The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-31

In household IN Buncombe County.
North Carolina, q large dish of pea
nuts has been placed on the dinner
table for dessert every day in the year
since the lady of the house took Q
fancy to the fruit, thirty years back.
LESS than four out of each hundred
Americans lived in cities in 1890 Tho
city population had increased in 1910
to eight per cent, and is now twenty
two. There are only seventeen States
with more people than New York City.
Congresses wet with decoction Of
thirty parts of valerian root and one
hundred parts of water are used by .
French surgeon in dressing wounds.
1t hastens the healing, relieves the
pain, and is especially valuable in deep
seated wounds.
FROM the African mining field has
been sent, in the last fifteen years,
something like $500, 900, 600 worth Of
diamonds in the rough, which, with tho
cost OF cutting, setting, and selling,
must have cost consumers something
like $500, 100000.
The recent assertions by masters Of
vessels that refined petroleum in tin
cases exerts an influence on the COM
passes equal to the same amount of
iron or steel, has attracted much atten-
ton, and it is expected that means of
protection will in short time be de-
vised.
DIR. ERNST TUCKs, author of a prize
essay on blindness and its prevention,
states that short-sightedness, which is
increasing so alarmingly among reading
people, is the cause of 10 per cent. Of
all cases of blindness of one eye, and
that the immoderate use of tobacco
gives rise to partial blindness.
A CHEEsE-DEALER states that much
of the so-called English cheese is made
in this country and shipped to En-
gland, whence it is returned, enhanced
in value by the sea voyage. Sometimes
cheeses are shipped backward and for
ward two or three times, each voyage
adding to the richness Of their flavor.
A MATCHMAKER in Newcastle is said
to have completed set of three gold
shirt-studs, in one of which is watch
that keeps excellent time, the dial
being about three-eighths of an inch in
diameter. The three studs are con-
nected by strip of silver inside the
shirt bosom, and the watch contained
in the middle one is wound up by turn
ing the stud above. and the hands are
set by turning the one below.
The Reuue Scientifque places
France in the front rank of breeders
of carrier pigeons for military pur-
| poses. Eight French cities now have
| extensive dovecotes, and so, 900 year
| is inserted in the budget for their main
| tenance. The Austrian Government
also encourages the rearing of homing
pigeons, and pairs are given to soldiers
of the reserves, who compete for prizes
| offered to the most successful breeders.
LAST spring ice in the Atlantic
Ocean penetrated very far to the south
and east in consequence of continuous
northerly and northwesterly gales, and
several icebergs occurred even in the
Gulf Stream. From extensive observa-
ton it is asserted that the first recession
northward of Atlantic ice is toward the
end of June, and that it remains long
est between the Banks and the east
coast of Newfoundland.
The ancients highly esteemed the
sunshine as conducive to health. 1t is
related by Plutarch that when the
youthful Alexander visited Diogenes at
Corinth he found the famous philoso-
pher lying TRANQUILITY in the sun. The
warrior kindly saluted him, and asked
if he could do anything for him. Only
stand little out of my sunshine" re-
piled the sage. Diogenes was then
threescore and ten, and age made the
sunshine doubly dear to him. 1t was q
common practice in Greece for old men
to recruit their energies, both mental
and physical, by exposing themselves
naked in the sun.