Daily Greencastle Banner and Times, Greencastle, Putnam County, 31 August 1897 — Page 2

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THE DAILY BANNER TIMES, GREEN CASTLE, INDIANA.

REUNITED DIAMONDS.

TWO LONG SEPARATED SPARKLERS MEET AGAIN.

Hark Again to Europe To Re Bought by a Rich Non- Yorker. Said to lie Mr*. William Astor, for a Large Sum — Wanderings a Romance.

I A M O NT) dealers the world over are speculating as to the identity of a mysterious personage of unlimited means wh? has just purchased of a Parisian diamond dealer two of the most famous gems in existence, a pair of diamonds so nearly alike in appearance that they have become known to collectors and dealers as the “Indian Twins.” The wealthy individual who has just become possessed of them is believed to be Mrs. William Astor. A Jeweler would describe the “Twins” as a pair of old Indian diamonds, cut in cushion shape, weighing eight and a half carats each, and of a remarkably pale blue color. Their tint is far deeper than steel blue, and much lighter than the blue of the celebrated "Hope'' diamond. The twins are so full of fire that many a pure white diamond is pale by contrast. So absolutely perfect are the gems that the slightest flaw cannot be discovered by the aid of the most powerful magnifying glass. Their combined weight is seventeen carats, which is divided exactly between the two. They are alike beautifully proportioned, and the peculiar shade of blue is the same in each. So perfect is their correspondence that experts do not donbt that they were originally one stone, which was divided for some reason, probably because the original shape was such that while susceptible of division, it could not be cut to advantage as a single stone without great loss in w’eight. The first record of the “Indian Twins” places them in the possession of Warren Hastings at the time he was governor general of India. Next they came into possession of a Russian nobleman, who was afterward exiled. As expatriated noblemen have to eat and drink like ordinary mortals, the Russian found himself under the painful necessity of parting with his diamonds. They parted from each other, and for a long time only one of the gems was known to diamond dealers. This lone twin, after many wanderings, fell at last into the possession of the Duke of Brunswick, whose agents searched the world for tho lost twin, but were unable to find any trace of it, although the price offered for its recovery was a tremendous one. Finally the duke was gathered to his fathers, and his fine collection of diamonds was sold, the “Indian Twin” coming to America. The final chapter of the story is told by Mr. E. August Nereishelmer, of New York city, vice-president of the Theosophical Society of America. “I had the diamond in my possession,” said Mr. Nereisheimer, "and my agents were looking for the missing relative, although we had little hope of finding it. This was about twenty years ago. A newspaper at that time recorded the story of the strange finding of the long lost gem. One of the agents who had been for so long engaged in the search for the ‘Twin’ that it had become a mechanical habit for him to study the jewelry on men and women whom he met, was surprised almost out of his wits one day when, seated in a Chicago saloon, he saw a western man enter in whose shirt bosom blazed the identical ‘Twin’ the whereabouts of which had been for so long sought. "He lost no time in negotiating for and securing the diamond, which was forwarded to me. The united ‘Twins’ were valued at J125,000, and taken to Paris, where I hear they have been purchased by an American whose identity has been kept a secret. There is little doubt, however, from what I have heard, from my correspondents over there that Mrs. William Astor will dazzle the eyes of American society people with the ’Twins’ next season.”

It<*afion for It. “I don’t see why you girls are all so crazy after that tall young fellow,” said the girl who had just arrived at the “eashore. He stutters.” "But just notice how long his arms are.” "What of it?” "Why, they make a girl think her waist is three sizes smaller than it is.” —Chicago Post.

Flneftse. “How in the world did you get old Curmudgeon’s consent to wed his daughter?” "Finesse, me boy, finesse. I told all around that he caught seventeen fourpound bass on that last fishing expedition of his.”—Detroit Free Press.

