The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-06-30
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

hcers wear black threads in their gold
braid for their leader. General Wolfe. who
fell at Quebec.
The great Andean railway between
Chile and the Argentine republic is at last
to be completed. This wonderful en-
cheering feat was projected twenty years
ago. Many difficulties have been eneoun-
tered but the Chilean congress has recent
" passed a bill for It's completion and the
first rail line across the South American
continent promises soon to be in active
operation. The highest part of the line lies
just south of the dizzy peak, Acondagua at
an elevation of 1900 feet. This barrier will
be penetrated with a tunnel. The term
inals of the railway on each side of the
pass are now within days travel OF
each other by mule caravan.
An amusing incident of the solicitations
at KEEL was the manner in which the
German bands murdered our popular
anthem, America" The German musici-
ans thought they would do the American
squadron much great honor, all ready
YETI and struck up what they supposed
was the national hymn. Their intentions
were good but their hearers were unable
to tell whether they were playing Amer
lea" or God Save the King" This would
have been all right If joint compliment
to England and America had been intend
ed but the funny part of the affair was
that the Germans are proverbially jeal-
Gus of the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain.
1t costs money to entertain royalty and
when government extends invitations to
crowned heads it is always a good idea
to see that the public exchequer is in a
healthy condition. When the Car of Rus
STA was invited to Paris a few years ago
the invitation alone cost France 1000
pounds. This sum was paid to two spec
ial messengers who were dispatched to
st. Petersburg. The total cost of the
czar's visit was l24,0OO pounds. 1t is said
that the King of Italy is the cheapest
monarch to entertain He is very much
averse to show and public display of all
kinds. Emperor William can also be taken
care of for the moderate sum Of 5000
pounds, provided he stays only week.
Gentle old spinsters who are constantly
being laughed at for their penchant for
cats should take heart from the fact that
some of the greatest literary men of the
past and present have the same failing.
Alphonse Daudet, Edgar Allan Poe and
Cardinal Richelieus all had feline pets.
Charles Dudley Warner kept a respect
able gentleman cat of middle age con-
stantly near him and J. NJ. Barrie is
quite dependent upon a big blue Persian
cat for companionship and soeiability. Mr..
Barrie's cat lies on the desk while the gen.
tie Seotchman weaves his stories of Drum+
toehty and the quaint people of Thrums.
The presence of an admiral on board
ship adds so tons to the weight of that
vessel. In addition to the usually corpu-
lent body of the admiral there is a num-
erous staff of gold laced officers. Then
he must have his private launch, two ex-
ira bath tubs, and a lot of books and
instruments considered absolutely neces-
sary to maintain his dignity. The statis-
ticians of the navy department are now
figuring to reduce this extra weight, but
so far have rid the navy of nothing more
than the extra bath tub.