Part 13

—“‘and write inside——’”

(“Pamby! is that all?”)

—“‘and write inside——’”

(“Nurse! is that all?”)

“‘I have my mother’s sanction for making one last request of you. It is this——’”

(“What have the children got for dinner to-day?”)

—“it is this: return me my letters, as I have returned yours. You will find inside——”

(“A shoulder of mutton and onion sauce? And a devilish good dinner, too.”)

The coarse wretch roared out those last shocking words cheerfully, at the top of his voice. Hitherto, Lady Malkinshaw had preserved her temper with the patience of an angel; but she began—and who can wonder?—to lose it at last.

“It is really impossible, my dear,” she said, rising from her chair, “to continue any conversation while that very intolerable person persists in talking to his family from his front garden. No! I really cannot go on—I cannot, indeed.”

Just as I was apologizing to my sweet friend for the second time, I observed, to my great relief (having my eyes still on the window), that the odious major had apparently come to the end of his domestic business for that morning, and had made up his mind at last to relieve us of his presence. I distinctly saw him put his tablets back in his pocket, wheel round again on his heel, and march straight to the garden gate.

I waited until he had his hand on the lock to open it; and then, when I felt that we were quite safe, I informed dear Lady Malkinshaw that my detestable neighbor had at last taken himself off, and, throwing open the window again to get a little air, begged and entreated her to oblige me by resuming the charming conversation.

“Where was I?” inquired my distinguished friend.

“You were telling me what you recommended your poor darling to write inside your inclosure,” I answered.

“Ah, yes—so I was. Well, my dear, she controlled herself by an admirable effort, and wrote exactly what I told her. You will excuse a mother’s partiality, I am sure—but I think I never saw her look so lovely, so mournfully lovely, I should say, as when she was writing those last lines to the man who had so basely trifled with her. The tears came into my eyes as I looked at her sweet, pale cheeks; and I thought to myself——”

(“Nurse! which of the children was sick, last time, after eating onion sauce?”)

He had come back again!—the monster had come back again, from the very threshold of the garden gate, to shout that unwarrantable, atrocious question in at his nursery window!

Lady Malkinshaw bounced off her chair at the first note of his horrible voice, and changed toward me instantly—as if it had been my fault—in the most alarming and most unexpected manner. Her ladyship’s face became awfully red; her ladyship’s head trembled excessively; her ladyship’s eyes looked straight into mine with an indescribable fierceness.

“Why am I thus insulted?” inquired Lady Malkinshaw, with a slow and dignified sternness which froze the blood in my veins. “What do you mean by it?” continued her ladyship, with a sudden rapidity of utterance that quite took my breath away.

Before I could remonstrate with my friend for visiting her natural irritation on poor, innocent me, before I could declare that I had seen the major actually open his garden gate to go away, the provoking brute’s voice burst in on us again.

“Ha, yes?” we heard him growl to himself in a kind of shameless domestic soliloquy. “Yes, yes, yes—Sophy was sick, to be sure. Curious. All Mrs. Namby’s stepchildren have weak chests and strong stomachs. All Mrs. Namby’s own children have weak stomachs and strong chests. _I_ have a strong stomach _and_ a strong chest. Pamby!”

“I consider this,” continued Lady Malkinshaw, literally glaring at me in the fulness of her indiscriminate exasperation—“I consider this to be unwarrantable and unladylike. I beg to know——”

“Where’s Bill?” burst in the major from below, before she could add another word. “Matilda! Nurse! Pamby! where’s Bill? I didn’t bid Bill good-by—hold him up at the window, one of you.”

“My dear Lady Malkinshaw,” I remonstrated, “why blame _me_? What have I done?”

“Done?” repeated her ladyship. “Done? All that is most unfriendly, most unwarrantable, most unladylike, most——”

“Ha! ha! ha-a-a-a!” roared the major, shouting her ladyship down, and stamping about the garden in fits of fond paternal laughter. “Bill, my boy, how are you? There’s a young Turk for you! Pull up his frock—I want to see his jolly legs——”

Lady Malkinshaw screamed and rushed to the door. I sank into a chair, and clasped my hands in despair.

