West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1907. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

West Coast Times, Volume 01, Issue 14179, 1 August 1907, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1907. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Tbe mariner's compass occasionally fails of its purpose in these steering by days of iron ships and gyroscope, cargoes of a magnetic

nature. This is especially the case in warships, whore tbe huge masses of iron and steel in guns and gun turrets, etc., are very liable to afford the rending of tbe compass. It is the usual practice to make all possible corrections; but guu(turrets have to be moved around and the corrections cannot always be relied upon. Again, the shock due to tbe firing of big guns is extremely bad for the compass. Dr H. Anschntz-Eampef baa invented a new form of steering standard dependent for its opeiation upon tba principle of the gyroscope, used for steadying hhips. This apparatus bas been subjected to exhaustive tests on a battle* shi f >, where, amid che firing of big guns, tbe movement of tbe turrets, "and such disturbing influences as would jlbave disposed of an ordinary compass, it behaved with remarkable precision, and came out of the trials quite uninjured. The apparatus cousibts esseat'al'y of an electrically operated gyroscope, carrying aii indicating needle and pivoted within a divided arc or rose similar to tbat of the o dinary mariner's compass. The inetmu euc of course coesnot necessarily point north and south, but it tends continually to poiutany d.rection in which it is set and thus to indicate any change of direction of the H'tip. It is not proposed to displace the mariner's* compass by mtais of this instrument, for its readings would tend to btcouie inaccurate after long spells of use without resetting as a supplement to the compass; for, although both inscrameots have their fault*, they are net of the same natnre, and tbe perfections of oae cover the imperf eciions of the other. The Savage Club celebrated its jubilee tbisyear, and approprithe savage ately a history of tbe CLiJB. faoious institution has been written. The Savage Club was originally a Bohemian instirution. but it is said to be a long way removed from the old Bohemiauism, ''the first «Qd i&ieutiftl conditions qf whi«h ,

waa the absence of a shirt, and the oert the emptiness of fche pocket." The origin of tha name is a subject of coutraversy. One account says that it was intended that the club should be literary in char' | acter, and the names "Addison," "John- ' son," "Goldsmith," and even "Shakespeare" were suggested, Robert Brougb protested Bgainst such pretentiousness, and a man called out "Tbe Bavage !" Brough declared that to be the very thing, pretending to believe tbat the man suggested RicLard Savage as the club's godfather. Sala, however, declared tbat the name had nothing to do with the author, but that the uonvival spirits who founded the club dubbed themselves Savages for mere fun. Edmund Yates remarked one day to a member, "I bear that there is a new club just started— the SaTages. What is the subscription?" "Just whatever tbe members choose to owe," was the reply. The «tory of the gatherings of the club makes entertaining reading- Great men of all kinds came there, and became young again. The King has sat with these hospitable wild men, and Mr Gladstone laid ande bis air of dignity, and became frivolous. The Savages were unusually lively and Mr Gladstone's speech was the liveliest of the evening. But the great man was taken in at first. The chairman gtavely an Bounced that George Grossmitb would deliver a highly instructive lecture, en* titled "The Dark Races," and Mr Gladstone as gravely got paper and pencil ready, and prepared to take notes in his best House of Commons style. The lecture was, of course, a screaming burlesque, and it is said that the disappear' ance of the grave look on Mr Gladstone's face, and the roars of laughter which sues ceeded it, were as entertaining as Gros smith. We read, too, of the Bishop of London setting tbe table in a roar, and Mark Twain spending a ''delightful good time," and then going back to the Langbam, and, finding two candles insufficient to read by. ordering 85 more. The sight of 'he American in bed, surrounded by 37 lighted cauales, must have been impressive.