TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14987, 6 June 1914, Page 10

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Waste. America has its Jarndyco case. Some 25 .years ago Messrs Donnelly and McArdlei who wero brothers-in-law, were partners in the iron business. In 1891 after business reverses, trouble arose over tho precise nature- of a certain bill of sale, which brought the partnership to an end. Donnelly went to law, and then began a series of proceedings bewildering to tho lay mind. So bitter did the feeling become that in 1894 Donnelly tried to shoot McArdlo in court. Begun in 1891, the original suit has only just been finally settled. During tho twenty-three years thoro havo bopn ten trials, in which 45 judges, 95 lawyers, and 2-JI9 witnesses have been involved. The case has outlived 17 of thoso judges, 13 of the lawyers, aud 42 of tho witnesses. Donnelly gets final confirmation of a judgment for £10,000 in his favour, bu tho has spent £31,000 in counsel's fees, and the litigation, in his own words, has "wrecked his life." "Both of the contestants have grown grey in tho bitter feud," says the New York "Herald," "and spent most of their fortunes in an effort to best each other. The decision finds them virtually poor, but with the bitterness born of their earlier hatrod fanned into fresh flame by the added grimness of the passing years. Both seem ready to leap again into the legal arena on the slightest provocation." Donnelly, indeed, threatens to' sue several persons interested in the case, who, ho says, have wronged him. Only death, he declares, will stop him trying to punish those who have injured him. The delays inherent in the American syGtem of justice are largely responsible for this pitiful waste of time and money, and destruction of happiness, but human nature must bear a share of tho blame. In the beginning probably the quarrel was founded on something not much more serious than the question of baking powder in tho bread which made lifelong enemies of the two partner.s in "Tho Iliad of Sandy Bar." Landmarks. Tho "greatest landmarks of tho world" might differ according to the tastes, historical, martial, artistic, or religious, of the persons who placed their greatness in an ordered list. But the "Strand" for June, giving fourteen examples of notable monuments, makes a fairly representative selection. As one of the "great monuments in Biblical history," we ate shown tho. simple cross which marks the spot whero Mosos read out to tho childron of Israel their newly-revealed great law. "The Christ of the Andes," the colossal Christ statuo which stands as a sign of peace between "Argentina" and "Chile," is certainly one of the most wonderful boundary marks. Set on its rock-hewn column in a pass 13,000 feet above sea-level, this figure, cast from the melted cannon of

two nations, raises a hand in blessing amongst the grandeur and silence of the mountains. The traveller must lose this impressive sight now he crosses the Andes by tunnel instead of by coach. Amongst war monuments, the Lion of Waterloo, oh its mound 200 feet high, has an elder companion in the Lion of Chasronea, which guards the graves of the patriots of 338 8.C., near Mount Parnassus. Then another great Grej cian landmark is the grave-mound of Marathon, and this also makes ono of the "Strand's" list. The Cawnpore Memorial is a landmark calling up memories of horror, pity, and tears; and a tragedy of infinite loneliness and • grief is recorded at tho spot where Joan of Arc, deserted by her country, her king, and her "voices," was burnt to death at tho stake. Boston's "Teii Party" tablet has more cheerful associations —for the States —and, for a new country, America is singularly rich in war memorials. "Where the first Englishman landed in Barbados" was celebrated on the tercentenary of that event by the erection of a pillar of stone. Another great colonial event is marked by an Australian stone. "Gold Discovered, 1851," is tho brief legend which commemorates that remarkable freak of fortune to which Ballarat owes its existence, and Australia much of. her prosperity. Then, since science should have its due, the article ends with that curious monument marking ' the exact whereabouts of tho Tropic of Cancer. This is tho one memorial which may boast that while one side of it is in the tropic zone, the other is quite as absolutely "North Temperate."