“Ha! ha! ha-a-a-a! What calves the dog’s got! Pamby! look at his calves. Aha! bless his heart, his legs are the model of his father’s! The Namby build, Matilda; the Namby build, every inch of him! Kick again, Bill—kick out, like mad. I say, ma’am! I beg your pardon, ma’am——”

_Ma’am?_ I ran to the window. Was the major actually daring to address Lady Malkinshaw, as she passed indignantly, on her way out, down my front garden? He was! The odious monster was pointing out his—his, what shall I say?—his _undraped_ offspring to the notice of my outraged visitor.

“Look at him, ma’am. If you’re a judge of children, look at him. There’s a two-year-older for you! Ha! ha! ha-a-a-a! Show the lady your legs, Bill—kick out for the lady, you dog, kick out!”

THE WORLD’S MOST REMARKABLE STREETS.

While Europe Has the Most Aristocratic, the Cleanest, and the Most Beautiful, the United States Has the Highest and the Most Wealthy.

There is always interest in the superlative. The biggest things, the smallest things, the ugliest and the most graceful are important only when compared with the rest of their kind. Every city in the world has its attractive roads and streets as well as its ugly ones.

The highest street in the world is Main Street, In Denver; the richest is Fifth Avenue, in New York City; the widest is Market Street, in Philadelphia; and the shortest is the Rue Blé in Paris.

The dirtiest street is that of Tchangsti, in Nankin; the cleanest is the Via Castile, in Seville, Spain; the most aristocratic one is Grosvenor Place, in London; the most beautiful is the Avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris. The narrowest street is the Via Sol, Havana, Cuba, which has a width of only forty-two inches.

Little Glimpses of the 19th Century.[3]

The Great Events in the History of the Last One Hundred Years, Assembled so as to Present a Nutshell Record.

_Compiled and edited for_ THE SCRAP BOOK.

Footnote 3:

Began March SCRAP BOOK. Single copies, 10 cents.

EIGHTH DECADE.

POPULATION—Washington, D. C., 109,199; Chicago, 298,977; New York (including boroughs now forming Greater New York), 1,469,045; New York (Manhattan), 942,292; London, 3,251,804; United States, 38,558,371; Great Britain and Ireland, 31,672,678. World population, 1,310,000,000.

RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in Spain Amadeus is made king, and in France Napoleon III falls with the empire.

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[Sidenote: =1871=]

In the United States, a great fire in Chicago destroys a large portion of the city; property loss, one hundred and ninety million five hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars; several hundred people are killed, and over one hundred thousand are rendered homeless; area burned, three and a half square miles. In the same month, October, vast fires rage in northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, with appalling loss of life. A commission of British and American statesmen meets In Washington and frames a treaty with reference to the claims of the United States against Great Britain for damage done during the Civil War by the Confederate cruiser Alabama and other Confederate vessels built and equipped in English ports; by terms of treaty the question is submitted to a board of arbitration to convene at Geneva next year. In New York, the corrupt Tweed ring is broken up, and its head, William M. Tweed, arrested and held in two million dollars bail. Under authority of Congress, President Grant takes steps to promote improvement in the Civil Service; he appoints a commission under George W. Curtis (see 1873). An act of Congress creates the Centennial Commission representing all States and Territories: it is authorized to prepare for a great international exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, in celebration of the nation’s centennial anniversary. Passage of the Force Bill to suppress the “Kuklux Klan” in the South. Death of George Ticknor, American writer and philologist; Alice and Phœbe Cary, poets; Robert Anderson, American soldier, the defender of Fort Sumter. Immigration, 321,350; exports, $442,820,178.

In England, the system of purchasing commissions and promotions in the army is abolished, and also the requirements of religious tests in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Russia gives notice that she will no longer be held by the treaty made after the Crimean War, under which she abrogated naval rights in the Black Sea; England and other powers acquiesce. Death of Sir John Herschel, astronomer, and of George Grote, historian and philosopher.

