The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-29
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

"A woman took first prize for short
hand writing at a recent competition in
Vienna.
The slave trade is now outlawed in
all parts of the African coast which are
under foreign influences, except in the
provinces of Portugal.
The most successful salon in Paris
that of the Comtesse de Kersaint, who
will receive no gentleman unless he is
clothed in as gay colors and as fine
stuffs as the women.
-Scotland's last reported birth rate
was the lowest on record, and the mar
rage rate rather above the average.
One bridegroom was ninety-seven years
old, and five brides were under sixteen.
Queen Victoria, having completed
the fifty-third year of her reign, has
now reigned longer than any English
monarch excepting Henry Ill; George
I'LL s sixty years on the throne being
left unconsidered, as it was so inter-
rupted with regencies.
The case of the watch formerly be-
longing to Louis Napoleon, Prince Inn
perial, who was killed in South Africa,
has been sent to London. 1t is slightly
battered. 1t bears the young Princes
monogram and crest. The watch was
given to him by his mother, ex-Empress
Eugene. An Englishman recently
purchased it of Zulu.
in the year 17O6 the average weight
of fatted steers in the London and
Liverpool markets was but 80 pounds!
This, too, at the average age of five
years. In 1855 this average weight was
increased to 4S2 pounds. In 1880 the
weight was $50 pounds, more than
double that of 1906. The average
weight of the fatted steer to-day is four
times what it was in 17O6, only 1874 years
ago.
The German Emperor has just had
q magnificent sword manufactured in
Berlin, as gift to the Sultan. A lions
head in gold with ruby eyes forms the
top; the hilt is formed by the Sultan's
monogram in gold, set with very fine
brilliants. The blade is of gilded steel,
with nickel scabbard, and the sword
knot is set with diamonds. The whole
is wonderful piece of workmanship.
The Queen of Spains secret of sue
cess is explained by Spanish states
man: ''She is the exact opposite of an
intriguing woman" he says. "She tells
no falsehoods, has nothing of the hypo-
critic about her, is as simple and modest
as she is honest, and there is nobody in
Spain who is not convinced that she
tries to do her best for the country.
Natural tact intelligence and kindness
are also among the weapons by which
Christine maintains her position"
The largest gun in existence and
the heaviest ever made by the Krupp
works has recently been completed
and sent to Cronstadt, where it will be
mounted. It is of cast steel and weighs
225 tons. The caliber is 1874 inches,
the barrel Is 40 feet in length, and has
a maximum diameter of 81 feet. The
weapon has a range of eleven miles.
and the mechanism is so perfect that
two shots minute can be fired, each
shot, however, costing from $1,250 to
81, 500.
1t Is related of the Gar that when
he was staying at Gatchina man work
Ing III VIC SrouHuS el IHe CdSGIe, every
time he saw the Emperor approaching,
ran away and hid himself. This oc-
Cured so often that he was taken to
task and asked the reason why he did
this. He replied: 81 am so afraid that
the Gar, if he sees me, will take a
great dislike to me, when perhaps I
should be sent to Siberia, so l hide N.Y.
self to keen out of danger" This in
genuous answer shows how the Great
Father, as he is sometimes styled, is
regarded by his subjects.