The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-03-01

solemnly out. The masqueradsrs
chsffed the man who was lying on the
bier, and one, more venturescme than
the others, lifted the pail, DISCLOSING
a corpse with a dagger through his
heart. The French are always funny.
In Germany seats and desks in school
houses are so arranged that the pupils
never face the windows, but only have
side lights from the left; and as a light
simultaneously thrown from two sides
gives an inference of shadows, it has
been strictly forbidden 10 build school
rooms with windows on both sides.
such illumination having proven in
furious to the eyes of the pupils.
The introduction of railways in
Egypt has proved great stimulus to
the growth of cotton. That portion of
country along the borders of the Nile
is admirably adapted TO the cultiva-
ton of this staple, and its product is Of
superior quality, much resembling that
of the gulf States. All along the route
of the railroad line which runs up the
valley of the Nile, cotton plantations
and ginning houses have lately sprung
up, and the road is already in receipt
of very flourishipg traffic from this
source.
At dinner parties given in Oriental
countries plate three feet in diameter
serves as table, the guests sitting on
rugs near it. In eating, only the right
hand is used, the left being concealed
under the drapery. Servants bring ba-
sins to each of the persons present just
before and after the meal, so that they
might battle their hands, and instead of
washing in water already in the basin,
they have it poured over their hands
from a jug which the servant holds.
The guests are often served with TWEEN
ty-hve or thirty courses at dinner.
Ex-RepresentatIve ]. L. Johnson, of
| Greensboro, Kentucky, who committed
suicide last Monday morning, chose a
strange method. Dressing himself as
he wished to be buried, he wrote anoto
to his wife saying he was tired of life.
Then he teok rifle from his room,
proceeded to the orchard near the
house, and placing the butt of the
weapon in the fork OF an apple tree,
he set the trigger, and, drawing the
ramrod, stepped in front of the bar
rel. Placing the muzzle against his
breast, he pushed the ramrod against
the trigger and fell pierced through
the heart.
Lydia Thompson lately appeared in
her new ''Robinson Crusoe" in London,
ana Olive Logan says that "her won
derful white dress was composed of
layer upon layer of fringe OF the An
CORA goat, sewn upon body and short
skirt of white silk. A high-peaked
cap of the same material, enhvened by
stiff feather of the brightest scarlet
of the famingo's wing; white satin
boots end long gloves; belt and chate-
laine Of FURNISHED silver white Chinese
parasol; tame parrot perched upon
the forefnger OF her left hand. Thus
attired, she made quite striking APP
pearance of prettiness, and her photo
graph in this guise is now prominent
in the shop windows of Regent street."
The New York Herald says: "The
committee of bankers interested in the
adjustment OF the Southern State debts
met to consider the practicability Of
refunding the debts Of all the States,
from Virginia to Texas, which are now
, in Arrears. A liberal policy on the
part of the present bondholders will
be recommended, and the committee
has already entered into correspond
ence with several States, with q fair
prospect of being able to effect an
equitable adjustment. At the recent
meeting the debt of Virginia, amount
ing to $50, 900, 900, was considered par
ticularly, but on account of the va
rious interests Involved 1t was found
difficult to arrive at an expeditions
plan Of settlement, and the committee
adjourned without having completed
the proposed adjustment.