Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-10-18
CURRENT NOTES.

The air of the Catskill Mountains is
so clear at times that its acoustic prop
critics are remarkable. An experiment
was tried recently to demonstrate this
fact by nomadic divine who, selecting
lofty peak in the vicinity of Palen-
vile, New York, read from it the Ten
Commandments, in distinct but not
especially loud tone of voice. The at
tempt OF this modern Moses met with
entire success, and the inhabitants Of
this picturesque locality were SO much
impressed with all that they heard that
they abstained from slander and pill
tering until the following season
opened, which was too rich in oppor-
tunties to be thoroughly neglected
from less strict point of view.
France has at last divorce act As
it is framed twill be considerably easier
to obtain a divorce there than in En-
gland for under the heading of 'Twn-
res gra9eS" it is possible to effect a dis
union for the ordinary troubles and
unpleasantness of life, such as un.
governable temper, or even "habitually
insulting the relatives of the other"
This'latter reason seems to have for its
object the protection of the mother in
law Habitual drunkenness and cruelty
are also allowed as pleas for divorce
as well as any grave misconduct for which
either side has had to suffer at the law
The latitude thus given can hardly be
regretted, for at the same time the act
has been so framed that no separation
can take place without the very strong
est proofs for the necessity of it. 1t is
also pleasing to note that it has been
drawn up with evident desire of not
weakening the solemnity and impor-
tance Of the marriage law. Newspa-
pers are prohibited from reporting the
details Of the cases, which will be tried
before three judges and without juries.
The tyranny of fashion which brings
certain flowers into prominence at Ger
tain seasons, begins to search for nov
elites on which it may expend itself,
But the whole world has been already
been put under tribute to furnish some
unfamiliar establishment in the line OF
flowers, Japan has contributed the
camelia and the hortensia during the
last century,the latter arriving in France
in time to be honored with the admira-
ton and the name of Queen Hortense.
The tulips, which found their way ear
lier into European civilization, assimi-
lating themselves To the dykes and
burgomasters Of Holland some time in
the sixteenth century, look down with
contempt on the new 'impoi oitations
They doubtless hold their traditions Of
manners and customs prevalent in Con
s,antinople century earlier, as the,
are said to have fingered in that Eastern
capital on their way from Asia Minor tc
Holland. Not to be outdone in the
way OF travel, the hyacinths lef
Bagdad about the same time for Cen.
stantinople. So that the m0diSfeS o
those days were constantly aided in the
production OF novelties by the appear
acce OF a new blossom. Cleopatra
whc delested the moderate and TEN,
perate in all things, perfumes inclusive
found the mignonette little to her taste
but reaching England about 1850
this most refined OF odor-bearing flower
found greater appreciation, and in Paris
was Immediately reproduced in wreath'
for bonnets, and in garlands for the
mock shepherdesses Of the TrIanon
II nature has broken the mould IL
which were cast all her forms Of horli
/ cultural fancy, art might create varietiei
+ of the species by attempting well
|. arranged marriages. The perfume .
the tuberose engraved on the tinishes
perfect ion OF the camelia would at onc'
. bring a new and powerful element o
interest to floral decorators; and th'
glory OF the scarlet geranium perfectet
, BY the delicate scent Of the lily Of tn
valley, would give new value to thes'
we'll. known ornaments Of fahyyss ana
Laydimityss.