Ligonier Banner., Volume 34, Number 29, Ligonier, Noble County, 19 October 1899 — Page 2

THE STORY OF ¢OAIL.

How Nature Produces This Most ] Valuable of Fuels.

It Required Ages for the Formation and Development of the Beds and Mines Which Are Now Being Worked.

[Special Washington Letter.]

Among the geological collections at the National museum there are specimens of coalof every variety from every part of the world. From one of the scientific men of the National museum the writer to-day leurned many interesting things concerning the black diamond fuel. =

The old man, who seemed to have some accurate knowledge concerning every stratum of the surface of the earth, spoke of the history of the coal beds in the different parts of the world with as much familiarity as a child displays concerning the alphabet. The histories of the various coal fields are as A B C to him.

As the reluctant householder shovels its regular stint of food into the greedy maw of the ogre in the cellar, otherwise known as the furnace, it is a marvelous thing for him to consider that he is keeping his dwelling warm by the heat of the sun’s rays which fell upon the earth millions of years ago. The solar orb of that vanished epoch, biggerthan it is to-day and hotter, brought forth even in this latitude.a tropical vegetation of wonderful luxuriance. Plants of strange kinds grew up richlye from the clayey soil and formed densé jungles in the vast marshes which covered large areas of the surface of this plamet. Ferns, mosses and the leaves, branches and trunks of trees fell and decayed where they grew, only to make the soil more fertile and the next growth richer and more luxuriant. Year after year, century after century, the process of growth and decay went on, until the beds of vegetable matter thus deposited had reached great thickness.. = : :

But the earth’s body was still shrinking, and in consequence her crust at times contracted and fell in. When it did so, the land sank throughout vast areas, these beds of vegetable matter went down, and over the great marshes the water swept again, bringing drift vegetation from higher levels to add to that already buried. Then over these deposits the sand and mud and gravel were laid up anew, and the clay soil from which the next rich growth would spring was spread out on the surface. “This process was repeated again and again—as often, indeed, as seams of «coal in any coal bed. Thus the condi“tions for the formatign of coal were cmade complete, atmospheric air being -entirely excluded while the vegetable ‘beds underwent the processes of decomwposition. These processes went on un»der the water of the ocean, under the :sands of the shore, under the new derposits of succeeding ages, transforming the wood of the carboniferous era into 'the coal of to-day. : . Nature is still making coal, though, runfortunately, not at a rate anything ilike fast enough to make up for the -consumption of this product. The proc--esses may be watched frombeginning to <end. . For this purpose one must first &0 to a peat bed, which is simply an accumulation of the remains of plants that grew and decayed on the spot where they are now found. When the apper layer of this material is removed one finds peat with 52 to 66 per cent. ©f carbon, and the deeper one goes the better in quality it gets. It may be <ut out in blocks with sharp spades, the water may’ be pressed from the blocks, and they may be stacked up, covered and dried and used for fuel. There is a certain kind of moss called “sphagmum,” which in large part makes up the peat-producing vegetation. Its roots die annually, but from the living top new roots are sent out each year. The sworkmen who dig peat understand that 4f this surface is destroyed the growth «of thebed must stop; so commonly they

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:xemove the sod carefully, replacing it :after they have taken out a stratum of. jpeat. There is little doubt that if these beds of peat could lie undisturbed and covered over through many ages they would take on all the characteristics of anineral coal. The substance of coal has been so <ompressed. that the forms of the plant <omposing it cannot usually be seen. But when a piece of it is made so thin “that it will transmit light, and is then subjected toa powerful microscope, its wvegetable structure may readily be dis“tinguished. Immediately under every .separate seam of coal there is astratum -of what is known as fire clay. This stratum is always present and contains dn great abundance the fossil impressions of roots and stems and twigs, showing that it was once the soil from which vegetation grew luxuriantly. It _is eommon also to find fossil tree stems ‘lving mashed flat between the Jayers of black slate which form the roofs of eoal mines, ds well as the impressions _of the leaves, nuts and seeds which fell from these trees while they were liv_ding. In some beds of cannel coal whole drees have been found ' with roots, ranches, leaves and seeds, complete, afi converted into the same quality Ry ik Oy merenur IR * Geologists are of the opinion that bis s e