FISH WITH WINGS. Something About TIion* Ou«-«*r Dwollera In the 8ea« The flying-fish loves deep water, and is found throughout the length and breadth of the tropical seas. He is fond of feeding near the gulf-weed of , the Sargasso, and deposits his stringy, glutinous spawn on its yellow branches. Vessels bound from New York to the Carribee Islands, says Forest and Stream, upon reaching the “horse latitudes,” sometimes encounter vast quantities of drifting weed, j strung out into long ribbonlike patches about, an eighth of a mile apart. Among the golden weed, with its delicate leaves and globular seeds, exists a curious family of cuttle-fish, crabs, moilusks and small fishes. I'pon these the flying-fish preys, and they in turn devour its spawn. Every plunge of the steamer as she ploughs through the blue tropical waters frightens dozens of flying-fish into the air, where they scatter in all directions, with the sunlight glistening on their gauzy wings. The flying-fish of the Atlantic attains a length of nearly one foot, and a breadth between wing tips of eleven inches. He has a round, compact body, about one inch in diameter near the pectoral fins or wings. There is also an auxiliary pair of ventral fins or wings, not nearly so large as the pectoral pair. The wings are formed by a thin, transparent membrane stretched over a delicate bony frame-work, and are either black, white or mottled with both. The upper half of the entire fish is metallic blue in color, while the lower portion is a nacreous white. Black, prominent eyes; a small, prehensile mouth; forked tail, dorsal and anal fins complete the picture of one of the most interesting little fishes in al' nature's vast aquarium. In flight he darts from the water to a height of twenty feet, and goes scudding rapidly with both wings and tail. He sails straight away for 1,000 feet, or even more, occasionally touching the crest of a wave, and seeming to gain a now impetus by the contact.

A Touching; Scene. A touching scene took place the other day in the grand old archiepiscopal palace at Kremsier, in Moravia. The Prince Archbishop of Oimutz, Cardinal Kohn, is tho son of very poor, hard-working peasants of Hebrew origin. The Pope, desirous of showing his appreciation of the privations to which this honest couple had subjected themselves in order to educate their gifted son to the priesthood, recently sent a beautiful crucittx to the old mother, and the Order of St. Gregory the Great for the Cardinal’s father. Seated upon his throne during the course of mass a few Sundays ago the Cardinal conferred the two papal distinctions upon his aged parents, who each of them knelt before him in their peasant garbs, presenting a very pathetic and moving spectacle. The princely see, it may be add is the most magnificent and wealthy of the Roman Catholic Church. rnfnlil. the Future. Fickle Paris is interested at present in a marvelous new fortune teller, Oliska, who has charmed her clients by her mysterious methods and uniqueness. When you ring, the door opens without any one being seen. A voice bids you enter the reception room and when you arrive there, another voice asks your business. The amount of your fee is stated and you are told to place it in a cup on a table. It immediately drops from your sight, and if there is any change it appears suddenly. Then you are bidden to enter another apartment. After all this mystery you naturally expect to find an Egyptian room, twining serpents and burning braziers and are agreeably shocked when you enter instead a charming boudoir ablaze with lights and find the reader of the future in a very pretty modern evening dress. She reads your palm and then, grasping your hand, goes into a trance. The

OLISKA. contrast between the mystic reception room and the place where the aeeress is really found adds to the zest. Those who know say Oilska was once a dancer and acquainted with many people. Her wonderful memory enables her to avoid pitfalls and in addition she has agents circulating through the boulevards and cafes, gathering gossip atiout any and every one who is likely to pay her a visit. Thus her knowledge of the private affairs of prominen* Parisians is enormous.

Not tho Beat Brand. Henry Eads, of Burlington, Iowa, after drinking five gallons of not the best brand of whisky in a continuous effort to "get full,” died this evening as a result of the fiery fluid and the snakes it propagated. He was a well-known character about town.

A Now Feature. "Thar's one good thing about thr north pole,” snapped old Orustman; "ye don’t hear of no fool bicycle rider startin’ on a bet t' go thar’n back without a cent.”—Cleveland World.

The ^Jtieen LnseA a Friend. The late Mrs. Oliphant was one of the writers whom the Queen loved most, and many of her books occupied special places in that intimate collection which the Queen never tired of having read to her. The sad cir(umstances of Mrs. Oliphant’s life, and her indomitable courage and strong working power to tho end, endeared her to the widow at Windsor, who on many occasions showed marked friendliness to the brave woman writer who for years, and in more ways than one, was very near to her.

