The Banner-Democrat., 1892-12-31
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

The lace bark tree grows IN tne
West Indies 1t is lofty tree, with
ovate, entire smooth leaves and white
flowers 1t is remarkable for the te-
nacity of its inner bark and the readi-
ness with which the inner bark may be
separated after maceration in water
into layers resembling lace.
In the kitchen of Richard I. OF En-
gland 800 persons were employed, and
the queen had like number to attend
upon her service. During famine the
king entertained 5000 persons daily
He valued himself on surprising in
magnificence all the sovereigns OF Eu-
rope, and lived as it he possessed mex
haustible treasures
In the year 1861 gathering of no
bility and gentry took place at New
castle, England. to celebrate a great
anniversary. when, on account OF the
number of guests, each was required to
bring his own dish of meat. OF course
there was sort of competition in
which strove for pre-eminence; but the
specimen of Sir George Goring was con-
sldered the masterpiece. 1t consisted
of four huge, brawny pigs. piping hot,
bitted and harnessed with ropes OF
sausage, all tied to monstrous bag
pudding.
AT an entertainment in London for
| the benefit of certain fund there was
given representation of ''the old wom-
an who lived in her shoe" The NAM
| moth shoe, which was at least nine feet
high, with the width and length in pro-
portion, was filed with many children
from three to ten years old. The old
woman herself was clever young girl
| of sixteen, who taught her children to
dance, sent them out to walk, gave
| them singing lessons. endeavored to
put them to bed in the shoe and did
many other funny things that delight
ed the audience.
An instructive and pathetic custom
still prevails in Munich. Every desti-
tute child found begging in the streets
is arrested and carried to a charitable
institution. On his arrival he is photo
graphed-dirt, rags and all. After be-
ing maintained and educated, when he
quits the institution to begin life the
before photo is given him,
and he is required to make solemn
declaration that he will keep it as a
reminder of the wretched state from
which he was saved and the kindness
shown. The charity has received many
| gifts from its reclaimed waits.
The new British house of commons
Is much older than the one that pre-
ceded it; that is, the average age of it:
members is much greater. The age.
range from twenty-five to ninety. Il
has two members only twenty-five
years of age, and Mr.. Villiers is again
I the father of the house, being ninety
years of age. Four other veterans arr
Isaac Holden, eighty-five; Mr.. Glad
stone, eighty-two, and c. Wright
eighty-two. 1t has forty member
whose ages range from twenty-five t
thirty. 143 from thirty-one to forty, 10
from forty-one to fifty, 173 from fifty
one to sixty, seventy-eight from sixty
one to seventy. and four from eighty
one to ninety.
In the early days of England wed
ding rings were made of rushes, but Il
this age even more curious material
are sometimes pressed into service whe
emergency demands it. Many cases ar
on record where rings of brass or iro
and curtain rings and door keys hav
taken the place of the bands OF gol
which nervous grooms have mislaid
One bride is said to have been Marie
with leather ring, cut from finge
: Of one Of her gloves, and another en-
barrassed young couple were relieve
by suggestion from the minister tina
the wedding ring be cut from a visitin
card. Quakers and Swiss Protestant
; do not use rings at their marriage cer'
monies. The Irish have a strong obje'
! tion to any but gold weddings rings. !
ST. Kilda wedding rings are made {
: worsted.