The morning call., 1892-03-27

do anything. The problem might be solved
by controllable electric motor c0ntrivance
on the principle of the Sims-Edison torpedo.
1t has been shown that this apparatus can
be steered at high speed for great distances
in any direction and without any marked
hindrance from waves. The steering can
be done from ship as well as from the
land, so that such an invention might be
used for rescue purposes under any circum-
stances. and might be valuable at sea be-
tween ship and ship in getting a hawser
passed while high sea is running. Instead
OF carrying torpedo charges the chambe
for this purpose could be made seryceabe
for lines, and it would not be difficult to re-
duce the weight below ton. Ii would be
curious if this invention for destructive pur-
poses is also valuable to save life.
SO Tennyson has had to come to America
TO get more than success d'estime for a
comedy. The Foresters' has been pro-
dueed in New York with elaborate prepare
tons aud at enormous cost. and Mr. DAILY
viii not soon abandon what promises to be
a triumph on the modern stage. Sir Arthur
Sullivan'S music Is accepted as welcome
accompaniment to the poets lines. Tenny-
son himself must be elated at this form Of
literary renOwn coming TO him in ola age.
He has toiled hard TO overcome the diff
eultles of dramatic art, but heretofore his
plays have been more suitable for reading
than stage representation and they have
not been more seriously considered by act
ors and critics than amateurs achievements,
seen only for q night as compliment and
then Withdrawn. THE Foresters" has been
brought cut at the Lyceum in London, but
only for copyright purposes. As Mr.. DAILY
has succeeded Mr.. Irving may think serl-
ousiy of continuous production.
Besides the eclat which comes from the
premier production of play of the Poet
Laureate Of England New York has pros
pect Of enjoying good opera at not too high
prices during the next three years. The
Metropolitan Opera House is in possession
of Messrs. Abbey and Grau. who not only
pay no rent but are 10 receive $1,000 for
every night OF legitimate opera. They are
also to be allowed to give concerts and other
representations. As the receipts OF the
house 60 to these impresarii also. they will
be in the happy position OF being able 10
face their creditors at the end of the lease
with smiling faces. That is to say, if they
are careful A few weeks of Nine. Patti on
her own terms might mortgage their future
10 an irretrievable extent Generally speak
ing Tie impresario is sunk in the depths of
lmpecunioSltv, and cannot but envy the lot
of the singers 10 whom he pays such enOr
nous sums. There must be genuine love
OF music in New York when the rich people
are willing TO make these sacrifices i'll the
common interest.
The millionaire is mercifully endowed
with pachyiermat0us nature, but he is
usually keen of sight. and the eye of a few
who survive and flourish in our midst may
have alighted on singing bit of reflection
III the speech OF Professor Moses at Berke-
ley on Charter day. The professor had in
his mind the luxury of giving, and he
a Ind aH m ia alar of mill afpoc md
men less wealthy who have died in San
Francisco OF late without leaving dollar
10 support single educational institution.
Massachusetts is decidedly in contrast with
California IN this respect. It is there con-
s1dered a disgrace, said the professor, TO die
rich and not leave something to Harvard.
The millionaire has no better way 10 per-
petuate his name than by an endowment
grant TO high class college or university.
Harvard makes due acknoN ledgment in
her memorati0ns of the gifts that come
TO her. Possibly it does not occur TO
the millionaire Of the Pacific Coast that
the State has not done everything conceiy-
able to place education on the highest plane
Of perfection. There are additional wings
To tie &c ice built out OF taxes and land
grants which might be constructed by men
OF fortune proud of their State and hopeful
OF Its progress. 1t Is bright example in
this direction that the Phoebe Hearst schoi-
arshlp fund has been donated for young
other example at Palo Alto. But there is
still work for the millionaire.
What bizarre idea it is to think OF send
ing live whale to Chicago to represent
California. Ii the notion is to impress
visitors TO the fair with big exhibits, the
commission may soon fill up the space to
their satisfaction. They can doubtless pro-
cure vine as large and umbrageous as that
r. 1pl "a 1,
at the California Academy of Sciences
cOul1 be lent for the occasion, although not
a native Of these parts. A model might be
made Of the Palace Hotel, also models Of
StanioTds S000-acre vineyard In Tehama
County, AID OF some of the ranches in Cali
foTnia that cover hundred square miles and
are nearly as wild as when they came into
tue possession Of their owners. There are
besides big nuggets, big ships, big railroads.
Big mountains-tle highest peak in the
United States being in the Sierras-big
spectators, big puglists, and, in short,
everything big but population, which re-
mains far below the expectations of those
who draw up census returns on their own
calculations. Before the live whale goes to
Chicago 1t may be well to take heed Of
what he will eat to be kept in health. His
own blubbel would suffice for period, but
1t IS unfair TO make cetaceans initiate the
fools who fast for livelihood. Probably
the Chicago people know more about the
would give them genuine surprise to be-
hold thankful of the yiviparous perch in
various stages OF family happiness. There
are several species TO catch.
A great deal of trouble is being taken to
prove that the site selected for Postoffice
in San Francisco was a swamp at one time,
and is quite unsuitable for a weighty build
ing. The real question is, what is the site
worthP Even If II were treacherous ground
still-which borings alone can determine
it is not impossible to render it suitable for
any building. That is only a matter Of
cost. and the Government might have legiti-
mate objections IT, spending money extrava-
gantly on a foundation. But as TO stability,
Is there not the example Of Amsterdam
to study? That city in great part is built on
piles. and very handsome it is. On the Dam
stands the Royal Palace. quite as sauarely
as when the first course Of masonry was
laid on the timber. There was a necessity
for this engineering work at Amsterdam
1t is not a necessity here. But the exist
euce of a swamp has not been proved