HEAVING THE LOG. an ’ Olil-Tini. r'eremony Aboard HElp Which Always Proved Interesting to the PuHsengerA. Before the patent log came into ex-i istence the old-fashioned log was tba only means of measuring a ship's rata 1 of sailing. It has one advantage over the former, inasmuch as a vessel’s speed cm be told by it at any given Instant, while the patent log Is mainly useful for recording a considerable distance run. The old-fashioned log consists of four pieces—namely, the log chip, the reel, the line, and the sand glass. The log chip is a fiat piece of thin board, loaded with lead on the circular side so that it will float upright on the water, and to which the log line is fastened in the same way that a bow kite is rigged to receive the string. The line is 100 fathoms or more in length, and is divided into certain spaces called knots. The reel is made to turn very freely, so that it will offer no resistance when the log chip is thrown overboard. The sand glass contains just enough grains to pass from one bulb to the other in half a minute of time. This prastire of measuring a ship’s rate of sailing is quite simple. The idea is that the length between each knot is the same part of a mile os half a minute is of an hour. Therefore the knots are placed 51 feet apart. What is called heaving the log is thus performed: One man holds the reel, another the half-minute glass; the officer throws the log chip over the stern and waits a moment, until enough line has run out to carry the chip out of the eddy of the ship's wake, and then calls “Turn,” The man holding the glass reverses it and watches until the sand has run throtigh, when he cries "Stop!” The officer immediately stops the line and notes the number of knots run off, which represents the rate of speed per hour.—Harper's Round Table. THE QUEEN'S SERVANTS. Sh* N.T.r Dial huri-r. One anil Get. Along Very Well with All of Thrtn. American housekeepers, who are forever wailing about the servant question, will find it interesting to know how Queen Victoria, who keeps four times as many domeestics as any one in this continent, manages them. No servant is ever dismissed from a royal palace. This is probably tho reason why we hear so little gossip of any kind about her majesty's household arrangements. The queen early made up her mind that much of her comfort and peace depended on the attitude taken by her towards those with whom she could not but be brought constantly into contact. Accordingly, no domestic is ever engaged without the strictest enquiry being made into his or her private character and general qualifications for the post about to bo filled, and, should a mistake appear to have been made, the person in question is not sent away with a more or less good eharacter, ae would be the case in most establishments, but be or she is simply moved down a step and given a position of less responsibility. Matrimonial engagements are not discouraged, providing the contracting parties are considered thoroughly respectable. When a marriage is imminent the queen sends for the young woman, and after a few kindly words of advice, presents her with a large bible, which, it need hardly be said, soon becomes what is generally known as a family bible. Also, if the prospective bride has been in the royal service some time and has been distinguished by good behavior, her trousseau is provided, and she is often provided with a small post, carrying with it a residence. Most of the royal lodges are occupied by couples who were once in service at the castle.

A Drmllj Insult. Mile. Chloe Ebony—“Daf Misfah Johnsing done insult me.” Monsier Ivory White—"Wh-wh-whad he say?” "He done bump into me, an’ when I said, ‘Don’ you see whah you all's goin’?’ he says, ‘Pahdon me, but you is so d&hk you oughter weah a bicycle lamp, so's folks could see you,’ he says!”—New Ym-k Journal.

ArrLIrntal Execution. A loop of a taut hawser holding a big boat at Chester, Pa., slipped from the post, encircled the neck of James Campbell and jerked him twelve feet in the air, breaking his neck.

HOUSEHOLD HINTS. Brown boots may be simply and effectively cleaned by rubbing them with 3 peeled onion and afterward polishing them with a soft cloth. The pressure of a tight shoe may be relieved by applying a cloth, wrung out in boiling water, to it when on the foot. This causes the shoe to stretch and mold itself to the shape of the foot. Cane chairs, the seats of which have sunk down, may be renovated by turning them upside down, and washing with strong soap sud$, after well soaking, set to dry, when it will be found that the seats have become quite flat. Hair brushes should never be washed with soap. A piece of soda dissolved in warm water should be used, and the bristles will speedily become white and clean under its influence. Dry in the open air, keeping the bristles down- | ward. Fruit should lie eaten by every one during the hot weather unless it positively disagrees with them, as it contains a large proportion of pure water, in addition to certain salts which are needed to keep the body in proper 1 health.

SCIENTIFIC POINTERS.

CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOVERY AND INVENTION.

Tho Sign* of tho Zoflinr hii<1 the Sun*H Apparent Trann't Through Them A New Hiryele Tire Slade of Cork—l*inc Bark Boat*.

V - ■'

'3

I’lne-llnrk I.oat*.

—VKRYBODY is fa- . . f , miliar with tho { birch-bark boats or

canoes of the American Indians, but the fact is not so well known that some of the aboriginal inhabitants of the western shore of this continent were accustomed to

make boats of pine bark. A model of one in the Smithsonian museum served recently as a text for a talk by Prof. Otis T. Mason on tho evolution of boats. The boat in question was, he said, an exact representation of those in use along certain parts of the Columbia River. It is made of the whole skin of a pine-tree, which is turned inside out, the ends being cut obliquely and drawn together in such a manner that the vessel has a pointed ram under water at each end. Directly across the Pacific Ocean from the Columbia is the River Amur in Asia. Professor Mason thinks the fact that similar boats are found on the Amur may have a bearing on the problem of former emigration from Asia to North America.

