1
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ; SUNDA $ jULY 10 , 18D3-SIXTEEN PAGES. 13
.BULL . FIGHTING IN MEXICO
Dascrlption of One That Was Considered
Tally Up to the Average.
'FIVE ' ANIMALS BRUTALLY PUT TO- DEATH
Four of the Victim * lllitlncnlih Them lvc
t > r Kllllne n Hone Kncli KtiUrlnln-
mint Don * Not UraR llowtli *
Novices Are
CITT or MEXICO , July 10. [ Special to
TUB I3Ec-llull.nghtlng ] in Mexico 1 not
carried on so extensively as it was a few
years ago , nnd ono might safely assort that
It it virtually practiced in but a half dozen
cities In this republic , The fight I describe
took place In the city of Pachuca , on the
' 28th of May this year , and was fully up to
the average.
Pnchuca is a typical mlnlnir town about
'uixty-flvo miles from Mexico City , contain-
leg about 20,000 , pooplo. The altitude of
Pachuca is 8.000 foot above the sea level , or
'COO ' foot higher than Moxlco.
Tno writer wns one of a party of six that
'
'loft the City of Moxlco via the Mexican
railway on an excursion train that started
at 8:30 : a.m. , on its trip to Pachuca , where
the renowned Ponciano Diaz was to give
an exhibition of his skill , assisted by
Timoteo llodrlguoz and wife. It is generally
conceded that Ponciano is the bravest and
most daring Mexican bull-fighter in the re
public , nnd when be visited Spain some
time ago ho received muny laurels and
plaudits from that nation. Wo arrived In
.Pachuca about 11:45 : , and ns the flght was
not to commence until 4 o'clock in the
afternoon , wo had plenty ot time to visit
the many place * of interest in that flourish-
ling city ,
Early in tbo afternoon wo wcndrcd our
' way to the bull ring in ordonto avoid the
/crush at the cntrancp , nnd nt 4 o'clock the
{ Judges took their seats in the box reserved
lor their use , and the band simultaneously
commenced playing one of these beautiful
'selections ' only to bo hoard on such
occasions.
' KxpUnntlon of Technical Terms.
In explanation of the terms I may use In
'this article , I will state that a "rosa" is an
'artificial ' bouquet , the atom of which is
armed with n steel barb similar to that of a
.fish hook ; this bouquet is placed in the bull's
( 'back as ho enters the ring. The name "plc-
I'adoros" ' is applied to the men who are
' mounted on horses and armed with a long
polo , at tno end of which is a sharp steel
. .point . , with which they try to hold off the
'bull when lie makes an attack on the horses.
/There are two picadores in the ring at the
ibeginniug of tno fight , nnd they remain until
'signalled by the Judges to withdraw. "Ban-
dorilla" is the term applied to a stick about
eighteen inches in length , also having a
harp steel barb at the end llko that of theresa
rosa , and beautifully decorated with tlssuo
paper of many colors ; these bandorillas are
shaped into many different forms ; these used
by the hero of this particular fight were
made to represent a heart. The "banderll-
loros" are the men who place the bandcrillas
into the shoulders of the bull. They nro
given two of these barbed instruments and
have to place thorn into the bull while ho is
.rushing upon thorn , nnd if they succeed in
putting but ono into the bull the audience
'ehow their displeasure by hissing long and
loudlv at the unsuccessful bandcrilloro.
Ijureo capes of varied colors , called "capas , "
are used by the bandetilloros for the purpose
of teasing the bull nnd attracting his atten
tion when he pushes ono of tbo lighters too
closely ; when the bandcrllloros are using
these capas they arc referred to as "tore-
adores. " The man who kills the bull with
the sword Is called a "matador. " Ho is
armed witti a double edged sword about
twenty-six inches In length , and also a
small red Hag with which ho attracts the
attention of the bull. Ho has to
make the thrust with his sword while tbo
bull Is charging upon him. The ring itself
is nothing more than nn enclosure of about
ninety feet in diameter , nnd is destitute of
any protection to the fighters , with the ox-
'Coption ' of four "burladoros" along the
edges of the pon. These burladoros nro
about eight foot in length and set away
from the cdgo of the ring a sufficient dis
tance to allow a mun to run behind them ,
but at the same time close enough to the
fence to prevent the bull from following.
They are of tbo same height as the fence of
the pen , or about eight feet. The ring is
surrounded by benches , chairs nnd boxes ,
and Homewhal resembles the amphitheater
of Homo in gladiatorial days. ,
Knlrnnce of the lurtlolpnnti.
The Judges gave the signal for the en
trance of the men who were to take part in
the affray , aud In a moment they appeared
in the enclosure , gorgeously arrayed In cos
tumes of variegated colors , the plcadores on
liorseback ana the remainder afoot , it is
the custom for the matador to throw his
capo among , the audience Just before the
fight begins , nnd it was not at all surprising
when tbo fickle Ponciano picked out n party
of American tourists ns the proper resting
place for his robes during the conflict. Tills
rash net was probably Drought about on ac
count of the ladles composing the party
being most excellent specimens of American
beauty.
The Judges now signalled for the appoar-
nnco of the'-first bull , which carao bounding
Into the ring with the customary rosa in his
shoulder. Evidently the first thing that ,
root his gaze was the picador to the loft of
the entrance through which ho had como
into the ring , nnd with tall civet and head
lowered ho made a mad rush for the Horse on
which the picador was mounted , and ap
parently without difficulty drove his horns .
