Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-20

LII appears from statistics prepared by the
head of the Italian general statistical office
that more than eight times as many miles of
railroads nave been constructed in the last
quarter OIL century as in the previous
twenty five years. The first railroad in this
country was opened in 1926 England proceed
Ing US b. year in this respect In 1850 the
length OF lines all over the earth was less than
1900 miles, and in 1876 it was nearly $4,000
VI this total the EcOnODliste Francois assigns
to the United States 1905 miles while all
Europe boasts only SO. i30 miles. Whether the
suspension of activity for some years past in
extending the railway systems of the world
is to be taken rs an indication that
their highest point OF development has
been reached is disputed point. 1t Is
likely that some parts of the world are
covered with such network of railways that,
with the increased expense for such construc-
ton, only few new lines can be prOftably
begun. But there are immense regions whose
resources can only be fully developed by the
aid OF the iron horse, and whose products,
when brought into the markets of the world
Will repay tenfOld the outlay made in pro-
yldlng adequate means of transportation 1t
is not likely that railroads will lose their USE
1ullneSS, or cease to spread over the world
until some cheaper and swifter means of
transportation Supersedes them.
The astronomers will have another oppOr-
tunity on the 10Th of this month. to discover
the nature of the corona which surrounds the
sun in total eclipse, and the causes of its for
nation and peculiar shape The corona has
been the subject of so many hot disputes,
being successfully aScribed to to the action of
lunar atmosphere, the atmosphere of the
earth and finally to an extended solar atmos-
phere, that it is hardly wise topic to intro
duce at this season when every mental excite
ment should be avoided. Important results
are expected from the observations of the
eclipse, and the extent Of preparation made
and the distinguished character of the OBJ
servers, justify the expectation. Amy new
facts discovered In reference to the sun or its
surroundings will be well received by the
public, as well as by the scientific world. We
all take warm interest in the sun nowadays
->~s~-
The North CarOlinians who have been ex
pectlng their state to'fy straight I'D in the air
some day from tremendous cOnyulsion of
the earth crust, of which the rumblings and
othef mysterious noises at Bald Mountain
were supposed to give warning, may take
long breath of relief. Rock slides, it ap-
pears, have caused the noises on which were
constructed the items that have periodically
alarmed credulOus public.
Elaborate argument on the baby-WagOn case
has BEEN heard by New York Judge, and he
As now preparing a decision, which is awaited
by the public with great interest. General
fryOrs argument in behalf of the baby and
Inc oaOy wagon which made the noise which
disturbed the people who enjoined the wagon
Was master piece of legal Oratory. He took
Inc ground that IL the nervous system of the
complaining females be of so sensitive an Or
ganlZatiOn that their SusceptibilitIes are irri
Iated by the slightest sound, or if il be of
such mOmentOus consequence to the CON-
munlty that the mighty mind of Bank
PRESIDENT Poole be allowed to operate
without perturbation, the plaintiff should
have sought the needed silence and solitude
elsewhere than in tenement house He also
suggests that the court cannot be content
simply TO stop the carriage, for then the unap-
peaSaDle clamors Of the child will prove still
more lntolerable nuisance. The example of
the ingenious HerOd and the cannib Ilistic
Speculatlons OF Dean Swift in reference to the
babies of Ireland, suggest, 1t is intimated. a
more efectual redress for plaintiffs griev-
ance. The kindred case OF the 40 physicians
who protested against the racket of the ele
waited railway has been filed by the grand
Jury, an Indication, perhaps, of the result of
the present absurd controversy.
AHo DIIIl>HeIS are hOlulng prize crOQuet
meetings, and contest for the CHI ampionship
OF all England will soon follow. They are
evidently preparing themselves to be the vic
TINS Of some enterprising American croquet
player, who will pay the island a visit, and,
Initiating . Leary, the Columbus, and Bogar.
dus, will aStOniSh the natives
IL IS asserted by the astronomers that the
sun Is more than 100000 miles distant from
/ = M yxyar
IN this subject. But even waving the objection
ID the above figures, which is drawn from the
NnoW@dged uncertainties in reference TO
&c sun parallax, it is evident from the DER
nal feelings and consciousness of every one
I the sun is much nearer
.A6IsTRATE' OFFICE-HILLMAN A