The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-04
Curious and Interesting Items.

The Chinese language Is said to con-
tain not more than about $50 words.
The formula of Epictctus. tho Roman
stole philosopher, was, "sustino ct alb
stine," ito bear and forbcar." III .s,,s
The first Rcview and Critical Journal
published, WAS tho journal dcs Scavans." "
issued in Paris. in 1865. by Denis dc Sallo.
counsellor in the parliament of Paris.
Socrates learnt TO play on musical instru-
mcnts in his old age; Cato at eighty,
thought proper to learn Greek, and Plu-
tarch, almost rs late In life, Latin. n
The cooks of tho ancicnts were so dex-
ferrous, rs to be able to serve up whole
pig boiled on one side and roasted on the
other.
The temple in which was the first pub
lie library In Egypt was cmbellishcd by
the inscription. "rhe nourishment Of the
soul N or according to Diodorus, "Tho
medicine of the mind" Zoo "... .''.
The Maldivian islanders cat alone.
They retire into tho most hidden parts Of
their houses: and they draw down the
cloths that serve rs blinds to their win
dows, that they may eat unobserved.
Seneca, the Roman rhetorician says Of
anger, ~ wish that the ferocity Of this
passion could be spent Mt It's first appear
ancc. so that it might injure but once, rs
in the case Of the bees, whose sting is do
stroyed forever at the first puncturc 1t oc-
casions." ..
Tho islanders of the Philippines are re-
markably sociablc. Whenever ono of
them finds himself without n companion
to partakc of his meal, he runs till nc
meets with ono; and we nro assured that,
however keen his appetite may be. hc
ventures not to satisfy 1t without guest.
When first tho art of printing was dis
covered. only one side of o leaf was made
use Of the cxpedient of imprcssing tho
other side was not yet found out. Spcci-
mems Of those early printed books arc
still oxtant. Afterwards they thought Of
p,sting tho blank sides which made them
appear rs one leaf. rrr lar-u. g,.F
Tho Roman apicius was o monstrous
glutton. and very fond of shrimps. Hear
ing that they were larger in Africa, than
at Minturna, In Italy, where ho resided.
he Immediately embarked for that coun-
try. Having passed through terrific
storm. he arrives off that coast. Not find.
ing the shrimps any larger. ho oontc,nptu-
ously turns his hack to Africa. and has
tened back to Italy. Hr..r-
We arc indebted to the Italians for the
idea of newspapers. The first paper WAS
Venetian one, and only monthly; but 1t
was merely the newspaper Of the govern
ment. A jealous government did not al
low q printed newspaper; and tho Vene-
tian gazette continued long after the in
vention Of printing. to the close Of the
sixteenth century, even to bc distributed
in manuscript. ,,..,
Philip Of Macedon felt so strong q con-
viction of the merit of the philosopher
Aristotle, that he wrote to him on tho
birth Of Alexander: 81 receive from tho
gods this day n son; but thank them not
80 much for the favor Of his birth, as hi.
having come into the world at timo
when you can have the care ofhis edu-
cation; and that through you he will bc
rendered worthy Of being my son." I" :
The Otahciteans, who are naturally so
ciabIe. and very gentle in their manners,
feed separately from each other. AT the
hour of repasL the members Of each FAM
ily divide; two brothers, two sisters. and
every husband and wife, father and moth.
or have each their respective basket.
They place themselves st tho distance Of
two or three yards from each other; they
turn their backs, and take their meal In
profound silence. ~ = ''.7..' .,i'
Tvirc~ In vritin n storv In which No tutr,