THE PITTSBUBG DISPATCH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1891. Me Biairg. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1S4"6. Vol. AS. o. 45 Entered at Pittsburg Fostoffice, November H. toS7. as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfleld and Diamond Streets. News Booms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamon d Street FAhTEKN ADVElrTISIJ.G OFFICE, koom -t TKIliUNE BUILDING, .NEW YORK, where complete files of 1HL DISPATCH can always be lound. Foreign advertisers appreciate the con venience. Home advertiser and friends ot THE DISPATCH, while in iew York, are also made welcome. THE DISPATCH U rtgularli! on sale at BrmUno'i, 5 Cnwn Square. A'ew York, and 17 Are. de fOpeia, Paris. Firmer, tchere anyone uho has been disappointed at a hotel newt stand can obtain ft TERMS Or THE DISPATCH. FOOTAGE TCEK Cf THE UXITID STATXS. IUILT DisrATCn. One Year I 00 Daily Dispatch, Per Quarter 100 Daily DisrATcn, One -Month.... 70 Daily Dispatch. Including fcunday, lyear.- 10 00 Daily DisrATCn, including fcunday,3m'ths -So Dailv Dispatch, including tundaT. Im'th 90 fctrxDAT Dispatch. One Year :50 Weekly Dispatch, One Year 13 The V ily DisrATCH Is delivered by carriers at -cents per week, or including Sunday edition, at V cents pel wiek. PITTSBURG, WEDNESDAY. MAR. 25. 169L THE NEW CURATIVE BILLS. The greatly discussed new "curative" legislation is now before the Senate, and the leading provisions thereof are given in this morning's Dispatch. How some of these provisions are to work out in detail cannot be grasped at first glance where there is such a multiplicity of them; and besides there is the Supreme Court still sit ting up aloft to keep watch over the consti tutional and technical questions which in these days of intricate law making no or dinary lay mind may fully comprehend. But the general features of the situation are clear enough to warrant plain opinions on the subject As to the necessity of a cuialite bill to provide a legal system for future improvements in place of the illegal s stem which has just been knocked out all are aerced. The text of the measure ju't offered at Harnsburg seems to travel closely on the lines of the old law, except ing where it call for a majority in interest to petition lor improvements in place of the one-third interest which was formerly allow able, and the precautions which are taken very elaborately to insure property owners their full constitutional rights in the courts. As we have said, there must be some law for luture work. This seems to follow the suggestions of the Supreme Court, and will doubtless be passed without objection. The second bill, which is more particu larly designated as "curative," aims to deal with past and suspended improvements. It practically tries to place the cost of the dis puted pavements on the property abutting and benefited. There is no question that in plainest equity there is where the cost rightly belongs. But there is serious doubt whether the Supreme Court will sustain this "curative" act in view of the expressed language of the late decision that the bur den would have to be met by general taxes on account of the irregularities at the incep tion of tbe work. There is also to be counted upon the prejudice against retroactive leg islation, besides the well-known opposition of Governor Pattisou to the principle upon which these improvements -were ordered. It teems probable that even if the act is passed another Supreme Court deliverance will be asked for its construction. The next most important of the bills is the one allowing the city authorities to issue, when, in their judgment occasion arises, 6 per cent interest bearing negotiable obligations of the city. This -will be gener ally and justly regarded as the most ob jectionable and dangerous of tbe city meas ures now at Harrisburg. The vote of the people, of course, if provided for in the bill, will be a salutary check. But on the whole, the principle of running into a fresh 1 lot of interest-bearing indebtedness at a time when the city is getting out of that class of debt is open to the gravest objec tions, which will be fully disenssed later on. Serious complications and heavy losses have resulted to municipal corporations in the past, our own included, from loose handling and loose powers in issuing such obligations. Finally, as for the bills curing the irregu larities in tbe departments, they appear to be required if the Government under the new charter is to go on. It is equally in place to say that it is not improbable the next serious demand for "curative" legisla tion as to these departments is more likely to come from the taxpayers of the city than from the officials themselves, unless a dispo sition to reform m matters of fiscal policy be more or less speedily evidenced. "NECESSARY" MONOPOLIES. ' Concerning a bill to regulate the charges of ferry boats over the rivers at New York, a Brooklyn newspaper remarks, "The ferry business is necessarily a monopoly and cre ated by the State," and thence goes on to argue that the State should therefore regu late its charges so that it shall not take un fair advantage of the people. The deduction is unquestionable if the premise is correct, but it is a remarkable il lustration of the way in which stereotvped and antique superstition is received without question that is afforded when an intelligent person is found at this day to assert that a ferry is necessarily a monopoly. There is nothing whatever in the state of the case to prevent two ferries running side by side in competition with each other, except that stu pid and generally corrupt legislation was induced to grant each ferry a monopoly; and as these ferries ply in navigable waters of the United States, and monopolies are op posed to the spirit of tbe constitution, an intelligent and independent system of law would probably declare the monopolies void. There is an immense amount of talk about natural monopolies, as creating the necessity for State socialism; but if the case is intelligently investigated it will be found that the monopolies which are not created either by the blindness of legislation, or the ability of organized wealth of override the law are about as scarce as just men in Sodom. THE EXAMPLE OF EUROPE. A comparison of actual canal enterprises in Europe with tbe Pittsburg and Lake Erie project is made in a commnnication irom an expert contributor in another part ot this paper. It is shown that while ship canals are either in operation or projected by nearly every one of the leading Govern ments of Europe many of them, at far larger cost than our proposed canal, only one has a larger tonuage awaiting it than the Lake Erie project, and that one does not effect anything like as great an economy in freight charges. The point ii alto nude very clear by this comparison, that wherever in Europe one hall of the tonnage that is awaiting the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Canal could be seen, a canal ot equator greater expense would be promptly built. In France thousands of miles ot canals are in operation for heavy freights, and the costof maintenance instead of being 20c per ton, as a critic of the canal improvement has alleged, is shown by French experience to be about one cent per ton on the probable tonnage of the canal. The example of France in deepening, at a cost of $130,000,000, the canal from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean simply to save the voyage around the Spanish peninsula, and of Ger many in constructing the- Holstem Canal to save the similar voyage around Denmark, is a remarkable evidence how far behind Europe this country is in furnishing inland navigation when there is any hesitation about a project of the importance and value as tbe canal from the Ohio river to Lake Erie. "With the example of Europe before us, and the knowledge that to extend lake navi gation to Pittsburg will maintain "Western Pennsylvania as the iron