WORLD-WIDE NOTES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2641, 22 September 1919, Page 7

WORLD-WIDE NOTES.

NATIONAL. NICKNAMES. Brother Jonathan, the popular nickname for the United States, arose out of the person of Jonathan Trumbull, the Governor of Connecticut, whom General Washington never failed to consult in cases of emergency. He would • exclaim : "Wc must refer this matter to Brother. Jonathan," when in difficulties. Uncle Sam, another popular name for America, arose from a regular misconception of the letters U.S. (United States). John Bull was derived from Dr. Arbuthnot's satire of this title of a typical Englishman, published in 1721. The name of the author of "God Save the. King," is John Bull. Tommy Atkins, the popular name of the British soldier, arose because Thomas Atkins was a fictitious name that figured in the soldiers' monthly statement of accounts. Sambo, a name used for a nigger, is used because Zambo is the native term used to designate the offspring of a black person and a mulatto.

PIG-WORSHIP. The domestication of animals seemsf to have begun in animal-worship. A tribe would take the animal which it worshiped into its midst as a religious matter. Then gradually that particular superstition would wear off and the animal, now more or less tame, would be put to whatever use his human fellows could find for him. Animal worship is prevalent among all primitive people, the- animals chosen for devotion being usually those which distinguish themselves, according to the pimple minds of our remote forbears. Frequently they retained their sacred prerogatives until quite a late period among civilized peoples. The cat was sacred in Kgyptt until well past the <;lory days of Rome and was confined to .Egyptian society until well into the Roman decadence. The pig, uninspired as lie seems, was a favourite among the sacred animals of the Syrian peoples. But it must be remembered that le was j not the obese porker of to-day ; he • was the Syrian wild boar, a gentleman of no contemptible abilities.

GETTING FIDO'S WOOL OUT. A valuable source of clothing lies on the back of our friend the dog, i and this can be taken away without ■ injuring him physically in the slightest degree. Sheepdops, chows, and the like, in good condition, can, and should, do their bit of six pounds of wool yearly. A toy pom may yield at least two pounds of finest quality wqol per year worth about ten shillings a pound in the wool market. In this way may all dogs, both large and small, justify their existence in these hard times by yielding up, their warm, woollen coats. The Red Cross profit by. wool sales of this nature, all proceeds going to the benefit of the sick and wounded men. Many dog-owners in England are busy cultivating their pets' coats for the best and largest output. A Maltese recently contributed 20 pounds of wool ; another 30 pounds which have been knitted up into rich woollen jerseys, equal in texture and in warmth the finest lambs'-wool. ,