The Siena „f the Zodiac. In order that the reader may have a dear understanding of the accompanying cut. It will be necessary to devote a little time to the study of it. A map of tile heavens is quite the contrary to a map of the earth in point or direction, especially to those north of the equator. The sun is always south of us at noon. Then to clearly understand the directions as given in the illustration. hold it up in front of you and turn your back to the norm. It will now be easy to see that the top of the map would represent the south,

of the earth from us. We will now complete the revolution to the point of beginning and we will see the sue. rise in Libra again, but in the mean time it has apparently moved to the second degree of Libra owing to tho actual motion of the earth in its orbit indicated by the arrow showing the real motion of the planets.—Prof. G. W. Cunningham.

An Appeul for the Elephant. Monsieur Foa, a French explorer of Africa, has recently made a strong appeal for the protection of the elephants remaining on that continent. He de» flares that the great beasts should be preserved not merely as curiosities but as animals which might become very useful under domestication. Formerly, as he points out, elephants were domesticated in Africa, and he believes the same thing could be done again to-day, and that it would well pay to do it. But unless protected against slaughter tho elephant will have disappeared from Africa before civilization has reached the heart of the dark continent.

Gold (lull-Farming;. The raising of gold-fish is a special industry, and one of the largest "goldfish farms” is at Spring Lake, Indiana. When young the goldfish is said to resemble in color and general appearance an ordinary minnow. After a white they turn dark, becoming oca.'sionally almost black. Then a reddish hue begins to appear, the true golden color being developed at the average age of one year or less. A few individuals. however, never change their original silver color, and sometimes the red and gold hues make their appearance only in patches. Not infrequently goldfirh develop two or more tails.

Murderous Baboons. A species of baboon inhabiting the colony of the Cape of Good Hope has become a pest to the farmers by destroying their lambs. The baboons haunt the clumps of cactus scattered through the fields, and exhibit much cunning in keeping out of the reach of their human enemies. It is asserted that they have taken note of me fact that women do not carry firearms, and therefore need not be feared. But

the bottom north, the right side west and the left side east. One arrow points to the direction of me real or actual motion of the earth and planets through the zodiac, in their respective orbits around the sun. The other arrow points the direction of the apparent, or supposed motion of the plnnels and zodiac around the earth, which was the basis from w-hich the ancient astronomers made all their calculations and deductions. It is well known that they supposed the earth was flat and stationary and the zodiac, planets and the sun went around it every twenty-four hours. In order that we may fully comprehend this apparent motion, we will suppose the small circle in the center to be the earth which turns a complete revolution on its axis every twenty-four hours; it will now be an easy matter to see how it is that the sun. planets and zodiac appear to rise 1». the east and set ’in the west. To illustrate still more clearly. we will suppose it is sunrise the 23d of September, 1897, we would then be standing on the top of the circle; we look towards the east and sec the sun rising in the first degree of the zodiacal sign Libra, therefore they both appear to be rising together; now ke-'p the fact in mind that the sun is stationary, and turn the circle towards the east one-fourth the way around; it would now lie about noon and the sun ; and Libra would appear on the meridian ; while we would lie standing with our beads pointing to the east side of the illustration; we will now suppose we turn the circle so we would stand witn our heads pointing towards the north side af the illustration, a'id as we reacn that position the sun apparently sets in the west. If we now move to the position where we will stand with our i heads pointing to tho west, we will I then have the sun on the opposite side

when a man appears the baboons instantly take to their heels. On this account the farmers have lately devised the plan of dressing in women’s apparel when they set out to shoot baboons.

Mew Ulryeln Tire Maile of Fork. A tire invention which the inventor intends shall be a most successful rival to the pneumatic tires now so widely used, is soon to be given a trial. It is claimed it will not be susceptible to the small tack, glass, etc., to so disastrous an extent as the pneumatic tires are. It is made of sections of cork, which are almost solid, the center being made

of an endless coil spring, which holds

the section of cork firmly. Any section of cork may easily be removed and renewed. The spring acts something like a bracelet which removes from *ho wrist by stretching the spring a littK Whether this will wear as well or better than the pneumatic rubber tire remains to be seen. It has not yet been tried, but the inventor claims every-

thing for it.

