text: C\ ik \ Sir r 1 n ml I ' ■ •• • 'zfimtlz-z'' i / \\\. 'n \ H x<\ Okk< JL ' A /. 'W. p J <i L si rtHlfmil <? n ITVrilix OSER) O llKl• tK|| I (i OL K ; SJLO OLO IUMV - u.-'- ■xx ) LcpjO iwbh /LAAI^^^JU^ATAM/v W| ' .'ixx -xr. ; .A ./ (&JL.- £w'zz<_. .;' ;''■■■. ■ . Y Xi. T ■ " . j/;'-y ■. f cfflk Ace-, a xx. ■ . 1 VOLUME XXIII. The New York Dispatch, PUBLISHED EVERY SATIRDAV HOUNSSS AT filo. II FRANKFORT STREET, A FEW DOORS BELOW TAMMANY HALL. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $5 00 A YEAR. 0-" A SECOND EDITION, containinsthe latest nows from all quarters, published on Sunday viormng. The NEW YORK DISPATCH is sold by all News Arents in the City and Suburbs at TEN CENTS Phil COPY. ATI Mail Subscriptions must be paid m advance. Canada Subscribers must send 25 cents extra, to prepay American postage. Bills of all specie-paying banks taken “ l ' ar ' TERMS OF ADVERTISING. Hereafter, the terms of Advertising in the Dispatch will be as follows: WALKS ABOUT TOWN 30 cents per line. BUSINESS WOULD 20 “ “ “ SPECIAL NOTICES 18 “ M “ - REGULAR ADVERTISEMENTS. .15 “ “ *’ Under the heading of “ Walks About Town’’ and “Bus iness World’’ the same prices will be charged for each in ception. For Regular Advertisements and “Special Notices,” two-thirds of the above prices will be charged for the second insertion. Regular advertisements will tie taken by the quarter at the rate of one dollar tline. Special Notices by the quarter will be charged at thorate ef one dollar and twenty-five cents per line. Cuts -and <Jncy display will be charged extra. A. T.— “Is it customary when a lady presents a ring to a gentleman to have engraved on the inside a name, date, etc., as “To, from, New Years, 1863?” We believe it is, as you say, quite customary to have a ring so engraved when presented by a gentleman to a lady, but whether the rule is allowed to work both ways we are not so sure, and have had no experience that would warrant an opinion. It must, we think, depends good deal upon the relations between those who give and those who receive. When the relation is very intimate, we think an appropriate inscription would not be out of place; the feelings, however, we consider the truest criterion of action. In making such presents as evidence of endearment, it will be well always to remember that “rich gifts wax poor, when givers prove unkind.” S. B. G.—“1st. Is it lawful to destroy the votes after being counted at the polls? Is it not necessary for them to be taken to Police Headquarters? 2d. Was it in the power of Chief Justice Chase to order the trial of Jefferson Davis while a prisoner in Fortress Monroe? On the contrary, was not his case in the hands of President Johnson? 3d. A Conservative friend remarks that Chief Justice Chase, instead of presiding at the trial of Jefferson Davis, on the 27th unattended an African church celebration. Was he correct?” 1st. The tickets are destroyed by the district canvassers. 2d. Not while he was a military prisoner under martial law and surveillance. The Supreme Civil Court will not act under military jurisdiction; hence it was necessary for the Commander-in-Chief, Andrew Johnson, to remand the accused to the custody of the civil courts before he could be legally tried by them. Whether Judge Chase attended an African church, at his own pleasure, is his affair, not ours. He is not obliged to preside at the trial of Davis, by a District Court. Lex.—“Please state, through the columns of your valuable paper, the particulars regarding the law school in New York city, i.e., where situated, terms, manner of gaining admission and general length of time necessary to pass through and graduate; also, if graduates are admitted to the State and United States Courts without further examination.” By applying to Prof. T. W. Dwight you will obtain all particulars. The Law School grants duJiomas on which admission to practice is secured. Stake Holder. — Please answer through your Notes and Queries the following: “Acer’s person deposits one cent the first week doubling each deposit every week for a period of fifty-two weeks (one year); now the bet is this, is there enough money in the world to cover the whole amount?” You will better compute the same yourself, having probably more leisure than we can bestow upon its consideration. A. F.— “Can a person who has been convicted of crime, and sent to the House of Correcion, or the Penitentiary, be a witness in a Surrogate’s Court? What will be the probable cost of contesting a will case?” 1st. Imprisonment in the Penitentiary does not disqualify a person for a witness in any Court. 2nd. We have no idea what it will cost. A capable lawyer would be your best adviser in such a case. Regular Subscriber.— Did the cholera rage in New York, as an epidemic, in 1849, and was there a proclamation issued by the President of the United States for a fast day on that account?” The cholera prevailed in this city and throughout the country in an epidemic form in 1848 and ’49, and toward the close of the latter year a general fast was observed in pursuance of a proclamation issued by President Fillmore. G. A.