money. His secondary considerat hinds becomes a He wanted to irive the xtublic a cooii show, and were he to throw his man in twenty minutes, and thus i end the performance, the public would conrr.der its Collar too much bo brief an eatertainnl ent, and would go away dissatisfied, quit.

as grumpv fact the match were Fttcretore, we have gladiators for ar- as if It wer? isitive a cut-and dried affair, no right to blatae our their programme, because there in always soma doubt ab ut tne matter, and as much realism heir vii dent attacks lives, depended on and defenses as if thai the result, And thele is more skill, a clearer and! nicer exn lbition of their art. lew clumsiness and nol loss of temperL i i How the animal djoes well up in the human at any exhibition wh-re bo lily pain is lotiicte or lif -i endangered. We have: from! not advanced an ata in this respect ld Romans, i Any the bliiod thirstvi show where some one les not take the risk of breaking his or far neck is regarded as a tame performance There is a morbid fascination in the visibility of seeing fearful accident than attracts hundreds ra the doors. who would other-; The man who goes to the circus case is an object of admiration to tbe crowd; but a odj the gazing tnr are who entertain a dare not own to the thing terrible will hat ng how many there desire, which they selves, that Isome--n: that thei lions and a bloody en- will attacK tne mam counter will give th more than their monev worth. A French acrobat that performed a daring feat in a Paris circus nightly declared that very time he stood on the platform to spang from trapeze to trapeze, he saw in a Oirtiin liox a man who watched him with ghoulish eyes, and who.

as saun as the eat was safely par formed, gathered up 1 left with an air of presence of this inuh coat and cane and (appointment. The lual became a'most insufferable to mm hlledbim with uc usual nervousness andlforebodings. When tbe xircusV company winter, the ghoul for the dowed it, and the acrobat ha I made ui his mind to leave, when one night a fieri elephant attacked and kille i one of 'lheehoul ing, and hung over was carried away, red in the circus nil was apparently bat mind v. as re- was the first in the the dying man until lit But he never a.p-- again. Ills thirst or i satiate and the ari lieved.

When one aualyz; which the ordinary dangerous feats regar say' that they are appi exhibition skill. Ii the feeling: with spectator of those them, we Cannot iatid jis simply an is the uanger that attracts: the knowlert Ire that any moment the acrobat may bepraciciiat from rope mass at the or bar, and lie a quivering feet of admirers. sir m'n know this, lers to tread C'lrthe t.were, by the- tier and encourage peifor very level of death us of large ea'aries. '11 ipy grow nardened and; indifferent tha risk. 1 hay know the fearful nature of htir task, and they have a contemptuous sentiment towards the people whose tasffts lead them to this peril.

They feel gra ined at the close ot the task, not aioae bedau.se of their escape. but that they have nceeaded in "disap pointing the morbid broken neck would hi throng to whom ve been excitement highly relished, because not set down in tne i bills. i he wor calculated to. lea i the of the latter is eader to-the expect- ation, that in addition! to the real business, tg without he mav have a thrill additional charge. kuly the beasts eater an.

composition, and larcelv into the nun is not the less eviden now than in those Roman days, when tjie thumbs turned t- the ertn ana gavp an iitwraui giauia tor the signal to si i fellow adversary. While nearly eve iiastern city has some monument of agineerirg. skill, we in this western hanjlct have absolutely nothing to point to irl this line. lo tbe Brooklyn Bridge, York has added the statue: ot L.ibcl ty. We have no bridge more impressive than the wooden structure tbat spans Mission Creek, and no evidence of arfchkectural progress more strikiri? than tiie ruins oi tne ew City Hall, We have nothing now look forward to, no more enterprise more ab sorbing than the plaining of Goat Island with tree3 1 beg Mr.

Miller pardon 1 should hav said Ycfba Buena. A few years ago, a bridge should unite our Bhores with yours hvas discussed. The newspapers, as a mat er of course, decided how and where this bridge was to be built. One gravely sussrefeted that a tunnel should be substituted) for the bridge, and stated that this aub- hannel tunnel will improve the smelt tisLing. Another jonr aal scoffed at tha tu pnel proposition and declared tbat a suspension bridge at the Golden Gate was the only way to nite thoso shores.

frben the sesame to EnclUn sand malheraailcs lis cne at tbe I nlTersltj-. In response to invitations issoed by Pro fessors Stringham and Conk, a number of teachers and others interested in the cause of education assembled in North Hall of tbe University at Berkeley this morning, to discuss the subject I of English and mathematics, and the best methods with which these two subjects should be taught in schools! preparatory to the University. The discussion in English was conducted by Prof. Albert S. Cook, who made a few opening remarks.

Papers on the subject oi grammar teacning werer reaa by I li. Boone, F. 11. Stoddard. P.