the earth’s crust at the close of the carboniferous age the bituminous coals involved 1n that disturbance were changed by heat and pressuse, and the consequent expulsion of volatile matter, from bituminous to anthracite. Cannel coal is a variety of bituminous coal which burns with great freedom, the flames of it affording considerable light. It was called “candle coal” by the English people who first used it, as it often served as a substitute for candles. The name became corrupted to “cannel” and has so remained. It is more compact than ordinary bituminous coal and it can be wroughtin a lathe -and polished. A certain variety of it found in Yorkshire, England, is manufactured into a kind of jewelry known as 66jet‘9! Dr. Homer Greene gives an interesting description of the climate of Pennsylvania during the coal-forming epoch. The most remarkable features of the vegetation of that period were the size and abundance of its plants. Trees of that time whose trunks were from one to three feet in diameter, and which grew to a height of from 40 to 100 feet, are represented at the present day by

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ON THE CHEAT RIVER. (Scene in the Heart of the Alleghany Coal Region.)

similar species whose stems are only a fraction of an inch in diameter and but one to two feet high. DBut at that time- all conditions were favorable for a rapid and enormous vegetable growth. The air was laden with carbon, which is the principal food of plants—so laden, indeed, that man could not have lived in it. The great humidity of the atmosphere was another element favorable to growth. Vegetation never lacked an abundance of moisture either at root or leaf. Then, too, the climate was universally warm. Over the entire surface of the earth the heat was greater than it is to-day at the torrid zone. With all these circumstances in its favor vegetation could not help flourishing. The fossil impressions cf more than 500 different species of plants that grew at that time have been found in the coal beds. I )

The most abundant of the plants of the coal-forming era were the ferns. Their fossil remains are found in great profusion and variety in most of the rocks of the coal-bearing strata. There was also the plant known as the “tree fern,” which attained a height of 20 or 30 feet, and carried a single great tuft of leaves at its top. Nextin importance to the ferns were gigantic mosses resembling in kind the low *“club’ mosses of the present, but vastly magnified. They doubtless contiribute the greatest proportion of woody material to the composition of coal. There were forest trees, and their fossil trunks have been found measuring from 100 to 130 feet in length and from six to ten feet in diameter. There were also pines, somewhat resembling those of to-day, which probably grew on high ground. DBesides these there were plants of the horse-tail family, which grew up with long, reed-like, jointed stems to a height of 20 feet or more and with a diameter of 10 or 12 inches. 1t is claimed that coal was mined in England before the Roman invasion by Julius Caesar. The cinder heaps found among ruins of the time of Roman supremacy in the island appear to show that coal was largely used by the people of that age. By the end of the thirteenth century bituminous coal was burned to a considerable extent in London. The oldest coal workings in America are near Richmond, Va. Itis supposed that coal was discovered and mined there as earTy as 1750. Tradition ‘says that a boy while hunting for crawfish chanced upon the outcrop of a coal bed which crosses. the James river 12 miles above Richmond. Mining was begun and by the.year 1775 the coal was in general use in the neighborhood. It played a part in the war for independence by helping to make cannon balls, and by 1789 it was being shipped to Philadelphia and New York. During the late civil war these mines were seized by the confederate government for the purpose of procuring fuel; and they are still largely productive. This coal bed has an area of about 180 square miles and an average thickness of 24 feet. It is supposed to contain about 50,000,000 tons yet unmined. There is reason to believe that the Indians knew something of the use of coal. SMITH D. FRY. NEED OF ICE PLANTS.

Army Officers Insist They Are Needed in Colonies to Maintain Health : of Seoldiers. . - Army officerg who have charge of the subsistence of troops are urging that ice plants be established in the Philippines, Cuba and Porto Rico. The system, which is represented as absolutely necessary to preserve food, will be a costly one if adopted, but the subsistence officers and the surgeons insist it wiil be necessary for the health of the soldiers, to say nothing of the economy of provisions, that ice plants be established at all the garrisons. 'The department experienced much difficulty in awarding the contract for a large refrigerator at Manila, and the question was pending for several months. There was objection to giving the contract to a Chicago firm, which Vr;as,.;thé‘ lowest bidder, because the system was not approved by the authorities. Proposals were repeatedly solicited, with the same result each time, It is proposed to secure the best facilities for preserving food, regardless of e

EN ROUTE FOR HOME.

President MecKinley and Party on the Return Trip—Tour of South . "Dakota Ends.

