Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-29
MATTERS AND THINGS.

MATTERS AND Things.
In Texas there arc 50 many applcs that
two or three hundred distilleries have been
licensed to make apple jack.
The whole number of letters mailed in this
country during the year 1880 was ,053, 252
$40, or an average of 81 to each man woman
and child in the country.
Cornell University is the richest college in
the country, with the possible exception of
Columbia College. In two years its wealth
has increased nearly SO 600, 900, its total be-
ing estimated at $7,721, 255.
Steps are being taken TO legalize cremation
in France by providing that thos. who wish
to leave testamcntary instructions about the
disposition of their remains shall have tie
right to do so.
The life insurance companies are beginning
to take beer drinking into consideration when
they make their examination into an appli-
cant's habits AMI history They hold that
beer is the most fatal to human life of all in-
toXicating drinks.
According to the English Nautical Ga.stt,
one vessel was lost at sea every four hours
during 1881. In 1S79-S0 there were 400
steamboat collisions in the North Atlantic
| ocean.
1t is calculated that the embellishments
and robbcries both private and official, in
Russia have, this year, amounted to over
$1s, 100000.
A Southern gentleman says there is far
more call for educational work among the
colorcd people of the South than for mission
airy work in India or Africa
A Knight, without fear and without re-
proach, charging the foe in dress coat
would excite lcvity. The Baltimore Knights
Tcmplars are excited over a discussion about
the proper cut of coat for the order. A
frock-coat is prescribed by the chief author
tiles, but some of the Baltimore knights have
appeared in Templar coats cut like dress
coats. The offenders have been suspended
for disobediencc of the regulations
Some government loans recently offered
have not been successful. Among the loans
about to be arranged for are a Dutch govern
ment loan of 1000 O0 and French gov
crnmcnt loan of very much larger proper
tons; also, a Prussian loan. 1t may inter
est Americans to learn that the French three
per cents are below so, ours are above par.
The German four per cents are just above
par, and rule a fraction higher than do the
Prussian fours which are now quoted at
l0O.25. The four and half per cents of
Berlin rule at 103.
A sorghum mill in New Jersey made 1000
barrels of molasscs and 1000 barrels of sugar
the first year of its operation out of 1000 tons
OF cane. II the product proves profitable,
we presume they will continue to raise cane
in New Jersey.
Six serpents, python, two cobras and
three black snakes arrived in New York
from Berlin Saturday afternoon. They were
consigned to dealer. The attendants on
hoard the vessel did not know their habits.
and instead of placing blankets in their cage
TO keep them warm, simply put handful of
hay under them. The floor of the cage be
came wet and the serpents were frozen. They
were lifted from their cage like walking
canes, and were sent to the superntc of
the Central Park Geological Garden, lie
was assured that they were dead, and he had
II
thawed out SO that he could stuff heir skins.
The engineer stood them up in a warm cor
ner, and thought no more of them. Shortly
afterward they disappeared. An investga-
ton disclosed the fact that they had quietly
crawcd away. They were found short
distance off, trying to scrape acquaintance
with dog that had wandered into the place
They are at present in the park, awaiting the
owners action.
Among the peculiar industries that are un-
earthed from time TO time IN different parts
of the world none is more singular that
of the gentleman in reduced circumstances
at llkestOn, England, who makes living by
letting himself out to people DESTROYS of play
ing practical jokes. In consideration of a
small cash payment he is prepared to allow
his patrons to pour buckets of cold water
over him. throw him into the canal, hunt
him with pack of street urchns, having
previously covered him with molasses and
feathers, or perform any other deviltry they
wish.
In Galloway county, Ky, recently, Mr.
Stubblefeld, aged about twenty, three, and
his grandfa,hers second wife, aged about
forty five, were united in wedlock, and are
now living as happily as two of more suit
able ages.
The city of Rich Hill, Me, is but two
years old 1t has population of five thou
sand people, who, besides enjoying the adj
vantages of many larger cities, are engaged
in building gas and water wroks, plough,
wagon, woolen flax aud linseed oil factories,
IN enlarging their railroad facilities, and in
making additions to their smelling works
and rolling mills.
DR.. Paul Schoeppe who convicted of
murder at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, six years
ago, was pardoned as he made SO good a
showing of his innocence, and went out into
the world to live life OF usefulness, has
gone to Sing Sing under the name of John
+. Smith, on five years term for forgery
Since the pardon removed the hangman's
moose from his neck in 1876, he had been a
scoundrel under various names, and passed
three years in the Illinois penltentiary for
some of his rascality in Chicago.
A wag, speaking of friend whom he sus-
pected of living altogether beyond his means,