M. Fisher, Joseph O'Condor, A. L. Mann and C. H.

Allen, followed by a general discussion of the topic lhe opening remarks) on the subject of mathematics were made by Professor Irving Stiingham, who acted as chairman. A general discussion on the scope aud distributiin of mathematical work in the preparatory schools was opened by Mr. Scott and participated in by many of those present. R. E.

Bush offered some suggestions in teachire and Professor Strinehani gave a talk on Euclid's Axims of Parallels. The proceeding closed witn a general discussion physics opened by Mr. At clock a luncheon was served in the assembly -room and the visiting teachers and others were given an oppoi tunity to have asocial intercourse with the professors and instructors of the University. The following is list of those present at the conference: D. S.

Richardson, Oakland Military! Academy; Fannie McLean, Berkeley; Mary A. West, San Francisco; Miss O. Bates, N. W. Moore, San Francisco; Miss M.

E. Day, Berkeley; Elizabeth Blanchard, San Francisco; Joseph O'Conor, San Francisco; H. Livermore, Berkeley; Ti L. Heaton, Oakland; Miss F. a Kendall.

Oakland; C. B. Bradley, University; E. H. Stoddard, University; J.

D. Murphy, Berkeley; C. B. Towley, Vallejo; Josiah Keep, Mills Seminary; Miss Carlbrath, Oakland; W. J.

C. Variel, Berkeley; Mrs. Mary Prag, San Francisco; Chas. I E. Mervin.

St. Helena; C. H. MeGrew, Berkeley: W. Wells.

Oakland: Miss L. F. de Lacuna. Oakland; Mrs. A.

de Laguna, Oakland; Miss Irene Hardy. Oakland; Fred C. Hackett, Oakland; Maude H. Jones, Sacramento; C. W.

Childs, San Jose: George B. Goodall. C. Allen, San Jose; .1 1 I 1 IT 1 1 rara xv. xi.

xrsner, uasiua; Mr. xfc. Boone, Berkeley; Miss C. Lt. Kant.

San Francisco; Miss" F. R. Wickeraham, Stock ton; Miss J. W. Williams, Oakland; Miss S.

H. Hutton, Oakland; Chas, E. Hutton, Santa Rosa: Charles M. Blake. San Francisco; G.H.

Howison, Berkeley; Miss M. S. Castleman, San Jose; M. H. Alexander, San Jose; 1 R.

H. Holway, San Jose; D. J. Sullivan. Alameda: Frances A.

Dean, Oakland; H. Erck-hoff, Alameda; A. L. Mann. San Fran cisco; Miss A.

W. rulton, Harmon Sem inary; Eva B.Carhn, Berke'ey; WmH. Scott, San Henry Vight, Berkeley; J. McChesney, Oakland; Wm. Carey Jones.

Berkeley; A. W. Jackson, Berkeley; H. Senger. San Francisco: W.

G. Raymond, Berkeley; W. W. Anderson, Sacramento; M. S.

Tempieton, Oak land; V. Winn, San Francisco; i W. N. Bush, Oakland; Miss F. Jewett, San Francisco; John II.

Hanson, Sauce-lito; F. Slate Berkeley; A. C. Harris, California Military Academy; i E. B.

Churrh, San Francisco: D. dimming. San Francisco: Charles E. Cox. San Jose; Professor G.

C. Edwards, University; Professor J. B. Clark, University; It. E.

Bush, Berkeley; Jas. Pond, Sacramento; Mr. Armstrong, San I Francisco; Pro-fo'sor Meads, Oakland: Galielma li. Crock er, San Rafael 1 Firehammer, Almaeda; A. wendall iserkeley; J.

Durham, Irvine: Mrs. J. BJ McCbesnev. Oak land; Camella Leach, Oakland; Miss M. i-j.

onell, Oakland; Emma M. Garretson, Itenicia: Marv E. Moore. ReniciAa TI H. Home.

San Jose: Mary A. Fuller. Oak. land; Mrs. S.

W. McPherson. San Jose: Miss J. M. Walbridge, Oakland; Carlton M.

Ritter, Stockton; Wm. Henry Cnm- mings, Georgia; J. H. Aydelitte, Sac rancisco. A BIC PAPER.

Eudsrfemtnl by (lie Hoard of Trade of Forthcoming lsne of "TheTribune." The Tribune will issue in the course of next month a special edition of large size, illustrative of the advantages of Oakland and Alameda county. It will becopiduely i'dustrated aad replete with information, historical and descriptive, concerning the county, and an edition of 50,000 copies will he printed. A copy will be left at every bouse in Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Livermore, Hay wards, San Leandro and every other town in the county, and the paper will be sent to every newspaper in the United States and abroad, and to every Postmaster and Mayor in the United States, and t) all the immigra tion socieiias. It will be a complete com pendium of our local business interests. and a large taff of writers is now en gaged ori the work, The project is warmly endorsed by the Oakland Board of Trade, as will appear from ths follow ing letter from the direct rs: To the Tribune Publishing Cumpanjf.

