The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-12-20
TOPICS OF THE TINES.

The first skates used in this country come
from Holland, and will still lie remembered
under the name Of ''turn-ovcrs.' Previous
to 1883 but very few skates, and these Of al
inferior quality, were manufactured in
America. Now nearly 100000 club skates
alone are made by different factories
throughout the country, and many Of them
arc exported to England aud Germany.
Upward Of l50, 600 wool and strap skates
are made by a firm doing business in New
York. Another house, having large facto-
rics in New England, manufactures 10000
club and 10000 wool skates in the same
period. In 1858 the best American skate
made could be bought for thirty-iive cents,
and imported English skates cost only 81.
Now pair Of silver and gold plated club
skates, Of the best workmanship, costs &2'.
The Memorial Diplomatiquc states that
the italian Consul at Pireus has informed
his government that NJ. Theodore Tubini,
banker at Athens, has obtained concession
for cutting canal through the Isthmus Of
Corinth. The principal clauses Of the con-
ccssion are that the canal shall have
minimum depth Of eight and half metres
(twenty-sevcn fect.) and width Of twelve
metres (thirty-nine feet) ut the bottom.
Half way through the canal is to be dock
Of 30, 600 square metres in extent, and Of
sufficient depth to receive the largest vessels.
The canal is to he completed in six year,.
The concession is for ninety-nine years, and
deposit Of el2, 900 is to bc paid immc-
diately after the Greek Parliament has
approved Of the concession The estimated
cost Of the undertaking is fsOO,OOO.
A welI-meaning but unphilosopl,ical hus-
band, in State west Of the Mississippi,
lost his third wife. 4 kinl-hcarted neigh
Dor called to con'lolc with the stricken heart
in his deep affection. ''This is 4 sad
bereavement said the neighbor, sympa-
thctically. with which you have been
visited ''Ycs," said the husband. '4his
here is the third which has been took from
me. Five yearsago me and Maria was mar
ried. and in six months she died. Then me
and Hannah was married. and in less than
year shc died. Then married Sophrona,
and now she has up and died. Pears like
never would have no luck with women. -
Father Pr",t. the author Of the beautiful
poem,
The bells 0t Shan don;
That sound 70 grand on
The pleasant waters
O the river Lee,
lies buried under the very shadow Of the
town whore the bells were hung. with
nothing to indicate 4 spot where poet
lies. Father Prout was literary man Of
no ordinary caliber. Besides his skin as
versificr; he was well known as translator
Of rare ability, and man Of Of deep and
varied learning. It is proposed by his al
Mirers to have monument erected to his
to which postlumous honor no one
will deny he is entitled. There il not much
enthusiasm in Ireland for keeping alive the
in memorial fashion. Of her men
Otherwise the people of Limerick
alone would long ago have raised decent
over the grave Of one whose
plaintive verse has surrounded tho stecplc
Of Shandon with fame and poetry which
its architectural beauty could never have
procured. Father Pront, while only second !
to Tom Moore as a poet, was his superior in
dignity and character, and is certainly quite |
rs much entitled to a nations gratitude.