center of the "Western hemisphere, Pittsburg should nnite all her powers in the effort ot securing the commencement of actual work on the project at the earliest possible period. TAXATION A LIVE TOPIC. That the tax question is beginning to be appreciated in all quarters as one of wide and tender interest just now, is shown by the debate over the State revenue law at Harrisburg yesterday, and particularly by the lively and entertaining placard criticis ing the measure, which was circulated quite freely through the Commonwealth yester day. This placard is supposed to issue from the corporation interests which the new revenue bill, under granger inspiration, makes contribute about double as much as hitherto for the State Treasury. It calls with pathetic fervor upon every citizen to protest against the bill because of its "in quisitorial character," and to try to get it killed in Jue Senate. Only the other day we pointed out with what a lively step the State government was arraying itself alongside the last Con gress in its demands for bigger appropria tions. Very little less than 525,000,000 re presents the aggregate which is asked by the State government at this session of the Legislature. Though the operation ot the Act yesterday discussed is so little under stood that its author, Mr. Taggart, admitted in the House that he "did not and would not understand it until the Supreme Court gets through with it" and alike mistiness as to its effect prevails quite generally the fact seems to be clear at least that the railroad corporations are to be drawn upon heavily to make up thel appropriations which the Legislature means to vote. The revenue acts which preceded this were also "inquisitorial," and so intricate and unequal in operation that few of the taxpayers who were compelled to contribute, as for instance under the famous three mill provision, mane any pretense of understanding more about the subject than than that it was necessary to pay. The shifting of the big portion of the burden to the corporations this year may have one good effect. They have hitherto controlled legislation very much in their own interests at Harrisburg, and were relatively little concerned for the general taxpayer. Nov that they are sharply affected, they are al ready beginning to see that they have in terests in common with the general tax payer. This interest is to limit governmental expenses to what is necessary, in place of making the annual appropriation bill a gen eral grab-bag for the ofSceboIding class and for the innumerable philanthropic and eleemosynary enterprises which are spring ing up all over the Sta&. The question is a serious one, but it is not isolated. There is a most decided tendency to swell all sorts of expenditures in Federal, State and municipal governments. The purse of the taxpayer is regarded as a sort of Aladdin's lamp, which needs only to be rubbed by legislative enactment to produce any quantity of new money supplies to mul tiply, embellish, and make at once attractive and profitable the functions of government for those concerned therein. GENIUS VS. COSIMQN SENSE. A somewhat inapropos comment on the erraticqualitiesof Anna Dickinson's genius, moves the "Washington Post to break out in indignant paragraph? at the fatuity of ordi nary mortals who dare to criticise the ways of genius. "In this," it exclaims, "a note of warning, a sign post bearing this legend: Beware of genius. Poe, Byron, Keats, De Mnsset, countless others, lived a like life, to a like reward." "Which is the first time that we ever heard that Miss Dickin son's ill-advised attempt to make a stage heroine of herself was equivalent to the con sumption of ardent spirits, absinthe and opium which appear to be considered by our cotemporary as the marks of genius, in the quartet to which it refers. "It too c several centuries to gettothis: Mediocrity lamenting talent," declares the Post in an ecstacy of scorn. "Why not as a mere matter of reciprocity, bince talent as represented by the Post takes it upon itself to contemn mediocrity. Moreover, in view of the fact that common sense in the conduct of the affairs of life is mediocrity as compared with the distinguishing marks of the genius in Poe, Keats, Shelley and Byron, it may be seriously urged that such exponents of mediocrity as Milton, Addison, Scott, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Longfellow and "Whittier, who lived clean and prosper ous lives, can well afford to lament the qualities which prevented these whom the Post names as its models from equaling their own great careers. After which it is only necessary to re mark that whoever supposes that when a genius makes a fool of himself, the foolish ness is a necessary pari of the genius, makes a grand display of bis ignorance with regard to both common sense and genius. LAND TRANSFER REFORM. There is a movement in Illinois for the appointment of a commission to investigate the adaptability to that State of the Torrens system for the registration of land titles, referred to the other day as under considera tion in the Massachusetts Legislature. In New York the effort to reform the present cumbrous methods for the transfer and record of real estate has gone much further in the direction of adopting Mr. D wight H. Olmstead's system of indexing titles by blocks. Both reforms have the same general pur pose of making it easier to determine the title of real estate, while the present system necessitates special and expert training. The Olmstead system is, however, no more than a single very cautious step in the form of the block index system. Under this system, in determining the status of any especial piece of real estate, the searcher's labors are very much simplified by tbe tact that he can go at once to the index of tue block in which it is situated, and there he will find all the reference affecting that block. This system has already had a partial trial in the Hew York Register's office, and has worked so satisfactorily that its use is rapid, ly spreading. v' The Torrens system, which comes with the ballot reform idea from Australia, is much more comprehensive and thorough. The objects of land transfer reform are two-fold to place the guarantee of title beyond doubt, and to make the transfer easier. The Olm stead plan does not materially effect the first' object except as it makes the search of the records easier; and does a great deal toward the second in tbe same way. But the Torrens system accomplishes both by giving a real estate title much the same character istics as a stock certificate, with a Govern ment guarantee of its validity, and the ability to secure its transfer on order, just as is done with shares of stock. It is worthy of notice, however, that there is nothing in the two plans that conflict with either; and they may both ultimately be adopted in a thorongli reform. The Olm stead plan deals with the indexing of the. records; the Torrens plan with the evidence of title held by the property-owner. To either of them the other could be added without infringing on its methods or depreciating from its usefulness. "With the example of both before it, a State which undertakes a complete reform of its methods of land transfer will find it possible to draw up a plan that shall unite tbe merits of both. "When that is done it will create a practi cal revolution in the status of real estate. "When the possibility of defective titles is taken away, and the transfer of land is rendered cheap, quick and safe, its value will be easily capitalized, will probably be enhanced except where there is already a speculative inflation and the difficulties in the way of the common man becoming a landholder will be immensely diminished. At present title insurance in the responsible companies organized for the pnrpose seems the only absolute protection to buyers of property. NOT MUCH PUKIFICATION. "With city sewage; coal mine drainage, salt water from oil and gas wells, and tbe refuse