We, tbe undersigned, Officers and Direc tors of the Oakland Board of Trade hereby heartily endorse the objects of the special edition of 53,000 copieijof, The Oaklaxii Tribune, to be devotsd to the interests of Oakland and Alameda county, and we will earnestly ica-operats with you in making it a success. E. WL Playter, A. C. Henry, li F'ish, A.

D. Thomson, M. J. Keller, E. C.

Sessions. V. Di Sloody, F. A Leach, S. Kahn, James Cahill, Klfen'a Kxplanatton.

H. Elfen, who keeps an employment of fice on Washington street, explains with reference to the girl who bad him arrested for not returning the fee she paid him, that ha obtained employment for her at Sena tor Whitney's house ia a domestic capacity. She was to go there on Saturday but did not put in an appearance until Monday morning; and in the meantime Mrs. Whitney had engaged another servant, and the girl returned to Mr. Elfen's office.

He offered to get her another place at East Oakland without paying another fee, but she refused and asked to have her money returned, as sbe wanted to go to San Francisco. Naturally Mr. Elfen refused to do this, as it would be absurd to do business on such terms. The charge against Mr. Elfen was dismissed.

You Tie a Xlling! Sacramento Alta organ): It is said that John L. Sullivan will act as umpire of the game between the Pioneer and Greenhood Moran Baseball Clubs at Alameda to morrow. It needs such an umpire as that to prevent the "Peta" from i meeting of the Congregational Club in tbe parlors of the Baldwin Hotel on Monday last to listen to an address tbe Rev. Dr. J.

K. McLean, recently returned from a six months' vacation spent principally in Europe, i His special theme on Monday last was "Sabbaths Spent ia England and Scotland." These he described at length and in a very interesting -manner. Next Monday Rev. H. Cooke will present the subject, "The Success and Non-Success of Preachers and the "Causes." The semi-annual elections of tbe clnb were beld last Monday, when Rev.

H.Cooke was elected Chairman for the -ensuing six months, Rev. Geo. Morris reelected Secretary and Treasurer, and Rev. W. C.

Pond, S. S. Smith and Professor Benton re-elected Executive Committee. Among the numerous visitors at the club last Monday were Rev. and Mrs.

C. S. Vaile, Miss Domettr Rev Mr. Coombs of Croydon, near London, England, and others. AN ABLE PASTOR.

Rev. H. H. Rice hai returned from Marysville, where he tad been to deliver an address. He has received another urgent call and endorsement to become the permanent psator of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city, where be has labored since testing Sacramento, and will be installed to that position on the 23d in- -stant.

When Mr. Rice took charge of the- church, a few months since, it was in sustained from home mission funds, but he bas brought it to a condition of being self-sustaining, and an increase of salary bas also been voluntarily extended to him. TH1 CONGREGATIONAL CMOS. Tbe following contributions from the Alameda 'county churches are acknowledged by the "the' Congregational Union during the sixteen months from July 8, 18t5, to November H. 1880: Alameda Church (two collections), $28 50; Hayvards, So; Oakland (First Congregational), $t9 20; Market-street Branch, 40 90; Plymouth-avenue, $59 93, NOTES AND PERSONALS.

Rev. M. A. Starr preached for Rev. Mr.

Merrill at the Temescal Congregs. tional Church Sabbath morning, and Mr Rogers officiated at night. Mr. Merrill was at the interesting anniversary services of the Good Will Mission at which about 350 persona were present, and it is ssid about as many were unable to obtain admission. Pat-tor Scudder lectured on Dr.

Doff, the celebrated missionary, at the Alameda Congregational Church last Sunday. Miss L. J. Kellogg, M. formerly of Sacramento, now of San Franiisco, will, in the absence of aba pastor, W.

T. Flee- hold religious cervices iss tbe) finn-, Pablo Avenue Baptist Church, ooSn'4 Pablo avenue and Nineteenth street, tomorrow, at II o'clock A. M. and 7:30 P. a.

The Second Congregational Genr-, this city held ita usual services cm The morning subject was on, "Christian and in the. evening "Tbe Missionary All the services were of an interesting and instructive character. i Three persons were received by letter into Plymouth Avenue Churili- list Sab-ba-h. I'nfesaor Mooar's subject was: Apparent Phenomena As Seen On a Planet. Optical Doubles A Binary System Blue Says and Bed Days Moons In Variety and Quantity.

Among the stars tbere are many known aa stars," i. stars that appear as single stars to the unaided eye, but in the telescope are found to be a pair of and quit frequently three, four, or more. The greater portion of these double stars are krswn as "optical doubles." and have no connection whatever, but are (imply in a straight line with the observer. and it is quite possible that the nearer star of such, a double- may be nearer our own sun than its apparent companion. But.

among them, there are many khown (by certain peculiar motions of their own form binary systems two or more stars revolving round each other bound to getbtr by that great and mysteiious law gravitation. In other words, they are not independent cf each other, but are firmly one to the other, as is the moon to the earth, or tbe earth to the sun. BINARY SYSTEMS. In some of these in iny binary systems, the components are of about magnitude, in others, are found to be a very large star witb a minute companion. Torre is also a great diversity in the colors of these double ttars.