In France, the siege of Paris is ended by capitulation and armistice, pending formation of a government to negotiate peace with the victorious Germans. A National Assembly, selected by popular vote, meets at Bordeaux and selects M. Thiers as “executive head” of the Republic with a coalition cabinet representing the several factions. M. Thiers negotiates peace by which Germany annexes Alsace, except the city of Belfort, and a part of Lorraine (Treaty of Frankfort); indemnity to Germany, one billion dollars; German troops to occupy France pending its final payment. M. Thiers now made President of the French Republic. Meantime, civil war breaks out in Paris, and the Commune is established with a reign of bloodshed, cruel reprisals, and wanton destruction of property; burning of the Tuileries, the Louvre, Hôtel de Ville, and leveling of the Vendôme Column; barbarous murder of the hostages, including Archbishop Darboy. Commune is finally quelled after bombardment, assault, and capture of city by French Government troops; leaders of Commune executed; lives lost during the conflict, fourteen thousand. The Mont Cenis tunnel is opened for traffic, thus piercing the barrier of the Alps between France and Italy. Death of Auber, French composer.

In Spain, Minister Serrano having resigned, King Amadeus first appoints Zorilla and then Sagasta in his place. The excellent qualities of King Amadeus fail to compensate for his being a foreigner, while his honesty of purpose alienates him from all political factions. Meantime, the Alfonsists and Carlists organize their hostility and raise standard of war. In Germany, William I triumphantly returns to Berlin, after having been proclaimed Emperor of Germany in the palace of Versailles (see France). The first Reichstag of the new German Empire is formally opened. In Italy, the seat of government is transferred from Florence to Rome, the first Italian Government in Rome for many centuries. In Mexico, Juarez is again elected President, but by a small majority, owing to large following developed by General Diaz as a rival candidate. Diaz party in rebellion over result (see 1872). In Africa, Stanley, heading the New York _Herald_ expedition, finds Livingstone and relieves his wants.

RULERS—United States, Ulysses S. Grant, President; Great Britain, Queen Victoria; France, L. Thiers, President; Spain, Amadeus; Germany, William I; Russia, Alexander II; Italy, Victor Emmanuel; Austria, Francis Joseph; Pope, Pius IX.

POPULATION—Washington, D. C., 109,199; New York (including boroughs now forming Greater New York), 1,469,045; New York (Manhattan), 942,292; Chicago, 298,977; London, 3,351,804; United States, 38,558,371; Great Britain and Ireland, 31,672,678. World population, estimated at 1,310,000,000.

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[Sidenote: =1872=]

In the United States, a general epidemic prevails among horses; business seriously crippled by it, and great financial loss. In Boston, a great fire destroys the business portion of the city; loss, seventy million dollars. General U. S. Grant, Republican, is reelected President; Henry Wilson, Vice-President; defeated candidate, Horace Greeley (Liberal Republican and Democratic parties). Congressional investigation of the Credit Mobilier corporation in connection with the building of the Pacific Railway; great scandal developed from the discovery that much of the Credit Mobilier stock is owned by members of Congress. The Geneva arbitrators award fifteen million five hundred thousand dollars damages to the United States for depredations committed during Civil War by Confederate cruisers built or equipped in England; and the Emperor of Germany arbitrates in favor of the United States in its contention with Great Britain for ownership of the San Juan Islands, between Washington Territory and Vancouver Island. Death of William H. Seward, American statesman; Horace Greeley, famous American journalist and editor; James Gordon Bennett, founder of the New York _Herald_; and Professor S. F. B. Morse, American inventor and father of the telegraph. Important inventions; the duplex telegraph perfected by Stearns; George Westinghouse, Jr., produces improved air-brake for trains (see 1869); Lyall Invents the “positive motion loom.” Immigration, 404,806; exports, $444,177,586.

In England, Stanley returns and publishes “How I Found Livingstone.” Deaths of Poole, English dramatist; Charles Lever, Irish novelist; Sir John Bowring, linguist and social politician. In France, the seat of government is transferred from Versailles to Paris. The government revokes the proscription of the Orleans and Bourbon princes. Death of Gautier, French novelist and essayist.

