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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1900)
THE MOKNTNG ORIlGOkLAJT, MONDAY, 1TOYEMBEIS 12, 1900. CHINA'SMYSTERIOUSJEWS A'COJj07TZ that was once rich and powerful. Ax One Time Its People -Were Sup posed to Be Descendants of Lost Tribes of Israel. In the heart of China, 700 miles from Shanghai, on the banks of the Hoangho or Tellow River, live seven families of Chinese Jews, the remnant of 70 clans, COM strong, who came Into the Celestial Kingdom at the time of illngte II. who reigned about 219 A. D. These seven families represent what at one time was a power In China, a city of Jews, so wealthy and esteemed that an Emperor built a magnificent syna gogue for them and made one of them the treasurer of a great province and another a General In the Imperial Army, and hon ored them In various other ways. Then In the golden age of Judaism in China these Chinese Jews prospered to bo great on extent that they grew careless In their worship and neglected the God of their fathers. Today their synagogue Is a mass of ruins, most of It sold to furnish food for the seven surviving families, and ab ject poverty reigns among them. Their Bacred books have been sold, their re ligious rites forgotten, their language has become a mere memory and their origin one of the mysteries of the myste rious Orient. The existence of Chinese Jews has long been a mystery, for although their pres ence has been established beyond doubt, yet so much of their history is speculative that scholars and students of Jewish and Oriental history have been at variance as to their origin. The survivors and those seen and spoken to during the last 250 years all bore the unmistakable racial Imprint of the Jew. There could be no doubt on that score. Not only that, but they observed most of the customs of their ancestors and worshiped in the orth odox manner. The fact of their Hebraic origin and descent has not been In dispute but the reason of their presence in China has caused considerable controversy among those Interested In such matters. Chinese History on. the Subject. gome hae held that they were the lost tribes of Israel, but this Is wild specula tion, especially as China was referred to only once in the Bible, when Isaiah xllx:12) says: "Behold . . . and these from the land of Sinlm" (China). At the time of Isaiah, 740 B. C, Tiglath Pileser III, a contemporary of Jeroboam n, ruled Egypt and the Jews were even then re nowned traders, whose voyages extended Into the farthest East. If the Chinese Jews had been the lost tribes, Chinese history would In all probability have re ferred to them and their own history would have done likewise. Neither Is the case. Chinese history asserts that the Jews came to China during the reign of Mlngte II, of the Han or Tsln dynasty, about S19. The history of the Jews themselves declare that they came into China 224 A. D. from Theenohuh (Cabul). Their leaders were the heads of the Yen, Le, Gae. Kaou, Chaou. Kin, Chow, Shin, Hwang, Nee and Tso families. They brought with them tribute of "si yan pu" oloth from the "Western ocean. This might serve as a clew as to their origin, but It Is doubtful which ocean Is meant. It may be the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean or even one of the in land seas of Asia. In the days of Mlngte II, China was the most highly cUlllzed nation In the world, and all the world traded with her. Half a dozen caravan roads led acros Asia to the marts of China, and the Jews, following their occupation of traders, traveled over them repeatedly. It took 250 days to travel from Syria to China. It Is probable that the Jewish traders, finding the country fertile and the people friendly, adised their brethren to emi grate. So a huge caravan was made up and 70 clans or families started for their new home In China. They left Tewtae (Judea) In 224 A. D. and traveled by easy stages across Asia. "With them went rabbis and learned men, who carried holy books and the sajlnga of the prophets Finally, after a jear of wandering, the caravan arrived at Peen, on the Hoang ho, the Kal Fung Fu of today, situated to the south of Fekln No sooner had the caravan arrived than the Chinese be stowed a name upon them the followers of the religion which enjoins the extrac tion ef the sinew Tlauklnklau. This re ferred to the Hebrew custom of extract ing the sinew or nerve of flesh UBed for food. Prospered for COO Tenrs. For many years, nearly 600, the settle ment at ICal Fung Fu prospered, and grad ually Jewish traders penetrated to all parts of the empire. The established an important trading station at Nlngpo, which they used as a port of entry. Bo well did they do that In the year 800 an other Influx of Jews took place, and the power and influence of the settlement In creased greatly. Chinese history first mentions the Jews In the 11th century, when the annals of one of the dynasties refers to them as having served m the imperial army with distinction and brav ery. The next mention is found on a tablet erected in their temple, discovered by a Jesuit In 161L This tablet declares that the religion was founded by Awoolo 2an (Abraham), who handed down the precepts of Mayshe (Moses). The syna gogue or temple was built In the first year of the Lunghing of the Sung dy nasty. In the 20th year of the 66th cycle (11M). Leeching and "Wooszeta, two rab bis, superintended the construction of the temple, whllo Yentoola furnished the funds. The structure burned down and was rebuilt In 1279 on Thes-she-tse street, on the southeast side. This temple was seen In the 17th cen tury by one of the Jesuit fathers, and ac cording to his description was a superb affair. This authority asserted that the temple was 550 feet long and 150 wide. Before, or rather around the synagogue proper, was a series of courts, extending from east to west. In the center of the first court was a large and beautiful arch of white alabaster. Inscribed with golden