. Aberdeen, S. D., Oct. 16.—At eight o’clock in the morning President McKinley’s special arrived in this city over the Milwaukee line. At the depot a large crowd gathered to see the first president of the United States who has ever visited the Dakotas since statehood. The principal part of the throng was the First South Dakota volunteers, who had just arrived from the Philippines, and this feature was delayed for over an hour by the delay to the soldiers’ train. Shortly after 8:25 the soldiers’ special drew up at the Milwaukee road depot and fell in line behind an escort of G. A. R. ‘veterans, who followed immediately after the carriage of the president and cabinet. Col. Frost rode at the head of his regiment and as they passed down to the reviewing station and the grain palace, every one of 'the 5,000 inhabitants of Aberdeen cheered, and they were reenforced by several thousand visitors from other parts. of the state. Adresses were made by President McKinley and the cabinet, Gov. Lee and others.

Huron, S. D., Oct. 16.—At 2:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon the presidential train halted for a few minutes in this city. In the square surrounding the depot a large crowd had gathered. The president was vociferously cheered as he emerged from the car for a minute talk. :

Sioux Falis, 8. D., Oct. 16.—The presidential special arrived in this city Saturday night shortly after seven o’clock. Elaborate preparations had been made for the reception. Carriages in waiting at the depot bore the jpresident and party to the speakers’ stand at Ninth street and Maine avenue. Immediately behind the president’s carriage marched G. A. R. veterans. School children brought up the rear. Fully 15,000 persons crowded around the speakers’ stand and cheered wildly when President McKinley appeared with Mayor B. H. Lien at his side. Judge H. H. Keith introduced the president. President McKinley’s speech was cheered to the echo, as were also the short addresses made by members of the cabinet. Yankton, S. D., Oct. 16.—President McKinley and party disembarked from the special train here Saturday night at 10:30- o’clock. Despite the lateness of the hour nearly 10,000 people greeted the chief executive. At Third and Walnut streets a speakers’ stand had been erected. Carriages conveyed the party thither from the depot, a distance of six blocks. The crowd cheered wildly when the president and his cabinet appeared. After the speaking was concluded the president was driven by anothher route to the train and left shortly after 11 o’clock for Sioux City, Ta. Sioux City, la., Oct. 16.—Sunday was a quiet day for the presidential party. At ten o’clock Sunday morning the train was brought down to the Union station from a siding and the president and Mrs. McKinley, with some members of the cabinet, were conveyed in carriages to the First Methodist church. Although no announcement had been made of the president’s intention to attend services at this church, the building was crowded to suffocation and large numbers waited outside, unable to obtain admission.

Shortly after noon the presidential train was taken from the Union station and again conveyed to a side track some 12 miles from the city in order to avoid the scrutiny of the large crowds which continued to throng the depot. The president was urged to attend receptions and other funetions of a publiec character, but steadfastly refused, preferring to spend Sunday quietly. Towards evening the president’s private car was detached from the train and he and the members of the cabinet were again conveyed to the city, where a quiet dinner was enjoyed by them at the residence of exCongressman Perkins. The train left for the east soon after ten o’clock.

DEWEY DEPARTS.

The Admiral Leaves Boston for Washington—Presented with a Handsome Wateh.,

Boston, Oct. 16.—Amid the cheers of 10,000 persons Admiral Dewey departed from Boston Sunday night on the Federal express for Washington. He had spent a quiet day in the city resting. All :New England was represented in the great Boston erowd that did honor to Admiral Dewey Saturday. The eity, everywhere gay with flags and bunting, was almost a solid mass of the national colors along the line of parade. At ten o’clock in the morning Admiral Dewey was driven through dense throngs that were continually cheering him from his hotel to Boston commons, where the school children of the city gave him a musical recital.t‘f\bout 25,000 children were present. By the reviewing stand at the city hall 280 singers from the Handel and Haydn society were seated, and as the admiral and his party appeared ‘“See, the Conquering Hero Comes” was sung. Mayor Quincy in his address characterized the battle of Manila bay as “the greatest since Trafalgar.” He then presented the admiral with Boston’s gift—a jewelstudded watch. Admiral Dewey made a short speech, thanking the city for its gift.

FAMOUS IN SPORTS.

' There is always good fishing at the duke of Richmond’s place, Gordon castle, and Lady Caroline Gordon Lenox, who acts as hostess for her brother, is quite an expert with the rod. ;

Lord Carnarvon is a good shot, and recently he gave a party for the prince of Wales, at which 10,800 birds were slaughtered in three days with only six hunters—6oo birds a day to each gun. . The Bradley Martins have one of the finest shooting estates in Scotland and their shooting parties are always eagerly attended. Their daughter, Lady Craven, and her husband stay with them during the season. . ~ There is no one who can compete with | Lord de Grey of England as a. sportsman. Once in Ireland, when shooting, he brought down 16 wild geese with a two-barreled gun, and in one year was responsible for the death of 15,000 . There has been some record deer

TRADE REVIEW.

