Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-31


sands persisted in the earthquake 10
Italy. There have been foreign comPii'
cations which at times seemed about to
bring on the clash of war, but all such
muddles have fortunately yielded to di
plomacy, and most things have pro-
ceeded 10 the usual manner With only
such occurrences IS might have been ex-
pected during three hundred and sixty
Eve days. Is
The year 1908 has been disappointing
to prophets" 1t may be interesting
to our readers 10 reproduce Prof. Spsug.
ler's forecast which be delivered ct the
close of 1907 He declared that the
year 1908 would be a year of trouble,
such as was never known before. Ma.
ton was to rise a1ainst nation, famines
and pestileuces I'd earthquakes we're to
tefrorize the ear D., rivers we're to dry up,
the sea TO boil up with great noise, the
city Of Boston vas 10 sink, and New
York Was to 60 up 10 smoke. SpaDgler
recently, when called upon to draw his
forecast of the new year, said there will
be no 1909, as the world is destined to
come to an end before the close Of 1908
he asserted that William a. Taft never
will be inaugursted president of the
United States.
Last December spaugler "foretold,"
the following events for 1908: King
Edward will pass away as the last king
of England; New York will be destroyed
by fire; Russia will lose her car; Turkey
will lose her sultan; prominent fnauciers
will hang themselves; many towns will
be destroyed; the world will be destroyed
and molhers-iD.law will be- arrayed
against dsughters-in-lsw. The last was
the only forecast that materislized. Ii
circular which SpaDgler has sent oot to
his friends he stated that this world will
come to an end in winter of the month OF
December, According to this, the end
of all things will be at hand within the
next few hours.
The closing year has wrought but few
changes in Alexandria. The volume of
business transacted has been about the
same as that Of the previous years. The
average number Of deaths and births
have occurred. The city has not been
visited by any serious meteorological
disturbances, nor have there been cpl
denies to distress our people. In short
al must realize that there has been
much for which to be thankful. There
has at times been a deatth of work, but
more serious conditions were in evidence
ia the larger cities during such periods
of depression.
O0e man can see as far 10 the coming
year as another, and from present indi'
cations we may expect events similar
10 those which have characterized pre-
vious years. There will doubtless be
troubles tempered with blessings which
all experience from the cradle to the
grave. While iife's journey leads 10
rugged paths at times, it alsO OCCASION
ally winds into pleasant bowers whtrs
all would prefer to remain. We must,
however, move on aud face all that is to
come with the determination to rise
superior to all anxiety, distress or dis
appointment. The new year may bring
about unexpected transitions In the bis
tory of many; 1t is equally as likely to
shatter the fOndest hopes of Others. We
are all in a great school with the true
purpose of our tutoring at present
yelled.
Numbers are disposed to become de-
pendent at the obstacles of life, while
others wear happy smiles in their tribu-
lalions. 1t would be we'll If all could.
Somebody has observed that Solomon'S
Temple was intended to symbolizs the
church triumphant in the heavens, the |
stones having been hewn afar off in the |
quarries OF this world, and laid noiselessly |
10 their proper places. individuals
may be hkened to those stones.
Many blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect.
In their places well cOmpacted
By the heavenly architect
Let all keep these observations in mind
during the coming year, snd many
troubles, real or imaginary, can be
miuiniz al