“Pop, what is humidity?” "Boiled air, my son.”—Judge.

PASSING OF THE MUSTANG. H i LI Hones Are No Longer of Any Value. The wild horse of Texas has becont* cne of the greatest nuisances within tlie borders of the Lone Star state. Not satisfied with its own freedom the wild horse has adopted the tactics of the Apache and of the Sioux and stampedes its brethren, says the New York Herald. Novelists have taught us to believe that the wild mustang is emblematic of freedom pure and noble. The Texas ranchman regards him as an emissary of the evil one. for he brings to his ranch despair and loss. For the last decade the droves of horses that run in Texas have been steadily increasing in number and strength. Years ago it was worth while to catch these animals to sell. Nowadays it is hard work to sell a mustang for use even as a cow pony. Formerly it was the case that there was no horse for the stockman, the cattle-grower, like the Texas pony, which had run wild for the first four or five years of its life. Lean and sinewy as an Arab, with the endurance of an Indian and a capacity for steady speed that can only be likened to a locomotive, he was a treasure. Well seasoned, a cow pony could be ridden 100 miles in a single day and come out of the encounter with fatigue with flying colors. The wild horse, however—that same animal which the 10-cent novelist describes as the “fiery, untamed steed”— believes the sweets of freedom are so very sweet that all his brethren in bondage should share them. With this in mind, therefore, he swoops down upon the inclosure of the ranchman, induces the cow ponies to brave the terrors ol jumping a barbwire fence and take chances on clearing the sides of the corral. The result is that the stockman unless one of the riders stops on guard, is likely to wake up in the morning and find his herd stampeded. If it is the round-up the first thing the wranglers know a thunder of hoofs comes from the prairie, a shrill neighing which the herd answers in equally shrill notes. The hoof beats come nearer and nearer, the herd grows more and more excited and uneasy, until, finally the wild mustangs dash in and mingle with the cow ponies and in a moment more all are off for some place no one knows where. The wranglers oi herders will be fortunate, indeed, 11 they can control their own animals and avoid being forced to join in thf stampede.

A NEW NATIONAL HYMN. 4tuorl<?i» Needs h I'inng nod an Emblem. Two things which America lacks anc which, from the standpoint of sentiment, seem to be among the essential! of every country are a national flora! emblem and a national hymn, says th< Philadelphia Times. Respecting the first there exists so much difference of opinion that little prospect of an immediatt settlement of the vexed question exists As to a national hymn everybody confesses its need and in these circumstances it is surprising that no authoritative steps have been taken to rid the country of what may not improperly he regarded as a reproach. From time to time compositions that aim at being enshrined as the nation's hymn appear in print, but up to this time there has been produced nothing which appeals to the American heart as do the national hymns of Germany or France or England to the natives of those countries. Now, however, a new hymn, aspiring to be strictly national, has been given to the public. It is called “Sound Forth Again the Nation's Voice” and those competent judges who heard it sung in Independence square during the Fourth of July celebration say that in every respect it is entitled to the proud place of the national hymn. This composition is the work of two Americans. The words, which in their imagery and sentiment are thoroughly American, are by Thomas Wentworth Higginson and the music, which is in the meter of "Old Hundred” and exceedingly simple and harmonious, is by Charles Crozat Converse. This gentleman. who is a native of Massachusetts. graduated from Leipsic in music in 1857 and in law in 1861. He is the author of several publications on musical and literary subjects and several hymns composed by him have become popular and are very well known.

Selling Liquor From u Bicycle. Samuel Coffee of Paulson, Pa., is in jail on charges of illegal liquor selling. Mr. Coffee ran the original bicycle speak-easy. He purchased a ’97 model bicycle, and carted his stock in trade about on his wheel. When he met a party of men they all drank from the same canteen, which was fastened se- < urely to the frame of his wheel. He was supplied with a large bottle full of sugar pills; these pills he retailed at 20 cents each. He called himself a doctor and gave each of his patients a drink from his tin can to wash the pill down. He is said to have the largest and most lucrative medical practice in Armstrong county.