Ibus Alpha bcor-pii, or Antares, is a fiery-red, with a tiny emerald-green companion, Gamma Andro-mede, lemon- vellow and sea-green, Eta yellow and purple, others, white ana purple, orange and green, orange and blue, etc. Of the latter class is Beta t'ygni, one of the most beautiful double stars in the heavens. It is easily found, for, at this seawn of the year, just west of the zenith, during the early evening bours, lies the constellation Cygnue. short study of th- brighter stars, south of the biilliant Vega, will reward the observer by his finiiing six stas in the form of a cross. The brighter one at tbe top is Alpha Cvgni, the arms are farmed by Delta and Gamma, while Beta takes its place at the foot of, the cross.

To the naked eye it appears as a yellowish white star, of about the third magnitude, and there is nothing in its appearance indicate to the most careful observer that it in any way differs from its fellows; et in the telescepe it is transformed into a moi-t beautiful double star, the (apparently) larger component being orange red, and the companion star a brilliant sapphire blue. i These two stars (as wll as all stars) are n. What a world of 'thought and speculation bursts upon us; for if the stars are suns, i our own sun, a star, then necessarily we at once concede that they have a numerous and majestic family of attendant planets, thfir planets their satellites, and that they are all the centers of systems, possibly, and probably likeonr own solar system. I When we realize the fact tbat tbere are many millions of runs, that come are considered by a'tr'immiers as being a thousand times larter than. our own, he indeed would be narrow-minded who believed tbat our own sun was the only one, amid all this migkty array, that was encircled by a retinue worlds.

Let us assume tome of these worlds to be inhabited. We' know, certainly, that one our own is the abode of life; why not othcre? Let us, in imagination, visit one if the planets in the system of BetaCygni. Assuming these two stars to form a binary system, and they both lie iu the same plane, we would have two suns. At ne part of our planet's year onr two suns would riss and tet together, the one blue, the other red; ytt tbe combined light of both would be white, for we know that the two colors are complimentary. In another quarter of our planet's year we would have ore of these suns at the high noon mark and the other just setting.

If it were the red one that sePfirst (as would be the case part of the year) the rest of the day would be blue; for our light would come from a blue sun, and the morning of the next day would be red, for the blue sun would not until noon, when tha mbined light would be white again. We aro supimsing that we are near the equator of the planet, and that our dav and night is 21 hours long; and at this time of our year tbe day would be 18 hours long and tbe night only six hours iu duration. BLUE DAYS AND BED DAYS. 1 In another quarter of a year we would have no night at all, for one of our suas would rise just as the other would disappear at the opposite horizon, and half of our day would be red and the other half blue, while in another three months the conditions would be exactly the reverse of the semnd three months, and we would have red afternoons and blue mornings. Finally, we would arrive at the starting point, with two suns and white light for twelve hours, and twelve hours night, enjoying expeiiences us regards lijht.

something similar to what we have upon our own earth, liut, as we have selected a magnificent world for our temporary home, we mu.t assume that we have one or more moons. i At the season when we had no night, and our moon was at first quarter, it would be at first quarter only in position, for it would really be "full," one half being blue and the other half red. If it was nearly new, or nearly full, we would have a red moon with a blue crescent, or a blue moon with a red crescent. At the time of new and full moon it would appear all blue or all red, as the case might be, and objects on our planet would present similar phenomena. Should we, however, be so fortunate as to have fonr mcons, like Jupiter, or eight, like Saturn, what magnificent scenes we would have ia our evening skies Red moons, blue moons and moons with both colors, while in a half year we would have white jnoons aud all the phases we see in onr own.

No doubt we would have plenty of astronomers, for how could we help having them when we would have Buch gorgeous heavens to incite them, and the red phases, and blue phases, and white phases. and all kinds of phases, would be accurately predicted to within a fraction of a second. And how ths painter would revel iu the gorgeous landscapes But, if our planet's orbit was at right angles to the plane of these mighty suns, what wonderful complications would ap-ear One hemisphere would be in perpetual sunshine, with aa ever present sub in the zenith and one on the horizon. There "would be no night." But the mind reels at the bare thought of the multitude of complications, which could be multiplied a thousand times, and fails to grasp the marvelous possibilities ot lite on a planet in the system of lieti Cygni. What an ideal life an astronomer must lead Only the elect have the good for tune to behold and to understand these ereat works of the great Creator and yet, by the generous liberality of only une of Oakland's noble citizens, a well equipped observatory has been presented to onr model citv.

where the most bumble citizen can see these mighty suns that, without the aid of the telescope, woald remain forever hidden in tbe star deptns. A Young Astrokomee. Brooklyn, Clinton and San Antonio Thirty Years "Ago. Becellections of Schoel Days in the Old Brooklyn School House in the Sixties. At a reunion held during the week at the Blake House of former pupils of the old Brooklyn school, Wilber Walker read the following interesting description of the times to commemorate hich the reunion was held: Thiity years ago the visitor to the place now known as Kast Oakland beheld a far different sight from that which now meets the eye of one alighting from, the railroad train either ai Fifth avenue or Thirteenth avenue.

