hCANDfElEISTOCBATS.

1 Visit to the Belmont and TerryKennels at Hempstead, L L

HUXTKG DOGS WORTH A FORTUNE.

How the Westminster Club Favorites AreDoused and Fed.

THE FUPPI AXD HOSPITAL KESKELS

ICORRESPOSDIKCE Or III DISPATCH.

NEW Yoek, Uovember 16. "Be quiet,Lucifer! Less noise, Rachael!"

August Belmont, Jr., President of theAmerican Kennel Club, and the proprietorof the Blempton kennels of fox terriers, wasshowing some of his choicest specimens to avisitor.

"Less noise, Rubicon. Mr. Hopkins, willyon take Lucifer and Rachael and Rubiconand Brilliant out on the chains? I want toshow them to their best advantage."

Manager German Hopkins, a sturdy,bearded Briton, touched his hat, and in tenminutes the particular favorites of the ken-nels were tugging away at their chains inthe barn, making heroic but injudicious at-

tempts to eet at an imaginary hare some-

where outside in the yard.Mr. Belmont's Blempton kennelsare sit-

uated on his country place in the village ofHempstead, Long Island, and they are sowonderfully complete in all their detailsthat they attract attention even in that cen-

ter of canine culture. Not only are theythe most complete er kennels in thiscountry, but they are also the largest andby far the most famous, and, with one exception, they will rank in size ana im-

portance with the largest kennels in England.

Mr. Belmont has ever been an ardentlover ot the er and has always hadsome fine specimens of the strain on one ofhis countrv places, Dm ne oniy oegan urceu-in- g

in 1878. He had previously shown

In the Belmont Kennels.

some terriers in the first bench show of the"Westminster Kennel Club in 1877. In spiteof this early start it was not until lb85 thatthe Blempton kennels became widely knownas the nursery of winners.

In 1887 Mr. Hopkins was brought overfrom England to manage the kennels andsome ot the most famous dogs on the otherside were added to Mr. Belmont's string atprices that made the eyes of the everydaydog importer open with amazement. Thekennels to-d- contain Champion Diadem,Champion Rachael, probably the best fox- -terrier bitch in the world; Champion Marguerite, Isew Jforest .Ethel, Xiuciier, uacc&a-na- l,

Recent Vox, Resolute, Verdict, Media,Tiara, Rubicon, Brilliant and a dozen otherdogs that are known by name to every

dog man in the world. The fen-nels now comprise about SO dogs and pup-pies; calf of the latter, however, are boarded

CUt among the neighboring farmers alter aplan described later on.

KEKNEL MANAGEMENT.

The daily management of SO dogs is by nomeans an easy task, but when these 80 ani-

mals have a market value running highup into the thousands and an actual valuethat is not computable in figures, themanagement grows heavy with respons-ibility.

Mr. Belmont manages his kennels upon asystem partly his own and partly borrowedfrom the best kennels abroad. This systemis seldom deviated from. As shown in theaccompanying illustration, the kennels con-

sist of several rows of small houses frontedby a small screened yard. In unpleasantweather this yard is roofed over with awater-tig- ht cover. Every morning at 7o'clock Mr. Hopkins and his assistantlet the dogs out of their houses into theirvards. These houses are models of theirkind.

The walls are of double thickness, withsheets of paper laid between the lavers tomake them absolutely wind-proo- f. The wallsand ceiling are coated with liquid tar andphenal, one of the best disinfectants known.The floor is of Portland cement, laid on afoundation of brick. The floors of the bunksare covered with straw, in which are mixedtobacco stems to keep fleas out, and theueorcia pine sawdust on tbe cement floor iswell doctored by the admixture of sanitas."With kennels so arranged, epidemics ofsickness are well-nig- h impossible.

"Were it not for the visits of strange dogsto my kennels," saidJMr. Belmont, "and were

u it It

Feeding the Puppies.

it not for the visits ot mv dogs to the varionsbench shows, we would seldom have anyserious sickness here. So long as I can keepmy dogs alone and at home I can preservethe good health of my kennels."

"While the kennels are being cleaned outthe dogs make the place merry wtth theiryelpings. When the time arrives lor theirrun their delight knows no bounds. AHthe dogs are not exercise at once. It wouldnot be sale, for imported dogs of the blnestof canine Dlood have naughty passions thecame as dogs of common life, and Blemptonterriers enjoy a sharp fight abont as muchas they do a run on the course. Only suchdogs as '"agree" together are taten out atone time. They are led on (o the plains be-tween Garden City and Hempstead, theirchains are slipped outofthtir collars, andin a second thev are off nml away. Aftertheir return to the kennels t'li-- .ire curriedand rubbed and put back into their littleyards. This exercise goes on lrom morninguntil the last dog has had his run. Thencorses suprer, the only meal of the day.But such a meal!

DOGS' DAINTT DDTITEES.

It varies every day, as all meals should.Sometimes it is oatmeal, boiled in a richbroth of calves' heads and cows' hearts.Sometimes hominy forms the base of themeal, andat other times it is rice or bis-

cuits. Some of the dogs receive special tid-bits in the shape of bones to gnaw or otherdainties dear to the canine heart. Thesespecial delicacies, however, are given withcaution. If it is a bone the fortunate pos-sessor is shut away from his companionsuntil the feast is over. Envy is a vice that

even Mr. Belmont's management cannotdrive out of the kennels, and it is not in thenature of the best bred dog to stand hungrilyby and calmly watch another dog gnaw ajuicy bone. And so it happens that thedogs must be separated one from the otherwhen bones are distributed.

Back, of the main kennels and at theirright are the puppy and hospital kennels.Tne four barracks' on North BrothersIsland could not be any more secluded thanthe latter. In the puppy kennels the yardis broader and covered with grass. Thehouse is larger, lighter and has a familybunk several sizes larger than the ones inthe main kennels. The mother dog can beconfined in the house behind wooden bars,while her youngsters scramble about theyard or engage in a brotherly or sisterlyfight as the spirit moves them at the mo-

ment. Sometimes these fights are savage.They are always spirited and seldom noisy.A Blempton puppy takes punishment andreturns it like a war-trie- d major, andwounds are sometimes inflicted by puppiesless than a month old that leave indelible

'mtM-- if-- i I

27le Night Quarters.

scars. Not long ago a dissension occurredin mc lime lamur ui uuiureu. iuc puji-pi- es

inherited the gameness of Rnbicon,tneir sire, and when this particular troubleoccurred every dog in the yard was instant-ly ready for business. And pretty seriousbusiness it proved to bel

One of the youngsters caught hold of therunt of the 'litter, who set np a pitifulsqueak. The sister of the little fellow atonce made for his tormentor and the othersgathered around to see it out. Finally thedog caught his sister by the neck and wouldprobably have killed her but for the fortu-nate appearance of Mr. Hopkins. As it wasthe puppy has a scar on her neck that willtake a month or so to wear away.