— “Is a divorce granted in the State of Wisconsin against parties residing in New York legal; and if so, what papers is it necessary to produce to prove the fact?” We suppose that such a divorce, if made in due form and according to law, is quite legal, and the paper to prove, it is the duly attested decree of the court granting such divorce. Slake Holder.— We should be glad to oblige you, but we have no time to work out or space to publish, an answer to such problems as you prepared, for the reason mainly that they are of no general interest or value. The purpose of this department is to impart useful information not only to the inquirer, but to all who may read it. Dutch 7? usihzcalccr tc XVill wou in- term a number of your readers have far the Frazer River is within Russian America; also, where is the mouth of the river?” The Frazer River is not delinerted upon our maps. It is situated in British Columbia, or Van cover’s Island, and is, we think, a tributary of the Columbia A. B. C.—“Will you oblige an old subac fiber by answering the following question. If a wife without leaving a will who has money in bank in her own name, will her husband be the heir?” No. Her children or nearest blood relatives will inherit, in the order of their relationship. Chas. Sadler.—“ Inform me which city in England, Manchester or Birmingham, has the largest population?” Manchester proper, which includes the towns of Eulme, Chorlton, Ardwick, Chee hum, etc., had in 1851 a population of 401,321. The population of Birmingham in the same year 232,841. Curiosity.— “Please inform the writer which is the most injurious way of using tobacco?" To swallow it in large quantities would, we suppose, be the most speedily injurious, and the least disgusting; but, to use it in any form is ridiculous and indefensible. H W—“Did Fernando Wood hold the office of Mayor of this city for two successive terms, and in what years?” Fernando Wood was Mayor of New York in the years 1855-56-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57-57 CALICO and '61. He has been three times elected to that office, and four times defeated. Rip Fan Winkle. "In the country, the largest navy?" France, at the time, claims that distinction, and the claim is well-known, generally conceded. H. A. D. "In your opinion which is the best translation of Homer's Iliad." We have decided preference for that made by Alexander Pope. Fire in a Tenement House.—At ten o'clock A. M., yesterday, some children playing with matches, set fire to the apartment of George Hoffman, on the third floor of No. 201 West Thirty-fifth Street, and the range of apartments on that floor was damaged to the extent of $1,000, insured for $800 in the General The fourth floor was occupied by F. Heermann and family. Does on furniture about $300. Not insured. The second floor and second floors were occupied by E. Halm, as a German school and dwelling. Loss by water, about $300. Insured for $700 by the People's Company. The building is owned by Mr. F. Eohrecht, and is damaged to the extent of $600, insured by various companies. Butter Thieves.—Yesterday morning, John Thilman, of No. 102 Broad Street, caught a young man named John Brown, in the act of stealing a tub of butter from in front of his store, and caused his arrest. He was committed by Justice Hogan. Brown says he is a Scotchman, aged 22 years, and lives at No. 139 Cherry Street. Patrick McManus was arrested by Officer Lam oraux, of the Third Precinct, while attempting to steal a tub of butter from in front of the store of John H. Uadigan, No. 173 Chambers street. He, also, was PUBLISHED BY A. J. WILLIAMSON. SHAMS OF THE CITY. Operators of the Heart of the City—Who they Are—General Den by Them—A Chief of Police and a Priest their Victims. Rascality flourishes everywhere—it burrows under ground, and it nestles high up in the topmost branches of the tree; it finds its level on the pavement as well as under it; it is never out of place, for whenever there is a victim to be duped there you will find a victimizer, and whether under the broad glare of sunlight or under the fainter glimmerings of the moon, it is all the same—villainy still flourishes where there is no apparent effort made to check its progress. The programme of roguery is the same today that it was yesterday, and the many yesterdays of long years ago. It may seem strange that without a single change in the modus operandi of swindling by “Heeling,” it is the same today as it was twenty years ago. It may seem strange that the same old hands engaged in the business streets outside of the State prison. It may seem strange that the same old hand-to-hand tricks should be used by villains to entrap victims for the same length of time, and that the same officers of justice should have remained, as it were, in status quo. It may seem strange, yet such is the fact. All that the police have done is what they call “run in,” and have the likenesses of the following follows taken: Frederick Wood, Wm. Moon, Stewart Wilson, Frank Weaver, James Dickinson, Robert Noil. Thus, the photographic (police) album can boast of having the likenesses of only six celebrated “heelers.” The Album seems to us a humbug. Of the six men distinguished as “heelers,” last Wednesday four were pointed out to us as “photographed,” who were standing idling their time in a liquor saloon foot of West and Dey