letters, dedicating the place to the Creator and Preserver of all things. In the Holy of Holies beyond, which oaly the priest could enter at time of prater, stood 12 tables, each bearing a roll of the law one for each tribe in Israel. In the center stood another table, for Moses. Each table was enclosed In ellken draperies. On the extreme western wall were two tablets containing the Ten Commandments In golden letters. Qn the other side of them was a closet for books aad before each a table, urn and candela brum. At service, the men and women sat apart and alt took off their shoes. The men wore blue hats. When reading from their Biblical scrolls, the rabbis wore a veil ever their faces, for Moses covered bis face when descending the mountain after receiving the Ten Commandments. A red silken scarf was suspended from the right shoulder of the rabbi and tied In a knot under the left arm. All present faced the west toward Jerusalem. Tne name of Jehovah was never pronounced, Etunal (AdonaO being substituted, or the Chinese word. Theen (heaven). Dovrnvnrd Career of Colony. As stated, the Chinese Jews gradually reee in pewer until 136S began their golden era. In that year a committee was ap pointed to look after the temple and tne Emperor conferred many favors upon the sect. For 48 years prosperity was theirs. In 1417 Chou Toe Ting a Jew. was made Chief Taotal or Magistrate of Che Keang Province and then began the downward career ef the Chinese Jews. The yeunger generation intermarried with the Chinese, the precepts of their religion were forgotten, and gradually ths Chinese Jews wandered away from tne teachings of their prophets. Gradually, too, prosperity left them and ill-luck: began. Their tempi wadetroyed offals, -and when money was needed to rebuild none was forthcoming for many years. At last enough was obtained, but the glory of their Holy of Holies had departed, never to return. Matters went from bad to -worse, until, in 1600, some of the young Jews went into the world in an effort to better their condition. One of these sought a Mandarin's degree In Pekin, and while there met. Matthew Rlcci, the famed Jesuit missionary. According to Father "Rlcci. the stranger called upon him one day and said that as both were of one religion he desired to pay his respects. Father Rlcci made inquiry as to the stranger's religion and learned that he waa a Jew. Thinking to convert him to Christianity, he took him into the mis sion chapel, where the stranger bowed before a likeness of th6 Virgin and Child. "Why do you bowr' said Father Rlcci, in astonishment. "Because that is a picture of the prophet in childhood."" replied the stranger, mean ing Moses, probably. Then Father Rlcci told him of the coming of the long-promised King of the Jews, but the stranger laughed and declared that he was not due for 10,000 years. Three years later Father Rlcci dispatched three native Christians to Kal Fung Fu, but could get nothing definite about the Jewish settlement. In 1G13 Julius Alenl, who because of his great - learning waa called the European Con fucius by the Chinese, visited Kal Fung Fu, but was not permitted to see the Pentateuch, the fame of which had reached his ears. Jesuit Father Saw Pentntenca. The Pentateuch, so report had It, waa handed down from father to son from the earliest days of Judea. Of course, tho Jesuit fathers were moat anxious to ob tain possession of this religious treasure, and nearly every year ambassadors went to Kal Fung Fu with offers of money and Influence, but In vain. It was not until 1678 that Father Gazani succeeded. By that time the Jews had been decimated, their wealth was a matter of history, and their spirit was broken. Father Gazani was permitted to see the Pentateuch, and soon discovered that It was only fragmentary- Upon his return to Europe he published a pamphlet detailing his ex perience and giving a translation of the tablets and scrolls he had seen. This pamphlet caused much discussion, and innumerable tracts and books were writ ten to prove that the Chinese Jews were descended from the lost tribes, or even from Ahasuerus, Wandering Jew. The stories then grew and grew until they assumed fantastic proportions and the wildest conjectures prevailed. All sorts of propositions were made to solve the mystery, but nothing; of impor tance was done until 1S50, when a Jesuit expedition started from Hong Kong, ac companied by two Christian natives. After being absent for some months they returned with the news that the settle ment at Kal Fung Fu was in a deplorable state. The few remaining Jews lived In the ruins of the synagogue, half starvel and broken in spirit. They had no rabbi. had forgotten their language almost en tirely, and had sold their synagogue bit by bit In order to sustain life. Now the Chinese Jews number less than 100-Jews only In name wretched, poor, despised pariahs, mero echoes of the for gotten race. THINGS TO FORGBT. Times When tae Door of Memory IXoll Is Better Closed Than. Open. St. Louis GJobet-Deiuocrat. Forgetting; has its pleasures, because it permits the closing of the mind's eyes to harsh experiences and distressing inci dents. The blues are a common com plaint. If women are most affected with them thoy are most disastrous to men. They come at different times and in dif ferent ways to every one. They are the lowlands of life, full of miasma, through which all travelers must pass. Some oftener than others. The blues feed upon tho blues. Miasma breeds miasma. The way to get rid of the dumps is when one is in the lowest spirits to call up before the mental vision memories of the brightest hour. On the contrary, defeat Is emphasized, and despair made peren nial by the remembrance of other defeats and past despairing moments. It is not a crime to fail, but It is a crime against one's better nature to brood upon failures. The fellow who forgets failures may succeed. He certainly will not If ho goes into every new battle cowed and cowering at the recollection of