CANINE BABT FARMS."When a pnppy is old enough to be taken

from his mother he is "farmed" out to aneighboring farmer after the English sys-

tem. These (arms are called "walks" andeach farmer has one or two of the 45J young-sters that are scattered around the vicinity.In order to stimulate the farmers to do theirbest for their little boarders, Mr. Belmontis in the habit of having private competitivebench shows twice a year, generally in Mayand November. At "these shows each farm-er exhibits his boarders and they are judgedimpartially upon these points: Their physi-cal condition, their manners and the easewith which they can be led on the chain.Prizes are then distributed among those for-

tunate enongh to make the best showing.Shortly atter these trials Mr. Belmont

looks over his youngsters and selects thosethat he does not need for breeding purposesin his own kennels. He catalogues and de-

scribes them and offers them for sale. SomeTery amusinc incidents enliven these sales.The prospective buyer always visits the ken-nels and looks over the lot, and it is seldomthat he chooses unaided the best dog. Notlone ago Brisk and Trump, two exceedinglyvaluable and well-know- n show dogs, wereoffered by Mr. Belmont for $50 each. Oneman, in opposition to Mr. Belmont's advice,relused absolutely to take either dog, andpicked one ont by himself that never haswon and never will win a prize. Finallyone of the docs was sent to the bench showin Toronto, where it made a. hit and wassold lor $150, and the other dog, about thesame time, made an equally good sale.

"Are all your puppies as good specimensas those you have here?" I asked Mr. Bel-mont.

"Most of them are creditable, but somefall below our standard either through in- -

--';.&Z

Currying a Faxorite.herited causes or accidents in the kennelsand on the walks."

'I suppose those you give away?""No, indeed. Those we destroy. "We can

not let dogs go out of the kennels that willhurt their reputation. That would be veryunwise. "When a puppv or even a maturedog meets with an accident that destroyshis usefulness, we destroy him. This iseither done by drowning or shootinsr, and isperfectly painless in both instances."

As unlike the Blempton kennels as ispossible, save in the one respect that bothcontain dogs, are the Hempstead farm Ken-nels ot Thomas H. Terry and A. O. Lewis.Both Mr. Terry and his partner are wellknown among the dog lovers at home andabroad. The former is trie Vice Presidentof the American Kennel Club, Secretary ofthe fashionable "Westminster Kennel Clubof this city, and Mr. Lowis is the managerof the American Kennel Club Stud Book.The Hempstead kennels are about two milesfrom Mr. Belmont's place, and within ashort distance from the kennels of the aris-tocratic Meadowbrook Hunt.

COMFOBTABLE KENNELS.Mr. Terry, who is the founder of the ken-

nels, obtained his start by the pnrchase ofthe entire string of imported rough-coate- d

collies, then the property of Dr. "W. J. Dou-ne- y,

of Newmarket, Md., in 1881. Thekennels were removed to Hempstead in 1883and are now the largest of this kind inAmerica. In arrangement the Hempsteadkennels are very different from those ot Mr.Belmont The dogs are kept in two large,

rooms. Around the wallsthere extends a low, straw-covere- d bench.To this each dog is chained. The kennelscombine the comfortable features of caninehouse life with those of a bench show. Thedogs are always ready for exhibition. Backof these kennels are four yards, 200 feetdeep. In these the dogs take their daily exercise.

The kennels are managed by AugustusBushmore, an experienced collie and hunt-ing dog trainer. Among the famous dogsin the collection are the imported championTweed II., whose list of field trial andbench show prizes would fill a newspapercolumn; the imported champion RobinAdair, also a great prize winner; the im-

ported Glengarry, champion Znlu Princes?,champion Lady of the Lake and championLass o' Gowrie. Altogether the 75 collies,puppies and all, represent a market value ofnearly (20,000, and many of the importeddogs cpst lrom $500 to $1,000.

The kennel treatment of collies does notdiffer materially from that of other dogs.They are fed once a day on biscuits or meatbroth and rice, hominy or oatmeal, and theyare given abundance of exercise. The pres-ent quarters were finished less than a monthago, and combine all of the improvementsknown in kennel building. The kitchen isa marvel of neatness and usefulness, andwill compare favorably with that of mostfarm houses of the bettter class.

The Hempstead Farm kennels are theideal ones for collies. Back of the farmstretches the leTel plains that once belongedto A. T. Stewart, the merchant prince. Mr, J

THB PITTSBTJKGr DISPATCH, SIJNDAT, NOVEMBER VTf 1889

Terry basleased 2.000 acres from the estateand proposes to add the raising of sheep tothe breeding ol collies. He already islargely engaged in the raising of the settersand pointers, and owns the largest herd ofJersey cattle on Long Island. Thus it wiltbe seen that the Hempstead collies of thefuture will not only be well bred, but welltrained, and, what is more, he will come ofwell-train- progenitors, so that all of hiswonderful instincts will come to him freshand vigorous. Benjamin Nobthbop.

HOME ART AND ARTISTS.

Mb. Jaspee LAWMAN has just finished anoil portrait of Mr. Walter, tne soap manufac-turer.

' Onb of the latest works by Mr. Charles"Walz is a life-siz- e portrait in oil, which ma7 heseen at Young's.

A batzteb cleverly-execute- d portrait, bear-ing evidence of skillful handling, is shown atBoyd's. The work beaTs the name of E.Williams.

Quite a number of fine pictures by Europeanartists will be shown at Gillespie's 'daring theweek. Something above the ordinary in theway of etching is exhibited there at present.The subject is a landscape, with sheep, afterthe picture by A. Manve entitled, "Dans laBrujere." It is etched by Mr. C. I. Dake.

Mb. A. V. King shows a very pleasing studyof still hie at Gillespie's. The subject consistsof a brace of game birds tied together by thefeet, and hung to a nail in a board. The studyis a very simple one. but at the same tltno itproduces quite a pleasant effect as it showssome good drawing and at the same time it isfreely and vigorously bandied.