Jar Into the animal's body. The poor borso
staggered for a moment aud then fell , never
again to enter the cruel bull ring. The bull
luid scarcely finished this bloody attack ore
bis eyes dlicornod the second picador
mounted on an excellent mustang on ira
opposite side of the ring , when with a
furious und violent charge ho also made
short work of that animal , which was hur-
rlod out of the pen where bo so lately had
entered full of life and beauty. The judges )
now called for : the bandcrilleros to com
mence the work of worrying and teasing
the bull , and in a moment's time the first
bandorilloro had managed to put ono of Is
brads lute the bull's shoulder , but IS
hissed and hooted by the uudlonco on ISD
couut ot hii failure to put in both. Tlio
second bandcrilloro now approached the
thoroughly infuriated boast and suc i
cessfully drove his bandcrillas into
the bull ; but the third bamlcrllluro
did his work much neater than his
predecessors , und for u moment , as the bull
trus dustilm ; at full speed upon him , bis
Ufa WHS iu great danger , when with the
agility of an athlete ho dexterously glided a
top to the sldo of the bull's horns nnd
thrust bis bandorillas firmly into the bull.
This magnificent feat called forth the
deafening applause of the multitude , and
tnoqeyor a moment was thrown wildly
into tbo ring ; Then the judges signalled for
the matador to put an end to tbo bull , und
invincible Ponciano Diaz , sword in hand ,
aupearod in the center of the ring ,
Ponclano's aged mother , who attends nearly
all the lights in which ho participates ,
covered her face with her shawl so that
she could not witness the last sueno. In Ua
short time ho attracted the attention of the
bull , \\liieU stood for u moment ns if studyIng -
;
Ing u means of attack , and then with a loud
bellow rushed upon his antagonist ; but
Ponciano proved equal 10 the occasion and
stopping quickly to the side thrust the
sword to the hill through the bull's body %
and-death followed almost instantly. Then
three mules covered with elegant blankets
V aud ' housings v > cro brought into the ring
autl 'made to drag the bull from the arena.
Ho Time for Urluki Uotwotn Acta.
There is a difference between bull fights
and most other entertainments , in that there
is no time lost between acts , and the first
bull had hardly botm draggcu from the rlny
jHf
when the second ono was tunica into the
now blood-stained onclosuru. lie first un
horsed ono of the picadorcs and then at
tacked the second , who was also partly ills ,
mounted ; then pawing the ground furiously .
for a moment ho made another rush for the
plcdor , and this time successfully put an
ind to the horse. Quo ot the toreadore *
) rio4 to attract bU attention from Uut bleed-
i
Ing horso. and the trail turnort and followed
him olosoly , but the toreador made for ono
of the btirladoroos ami ho had scarcely got
ten behind It before the bull came against It ,
full force , almost tearing It down. About
this time ono of the ring nsihtnnts thought
the bull wns behind him and started off nt a
rapid pace , but ho was so badly frlRhlenod
that ho foil to the ground and for a few mo-
ncnts was frantically endeavoring either to
regain his footing or drop through the earth ,
I could not tell which , and the oomlo sight
called forth dprlilvo laughter nnd cheers
from the spectators. The bandcrilleros were
very successful with this bull , only ono of
them falling to put both hLs barbs into the
boast. Tlio Judges now called for the mata
dor to como forth , ami Timotoo llodrlguoz ,
assistant to Ponciano Diaz , stopped into the
ring , nnd with the first thrust of the sword
put an end to the bull.
The third bull was put into the ring as
soon as the second ono had been removed ,
and his first act was to gore another horse to
death , nnd then dismount the next picador.
Then came the feature of the day : Maria A
an Itodrlguoz , wlfo of Timotoo Ilodriguoz
mounted on an excellent nnd well trained
horse , appeared In the ring , and for a mo
ment the audlonco went wild with enthusi
asm. She was a superb rider , and her cov
tumo was rich and showy. She was given
the banderlllas , nnd successfully put two of
them into the bull. For a moment the larpo
concourse of people fairly rent the air with
applause , nnd bouquets , sombreros ana
money were showered into the ring In abund
ance. She gracefully bowed her acknowl
edgement of the honors bestowed upon her
nnd graciously gnvo back the hats to their
respective owners. Tlio bull , evidently pro
voked nt having n woman dare to enter the
enclosure and put bandcrillas into his flesh ,
bethought himself of n moans of revenge ,
nnd made a furious charge upon the fair
bandorillura and her noble steed , and for a
moment tha spectators were spell-bound , for
the bull's horns came violently in contact
with the borso , but luckily for horse and
rider the blow struck the saddle girth in
such n manner that it glanced off , and no
serious damage was dono. Ponciano Dluz
then successfully killed the bull , but not
without great danger to himself , for the bull
was very vlclom throughout the flght.
The fourth bull waa hurried Into the ring ,
nnd probably thinking there were already
too many occupying that circle , Immediately
tore open the aide of a horse , the picador
narrowly oscaplntr from the bull's homs.
But after this attack the bull seemed to
weaken , and backed up against the fence and
faced his antagonists , but would not fight ;
the audience iu ono voice called for "otro
toro , " "otro toro , " which signifies another
bull. The judges decided the bull was not a
good ono nnd requested that ho bo taken
from the ring. It is not always nn easy
matter to got the bulls out of the ring ,
though they refuse to fight , nnd a steer is
generally put in the ring as n companion for
the bull , and they nro taken out together.
