The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-07-03
The old world.

The Congress held at Paris. in refer
ence to the projected ship canal
through the Isthmus of Panama has
decided in favor of level canal from
Panama to the Gulf of Limon, and it
appears that the cost of this would be
little short of $3.50, 600, 900. This is a
very large sum to invest in such an en-
terprise, when in the course of the next
few years there will be not fewer than
three competing lines of railway across
North America. Without entering up
on engineering questions, it is we'll to
bear in mind that the Suez Canal was
constructed by forced labor, that no
forced labor is to be obtained in this
case, and that the Inhabitants of the
Isthmus are by no means given to hard
work, even when tempted by high rates
of pay.
The phylloxera is causing the great
est anxaety in the department of the
Rhone, The Journal office says that
the plan of Mr.. Davis, an American
engineer, is to be tried there. This
consists in poisoning the insect and
stimulating the plant with manure.
The celebrated estate of Chateau
Margsux has been sold by the Viscount
Aguado to PIllet VIII, Paris banker,
for 1000, 900, an enormously high
price, when it is consideied that the
annual product is about 500 hogsheads
of first wine and 100 hogshesds of Sec
ond wine, worth altogether from $751;
600 to $50, 900, less the working ex-
peDses, which can hardly be estimated
at less than 500, 600, leaving only about
three per cent. per annum on the in
vested capital. The estate had not
previously changed hands since 1886,
when 1t cane into possession of the
present Viscount Aguado's father.
II the Paris Soir is to be believed,
taxation by torture Is now the mode in
Egypt. Those who will not or cannot
pay are hanged to palm trees, and unless
they pay or are paid for, are left to die.
Germany has addressed non-political
remonstrance to Egypt, stating in plain
language her views.
Cremation. having been pronounced
. measure OF salutary progress by the
committee of the Paris Municipal Coun-
Gil appointed to consider the question,
10 about to be introduced into Pere La
Chase Cemetery. It has been decided
TO set up an apparatus on Siemen's
principle. and Columbarium.
An American writing from Spain
urges the shipment OF labor saving i'm
plements there. Spanish farmers
plough with the end Of piece OF
wood about five inches thick, as was
done in the middle ages, sowing and
reaping machines are unknown, and
grain is not threshed. Oxen. tread il
out, and it is winnowed by women,
who toss it into the air to scatter the
chan. d. !
When the Zulus rushed in on tb.
small British detachment of Col. Wood
aud while there was yet an open road
in one direction, Coz. Weather.y, 81
English cavalry officer, placed his son
boy of thirteen. who was with him
ON horseback, kissed him, and TOLD
HIM 10 fly for life. The lad jumped
from the saddle, striking the horse
lash which sent 1t galloping of, AM
said: Father, I'll die with you.
The father handed his revolver 20. til
child just as the Zulus reached, owe
British bodies, the spot wheEes the
stood. Westherly slew five ZuIps be
fore he fell, but the son was killed 3
once.
According to the latest published OF
= fetal returns, the total expense iucuI
red by Russia, from the thirteenth Q
September, 1876. to the thirteenth Q
January, 1873, prosecuting the lat
war against Turkey, amounted 10 902,
600, 900 roubles, or about 1913, 600, 000
OF this sum s0i. 000. 600 roables wer
spent for general, 81. 0oo. O00 rouble
for artillery aud SS, 600, 900 ioubles 10
engineer purposes. The averag
monthly war expenditure eonss quent
~ amounted To -. 200, 600 reubles ;sn'
the average daily expenditure to 1857,
900 rouhles.