R. T. Van Horn & Co., Publishers.*

Friday, April 29, 1870.

     Hon. R. T. Van Horn, returned from Washington yesterday.

     The fire engine is back again in its old quarters.  Glory!

     A postal route is being established on the M. P. R. R.  This change may for a short time render some delay in the delivery of this paper along the line.  Subscribers will exercise a proper patience we hope, till everything is again "lovely."

     Mr. James M. Nave, the well known wholesale merchant of Delaware street, returned yesterday from a business trip to the Sucker State.  His jaunt seems to have agreed with him.

     A great number of our country cousins were  in the city yesterday, buying and selling.

     Steam is hard at work in a thousand different ways in behalf of our city.  Steam is now pumping up water from the river to supply a brickyard on one of our bluffs, and very soon Steam will take hold of our Bridge, and turn the draw whenever necessary, relieving the nine men who are now employed to do that work.  Steam deserves a longer notice than this, and will get it one of these days.

     The Catholic Festival given last evening in Sweeney's new building, was a success -- a triumph!  Not less than three hundred ladies and gentlemen were present, and y et so ample had been the preparations made for their comfort and pleasure, that notwithstanding such an unusual number had gathered together, the occasion proved agreeable to all, and more than satisfied the general expectation. The accomplished members of Volrath's string band was on hand, and the hearts and feet of the happy hearted dancers kept time as the silver footed hours passed too swiftly.  The refreshment tables, presided over with tact and grace by Mrs. Collins and her assistants, were liberally patronized.  Nice sandwiches, elegant cakes of many kinds, and a superior article of ice cream formed the principal refreshments, and the demand was brisk and constant.  Father Halpin and Father Donnelly were present during a portion of the evening's entertainment, and were greatly pleased to see such a crowd of people, enjoying the occasion in so hearty a manner.

     Mr. A. W. Gamble, champion walker of America, is to commence a trial of his endurance at Long's Hall to-night -- to walk 125 miles in 30 consecutive hours, for a purse of $200.  He expects to walk a mi le in 12 minutes, and every three hours to rest 20 minutes, during which time he will sleep.  He challenges anyone to make a match with him as follows:  He will walk one-half mile quicker than any horse can trot a mile and three-eighths, or any horse can run a mile and three-fourths.  He will walk one-quarter mile quicker than any locomotive engine can run ten miles.   In three weeks he goes to California to walk in a match with the champion of England.