In this case when the steer was brought into
the ring the bull regained his courage and
attacked the steer , but the bull was lassoed
by the horns aud hind legs , nnd with the
steer was removed from the ring.
This One railed to Kill Horse.
The fifth bull was now brought Into the
ring and instantly attacked ono of the plca-
doros , and , although ho did not reach the
horse , ho managed to push the polo from the
picador's grasp. This bull was the only ono
that did not kill a horso. About this time a
shower of rain fell nncl caused a general stir
of ( ilscomforturc , but t'no sport was too fas
cinating for anyone to think of retiring from
the spot ; the light went right ahead , and
after the bandorillas had been nut into the
bull , Timotoo Rodriguez stepped before the
bull to put an cud to him. Thu audience ,
however , called vociferously forPonolano ,
but the judges decided against them , and
Timoteo proceeded with the flght. The
ground was slippery from the shower of rain
that hud Just fallen , and when he made his
llrst thrust ho missed the heart , but the
sword was driven clear through tno animal
and the point protruded through the bull's
body. Ho was given another sword and this
time stood immediately in front of the bull
and thrust the weapon into the spinal chord
Just b.ick of the horns of the bull , and the
animal fell dead at his foot. This mode of
killing a bull Is exceedingly dangerous and
Timoteo was cheered to the echo.
As llvo bulls were to bo "killed , and the
fourth one had to bo taken out of the ring on
account of Its refusal to flght. they now
brought forth the extra bull. Timoteo Rod
riguez again distinguished himself , and
seemed to have a charm over the bull.
Ponciano Diaz also scomod to bear a unarmed
life , for during this fight the bull had an ex
cellent opportunity of goring him , but Pon-
ciauo merely gazed into the bull's cyo- } and
the animal walked away apparently satls-
lied to sacrifice his own llfo rather than de
prive Mexico of her Ponciano. During this
light the most sickening scene of the day oc
curred. The bull dismounted a picador ,
severely Injuring the man's leg , and then
gored the horse in a horrible manner. The
jioor horse managed to regain his foot ana
started on a run around the ring ; his en
trails hanging from his body soon became
cutunaled in his leg and ho was thrown
violently to the ground. The assistants got
him on his feet again and dragged and
whipped him out of tbo ring , but this sight
was so cruel and brutal that it has undoubt
edly stamped Itself indelibly upon the mem
ory of over.v spectator. Tlio banderillas
were then put into tno bull , Timotoo Itod-
riguoz once more , distinguishing himself by
tils agility and bravery. Then Ponciauo Diaz
niado ono of those sword thrusts for which
no has gained much celebrity. While the
bull was rushing upon him with gre.it speed
ho thrust the sword into the animal clear to
the hilt , withdrawing it immediately. The
bull stopped almost as soon as the sworO
point had pierced its flesh , and then like a
drunken man staggered a moment and
dropped dead in its tracks. This bull was
killed muguiticcntly and Ponciauo was the
recipient of many congratulations.
For tbo llonullt of .Novlcns.
The bull-fight proper was now ended , but
for the bouotit of the younger aspirants for
the bull-ring they turned a bull Into the
enclosure whoso horns wore padded and
bandaged with wrappings of cloth in such a
manner that they could not seriously injure
anybody who happened in their way. Largo
numbers of boys now jumped into the ring ,
and although the bull did not touch u single
ono it was an amusing sight to watch the
youngsters roll and tumble over each other
when they imagined the bull was following
them. After several minutes of this kind of
amusement the bull was taken out of the
rinir and the day's sport was at an end.
The st > ort being over , our party returned
to the train , which loft Pachucn at 0:1)0 : ) in
the evening and arrived in Mexico about 10
o'clock at night.
Olio more remark and my story is finished :
lu Mexico City they have had but ono bull-
light during the p.ist three yours , und that
ono was projected by the wife of President
Diaz and the proceeds realized , together with
many voluntary contributions , wore sent to
Spain for the benefit of those who wore suf
ferers from the inundations which occurred
that year. The principal reason for stopping
the bull-tights iu this city was that the bulls
they used wore of sued an inferior breed
that they would not light , and the people ,
becoming disgusted , tried to tear down the
rluss and were BO disorderly and violent in
their denuuciatlons'that the governor of the
district issued an order forbidding the fur
ther practice of this brutal though fascinat
ing pastime. TOKO.
New York' * Greatest Property Owners.
The Astor estate will pay in taxes this
year $420,000. This Is raoro than the
ontlro sum of city tuxes collected in 1820.
Thuro is only ono riohor family than the
Asters and that is the Vamlerbilt ,
which pays $003,000 , but as Una Includes
a good dual of city railroad properly
the Astor real estate , oxoluaivoly owtiou
by the family , is undoubtedly the more
valuable. The Lorillard family pays
$131,000 in taxes , which moans that its
oity property is actually worth more
than 810,000,000 , while the Jay Gould
estate is assessed $134,000. These are
the four richest estates in the city.