Leading Commercial Agents Report ‘a Continuance of Our Prosperous Condition.

New York, Oct. 14.—Bradstreet’s says: “Trade activity is widespread, all measures of volume and value testifying to prevailing prosperous conditions. Only good reporfs are received from distributive trade centers, and some markets report fall demand as holding out longer than expected. Railway earnings, bank eclearings returns and quotations of staple prices are all encouraging, pointing as they do to a maximum volume of business for this period of the year. Crop returns for October bear out earlier impressions of shortened yields of most leading agricultural products. Expectation of more moderate yields of leading cereals is not confined to this country. The world’s wheat crop will admittedly be smaller, and rye, barley and oats yvields are not expected to be so large as a vear ago. The higher range of prices of all staples, and particularly of agricultural products, however, will furnish a profitable balance to producers. “General manufacturing industry is running full, and activity is so widespread that it is hard to prefer one industry to another in this respect. Coal production is particularly heavy, but a scarcity of cars is complained of in this and in the coke industry, with the strength of lake freights constituting a disturbing element as regards the supply of anthracite in the west. Iron and steel are active as to production, but new business is limited by the small quantities available for nearby delivery. Liberal orders are still reported for the first half of next year, and steel rails are reported tending upward at the west. Shoe manufacturers are busy, and leather and hides are sympathetically/strong in price. Lumber is in urgent demand at many markets in spite of the advanced stage of the season, and prices are firm.”

R. G. Dun & Co., in their weekly review of trade, say: ‘‘lndustrial conditions couid hardly be better. After many months of such extraordinary buying that its continuance seemed impossible, even larger buying still crowds producing works in most lines beyond their capacity. : “Failures for the first week of October were $1,657,068 in amount, manufacturing $387,914 and trading $40§,599. Failures for the week have been 164 in the United States, against 205 last year, and 27 in Canada, against 25 last year.”

DEWEY IN VERMONT.

The Admiral Once More in His Native State—His Arrival Signaled from Mountains.

Shelburne, Vt., Oect. 11.—Admiral Dewey is home at last and is happy to be within the shadow of the Green mountains and beside the waters of Lake Champlain, away from the noise and bustle that have filled his ears since his flagship Olympia came in sight of Sandy Hook. The fact that the admiral was really in Vermont was signaled Tuesday night on tall mountain peaks by bonfires and electric searchlights from one end of the state to the other. Admiral Dewey is the guest of Dr. W. Seward Webb at his magnificent country residence, Sheiburne Farms, and will not become the state’s guest until Thursday, at the capital, Montpelier. He'came here on a special train from New York city Tuesday morning, occupying Dr. Webb’s magnificent car, the Elsmere. :

‘Boston, Oct. 11.—The cruiser Olympia, lately Admiral Dewey’s flagship, arrived in Boston harbor Tuesday afternoon, from New York, after a run of 53 hours in foggy weather. The vessel was received very quietly and dropped anchor off the Charlestown navy yard. The Olympia will go out of commission bere. The stock exchange and banks will be closed from Friday night until Monday morning on account of . the Dewey celebration. . Montpelier, Vt., Oct. 13. — Vermont extended its official welcome to Admiral Dewey Thursday. During the early part of the day the admiral was entertained by relatives and friends. Later he reviewed a parade of military and civil organizations from the state house steps, and when that was over he was presented by Gov. Smith with the medal which the state legislature voted to him. ' WILL KEEP HANDS OFF. Official Statement Issued l;y the State Department in Regard to the Transvaal. : Washington, Oect. 13.—The following official statement was isstied by the state department Thursday: ‘“The president has received a large number of petitions signed by many citizens of distinection, requesting him to tender the mediation of the United States to settle the differences existing between the government of Great Britain and that of the Transvaal. He has received other petitions on the same subject, some of them desiring him to make common cause with Great Britain to redress the wrongs alleged to have been suffered by the uitlanders and especially by American citizens in the Transvaal, and others wishing him to assist the Boers against alleged aggression. ‘lt is understood that the president does not think it expedient to take action in any of these directions. As to taking sides with either party to the dispute, it is not to be thought of. As to mediation the.president has received no intimation from either of the countries interested that the mediation of the United States would be accepted, and in the absence of such intimation from both parties, there is nothing in the rules of international usage to justify an offer of mediation in the present circumstances. It is known that the president sincerely hopes and desires that hostilities may be avoided; but if unfortunately they should come;to pass, the efforts of this government will be directed—as they are at present—to seeing that neither our national interests nor those of our citizens shall suffer unnecessary injury.” ; .