Mb. D. B. Walkxet has just completed sev-

eral fine paintings which will shortly be placedupon exhibition. He is working away as indus-triously as usual, and has a number of Impor-tant works under way. The statement pub-lished in a Pittsburg paper to the effect thatMr. Walkley had left the city is entirely with-out foundation. He ha not left Pittsburg, andhas no intention of dning so.

A couple of new paintings by Mr. Jas. R.Woodwell are shown at Gillespie's. They areboth marine views, and were painted duringtbepast summer. The style of execution is easilyrecognizable as that oi Mr. Woodwell. and theeffect rendered in each work is that of a verypleasant aspect of sea ana sky ana shore. Bothpictures have considerable strength of color,but the one which shows a curling wave aboutbreaking upon the shore is rather the mostpleasant of the two, as tne whole tone of thework is the brighter and more cheerful. It isalso the best in style of composition and linearrangement.

Among other interesting objects that orna-

ment the studio of Miss Madge Irwin Is a largechina vase which that versatile young artistmodeled during a recent visit to the potteriesat Steubenville, Ohio. This work is quite ahandsome piece of art ware, the modeled de-

sign consisting of a large dragon clinging tothe side of the vase. It is one of a numberwhich Miss Irvin has recently executed, andshe has orders for several other such pieoesfor the Steubenville potteries. The superiorquality of the ware turned out at these worksis evidenced by the fact that some of the finer?ieces are purchased by Tiffany 4 Co., of New

Miss Irvin has just finished a numberof flower studies, which are very clean andstrong in color. Among them is a large deco-rated panel of geraniums, and another smallerone of petunias.

When a book Is written or a piece of musiccomposed, there must, if the work is to be ofany value, have been in the author's mind someidea or purpose other than the mere desire towrite the book or compose the music; theremust have been some new thought or feelingto express, some new truth to teach, or at leastan old idea that will admit of a new and betterform of expression; falling this, the labor willbe thrown away and result only in the produc-tion of a workthat is without strength or value.So it is in art. unless a picture impresses oneas filling a place which none other has done,unless it tells us of a truth which we have notelsewhere learned, it might as well have beenleft unpainted. Assuming that an artist ispossessed of a certain degree of technicalskill, a picture from bis brush will have agreater or lesser value according as the objectwhich leads to its production wasnoble or commonplace. A crear pic-ture is simply the embodiment ofa noble thought in a suitable form of expres-sion, and aside from its technical qualities, willbe an exact reflex ot the depth of feeling andIntellectual power possessed by its author. Itis the deeply earnest and religious mood inwhich the old masters painted, and the strengthof purpose and feeling with which they in-

vested their works, that gave to theirproduc-tio- n

a quality of strength which is felt andappreciated even yet, and will continue to bein spite of changes which time and the evolu-tion of ideas may bring to pass in the purposesand practice of art. In this one respect themen who lived in a more sober age possesseda slight advantage over the artists of thepresent day, but it it one that is overbalanceda thousand times by the superior knowledgeof modern painters. It is this superior knowl-edge that has broadened the scope of art, andrendered certain qualities of technical excel-lence objects in themselves worth striving for.The clever artist of modem times is a trainedobserver, and his skill is such that it enableshim to execute a clear and intelligible record ofhis observations. His mission then, if be boumply clever and not burning with the fire ofgenius which promnts him to oripnate greatthoughts, is to look about him with his d

ej es and tell us hat he sees. Thns weare made acquainted with many fundamentaltruths that would otherwise escape our obser-vation; bavins had ourattentiou directed to theworkings of some natural law by the inspectionof a picture paintc d with that end in view, welearn to look for the same effect in nature andfind pleasure in its discovery. A pictorial repre-sentation ofjnatural ccenery mustalwavsbe exe-cuted with a view to the expression of someparticular effect ox nature's varions moods,flie leading object may be tho expression ofbeauty, dignity or grandeur of composition,and in this case all other considerations mustbe keDt subordinate to this one. So also apicture may be notable for its sublimity ofconception, for the beaut' of its coloring,for the degree of artistic feeling ex-pressed in its execution, for anyone of a number of desirable qualities such asatmospheric effect, the expression of greatsnace and distance, the clear brightness of day-light, the flood of golden sunlight or the dark-ness and gloom of a storm: it may express anyone of a thousand different effects, but it mnstrender some one ot them clearly or it is of littlevalue. In a painting representing the variousfeatures of a landscape it matters not how w elltbe different parts may have been executedwhen viewed separately; though the sky, tbetrees tbe rpeks ana ground may all be perfectin themselves, unless they bear to each otherthat nice relation and harmony which cxls.s innatnre at any given moment, the whole doesnot constitute a picture. It is this quality ofharmony and completeness that rendersmodern work more generally pleasing thanthat of tho old-tim-e painters, and it is alongthis line that future advancements in art musttravel,

Otrs customers are now making their holi-day selections; call and make yours. "Wewill lay it away till called for. M. G.Cohen, 'jeweler and diamond expert, 533Smithfield st The only street clock onSmithfield st. in front of door.

JAPANESE WARE BAZAAR.

Grand Holiday Display.This department will close January 1,

1890, making it an exclusive holiday dis-

play. Call and see our wonderful selection."War. Haslage & Son,

81 Diamond (Market square).

Fob bargains in drygoods, carpets andrugs, go to the large bankrupt sale, at auc-tion, of the stock of a New Tork importinghouse now being cold for the benefit ofcreditors at 723 and 725 Liberty st, cornerof Eighth. Sales daily at 10 a. m., 2 and730 P. M.

None but Flennnnt EffectsFollow the freest use.of F. & V.'s Iron Citybeer. The purest materials only en'er intoits composition. All dealers keep it.

Answera to Correspondents.Jack B wins the bet. Certainly French,

Kendrick & Co.'s is the best placo to bnychina. No need to tell you their store is

the City Hall.

Order your photos and crayons for theholidays now at Lies' Popular Gallery, 10and 12 Sixth st. Cabinets $1 per doz. andextra panel picture. rrsu

Cash paid for old gold and silver atHauch's jewelry store, No. 295 Fifth ave.

WTS

Special Sale Flash Saeqneil800 fine plush sacques, $15 to $25, best

values ever shown,arwsu Rosenbatjm Ss Co.

