The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-15

ing the crop prospects for 1880, say
that after seeding and what will be
needed for consumption the crops for
1879 will about be exhausted. He also
asserts that winter wheat in the West
was more or less injured, necessitatine
resolving, and that the general estimate
is that the wheat crop will be far under
that of last year.
An extraordinary activity has been
recently developed through the mineral
regions of the South, which include the
western portion of Virginia, the whole
of West Virginia, and the western parts
OF Alabama, Georgia, North and South
Carolina. The revival is most notice
able in the iron mines and furnace dis
tricts. Scarcely a day passes but some
large sale OF this class of property is
made to Northern capitalists, particu-
larly to those of Pennsylvania.
Victor Hugo, the greatest of living
French authors, is reported to be in
veterately fond Of coffee, taking it not
only after each meal but at intervals
during the day. He works only during
the morning, never after the midday
meal. He writes on large-sized Holland
paper, made expressly for him, and
Earks standing before a high desk
lkhen he gets tired he PAGES up md
down his study, swallowing now and
then little coffee or sugared water, but
never by any chance sitting down. His
evenings are nearly always devoted to
guests, whom he takes great pains to
entertain. -r"
Once upon time the mule, without
having received an invitation, attended
a convention of animals that was called
for the purpose of discussing the best
methods of fsmily government. "What
do you know about all thisp" asked the
president, tauntingly; "bave you ever
raised any childrenp" The mule wept.
"Ah. no." she said, II have never raised
anything but full-grown men; but,
land of the pilgrim! you should see
how I raised them-you should see me
raise man that weighs as much as
David Davis" Upon a rising vote the
mule was Immediately elected financial
secretary, with power to send for per-
IONS and papers.-Barlisotos Hasok<ye.
William Smoak is q veritable patri-
arch. He lives in Charleston county,
S. c., and has just entered his ninety
seventh year. The old man and his
wife, who died year ago, raised thir-
teen children, ten now living. They
had first six sons, then two daughters,
then three sons, and the last two daugh-
ter,. The eldest is seventy-fve years
of age, the youngest fifty. The Charles
ton Nesos publishes tabular statement
descendants of the thirteen children,
which shows that the old man has ten
living children, 104 grandchildren, 3sl
great grandchildren, making in all SIS
Giving descendants and 1l6 dead. The
most remarkable feature this family
is the fact that both the Old people lived
to see their youngest and thirteenth
cti' d grandmother.
The Prince of Wales is retrenching his
expenditure, which has been cpt down
one. half in each of his residences. The
time, however, has come when the
assistance of the prince has become
necessary, not in the serious administra-
ton of the government, but in the en-
tertainment of those who govern. The
queen has opposed this assumption for
the last three years. but at length con-
sents to deposit in his hands, if not the
globe andscepter, al all events the visit
ing list and lord chamberlain's book.
The responsibility is not of mere even.
ing receptions or garden parties, but
involves the more serious business OF
banquetings and royal feasts, and the
prince, who has been compelled to re-
duce his expenditure through heav.
debts contracted in this very task, rr
quires supplement to his income.
The portions of Asia Minor-compris
ing Batoum, Kars, Olti and ,Artwin-
which have been acquired by Russia
under the treaty of Berlin, is 4 district
very rich in natural productions and
capable of great development under an
efficient administration. There is not
much agricultural produce, but there is
an abundance Of wood and metals, and
the climate and soil are well suited for
the cultivation of silk and tobacco
The natives appear reconciled to the
new state of things. They have ceased
] 10 .emigrate into Turkish territory, and
boards of money which had hitherto
been concealed have made their appear.
ance in the towns. Batouin, thanks 10
its great advantages as harbor, is in
creasirg in size, while Poti, notwitll-
standing its dock-yard and railroad,
declines.