Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1878 — PERSONAL AND LITERARY. [ARTICLE]

PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

-A controversy on spelling-reform in a London magazine has the alluring title, “ 1,212 Ways of Spelling ‘ Scissors.’ ” —Twenty years ago Albert Grant, the London financier of Emma Mine and Lisbon tramways notoriety, swept a wine merchant's office for $3 a week, and was discharged because ho was “ not sharp enough.” —The London Publisher's Circular complains that the free libraries established in English towns are a failure, because over 75 per cent, of tho books read are fiction, purchased at the expense of the taxpayers. . —A curious bit of philology is conveyed in the name of the familiar brierroot pipe. It has no connection with any brier, such as sweet brier or blackberry, but the word is merely a corruption of bruyere, the French for heath. —“Mark Twain” has sent for his pastor, tho Rev. Joseph H. Twitchell, of Hartford, Conn., to go over to Europe and spend some weeks with him in a pedestrian tour through Germany and Switzerland. It is not to cost Mr. Twitchell a cent. —Mrs. John W. Iliff was once a saleswoman in a sowing-machine establishment in Chicago. She went to Denver a few years ago to better her condition, where her husband recently died, leaving her the undisputed owner of $300,000 and 30,000 head of cattle. —The late Judge Sidney Breese, of Illinois, had for many years been accumulating and preparing the materials of a history of that State with which he had been personally identified from its admission into the Union. A large part of this history he had written in detached pieces.— N. Y. Post.

—Mr. Thurman is described as the most unostentatious looking man in the Senate. He dislikes an undertaker-like suit of black broadcloth, and generally w ears light gray clothes of loose and comfortable fit He is independent enough to carry a snuff-box, as Henry Clay and other statesmen of earlier days did. —On an old tombstone in a cemetery of Litchfield, Conn., is the following inscription: “Sacred to the memory of inestimable worth of unrivaled excellence and virtue I4rs. Rachel, wife of Jerome B. Woodruff and daughter of Norman Barber, whose etheral parts became a seraph May 24, 1835, in the twenty-second year of her age.” —An examination of the phonograph record has recently been made in Fingland with interesting results. Each vowel sound is found to have its characteristic record; that for long E, for ox ample, resembling two Indian clubs with their handles together. The long and short sounds of the same vowels have a similar record, differing only as theory would lead one to expect. —The following story is told of Speaker Randall’s grandfather, a leading lawyer in Philadelphia. He was clear-headed if he had a fee beforehand. A stranger came to consult him about a will and forgot the usual fee. The case involved a great deal of property. The client began: “My father died and made a will.” He then stated the case, consuming an hour in doing so. “Do you understand the matter, Mr. Randall?” “No, I do not.” The client left in disgust. He told hia trouble to a friend, who advised him to secure Mr. Randall. “ Stupid old dolt,” said the man, “he don’t know anything.” “ What retainer did you give him?” said the friend. “Oh, I forgot that.” “Go back and give tho old man a hundred dollar bill and see what will come of it.” Mr. Randall received him as though he had never seen him before, pocketed his fee and said: “Now state your case.” “My father died and made a will.” “ Stop, sir,” said the lawyer, “ that is very queer; how could he make a will after he was dead ? Don't you mean that lie made a will and died?” “Why, ’Squire, how did you find that out? tliata what I mean.” The case was won.— N. Y. Evening Post.

—To restore the softnoss and pliancy Of leather which ha 3 becomo hard by having been wet, apply neatsfoot od and rub it in. Castor oil is a good substitute for neatsfoot oil for softening leather belts, boots and harness. The cost oil for harness is one quart neatsfoot oil, four ounces beef tallow and three tablespoonfuls lampblack; adding four ounces beeswax for use in summer weather. —Tradition In agriculture is one of the greatest hindrances in the way of rural progress. This applies with special force to stock breeding and feeding. The same is essentially true in the department of vegotablo economy. where pedigree in seed raising is quite as important as pedigree in stockbreeding. —Prairie Farmer.' In Alabama they chew the tassels of the lir-trees as a substitute for tobacco* which reminds us of the old adage, “Be fir-chewers abu you’ll lie happy.” Chicago TVmes. — l The hot season of the year is now at hand. Go to work with the sun ami tarry in the field till the dew is on the grass. But rest at noonday.— Exchange. Babies are too highly prised to permit them to suffer with Colic, Flatulence, etc., when Dr. Bull’s Baby Syrup will at once relieve them. Price, 86 eta,