The morning call., 1893-03-28
A Washington dispatch states that there

A Washington dispatch states that there
is eager competition for the various consul
ships in the gift Of the administration.
Upon bordering what ths emoluments of a
good post may be from fees one ceases to
marvel at the eagerness. An ambassador
or envoy has honor of the highest degree in
representing his country, but the salary is
so moderate that in some instances there
may be difficulty in sustaining reputation
for hospitality, and there is slender oppor-
tunity to save dollar. But the consul may
live quietly and unobirusively and pocket
far more in fees than minister does in
salary. 1t is said that in the large towns of
Great Britain consular ositiOns are parti-
cuarly comfortable nests. The fees else
where In Eurore are not so enticing, but
Paris Is understood TO yield $4,000 to
S12. 600. If it be true that London is worth
four OF five times hat amount some rear
rangement is desirable. 1t surely is not de-
sirable TO have snch difference between
the income of the ambassador aud the
consul.
If all geese were swans the farmers of the
Sacramento Valley would thrive. In the
East tame swans are the rage among the
wealthy who have country estates and
ornamental lakes to beautify the surround
AZ - u hA4O hiduoAObs H1Is AsNShNAttACig VI
oil fame, is credited with desire to possess
more swans than anybody else, and he may
easily keep hundreds of them. One of the
Vanderbilts inclues in the same direc ton.
Keepers of these swanueTies will have
enough to do il they mark and feed the
birds, and keep them from taking too long
voyages down rivers. A pair of swans cost
from SAD TO S75-a price at which they cease
10 be relishrd for the table, as they were in
former times. A farmer in Maine is giving
attention to the breeding OF swans. Each
Matching gives brood OF from three TO six
birds, and at the price quoted he should do
well.
Among the pictures now on exhibition in
San Francisco for the benefit of the Hahne-
mann Hospital is a Sir Joshua Reynolds
The works of this master have no despica-
Bile value when the engraver perpetuates
their charms. OF this there is an illusra-
ton in recent sale of thirty-sx examples
of mezzotint JOshuas, all in the earliest
states and in the finest possible condition
The collection belonged to one of the pro-
prietOrs of the Manchester Guardian. The
prices ranged from SITS for the gem en-
craving of Lady Bainfylde, first state, to
S515 tor that OF Viscountess Crosbie. sec
0nd state. These be prices for the en-
graver's art! Has the Reynolds on exhi-
bition been engravedP
The experiment of paroling prisoners is to
be tried in California. In Illinois they have
tried the experiment of allowing prisoners
the option of going TO church. A new chap
lain at Joliet has been taught lesson on
the sort OF sermon suitable to convict ears.
He took up the theme of ths Prodigal Son
in three successive discOurses and his
preaching produced so bad an impre ssiOn
that two-t thirds of the flock ahsented them
selves He is com PEELED to study what will
comfort them.
The famous Splitter collection Of works
of art in Paris is to be dispersed. It was
the dying wish of the collector that it
should be kept together. but no one could
be got to pay the price asked, s., 500, 000
The Vanderbilts, Astors, RockeleIlers and
Goulds could have paid that price and not
made q wry face. They will. however,
have an opportunity on April II to purchase
sundry articles which only national mu-
seums or millionaires would desire. The
Henry the Second ware, which is so scarce
that there are less than 100 pieces known,
will fetch fabulous sums. Some little pieces
of this ware in other collections have cost
over $4,000, and there is a tiny salt cellar
which fetched $500. But what Is 10 be
said of a saddle Of ivory for which one of
the Rothschilds paid $4,000 and exchanged
1t with Splitter for something else; or of
an ivory casket valued at $1,000? A deyo-
tiOnal book which was in the possession of
Cbarlemagne is supposed 10 be worth
$4,000. There are hundreds of rare eurios
iii every field OF artistic Industry. The col
lector boarded his treasures while alive,
and now they are to be scattered for the
benefit Of giving some other lobbyist an
occupation.
The Modesto Herald points out that 81 a
ton was saved on freight by bringing it up
the river on barges towed by steamer.
The Southern Pacific Company has quickly
shown practical appreciation of the sltua-
ton. 1t now offers to deliver the remainder
Of the freight by rail as cheaply as the Navi-
CATION Company. Upon this exhibition of
consideration. long withheld, the Herald
says astutely: ''In view of these facts
the merchants and shippers of Modesto
and vicinity will lay themselves open to the
charge Of lack of business acumen border
ing upon insanity, il they do not by every
method encourage the river competition in
auguTated under such favorable auspices"
Other cities and towns with rivers almost
uselessly run ming past them may take this
wisdom 10 heart. What Modesto can do
others can also do.
The Mercantile Library trustees have in
troduced an improvement in the service OF
accommodating subscribers with books. A
downtown agency has been established,
and books will be delivered there according
to order. This facility must lead to great
saving of time. One delivery station may
not be enough. but that will depend on the
success OF the experiment WIN the Me-
chanics' Institute also establish agencies?
The anarchists are insane enough to agI-
tate the crazest exploits. and, II the story
be true, they have well nigh reached the
limit of alteration when they have doomed
his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to
sudden death should he visit the United
States. 1t cannot be the arch agitator,
Most, who has plotted this daring deed, as
he is now out of his line of politics and is
now cooking steaks and chops for customers
who pay in a restaurant. The Prince has
so little to do with the affairs of this world
except socially that it is hard TO SEQ what
even an anarchist could expect to result
from his taking off.
The question of what color war vessels
should have in wartime is important. In
piping times Of peace any color except red
will do. During war much more than paint
will be needed 10 skillfully disguise a
cruiser or keep her unobserved. Captains
may resort, as In the old days, to all kinds
of ruses In making for port or closing