From the tax books just made up it ap-
nears that the most valuable buildings
iu Now York are the Equitable , at 1120
Broadway , assessed at $3,600,000 ; the
Fifth Avoiiuo hotel , 91,800,000 ; tho'MilU
building , 81,700,000 ; Mutual Life building -
ing In Nassau street , $1,025,000 ; the
Western Union building , $1,500,000 ; the
Astor houbo , $1,400,000 , and the Btowart
building. 81,000,000. The real values
nro nearly , if uot quite , double tbo rate
at which they are assessed. For
instance , the Herald building , for which
81,100,000 has boon offered , is appraised
by tlio city tax utoosaor at 9500,000 ,
ANCIENT BRITISH CUSTOMS
Qnalnt Old Observances Still Common to
England , Scotland and Ireland ,
TRADITIONS AND LEGENDS OF CENTURIES
Nearly All the University nntl Fabtlo School
Cuitami Intact Crow-Country Hid
ing jiml 1'unch nnil Judy Show
Still Flourish.
tCop/rt0M | / dlSM.1 _
LOSDOH , July 3. [ Special to Tna
It Is a common nnd p.tthotlo lament of most
writers , and particularly of these writers
who shut themselves up In the shadowy recesses -
cesses of some moldy club , with the opposite
street fncado for the limit of their horizon of
actual observation , that the good old days
and their good old ways nro dond nnd beauti
ful things of the past. The chnngo in condi
tions of llfo and living In England , Scotland
and Ireland have certainly been greater dur"
Ing this century than In nil thoflvo conturl cs
Immediately preceding ; ami this has of no-
cosslty made obsolete many ancient customs
nnd observances that nro perhaps Just as
well to have survive In literary reminiscence
only ; but in most of these things holding
fast the gentler anil dearer traditions ot n
people In homo , sporting , social and even re
ligious llfo , there Is n surprising record of
sturdy retention.
Should only these which have como under
my personal notice slnco 1807 bo given
the briefest reference , so great n number
could bo grouped ns to completely refute
these dolorous plaints that the pleasant
olden customs nro no moro ; nnd I am quite
sure that should some friendly and enthusias
tic pen bo devoted to making an entire
volume on the suojoct of "famous British
Customs Still in Vogue , " treating the matter -
tor something after the garrulous , genial
manner of that wonderful old olla podrida ,
"Hone's Every Day Book , " the English
speaking nnd reading world of today would
find in the result n genuine revelation of
pleasure nnd surprise.
In Ireland the tender custom of "convoy-
Ing" the departing emigrant is the same
today ns during nil the snd cycles since its
peasantry were forced to seek homes in for
eign lands ; its wakes nua woddmgs , its fairs
mul frolics , its chlldrons' hunting of the
robin and the wren , and countless other cus
toms hundreds of years old are precisely ns
they were in the heart of the bettor olden
days.
Idle of Man Same as of Old.
Over In the sturdy llttlo Isle of Man every
essential feature of its patriarchal and rep
resentative government , established early In
the tenth century , ox ( Sis In its original sim
plicity nt the uresont timo. Its Tvnwald
court Is still , as 1,000 years ago , hold under
the open sky on Its grassy Tynwald hill. Its
sheading coroners , high bailiffs , house of
keys and sword-bearor promulgate the laws
I ust ns they did in glorious KingOrry's time.
Some of its parish clerks are still elected by
the votes of only these who "put out smoke , "
that is , whoso habitations possess n chim
ney. Its fisher folk put to sea with goodly
prayers and psalms. Its peasant folk , in
dress , customssuperstitions and pious faith ,
live lives of calm indiflcronco to the outer
world of change ; and the bar&ia strain of
old , held true and firm down the shining line
of 1,000 , years , flashes forth now as then in
its weird , exalted Oiol Vorro in each suc
ceeding Christmas tide that comes.
And who shall truly say that the land o'
cakes has lost its fine old customs and ten
der superstitions altogether ? What a host
of genial customs still cling to these stern
and fine folk through the influence of their
"guid ncobors" the beniflcent llttlo Brownies
alonol Make merry of It as you may , the
household Scottish "brownie" still holds its
helpful place In the hearts of the people be
yond the Esk und the Tweed.
Ho is never' idle in all good office to the
lowly homo of the countryside , vrhoro you
novcr fail of finding him , if you do not enter
his realm in the spirit of cavil and scoffing.
There , in each simple home and hcart.ho sits
enthroned with every attribute of benevolence -
lonco and affection. Ho not only works with
giant might to assist in ploughing the land ,
harvesting the crops , guarding the grain
and minding the nerds , but In every little
household drudgery of guldwifo and bairn
ho lands a helping hand. No ill can come
but that ho has fended its cruelest touch.
No sorrow can fall upon the household whoso
hurt would not bo deadlier were it not for
his kindly and palliative powers. And in all
the Rlorious old laud o' cakes , his gentle in
fluence adds zesF to every peasant Joy. Aa
the burns , springing from the misty , crag-
rimmed corrlcs of the north , dcscond and
water the welcoming plains of the lowlands
the endless streams of Gaelic superstition
descend from the weird and misty ceilidhs
of the crofters' ancient homos and the con-
turios-olu clachans aud render perennial the
lowland growth of Scottish folk-loro and
well beloved olden ways.
Hcntlund's Ancient Customs Still Observed.