street. Of course, they had a right to do it, but then is it possible that there are only six heelers in the city, when four at one glimpse can be seen? It is doubtful. Thus it is that we become heretics when asked to look at the Police Album. The Rev. Matthew Hale Smith has taken the trouble to attend Police trials, thinking thereby that he can gain great information, but we would advise him before he puts his new book to press, to travel around a little bit. Suppose the reverend gentleman consulted GENERAL WOOL, instead of Mr. Police Commissioner Thomas Acton, in the make-up of his book. Gen. Wool is also getting up a book on “His life and times.” For the General’s sake, we give the following incident: Heeler —(Touching the general’s coat tail) —Beg your pardon sir; but here’s your pocket-book you’ve just dropped. Gen. Wool—Not mine, sir—not mine, sir. Heeler — But, sir, it must be somebody’s. Gen. Wool— Somebody’s damme—yes—l suppose so. Heeler— (Showing Wolcott’s and Freelove Bank one hundred dollar bills by the dozen) —But I have got to leave the city immediately. Perhaps you would take the book and advertise for the owner. It is too bad that he should lose it. Gen. Wool—Faith, I think so too. Give me the book. Heeler — Can’t I have something? Gen. Wool — Certainly, certainly! There is twenty dollars for you, my honest fellow. I am sorry that you can’t stop in the city and reap the reward of your honesty. Honesty, sir, is a rare commodity in the metropolis. Take that gift, my friend, and go West; you are an exemplary specimen of honesty. The general took the stuffed pocket-book, and told the clerk of the Jersey City ferry to advertise for the owner. “Advertise be damned,” was the clerk’s gruff reply. “You don’t take me for a sucker? Look at the book for yourself.” General Wool did put his glasses on and look at the contents of the book, when he found plenty of bills on the Bank of True Love, Wolcott’s, Pain Killer, etc., but of the genuine Chase nary a red nor a green back. But, as it is the fun of these swindling operations that we purpose giving on this occasion, we give the case of A NIGGER who must have had some white blood in him, or he couldn’t have played the trick that he did. An apparently Spanish negro (but a full-blooded New York negro, who was up to all the tricks and devices of the metropolis) was “heeled” by Billy Moon. He hadn’t a cent in his pocket-book, but Billy didn’t know that fact when he “coppered” his heel. “Lost your pocket-book, sir,” said Billy, as the nigger turned round to see who had Laughed his "Sab," exclaimed the darkey, opening his mouth and displaying his ivories. "Lost your pocket-book, sir," continued Billy, opening the book and showing a big roll of genuine greenbacks. In a twinkling, the nigger twisted the pocket-book out of Billy’s hand, and being a muscular man, he seized the “healer” by the nap of the neck and haltered “police!” “police!” “murder!” loud enough to be heard from the City Hall. A crowd soon gathered around the victim and the victimizer, the nigger choked Billy so tight that he could not say a word in defense, and the darkey had it all his own way. Somehow he managed to force tears down his cheeks and say that he was on his way to bury a dead sister, when his pocket was picked by the rascal he had in his grip. By-and-by an officer came up who knew Billy’s “ racket,” and took charge of him. He knew that the nigger was putting it on and beating Billy at his own game. The negro was the accuser. He swore his pocket was picked, Billy could not bring up evidence of good character, and when the charge was made the officer conducted both before Judge Hogan at the Tombs. There the nigger made his original charge, and Billy, who was known to the court, made a similar charge against the negro. Both were committed to the Tombs by the magistrate, but the nigger bald on to the wallet, and finally beat Billy out of it. Emigrants, as they emerge from Castle Garden, are often made victims before they get a rod from the gates of that institution. A case of this character was related to us by Officer Thompson, of the Twenty-seventh Precinct, one of the ablest Ward detectives in the city. He was inside of Castle Garden waiting to catch hold of Haggerty, the “heeler,” who was outside; nor did he have a great while to wait. A son of the Emerald Isle was heeled before he had gotten three yards from the gate—so near that Thompson could hear all that passed. Haggerty—Mineheer (Paddy turning to look at the Dutchman, who had taken his hat off to him, and was scraping and bowing to him)—Mineheer, you lose your pocket-book. Paddy (astonished)—Fat! Haggerty—You drop the little wallet. At the same time Haggerty opens the pocket-book and shows a number of bogus $20 gold pieces, and about ten one hundred dollar bogus greenbacks. Paddy very honestly said the book wasn’t his; Haggerty said the book wasn’t his, and he didn’t want it. He was going off to Philadelphia that afternoon, and couldn’t wait to advertise for an owner. Couldn’t Paddy take charge of the book; Paddy said of course. But Haggerty said that so much money would certainly bring a big reward, perhaps $50. The logic was reasonable. For a hundred sovereigns, Paddy could have ten thousand