Long Strike Settled.

Pana, Ill.,'Oct. 11.—Pana, the leading coal mine center of central Illinois, is rejoicing over the settlement of the strike, which has extended over two years, a two days’ conference between mine operators, state union mine officials and business men having resulted in an amicable adjustment. A 40-cent scale will be paid and the union thoroughly recognized. The four mines will resume operations at once. A joilification and peace jubilee will be held.

Boycott Practically Ended. Cleveland, 0., Oct. 9.—The boycott against the Big Consolidated railway system, caused by the stril;e of the operatives, is practically at an end. Nearly all the omnibuses operated by the strikers have ceased running, and the street railway men’s union has is--sued a bulletin requesting all the labor unions to rescind the orders impgsing fines on members found riding in Big Consolidated cars. ' Many Business Houses Burned, Carbondale, 111, Oct. 11.—A large proportion of the business houses of Makanda, @ small town seven miles south of here, was destroyed by fire Tuesday oty s P cmigak Doy - i

NATIVES FLY BEFORE HIM.

Gen, Otis Reports That the Movement of Gen. Schwan’s Forces Is Successful,

Washington, Oct. 16.—The following cablegram from Gen. Otis has been received at the war department:

“Manila, Oct. 14.—Schwan's column swung into Imus from Das Marinas yesterday morning; camped at Bacoor last night; has scattered insurgents who probably retiring by detachments on Indang. Condition of roads prevented further pursuit; 125 men Thirty-seventh volunteers, Maj. Chetham, drove insurgents south and westward from lake town of Muntinlupa yesterday, pursuing several miles, and retired to Bacoor last night by Zapote river road; loss three men killed, two wouuded, one missing., Schwan’s/movement very successful; inflicted heavy loss on men and property of southern insurgent army; he reports their casualties at 209 killed and 400 wounded; their stored supplies destroyed. Young moving from Arayat north and westward yesterday, scattered insurgents who retired northwest; his casualties three slightly wounded; considerable store of grain captured.”

Manila, Oct. 16.—The authorities were informed Saturday from reliable sources that an outbreak in the poorer districts of Manila had been carefully planned for daylight on Sunday. It failed to occur, probably on account of the vigor'(hs measures enforced. Many natives of the Tonds district left, taking their valuables.. All the small shops, which the guards usually forced to close at 8:30 p. m., were shut at sunset. A general; feeling of uneasiness was apparent. The gunards of the city were doubled and a strong force stationed at the slaughter house,the center of an unruly section. Two guns of the Sixth artillery were stationed near by at a point commanding the native quarter. The commanders of the ,reserve troops ‘were ordcred to be prepared for a call at daylight.

NEGROES KILL APACHES.

Troops at San Carlos Disguise Them= selves as Indians and Attack Camp —Four Redskins Slain.

Pima, A. T., Oct. 16.—Colored soldiers of company C, Twenty-fifth United States infantry, nowe.stationed at San Carlos reservation, disguised themselves as Indians Friday night, and, slipping upon a band of Apaches camped near the post, attacked them with clubs and bayonets, precipitating a pitched battle. The Indians thus suddenly aroused made a brave resistance, but were literally beaten down with clubs until. many were seriously injured, and later dispatches say four are dead from their wounds. The survivors fled to the mountains.

An alarm was sounded at the post, but the majority of the soldiers escaped back without detection. Strenuous efforts are being made by the authorities to find the assailants. The garrison is under arms. The attack was caused by the increasing intimacy of negroes with Apache women, with whom they have become infatuated, attempting to abduct two. The Indians attempted to retaliate by mutilating a negro soldier in peculiarly atrocious Indian fashion, and the attack followed. The situation is grave, as the Indians are aroused to frenzy and are gathering. A general uprising is threatened and the agents fear trouble. )

DIED ON THE PLATFORM.

Woman Stricken with Apoplexy . While Addressing an Auadi- - ence in New York.