Theu the villages of San Antonio and Clinton existed principally on paper and in the brains i their sanguine founders Meters. Patten, Chase, Lacey and others many of wbom have long siuce passed over to the land of the htrsafter. Here and there in the beautiful valley between San Antonio creek, on tha wrst, and Fruit Vale creek, on the east, might be seen an occasional cottage of. small size and unpretentious appearance, with perhaps a small orchard and flower garden. Here and tbere might be fouud a few oak trees, relics of ths first pioneers, which were displaced by the white man.

that ruthless icon, clast of primitive things. At that time almost the only public evMence civilization contained within the limits, ,1 have designated wa. a large frime structure in. a circular form, enclosing a space perhaps 40 feet in diameter. Within this classic edifice, a humble imitation of the Ruian Colisseum.

the writjr of this sketch has on several occasions Witney -ed the torture of wild Mexican bulls by wilder Mexican men, for thi evidence of Mexican civil jza'ion was a Plaza de Toros. or as known to the boys aad girls the old bull ring. TK SCHOOL HOCSE. About the year 1856 it wai decided by some of the settlers to establish another evidence, not of Mexicaa civilization, tut of American civilization. A meeting was called, a snbscription list piepaied, aud in a short time the art angemeuts were completed for building in the center of Clinton a school house, a fitting exemplar of Amerisani.ro, and American civilization.

A lot of land was donated by Alexander G. Abell, with the proviso in the deed that it should forever, be used for educational purposes, and a buililing was begun under the supervision of Mr. Kan-dill. William Humiston, still of this city, assisted in its erection, and in a. short time it was Completed and ready tor use, The floor, as we all remember it, would hardly have answered for the teller's room in a bank, as a.

stray $20 piace or so might have found its way between the two-inch thick rough redwood planks, which formed it. The ceiling was not frescoed et the time of its erection, but after your and I lia occupied it a few months it soon began to show traces obgenins, iu the eyes of their producers no doubt eclipsed the finest effects of an Atigelo or a Raphael. The walls were cot decorated with a't, silk or lincrusted walton, but were uivided at regular intervals -by pegs for the reception the hats of the hoys and the wraps wf the girls, and as the hands of I boys are often soiled and I am sure the hands of thegirlsi I remember were not always clean; the decorations produced upon the walls in the vicinity of those pegs, if not artistic, were at least ncieeable, and produced to the cultivated eye a natural effect far superior to anything artificial, for surely to be natural is to attain the acme of art. The means of warndng our temple of learning were hardly as elaborate as those now used in the Franklin or Swett schools. We were not troubled by any controversies asta the merits of the hot air system or the hot water system of- warming public buildings.

Oh no our heater was a sheet iron stove in the center of the room, and the fuel was brought iu by the boys in turn. Our janitors were always there when we were there, and always pleased themselves and their patrons by doing as little as possible; but I am sure that the girls who took turns in sweeping and dusting were as faithful in the performance of those duties as their successors of today wbise salaries are larger. Our desks were not imported from Kurope or the Fa--tern States. They were manufactured of honest California redwood by Billy Hun.i-tm, and although not hand painted were band carved, as many of yon can attest. TI1K KIKST KKUKLI.ION.

We can ail emend. er the water-pail and the f.iiiper-whieh Fat on the rthe door and which wa often filled from Hine's tfTut is, ifhis window had not been too recently broken by Jira Webster's ball. Then Jim would go for water to Mr. Huff instead. 1 remember the first rebellion in ourecheol, which eccurred in re-ation pail.

A ruin had 1 en made that pos-jholar should drink at tlieclose of. recess after the bell had rung. Frank Randal-, Caleb Caldwell, Jim Webster and others dieobeyed the rule, and al of tKe smaller boys fallowed, their evil example. When -Mr. Sparrow endeavored to whip one of the smaller offenders, the larcer ones inteifered and trouble ensued, which was only quieted when the father of tHVjviiter, who was one of the Scho il Trustees, was eent for and meditsted between the teacher and pupils.

I nr tii -t tea. l.wr was Jo-i'ph Sparrow, a of ability, but rather too advanced ia years for the. perplexities of teaching a country school Our succeeding teach-; ers were Miss Brown, now Mrs. Mead; Miss Gilbert, now Klder, Mr. Pratt, Mr.