from paper mills, saw-mills, tanner ies or manufacturing establishments ex empted from the provisions of the bill to preserve the purity of streams, there is not enough left of that measure to swear by. Mr. "Wherry's view that it is an unjust dis crimination against the farmer to forbid him to place the carcass of a dead animal or a load of dirt on the bank of a stream is nonsensical, because there is no special hardship to the farmer in that prohibition. But that cause of pollution is really so unimportant in comparison with the other causes, that it alone is not worth legislating about. The fact is, the bill was based upon a wrong plan. It started out to secure the purity of streams, and then recognized that two of the chief causes of defilement were too powerful for it to attack, and exempted them. "When that was done a great share of the proposed purification was abandoned. and the logical sequence put in operation j which necessitated the other exemptions, There was no reason for the exemption of sewage or coal mine drainage, which does not apply to salt water from oil and gas wells. When those three sources of deteri oration were condoned the other exemptions could follow on tbe principls of de minimis. To make any real progress in tbe important work of purifying the streams it must be by directing inquiry to the means of prevent ing the chief causes of defilement. Thus, it is well known that there are successful methods for utilizing city sewage; but in quiry is necessary as to the means for induc ing the cities to invest the money necessary to put them into operation. No method is now known for disposing of mine and oil well drainage; but scientific quiry on that subject would not be wasted. If these great causes of impurity can be disposed of, tbe smaller causes can easily be abolished. But until some adequate policy for curing the greater sources of the evil cai be made plain, it is idle to tinker with the petty 'phases of the evil. When a measure exempts two of the main troubles, and seems to be aimed at a third which has an equal claim for exemption, it stands on a very weak foundation. WILL THEY HAVE CAUSE TO TIGHT? The intimation conveyed in our telegraph columns this morning that while the In dians are at present peaceful, there may be an outbreak in the spring if they are not treated properly, is interesting as furnishing a commentary on the relations between the savages and the Government. Just what treatment the Indians would consider proper is of course unknown, but judging from the ease with which they have been satisfied in the part, they cannot expect very much. Also judging from the past, it is almost certain that they will get less than they expect. Promise little, do less, has been the policy of the Government toward tbe Indians al most from the beginning, and unless a de sirable change has come over tbe various powers that be, this policy will likely hold good in the future. The people at Washington are not always directly to blame for the non-performance of obligations, as the Indian agents intervene between Uncle Sam and his wards, and not always to the latter's bene fit. The President and his advisers are, however, indirectly responsible and should remember that this fact ought to have more weightthan political gratitude in appoint ing the agent- Possibly a lesson has been learned from the recent outbreak which, as is becoming known, was not so much the re sult of a fanatical devotion to so-called re ligions ceremonies, as it was a protest against dishonest and incompetent agents. It so, no outbreak in the spring need be feared. NEW YORK CITY'S LATEST FOLLY. New Yorkers seem to be anxious to outdo themselves in absurdity. Ever since they proved that they had not enough respect for General Grant to bear tbe expense of a local monument to his memory they have been engaged in various schemes, each one more foolish than its predecessor, to erect a monument without paying for it One after the other these schemes have proven vain, and now the latest, wildest and most impracticable is sprung. The dollar-loving residents of Manhattan Island ask the Legislature to appropriate $500,000 of the direct tax recently refunded by the Na tional Government, to pay tbe expenses of the long-delayed memorial. The getting is another matter. If the rural members of the Legislature pursue their accustomed policy in this, it will never get beyond the form of a request, and it should not. There are other and more beneficial ways in whici' the refunded money can be expended than building monuments for New York City. It is not necessary to point out these ways in this paper. The sensible legislators will take care to do that when the proper time comes, but we wish to enter a protest against making a harmful precedent that other States wight follow with regard to tbe disposal of their own share of tbe re funded money. The money should not be expended for the benefit ot a particular place, to the total ex clusion of every other part of the State. That, however, is just what the New York ers are after, as the monument would be of no benefit to any city but their own. It is to be hoped that they will be disappointed. The most immediate public question is whether Pittsnurg has energyj enough to save herself millions of dollars by enforcing the economy and cleanliness ot smoke consump tion. The story of new troubles with the Sioux tnrns out to ba caused by speeches at tbe conn ell in which the Indian chiefs somewhat perti nently pointed out that all they had got were promises; that their rations were still on the starvation basis, and that agents whose honesty they doubt are still kept in place. Tbe Indians may be unreasonable to raise a row because political promises are not kept. The- civilized portion of the commnnity rarely thinks of making trouble over a small matter like that. But in view of tbe fact that recent experience bas shown that It is far cheaper to feed tbe In dians than to fight them, it should be urgently suggested to the administration that some steps be taken tor backing up the liberal sup ply of promises, with a slight proportion of performance. After we have had the result of the test cases tested by a new case we may be able to find out where we are. But doubtf nl things will still be uncertain. The new Indecrat Senator Kyle, of South Dakota.is q noted as saying that trusts give more thorough workmanship, better facilities and cheaper product, and that therefore the farm ers most combine to form trusts on their prod ucts. With tbe exception that trusts do not give either more thorough workmanship, bet ter facilities or cheaper product, and that the farmers might as well try to lift themselves over tbe moon by their bootstraps as to restrict competition in agricultural products, Indecrat Kyle is entirely right. That is, the farmers should co-operate so as to secure for themselves cheaper supplies, better facilities and more economic production. ' The Farmers' Alliance is reported to be mixing in Ohio politics; which creates a pro portionate mixing up of the election returns in that State next fall. Mb. Geoege "W. Cable is alluded to by tbe Baltimore Herald as having "voluntarily expatriated himself" from Louisiana, and as showing by his denunciation of the New Or leans lyncbing the qualities of a renegade. As Mr. Cable is still a citizen of the United States the Herald's theory of expatriation is evi dently that of the ante-bellum State sovereign ty. In addition, as Mr. Cable's expatriation consisted of an honest expression of bis views on the race question in the Sontb. tbe effect of tbe Herald's sectional Bourbonism will be to cause a wish amone intelligent people that tbe South bad more "renegades" of Mr. Cable's stamp. "Are musicians mechanics?" is a ques tion propounded by a leeal luminary. Some of the performances undoubtedly show a good deal of tinkering. The reports of race troubles in Oakla homa bave a foundation in the determination