Arizona republican., 1898-07-06
THIS BUSY WORLD.

THIS BUSY WORLD.
 "The English people are our true friends, and I would say naught against them by way of carping crlti- cism," said a Chicago man the other day. "But when I was sojourning over there some six weeks ago I could not help but think how slow the Brit ons were in many of the conven- fences of civilized life. For instance there are but 75,O00 telephones in use in England as against 900,0 in the United States. A few of the high class hotels in London, in particular those that cater to Americans, have very ex- cellent telephone service, to the extent even of a phone in each guest cham Der. This Is a notable exception. how ever, for in scores of others there are no instruments at all. England is far behind also in every application of electricity. In very few of the cities is there any other mode of 1ocomotion except the omnibus or the street car pulled by diminutive steam engines. The underground electric system in Washington would open the eyes of the average subject of Victoria, who is apparently content to ride in the same old fashion of his ancestors"
 A Philadelphia practical" joker is at present taking a good, hard dose of his own medicine About two weeks ago, relates the Record, he packed a dry goods box with old shoes, empty tin cans and other rubbish and sent it of to Tampa, Fla, consigned to one Of the companies of the Third regi- ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, with express charges collect The soldier boys thought 1t was a box of supplies sent by some kind friends, and gladly paid the charges. Their chagrin in discovering the contents of the box may be imagined. But they have since turned the tables with a vengeance. They learned the name of the joker, and for a week past nearly every man in the company has been writing let ter of thanks every day to the sender of the box. The letters are mailed with the soldiers privilege of sending mail without stamps, postage to be collected from the receiver. The joker" is paying about $2 a day in postage for the letters of thanks he is receiving, and he's wondering how much longer they will continue to come.
 There is one magazine editor. a New York writer says, who is honest enough to admit that while his publi- cation has less than 500,0OO circula- tion, considerable part of the month ly contributors who are looking in each successive issue for their "re- spectfully submitted" articles. He gives each manuscript a rest of three months before returning it, which in sures sale of three numbers When thousands of manuscripts are received each worth 75 cents to 25 cent maga- zine, comfortable circulation is main tained and a satisfactory income nursed
 There is to be a balloon scene in coming spectacle in a London play house. A real balloon is poised in m1da1r, the ropes are about to be re- leased, when the villain of the play, hotly pursued by the detectives, rushes breathless into the crowd Escape is barred in every direction but one. The balloon is released, and the fugutive sees his chance. He leaps into the car, and up goes the balloon amid the tu- mutt of the spectators. And by a won derful mechanical contrivance the bal loon Is seen soaring higher and higher into the air, bearing the culprit from the clutches of the law
 Autograph letters, pictures, books, theatrical properties and other mat ters relating to the great actors Kean have been sold lately in London for great prices. A mere play bill of Ed mund Kean's last appearance on the stage at Cork, where he tainted in the arms of his son, brought 5 guineas
 Prince Robert of Bourbon. ex-duke of Parma. is now the father Of his eigh- teenth child, daughter, the ninth child by his second wife All eighteen, seven sons and eleven daughters, are living, but only the eldest, the wife of Ferdinand of Bulgaria, now 2S years of age, is married.
 Walter Phelps Dodge has been called to the English bar. being, it is said, only the second American since Judah P. Benjamin, the confederate, enter 1oro1 ooraar in opdon