Far Corset BmrcalniGo to the closing-oa- t Mis of F. Schoenth&l,612 Penn stb--

4..

ISLES OF THE BLEST.

Edgar, Wateman Visits the BeautifulAzore Islands,

THE SACRED ISLES OP TflE WEST.

A Curious Yoyajra With Old Breton Hon ofthe Sea.

QUAISX-- AND 6LEEPI OLD CITIES

icohbespondisce or the dispatch.!Ponta Delgada, Azores, October 24.

The force of early oriental tradition un-

doubtedly led to the discovery and peoplingof the American continent. That remoteand mystic phantom of historic and ethicalauthority, the Puranus, placed the Chandradwip, or "Sacred Isles of the "West," withinthe waves and vastness of the Atlantic.Pindar described the place of rest of theGreek heroes as thet Isles of the blest,Where ocean breezes blowBound flowers of gold that glow

On stream or strand.Or glorious trees, whence they"Wreath chanters for the neck and band.The ancient Irish bards were forever sing-

ing of Hy Brazil (or Breassil) as an ocean-hidd-

land of perpetual sunshine, with no-

ble streams, mountains and vales, filled withperennial verdure, where there was neithercare nor decay. The fabled Keltic heroes,like Ossine MacFion, were transported bysupernatural power to this e. thecountry of perpetual youth and island of theimmortals. Compensation in the sad fateof King Arthur at Camelford came in thebearing away bv tender hands of his hurtsoul and wounded body to the "island valleyof Avillon," from whence he shall "comeagain" and give a reign of justice andpeace to his beloved Enzland. Tasso, ofpathetic memory, in his glorious "Gerusa-lemm- e

Liberata," locates the wiles ot theenchantress, Armida, over Rinaldo, whenthe latter onght to have been bael there withGodfrey shying rocks at the heads ofPagans over the walls of old Jerusalem,as being wrought in "the Happy Isles,the Fortunate," placing the islands even solate as 1570 to the west and south of Gibral-tar. The Egyptians also believed in, andsang of, a similar island paradise of whichPlato makes Cretias tell the story, as havingbeen received through his grandfather fromSolon, who gathered its particulars from thepriests of Egypt. The fabled and vast At-lantis of all these nations' fancy may havehad existence and disappeared; or it mayhave existed in magnificent proportions,and its location be still marked by thoseislet minarets which, like the fine, lowtowers of crumbling castles, mutely tell of awondrous olden splendor and power. Ibisconjecture is at least an interesting one, andgains no little fascination when a glance ofyour eye, sweeping in a northwesterly di-

rection over your map from Cape Bayador,on the northwest coast of Africa encountersas possible broken links in a former mightycontinental chain, first the Canary Isles,then the islands of Madeira, and beyond, forhundreds of miles raising their cloud-kisse- d

peaks from sapphire wayes, those lustrousgems of sunny verdure and bloom, theWestern Isles, or the islands of the Azores.

HOW XO BEACH THE AZORES.There are many pleasant wavs, for those

not dreading a wholesome sea voyage, ofreaching the Azores. There, is a line ofsteamers and one of packets from Boston.Certainly one line from New York, whosevessels trade with Mediterranean ports, landpassengers on their way. You may get everymonth or so stanch sailing packets fromquaint old New Bedford, that single Ameri-can seaport town which still believes inAmerican ships and American seamen.From Southampton, England, you can, dur-ing the orange, or winter, season securepassage by sailer or steamer almost any dayof the week. "While from Lisbon, the Gov-ernment mail steamers of Portugal depart forthe Azores, with regularity on the first and15th of every month. Being at tbe old cityof Nantes, on the Loire, and but a fewmiles from the Bay of Biscay, I had a"

choice only, so all wise authorities urged, ofLisbon or Southampton for a port oi de-parture; but coming upon some deliciousoranges wrapped in tell-tal- e corn husks atone of the fruit stalls of Bue du Calvaire, Iplayed the commercial and maritime de-

tective along the quays from Nantes to fit.Nazaire, and found for I know thoseoranges came not from the Madeiras, bntthe Azores, as surely as "Bourbon" couldbe traced to Kentucky, and not to Mainea jaunty Breton brigantine just ready toset sail for Ponta Delgada, the cap-ital of St. Michael and the chief city ofthe Azores. Its captain, a good-nature- d

soul, broad, bushy and benign, nothingloth of kindly company, gave me his ownberth and freedom of his tiny cabin, withpassage, for just 100 francs, agreeing to Betme down safely at Ponta Delgada, whitherhe was bound for a second cargo of oranges,providing fair winds prevailed, within tendays; and within as many hours we hadlost sight of the noble lighthouse of St.Nazaire, and, on a southwesterly course,had sighted the grim crags of Spain atFinisterre, when night shut out the land,which came not again to sight until thegray peak of Pico, one of the Azores, whichrises over 7.000 feet above the sea, on themorning of the fifth day of our voyage, wasseen as but a tiny speck on the far westernhorizon.

A CTJEIOUS VOYAGE.

It was a curious voyage with these oldBreton men of the sea. Some singular wayswere found among them. Their vile sourwine, which! they consumed by the gallon,their garlic, caviare and salted fish, theirwhite bread of wheaten rock, their stews andsoups, and coffee black as ink, and theircooking above decks in the old utensils oftwo centuries ago, at all hours of day andnight, after the mannenof the picturesqueCuban coasters I once kuew, are all of un-savory memory. But the good fellowshipbetween master and man, the utter lack ofthe howling brutality under the guise of"discipline" upon American vessels, theconstant urbanitv between fellows, and politehumility of captain to seamen, with theirsplendid physique, the picture-makin- g dressand groupjngot the crew, theircurling hair,fine, glossy beards, tremendous chests andfrank, free, sunny faces ever turning to onein respectful deference or pleasant smile,were all like melodious verse to an enchant-ing idyl of the sea.

