Evening star., 1877-11-14

pie:
American near sightedness will soon be
come as prOverbial as that of the German
student. There seems to be no limit TO the
future profits of the manufactures and sellers
OF glasses and spectacles, and If matters GO
on as at present the typical American OF 1917
will necessarily be represented in sculpture
and painting as invariably bearing on the
bridge OF his nose an artificial aid for defec-
tive eyesight. This may be inferred from
the observed fact that near sig htedness is
becoming more and more common among
the youthful population; and in time the
continued operation of the present causes OF
the trouble with the cooperation of hereditary
transmission. may reasonably be expected
to make us noted as a weakeyel nation. A
close relation has been discovered between
affections OF the eyes and thorough school
education. A too early use OF books, states
and writing paper, faulty positions OF the
head, body and book in studying and writ
ing, the employment OF desks Improperly
graded in height, and the vitiated atmOS-
phere OF many school rooms, are all sug-
gested as tending to explain the fact.
But there are other causes in operation out
side of the schoolrOOm. Absorbed novel
reading and continued diligence with the
needle, in which the visual focus remains
for long periods comparatively unchanged,
are fruitful sources of the evil. Anything
that tends to cause use of the sight at too
short range is injurious; pOring over small
and poor type or pale writing ink, or reading
in railroad cars, in this way produce diseases
Of the eye. But working, reading, and writ
Ing by an insufficient light, which neces-
sarily bring the object 10 be seen close to the
eyes and cause these organs TO be strained,
may be mentioned as the especial causes
that may some day make the spectacles part
Of our national coat OF arms.
The Senate Finance Committee has
eliminated the free coinage feature
from the House silver bill, so that if
becomes law the United States
md not the bullion owners will reap the
benefits of coming the silver. We called al
tentiOn the other day 10 the fact that the
German government had one hundred mil
lion dollars worth of demonetized silver for
sale, and were looking for a market in this
country should the silver bill pass. Ii seems
by the foreign dispatches that they are
throwing silver upon the London market at
such low price that the quotations have
ceased. There is, il is stated, ian entire ab-
sence of any disposition TO purchase
No event Of any great importance has oc-
cured within the lasi few days TO alter the
relations between Russia and Turkey The
cautious and able General TOdleben who
became famous in connection with the con-
struction of the defences around Seoastopol,
shows himself not less skilful in attack. His
grasp on Plevna tightens every day, and
none of the struggles of the Turkish victim
seem 70 have looseDed even temporarily this
choking pressure. desperate rush like
that of wild beast when surrounded by
hunters may free Osman Pasha or aid may
come from some unforeseen quarter; but
hos ,r,Ix-
seem to be that the failure OF ammunition
and provisions in Plevna or some faltering
on the part OF the bessie ged, will give the cite
TO the Russians before many weeks have
passed. Osman Pasha has wonderful in
nuence over his men, and their love for him
and their bravery and endurance when led
by him, do not need TO be proven; but hum
ger and lack OF powder and an overwhelm-
Ing and wary enemy are too great odds to be
met and overcome.
The citizens petition TO Congress, asking
legislation fixing the proper proportion of
District expenses to be borne relatively by
the people OF the District and the general
government, has assumed formidable pro-
portions, being some dozens OF feet in
length. and signed generally by our citizens
OF al degrees and parties. Among the sign
ers are the members of the District judiciary
The United States. The petition is both lit
orally and morally the iCeightiesL one prob
ably, that was ever sent up by the people of
this District to Congress.
The Circular sent by the Secretary OF State
10 the American consuls in various parts of
the world requiring them to report to him
concerning the market fOI the products of
tnls country at theii respective stations, and
10 suggest such other articles of American
manufacture as they think might readily
and proftably be introduced. .oEtinue to
meet with responses that are full OF interest
ing and valuable information. This enlarge
ment OF the duties of our consuls cannot fail
10 have important results; IL will suggest
new avenues OF trade IN be developed by the
enterprise OF our merchants and manufac-
Jurers, and will, without doubt, largely in
crease Cur foreign commercial operations.
The New York FTcen0H's Journal referring
L. re reports OF the POpe's death, says that
his holiness Is as well as he has been for
years past, his only ailment being the old
ulcer In bis leg, and adds with a spice of pro-
family rather noticeable in a religious paper,
that he is likely TO live for twenty years yet
'until his enemies are dead aud d decided
upon finally"