The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-15

flity years ago, said DR.. Starks.
.! the Methodist Church. in his semi-centennial
discourse L never saw written sermon in
80 ui Vhu'cn; Now our preachers generally 90
niT TD lhe pulpit with sermons written, or with
lGii notes. 1t was noted that the Moderators
OF OF the Northern and Southern Assemblies de-
| lVereo thelr sermons without the shadow of n
note and at public gathering held lately in
one OF our cities at which q number of Presb1,
'eriah ministers and Others, spoke, the only per
mi NJ VINO READ their speeches We're lawyer and
methodist Presbyterian.
Foreign
The French are about to send a new
expedition with 700 men and camels on a
preliminary survey of the line of railroad coz
temPlated from Algeria to the Soudar. TIE
route proposed is from near the city of Alriers
TtmGs' oue south across the desert of Sahara to
Ilmo9ctoo a distance of 1000 miles, with
branches from the latter point west to the
mouth OF the Senegal River on the Atlantic and
east through the kingdom of Soudan. The
total cost OF the road with its branches is esti-
mated at 9So,OO0O00 A'competent engineer
the same time stating the obstacles to be en-
countered.
According to the recent census the
population OF London is 3,S14.57l. In 1861
there Were in London 359, 42l dwelling houses
ana 2,oO3,O3 inhabitants In the next ten
years the number of houses and of the inhabi
tants had increased about 20 per cent. In
April, 1871, the time of taking the census there
were found to be in London 4l734S DWELLING
house and 3,251 ,S04 inhabitants. The rate Of
increase during the past ten years has not been
less than during the preceding decade.
The excavations at Pompeii are be-
ing. continued, and yield unexpected results.
BESIDES second mosaic fountain and valuable
frescoes, some vases of Egyptian manufacture
were recently uncovered. They are composed
OF paste OF white clay and glass, and are
covered with relief representations of the ami
mails worshiped by the ancient Egyptians.
"A French writer notices t he increas
ing political and social role which women PLAYS
IN modern France. In lawsuits commercial and
financial operations, behind the counter and at
the cashiers desk, in the theatres and in the
restaurants, you to day see the activity and feel
the influence OF woman. Men make the beds
and wax the floors. In the middle class women
are eager for gain, ready to go into court adven.
turous In financial schemes They treat about
a lease with you, attend stockholders meetings,
ana turn to the money market column OF their
paper almost before they read the feuilleton.
French women won't yield an inch, they won't
make concession, they will be in turns So
licltors, lawyers, and sheriffs. On the eve of
the Franco German war Theirs went to the
salon of Nine Drouyn de Lhuvs and said 10
her, GU are woman Women are thought
to have great weight in this government. I
beg you to appease this war. We are not ready
for it.'
London is to be presented with the
spectacle of an old English fair inside the walls
OF handsome building in South Kensngton.
The place is to be decorated SO as to resemble
the court yard of stately English castle of the
time OF good Queen Bess and the booths, which
are ar, to bear the quaint names and signs of the
EIllZaDethan ms IN he Ia
ladies in the picturesque costume and large ruffs
of the sixteenth century