The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-01-13

Astronomers tell us that in our
solar system there are at least sew
enteen million comets of all sizes
Although the flap of skin which
covers an elephants ear is of con-
siderable size the ear itself is very
small in proportion.
The fastest flowing river in the
world is the Sutlej, in British In
dia, with a descent of twelve thou
sand feet in $50 miles.
Glass beads are sometimes found
in the bodies of mummies over
three thousand years old, proving
conclusively that glass was known
to the ancients
ANY human being who will have
the presence of mind to clasp the
hands behind the back, and turn
the face toward the zenith, may
float at ease, and in perfect safety,
in tolerably still water.
1t may not be generally known
shat the original idea of the
Chinaman's pigtail was that it
formed d convenient handle by
which one day he would be lifted
up to paradise. This curious be-
lief is still to be found among the
natives.
1t is said that some of the Vene-
tians those who have never been
to the mainland-have never seen
a horse in all their lives. A show
man once brought one to fair
and called it monster, and the
factory hands paid shilling each
to see the marvel.
Singers, actors and public speak
ers, since the introduction of the
electric light, have less trouble
with their voices, their throats are
not so parched and they feel bet
ter. This is due to the air not
being vitiated and the tempera-
ture is more even.
Near Boise City. Idaho, four
hundred feet below the earth's
surface, there is a subterranean
lake Of hot water of ITO degrees
temperature. It has sufficient
pressure to ascend to tile top floor
of most of the houses and will be
piped to them for heating pur-
poses.
The crown Of England is kept
In the Tower of London, and not
In the Queens dressing room. It
lis never brought out except on
grand state occasions. but when
ever ceremony such as a draw
ing room or levee takes place the
Queen wears circlet of diamonds
in the form of crown on her
head.
Some time ago termites or white
ants destroyed the roof of the mu-
semi building at Sydney. Aus
tralia and it had to be replaced
with covering composed largely
of steel and copper. Their work
being carried on in the interior of
the timber does not reveal itself
until the structure is about ready
to fall to pieces.
The smallest inhabited island
In the world is that on which the
Eddystone lighthouse stands. At
low water it is thirty feet in diam
eter: at highwater the lighthouse,
whose diameter at the base is
twenty-eight and three-quarters
feet. completely covers it. 1t is
inhabited by three persons. 1t
lies nine miles off the Cornish
coast, and fourteen miles south
west of Plymouth Breakwater.
ST Nicholas, as the patron saint
OF the children, now termed, "San-
TIA Claus" was canonized, died,
according to tradition, at Myra,
Italy. and was there buried in the
cathedral crypt. Six hundred
years later his body was taken to
Bari. and there, in the eleventh
century, the great priory of San
Nicolo was built. It is at that
priory that. on May 9th each year
the festival of st. Nicholas is held
with great rejoicings by pilgrims
from all parts Of the world.
M. Jacquemin. French phar-
macist, has invented process by
which he says he can form from
the leaves of various fruit-bearing
trees and shrubs the favors that
Oh &c 4lo En-, L..