In Spain, Serrano again assumes ministry, but resigns because King Amadeus declines to encourage civil war by taking the aggressive against the Alfonsists and Carlists. Amadeus’s courage and coolness is exhibited strikingly amid conspiracies that surround him and warnings and attempts to assassinate him; but being surrounded by traitorous ministers and generals, with the army disorganized and rule in Spain under a constitution appearing to be impossible, the king at length decides to abdicate (see 1873). In Germany, the meeting in Berlin of the Emperors of Germany, Russia, and Austria establishes the “league of the three emperors” (Drelkaiserbund), thus assuring the peace of Europe and emphasizing the German capital as the pivot of European policy. Death of Feuerbach, German philosopher. In Mexico, a civil War is begun by General Diaz and his partisans, but it is ended by the sudden death of President Juarez from apoplexy. Lerdo de Tajada, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, assumes the Presidency; is subsequently elected, and tranquillity is restored.

RULERS—The same as in the previous year, with the exception that in Sweden Charles XV dies, and is succeeded by his son as Oscar II.

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[Sidenote: =1873=]

A great commercial panic, originating in the New York stock market, sweeps the country (September 18 called the “Second Black Friday”). In New York City, the stock exchange is closed, and the clearing house suspends temporarily. Congress drops the standard silver dollar of four hundred and twelve and one-half grains from the list of coins. Death of Chief Justice Chase, American statesman and jurist; Agassiz, American scientist. General Ulysses S. Grant is again inaugurated President. Congress raises the salaries of its members and of officers of the government (act repealed 1874; called the “salary grab”). In New York City, the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge is begun. Great Britain pays to the United States fifteen million five hundred thousand dollars, the award under the Alabama claims. Alexander H. Stephens returns to Congress. Congress establishes one-cent postal cards. Spanish authorities capture an American steamer, the Virginius, suspected of conveying men and arms to Cuba; thirty Americans executed; great indignation and excitement throughout the United States; Spain tenders apology and surrenders vessel and surviving prisoners; indemnity paid (1875), eighty thousand dollars. Steady growth of the “Grangers” as a political factor. Congress refuses to make further appropriation for continuing work of the Civil Service Commission (see 1874). Organization of the “Farmers’ Alliance,” a cooperative agricultural society. Important inventions: the automatic self-binding harvester and the Janney automatic car-coupler. Immigration, 459,893; exports, $522,479,922.

In England, home rule for Ireland is agitated for the first time as an issue in politics and efforts are made to form a compact, well-guided Irish party in Parliament to press demand for legislative independence; the Irish Land League is organized. Gladstone endeavors to establish an Irish university on a non-sectarian basis, but finds the project unpopular and resigns. Disraeli declines to take the government, owing to personnel of House of Commons, and Gladstone resumes office. Death of Dr. Livingstone (in Africa), African explorer; Sir Edwin Landseer, English artist; Sir H. Holland, English physician and author; John S. Mill, English philosopher and economist.

In France, the last instalment of the billion-dollar war indemnity to Germany is paid, and all German troops are withdrawn from French soil. President Thiers, wearied of the controversies of seven political parties in the Chamber and the intrigues and hostility of the monarchists, tenders his resignation, which is accepted by a small majority in the assembly: great dismay and regret among the people at large. General MacMahon, favored by the monarchists, is elected President by the assembly; the Duc de Broglie, grandson of Mme. de Staël, is made Prime Minister. The monarchist majority negotiates with the Comte de Chambord, heir of the Bourbon kings (the so-called Henry V), who declines the throne, however, rather than govern under a constitution or “abandon the Bourbon White Flag for the Revolutionary Tri-Color.” The royalists now feel constrained to accept the Republic as the most feasible form of government for the time being, and gradually cooperate in strengthening it. Deaths of ex-Emperor Napoleon III, in exile; Balrot, French statesman; Guizot and Michelet, French historians.

