The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1890-05-13
SOME CURIOUS FACTS.

Tho Russian Government has pro-
jccted q railway through Siberia 1875
miles long, and it is to cost something
like 100000, 900.
Our Presidents have all been lawyers
and soldiers, and among them no mil
| lionaire or man of excessive wealth
can be found.
1t costs Great Britain $3,312, 200 an
nually for salaries and allowances to
the royal family alone.
The greatest tunnel in the world is
the new aqueduct which has been built
to convey the waters of Croton Lake
to New York, and which will be COM
pleted by midsummer. 1t is 33 1-8
miles long.
Nine. du Barry of France, in her
Memoirs (reign Of Louis XVI.), men,
tions the purchase of Hindoo muslin
30 fine that the piece did not weigh fif-
teen ounces. although sufficient to
make four dresses.
The famous old mountain fortress Of
Asirgarh, which was formerly regard
ed as one of the principal defences of
central India, is about to be dismantled.
1t stands on the summit Of an almost
inaccessible mountain and has many
interesting historical associations.
Americus Vespucius, after whom tho
American continent was named, was
born at Florence, Italy, March 8, 1851.
Died at Seville, Feb. %, 1912. A Ger
man named Muller, who published
Vespucius's account of his voyage to
the New World, was the one who ap-
piled the name.
During the Wars Of the Roses in
England, when a duke of the blood
roral is related to have begged aims in
the streets of tho rich Flemish towns,
ladies of rank, more fortunate in their
education, gained, like the French en-
igrants of modern days, their subsis-
tence by the products Of their needles.
Virgil represents the use Of gold in
weaving, as if it had existed in Trojan
times. One of these garments SO
adorned was made by Dido, the Sido-
nian, another by Andromache, and q
third was in possession of Anchiscs.
In all these instances, according to
Yates. the reference is to the habits of
Phenicia, Lydia, or other parts Of
Asia.
John Wycliff, who has been called
the "Father of the Reformation" lived
in tho time of Edward III. and Rich.
ard III. of England. He was clergy.
man, man of great ability and learn,
ing, the head of Balliol College. He
was also man of strong character.
Wycliff was tho kings chaplain, and
his first treatise was in def,nce of the
kings prerogative against the claim of
the Pope. His departure in doctrine
was ut later day. His carly works
were in Latin.
One Of the most remarkable echoes
is that described by Sir John Herschel
rs produced by the suspension bridge
across the Menai Straits in Wales. The
sound of blow of hammer on one
of the piers is returned in succession
from each Of the cross-beams which
supports the roadway and from the op,
posite pier, at the distance of 576 feet;
and, in addition to this, the sound is
many times repeated between the water
and the roadway, at the rate Of twenty.
eight times in five seconds.
To Benjamin Harris is due the
credit of having published tho first
American newspaper. 1t was printed
in Boston by Richard Pierce, tho first
number being issued on Sept. 25, 1890.
1t was the intention of the publisher
to issue monthly edition, but on &C.
count of some unfavorable criticisms,
it was almost Immediately suppressed
by the authorities. But one copy is in
existence, which is possessed in Lon.
don. 1t bears tho title, Publick Oc-
currenccs, Both Foreign and Domes
tick.
Mr.. w. A. Carter, in recent
lecture on "Marine and Fresh Water
Fishes" said that fish have tho power
of Influencing one another by sounds
and action. He had observed shoal
of carp following the lead of sings
one, which conducted them to quaint.
ty of food at a considerable distance
away. He also noticed that certain
fresh water fish, such as trout. were
subservient TO ruler, which might be
seen swimming at the head of his tribe.
The same was possibly the case with
some marine forms, like the herring
and bass.
.