Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-01-12
How Eneiand roolx Gir,rsltar.

How England Took Gibraltar.
 Gtbralter was taken by the English in 1704, during the war of the Spanish succession, a war which was provoked by the aggressive policy of France in endeayoring to place a monarch of the French family upon the Spanish throne, and thus consolidate the two Kingdoms into one. The fortress was then captured, alpost by surprise, though the Spaniaras and French. ap- preeiating the strategic value of the place, made despevate efforts to re- cover it, but were repulsed at every point. Between the. date of it's capture and 1779 repeated efforts were made by Spain to recover the fortress. and i'll the latter year the greatest armament that was ever brought to bear upon besieged place lay before Gibraltar. The siege lasted, og and on, for many months. The investing force comprised 12,000 troops of France, over twice ag many of the best infantry of Spain. and the fleet consisted of forty-seyen ships, all three-d#ckers; ten great floating batteries, esteemed inyincibies. carrying PIP guns; innumerable frie- ates, bomb=ketchea, cutters, gun and mortar boats. For weeks together over 5000 shells day wsre thrown into the town and repeated attempts were made to storm the works, but the little gar- rison of only 1000 men repelled every assault and finally succeeded in beat- ing off the allied fact The blockade began June 21, 177O and lasted until February, 1783. when the garrison was finally relieved by the arrival of d British fleet and army. Since that time the Qualifications Of Gibraltar have been so improved and increased that it Is regarded as the strongest fortress in the world The British gov- ernment maintains there a garrison of from 5000 to 10000 men, with pro- visions for six months, and 1t is said the supply of military material Is suf- fcient to enable tho fortress to stand a : siege of indefinite length.
 In the Mexican Household.
 The arrangement of furniture js much more formal than In the United States. It is q very common sight to see splendidly furnished parlor with n row of stralght-backed chairs all alike with their backs against the wall and as close together as they can be placed clear around the room.
 Heavy single doors, such as are used in the United States, are practi- cally unknown in Mexican houses either at entrances or between in- terior rooms. All doors open In the middle and are fastened with bolts top and bottom. Exterior doors are always fitted with glass panels, for they also serve as windows. All such doors opening on the street or open court are fitted with solid shutters that are folded at the sides out of sight when not in use.
 A good Mexican cook relieves the mistress of the house of worry and responsibility in a manner that is al- most unknown in the United States. The cook Is given 50 much day. and with this amount she will purchase each morning all the provisions for the day, including even the staples that are usually bought in large quan- titles in other countries. On a dollar q day a cook will provide a very good table for q family of three or four, and get enough beans and tortillas and chile to set the servants table be- sides They can really do better than their mistresses, because they can us ually drive sharper bargains with the i. marketmen of their own class, ando they have more patience to haggle over the last penny.
 The Father of an Empress.
 4 German banker, travelling by rail in frst-class. carriage toward Vienna. had as a fellow-traveler at one of the intermediate stations an old gentle man, who entered into conversation and proved very pleasant. The banker got out before his companion, and be- fore he did so asked the latter, how far he was going. The gentleman replied. ''To Vienna" T have daughter very well married there," said the banker.I should like to give you note of intro duetion to her" T have also a daugh-