Connecticut western news., 1879-10-22
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

~
 Mosel at sea, recalls the fact that about
 two years ago fire broke out on board
 the steamship Oder, of the same line,
 and it's cause was spontaneous combus-
 tion in silk, which formed part of the
 cargo. About the same time two cases
 of silk which had been discharged on
 the Hamburg Dock, Hoboken, were
 destroyed by the same cause. They had
 been lying on the dock undisturbed for
 A hours, when smoke was seen issuing
 from them. They were immediately
 rolled out upon the stone approach to
 the dock and broken open. Some pieces
 of silk were pulled from the cases. and
 then the remainder suddenly began to
 burn. The superintendent of the dock
 took one of the pieces which had been
 saved, carefully wrapped it in a parcel,
 and placed 1t in barrel on the dock.
 intending to use it in explaining the ori
 gin of the fire. When taken out of the
 wrapper next day this silk at first ap- peared to be all right, but suddenly it famed up and was entirely consumed.
 At that time the spontaneous oombus- tion was generally ascribed to the pres ence in the silk of an inaammable cheni- cal preparation used in the dyeing, Should investigation prove that the re- cent fire originated in the same way. the cause of spontaneous combustion in silks should be ascertained, if possible.
 -The IGgaOacht of Berlin describes the different kinds of work performed by women in various parts of Germany, They saw and split wood; they carry on their heads water, wood, coal, sand and stones; on the farms they blow, harrow, mow and thrash the crops; they help to build houses, carrying bricks up the ladders; in the large cities they sweep the streets, and besides all that they perform their ordinary housework. In times of war many of them are found on the battlefield, though thier occupation there is more of peaceful character than that performed by their mothers of the pagan era; they prepare meals, mend soldiers uniforms. and nurse the sick.
 A recent report to the British Board Of Trade goes to show that between July IS, 1876, and August IA, 1878, no fewer than fifty-two ships laden with coal disappeared, forty-one suffered more or less by reason of spontaneous combustion, and twenty-four from ex- plosion. The ffty-two ships which dis represented value of about $1, ,50O,O00, and were manned by 463 men, who went down with them.
 The storyis well-known of Senator Sharon stepping in and assuming Ral- ston's debts. For while he was so crippled with the burden that it was a toss from day to day when he would go under, but hard struggle has brought him slowly out from under the $11, ,OOO,- 900 debt cloud that hung over him. For this reason he spent little of his time in his seat in the Senate. Absence at cer- tain times would have lost it all for him. They say that he only draws his pay, but he spends all and more of it in en- bertainining his Congressional friends at Belmont.
 -"The coming year 1880, I am glad to state, " says the editor of the London World, "is to be conspicuous by the rare peouliarity of boasting five Sun lays in February. Now all weather wise people have agreed for centuries n considering the circumstance as one of extraordinary good omen for the har- vest and trade generally. So that if the famous depression does not come to an end within three or four months, I really do not know who will be to olame."
 A St. Louis correspondent of the | Cincinnati Enquirer tells the sad story 'f an aged couple in that city who have lot spoken to each other in sixteen years, though living together and shar- ng the same table. Her refusal to sign deed was the cause of the husbands 'nger. Their only means of communi- 'ation has been daughter, who married few weeks ago and has since died in a chill. Even this catastrophy las not unsealed the lips of the obdurate couple, and they continue their lives of 
 Tea leaves steeped, not boiled, for lalf an hour in tin pan, and strained trough sieve, will give liquid use- ul to wash all vanished paint. It re- noves spots, and gives fresher, newer ppearance than when soap and water re used. For white paint, take small uantity of whiting on damp piece of Id white flannel, and rub over the sur ace lightly, and it will leave the paint bright and new.
 -Blondin is performing in the old building at Vienna. He re- 1ses to have net spread beneath him. London paper says that he is followed verywhere by Mir. Thompson, who as made bet of e1O, ,OOO that the hero Niagara will fall from the rope and @ killed ere he attains the age of 60. i've years more and the cruel wager ill be decided one way or the other, for londin is already 55.
 Eastern Siberia is said to be men, 'ed by famine; the prices of grain are lgher than were ever known before, and le poorer classes are already suffering 'verely. The harvest is an extremely GOT one, and during the Winter it is zpected that the population will be in 'rrible condition of want. The cattle lague has increased the evil, there be- 'g in many villages not one beast left i've. A few centuries ago Szegedin, even len one of the largest and most impor- mi knurna of