Lot all doubters of the oxlstonco in Scot
land of most ancient customs and pastimes
stop into the great farm kitchens of the
Lotbians nt Hallowmas ovo. Lot them , at
Auld Heckle's ancient cross , at midnight of
any Now Year's eve learn what a Scottish
Hogmanay truly is. Let thorn in spring and
summer aud autumn follow the koeu-oyod ,
suro-armod golfer , or know the thrill of winter -
tor curling Joys. Lot them visit that most
ancient and glorious of Scottish fairs , the
St. George cattle fair of Kolso , where the
Tweed and Toviot mingle their historic
waters. Lot thorn wander to that decaying
realm of Gypsydom , quaint old Yotholmhid
den from both English and Scottish eyes in
the mazes of the growsomo Toviot hills , and
sco the "Fasten Ken" ffames of Dowmout-
stdo , in February , almost ns ancient as the
Toviot3 themselves , and so bravo , rough and
brawny that tbo spirit of battle and the
strength of giants are required to withstand
thorn. Or still , lot them wander to old
Hawicktown and vlow something that
church nnd state could uovnr put down the
annual Common Hidings ; und , as the Cornet
is mounted , feel tno thrill of tbo hero days
within them as Hogg's soul-atirring lines ,
Sons of heroes ulalii nt 1'loddunl
Mot to ride and trace our common-
burst from thous.inds of borderers' throats ,
and they will know that the Scotia of old , in
tradition , feeling , pastime and venerated
custom , is the same today as long , long before -
fore the solemn league and covenant.
Down in scarred und earth-rent old Corn
wall little indeed , has boon any manner of
change for hundreds of years. It is within
the memory of thosu now living when old
folk were constantly lamenting in their
ancient language , * 'Cornoack ewe all no cea
vor yen pobloyowikt" "Cornish is all for
got with the young people I" but there has
boon no ono to lament la truth the departure
of old customs In the rugged land ofTros ,
Pol and Pon. " See what a host of these
dnar old drolls , nnd these but n few out of
hundreds , even a Yuukco can find
and remember : Tno "Tukln' Sunday , "
when all the lads and lasses moot to se
lect "palrdners" for Muzard ( cherry ) fair ,
that most beloved and undent fair at Prazo ;
the ' growder" selling and growder , or
scrubbing , day ; the i"watching" overnight
for the Slay day'a coming ; the blessing of
apple trees on St. James' day nnd at Christ
mas tluio ; "rook" day on the great estates ,
when all thu peasant folk can shoot rooks to
their heart's content und luxuriuto in pot-
plo made of the young rooks for a fortnight
thereafter ; "cob nutting , " that -ferocious
contest between Cornish lads and qulto as
wonderful klto Hying by grave old minors ;
that Immemorial custom of mothers of bestowing -
stowing gifts to the first person mot , when
returning from a christening ; the "taking
the Now Year" into houses invariably by
men first , on account of the ill-luck always
following a woman's accidental first
entrance , a custom utmost as universal iu
Scotland , Ireland and some portions of the
north of England j the saturnalia of ( lowers
at Helaton culled Furry ( Flora ) day , as
ancient us the duchy itself ; and the "huers"
of Carringgladen and Porthminster hills.
St. Ives , und their born-blowing and bush-
waving as the shoals of pilchers nro sighted.
Customs Oldar Titan Christianity.
Then there are the Beltalu fires , as in
Ireland and the Scottish Highlands , older
than Christianity itself jihe "touch-plpo" or
siesta l of the UorniVh minor , "abovo graM"
and below ; the "vagrrtfAfalrs" or wild , bnr-
barlo convoyinc by children of all vagabond
trarollng shows ; the "wiping of the hoo"
trbj
by tbo pilchor-packlnR iuhwlros of St. Ivcs ,
01w daubing the stranger's'shoos with oil , for
which n half crown "fpr luck of the fair
maids that feed and clothe the poor" ( the
pitchers ) must bo pAfd , or a huttllng or a
ducking will follow ; tWa very ancient har
vest-homo custom of. "crying the nock"
which consists of elevating a small sheaf ot
the best heads of grain lllrco times and cryIng -
Ing "Tho Ncckl" ns a token that the field Is
done , and n signal foe. farmsido generosity
and Jollity ; and these tjtiatnt old customs at
Cornish funerals of "earryln * the box" ( the
coffin | ) , "layln1 oot" tho-corpso , "watchln1 , "
which is nearly equivalent In all essentials
lK the Irish wako , the display of the
"blorors" ( bearers ) and their unlquo coffin-
tackle , the slow , weird psalm-chanting pro
cessionals to the churchyard , the walling of
Cio females at the church , the compensation
of the "passon" in coin In the pres
ence of the multitude ; the final "chocrin1 "
of the mourners at the homes of the latter ,
and the gallons of "shnacgrum" nt the pub
lic house , over which the lamented "Codon
Jack" is paid the highest eulogy known to
Cornish genius , " 'E Unowod tin I"
In England generally the great number of
old customs survivingand almost prevailing ,
is i ! fur moro remarkable to these who will see ,
than can the absence of their like bo either
striking or lamentable save to these of com
pletely ' opaque vision. In modern London ,
modern as Paris or Now York in most of its
cosmopolitan characteristics , there are no
end of aucinnt customs still in vogue , espe
cially among the ancient guilds and among
the extremes of society , from the coster-
mongers' annual , outlandish parade to the
lord mayor's banquet. There is a no greater
nest of thcvo odd old ceremonials and things
than may nt any tltno bo observed in and
about Parliament and the House of Lords ;
while for every half dozen court ceremonials
in vogue during the time of Elizabeth that
liavo boon discarded , any person of intelli
gence can point out a score > , equally antique ,
curious , and some might insist ridiculous ,
which have boon dauntlcssly retained.