New York, Oct. 16.—While address. ing a socialist women’s meeting in g Second avenue hall Sunday night Mrs, Florentine Cantius-Lange was stricken with apoplexy and died in a few minutes. Mrs. Cantius-Lange was a portly woman, about 53 years old, and often became excited when making speeches. : * » Her subject was women’s rights. In about ten minutes she suddenly stopped speaking and began gestieulating with her hands. Her face became almost black and she began to totter. Several women on the platform ran to her and caught her as she, was falling, but not quickly enough to prevent her from reaching the floor. Some of the women began to scream. Others went for a physician, and in the meantime Mrs. Cantius-Lange’s friends tried to revive her. When the physician arrived she was dying and was dead in a few minutes. )

A LAKE DISASTER.

Schooner Run Down and Sank by a Steamer on Lake Haron—Four of Her Crew Drowned.

Harbor Beach, Mich., Oct. 16.—The steamer W. P. Ketcham ran down the little schooner Typo in Lake Huron Saturday morning. The Typo was instantly sunk and four of the crew avere drowned. Their names follow: Mrs. Adams, the cook; Henry Ledford, the mate; John Campbell and Daniel Carr, seamen. The captain of the vessel and two seamen managed to escape from the wreck and were picked up by the Ketcham. The KXetcham is bound down from Chicago to Buffalo with a cargo of grain. The Typo was met with off Middle island, near Alpena, at four o’clock Saturday morning. The impact of the two boats, which sunk the smaller, only resulted in a few scratches on the steamer’s cabin. After picking up the survivors the Ketcham continued on her voyage and putin here. -

FOOD IN FICTICN.

In Scott’s. stories there is a hint of picturesque splendor about the dinners he describes. There are “noble” meals and much geniality and good fellowship. ' _

Woman novelists, particularly Ouida, rarely allow their heroes and heroines to partake of a substantial meal, while in the pages of the men writers feasts abound.

Disraeli does not descend ta specify meals, but has a way of introducing gorgeous banquets of unlimited courses. Everything in “Lothair” happens at dinner parties, and “fat little birds in aspic jelly” and ortolans usually form part of the menu. Compare Dickens and Thackeray. Each is fond of feeding his characters, but Thackeray tells of the feasts with an epicurean touch, an appreciation of the delicacies of the table, while Dickens’ written meals are always hearty, Plain, boiled beef and greens and meat §

EZRA GOES TO JERUSALEM.

International Sunday School Lesson for October 22, 18909—Text, Ezra 8:21-32—Memory Verses, 21-23, {Specially Arranged from Peloubet’s Notes.] GOLDEN TEXT.—The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him.— Ezra 8: 22. : 7 i READ Chapters 7 and 8: 15-36. v o TlME.—Ezra left Babylon in March, B. C. 438, and reached Jerusalem four months later, in July. It was 78 years after the first caravan of return, under Zerubbabel, and 15 years after the deliverance through Esther. i PLACE.—Babylonia and Jerusalem.. ) RULERS.—Artaxerxes 1., called Longimanus, the Longhanded, king of Persian empire, son of Xerxes. Ezra, the scribe, governor of Judea. : EXPLANATORY. i I. The General Condition of the Jews at Jerusalem when Ezra left Babylon onhis mission.—Seventy-eight yearshad passed since the first caravan of the exiles had returned to the home land, 50,000 strong. The temple had been built, but the opposition had been so great that the walls had not been restored and the rubbish still arose in longstretching mounds. The vision of sudden glory and greatness had faded away. Laxity, ignorance and indiffer~ ence followed. The spiritual life declined, the ideals faded, the Sabbath was desecrated. Ilzra needed three things—‘*“men, money and guthority.” The king gave the latter two,-and permitted the men to volunteer. His decree is given in Ezra 7:11-26. - 11. The Journey to Jerusalem.—Vs. 21-32. The starting point was (v. 21) “at the river Ahava.” The place is unknown, but it was probably one of the canals near Babylon, flowing into the Euphrates. The assembly consisted of about 1,700 persons, including heads of families and their retainers (JSzra 8:114), priests, Levites, and 220 Z\'eetvh_enim, or the servants who assisted’ in the work about the temple, so that the Levites could assume the higher position as religious instructors of the people.

The Fast.—"“Then I proclaimed a fast.” Fasting, asareligiousact, would seem to have its basis in (1) a grief over sin so deep and intense that all desire for food 'is taken away. (2) In the aid to devotion furnished by a body unburdened with food, so as to leave the mind and heart in their most active and free eondition. (3) It is the natural expression of deep sorrow for sin. It is not enough for the heart to feel deeply; it needs to express its feelings, though the proof that the fasting is sincere lies in forsaking the‘sin repented of and doing deeds of righteousness.