sovereigns. The bait takes, and Paddy gives ten sovereigns to Haggerty. As soon as Thompson saw the crime completed, he went out and arrested Haggerty. And what was the finale of this deliberate swindle? The magistrate took the complaint for grand larceny, the Grand Jury found a bill of indictment for the offense set forth in the papers, but when the case came up for trial, Haggerty demurred to pleading to the charge; if guilty of anything, it was obtaining money by trick and device. The motion, which was made on good legal grounds, was granted, and Haggerty was discharged, and the complainant, after being detained in prison several months as a witness, was liberated. But all are not “greenhorns” that are victimized, as, for instance, Bob Neill took in the CHIEF OF POLICE OF CINCINNATI to the amount of fifty dollars. Probably he does not now know that it is so well known that he was the victim of circumstance, but the police of this city have it as a standing joke now, for when a man now enters a station house to make a complaint they ask, among the first questions, if he hails from Cincinnati. The chief was swindled in the very same way by Bob that General Wool was done by Billy Moon. The chief was hurrying down Cowndlandt street to catch the twelve noon train for Baltimore, when Bob heeled him. "My friend," said the chief, turning round and eyeing Bob, "what have you got there?" "Your pocket-book, sir." The chief thrust his hands in his pantaloons pocket and suddenly exclaimed: "Not mine, sir!" "Somebody's," persisted Bob, walking up to him, and opening the book, showing greenback one hundred by the score. "Somebody's," persisted Bob, "and they'll miss it, too. Wish I was going to stop in the city, I'd advertise for the owner." "Well, air," continued the victim, "I'll see to that; you can trust me; I'm Chief of the Cincinnati Police." This announcement would have shaken the nerve of almost any ordinary scamp, but it only emboldened the scoundrel. His victim carried his honor and ingenuity in his vest pocket. "Ah!" sighed Bob, as they walked together to the ferry-house gate, and then you can be trusted; but, as there'll be a big reward, I suppose you can give me something," and he hinted at fifty dollars. Five ten-dollar greenbacks were passed out to Bob as they passed down the street, and at the ferry-house gate Bob and the Chief shook hands, and parted—the Chief complimenting Bob on his honesty. The chief, as soon as he got inside the office, with big importance, told who he was, and what he wanted done in regard to the plethoric pocket-book that he threw down. Imagine the Chiefs feelings as note after note, or the Bank Prize True Love, with dealt out of the pocket-book. NEW YORK, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1867. A PRIEST SWINDLED. But men of the world are not only these men’s dupes, they find occasionally ministers of the gospel have been known to be taken in by these fellows. James Dickinson, alias Diddle, once beat a Catholic clergyman out of $100. He heeled him and gave him a slight glimpse of the contents, and so awakened the priest’s curiosity that he trotted him down to the end of a pier, and then gamboled the priest out of his hundred dollars. After he made the complaint, he declined to prosecute even if the scamp was arrested; all he wanted was his money back. That couldn’t be done, hence Mr. Diddle was allowed to go scot-free. FARMERS BEAT. Even countrymen that come every day to the market with their produce, a class of men that are supposed to be more than ordinarily shrewd, often get taken in by these pocket-book droppers. But the other day quite an amusing scene took place down at Washington Market, early in the morning. “Say, mister,” halloed a youngster to a farmer, who sat on his farm produce, “there’s a chap under your wagon; he’s picked up your pocket-book.” This was Lew Wilson. He was crouched under the wagon apparently looking at the contents of the book. As soon as the farmer saw the green paper and the book on the corner, the book took. If the book wasn’t his, it should be his; it was found under his wagon. “See here,” said the farmer, rather gruffly, “so you’ve found my pocket book.” "How do you know it's yours?" replied Lew, closing it and holding it in his hand tightly. "Cause I know," rejoined the farmer. “Well, if you’ll swear it’s yours, you can have it.” “That’s an honest fellow.” “But I suppose I’m entitled to something for giving it up without giving you the trouble to go to court.” “Certainly, certainly. How much?” “Fifty, at the very least.” He gives the money, pockets the pocket-book, and never looks at it, lest the real owner should come up and claim it; but when the farmer, at the first opportunity, takes a sly peep at his booty, how much he feels to find that his prize is only, at its highest value, worth seven cents a pound? “From rags they came, And back to rags they shall return.” The country yokel, when he sees the swindle, no doubt heartily berates the day that the country ever saw greenbacks. NOT ALL FUN. But the life of a “helper” is not all sunshine or fun. Many a time the pedal extremities of a supposed yokel are applied to the seat of honor of these fellows. Capt. Steers, of the Twenty-seventh