of some of the Bourbon boomers to prevent negro colonists from taking up lands in that xerrltory. Last wees a band of white regu lators mads a raid on a colored settlement at Kingfisher, and further disorders are threat ened. Fortunately there is no doubt of the power of the United States to interfere with such exhibitions of race hatred in Oklahoma. The administration will fall short of Its prin ciples if it does nut use tbe troops to bring these regulators to a very sharp and realizing sense of tbe supremacy of the law. IF the window-shade manufacturers who are getting up a combination are not going into a blind pool, the eyes of tbe public will beopon to their purpose. Mayor Gleason, of Loug Island City, has made another stroke for fame by suppress ing a circus that did not come up to bis standard of a good show. This Mayor bas put himself in evidence as a decided and unconventional re former, in various ways; but his determination that tbe circuses shajl gain public patronage simply on the promises of the show bills will strike an answering chord in the popular heart. The Mayor bas done so much in the line of get ting up lively circuses on his own account that he does not propose to allow any compet ing rings to fall below tbe standard. Govebnob Bulkeley's attempt to open tbe Connecticut deadlock with a crowbar was heroic but ineffective. It is not creditable to this country that in falling to ratify the Brussels convention against the African trade in spirits ana fire arms, the United States Senate took a stand on a lower level than such semi-civilized powers as Turkey and Zanzibar. The subject comes up again in November, and it is to be hoped that then the Senate will make up its mind to place this conntry in lino with the standard of decent civilization in suppressing traffic that makes moneyoutofthe destruction of savages. That 400,000-barrel gusher in the Russian field lies under a just suspicion that its prodnct is heavily watered. A FEW OEIGLNALa A Useless Invention. From a recent issue of the Patent Office re ports we clip the following: 436,070. APPARATUS COB THEATINGCOPS, ETC. CrtABLES 'Aebeb, Thann, Germany. Filed May 23, 18S9. fcerlal Io. 312,417. (No model.) Mr. Weber's Invention will hardly be popular in this country, where a slide in the back door of a saloon is the only necessary apparatus for treating cops. He Got Her. They were talking about trees. "My favor ite," she said, "is the oak. It is so noble, so magnificent in its strength. But what is your favorite?" Yew," he replied. Same Old Excuse. Mrs. Biggins "Old Diggens came home full tbe otber day and whipped his wife." Mr. Biggins "Humph! Why didn't she keep out of his way?" Mrs. Biggins "She didn't know he was load ed." An American Joke. "What a beautiful girl that MIssBentlylsl" exclaimed Charlie Gillers. "Whenever I see her sbe reminds me of the American flag." "Why?" askea'BIIlers. "Her lips are red. her brow is white" "Yes: but her eyes are brown," interrupted Billers. "Vhere,do you find the blue?" "In the feelings of the man wto proposed to her and got rejected," answered Gillers, with the air of one who spoke from personal knowl edge. Too Mean to Work. First Merchant "I hear you have discharged one of yonr clerks because he was lazy." Second Merchant "Not because he was lazy, but because he was miserly. He never did any thing tbat cost him an effort" A Lying Proverb. "Time Is money" seems a proverb wise. But ne'ertheless the old proverb lies; For he who loafs and has time to spend. Mostly lacks cash to uphold his end. A Geography Lesson, Teacher "What is the name of the highest hill In New York State?" Scholar "I don't know; but I can tell yon tbe name of tbe lowest bill." Teacher "Sit down. Reference to David B. should only be made in the lesson on cotempo rary history." ,. EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. An East Indian Snake Legend-Fairyland Explored Tribulations of Teachers Sparrow Canning Rothschild's Maxims An Odd ralmTho Seven Wonders of Corea. There is a belief current in all parts of In lia says a writer in Amencan JYolesand Queries that a certain variety of snake called Sbesh Nag. when it attains the age of L000 years, has a precious jewel formed in its head. This jewel, it is affirmed, possesses tbe quality of sucking up the poison of tbe deadliest snake, if applied in the wounded part. Strangely enough, a Paris gentleman is reputed to pos sess this invaluable jewel, according to a cor respondent of a Gujarat! weekly, published at Wad h wan, in Gnjarati. The correspondent says that when the present owner who. by the way. is 63 was 23 years old, he lighted upon a snake of the above mentioned variety, which he killed. Then he found the jewel in his head. It has already saved several lives. Last year, when Mr. Vidal, tbe collector of the district, was there, it was shown to him. too. The jewel is said to contain a thin, crescent-like liber, which unceasingly oscillates in the center. The gaikwar of Baroda, tbe tuabarajah of Kolbapur, and several of her native princes are sata to have offered several hundred tbousand rupees fortbisuniaue jewel. The name of tbe owner is Mr. Framji Dadab bai Govekar. Tarspur. Bombay Presidency. There is another belief prevalent in India that if a man is sleeping, no matter where, and a Bhesb Nag come and sit beside him, with a hood spread over the sleeper's face, tbe latter is sure to be a son offortane. Popular tradi tion assigns tbe same reason to the rise of Haida All, of Mysore, from a common soldier. Fairyland Explored. The comparative mycologists have begnn to turn their attention to fairy tales, says the Sew York ledger. It is a fascinating snbject, and some of tbe conclusions reached are highly interesting, whether or no we accept tbe scien tific and historical significance Imputed to fairy lore. The Investigators find fairyland very human in its organization. Its Inhabitants marry, sometimes amone themselves, sometimes into mankind. Tbey have children born to them, and they require at such time female assistance. Tbey steal children from men, and leave tbeir own offspring in exchange the so-called changelings. Their females sometimes become captive to men, but such unions are not last ing, lor on the first opportunity the female fairy returns to her own land, and her husband must follow her there if ho would regain her. On tbe other band, tbe mortal who enters fairyland and partakes of fairy food is spell bound; he cannot return at least, for many years to tbe abodes of men. Among tbeir hu man traits it is observed that fairies are grate ful to men for benefits conferred at.d resentful for injuries. They never fall to reward those wbo do them a kindness, but tbeir gifis usually bave conditions attached which detract Irom tbeir value. Tbeir chief distinction from men Is their pos session of unbounded magical powers, 'ibey appear and disappear at will. Tbey make a long time seem short and a sbort time lone. Tbey change tbeir own forms. They cast spells over mortals and keep them spellbound for ages. All these customs and powers are imputed to tbe lairy folk wherever traditions about them are preserved. Such legends and beliefs bear witness to a remote antiquity. Ihey have come down to us from prehistoric times. It seems probable that all of them rise out of the doctrine of spirits, the doctrine of transformations, and the belief in witchcraft held by savage tribes. Teachers' Tribulations. "Do you consider teaching your vocation?" A reporter of the Kansas City Star, supposed himself off duty when, in the most casual way in the world, he put this question. Tbe young woman's answer put bim back in tbe harness again. She met tbe question with unexpected seriousness. "I have been asked that qnestion many times," said she suddenly thoughtful, "and I have alwaj s evaded a direct answer, for I have never yet been able to settle tbe point to my own satisfaction. Sometimes, when I rind my class apparently 'banging on