past defeats. Dwellers in a swamp grow to hao the lifeless look of the low lands. Remembrance of the blues makes one blue. No man Is ever born a pessi mist. He becomea one by forgetting the wrong' things. AT THE HOTELS. THE PORTLAND, D F Verdenal, Jr. New Tork Carl A Henry, S F G B Llbby, N Y P A Perry, Boston Frank Hayes & wf John W Jess & wf A G Wright & wf, Farjro. N D D Corlmer, St Joe J H Seymour. As toria A E Graves. S F Max Hermann. S F r Babcock, Taocma Everett Babcock, do M Wax. B S A Clement G Smith, do Wllmer McCully Mr Renourd & wife, city F M Muncer, S F Mrs F M Munger, do WET Mattschas H Von Hagen, Seattl H P Crouse. Titles. H C Marsh, Seattle I tt a rioyne, seatua M S Gunn. Helena E A Braden & w.NT W H Hall, San Fr J E McCherrle. S F Hugo Glmlmem, S F j a Brewster, wi & chdn. San Fran W A Voll. Uttca, NT D P RoblnsoraSeattl jl Kaiisky, san irr W Compton, Seattle P B Butler & wife, Pittsburg A M Prosser, S F Jos D Phillips, B F R J Dunlop. wf & dtr, Glasgow, Scot F S Stanley, Perry R Smith, Perry THE PERKINS. C H Stegmund, ni waukee. Wis Dewey Heywood, Chgr A W Heywood. Chgo Miss N Bussey.Asiorla Elizabeth M Bussey.do R M Leathers, Astoria uert simms, Heppner Mrs B Slmms. do Lina Peterson, "Ola Olson" Co Sadie Connolly, do Stephanie Hlden, do C S Truinnger, Kortn Yamhill L O Hunter, Salem M C Hampney, do H Shapler, Loomls, Wash R J Agen, Superior, Wis W Roy. Dalles. Or L O GurnetC Dalles O P Kuyif hdall, Pen dleton, Or H P Hunter, do F Edwards. do uert aeweii. Ban Fran Mrs B Sewell, San Fr Frank EarL Pe EU Adolph Uhl. San Fran Li E Crowe. Dalles Jas T Wisdom. Bak Cy s u AUoway, i'endletn E J McEllln. Salt Lak Alex VanrBusklrk, Ore gon city' Mrs A Van Busklrlcdo E U Hoopenganor, Or Mrs R C Anderson do W R Hudson, Palraer, egon Cltr Wm R Logus, do L R Smith. do ur Mrs W R Hudson, do Mrs Li C Palmer, do Major Ch&s E Worden, Klamath Falls E R Wescott, Howard J G Potter. Wasco. Or Cltr. Mich Mrs Wescott. do Mrs J G potter do Hanry Snipes, Dalles Thomas Murray, Hon- tesano, Wash C P Clark, Dalles Mrs C P Clark, do W E Reynolds. Oak Mrs Glelon. "Ho Old Time" Co Miss Glelson, do J R Glelson. do Mrs J R Gleisbn, do Mnud Walcott. do land. Cal John Chine Leach,do ( W S Bowen. Tacoxna Mrs H V Haskell, do G C Frye. do Mrs a c Frye, an. Miss Haskell. do Frank A Hays. Mrs F A Hays, do Frank Catlln. Catlln, do Wash W B Yoorhels, dn Lawrence Perry, do D w Eaves, ueaiueu i i J Lebeman, New Trk Arthur Machen, Seattle A L Benloff. San Fr Thomas Heady, Seven Mrs Machen. Seattle Dells J E Caps. Kansas Cy R H Sale. Astoria Mrs R H Sale, do J H Daulger. Omaha EvaP Troedson, Puy- anup U E Mayhall, Tacoma A M Hilton, Tacoma G H Hushes, San Fr Columbia River Scenery. Recnlator Line steamers, from Oak street dock daily, except Sunday. 7 o'clock A. M. The Dalles, Hood River. Cas cade LocUs and return. Call on. or 'font agent for further Information. Hotel Brnnavrlclc, Seattle, European; first-class. Rates. 75c and up. One block from depot. Restaurant next door. Tncoraa Hotel, Tacoma. American plan. Rates, $3 and up. Donnelly Hotel, Tacoma. European plan. Rates. 50c and up. To regulate the stomach, liver and bow els, and promote digestion, take one of I Try ttem, EDWARD FITZ GERALD CELEBRATED TRANSLATOR OF BTJ BAITAT AND HIS FRIENDS. Charm sad Genius of the Poet Glimpses of the Man In. Letters of Himself and Others. New Tork Times. We cannot resist the pleasure of calling attention to a particularly charming ar ticle In the current Atlantic on Edward Fltz Gerald, which shows such an Inti mate acquaintance with this fascinating man, his principal characteristics, and in ner nature, that its author, Mr. Bradford Torrey, must have a thorough knowledge of and love for the man of whom he writes, with unusual understanding- of his life, his thoughts, and his works, to have enabled him to write thus sympathetl- GROWTH OF PRINCIPAL NATIONS. POPULATIONS IN 1800 tmtrea sirte& -Orett BtRafty and Ireland StctstB," tS,K3jT& RUttd Statssr" SOME "WONDERFUL Bjywn ? HUNDRED YEARS. Nations, like tho men who compose them, grow and decay, too. This constant waxing and waning of the mighty tide of humanity, as it were. Is very interesting to trace, and has often provided problems that rejoice tha heart of the statistician Without wishing to go into irritating details, wo propose to bring before our readers one or two striking facts. A nation can grow In many ways, but of these population and wealth are by far tho most Important. The comparative illustrations of the representatives of the various nations herewith pre sented claim attention, as giving the -whole point of the matter in a nutshell. From this we sea that a hundred years ago Russia was the largest and the United States tho smallest of the nations In population, whereas we find today that, though the position of the Bear Is unaltered, our young cousin across the Herring Pond has been so energstlo that he now ranks second 1 Germany, on the other hand, is content to maintain her position as third) but Francs has had to coma down from the second plao o to tho last. London Express. cally of a man whose always delightful letters, even more than his actual work In literature, have made him a living presence for all time. Mr. Torrey, with rare Intuition, seems to have fathomed Fltz Gerald's leading characteristic, the keynote of his entire life, when we find him quoting from a letter written by the future translator of Omar Khayyam, then a boy 'of 23, and but lately out of the university. "I have been reading a good deal, but not much In the way of knowledge' which Mr. Torrey thinks an opinion which we Indorse may well be called descriptive of the remain ing CO years of his life. Fltz Gerald's charm for the world gen erally lies In the fact that he was always reading something; but with no ambitious aim; reading for pure love of the art, and so able, as is always the case with read ers of that character, to communicate to his friends, and, through his published letters, to the