New-York tribune., 1881-11-21
GENER1L NOTES.

An inquiry is TO be made into the state OF
the water Of the River Thames, England. For many
years much attention has been paid TO keeping the chan
mel from filing up, but the sanitary condition OF the
water has been almost dsregarded. Until now in places
The stream said to he black and foul open sewer
with pestiferous gases bubbBg up from below, giving
off offensive Odors that can be perceived at great as
tanCe.
The Health Department OF st. Louis has
been earnestly considering the question: Is vaccination
preventive Of smallpox} The conclusion arrived at is
an emphatic affirmative. One firm basis for this belief
is the fact that death from smallpox has occurred
in that city for five years during which period vaccina
fion has been generally practiCcd than, perhaps
alone there III NewNork 30 deaths and IN Chicago
43 from smallpox. St Louis has certainty enjoyed
therefore, enyiable immunity from the scourge
Russian Nihilists are to be hunted out by the
members OF order somewhat similar to Their ownthe
Holy League. The association is secret one and in
cudes in its membership persons belonging to all classes
OF Russian society Wnen one joins the League be has to
sign the following agreement: "Solemn prom,se-On
Joining volunteer the association for protecting the
sacred person of His Majesty: - formerly accept the
invitation of the Association for Protecting the sacred
person OF His Imperial Majesty the Emperor to join their
body q volunteer, and by my signature bind myself
to execute whatever commands be given me, and to
perform all duties In manner becoming ioFal ana tIe
subject Of the Russian Car (Signed) - In
telgent Russians il should he added are inclined to
rdicule this organization, which, being only about three
months Old has not thus far done any effective work to-
ward eXtirpating Nihilism
About nineteen years ago a firm of drygoods
Iobbers in delphia-Messrs Hood Bonbrght Co.
failed and made settlement with its creditors M Is
cents on the dollar Being thus absOiyed from all legal
complications, it resumed business, and has since
soyed great prosperity Last week the firm sent 10 each
of its former creditors the following circular: "Kindy
berended by creditors at time when need
Eng help we in after years created fund intended for
their benefit. This we have the plcsure now 10 offer
them Covering in its equitable application than
the percentage abated in settlement under The
mendaton of their committee OF creditors, the in
each win represent pro rata apportionment OF in
ferest derived from said fund grateful remembrance
therefore, we inclOse herewith check for s." The
total amount distributed by tins rare act 81 integrity II
more than 100000 and the persous whom it is due
number about $50.
The total effective strength OF the French
Army, in 1882, will amount to nearly half mill
ion men aud 10000 horses on the active cstab
nshment without taking into consideration the Reserve
and Territorial forces OF these $4,000 men and
$4,000 belong 10 the army the remainder being
accounted for in the gendarmerie who under the
game administration as the Army. The infantry con
ests Of 327 $50 men divided into 41 line regiments 30
battalons of Rifles, four regiments of Zouayes three
African battalions, five companies OF Light Infantry,
three regiments Of Spahis, native troops, foreign
legion Of four bataOns and Go sections Of troops Of
administration corresponding with brigade depots
The cavalry consists of II regiments, viz II OF
sers 26 Of Dragons 20 OF chassers II Of hussars Of
chasseurs dAfrique and of Spahs-Inaking total OF
$4,000 men, The 80 regiments OF artillery comprise
$4,000 men and PontooneTs, workmeI artifcers, etc,
bring the total this branch Of the service 600
The Engineers divided into fOnr regiments contain
7ng li,000 men and the Military tram consists OF
twenty sGuadrons with a total effective strength of
700 To olcer this Army the French Estimates pro
vide for 81 general officers, not very many
than we require to command less than half the number
OF men. Tie title OF marshal is still held by three Off
cers-MacMahOn, Canrobert and Lebguf but in future
the highest rank the Army viii be that of General Of
Division