my words,' so to speak, and every face sparkling with interest, if not with Intellect, I inwardly smile and write 'success' upon my mental tablet. An hour or so later, wben I return to my sheep, metaphorically, and attempt to draw out a few of the facts 1 am so snre of having implanted, lam often almost paralyzed by tbe results. "Imagine yourself spending a period on the' subject of coral and volcanic islands and then having one of your brightest pupils inform yon that a volcanic island is one where tbe natives carry tbe volcano across tbe land to tbe sea In order that it may deposit its lava and give them mora territory I' What could I have said to bave produced such a nightmare or thought in that innocent mind? And, onoe having pro duced it,'can I ever effectually efface It? "Then, again." continued tne teacher, warm ing to ber subject, "having labored for weeks on practical hygiene, I am informed that tbe stomach is 12 feet long and made up of in numerable small bones and many large ones that often make us feel very uncomfortable,' or that 'tbe best way to stop an artery from bleeding Is to tie a rag around it and bold it for halt an hour; if it does not then stop bleeding, send for a doctor or try some otber way;' or that 'all the left side of tbe body contains good blood, and the right bad blood,' and bave tbe bright pupil cite as proof the fact that tbe chart is red on one side and blue on the other; that there are 'two kinds of perspiration, propor. or invisible, and improper or vulgar, called sweat!' "Shall I go on and tell you how they have Imbibed historic facts, such as Jefferson's hav ing bought Alaska from tbe Indians for 24 for the sake of fish and ice, or tbat the parties to the French and Indian war were tbe French and Canadian Indians, and tbat tbey neither won nor lost: that Great Britain helped us to gain our independence: that 'the Republic on tbe Western coast of Africa is the Congo Free State, discovered by Stanley as a home lor des titute and persecuted men:' that our Constitu tion 'was adopted in Paris in 177C;' tbat George Washington married a blushing damsel named 'Martha Custard:' that the three forms of gov ernment in the United States are 'the Aristoc ratic, the Democratic and the Republican.' " Sparrow Cnnnlng. Everyone knows, says tbe Philadelphia Pi ess, that tbe English sparrow is a valiant warrior, bnt everyone doesn't know that he is also an able tactician. If anyone will watch them going to roost among the ivy vines at sun down, they can easily verify the assertion. Several thousands of them make their home in the ivy vines tbat cover the old brownstone church'at Thirty-sixth and Chestnut streets, and though there are hundreds of square feet of shelter, there is apparently not sufficient room for all. There are always a lot of strag glers who arrive to find the snuggest and warm est roosts under the leaves preempted by the wise and early birds. The late comers dart in one placo after another only to be driven out again. It was a very cold evening a couple of days ago wben a half-dozen belated gray pirates made a persistent searcb for lodging under the ivy leaves', but each time were driven out. Then they flew to the root of ihe church and put tbeir heads together in a noisy discussion that lasted fully a minute. Ther, as if by a pre-arranged signal, they flew iu tbe air, utter ing shrill choruses of alarm and warning. Hundreds of little yellow and gray beads were poked out from under tbe leaves, and hun dreds of shrill voices Inquired the cause of the hubbub. The alarmists redoubled their wild cries and gyrations. There was a stampede, and in an instant the alrwas filled with scream ing sparrows. The conspirators watched the result of their plot for a minute, then picked out tbe best beds in tba lodging house, and there was a hair-dozen wise early birds on the outside wi(h cold feet and come additional wisdom. Rothschild's Maxims. A practical and helpful gift from a parent to a sun would be the following alphabetical list of maxims, printed or written as a heading to a calendar, or framedfind hung upon tbe wall of bis room. It is said that Baron Rothschild bad these maxims framed and hung in bis bouse: Attend carefully to the details of your business. Be prompt In all things. Consider well and then decide positively. Dare to do right fear to do wrong. Endure trills patlentlv. fight lire's battle bravelv. manfully. bo not Into the society ot the vicious. Hold Integrity sacred. Injure not another's reputation or business. Join bands only with me virtuous. Keep yonr mind from evil thoughts. Lie not for any consideration. Make few acquaintances. Sever try to a linear what yon are not. unserve good manners. Pay your debts promptly. Question not the veracity of a friend.' Kespect the counsel of your parent. Sacrifice money rather tlun principle. Touch not, taste not handle not Intoxicating drinks. Use your leisure time for Improvement. Venture not upon the threshold of wrong. Watch carefully over your passions. Extend to every one a kindly salutation. leld not to discouragement. Zealously labor for right And success is certain. A Remarkable Poem. TJhe following poem of three stanzas of four lines each bas often been alluded to as one of the most unique of literary curiosities, says tho Chicago Titbune. Each stanza contains every letter in tbe alphabet, except tbe letter -e." wbich all printers will tell you is one of the most indispensable of letters, its relative proportion of use being 120 times to j ,k 8, K 17 and 140. Tbe one coming next to "e"lu number of times in use is "a," which is used 80 times while tbe letter in question is being used 120 times. The poem which has caused the above digression is entitled: THE FATE OF NASSAU. Bold Nassau quits his caravan, A hazy mountain (trot to scan; Climbs Jagged rocks to tpy hi. way. Doth tax bis sight but far doth stray. Not work of man nor sport of child Finds Nassau In that mazv wild; Lax grow his J ilnts, limbs toll In vain; Poor wlghtl why didst thou quit that plain? Vainly for succor Nassau calls. Known Zlllab that thy Nassau falls; But prowling wolf and fox may Joy To quarry on tby Arab boy. OUR MAIL POUCH. Anxious Abont the Road Bill. To the Editor of The Dispatch : I have been waiting and reading your paper every day in hopes to see that tbe so much talked of road bill would be passed and go into effect as soon as possible, but 1 have begun to think that our Legislators are a lot of old women and tbe sooner they are put out the better for the people. They are thinking about appropriating 5300,000, but are in no hurry to cive and to get our country roads fixed up, something which will benefit tbe whole com munitvandbea blessing to us all. I think it is a shame both for the country and people to have such roads. The other day 1 saw a party hauling out a wagon load of bay. On a good road two horses could haul that very easily.but this man had to have eight horses. Wbat do you think that load of bay would cost before be got through? It is the same way with every-, thing else. All farm product is bound to be high priced. A Road CRANK. Pittsbubg. March 23. England's Noted Dead. To the Editor of The Dispatch: In reading Edcar L. Wakeman's article on Lord Byron's grave, I wished he had gone fur ther and told of the statue of Byron wbicb was twice refused admission to Westminster Abbey, and is now in Trinity College library, Cam bridge, England. I lately saw an article stat ing that England was waking to the fact that many of her illustrious dead were buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. I had as great a search for 1 nackeray's grave as EL. Wake man bad for Byron's. I found It at last in Kensal Green, covered with a stone slab and overgrown with English ivy. Kathebine Vaughn. Allegheny, March 2L An Error In Figures Corrected. To tbe Editor pf The Dlsoatcni Through an inadvertence in the writer's copy, in tbe communication on "Better Build ing," published in Saturday's Issue, the annual fire loss in this country is placed at $1,250,000, when what was intended was $125,000,000. an amount 100 times greater. The fact is, in one recent year the loss amounted to (140,000,000. As to tbe error, while it would be palpable at once to those informed on insurance matters, and while the context might indicate It to the cursory reader, generally our argument loses any force it might otherwise have by such (unintentional) misleading statement. Pittsburg, March 22. B. B. Gold in a Gold Coin. To the Editor of the Dispatch : From reading an article in the March number of tbe aVoj th American Review, I am led to believe that the gold dollar bas one dollar's wortb of gold in it. In replying to a corres pondent recently yon said gold coins did not contain the full valne of gold. E. R. Thompson. Meadvillb, March 21. On looking more carefully into the qnestion, it appears that tbe alloy goes for nothing. The Mysteries of Seven-Up. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Two parties are playlnc a game of seven-up; each bas two points to make. One plays high, game. The other plays low. Jack. Whieh of tbe two go out first, high and came, or low and Jack? Ike. Cadiz, O.. March 22. Low and Jack win, game being always the last point to count. Marriage Forfeits the Pension. Uo the Editor of The Dispatch! Could the widow of a soldier who served in the late Rebellion, and wbo is now drawing a pen sion, according to law, draw that pension if she should marry again? T. Boucher, Pa.; March 23. Ask Tour Nearest Newsdealer. To tbe Editor of The Dispatch: Please let me know wbere the comedy, Box of Monkeys," can be bought SHARON, March 23. K.D. Other Qneries Answered Briefly. E. A. K., Pittsburg Have been nnable to ascertain tbe value ot the coin mentioned. AN Old Reader, Butler Tbe next leap year will be 1892. Charlie, Pittsburg The consent of the lady's parents must be secured for ber mar riage in this State before sbe is of age. Nathan, Pittsburg The Butchers' Rnn flood occurred in July, 1874. Unitarian Missionary Movement. Rev. Dr. J. G. Townsend, founder of tbe In dependent Congregational Church of James town, and also of the Unitarian Church of this city; Prof. Henry Barber, of tbe Meadville Theological School, and Rev. D. W. Morehouse, of New York City, Secretary of the Middle States Conference, propose to establish Uni tarian societies in New Castle and Sharon, Pa., and Youngstown. O. Unitarian literature is widely circulated, and is given freely to all who apply for it A Correct Move. Philadelphia, March 21 A petition to City Councils asking for an abatement of what is termed "tbe soft coal smoke nuisance," caused by locomotives nsing bituminous coal, is receiving many signatures. DEATHS OF A DAY. Patrick McCarthy. Patrick McCarthy died at his residence at Braddock yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock. "Paddy," as he was familiarly called, was one of the most popular conductors running out of Pittsburg. On the Pennsy system there was no better known railroader than the deceased, and bis -worth was appreciated by the officials, and be was esteemed by his associates. Ho waslnthe imployment or the Pennsylvania Kail road for over 15 years, and latterly rap on the liraddock accommodation. He was taken sick with the grip a short time ago. but the disease developed Into pneumonia and he succumbed. He was but 35 years of age, and a lnin ogflne phy6lque. He was a native of Braddock. where be leaves a large circle of friends. Charles Chickerlng. Ne-W York, March 24. Charles F. ChlcVerlng. the well-known piano manufacturer, died last evening at bis residence. No. 3 Fifth avenue. An illustration of Mr. Chlckering's business Integrity Is found In the case of the miser Paine, who. while distrusting all the world, did not hesitate to deposit his hoardings In the care or ilr. Chickerlng, never asking for receipts. Finally Paine died, and then, to the surprise of everyone, the veteran i lano dealer announced that he had no less than ?300, 000 lying lnhlssare which had been left In his care by Paine. This sum Mr. Chickerlng turned over intact to the raiser's astonished heirs. David Johnson. New Brighton, March 21. David Johnson, a commissioner of this county, died at his home In Fallston Sunday at 8 a. m. His death Is in part attributed to a fall which he received from beinir struck by a lcd on which some boys were coasting so:ne time ago. Mr. Johnson was horn In Mutlc-r county, April 28, 1819. He was a Republican In politics, a member of tbe M. E. Church and of the 1. O. O. P., In both orwhlch he stood very high, being the oldest member of .Lodge jno. 4u. P. F. McCarty. iSPICIAt. TllIORUI TO TUB DISFATCK.: Braddock, March 24. P. F. McCartv, one ofthe most popular conductors In tile service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, died at bis home at 3:30 tbls afternoon. He was taken sick last Thursday with pneumonia, but his case was not considered serious. He had been In the employ or tbe Pennsylvania for J3 years. He leaves a wire and live children. Mrs. W. F. Shannon. Margaret Frew, wife of William T. Shan non, tbe well-known wholes lie drygoods mer chant, died at her late residence at Edgewortb, on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne and Chicago Kali road, last evening, aged 63 years, bhe was well known Tor her miny deeds of charity and mercy, and will be greatly missed. Sirs. Ann McGulre. Mrs. Ann McGuire, mother of Council man J. J. McGulre. of the Ninth ward, died last evening, at 7 o'clock, at the residence of Captain JIcGulre. 1121 Pcun avenue. ilr6. McUulrc. who was70 ve irs of age, was for26 years a- highly re spected resident or the Mn til ward. Captain Mc (iulre was her only child. Rev. V. C. Byllesby. Rev. DeWitt Clinton Byllesby, formerly rector of bt. James .Episcopal Church. Venn ave nue, died at Media on Monday, agedSXyears, Ha was well known and highly thought of la this city. . , SOCIETY IN HOLY WEEK. Graduating Exercises of the United Pres byterian Theological Seminary Wed dings, Past and Prospective The Porim Masque Ball Social Chatter and Gossip of a Day. Well prepared, interesting papers, evidencing deep, earnest thought were read at tbe com mencement exercises of tbe Allegheny United Presbyterian Theological Seminary, held last evening at tbe Fifth U. P. Church. But eight of the 16 young gentlemen wbo com. pose tbe class were heard from last evening. Tbe remainder will appear thisevening, in the First Church, Allegheny. Rev. Dr. Greer officiated, last night, as master of ceremonies, in place of Prof. O. J. Thatcher, wbo was con fined to bis borne with the prevailing disease. After singing, and prayer by Rev. Dr. Speer, tbe first paper of the evening was read by W. T. Anderson, who chose for bis theme. "The Psalmist in His Psalms." Tne paper was re dolent and fragrant with early spring and tbe shepherd's life of the psalmist S. W. Douthett had tbe promising subject "Christian Op timism," and treated it in a poetical and fanciful, as well as a practical, manner. A. P. Duncan advanced the no-wise new idea that tbe conscience was designed by God to be his witness,in a new and pleasingline ntttrongbt the snbject of his paper being "The Testi mony of Conscience to God." J. McD. Hervey. with "The Cities as Centers of United Presby terian Effort," for a subject read a paper tbat might have been termed egotistical, bad he not connnea uimselt strictly to tne trntn in tell ing of the remarkable progress made by the United Presbyterian denomination in Pittsburg and Allegheny, wbere tbe very ozone, according to his statements, is U. P. in nature. J. II. Hutchman discussed at length tbe "Progress in Old Testament Revelation." wherein Christ's revelations of himself were gradual. C McRitcbie's paper, "The Argu ment from Design." was metaphysical in na ture, and George Whiteside was practical and modern in his ideas on "The YoungPeople as a Factor in Church Life." The best paper of tbe