St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-02-20
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

IN some Of the rugs from the Orient
the knots Of the threads are so fine that
they can not be seen by the eye. No
machinery has been introduced there
yet for making rugs or carpets, each
tuft and knot being tied by deft fingers.
The smallest man in the world is
said to be q midget from Holland, TWEEN
ty-four years of age. who calls himself
''Prince Mignon." who is exhibiting in
Berlin. This little chap. who is exact
ly two feet high. is perfectly-formed
human being. and his performances Is
IN acrobat are really wonderful.
The orientals have very original
though ancient method of detecting a
rogue in lie. They stand him up in
the presence of judges and witnesses
and give him a handful of wheat to
chew. II he has been lying his nervous
ness affects his salivary glands and his
mouth gets dry and the dry wheat
chckcs him.
Russian photographers who are I'M
able to get a settlement from their sit
ters hang the portraits of the latter up
side down il the showcases before
their studios. The significance of this
position is, of course, understood by the
general public, and, it is said, the
photographer debtors in many in
stances hasten to place themselves right
again in the eyes of their fellow citi-
Gems.
On the African shore, near the gulf
Of Alden. and connecting the lake OF
AsSal with the main ocean, may be
found one of the most wonderful rivers
in the world. This curiosity does not
flow to. but from, the ocean toward in
land. The surface of Lake Assal itself
is nearly seven hundred feet below the
mean tide. and it is fed by this para
doxical river. which is about twenty
two miles in length.
President Carnot's chef is Louis
Labernot, who is allowed a certain sum
per day for the expenses of the table,
and uses it to the best advantage.
Louis has written book in which he
lays down certain fundamental princi-
pies of the art of cookery. He MAIN
tains that it is largely owing to his
skill that the French republic is sue
cessful. His ordinary staff consists OF
four assistants. but in getting up
grand state dinner he calls in from
twenty-five to thirty extra cooks, who
make study of his menu, which has
been revised by Mime. Carnot. The cost
of an official feast is estimated ut about
81 per head.
The Mexican government continues
to carry out its policy inaugurated few
months ago of declaring forfeited all
concessions in which the contract in
which they were granted has not been
complied with in every particular. Two
more valuable ones have just been for
feited, the first being that granted Gov.
Jose Cebellos, for the erection of an cx-
tensive wharf at the port of Guaymas.
state of Sonora, the reasons given for
the action being that the plan and esti-
mates Of the work were not presented
within eight months from the date of
the concessions, and that the bond for
so, 900 as a guarantee of faithful COM
pliance was not deposited within the
time stipulated. The second concession
forfeited was that granted to Ramon
Diaz Barreiro for system of canal
boats in all the canals and open bitches
of this city. the action being taken by
the government on account Of the fail
ure Of the concessionaire to deposit in
the national bank s.. 900 in bonds of the
public debt rs stipulated.