The Azores, named from the acor, orhawk, are nine islands lying in an extendedgroup whose general direction ranges north-west from St. Mary, the southernmostisland lying in the latitude of Gibraltar,about 350 miles northwest, to Corvo, thenorthernmost island, in the latitude ofPhiladelphia. The nine islands comprisethree groups. The southwestern containsSt. Mary with 3G square miles and 9,000people; St. Michael, tne largest .azoreanisland, with 224 square miles and about112,000 inhabitants; and the Formigas, orAnts, a group of exposed rocks, hidden fromview by fogs and exceptionally dangerousduring the winter. The central group con-

sists of Fayal, with 40 sqnare miles andabout 28,000 souls; Terceria, with 180 squaremiles and perhaps 60,000 sonls; Graciosa,with 32 sqnare mile and 13,000 people; St.George, with about 90 square miles and 19,-0-

souls; and Pico with possibly an area of80 square miles and 20,000 inhabitants.There are but two islands in the northwest-ern group, Flores and Corvo, the formerwith about 130 square miles and 12,000 souls,and the latter with not upward of 40 squaremiles and 1,500 people. The Azores there-fore have a total area of 850 square miles, orthree-fourt- that of the smallest of theUnited States, and a combined populationof 280,500, barely exceeding that of RhodeIsland, as given by the census of the latterfor 1880.

LOCATING THE ISLES.The clearest and simplest way to geograph-

ically locate the Azores in one a mind is toremember them as a scattered group, or asdetached groups, lying in the Atlantio al-most in the path of Europe-boun- d steamert,

about 2,000 miles east of Philadelphia andNew York, 750 miles west of Spain and Por-tugal, and 1,100 miles to the west of southof England. Historically considered theyare almost devoid of interest, their relationto the fabulous fancies of oriental legendsrising far superior to the realism of theiractual discovery and colonization by thePortuguese about the middle of the 15thcentury. In the main the Azores have beenveritable Isles of Peace. The wretchedstruggles between Spain and Portugalscarcely ever reached in ill effect to theseenchanting shores; and the occasional belch-ing of a volcano or toppling over of a monn-'tai- n,

with perhaps as infrequent a disputewith British men-of-wa- r, or an Algerianpirate, over the spoils of some petty, som-

nolent port, have furnished the most trvingvexations these simple, sunny people haveknown or owned.

On the morning of the seventh day outfrom Nantes we sighted St, Michael. Bynoon we were abreast of its northwesterncraggy peaks and basaltic headlands; and,after several honrsof pleasant sailing almostunderneath the frowning battlements ot theheights of the "Seven Cities,'" the Cande-lari- a,

and Picode Vigario, weronndedPointDeleada. and came to anchor within theartificial harbor of the chief city and port ofSt. Michael, quaint and sleepy old PontaDelgada, the third city in size and import-ance in Portugal and the Azores. The har-bor itself is but a slight indentation withina great semicircular arm of the sea, foreverexposed to fierce, though balmy, southwestwinds. The city straggles to the right andleft for more than a mile from tbe docks,and creeps prettily out and up over pleasantways of verdure and early winter bloom to-

ward a circling group of high and serratedoutlying hills.

A "WARM BECEFTION.

The Government mail boat havingsteamed out of the harbor with frantic dem-

onstrations of interest and regard on tnepart of the thousands . collected at the lowerplazas and along the quays, the customsand health officers, tobacco boats, beggars'boats, and hotel runners' boats now swarmedabout our little brigantine, and we wereboarded, taken, examined, questioned, andbullied not a little, after the uncttfousPortuguese manner; but all with an ampli-tude of deferential politeness far exceedinganything I have ever elsewhere seen.The bowing, scraping, hat-doffi- andsalaams between our captain and theofficers during the meagerly necessary for-

malities of port entrance, were somethingastounding. My captain was fully theirequal in these cordial gymnastics, but thecold blood of a Northern clime coursingthrough my own veins rendered my part inthese proceedings so stiff and stately that Iwas instantly set npon as an undoubted

who must be captured for prey;whereupon more than a score of apparentlyhalf-ma-d boatmen and rnnners sang, palav-ered and howled in hideous chorus, "inGod's name" to "Durnia na minha casaesta noitel" that is to "Lodge with me thisnight!" But my good Breton captain bel-lowing at them all "Bastantel bastantel"preserved me from these superlativelypolite vultures; and, when eveninghad come, took me in his own gig to thelanding, led me up the slippery stairsand conducted me through plazas, courtsand beneath huge arches into aclean and pleasant, but dark and silent, toan ancient habitation where we halted.Here after much knocking and bawling anold man made his appearance. He and theCaptain fell upon each other's necks andkissed. Then solemnly proceeding througha flower-fille- d patio, or court, we came to anapartment where sat the old man's wife anddaughter. The former showered all mannerof greetings. The latter, an Azorean beautyof no immature years, sat silent andblushed as the big 'Breton as blushinglystammered his greeting to her. It was easyto see I had fallen upon a little romance atthe outset. But that could wait; and in a fewmoments all the wonderful verbal floriture ofnegotia'tion had resulted in securing for mea home while at Ponta Delgada for bnt one"serrilha," or about 25 cents in Americanmoney, per day. I knew the Captain wouldtarry "below, and, promising to visit himaboard his brigantine on the morrow, I badetbe croup a plain English "Good night!" towhich they all responded with an unctuous"Deos o permital" when the aged Senhor,with a light consisting of a wick dimly flick-ering from a basin of lard, showed me to acomfortable room, whose balcony overhungthe street below. In this, and upon a bed ofcornhusks as clean and sweet as in my oldenAmerican farm home ever prompted topleasant boyhood dreams, I passed my firstnight in the balmy isles of the Azores.

Edgar L. Wakejian.

Sate money by purchasing your holidaypresents in diamonds, watches, jewelry,silverware, clocks, bronzes, etc, V! M. G.Cohen, diamond expert and jeweler, 533Smithfield st. Large street clock in front ofdoor.

GREAT SALE OF CARPET REMNANTS

IrTon Want to be Prepared to Give ThankaWhen the Day Cornea,

Drop in during week commencing Novem-ber 18, and look over our carpet remnants onfirst floor.

Velvet carpet remnants.Body Brussels remnants.Tapestry Brussels remnants.Ingrain carpet remnants.The prices are, like the carpets, but rem-

nants of what they bring in the roll.The pieces rnn lrom 10 to 30 yards, big

enough to cover any ordinary room.Edwabd Gboetzinoeb,

627 and 629 Penn avenue.

See! Hear! Buy!$44 5 oct, parlor organ, new.$55-"- -6 oct. parlor organ, new.520 5 oct. parlor organ, sec hand.$25 5 oct. parlor organ, sec. hand.5100 7 oct, square piano, sec hand.$130 7ji oct. square piano, sec. hand.$175 7 oct. upright piano, new.Please cut this out and put it in your hat

for future reference, and remember when youbuy from other dealers at the outrageousprices they a3k, you are making the richricher and enslaving yourself.