world at large, a portion of his own enthusiasm. A young American poet has written a line pregnant with meaning "Sucoeas Is in the silences" which Is well Illustrated by Flte Gerald's life. That he came of an eccentric family Is evident to all who know the letters; to which fact we are doubtless partly Indebted for his willing ness to settle down In a little out-of-the- way English village, where his life was passed, as he himself says. In "visionary Inactivity" and In "the enjoyment of old childish habits and sympathies." His college friends, with whom his Inti macy was deep and long-continued, and In whose careers he was Interested to the end, as a rule took high rank In the world. It Is charming to find how warm a place In the regard of these more worldly natures "Old Fltz" always retained. Ten nyson, Thackeray, Carlyle, and, to a lea ser degree, Speddlng, Thompson, Donne. Peacock, Allen and Cowell, all held high places In the world's estimation but the man who was thus quietly lllng his own life and fostering his Individuality at his own sweet will far from the center of things, contrary to Dr. Johnson's dic tum that a man who Is at all Intellectual is not willing to leave London this man. who In his lifetime was practically un known to the world. Is now, we would almost dare to say, better known, cer tainly more loved, than any of the men who were with him at the university. Of all these friends, Thackeray is tne oniy one who is at the samo time as well known and as much a living presence to us. Tennyson, the poet, we all know and many of us love, but while the man's life waa wholly admirable, his home life beautiful to an unusual degree, yet the man remains a shadow. Charles and Frederick Tennyson are much better known to us than Is their greater brother; largely, too, through Fltz Gerald's offices, to whom also the word In general owes Its knowledge of and Interest in Sped dlng. Thompson, Donne, Allen, and Cow ell another Illustration of the Hon and the mouse. Mr. Torrey has given us In his article Just the biography we ought to have that is. he has reconstructed the man from his -own and his friends letters, from his .works, and from all sorts of small glimpses a sort of composite pho tographthe kind of biography its subject would not have objected to. as he surely would have done to the elaborate Ufa we trust may never be written. In these few pages, 12 In all. wo find Fltz Gerald'a curious Individuality under stood, respected, and commented upon with loving sjmpathy. Mr. Torrey re minds us how thoroughly the former was allowed to assert himself In his own way "It was only old Fitx, .from whom no- ibodyhad ever looked for anything differ- ent." His correspondents were always scholars and well-known, men, but his dally associates in the flesh were from the common people the captain of his yacht, the villagers, and a country vicar. We get glimpses of other friendships with Bernard Barton the Quaker poet, largely known to us through his Intimacy with Lamb and Fltr Gerald; with Crabbe, whose grandfather's poatry he so loved and tried to popularize; with Fanny Kemble; with a host f others. Mr. Tor rey draws or us the picture of a man whose books were his best friends, one of his strong characteristics being his tail ing' in love with a book, living with It In fact. Bookish tastes of this sort would make any man's letters famous, even though he was talking of volumes we never have and never intend to read; for do we not all love to hear about books which are loved In this absorbing" way this honest enthusiasm which is never ef fected? Even when Fits Gerald attacks our own favorites, as for Instance when he says of Miss Austen that Cowell reads her at night after his Sanskrit studies, "It composes him like gruel," we are not raNCr 9) aiiLsi -s$$a,0Mt &m. POPVLATTONO. tN-v!900i UZOtfig andTregrd, WWO& CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN WROUGHT Ef OWE only amused but see the truth of the statement. His opinion on books are al ways delightful: "That wonderful and ag gravating Clarissa Harlowe," or of Dick ens, "A little Shakespeare a Cockney Shakespeare if you will." or again, "1 have been sunning myself In Dickens." Indeed, we could expatiate forever upon the reading of one who "wonders and de lights" In books who reads fiction, as everything else, "for pleasure." "I have had Don Quixote, Boccaccio, and my dear Sophocles (once more) for company on board." He can never say all he feels about Virgil ; even, at 70 he reads "Comus" and "Lycldas" "with wonder and a sort of awe," and in his old days ho re turns to his early favorites, living with Ctabbe, Salnte-Beuye, Mme. de Sevlgne, to Don Quixote, to Wesley's Journal, and all the rest. Mr. Torrey reviews Fltz Gerald's own work In literature, but the great value of this article lies In its' characterization of the man. and we can thoroughly advise a reading of this the most sympathetic and thoroughly charming paper on Fltz Gerald we have read In a long time; we would almost say the best we have ever read, but for the fact that vivid recol lection of one or two other charming papers of the sort weakens that state ment. A little of Mr. Tbrrey's delight In tfie .revelations afforded by Fltz Gerald's letters may be seed front the following: 'His whims and foibles and his own gen tle amusement over them; his bookish likes and dislikes, one as hearty as the other; his affection for his friends, whose weak points he could sometimes lay a pretty sharp finger on; . . his delight in the sea and in his garden; . . . his pottering over translations from the Spanish, the Persian, and the Greek, (all very well, only very little affairs.) . . . All these things and many more come out In his letters. ... In them we see his life passing. He is trifling It away; but no matter. He might do more with It perhaps; but cul bono? "The Book of Omar and Rubalyat" Is a well-printed volume of miscellaneous, bio graphical,, historical, bibliographical, and