The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-28
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

Over Ga, 1000 people dis in the British
Islands every year from consumption
alone.
Tho placing of tho last stono in the
spire OF the cathedral at Ulm raises ii
TO height of five hundred and thirty
feet, and makes it tho highest cathedral
in the world
The birth rate in England and
Wales has been decreasing ever since
1876. The last quarterly report shows
no diminution, the rate being only about
four per thousand above the Fronch av-
erage.
1t has hitherto been supposed that
the maximum depth of tho Mediter-
ranean was 10,TS5 feet between Sicily
and Sardinia. Lieutenant Magnachi. OF
Italy, has found \ depth of 1850 feet
between Malta and Gambia. -Revuo
Geographique.
Two hundred thousand Italians are
now living in Bucnos Ayres. From
time to time the native inhabitants
speculate on tho events which might
arise in case these 100000 strangers
should undertake. 20 assert thoir ma
tionality and take possession of the
city.
The graphic plant of tho Kalahari
Desert is said to hc real vegetable
curiosity. In its general appearance it
looks moro like star fish than plant,
and each ray OF arm is tipped with
barbs, which when fastened to the wool
OF sheep, have TO be cut out, that being
the only way of removing them.
Athens, Greece. now boasts of DOS
sessing the largest electric light plant
in Eastern Europe. "A central station
has recently been established there
containing two 100 horsepower engines,
and four smaller ones Of 35 horse power
each, and eight dynamos four of which
have capacity OF $50 ampores each;
two of $50, and two OF 2l0. Electrical
Review.
The exhibition OF prison labor in
St Petersburg on tho occasion of tho
international prison conference which
was recently held there. was SO success
full that measures arc being taken now
10 establish permanent Museum of
Prison Work Greece, tho republic of
the Archipelago France and Italy have
already declared their willingness to
contribute to that enterprise. Besides
tho samples OF prison work there will
be models OF all kinds OF prisons, pcni-
tontiaries and places OF retention and
correction exhibited in tho now mu-
scum.
"A. X. Won Mcsll. OF Moscow, and an
American citizen, S. Schrcibcr, have
started company FOR tho expectation
OF meat from Russia to England. A
great abattoir has been built in Iibau.
whence the meat will be transported
directly to London in refrigerator
steamers. This opens Il new prospect
for the produce OF the Russian farmer.
Millions of cattlo are annually killed
in that empire merely for their hides,
while there is no market in the country
for their meat The meat will be car
Ticd from the port of I.ibau to London
an three days and twelve hours
Several interesting discoveries have
recently been mado in tho United king
dom. Near the ancient monastery Of
Llanelltyd, in North Wales, laborers
have unearthcd two bcautifully-chased
gold dishes, the one IL wafcr-dish and
tho other cup, both Weighing forty
ounces. London experts agree that
these vessels were mado for and used at
the celebration Of tho sacrament many
hundred years ago, and were doubtless
buried by tho monks during the roign
of Henry VIII. When found the metal
was incrusted by nearly two inches OF
vegetable matter. AS tho relics were
discovered upon crown lands they will
DO handed over TO tho keeping Of tho
royal family. Chicago News.