Our store open every night till 9 P. M.Echols, McMtjrbay & Co.,

123 Sandusky street,(Telephone Building.) Allegheny, Pa.Tusu '

Pittsburg and links Erie Railroad ChanceIn Time.

There will be no change in time ofthrough trains, except that the afternoon ex-press lor Cleveland will leave at 420 P.M. (central time) instead of 4:10, as hereto-fore. This train will have a Pullman par-lor car for Cleveland and will rnn toYoungstown daily. The Youngstown ac-commodation, arriving at 920 a. m. willrun daily. The Beaver Falls local trainwin leave at 720 A. M. instead ot au asnow. Two additional accommodation trainswill run to Coraopolis leaving at 5:35 A. M.and 820 a. ll. Returning trains will leaveCoraopolis at 6:15 and 9:10 A. M. TheBeaver Falls accommodation will leave at620 p. m., instead of 5:15, as now.

On the P. McK. & Y., the West Newtonaccommodation will leave at 9:30 A. U. in-stead of 10.-05-, and 520 P. M., instead of5:15. Three additional trains have been puton between Pittsburg and McKeesport, inconnection with the Bellcvernon Railroad,running through to Belleveruon solid. Theywill leave at 620 and 11:15 A. u. and 350P. M. Trains from Bellcvernon will arriveat 7:45 A. m., and 12:30 and 5 P. if.

O BE JOYFUL! t

Let Us All Give Thanks and Celebratethe Day.

Of course you will want brandy oldHennessy, for puddings, sauces and mincepies and wine to add zest to appetite andgood cheer to the company. Tbe plare toget all these good thines is at the HalfCenturv Liquor House, 523 Liberty street,foot of Fifth avenue.

81 06 November La.t Month SI 60For fine cabinets at $1 00 per dozen, atAufrecht's Elite Gallery, 516 Market street,Pittsburg. Elevator. Fine crayons.

HThssa

T V

HOME, SWEET HOME.

The Intense Longing in the Heart of aSailor ttho Has Spent Three

LOHG TEAKS' IN FOEEIGN SEAS.

Crews of tbe China Squadron Cheering aHomeward-Boun- d Ship.

A SOLEMN BDEIAL SERYICB AT BEA

IWBOTXX VOB THE DISPATCH.

Can you realize the intense longing forhome which grows up in theheartof a sailorwho has passed a three years' cruise on aforeign station?

"We had spent that length of time on theChina station, and were expecting orders byefery mail steamer to make the best of ourway home. Steamer after steamer came,but no qrders, and growls at the delay wereloud and deep. Some of the old sailorsseemed to think it was due to the presenceon board of some unlucky Jonah, and it waswell for Jonah that the initials of his namewere not known.

"We had sailed from Panama three yearsbefore, and had reached tbe station alter acruise through the Pacific Islands. Every-thing was novel to us, and tbe first year hadpassed very quickly. "We visitedthe principal Chinese and Japa-nese ports, and rapidly becameaccustomed to the sight of oriental faces,with eyes cut on a bias, and that pride of aChinaman's heart, his pigtail. Of Euro-pean or American society there was verylittle, and how we did wish for the sight ofthe pretty faces and trim figures ot ourAmerican eirls. As one of the-- youngstersput it, "If I could clap eyes on one of thosesweet creatures again, I would surely fall inlove on the spot," and he echoed the pre-vailing sentiment. The uncivilized ele-

ments of our surroundings, which at firsthad attracted, owing to their novelty, beganto grow distasteful, and anything that worepetticoats or'reminded us of home, was morsadmired than aught else.

"When orders did arrive.to start, we werelying in tbe harbor at Hong Kong, and allwas bustle for a few days, getting in pro-visions and making preparations for ourlong journey. Coal was taken on boardand mess stores of all kinds laid in.The homeward-boun- d pennant was brokenout. and made ready for the mo-mentous day of our departure. "When anaval vessel starts on a cruise, the signalquartermaster commences this pennant, andfor each month that the ship is away headds a certain number ot feet to its length.Our pennant had grown to such an extentduring the cruise that, flying from themainmast head, tbe end floated far astern,being buoyed up by a small balloon.

A HAPPX" SAT.The final day came, and boats were con-

stantly coming from the shore with belatedparcels, and the ship was crowded withlAtindrvmen and enmnrArlorf ftnttlinc billR.The old ship herself seemed to partake ortne suppressed excitement visible on all thefaces, and with steam hissing from her es-

cape pipes, nde uneasily to her cable,which had been hove short during themorning waUh. aAt-la- st all the visitorswere hnstled out'of the shiD. and the oldbos'n, with a due sense of the gravity of theoccasion, blew his shrill pipe, and in a voicerendered harsh and grating by contests withmany a gale, passed the order, "Allhandsupanchor for home" No song by prima donnaor tenor was. ever greeted with such ap-plause, nor could any such hare sounded sosweet to ears that had waited for phis cry forso long a time. I remember that as theword was passed, the story of""Philip No-lan, or the Man Withont a Country," cameto mv mind, and I realized then what a se-

vere punishment was his: To see ship aftership leave for his native land, and never al-lowed even to hear its name mentioned.

HEAVTHO THE AUCHOB.The men rushed for the capstan when the

order was given, and with a hurrah theanchor was brought to the cathead. Thelong pennant streamed out astern, givingnotice to the ships in the harbor'that wewere homeward bound, and tbe engines be-gan to turn over Slowly we threaded ourway through the vessels about us, steamingaround each oi the r, and the men,clustered in the' rigging, cheered each oneas we passed, and were cheered in return.Our racing boat's crew had been the victorsin every contest while on the station, andwhen the last ship was passed, a fine gamecock, our em Diem oi supremacy, was thrownfrom the maintop, and fluttered down to thewater. In an instant boats darted fromeach of the ships, and the bird was rescued,the rescuers having to defend its possessionagainst all challengers. A dummy Jonahwas thrown overboard, and supposed tocarry with it all bad luck which might in-terfere with a pleasant pissage home. Inthe meantime the band had been playingappropriate airs, such as "The Girl T LeftBehind Me," "Obi Ain't I Mighty Glad toGet Out of the "Wilderness," and as wepassed out of the harbor the strains of"Home, Sweet Home" made us all wishthat the way were shorter.

