The Washington critic., 1889-03-18
MATTER WORTH READING.


tion of Shakespeare's works has ever been
printed and published in any of the many
dialects Of Hindustan. This became known
the other day In consequence OF an appeal
by the librarian OF the Shakespeare Me-
mortal Library at stratford- -on-Avon to the
Government OF India asking that copy of
every edition of the bard's which had been
published in India might be sent to the
library at Stratford. The Indian Govern
ment at once agreed TO respond to the re-
quest, but on inquiry it was found that
educated natives read the works of
Shakespeare in English, and that for
Shakespeare in the vernacular there has
been no demand, and therefore no supply.
Frances Population.
The population of Germany is increasing,
while that of France is decreasing. The
birth rate Of the latter is lower than II was
ever before known to be. This fact is caus-
ing great concern to French thinkers. The
special studies of NJ. Lagneau Of the
French Academy of Medicine, have led to
the conclusion that, at the present rate OF
retrogression, 100 French families, each
with three children, WILL in the second
generation, have among them total OF
eighty-three descendants, and, in the fifth
generation, half of these families will have
no male representatives, and, In the
fifteenth, the family name in nine cases
out of ten will have perished altogether.
Feud Between Deer and Swan.
The swan in the city park at Portland,
Oregon, is dead A buck was the ac-
knowledged lord of the enclosure, andabe-
tween him aud the beautiful bird there ex-
listed deep-seated enmity. Whenever the
deer would approach the enclosure the
swan would hiss at him. The other morn
ing the swan was found with its feet in the
air. The buck had evidently crept up
while the swan was sleeping, and with his
sharp hoofs had done the deadly work.
Open Adulteration.
n business item In Philadelphia paper
frankly discloses q system ofthe adulteration
Of food. 1t states that the large factory
which has been standing idle near Make
field Station, Bucks County, has been
leased by Philadelphia parties, who will es..
tablish plant for roasting and grinding
cocoanut shells. These shells are in much
demand and are shipped to Philadelphia,
New York, Chicago and other cities for use
in adulterating spices.
A Queer Revenge.
Two years ago Jim Scarlet of Bonham,
Texas, shot Andy Locefield and threw his
body into a river. The latter recovered,
crawled out on the bank and hid himself in
the hopes that his would-be murderer
would be hanged. lie was sentenced to
death, but given a new trial on technical
ity. In the meantime Locefeld, who had
been endeayoring to escape to British CO.
lumbia, was found, and the other day Scar
lett was released.
Playing Poker with a Murderer.
At the trial Of Richard Jones, South
Carolina murderer, It was found that sew
eral members Of the jury which had been
selected to try the case were in the habit Of
joining the prisoner In jail after the closing
ofcourt and playing poker with him. They
asserted that the fact Of their engaging in
the game in no way preiudiced them for or
against the prisoner, but the judge ruled
otherwise and they were discharged.
A New Magazine Editor.
Brisbin Walker, the new owner of the
Cosmopolitan Magazine, was born at
Brownsville, Pa, the native town Of his
relative, James G. Blaine He is wealthy
and eccentric. Years ago he went to China
with General Ross Browne, who was
United States Commissioner to that coun-
try. 1t was before we had ambassadors
there. Walker had been cadet at West
Point, but was plucked. He was no sooner
In China than he conceived the idea of re-
organizing the Chinese army, with himself
as chief organizer. He proposed 1t to the
Chinese Government, and YVES told It was q
'go"-that is, that he' might ego" He
was considered dangerous man for the
country, and sent out Of 1t. He bought q
farm near Denver some years ago, when he
had only $65 In his pocket He sold It
year ago for $5O0,000 I am told that
when he called on the Cosmopolitan mana
gers, and incidentally asked for what price
they would sell 1t, they were sin the Dumps"
andsnamed comparatively low price. ''pll
take it,'' he said, and drew q check on the
spot. They have been kicking themselves
ever since for not having asked more.
Niagara Falls Measurements.
The following, are the latest statistics
concerning the cataract: The outline of the
American falls is about 1000 feet and the
height about 1875 feet. The descent In the
rapids above the American falls 10 about
40 feet to the half mile. he.outline Of the
Horseshoe Falls is about 1900 feet, the
height about 1888 feet and the descent in the
rapids above about IS feet to three-quarters
of mile. The volume. of water passing
over both falls is about 15,OOO,00O cubic
feetpe minute, or about one cubic mile
per week, or A cubic miles per year.--[Buf-
falo Courier,
The Private Secretary,s Brother.