The morning call., 1892-08-14

by not issuing black-edged invitations to
'necktie parties"
The method of dispatching criminals
varies in every country. Not one appears to
be much more nerciful than another. In
Germany they chop the head off with an ak;
in France the head is chopped OF with the
gnillotine; in Spain they garrote the VIC
tim; in England they hang; In CHINA and
Japan the sword is used; in the United
States hanging is the method most np-
proved, but dispatch by electricity is now
the legal mode in New York, and the
dynamo does its work admirably. although
ia no sense any special consolation 10 the
man who is put in the lethal chair and told
10 keep quiet. France has a recognized OFF,
cal who attends to executions for the whole
country, aud even gees TO Algiers upon
emergencies In England the Sheriff hires
whom he pleaSes for the dread ceremony,
and in practice the hanging Is in the hands
Of one or two men. paid from 9l0 TO go for
each execution. National hangman there is
none in the official sense, although all the
prisons belong to the Government and all
the officials are paid by the Government.
throughout America the Sheriff does his
own work, with the assistance OF MS depu-
ties. But America is the only country where
the Sheriff and his deputies and the pris-
oner's lawyer may be found at the funeral
OF the defunct.
The southern part Of California would
give good deal to be in possession of the
bodies. dead or alive. of the robbers who
stopped the train at Coils. but it is now
almost certainty that these courageous
scoundrels have got away into the noun
talns, and VIII never again be heard OF In
the name OF justice, unless letters inter-
cepted should betray their whereabouts.
The law which makes train-robbery pun
lShabie with death Is rather on the side Of
the robbers than against them. They VIII
resist capture as long as they have car
fridge in their rifles and revolyers, knowing
that judieaIly they are liable 10 death, and
that If in the hands Of a mob they are in
imminent danger of lynching. Desperadoes
ike these VIII not be taken alive If they can
help ii, and their desperate position will
always make pursuers cautious. Provided
they have powder and shot they may find
all they want in the shape Of food in the re-
gi0n TO which they have betaken themselves.
To solve some of the problems that appeal
to his mind for solution, the astronomer
would like telescope 10 or 100 times the
power of the Lick refraetor. but the instru-
meni-maker has not yet been able to supply
him with 1t. Perhaps the instrument-make
never will be able to advance much upon
the reliact0TS now IN operation. Sir Henry
BesSemer has turned the powers Of his
truly great inventive mind upon telescope
making, and IL is said he entertains the
notion that It IS possible to construct a re-
tractor of from 40 to GO inches. He has,
however, not yet succeeded. and as he is
now OF good age, he has rot much time to
lose. But he is man of indomitable per-
severance and very original in his methods.
Ibe man who made steel-making on great
scale success, and founded the fortunes of
such capitalists as the CaFnegies, is not
likely 10 be baked by trifies. Perhaps a
combination OF the microscope and telescope
aided by photography may yet effect Won
ders for stellar physics.
The astronomer al least has had no holi-
day during July, and will hardly begin to
hope for one before September His wits
have been at work trying to discover some
thing new about NJ ars, which IS now as
near the earth as its orbit permits it to
come. Ii Is only 34,000.000 miles distant
and in sidereal space that may hardly be
Teckoned as a yard The big telescopes
have bad the advantage in these obserya-
tlOnS or our neighbOr, but owing TO the
density OF the atmosphere and the position
OF the planet the huge refractor on Mount
Hamilton has not been favored. Professor
Pickering down IN Peru has unQuestionably
had the best opportunities for study in a
clear atmosphere at a station Of great alti-
tade. He at least has witnessed actual
movements on the face OF Mars, whether Of
water or atmosphere, and there appears not
much reason 10 doubt that the planet has
some form of life on its surface but
whether more advanced or behind our life
no one can say. Biologists incline 10 the
view that cur lie began in water and all
that has followed goes along the track Of
evolution. Is Mars in tile water stage or
that OF dry land and Water2
The speculations about there beiug life on
Mars are legitimate employment fer the
ruminant mind. but it is impossible to say
what kind OF lie II Is, If there be any. The
speeIrOscope shows that the same elements
exist in the solar system. and even in The
outer stellar abysses, that exist On this earth,
but the conditions Of association may be
very different. and the i'm Imagination may
cOnlure up cOnjeetueS Of the most bizarre
klDd as 10 the kind of life on the planets.
Supposing there were Plates. Shakes speares
and NeWt0ns on Mars, or Jupiter or Sat
urn, X by no means follows they would
have the same osSe0us and flesby shape that
human beings have on earth. II battles the
mind TO invent a new form for an intel
lectual or purely animal being, because we
really only know eXistences as we see them;
but 1t IS almost suppOsable that in other
worlds every feature of structure that We
regard as essential 10 life on earth is posi-
lively reversed. For the present ali is in
choate guessing, and true science does well
not 10 run too far ahead in speculation.
Captain Vehling has a sensational oceanic
exploit on hand if he takes his little eleven
ten schooner the kusSilof round the Horn
from San Francisco 10 New York, and then
proceeds with his tiny craft through the
canals and lakes 10 Chicago. 1t is n task at
which he does not sh ink, as max we'll be
believed when the public knows that alone
lie brought the kussiioff down from Alaska,
run OF Zoo miles, occupying twenty days.
Numbers Of voyages in light craft have
been performed across the Atlantic, even
more risky than this Gne from Alaska, but
Sfs NIL 4ha 90 afaf~.
into New York harbor be win be entitled
to the premier place among bold naviga-
tors, and may possibly make money by his
daring. But the world is often very cool
about such deeds. and Captain Nehling
while be cannot he disappoin ed in reRown.
may not be cOmforied by adequate rewards
in coin.
The spectacle of change of Ministry in
England is edifying. but there is not neees-
sarily much clamor In the process. Uuon
tile vote of no confidence" being carried
against the Government in the House of
Commons, Lord Salisbury proceeds to
Osborne and formally tells the Queen that
he can no longer carry on the Government,
and must tender his resignation. Then the
Queen formally asks whom he recommends
as bis successor ana lie declares Gladstone is
the only possible statesman TO take the lead
Mr.. Gladstone is of course sent for and is
lntrusted with the formation OF a new
Government. BE accepts and forthwith
issues his offers of place to his principal
supporters. When he has got his Cabinet
together and the various under Secretaries
are also chosen daV is fixed for leave-taking
and incoming. The outgoing Ministers
proceed to Windsor or Osborne, or where
ever the Queen may be residing, and give
up their seals, and they are hardly well clear
Of the palace when their successors arrive
and kiss hands upon appointment and take
possession of the seals These forms over
the business of Government goes on as
usual Most Of the officials who really do