Evening star., 1898-12-24

U 3
in the world, a conviction which is held by
the tsar with intense, almost passionate
earnestness, but which is shared to the full
by his most experienced and powerful min
isters. That conviction may be briefly
stated as the belief that considerations
alike of humanity and of craftsmanship
imperatively demand a cessation of the
present breakneck competition in naval and
military armaments which, proceeding at
an ever accelerating rate, must, if un-
checked. land civilization in the abyss.
Some Ancient Records.
Dr. Wallis Bulge, keeper of Egyptian and
Assyrian antiquities at the British Mu-
seum has enriched the resources of the
museum and the knowledge of the world by
the discovery and translation of series of
letters which are contemporary with Abra-
ham, and which will undoubtedly prove Of
the greatest value to history and religion.
These ara some tablets which DR.. Bulge
, unearthed at the ancient city of Larsa in
South Babylonia the Ellasar of Gen., XIV.
The most important of these letters are on
fifty small clay tablets, measuring two
inches by three which seem to have been
dispatched 2450 B. c., from Khammurabi,
King of Shinar, to the King of Larsa, his
vassal. They are a thousand years earlier
than the Tel-el-Amarna tablets, and DR..
Bulge deems them evidence enough, when
taken with those, that Babylon was for
that period, at least the educational center
of Chaldea, Syria, North Mesopotamia and
Asia Minor Among the researches of bib
lical history the find is received with rap
ture, though 1 understand that they are
likely to reopen some vexed questions
where the newly found tablets differ from
those of Father Scheil and other ancient
records.
Christmas Shopping.
London shopland in every quarter has
now assumed its Christmas garb. A long
succession of gaily decked and brilliantly
lighted windows attract crowds Of sight
seers who block the sidewalks and add
geherally to the chronic congestion of the
streets At one establishment the whole
window is taken up by representation Of
"Old London" and is an attractive show.
Elsewhere the commercial pill is gilded
with gratuitous musical performances and
displays of living pictures, while at not a
few places afternoon tea is supplied to
customers These displays are new de-
partures for England, where window dress
ing does not attain to such degree Of eX-
cellence as in America, and where the
tendency Is to overload the window, es
pecially in the candy shops The better
conditions in this respect have largely some
about through the efforts of the Trading
Association, which recently offered prizes
for the best dressed windows.
London Is the home of the Christmas
pantomime, and each year sees more and
increasing list of theaters. They all open
on Boxing day-the day after Christmas
and are usually most successful They run
the best of them-for three months, carry
ing their jollity and fun we'll into the early
spring. 1t is sight to see the round after
round of merry, childish faces, with a
goodly sprirklirg of faces of an older
growth, in the seats Of the big Drury Lane
Theater, the original home of English pam
tomime as it Is now given. y 1t is the chill
dren's treat, long looked forward to, and
enjoyed as their elders rarely enjoy the
plays enacted for their delectation. There
less fhirtv-ona nj shows
advertised this year at as many theaters
in London and the suburbs. The provincial
towns, too, have pantomimes, and later
many of the London plays go touring in the
country. In this years list "Clnderilla"
leads, with six representations; Aladdin"
is good second with five; 'Dick Whiting
ton" that never-failing London success.
will be seen at FOUR places: the Babes in
the Wood" and Robinson Crusoe" at three,
down to one "Alice in Wonderland" which
has not been given in London for over thir-
teen years. The great Drury Lane show
which always shines with the reflected
glory of the famous Augustus Harris, will
be the Forty Thieves and will. as usual,
be on a most elaborate scale. 1t does not
much matter what the. name is, the plays
are nearly alike and consist merely of pegs
on which to hang singing and dancing and
extravagant farce with a lot of magic
thrown in.
Notes of Interest.
The appointment of Prof. Darcy Thomp-
~
fishery board for Scotland has given great
satisfaction to people here, and it will no
doubt be pleasing to his American friends.
He will be remembered having served
in the capacity of British delegate to the
Bering sea conference of last year, when
he received as his reward the decoration
of {. B. He is favorte among the stu
dents of Dundee University, where he fills
the chair of natural history. He is known
to scientists chiefly as the author of "A
photography of Protozoa," and other works
of similar nature.
I learn that the Prince of Wales would
be very glad to accept the invitation which
he received to go to America, but the queen
is unwilling. 1t Is not owing to any un-
friendliness on the part Of the queen, but
because of her age and feeble state which
makes it desirable to have the heir to the
throne within short distance of the sover-
elgn The queens increasing age and con-
sequent infrmities make it necessary for
the prince to relieve her of many functions
that fall to the lot of the head of state
and probably the Prince of Wales will
never go so far from his country as the
United States again.
The Countess of Strafford's CMrs. Colgate)
eldest daughter is. 1 learn, to be presented
at court at the first drawing room next
season, at which the Princess of Wales will
preside in the place Of the queen.
L. H. MOORE.