Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-16
THE PALESTINE TOUR.

movements
ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 90.
To the Editor Of the JOURNAL ANB COURIER:
Prior to our departure from Rome we had
the unexpected privilege of visiting the royal
palace. King Humbert and family were alb
sent, spending few weeks at watering
places. We found the apartments in process
of renovation, though ample opportunity
was afforded us to critically inspect the en-
tire suite of rooms usually occupied by the
ruling monarch.
The reception, ball, dining, smoking and
other apartments of the royal family were
examined with the utmost care. Tapestry
and laces Of the finest description, with an
abundance of mirrors, paintings, statuary,
chairs in gilt and velvet plush, with rare
display of other adornments, were freely
shown. Even the private chapel of the ab-
sent king, contrary to all custom and in vio-
lation of explicit orders to the contrary, the
person in charge assured us, were thrown
tive Establishments of timely 'stips," in the
form of Eve franc pieces, from our expert
enced guide.
For a single moment, indeed, I, with Yam
kee audacity, assembled the royal steps and
sat upon the throne of Italy. An apprehen-
sion of being ruthlessly and ignominiously
"bounced" by soldiers EARNED to the teeth,
in an adjoining room compelled me to retire
from the exalted position before suggesting
many plans for the amelioration of the NOR
al, social and religious condition of the peo-
pie, which pressed upon my mind. King
Humbert possesses fair but OF great abili-
ties, and as rule is beloved by his people
PROSPECTS OF WAR.
Warlike mutterings, ever and anon, are
heard In social, commercial and political cir
cles, including the public press, not only in
Italy, but elsewhere in Europe. When we
consider the vast number of soldiers distrib-
uted throughout the several nationalities Of
the cold world" who at any moment may be
hurled against each other in death grapple on
the dictum of a single hot headed monarch,
one may we'll shudder.
Germany has one million fighting men;
Austria has eight hundred thousand, which
number is susceptible of vast increase; while
France could in q few weeks place in the
field two million additional soldiers. Russia
has at her disposal fourteen hundred thou
sand men, and in an emergency could arm
and equip million more. England is good
for q million and half at the proper mo-
ment, while Italy has made noteworthy pro-
gress in military matters during the past
quarter of a century, and could place an
army of six hundred thousand men in mo-
ton, unsurpassed in skill and bravery by
those of any other nation, in few weeks,
should occasion require. just now there is
an ominoas lull. It may or may not precede
the inevitable storm of shot and shell that
homes of thousands of families. America
at least will unite in the hope that the reign
of the Prince of Peace may speedily prove
world wide and universal.
Much of the ride to the ancient city of
Naples was through orchards of fig, plum,
apple, pear, olive and other fruit bearing
trees. Vegetables apparently receive little
attention unless cultivated near large and
needy market-the great cities. The tall,
tapering Lombard poplar, as on the sunny
plains of France, are grown in great profu-
sion. How gracefully do. their beautiful
tirelessly toll in these fields year after year,
to another and better world, where man rests
from his work. Three crops annually are
grown in southern Europe. Where fertiliza-
tion sufficient to meet these immense drafts
on the soil comes from is a problem. Conn
paratively little stock is kept on their farms.
Herds of goats, rambling on in accessible
cliffs, focks of wandering turkeys, the do
mestic hen, few donkeys, with here and
there COW, comprise the usual varieties.
One large source of supply is the refuse of
the cities. Not only the litter from the sta
bles, bnt the street sweepings, are carefully
utilized as well.
CONCERNING DoNKEYs.
The donkey is almost omnipresent. Draw
ing heavily loaded little carts, or with huge
bales, bundles. panniers or other weights
fastened to their backs. surmounted In many
instances by heavy driver, the patient crea-
lures have hard life Of 1t. Donkey races
on the seashore constitute some of the varie-
ties of amusements In vogue at certain FASH
ionable watering places.
Perhaps the most dismal sound emitted
from the throat of domestic animal is the
braying of the jackass. Its unearthly and
heart rending noise is heard by day and night
in eastern countries. It seems to be a cross
between the screech of locomotive whistle,
the howl of wolf, the roar of lion OF the
wall of a lost spirit ia Dante's Inferno. Gaz-
ing upon the brute during the operation, the
scene is grotesque in the extreme. One
thinks that the experiment would dislocate
the neck Of the miserable quadruped.
Speaking of this animal recalls an incident
related by Methodist bishop. At a select
party several Indifferent songs had been
sung. Finally the good bishop was asked tc
sing also. Declining politely, he offered tc
compromise by relating story, which was
| promptly accepted.
! A company Of American tourists, he said