Precinct, in whose balms these Peter Funks of humanity operate, has little sympathy for them. When he happens to come across them working, up goes his foot or out goes his fist, and woe betide the unlucky wight that gets the unspent weight of three hundred pounds. Willy Moon, Bob Neil and Old Pop all know the weight of the boot that encases the foot of Captain Steers. Moon is about the most Unfortunately, “heeler” there is in this city, so far as booting is concerned. Two weeks ago he “heeled” a western countryman. It so happened that the hoosier had been beaten about a year ago by the same trick by one of the fraternity. “It’s there, you are again,” said the hoosier, as he planted his “right man,” as sporting reporters chronicle such incidents, between his two star-gazers, compelling Billy to make several ungraceful gyrations. As soon as Billy recovered himself, he began to rub his eyes, when the hoosier’s boots made him itching somewhere else. A description of the way in which these fellows follow their avocation has been so often published that it is needless to repeat it. It is the same today as it was twenty years ago, without a single improvement on it; and the only excuse that the police can give for its flourishing is that they cannot get a complainant to stop in the city to prosecute. This is true, but it would be a very easy matter for the police to arrest these fellows wherever they met them, and take them before a magistrate, and send them on the Island as vagrants. The Lien flame—Sneak Thieves—Burglars On the Increase —Alarming Increase of Embezzlements by Clerks—A Text for Moralizers. If it be not always interesting, it is, at least, important to know the various features and phases that crime assumes. Today there is a mania to murder, shortly following we have, suicide, the shuffling off of the mortal coil by means of the rope, the knife or by poison. There is the mania apparently to deprivation on the person, in which the shedding of blood is involved, and then follows a raid on property. The cause that leads to the one or the other, is... Never investigated, and yet the cause is simple that produces the effect—an unhealthy moral atmosphere. This is the cause, the effect is seen in our police reports, and coroner’s inquests. It is a curious subject to investigate, crime—very hard to comprehend, but it affects society through all its ramifications, and yet it is one that most of all is sadly neglected by our pulpit preachers. It is not enough, and yet is considered enough, to preach grace to those that think they have it; salvation to those that think they possess it, and denounce the evil one and his children. That is all very good, in its way. But the devil and his devices must be fought to conquer him, and he must be known to grapple with, and he must be handled, without gloves. But enough on moralizing. Curiosity led us to inquire of Chief Young, the different crimes that are now most popular; or have been most in vogue lately. Well, during the present, or rather past week, we find that two confidence operators or “Heelers,” a class of thieves fully described in another column, have made two “bits,” by finding two victims; we also find that there are a great many sneak robberies, a few shoplifters, several burglaries, and here and there, on the various lines of cars, an occasional case of pocket-picking. BEDIVIUS. An old game has been revived within the last few weeks that has been successful for many years past. The impostors are peddlers of foreign origin. They call at a house, and represent that they have managed to smuggle some goods through the Custom House, and that they can sell their goods dirt cheap. We heard of three cases of bilked persons, who got out cheap goods to amounts varying from $50 to $300, but who found, when they came to appraise their articles, that they were not worth $5. They thought they were enticing Uncle Sam, but when they found that they, and not Uncle Sam, were the victims, they called upon Sam’s agents to right the wrong. A questionable wrong this is to right. BURGLARIES are not worth mentioning. Few or many, when a man goes to Headquarters he goes prepared to offer a reward of ten percent for the recovery of his goods. EMBEZZLEMENTS. This is a subject that I should like to see taken up by every minister of the Gospel, from Henry Ward Beecher down to the lowest standard bearer of the cross. Campbells of embezzlement are prolific, and the cause—what is it? I hold that it is due to the paid preachers of the Gospel having themselves slighted their work, shaming it, neglecting the interests of the rising generation. There is no getting over the fact that there is at the present time a terrible amount of embezzlement by young and old clerks, and those that are discovered committing this crime, we are sorry to say, have been connected with the church, have been class-leaders, and although they do not bring disgrace on the church by their individual acts, it seems to us that if the pastors cannot see to their flock. For love, they might at least try to do it after paying. It is a disgrace that so many youths should be run ning into ruin. They pray, sob and sing to-day in the church, and steal the day following. Little Chris