pictorial, referring- to Omar Khayyam, in which all sorts of out-of-the-way and privately printed Omarland are brought together In convenient form. Its opening article, "The Eternal Omar," is by Rich ard Le Galllenne, and from the Intimate nature of its style, would seem to have been prepared for one of the Omar Khay yam Club dinners. The most interesting article Included In the book Is an account of the formation of the aforesaid club, written by one of Its members, which is followed by an account of one of the earlier club dinners. The book also con tains a long poem, "To Omar," by Owen Seaman, read at a banquet of the club; a quantity of miscellaneous paragraphs referring to the subject, besides numerous poems, some familiar and others less well known, all being Intimately connected with the Quatrains or their author or first translator. There Is also an article re viewing most of the principal transla tions, Including Fltz Gerald's and all later versions. The book also Includes selec tions from Justice- Huntly McCarthy's I prose translation of the Quatrains, and much other interesting matter, which will be found to give the book considerable value for reference purposes. The Illus trations, of course, add to the interest of the volume, which is published by M. F. Mansfield, at tt 75 net per copy. A Chinese dancing master. Hung Foo Choo, announces in a Chinese paper that he Is to hold a religious service, to which he Invites every one. In honor of the 100th anniversary of tho death of his an cestor, who was the first of tho family to take up. tho profession. BOOK AGENTS ARE GOING CKA3U3 SHOWS THEM TO BE RAP IDLY DEHEtflSHINQ. Will Probably- Bo Ke More ef Thena Wlien the Enumeration of 1010 Is Taken. Washington Times. To the book agent life Is a refusal, a constant rebuff, a continual struggle against the tide of human opinion, a negative quantity, or rather a quantity of negatives. No wonder the tribe Is becoming grad ually extinct, as shown by the returns of the 12th census. The prospect Is that the next 10 years will see tha passing of the book agent consummated, and his profes sional exordium, long the terror of count less thousands, will have faded from the memory of mankind, unless. Indeed, some enterprising collector of graphophone rec ords should Induce one of the "Last of the Mohicans" to breatho Into the ma chine those once-dreaded words, and thus preserve the same to future generations as an anthropological curiosity. Of course. In considering the book agent w havo always regarded him as without feelings of . own, a sort of human ma chine, so to speak, which was wound up and which it was desirable to stop by any means. Those new members of the pro fession who are really gifted with an in convenient amount of sensitiveness usually abandon the field in a short- time. leaving It to others whose nerve and phil osophical natures Justify, to a largo ex tent, the popular opinion of them. The book agent who succeeds, or, rather, who has succeeded) (and there have been some such), was a remarkable person, not wholly undeservlns the atten tion of the poet and historian. Yet, alas I so Httle is human genius appreciated in certain walks of life1 tihat the possessor of vending genius for an amount far ex ceeding its real value seema rather in- olined to ire than to admiration when he thinks of the insinuating address and ir resistible eloquence of the agent. There Is a well-known book agent in this city whose success in the past has enabled him to amass quite a comforta ble fortune. But that, as ho says, "was before the doors of the Government de partments were closed to us." To de scribe the career and analyze the genius of this individual would require the abil ity of a Plutarch or a Tacitus. With the indomitable perseverance of a Grant or a Wellington, and an eloquence that would persuade an atheist to buy a Bible, or an evangelist to Invest in Palne's "Age of Reason," he was un doubtedly the Caesar of Washington book agents. As the qualities of this gifted man were least appreciated by those who had the best opportunities of rendering them homage, so his memory will not descend to posterity garlanded with the laurels of fame or encircled by the tide of public approbation. The best monu ments of his ability, however, are found today in numerous households In those costly and ponderous tomes which are reverently left to slumber beneath tho ac cumulating dust of time. This gentleman Is an instance of the successful book agent of a former pe riod. But there are others. Tho tribe has fallen upon "hard times" in these latter days, and the flourishing book can vasser is today something of a. rara avis. He meets with little encouragement upon his weary way, and his appearance seems to bo a signal for the closing of the hu man heart and purse, figuratively speak ing, with a bang to say nothing of the door. The attitude of society generally toward the average book agent produces different effects upon various Individuals. Some, whose supply of the "milk of human kindness" was always perhaps somewhat indifferent in quantity and quality, after the first day's experience in canvassing, become completely curdled as to that commodity and manifest ever thereafter an exasperating insolence of manner which Is not calculated to procure for them a large measure of success in any walk of life. Others of somewhat sensitive natures, being soon rebuffed, end their book-canvassing career In utter failure. Those persons, however, who are gifted with what Pope Gregory the Great called the 'Herrible gift of familiarity," and which is described in more modern, if less class ic, parlance, as the "gift of gab," contrive to make book canvassing pay, even un der the present adverse conditions. But, even thes few are beginning to recog nize the fact that they may employ their abilities more- advantageously In other fields, and so they are gradually drifting into more ambitious pursuits. As regards the unsuccessful book