The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-07-07
FOREIGN GOSSIP.


I'm France the system OF treating
wines by passing currents of electv.city
through them has been officially tested
and reported on favorably. This treat
ment is found TO mellow ana preserve
healthy wines and TO arrest detcriora-
tion in those beginning 10 give way.
The Italian committee for the de-
Tense OF Agrarian interests issues a
spirited appeal TO the agriculturists of
italy 10 unite I'm a solemn protest
against tho enactment OF the law for
the reimposition of a two-tcnths war
tax, which was repealed seven or eight
years ago.
An Irish Arts and Crafts society
has been formed in Dublin for the pur-
pose OF stimulating the industries Of
Ireland and attempting TO raise the
craftsmen 20 a higher artistic level.
The society is endeavoring TO organize
nm exhibition OF Irish arts and crafts,
10 be beld in Dublin in the autumn OF
1895.
An illustration OF the agricultural
depression in England is afforded in the
fact that the rent OF n farm of 500 acres,
in Kent, for which the owner paid e32,-
600 and which rented for 81 200 a year
for many years has fallen 10 $500
year Another farm, said To be one OF
the best in the county, rented in 1856
for 1900 now rents for $500.
Several variety theaters in London
have just started new scheme OF Civ
ing two performances, each lasting
about an hour and half each even
ing The same programme is given at
each performance, and the prices have
been cut one-half. The plan is said 70
work successfully, and there are indi-
cations Of its spreading TO other thea
tiers.
Wagner has scored a wonderful tri-
unph in Paris. Only "A short time since
an attempt TO present Wagner opera
in Paris resulted in a riot. Last year
more Wagner opera were presented at
the Paris opera than any others. Out
of two hundred and eight performances
Saens came second with but thirty-five
performances
--Charlemagne is said 90 have tried
the whipping euro for the first drunken
otfcnse. IL IL proved failure capital
punishment was resorted To and the
topper made no further trouble. Beat
ing has been tried in Saxony for the
evil of drink. Only recently woman
aged sixty-four received ten blows with
stick by order OF the burgomaster in
the presence Of doctor for habitual
drunkenness.
The ameer OF Afghanistan. Abdur
Ruhman khau, manifests an enlight-
ened interest in horse-breeding. His
stud consists OF thirty-five hundred
mares, seventy thoroughbred. and ten
hackney stations. To these he has re-
Gently added one thoroughbred and
four hackney stations and a Spanish
jack The mares are a mixed lot Of
several native breeds and imported
Australian animals.
Roman women enjoyed much more
power and freedom than is often sup
posed. The law, indeed bore very
hard upon them so that they were ever
in legal subsection either TO their ia
ther, their brothers or their husband
Bat. practically, the law was common
~ disregarded. SO that the Roman
matron held n very honorable position,
respected by her husband, vencratcd
by her slaves and children and tho
roughly mistress OF her house.
"A small part OF the commerce OF
the world is still carried on by the use
of shells as a medium of exchange.
The Portuguese found this sort OF
money in use by the natives OF the
eastern coast OF Africa when they
opened up trade in that region and
have found il 20 their advantage 20
continue the practice. Fortunes are
said 10 have been made by collecting
the shells on one part Of the African
coast and putting them in circulation
at point only few hundred miles
away. These shells are sold by weight.
The price varies according as the sup
ply compares with the demand Prices
ha &c been known to double and even
treble within few months. The
prices also vary greatly within short
distances What has cost the merchant
from fifty cents to one dollar i'm the
market will often bring him seven dol
lars or eight dollars worth Of goods in
another market"