SUPERSTITION AND FOLLY.
.' H WASHINGTON, ApFl! lUs l0OVs

 No business was transacted in either House of Congress to-day. except what appertain- ed to the funeral of MT. Alexander Smyth, one of the Representatives from Virginia. h sober truth, the funeral pageantry Of the oc- ccasion was an antidote to serious reflection. The Speaker and Clerk of the House, the President and Clerk of the Senete. the Pall- holders, the members of the Virginia Delega- ton in both Houses. and the reverend Chap lains. were decorated with white scarfs, in ad- dition to the crape on the left arm. which they wore in common with the members of the two Houses. The Chaplain of the Sem ate, observed, made on his hat a gorgeous display of white satin, or some other kind of silk, probably not less than three or four yards, for as he held his hat in his hand, the rich and flowing weeper, the certain token of mourning, swept the floor.

 When looked at this preposterous and absurd display of the oMiacard signs of grief which had no existence ,oithin, could not but approve most heartily ofthe efforts which have been recently made by some ofthe Bap- tist churches of Massachusetts to induce peo pie to dispense with the unmeaning and unne- cassasx shalas of sorrows Mhish cass9n at has has speed then, in their good work and if they could successfully extend their efforts to the metropolis of the Union, and prevent repe- 'itlon ofthe ridiculous S. disgusting mummery which the principal performers in the funeral solemntties of this day were partakers, they would produce reform that would richly entitlc them to crown ofimmortality.-ib.

 BiW Reducing the Duties on Teas and Cof. Jee.-The billnow before Congress, provides, that after December 31st, next, !he duty on coffee shall be 1-2 cents per pound and that from and after Dec. 1881, the following rates of duty shall be collected on teas iu1- ported from China, or any other place east of the Cape of Good Hope, in vessels of the United States, viz: Imperial, Gunpowder, ana Gomee, % cents per pound Hyson and Young Hyson. l8 cts. per pound; Hyson Skin, IF cents per pound; Souchong and other black teas, except Bohea, 10 cts. and Bohea cts. per pound and on teas i'm. ported from any other place, or in vessels other than those of the U. s. the following rates, VIE {: Imperial. Gunpowder, and Go- mec, S7 cts. per pound; Hyson and Young Hyson, 27 cents; Hyson Skin % cents Souchong 18 cents, and BOhea cents per pound.

 The second section provides, that tea and coHee which shall be hereafter put into the Custom House Stores, under the bond of

 

 the control of the proper officer of the cus> t6msA on the. Slst December, 1881, shall be subject to mo higher duty than if the same were imported respectively after the 3lst day Of December, 1881. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to alter or postpone the time when the duty On said tea 1 and coffee shall be payable.

 Wh6te Beef.-A drOver came to market, n | few days since, with 20 fine fat oxen. They l had all the same treatment and food, and | weighed from 1000 to 1900 lbs. each. Al butcher purchased and slaughtered them all | in the usual manner. The meat of l9 of them had the common and uniform appear ance; but the meat of one was nearly white, 30 as [" require near view to be distinguish ed from the fat. The muscular fbres were regular. but fine. the fat abundant, and in its ordinary locations the bones hard the kid neys red and healthy and every part of the animal indicated sound health. A great number Of persons purchased pieces of the beef to try. and afterwards pronounced it ender and excellent. The hair-of the anil nal was black.-BostOR PaI.

 Prctdneaess.-At recent JeIfersonian din- Ter tn this city, MT Isaac Hill proposed the oiiowing as toost: Democracy-" Where ore do take my nesh in my teeth. aBd put ny ''ie ID my hand Though he slay me, l. 1et will trust in him." To quote the most olenln passages of the sacred scriptures over he hlaEiiies of the festive glass, and to substi- ate the mere spiritofa pOlticalparty for the Eternal Jehovah. Is an act of impiety that ,an md no apology even in the rawlings of a iFunlsen dsliFlam.--Vdsh. Spec. |, 