agents, the wonder In many Instances as to what Induced them to follow the voca tion is only exceeded by the marvel as to what will be their fate when this ap parently last hope- faU them, as fail it Is reasonably suroto do. The wistful look that meets a refusal in some cases carries with it a certain pathos which Is less easily, denied. This, of course. Is a more nesldedv,yiew gt the "soft" book agent. There are many persona whose worldly tact and ability In small matters enable them to "borrow" from the cred ulous book canvassers In order to "exam ine" the work and who either politely return the same after an extended In terval or show a deep appreciation of Its merits by retaining it, without, however, going through, the formality of offering any remuneration. These are doubtless the same Individuals who accumulate li braries by the simple process of borrow ing and never returning. . The passing of the book agent in this city Is principally attributable to the closing of the publlo departments and many private office buildings to can vassing of every description. Besides this, tfhere is to be taken Into considera tion the fact that the advertising of the latest volumes through the medium of the press has very materially Increased. As the general public has guarded It self. Individually and collectively, more and more against the wiles of the most persuasive book agent, so also tho most sprightly and) "cheeky" of that "genus homo" have become gradually disheart ened and are about "giving it up as a bad Job." BETTER PRICES FOR APPLES H. E. Doach Says Prospects Are Good for an Advance. In speaking of the prospects of better price for Oregon apples, H. B. Dosch, secretary of the State Board of Horti culture, said yesterday: "Reports received at this office seem to corroborate earlier report and the pre diction made by me at the time, that Oregon apples would soon be in demand and command good figures to those who were prepared to keep their apples for a short time. "The Eastern reports denominate the crop as 'the uneven apple crop of 1900.' After the September gales on the Atlan tic seaboard, the condition changed, the crop which promised to be as large as, If not larger, than 1EK5, was greatly cur tailed, thousands of barrels being blown down. In New York, Michigan, Ohio and many Eastern States, the crop is now less than two-thirds. "The apple crop of 1S96 was 69,000.000 barrels, but since the storm this year's crop will, not exceed 48,000.000 barrels. De duct from this the millions of barrels de stroyed by the codlln moth and bitter rot In the Middle West, notably Kansas. Missouri and Arkansas, and we will have the apple situation at present. "Ontario, which is quite a factor in the apple export trade, reports a larger crop than last year, but less than 1296. In I addition to all tiiH the average quality of the crop is poor, as" many oftho" apples' are small and iu-f ormed. "The export outlook Is therefore pro nounced very encouraging for fine apples, and as Oregon has the finest apple crop this year, all clean, well-formed, highly colored and flavored, the growers should reap a rich haarvest, especially those who have facilities to keep their apples a month longer." ADVERTISED. List of Unclaimed Letters ReButlntns la the Poatofflce at Portland, Or. Fres delivery of letters by carriers at the residence or owners may ba secured by observ ing the following rules: Direct plainly to the strest and aumbsr oC the house. Head letters with the writer's roll address, Including street and number, and request aa rwer to be directed aocordlagly. Letters to strangers or transient visitors U tthe city, whoie special address may be un known, should be marked in the left-hand cor ner. "Transient." This will prevent their be ing delivered to persons of the same or slxaW lar names. Persons calling for tbese letters will pleaw state date on which they were advertised, No vember 12. They will ba charged for at tha rata of 1 cent each. "WOMEN'S LIST. Abbott, Mrs "W S Leland. Mis Elisabeth Adams, Mrs Carrie Leonard, Maggie Allen. Mrs C C Llmberg, Mrs Ankeny. Miss Charity Lindsay, Mrs Arthur, Miss Lillian Linton. Mrs Maud B Arrlgonl, Mrs Ida Lockhart. Mrs Ella O Baker. Mrs W H Lloyd, Miss Amelia Ball, Miss May Lyman, Mrs Jane L Banister, Miss A Lyman. Miss Batchelder, Mrs Fred McHardy, Miss Kxts Bayley, Mrs, from Irv-MoBroom. Mrs Walter lngton. Or McDonald, Mlssx Louisa netiion, Airs susafietn MCKenna, Vera Bird, Mrs Ida MoKlnney. Mrs Web Blanchard, Miss Gay McLean. Mrs Myia Bobmer, Mrs H Mapp. Zella E uonaan, Mrs Bogan, Mrs M T Bryon. Mrs Ed Maury, Miss Elsie Uarmanck, Mrs Paul Marumer, Mrs Brooke. Mrs Mlrlaa B-2Marvln. Mrs Rita Brunnell. Annie Martin. Blanche Buner, Miss Maggie Mattlson, Miss Mattla Bussard, Mrs Jas Merrill. Miss Mabla jsutuer, aits, from Sea-Merritt, Mrs side Mlllon. Mrs Llsxle Byres, Mrs Will Campbell, Mrs J O Card, Mrs J C Carroll, Mra N K Chllcot, Mrs F W Chllders, Miss Ollle Chantler, Mrs E Charles, Miss Lillian Mitchell. Miss Grace Moody, Carolina Moore, Miss Arthur Morrell. Genevieve A Nermann, Hulda A Nellson, Miss Aire Nichols. Miss C Parker. Mrs Lonella I'larae, Miss Maggie FerKins, Mrs u ju. Comstock, Mies Eliza- Peterson. Miss Lulu beta Porter. Mrs A Cody. Miss Millie Comstock. Mrs C B Craig. Mrs Bertha Cratton, Mrs Flora Crow, Mrs E Dalley, Mrs Jennie Davenport, Miss Fan nie Prltten, Mrs R O Pratt, Mrs Mary Queen, Miss Merle Ralney. Belle Randall. Miss Mabel Rector, Mrs NelUe Riley, Mrs Laura Royal. Miss C C Doland. Miss Cecilia Roinalne, Miss ii Cumble. Mrs Kato 2 Roblsen. Mrs Jennie Emrlch. Mrs Mlntla 2 Robinson. Mrs Fred, Mrs Jack Root. Mra Minnie Firman. Miss Ella Rush, Mrs Bolle Flndlay. Miss Carrie Rhoades, Mrs Maggie Foss, Miss Delia Blayton. Eva France. Miss Nancy E Smith, Mrs a W Frtdel. Miss Mary Smith. Mrs M 3 Gardner, Miss Jessie Smith, Miss Mary Garland, Mrs A Smith. Mrs J Gray, Miss Edith 2 Staner, Mrs John H Hamilton. Miss Birdie Stalger, Mrs M J Hancock. Mrs N E Stevens, Mrs