Morse, Mr. Holder, Mr. Littletield, Mr. Mas Mr. Lathrop, Mr.

Scott, and lastly, Mr. Powell. If I have omitted any I shall ba pleased to correct the list from further information. The people of Brooklyn seemed to believe in the adage that "Variety is the spice of life," as we had eleven teachers in less' than as many years. It used to seem to us that what ever teacher pleased us displeased our parents, and the teacher whom our ciders conr-idered the right man in the right place, we emphatically regarded as the right man wrong phie.

I think that one teacher whom all the scholars especially liKeu was tee moBt unpopular all among the parents, although I think tbe school was well conducted and made good progress under him. When we consider the disadvantage iu the matter of apparatus and conveniences under which I all our teachers laboied, we should con- gratutatj ourselves on the good results which they attained. Does any boy or eirl here present remember our It was a large-sized knot-hole which came in a most convenient corner of the build- ing. Could any of the Ittters which were there deposited be read here this evening, what a fund of amusement' would they furnish DARIXC JIMMY KNAI'P. How many of us remember the whirligig and the day that Jimmy Knapp was struck in the head by that dangerous play-th ing.

He lay unconscious for several hours, but finally came around all right. Poor Jimmy, you were always a source of apprehension to the older boys, for a more venturesome lad never played at the old school beuse. You and I remember the eoswood speculation. Lots at Ravens-wood, which I may incidentelly remark is a most pronounced mud flat, brought a fine figure. And soon the papers contained small, trifling items about Ravenswood.

and what a desirable place it was, and how certainly the bridge would be built from there and no place elsf. for the wily capitalist had engaged wfcat the newspaper prospectus calls, a of talented wri'ers, andT the corps flitted about the editorial rooms, and whispered soft nothings into the editor's ears, and took the people in control out to drink, and so deluged tha town with information about Ravenswood. At last the bubble or, more properly speaking. he matter died a natural death, and Ravenswood was forgotten except by those who bad the lots on their hands. i Now it is high time for a new bridge scheme.

Tbere is a fine opportunity fur another boom in mud-flat real: estate, and any enterprising cajiitali-t, with some newspaper help, might make a great thing in the near future. I was present' a few evenings ago at a scientific discussion, in which some very learned gentlemen took part. One, in an elaborate and profound esay, said that in none of his investigations had he found any fossil species develop into another. In fact, it would seem that no scientific man had yet discovered a link between man and. the ape, between fish and fmg, or brtwf eu the vertebrate and the invertebrate animals.

Further there was no evidence any one species, f' stil or other, losing i's peculiar characteristic to acquire new ones belonging to other species. For instance, how fver aimila- the dog ti the wolf, tl ere was ro connf eting link, and among ex-v tinct species the same is tne case. It is not what we came from, but what is to become of us that most psrplexrs my mind. But by the beard of Moses, if it were definitely settled that we passed away into chaos, what a large number of people would be thrown out of employment. The churchei would be abandoned and turned into dry goods shops.

or music balls, and spiritualists and fortune tellers would have to turn tbsir attention to earning a livelihood by some other -means. In pondering, on this question of fa-turity, I am often struk by the large number of truly religious people who are intensely disagreeable, and the host of evil-doers and confirmed sinners, male and female, who are really delightful compan ions. Now, if all those cross grained char acters are to make uo the population of Paradise, and the merry crowd are to be sent to the other place, the outlook for the conservative Christian is not inspiriting. To be rewarded after a long life of continence and observance of Christian rules by an association with bony street-preachers, and still border women, who distribute tracts and organize Bands of Hope, bears a deal of seeming injustice on the face of it. If those are the sort of characters ir whom den is specially designed, and if the jolly, iove-and-laughter men and women who keep outside the pale of the church are not to be admitted, so ciety in Elysium must be a very dull in-.

stitution. I 1GNOTO. OCCULTATION OF ALPHA FAURI SucceSKful Observation at the (hahnt Observatory Our- amatsur i astronomers and others who are expecting to see tbe big red star Aldebaran the Lucida the constella tion Taurus occulted by the moon to night will be disappointed; the press dispatch from Washington, a published in Thursday's Tribune, and all the other papers, giving Saturday as the evening upon which i would occur, being erro: e-oue. Those in charge of the Chab it Observatory were not led astray, however, by the dispatches. "Friday being the evening reserved for observatory work, no visitors were present to interfere; Superintendent Camp! ell and As-i-tant liurckhalter being the only persons there.

Careful preparations were made for a correct observation, and the observer. Assistant Burckhalter, wai rewarded by a very successful observation of the phenomenon. The other assistant, Mr. Hill, remained in San Francisco, observing the phenomenon with Professor Davidson at the Davidson Observatory. Tbe time, position, angle, which i had been computed by Mr! Hill, were found to be remarkably close; the moii remarkably so from the difficulty the I problem, compared with which the prob- lem of calculating an eclipse is a trifle.

