OLLA PODRIDA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 935, 31 January 1890, Page 6

OLLA PODRIDA.

‘ SCIENTIFIC ’ CENSURE OF BEER. ‘ It is our observation,’ says the Scientific American, ‘ that beer-brinking in this country produces the vary lowest kind of inebriety, closely allied to criminal insanity, The most dangerous class of ruffians in our large cities are beer-drinkers. Intellectually a stupor amounting almost to paralysis arrests the reason, changing all the higher faculties into the animalism, sensual, selfish, only with paroxysms of anger, senseless and brutal.’ INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS. An interesting experiment is reported from one of the Leipzig, hospitals. Pieceß of skin from the bodies df several white persons were some time since grafted upon a negro under treatment. These transplanted fragments gradually became darker and darker, finally assuming the same colour as the rest of the patient’s skin. That circumstance induced the further experiment of grafting black skin on a white body. That was fourteen weeks ago. After a few weeks the transplanted piece began to whiten ; and now it is impossible to mark any difference of colour between it and the rest of the body. A NEW CAR. There is now being introduced into England a new car that has been adopted with marked success in the States. Termed the Goodfellow and Cushman Tabular Car, it is, as its title indicates, constructed on the tabular principle, its framework being composed of iron tubes, knit together by what practically amounts to vices. In regard to damage by accident, the Goodfellow and Cushman is well to the fore, because, in case of casualty, whereas the present waggon is liable to be utterly smashed up and telescoped the new invention at most will only have a few of its iron tubes bent—the process of straightening them again being a very trivial operation. A NEW CARTRIDGE. A Frenchman, M. Bieunait, is said to have found the means of replacing the metal shell of cartridges by one of a vegetable composition, which will be entirely consumed in firing. The cartridge scarcely weighs oneha!E of a metal cartridge, the price is considerably le.'s, and its use will do away with all the drawbacks attached to the extraction ,

of the shell after each shot. As the metal shell, however, secures the closing of the gun, M- Bieunait has invented a new contrivance, which may he easily affixed to every gun at a small expense, and which would give to his vegetable sheli the same advantage as possessed by those now in use. The employment of these new cartridges would eriable soldiers to carry twios the number now allowed, and thereby the difficult problem of the supply of ammunition in battle would be greatly simplified.— Engineer.

A aUEER LOT OF DATES. Guildhall in London begun—l4l,l. The first bailiffes in Shrewsbury—l372. Shillings first coined in Englande -1505. The newe service booke in English—--1552. The first use of coaches in Englande—--1555. Domes-day booke begun by William—--1080. Rain from the Ist of April to Hollontide —1427. Pride exceeding in monstrous apparell—--1401. The cawsieo about London taken downe—--1506.' ■ _ The universitie of Cambridge founded—--915 A.D. A blazing star on Palm Sunday nere the sun—lo 77. * Justices of the Peace appoynted in Englande—lo76. Glasse windows used in the houses of Englande—llSo. A decree for lanthorne aud candlo light in London -1417. Four sunnes appeared, beside the true sunne, or a red colour—l233. Thunder lasted fifteen daies ; beginning the morrow afte<- St Martin's Day —1231. The Jews of Norwich stole a boy and circumcised him, minding to have crucified him at Easter—l23s. Robin Hood and Little John lived. This yeare London obtained to be governed by sheriffes and naaiors—llßo.

London bridge builded with stone ; and this yeare the citizens of London had a grant to choose them a maior—l2oo. The citizens of Loudon had libertie to hunt a certain distance about the citie, and to pass toll free through Englande—l227. Men and beasts perished in divers places with thunder and lightning, and fiends were seene speake unto men as they travelled—--1361. Paris in France, and London in Englande, paned, and thatching in both left,, because all Luberick was spoiled thereby with fire—--1180. The making of guunea found ; and rebels in Kent and Essex, who entered London, beheaded all lawyers, and burnt houses and all bookes of law—l3S6. Bv reason of a frost from- January to March, wheats was sold for a marke the quarter, which before was 12 pence. Anno Regni 6, John—l2os. Britanies Bursae builded. Hix Hall builded. Algate builded new. Sutler’s Hospital founded. Moore fields new railed and planted with trees. Westminster Palace paned. The Jews, corrupting England with usury, had first a badge given them to weare, that they might be knowne, and after were banished to the number of 150,000 persons —1291. St. John’s College, in Cambridge, being an ancient hostell, was converted tra'a college by the executors of the Countess of Richmond and Derby, and mother of Henry VII, in this yeare as her will was—lslo. Picked shoes tyed to their knees with silver chaines were used. And women in long gownes rode in side saddles, like the queene that brought side saddles first to Englande; for before they rode astrid—--1388.

Great tempests on the sea and fearful, and this year the king (Henry III) granted that wherefore the citizens of London were to present the maior before the king, wheresoever he were, that now barons of the exchequer should serve—l2s2. This yeare the King of France burned all his leprous people, as well men as women ; for that he supposed they had poysoDed the waters which caused his leprosy. About this time also the Jews had a purpose to poyson all the Christians by poysoning all their springs—l3l3.

