The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-02-09
FROM FOREIGN FIELDS.

Wilma, the capital of Lithuania, in
Russia, is unique in having in the
busiest part of the city a street in
which nobody ever speaks. At the
northern entrance to the street is a
huge archway, on top of which is an
altar containing the sacred picture of
the blessed Virgin. Adjoining it is
Roman Catholic Church. Mass is
daily said before the picture, which
is then unveiled. People passing
through the street at that time of the
day, no matter what their religious
belief, kneel down in the street, their
faces turned toward the picture. The
rest of the town is paved with noisy
cobblestones,n but this thOroughfare is
laid with wooden planks, SO that the
traffic may make as little noise as
possible. No sound of quarreling, no
urging of horses or cracking of whips
has been heard in the street for cen
turtles. When visiting Wilma during
the Moscow campaign Napoleon | said
he would like to carry it just as it
stood to Paris He gave strict ord
ers that none of his troops should
break the rule of silence while pass
ing that way.
- - -
Some Japanese advertisements quot
ed in the new review, Japan ct Bel
gique," possess a wealth OF imagery
unknown to the western advertiser.
A Toxic draper announces that our
goods are sent to customers houses
with the speed of shot from a rifle"
A grocer proclaims his vinegar to be
more bitter than the gall of the most
diabolical mothers-in-law." And
large multiple store displays a post
er inscribed: why not visit our
shops? We can satisfy every posi-
BILE want of yours. Every one of our
assistants is as complaisant and oblig-
ing as a father who seeks to dispose
OF a dowerless daughter. You will be
as welcome as ray of sunshine COM
ing after a day of ceaseless rain.
- - -
The loans and Savings Association
Of St Petersburg has prepared a re-
port upon the living conditions in the
principal capitals in Europe. Accord
ing to this report the number of dwell
lers in house averages in Lon
don, As in Vienna, 80 in Berlin and
about 50 in Moscow and st. Peters
burg. The number of inhabitants of
fiat or apartment averages in
Berlin, a. in Vienna, As in London.
rs in st. Petersburg and in Moscow.
The lowest rents in western Europe
prevail in Belgium, and the highest
in Berlin. The average rent in Ber-
lin for a lodging consisting of two
living rooms is $50 per year, while it
is sl2S in Moscow and st. Peters.
burg, and those containing tire to
five rooms are 1893 to 1927 respec.
lively.
- - -
That the English as nation are
not bell lovers is suggested by the
fact that there are only two import.
ant foundries devoted exclusively to
bellmaking in this coun;ry-one at
Loughborough and one in the White
chapel road, London. The latter was
established SO long ago as 1870. and
has turned out many famous bells,
including Londin's own Bow Bells"
The peculiar magic in the tones of
a bell is due to its striking not sin
gle note. but a chord, and 20 obtain
the perfect octave entails an inn
mense amount Of calculation and
skill. The bell caster, therefore,
has TO be not mere mechanic, but
highly trained specialist.
Since the coinage of The copper L.
cent pieces the quantity OF cash
has become smaller and consequent
ly, higher ip exchange value, causing
q great deal Of distress among ped
dlers, hawkerss and petty traders. In
some country districts the people