Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-15
4 London Fog.

Nor only over London, but through all
its streets and squares, its alleys and
"clOses," and in its obscurest corners,
there was last week brOOding a fog COM
pared with which the famed London fogs
Of the past have been but gOssamer mists.
1t came in thick, dirty-yellow cloud,
penetrating every crevice and opening,
creeping, along the thOr0ughfares like
solid though intangible mass. The
American idea of such visitation is that
| the atmosphere has become infectiOusly
dull and stagnant; the gloom of an Ameri-
can fog is no more serious than u e alb
sence of sunshine and dispiriting heavi-
ness in the air. But the fog which, ever
and anon, besets London, besieging it
like an atmospheric host, absorbing it
like an atmospheric sponge, as little to
be resisted by doors, and windows, and
blinds as a goblin or fairy sprite, as
Opaque as a stone wall, as persistent as a
misery creditor, as preventive of bust
ness as financial crisis, and as hostile to
the pleasures of the fashionable world as a
plague Difference, strikes practical blind
ness to the whole population, and defes
the sun and moon, gas, kerosene and tar,
with an equal triumph. AT such a time
the London blind have for once the ad-
lures; used to cropping, they may grope
amid the fog as skillfully as under the
MONDAY sun, and find their way when
the seeing are bewildered. For two days
London was envelOped in one of these
monster fogs, the thickestand mostlong-en-
during within the memory of living Cock!
neys. 1t is almost as if the great teeming
hive Of human bees had been sulphur
sutfocated out of existence. The busy
Thames flows, for once in an age, unob-
structed and free between its murky and
Uttered banks. Vessels, coastwise and
sea-worn, lie helpless at the quays, and
crowd closely together as if for mutual
protection. The penny steamboats, creep
tearfully from pier to pier, their lavish
galaxy Of warning lights paint but dull
red flush on the yellow canvas of the fog.
On London Bridge, at midday, there is
an irregular torch light procession of
people with links and lanterns cropping to
and fro, seeming from a little distance,
like a phantom saturnalia.
Everywhere there is cropping and col
liding, a deafness and silence in most
places like that of midnight. Cheapside,
for once, ceases it daylong babble of
cart wheels and shOutings, it's barricades
Of vehicles and crowded payements.
carts; draymen curse at the fog blindness
of the coachmen and omnibus drivers;
moneyed men, tiding painfully towards
Change, lose precious appointments Lon
dOners of forty years standing, attempt
ing TO reach the green grOcer's to order
the family supply, find themselves lost in
the next street, and wander for hours
around radius Of few yards of their
residences; children are hopelessly lost,
and the police and the pickpockets are
equally baffied-B0ston Post
Tonic FOR HoRsEs.-If horse is very
low in flesh and spirits, give him one but
ton of nox-vomica every other day until
he has taken three buttons. They should
be beaten or filed, and should be given
(when the horse is hungry in meal or
hominy. Be sure he eats it all. If, how
ever, he should leave portion, drench
him with what remains, after mixing 1t
with water and putting in bottle. Then
give him tablespoonful OF the following
mixture once a week; One-fourth pound
pound saltpeter, onefourth pound alum,
one-fourth pound sulphur, one-fourth
pound ginger, well pounded and mix
ed He should be exercised mod
erately, or put at light work; he should
have his usual food left in his trough. In
four weeks the horse will probably be in
a thriving condition; if not, continue the
mixture. The nox-vomica should be
omitted unless the horse is in a very bad
condition, as there is some danger in Civ
ing it to horse in tolerable health. If
have his corn ground to hon.
iny, and mix with it one-third shelled
oats. Twelve pounds per day of this
mixture eight pounds hominy and four
pounds oats) is a fair allowance for work
horse. This mixture is all excellent tonic
and Alternative, and may be safely and adj
given to horses and mules
at any time, and will improve their con-
dition, particularly in The spring when
they are shedding their coats, and often
lose their appetites The same applies 10
cattle. Both should have salt and ashes
or weak lime equal quantities. given
them regularly every week.-FTesad>
Friend.