In The Smoke Room

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 232

In The Smoke Room

THE use of silk ribbons to tie up cigars originated in Cuba. The Spaniard's patriotism impelled him to choose the national colours of red and yellow, and at the present these two colours, separate or in combination, are still the favourites. The first ribbons were made in Barcelona, and were the rich crimson scarlet known as the Figaro, the vivid yellow of the Cabanas and Partigas, and the red and yellow of the Espanola. The first domestic ribbons made were of cotton, of pale yellow, with a brown stripe running down the centre, and this was speedily followed by a ribbon made wholly of silk. About thirty years ago, a cigar manufacturer in America conceived the idea of having his name printed on the silk ribbon, which had hitherto been plain, and also the shape of the cigar. This was at first done in black, then in colours, and eventually in silver and gold, with embossed work and coat of arms. Then the name was woven into the ribbon instead of being printed. Many of these ribbons are still in use on expensive goods. Woven ribbon is very valuable as a trade mark, since it is impossible to duplicate it in small quantities. The raw silk for the ribbons is imported direct from Japan and China. There are ninety-four styles of cigar-ribbons made, varying in width from one-eighth of an inch to an inch and a-half Some years ago the general public was bitten by a cigar-ribbon fad, and many ribbons were sold by cigar dealers to make lambrequins and sofa cushions. Some of these are very handsome, and brought high prices when offered for sale. A cushion made by a cigarmanufacturing firm in America as a compliment to an actress, whose name was used as a trade mark, cost two hundred and fifty dollars simply for the needlework and time expended on it. Cricket (says an American newspaper correspondent) is a good game for Englishmen and dead men, or any other phlegmatic and stoical people. There are eleven men a side and an umpire, and what the umpire says is law. Englishmen are not kickers. The first cricket umpire was probably a Saxon king, and anybody who objected to his decisions went home in the dead waggon. A bowler throws the ball at a little wooden gate, which stands just behind one of the batters. If the gate is knocked down the man is out; if the ball is caught on the fly he is out; and he may he put out in several other ways, including getting knocked by a clout with the ball. When he hits the ball he scoots up and down the track, and scores a run per scoot. Ten men must be put out to end an innings. This is why the game usually lasts the greater part of a century. In England, when there is a cricket match on deck, the men close up the shops, and take their meals and wives along to see the funereal fun. In one of the London suburban districts during the winter months, dances are often given at the swimming baths, which are boarded over for the occasion, the big bath being used for dancing and a smaller one for supper. At a ball given there, the guests crowding in to supper were confronted by a placard on which was the startling announcement, * No one allowed here without clothes.’ Professor Falb of Vienna predicts that on November 13th, 1899, the earth will collide with a comet. The earth will not suffer, but all living beings will be suffocated by poisonous gases. A woman having passed an examination in veterinary surgery in England, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons refuses to grant her a certificate until the courts have decided that it is legal for women to be horse doctors. She is a Scotch woman and a graduate of a Scotch college. A Danish scientist, Dr. Johannson of the Agricultural High School at Copenhagen, has discovered that chloroform and ether have a wonderful power in awakening the vegetable kingdom ; while they put the animal world asleep, a closed flower can be re-opened instantly by either of these agents. A German surgeon is now healing wounded hearts. He is Herr Relin of Frankfort on-the-Main, and he told the surgical congress of Berlin that when a man stabbed through the heart was brought to his hospital not long ago he laid bare the organ and checked the hemorrhage by means of a suture. The patient was then exhibited to the congress alive and well. It is the doctor's belief that many cases of a like nature can be successfully coped with.