The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-11

NEWS NOTES OF INTEREST.

The first expedition of Columbus cost
| 1880 Of our money, which included the
| equipment Of the three vessels whose
| duplicates have just visited our shor IS.
| Columbus received as admiral only $3.50
/ year; his captains SIG a month-in our
money CT to-day-and the sailors received
- TO $3.50 a month. Other expenses were
| in proportion.
| The waters OF China abound in fish,
| and it is estimated by high authority
that one-tenth OF the people of that EN-
| pire derive their food from the water,
| The coasts are crowded with enterprsins
| and industrious fishermen, and beside the
net and hook a great number of ingeni-
GUS expedients are used 10 capture the
fish. In the eastern provinces cormorants
are trained in great numbers TO catch
fish, which they bring to their maste:,
who sits In boat from which he watch -
at the same time fifteen or twenty Of the
birds.
The Sultan Of Turkey is said 10 be the
most extravagant housekeeper in the
world According to a recent estimate
his domestic budget runs thus: Il spai-s,
new furniture. mats. beds, etc. 5.O0oC0
francs; toilet requisites, including rouge
and enamels for he ladies OF the 1a-am,
and jewelry, 100000 francs; extra ex-
travagances. 5000 900 francs; clothes and
furniture for the Sultan personally.
100000 francs; doucers and wages,
2O,Oo000 francs; gold and silver pla-a,
600 francs; maintenance Of FIVE
carriages and horses. 2,50O00O francs-a
total of l75.000,0O0 francs, or more than
{3S 100000
The marriage Of Mrs. Alexander Ksay
and William Kent, OF Summit, ". j., has
caused great deal Ct gossip. The lady
is sixty years old and is said to have a
fortune Of 100000. which was left her by
her brother, John Hsop, for whom she
acted as housekeeper until his death,
about year ago. Kent is a beardless
youth who has been in her employ.
A messenger pigeon loft is to be added
to the newsgatherirg plant OF the Phlla-
delphia Public Ledger the birds TO be
trained TO come home from points rot
readily reached by telegraph. This is an
outcome Of Mr.. Childs' interest in homing
pigeons, and the recent demonstration OF
their usefulness in the naval marine
service. He is now having built st
Cramps shipyard a handsome cote.
which is 10 be presented 70 the cruiser
New York before she leaves the Della
ware river. The Ledger loft Is being
fitted up in unique manner The birds
will bring In the reporters copy, and,
passing the wicket into the loft. will
sound bell in the editors rooms down
stairs, summoning the boy 10 come for
the copy
The Spanish regular army, on a peace
footing, consists of 1l5.0O0 men OF all
branches OF service, and on a war foot
Ing Of l0SS.00O. The contingent for this
year is sO13. In peace there are 12,13
horses and 422 guns. One-fourth Of the
army is employed in the colonial service
All Spaniards past the age Of twenty
are liable TO be drawn for the permanent |
army, In which the service is three years, |
after which they pass into the reserve.
The last letter written by George Wash |
ington has recently been sold at auction |
In Philadelphia for $50. 1t was offered for |
sale by Arthur Appeltofft, formerly Of the |
revenue steamer Crawford, for a Swedish /
lady 10 whom II descended, after many |
vicissitudes from Captain John Scholi.
Ii was given TO the latter by the recipient,
James Anderson, Of Norfolk Va. I'm 1900.
The letter is dated December 49, 1872 the
day before Washington's death, and re-
lates 10 business connected with the farms
near Mount Vernon and TO the construc-
ton or repair Of cattle pens.
While Miss Priscilla NOftZinger. or |
Reading, Pa. was sleeping, rat jumped
upon her bed and bit one of her hands.
The hungry animal tore the hand badly.
Miss Noftzingers arm is now swollen 20
proportions, and the physician
who attends her pronounces the wound
l decidedly critical one.
Mrs. Soar OF ADMISSION. England, has a
oaf OF stale bread of which she Is ex-
remely proud. IL is over 600 years old.
md was originally given to one OF Mrs.
scars illustrious ancestors by King John,
Who accompanied II with grant OF land.
The Duke OF York's bride-eect numbers
among her wedding gifts a silver plated
Remington typewriter That settles it
ype-wrtten letters will be all the fashion
ext winter. and the graphology woman's
equation will be gone.
The Bible has been translated into Isl |
Il the leading languages. which are
poken by about 6Oo,00O.O00 people. Add
ng TO these figures those OF the minor
)ngues. II Is fair estimate that the
'ible is now accessible to fully 1000, Co.,
y souls, fully two-thirds OF all man
ind.