Olmrini of Kncllih VlUBg * Life.
As I have previously shown in these ar
ticles , English villages and village Ufa are lu
most particulars as charming and character
ful as they were any time at or beyond a cen
tury ago. The customs remain with these
practically the same : and the change In es
sentials Is largely in the imagination of these
who remove to the cities , and who are them
selves subject to such radical change that
their former provincial environment seems
moan and deformed from the now and won
drous viow. But coming directly to the
most important nnd effective illustration
that can bo made , tnko llfo in and about the
great English , or for that matter Scottish
and Irish , noblemen's estates. As British
institutions nnd sociology go , these provide
the highest possible oxauiplo. With few ex
ceptions such as the the discontinuance of
homo brewing of ale , and the provisions of a
servants' hall in place of the common table
the entire regime of these splendid places re
mains the same as in the time when the old
robber barons' fortified stone barrels with
ditches around them were transformed into
princely Elizabethan castle or hull.
In nearly every detail of relations between
lord and tenant ; between tenant and hind ;
in the management of the homo demesne ;
in the force of retainersjand their duties
from steward or agent"down , past head for
ester and under foresters , head gamukoopor.
helpers and "boaters , " head gardener and
under gardeners , lodge.kcepors and all house
servants there remains1/ strong and fixed
and seemingly unchangeable , every olden
custom , observance , tluty , cratuity and
pleasant or unpleasant association of master
and man that have , for nearly a quarter of
a thousand years , provided the most inter
esting pages of English , literature and se
cured ttio almost unshaken admiration , if
not always affection , of these who have ,
despite all political turmoil , held the British
nation together ; all oft which is not in defense -
fenso of a system , but the statement of a
historic fact and practical illustration of a
most interesting sociological spectacle.
Generalizing , there are Innumerable an
cient customs and observances remaining in
England peculiar to its people which are
almost as nunconsciaus as fadeless. The
greatest host of these are of a half religious
and half social naturojsolely the outgrowth
of the influence of the Church of England ,
which are so much a part of national and
individual life , oven among diss'ontors , that
their existence is almost unrecognizable
among the people themselves. The single
Instance that the ancient cuudlo und chris
tening feasts and ceremonies are gre.itly re
vived , and often more extravagant than in
former times. Is sufficient illustration. I
have heard the town crier announcing the
arrival of the coach at old Warwick town ,
nnd grotesquely unifurmod Sergeants nt
Mace "robinredbroasts" they are locally
called stride about within the walls of un
dent Londonderry precisely a they did be
fore the long siego. Derby day , the momor-
ublo movcublo feast andouting , and the
statutory feast of the 12th of August ,
are religiously kept. Parliament always
adjourns for the first , and nothing but im
pending national calamity could tempt it to
meet ut the time dedicated to the opening
slaughter of grouso.
Nearly all the old university and English
public school observances and customs are
intact. Everybody knows that Guy Fuwkes
Is annually officially and literally searched
for in the cellars of Parliament bouse before
the opening of Parliament. The auciontcus-
tomof "doling" food nnd clothing to the
poor Is still observed on St. Thomas Day In
Kent. That unimpeachable custom of unl-
vorsul guzzling which , in 1874 alouo , brought
the national treasury a revenue of 31,000-
000 , seems to bravely hold Its olden own.
Over at Great Yarmouth by the sea you will
still find in general use the famous ancient
two-wheolod "Yarmouth cart " little
- , , narrow
and low , and with shafts as long as a Cuban
volanto's. At Coventry the town council
moots iu St. Mary's hall , a structure built
for this self-same purpose 000 years ago , and
many of the oldest ceremonies nro preserved ,
while every year brings Its Lady GoJiva pro
cessionals upon which Pooping Toms with
wooden heads and leering eyes look down.
English levers still ruu away to got married
aftt the ancient Scotch fashion of consent
before ( witnesses at Grotna Green.
"Well-lre luff and "HuiUbearliiK. "
Over In Dorbyshlrn is still splendidly allvo
the ancient and beautiful ceremony of "well-
dressing : " and in the heart of Wordsworth's
land , besldo the very spot where the grand
old singer lies , may bo annually soon that
sweetest of all pious pastoral customs ,
"rushboarlng , " a ceremony perhaps a thou
sand years older than Christianity itself.
Thuro are moro "hot cross buiu" now sold
every Good Friday in England than were
ever disposed of on that day before the
reformation. Vfho can close his eyes or hii
pocket to that hoary English custom of "tip
ping" which holds the classes and masses so
firmly together ! That glorious fountain of
childish pleasure , the Punch and Judy show ,
flourishes every where uiid In blessed youth
perennial. There Is an 'hundred times the
cross-country rhling tl vt tboro was a cen
tury ago. Some time since I figured out
from reliable data tliut-ttio rentals of shoot
ing nnd fishing privileges' ' ! ! ! Scotland alone
annually exceeded WMW , or $3,800,000 , !
