The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-11

Janelro. The Navy Department Is De-
stirring itself to give American interests
at Rio adequate protection, but 1t Is such
a task to do so much with few shipSl
Samoa. Hawaii, Chile and Peru all need
respectful attention. Then we have the
North Pacific to patrol. If we cannot do
better, it wonld be right to recall the
squadron In Europe; it is only there for
parade.
Harold Frederic's cable message about
the House of Lords mastering for the de-
bate on home rule may SAVIOR Of exaggera-
ton. but 1t really is truth plainly stated.
Four-ffths Of the peers pay no attention
to legislative duties whatever and only
exert their influence socially as country
squires, shooting, fishing, following
hounds, going to races. going about on
visits, or living life of ease in town.
Legislatively their influence is slight. but
assertion OF power aG critical moments Is
absurdly strong. and socially the awe and
difference they inspire are ridiculously out
OF proportion to any merits they possess or
any recognition they deserve. There are
actually many peers who have never been
in the House Of Lords at all from the day
they took the oath and went through the
quaint ceremonies OF admission, somewhat
resembling beadle's procession. Joseph
COwen OF Newcastle-on-Tyn once chatted
with an elderly man in the House of Com
mons. who suddenly asked II it was the
House of Lords. He had mistaken the
chamber OF the Commons for that OF the
peers, and as he had not been In the latter
for many years his blunder was excusabie.
1t is only when their privileges are in
peril that their lordshlps bristle with
virtuous indignation aud assert their
pa triotism selishly.
4 life of Nelson is expected from Cap
tain MahaD. who is in command OF the
cruiser Chicago. He has had to suspend
work on his naval history, and biography
of this character must at least be con-
genial literary labor. 1t is impossible to
carry a large reference library about at
sea. and therefore there may be difficulties
about the broader historical aspect of this
task, but If the personal aspect OF the
hero's lie Is the main aim, with not 100
much about Lady Hamilton and great
deal about his naval service, there Is scope
for a new book. Much material has accu-
mulated since Southey wrote, and the poet
was not a sailor, although his biography Is
a model.
The referendum, or popular vote, was
recently exercised in Switzerland on the
question whether all animals. when slaugh-
tered. shall first be rendered sensible
before bleeding takes place. The initiative
demand for this vote was signed by S3, 159
citizens, and the Federal authorities mad
DO alternative but To submit the question
to popular decision. BY a large majority
the people have voted in favor Of the
more humane method Of slaughter. The
Hebrews are debarred from practicing
their peculiar method of killing cattle With
the knife.
DR.. Holden of the Lick Observatory is
FaIr fac l. he - foa ol.
the London Chronicle for his contribution
on the Suicide of a RI ttlesnake.", Diade
to European scientific publication. Pro-
fessor Ray Lancaster. no mean authority
on biology, doubts altogether the interpre-
tation put on the incident. He says there
Is no proof of scorpions and snakes COM
hitting suicide. and that the venom of a
snake has little. II any. effect upon
another ophidian. lie thinks that the bite
which suggested the idea of suicide must
have been inflicted TO ease itself OF some
local trOu bles, quite dissociated from men,
tai worry or opnidan philosophy. In
other words. it may have been flea. a
burrowing parasite, or neuralgia, but sui
eide is a cure too subtle for the snakes
mind.
Australia seems to rejoice in consuming
more drink than any other land. 1t is,
however. dry land, and the Australians
may retort, with the ScOtchman. "Ye haze
muckle to say ABBOTT ma drinkin'. but We
dinna consider ma. droothW Victoria
spends Der mead of the population SIS an
nnally on drink, and New South w ales
SIS 90 Ireland is supposed TO be very
bibulOus, but the per capita consumption
is only $40 80. while Scotland spends
SIS % and England SIG so.
There Is no urgent need to leave Eng
land in search of cheap land anywhere.
Recently land was sold in Essex. county
in which lies portion of London, at 80
shillings per acre! Only 81 80 for Land
which would thirty years ago have fetched
a. least from $3.50 to $500! No such price
has been known in England for two Gen.
turies. This one fact shows what a shrink
age here has been in farming values. 1t
is doubtless true, however, that the land
thus disposed of was poor, and not capable
of producing the English average of thirty
bushels of wheat To the acre.
w. T. Stead of the Rerje1g Of Reriecs is
in search Of half dozen frst-cass drunk
ards, proper gin-sOaked dipsomaniacs, a
disgrace to themselves aud a nuisance 20
others. He hopes to cure them by treat
ment which reformed drunkard declares
cured him, and which does not cost half
so much as the bichOride treatment.
This is possibly recommendation if it is
effectual. The remedy consists of some
thing besides the assertion of will. Some
thing is swallowed in minute doses every
hour or two. and even a bout IF delirium
tremens horrors yields 10 this thirst exter-
mlDator. Doubtless stead has scores of
terrible examples at hand. and there is no
need of any total wreck in California 10
sacrifice himself to experiment.