Tl{e object was (1) *that we migh? afflict ourselves before our Gud.” It

was an expression of repentance for sin, of casting out all obstacles from wrong motives or disobedient hearts which would render it impossible for God to give them success in their journey. It meant submission, consecration and repentance. (2) “To seek_of Him a right way:” The fasting was accompanied by prayer (v. 23) and was used “as the means of intensifying religious fervor in prayer through the restraint laid upon physical appetite.”— Prof. Davidson. It was also the natural means of clarifying their own minds so that they could receive and recognize the wisdom God would bestow upon them. ‘ g

V. 22. “For I was ashamed to require of the king,” etc. There were more dangers on that four months’ journey, particularly from *the robbers and Bedouins of the desert, wha mighteasily inflict damage upon a large caravan by robbing stragglers and harrassing the line of march.”—Davidson. For they had a large amount of treasure with them. Ezra had told the king that God was with his people, and against their enemies; and, therefore, to ask a guard of soldiers might seem to the king to contradict his assertions, dnd bring disgrace on Gaid’s cause.

V. 23. “And He was entreated of us:” Ezra had the agsurance that his prayer had been hearc. , |

The Treasure.—V. 24. “I secparated 12,7 ete. He committed the treasure into the hands of 22 persons,.l2 chief priests and ten Levites, of whom the first two are named. These men would

take special charge and be responsible for the safekeeping of the treasure. Besides, it would relieve Ezra of all possible scandal in regard toit. V. 25. “And “weighed unto thém the silver,” etc. We may gather from this that the silver and gold were in bars or ingots, and not in coined money. The Persians had coined money at this tizne, but the treasury kept the bulk of its stores in bars (Herod., 111., 96.—Pulpit.Com. The weighing implied accurate accounting, such as always shouléd be secured for public money. V. 26. “Six hundred and fifty talents of silver:” A -talent of silver was about $1,600. “Of gold a hundred talents:” Gold is usually worth about 16 times.as much as silver. The whole treasure was worth $4,000,000 or $5,000,000. . V. 27. “Drams:” Darics, worth about an English sovereign, or five dollars. V. 28. “A freewill offering- unto the Lord God:” 'The money was for religicus purposes, and would be a great help to the people at Jerusalem as well as smooth the way bf Ezri to the needed reforms. - e

The Journey.—V. 31. “Departed. . . on the twelfth day of the first month:” Nisan, about the time of ‘the Passover, or our Easter, in March or April. *“The hand of our God:” His power; His care. : .

V. 32. “And we came to Jerusalem:” On the first. day of the fifth month (7: Gsn Tuly.. _

DEEP IN THE OCEAN.

Twenty-five hundred fathoms deep the pressure is 30 times that of an engine drawing a train. i : Ground sharks brought up from no more than 500 fathoms die before réaching the surface of the water. : At the bottom of the ocean the temperature is down to freezing and often below it. There is no light, and the enormous pressure of a ton to the square inch in every thousand fathoms, or 16 times more pressure than we endure. ; 3

The fauna of the deep sea are modified forms of those which live in shal--low water to-day, and they have been driven down to ocean depths through the law of the survivdl of the fittest. In the battle for existence their stronger rivals triumphed in the surface waters, and these, beaten and discouraged, sank below. Of ccourse, animals driven to these depths would gradually change in. form. Down to 900

A LITTLE NONSENSE.

“Mumniy, can 1 have that pear that was on the dining-room sideboard this morning? ’Cos—" “Because what?” % *Cos I've eaten it!”—Punch. ot

“Mother is' coming next week for a little visit, dear.”. *“Well, then, you'll have to let the cook go. No man can serve two masters!”—N. Y. Press.

The Amiable Plutocrat—“ But riches do not bring happiness.” The Unamiable Pauper—“ But I ain’t looking fer happiness. All I want is comfort.”— Indianapolis Journal.

Pretty Close to the Mark.—Edith (aged three)—*“What are husbands?” Ethel (aged five)—“Why, husbands are things you tie strings on to to make them remember to buy things!”—Puck.

~And Women Can’t.—lda — “Woulad you refer to the wind as feminine?” Gerald—"T should think not.” Ida—- “ But why not, Gerald?”" Gerald—*Beeause it can whistle.”—Chicago Daily News. )

“All the world may be a stage,” remarked . the apopleptic old gentieman who had sat through an amateur performance of “As You Like It,” “but I'll be derned if all the men and women are actors.”—Philadelphia Record. - Parent (left in charge)—*“No, you cannot have any more .cake.” (Very seriously) “Do you know what I shall have to do if you go on making that dreadful noise?”s Little Girl (sobbing) —"*Yes.” Parent—*“Well, what is that?” Little Girl—*“Give me some more cake!” 7 (And she was quite right.)—Punch.

“It's wonderful what a lot of determination our Johnnie has. When he makes up his mind to do a thing he always ~does-it.”” “What’s the latest exaniple. of this desirable quality?” “*Why, he’s made up his mind to thoroughly master his studies before he goes’any higher. This is the third year he has been in the same class.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer.

! WIRELESS TELEPHONY.

Marconi, the Italinn Inventor, Dis- - cusses Its Feasibility—Nel Al=together Impossible,

Shortly before leaving Lecndon for America Mr. Marconi talkec¢ with a reporter about' the possibility of telephoning without wires. Such a thing is naturally suggested by telegraphy with Hertzian waves, and it has been the subject both of vague speculation and practical experiment for months. . So far as Marconi himself is concerned, the nearest approach to telephonic communication without wires is the transmission of the sound of an electric spark, which is a short, sharp crack or shap. No success has been attained with:the human voice. But itis alleged that the sound of the spark has been heard.at a distance of 30 miles very feebly. With such sounds a telegraphie code could be constructed. But it would be in no way superior to the other form of wireless telegraphy—for that is what it really would be. Indeed, it would not- be half so serviceable. For the present, therefore, wireless telephony may be regarded as far from immediate.realization, though not impossible.

The distance covered by Hertz_ian telegraphy between the S¢uth Foreland and Boulogne is about 3¢ miles. In cer-

tain experiments betwe&n the former station on land and a French naval vessel fully 42 miles intervened. But this is not. the best achievement by any means. During the recent British naval maneuvers_official messages were sent to the Europa, over 60 miles off, and unofficial messages were received a distance of 74miles. Commander Statham, of the British navy, is thus led to remark: =®

“Imagine a chain of vessels 60 miles apart. Only five would b 2 necessary to communicate some vital piece of intelligence from a distance of 300 miles, receive in return their ingtructions and act immediately, all in the course of half an hour or less. Thisis possible already. Doubtless a vast deal more will be demne in a year or two or less, and meanwhile the authorities should be making all necessary arrangements for the wuniversal application of wireless telegraphy in the navy. The outfit is not expensive; £l2O would probably fit up any ship, and it is sure to become cheaper in time.”—N. Y. Tribune.

THE WINDOW IN THE TENT.

An Old Soldier’s Ingenious Way eof Securing Ventilation When in the Field.

“I never pull down the window at the top to letin a little fresh air when I go to bed,” said the old soldier, *without thinking of how we used to open the window in the tents in the army in war times, An A tent, seven feez square at the base and running up, wedge-shaped, tc- a ridge pole seven feet above the ground, made comfortable enough quarters for:-four menif you could leave the tent open, which was equivalent to leaving off the front of the house; but if it was cold or rainy. and the wind blew on the front of the tent so that vou had to close it, why then you wantedl ventilation somewhere, and you got i+ by making an opening in the back of the tent. -

““Yhere was a seam, overlapped, ranniag down the middie of the back of the tent from the ridge pole to the ground, angd we used to cut the stitche: along thal seam, up near the top of tha tent, and spread the sides apart by putting inga stick six or eight inches long across the middle, making there a diamondshaped oupening; about a foot long, which served the purpose admirably. “The men’s guns stood at thatend of the tent, butts resting on a piece of cracker boy, the barrels held in some sort of a holder secured io the tent pole. 1f the wind changed on.some rainy night and came around to blow against the back of ¥he “tent, the rain would come in on the guns and on us, and then somebody wonid get up and shut the. window, that is take the stick out and let the canvas come {ogether again there, and then open the tent a little at tlie other end, at the front. S “This all used to seem kind o’ stranggga;? ‘then somehow, though practically W“"E ‘was just what I would have done in the old house at home and just what Pd de here now.<N. Y. Bdec | § St Shoety nmnu’gm&;g@%»rgé’:.;: _ Lotteries are drawn every weekdayin g Bgham g «{‘«;’f‘?s’& ARI SSR R B TR