The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-19


Professor Schaeberle of the Lick Obser-
vatory has had splendid weather in Chile
for his observations OF the suns total
eclipse on Sunday. The photographs and
observations appear to support a theory lie
had conceived as to the corona AT all the
stations selected by the groups of astron-
Omers meteOrOogy seems to have been
most graciOusly propitiOus, and ii may be
assumed that the additions to cur knowl-
edge Of solar physics are considerable. 1t
IS due TO Mrs. Hearsrs generosity that
California has been enabled TO assist in the
observations and no better man could have
been selected than Professor Schaeberle.
1t is to be hoped that the concession of
universal suffrage which has been passed
by the Belgian Chamber of Represen tatiyes
will tone down and dissipate the popular
dIsaffection which has been manifested so
turbuleHtly during the past fortnight. The
Chamber has given away opportunely to
prevent subveTsiOn OF the existing order of
things. Strike agitations may continue,
but the suffrage question was much deeper,
ia the towns at least. The King of the
BelgIanS IS known to have favored a broad
franchise and for very good reasons His
throne Is more stable with the people be-
hind it.
II is to be regretted that neither the New
York nor Detroit is ready for the naval
parade. Both are types OF which the coun-
try should he proud, especially of the small
cruiser which has attained a speed of
twenty knots an hour, when the builders
were only required to give seventeen knots
But the Detroit is not as fast as the Ninth
of July, belonging to Argentina, which is
supposed to be capable of outstanding any
vessel in the fleets assembled at Hampton
Roads. How long this visiting cruiser will
be capable Of keeping up speed is question.
Newioundlanders went after seals in the
Arctic this year, and returned with only
few. The seals in the Arctic are being
exterminated solely for their blubber, and
1t Is chiefly the females and young that are
Killed on the ice fields. But in the Antarctic
1t is otherwise. The right whale being
scarce in the north, three Dundee steam
whalers went to the south this season.
They found little to encourage them in
bowheads, but they have made the grand
haul Of 60,000 fur seals. This Is news which
will send fleets to the Antarctic. The fur
seal in that region was supposed TO be al
most extinct, but such catch is eminent
proof to the contrary. The hunting ground
is not revealed.
denial is given by the President of Equa-
dor that any treaty is pending TO give the
United States possession of a cOaling harbor
ON the Galapagos Islands. Nevertheless a
coaling station in th at region is desirable
and no doubt little friendly negotiation
would procure the favor The islands are
right on the equator. They are described
in most fascinating manner by Darwin in
his Voyage of a Naturalist" The birds
were tEen so unaccustomed to the presence
of man that they could be knocked down
with stick, and the huge tortoises were an
astonishing sight taking a promenade witt.
man on their back.
The trips Of the Rosalla between San
Francisco and VALLEJO, Benicia and Mar
tlnez will bring down the wrath of the
Southern Pacific. but unless better steamers
are placed on the route by the monopoly the
new conner should prosper, being fast and
commoduus. II is in much stronger posi-
tlon TO take up the passenger trade than the
old Whipple, when used 10 excite such fun
with Its steam serenades.
AS was anticipated, Mrs. Blair, now
Duchess of Sutherland, having put her
head In legal net has not got it out Sir
Francis Jeune, president of the Probate
Court, had ordered her to give the present
Duke inspection of certain documents
Instead of doing this she burned them
Ioollsh conduct which does not help her
case in the least and con titutes what in
England is decidedly grave contempt of
court. so Sir Francis has refused to accept
her apology aud has told her lie does not
believe her Likewise lie has sent her
Grace to jail for six weeks and fined her
$1,000. 1t is nonsense 10 say that this ia
unprecedented. Much heavier punishment
has been inflicted for contempt of court.
even Years OF Imprisonment. II may not
have occurred In the case of duchess be-
Tore, but duchesses are not as numerous as
hshwiVes. The disgrace Of being sent to