tianity is there in that. llere.,arc a a few cases of embezzlement that have o ccurred during the week, all by men or youths ad a high church •“ recommend.” NUMBEL ONE was a clerk in a dry-goods store on Broadway, and had nothing to do with the handling of tho money. There was,a cashier, of course, .and of course he had to go co dinner. In his aosence tnat till or drawer was unlocked, and the money taken out while one of the proprietors stood close to it. The amount lost was S2OO, and the cashier, who felt sore about tho affair, made up his mind to charge this religious I youth, whose character was beyond reproach, with the theft. The cashier had been robbed over and ,over again, and cashier after cashior had been cash iered on account of dishonesty. On this occasion cne of the proprietors of the store stood up for our ypung scape-grace. “He couldn’t doit,” he said, “as he stood by the drawer all the time that the cashier was gone to dinner.” After his arrest, he said he did do it. He had a key that fitted the lock, and be opened the drawer when hisjemployer’s back was to it. He was a Sunday school leader, and nothieg will be heard of the case, but the fault lies not with the scholar, but his iteglectftji paid teacher. NUMBER TWO, also hails unhappily from Brooklyn. He was a waiter in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. A guest of that house took lunch to him, asked him to come down and see him. He did so and met with immediate employment. They employed him as a collector. This week he wrote a letter to the firm that he was a defaulter to the amount of $2,500. On Thursday last he got $1,200 in gold to go and pay duties on goods. All of it he gambled away at the faro bank. Character obtained for this scamp, his place, and he forfeited it, and yet his employers forgive him. They tempted him too much and he could not bear the trust imposed on him. There is in this an unwritten sermon. And it is told in a simple sentence, and we give it as it was, given us by a felon in the tombs. "How was that?" we asked. "I was tempted to steal, I was in a jewelry store, a polisher, and sometimes they left among the dirty stones. I took the bait at last after three years baiting." "Is there nothing in this to give food for reflection for our moralists?" "There is always more or less fun attending rascality and when it has its usual accompaniments it gives a sort of glare to crime that cannot well be avoided." Take for instance a celebrated wholesale pickle dealer, who this week found himself the victim of circumstances. Fate, chance, or suspicion led him to take down a bottle of pickles from the shelf. He took the cork out and tasted it, when the following conversation ensued: Boss— "Faith, and that bottle, John, has a very waterish taste; or yes, taste of vinegar I feel in the pickles." Boss— "And that's yes, he either said, at all the pains I see?" Boss— "He (the devil serve us! Ha, yes, the devil serve us! Ha, yes, the devil serve us!" Out went John in serious, of the cholera sir. In the meantime, the bottle, "boiled at his store, at what did he find? An empty larder; pickles by the dozen, no vinegar in them. There were vinegar, but vinegar in them. It was the biggest beat out. In bottles, casks, and barrels there was only water where there should be vinegar. This, too, was a class I have not been arrested, but he will be, ere the detective police do their duty. It is to be hoped that our family street may be taken in good condition. Part by the leglector, the rers of the cross; as for their hearers, for win. especial benefit it is designed, we can only say, sobriety reign in and cut your house, and have a not d latch key. Having done that, if you are robbed you must call on Folk, Kennedy, Walling, Dilks, Leon, or Young—we can’t help you. The season of Terpsichorean festivities is fairly open, and for some months to come the vitals of the festive goddess will have ample opportunity to do her homage, and lively times may be anticipated. To a very large class of the residents of this and adjoining cities, and those not entirely the younger ones either, these social gatherings are as welcome a feature of the winter as any it wears. Indeed, we need something to take off the sharp edge of the cold weather that already greets us. It is needed to make matters go lively, to produce smiles and banish scowls. There are few scenes, gayer than a dancing party presents in a spacious and well-lighted hall, with the accompaniment of music and warm welcome. It sends a glow through one’s blood to look upon it. There is no city where matters of this kind are better arranged than our own; it surpasses all others in the scale of magnificence and grandeur in which such festivities are indulged and enjoyed. The following BALLS TO TAKE PLACE during the present week, will, we think, awaken lively anticipations of fun and frolic. Pleasant meetings, social reunions and general jollity. At the NEW YORK ASSEMBLY ROOMS. Dec, 9—Adams’ Pressmen’s Association. “ 10—Henry Clay Literary Association. “ 11—New York Icemen’s Association. “ 12—Columbia Lodge. “ 13—C. A. Alvord Association. BROOKES’ ASSEMBLY ROOMS. Dec. 9—R osedale Social Club. “ 10—Suffolk Guards. 