The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-11-27
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

The sum of S2,500,000,0C0 is reqUir-
ed to urnish the British people with
the common articles Of food and drink
for year.
Now that the political campaign is
oyer and the base ball umpire's work
is ended for the season, personal
abuse mvst seek some new target.
The Mormons of Tennessee are en-
igrating to the more genial atmos-
phere Of Colorado and Utah. They
have established a permanent colony
in the Centennial state.
1t is said that by means of an inge-
NOUS system of township entries the
Mormons are fraudulently acquiring
much fertile land in idaho which
should remain open to sediment.
The feat of sending a telegram
through 700. miles of wire has Just
been achieved. The message was
transmitted from Calcutta to London,
and the signals were received at the
rate of about twelve words per min
ute.
The Washington monument is the
highest structure in the world, being
500 feet 10 inches above the floor of
the spire of the Cologne Cathedral,
which towers SIS feet above the floor
of the building.
California has chance to make a
good deal of money out of her wine
plantations, if the ravageS caused by
the phylIoxera are going to continue
in Europe. French statesmen put the
cost of the grape disease among the
hundreds of millions.
The Pittsburg pawnbrokers report:
Never before in the history of our
business have we had such rush for
loans. One man out of every three
that comes in the store wants to ex-
change some article of value for few
dollars to help him out of trouble"
Of the so-called board of health of
Cincinnati, the Memphis Medical
Monthly says "Whereas this organi-
cation formerly consisted of five sa-
loon-keepers and one quack doctor, it
can now boast of the retirement of
the latter and the election in his stead
of street payer"
A new departure in society is the
twilight party, at which the only light
is from the CRATE fire. ALI the COM
pany gather about the glowing Goals,
and each one tells story, sings song
or recites poem. There are great
possibilities for the twilight party.
We predict for it immense success.
Marmalade is now made from ba-
mana skins in Philadelphia. An enter
prising Italian has opened factory
and employs about twenty italian
boys. who gather the banana skins
70
the factory, where they are washed,
ground and cooked with sugar and
fiavoring,
A great oculist says that the dotted
wells worn by women have put more
money into his pocket than any other
one thing. every dot" he says,
"means 81 for me-" The led and blue
net wells also come under the ban,
and reading by a rose-colored light
produces the same disease of the eyes.
Plain silk Illusion wells, either white,
gray Or black, are said to be the
safest.
DIR. II. F. Walker has sound good
reasons for assuming that earth
worms are the invariable companions
of man, and exist only in regions
where he has settled. After settle
ment they first appear in the vicinity
of the stable yard, then in portions of
soil enriched by stable manure, and
at length'in all soil whether cultivated
or simply pastured by domesticated
animals.
A general impression exists that
slow-groWn timber is the strongest,
but this opinion does not, it is said,
stand the test of experiment. There
is IN .London an establishment for
testing the quality and strength of all
woods and metals used for govern
ment purposes, the chronicles of which
are said to be very interesting. Among
other things which have been proved
there, is the fact that fdst-grown tim
her-oak at least-is the strongest
and bears the greatest degree of ten
sion.
Lii Hung Chang and Gen. Gordon
are well known to be fast friends; but
| that Gordon once offered to make Ii
the emperor of China, will be news to
most readers. 1t was at the time
when Gordon last visited China, and
when, after an inspection of various
branches of official service, he had be-
come disguised with the neglect and
stupidity on all sides. Seeking the
viceroy he drew him to one side and
earnestly proposed revolution. "Givt
me 5000 men," he exclaimed, land
will march on to Pekin and declare
you emperor" But Ii declined, anG
now has the pain of seeing all Of
Gordon's fears realized.
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