The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
FOREIGN ITEMS.

The Extinction OF Polygamy IN Indla.-1ne ankle
" of the natives of India enter the civil service
Of the British Government is having its effect upon
the practice of polygamy. Candidates for positions
are required to pledge themselves to mOnOgamy.
Gradually pubic opinion is created, which is felt
even in native society On this point the LlckaOa0
Witness bears the following testimony: lie is i'm
possible for pOlygamy much longer to retain the
unchalienged position now accorded to 1t IN India
The natives OF the country are every year becoming
more camorous for admission to positions OF the
highest responsibility, and 1t will inevitably follow
that government which claims to lead the senu
ment of the civilized world will in due time cause
it to be understood that only respectable men can
be allowed to serve it. If polygamy is an outrage
on decency in England, it cannot be charming
domestic virtue in IDdia and our rulers should not
tacity approve Of 1t IN any way whatever.
The redemption of women from their degradation
will be great step in the Christanization Of Hin
dostan.-4NetbOdiSt.
Pilgrims and Cholera famous pilgrimage
to Mecca which Is always a of anxiety to the
European Governments, has been performed this
year. we are told, under the most reassuring con-
ditions. Thanks to the intelligent zeal of the
sanitary commission, composed of French, English
aud Ottoman doctors, no cases Of cholera have
occurred among the visitors to the sacred city, the
number OF whom Is said TO have exceeded 10000
Can it be that the followers of MOhammed are
/ yielding TO the advice or "lnhdel dogs, even
while Ga the road to Mecca.
The completion of the great dictionary OF the
| French language, on which NJ. LlttIe has been
for many years engaged, has been announced 1t
/ is comprised IN four octave volumes, making 10 all
| 4, 77S pages. One peculiarly of it is that In the
method OF treatment the etymology of each word
is discussed last. This Is reversal Of the usual
Photographed process, Each word is, however,
treated historically and Is traced through ali Its
changes OF form aud meaning. The work appears
under the sanction OF the French Academy, and
will of course, be the highest authority on ques-
tons Of usage.
To the yramids-Travelers for whom ancient
Egypt as well as modern, has its attractions, will
iee grateful 70 the khedive tor the facilities he
has gwen to explorers OF the Pyramids Instead
of the long donkey ride, with the tumbling OF the
poor bruteS into and out OF the passage boat,
strangers can now drive over noble bridge cross
ing the Nile, and leading to road, OF which a
great part Is already shaded, and the whole will be
one grand avenue 10 few years.
The manufacturing city Of Joachimstha on the
mountains OF Bohemia, was destroyed by FIRE on
the 3lst of March. Out OF 5S6 houses in the city,
$50 we're completely burned ana 5 600 persons rem
dered houseless The magnificent church founded
In the early days OF the reformation, TELL prey TO
the hames as did also valuable paintings by Lucas,
Crananch, and Albert Durer.
Methodist Work in India.-The Methodist Epis-
copal Church work in India never seemed as Wig
orous and hopeful as now. In Lucknow the
church memberships Is III, of whom go are natives.
La Alahabad, about $50 miles from Lucknow,
powerful revival has taken place and Methodist
Church has been organized. Rev. VIM. Taylor,
whose work there has been very successful, has
lust opened campaign in Calcutta. Three peri
y. 4. bnl bx,t than N lmcknOE.
Gus tracts and other publications are also issued.
Sir Henry Thompson, the eminent English sur
geop. has written q letter to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, expressing his conviction that there
Is no greater cause OF evil moral and physical, In
tbe country than the use OF alcoholic beverages,
and he reioces that the Church OF England has
finally taken the matter in hand and organized
scheme for promoting temperance IN the Isle. he
does not simply refer 10 that extreme indulgence
which produces drunkenness, but the babltuaL use
ot fermeuted liquors in all classes OF society, which,
ia his opinion, irjures the body aud diminishes
the mental power to an extent few people are
aware Of Tue national clergy, ne trusts, will now
spare no effort to suppress this national vice.
A Move in the Right Direoion.-Mr. Pimsol, the
member OF the Euglish House OF Commons who
has begun 9 crusade against the men who send I'M
seaworthy ships 70 sea, is devotng himself with
great energy to his cause, and will probably accom-.
pish much good. It is to be hoped that be will
endesvOr TO have stop put to the practice OF
building ships Of disprOpOrtionate length and to
compel the owners OF iron passenger steamers to
build them with double skin. The senior part
ner of the Cunard Company has written letter
TO the Earl of Shaftesbury, warmly indorsiug Mr..
PhmsoS course, but the owners of the White
Star" line have not yet expressed their views upon
the matter.
An Important Bill The Roman correspondent
of the True Catholic" writes: A bill has just
passed the Italian Senate, decreeng that Christians
Of al denominations may be candidates for the va
cant chairs in the universities" This is great
blow to the Church Of Rome; and a strong protest
/ is daily expected from the atican against the
Italian legislators who enacted and carried by ma
orty this daring attack against the religion of the
State.