The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-08-13
Rnrnlng of Canadnn Forests.

IRON lNN bNANA AiNH'Htl
Day after day, new facts are becoming
the topic oi conversation concerning The
extraordinary Ityagos Of the fires ON the
Upper Ottawa and Gntiheau rivers. We
slull not attempt to put the loss in dollars,
though it is couuted by many millions. At
Bissets Creek, abont one hundred and fifty
miles above this city, ON the Ontario side
Of the Ottawa, II large numbering depot,
comprising some fifteen or sixteen build
ings, has been completely destroyed, with
an immense stock of provisions, everything
having been consumed except the pork,
which was stored underground. On the
Guiinenu. too, the destruction has been
most extensive, the townships of Lowe and
HincLs, aud some others, having been nj
most oyer-run with the deyouring element.
Similur devastations are reported on the
north bank of the Upper Ottawa, and also
Mt several places throughout the Province
of Quebec.
Can nothing be done t6etay these an-
understanding rayages by fire Of the
forest and the new settlements? If the
loss in a single year can be counted by tens
of millions of dollars, surely it would be
wisdom to expend annually II few thousand
in the cause of prevention. Some measure
ought to be devised whereby n watch might
be established and II force summoned
in time TO prevent the fire from extending
beyond certain limits. More stringent pro-
visions relating to camp-ires, the burning
OF brush and logs on new land, and other
use OF IRE. in themselves Legitimate, but
exceedingly dangerous, should be enacted
by the local legislatures, and means de-
yise1 for their enforcement A carelessness
which ought to be accounted criminal has
this year been the cause of the loss Of
many millions worth OF valuable timber,
the destruction Of crops, and the loss Of
other property. Must we 90 on year after
year quietly deploring and submitting to
the loss, or will somebody come forward
with a plan for abating this most expensive
and destructive nuisance of bush-ires ?
A CHINESE WIDOWS METHOD IN HER Son.
nova letter from Hong Kong gives the
following account OF the conduct of Il Chi
nese widow ON her way, by steamer, from
san Francisco to China. Her own eXpla-
nation Of her apparent devotion TO the
'dear departed is particularly good:
among our twelve or fifteen Chinese
passengers was a disconsolate widow who
resided in California for fifteen years, had
accumulated about $50, 900, and, having
lost her husband by death, was returning
to China 10 abide for the future with her
old friends and hnsmen. She was about
forty years of age, good looking, when con
sidered from n Chinese standpoint, and,
being rich, would doubtless be considered
a good catch for her countrymen. She had
had the bones Of her dear departed
polished after the Chinese style,
boxed in II camphor-wood trunk
and was taking them with her to the Flow
cry Kingdom, in order that they might be
deposited in the Joss House along side
those of his ancestors. Every day she
would descend to the hold Of the vessel,
where the remains were slowed, and spend
an hour or two with the skeleton, mutter'
ing a mixed sort Of prayer, while tear'
streamed from her eyes. Her mummeriei
concluded, she would como upon deck
smoke her cigar, laugh and chat with he
countrymen, rs if she was the most light
hearted person in the world. One day
after she had terminated her hours pen
: ance over the dry bones of her skeleton
; husband, / asked her why she said he
prayers over him daily, and was not a littl,
astonished to hear her reply; 'Me likee :
fools Chinaman, he tinkee me hkee hus
band belly much; then maybe bime-by m
! got another one. My husband in boxe
belly good man; he belly dry, and n
smellee.'"
-BismArck's pay as NliEistor is only $500
amer annum-