11—Brookes’ Soiree. “ 12—Piko Coterie. “ 13—Ball complimentary to S. De Lortra. MILITARY HALL. Doc. 13—Dexter Pleasura Association. “ 10—Macpherson’s Soiree. “ 14—McConnell’s Hop. We briefly notice some of the chief events for which active preparations are now making at some of the dancing halls in the city. The annual ball of the ADAMS' PRESS PRINTERS' ASSOCIATION will take place at the New York City Assembly, on tomorrow evening. This is a concert of those who are proverbial for their excellent management of festivities, and judging by the arrangements we have been made to make the occasion a pleasant one, we think there can be no doubt about its giving the best of satisfaction to all who attend. On Wednesday evening, the 11th inst., at the same place, take place the fourth annual ball of the EMEN'S ASSOCIATION, which we are sure will be “a big thing on ice,” as the most extensive preparations have been made to insure the enjoyment of all who attend. The music will be furnished by O’Brien, and the delicate details of management have been entrusted to the officers of the association, Messrs. R. H. Spongsteen, J. Wiley, B. P. Pitcher, and Geo. W. Mason. B. H. P. As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, the third fancy dress ball of the New York Ball, Hop and Pleasure Club will be given at Irving Hall, on Monday evening, Dec. 16th. It will be a magnificent affair. Grafilla is to furnish two full bands of music, and an efficient committee will attend to the details, without any regard to pains or expense. The annual ball of the THISTLE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, will be given at Irving Hall on Friday evening. Deo. 13. How admirably such festivities are ordered under the auspices of the association named, is too well known to require comment at this time. Nothing will be wanting, we are sure, that can in any way contribute to the gratification and enjoyment of those who honor the occasion with their presence. It must also be remembered that the association is organized and sustained in the interest of charity, and its purpose is not only to seek the occasional enjoyment of its members and their friends, but to do good to those who are in need, at all times. It has been, and is, we are glad to say, eminently successful in both particulars. On Friday night the New York Assembly Rooms will be the scene of gay festivity, for on that occasion will occur the annual ball of the O. A. ALVORD ASSOCIATION, which numbers among its members some as jovial sports as ever tripped a merry measure or smiled a welcome upon happy people. The ball will be worth going to. MASONIC TEMPLE on the corner of Grand and Seventh streets, Williamsburg, is to be the scene of fine festivity on Thursday evening, the 12th inst. The occasion is the annual grand ball of Banner Chapter, U. D. A. M., of Hunter’s Point. All ball lovers understand how well such festivals are arranged by fraternity, and we know that this ball will come fully up to the established high standard of excellence. We wish again to remind our readers that the evening of Monday, Dec. 16th, has been especially set apart for the second annual reception of Alpha Chapter, of the SISTERS OF THE EASTERN STAR. We have already said enough about this affair to indicate its character. We are confident that it will be one of the finest balls of the season, and we hope to be among the favored who are permitted to enjoy it. The Vosburgh Sociable, which is composed mainly of the members of the Seventy-first Regiment, have a ball at the City Assembly Rooms, on Tuesday evening, the 17th inst. The first invitation ball of the S. D. Peters Guard will take place at the Everett Rooms, on next Wednesday evening, the 11th inst. Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment, will give a ball on the night of Jan. 1st, 1868, at the Germania Assembly Rooms. The annual invitation ball of the H. U. S. takes place at the Union Assembly Rooms on Thursday next. The second annual promenade hop of Company H, Fourteenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., is to be given at the Brooklyn Institute, on Wednesday evening, the 18th inst. The fourth annual ball of the Franklin Guard will be given at the same place on Tuesday evening, Dec. 12th. The second of the series of soirees given by that jolly coterie, known as “Ours,” will take place on the evening of the 12th inst., at Rivers’ Academy, corner of Court and Schoenheim streets, Brooklyn. THE CENTRE MARKET ASSOCIATION have taken time by the forelock, and have already completed the arrangements for their annual ball, which is announced. To take place at Irving Hall, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. It will, no doubt, be among the most hearty and earnest Terpsichorean demonstrations of the season. IRVING HALL. The first annual ball of the New York Printing Company Base Ball and Pleasure Club, took place on last Friday night at this hall, and was a deserved and complete success, and will long be remembered as choicest among the Winter parties of 1867. The attendance was large and fashionable, and the leading idea of all who were present, seemed to be to promote the enjoyment and enjoyment of all the rest, and thus the enjoyment of all was insured. It was a well-deserved ball, well ordered, and admirably managed, and no pains or expense were spared to make the occasion what it was in an eminent degree—one of real festivity to all who had the good fortune to be present. The second annual ball of the HUGH GARDNER ASSOCIATION, was given on last Wedvesday night, at Trenor’s Acad emy, iu the Sixth avenue, and a superbly brilliant, gay, and happy assemblage it was. Iu the new and elegant hall the company found scope and verge enough for the fullest enjoyment of Terpsichorean delignts. Tho music was excellent, the accommoda tions ample, the supper savoty and satisfying, tho company amiable, and the various committees inde- > f.'