"We stopped at few places on the way, ourroute being across the Indian Ocean,through the Bed Sea and Mediterranean,and across to New York. The weather dur-ing the whole trip was delightful, and itwas a great satisfaction to think that everyknot we made carried us so much nearerhome. The girls at home certainly didhave hold of the tow rope, and the waythe old ship made time gave evidencethat a goodly number of them were inter-ested in our quick return.

A FUNERAL AT SEA.

One member of onr crew was destinednever again to see his native shore. Hewas a young apprentice boy, who was taksnsick about the time we started for home,and had gradually grown worse. He was ageneral favorite, and many of tbe sailorsused to visit him as he swung in his cot inthe sick bay, and try to cheer him up. Thepoor fellow seemed to realize that his num-ber had been called, and that he must soonanswer the dread summons, but he made abrave fight against death until the last, hop-ing against hope that he might hold outuntil he could see his old mother who livedin New York. He lingered until we werehalt way across the Atlantic Ocean whenexhausted pature gave up the unequal strug-gle. The burial took place next day.Under any circumstances, a burialis an impressive sight, but doubly so whenit occurs at sea. It was a bright, sunshinyafternoon and the ship was under fullsail. The body had been stitched up in ahammock, weigntea witn a couple of shot,and was placed on a bier on the quarterdeck and covered with the Union Jack. Tbelight sails were taken in and the ship hoveto with the main topsail to the mast, roeand fell slowly to the movement of thewaves. The bos'n's call was again he"ard,but how changed the' tone, and burdenedwith what a sad significance. "All handsbury the dead." Tbe men and officers gath-ered-

the quarterdeck with bared heads.anda cloud at that moment, obscuring the sun,threw a veil of gloom overthe scene. Amida most impressive silence the chaplainstepped out, and in a voice which washardly under control, commenced readingthe burial service.

COMMITTED JO THE SEEP.

"When. he reached that passage whichreads: "'We therefore commit his body tothe deep," the pallbearers lifted the bier,and carried it to the gangway, resting oneend on the rail. As the solemn words wereuttered, the end of the bier was raised andthe body plunged into the water with asound that seemed the crudest thing I hadever heard. Few eyes were dry, and it wasdays before the impression produced diedaway.

In a couple of weeks more we reachedNew York. My first sight of God's owacountry was when I went on deck at mid-nish- f.

and Barnezat light wa Is s&rhL Ieteed there for sosa tine waieUsg tM !,

con and thinking over the things that hadhappened since I last saw it.

By noon the next day we were at anchoroff the Battery, and in a few" days the crewwere paid off and scattered. Many a homewas made happy by the presence of a long-abse- nt

husband, father or son, and manywonderful yarns were spun about the thingsseen daring the cruise just ended.

A.M.H.HARRISONS THANKSGIVING TURKEY

To he a Plump Rhode Inland Bird, AlreadyBeadr for the Sacrifice.

isrxcuz.xxi.xaxAii to tux sisrxTcn.iPeovidence, B, I., November 16.

President Harrison is to have a plumpBhode Island turkey for his Thanks-giving feast, and it maybe a source of grati-fication to him to know that the bird that isto grace his table has already been selected.Senator Anthony in his lifetime providedthese delicacies for the Bepuhlican Presi-dents and Mr. John M. Brennan performeda similar service for President Cleveland.President Harrison will be indebted to Mr.George C. Leonard, of this city, and Mr. H,H. "Whiley, of South Kingston, for hisbird. The latter raised it, and the formerhunted the country over until he found theone that was in his opinion best suited totbe President's stomach.

The bird will be killed in the most ap-proved fashioo, and will be packed ip achampagne basket, with other delicacies.Then 'it will be sent by express to the "WhiteHouse, on the day before Thanksgiving.

HAMPTON'S FOOT IN IT.

Ferr of His Friends Think He Was S- -cleotly Dignified.

IBrXCUZ. TXXZOUAlt TO TUB DI8FATCH.1

Charleston, S. C, November 16.Postmaster General "Wanamaker has veryfew friends in the Palmetto State, outside ofsuch fourth-clas- s postmasters as owe theirappointment to him. But Senator Hamp-ton's letter to him in reference to theColumbia postoffiee is not approved In thisState outside of Columbia and thecapitol.Many of his worshipers think that he haspnt bis foot into it this time. A good manyof the Democratic newspapers are silent onthe subject. Others are outspoken In con-demnation of the letter to Wanamaker. TheGreenville Dally News, red-h- ot Democratic,says editorially:

Tbe document Is not a finished or beautifulproduction of sarcasm, and its taste and dig-nity as a communication from a Senator of tbeUnited States are open to question. If SenatorHampton thought necessary, for his own vindi-cation, to assure tbe public that be had beendeceived by tbe Postmaster General be couldhave done so In direct and dignified terms.

- -

In Slalnr.

SgrfyFu

Visitor That's a fine globe yon havethere.

Host Yes, geography has always beenmy favorite study. Clinton, yon may runout and pla awhile.

Host Say when, old boy! Puck.

Are Too Afflicted?Beader, are you afflicted, and wish to re-

cover the same degree of health, strengthand energy of body and mind experiencedin former years? Do any of the followingsymptoms or class of symptoms meet yourdiseased condition? Are yon suffering frombad health in any of its many forms conse-quent on a lingering, nervous, chronic orfunctional aiseaser jjo you leei nervous,debilitated, fretful, timid, and lack the pow-ers of will and action? Are you subject toloss of memory, have spells of flashes ofheat, and dizziness In the head, and feellistless, moping, unfit for business orpleasure, and subject to fits of .melan-choly? Are your kidneys, stomach,urinary organs, liver or blood in a disor-dered condition? Do you suffer fromrheumatism, neuralgia or aches- - andpains? Are you timid, nervous and fretful.with your mind constantly dwelling on thesubject? Have you lost confidence in your-self and energy for the active duties of life?Are you subject to restless nights, brokensleep, dreams, palpitation of the heart, bash-fulne- ss,

confusion of ideas, aversion to so-

ciety, vertigo, ringing in the ears, dimnessof sight and blotches on the face and back,obstinate constipation, pain in the back andgeneral derangement of the whole system?If you are thus suffering you should consultDr. Smitb; 315 Penn avenue, the eminentspecialist in nervous diseases,' and be re-

stored to health and happiness. Office hours,9 A. M. to 8 P. M. Sundays, 10 A. M. to 12 m.The doctor invites corresponce from peopleat a distance, but never answers any lettersunless they contain two stamps.

