New-York tribune., 1883-06-17
OF Foreign Affairs, has gone to viohy to partaks a
the waters for the benefit OF bis health.
GENERAL NOTES.

A party has been organized with Mr. A. p,
Williams, Of The Ne,o-Orieans Tmes-Democrat at ia
head, to explore the mysterious and unknown region
of Florida which, It is supposed no white has eyei
penetrated. Into this wilderness remnant of the con.
quered seminoes retreaed and has ever since been
yeritable "lost tribe"
Some idea of the English mania for orchids
may be had from the prices paid for varieties at
recent auction sale In London. Thus Catteya Triann
Dodgsoni, angle plant, fetched 1925 L<eha anceps
Dawsoni, $41o, Catteya exoniensis, $2s0i smaller
plant $3.50, Catteya Trsn@ Osman, S1,075, and Dem
drobium Ainsworthi, $780,
The electric light was employed for the frat
time In Buckingham Palace June g. the night Of the
first Queens Ball The verdict Of those present varied
according TO their costumes. Officers in brilliant uni
forms were delighted, ard ladies whose toilees were
perfectly new and color TO the Keen white light
had double satisfaction Of looking well themseveS
and witnessing tho discontinue Of rivals whom the
electric beam detected in gowns that had service or
were designed to appear only In the soft radiance OF
candles AS to complexons, remarks The London World
the less said the better.
Lake Tahoe is always ready at q moment's
notice reveal wonder, and making due al
lowance for the embellishments OF tourists, 1t doubt
less strange and interesting sheet OF water The latest
marvel which it has disclosed s petred pine forest
fifty feet below tho surface According to The Carson
Appeal the clDgDg about the tops Of the trees
formerly presented the appearance Of an ordinary eevs
on OF the lake bed, but the moss has now disappeared
the petred forest with every LIND and twiQ
distinct Some fsaermen recently drew, up several
branches which looked precisely as If they had Just been
cut from a green tree.
correspondent of The st. James's Gazette
writes that the etymologes Of certain popular drinks
are curious and interesting For instance" he says
it is asserted-it does not appear upon what original
authorty-that grog is but an abbreviation OF srog
ram, mixed stuff Of the Angora goats hair and dix
This was ancently grogran coarse in texture,
from the French ros gra which is the name Of thick
silk still made in Lyons. Admiral Edward Vernon, who
died 1757 had his breeches made Of grogram, and
came to be known Old Grog among mis- sailors. Be-
fore his time Jack had his neat but about 1745 (so
runs the story Admiral Vernon ordered water to bs
mixed with 1t before served out and the diluted
ratOns were at once nicknamed 'grog This Is at all
events, ingenious aud plaus0le; Dut one could Wish
TO see 1t run home"
Pending the latest appeal by the city of
New to the United States Supreme Court in the
Gaines litigation Mrs. Games is endeavoring TO secure
mandamus ordering the Mayor to levy tax all city
property along with the other taxes to pay her udg
ment of go 100000 already obtained. The City Coun-
ell, however," says The Times Democrat has already
fixed the rate for next year. and passed the
sary ordinance. This ordinance provides for tax Of
per cent to carry the routine OF government police,
gas etc. Mrs Ganes's petition for tax TO pay tho
Judgment therefore, will have 60 until next year.
She has obtained her Judgment IL Is true but Is very
difficult what good is going to do her as she can
execute IT. The Council viii certainly never con-
is nanfesty in no way responsible for"
The English sparrows which have colonized
Pennsylvania have been doomed by statute to extermi-
nation But the aggressive little pundersrs In game
OF this with mankind hold several strong cards OF
which the strongest is their fecundity The farmers
and gardeners 10 be in earnest however, and will
probably win in the end. They will not waste ammu-
milton the BIRDS but destroy their nests and eggs at
breeding time Moreover, a popular French cook in
Philadelphia asserts that young sparrows are admir-
able substitute for reed birds, and that numerous
occasions alike have eaten the former
thanh ness OF heart that Providence had provided such
luxury as the latter. III this be and mans stomach
and pocket take the side In the contest II all
up with the sparrows
There was an awful rumOr in Philadelphia
on Friday TO the effect that the late amented William
Penn had been suddenly proved to have been q mur-
derer Beneath the cellar of his old house Lctiast
some worluncn who making an excavation found
gloomy vault covered with q stone sah The slab was
removed and ghasy heap Of bones appeared
In view. The workmen called the Cor
oner, and the Coroner called tie doctors.
who promptly and patriotically declared that the
bones bore not the remotest resemblance to any part
OF the hnman frame but that dog calf goat
might have found them extremely useful This de-
81 sion removed such fearful weight OF apprehension
that Pennsylvania will probably ever care TO inquire
how tho remains OF any creature whatever came ID
find sepulchre beneath the house OF William Penn.