The San Francisco call., 1895-07-21
ASQU|TH THEIR MAN,
Continued from, First Page.

afternoon, and according to the present
arrangements he will start for Paris next
week.
The Abyssinian mission to Russia,
which has been causing SO much disquiet,
at length has left ST. Petersburg for Odessa,
on its way home. There is good reason to
believe that Prince Dampto, chief of the
mission, carries back with him signed
agreement, by which Russia guarantees
the independence OF Abyssinia, and that
King Menelek now practically is vassal
OF the Gear. There is no doubt, at any
rate, that the diplomatic relations of the
two countries have been put on regular
basis, and this of itself is direct challenge
to Italy, for by the treaty, concluded at
Uccialli between Italy and Abyssinia, the
latter undertook to have no oemmunica-
ton with any foreign power except through
the medium OF Italy. This was in 1889.
But the treaty was never recognized form
ally by Russia, which, therefore claims TO
be at liberty to ignore its provisions.
The blase British aristocracy have turned
eagerly to new distraction. They are
organizing baby shows in which the en-
tries are limited to infants OF noble blood.
The little lords and ladies are appraised
carefully as to weight, size, number of
teeth and beauty. The most successful
aristocratic baby show was held this week
at the house of Mrs. Robert Crawshay.
The fashionable world thronged the house,
and the only draw back was the absence
of his Royal Highness Prince Edward from
the exhibits. The first prize for weight
and general excellence for babies under l
year was awarded to Dermont Browne, the
son of Lord Castlerosse, who, although but
IL months old, weighed thirty-three
pounds. The prize for babies over 1 year
was awarded to Angela Mildred Barring,
the daughter of Lord and Lady Ashburton,
who is IS months old and weighed twenty
eight pounds and had fourteen teeth.
There are still philosophers among the
Greeks whose wisdom is able to silence
the murmurs of the masses. A Greek
Judge on the island of Scio the other day
decided two claims against railroad for
damages caused by collision. One
claimant was man who lost his arm and
the other was a widow whose husband
had been killed. The Judge awarded 5000
piasters to the man, but only 1000 to the
woman. When the spectators began to
protest loudly the wise Judge explained:
"Ny dear people, the verdict must remain,
for you will see it is just. Nikola has lost
an arm and nothing can restore it, but you
(turning to the woman) are still young
and pretty. You have now some money
and you will easily find another husband
who may be as good, perhaps even better.
than your dead lord" So saying the
Judge left the hall and the people cheered
him.
Queen Victoria has been drawing largely
upon her reserve stock of jewelry this
week for the performance. of "Carmen,"
given at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
Calve received diamond brooch, Eames
ring, Ancona and Gilbert scarfpins,
Stage Manager Atkins turquoise and
diamond pin, Acting Manager Forsythe a
silver cigar-case, suitably engraved, and
Conductor Marcinelh silver cigarette
case. Finally Manager Sir Augustus Har-
ris has been made proud and happy by the
receipt of a big gold and silver epergne.
This looks almost like extravaganza on her
Majesty's part, but, after all, prima
donna is fairly cheap at the price of one
diamond brooch, and an entire opera COM
pany cannot always be obtained for f100
worth of odds and ends. Besides, the sea-
son is at an end. and there will be no need
for this class of expenditure for the next
six months or so.
Those who remember the bitter quarrel
last year between Calve and Eames are
wondering how the two artists were in
duced to appear together on the same
stage even in Windsor. Melba had been
billed to appear with Calve in all the pub
lie performances of Carmen" but 1t is
well known that the Queen will not permit
Melba to appear in her presence owing to
the singers implication in the Duke of Or
leans divorce case. This was emphasized
this week by her Majesty, who, in COM
manding the performance of a certain
opera at Windsor Castle, definitely speci-
fled that this favorite prima donna must
not be included in the cast. 1t is reported
that the desire of both CaIve and Eames
to sing was strong enough to induce them
toignore their feud for the time being. One
of the two artists was told quietly that she
would be permitted to appear only on the
condition of suspending hostiliEies.
1t will surprise those who imagine Eng
land the most law-abiding country in the
world to learn that the kidnapping of chill
dren of poor parents is very common
crime in London. The cases have been
more numerous than usual this year, but
the police are doing little to punish the
abductors. The children are stolen in
order to make use of their services in
Kent and Sussex during the hop-picking
and fruit-picking season. TIE typical case
last year was that of the eight-year-old
daughter OF hard-working couple. She
disappeared suddenly, and the parents
gave the little one up for dead. One after
noon about eight weeks later the girl
walked in looking well and happy. Her
story was that she was playing in the
streets when she was seized by man, was
gagged, placed in cart and carried off.
That evening she joined several other
youngsters and men and the party started
on tramp for Kent, where they passed
their time in hop-picking.
When that was over the party separated
and the man by whom she was taken away
brought her home. The girl spoke warmly
OF the kind treatment she received and the