American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-12-04
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

FOURTEEN FreemasonS have been tried
and convicted in Porto Rico. Their
crime was violation of the ordinances of
religion forbidding membership to a
secret society. Three of them have been
sentenced to four and eleven to two years
imprisonment.
A NORWEGIAN paper reports that one
Capt. Gunnison, recently returned from an
Arctic voyage, has discovered in Nova
Zembla diary written by Barent, the
Dutch Arctic explorer, in the year 1880.
The manuscript is said to be in perfect
preservation, and its publication is anx-
iously looked for by scientific antiquaries.
In review of London pauperism, re-
Gently published, striking contrast is
drawn between the present state of things
and that existing sixty years ago. Then
the number of persons relieved by the
poor rates was 8 per cent. of the popula-
ton. Now it is only 3 per cent. The
population has more than trebled in that
time, yet the number of persons wanting
relief remains nearly the same.
A LONELY house on the coast of Cork
has been the scene of dreadful accident.
A barrel of petroleum was washed ashore
from a wreck, and woman named Sulli-
van used portion of the oil for the
house lamp. The oil overflowed from the
receptacle and set fire to the house, and
four-one account says six-persons we're
burned to death on the spot or received in
iuries which proved fatal in few hours.
A AUTOGRAPHED Chinese circular on
yellow paper has, according to the Ran
COON Mail, been extensively placarded
over Rangoon The following translation
of this document shows that it is not of an
altogether comfortable nature: Leong
Yeon Kee, Governor of Canton, brought
three letters from Teo Tsum 500, a Minis
ter of the Emperor of China at Pekin, who
has ordered that forty nine days be set
apart to feast the Chinese evil spirit
There will this year be scarcity of rice and
plenty of sickness. Evil spirits will de-
scend to examine and inquire into the
sickness. If people do not believe this,
many will die in September and October.
Should any people call you at midnight,
do not answer; it is not human being
who calls, but an evil spirit. Do not be
wicked, but be good"
THE Mayor of Lille, which "est en-
France" has issued the following decree:
1--WE, the Mayor of the City of Lille,
chevalier of the Legion OF Honor, seeing
that the use of pianos and organs in places
open to the public is often an Indictment
to dances and Objectionable songs; that 1t
keeps the artisan far from his employment,
and draws together young girls
that the sound of this riotous music occa-
s;ons also real annoyance to the neigh
bors, decree: Art l. From the LIST of No
vember approaching, the use of pianos
and organs is forbidden in all places open
to the public Art. 2. M. lie Commissaire
Central de Police is charged with the exc
cution of this decree. Hotel de Vile, Oct.
10, 1875. The Mayor, Catel-Beghin. Seen
and approved by the Councillor of State,
Project du Nord. The Secretary General
Delegate, Capin."
THERE is an impression that relations
between Japan and Corea are rather
strained. The two countries are separated
by narrow sea, and intercourse between
them has been always intimate. Some
200 years ago the japanese invaded Corea
and rendered it tributary, but this tribute
has been latterly refused, and good deal
of negotiation has been going on. Gun
boats and emissaries have been going and
returning and it was reported that, to the
great Indignation of the Japanese, the
Corean Government had refused to receive
their ENJOYS. a Japanese paper now
gives a curious report of the reason
alleged TO have been given for the refusal.
This is said to have been none other than
the fact of their having presented them
selves in modern European costume in
stead of the old court dress which ENJOYS
from Japan formerly wore. The CoreanS
said: 1--WE do not object to receive you,
but we detest all that is tainted with the
customs of Europe. Resume your ancient
dress and we will acknowledge you. AS
Won are now alfred we shall decline to do
so ~