The Portland daily press., 1869-04-30

On the morning of the of the 9th instant
London was 'snveloped in dense yellowish-
black fog, which covered the great city as with
the darkness Of night. There was but little of
the thick mist of the common English fog but
the darkness overhung the city like . gi-
gantic pail, and effectually obscured both sun
and sky. A general illumination by means Of
gas was, of course, indispensable. In the city
and at the West End public business was in
terrapted; the street traffic was delayed, and
the steamboats, ceased running. 1t cleared
away about noon.
-One of the friars at the Convent at Pres
burg, Hungary, was recently poisoned while
partaklng ct the sacrament. A servant had
poured sulphuric acid into his cup
The phrase ''going snaeks originated at
the time of the plague in London. A noted
body-snatcher then resided in that city, named
snacks. His business increased 50 fast that
he offered to any person who should join him
In his hardened practice half the profit; those
who Joined him were said to go with Snacks.
Hence, going snasks. or dividing the spoils
"A Cincinnati woman endorsed ON her tax
return, Taxation without representation il
tyranny"
Mr.. Lecky's "History of European Nor
ais is at last out, and is declared by the Palf
Mall Gazette to be "thoughtfal, clear, accurate.
and, above al" (why above all?) profoundly
interesting and suggestive"
"A st. Louis disputch informs us that la
dy lDr. Adelaide erennan) has been ap-
pointed examining physician of an insurance
company of that city. 1t is presumed that her
services are only required for persons Of her
own sex. tt
Jenny" said Scotch minister, STOPPING
from his pulpit, "haye ye got a psen about
yep eyes, minister" "Then stick it into
that sleeping brute o a man o yours by your
| side."
-"Oh, where do you get the red for your
cheeks?' said a pale, wan young lady to q
bright, laughing mink. "Whers the roses get
theirs, in the air and sunlight" was the quick
reply.
Venice is built on III islands. The Grand
Canal was cut over the flats and makes the
Corso of the city, or the grand boulevard of
Venice 1t cuts the city into two equal parts
and is serpentine in its course. From these
start out great number of smaller canals.
which correspond to streets in other cities.-
There are 150 small canals; add to these small
roads or streets of the city and the whole
amount to A80. There are over 200 SQUARES.
The churches and palaces are built on niles
which number many millions The canals
are crossed by 400 bridges
1--WE won't 90 home till morning." con-
temporary thinks must be the "latest thing
out''
-"An expectant one' naively remarks that
distant relations, when making their wills, are
invariably very "slose"
The reports from all sections of the West
ern States indicate the largest yield of wheat
in proportion to the population for many years.
All sections report the same stsry. All the
wheat States have not only splendid prom
ise for fall wheat, but the farmers are prepar-
ing for large sowing Of spring wheat. The
season is late and wet, bnt still large breadths
| will be sown.
-''The Gates Wide Open" is the title Of
book by Mr.. George Wood, of Washington,
author of Modern Pilgrims" 1t is announe-
ed as a companion to Coates Ajar."
The New York Times Offers this for the
consolation of the affiicted-''Next to the
pleasure of getting frst-class mission or a
high post in one of the Departments, is the
pleasure of being talked about for one or the
other"
AN entsrprising individual is engaged at
Minneapolis in building fat-boat about six
by fifteen to transport himself and family to
Texas.
-Connslly, the American sculptor, has CONF
pleted, and has now on exhibition in Florence,
a model in plaster of new group of statuary
which he calls ''Death and Honor" The
Opiaione Nazionale of March 10th says Of its
eve have been admiring, in the studio Of Mr..
Connolly, the very beautiful group represents
ing Honor arresting the triumph of Death, re-
ferring to those who fell in the late war in the
United States The group lis admirable in its
conception, and the brave young artist has
overcome the immense difficulty of grouping
together five figures and horse. The horse
itself is modelled with indescribable life. and
so is the Death who rides him. All the figures
compose well and exactly tell the story of the
postical and most original conception
The Pope has refused the earnest solicita-
tions from all quarters that women should be
allowed to take part in the performance OF
Rossini's Mass during Holy Week at st. re-
ter's.
-"Box and Cox has been set to music oy
Arthur Sullivan and given with success n
London.