NEWS AND NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1899, Page 10 (Supplement)

NEWS AND NOTES.

M. Paderewski lately declared "welldeveloped muscles" to be a necessary possession of anyone who desires to shine as a performer on the piano. The late Mr. Brasscy (the father of the Governor of Victoria), as a contractor for railways in France, found it answer to import English labour at nearly twice the wages paid to Frenchmen. A Times telegram from St. John's, Newfoundland, states that the French cable steamer Amiral Coubot is changing the position of the French cables across the Grand Banks to avoid their being cut in war time. A gentleman who a few years ago was twice High Sheriff of Leinster, a deputy lieutenant and magistrate, has just died in an Irish Avorkhouse hospital. His tenants adopted the plan of campaign against him ten years ago. A subterranean lake of pure soft water has been discovered deep down in the sandstone formation beneath Colley Hill, overlooking Reigate. The springs which feed it are thought to be capable of yielding 500,000 gallons a day. Some caves were also discovered. A remarkable fact connected with the rice plant is its almost entire immunity from the attacks of insects, and from those diseases which infect the cereals and other vegetable growths, as also that it supplies a wholesome diet for one-half the population of the world. The men employed by the Birmingham Council to clear the streets of snow were supplied with coats and overalls. When these became soaked with the sleet and rain, the chemical dressings poisoned their hands and arms, 60 of the men having to be treated at the hospital. The London Police officials have issued an order rendering persons liable to a fine for shaking a carpet, rug, or mat (except doormats before 8 a.m.) in any thoroughfare. Also between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. no coal shall be unloaded on or across any footway, and no casks shall be lowered or raised within the same hours. The Radical journal Svpski Dojek, of Belgrade, in two years has had 16 editors arrested, all of whom are in prison together. This probably constitutes a record. Unfortunately, the arrest of the 16th editor seems to have been a knock down blow, and for the present the publication has hud to be suspended. The Earl of Stratford, who is now in New York, authorises the announcement of his engagement to Mrs. Colgate, of that city. Mrs. Colgate is one of the most beautiful and accomplished women in New York society. Her husband died about five years ago, and left her a fortune of £2,000, 00u, all of which was made in soap. The Paris Temps is shocked. It looks in vain for any sign of indignation in the English press against the sport to which two lives have been sacrificed in less than a year — to wit, le boxe. This display of sentiment was only to be expected in a country where even the deadly duel is conducted on the most humanitarian principles. Another distinguished man has lived to read his own biography. This is Professor Nothnagel, of Vienna. No professor is better known on the Continent than he, and when tJhe " Progres Medical " announced his death nearly every French medical journal paid an affectionate tribute to his memory. The Professor followed the example of Lord Broughham, and wrote an apology for having disappointed his affectionate admirers. The trade returns of the United Kingdom last year showed an increase of £19,500,000 in the merchandise imports, as compared with a decrease of nearly £1,000,000 in the exports of British and Irish manufactures, etc. As the imports increased £9,500,000 in the provious year, while the exports decreased £5,800,000, a two years' comparison would show an increase of as much as £29,000,000 in the imports, against a decrease of £6,800,000 in the exports. Captain Wingate, of the 14th Bengal Lancers, meditates a remarkable tour. He intends to make an overland journey through Hankow to Burmah, following the route through Hunan. The Captain, who is a cousin of the head of the Egyptian Intelligence Department, has partially prepared himself for the trip by a diligent study of Chinese, for which purpose he has sojourned some months in Pekin. The Captain has had no war experience, but he has given 17 years to the service. In 1897, a high-class German schoolmaster, Herr Engler, was condemned by the Criminal Court of Offenburg for an act of immorality. A short time ago he died insane, and a careful post-mortem was- made of the brain. The physicians reported that he was undoubtedly not responsible for his acts at the time his offence was committed, and the court re tried the case and acquitted him. There is something almost suggestive of some of the methods of Chinese jurisprudence about this. According to a telegram from St. Louis, U.S.A., to the Daily Mail, Minnie Seligman, the beautiful actress, who in private life is Mrs. Robert Cutting, well known in New York society, has consented to sell a kiss by auction at a Hebrew charity fair at the Coliseum at the end of the month. She expects to realise a thousand dollars as the result, and declares that the kiss will be well worth the money, but the warmth of it will depend on the liberality and personality of the successful bidder. This unique offer has created some sensation. It is expected that the bidding will be exceedingly keen. The Washington correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says — Naval- constructor Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac, has thrown £10,000 over his shoulder. He had been offered that amount for a series of lectures. Mr. Hobson says before sinking the Merrimac his lectures were probably worth 50 cents. The sinking of the Merrimac seems to have made them worth 50,000d01. The work he did Avas simply in his line as a naval officer, and he does not feel that he has a right to use that performance for the betterment of his financial position. Mr. Hobson is entirely dependent I i upon his pay, and his family are in moderate circumstances. The ownership of the summit of the highest mountain in Europe is the subject of a lively municipal dispute at the present time (reports the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph). Three municipalities, no less — namely, those of Chamonix, Les Houches, and St. Gervais — are the rivals in the field, and old maps and documents are being appealed to with fiery ardour. It is not the point of honour — the prestige of possessing an extra avalanche or so — which is at the bottom of this lively competition. It is lucre, a far more practical and profitable business, which has set these neighbours by the ears. The fact is that, Mount Blanc being in greater favour than ever with the travelling public, various spots situated at different altitudes on the famous mountain have been let out to enterprising projectors, and now there is a sharp fight over the profits. The body of the late King Alfonso XII has (the Daily Mail says) been taken out of the podridero, the vault in the Escurial where the bodies of the departed Kings of Spain are left for 13 years so that they may become mummified. The translation took place in accordance with custom. The wall of the vault, which had been built on the day of the funeral was pulled down, and the Marquis de Alcanices, majordomo, a great friend of Alfonso XII, nnd the grand chamberlain of the Queen Regent, escorted by the whole community of Augustine Friars of the Escurial, with lighted tapers, proceeded in great ceremony to identify the corpse, and transport it to the magnificent vault where the Kings of Spain rest, from Charles V. downwards. The body was in a perfect state of preservation. It is dressed in an uniform of a captain-general, with several decorations. Tt now rests close to that of Charles 111.