What must they bo for three kingdoms , and
who can truly say that thoio most ancient
and iuspirutlng of BrltiqU sports are falling
into decay } What would the boysand youth
of England say to the assertion that "hare-
and-hounds , " foot ball.Jffrlckot and even
wrestling and "putting. tbo ntoue" were not
Immeasurably moro universal and manfully
iiowdor.o than of yorffPeAnd last because
ono has to stop aomerwhcro In a recital ,
which , briefly made , wpuid fill every column
of this paper it would not be a venturesome -
some thing for ono wtio had tramped the
length uud breadth of Uxe British Isles , as I
bavo done , to express / tbo firm belief that ,
two to ono , there is today moro ringing clat
ter of bettor hoof , moro Jingling of bolter
haruoss , moro rattling of superb coaches and
merrier notes from bugle and horn , and this.
too , every whit for pleasure , along the grand
hedgo-bordorod highways ot Saxons , Gaels
aud Colts , than were over known lu Britain's
palmiest olden ooaohing daysl
EDGAK L. WAKBMIN.
The "No. 0" Wheeler & , Wilson makes a
perfect stitch with all kinds of thread on all
classes of materials. Jt is always ready.
Sold by Goo. W. Lancaster & Co. , fiU S.
Itith street.
The largest plo ever made was baked at
Denloy Dale , England , for the quoon's
lublloo. It spoiled , however , so that when
It was opened thu ateuch was awful. The
next week unothor was made of 673 pounds
of Hour , 1,800 pounds of potatoes , ono heifer ,
two calves aud two cheep.
DOUGLAS COUNTY ROADWAYS
Plan Suggested for Their Thorough and
Comprehensive Improvement ,
CORRECT LOCATION THE FIRST REQUISITE
The JUdlonl Dafscts In DongUs County
Hands 1'olntod Out rrnotlaal
ttod * on Jtoatl-Mnklitff by
Cnrllss C. Turner.
I.
"Of nil Inventions , the alphabet and
the printing press nlono cxcoptod , these
inventions which abridge distance huvo
done most of the civilization ot our
Conspicuously displayed on
the golden door of the Transportation
building the words of Macaulay nro
awakening trains of thought in the
minds of many who have never before
realized the full extent of the subject.
Wo are so accustomed to accept the
conveniences of nineteenth century civ
ilization as a mutter of course that it is
dinicult or at least unusual for us to
pause and endeavor to realize the condi
tions of human existence n few centuries
back , in ages when the footpath and the
pack mule represented the highest typo
of inland means of communication.
In every ago the necessity of bettor
monnn of communication has boon
realized ana striven for , but in no ago
and in no country have there been such
contrasts of perfection and crudity as
are to bo found hero in America today.
Our rail way system is the wonder oi
the j world. The fleet that plies our in
land lakes and rivers is a mighty ono
among the Moots of nation ) . Our sys
tems of urban communication are by all
moans the most perfect that the world
has over .soon. But our country roads
are the worst known among civilized
people. Wo are as many centuries bo-
hl.d the ancient Porusiatis in the con
struction of country highways as wo are
centuries ahead of thoin in the methods
at our command.
It would bo a platitude to say that
good country roads arc a necessity.
It is a dinicult taslc to inuko people re
alize how bud our roads really aro. It
in a , still moro dinicult task to secure
agreement on aline of policy looking to
their intelligent improvement. For im
mediately wo decide that improvement
is a necessity wo find diverse interests
rising up and clamoring for this , that or
the other policy. If , in the judgment of
these who are most capable of deciding ,
certain reforms or lines of action * are
deemed necessary wo at once find an
army of private interests rising in oppo
sition. To psoplo who have observed
the workings of our local governments
the effector the opposition ot private in
terests is clear.
How can these discordant elements bo
united ? How can the voice of soliiah
private interests bo silenced when it is
plainly in opposition to the general wel
fare ? Only bya clear , exact understand
ing of the situation on the part of the
public ut largo. With an intelligent
understanding of the conditions and re
quirements by the public there can bo no
fear but that a correct solution will be
finally reached.
Having been committed for some time
to a line of policy that is , in my opinion ,
t.ho only rational policy to pursue , ; "
have boon constrained to write the fol
lowing series of articles in the hope that
the public may receive u correct under
standing of tha actual conditions and
necessities of the road improvomonl
question as it exists hero in Douglas
county.
Fraction ! Suggestions.
There are two ways in wliich the
roads of Douglas county may be im
proved ,
1st. By building or improving the
natural clay or earth roads.
2nd. By paving or macadamizing
these improved roads.
It requires no argument to show that
the first process of improvement must
bo'carriod out before the second or final
process is undertaken.
The only questions ore :
Have our clav or earth roads reached
their highest development ?
Can nothing bo done to still further
improve thorn before giving thorn permanence -
manonco by paving or macadamizing ?
The ilrst question admits of no argu
ment. An hour's ride in almost any di
rection will convince the casual observer
that it can be answered unqualifiedly in
the negative.
The second qursstion , however , is very
far reaching in its effects , and one that
requires a clear understanding of many
conditions. I am prepared to answer it
unreservedly in the aillrmativo , and it is *
on this aQlrmativo answer that I shall
base ray argument.
I wish to state hero positively that it
is my opinion that our country roads uro
in an extremely unfit state to bo either
paved or macadamized. That to give
permanence to the monstrosities that
servo us in the place of roads , by paving
or macadamizing thorn , would bo. an act
of the greatest folly. That wo can never
have good roads in this county until we
abandon our present illogical and ruin
ous system of locating roads , and adopt
an intelligent system based upon com
mon sense principles.
Let us then attack the problem of road
Improvement in a rational , intelligent ,
systematic manner. Lot us begin ut the
bottom and work up. Lot us begin and
build now , correctly located earth roads.
