Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1886 — Big Things. [ARTICLE]

Big Things.

The greatest wall in the world is the Chinese wall, built by the Emperor of the Tsin dynasty, about 220 B. C., as a protection against the Tartars. It traverses the northern boundary of China, and is carried over the highest hills, through the deepest valleys, across rivers, and every other natural obstacle. ... Among the most remarkable natural echoes are that of the Eagle’s Nest, on the banks of Killarney, Ireland, which repeats a bugle call until it seems to’ be sounded froma” hfind¥ed w ifistTUßtoffts, and that of the banks of the Naha, between Bingen and Coblentz, which repeats a sound seventeen times. The most remarkable artificial echo known is that of the castle of Simonetta, about two miles from Milan. It is occasioned by the existence of two parallel walls of considerable length. It repeats the report of a pistol sixty time?.- - ■ —r— •—■ —~— The most remarkable whirlpool is the maelstrom off the northwest coast of Norway, and southwest of Moskenasol, the most southerly of the Lofoden Jsles It was once supposed to be unfathomable, but the depth has been shown not to exceed twenty fathoms. The greatest cataract in the world is that of Niagara. The Horseshoe I’all, on the Canadian side, has a perpendicular descentof 158 feet. Theheight of the American Fall is 167 feet. The Horseshoe Fall, which carries a larger volume of water than the American Fall, is about 600 yards wide, and extends from the Canadian shore to Goat IslandThe biggest diamond in the world, if indeed it be a diamond, is the Braganza, which forms a part of the Portuguese crown jewels. It weighs 1,860 carats. However, not a little doubt exists of its being a diamond, as the Government has never allowed it to be tested. It was found in Brazil in 1741. “Oh, don’t drink it, Jack; it will make you thirsty,” said a girl on the beach to hfer little brother, who had a cup of sea-water in his hand. “What’s the odds?” said Jack, gulping it down, “there’s plenty more.” A gentleman who married a widow complained to her that he liked his beef well done. “Ah, I thought I was cooking for Mr. Brown,” said she; “he liked his rare. But, darling, I will try and forget the poor dear.” When yon see a man full of liquor the contemplation Of a Supreme being is gratifying.