The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-20
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

a subscription of sixpence a week, it I'M
dertakes to clean bicycles at the homes of
the owners. and in addition to give the
owner an accident insurance policy.
The trials of the American abroad are
being gradually lessened. Courts in Paris
have recently decided that the concierge
has no right to open the lodger's letters
and now a Berlin magistrate declares ho-
telkeepers liable for valuables stolen from
their dodgers rooms.
There are many brilliant colored spi-
ders in Madagascar. Some of them are
big enough to cover dinner plate, and
spin immense geometric webs across
streams and roads, which are anchored
by cords SO strong that an effort is re-
quired to break them.
The Behozy, who occupy a densely
wooded country among the hills of Be-
maraha, jump from tree to tree just like
monkeys, and are not easily followed
inasmuch as their territory is exceedingly
rocky. They are very timid and it is said
that they die of fright when captured.
According to report, a curious sight is
to be met with in fashionable West End,
London, squares, where a green cart, well
horsed and in charge of a servant, peram-
bulates with a piano and two vocalists
and an accompanist, all wearing masks.
1t is said that they are hard-up titled peo-
pie.
The most remarkable animals found
in Madagascar are the true lemurs,
which exist nowhere else in the world,
although related forms occur in Africa
and India. They are regarded by natu-
raliSts as links connecting the monkeys
and the lower animals. There are about
twenty species.
Andrew Cameron, the Glasgow diver,
who cut away the torpedoes at the bonn
bardment of Alexandria, will attempt to
reach the sunken Drummond Castle
which lies in $50 feet of water off Ushant.
He has record of having spent thirty
minutes at 200 feet below the surface,
and calls himself the champion diver of
the world.
The word money owes its very exist
ence to the Latin goddess Juno Moneta,
in whose great temple were struck the
first Roman coinage. The form took
its name from Florence, in which city
1t was struck about the thirteenth cen
fury. Ducats were especially struck for
circulation in the duchy OF Apulia, in 114O
and bore a beautiful inscription.
The name of cotton is modified from
from the Latin serious (softness). Chintz
is a Persian word meaning spotted, and
taffeta is the Persian verb taftoen, to
spin. Linen is an Anglo-SaXon render
ing OF linum (dax, and satin is derived
from the Italian seta, a species of silk
notable for its gloss and close texture.
Next year will occur the centenary of
that graceless piece of headgear common
ly called the ''stove-pipe' hat, which first
| came into common use in Paris in 1887.
How such a stiff, ungainly head covering
has managed to maintain it's popularity
is, indeed, singular; but as common sense
ideas in clothing seem to be getting the
upper hand, it may not be long before the
'stove-pipe'' may be knocked into cock
ed hat.
1t is reported that the crop of grapes
in Northern Ohio IS an exceptionally big
one. The vines are black with the fruit,
which is selling in the vineyards at five
cents basket of ten pounds. There is no
profit in such price, for the basket COSTS
two and half cents and the picking as
much more. 1t is said that no more
| grapes will be sent to market, but that
the remainder of the crop will be sold to
wine makers.
I'm the northern part of Madagascar is
the most remarkable natural fortress in
the world. 1t is occupied by a wild tribe,
who call themselves the People of the
Rocks The fortress is a lofty and
precipitous rock of enormous size, 1000
feet high and eight square miles in area.
Its sides are SO steep that it cannot be
climbed without artificial means. With
in it is hollow, and the only entrance is
by a Subterranean passage.
The career of a homeopathic doctor
who was recently arrested In Dusseldorf
bears witness 10 the proftableness of
advertising, and the number of fools in
Germany. This doctor advertised in 600
| newspapers, and he had eighteen "reme-
dies" for all diseases, which were dis
pensed by his servants. The number Of
his victims may be inferred from the
fact that his income was over 100000 Ev-
identity Americans are not the only ones
who like TO be humbugged
The Austrian naval architect, Mr.. c.
A. Gagstatter has defined the imitation
of the rule that the longer a vessel the
better she is for speed and carrying ca
pacity. If a steamer could be built one
mile long and about sixty feet wide, with
ample motive power, she could undoubted-
ly attain fabulous speed. Only one-thir-
tieth part of her length would have to
overcome the waters inertia, while the
rest of the vessel would experience only
vessel.
shows, involves a dangerous, yielding, un-
solid structure, exposed to enormous
strains, and is liable to be broken in two
He consequently fixes the limit of lengths
at nine widths.
Jack has just fallen sick-very serious
ly sick, says the New York Tribune. The
most eminent veterinary surgeons of
England have been consulted, and little
hope is entertained of saving Queen VIC
toria's charming little Egyptian donkey.
Around this venerable royal creature leg
ends cluster. He accompanies her mai
esty everywhere. He it is who has the
distinguished honor Of taking her to drive
at Windsor and Balmoral. Several times
her majesty has been advised to replace
Jack by a Shetland pony, but she has al
ways obstinately refused to be parted
from this old and faithful servant, the
gift of Lord Wolseley. Jack is remarkable
for the uNhitnness Of lIa hni-..- L.. -