evening was read by G. W. Robinson, son of Rev. Dr. Robinson, on "The Apologetic Value of Paul's Conversion." Tbe sentiments expressed were clear and logical, and tbe oratorical powers of the young graduate were far above the average. Tbe papers for this evening are very attractive in their headings. The Mendelssohn Musical Clnb. of the East End, for an infant is a remarkably healthy one. Its second public appearance, in concert was effected last evening, at Masonic Hall, on Collins avenne, and was flattering in tbe ex treme, Tbe clnb appeared in "The Owl, "part song by Silas, also in "Where Are You Going. My Pretty Maid?" by Caldlcott, and "Little Jack Horner," by Caldlcott, and rendered the choral parts to "Lovely Rosabella." as sung by Miss Lizzie Reed and Mr. J. H. Frederick, and tbe "150th Psalm." sun" bv Miss Jennie Gray. Otber numbers on the programme were "Bo manze," violin solo, rendered by Mr. C. B. Stelzner; "In Sweet September," vocal solo. Miss Ella Semple; "Hearts Sprinstlme." vocal solo. Miss Jennie Gray; Polonaise, violin, Mr. Stelzner, and "Bay Bream," vocal solo, Miss Semple. In honor of Esther, the Disraeli Social held its second annual bals masque at New Turner Hall, Forbes street, last evening. The event was to celebrate the joyous Purim festival, in commemoration of tbe savine of tbe Hebrew race under tbe Persian King Abasuerns, by Queen Esther. Tbe hall was beautifully illuminated with calcium lisbts, and music was furnished by tbe Original Royals and McMich aels' orchestras. Prizes were given to the lady and gentleman wearing the most original cos tume. The members of the social wbo were instrumental in making tbe event the brilliant success it was. were Messrs. A. J. Adelshei- mer, Ben Biggard, Joseph Frankfartber, Leon Encle, Sam Baum. Gus Arnold. Ike Good, L. Kopeman, Max Arnold, L. Bicknart Ike Sholem and A Blocb. THE alumni of tbe School of Design will hold tbeir annual reception and reunion at the rooms of tbe school, on Penn avenue, next Saturday afternoon, at which tbe new mem bersthose graduated the past year will be introdnced to tbe older members and wel comed into the society. A luncbeon and an impromptu programme will be enjoyed. The Invitations are unique and artistic affa'rs. Miss Henderson, the popular principal of tbe school, is President of the society, and will preside. Six new members, composing tbe graduating class, will swell the number of tbe alumni, and thev bave already received in vitations to send in tbeir names and pay their dues a necessary and important adjunct in becoming a member of any society. An interesting archaeological discovery was made in an East End household this morning. A book belonging to the Pittsburg Library, and charged to the mistress of that family in September, lb84, was unearthed and sens baek to its proper abode. In tbe interim doe notices in printed form were sent, bnt no satisfactory response having been elicited, the book was given up for lost Now Miss Macrum, tbe librarian, ventures to hope tbat within the next few weeks of household upheaval many of ber missing treasures may unexpectedly find their way home. If ladles personally superin tend tbe ordering and dusting of their library shelves. The Pittsburg Alumni Association of the Delta Tan Delta college fraternity will ban quet at the Seventh Avenue Hotel next Friday evening, and expect a glorious cood time n toe grip doesn't interfere to a demoralizing degree. Letters have been sent out to about 200 mem bers, and responses have been received from tbe greater portion of tbe number signifying their Intention to be present. One bright young man replied to bis invitation iu tbe fol lowing nappy manner: -m n uowim n possiuie; in the meantime I'll Elmer-Colllns it a bit Should I fail to be present you will find my money on the window sill." A parlor concert at the residence of Mrs. J. H. Irwin, on Page street Allegheny, was an enjoyable event of last evening. Tbe proceeds were for (be Westminster Chnrcb orzan fund, and were generously large, as tbe popularity of tbe hostess and tbe new church combined brought out as many as even tbe spacious par lors of tbe Irwin residence could accommodate. Mr. John T. Irwin, the violinist, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Adair, and Miss Tuck, all clever musi cian, were some of the performers of the evemnz. The orange business in Florida will here after engage the attention of A. P. Longdon, that gentleman, with bis wife and daughter, having departed on the fast line Monday even Inc, for tbe South. F. J. Longdon, Jr.. and his wife were also of the party, as a severe attack of tbe crip, wbicb tbe latter-named gentleman suffered, made a Southern trip necessary for recuperation. Tbey will locate at Deland, Flor ida, and young Mr. Longdon will pursue his collegiate studies. The marriage of Miss Kate E. Lowe and Mr. Sam J. Moffat tooK place at 6 o'clock last evening, at tbe residence of the bride's mother, 187 Jackson street, Allegheny. Tbe ceremony was perf nrnipd by Rev. J. H. Miller, assisted by Rev. Dr. W. J. Held, in tbe presence of only immediate friends of the two families. After a wedding sapper, served by Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Moffat departed for the South. " Rev. J. T.McCrory lectured last evening, in Grace Rnformed Church on "The Voice of Assurance." Rev. John L. Milllgan. D. D.. Chaplain of tbe Riverside Penitentiary, will lecture this evening, at the same place, on "Tho Voice of Sympathy." Social Chatter. The postponed star course entertainment was given last evening at Carnegie Hall, George Riddle and Miss May Beasley appear ing on the programme as the principal per formers. The last entertainment of tbe course has been abandoned, and holders of season tickets will bave a proportional part of tbe price refunded to them on application to Managers Henricks and Webster. A bazaar and entertainment will be held in tbe Mt. Washington Metbodist Protestant Church building, Virginia avenue and Big ham street, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, by Mrs. Dr. Fink, of Springdale. Proceeds to be devoted to the new church building fund. Miss Houston, a very tatented lady and formerly a contributor to The Dispatch, will read a paper on "The Perfumes of Flowers," at ihe meeting of the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania to-morrow evening, at tbe Academy of Science and Art building. To-morrow bas been selected as visitors' day in tho Fifth ward schools. The friends and parents of the pupils of the public schools are all Invited by the Board of Directors to be present at tbe various schools. Rev. Wiixiam a. Stanton, nastor of the Sbady Avenue Baptist Chnrcb. will lecture at the rooms of the East Liberty Y. M. C. A., to morrow evening, on "Circumstances versus Character." A social will be given in the Fifth U. P. Church, corner Webster and Washington streets, on tbe tbe evening of April 16, for the benefit of the Watts Lane Mission. J. K. Mcrrat, of the Carleton Opera Com pany, will arrive home Sunday, and will re main a fortnight to secure a much-needed rest. TnE Ynnng People's Society, ot tbe Oakland M. E. Church, will give a musical and literary entertainment Thursday, April 2. Prof-R-L. Ccjoiocx, the great Chautau qua reader, will appear at Carry Hall next Hatutday evening. CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Celluloid in solution is said to make a fine lacquer for metal and a good wood var nish. A drunken man picked up on the streets of Seattle, Wash, recently had ili,000 in bis coat In Annam, French colony In Eastern Asia, there is in circulation a coin, tbe "loof," which is a flat round gold piece, worth 165. Poisoned grain has been scattered in the Court House yard at Sioux City, and it is ex pected that the English sparrows "will eat it and die. Seaweed is now made into a tough paper, which takes the place of window glass. When colored, the effect is similar to stained or painted glass. More land is owned by railroad com panies (211,000.000 acres) than would make six State as large as Iowa. Since 1861 no less than 181,000, 0C0 acres of land have been given to rail road companies. A New York girl has been sent to tbe insane asylum because sbe thought every man she met was in love with her. bnt was deterred from proposing marriage for tbe reason tbat all supposed ber too good for them. The only onyx polishing works in this country. located at Rutland. Vfc. will bo re moved to Missouri, and engage in preparing for market tbe vast quantities of onyx mined In Crawford and Pulaski counties. The first gun made for the Confederacy is now in the possession of Mrs. H. L Miller, of Chattanooga, whose lather made It at Holly Springs, Miss., in 1S6L It originally bad a rifled barrel, and is still in good condition. The only man tried, found guilty and executed for treason during the existence of the United States was William B. Mnmford, in 1862. Tbe execution took place in New Or leans under an order of General Benjamin F. Butler. The word "States" was first officially used May 15. 