The Democratic advocate., 1871-08-03

Islands, May lst, affected in terrible
manner the small island of Camaquln,
FIVE miles from Misamis. For some
months previously, especially in March,
there was succession OF violent shocks,
which opened extensive creyices in the
earth. Finally, on May LIST, the level
plain near tho village Of Catarmin began
gradually to subside, until the tops of
the houses became level with the earth,
This remarkable phenomenon attracted
a large number Of people, when gradual
ly some terrific shocks were lelt, and
before the thurdering revcrberatIons
had died away, tho whole level plain
fell in, enyeloping $50 persons. The
plain became the crater Of volcano
1900 feet wide, and from it smoke,
ashes and stoues were thrown ipto the
air. A pause until dark succeeded,
when there was another explosion, and
rain of fire followed. The woods
became isuitcd, aud men aud cattle
went flying before the flames. The
spectacle was frightTul in the extreme.
The volcano still continues to eject
stones aud earth The inhabitants have
left the island, which formerly contain.
ed population Of 10000, The island
produced Manila hemp, one-tenth Of
tho whole quantity grown.
George IL. Miles, Esq, the well
known American dramatic author, died
July 24th at his residence, near En-.
mittsburg, Frederick county, Maryland.
He was born in Baltimore about 1928,
his father being a merchant in that city,
aud at one time having occupied the
position of U. S Consul in one of the
republics of South America, In 1913
he graduated with the first honors of
the class at Mount St Mary's College,
Emmittsburg, Md, and having studied
law under John II. b. Latrobc, was
admitted to the bar aud pracliccd his
profession for several years. lie then
married aud removed to Emmittsburg,
where he devoted himself to literary
pursuits, and became Professor of Bel.
les lettros aud Rhetoric ut Mount ST.
Mary's College, holding this position
until 1867. Mr.. Miles was the author
of many dramas, but he is most widely
known for his play of "Mohammcd, I"
written for Mr.. Forrest.
Heart reudng details of the great
famine prevailing in Persia have been
received in London The deaths in one
province average three hundred daily,
aud the dead bodies, in some places,
have been eaten by the survivors.
Men, women and children have been
killed to render the supply of food more
abundant. 10 add to the tale of misery,
the plague has made its appearance aud
the Turkish Government has been
forced to draw Gordon suRjtUrie along
the border Of its territory. Later ac
counts say that the iamuc exceeds
in horror anything in modern history
The abandonment Of crop raising fol
the cultivation of cotton aud opium
seems to have been the primary cause
while the increase Of taxation drove the
people from the rural districts to the
cities aud helped to lessen the number
Of producers while it added to the con
sumers. The recital of the practice.
TO which the people have been driven
for food, tho revolving details of cann
balism and the violation of cemeteries
make the saddest page in the record o.
this distressful year.
The eutirc quantity Of available coal
existing in the British Islands ha,
been calculated to amount to $4,000,
100000 tons. At the present rate o
consumption this supply would last ovel
nine hundred years but with contin
ued yearly increase of two and three
foui tbs millions, it would last only twt
hundred and twelve years, and this i
what our English cousins are worryin.
about. They may rest quite easy il
regard to the matter; all Of them VIII,
live to zee the supply of coal exhausted
will be very certain to have lived lon.
enough to witness the invention of som,
practical substitute for this description
of fuel.
In the Fourth Ward of New York. il
one block, are 60 old and riekety build
iugs occupied by 4lS families, Of whicl
2 are Welsh, Z Portuguese, 10 English
10 American, IL French, 80 colored
1S6 Italians, 1S9 Polish, 218 German
aud 8iS Irish. Inone block of building
owned or controlled by the same parties
are over 5000, Several tenemcnt
contain over 1000 These are huddle,
together in filthy, dark, unventilate,
rooms, for which they pay extortionat
prices and suffer untold miserics il
body and mind.
On June Both, 1871, there were 80,
O45 post Offices in the Uuited States
During the year ending on that day
2407 new post offices were established
aud 854 discontinued ,showinga net gail
in the number Of post Offices of 1855
Tho number of cases acted upon by th,
Post Office Department, involving estab
lishments, discontinuauces, changes o
name aud site, designations, removal
and deaths, was 9416, or about IA,
daily.
It is estimated that there are 1929,
200, 900 cubic feet of water delivere,
annually from the rivers in Maine int
the ocean, falling distance of 600 feet
This would be equal to 1856, 200 hors
power, or equivalent to the labor of "a,
100000 men for one year without inter
mission.
A child was born at Manchester VT
last week, which weighed only twenty
four ounces, but was perfectly formed
aud hopes are entertained OF its living
Its face can be almost covered with al