The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-28
The Largest and Greatest
Things.

me Largest and Greatest
Things.
The largest inland sea is the Caspian,
lying between Europe and Asia. Its
greatest length is 760 miles, its greatest
breadth 270 miles, and its area 100 600
square miles. Great Salt Lake, in Utah,
which may be properly termed an inland
sea, is about 90 miles long, and has
varying breadth of from 20 to 35 miles.
/ Sun face is 1920 feet above the level
of the sea, whereas the surface of the
Caspian is "a feet below the ocean level.
The largest empire in the world is that
of Great Britain, comprising 1857, 659
square miles, more than sixth part OF
the land of the globe, and embracing
under its rule nearly sixth part of the
population of the world In territorial
extent the United States ranks third,
containing $3.50, 242 square miles includ-
ing Alaska; in its population it ranks
fourth with its 100000 people. Rus
STA ranks second, having 6, 1852, $40 square
miles
The highest monolith is the obelisk at
Karnak, in Egypt. Karnak is on the
east bank of the Nile, near Luxor, and
occupies a part of the site of ancient
Thebes. The Obelisk is ascribed to
Hatasu, sister of Pharaoh Thothmes III,
who reigned about 1900 B. @. Its
whole length is 122 feet; its weight, 400
tons. The height of the obelisk in Cen
trail Park, without Pedestal, is 68 feet / l
inches its weight, about 169 tons.
The largest bell in the world is the
great bell of Moscow, at the foot of the
IN 70 Al L
tom is nearly sixty-eight feet, and its
height more than twenty-one feet In
its stoutest part it is twenty-three inches
thick, and its weight has been computed
to be 443,77 pounds. 1t has never been
hung, and was probably cast on the spot
where 1T now stands. A piece of the bell
is broken off The fracture is supposed
to have been occasioned by water having
been thrown upon it when heated by the
building erected over it being on fire.
The greatest wall in the world is the
Chinese wall built by the first Emperor
of the Tsin dynasty, about 22O B. c., as
a protection against Tartars. 1t traverses
the northern boundary of China, and is
carried over the highest hills, through
the deepest valleys, across rivers, and
every other natural obstacle. It's length
is $50 miles, including a parapet of five
feet. The total height Of the wall is
twenty-five feet thickness at the same
base, twenty-five feet and at the top
fifteen feet. Towers or bastions. occur al
intervals of about 100 yards.
Among the most remarkable natura,
echoes are those of the Eagles Nest, or
the banks Of the Killarney in Ireland
which repeats bugle call until it seem.
to be sounded from hundred instru
ments, and that on the banks of the
Naha, between Bingen and Coblentz
which repeats a sound seventeen times
The most remarkable artificial echo
known is that in the castle of Simonetta
about two miles from Milan. 1t is oc
casioned by the existence of two parable
walls OF considerable length 1t repeat,
the report of pistol sixty times.
The most remarkable whirlpool is tht
Maelstrom off the northwest coast o
Norway and southwest of Moskenaesol
the most southerly Of the Lofoden Isles
IL was once supposed to be unfathomab' e
but the depth has been shown not to ex
coed twenty fathoms. The whirlpool i
navigable under ordinary circumstances
but when the wind is northwest it Otter
attains great fury and he zones extreme eel,
dangerous. Under strong gales tn
maelstrom has been shown by officia
statistics to run at the rate of twenty-si.
miles an hour
The largest library is the Bibilothequ
National, in Paris, founded by Loui
XIV. 1t contains 100000 volumes
100000 pamphlets, 1850 manuscripts
100000 maps and charts, and 150,0OC
coins and medals. The collection of en-
cravings exceeds 100000 contained il
some 10000 volumes. The portrait
number about 100000 The building
which contains these treasures is situated
on the Rue Richelieu. It's length is 54(
feet, its breadth $50 feet. The large.
library in New York, in respect o
separate works, is the Astor. Abou
10000 volumes are on its shelves.