Tbe Holidays Are Approaching.Yon are thinking about bnying a watch.

The best and cheapest place in the city fordiamonds, watches and fine jewelry is stHauch's jewelry store, No. 295 Fifth ave.Established 1853. tots

THE PITTSBURG LAMPIs the best in the market. It is the most

Perfect in construction, gives themost light,less oil and yon can buy them from

us at lowest prices, as we are the agents inPittsburg for their sale.

i

1

"We are now receiving our HolHay Gaeds,beautiful Dinner and Chamber Sets; a com.plete Hue of Fancv Goods, suitable lor presents.

If you want to save money and who doesn't!you can do it at

E. P. WALLACE & CO.,211 wood snurar,

Opposite BC Charles Hotel, erlOfl and 104 THIRD ATS.

HOTEtS. , v. 1

HQTEL BON AIR,Snmmervflle Heights, Augusta, Ga.

This new and elegant hotelwlth accommoda-tio- ns

lor soo guests, will open its doors for wintertourists Dec 1st. 1SS9. In Its construction, nothlngthat will contribute to tha comfort; of Its . .

patrons na3 been ominea;ic 13 unsurpassea inall lt3 appointments and general tpne. Otis ele-vator; steamheat; open fireplaces In bedrooms: ,

electric bells; telegraph office: elegant parlorsand dining room: pure mountain spring water;rooms en suite, with private; and public baths;Bteamlaondry; excellentllvery. with picturesque)drives and waits, are some Of its attractions.The Hotel Bon Air will be under tne superiormanagement of Mr. C. A. Iinslev. ot Hassacnu.setts, late proprietor otteGleiihamBceX'FIftliAvenue, new xorir, ana tne "Anuers," ColoradoSprings. A liandsomly Illustrated book contain-ing full Information win be sent on applicationto ilx.Unaley, Augusta. Ca. ' '

solMS-eos- a 4

rrHE HOTEL MASOBY. Vj1 THOJrAsvnxii gaaJThis luxurious hotel, ror tne seasons or isbu-'k- , -

opcrs Dec. 11 under tbe popular management sm

for comfort and bealtb: sanitary' dralnaeststeam heat; furniture and appointments tha ivery finest; elegant rooms: American cu!sine,Vand rates moderate. For rates or fuller par- -ttculan. address RYLAND HAMILTON'"Tbom&sville. Ua., or Colonnade Hotel. Pbilv-'-Jaeipnia, until uec j. boii--

teumMoOzconaCccc&Cee,

HAVE BECETVED THE -

Gold Medal--AT THB--

nimn rvnnoiTiniirjtnia CAruaiuun.

0mmmIPERRINSl

A.G STj

Sold by

JOS. H0RNE &WJocS345.wsa

MISS LYDIA MOKU AN.Whom 2D doctors said roust die of eontmap

Her disease was caused by catarrh. She saystg'1 had a snort backing cough, tightness lnforachest, short breath, and I felt tired all the tna3As I grew weaker X suffered witn tbose terrtblajDizht sweats. 31 r fader toot me to 3) pbiciaus, wno said I could not be cured. IdoJtorea witn many pnysicians, due gotAlter u years ot sunering l oecan treats!with tbe physicians of the Catarrh and Pjiuwsia. Institute, 223 Penn avenue, to whom I oWmr recovery. My congb. Is cone; I nave idizziness, ringing In tbe ears, headache or nlgWlsweats any more. The pain and soreness In ssyjstomacn nave left me; my food digests wensalthat now no gas forms in my stomach. JXyjtnroat nsea to oe so sore I could Hardly Ilow; that Is cured. I feel well and strong;1 swhy should I not praise these doctors for tksifjsaving me from such an untJmuy death ru j

MISS IiTDIA MOSOA2r

Kearsaree st,near VIrginl3,on Alt. Washing

Treatment by CorrespendgA system by which patients are snecessfaflyj

treated at their homes by correspondeneMr. David "West, of Prospect, Butler county,!

an extensive farmer and a well-kno- dealersIn horses, suffered from catarrh andasthma'f ora15 years. His head, nose and throat wasUnually stuffed up and bad a burningtloru He was so suffocated at nights that)lcould not sleep, and there were wbeezfajclsounds from his lungs when he breathed. Halbegan treatment, and on November She wrote: j"I bave no stuffed-u- p feeling, or burning 1 Imy nose and. throat, no suffocation nights toriwneezmg." aal

The Catarrh and Dvroerola Institute isoer."!manently located at S3 Penn ave. TneycarvCatarrh, Dyspepsia and Diseases of WoaeaT

uonsuiiaaonireeioaii. umce.nours,WAZKto 4 p. t, ana e to BF.jf. Hunaajs,i3t04 F.'a

noiu--

t,OL . ZtM

'.MV.l jJ v 4Bnmm

GUN WA is a Chinese Physlqian;:Owing to existing laws he cannot piaoMiiE

meoicine in America, bo ne nas preparesiailine ot Chinese herb and vegetable speoHJwhich, instead of simply relievinjr sympt-nma.-

strike at the VERY BOOT OF DISEASE,!!perform cures that are nothing less tnaa wvelous. A friendly taHrandCONaULTATK!with Gun Wa COSTS NOTHING. He Chanbut a small sum for bis remedies, which, thofkgentle and harmless to take, are certain a Iunerring- - in their effects. They SPEEDILTJcuius ait Diood, nervous ana cnronicaisMYonnir. middle-aire- d or old men. suffer

uiCKiy restorer! to muuoj. rmoijh:fcAljlll. UUil WAUSMUiuiuiujAFFUCTED. If you cannot call, write Mea.--!

in perfect confidence. Send for history of helllire, ana nis circular on vancer, j.nmorsiWorm, Rheumatism. Catarrh. Female wanru. or Piles. Inclose 4c ILunra forjrwOffice hours, 9 A. jtto 13 K.) 1 to 6 aad 7,1

G-TJ3S-T "W.A.,MOPenn ArvcFlttm'bTuemt- -

oco-wo- u

- TONEY TO IREIANW. BCOTLAKB AJFB1YL England can best be seat by cheeks

tfceCneque.Bank," which are MilliMfjHeaakers, merebaata and tnaiHeil.CHEI

jr&faoT-MA- X SCW tMWaF4WIHaaQrMajNVr Iwf JT VlaH i MHa