B B Hardy, Ida M Story, Mrs E H Heft, Miss Lena Summerfield, Mattla Eenchlx, Miss Jessie Snyder, Mrs Mary Hlckey, Mrs L V Snyder, Miss Llla Thrower, Mrs W Thomas, Miss Clarah Thompson. Miss Sadie Towers, Miss Mlnney Waller, Miss Ida Webb. Mrs Florence mills, Mrs John Hopkins, Miss Cora Holmes, Mrs W R Hosch, Mrs Ema 2 Howard, Mrs S B Jacobsen, Miss Mary jacicson, Mrs a. Wilson, Mrs Rebecca Jensen. Miss Soohle 2 -Willis. Mrs Mollis Johnson. Miss Ida J M Wilson, Miss Grace Johnston, Miss Anna Wilson, Mrs Caddie Jones. Mrs E Wlllson, Mrs L J Jones, Miss Ada M Kyser, Mrs Annie Keith, Mrs W Kltch. Mrs Lannie Eurtle, Miss Emma Wilson, Miss j Wood, Miss Lisa Toung, Miss F L Young, Miss L O MEN'S LIST. Leach, M A Leckenby, Frank Lelly, Nelson Lewis. John Aiken, Mr Akin, Willie Alderman, Ed Am Ring CO Angwln, James A Ashley, Roscoa Austen, G R Balnter, P W Ballast, Wm Barker, Gus Behnke. Wm Beats, F R Blnicley. R C Lewis, Lee M Locke. Lahman L Loughmlre. Charles Love. N J McAnutty, John McCully. Charley McCully. Ralph McCauley. Mr McCabo. H McDonald J W McElbaney. A J Birch, Stephen Blalock, J A Bonchle, Frank A McFadden, L it Bogden Mr & Mrs Da-McGuire. Jno vld McKenna, John Bradley, Milton tt Co Bradley, Jabez Brugger-Abplanalp, Arthur Burllngame, J M Burns, WS Burtch, J H Busse, Herrmann V Campbell, Wm Cannon. B K. Canfleld. J McRae, Dugald Maher, James Mann, AL Martin, John Martin, A H Massle, Alfred Mattes, Georga Matson, Monger Merchant Credit Co Merrick, Mr Mlddlehn, Wra Carmlchael, D R Mlllsap. W Carlson, Gust, of Mo- Miller, C A sier MlfRr. John Carroll, Melvan Chaplin, A E Chrlstenson, Eddla Chrlatenson. Harry Chrlstenson, B Clouse, Jas A Clark, Curtis Conn, Ralph Cook. Floyd J a Cook, Beth B Corson. J R Curtis, Frank A Davis, C J, Jr Dixon. J H Dolf. A C Donley, W T Ducett, M T EInberger, Louis Edwards, Jno T Engore. H T 3 Errett, Fred Falrchlld. J Fazee, H H Ferguson, R M Ferris, Chas Gwln. SO Gardiner, John Gerris, Wm Gow,Aleck Gorbam. Frank Grat. G Greco, Gaetana Haberstroh. F Hagey, Chris Holerna, Will Halloran. A Hanlln. W P Hansteln. Wm T Hanson, S G Harris. J Grant Hart. C B 2 Haley, Jno P, Jr Hodson, Arthur Holdoway, B aCo Hoopengamer, G V Howard, J B TTt4Vanrm. T Morganson, M J Multra, Peter Mull. W H Neumester. H Nelson, Otto NIchlnchl. M K Parker, James w Patton, R L Peterson, Peter L Peterson, F J Phillips, H S Pick. Albert & Co Polltzer Ss Co Portland Shirt Co Portland Dye Works Potts. M R Pratt, Herman L Preston. B F PrestFO Rennle. Wm Rlccards. Victory Royal, Ralph & J M Roberta. B H 3 Roberts. D L. Roberts, A Robblns. Abner Robertson. T J Rosenbaum, Ed Ryan. I A Sacks. J F Saunders. Fred Schneider, Richard Schelder, Mr Schmedeka. Clarence Senterfltt, J F Sledschlag. W H Shaw. John D Sherman. D C Sllvorfleld, M Elnnerson, Theodora Slmonds, Paul A, and Bride Sommer, L Spear, C L Spaugh, P C Htntton. Julius Switzer, Ralph Hughes, Mr, care Mil- Sweeny, Wm ton Mills Sweeney, Chas Hunt W Itams. J Incandescent Vapor Light Co James, George B Jennlng, Z P Johnson. Chaa Johnson. Jas Johnson. J J Johnson, John A Jones, C W Jones, D Arthur Jones, Clyde Kail. Jake Kcan. James Kellogg. Allen Kennedy. James King. Chas F King. Bertie Edward. Kuhnhansen, H Kunkel. M Lash, Henry Lathrop. John La Tourette, Philip Laar.Antony Eyerson As iim Terry. G-C 2 Thompson, J W Thompson, Al Tolman Pw Tyler. Capt A "Unger. D H i TJnger. Harry Warner, George Warmack, Harry W'atklns, James Welmer, Ansoa Wells, A O Wells, Thomas B Wells, R D West. WB Whltmore, L H Williamson. John Wlllenberg & Wlnnln- ger Wills. Ralph H Williams. Milt Wilson. R Woodard, B J Wood. XT Langley, James Wycoft, Geo Larsen, Solomon au- Toung, jt j a rlts Kigier, u a o PACKAGES. Bryan. Chas, photo Grey, Mr, Foreman O Crozler, Mrs LlixU R & N Dock photo Thompson, J H Mattson, F P A. B. CROA8MAN, P. K. The "White House Rickety Ladles' Home Journal. In the plan for building a new house for the President elsewhere than on the present site it has been proposed to utilize the present mansion for offices. One plea therefor has been that the his toric building should he left as it Is. This Is certainly to be insisted on. But it is said the mansion is too pure a piece of architecture to be marred by additions. Thl3, however, Is a specious argument, since the original design contemplated side additions, and If the building in its present state were used as offices it would be wrecked in five or elx years. Those who havo no experience with public build- 1...M. ..w il..l. .Vita Y,.t1tli n TAf4,1l have no conception, of -the wear and tear I on ft President's office. It surpasses that on any other office in. the country. The present Executive Mansion was lightly built, and la already expensive to keep In proper repair. Its floor beams are not strong enough to endure office use. Great dlKculty has arisen in the past with the few rooms now used as the President's executive offices, and great watchfulness has to be constantly exercised. Several times the floors have threatened to break through. The stairs havo already broken down, one flight being now supported by a chain. Still, to remodel for office use only, the whole Interior of our hlstoria Executive Mansion would be not oniy a very expensive matter, but would fall to meet the requirements of the case, and also. It Is believed, tho approval of tha country at large. S50 Girls Poisoned. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. H. Two hun dred and fifty girl pupils of the Molney Institute, a boarding school patronized exclusively by the nobility, were taken sick, with evident symptoms of poison, after dinner Friday evening-. It Is report ed that two have died, but that the others have recovered. Tho poisoning Is attrib uted to faulty metallic cooking utensils. Waa Captain Under Admiral Porter. INDIANAPOLIS. Not. U.-Captaln George W. Jenkins died at his home in this city today, aged 63 years. He went West overland to California with the gold seekers of ISO. From 1S00 to 1SS3 he waa a Mississippi steamboatman. During the Civil War ho was a Captain under Ad miral Porter, and at the siege of Vlcis burg displayed conspicuous gallantry. 