In h CnfUn 40 Dav.. Rev. H. A. McLeod, a Boston clergyman, announces that he will prove to the most skeptical that the day of m j r _ acles is not past. He will submit 0 absolute burial four feet underground and there remain without food, water or air for 40 days, at the end of which time he expects Christ to resurrect him

A Soft Mark. Wickwire. “Do you know that this is the third time today? You must take me for an electric button.” Dismal Dawson—"Electric button?” Wickwire —“Yes, electric button. You seem to think you can get a drink by touching me.”-Indianapolis Journal.

BEST FOR THE LEAST.

MARKET PRICES IN A STRANGE STATE.

Car.fnl t'anva** Made In New York lion- Staple Article, of Food Vary at Different Sections The High 1'rlee, Up Town.

(From the New York Herald.) OW to get the best for the least money is the burning question with all New York, in these tim.* K especially, and one constantly hears Mrs. Smith telling Mrs. Brown what it costs to live and extolling the merits of her butcher or grocer. "Why, my man must be a perfect fraud!” exclaims indignant Mrs. Brown; "I pay him twenty-five cents a pound for every bit of steak we have, and you tell me you get it for twenty-two cents. That is sheer robbery. I shall change at once!” and then she asks where Mrs. Smith's marketing is done, and finds that it is about two miles from the location of her own dear (in two senses) market man and her own home. Nevertheless, suspends a week economizing at the ex pense of several car fares and a great deal of time and strength each day, and goes back to her own convenient place. And then when she hears of another friend who pays even more than she does she is quite reconciled, and finally the conclusion is home upon her that it is all a matter of locality after all, and that when her husband pays a large rent for the privilege of living in an ultra select section of the city the matter does not end there, but crops up in every chop or potato she eats at table. The dealer naturally has to pay a larger rent, too, than the man who keeps a dingy little shop on Third avenue, perhaps. A careful canvass of prices of the staple articles of food in different sections proves that there is no great difference in the real prices, but more in the quality of goods dealt in. For instance, the man who supplies the lower east side does not find much call for extra "fancy” porterhouse steaks, and even for the steaks he docs sell he must get a good price, although the larger quantity of his daily sales are of round steak, stewing meat, etc. Then, new potatoes come late to Forsyth and Delancey and Mott streets, and even the ones that have survived the winter's campaign are considered a luxury there, while eggs which have made close acquaintance with cold storage are more familiar than the “strictly fresh” ones of up town. On the other hand, the market man who supplies the trade of Murray Hi]] explains apologetically when questioned that his prices "may be a bit higher, ma’am, but, you see, I only carry the finest. Now, I sell steaks, extra fancy, up to twenty-eight cents a pound, and. you see other dealers have no use for that kind, so they don't carry ’em. In the matter of potatoes, I’ve entirely dropped the old ones and have only fine new stock, which bring a good price, of course. Eggs I don’t touch except the strictly fresh, and for those I charge twenty-five cents a dozen.” Next in range of high prices comes the section around Seventy-second street, west. Here the same story is told of the reason for high figures, with the addition, however, of more moderate figures for the articles not labeledin the dealer’s phraseology—fancy; these last two suit the purses of the apartment house army of marketers. All up the west side of town till one comes to the Nineties, or to 100th street, prices, for meat especially, are pretty “stiff;” but on the west side cf Harlem a drop comes, best cuts of beef selling there from fourteen cents to eighteen cents a pound, and vegetables and other staples proportionately cheap.

Worn Knrm. Many stories are told of the keen wit and ready speech of Dr. Mason, once pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian church in New York. Not only was he a great and eloquent preacher, but many of his most telling le,ssons were given in private rather than in the pulpit; so heard, they were sure to be repeated and not forgotten. He had a great fondness for animals, and particularly for horses, of whose good points he was said to be an excellent judge. On one occasion a brother minister, who was intending to buy a horse, met Dr. Mason, and stopped to ask his opinion of the animal, which he was then driving. Doctor Mason surveyed the horse with long and careful scrutiny, and after several inarticulate sounds of approval and disapproval, he finally pointed to the animal's knees, which were decidedly worn in aspect. "That is a good sign for a minister," said he, with a humorous smile, "but it is a very bad sign for a minister's horse!”

Now Trlrli In Ncienoo. One of the latest exploits of the modern man of science is trapping and bringing down to the ground, with the aid of an automatic apparatus attached to a balloon, specimens of the upper air from the height of aiwo st ten miles. The apparatus and the experiment were of the French invention and simply showed that the height of 51,000 feet above sea level the composition of the atmosphere 1“ P rn< ’‘ tlrally the same as at the surface of the earth. "POP, what is humidity?” "Boiled air, my son.”—Judge.