I The time between the Ui.sappe:iran- and reappearance of the ftar, as computed by Mr. Hill, and as actually tobs-rved by Mr. Burckhalter last night at tbe Chabot Observatory, differed by less tbau one second. The exac time of disappearance was 23 hours 1 hiinute 4." 7-10 sec indf, local sidereal time. The.

star -re-appearing at 23 hours minutes 2 3 10 seconds. The sky was clear, the air s'eadyt and ever) thing was favorable for a first-ek-. Suchian event as the one here referred to is not onjy ot rare interest (Aldebaran beiocr the only star of. the first magnitude occultled' during the year 18Si), but- it is also of great valine astronomically. By its careful and eorrect observation from differ ent patts of the earth's surface, and a com parison ot the recordea tunes ot tne sev eral observations, valuable d-ta are -obtained ir the sdution of many knotty lunar problems.

Last eveuiag, in addition to Aldebaran, sixteen other stars, ranging from the fourth to the sixth magnitude, were occulted, s-ime of which occultations, however, were visible from the southern hemisphere only. With the single exception of Aldebaran, all the other occultations none of them important occurred at too early an hour to be observed at Oakland. Aldebaran will ocCult aain on the 9th of December, but it will b8 at an hour in the morning when' all good klanders will be, or should be, in their beds. Mr. Campbell, and his assistant at the observatory, "take this i opportunity'-' to most cordially express their obligations to his Majesty, Alpha Tauri, coming on Friday night instead of on Saturday night, us announced in the bills, wben the proper entertainment of terrestrial vieitois at the observa tory would have materially interfered with, if it had not entirely prevented, a fitting reception of his celestial' highness.

On Monday evening the Setii-r class in astronomy at Mills Seminary, twenty in number, will visit the observatory. Satisfaction. A satisfactijn of judgment and dismissal of cause has been filed in the case of Ada K. Biinsmade vs. Chas.

A. Chandler. The satisfaction is in the payment of 250 damages sustained by plaintiff in the seizure of a lot of chickens for debt due P. M. Bowen for groceries, contracted by the husband of Mrs.

Brinsmade before he left for parts unknown. The Ciapp An order revoking the. appointment of C. Robinson as attorney for the absent heirs of the estate of J. 1.

Clapp, deceased, has been tiled by Judge Gibson, who afso sustains the demurrer of Wm. L. Twitchell and dismissing the contest of the Public Administrator. I toe early. Une of the best boyje any of ns ever met.

Dear Caleb Cadiwell, ever kind, ever genial, ever thoughtful of us smaller boys, these many years the rains of heaven have shed their mild tears upon thy grave. And that other; especially lovely character who these many years has been a dweller in that brighter' world, dear Emily Abbaltt, ever frtudious. ever willing to help those less willing ever sympathizing with thus) who needed sympathy, we this evening member how true the old proverb. "Wboini the Gods love die young. THK BANXKK M'HO0I.

Let us not forget the ride Haynards, and the banner "Excelsirtr" which! we, as the prize school of Alamede Ojuiity, carried that day. We have, frtrgoltten the oration delivered by En Taylor that ocefsion, but have not forgotten that speeches were pientier than cookies, and that less talk and more play woul i have pleased ns boys and girlu better. And then the i spelling matches once a month, and how- Henrietta Frank alwajs cried when she was spelled down, and the exhibitions at the end of the term were always looked forward to with so much mingled anxiety and pleasure. But time will not permit me to continue longer these which seem to crowd upon me as I write. I Dear'old school-house.

Tnough thes many years we have left thee we still cherish thy remembrance; we still can in our mind eye see the happy i boys and sirls, the army of the dinner pail, gathering at the door; we stiil can see the teacber en the pi i form, as the School was opened with reading from the good book. We can remember the meeting at the oi ening of the terra, and the parting at ita close, and while we sorrow to think that those happy days can never leturn, we rejoice to know that the teachings we received within- tby homely walls have enabled us to engage in the battle of life with energy and, mt int-tinces, with a good degree success; and while we are at our various vocations, we finfl thee. too. occupied in receiving int thy acred walls the little ones, to be tausdit tjhere as we were taught the great lessons fl life. THE BEAR.

The Famous I.illle Vessel in Oakland Harbor for Hie Winter. A few days ago the Sstearr.er Bear staned up Oakland harbor and came to anchor just below the street Everyone knows of the Bear and her famous record and Ardtic trip and search for the She has just returned from a several mcntbs' cruise in the Arctic seas, and is now awaiting orders. Captain Healvj an old Oaklandcr, is her commander, with irst titncer Hamlett, eeond Urhcer, Kennedy, Chief Engineer Churchill and Dr. (Carroll. Her crew consists of thirty-four liien: and her armament rf four guns.

will probably lie here for some time, and then start on he Id beat among the Aleutian Islands in ordor to protect the seal fisheries. A WISE JURY. Silting: eu a. Body Wkicli Xltey Declare Has Disappeared. A sailor employed on the bay schooner Adelia Griffin was knocked from (he deck by a boem, when the sail jibed,) during the last part mot.th.