3 DAILV METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. PORTLAND. Nov. 11. P. M-Maxtmuss temperature, 60; minimum temperatura, 49 j river reading at 11 A. M., i.8 feet; chang la tha past 24 hours. 0 foot; total precipita tion. 0 P. M. to 5 P. M., 0 00; total precipita tion since Sept. L 1000, T.S2 inches; normal precipitation sine Sept. 1. 1000, T74 Inches; deficiency, 0 S2 inch; total sunshine Nov. 10, 7.00; possible sunshine Nov. 10. 10 41 Poeino Const Weather. Wind. STATIONS. Astoria ........... Baker City Bismarck Boise .... , Eureka Helena Kamloops. B. C... Neah Bay Pocatello Portland Red Bluff , Roseburg Sacramento Salt Lake San Francisco .... Spokane Seattle Walla Walla , Light. ;ooo E .Cloudy 0 00 0 00 SW Clear SW Clear NW Clear NW Cloudy SE Clear Clm Cloudy B Cloudy NW Clear E Cloudy NW Cloudy NWlPL cloudy N Cloudy W Clear W Cloudy NB Clear W Cloudy N ICIear 0 00' 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0.00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 OWOOI u uu 0 00 0C0 WEATHER CONDITIONS. The high-pressuro area yestorday over Mon tana has moved but little, but appears to ba slowly surging southward. The pressure along the coast has risen slightly, and cloudiness has Increased In all sections west of the Cascada mountains, but no rain has yet fallen In this district. It Is from 5 to 10 deg. warmer than usual in all states west of the Rocky Mount ains. The indications are for cloudy and threatening weather, with occasional rain, Monday in Western Oregon and Western Washington, and fair weather in tha eastern portions of fheee states and In Idaho. WEATHER FORECASTS. Forecasts made at Portland for the 23 hours ending at midnight Monday, November 12 Portland and vicinity Cloudy and threaten ing, with occasional rain; southerly winds. Western Oregon and Western Washington Cloudy and threatening, with occasional rain; southerly winds. Eastern Oregon. Eastern Washington and Idaho Fair; winds mostly southerly. EDWARD A. BEAL3. Forecast Official. CLASSIFIED AD. RATES "Rooms," "Rooms and Board," "Housekeep ing Rooms," "Situations Wanted," 15 words or lees, IS cents; IS to 20 words. 20 cents: 21 to 23 words. 23 cents, etc. No discount for additional Insertions. UNDER ALL OTHER HEADS except "New Tcday," SO cents for 15 words or less; 10 to 20 words, 40 cents; 21 to 23 word-, 80 cents, etc. first insertion. Each additional Insertion, one half; no further discount under one month. "NEW TODAY" (gauge measure agate), IS cents per line, first Insertion; 10 cents per Una for each additional insertion. ANSWERS TO ADVERTISEJIENTS. ad dressed care The Oregonlaa and left at this of flea, should air-ays be Inclosed In sealed envel opes. No stamp Is required on such letters. The Oregonlan will not be responsible for er rors in advertisements taken through tht tela phone. I AUCTION SALES TODAT. At residence, 394 Sell wood st-, near Union ave , 10 A. M. S L. N. GUman, auctioneer At 0C3 East Morrison, between 32d and 33d, at 2 P. M. J. T. Wilson, auctioneer. MEETING NOTICES. rVANHOE LODGE. NO. 10, IC OF P. Reg ular convention this (Monday) evening at 7 30 o'clock, in the lower hall, Auditorium build ing. Page rank. Visitors weleeme. R. D FULTON, C. a L. CARSTENSEN. K. of R. & S. PORTLAND LODGE. NO G8. K. OF P. At tention! Members are requested to bo present and take part in tho funeral services of our late brother, Charles E. Bennett, from the resi dence. 483 Main st. Services at the house Monday, Nov. 12. at S P. M. Interment ia Lone ir cemetery. L. A. McNART, a a -?& WASHINGTON CHAP TER, NO 14, O E. a Regular meeting this (Monday) evening ati o'clock. By order of W. M. M. HOWATSON. Seo. HARMONY LODGE, NO. 12, A. F. & A M Stated communication tnis (Monday) evening at 1JS9 o ciocx. worir By order W. M. A. J. MARSHALL, Sec K. 4: L. OF S. All members are reqnested M attend the reception given National PrelaU Martin, Monday evening at Knights of Pythlaa cuui, in jiuouorium Duiiamg committed. PORTLAND LODflB. tzn us. t n t v Regular meeting this (Monday) evening at 81 o clock, Ablngton building. First-degree work. visiung Drotners invited. E. R. BUSH. Eeo. DEED, WHALLET In this city. Nov. 10, John WW. I son wnauey, agea or years, s months andu Gays, .funeral notice later. , , EDWARD HOLHA2I. Uadertalcer.dth and Tamhlll ata. Reaa Stlmaoa. lady asslstaat. Both, phoaea So. SOT. Plaley, Kimball A Co., Undertakers. Lady assistant. 278 Third at. Tel. O. NEW TODAT. 16 LBS. DRY GRANULATED BTIrtATL 1i hard-wheat flour, per sack, 7So; 8 lbs. dean rolled oats, 25c; 7 lbs. Cream California ronea oats, zoc. 3 Dig packages mush, lSoi 2 packages' Cream of Wheat. Mc; a n&ckaxei Mother's Mush, 23o; big sacks potatoes, pef bu, ivv; itoci uanay unps. in ouuc 403 gallon (bring; a can); genuine New Orleans moiasses. in duuc, ooo gallon, citron, oraai or lemon peel, per lb., 15c, 3 lbs. seedt Sultana raisins. 85c: clean currants. 2So. lbs., hand-picked. Three - Crown Muscat! I raisins. 25c. All baklnsr oowdera eat 1-lb.l can of Royal baking powder, 40o; 10-lb. sack I graoam bout, mm, iu - id. sacx rye nour. 20c. 10-lb. sack corn meal. 20o; coral meaL In bulk. IB lbs.. 2Da: Friends. 10-lb. I sack, 25c; new buckwheat. 10-lb. sack, SSojl sago, tapioca, snllt oeas. Pearl barler of! birdseed, all at Co lb.; best blueing. So per J bottle; baking soda, per package. So; 6-gal-lona coal oil. 80c. 7 cans of tomatoes, 53c t 7 cans of peas. 55a; 12 cans corn, 85o (new stooK. this season) ; 2 lbs. new walnuts, 2001 2 quarts Cape Cod Cranberries, 16c. best Eastern hams. 13c per lb.. 3 lbs. loose lard, 25a Everything in the Una of fresh meats. fresh fish and poultry wa can save you moner on. We deliver on tha East Side Tnesdars and Frldars. Wa have a for you In our teas and coffees. Oregon ' Grocery Co., Z3Z ana zs m. iia su. j ba SBs jm. Marshall, oregoa pBona feem uj S5 i