Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-10
TIMELY TOPICS.

tlOu VI Dhu Uhteflh., IHulty COnBLTuc-
tion, and imperfect supervision, or all
OF these causes combined.
The great map of the moon, completed
by DIR. Julius Schmidt, of Athens, after
twelve years of labor, shows 80 658 crat-
ers and ring-l like formations on the lunar
surface, and 346 rills and clefts. DIR.
Schmidt estimates that the humber
wonld be increased to l00,0 900 craters in
n complete chart, showing the moon as
seen with magnifying power of 600.
The american Journal of Science has
been giving Edison's electric light a
thorough investigation, and its conclu-
sion is as follows: Provided the lamp
can be made either cheap enough or dur
able enough. there is no reasonable
doubt OF the practical success of the
light. but this point will evidently re-
quire much further experiment before
the light can bepronounced practicable.
That Mr.. Edison will finally overcome
the difficulty, however, no one who
knows him can doubt.
DR.. Carpenter considers it possible
that at some remote geological period
n connecting strip of land may have ex-
listed bet ween Europe and America, and
that New Zealand, Tasmania and South
America may have been linked together
by ridges of dry land. while Madagas-
car may have been Joined in similar
manner To the African continent. Geol-
ogists have supposed that n great CONT
nent, which they have called Atlantis.
once existed between Africa and Amer
lea, but DIR. Carpenter regards the evil
dence of itas very unsatisfactory.
NJ. Lamarre is the originator of an
improved military proiectiie, a fire ball,
for the purpose of throwing a strong
light on the enemy's position in the u ight
time, the principal object being TO pre-
vent the digging of trenches or the ac-
complishment of other mi litary opera
tions. Shortly after leaving the cannon,
the Lamarre fire ball discharges light
sufficiently bright, and lasting long
enough, to enable guns to be pointed
at the works. The projectile has also
grenade, which explodes after a certain
and preventing their interference with
the light.
Adam Wagner was about the most
popular old man in Galiipolis, Ohio,
bul "aS "a tOullI HWtAIEI. L Ht
community was frequently shocked by
kindly heart. His nephew, Philip,
owed him n grudge, and took advant-
age OF his failing TO injure him. When
ever he cursed outrageously before wit
nesses. Philip had him arrested and
fined under the law against profanity.
This went on for several years. At
length the justice before whom the
cases came refused TO inflict another
fine. Philip was maddened by the fail
uTe Of his old device, and killed the old
man on the spot with pistol.
By an official return re lating 10 Eng
lish merchant shipping. lately issued,
the number oil sailing yes sells employed,
both in the home and foreign trade, has
diminished from l9, 900 in 1880 to l6,449
in 1879, the tonnage being 3 .S52, ,245 in
the first year. to 3.9iS,67 in the last.
The height OF prosperity for England's
merchant feet was in 1895, since which
year there has been n marked falling
of. On the other hand, the number OF
steamers has augmented from 929 in
1860, to $3.50 last year. and the tonnage
from 300. 49f to 2. .33l, ,l57. This increase
of about six-fold in the tonnage of the
steamers means more than n similar in
crease of sailing vessels would imply,
for the effective power OF the steamer as
carrier may be three or four times that
of the sailing vessel, as the former will
make three or four voyages TO one OF
the other.
A Faitt. Home has been establishde
in Springfield, Mass. All persons af-
ficted in body or mind who have faith
10 believe that they can receive physical
or spiritual help are welcome there, and
the healing Is secured through the prayer
of faith, the laying on OF hands. and
o metimes amounting with oil. Patients
are allowed to take their own course
while in the house, and, as Miss War
riner says: " If they want a season OF
prayer while we are in the midst of do
ing our dishes, we stop right there and
have it," Miss Warmer and Mrs.
Riser are better known in Chicopee. as
"Sisters Orpha and Rosa, "having lived
there together for nearly thirty years.
Mrs. Riser says she was healed by faith
of grievous disease of long standing,
some few years since. They depend
wholly on the Lord .or their own sup
port and that of the institution. and
they have the impression that they will
shortly be led by lin TO move nearer
the heart of the city.
The death, probably n suicide, OF the
stockbroker. Max A. Plat. whose body
was found in the East river, New York,
conveys still another moral touching
Wall street. He had been n very bold
and successful speculator on the ex-
change; had counted himself rich; he
was as happy as q man can be who lives
on financial mine that may explode
any moment and blow his fortune and
contentment to pieces. For n year or
more he had, ~ the phrase is, been on
the wrong side of the market, and though
he had not failed. nor lost credit. his
losses 50 preyed cn his mind that Il
gradually swung out of balance. He
disappeared from his home; was seen
afterward In a strange, bewildered con-
dition, and next his body was taken