The man. who was known only -as Alec, was drowned. The bodv floated ashore at Jarvis' Landing. It as seen by "Charles McArthur. According to the graphic testimony of McArthur," transcribed by Justice of the Peace Richmond, who acted as Coroner, "he came clou with the tide.

I saw him from the- -i oyster house. I took the beat and made a line fast to him and towed over to Newark creek, then made him fast to a stake; then I went to Newark and notified Mr. Thom, and he to the Coroner-" The verdict is a gem that should not be allowed to remain; unseen in the dark caves of the Coronet records: "We the jury find verdiat that the, man Alex came to his death from accidental drowning he having fallen from a schooner! named the Adelia Griffin on the day Octo ber, l.s,M,, arid was never seen after. POLICE COURT. I The following is to-day's Police Court record: Samuel Purdy, drunk; pleaded guilty.

H. Wilson, John JohnBon, drunk; or 6 days. K. Hellegberg. drunk: $20 or 10 days.

Thomas Tnotnas, defaulting witness; 10 or 10 days. Wtn; Smith, violating ordioance; pleaded guilty, judgment: suspended. Ah Jim, drunk; dis missed. Daniel McCabe, disturbing the peace: no complaint. B.

Marks; bail re duced to S'5 and case continued to November 15th. F. A. Goodwin, Wm. K.

Lovett, Alfred Harris, S. E. Tucker, Henry Stiiwell, disturbing the peace; continued to be set. Peter Schwab, drunk and disturbing the peace; continued to November 20th. Ed.

Lakin, battery: set fur November 20th. Mrsil Thomas Thomas, defaulting witness; xcused by Court. Daoiel Davis, cistnrbing the peace; dismissed. Stephen llaley, battery, acquitted disturbing the, peace, continued, A Burglary, Perliaps. A iittle house at the corner of Harrison and Fourth streits is the home tif one Kinsella.

who has a little fruit stand at the corner of Fourth and Webster -streets. Kinsella came to the City Hall this morning and reported to the Captain of Police that S300 iri gold and 8200 in green- i backs had ten stolen from his bouee some time yestsrday afternoon. police officers looked at the where the money is said to have been taken, and smiled sadly as they- shook their heads. The burglar who would look; there for S-00 would exect to find a slice of heaven in Butchertown. The police jearn that Kinsella owes about 500.

i "Hunting the Christian Race with Patience." -The missionary concert was held at r.uht, when the China Inland Mission was specially considered. Lev. l. Merri.l started on a trin Los Angeles last Monday. PULPIT THEMES.

Rev. H. D. Latbrop, rector of the Church of the Advent, East Oakland, ill preacb to-morrow morning at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Berkeley.

Kev. Ueo. W. bweenev. pastor of the Christiaa Church, eorner JHM vv Market will breach, to morrow- night on "Tbe Problem of Government; or.

Reign of Law vs. The Problem of Evil," i tfT Pastor Cocke preached to the little folke at Golden Gate church, cn the words: What Hath God Wrob To the adults he discoursed on tbe words: "It is Finished." In the communion service he was assisted by Rev. A. K. Crawford.

He baptized two young ladies. Rev. Dr. Holbrook tilled the Congrega tional pulpit at Berkeley last Sunday. At fark Congregational chnrch, Berkeley, Sabbath morning.

Prof pfb Meads preached in exchange with Pastor Pick- ford. At night Rev. A. K. Crawford preached.

Special revival services are being commenced in this church this week under hopeful circumstances, and various ministers are expected to as-ist in the meetings. Rev. John Coyla, cf tbe First M. E. Church, will preach to-mnrnw morning on Lying as a Fine Art." In the evening he will addrees tbe young men.

At the young people's meeting at 6 30 P. the subject will be "Solomon's Temple," illustrated by a fine map of the Temple. The Unitarian Society ill hold services at Odd Fellows' Hall, northwest corner of Eleventh and Franklin srett. to-morrow at eleven o'clock, bv Rev. Charles W.

Wendte. Topic: "Living for Others," being the third of a series of sermons on "Human Life in the LLrkt of Religion." Sunday-school and class for relii jus inquiry at 12:15 o'clock. Rev. E. H.

Gray will preach to-morrow morning and evening at the First Baptist Church. Tbe evening subject will bo "The Two Great Storms, of Fire tao First and the Last. Death of a Pioneer Lady, Mrs. Augusta S. Maillot, wife of the late Frank Maillot, died in Alamoda last Thursday.

She had been a resident of Alameda for thirty-four years, bar first husband, Louis Etoubleau, being on of the first settlers of the county. She was a native of Hamburg, Germany, and 62 years of age. i 1.