BOUND TO SEE FAIR PLAY. HOW LONDON TOUGHS PRESERVED ORDER AT A RELIGIOUS MEETING. It was a touching story which the late Lord Shaftesbury told of some of the greatest roughs in the East End of London. A young clergyman in ono of the most wretched parishes had asked his advice as to how to deal with the terrible human vice and misery of the place. Lord Shaftesbury had counseled him to begin by establishing a ragged school, and had at the same time furnished the necessary funds. The school mot with immediate success, but it was impossible, in spite of all the vicar’s efforts, to induce the people to come to church, and the young clergymau finally resolved to meet them by preaching in the open air. He selected one of the worst oourts, and had the benches from the school taken there for his hearers to sit upon, but was dismayed when he came upon the scene to see the first row ocaupied by a number of the most notorious roughs of the neighbourhood, who, ho made no doubt, had come to break up the services. To his surprise, however, everything went off quietly, and when the services were over he stepped up to the leader of the gang, told him he had not expected to see him there, though he was very glad to welcome him, and asked what had brought him. The man said : ‘ Well, sir, you’ve been very good to our kids, so T said to my mates : ‘ Parson’s goin’ to preach in the court on Sunday night. It’s a roughish place. Let’s go and see fair play. That's what brought ns.’ A BATTLE WITH THE SEA. I have seen three men drown, and in each instance they were strong men and good swimmers. The look which comeg to the face of a man who feels ‘himself being drawn down is something you can never forget to

I your dying day. It is akin to that on the face of the condemned as the black oap is drawn over it and he known that another minute will launch him into eternity. When the treacherous undertow has sailed oq the swimmer and drifted him out 1 beyond the safety line he at first looks his surprise. The drift was so quiet he did not mark it. He is astonished to find the waves so much stronger and a current pulling at him, and he strikes out to return. He makes a dozen powerful strokes, aud then yon note his look of surprise give way to one of alarm. He is scarcely holding his own. much loss progres sing towards safety. Now he draws deep breaths and calls up all his muscular power, and he gains inch by inch and foot by foot. He is within a dozen feet of safety when a look of horror comes to his eyes, and his face is ghostly white among the foam. A cramp has seized him in the leg or. arm.

Inside the breaker that would mean nothing. Outside it means death. His efforts are spasmodic now, and Hie alarm is given along the beach. The life-boats are above and below, and the people on the iron piers can extend no help. If he can keep afloat five minutes he will be saved. Can he doit ? No 1 The current has already mastered him and is drifting him away. He battles for his life as only a strong man can, and 500 people cheer his efforts. It is not a fair fight. There are terrible odds against him. Inch by inch he yields, but when the hundreds are cheering their bravest he lifts hi 3 hands above his head, utters a shout of despair and goes down to be seen no more until the bruised and battered body is flung on the beach at high tide. A HORSE JUMPING CONTESTROSEBERRY CLEARS SIX FEET SIX INCHES FROM THE TURF. One oE the most interesting features at the recent Buffalo Exposition was the high jumping contest between horses. It < ccurred on Thursday. The contestants were Ontario, owned by S. S. Howland, of Mt. Morris,aad Roseberry, owned by Moorhouse and Pepper. There was a condition that they jump four feet and eight inches, or no prize would be awarded. ' Both horses cleared the hurdle easily until the fence was 5 feet 5 inches in height, and then Howland’s Ontario went o'er it with inches to spare. Moorhouse and Pepper’s Roseberry knocked off the pole, which was on top, after he had once refused to make the leap, but on the the third trial he jumped away over it. At 5 feet 7 inches Ontario went over on the first trial, and Roseberry again refused to go over and knocked ail the boards off the fence. The second time he went over successfully. Five feet 9J inches was just cleared by ■ Ontario, and Roseberry went over with several inches of daylight between him and the fence.

When 6 feet was reached the crowd began to get excited. Roseberry was just beginniug to jump in good shape. At 6 feet 2 the Howland horse made his first mistake. On the first trial he knocked off several" boards, but on the second jump he went over without touching. Roseberry cleared on the second trial. Six feet four inches was reached, and Ontario knocked off two boards the first time, one the second, and at the third attempt he went over with a few inches to spare. Roseberry just touched the second time he'jumped. Six feet 6 inches was the height of the last hurdle. Ontario tried five times to clear it, but each time his heels jnst touched the pole on top, and it would come down with her. The horse cou(d clear It with his fore legs very easily, but he would always bring down his heels too soon, thus catching the pole. On the fifth trial he was obliged to give it up. Roseberry came to the burcWe twice, but refused to go over. On the third trial he came at a terrible clip and his rider gave him the whip and he went clear over amid great excijfcement. The crowd went wild ; women waved their handkerchiefs, man threw their hats in the air, and everybody cheered. Roseberry, the winner, i 3 only a4-year-old, and his jump is only 2-J inches behind the best hurdle jump ever made in the world. F. Gebhart’s horse Leo and W. Durland’s Filemaker jumped 6 feet 8g inches at the National Horse Show in Neyv York last winter. But the record made in New York was by a jump from a spring-board. Roseberry’s performance is the best on record that was ever made by a jump from the turf. THE ARIZONA KICKER. BUSTNiSS STILL GOING ON AT THE OLD / STAND. We extract the following from the last issue of the Arizona Kicker : -

