The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-08-16
Foreirn Notes.


The average breadth of the Black |
Sea IL 240 miles. 1t abounds with fish,
and receives the waters of more than
forty rivers.
6alllpe J, was the first city in Europe
captured nd fortified by the Turks in
1856. Il Is now 10 be settled by de-
fcnders Of the true faith on the Thames.
Prince Louis Napoleon was one of
the most eourted guests at grand ball
recently given by the Countess of Will
ton. az her mansion in Grosvenor
square, which the Prince and Princess
OF Wales slso attended.
Ahmed Muktar Pasha is idolized by
his troops, according . correspond
emit Of the London 80 a, because
he wears soldiers cos the coars-
eat material and witho.- ornamental
tionof any sori, never eats meat dur
ing the campaign and never touches
glass OF wine or any other alcoholic
drink; he even denies himself the lux
ury OF smoking, and lives worse than
the common soldiers, whose hardships
and fatigues he always shares.
Raoul Pasha, who has taken com
msnd Of the Turkish army of the Bal
kans, was in England with the late
Sultan Abdul Aziz, and speaks French
fluently. He is very unlike the gener
atty OF Turks in his habits, being an
enthusiastic sportsman, fond of walk
ing all day after birds, and being the
husband Of one wife only, TO whom
he is said to be very faithful. II any
TUX can save the nation by energy
and soldier-like qualities, Raouf is
thought to be the man to do it.
Mr.. Charles Wiener, who for the
past two years has been conducting a
scientilic expedition in South America
under directions from the French gov
eminent. claims 10 have succeeded in
making the first ascension of Mt. ILL
mani, In Bolivia, one of the few known
lofty peaks on the surface of the earth
lefsgirqn of the foot Of man. On the
nineteenth of May, with two compan-
ions, ne reached, as he believes, the
top OF the mountain, and ascertained
the height OF the southeastern peak TO
be 30, 1f2 feet. He gave this peak the
name OF the Peak Of Paris, which name
has been recognized "oflicially" (by
the French society, as we suppose and
deposited on the summit IN hermeti
caIly sealed tube document recording
his ascent and claim. Lieutenant Glib
bon, OF the United States navy, many
years ago, in the course of his very
interesting journey, attempted to climb
Illimana from the side OF La Pas, but
retired after attaining Il height of -,
600 feet. The highest peak of the
South American Andes ever assembled
by men of European race before the
feat OF NJ. Wiener is that cf Chimbo.
razo. the summit Of which was reached
by Bousslngault in 1881, when d
height of 49, 95 feet was ascertaiped
\ by him.
a contest was lately arranged in
England between carrier pigeon and
u locomotive. Dover is seventy miles
from London Gas the crow A;es" and
seventy-six aud half miles by rail.
road, and few days ago there was an
exciting race between the two cities.
The French police wished to forward
20 London IA very important document
as quickly us possible, and the ques-
ton was whether a carrier pigeon OF
the continental mail express" could
take IL the soonest. |, was determined
TO try in competitive manner both
means of conveyance. The railroad
company selected its strongest and fast
est engine, and the French police hired
the services Of -" Belgian voyageur,
! which is OF the best breed OF homipg
pigeons. Attic moment that the train
started the little messenger, with the
document fastened to him, was tossed
k-5dt OF window of a car. Flying about
half a mile high, for minute or two
he crcied about as If in search of bear
Jugs, aud then took straight course
for London. His apparent hesitation
led the railroad officers to feel conf
= dent in their own success. They made
their iron horse stretch every nerve,
and TREY scored a mile for every min
ute. But in the hazy, sunny atmos-
phere, and borne along the west
wind, the bird beat the t. by TWEEN
~ minutes time allow ice repre-
scnting eighteen miles. lie accom-.
plished in ifty.six minutes what the
engine was seventy-slx minutes in &C
complishing.