.tigable in their efforts to secure the fullest, enjoy* : meat of all who honored the occasion with their pres ence. The result was a good time that will be long and pleasantly remembered. *' We should be pleased did time and space permit us to notice many more of the balls, hops, sociables, and other pleasant gatherings that have marked the ’ past week. But we suppose the greatest interest , centres round the festivities that are to come, ana of those we have given a pretty full account, so that the reader may have little difficulty in making a choice ■ from the dainty dish we have displayed. The want of increased facilities for the accommodation of the dancing community is seriously complained of, and it is a want we hope soon to see fully supplied. In the meantime in the interest of those who wish to be posted on the subject of where to go to dance and HOW TO LEARN TO DANCE. We present a list of the best ball-rooms in this . cit/ joklyn, and the address of the professors j ex' the p ’ :e art. New ' rk ? ■ crably Rooms, corner of Broadway and T sr ,'ot. Irv' .-j alrving pi , between Thirteenth and Fourteenu.i streets. ' Trenor’ 3 Academy r .ns, Sixth avenue, near I Forty-sec ad street. Bi ••kes A’Sjiab-y Roc../, No. 361 Broome’street. "j. alary H.. 11, Bowcry. C'-'atral Ha.l, Nos. 57 and 59 B'* very. BROOKLYN. . vryer’s Assembly Rooms, corner ■ t Fulton avenue ’ •• ’ Jay street. i hie Had, No. ' Adams street. Brooklyn lustiti ■?.. Washington etreot 1 Latimer Hall. € :”t street. ■" ■ s’ Academy, No. 371 Fulton street. .tague Hall, Ne j ’’id 7 Court -street, i PRO-S'..' .3 DB PVT.'.S. ?e. - r ’.cl, • / -ork . b.-n // 1 jams. . ..x , No. . ’ n' trey ". \ • J U; ' . J.L< n. i, Third Aji'tie u. > :»r ;t . >... ’ ; NEW ' ,TD To ‘LS 'I ... eg constantly in ".•oduccd, and r rsor i' b. .t will find it liCvS:.. .ry t> place tae: -elv «. • Instructions. dough not generally mtrod-ticed at largo and ir ’■ :eous as - .ablages, o*' of tlie xnortf: 'hioja j i x. ue .s is ! THE < ;ni,s. Which, in accordance with all other arrangements, is a very different one from the usual dance, it becomes very much more difficult to accommodate with this dance. It is also a significant improvement in the arrangement of the dance, if carefully pursued and remembered, will greatly facilitate the leper in the acquisition of the knowledge how to do it. At least eight couples, but the number may be exceeded to many more. A good vase, with a practical knowledge of fair proportion of the leading figures, would not be at fault, as all that could be invented would more or less enter into what has been already introduced. No refusal to dance is permitted on the part of either lady or gentleman, so long as they are included in the charmed circle. The leader has absolute control of everything, and must be unconditionally obeyed. Even the master and mistress of the house must not contravene the orders of this dictator. He directs the music—when to commence and when to cease—and chooses the figures to be danced. He ought necessarily let the simple precede the more elaborate figures. The choice of figures can scarcely be submitted to precise rules, since it depends on particular circumstances, which vary almost at every assemblage. Certain figures are especially appropriate to intimate circles, and should only be admitted with reserve into assemblies composed of strangers. . The leading gentleman has also to see that all the requisites for a good cotillion are at hand, such as flags of different nationalities of various fancy designs, ribbons, bouquets of flowers, rosettes, masks, cards, hand-mirrors, fans, bandages for blindfolding, &c. He is to never lose sight of the other couples; to warn, by striking his hands, the too tardy, or those who, by prolonging their valse, occupy the floor too long. On him especially depends, more or less, the animation and energy which preside over the whole. A cotillion usually lasts a couple of hours, during which time several figures can be danced. Cotillions, however, of four or five hours, duration have of late frequently taken place. The figures can be executed to the music of the Redowa Valse, Polka, Polka Redowa, Deux Temps, Galop or Mazourka. Many of the figures are so contrived that no one knows with whom he or she is going to close them. One great interest of these figures is that their constant variety enables each gentleman to dance with almost every lady. There is no rule when any particular figure shall be danced, nor is it intended that the figures shall be danced in rotation. The selection is left to the gentleman leader. 