Don’t Blame Him. —Last Tuesday night the City Treasurer of this town jumped out with all the public moneys he could lay hands on. The aggregate sum was only §65, but no one should blame him for skipping out with that small sum. It was all he could get, and he had become so disgusted with having to assooiate with the members of the Common Council that he would have probable gone with §25. Fun Ahead. Aid. O’Grady didn’t take our remarks of last week in the right spirit. We called him a thief, liar anddrunkard, and instead of admitting the charges like a gentleman he indulges in threats of personal violence. Come on, Mr O’Crady! We’ll try and make it lively for you. And, by-the-way, while on this subject, we feel to observe that of all the corrupt, dishonest, knavish, drunken public bodies ever convened in a room togother our town council caps the climax. Next week we shall begin a war of extermination on these vipers, and if the fur don’t fly it won’t be our fault. A Novelty. —We learn that Mr .Tames Shields, of Omaha, has purchased a lot on Apache avenue and intends to build and open a hardware store. This will bo a novelty. Not that we haven’t a hardware store ia town, but the idea o! a man opening a store here instead of a saloon will strike our people queerly. The saloon interest needn’t be alarmed., however. We know of at least six new ones which will open this fall to help control the political campaign. 1 It Can’t be Done Now.— Fora year or

more after wo struck this town we could be kicked and cuffed with perfect impunity, even by a low-down Indian. W-e were knocked down, booCt-dL~iM> and the street, n,nd had our nose pSptl out of sltapqj tvg>o or three times per weef," and we never thought of resisting We were a tendeffoob of the tenderfoofcest sort, and it was a question whether we would pull through or net.

Let soiheono attempt to tweak our nose to-day ! The pffer of a hundred dollars in cash wouldn't tempt a man in town to try it on. We are no longer a ceuderfoot. The man who sets out to ‘lift’ us. now has to beat chain lightniwg. Every chap who has piled into us for the last ten months has had to be carried off on a shuttel-, and two of them, as the town records show, sleep peacefully among the daisies.

It Melted Us.—lt is well known all over town that we have held a mortgage for the last three months on the entire outfit of our contemporary, it covers everything but his own worthless carcase and can be foreclosed at any minute. This being the case, we are often asked why we don’t take possession when that blotch on refers to us in such endearing term-was* ‘jackass,’ ‘liar,’ ‘hypocrite,’ and so forth.

We did go over one day last week calculating to turn him out on the sand hills, but he fell to weeping and melted us. While it seems hard for a man to be abused by his own property, we fearb to kick away the barrel. And, besides he runs such an abject’ apology for a weekly newspaper, that The Kicker receives hosts of compliments by comparison. We are not going to be mean with him—not unless he quits abusing us and tries to publish a good paper. A New Department.—As will be noticed by all our subscribers we add a new department to The Kicker this week—that of forecasting the weather, We have arranged a sigual office on the roof of our own building, and shall take observations hourly We have also purchased a map of the United States, add have arranged a programme by which we expect nine-tenths of our predic. Jfcions to be verified. This has been a long■felt want in this locality, and the enterprise of The Kicker will no doubt be duly appreciated.

We shall start dub at a alow pace and do no rushing until the lmrne'ss fits well. Our first prediction : ‘ Clearer ; warmer ; cloudy ; cool ; may rain and may notis a sort of g feeler, and we do not advise anj of our readers to give up a fishing excursion or a Sunday school picnic on account of it. We hope in time to get used to the hang of the thing, and after we have We will guarantee to beat the government out of sight or wear one sh-irt a'l the winter.

PAINT ON HOUSES'A HEALTH AGENT. Statistics show that people live longer in a brick house than fry-stone, and that wooden houses-are the heaffiliipst. Th*Ss suggests the idea of using paint on masonry. An, authority states WO years ago it was fashionably to buildings white., and many' charming structures remain to attest the value of a coat of paint in preserving the masonry, and its pleasant, homelike effect is a foil to and shrubs wn;h which even city houses ate now commonly adorned.- If it should as might be easily ascertained, that the painted brick houses preserve their inhabitants more effectually from sickness and premature death than the unpainted ones, it woThBI be worth while to revive the ancient fashion, • and -with our greater resourcesrin the way of materials and ideas, exterior colourisefe might' become as important an accessrjS&o the architecture of the! Twentieth •tmHBSy; as it was to that of the TlSK'of Thirteenth.