The Portland daily press., 1868-01-08
Varieties.

Varieties.
The German Charivari has Just published
caricature which proves that Germans have
not much confidence in the results of the con-
ference for the purpose of settling the Roman
question. fisherman, standing by the river
side, holds at the end of his line fly called
Congress; all the small fry leap out of the wa
ter to catch the bait, but all the big fish swim
aN ay, looking with sovereign contempt on
their lesser brethren for allowing themselves
to be caught.
1T will be great comfort to the swarm OF
American travellers in Germany to discover
that the annoying passport system, from which
they have heretofore suffered in every petty
State has been entirely abolished in the terri
tories of the North German Confederation. A
correspondent of the N Y. Times writes that
formal notice was given by the Prussian Gov
ernment that this would be done from the be-
ginning of the present year; and no doubt it
has been carried out. This is another of the
things that Germany and mankind owe to the
battle of Sadowa.
In consequence of the recent disclosures
relative to the management OF warehouses; in
England, it is understood that a royal COM
mission will shortly be issued to inquire gen.
orally into the management of workhouses
throughout the country.
"A Bible class was asked to name the pre-
cious stones named in the Bible, After sever
al scholars had given answers, one little fellow
called ont, "Well, Thomas, what precious
| stones have you found?" birthstone" was
the reply.
France has been so denuded of its forests
as to change the climate, making it less rainy,
and rendering a great amount of land more
barren in consequence. A petition setting
forth this fact was recently presented to the
Imperial Senate, and it was suggested that
the French army, in the various home canton
ments, may be reasonably and profitably en-
ployed in the business of planting trees all
over the country in those places not reached
by agriculture. This suggestion is one that
commends itself to the Emperor-a man who
likes to show himself as the organizer of So
cial reforms, and it is probable that it will
soon be acted on.
-Kertch is to be the new Russian Sebasto-
pol. The government has given orders for i'm
mense works to be erecsed at that place, which
is admirably adapted for defence. 1t will
completely close Azoff and atone for the loss
of Sebastopol. The foundations of the batter
les and earthworks will cost nearly half a mil
lion roubles to begin with. This is check
mate to the treaty of Paris of 1856.
The proprietors OF Minneapolis mill gave,
on Christmas Day, to each of their married
workmen a turkey, to each of the unmarried a
woollen scarf, and to each of the girls a calico
dress.
Some OF the otter and beaver skins
brought to Minneapolis this season are of un-
wonted ineness and glossiness. They are
sold at from five to twelve dollars.
"A correspondent writes of a new way to
punish children in voguesin Paris: NJ. X. OBJ
serves to his son in grave tone: "Cbarles,
you have been bad boy to-day; shall take
year off your age. You are now no more
than six years DID," AT which the e1(ant ter
ri6le, overcome with grief subsidies into COM
plete docility, promising the most angelic
goodness if his father will only restore him
the missing year again. This is a word to the
wise.
Another American traveller has received
the honors of the Royal Geographical Society
of London. This is Mr.. A. s. Bickmore, who
spent three years exploring the islands of the
Malay archipelago and afterwards travelled
very extensively in China, visiting many
places which have not been seen by Europe
ans since the time of the Jesuit missionaries.
The Chinese rebellion rendered his journey
often difficult and at times dangerous, but Mr..
Bickmore prosecuted his researches until he
became ready to leave the country. His re-
turn to Europe was made overland to st. Pc
tersburg.
"A Cleveland letter-writer adds to the ad-
dress of his letter, probably for the benefit Of
clerks with bad chronological developments,
For Heavens sake, let this letter go through;
there is no money in it."
The Republican Journal says, SIN opening
and examining business letters, we often find
words of cheer, and not unfrequently elevated
political sentiments" Among these elevated
sentiments the Journal quotes the following:
Enclosed please find 50 for years sub
scription. The Journal is doing good service
in the holy cause. Its BOOSTERS are more than
a match for the bull niggers OF Black Repub-
lcanism.
Lord Brougham has always been puzzle
to the French, and the most marvellous stories
(says an English paper) are circulated about
every time he +, turns to his villa at Cannes.
The other day the Reuue des Cannes gave the
somewhat startling intelligence that his an
nual revenues amount to six hundred and
ffty-four thousand pounds sterling This
statement has drawn from Lord Brougham a
letter of denial; whereupon the editor declares
that if Lord Brougham had not been annoyed
by the story, he, the editor should be glad
that he had copied it, since he had obtained
by its means an invaluable autograph. Here
is hint to autograph hunters.
1t seems that Mr.. Goodwin Smith is really
coming to this couI try. The London CORES
DO ndent of the Boston Advertiser says that
Mr.. Smiths friends greatly regret their inabil-
ity TO shake his resolve to make America his
home. The correspondent adds: "He has be-
come power in English politics, and has
used his influence for noble ends. Can he find
better sphere in the States? This he seems
10 have decided for himself, and in sense
which is favorable to the republic. Some who
admire him as scholar but are not imbued
with his political notions, say emphaticaly
that he will never be appreciated across the
Atlantic; that he will be lost in a crowd, and
that the qualities which distinguish him are
too finely tempered for the roughnesses Of
Amrcan life. But this is part of the stock OF
prejudice which an old aristocrahc country
must be expected to retain.
The members OF the Williams College As
sociation had their annual supper in Boston
on the evening of the first INST. Mr.. William
CI,llen Bryant was invited to contribute some
verses to be read on the occasion. lie replies,
in pleasant letter, that occasional verses are
not in his vein, and adds:
Besides, it is the December of Life with me.
l try to keep a few flowers in pots-mere O.
membrancels of more genial season, which IS
now with the thugs of tine past. II can nave
a carnation or two for Christmas think my
self fortunate. You write as If had nothlng
to ,o i'm fulfilling your request but to go out
and gather under the hedges and by the
brooks, a bouquet Of flowers that spring spon-
taneously, and throw them upon your table
il L were to try, what would you say II y prov
ed TO be only a little bundle OF dead stalks and
4. 80