Build them carefully on some compre
hensive plan , and after tlio most ap
proved methods. Build a few miles each
year , and as rapidly as they are built
place them under some well organized ,
Intelligent management. Do not IOHVO
them to take euro of themselves as is
now dono.
Who'ii this has boon accomplished , then
it will bo time to talk of pavements , and
not till then.
These uro revolutionary ideas and may
bo startling to many who have not given
the subject much thought. They are
ideas that must bo carried out if wo are
to exorcise the oommonest'judgment in
the management of county affairs.
In future articles I shall atton : .
give a plain rovlow of the situation" , and
will point out the disadvantages of p
out methods , together with tno aav
tagos to bo derived from a complete
departure from them
Mental exhaustion and brain fatigue
Promptly cured by Bromo-Seltzer.
Don't lay the child down with his ears
bantu way from his head ; the result will bo
a deformity.
READY MADE MUSTARD PLASTERS
Wo were the first manufacturers on this
Continent Our latest Improvement surpasses
anything over before produced , l&o. , 26o. , 860.
pcrtlaT Bo Hare to bore SK AIIUBV'U. Adt
for them spread on cotton cloth.
SEABURY'S SULPHUR CANDLES ;
1'revontlon Is bettor than cure , by burning
these candle * bad funells in basemen ts , closets ,
&o. are destroyed , and tuuscontactouidlseasan
are kept away : also useful for expelling mo * .
Qultos and IrritatUiglnseota. Price , iio. eaUb
To purify elck-rooms , apartments , etc. , use
HYORDNAf HTHOL PASTILLES ,
trhlch la burning , disinfect and produce
fragrancorelreslilnBBiiJlnvlgoraUog. SJo-por
box of 12. Sole Manufacturer * ,
EAJ3TJHY JSc JOI3C1VSON ,
'
I'luiriuaouutlcftll-IE-UI
Clitmliiii jUfcw Tuni\
One-third Saved
D
S
S
fl By buying Moquette
Carpets now , if you
5
can find a carpet in our
_
i j
ja made up line to fit your
8 room ; and we have so
many sizes made up
8I
you are almost sure to
I find one. These are go
ing at $100 a yard as
long as they last , which'
won't be long.
and MORPHINE HABITS *
OPIU Full information , on an
EASY and PERMANENT
CURE , sent FREE by . .
THE NATIONAL HEALTH CO. , 441 Paxton Block , Omaha. Neb.
WHY SHOULD YOU PAY 25c
AS YOU HAVE HERETOFORE DONE , FOR A
LIGHT WEIGHT , ROLL COLLAR ?
WE ARE NOW MAKING ONE , WITH DEEP POINTS , EQUAL TO ANY
IN THE MARKET ,
FOR 2OC. SOLD BY
ASK ONLY ALL THE LEADING
FOR THE Men's
Furnishers.
The Monarch la the best warm toaatber Bblrt.
Solid Comfort & complete eatlefaction ( juaraUd.
MARK. CLUETT , COON & CO.
DrDOWNS
1316 Douglas Street , Omaha , Neb ,
Tha mlntnt iDeolallittnnerroui , ebronle , prlrate. blood , > klD and urinary dlstaiei. A r f ular M
regUUired , graduate . to modloln * , , at diplomas aad oertlflcatoi , will nhoir , Is tttll treating with the cr . aUi
UCCCM oalarrli. . lost manhood omtaalwiiknoii nUbt . lonas ana all formt of private dl aii. Ne
merourr uiod. New . treatment tot IOM of vital poiror. I'artlas unable to vlilt mo mar be treated at home
br oorroipondenee. Medicine . or Initrumonti lent by mall . oroxpreii ocurolr . packed ) no marki lo Indl *
cato content . ! or sender. Ooo personal IntarrUw pro for red. Contultatton free. Correipoadoace ilrlcllr
prlrate. liook ( Mjstertei . ol Life ) sent free , Offloe hours , a.m , to ) p.m. Sundajs , 10 a. m , to I ) IB.
Bend ; stamp for elronlar.
Omaha Loan and Trust Co
SAVINGS BANK.
SIXTEENTH AND DOUGLAS STREETS.
Capifa ! $100,000 ; Liability of Stockholders , $200.099
r ! 7MT" , Interest paid on BIX MOSTlHi 44 osr O9lt oiiTIlllB B
L > CtN I MONTJId1 OartiaoAto * of Oupcmt , 4 par oinf iDtareU ViU
on UunkaocounU
Ni tire to Contractors.
Illdi will lo ) received by tbo uuderalgrieil up
to 12 o'clock noon , July 31st , 1MU , fur innklnu
additions aiiil alturutloiiH to tbo nrunent Jruiue
suliool bullUlni ! of ( lUtrlut No. : a. IJuiinluKtoii ,
Iouglu county. Nobruika. Raoh bidder iniiat
Ulil on tlio entire- work contemplated , and BUD *
inlt with Ins proposal a cortlUud chuck foi
t'iO.00 drawn to tbo order of Uiouudontmiad in
.guaranty that lie will fully comply wltu tin
turnm of bis propoiul , Bbould tbo sumo be no-
copied. Druivln und speclflouttona eau lit
toed Htltliu otllceof K Monde-lanolin , architect
room fiuo I'uxton blook. The rlybt IB reserved
to reject
Jy IS 8 23 W llvuulogtou , Nub.