1736 when Mr. Archibald Cary re ported to the Virginia convention, then in ses sion at Williamsbnrg. the famous resolution "to declare the United Colonies free and inde pendent States." Japan had a plethora of epidemics dur ing 189a Influenza reached her shores in February. Cholera followed with over 31.000 deaths. Dysentery affected 38,878 persons, with 7,262 deaths, a ratio of 18.94 per cent. Typhoid fever occurred 22,684 times, with 5,369 deaths, 23.56 per cent. A fertile brain at Decorah, la., hag in vented speed indicator, which is to be fast ened to the drive'r's wrist In such a way that tbe dial may be seen at all times. A small cord connects the novel device with the sulkv wheel. A driver can tell by glancing at the machine how fast be Is going. A Wiscasset, Me., man discovered a big gash in his boot where he had cut bis foot while in tbe woods and just managed to get home, feeling himself growing fainter from loss of blood all the way. and fainted on arriv ing, when somebody discovered tbat tbe gash only went through bis boot and the red color was not blood, but only a woolen stocking. Geologists have proved that the dia mond mines of South Africa are situated in vents or chimneys, varying from abont 70 feet to 1,500 feet m diameter, and descending verti cally through the schists wbich form the ordi nary strata of the district. These vents ara filled up with fragments of sillcated and mag nesian rocks, in wbich tbe diamonds are scattered, and before tbe diggings becan each was capped Dy a hillock or "kopje." They aro 17 in number, and run in a straight line aboue xm mues. Tbe latest terror discovered by the) microscope Is the acarus sacchari, which looks like a crab, or even more so, and which bas been discovered to the number of 263,000 to the pound in cheap sngar. This is interesting to know just now, as tbe first of April is near at hand and everybody Is thinking of tbe cheapen ing of sngar as a result of the removal of tbe duty. What is known as grocers' itch is said to be caused by this acarus. which attacks the hand.so frequently plunged In to the sugar when serving customers. An employe of the Postal Telegraph office of St Petersburg bas invented a watch which requires winding up only once in 45 days. He snbmitted his watch to the Mechanic Tech nical Association, who wound it and deposited it In a vanlt for trial. It was fonnd precisely as the inventor represented It to be. Now tbe man want to get a patent on bis invention, but tbe difficuty presented Itself that be does not belong to an) mechanical guild. Whether as a layman be is entitled to a patent on a me chanical Invention tbe Minister of the Interior will have to decide. A quarter of a century since, the aver age doctor was almost everything. He was physician, surgeon, oculist, and now and again in case of emergency, wonld pnll a tooth. We are attempted to believe tbat specialism In medicine is a very modern innovation. Bnt read tb's from so old a writer as Herodotus: 'The Egyptians have among tbem a great multitude of physicians. But each man is a physician of one part of the bodv only: for one bealeth diseases of tbe eyes and another dis eases of the head and a third diseases of the teeth." Verily, there 13 nothing new under the sun. In what was at one time a great bog or swamp, a residant of Kendallville. Ind., some days ago while running a ditch exhumed sev eral perfectly-preserved skeletons of deer found just as the creatures mired, possibly hundreds of years ago. One head was found with outspreading antlers of great size, the lencth of tbe horn being 48' inches and the measurement from tip to tip 41 inches. Close to tbe head the circumference was 12 inches, from the head 15 inches. The horn is black, glistening in the snnlizbt like polished Ivory. It is regarded as an extremely valuable speci men. British fondness for territory is illus trated very graphically in a well-known pocket atlas published by an English firm. British possessions are all printed in a brilliant shade of red. but tbe world is a large place, and even the numerous colonies of the little island fail to make as great a show as was desired, so Grant Land, tbe great continent of rock and ice lying north or tbe Arctic Circle, and Gra ham Land, a similar tract sonth of tbe Ant arctic Circle, were also printed in a rosy hue. Tbe'e desolate wastes are undefined and unex plored, and of about as much use as tbe Milky Way. Certainly no nation will dispute Britan nia's right to paint tnem rea n sue wants to. The most famous opal in history was that which was worn In a ring by the Roman Senator Nonlns in tbe days of tbe Triumvirate. Its size scarcely equaled tbat of a medium sized hazelnut. Yet its beauty and brilliancy rendered it a marvel among the dilettanti of Rome, especially when It was known that the goldsmiths and "money-changers" had set its value at 81,000,000. Marc Antony made over tures to Nonius for its purcbase.intendlng.it is thought, to present it to Cleopatra; bnt the Senator refused to part with it. and for fear tbat it would be taken from bim by sheer force, sooeht safety in flight. Here history loses all trace of this famous gem. there being no record of its transf erral Irom Nonius to any of his family. FUNNY FELLOWS' FAHCTES. Sanso What is going on in society, old man? Bodd Spring clothes, chiefly. i'eio lork .Her aid. "Last evening I saw you with vour head on Harold Archer's shoulder." Her husband was looking her squarely In the eye, and his voice had a cold, bard ring In It. I bave no doubt that you did," she replied, with affected nonchalance. "And then you took his arm andplaced it abont your waist?" "Yes." "Well." he went on, "you want to stop it I have told you twice anont It. The stage manager says that you ought to ning yourself Impetuously Into his arms. Hedoesn'tllkeyonrdellberatlon. If you aren't careful you'll lose your place in the corapanv. and then wbat will we do?" That night she flung herself Impetuously, as di rected, and domestic peice once more dwelt la the little household. Washington Post. ALICE'S PCZZLE. "Mamma, here's a qnestion for yon, It has always puzzled me." Said our little Alice with a Look of deep perplexity: How Is It that wnen I'm dressed I Wear myhatand frock and shawl. And when poor old, ehlckle's dressed, she Has got nothing on at all?" PMladclpAia Tims. Milliceni Don't you think our new min ister is just too lovely, Introducing those new high churcn Ideas? Madge Yes; but he ought to bave better taste than to wear vestments which don't harmonize with the colors of the altar carpet. Brooklyn Eagle. Editor Grubber has been with us'a dozen years or more, but I'm afraid we shall bave to let him go. Business Manager What's the matter with Grubber? Editor-He has got to tblniinz we can't ran, tab paper without hla.-CMcago Trttvnfc jsShir
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers