The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-09-09
Varieties.


-Bazille Gabine, a Russian lawyer, is trav-
elling through this country to observe the ad-
ministratiou Of justice.
-Charivari prints a cut which 1t calls the
European situation. A group of toy dogs,
dressed to represent the different nations, stand
in circle facing inwards and watch each
other.
One of the papers reports "an immense
swarmerie Of onlookers" at a recent political
convention.
"A phrenologist was explaining the science
to a Quaker. "What do you think of it?" in
quired he. "Do not speak to me OF a science
that cannot be studied without taking off the
hat" replied the Quaker.
-Cruikshank made the Illustrations for a
new edition of the "Biglow Papers" just pub
lshed in England.
The London petition to be laid before Par
lament, for reconsidering the law excluding
women housedolders, has already received be-
tween $4,000 and 14,OOO signatures.
The inquest on the Abergele disaster in
Wales has resulted in verdict of manslaugh-
ter against two brakemen who were attached
to the freight train. What punishment will
be dealt out to them remains to be seen; but
this verdict commends itself to tender-hearted
jurymen in this country when celebrating
upon railway murders. If American juries
could be induced to find a verdict OF man
slaughter in similar cases, we should have few
er accidents to record and many valuable lives
would be saved.
France will no longer send her European
convcts to almost certain death in Cayenne;
that inferno being now reserved tor Arabs,
with whom the climate agrees All others
are to be exiled to New Caledonia. which is
said to be healthy and fertile. This is as great
| a step forward in humanity as in common
| sense
| LEO dIdlia, the italian journal OF New
York, states that in Paris, near Notre Dame, a
| perfumer sells toilet vinegar which he calls
| "Vinegar OF the Immaculats Conceptioni"
| Every bottle is accompanied with a little PAM
| phlet on the dogma of immaculateness, which
attracts a constant stream of pious purchasers.
| The Libero Pensiero of July Is publishes a
letter from which IL appears that they have a
new way to baptize children among the pro-
gressives OF Italy. A republican child was re-
Gently baptized as follows; "In the name OF
thy parents, In the name of thy country and Of
humanity, / call thee Chiessi-P -Pomponaccio-
Castellaxzo." Then kissing the infants fore
heal, the baptizer adds: May this name be
thy guide; love thy country; be generous
strong; live happilyl"
"A vast and valuable cinnabar mine, large
enough to supply the world with quicksilyer
for many years, has been discovered about If
ty miles west of Unionville, Nevada.
The Journal Of Telegrapby says that as
the nations become united by sub-oeeanic ca
| bles, the need Of a common language becomes
evident. The proposed extension to China in
| craosos this. An English or American opera
TOR can transmit messages in French, Spanish
or Italian. but when it comes to Chinese,
whose eighty thousand characters are like in
oenious changes on fiddlesticks and chickens
feet, human ingenuity is at fault.
Chicago is not to be outdone. The discov-
cry of that terribly bad man, John Allen, in
the metropolis, now known through the coun.
try as the "wickedest man in New York,
bothered the Lake City for awhile, but she
has proved herself equal to the emergency. A
yeritable sister of the wickedest man has been
found in Chicago, and is no less wicked than
har brother. A Chicago exchange gives up
many columns of its space to an account OF
the evil doings of this woman, which no doubt
is relished by its readers, but would not do fol
the patrons of the Press
In the midst of generally plentiful har-
vests it is strange to read in Minnesota papers
that crops in the Red River country have fail
ed badly and that there are serious grounds to
fear famine. An appeal is to be made tc
the people of Canada and the United S'a'e'
for help. Grain aud potatoes have iai'eu 81
) badly that there will not be enough ioi 90 " ~
next year, and the hunters have fe'urneu ~
! ! empty as they went.