The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1886-08-25


French statistic. Just published con-
tain alarming information concerning
the increase Of crime among children Of
both sexes. The decentralization OF the
young idea has evidently reached a point
in France which demands the serious Mt.
tention Of all interested in the future
welfare Of the country. Tho number OF
offenders under 10 years Of age has aug.
mented from 2.235 to $50 for boys, and
from 4lS to 0Os for girls. From 10 10 81
years OF age the number OF criminals has
increased from 8, 1880 to %, $50 for boys,
and from 1,O46 to $3.50 for girls. The
ratio Of crime among offenders under
age has therefore considerably more than
doubled during the past five years. The
statistics register for the first time nu.
merous cases of suicide committed by
children. Now York Sun.
Theories Concerning the IIomlng Pigeon.
The much discussed question of the
homing Of the pigeon, or, US the French
term 1t, orientation, does not seem diff
cult to meet to one who has much to do
with the birds. There are, however, as
many theories advanced ~ there are sci.
entists who have studied it. One as.
cribeS 1t to u sense OF which we are not
cognizant -as IL the senses were six, and
man had knowledge of but five Of them,
Another finds path for the birds in the
magnetic currents Of heat and cold.
Some rank the impulse with the instinct
Of the migratory bird, while others
ascribO the performance to sight,
and others again to luck and
chance The facts do not bear out
any Of these theories. Tho atmospheric
currents may aid, but it Is by their We
locity and direction, not their teInpera-
ture, and they hinder as often. The
magnetic currents may affect, but It is
In stimulating and intensifying, or, as
they are adverse, in depressing. 1t is
not instinct, Instinct is involuntary
and unetring. Guided by instinct, the
bird would not go astray, and the ele.
ment OF uncertainty upon which the
sport depends would be lost. The homing
pigeon not only orrs, but shows indie.
cision, Thus its action is voluntary and
the result Of a sort Of reflection, and 1t Is
as the premises OF which it takes cosni.
nance are imperfect or false that its nc.
ton is In error.
The sight OF tho homing pigeon Is only
limited by the dip OF tho horizon and the
altitude at which 1t can sustain itself in
the mir. It's memory exceeds human
understanding. Thus, n bird will rise
from n basket and DO over a strange
place only long enough to 90 away from
it, but, II il itself TO bo lost, is injured,
or Is unable to proceed, It will return to
the place Of toe start.-E. S. Storrs in
| The Century.
Tho Causes Of Summer Mortality.
The Philadelphia Ledger observes
that during the warm months mortality
Is greater than 1t is In the winter months.
"A considerable percentage OF this, says
The Ledger, rs to bc ascribed to intern.
pcrance of strong drink, but the victims
in quite as large n proportion Of cases,
aud especially among children and
women, are persons to whom the taste
Of hot and rebellious liquors is scarcely
known. Tho truth Is that thcruis death in
the pot as well MS in the bottle, Danger
from overeating is fully rs inSidious as
danger from drink. Too much
Of anything, even Of the most simple
food, Is risky at any time, but especially
when the whole system, mental and
physical, Is under strain and fatigue,
Simple food, taken in moderation, AMI
slowly enjoyed, Is a prescription To pre-.
vent the need OF pills and potiOns. -,
Exchange.