In Germany, Baron Liebig, the great German chemist, dies, and also A. Rothschild, Hebrew banker (one of the five brothers), and Von Raumer, German historian. In Spain, King Amadeus communicates his abdication to the Cortes and leaves Spain, respected by the better class for chivalric bearing and honesty, but hated by masses because a foreigner. The Cortes now declares in favor of a republic, with Figueras as President, and Castelar foreign minister; but insurrections occur, and a new Ministry is formed. Castelar is made President amid such chaos that he proclaims temporary military rule. Insurrections of the Carlists, Alfonsists, and Communists are suppressed.

RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in Spain Amadeus abdicates and a republic is proclaimed; Figueras, President, and later Castelar, military dictator; in France M. Thiers resigns Presidency, and is succeeded by General MacMahon.

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[Sidenote: =1874=]

In the United States, the Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River at Saint Louis is formally opened. In New York City, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is organized. In Germantown, Pennsylvania, Charlie Ross, aged four years, is kidnaped from his father’s home (has never been found). Death of Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell University; ex-President Fillmore; Charles Sumner, American statesman and politician. Important inventions: the quadruplex telegraph (Edison); twine binder for harvesters (Gorham); the practical barbed-wire machine (Glidden and Vaughan). Immigration, 313,339; exports, $586,283,040.

In England, owing to a reaction against Liberal measures, Gladstone appeals to the country, promising abolition of the income tax and other tax reductions, but the national elections result favorably for the Conservatives; Gladstone resigns and Disraeli forms new government. Termination of the celebrated Tichborne trial, the longest known in England. In Spain, the Cortes votes a “lack of confidence,” and Castelar resigns. The military, however, disperse the Cortes, and a military dictatorship is formed under Marshal Serrano; European powers, except Russia, recognize his government; the warfare against the Carlists and Alfonsists is prosecuted with indifferent success. Finally army officers, led by General Campos, declare for Alfonso, son of ex-Queen Isabella (deposed); Serrano resigns, and a ministerial regency notifies Isabella of the elevation of her son to the throne.

RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in Spain Serrano succeeds Castelar as dictator.

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[Sidenote: =1875=]

In the United States, two rival State governments in Louisiana maintain civil war and distract the State and nation (see 1877). Passage of new Civil Rights Bill (see 1883). Congress provides for the gradual resumption of specie payments; act becomes effective, 1879. Death of Henry Wilson, Vice-President of the United States; ex-President Andrew Johnson, and John C. Breckenridge. In Massachusetts, the Hoosac Tunnel is opened to traffic. In Louisiana, Captain Eads begins the work of deepening the channel of the South Pass of the Mississippi River, and in New York City the work of excavation under the dangerous reef of Hell Gate is completed; forty-seven thousand four hundred and sixty-one cubic yards of rock removed (see 1876). In Massachusetts, centenary celebrations of the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill are held. Many government officials indicted for connection with the swindles of the “whisky ring.” Important inventions: illuminating gas made from water (Lowe); ice machine; sulphuric acid plant; cash-carriers for stores (Brown); artificial ice skating-rinks (Gamgee). Immigration, 227,498; exports, $513,442,711.

In England, the shares of the Suez Canal owned by the Khedive of Egypt (amounting to nearly one-half interest) are purchased for four million pounds, in order that England may protect her interests in the route to India; the money is advanced by the Rothschilds. Departure of polar expedition under Captain Nares (see 1876). Death of Arthur Helps, English essayist and dramatist.

In France, the Constitution of the Republic is finally adjusted, and a parliamentary body established (Senate and Chamber of Deputies); Gambetta is leader of the “Left” or Republican division. Death of Quinet, French author. In Turkey, the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina revolt against the intolerable abuses of Turkish rule under Abdul Aziz. In Germany, civil marriage legalized throughout the empire. In Spain, the Bourbons regain power, Alfonso, son of Isabella II, being crowned king under title of Alfonso XII. Canovas del Castillo is made regent, and prosecutes attempts to suppress the Carlists.

RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in Spain Alfonso XII becomes king.

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[Sidenote: =1876=]